Saturday, April 20th, 2019

Fort Collins, Colorado
153rd operating temple
Dedicated: 16 Oct 2016
By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Helaman 14:8

And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall believe on the Son of God, the same shall have everlasting life.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 12:1-17

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matt 27:62-66; 1 Peter 1:3-11; Romans 5:1-11

General Conference

Christ: The Light that Shines in Darkness

Sharon Eubank

"If you feel that the beacon of your testimony is sputtering and darkness is closing in, take courage. Keep your promises to God."

James did some errands this morning while I did the cooking at Darrel's. Darrel and Rowan made it back quite early from the father's and sons'. Of course it was at Usery Mountain Park which is only about 15 minutes away. 

The first thing I did was cook a pound of bacon. It took awhile. I then chopped an onion and fried two lbs. of hamburger. Lola came over and ate a couple of piece of bacon. She wanted to take some to Ollie because "dogs like bacon." I got her a baggie and she put the bacon in the baggie and the baggie in her purse. 

Once I got the beans on to cook I made a green bean casserole and put it in the oven. I then ordered a tray of nuggets from Chik-fil-a.

When we went to pick up the Chik-fil-a, it wasn't ready which made us late to Sheri's. The first thing I saw when driving up to Sheri's was Dallin's motorcycle. When I went in and mentioned  it to Sheri she said Dallin and Michael were speeding through the neighborhood. Some of the dads in the neighborhood showed up at Sheri and Ian's complaining about the speeding. Ian diffused the anger and everyone went home. This all happened before we arrived and before Stacy and Paul arrived. 

Sheri was anxious to eat so James said the blessing on the food and Stacy and Paul arrived shortly after. I mentioned to Sheri that Lola had bacon for Ollie and she said, "I know she has already given it to him." 

Sheri made ham, scalloped potatoes, and homemade rolls. We brought beans and green bean casserole and Chik-fil-a. Kim brought a veggie tray and her homemade pumpkin delight dessert which she makes at Thanksgiving, per James's request. Stacy brought green bean casserole, a cake, and her fried chicken strips. Darrel brought Trina's homeade LeVain Bakery recipe chocolate chip cookies. 

James also made some deviled eggs which were kind of last minute. We had plenty to eat. 

Those attending: Stacy, Paul, Adam, Dallin, Michael, Joshua, Kim, and Brian. James and I, Sheri, Ian, Max, and Evan. Darrel, Addy, Rowan, and Lola. Trina had to work. Oh yes, we had four dogs: Ollie, Shipley, Vader, and Sophie. Ollie was barking like crazy when the other dogs arrived. He finally calmed down after Ian took him in the bedroom for awhile. 

Michael had hidden the eggs in the backyard earlier and after eating the egg hunt began. We had about 120 eggs for seven kids to find. Everybody wound up getting some money. Kim to lots of pictures but I only took a few.

 Addy helped Lola and still wound up with

$8 for herself.

 Rowan on the run

Ruby, Evan, Rowan. Ruby found my $5 egg.

 Everyone looking for the $5 eggs. There were four of them.

These boys put all of their egg money together and

then divided it up. They each got $11.

Sheri cancelled the trip to the temple. Just too much going on today.

After the festivities James took me back to Darrel and Trina's and then he went to the Willis's and then to Bass Pro Shop to get himself a new pair of shoes. He came back to get me around 7. He had lost the lid to our gas tank and went back to Fry's to look for it. When he went to get on the freeway he missed the entrance and we had to back track. He worked in the laundry room at Kim's while Kim and I watched the new Hallmark Easter movie, "Easter Under Wraps." I will have to finish at home because James was finished working before the movie was over.

Instead of the Cadberry egg it's the 

Cavendish egg, made possible by these two.

Back at Darrel and Trina's we visited a few minutes with them before going outside to walk.

Walking around the green belt in Darrel and

Trina's neighborhood.

The cutest flower in the garden

Scarlett reminds me of Strawberry Shortcake.

 The Morrison's were sealed in the temple today.
Congratulations!

 

Sunday, November 11th, 2018

Ft. Collins, Colorado

153rd operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Oct 2016

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Davidic Descent of

Acts 2:30

Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God has sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

Book of Mormon #1

3 Nephi 27:1-12

*What do you do to take Christ's name upon you each day?

