Sunday, January 1, 2017

We took this picture coming home from church.

1 Nephi 1:1-15

What do you love most about the Book of Mormon?

* I love the fact that if we "keep the commandments, we will prosper in the land."  I also love the examples of God's power delivering or strengthening the obedient.  There are so many things I love about the Book of Mormon.  These are just a couple of examples.

DC 1:1-10

How have the words of the prophets been a blessing in my life?

GC: I Will Bring the Light of the Gospel into My Home by Jean B. Bingham

"One of the most significant ways we can develop and demonstrate love for our neighbor is through being generous in our thoughts and words.  Some years ago a cherished friend noted, 'The greatest form of charity may be to withhold judgment.' That is still true today."

Andy Wilhelm was the youth speaker in sacrament meeting today.  He told about Curtis getting a priesthood blessing when he was diagnosed with leukemia.  He also told about Curtis and Johnny both being flown to Phoenix Children's Hospital and how it is a miracle neither of them had spinal meningitis.

Kip Hunsaker was a replacement speaker for Jimmy McNeil who had to go into work today because of the snow.  He spoke about baptismal covenants and the importance of teaching our children the importance of the covenants they make when they enter the Kingdom of God.  We are changed forever through baptism.  It is important to renew our covenants at the sacrament table because we need the Holy Ghost in our lives everyday.  His son Colter we just baptized on Friday.

Steve Allen is our elder's quorum president.  He spoke about commitment and testimony.  He based many of his comments on a talk by Elder Robert D. Hales, "Receiving a Testimony of Jesus Christ and His Restored Gospel."  Brother Allen stressed the importance of sharing our testimonies often throughout our lives.

Sheri, Kim, Brian, Ben, Max, Evan, and Rowan attended sacrament meeting with us.  Michael had promised me he would come, but I guess he stayed up too late last night.  Alex didn't come either which was a disappointment.  I was hoping they would want to be missionary examples to their friends.

Sheri, Ian, Ben, Evan, and Rowan went home this afternoon.  Evan and Rowan wanted to stay but Evan is sick and Sheri wanted him to come home.  Rowan was going to stay with Max until he saw how sad Evan was that he was coming home with him, so he changed his mind and went home.  Max stayed.  Alex, Shana, Michael, Alexis, Daniel, Connor, and Kim and Brian are all still here.

Sheri did not want her picture taken, but it's our

tradition.

Drive safely in the snow. 

Evan and Rowan didn't want to get out of the car for

pictures.

After lunch we had a game of Five Crowns.  Michael, Alex and their friends went to Green's Peak. 

Michael and Alexis

Michael, Daniel, Alex

I feel like I am getting sick.  I spent much of my time taking it easy today.

Maybe this is why I am feeling sick. jk

Here are some memories I wanted to share:

Max and his snowman.

The Snow family.

Such an adorable picture of Molly and Ruby

from a few years back.

Thursday, December 1, 2016

The Nauvoo temple

Ether 1:1-43

The Lord explained to the brother of Jared that blessings had come to his people as a result of prayers offered over a long time.  President Spencer W. Kimball taught that we must put great effort into our prayers and that we must pray frequently: "Do you get answers to your prayers?  If not, perhaps you did not pay the price.   Do you offer a few trite words and worn-out phrases, or do you talk intimately to the Lord?  Do you pray occasionally when you should be praying regularly, often, constantly?  Do you offer pennies to pay heavy debts when you should give dollars to erase that obligation??  When you pray, do you just speak, or do you also listen?  Your Savior said, 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.' (Rev. 3:20).  Should we ever fail to get an answer to our prayers, we must look into our own lives for a reason." (BMSM, 363).

GC:     I Will Bring the Light of the Gospel into My Home by Jean B. Bingham

Jesus Christ is the perfect embodiment of charity.  His premortal offering to be our Savior, His interactions through out His mortal life, His supernal gift of the Atonement, and His continual efforts to bring us back to our Heavenly Father are the ultimate expressions of charity.  He operates with a singular focus: love for His Father expressed through His love for each of us.  When asked about the greatest commandment Jesus answered: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." 

-Matthew 22:37-39

Today the Church started the 

"Light the World" campaign.  

Today: 

Jesus lifted others burdens and so can you.

James turned off the water and left for the valley this morning.  I left a little after 9.  I stopped in Show Low for gas and to wash my very dirty car.  I was so tired I had to stop at the Circle K in Heber to get something to eat in order to stay awake.  My next stop was

the Dollar Tree in Payson.  I bought five more glass plates and 18 Christmas stockings for my grandkids.  I also got two tacos at Taco Bell for lunch.  

When I got to Chandler I went straight to Stacy's to deliver her tree stand.  I noticed she had a snowman puzzle she was working on.

I guess Shipley noticed the puzzle too.

She couldn't resist messing it up.

Boy does she look guilty!

From Stacy's I went down Ocotillo to Gilbert Rd. to the new Fry's Artesian Marketplace.  What a beautiful store.  I bought some wings, potatoes, green beans, cranberry celebration and some drinks.  My next stop was the Gilbert Costco.  I got both fillet and ribeye steaks for our scripture dinner this evening at Kim and Brian's.  I also got Alpine Valley bread for James, some croissants and a caramel pecan cheesecake for dessert.  I also got a couple of pies at Fry's and two at Costco for our ward party on Saturday night.

After shopping at Costco I headed for Kim and Brian's to start preparing dinner. James headed for Phoenix to pick up Michael.  He was over halfway there when Adam called and said he was close to the school and would pick Michael up.  I am glad because James needed to get back to cook our steaks.  

It was a fun evening but I felt a little unorganized.  I even forgot to serve the drinks!  Alex left for school before we could take his picture.

Michael and Adam pretending to have an arm

around Alex.

I guess Seth has moved back to Oregon and was not able to attend.

I still send the scripture reading assignment everyday to him and Gail.

I was exhausted and Brian and Kim offered to clean the kitchen.  I am grateful to them for that and for allowing us to have the dinner at their house.  

James and I dropped the leftover food, etc., at Cathi's and then we drove over to Phoenix to take Michael back to school.  I read to James from "United We Stand" on the way home.

Cathi was up making cookies.  Now that they are at the Chandler ROC they only work Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.  

I visited with her for a few minutes before going to bed.

Blue Canyon