Wednesday, September 28th, 2016

Name this temple

Helaman 11:21-38

It can be very easy to forget Heavenly Father and fall into wicked ways  What are some safe guards to help us from doing the same thing as the Nephites?

Karen:  1.) Seek to surround yourself with righteous people.  Those who will uplift you and make you better.  Avoid those who will lead you into temptation and sin.  2.) Avoid contention.  Seek to have the Spirit with you at all times.  Always have a prayer in your heart.

3.) Focus on true doctrine and the Plan of Salvation.  All men must come unto the Savior, gain faith, repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure in faith until the end.  True doctrine understood changes attitudes and behavior.  4.) Understand the power of covenants.  Look forward to taking the sacrament and worshiping in the temple.  5.) Prepare to receive personal revelation through prayer, scripture study, and listening to the prophets, apostles, and other church leaders.  6.) Be humble and teachable, not prideful.  7.) Love God more than man.  Put Him first in your life.  8.) Keep the commandments.  9.) Daily repentance.  10.) Be truly converted through gospel living because conversion leads to commitment. 11.) Love one another.

Back in the 1960's and 70's there was a cartoon character called Pogo.  He was a wise little possum.  This is what he said:

"We have met the enemy, and he is us."

This saying of Pogo's could certainly apply to the Nephites.

According to Elder Neal A. Maxwell "Significant moral decay can happen within a single generation - whether in a family or a nation."

GC: 'The Power of Godliness' Elder Kent F. Richards

"Temple work is . . . of as much benefit to the young and the active,

as it is to the aged, who have laid behind them many of the 

burdens of life.  The young man needs his place in the temple even

more than his father and his grandfather, who are steadied by a 

life of experience; and the young girl just entering life,

needs the spirit, influence and direction that come from 

participation in the temple ordinances."

Great advice from Elder Holland.

Braun Rogers, a returned missionary in our book Millennial Glory gave an amazing lesson in Brother Anderson's Gospel Doctrine class on the 6th and 7th Seals as discussed in Revelations by John.  James and I both learned some things we didn't know. I think I like futuristic fiction.

James discovered a problem with the Razr as he was changing fluids yesterday.  When he tried to put one of the screws back in the end of the liquid holder it would not tighten, indicating that the threads had been stripped.

Screw and new threads

What looks like a simple problem to solve has turned in to a nightmare.  You can't get to it without disassembling the machine because the tools won't reach the position to re-tap it.  You can't get to it without taking the whole frame off.  You can loosen or tighten the screw, but you can't fix it.  Somehow, someway, I know there is a solution to this problem and that James will find it.  He was gone three hours to town today looking for parts and tools and came back and worked another three hours to no avail.  It is frustrating because he feels like he wasted his entire day.  I told him it wasn't wasted that he had just eliminated the things that wouldn't work.  Now he just has to find out what will work.

Ferrunginous Hawk

Our friend who lives in Vernon by the church posted this

picture on Facebook.  When her daughter Trenda, who lives in the valley now, saw it she said:  "This is one of the things I miss about living in Vernon."

Trenda

I found an interesting quote as I was listening to an article in the New Era called 'Digital Dark Ages.'  

"Distraction is one of Satan's biggest and most effective tools."

This is definitely true in the world today.

This afternoon I made two loaves of zucchini bread to deliver to two of the sisters I visit teach whom I was not able to make an appointment with.  One is out of town so I will deliver it to her family, and the other does not answer her phone.

We may have to wait until tomorrow to make my 

deliveries.  I want James to go with me but he is too

busy with the Razr today.

Wednesday, September 28th, 2016

Name this temple

Helaman 11:21-38

It can be very easy to forget Heavenly Father and fall into wicked ways  What are some safe guards to help us from doing the same thing as the Nephites?

Karen:  1.) Seek to surround yourself with righteous people.  Those who will uplift you and make you better.  Avoid those who will lead you into temptation and sin.  2.) Avoid contention.  Seek to have the Spirit with you at all times.  Always have a prayer in your heart.

3.) Focus on true doctrine and the Plan of Salvation.  All men must come unto the Savior, gain faith, repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure in faith until the end.  True doctrine understood changes attitudes and behavior.  4.) Understand the power of covenants.  Look forward to taking the sacrament and worshiping in the temple.  5.) Prepare to receive personal revelation through prayer, scripture study, and listening to the prophets, apostles, and other church leaders.  6.) Be humble and teachable, not prideful.  7.) Love God more than man.  Put Him first in your life.  8.) Keep the commandments.  9.) Daily repentance.  10.) Be truly converted through gospel living because conversion leads to commitment. 11.) Love one another.

