Wednesday, May 27th, 2020

Spokane, Washington

59th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 Aug 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, King

Luke 23:38

And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"a

Alma 1; James, Sunday journal, study guide; "Sunday on Monday" 

Restoration

Chapter 17 Refuge in Illinois

Inklings

Beautify Soul; Restoration Proclamation

April General Conference

"Come and Belong"

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"My dear brothers and sisters, my dear friends, each week members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all around the globe worship our beloved Heavenly Father, the God and King of the universe, and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. We ponder the life and teachings of Jesus Christ - the only sinless soul who ever lived, the spotless Lamb of God. As often as we can, we partake of the sacrament in remembrance of His sacrifice and recognize that He is the center in our lives."

"Preserving Agency, Protecting Religious Freedom"

Elder Robert D. Hales

April 2015

I am truly happy and blessed.

I bought books this morning before leaving to pick up my friend Jean for lunch. Tom gave me a check for James when I arrived.  Jean and I drove to Native, Jean's favorite place to have lunch. They were open but many table had no chairs and there were only a few people inside having lunch. All of the waitresses had masks on. 

We both ordered the apple walnut chicken salad without the blue cheese crumbles. 

Jean and I had a nice visit. I told her about our anniversary next week and how we were going to our timeshare in Scottsdale. She said her anniversary was this Friday but she didn't think that Tom remembered because he hasn't said anything. 

Jean loves the ocean and would like to go to San Diego but Tom hates the ocean. Tom wants to go to Illinois this summer to see his mom but Jean does not want to go. Jean is not happy about selling their place here in Vernon but she knows Tom shouldn't be living up here. It is difficult for him to breathe. 

I am worried about my friends Tom and Jean. I asked Jean if she and Tom would like to study the "Come Follow Me" lessons with us since we are not attending church. She said she would like that and would talk with Tom.

We had lunch and I drove Jean home. She has a doctor's appointment at 2:30 and will be driving back into town with Tom.

When I got home James was cooking himself some lunch, he was frying some fish. I offered him my leftover salad but he didn't like it so he put it in the frig. I thought he would like it because of the walnuts but I guess the dressing was too sweet for him.

A package was delivered to our front door today. It was the part for James's truck only it was the wrong part. So frustrating!

I spent the rest of the day working on books, walking, studying, and watching "Lark Rise to Candleford." We started our new Aunt Dimity book, "Aunt Dimity and the Wishing Well." The leg was loose on my chair so I turned it upside down on the table. James asked why the chair was on the table and I told him there was a loose leg I would like him to tighten. I didn't expect that he would do this:

I was sitting at the table studying when

sparks started to fly. I asked why he was

doing that and he said, I'm cutting off the end

of the top screw so I can get to the bottom one.

He fixed the chair and then changed a lightbulb for me.

BFF's

Scarlett and Charlie

 Addy's room decorating

Tuesday, May 5th, 2020

Seoul, Korea

37th operating temple

Dedicated: 14 Dec 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, King

Psalms 95:3

For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Mosiah 12; Sunday journal; study guide

April General Conference

"Spiritually Defining Moments"

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"Eighteen years after the First Vision, the Prophet Joseph Smith wrote an extensive account of his experience. He had faced opposition, persecution, harassment, threats, and brutal attacks. Yet he continued to boldly testify of his First Vision. 'I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true. ... I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it.'"

"Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ"

Dallin H. Oaks

April 1994

"Grateful in Any Circumstances

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

April 2014

"Live by covenants, not convenience."

 My leg is still hurting this morning, behind my knee. The thought occurred to me that it could be a blood clot from sitting so long yesterday. James was so worried he wanted me to text Trina at 6 a.m. and see what she thought. Of course I did not do that. James had me take an aspirin and another pill that is supposed to help thin blood. Honestly, within a couple of hours, the pain was gone. 

Today is what I call a "Recovery" day. I worked on my blog and listened to Kris and Kathy on the book webinar, and rested. James was gone most of the day working at the Goodman's back filling the trenches to their amazing greenhouse. He wore the Star Wars mask Catherine H. made him but by noon it was so dirty he brought it home for me to wash. For lunch I made him a tuna melt sandwich and some tomato basil soup.

Today is my brother Dennis's 66th birthday. I called to wish him a happy birthday and asked what he was doing to celebrate. He said that he and Denise were in the valley waiting outside of Chili's trying to figure out how to order their food. Someone came out to take their order so our call was cut short. I love my brother Dennis, he is a great guy and lots of fun to be around.

I went with James over to the Halcomb's this afternoon to see about some stumps Kerri wants removed and some post holes she would like for him to dig. While Kerri showed James what needed to be done, I stayed inside and visited with Catherine. Catherine always has some interesting story to tell and today it was about being on the foster care board in California. She said being a foster parent is the best way to adopt a child. Her granddaughter wants to adopt but the $40,000 fee is too costly. Three of Catherine's children are adopted and all she paid for  two of them was the cost of the birth certificate. The other was through LDS Social Services and they had to pay $300.

James went for a Luna ride this evening while I did my gospel study. On the way home from the Halcomb's we stopped to talk to Chuck Crane. They think they finally found out what is causing Cathy's pain, it is her gall bladder. She is having surgery tomorrow.
Thank goodness! Hopefully this will do the trick. She has been through so many tests, and pain since the beginning of the year.

After James's ride he came back and grilled a couple of steaks for dinner. I put together a salad and warmed up some Busch beans and that was dinner. 

After dinner we watched a couple of episodes from season 1 of "Lark Rise to Candleford."

