Saturday, May 26th, 2018

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

143rd operating temple

Dedicated: 4 May 2014

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Birth of

DC 76:41

That he came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness;

Book of Mormon

Alma 5:53-6:8

How can we make the word of God available to all?

-Preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words.

Use social media to bear testimony, live the gospel, love the gospel, stand as a witness at all times and in all places.

Old Testament

1 Kings 1-2

1 Abishag cherishes David in his extreme age - Adonijah aspires to be king - Bathsheba and Nathan advise David of Adonijah's plotting - David names Solomon as king, and he is anointed by Zadok - Adonijah's cause fails.

2 David charges Solomon to keep the commandments and walk in the ways of the Lord - King David dies and Solomon reigns - Adonijah, Joab, and Shimei are put to death, and Abiathar is rejected as high priest - The kingdom is established with Solomon.

General Conference

Ministering

President Russell M. Nelson

"We constantly seek direction from the Lord on how we can help our members keep the commandments of God, especially those two great commandments to love God and our neighbors."

I was up at 4:24 a.m. I ate, and then got ready to go to the temple. 

We said a prayer before we left and then had scriptures and a general conference talk on the way. 

Sister Wenhardt and her daughter are gone to Hawaii so that leaves Sister Cochran in charge.

The Palmer's conducted the preparation meeting. We saw films on temple clothing. 

I have the same schedule that I have had for the past month which is ok with me. I start out in initiatory then go to the celestial room and then I have a break with James. 

During our break with visit with Sister Humphreys from St. Johns who knew Uncle Delbert and Sister LundrAfen whose husband is from Vernon. We tell them about our weight loss challenge and our "green" smoothies.

There is an own endowment couple in our session. I say our session because James led the prayer circle and gave one of the best prayers that I have ever heard given in the temple. 

After the endowment session the couple have their four month old baby girl sealed to them. Sister Bower got to be in the sealing and she told me all about it. She said that to her the sealing of a family is the culminating ordinance in the temple and I would certainly agree with her. 

After the session I went back to initiatory for 30 minutes, was the baptismal greeter and then last I was in charge of assigning lockers in the women's dressing room. 

Tyler, from our ward was here this week. He said he felt bad about missing last time but his phone was doing an update and his alarm didn't work. He said he came and did a session because he felt so guilty.

Our friends from Chandler, the Vance's were not here this week. We miss seeing them when they aren't here.

When we got home James took a quick nap and then went over to the Howard's to help Brother Howard clear trees. He was gone from about 4-6:30.

While James was gone I did some walking and then I went upstairs to find some things to put together for a family history display tomorrow. I am in charge of the displays at our ward activity on June 23rd. I was specifically looking for the picture of my "Nannie" in a big hat when she was about five years old. I found lots of other photos, but never did find the one I was looking for. I found plenty to make a display using old photos, an old sewing machine, some personal documents of my dad's and his Book of Remembrance. I found a family photo of myself as a baby with my mom and dad and a family photo of my dad with his parents, Aunt Gene, and Uncle Jerry. Uncle Jerry was not dad's brother he was my grandma Verdie's brother but she raised him as her own.

I called Charlotte this afternoon to see how she was doing. She got new glasses and she can see! She seemed pretty positive and said I could take her off of my worry list. This is great news!

I took a bath and went to bed quite early with the intention of getting up early and finishing up the lesson I am giving for Relief Society tomorrow.

Sunrise

Uncle Delbert at the 

Lambson Family Reunion

Aunt Luella and Uncle Delbert

One of my favorite pictures of Emmy

Addy and Emmy

Such cuties!

Anna

James Hayden

My mom and I

Ollie enjoying the 3-day weekend.

Monday, January 8th, 2017

Laie, Hawaii

5th operating temple

Dedicated: 27-30 Nov 1919

By: Heber J. Grant

Jesus Christ Atonement through

DC 19:16

For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 7:1-15

The Lord softened Ishmael's heart so much that he and his family left their home to join Lehi. Has the Lord ever changed your heart to make something difficult more achievable?

