Monday, June 1st, 2020

Halifax, Nova Scotia
64th operating temple
Dedicated: 14 Nov 1999
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, King

John 19:3

And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Alma 5:1-14; "The Scripture Study Project" podcast

Inklings

Restoration Proclamation paragraphs 1-4

Nourish the Body - DC 89:10 - "...all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man"

April General Conference

"Opening Remarks"

President Russell M. Nelson

"This year, we commemorate the 200th anniversary of one of the most significant events in the history of the world - namely, the appearance of God the Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to Joseph Smith. During that singular vision, God the Father pointed to Jesus Christ and said: "This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!"

"We Can Do Better and Be Better"

President Russell M. Nelson

April 2019

James had to leave early to check on his job in Mesa. I got up early to work on my job. He was back before nine as he promised. Today is our 52nd wedding anniversary and so we would like to spend it together.

James asked if I wanted to go to IHOP. I didn't because I knew we were going to go to Cheesecake Factory later. Instead he went to Fry's and got some food for breakfast. He came home and made me sausage, scrambled eggs and toast. It was great. 

I have sold several more books. I also bought three books today. The thing that I feared would happen this week while I am gone from home has happened. I sold a book Merchant Fulfilled. The book I sold is at home. It is an older book and is ranked very highly, which means it does not sell very often so I doubt I can find it in a bookstore. I will try though. 

Molly is staying at Jared's for a couple of weeks. She wanted to tell me she was watching Heartland. It's not a show I would think she would be interested in, it's not really a kids show, but I guess she probably loves the horses. She wanted to FaceTime with me so after my shower we FaceTimed. I told her about Luna's latest doings and we had a nice visit. James was taking a nap so he didn't get to visit with her.

I forgot to bring any socks except the ones I was wearing so after talking with Molly James and I drove to the nearest Walmart to do a little shopping.  

All Walmarts are not created equal. This one was very nice compared to the one in Show Low where we normally shop. I found some socks, a couple of tops, and various other items. James says I love to shop. Sometimes I do. Grocery shopping is not my favorite so I sent James over to get some groceries. He got some ice cream so we had to go back to the resort and put groceries away before going to Tempe to visit with his mom and Dawn. 

Lois had low blood pressure and has been having dizzy spells. When she got up she Dawn immediately took her walker over to her. She is stooped over and frail and looks her age now. She no longer colors her hair and it is totally white. 

On our way to Tempe we got off on Rural Rd. and drove passed ASU. I commented to James how I hardly recognized it any more because there were so many new buildings and still more buildings were being built. I mentioned this to Dawn and she said that students now must live on campus and that accounts for some of the  buildings. I have never heard of such a thing and was a little surprised by this fact. Dawn said that studies show that students do better in school while living on campus. It seems to me like another freedom being taken away. 

Lois did some reminiscing and told of going to grade school at Crescent School in Ft. Cobb, Oklahoma. She said it was a large building divided into two rooms. One room was for grades 1-3 and the other was for grades 4-6. She said there was a large fire burning stove in the middle of the room. Kids would bring a potato, or carrots, or onions with them to school and they would put them in a large pot of boiling water and added some canned beef and that was what they had for lunch. It sounds like a story I used to read to my kids when I taught school and the kids brought vegetables to school and they made a Mulligan stew. 

I asked if they had toronadoes where she lived and she said, "Oh yes." She remembered her family going into the underground root cellar when there was a tornado warning. They stored food and clothes in this cellar in case of emergencies. It was fun listening to her reminisce.

When we came in I did not notice that the piano was gone.  I guess Dawn has a friend who is a concert pianist but lacked a piano when she moved here so Lois gave her piano away. Now they have no place to put the mantle clock that was on the piano. I guess we bought it for her years ago and so now they are returning it to us. It is a very nice clock and it will go on our piano when we get home.