Back in the 1960's and 70's there was a cartoon character called Pogo.  He was a wise little possum.  This is what he said:

"We have met the enemy, and he is us."

This saying of Pogo's could certainly apply to the Nephites.

According to Elder Neal A. Maxwell "Significant moral decay can happen within a single generation - whether in a family or a nation."

GC: 'The Power of Godliness' Elder Kent F. Richards

"Temple work is . . . of as much benefit to the young and the active,

as it is to the aged, who have laid behind them many of the 

burdens of life.  The young man needs his place in the temple even

more than his father and his grandfather, who are steadied by a 

life of experience; and the young girl just entering life,

needs the spirit, influence and direction that come from 

participation in the temple ordinances."

Great advice from Elder Holland.

Braun Rogers, a returned missionary in our book Millennial Glory gave an amazing lesson in Brother Anderson's Gospel Doctrine class on the 6th and 7th Seals as discussed in Revelations by John.  James and I both learned some things we didn't know. I think I like futuristic fiction.

James discovered a problem with the Razr as he was changing fluids yesterday.  When he tried to put one of the screws back in the end of the liquid holder it would not tighten, indicating that the threads had been stripped.

Screw and new threads

What looks like a simple problem to solve has turned in to a nightmare.  You can't get to it without disassembling the machine because the tools won't reach the position to re-tap it.  You can't get to it without taking the whole frame off.  You can loosen or tighten the screw, but you can't fix it.  Somehow, someway, I know there is a solution to this problem and that James will find it.  He was gone three hours to town today looking for parts and tools and came back and worked another three hours to no avail.  It is frustrating because he feels like he wasted his entire day.  I told him it wasn't wasted that he had just eliminated the things that wouldn't work.  Now he just has to find out what will work.

Mississippi Kite

Our friend who lives in Vernon by the church posted this

picture on Facebook.  When her daughter Trenda, who lives in the valley now, saw it she said:  "This is one of the things I miss about living in Vernon."

Trenda

I found an interesting quote as I was listening to an article in the New Era called 'Digital Dark Ages.'  

"Distraction is one of Satan's biggest and most effective tools."

This is definitely true in the world today.

This afternoon I made two loaves of zucchini bread to deliver to two of the sisters I visit teach whom I was not able to make an appointment with.  One is out of town so I will deliver it to her family, and the other does not answer her phone.

We may have to wait until tomorrow to make my 

deliveries.  I want James to go with me but he is too

busy with the Razr today.

Sunday, August 28th, 2016

She's 12!

Happy Birthday Addy!

As she came in to Young Women's on the red carpet they played her favorite Primary song, "Teach Me To Walk in the Light."

Alma 57:17-36

17 - Another battle ensues.

18 - The men sent with the Lamanite prisoners return and save the Nephites in battle.

19 - Helaman's 2060 fought valiantly.

21 - They did obey and observe to perform every word with exactness.  Even according to their faith it was done unto them.

22 - The Lamanites were driven back to the city of Manti.

23 - The Nephites retain the city Cumeni.

24 - The Nephites dress the wounds of their injured.

25 - 200 of the 2,060 fainted because of the loss of blood.  Not one of them did perish.

26 - And the Nephites ascribe it to the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe.

27 - They are young and their minds are firm and they do put their trust in God continually.

28 - After burying the dead, they ask Gid about the Lamanite prisoners taken to Zarahemla.  

32 - The prisoners rose up in rebellion against their Nephite guards.

33 - We did slay many of them and the remainder of them broke through and fled from us.

34 - We returned to Cumeni and helped to save our brethren.

35 - Behold, we are again delivered.  And blessed is the name of our God; for behold, it is He that has delivered us.

36 - When I Helaman heard these words of Gid I was filled with exceeding joy because of the goodness of God in preserving us.

GC: "The Power of Godliness" Elder Kent F. Richards.

At 11am we attended the McQueen 2nd ward with Stacy, Paul, Adam (we picked him up), Michael, and Joshua.  Bishop Devrin Day use to be James's executive secretary when James was bishop of Del Rio 2nd ward.  Jerod Bowen, someone James has done work for and who also use to be in Del Rio 2nd ward is also in this ward.

After the block other family members gathered for Michael's ordination.  From our family: Kim and Brian, Sheri, Ian, Alex, Ben, Max, and Evan, James and I, and of course Stacy, Paul, Adam, and Joshua.  From Paul's family: Mary and Marvin, Chad and his three older boys, Devin, Kim and some of their kids.  

