Saturday, March 17th, 2018

Albuquerque, New Mexico

73rd operating temple

Dedicated: 5 Mar 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

3 Nephi 20:14

And the Father hath commanded me that I should give unto you this land, for your inheritance.

Book of Mormon

Jacob 2:1-16

*Why is it important to remember that all our blessings come from our Heavenly Father?

Old Testament

Numbers 35-36

35 Levites to possess their own cities - Cities of refuge established for those guilty of manslaughter - Murderers shall be executed by the revenger of blood.

General Conference

Earning the Trust of the Lord and Your Family

Richard J. Maynes

" It is my prayer this evening that we might all first place our trust in the Lord, as Nephi exemplified, and then, through the integrity of our hearts, earn the trust of the Lord, as well as the trust of our wives and children. As we understand and apply this sacred principle of trust built on integrity, we will be true to our sacred covenants. We will also succeed in presiding in our families with love and righteousness, providing the necessities of life and protecting our families from the evils of the world. Of these truths I humbly testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

There were 20 or so elk in the yard this morning but I was the only one who saw them. Everyone else was still in bed. I tried to wake James but I guess he didn't hear me. 

Today is St. Patrick's day. I don't really have any green clothes to wear, so I wore a green CTR wristband. 

We had bacon and waffles for breakfast. Afterwards we read Jacob 2. 

I worked on cutting out Abraham's tents for each of the kids in my Primary class. 

Lot, Abraham and Sarah, and

baby Isaac.

I got a text from Kim today about a video she wants me to watch for Primary sharing time. It is 18 minutes long and she wants my opinion on whether she should use it tomorrow for her Primary sharing time assignment. I watched the video and loved it. It features three songs, The Miracle, Gethsemane, and I Know that My Redeemer Lives. I think the kids will really like it. Kim was worried that she was coping out by using a video. I said know, this one was special for Easter. The video is on youtube, "Laura Nielson Sharing Time."

I started rolls this morning and cooked two dozen in time for lunch. I made spaghetti for the boys. We are taking them later this afternoon to Heber to meet Sheri.

I watched "Upstairs/Downstairs" on my phone while I finished cutting out Abraham's tents. 

Michael had a track meet at UofA today and Paul posted these pictures.

He did really well until the last 300. He is really frustrated. He ran 4 seconds faster at his timed trial. That time would have gotten him 1st place.

The boys are upstairs and James is gone to Charles Gordon's baptism. I take a nap and work on Primary some more. 

When James gets home from the baptism we load up the car and get ready to take the boys to Heber to meet Sheri. 

Our timing was great, we got to the Circle K in Heber a couple of minutes after Sheri, at 5:30. We went inside and got some snacks before saying our goodbyes. I got hot chocolate and James got a Special Dark Hershey bar. Sheri paid for them both. 

Sheri and the boys head home to the valley and we head back to Vernon.

I am grateful James came because he did all the driving. I read some and then took a nap. 

We were back at home in time to watch the new Hallmark movie. Afterwards we went to bed.

Wilhelm wrestlers. Three first place medals.

Tomlinson's in D.C. for Spring Break.

Horseshoe Bend

Our dead tree before it fell over.

It wasn't dead when we bought this property.

In fact, James says this tree is one of the

reasons he bought the place.

Amazing!

So long, farewell!

Tuesday, March 6th, 2018

Columbia, South Carolina

62nd operating temple

Dedicated: 16-17 Oct 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

Revelations 1:18

I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 26:31-27:11

*How do you recognize the subtle flaxen cords around your neck before they become too strong?

Old Testament

Numbers 14-15

14 Israel murmurs and speaks of returning to Egypt - Joshua and Caleb give a good report of Canaan - Moses mediates between Israel and the Lord - The adults of Israel will not enter the promised land - The Lord slays the false spies by a plague - Some rebels try to go alone and are slain by the Amalekites and Canaanites.

15 Various sacrificial ordinances bring forgiveness to repentant Israel - Those who sin willfully are cut off from among the people - A man is stoned for gathering sticks on the Sabbath day - The Israelites are to look on the fringes of their garments and remember the commandments.

General Conference

The Plan and the Proclamation

" I testify that the proclamation on the family is a statement of eternal truth, the will of the Lord for His children who seek eternal life. It has been the basis of Church teaching and practice for the last 22 years and will continue so for the future. Consider it as such, teach it, live by it, and you will be blessed as you press forward toward eternal life."

Elder Renlund dedicates Barbados and visits Caribbean nations. 

James is outside feeding his rabbits. He is upset at the front rabbits for dragging the bowls in the culvert. 

It is 11 a.m. and I am so tired!

I made chicken enchiladas for lunch. They are not very healthy and they are high in calories, but oh, they are so delicious! James says: "We ate half of them." I said, "I had one helping."

Trina texted me a picture of how she spent her birthday money we gave her. Pinkalicious Nike tennis shoes.

James has been working upstairs in his office lately. Sometimes I get lonely and forget that he is here.

This afternoon I went into town to Walmart to do my grocery shopping. Even though I am out of DP10 I did not go to Safeway to get any. No more sodas!

I had no candy today but I had 3 cookies and an ice cream sandwich. I still have a long ways to go to really eat more healthy.

I walked today and blogged. My last blog was for February 27th. For the first time in a long time I am only a week behind. 

We saw 20 elk coming across our property. I think it is the same herd we have seen before. Mainly cows and a couple of spikes. They are probably looking for water. There isn't too much around.