We left Tempe before five so James had time to go to the UPS store to mail back the part that was sent to him for the truck which was not the part he ordered. There was a line at the store so I waited in the car for over 15 minutes. We were parked in the shade but I still needed to keep the motor running because it was over 100 degrees outside. One more stop before we go to dinner. Erik's backyard. James brought down the cracked engine block to the Razr to send in to the company we ordered the new engine from. They said it would save us $800 on the new engine. The only problem is they sent a list of parts they wanted and James doesn't know what half of them are so that's the reason we are asking for Erik's help. I was watching an episode of "Lark Rise to Candleford" on my phone in the car. Erik asked James if he had 15 minutes. James said no, it was our anniversary and we had plans. Erik's comment was: "Oh Karen's okay, she's watching a movie." It's a good thing I like him so well or I might be offended. Another 20 minutes in the car.

Finally we were on our way to The Cheesecake Factory at the Chandler mall. The mall is closed because of the possibility of a riot. Police cars everywhere and glass doors boarded up with plywood. So sad. Thank goodness The Cheesecake Factory was open. 

I ordered a filet, medium with mashed potatoes and green beans and James ordered their most popular dish, chicken Madeira. We first had sourdough and molasses bread which was quite delicious.

The steak was juicy and tender and the chicken

was delicious. I can see why it is the most

popular dish here.

After dinner we went back to our timeshare. Once again we were on the freeway at 8 p.m., the curfew time. 

I realized I had only 4,000 steps so I began walking in my "circle." I start in the dining room - living room and got through the bedroom and bathroom and circle back. I walked until I got 10,000 steps and then stopped. James and I watched "Lark Rise to Candleford" on my phone before going to bed.

Charlie got her Olaf!

Wednesday, May 13th, 2020

San Diego, California

45th operating temple

Dedicated: 25 April 1993

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, King

Jeremiah 23:5

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Mosiah 20; Read with James; Sunday journal, study guide, "Teaching with Power"

Lambson Study Group

"How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration for Your Personal Life"

Richard G. Scott

April 2012

Inklings

Beautify the Soul; 2 Nephi 28:30; Four Steps for Healthy New Growth: Remove Obstacles, One Idea for Improvement, Nourish, Trust God

Restoration

Chapter 15: The Church in Northern Missouri 1836-38

April General Conference

"Hosanna and Hallelujan - The LIving Jesus Christ: The Heart of Restoration and Easter

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

"Dear brothers and sisters: with hosanna and hallelujah, we celebrate the living Jesus Christ at this season of continuing Restoration and Easter. With perfect love, our Savior assures us: 'In me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.'"

"The Power of Deliverance"

Elder L. Tom Perry

April 2012

Positive Affirmations: I am strong, I am faithful, I am hopeful, I am in control.

James came in this morning from feeding Luna and said: "Two elk cows were out there watching me as I fed Luna."

We had prayer at home and scriptures in the car on our way to town. We are going to get out tires rotated at Discount Tire. We usually do this the same time we have our oil changed so we are running a little behind. We got there at 8:30. James got out name on the list and then told the guy he had a couple of errands to run. They guy told him as long as he was back by 9:30 he would not lose his place in line. 

We had to find Dr. Moffat's new office to pick up orders for an x-ray on James hand. We finally had to call because although we were in the right strip mall, we did not recognize the name on the door. His office is now called Change Point.

After picking up the paper from Dr. Moffat James dropped me off at Walmart while he went to the hospital to get an x-ray. Actually he dropped me off at the bus stop and I walked the rest of the way. 

The best time to shop at Walmart is in the early morning. Not only was it not busy but I got a big package of toilet paper. 

I received a message on my phone to call the pharmacy about the refill on my tramadol. I spoke with Mike, an LDS tech. He said I could not refill the prescription until tomorrow. It was too early today. I told him I was out of pills and I never use more than is prescribed. I suggested that perhaps they shorted me a few pills last month. He said they would check and to call back in two hours. 

