Tuesday, January 1st, 2019

Toronto, Ontario

44th operating temple

Dedicated: 25-27 Aug 1990

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Death of

Mormon 9:13

And because of the redemption of man, which came by Jesus Christ, they are brought back into the presence of the Lord; yea, this is wherein all men are redeemed, because the death of Christ bringeth to pass the resurrection, which bringeth to pass a redemption from an endless sleep, from which sleep all men shall be awakened by the power of God when the trump shall sound; and they shall come forth, both small and great, and all shall stand before his bar, being redeemed and loosed from this eternal band of death, which death is a temporal death.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 1:1-15

New Testament

We Are Responsible for Our Own Learning

General Conference

Opening Remarks

President Russell M. Nelson

"This morning we will announce a new balance and connection between gospel instruction in the home and in the Church. We are each responsible for our individual spiritual growth. And scriptures make it clear that parents have the primary responsibility to teach the doctrine to their children. It is the responsibility of the Church to assist each member in the divinely defined goal of increasing his or her gospel knowledge."

My breakfast consisted of lemon cake, banana nut bread, which Sheri and I made yesterday, and biscuits and gravy. In my defense I didn't know the biscuits and gravy were coming but I couldn't pass them up when they did. Brian brought an elk roast and he cut it up and James made the gravy and Brian made the best biscuits, Pillsbury frozen.

Looks a mess but tastes great!

Kim is working on her puzzle, Sheri is watching a Hallmark Christmas movie, and Ian is upstairs reading a book. It looks and feels like we are snowed in. We got more snow during the night but we really don't care. I was trying to blog for December 24th but something was wrong with blogger or my internet connection so I finally gave up and sat down and watched Sheri's movie. 

Michael built a fire this morning and kept it going throughout the day. I think he might have been a little cold. The boys played video games, football, and went sledding. Kim, Brian, and Sheri shoveled snow on the decks and there was a ton! Thanks guys! Kim had a backache the rest of the day and that made me sad.

Kerri H. brought the birthday cards for the sisters having birthdays in January for me to sign. She got stuck two times. I hated to ask him but I did ask James if he would help her. 

Our neighbor Pierre had his tractor out clearing the road and he helped get her "unstuck" the first time. She came up to turn around in our driveway and got stuck again.  This time James got her out. I think she thought her four-wheel drive truck was invincible but she found out that it wasn't.

The boys went sledding but I think the snow got the best of them too.

 Instead of putting their wet clothes in front

of the fire I had them go directly to the 

laundry room and then I dried the clothes

for them.

The first thing they wanted when they came in was some hot chocolate. Here is Joshua putting an icicle in his hot chocolate to cool it down.

Michael and Max playing a game of chess.

Max won.

I made sub sandwiches for lunch. One for James, Ian, Kim, Brian, and myself.

James, Michael, and Max went to Dave Elkins to check on his water to see if it was frozen. The snow was so deep they couldn't find the shut-off valve.

 Who is that masked man?

Max

Michael

Sorry Mr. Elkin, but everything is covered with snow. It's a marshmallow world in the winter time.

I found one of my old dream journals from 2010 in the cupboard today. I had written down for several days some of the dreams that I had. I shared them with Kim and we had a good laugh. I am writing from Darrel and Trina's right now so I don't have the journal with me. One of the funniest was Trisha Yearwood leaving Garth Brooks for Ryan Seacrest. I will share more when I get home.

Sheri made shrimp and tilapia for dinner. I had been snacking all day so I did not eat much dinner. James, and Michael made another cobbler. This time Max assisted. We took a vote and decided on blueberry and peach. 

The kitchen is a gathering place and everyone

adds their opinion. Sheri loved this one better

than the blueberry-apple. I preferred the

blueberry-apple, but this one was good too.

Kim loved the fact that it had peaches in it.

Sheri and I were watching a movie in the bedroom and realized we

should invite Kim even though she was working on her puzzle.

