Tuesday, March 19th, 2019

Aba, Nigeria

121st operating temple

Dedicated: 7 Aug 2005

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

DC 46:13

To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world.

Book of Mormon

Jacob 3:1-14

New Testament

BD, Parables

"The Soil and Roots of Testimony"

John K. Carmack

General Conference

Becoming a Shepherd

Bonnie H. Cordon

"Whether our sheep are strong or weak, rejoicing or in anguish, we can make certain that no one walks alone. We can love them wherever they are spiritually and offer support and encouragement for the next step forward. As we pray and seek to understand their hearts, I testify that Heavenly Father will direct us and His Spirit will go with us. We have the opportunity to be the 'angels round about' them as He goes before their face."

The weather is beginning to feel like spring although the first day isn't until tomorrow. It was around 60 degrees and in the 80's in the valley.

At 8 o'clock I listened to the Book Profits webinar Afterwards I sourced 18 books and ended up buying 3.

After my lunch, rest, and a walk I got ready and went to Safeway to buy croissants for tonight's Relief Society birthday celebration. I did not dilly dally and I was back home by 5. I was going to look for more books to buy but Stacy called and we talked for about 30 minutes. My friend Maxine needed a ride to the meeting tonight so I left a little early to pick her up.

I drive west to get Maxine and the sun is directly in my eyes. It's a good thing there wasn't much traffic on the road. Maxine and I make it back to the church at 6:30 right when the meeting is supposed to begin. 

There are several women already there and the food was set out ready to be served. Maxine helped me cut my croissants open and then we set them on the table. Kerri asked me to say the opening prayer and blessing on the food. While we were eating Kerri played the "Sisters to the Rescue" video. I sat by Kerri, and her mother Catherine and Tamara.

Sister Nichols is our RS activities chairman and she had prepared a most delicious chicken salad to go on the croissants. I told her I needed the recipe and she sent it to me.

X6 the recipe for our group

We had plenty and it was delicious!

There was also several fruit and veggie trays and a big Happy 177th Birthday Relief Society cake.

Picture 23 women sitting around these tables

eating, laughing, and talking and enjoying one

another's company.

After listening to a brief history of Relief Society Kerri asked the sisters some questions just for fun. Kaeli read "The Relief Society Declaration." I think you can say that a good time was had by all.

I may or may not have watched the Hallmark movies listed today.

 Palmer's dream house

 Autumn's dream house

I like this style of home so much!

"When Calls the Heart" set

 Carson and Faith from "WCTH"

He's the doctor and she's his nurse.

I believe romance is in store for them.

 The cast and crew of "Garage Sale Mysteries"

are out of work.

Wednesday, October 10th, 2018

Aba, Nigeria

121st operating temple

Dedicated: 7 Aug 2005

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

2 Nephi 25:13

Behold, they will crucify him; and after he is laid in a sepulchre for the space of three days he shall rise from the dead, with healing in his wings; and all those who shall believe on his name shall be saved in the kingdom of God. Wherefore, my soul delighteth to prophesy concerning him, for I have seen his day, and my heart doth magnify his holy name.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 3:1-10

*Why is it so important to stand guard against the flatteries of men?

- So that we stay on the covenant path. We need to constantly repent and progress and flattery blinds us to our sins and areas we need to improve. Flattery causes us to be puffed up and vain.

Old Testament

Jeremiah 7-9

General Conference

Our Campfire of Faith

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

"For those who seek, allow, and live for it, the dawn of faith, sometimes gradually, will come or can return."

I finished reading the Old Testament commentary on Isaiah. It was very enlightening. Here are some things I wrote down:

Calamities and troubles are increasing in the earth, but there is a place of deliverance. There will be no peace until the Prince of Peace comes to bring it. The righteous have been called on to come out of Babylon, or the world, to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ as it has been restored, and find a place in the Kingdom of God.

I started reading about Jeremiah. Here are some notes I took:

As ye sow, so shall ye reap. Jeremiah labored as a prophet during four kings of Judah: Josiah, Jehoaz, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. 

James and I took a trip to town today. We stopped at the printer's so I could get the Book of Mormon reading schedules for Relief Society laminated. I only had 18 laminated and it cost me $11. I am going to take the rest of them to presidency meeting tonight and hope someone has a laminating machine.

