Wednesday, September 11th, 2019

Kyiv, Ukraine

134th operating temple

Dedicated: 29 Aug 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Glory of

2 Nephi 33:11

And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye - for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness.

Book of Mormon

 Helaman 2:1-14

New Testament "Be Ye Reconciled to God" 2 Corinthians 1-7

2 Corinthians 4

General Conference

Hearing His Voice

Elder David P. Homer

" Brothers and sisters, in a world with so many competing voices, I testify that our Heavenly Father has made it possible for us to hear and follow His If we are diligent, He and His Son will give us the direction we seek, the strength we need, and the happiness we all desire. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

I sold one of my ten cent library books and after fees I made fifty six cents. 

James is pretty miserable right now. He has shingles on the right side of his head that is sore to the touch. He has had it for over a week so I told him he needed to see the doctor. He actually called and made an appointment for tomorrow morning with Dr. Moffat.

James finally heard from Christopher and Tamara, the couple he drew remodeling plans for and met with last week. They called and said they had "decided to go in a different direction." We took this to mean that they got someone else to do the job.

Now he is working on a bid for the Ramirez home in Phoenix. 

We went into town this afternoon and stopped for lunch around 2 p.m. at LaCasita. Their food is so delicious. I've decided that James's green chili enchiladas are a little better than my red chili enchilada. James got an extra one, the cook accidentally made two, and I got half of the last one. So delicious!

I told James to smile and this is what he did.

After lunch James dropped me off at Walmart and he did some errands he needed to do. I saw one of our friends from the temple, Sister Gentry. She gave me a hug and I said I would see her on Saturday.  James came as I was checking out. As we were driving a way we say Kerri walking across the parking lot into the store. I offered her one of my pumpkin Popem's but she declined. Popem's are donut holes.

On the way home I read to James from "Aunt Dimity and the Duke." When I got home I read from "Aunt Dimity beats the Devil." There are 24 Aunt Dimity books and I only have 17. I guess I will have to do something about that.

I researched books for awhile this evening. Most of the ones I found were too high in price and there wasn't enough spread. I finished with less steps this evening so James and I could watch the newest episode of "Darrow and Darrow" on the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries channel. Darrow and Darrow are a mother and daughter attorney team played by Kimberly Williams -Paisley, and Wendy Malik. Tom Cavanaugh is Kimberly's love interest. The actor who plays Henry Gowan in "When Calls the Heart" was the bad guy in this episode.

 I love this photo taken 1978-79

 One cool baby!

Tuesday, September 11th, 2018

Merida, Mexico

92nd operating temple

Dedicated: 8 July 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Mark 16:6

And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 2:1-14

*How do you avoid being deceived by the flattery of men?

-Through the inspiration of the Spirit. We must stay spiritually centered and remember what really matters. See Elder Lynn G. Robbins, "Which Way Do You Face," October 2014 General Conference.

Old Testament

Proverbs 27-31

General Conference

Introductory Remarks

President Russell M. Nelson

"These adjustments are inspired of the Lord. As we implement them, we will be even more effective than we have ever been previously. We are engaged in the work of Almighty God. Jesus is the Christ! We are His humble servants! God bless you, brethren, as we learn of and do our duty."

Our friend Bill from Chandler sold Rockin' R Ranch for 2.6 million

recently. I guess he can afford to loan us $16,000 to pay off our creditors from the Phoenician Golf Course job. We still have not been paid and I think they are stalling. James is about ready to file a lien.

We have two heroes gone from the American public eye. One was a real prisoner of war hero, John McCain, and one was a hero of the big screen decades ago, Burt Reynolds, most famous for the movies, "Smoky and the Bandit." 

As I was listening to Proverbs today I wrote down some of my favorites: 

"When the wicked rule, the people perish."

"Where there is no vision, the people perish."

"A virtuous woman is more precious than rubies."

I also read chapter ten from "The Christ that Heals," before going to my card class. 

These were the people in the class today besides myself:

Linda, Elizabeth, Judy (a new one), Marsha, Lorraine, Pam, Rosie, Diana, Pebble, and Deana. Diana started out by showing us some ideas on how to decorate our envelopes.