She declined but said she was glad that we thought of her.

A daily dose of Charlie makes everything better.

As I set goals for the new year here are some
things to consider:

I love Mother Teresa!

Wednesday, July 25th, 2018

Toronto, Ontario

44th operating temple

Dedicated: 25 Aug 1990

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

Colossians 3:10

And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Book of Mormon

Alma 39:1-19

*What does it mean to "cross' yourself in something? 

- Webster says to erase, to cancel, to counter-act, to stop.

I like Kim's answer better: "When I hear the word 'cross' it makes me think of the Savior - specifically when he had to carry His own cross to the place where He would be crucified. I'm sure it was heavy. He was tired, He was thirsty. I'm sure it was an unpleasant task. But He did it. He did it because it was the right thing to do. He did it because His Father in Heaven asked Him to. He submitted Himself to the hard task because He saw the bigger plan and He knew it was necessary. 

I think to 'cross' yourself in something is to put in the work. Do what you know you need to do, even if it is hard or unpleasant. Yes, that includes resisting temptation and keeping the commandments. But I think it also includes bearing our burdens and weaknesses without giving up - enduring to the end. We are often given trials in life that weigh us down. We are given commandments that may be hard to keep or follow through on. But if we 'cross' ourselves, we do what is hard and we don't give up because we see the bigger picture and we understand that hard trials and commandments are good for us and help us grow. As we carry our crosses we become stronger and more importantly we become more like our Savior. Do the work! It is worth it."

Old Testament

Nehemiah 10-12

10 The people covenant not to marry outside of Israel - They also covenant to honor the Sabbath, to pay tithes, and to keep the commandments.

11 The people and their overseers are elected by lot to dwell in Jerusalem and the other cities.

12 The priests and Levites who came up from Babylon are named - The walls of Jerusalem are dedicated - The offices of priests and Levites are appointed in the temple.

General Conference

Ministering

President Russell M. Nelson

"Effective ministering efforts are enabled by the innate gifts of the sisters and by the incomparable power of the priesthood. We all need such protection from the cunning wiles of the adversary."

James worked on sales taxes this morning before leaving for the Howard's. I said a prayer for him that he would be able to withstand the pain in his back. 

My project for this week has been gathering framed family photos to may a "wall of fame" in the hallway. I finally have them all laid out upstairs on the ping pong table. I actually found the photo of Nannie when she was five years old that I looked for last month to display at our family history night at the Church. Here it is:

Myrtle Mae Rutledge

1910 - 5 years old

There is a story behind this photo. "Nannie" said she was riding in a wagon to the photographers and her hat kept flying off and they would have to stop and pick it up. After the photograph was taken and they were on their way home, she took the hat and threw it into the air and never saw it again.

I was very close to my Nannie. We had so much fun going to her house when she lived in Lakeside on the Rim Road. I have so many fond memories of her. I was her escort when she went through the temple. 

James's grandmother:

Annie Laurie Mangum Lambson

Her sister, Lydia Ellen Mangum Maxwell

was my great-grandmother.

I wrote a note to Brother and Sister Bowers this morning thanking them for serving in the temple last Saturday for us so we could attend Ruthie's baptism.  One of the perks of working in the temple is getting to know great people.

Started reading a book by John Bytheway: "Finding Your Path in Lehi's Dream." Also read about plural marriage and the influence of the masons during the early days of the church in "A Reason for Faith."

Fixed the rest of the chicken tacos for James for lunch. He loves them!

I have started drinking the herbal tea I ordered that is supposed to help with digestion. I only have a two week supply and I am giving half to Sister Peeler, so I ordered another month's supply. 

Went with James this evening to Taylor to pick up a faulty part for the tractor which he needs to replace before the guy can fix the tractor. He is giving the tractor to Brother Howard to pay him for the Cat he ruined.

He wants to make sure Sheri doesn't leave

again for three weeks.

Kacey and Jared take their evening

walk down this path. Gorgeous!