- This answer comes from bofm365 on Instagram. I like what this sister says: "I repent, and try to use the Atonement as much as I can. The sweetness of the Spirit is what motivates me to keep going. I can tell when it's not with me and I miss it's guidance. I become more impatient and harsh. Repentance brings a feeling of peace. The more I repent the more this wonderful feeling is present. As I repent I am able to see others the way the Lord sees them. There is more love and compassion in my heart for my fellowman." Thank you marthadpguitterez

Book of Mormon #2

Alma 13-14

Old Testament

Ezekiel 37-40

General Conference

All Must Take Upon Them the Name Given of the Father

Elder Paul B. Pieper

"In order to access the saving power that comes only through the name of Christ, we must humble ourselves, before God..and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits... and be willing to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ and thereby qualify to be received by baptism into His Church."

I am worried about Sheri and Max. Hopefully they can get through this diabetes debacle together. I wish Sheri would talk to Cathi's daughter Wendy. Her son Colton, who is one day older than Max, has Marfan Syndrome which is an inherited disorder that affects connective tissue. It is very rare. There are fewer than 200,000 US cases per year. A person with Marfan has long arms, legs, and fingers. Colton is extremely tall for his age. They also have visual difficulties, they are tall, with a thin frame and have heart problems. When Colton found out he had Marfan he was told he could not play any sports. He was playing and loving basketball at the time. He became angry and was failing in school. Wendy took him out of school and began home schooling and he is doing so much better. He has even started his own online business. 

Not only does Colton have health issues but Wendy was just diagnosed with breast cancer. I just want Max and Sheri to see that other people have problems too and they can cope with them. I know Max doesn't want to be defined by his diabetes and he doesn't want his friends to know. I told Sheri people will usually be supportive and it won't be as big a deal to them as Max might think.

I will continue praying for them.

After I read from Alma and said my prayers this morning I felt better. I also read two conference talks, including "Divine Discontent" by Sister Craig. This is the talk that we will discuss today in Relief Society.

The Primary presented their program today, "I Am a Child of God." Many of the children were able to share stories of their favorite prophets from the Old Testament. The singing is my favorite part of the program. These are the songs that were sung today:

"I am a Child of God," "Beautiful World,"(I know this isn't the true name but I can never remember what it is) "If the Savior Stood Beside Me," "Book of Mormon Stories," "Baptism," "Families Can Be Together Forever," "A Child's Prayer," "I Will Be What I Believe." The last song was sung with the young men and young women. It was beautiful!

After sacrament meeting I went into the restroom and pulled off my knee highs which are high enough except they keep rolling down. I guess I will just be "hoseless" today.

The second hour was a special meeting about the new meeting schedule starting in January. We got our manuals, "Come, Follow Me - For Individuals and Families." I love this quote from the manual: "We know that if we can be worthy of the presence of the Holy Ghost, we can also be worthy to live in the presence of Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ."

Sister Skousen was sustained and set apart as a Relief Society teacher in our RS meeting. Afterwards she led the discussion on the conference talk, "Divine Discontent" by Sister Michelle Craig. Becky focused on listening to promptings and acting upon them and shared a personal experience. She finished a little early so I filled in with the C.S. Lewis quote from the talk. 

After RS it came to my attention that Sister Halcomb, Kerri's mom, had not heard a thing. She mentioned to her friend Millie that she thought she would quit coming because she can't hear anything. She can hear during sacrament meeting because of the microphone. I told her we would be using a microphone next week.

I also met with Sister Curtis about her lesson in two weeks. Later I texted Sister Grapp about what she would be teaching from next week. 

James and I took some cash to Sister Johnson after church. This is the last week for the Vernon food drive and she will be going to the store this week to buy perishable items. We also have the community fast starting this week to raise money for the needy in the Show Low area.

This afternoon James took a nap while I finished watching "The Magic Stocking" and doing more gospel study and working on my blog. When he got up from his nap he wrote a letter to Ben and then watched a new movie, "Love at Christmas." I sketched an outline for Ben's letter and will email him in the morning.

 I think she likes her shoes

Looking good for Sunday

 Such a doll!

 Oops, she's had enough!

They look so small

Friday nights play-off game.

BTW Chandler Won.

Stacy says they will take state.