Wednesday, November 15th, 2017

Monterrey, Mexico

110th operating temple

Dedicated: 28 April 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ's Atonement

Isaiah 53:6

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 29:1-30:2

Make a list of some of the Saviors characteristics you consider to be most important. 

Take a personal inventory of your own life with regard to these characteristics and formulate a plan to better fulfill His mandate to be "even as I am." (3 Nephi 27:27). ( See "Preach My Gospel" chapter 6, 'How Do I Develop Christlike Attributes,' p. 117).

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 6:34

Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.

General Conference

The Truth of all Things

Elder David F. Evans

" My mo knew that I needed to study and pray and that I needed to develop greater patience as I sought answers from the Lord. Willingness to be patient is part of our search for truth and part of the Lords pattern of revealing truth. President Monson: 'If you do not have a firm testimony of these things, do that which is necessary to obtain one. It is essential for you to have your own testimony in these difficult times, for the testimonies of others will carry you only so far.'"

It is 9 a.m. and James is already working outside. I don't think he will ever retire and if he does, he will never stop working.

At 10:30 James leaves for a meeting at the Torreon Golf Course in Show Low. This is a monthly networking meeting of businessmen in the White Mountain area. Usually Brother Applegate and Brother Howard would be there but James went anyway not knowing anyone. The group was started by our friend Brother Howard who is in the valley today. Brother Applegate, another friend, is taking his daughter to the MTC.

James returned around 2 p.m. and he brought me my favorite lunch, two tacos from Aliberto's. What a guy! He knows the way to my heart. 

Today I blogged, watched Christmas movies and walked. When I got tired I took a nap. What a life I have and it was all made possible because of my dear sweet husband.

My Christmas movies for the day: "What I Did for Love," "A Dream of Christmas," "December Bride," and "A Christmas to Remember."

Paul sent out a message on Facebook about Adam.

"Please pray for Adam, he has another severe infection at his catheter site. He is in the ER, they are likely going to open up his leg to clear the infection." 

Later this message was sent: "They excised Adam's wound and he is doing better. His pain has subsided and the infection seems to be reducing. Josh may have strep but he has a mild fever so we'll see how he is this morning and go from there. Thanks for your prayers."

I am thankful for social media because it allows us to keep in contact with those we love.

James took a nap this afternoon, did some work outside, and then came in to get ready for his High Priest Group leadership meeting at 6:30. He is a busy man this week. I paid tithing and updated our checkbooks. I also looked at an email sent by Paula Johnson. Here it is: Vernon residents: Apparently complaining does work! Mike Maher forwarded this email to me.

Good afternoon: FYI...

I wanted to update you that the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has placed a temporary air quality monitor in Vernon. This station monitors for PM2.5 (the smallest particles in the air). the date can be viewed online via this Web Link:
https://www.phoenixvis.net/PPMmain.aspx

(for data from the temporary Vernon monitor, click "Vernon" in the box on the bottom-left of the page.)

Thank you for your interest.

Sincerely,

Byron James

Community Liaison

Finally! Someone is noticing how bad the air quality has been with all of the prescribed burns they have been having.

Must move more!

My favorite photo with James

My sweet, hard-working husband

Gorgeous fall!

The Pope kids.

I love these boys and their parents!

We are having two Thanksgivings this year.

On Thanksgiving we are going to the buffet

at the Hondah casino. On Friday we will be

fixing Thanksgiving with Kim and Brian.

My second home and my favorite temple.

I love being here.

Monday, November 13th, 2017

Snowflake, Arizona

108th operating temple

Dedicated: 3 Mar 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Ascension of

Alma 40:20

Now, my son, I do not say that their resurrection cometh at the resurrection of Christ; but behold, I give it as my opinion, that the souls and the bodies are reunited, of the righteous, at the resurrection of Christ, and his ascension into heaven.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 28:1-24

*Does anyone have any questions about these verses?

James and I had a discussion about the difference between transfigured and translated beings and there was some confusion so I looked up the definitions in the Guide to the Scriptures on my Gospel Library app. 

"Translated": Persons who are changed so they don't experience pain or death until their resurrection to immortality. This was the state the 3 Nephites were and are in now.

