Sunday, July 14th, 2019

Tuxtla, Gutierrez, Mexico
75th operating temple
Dedicated: 12 Mar 2000
By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Firstborn

Romans 8:29

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Book of Mormon

Alma 32:21-43

New Testament "What Wilt Thou Have Me To Do?"

Review Acts 6-9

General Conference

The Quorum: A Place of Belonging

Elder Carl B. Cook

"Disciples of Jesus Christ are often gathered a few at a time, as invited by their friends. Anciently, when Andrew found the Savior, he went quickly to his brother Simon and 'brought him to Jesus.' Similarly, soon after Philip became a follower of Christ, he invited his friend Nathanael to 'come and see.'"

We made some new ministering assignments for our sisters this week and I ran off slips to give to the sisters that are in my district.

Adam and his friends came to sacrament but they didn't stay for the second hour. Adam and Kaitlin said they wanted to stay but they felt obligated to take Chris and Kyle back to the cabin.

I had two sisters ready to teach Relief Society today, Becky and Diana. Diana looked at the old schedule and she was prepared and had already handed out assignments to the sisters. Becky was fine with letting her teach. I need to make a new lesson schedule so this does not happen again.

The lesson was based on the talk given by Elder Christofferson on preparing for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. We talked about the Book of Mormon being the instrument that opened up the gathering of Israel and I told Ben's experience of staying up and reading from it most of the night and then deciding to go on a mission.

The lesson went well and Diana had lots of participation.

Yesterday James and I had steak and brussel sprouts. It was my first time with the little sprouts and suffice it to say it will probably be the last. Even the Barefoot Contessa's recipe couldn't convince me that I really liked them. Next time we will have cabbage instead.

Today we share the other steak we bought and I made a salad which suited me just fine. 

The kids went on a Razr ride but I guess no one wanted to go all the way to Green's Peak except Adam, so they didn't. It started to rain on them so they came back.

Adam and Kaitlin made Kaitlin's tater tot casserole for dinner. I had a taste and I must say it wasn't too bad. James liked it but I don't think I liked it well enough to ever fix it for dinner.

My eating was pretty much out of control today. I need to take some action to get it under control.

This afternoon we FaceTimed with Jared and Charlie. I sang the Eentsy Weentsy Spider and showed her my sheep and made sheep noises. She seemed to stay interested in us a little longer than usual.

Jared has two job interviews this week. One is in Texarkana and the other is in another smaller town. 

Brother and Sister South spoke in our sacrament meeting today. Sister South said she came from a family of 16 children and her mother always gathered them for family prayer and scripture study. She said that as a result, they recently had a family reunion of over 220 descendants and most all of them had served missions and had been married in the temple. "Out of small things proceedeth that which is great." I say, don't sweat the small stuff, just do it!

I read several chapters from President Nelson's biography, "Insights" this evening. He had a very close relationship with President Kimball. He said next to his dad no other man had influenced him as much as President Kimball.

We thought we were going to get some rain today but the clouds just hung in the sky and didn't share any drops of water on us. It probably rained in other places nearby but I guess it wasn't our turn today. 

I love getting photos of these two on

Sunday mornings!

This moth was outside on the porch window.

His body was half striped and half polka dot

Such a sweet adorable girl!

Friday, January 18th, 2019

Bismarck, North Dakota
61st operating temple
Dedicated: 19 Sept 1999
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Luke 9:35

And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 13:40-14:8

*Why is it so important to hold fast to the plain and precious truths of the gospel?

General Conference

The Vision of the Redemption of the Dead

President M. Russell Ballard

"Joseph F. was called to serve a mission in the Hawaiian Islands in 1854 when he was 15 years old. This mission, which lasted more than three years, was the beginning of a life of service in the Church."

We had 80-100 elk migrate across our property this morning. James was so excited to tell someone, he went upstairs and woke Adam up. 

I cut James's hair this morning. He wants to look good for when Jared and Kacey and Charlie come to visit. 

I had a nice visit on the phone with Anne Miller today about her ministering assignments and about how she is doing with her health. After talking to Anne I worked on getting a book order ready. There are 20 books in the shipment. After fees and shipping fees, etc., we will make less than $30 on this shipment. We need to figure out what we are doing wrong. I think if we buy a book that will sell for less than $30 we need to ship merchant fulfilled instead of fulfilled by Amazon.

James picked up five books at the post office today, all of them textbooks. He was excited for me to ship them off until we found out all of them except one we are not approved to sell. So, we don't make any money on the cheaper books and the more expensive ones where we have a chance of making money, we can't sell. This is not good. When we talked to Paul at Book Arbitrage, he said Amazon sometimes does that to new buyers until they establish themselves as legitimate buyers. We are frustrated to say the least but we are not giving up. 

