Wednesday, February 27th, 2019

Recife, Brazil

101st operating temple

Dedicated: 15 Dec 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

DC 11:28

Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the life and the light of the world.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 20:12-34
How does learning of Christ's Second Coming affect how you live you life? 
New Testament "Come Follow Me"
Matt 6:25-34; What does it mean to use "vain repetitions" in prayer? "Priesthood and Personal Prayer" Henry B. Eyring 4/15

General Conference

Now Is The Time

Elder Jack N. Gerard

"President Joseph F. Smith proclaimed,'The greatest achievement mankind can make in this world is to familiarize themselves with divine truth, so thoroughly, so perfectly, that the example or conduct of no creature living in the world can ever turn them away from the knowledge that they have obtained."

"Shepherding Souls"

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

"As children of a loving Heavenly Father and as sheep in His flock, we enjoy the blessing of being individually ministered to by Jesus Christ. Simultaneously, we have a responsibility to provide ministering assistance to others around us as shepherds ourselves. We heed the words of the Lord to 'serve me and go forth in my name, and...gather together my sheep."

We sold another book, "The Love Dare." Woohoo!

This morning I did Monday's blog post, paid bills, and worked on a revised budget to include property taxes for the Deming property. 

I walked 10,000 steps and got ready for the temple. 

James went out and sprayed off the car for our trip to the temple with the Howard's. 

We left our house a little after 2 and met the Howard's at the church because Tom says their road is bad. I don't think it could be any worse than ours except there is a steep hill.

We stopped at the post office to check once more if James got the two books he ordered for trades. Nope. They were supposed to be here by the 23rd.

We got to the temple about 3:15 and ended up waiting in the foyer because the afternoon shift was having prayer meeting. We finally got in at 3:30 for the 4:00 session. 

I helped Jean zip up her dress and put her shoes on. She had to borrow a slip and a sash from the temple.  We got our names and sat in our seats. Jean says to me, "I forgot the new name already, is it _______, I nodded yes." It has been a while since she's been at the temple.

Jean did all right during the session. James said that Tom had some difficulty dressing and the guy helping him wasn't much help.

We all sat in the celestial room for a few minutes and then we left. On the way out I said hello to Marylou DeWitt. She was one of my mutual advisors  when I was growing up in Show Low. I also got a hug from Sister Bowers who works with me in the temple. She said they had been on a leave of absence and weren't sure if they were coming back. I told her it wouldn't be the same without her.

Tom invited us to stop at Eva's where he would buy us dinner. Eva's is the Mexican restaurant to go to in Snowflake. I had what I normally get, a chicken enchilada with red sauce and rice and beans. The enchilada was delicious but the beans were not as good as LaCasita's. Tom and James both had green chili burros. James said his wasn't as good as LaCasita's, but it was good. Jean was the only one ordering light. She had two shrimp tacos.

I am so glad we had this time in the temple with the Howard's. They have not been for several years. Jean was able to do her mom's name and Tom did Jean's grandfather, her mom's dad. 

I walked when I got home. I wanted to get 20,000 steps but stopped at 17 and watched an episode of "Victoria" with James.

A sister in our ward, Sister Campbell, found out that she has a rare form of breast cancer and will be starting treatments soon. So sad.

Baby Charlie is 6 months old today!

Charlie's favorite book is about a giraffee

 Kim will like this.

 Adam's baptism 21 years ago.

Thursday, September 20th, 2018

Recife Brazil

101st operating temple

Dedicated: 15 Dec 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

1 Nephi 19:10

And the God of our fathers, who were led out of Egypt, out of bondage, and also were preserved in the wilderness by him, yea, the God of Abraham, and O f Isaac, and the God of Jacob, yieldeth himself, according to the words of the angel, as a man, into the hands of wicked men, to be lifted up, according to the words of Zenock, and to be crucified, according to the words of Neum, and to be buried in a sepulchre, according to the words of Zenos, which he spake concerning the three days of darkness, which should be a sign given of his death unto those who should inhabit the isles of the sea, more especially given unto those who are of the house of Israel.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 6:32-41

*What did the Lamanites gain by following the commandments of God?

- The Lord poured out His Spirit upon them. Lamanites to robbers: "We are going to hunt you dow and preach to you.!!" Gadianton robbers: "Nooo!! Anythig but that ! We are outta here!" Hopefully some of the Gadianton robbers were converted.

Old Testament

Isaiah 13-15

General Conference

His Spirit to be With You

President Henry B. Eyring

"Pray to know the needs and hearts of others and how to help them for the Lord. It has been my opportunity to observe the prophets of God as they pray, ask for inspiration, receive direction, and act on it. I have seen how often their prayers are about the people they love and serve. Their concern for others seems to open their hearts to receive inspiration. That can be true for you."

I actually fixed breakfast this morning and I believe James was pleasantly surprised. Scrambled eggs with tomatoes, hashbrowns, and ham. We ate breakfast together before we had scriptures and prayers. 

After prayer, James left with his cat casket on the Razr for Anthony's. He's taking the Razr because they are climbing up a mountain to bury Pinky. You can actually see the mountain from our back porch. I am now calling it "Pinky Point."

Pinky's casket.

James looks sad.

Be careful out on the highway.

Pinky Point

After digging through cinders a 3 foot hole, and putting Pinky's casket inside, James and Anthony shared feelings about Pinky and then Anthony said a prayer and the service was over.

Before leaving for the Howard's James went out to check on his bunny. Ruby thought Betty bunny needed a friend so James put another doe in with her. Betty beat her up and James had to rescue her. I think he should let Betty go free, but for some reason he wants to keep her. He raised bunnies as a child to see to the local market. He's not doing that this time.

I love listening to the scriptures, the Church magazines, and books on my phone. I am so grateful for my phone and wonder what I ever did without it.

This afternoon was spent getting in my steps, making cupcakes, and wrapping gifts for Liana and Emsley. They are coming over tonight with their brother and sister Tildy and Benson. 

The Grapp's arrived around 6:15. First they wanted to watch the Winnie the Pooh Halloween show Frankenpooh. Next we made Halloween cards, which kept everyone busy for quite some time.

Today is Liana's 10th birthday and Emsley

turned 5 on Sept 6th. 

Benson made his card for Abby, a girl in our ward, and put Love, Guess Who. Tildy made hers for her cousin Redick. I should have taken pictures of the cards.

We were watching Beauty and the Beast when mom, dad and baby Leland returned. I hope they had a good time together. We had a good time here with the kids.

I made a birthday calendar for my dot journal today including family members, and ward members we minister to. I love it!

Happy Birthday Kacey!

 Charlie's first trip to the temple

Jared's tribute

We love Kacey and we are so grateful she is a part of our family!

Autumn and Scarlett

Thanks to the Grapp kids I

got some extra steps.

Homemade card of the day