Friday, January 6, 2017

Provo City Center temple

1 Nephi 4:20-5:6

What can we learn from Zoram who, after learning about the Lord's will from Nephi, decided to leave Jerusalem and follow Lehi and his family?

DC 3:11-20

What testimony do I have that the Lord does keep His promises?

Speech: "The Other Side of Heaven"

By: John Groberg

Dec. 4, 2001

GC:    "Come, Follow Me" by Practicing Christian Love and Service by Elder Robert D. Hales

"Our Christian love and service naturally begin in the home.  Parents, you are called to be loving teachers and missionaries to your children and youth.  They are your investigators.  You bear the responsibility to help them become converted.  In truth, all of us are seeking to be converted - which means being filled with our Savior's love."

We left for the valley at 5:46 am. in a snow storm with James driving.  Because we were running late James suggested that we go the Globe way because he thinks we will get there quicker.  I didn't argue because, I mean, after all, he is the one driving.  The only thing I was worried about was falling rocks in Salt River Canyon.  We hydro-planed on a wet road and then went over a hill and hit some ice just before Timber Camp, and then slid all over the road.  Thank goodness no one was coming from the other direction.  Prayers really are answered!

We arrived at the Arizona Arthritis and Rheumatology Center in Mesa at 9:05, plenty of time for my 9:15 appointment.  I was taken right back.  My blood pressure was 148/84.  I guess I was a little anxious about getting there on time.

Trina's family

We went to Sonic for lunch and then went to see Adam.  He insists that the accident was not his fault.  At this point it doesn't matter.  He has no insurance to fix the car and it is in a towing yard.  James will come back down on Tuesday with his trailer and get the car. 

We stopped at Costco on the way out to see Trina and the kids so I could pick up some Alpine Valley bread.  At Trina's all the kids are there except Addy who is already back in school.  We gave Rowan is charger for his drone.  Lola said to me: "I like your red shirt." and to James: "I like your black shirt."  "Do you like my pink one?"

 Monument Valley

We went home again through Globe.  We made these stops in Show Low: Walmart, Home Depot, Dollar Tree, and China Buffet for hot and sour soup, and Taco Bell for tacos.  

It was wonderful to finally be home!  We did go from 63 degrees in the valley to 33 here in Vernon.

We watched a cute movie we had seen before but really loved, "Summer Villa" with Hilare Burton and Victor Webster.  I have a little bit of a crush on Victor.

Family Photos:

Soccer game two years ago.

Is that Sheri looking at her phone?

Coach Trina

Addy when she was 10.

5 year old Ruby.

Lola using a tablet.

This was when Joshua, Rowan and Evan all played on the same team.

November 6, 2016

Happy 10th Birthday Evan!

Blow Evan!

I hope he made a wish!

Evan wanted this chocolate cake because he didn't

get any of Jared's last week.

My guess is the Washington D.C. temple

Am I right Jared?

3 Nephi 21:1-29

* What signs of the gathering of Israel do we see today?  Jesus told the Nephites He would give the "a sign" (3 Nephi 21:1) so they would know when the gathering of Israel had begun.  He then foretold the Restoration of the gospel, the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, the establishment of a free nation in America, and the taking of the gospel to their seed (v. 1-7).  He called the Restoration of the latter days "a great and a marvelous work (v.8).  In the early days of the Restoration, the Savior said "a marvelous work is about to come forth" (D&C 4:1).  President Gordon B. Hinckley spoke of the Restoration and of our responsibilit to help move the work forward: "This glorious gospel was ushered in with the appearance of the Father and the Son to the boy Joseph.  The dawn of the dispensation of the fulness of times rose upon the world.  All of the good, the beautiful , the divine of all previous dispensationswas restored in this most remarkable season.  Do we really comprehend, do we understand the tremendous significance of that which we have?  We of this generation are the end harvest of all that has gone before.  It is not enough to simply be known as a member of this Church.  A solemn obligation rests upon us.  We must live as true followers of Christ, with charity toward all, returning good for evil, teaching by example the ways of the Lord, and accomplishing the vast service He has outlined for us." (Ensign, May 2004, 83-4).

GC:     "Come, Follow Me" by Practicing Christian Love and Service by Elder Robert D. Hales

" When the Savior called His disciples to follow Him, they were living the law of Moses, including seeking 'an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth but the Savior came to fulfill that law with

His Atonement.  He taught a new doctrine:

'Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for the which despitefully use you, and persecute you." (Matt 5:44; 3 Nephi 12:44).

We had a wonderful fast and testimony meeting today.  Everyone is anticipating becoming part of the Pinetop-Lakeside stake.  President Van Winkle was the last one to bear his testimony.  We will miss our wonderful stake presidency!

I had to children in my Primary class today, Kacey Westbrook, and Christian Skousen, a visitor from Lakeside.  The Wilhelm boys are gone hunting with their dad.  I miss them.  

To continue with Evan's birthday, here are some pictures of years in the past.

Evan and Rowan three years ago at California Adventure.

Evan the artist.

I love this boy!

After church we broke our fast, had some lunch, and took a nap.  

While James was still napping I got up and noticed some elk in our yard.  When I told James he jumped right up.  

Elk

James checking out the elk.
James's pictures of the elk with my camera:

Every elk wears a target on the back.

This evening we attended a stake re-organization meeting in Lakeside.  Our new stake president is Steven Shumway.  Here are some notes I took at the meeting: "Zion must increase her borders."

The name of our stake has been changed from Pinetop-Lakeside to the White Mountain stake.  At the end of the meeting Presdent Shumway left us a blessing.  He said our children and granchildren would be a light to the world.