Paul gave a nice blessing along with the ordination.  

Maybe a haircut will be next.

When did Alex get taller than Michael?

Group hug

We are proud of Michael and hope he will realize what a privilege it is to hold the Melchizedek priesthood and that he will use it to serve and bless the lives of others.

Trina and Darrel and their kids were not able to attend the ordination because their church is from 1-4.  We missed having Jared and his family here too.  We went out to see Addy for her birthday this afternoon around 4:30.  Darrel was gone to get his temple recommend renewed.  We gave Addy her candy bar and I don't know why I didn't get a picture.  I did get some pictures while I was there.

Lola loves Grandpa

Ruby playing with the farm book.

Cute little Lola

More craziness

Grandpa was the center of attention.

Trina and Rowan

The book Addy is holding is one her class did in first grade.

Their teacher ask them to be super heroes.

Addy was Fire Girl.  She spelled it:

"Fir Grill."

Caution, enter at your own risk.

I showed the kids several club/guest houses while I was there

and this one was the number one choice of everyone:

I guess this is the one James will need to build.

I just need to convince him to put in a bathroom and kitchen.

Back and Cathi and Terry's Cathi showed me how to do zoning for index preparation.

Thursday, July 28, 2016

TBT to the Mesa, Arizona temple

where James and I were married,

and all of our children.

Alma 41:1-15

In the Resurrection men come forth to a state of endless happiness or endless misery.  Wickedness never was happiness - Carnal men are without God in the world. - Every person receives again in the Restoration the characteristics and attributes acquired in mortality.

GC: "The Power of Godliness" Elder Kent F. Richards.

Primary: "Nephi Prophesies" this lesson emphasizes the importance of prophets in our lives.  It is based on Helaman 7-9. 

 My August family newsletter is ready to mail.  Scipture study is the gospel principle for this month.  I actually caught up on my blog this morning!

I left around 10 o'clock to go visiting teaching to Hailey Chaffin.  I arrived almost an hour later.  She lives 20 miles away but the last part of her road is treacherously filled with huge rocks that I have to dodge.  Hailey was there with all her children.  The lesson is on the importance of parenthood and how children are our real treasures in life.  I told Braylin and Taylor that they were treasures.  They seemed to like that idea. I didn't stay long because I got a text from James while I was there.  He was miserable when I left because of pain in his left side.  He called Dr. Moffat for pain meds and the doctor told him he needed to go to the emergency room right away to be checked for a blood clot or a collapsed lung.  I left immediately and was home in about 45 minutes.  We drove to the hospital and checked James in to the emergency room #9.  While he was waiting for them to take an x-ray I went to do some of my errands.  First my veggie rice bowl at Panda and then on to the Dollar Store to pick out some treasures for my Primary class to reward them for scripture reading and learning the Articles of Faith.  I had a blast and found lots of good things.  Afterwards I called James and he told me to go to the gas station and get gas.  I forgot to deposit a check at the bank but I can do that tomorrow or Saturday.  I took a picture of the sky while waiting in line at Panda.

I hope Vernon is getting rain!

The hospital gave James a shot for pain and did some x-rays.  While waiting for the results I read to him from our new book:

James was so tired because of the pain shot that I only read one short chapter and then I read from my book:

I told Braylin Chaffin he could borrow my book when I finished.  I should be finished by Sunday.  He is reading the series but hasn't read all of #1.

James was released with the diagnosis that he has a torn muscle, hence the intense pain but we are grateful it's not a collapsed lung or a blood clot which are life threatening.  We dropped a couple of prescriptions by CVS and then headed home.  James immediately laid down to take a nap while I ate some dinner and began my nightly study.  I read from "The Lincoln Hypothesis" and a new book that Kacey recommended, "Falling to Heaven."

Wish we had a Lincoln today to get us out of this mess.

I love James Ferrel

I went out to check on my Gerber daisies and found this:

A dead daisy.  This is senseless killing

and is so sad.

I will keep watering and spray with repellant to

see if I can grow some more.

Kim and Brian are on their way to Red Rock, Colorado to an Avett Brothers concert.  Kim got a room with a view in Monument Valley.  This has been a dream of hers for a long time to visit Monument Valley.

Since this is TBT (Throwback Thursday), I am posting some more pictures from the past:

Our two homes

Joshua and Lola two years ago.

Ruby and Lola

Trenda, one of my favorite young women.

Batman who used to visit me every morning

about 6 am.  A juice box for breakfast.