Wednesday, December 7, 2016

I did two things to feed the hungry.  I doubled our fast offerings and then I read a talk by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "He Hath Filled the Hungry with Good Things."

Ether 5:1-6:ll

The Lord Jesus Christ is the source of light for our world and for our lives.  The Lord touched the stones the brother of Jared presented to Him "to give light unto men, women, and children" (6:3) as they crossed the ocean.  The Lord also provides light to guide us through the darkness of mortality and toward the brightness of the celestial kingdom - our promised land.  Our way is lit by the light of apostles and prophets, the standard works, and inspired leaders and teachers.  We too can be a light - we can light the way for others when we hearken to the Lord's counsel and keep ourselves worthy of His Spirit.  Sister Ardeth G. Kapp, former Young Women general president counseled: "You have the light within.  You can shine in darkness.  You can light up the world.  You can help dispel darkness.  You can make a difference."  
I was privileged to travel with Sister Kapp when I went to England in 2005.  She invited my friend and I to have dinner with her and her sisters.  She went out of her way to be kind to us, virtual strangers.  She seemed genuinely interested in us and asked us questions about our lives.  I have never met a kinder or sweeter person.  She truly radiates the light of Christ!

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

" We returned to Machu Picchu in silence.  The idea came to my mind that He had paid attention to my voice but that I had not paid any attention to His.  There was a deep pain in my heart for

disobeying His voice and at the same time a deep sense of gratitude for His mercy.  He did not exercise His justice uponn me, but in His great mercy, He had saved my life (see Alma 26:20). "

Gila Valley, Arizona temple

Today is Paul's birthday and it is also Pearl Harbor day.

Stacy and Paul have been together for almost 30 years!

The newest member of Paul's fan club.

Shipley and her ears that look like bat wings!

After scriptures and prayer James left for the valley this morning in his truck, pulling a trailer.  He is still working on cleaning out all of his stuff from the construction yard and moving in up here.  He is also getting some equipment ready to sell at an auction on Saturday.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson offered the prayer in the U.S. Senate today:

That is Joe Biden standing next to Elder Christofferson.

I went shopping today at Home Depot where I got James some gloves to wear when he is using the log splitter.  I also got some polish for the wood floor.  Next was Walmart and then Dollar Tree.

I got some lunch at Taco Bell and headed for home.  

I got a call from Stacy today telling me about her health problems.  She has been having alot of night seizures that have kept her from sleeping.  The doctor's are doing all kinds of tests and hopefully they will be able to help her.  

I was so tired after my shopping trip that I just sat down in my recliner and watched the movie "Angels in the Snow" starring Kristy Swanson.  It was one I had seen before but really liked.

This guy just flew home from completing an honorable mission in

Orlando, Florida.  James had him when he was the teacher's quorum advisor and he really gave James some grief.  Ammon is the same age as our grandson Dallin.

Dave's daughter, our niece Teresa, and her family.

Sunday, July 27, 2014

But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.

Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.

 Morning sunrise over Sierra Mentosa

James left around 5:15 for high council and told me to go out and look at the sunrise.  I am so glad he did.  After high council and then he will be speaking in the Pinedale ward at 11am with Jimmy Applegate.  He said Jimmy gave an excellent talk.

Our speakers in the Vernon ward today were Maddie Carroll, and Chris and Kaeli Nicoll.  Maddie spoke on faith and used the "For the Strength of Youth" manual.  She said we need to pray and read our scriptures daily.  We must never lose hope and always exercise faith in Jesus Christ.  Strong faith is especially important for youth in today's society.

Kaeli is our RS president.  She has been a member almost four years.  She based her talk on a talk by Sister Burton: "Wanted Hands and Heart to Hasten the Work."  How can we be better disciples of Christ.  Disciples serve others through home teaching and visiting teaching.

Chris Nicoll spoke on the Priesthood.  The priesthood is the power of God delegated to man for the salvation of the human family.  Moses 1:39 is accomplished through the priesthood.  Temple covenants, the whole armor of God, and the Holy Ghost are some of the blessing of the priesthood.

In Sunday School we discussed Solomon who was a man of wisdom and a man of foolishness.  Part of the lesson was Solomon's building and dedicating the temple in Jerusalem.  Here is a quote from the lesson:

"In the peace of these lovely temples, sometimes we find solutions to the serious problems of life.  Under the influence of the Spirit, sometimes pure knowledge flows to us there.  Temples are places of personal revelation.  When I have been weighed down by a problem or a difficulty, I have gone to the House of the Lord with a prayer in my heart for answers.  These answers have come in clear and unmistakable ways."

-President Ezra Taft Benson

Here is one of my very favorite temples:

Gilbert, Arizona

Today in Young Women's Trenda Wilhelm was set apart as the Laurel class president by Bishop Miller.  Trenda has been gone for the past two months and we are so grateful to have her back home.

Sister Ruth Wilhelm, or nana as she is known by Trenda and Alice, gave our lesson today on why we need the Holy Ghost.  These are the young women who attended: Hope and Heaven Lootans.  Heaven brought her American Girl who looked like her and was dressed like her.  They funny thing is Heaven had on 5 inch heels.

Shelly and Jordyn Applegate, Alice and Trenda Wilhelm, Maddie Carroll, and Kelly Reynolds were also in attendance.  We had three visitors: Karly Reynolds, Noelia Muniz who is Hope's friend, and Shaylyn who is Tina and Steve Allen's niece from Boise, Idaho. 

When I got home from church I was glad I had put a roast in the crockpot.  It was a tasty lunch and when James got home he was starving too.  After lunch we had a nap.  I had a meeting to attend at 2:30 and I woke up from my nap at 2:16.  I had to hurry to get to the meeting less than five minutes late.  The meeting was with the RS presidency, Kaeli Nicoll, Ann Miller, and Tamara Applegate and the RS activities director Wendy DeWitt.  We discussed the upcoming activity on August 23rd which is a clothing exchange.  The young women have been asked to help setup and then run the dressing rooms.  They will have first choice of the clothing available.

 When our meeting was over a storm had blown in and it was raining when we left and rained for several hours afterwards.  James took a picture of our thermostat outside which was at 60 degrees and sent it to Brian in Chandler.  When he saw it he said: "You are killing me!"

I read to James and then he left for the valley.  Usually he doesn't leave until Monday but since he has a pour at 6am he had to leave this evening.  It was a lonely Sunday evening for me.