I picked up my Tramadol and did some shopping. James went to Home Depot and Firehouse Sub. I had a nice sandwich waiting for me when I got in the car. How did I end up spending $200 at Walmart?

James went back to the Howard's to work and I worked at home. I mopped the kitchen floor, worked on my blog, and ran off all of the conference talks. This was the first day they have been available in print.

Tamara, Kerri, and I visited Donna Peeler before our presidency meeting. Donna had surgery for a compressed disk and now she is going to have surgery for the bulging disks in her back. She told us she fell the other day. This really stresses me because that's how she got the compressed disk in the first place. Tamara asked me to say a prayer before we left. I prayed for Donna's safety.

During presidency meeting this evening I found out that Kerri is adopted. I was genuinely surprised. Kerri brought her computer and typed notes and sent them to everyone after the meeting,  and she isn't even the secretary. 

No book arbitrage training tonight. We are getting ready to leave for Texas in the morning. Yahoo!

 I love these photos! 

 Darrel the hairdresser, a man of many talents.

Love the quilted look on cards

Friday, May 4th, 2018

Aba, Nigeria

121st operating temple

Dedicated: 7 Aug 2005

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, betrayal of

DC 45:53

And then shall they weep because of their iniquities; then shall they lament because they persecuted their king.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 22:10-23:15

*How is this story of Limhi's people similar to our own escape from this world into the arms of the Savior?

aliciamil4: "I can see the Savior's hand in everything, the good and the hard as He gives me the choice to choose Him or the ways of the world. He blesses me, he prepares me and he teaches me to move forward. 

Old Testament

1 Samuel 11-12

11 The Ammonites encamp against the Israelites of Jabesh-gilead - Saul rescues them and defeats the Ammonites - His kingship is renewed in Gilgal.

12 Samuel testifies of his own just dealings in Israel - He reproves the people for their ingratitude - He exhorts them to keep the commandments lest the Lord consume them and their king.

General Conference

The Heart of a Prophet

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

" As I sought guidance to know the topic the Lord would have me address today, my mind was directed to a recent conversation with the newly called First Presidency. In this discussion, one of the counselors shared words to this effect: 'I deeply hope that the membership of the Church can comprehend the magnitude of what has taken place with the calling of our new prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, and the significance and sacredness of the solemn assembly that will take place at general conference.' He further observed, 'It has been 10 years, and many, especially the youth of the Church, do not remember or have not experienced this before.'"

Russell M. Nelson-10/01: "Set in Order Thy House"

'Our family is the focus of our greatest work and joy in this life; so it will be throughout eternity.'

Rescuing Wayward Children:"Afflictions can push parents apart, when in actuality afflictions are designed to weld us together" (p. 227) "Oneness brings deliverance." Charity has 3 meanings: Love from Christ, Love for Christ, Love like Christ. (p.233)

James went on an early morning walk while I went downstairs to work on my blog. I was there when Addy got up and left, Ruby, Darrel, Rowan, and Lola. 

Trina and Darrel have a green shake for breakfast in the mornings. It's made from kale, spinach, frozen pineapple, a banana, and sometimes an orange if they have one. Trina let us taste her shake this morning and I must say, it was very tasty. She also introduced me to My Fitness Pal which she uses for her food diary. I love it!

Thanks Trina!

Trina told us a funny story about Lola this morning. She said they saw a woman with black hair and Lola said: "Is that Jo"? Trina asked her who Jo was and she said: "You know that girl who builds houses and her husbands name is Chip."

We said our goodbyes as everyone left for school or work. Ruby's class is going on a fieldtrip to the aquarium and Lola and Trina are going to meet them there. 

James and I loaded up and left for Fry's around 9:00 or so. We were looking for Grape Nut Flakes, for James. We didn't find any but we found the Larabar date balls that Trina introduced us to so we bought two flavors, brownie and salt caramel. A tasty little bite without having to count as a sweet.

James dropped me off at AARA for my infusion at 10:15. I had an appointment with Rana, Dr. Caldron's PA, and then I had my infusion. I lost about 10 lbs since last month which makes me happy and which also means I get less Actemra.

James took the car to get the new headlight put in, took our cast-offs to D.I., and got gas. For lunch we shared a salad I made up at Fry's salad bar. Since we have been on this diet we have actually craved more healthy food. 

