Sunday, March 10th, 2019

Ascuncion, Paraguay

112th operating temple

Dedicated: 19 May 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

 Gospel Study: Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship - John 5:5; 

2 Nephi 28:17-32; Review Matthew 8-9 and Mark 2-5;

"Finding a Safe Harbor" Joseph B. Wirthlin, 4/2000

"Our Campfire of Faith" Gerrit W. Gong, 10/2018.

Our Campfire of Faith

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

" As we keep the best of familiar patterns while seeking new and holier ways to love God and help us and others prepare to meet Him, our campfire of faith can encourage us to remember perfection is in Christ, not in ourselves or in the perfectionism of the world."

I ironed four white shirts and four pairs of pants before church this morning. Thank goodness I didn't need to iron James's shirt.

Paula Johnson and Curt Gillespie were the speakers in sacrament meeting today. Paula spoke about recently going to the temple and getting her endowments and Curt bore testimony of the importance of fast offerings. He has been the financial clerk in this ward for over 10 years. He had a personal story to tell about fast offerings his parents paid when they were in an assisted living home, even when they couldn't afford it. He said when they paid their fast offerings there was always a way made possible to pay their other bills. 

The boys all went to their classes. Brother Applegate said he appreciated having Joshua, Rowan, and Evan in his class because of their participation. John Wilhelm said the same thing about Max. It was a proud grandparents moment for us.l

Sister Curtis gave the lesson in Relief Society using Elder Uchtdorf's talk "Believe, Love, Do." 

We took the boys home and fed them lunch and then we returned to the church for our family history training meeting. Before the meeting started Maxine showed James how to get on Ancestry and My Heritage from Family Search. He said he learned more in the five minutes he spent with her than in all the other training he has received. The problem with the training is, they don't train you on how to use Family Search!

This evening James gave the "Come Follow Me" lesson. It was very good and the boys seemed interested. He had them read a scripture from the lesson and then he would show a video. After it was all over he asked each one what their favorite miracle was that Jesus performed. Max said feeding the five thousand, Evan healing the blind, Rowan the woman with an issue of blood, and Joshua walking on the water. 

I gave Evan some lotion and antibacterial ointment for his hands. They are so red and chapped that they are starting to bleed. 

The weather today was nice in the morning and windy and cold in the afternoon. It started to rain around 9 p.m.

Today the Rome, Italy temple was dedicated by President Nelson. This temple had great opposition and took ten years to build from the day it was announced.

Happy 15th Birthday Tanner!

Tanner had a party in Arkansas at his Aunt Loren's house.

Three other cousins also had birthdays.

Keela loves Tanner.

 Charlie in her Sunday best.

Scarlett getting some rest.

 I love quilts with geometric shapes.

 Dinner

 "Come Follow Me"

Harry Potter marathon

 I love this!

 The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve

all attended the temple dedication at the request of

President Russell M. Nelson

I wondered about the shape of the temple.

This motif is carried throughout the decor

inside the temple.

Monday, October 1st, 2018

Ascuncion, Paraguay

112th operating temple

Dedicated: 19 May 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

1Corinthians 1:23

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeds follishness;

Book of Mormon

Helaman 13:1-20

How can I be more like Samuel the Lamanite?

-I can become more like Samuel the Lamanite by following the counsel of the Lord, listening to the Spirit, and sharing the gospel with others. I also should not be afraid of others and their opinions.

General Conference

Opening Remarks

President Russell M. Nelson

"As Latter-day Saints, we have become accustomed to thinking of 'church' as something that happens in our meetinghouses, supported by what happens at home. We need an adjustment to this pattern. It is time for a home-centered Church, supported by what takes place inside our branch, ward, and stake buildings."

We had much needed rain most of the day today. I know it also rained and cooled down in the valley too. 

On our trip to Heber on Sunday we noticed all the dead pine trees along the way because of the dryness which causes bark beetles to attack the trees and kill them.

I learned some interesting things about the Creation during my personal gospel study this morning. Here is a quote from the Prophet Joseph Smith:

"...the word create came from the Hebrew word baurau which does not mean to create out of nothing; it means to organize; the same as a man would organize materials and build a ship. Hence, we infer that God had materials to organize the world out of chaos - chaotic matter, which is element, and in which dwells all the glory. Element had an existence from the time He had. The pure principles of elemennt are principles which can never be destroyed; they may be organized and re-organized, but not destroyed. They had no beginning, and can have no end "(TPJS, p. 350-52; see also 28 Truths Taught by the Book of Mormon, p. 42).

I made pancakes for the boys this morning. They each ate one big one and they were done. I had planned on going shopping this morning but ended up paying bills instead. 

James came home because he couldn't work in the rain. The two of us went to town to get pizza and chicken for the boys. I let each boy choose a meal or two. Evan and Max wanted Pizza Hut pepperoni pizza, and Evan asked for fried chicken. Max doesn't like Walmart or KFC chicken so we went to Safeway for the chicken before picking up the pizzas. 

James said I shouldn't have gotten two large pizzas, that mediums would have been enough. Those pizzas were gone in five minutes time. 

After lunch and a nap I went back in to town to do some real grocery shopping. Joshua wants spaghetti and burgers, Max wants hot dogs and steak, and Rowan asked for honey lime chicken enchiladas like his mom makes. I bought a lot of groceries and spent double what I normally spend. I did by lots of snacks and plenty of steak and hamburger. 

Since we had pizza for lunch, we had the chicken for dinner. I also made macaroni and cheese, a salad, and some garlic bread and fresh pineapple.

For F.H.E. we watched the video about Robert Mason and Wilford Woodruff called, "A Search for Truth." 

After FHE the boys went outside to play with the laser guns.

We heard the news that President Ballard's wife Barbara passed away today. How sad to happen right before he speaks in General Conference.

James and I worked on our book business this evening. By working I mean we did some more training sessions. James said that the more he learns the more he is getting excited about doing this business. I got my Amazon Store Card approval for an extra 5% off of all purchases we make.

Huddled around Max's phone because we couldn't get the

FHE video to work on the computers.

"A Search for Truth."

 Ben and his companion Elder Nelson from

Minnesota who is the zone leader.

Ben does all the driving. Grandpa will give some

pointers about driving in the snow.

Taylor Wanlass took this photo yesterday after

sacrament meeting. Ben is in his sister-in-laws ward.

Taylor's dad is the bishop of the Galveston 3rd ward

in Chandler.

Playing Apples to Apples. These boys get

along so well together!

The faces of Charlie. I have got to make 

a photo album!

Skittles misses Joshua. She broke out of her cage

to tell Stacy about it.