"Transfigured": Temporarily changed in appearance and nature. Lifted to a higher spiritual level so that they can endure the presence and glory of heavenly beings. This is the state of Joseph Smith when he saw the First Vision. For more examples of both of these states, see the Topical Guide in your scriptures or Guide to the Scriptures on the Gospel Library app.

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 6:20

Behold, thou art Oliver, and I have spoken unto thee because of thy desires; therefore treasure up these words in thy heart. Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love.

General Conference

The Heart of the Widow

Elder O. Vincent Haleck

"They chose to be baptized. This was not a choice without personal cost. Their decision and baptism carried with them a high price. They lost employment, they sacrificed social standing, important friendships dissolved, and the support, love, and respect of family were withdrawn. They now walked to church each Sunday, exchanging awkward glances with friends and neighbors who were walking in the opposite direction. This good brother was asked how he felt about their decision to join the Church. His simple reply was, 'It is true, isn't it? Our choice was clear.'"

James asked me to read from "Once an Heiress" before I went to town this morning to have blood drawn for my thyroid check. 

I went to Sonoran Lab where Armando was smooth with a large needle. I didn't feel a thing. Next stop was Aliberto's for my two tacos. I ate them there and watched TV. After lunch I went to Walmart to pick up two prescriptions and to pick up a few groceries. My few groceries ended up costing over $180.  It's ridiculous that a bell pepper costs $1.28. Everything is so high!

It was smoky again on the way home. Will we ever have a day without smoke?
When I returned home and got everything put away I started working on my blog and getting my steps in. James worked outside on the patio.

Cutting bricks for the edge around the patio

 Of course while blogging and stepping I watched Christmas movies: "Baby's First Christmas," "'Tis the Season for Love," and this evening with James the new movie, "Engaging Father Christmas," starring Erin Krakow.

We also watched the season 2 finale of Heartland where Caleb is hurt riding a bronco in a rodeo and the family at Heartland watches is happen on television.

Chuck came over today and left a copy of the letter he wrote to the school board regarding the outrageous rising school taxes. He and James will both be going to the schoolboard meeting tomorrow night.

For FHE we listened to President Nelson's "The Book of Mormon: What Would our Life Be Like Without It?"

James got a call from Brother Curtis, the high priest group leader, regarding the Carroll family in the ward. It seems Brother Carroll was arrested this evening and the family is being evicted from their home. Brother Curtis is rounding up the priesthood to help move the family tomorrow morning. James is taking his truck and trailer.
This is so sad. The Carroll's still have four small children at home.

DWTS Semifinalists

Lindsey and Mark

Jordan and Lindsay

Frankie and Witney

Emma and Drew

Val and Victoria

I was disappointed that Victoria went home, it should have been Drew. I love what Tom Bergeron said to her. "You have been such an inspiration to so many people which is so much more important than any mirror ball trophy." She has been an inspiration when you think that a year ago her legs were paralyzed. The doctor's said she would never walk again.

Darn, I missed it!

Fall in Arizona

Kim and Brian's tree

I took this photo and sent it to a friend who

wanted to know about the plates.

Desert sunset

Ocean sunset

Wednesday, October 4th, 2017

Raleigh, North Carolina

68th operating temple

Dedicated: 18 Dec. 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Appearances, Antemortal

2 Nephi 2:4

And thou hast beheld in thy youth his glory; wherefore, thou art blessed even as they unto whom he shall minister in the flesh; for the Spirit is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. And the way is prepared from the fall of man, and salvation is free.

Helaman 14:20-15:6

*How does the principle of agency play into this chapter?

*What is meant by God's divine love?

-Elder D. Todd Christofferson on the divine gift of repentance: "I gratefully acknowledge and testify that the incomprehensible suffering, death, and resurrection of our Lord 'bringeth to pass the condition of repentance' (Helaman 14:18). The divine gift of repentance is the key to happiness here and hereafter In the Savior's words and in deep humility and love, I invite all to 'repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand' (Matthew 4:17) I know that in accepting this invitation, you will find joy both now and forever" ("The Divine Gift of Repentance," Ensign, Nov. 2011, 41).