I finished my shopping and went outside to call James. It was about 9:45 and he said he was still waiting for them to take the car in.

I was going to wait at the bus stop with my groceries but there were several people there. The garden center had mulch bags set out on rows 10-11 of the parking lot. I decided to go down to the end of the mulch and park my basket and sit on the mulch to wait. Now I know how homeless people feel.

You can't see the mulch pile where I sat.

It was the perfect height. The only 

problem was it was a little damp and

so when I got up, my pants were wet. 

Black pants so you couldn't really tell.

Around 11:00 I called the pharmacy back. They said there was

nothing they could do for me because the record shows I received all of my pills. I didn't argue. I just said please text me when my

order is ready and Mike said they would.

James got there before 11:30 which means I was waiting outside

about an hour and a half. I was hungry and wanted some lunch but James said he had to run over to Home Depot and get a screw...?

I waited in the car and watched a video on Facebook of Evie Jiminez opening her mission call. She is going to Porte Allegre, Brazil, the same mission her aunt served in. Congratulations Evie. She is the sweetest girl with the best testimony and will be an awesome missionary! She just finished a year at BYU and will turn 20 in October.

When James finished at Home Depot we headed for KFC. We were both craving their coleslaw. We ordered our food, which came to $17, shocking! We could have gone to Taco Bell and got full for $8.00. We stopped for gas going out of town. Oh yes, I forgot to mention we had to get a new tire at Discount. Our front drivers tire was worn and had a wire sticking out. Because we have the warranty we paid nothing for the new tire. I take that back, the warranty on the new tire cost $34.

I read from Aunt Dimity Lost Prince and when we got home and put all of the groceries away we laid down to take a nap. This little morning outing took much longer than either of us imagined.

I did not feel well and couldn't seem to get much done this afternoon. James worked upstairs and outside and went on a horsey ride. I told him I didn't feel well and was going to lie down. He said he thought he might have some tramadol. He found me two pills which I took. Within a couple of hours I was a new woman!

I checked my Keepa alerts and Amazon Seller Central to see if I sold any books today. I sold three. My balance is now, $1,163.38.

I spent the evening studying the gospel and then James and I watched the next episode of "Lark Rise to Candleford."

"Lark Rise to Candleford"

Season 2 Episode 3

Battling with her emotions for new arrival James Dowland, Dorcas sets out to defeat the dashing property developer in the parish council elections. In her quest to win, she finds herself caught up in a battle to prove there is a place for a woman in politics.

Quotes

JD: "Perhaps you are not suited for politics.

D: "Suited? I can argue Mr. Dowland, it is one of  my most cherished attributes. What you take exception to is that I am a woman."

JD: "It does seem such a shame."

D: "A shame? 

JD: "That your loveliness is wasted on the cut and thrust of politics.

D: "My loveliness, as you chose to call it, is nothing more than appearance, I mean clothes."

JD: "Not at all. Your loveliness is in every ounce of your being. Every word that you speak, the way you josh and needle your neighbors with such delight. It is a living, breathing spirit the likeness of which I have never seen before."

D: "Yes, well you are entitled to your opinion."

Monte's 50th Birthday

Happy Birthday Monte!

 Lake Powell

 Arizona wildflowers

 She looks like Jared to me in this picture

Shall we get a bunny?

Saturday, May 2nd, 2020

Stockholm, Sweden

34th operating temple

Dedicated: 2 July 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, King

Psalms 47:7

For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Mosiah 10:11-22; Sunday journal, study guide, Sunday on Monday podcast

April General Conference

"Shall We Not Go On In So Great a Cause"

President M. Russell Ballard

 "Of the Smith family, Brigham Young said: 'The Lord had his eye upon Joseph Smith, and upon his father, and upon his father's father, and upon their progenitors clear back to Abraham, and from Abraham to the flood, from the flood to Enoch and from Enoch to Adam. He has watched that family and that blood as it has circulated from its fountain to the birth of that man. Joseph Smith was foreordained in eternity."