This evening while Adam and his friends were playing games and making cookies in the kitchen and dining room we stayed in our bedroom and watched the new Hallmark movie, "Winter Princess." James got to sit and watch it while I walked around the room because I had less than 6,000 steps when we started the movie. I ended up getting over 10,000.

Carmen's Noah's Ark cake

Such a sweet baby!

The books in orange are profitable to buy but
we probably are not approved to sell them
according to Amazon.

James prepping books to ship to Amazon

Saturday, February 24th, 2018

Preston, England

52nd operating temple

Dedicated: 7-10 June 1998

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

Acts 17:31

Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 16:1-17:25

*Why would the Lord send a prophet to a people he knew would reject the message?

Old Testament

Leviticus 25-26

25 Each seventh year is to be kept as a sabbath year - Each fiftieth year is to be one of jubilee, in which liberty is proclaimed throughout the land - Laws are revealed for the sale and redemption of lands, houses, and servants - The land is the Lord's, as are the servants - Usury is forbidden.

26 Temporal and spiritual blessings will abound in Israel if the people keep the commandments - Cursing, scourging, and desolation will be theirs if they disobey the Lord - When His people repent, the Lord will show mercy unto them.

According to the Old Testament Student Manual, Leviticus 26 is one of the most powerful chapters in the Old Testament.

General Conference

God's Compelling Witness: The Book of Mormon

Tad R. Callister

" The Book of Mormon is one of God's priceless gifts to us. It is both sword and shield - it sends the word of God into battle to fight for the hearts of the just and serves as an arch defender of the truth. As Saints we have not only the privilege to defend the Book of Mormon but also the opportunity to take the offense - to preach with power its divine doctrine and bear testimony of its crowning witness of Jesus Christ."

When we left this morning for the temple, there was 2" of snow on the ground. In the town of Vernon there was just a skiff. There was some ice on the highway until we got to the Maverick in Show Low. There was no snow after turning onto the 77.

President and Sister Reidhead were in charge of preparation meeting today. We had two films about the initiatory ordinances. Sister Palmer and Sister Brimhall are both sick so I wonder if the Reidhead's have been doing double duty. 

My first assignment was in initiatory. Sister Bowers is still the co-ordinator. I started in clothing then rotated into anointing. Clothin is the easiest. Next I was assigned the locker room after the 8 a.m. session had already started. We were short handed today and I knew the sister assigned next was not here today so I stayed when I noticed three sisters coming in. I'm glad I did because they were here to do initiatories before the 9:30 session and they had never been here before. I assigned them lockers and then showed them was to go for initiatory. 

During my break I visited with Sister Elmer and ate some of her delicious beans and ham. I also visited with Sister Shelton from Eagar who told me that he daughter is married to Neal Lambson's son. 

I was the second follower in the 9:30 session. We had 26 sisters and 16 brothers, with one sister here for her own endowment. Sister Sauwen was the first follower. They Reynolds' from our ward were in this session. 

After the session I was assigned to the celestial room where I could just sit and relax for 30 minutes. After my 30 minutes was up I went back to initiatory. One of the patrons, Sister Broadbent, thanked me for being here so she could come and do work for her ancestors. I think that just made my day. 

My last assignment was downstairs behind the recommend desk as greeter one. Sister Elmer was greeter two. Since it was a quiet time and we go home in 30 minutes she told me she would watch my post if I wanted to go get dressed. She didn't have to ask me twice. I thanked her and told her I would cover for her next time. She just smiled because she knew I might not never have the chance.

We went to El Cupido's for lunch. We got a booth before it started getting really busy. Just as we were about to leave the Elmer's walked in. I told them they could have our booth so Brother Elmer came over and sat down while Sister Elmer went and placed their order. James asked Brother Elmer earlier today if he had any relatives who lived in Chandler and he said he did not. He could be related because he is tall and blonde.

On the drive home the mountains looked beautiful coated in snow. When we got home we took naps and then I worked on my Primary lesson. 

Adam and his friends went into town to get some dinner. They came back with frozen pizza and cookie dough. After we go to bed they play a game upstairs with their phones. Kyle doesn't have a smart phone so he borrows my ipad. I am glad the internet works so they can play their online game.

I got 5,000 steps today and James got 20,000. He takes his phone with him around the temple while I leave mine in my locker. 

Sheri did her half marathon today. I am very proud that she set this goal and then followed through with it.

Sheri's stats

The finish line, always a welcome sight.

My lesson tomorrow is on Noah's Ark

Curtis's family. Can you tell where they have been?

Joshua is amazed at all the flavors.

First In n Out Burger and then Cold Stone.

Spoon lickin' good.