James got 19,089 steps today, 1,000 of those were while he was talking on the phone to his mom. I got over 13,000.

We watched an episode of "Heartland". Amy is having flashbacks of her accident and is, for the first time in her life, afraid of horses.

Primary Treasure Chest

 My new best friend!

It's so nice to have a cordless charger

that actually works.

Jasmine's baby

Ginger Zee's baby.

For those of you who don't know who Ginger Zee is,

she does the weather on Good Morning

America. I got to know her when she 

danced with Val on "Dancing with the Stars."

I love babies!

Tuesday, January 30th, 2018

Boise, Idaho

27th operating temple

Dedicated: 25-30 May 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

Matthew 21:24

And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.

Book of Mormon

1Nephi 19:7-24

*Have there been times in my life when I chose not to retaliate after a wrong was done to me? How did I feel?

Old Testament

Exodus 16-17

16 Israel murmurs for want of bread and lusts for the fleshpots of Egypt - The Lord rains bread from heaven and sends quail for meat - Israel is given manna each day, except the Sabbath, for forty years.

17 Israel murmurs for want of water - Moses smites a rock in Horeb, and water gushes forth - Aaron and Hur uphold Moses' hands so that Joshua prevails against Amalek.

Old Testament Scripture Mastery

Malachi 4:5-6

5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:

6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

General Conference

The Voice of the Lord

Elder Neil L. Andersen

Quoting Elder Hales: 

"When we choose to have faith, we are prepared to stand in the presence of God....After the Saviors Crucifixion, He appeared only to those 'who had been faithful in the testimony of Him while they lived in mortality.' (DC 138:12)

Those 'who rejected the testimonies...of the...prophets could not behold the Savior's presence, nor look upon his face.' (DC 138:21)...Our faith prepares us to be in the presence of the Lord."

Did you know the number of names in Family Search has increased from about 2 million to 179 million in only six years. Wow!

Another Wow! moment: There were 20 elk in our yard this morning.!

James went to see the bishop at his new home this morning. He is helping build shelves, etc., in the closets and needs to know the layout. 

When James got home we left for Licano's in Show Low around 10:50. Elder Heyman arrived just as we were getting out of our car. He flies into the Show Low airport and then rents a car. He comes up once a month on Tuesdays to meet with the Board of Directors of Navapache Electric. He is their legal counsel.  Periodically he also holds council meetings with the stake presidents, mission presidents, and temple presidents in the area for training.

The guys both have the chicken taco special and I get a green chili burro.  I forgot how much fun Elder Heyman can be. Sheri says that next to dad, he was her favorite bishop. We told about what our kids our doing and he told us about his and Dianne. It was a very enjoyable visit. 

When we get home we both took a nap and then James returned to the Miller's to work. I visited a new sister on my visiting teaching beat, Catherine Halcomb. I really enjoyed getting to know her. 

After my visit with Catherine I went back in to town to do some grocery shopping. I am taking dinner to the Crane's tomorrow and I really didn't want to wait until the morning to go shopping.  

This evening James and I watched a new Hallmark winter movie starring Dean Cain and Kristy Swanson. I finished my steps and then we watched an episode of Heartland.

 Elder Heyman's flight home was delayed so
he bought Domino's Pizza for the airport crew.

Lola performing for us the last time we visited.

My brother Harold had a girl friend
in high school from Holbrook.
Her name was Londa Hubbell. I wonder
if this was her families business.

Ok, I know this isn't twenty elk but you have

to admit they are cute!

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Home Sweet Home

I went to temple 35 times in 2016 to do ordinances.

More if you count the times we cleaned.

1 Nephi 8:16-36

How can we choose to partake of the fruit Lehi saw in his dream in our lives today?

1 Nephi 19-20

DC 5:25-35

Has there been a time in your life when the Lord has protected you?

Talk: "Trust in the Lord"

April 1989

GC:     Look to the Book, Look to the Lord by Elder Gary E. Stevenson

President Benson taught:

"The Book of Mormon teaches us truth and bears testimony of Christ...

But there is something more.  There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book.  You will find greater power to resist temptation...

You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path."

James left this morning for the valley.  He picked up his trailer at the repair shop which cost over $1,000 and then on to the tow yard for the Scion which cost $394.  No wonder we never have any money.  

There were about 20 elk in our yard this morning.

Of course I had to tell James.

James went to the Gilbert temple this morning and picked up the cards for the baptisms that Jared did.  He also did the initiatories for the men.

So true.

James went to Tom's BBQ for dinner and had a bbq chicken sandwich with swiss cheese and mushrooms.  Here at home I had hot and sour soup and a couple of rolls.  

Don't you just love Arizona!

Things I am worried about right now: Jared Ammon, Jared selling his practice, my lack of wifi and inability to post on my blog because of it, getting the Scion fixed, and our lack of funds.  Thank goodness James has this job doing a tenant improvement for Jerrod Bowen.  

When I am lonely I stay up late and watch movies.  Tonight I watched "The Love Letter".  I had seen this movie before but loved it again the second time.  A new episode of "Signed, Sealed, Delivered."  I loved this episode.  Gregory Harrison plays Oliver's dad and I really like him.  "Hello, It's Me" starring Kellie Martin.  Another oldie but goodie.

Photo Memories:

Soccer with these three two years ago.

I love these boys!

Carmen's amazing Yoda cake