"Come Unto Christ - Living as Latter-day Saints"

Elder John A. McCune

April 2020

As part of my Inklings study I am studying the Restoration Proclamation, one line a week, This is our second week, so far we have the first two lines.

We solemnly proclaim that God loves His children in every nation of the world. God the Father has given us the divine birth, the incomparable life, and the infinite atoning sacrifice of His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. 

You would think that learning it one line a week that I would remember it, but my old brain can only do so much. I did the Family Proclamation this way and to this day I can tell you bits and pieces from it but cannot quote it in its entirety.

James went to the Howard's to work this morning. I finished cleaning upstairs. Erik's family is coming today with him as he works on trying to fix the Razr. They are bringing their RV and Erik says they will stay in it but I wanted the upstairs to be ready in case they want to use the bedrooms. 

James got back around 11 o'clock about the same time Erik and his family arrived. Erik immediately went to work on the Razr. Amelia and the kids came in and we visited for awhile. Amelia said it was nice to be here for a 30 degree cool down reprieve.  The oldest girl is Aurora who is 12, Mabel 10, Oliver, the only boy is 7 but will be turning 8 on May 7th, and Tabitha Rose who is 5. I asked about their school and Mabel told me about homework and her teacher's website. Amelia says they go to Benjamin Franklin School and each teacher has their own website that the children go to to find out the assignments for the day and to listen to the teachers instructions or to hear her read stories. Sounds like a great system. When I ask Trina about home school she said: "My children are learning to do laundry, cook, use power tools, and we go on fieldtrips once a week.

Oliver seems very shy but I did find out that he is going to be baptized next Saturday. No one is allowed to come except the people that live with Oliver. Amelia says they are going to do a video for family members to watch.

Oliver and Tabitha went upstairs when I told them there were toys. Aurora and Mabel wanted to ride Luna. They all went out to see her and Tabitha tried to feed her a carrot which she enjoyed until James brought her some oats and then that was the end of the carrot. 

Aurora went for a couple of rides and then came back this afternoon for more. She got to where she could use the reins pretty well and looks like a natural. 

Mabel took one ride and Luna had her mind on food because James had been feeding her when he saddled her up. She headed back towards the corral and went under the juniper tree in our back yard and Mabel got scratches all over her arm. We were saying, "Be calm don't panic, hold on and pull the reins back." Mabel was crying when she got off. Amelia and I took her inside to wash off her arm and put Neosporin and bandages on the cuts. I don't think she will be riding again for awhile. 

Amelia took the kids to the RV for lunch and I finished my blog and had turned the lights off and was going to take a nap on the couch when Brian and Kim walked in.

Brian and Kim came bearing gifts: green chili burros from Burger House, a strawberry donut from Krispy Kreme, two individual bundt cakes and a gingerbread cookie in the way of food. Now we have something to look forward to when we break our fast. They also brought toilet paper, paper towels, five handsoaps, and a bottle of dishsoap. Brian brought apples and carrots to feed Luna.

We went out to feed Luna and visit with her. She loved the attention!

Kim, Brian and I sat outside on the patio and visited for awhile as they told me the entire story about Joseph's demise. 

We went inside and before they left we watched part of the first episode of season one of "Lark Rise to Candleford." I wanted to see if Kim thought she would like it and she said she would. We said goodbye and Kim and Brian left for home around 5 p.m. What a nice visit we had even though it was short.

Aurora rode Luna again and seems to really enjoy it. Erik went for a ride too. As evening approached James invited Erik and his family to come in and stay in the house but they insisted they were fine in their RV. 

James and I watched an episode of "Lark Rise to Candleford" from season one and then we went to bed.

 Trina's DYI project, or at least one of them

 Nothin Bundt cakes, delicious!

 Erik and Amelia

Tabitha, Ollie, Mabel and Aurora

We hope they come back soon!

 Toilet paper at Winco, rows and rows of it