 Such beauties: Scarlett, Ivy, Lola

 I love the expression on her face

 Such wisdom

Great idea, if I was more organic

 James called me out to look at the moon

 May is concert month

Saturday, November 30th, 2019

Hong Kong, China
48th operating temple
Dedicated: 26 May 1996
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Head of Church

Romans 16:16

Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

Book of Mormon

Mormon 9:22-37

New Testament

2 Peter 2-3; FSS and FHE and additional resources and videos

10/19 General Conference

"Fruit"

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"What does the tree in the Tree of Life vision with its most precious fruit symbolize? It represent 'the love of God' and proclaims our Heavenly Father's marvelous plan of redemption. 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.'"

Closing Remarks

President Russell M. Nelson

"We know the restored gospel of Jesus Christ will bring hope and joy to people who will hear and heed His doctrine. We also know that each home can become a true sanctuary of faith, where peace, love, and the Spirit of the Lord may dwell."

I woke up at 5:08 this morning. I had almond cake with caramel rum sauce for breakfast. I read an article in the Ensign while I was eating by sister Cristina B. Franco, "Be of Good Cheer." I also had some camomile tea. What a way to start the day!

One of the first things I saw on Instagram was Allison Hoker and her husband Twitch dancing. The caption read, "Cause everyday is a celebration."

The snow levels increased overnight. In other weather related news three tornadoes touched down in the Phoenix metropolitan area, one near Darrel and Trina. They gathered all of the children into the master bedroom with them. Luckily nothing came of it.

Our friends Tom and Jean Howard are snowed in. Tom called James and asked if he could come and help them get out, which he did.

I listened to several BYU-Idaho devotionals today, including one by the school president, President Henry J. Eyring, President Henry B. Eyring's son. One of the things I remember about his talk is that he writes in his journal every night before he goes to bed. I love these devotionals and could listen to them all day!

The sun began to shine today and of course the snow began to melt. When James got home from the Howard's he realized he needed to shovel snow out of our drive way or we would not be going to church in our car tomorrow. He shoveled lots of snow today, not only the driveway. He shoveled it off the front porch off the sidewalk in the back and off the patio. He got a good workout.

We watched a Lifetime movie this evening called, "Staging Christmas." We also watched a Hallmark movie, "Check Inn to Christmas", starring Rachel Boston and Wes Brown.

We started our fast earlier but we said another

prayer and included the Rawlings' family

in our fast.

 Family meal at Serranos to start the Christmas season

Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019

Halifax, Nova Scotia

64th operating temple

Dedicated: 14 Nov 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Family of

Mark 3:31

There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without sent unto him, calling him.

Book of Mormon

Alma 26:17-37

New Testament "Ye Shall Be Witnesses Unto Me"

Acts 2:37-47; 3:13-26

General Conference

Answers to Prayer

Brook P. Hales

"When our worthy desires are not granted in the way we had hoped, it may actually be for our ultimate benefit. For example, Joseph the son of Jacob was envied and hated by his brothers to the point that they plotted Joseph's murder. Instead, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. If ever a person might have felt that his prayers were not answered in the way he had hoped, it could have been Joseph. In reality, his apparent misfortune resulted in great blessings to him and saved his family from starvation."

Well James survived working at Howard's yesterday so he's back again today. Anthony isn't there to help because his vehicle has no brakes. Weston was supposed to help him but never showed up, so he's working alone, struggling with crooked posts and rails.

I finished getting my shipment ready this morning and worked on my blog and walked. These movies were playing in the background:

"A Rocky Mountain Christmas"

(filmed in Vancouver, Canada)

"All I Want for Christmas"

(One of my favorites, I love the kid in this movie!)

"A Joyous Christmas"

"Mistletoe Over Manhattan"

"Christmas Everlasting"

I didn't watch all of these in the morning, some spilled over into the afternoon.

James came home from the Howard's around 1 o'clock and told them he wouldn't be back until 4 because he was going to town with me.

Our first stop in town was at Taco Bell for lunch. It was so busy there were only two empty tables. The place was a mess. This town gets so overcrowded on holidays and most people don't know how to handle it. A girl came out and cleaned tables, sweeping more food onto the already dirty floor. Maybe I should get a job here.

James dropped me off at Walmart while he went to the UPS store and to Home Depot. Walmart was a disaster. They had to close for awhile on Sunday because of a power outage and it must not be fixed because most all of the frozen food and dairy cases were empty and the store was packed with people. I always wonder why people go grocery shopping with the entire family to tow.

I couldn't even get a quart of milk to go with my frosted mini wheats. I had to ask for help to get James's rice milk because there was only two and they were pushed back so far on the counter that I couldn't reach them. I wanted out of that place and so when James arrived I told him it was time to go!

On the way home he stopped at McDonald's to get me an ice cream cone. He really does love me!

We dropped off the book, Plato, we are returning to the seller because of a broken spine at the post office. We also picked up another load of books. This time only two boxes full instead of three.

Even Amazon thinks we deserve a refund.

James went back to the Howard's and I put the groceries away, including the two watermelons I picked out, and opened books. 

This evening we finished watching "Mystery 101: Playing Dead."

We both decided that Jill Wagner is one of our favorite actresses on Hallmark. She is pretty down to earth too. She lives on a farm in Tennessee and posted this picture on Instagram.

She said this little guy will live with his mom on the

farm all of his life.

Jill's farm

 On to the next thing!

 Yes, but how does her dad feel about country music?

I don't know how to post videos.

 It's supposed to be a "controlled" burn but there has

been so much smoke and it's close by.

 They change so much!