DC 14:7

And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.

General Conference

Three Sisters

By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"We are responsible for our own discipleship, and it has little - if anything - to do with they way others treat us."

James has caught 8 mice in the last 3 days, one in the pantry, the rest in the garage storage room. This is the time of year when they begin coming in from outside.

James worked on his talk all morning long. Instead of working on my talk, I blogged for Saturday, September 30th which was General Conference.

He did take a break to clean off the logs in our bedroom.

I took 5,000 steps before noon. This was my total at the end of the day.

Woohoo!

James and I went to Aliberto's for lunch. There was no electricity but they were still serving food, but no drinks. We tried to go to Walmart but it was closed because of the electricity issue so we went on to Napa Auto. They didn't have what James needed. On the way home we read from our new book, "Petticoat Spy."

We went home and took naps. I blogged most of the afternoon and at 5:30 James went out to look for elk. No elk, but he did see some mule deer.

For dinner we had more lasagna soup. Afterwards we watched the new Hallmark movie, "Harvest Love."

Castle "Green Grass"

This guy is crazy

Congratulations Michael!

October 4, 2015

October 4, 2014

Adam, Alex, Kyle

Friday, June 30th, 2017

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

99th operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Sept 2000 by

Gordon B. Hinckley

Alma 24:19-30
*How does this account influence your desire to keep your covenants?
*What can we do to strengthen our desire and ability to keep the covenants we have made with the Lord?
DC 94:1-17
1-9, The Lord gives a commandment relative to the erection of a house for the work of the Presidency; 10-12, A printing house is to be built; 13-17, Certain inheritances are assigned.
What are church buildings dedicated from the foundation?
General Conference

Foundations of Faith

Elder Quentin L. Cook

"We concluded that my brothers decision on whether to serve a mission depended on 3 issues: (1.) Was Jesus Christ divine?

(2.) Was the Book of Mormon true? (3.) Was Joseph Smith the prophet of the Restoration?

I came to understand that almost every decision I would make for the rest of my life would be based on the answers to those three questions."

I did some early morning blogging along with my gospel study. James had an appointment with Dr. Moffat at 8:30 and I went with him and did my shopping at Walmart.  I bought food for Jared and Kacey's family because they are arriving late Saturday night and don't want to shop on Sunday.  After our shopping we got tacos at Aliberto's. There are two Aliberto's in Show Low. We got out tacos on the one by the old Porter House. They guy there says his brother runs the other Aliberto's out by Walmart.

Back at home after putting the groceries away James and I sat down to watch a movie on the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries channel. We watched the one about Emma Fielding which turns out to be a murder mystery.

This afternoon we put the king sized bed in my office and the one in my office went into James's office.  

I worked upstairs cleaning my office and James's and the common area until about 7:30. Kim and Brian texted me when they got to Show Low and I ran in and took a shower before they got here.

Kim and Brian were delayed by the fire near Payson. I have a friend who tried to come up the Payson way later and had to turn around and go back because it was bumper to bumper traffic. 

We watched one of Hallmark's new June movies "My Favorite Wedding," starring Paul Green and Maggie Lawson.  We all agreed that it was a good one.

Random Photos:

Happy Anniversary!

Paul posted this on Facebook.

Bryce Canyon

One of my favorite "I Love Lucy"

episodes!

'Kenzi and Colter

Colter is in my Primary class.

Painting by Hayden Lambson

Monday, October 13, 2014

"Brothers and sisters, indeed we have great reason to rejoice.

If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time

to refocus on what matters most."

-President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Happy Birthday to Kevin

 43 years old today.

James and I went on a Razr ride to the top of Green's Peak to take pictures of the fall leaves.  

 On the way home we were excited because we saw seven deer.  Little did we know what awaited us when we got home.

James took these pictures from our backporch.  He was out there for about an hour and the elk would have stayed longer if I hadn't shut the backdoor and scared them away.

What a fun day for pictures!  This is one of the reasons we love living here.  

For dinner we drove into town to Aliberto's because I felt like mexican food.  We watched two episodes of Castle together but I made the mistake of watching DWTS instead of doing something with James.  I won't make that mistake again.