Old Testament Reading

Genesis 15-17; Abraham 4

Genesis 15

Abram desires offspring-The Lord promises him seed in number as the stars-Abram believes the promise-His seed will be strangers in Egypt-Then, after four generations, they will inherit Canaan.

Genesis 16

Sarai gives Hagar to Abram as his wife-Hagar flees from Sarai-An angel commands Hagar to return and submit herself to Sarai-Hagar bears Ishmael.

Genesis 17

Abram is commanded to be perfect-He will be a father of many nations-His name is changed to Abraham-The Lord covenants to be a God unto Abraham and his seed forever-Also the Lord gives Abraham the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession-Circumcision becomes a token of the everlasting covenant between God and Abraham-Sarai's name is changed to Sarah-She will bear Isaac, with whom the Lord will establish His covenant-Abraham and the men of his house are circumcised.

Abraham 4

The Gods plan the creation of the earth and all life thereon-Their plans for the six days of creation are set forth.

Old Testament Scripture Mastery

Exodus 20:7

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

General Conference

The Living Bread Which Came Down From Heaven

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"It is important to recognize that this good man's vivid revelation of his sins and shortcomings did not discourage him or lead him to despair. Yes, he felt shock and remorse. He felt keenly his need to repent. He had been humbled, yet he felt gratitude, peace, and hope-real hope-because of Jesus Christ, 'the living bread which came down from heaven.' My friend spoke of the gap he perceived in his dream between his llife and the holiness of God. Holiness is the right word. To eat the flesh and drink the blood of Christ means to pursue holiness. God commands, 'Be ye holy; for I am holy.'"

General Conference

Be Ye Therefore Perfect-Eventually

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"Attack me, if you wish, I do this myself, but don't attack...the path I follow....If I know the way home but am walking along it drunkenly, is it any less the right way simply because I am staggering from side to side? ...Do not gleefully shout, 'Look at him!...There he is crawling into a bog!' No, do not gloat, but give...your help to anyone trying to walk the road back to God."

It is 8:45 and James still isn't up. He says his back and leg hurts. When he did get up he unloaded the dishwasher, fixed breakfast, made the bed, got the mail, and worked outside. He also got the top ornaments off the tree and helped me order a new wifi device from Verizon. 

It was overcast and the high was around 52 today. A storm is coming, according to my weather app. 

We watched the new Aurora Teagarden mystery and an episode of "Heartland," "Helping Hands." Mallory covers for Georgie and they actually bond.

 I love that big snowflake!

I love this photo of Alex and Shayna

Anna and James, all grown up.

Thursday, November 30th, 2017

Rexburg, Idaho
125th operating temple
Dedicated: 10 Feb 2008
By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ Atonement through

John 17:4

I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

Book of Mormon

Mormon 9:22-37

Mormon knew that Moroni faced overwhelming challenges due to the wickedness of the Nephites. Nevertheless, Mormon also knew that Moroni could endure with the assistance of divine grace. The book 'True to the Faith' explains that grace provides strength to persevere in the daily struggles of life: "The word grace, as used in the scriptures, refers primarily to the divine help and strength we receive through the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. In addition to needing grace for your ultimate salvation, you need this enabling power every day of your life. As you draw near to your Heavenly Father in diligence, humility and meekness, He will uplift and strengthen you through His grace."

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 18:15-16

15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

16 And now, if you joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!

General Conference

The Voice of the Lord

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"In the commotion and confusion of our modern world, trusting and believing in the words of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve is vital to our spiritual growth and endurance. We came having prayed and prepared. For many of us, there are pressing worries and earnest questions. We want to renew our faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ, and to strengthen our ability to resist temptation and avoid distractions. We come to be taught from on high."

