Thursday, July 9th, 2020

Porto Alegre, Brazil

102nd operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Dec 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Lamb of God

1 Nephi 14:1

And it shall come to pass, that if the Gentiles shall hearken unto the Lamb of God in that day that he shall manifest himself unto them in word, and also in power, in very deed, unto the taking away of their stumbling blocks -

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Alma 30:42-60

April General Conference

"Come Unto Christ-Living as Latter-Day Saints"

Elder John A. McCune

This invitation to "Come unto Christ" has specific implications for Latter-day Saints. As members of the Savior's Church, we have made covenants with Him and have become His spiritually begotten sons and daughters. We have also been given the opportunity to labor with the Lord in inviting others to come unto Him.As we labor with Christ, our most deeply focused efforts should be within our own homes. there will be times when family members and close friends will face challenges. The voices of the world, and maybe their own desires, might cause them to question truth. We should do everything we can to help them feel both the Savior's love and our love. I am reminded of the scripture verse that has become our beloved hymn, "Love One Another," which teaches us, "By this shall ... men know ... ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

 Lambson Study Group

"Be 100% Responsible"

Elder Lynn G. Robbins

BYU Speeches 

August 22. 2017

James got up early to go work on the fence. I got up somewhere between 5:30-6 and walked into the kitchen to get something to eat, in this instance a piece of toast and a caramel protein shake. I have a pain in the back of my left leg that I am trying to get rid of. I walked around the bedroom and was able to sit after awhile. Thank goodness for Tramadol and walking!

While the Awesome Foursome (Dave, Laura, Cathi, and Terry) were outside target practicing I decided I was going to try to make some baked ziti. I used hamburger instead of sausage, rotini instead of ziti and cheddar cheese instead of mozarella cheese. It actually turned out quite tasty. James loved it! Laura and Cathi both tried it and liked it too. 

I inventoried my next shipment of books. I began removing stickers but got redirected to other activities before I finished. My last shipment that I sent in is no longer stranded but the books are not reserved or active. One more day and I will contact Amazon.

Laura told the story about the people who bought Jason's home, the old Robbins' place right next door to her and Dave. It seems the owner is not living in the home but is using it for a business, a daycare. Laura and the Wilson's next door on the other side, have counted over 20 children. They have complained to the city and now they are limited to four children until further notice. The neighbors are concerned about all of the traffic coming and going. 

Laura also is following the Vallow-Daybell case and told me to watch the Melanie Gibb interview on Dateline,  which I did this morning (Friday) via YouTube.  Melanie was Laurie Vallow's best friend while she lived in Arizona. Melanie tells the story of how Laurie and Chad met and what happened afterwards. It is almost a two hour interview. 

I made some banana nut muffins this afternoon adding extra banana and walnuts. James loved them!

Sheri called me this evening and asked me if I had seen a black panther when we had the cabin in Pinedale. I said I thought I had seen one driving up from Payson to Heber along the rim. I asked her why she had asked. I guess the boys were talking about it and Max told the story. She said, "I have learned to always believe Max." Max was right, I did tell them that I had seen one. We then started talking about if Sheri would be safe running when she came up. I told she would. I also told her there was another strange animal around here called a jaguarundi. We looked it up and it is a strange looking animal. 

We played a game of Five Crowns and this time James played with us. This was the highest scoring game I have ever played. Cathi won with 119 points, Terry 161, James 180, Laura 203, Dave 231, and Karen 233. 

For dinner James grilled us all hamburgers that Dave brought. We also had Busch beans and potato chips. I went to bed feeling a little discouraged. I didn't write in my blog, and I only got 5,000 steps. Must do better!

December 26th, 2019

Oaxaca, Mexico

74th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Mar 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Jehovah

2 Nephi 22:2

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation.

Book of Mormon

Moroni 7:20-34

New Testament

Revelation 16-18; Redheaded Hostess and New Testament Student Manual

Oct General Conference

"Knowing, Loving, and Growing"

Elder Hans T. Boom

"There is no need to constantly tell our spouse or children how they can improve; they know that already. It is in creating an environment of love that they will be empowered to make the necessary changes in their lives and become better people.