We did seven cards today, three Halloween by Lorraine, Diana, and Pam. A birthday by Pebble, a Ladybug card by Deana, a beautiful fall card by Elizabeth, and my Burlap Daisy. Here is a photo:

Elizabeth developed her own technique for the fall leaves.

I read a chapter from "Time and Again," watched part of the Debbie Gibson movie and walked and walked and walked. I sat all morning so I had to walk this afternoon and evening. 

I also read to James a chapter from "The Secret Keeper," and worked on my 2019 dot journal. I am putting in a calendar for each month and week of the year. It will take some time before I get to the fun part of the journal.

An idea I might use

James worked outside until after dark on the tree he is going to use for the Howard's counter top.

Scarlett looks like she is at the spa!

The last one of Charlie is her Daddy's favorite.

Monday, September 11th, 2017

San Diego, California

45th operating temple

Dedicated: 25 April 1993 by Thomas S. Monson

Helaman 1:18-34

How do you avoid being deceived by the flattery of men?

Through the inspiration of the Spirit. We must stay spiritually centered and remember what really matters. Read Lynn G. Robbins, "Which Way Do You Face," October 2014 General Conference.

DC 132:29-45

Why should we always be obedient to what the Lord asks us to do?

Because we love Him. The Lord loves all of His children but He can only bless them when they are obedient. Obedience to commandments increases our faith, and brings us exaltation where we can become gods instead of angels.

General Conference

Becoming a Disciple of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Elder Robert D. Hales

"Patience, Peter teaches, leads us to godliness. As the Father is patient with us, His children, we become patient with one another and ourselves. From temperance to patience and from patience to godliness, our natures change. We gain the brotherly kindness that is a hallmark of all true disciples. Like the Good Samaritan, we cross the road to minister to whoever is in need, even if they are not within the circle of our friends. We bless them that curse us. We do good to those who despitefully use us. Is any attribute more godly or Christlike?"

We said our goodbyes, gave hugs, and had family prayer together with Jared giving the prayer, before we left for home. We are so very grateful for being able to come and spend time with Jared, Kacey, and Summer and to attend Molly's baptism and to be able to do sealings in the San Antonio temple. It was a wonderful trip and we are so grateful we were able to come.

'Til we meet again

As we left, Kacey and Summer were gone and Jared was at home cutting up fruit for lunches and doing laundry. He does not have to go to work until 10.

Thank goodness for Googlemaps or we wouldn't have found our way out of Jared and Kaceys neighborhood. We got on to the freeway and stopped for gas in Boerne where my friend Kay used to live. We read our scriptures and then I read from Brownlie Manor before taking a nap.

We got off the freeway in the little town of Ozona for a potty break and since we were there we got more gas. This town says it's the "biggest little town in the world," Some of the things to do in Ozona are: birdwatching, hunting, star gazing and off-roading. These are the same things we do here in Vernon! There are some beautiful trees and old homes and buildings in Ozona. I didn't get any pictures of homes but here is the town name and motto and the Crockett county courthouse located in Ozona.

The name of the gas station and store where we stopped was Stripes. It is the same place we stopped on Friday. 

On to Van Horn for gas and lunch at McDonald's. This is my friend Hailey's hometown. She says I should have texted her and let her know I was going to be there and she would have suggested some places to eat. She says Lizy's is good and her cousins place RJ's, but RJ's may only be open in the evenings.

Instead of going through Socorro we went back through Deming and Silver City up to Luna and Alpine. This way is more scenic but I do not like the windy road up the mountain. 

We got home around 5 p.m. Arizona time, gaining two hours coming home. It was good to be home except I found a bloated, belly up mouse caught in a trap in the pantry. Welcome home to critterville. 

Brian left us some green chili pork stew. Thanks Brian! After unloading and putting things away I did a little blogging and reading before going to bed. We were in bed by 9.

I did not forget that today was the anniversary of 9/11. Here are some photos I found on Facebook.

 Other random photos I like:

This is NOT the mouse we found in the pantry.

This one is cute, that one wasn't!

Sun and summer storm over the Grand Canyon.

I'm calling this one Cinderella's castle.

The Skousen's

Sister Skousen on the left is our Primary President.

She is a great one!