Tuesday, May 2nd, 2017

Madrid, Spain

56th operating temple

Dedicated: 19-21 March, 1999 by

Gordon B. Hinckley

We had 7 elk in the yard this morning.

It's hard to get them all in a picture together.

Mosiah 21:1-22

After Limhi's people revolt against the Lamanites and are beaten three times, they humble themselves before the Lord and begin to prosper.  

* How did the people change after their third defeat?

* Even though the people were not immediately delivered from captivity, how did the Lord bless them as they began to repent?

* What are you doing to seek the Lords power of deliverance from your sins?

* In what ways have you been "prospered by degrees" when you have sought the Lord's help?

Gospel Principle:

When we humble ourselves, call upon the Lord, and repent of our sins, He will hear our prayers and ease the burden of our sins in His own time.

3 Nephi 20 - The beginning of the Covenant People Discourse

1-9 Jesus miraculously provides the sacramental elements

10-22 The Fulfillment of God's Covenant with Israel

23-24 Jesus Testifies of Himself

25-46 The Gathering of Israel fulfills the Abrahamic Covenant: Priesthood, Property, Posterity, and Prosperity

DC 64:26-43

The Saints are warned against debt; The rebellious will be cut off out of Zion; The Church will judge the nations; Zion will flourish.

What great things have I seen when I have been doing service for others?

Hearts softened, love increasing, I feel closer to the Savior.  "Out of small things proceedeth that which is great." My trials seem less important.

General Conference

Certain Women

Linda K. Burton

"We learn from these New Testament sisters that certain women are disciples centered in the Savior Jesus Christ and have hope through the promise of His atoning sacrifice."

"My Peace I Leave With You"

President Henry B. Eyring

Ether 12:27...for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

"These words can be a comfort to us.  Those who do not see their weaknesses do not progress.  Your awareness of your weaknesses is a blessing as it helps you remain humble and keeps you turning to the Savior.  The Spirit not only comforts you, but He is also the agent by which the Atonement works a change in your very nature.

Then weak things become strong."

I went on the website northstarlds.org today to learn a little more about gender dysphoria.  Here are some things I learned:

"As we interact with those who have gender dysphoria it is important that we have heartfelt compassion, unfeigned love, emotional sensitivity, open-mindedness with an uncompromising devotion to eternal principles and to our eternal identities and potential as His sons and daughters."  

"For those who experience gender dysphoria, we know that it is possible to live your life in harmony with the gospel as you manage your dysphoria.  It is not a sin to have this condition."

These things helped me feel better but I still have alot of questions and alot to learn.  Chloe's mother said that every LDS counselor she went to, and she went to more than one, said this is not something that will change or go away.  

There is lots of smoke today because of a prescribed burn.  It makes me angry that the Forest Service doesn't care how their smoke affects people with health issues like James and Sister Hunter in our ward.  It makes it difficult to even go outside.

The elk were back again this evening.

It's like we have our own private herd.

I made banana nut muffins for dinner.  I also read to him from "To Kill a Mockingbird."  We also watched a couple of Good Witch movies, "The Good Witch's Charm," and "The Good Witch's Destiny."  The messages: Things don't always appear as they are, and we create our own destiny.

Fun Photos:

Trina says:  Don't let the boots fool you.  I

carried her the entire way.  She was so relaxed

and comfortable she took a nap.

Antelope Canyon

I wonder how it got it's name.

I miss Holly.

She had a great life.

Heavenly Father is so creative.

The Tucson temple open house starts June 1st I believe.

Sunday, September 18. 2016

Happy Birthday to my sweet cousin Rita.

We are exactly one day and one month apart.

From 4am to 8am on Sunday morning I pray and prepare for my Primary lesson.  Today the lesson is on 3 Nephi 17 where the Savior blesses the sick among the Nephites, prays with and for them, and blesses the children.  I love these Book of Mormon lessons.

I was excited to see Brother Jerry Corter in sacrament meeting this week.  He is a new member and has not been coming the past few months.  He has been on my prayer list.

We had three speakers in sacrament meeting today.  First, Alicia Hunsaker who spoke on personal revelation.  "Living a clean and pure life opens the channels of revelation.  Pondering the scriptures is one of the greatest ways to invite the Spirit and the Spirit is the medium to revelation.  Seek God's will.  Do not try to force spiritual things.  Be patient and let it grow.  Revelation is the natural inheritance of true believers."

Next was Ashley Reidnead who is new in our ward.  She is young, and a return missionary.  She is from Alabama and was just called as the Relief Society secretary.  Her thoughts were based on the talk in General Conference by Elder Snow, "Be Thou Humble."  Here are some of my notes: "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness.  I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. (Ether 12:27).  We must be humble as a little child to return to the kingdom of Heaven.  We need to be teachable, repentant, and dependent on the Lord.  Pride is the ultimate sin and is the opposite of charity.  The antidote for pride is humility.  Mosiah 4: 11-12.

Our stake president, President Williams was the final speaker.  He told about a Sister Diana Batson of the Clay Springs ward thought she had the flu.  She went to the hospital and they said she needed to fly to Phoenix but would probably die before she got there.  She had to have both her legs, one arm, and the fingers on the other hand amputated.  Her ward had a fundraiser for her on Saturday.  Her son is on a mission right now.  She is 40 years old.  The Lord is aware of each and every one of us and he will send people to comfort us.  He spoke about centering our lives on Christ and referred to Elder Maynes's talk in the October 2015 general conference, "The Joy of Living a Christ-Centered Life."  He said that General Conference is like tuning our lives as if we were tuning a musical instrument.  I love President Williams.

The Vernon church

Brayin, Curtis, and Zemira were in Primary today.  I also had Madison from Sister Hall's class.  During singing time Curtis actually sang.  His positive reinforcement was a box of Milk Duds.

After our meetings James went home teaching with his partner Rick.  They visited the Scott's, the Hunsaker's, and the Wallace's.  Sister Wallace has done submitted over 15,000 names for temple work.  I have got to call her and find out how she does it.

I ate lunch, had a nap and then did my gospel study for the day.  I read from my book "Christ in Every Hour."  I read one of my favorite chapters, The Restorative Power of Christ.

  

Helaman 6:1-14.

How do you remain firm and steady in your faith?

Instagram-bofm365-sue_heugly.  Stay obedient in the little day to day things, and it won't be as hard when the big things challenge us.  Forgive, repent, love others.  barleestacey - Steady, devoted covenant keeping builds a fortress of faith and makes us steadfast and immovable.

GC: 'Eternal Families' by President Henry B. Eyring

"What can the young elder do to help in the creation of eternal families?  He may be about to go into the mission field.  He can pray with all his heart that he will be able to find, teach

and baptize families."

GC:  'A Sacred Trust' by President Thomas S. Monson

" Then the Holy Spiirt spoke to my friend: 'You have the

priesthood.  Command the rescuers to pick you up.

He did as prompted: 'n the name of Jesus Christ and by the

power of the priesthood, turn about and pick us up.'

Within a few minutes the vessel was beside them, helping them on deck."

Today President Henry B. Eyring dedicated the Philadelphia temple.  He said he was baptized in Philadelphia so it was like coming home.

 I love the front porch on this little guest house.

When James got home he ate and took a short nap and then we read from Millennial Glory.  It was a wonderful Sabbath day!

From Facebook:

This was a post by Kacey.

Antelope Canyon

There are so many unique and beautiful places in Arizona.

This is our friend from Chandler, Paula.

Her friends and family threw her a surprise

birthday party.  

She loves Disneyland and James calls her Tinkerbell.

She even has the wings.

The tree in our yard.