In this way repentance becomes a daily process of refining that might include apologizing for poor behavior. I remember and still experience situations where I have been too quick to judge or too slow to listen. And at the end of the day, during my personal prayer, I felt loving counsel from heaven to repent and become better. The loving environment first created by my parents, brother, and sisters and later by my wife, children, and friends has helped me to become a better person."

We left the house and our company around 10:10 this morning. I returned two books I had ordered to UPS. One book cost $16 to return. UPS is too expensive. 

We were supposed to meet a Medicare supplement insurance agent who is with Physicians Mutual at Panda Express at 11. He texted James and said it was too noisy and there were no tables available at Panda and could we meet at Firehouse Subs, so that's where we went. It's right next door to UPS. 

While James picked out a table to wait for Todd Walker, the agent with Physicians Mutual, I went up to order us something to eat. 

I ordered a large Philly cheesesteak and James and I split it. I also go some chips and a drink. I asked Todd if he wanted anything but he declined. 

We spent about an hour with Todd and it was a total waste of time. His company will not cover my infusions. We are currently with Trans America through the NRA. We qualify for the insurance because James is a lifetime member of the NRA. They cover my infusions so we are staying put.

 Todd had convinced James over the phone that he could get us insurance $77 a month cheaper which obviously was not the case.

We left Firehouse and headed for Linden to see Dennis, Denise, Harold and Vickie. Since Dennis was the only one who answered my text we went to his house first. He and Denise were both home and Rachel and her 2 1/2 year old daughter Evie were there too.

We brought banana nut bread and blankets for Dennis, Denise, Harold, and Vickie. I tried to call Vickie and Harold but my phone would not work in Dennis's house. It was okay because they came over after we had been there a little while. 

Evie loved James. She sang him songs and made him sit a certain way on the floor so she could roll a ball to him. When he got the ball he was supposed to make an animal noise.

Evie to the "people" on her tower: "Don't fall people."

Evie sang about alligators getting the monkeys several

times. She also sang "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star," and

"Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed."

When they were sitting on the floor playing with the ball James had

to put his legs out a certain way before she would roll him the ball.

I think Denise was a little jealous of Vickie's yellow blanket. She kept commenting about how pretty it was. We enjoyed our visit. We need to go over and visit more often.

Rachel, Evie, Dennis, Denise, and Evie again

Denise and Rachel told about a book program Dolly Parton has called Imagination Library. Evie receives a free book every month from them until she is five. They are sent to Denise because she lives in a rural area. Dolly is doing the program  in memory of her dad who never learned how to read. 

When we left the cabin Stacy, Paul, Joshua, Dallin, Sarah, and the three dogs Vader, Shipley and Charlie were there. When we returned Michael and Alexis had arrived and everyone was eating pizza from "Pizza Factory" the Gonzales's favorite pizza place on the mountain. 

I took a nap and was working on a blogpost when Kacey texted and said Jared has had some numbing on the left side of his face over the last few days. It has gotten worse and is almost completely numb and he's also had severe headaches. He went to urgent care and they told him to go directly to the ER for brain scans. He is headed there shortly. Please keep him in your prayers. I will keepy you updated. 

I immediately sent a family message out asking for everyone to offer a prayer for Jared. James, Stacy, Paul, Joshua, Dallin, and I knelt down and James offered a prayer. We are worried it may be a stroke. 

Alex, Shayna, Max, and Evan arrived. All of the boys have glowing light sabers that make sounds like the real thing. Dallin built a bonfire outside. It was cool looking out and seeing the light saber fights in the dark. 

The new TV has been on just about nonstop while Stacy is working on the Disney puzzle Adam gave her for Christmas. 

While we were in town today we bought a wall mounting kit for the old TV to be mounted in our bedroom. James installed it and when he asked for help Michael and Alex came in. It took awhile to get it mounted and other people wandered in including Dallin and Shayna who were talking about someone who is running for president that they like whose name is Andrew Wong. 

Back in the family room Stacy wants to watch "The Greatest Showman" with Sarah who has never seen it but it is too noisy. 

Kacey texted back regarding Jared: 

CT scan shows a lipoma in the brain which is a benign fatty type tumor. Typically not serious but depending on location and size could be but  not usually. Doesn't seem to be too big from what he can tell. Also CT shows sinus disease especially on the left side. Either of these could be causing the symptoms. He's not a neurologist though but just an ER doctor. He has a call in to the neurologist to figure out what is next. So more waiting. Blood work was normal.

