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.

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Mormon 2:1-16

What is the difference between sorrowing and sorrowing unto repentance?  How can our sorrow help turn our hearts to the Lord?

* President Ezra Taft Benson explained the nature of godly sorrow so that we might understand the sorrow that leads to cleansing repentance: "Godly sorrow is a gift of the Spirit.  It is a deep realization that our actions have offended our Father and our God.  It is the sharp and keen awareness that our behavior caused the Savior, He who knew no sin, even the greatest of all, to endure agony and suffering.  Our sins caused Him to bleed  at every pore.  This very real mental and spiritual anguish is what the scriptures refer to as having a 'broken heart and a contrite spirit' (D&C 20:37). Such a spirit is the absolute prerequisite for true repentance."

GC:     'Principles and Promises' by President Thomas S. Monson

" In 1833 the Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith a plan for healthy living.  That plan is found in the 89th section of the Doctrine and Covenants and is known as the Word of Wisdom.

It gives specific direction regarding the food we eat, and it prohibits the use of substances which are harmful to our bodies."

James and I headed for the Snowflake temple this morning.  I read our scriptures and then read from "20 Temple Blessings" on the way.  I had six initiatories to do and James had two.  He also took several names down to the baptistry.  He still ended up waiting for me about forty minutes.

Sister Wilhelm worked in the initiatory and helped while I was there.  James visited with Brother Curtis and Rusty from our ward.  Rusty is a recently returned missionary from our ward and just bought an engagement ring to give to his girl friend.  I guess James and Brother Curtis gave him lots of counsel and advice.

I want James to make a couple of these for me

to put in the yard.

We stopped at the Taylor Walmart so I could pick up a card and a gift card for Sadie Westbrook whose bridal shower is today.  

We ate the rest of our hot and sour soup when we got home and then took a nap.  I read from Justice of Affliction on the way home and I am really not liking some of the story line right now.  

I watched "Moonlight and Mistletoe" starring Tom Arnold and Candace Cameron Bure while I blogged.  James came in and made an announcement: "The cows are back."  Pretty soon I heard the Razr start up and he chased them off.  

I made meatball subs for dinner even though we had no missionaries join us.  It is Sheri's recipe and is quite good.  We will be having meatballs for awhile.

Yum!

This evening before working on our lessons we watched, "One Starry Christmas."  

The rest of the evening was spent working on our lessons for tomorrow.  I am teaching about the Jaredites.

Three years ago at Disneyland with these

two cuties, Rowan and Evan.

Camping with the kids at the Grand Canyon

back in the 80's.