Not much happened today. I seem to be in a rut. I haven't even started decorating for Christmas. I am feeling under the weather. I have a cough and a mean sore throat. I stayed home and studied, worked on my blog and watched Christmas movies and walked. James worked outside and then this evening he went to a high priest group leadership meeting at the church. Here are the Christmas movies that I watched:

"Switched for Christmas," a new one starring Candace Cameron-Bure, "A Gift Wrapped Christmas," "Wish Upon a Christmas," which is number 100 for me this year!  "Christmas in the City," "3 Holiday Tails," and "Christmas Angel."

When James got home we watched an episode from season 4 of Heartland.

Vernon sunrise

Jared's date with Anna to the Hunter Hayes

Concert.

Lola when she went through her phase

of being in love with Evan.

My favorite Ruby photo. This girl would

not stop until every potato was peeled.

Sunday, October 15th, 2017

Medford, Oregon

79th operating temple

Dedicated: 16 April 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Appearances, Antemortal

Genesis 18:22

And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the Lord.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 5:20-6:14

*How do these verses exemplify the pride cycle? How can we avoid falling into the pride cycle?

-We can avoid falling into the pride cycle by being truly converted to the faith, and by being "firm, steadfast and immovable, willing with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord." (verse 14). Are our minds and hearts anxiously engaged in good things? Do we just go through the motions or are we truly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ? Is the seed of faith planted in our souls?

Doctrine Covenants Scripture Mastery

DC 82:3

For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation.

General Conference

Earning the Trust of the Lord and Your Family

Elder Richard J. Maynes

"Earning the Lord's trust is a blessing that comes through great effort on our part. Trust is a blessing based on obedience to God's laws. Earning the Lord's trust comes as a result of being true to the covenants we have made in the waters of baptism and in the holy temple. When we keep our promises to the Lord, His trust in us grows."

Brother Curtis and Brother Crane were asked to bear their testimonies in sacrament meeting today. Brother Curtis was the ward clerk that was just released. Here are some of the things Brother Curtis said: He said he was blessed to serve four years as the ward clerk. He said right now he is closer to the Savior than he has ever been in his life. The Savior will always come to my rescue. The priesthood is such a blessing as the Lord's tender mercies are administered.

Brother Crane: Grateful to serve in the bishopric. Chuck bore a powerful 4 point testimony. He forgot to mention Joseph Smith.

LeeAnn H. spoke about why she should listen to her parents. She used a talk by Elder M. Russell Ballard, "The Sacred Responsibilities of Parenthood." 

Brother Allen was the final speaker. He used Elder David E Sorenson's talk on temples from the October 2003 general conference. In 1998 there were 94 temple. Today there are 157. Temples stand as a symbol of the grace and goodness of God. The temple is a place of revelation, inspiration, meditation, and peace - a place to restore ourselves, to clear our minds, to find answers to our prayers, and to enjoy the satisfaction of worship and service. 

"When you are about the Lord's work, He will be about your work."

Brother DeWitt and James helped passed the sacrament today. I think Andy asks them because they are both short and the boys don't feel intimidated. 

During Primary we all stayed in the chapel for our program practice. I told my class if they were good that I would make them cookies. Colter and Jace were both very good, and of course Gracie and Liana are always good. Curtis was gone today. I can't remember him ever missing Primary before. Someone said he went to help his dad. Zemira, Ruthie and Johnny were gone for awhile but they all eventually showed up, but no Curtis. I missed him. 

When we got home Kim and Brian were packed up and ready to go home. We said our goodbye's and took a picture on the front porch.

After lunch and nap I studied and called my friend Charlotte and texted Pam. I also worked on my blog. James and I watched the finale of "Chesapeake Shores."

James saw some elk this evening, two herds. 

October 15, 2017

We need a watering trough.

Sunday morning puppy snuggles.

Goodbye to Kim and Brian.

Scarlett

Why do I mail my property taxes to

Houston, Texas?

This was posted on a friend's Facebook feed.

October 15, 2016

Anna and friend with Mike from

Monsters, Inc.

Ruby ready to rock and roll!

Last years new toy,

a log splitter

October 15, 2015

What a difference a couple of years makes.