Thank goodness it is not as serious as it could have been but we are still worried and will continue our prayers.

This is Kacey's last text:

Jared ended up getting home around 1:00 last night. They gave him steroids for the inflammation in his face and started an antibiotic for the sinusitis. The neurologist has scheduled him for an MRI today to figure out more.

Dallin looks like he has a headache

Cousin Christina and her family

Friday, February 22nd, 2019

Caracas, Venezuela

96th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 Aug 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

John 10:36

Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 13:6-14:6

*Ezra Taft Benson explained that verse 12 is about Satan targeting the family. How do you see this verse coming to pass?

-Several of the verses talk about the decline of society - which also mean there is a breakdown of the home, and traditional family. Are we seeing the role of the woman changing? Some claim they don't need a man to provide or be part of the family. There is a lack of respect and authority in vs. 5. I believe some women in our day are becoming as wicked and evil as men. How about the celebrating of abortions, which cn happen legally for any reason now. Regard for life is gone in some circles. Vs 16 speaks to the YM/women of the Church. Are we becoming slaves to arrogance, materialism, and immodesty? Are we focused more on the world than our spirituality? In these scriptures we are being warned how Satan is targeting the family and how both men and women can be the weak link to the family. - Sue_heugly, bofm365, Instagram.

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

 Matthew 5:48 Does Heavenly Father really expect me to be perfect?

"For Peace at Home" Richard G. Scott, 4/13

Ensign

"Free to Choose," "From a Testimony of Tithing to Temple Covenants"

General Conference

The Role of the Book of Mormon in Conversion

"President Russell M. Nelson taught in a recent worldwide broadcast that 'these surely are the latter days, and the Lord is hastening His work to gather Israel. That gathering is the most important thing taking place on earth today. Nothing else compares in magnitude, nothing else compares in importance, nothing else compares in majesty. And if you choose to, if you want to, you can be a big part of it. You can be a big part of something big, something grand, something majestic!"

At the beginning of the day we had about 10 inches of snow. Before the day was over, when it stopped snowing, there was 20 inches. Vickie said they got 30 inches in Linden.

James says we are snowed in and when I went out to check it out I agreed with him. How do you move 20 inches of snow with a shovel, and where do you put it?  We had to call the temple and tell them we would not be there in the morning. Sister Cochran said they were trying to shovel their way out and it just kept snowing. We had the same experience here. If feels like we are in a snow globe.

We had a huge flock of snowbirds playing out in the snow this morning. They are so fun to watch. James also said he watched a bunny hopping through the snow and sinking down until he could only see his ears.

Stacy called this morning to tell me about a couple selling on Amazon. She told me I could sell things other than books on Amazon which I obviously already knew. She told about a couple featured on the local news last night who have made over 1 million dollars by going to stores buying up the deals and re-selling them on Amazon.  She seemed excited and I wonder if she is thinking about doing it herself. 
She also mentioned that they have to move in April. Michael will be moving back in with them. There have been three shootings in his neighborhood in Phoenix and the last one was in his yard. 

Kim something on Facebook featuring Bob Proctor, whoever he is, and a business opportunity he is featuring. I ended up listening to a guy named Adrian Morrison who is an e-commerce guru making millions selling "stuff" on his online Shopify store. Bottom line, it cost $3,000 to take his Success Adademy courses. I guess I won't be doing this business at least not right now. 

James was able to "plow" his way out on the Razr today to go to the post office. When he came back he was covered with snow and I had to broom him off. He said no one had put the mail up at the post office.

We started a new online book by Sarah Eden today, "Healing Hearts."  Every appointment I had this week was cancelled: Sister Barton, visiting Marie Robertson in Flagstaff, going to the temple with the Howard's, and working at the temple tomorrow. 

 Sheri's birthday fun continues

A winter wonderland

 Our walkway to the wood pile.

 James's desk/dining room table

Charlie loves her Valentines from Lola

Applegate's have fun in the snow

 Ty almost buried. He built an igloo

and wants to spend the night.

 Jimmy prefers snowmobiling

 Janet and Clint's engagement picture

My Hallmark movies for the day:

 One of my favorites