Our next stop was in Scottsdale where James is seeing an allergy specialist. I dropped him off and then went to the Fry's Marketplace on Shea Blvd. just to look around. Just to look around cost me over $150. I ended up doing much of my grocery shopping. It was so fun. Much different from Walmart.

I bought James some fried chicken from Fry's because he loves it. He was pretty excited when I picked him up. He said this doctor helped him more than any other doctor. He told him to cut way down on meat, no spicy foods, milk products, or acidic foods. No water within an hour of going to bed. He also wrote him a prescription that he said would help with acid reflex more than the prescription that he is on. 

From Scottsdale we went home through Payson. 

I got my new crockpot!

Casserole Crockpot

There was a volcanic eruption and several earthquakes on the big island of Hawaii today. The one we visited in 1998.

I had to finish my walking when I got home. Afterwards James and I watched "The Beach House."

This reminds me of the Loggerhead turtles

in the movie "The Beach House."

An 18 year old picture of the Wilhelm family.

They just had their 10th baby.

The biggest Star Wars fan I know.

Teresa prepared for a Nerf gun war with

Jack.

Addy loves pineapples!

Good advice!

Gorgeous flowers at Fry's. I especially 

like the blue ones in the back.

The bear won. Can this be true?

What exactly does that mean?

Fun memories!

I wonder who will win this fight.

Thanks Paula.

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

I love this view

2 Nephi 2:11-21

What are some insights learned about the Plan of Salvation in this chapter?

Mosiah 2:18-3:13

DC:20:13-24

What can we do to help us give "no heed" to temptation?

Talk: "Shunning Temptation: A Key to Receiving Revelation"

By: Ian S. Arden

February 2004 Ensign

GC:"A Choice Seer Will I Raise Up" by Elder Craig C. Christensen

'Because Joseph was a prophet, we have the blessings and

ordinances of the temple that bind us to God, make us His people, and manifest to us "the power of godliness," making it possible one day to "see the face of God, even the Father, and live."

Because Joseph was a prophet, we know that marriage and family are an essential part of God's plan for our happiness.  We know that through temple ordinances and covenants, our cherished family relationships can endure eternally.'

GC: 'The Lord Jesus Christ Teaches Us to Pray' by Elder Juan A. Uceda

"Do you prepare yourself to make important decisions by praying to your Heavenly Father?  Do you prepare yourself for a moment of prayer?"

Seven Lessons Learned from the Savior:

1.  Satan is the source of temptation - 2 Nephi 2:27, Matthew 4:10

2.  The Savior immediately dismissed temptation.

3.  Jesus took strength from the scriptures as a means of shunning temptation.

4.  From the Joseph Smith Translation, we know that Jesus did not go into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil as portrayed in the King James version, for the righteous seek no temptation.  Rather,

"Jesus was led up of the Spirit, into the wilderness to be with God."

(JST. Matt 4:1)  When we are trying to lose weight, we stay away from the bakery.

5.  Satan tempts us at our weakest point.

6.  Obedience.

7.  Christ was tempted three times in quick succession.  Satan does not give up.

Aba, Nigeria temple

I had hot and sour soup and a sandwich for lunch.  I cleaned our bedroom and bathroom today which included changing the sheets, and washing towels and rugs.  

I blogged for January 18th and 19th. 

I made chicken rice soup and Red Lobster biscuits for dinner this evening.  I also paid bills, and emptied one storage box.  

The Church's Pathway Program has gone global and the President of BYU-Idaho, President Tanner is taking it over.  Henry J. Eyring is the new president of BYU-Idaho.  He has to be President Eyring's son because he looks just like him.  At one time President Eyring was president of Rick's College, which was renamed BYU-Idaho  

After FHE James and I watched a Hallmark movie called "Makeover."  We were in bed by 9.

Fun Photos

A familiar face when visiting Cathi and Terry's.

Such a cute picture!

Speaking of Cathi and Terry, here they are with the

amazing indexing group from Galveston 3rd ward,

one of the best in the entire Church.

Some more familiar faces when visiting at Cathi and Terry's.

Indy on the bed, Lady on the pillow.

Grandpa and Lola

Grandpa with the guys playing Hearts.

Grandpa wins this game 90% of the time.

Some of my young women at the Snowflake temple.

Sisters: Alice and Trenda and

Sisters: Shelly and Jordyn.

Glasses or no glasses, this girl is cute and sweet!

Beautiful!