Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Orlando, Florida

46th operating temple

9 Oct 1994 by Howard W. Hunter

Helaman 3:1-18

How did the Nephites persevere despite their difficulties?

sue_heugly: "I noticed 4 things that helped the Nephites persevere despite their difficulties. Vs-3 There were many contentions and dissensions so they departed and went to another land (1) Walk away from contention. Vs-7 They went to work. They became expert in making cement and provided homes for their families. (2) Go to work. Vs-9. They were concerned about the future of others, so they were united about not cutting down trees until they grew tall (3) Concern for others and the future. Vs.-13-16. Record keeping was important. (4) Keep individual and family records.

DC 132:46-66

Can our exaltation be sure?
Verse 49: "I am the Lord thy God...for verily I seal upon you your exaltation, and prepare a throne for you in the kingdom of my Father."

General Conference

Stand Up Inside and Be All In

Elder Gary B. Sabin

"It is hard to measure the impact for good each individual can have by standing up inside. My father and his two shipmates refused to listen to those in the great and spacious building who were pointing the finger of scorn. They knew that it is far better to follow the Creator than the crowd."

While Irma raged, 11,000 Mormon volunteers worked to save Texas home Irma went after Florida, but Harvey is still trying to kill Texans. Deadly black mold threatens lives and will destroy thousands of Harvey-ravaged homes within days if they aren't cleaned out quickly. On Saturday and Sunday, more than 10,000 Mormon Helping Hands volunteers mucked out the homes of anyone who asked. 

James said when he attended priesthood in the San Antonio Stone Oak ward almost the entire meeting was spent organizing forces to go down and help in Houston the following week. The Priesthood in action.

As a busy stake president, it's not unusual for Joseph Lindsay to spend most of his day on a typical Sunday inside a Mormon meetinghouse. But Sunday, September 10th, was a Sabbath day like no other for the leader of the Fort Myers Stake. President Lindsay and his wife, Stacy, spent Sunday hunkered down inside the Bonita Springs ward building as Hurricane Irma raged and howled outside. The Lindsays weren't alone. Thirty-two full-time missionaries serving in the Fort Myers area joined them for the weekend. Besides a few bouts of cabin fever, everyone weathered the storm in good shape.

"The waiting was the hardest part," said President Lindsay, who remained at the meetinghouse with the missionaries on Monday while power and running water were being restored across the region.

"It's been a great blessing that the storm was muted in our area," he said. 

Mormon leaders living along Irma's Florida path were making initial damage assessments Monday and checking on the welfare of their members. The arduous work of contacting people and gathering information will likely take several days. Many from the Fort Myers stake and others evacuated their homes and won't return for several days.

Prior to Irma's arrival, missionaries in vulnerable areas received instruction to be prepared with food, water and other provisions. They were also moved to secure areas outside their residences, as needed. 

Thousands without water or electricity

This report that I read from Meridian Magazine reminds me of a similar situation back in the early 90's when Hurrican Mitch hit Honduras. I am grateful for an inspired mission president that sent all the missionaires to a safe place where plenty of food and water had been stored. Darrel was one of those missionaries.

James and I had to return the rental car at 8 a.m. to Hatch Toyota in Show Low. Afterwards we went to Safeway to get some Dr. Pepper 10, lemons, ice, and facial wipes. James went in and got everything but the facial wipes. He brought back a package of Kleenx tissues instead.

Next stop was Aliberto's drive thru where we ordered a number 1 for James and #2 meal for me to take home and eat for lunch. 

James set up new vehicle insurance for our Lambson Construction equipment today. It will be about $150 cheaper a month.

We sat outside today and finished reading "Brownlie Manor" while enjoying the beauties of nature: mountains, trees, sky, clouds, grass, and flashes of lightning. 

I sure do love where I live!

This evening before going to be we watched an episode from Heartland Season 1, "Thicker Than Water."

Photos:

Antelope Canyon

Another example of the diversity of nature

found in Arizona.

"Hello everyone, my name is Miles"

In case you were wondering

I tried to teach this to my kids but I 

am not sure that I succeeded.

Dedication, perseverance, and hard work.

This brother lives in the Galveston 3rd ward,

Chandler, Arizona. He sits behind us in

sacrament meeting when we attend that ward.

Since I missed getting my patio set,

I want this swing for our patio.

I can get it on one of my favorite sites:

Jet.com

Birthday gifts from my dear, sweet friend Karen.

Saturday, July 1st, 2017

Sao Paulo, Brazil

17th operating temple

Dedicated: 30 Oct - 2 Nov 1978 by

Spencer W. Kimball

Rededicated: 22 Feb 2004 by

Gordon B. Hinckley

Alma 25:1-17

*How were Abinadi's prophecies fulfilled?

The Lord sends His prophets to serve as His messengers and make His will known. Slometimes they predict future events. Alma 25 is the fulfillment of Abinadi's prophecy from Mosiah 17:14-19.

*What has our prophet counseled us to do today?

DC 95:1-17

1-6, The Saints are chastened for their failure to build the house of the Lord; 7-10, The Lord desires to use His house to endow His people with power from on high; 11-17, The house is to be dedicated as a place of worship and for the school of the Apostles.

Which verse stood out to me?

*1 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you whom I love, and whom I love I also chasten that their sins may be forgiven, for with the chastisement I prepare a way for their deliverance in all things out of temptation, and I have loved you-

8 Yea, verily I say unto you, I gave unto you a commandment that you should build a house, in the which house I design to endow those whom I have chosen with power from on high;

11 Verily I say unto you, it is my will that you should build a house. If you keep my commandments you shall have power to build it.

13 Now here is wisdom, and the mind of the Lord - let the house be built, not after the manner of the world, for I give not unto you that ye shall live after the manner of the world;

14 Therefore, let it be built after the manner which I shall show unto three of you, whom ye shall appoint and ordain unto this power.

General Conference

Trust in the Lord and Lean Not

Bonnie H. Cordon

" We must each ask: How do I keep centered and lean not unto mine own understanding? How do I recognize and follow the Savior's voice when the voices of the world are so compelling?

How do I cultivate trust in the Savior: May I suggest three ways to increase our knowledge of and trust in the Savior?

First, we can come to know the Lord and trust Him as we 'feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. Scriptures enlighten our minds, nourish our spirits, answer our questions, increase our trust in the Lord, and help us center our lives on Him.

Second, we can come to know the Lord and trust Him through prayer. As we make a habit of approaching Heavenly Father in prayer, we will come to know the Savior. We will come to trust Him. Our desires will become more like His. We will be able to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that Heavenly Father is ready to give if we will but ask in faith.

Third, we can come to know the Lord and trust Him as we sacrifice to serve others."

James and I made an early morning trip to town. Kim and Brian were still in bed so I left them a note. It was James's errand but I took advantage of it. I bought a mattress topper for the bed in James's office. I bought ping pong balls and paddles, and various and other sundry items. We stopped at Jack-in-the Box for breakfast and I had one of their yummy supreme croissants.  

Happy 14th Birthday Max!

This is one amazing kid. He seems tough on the outside but

on the inside he is a marshmallow.

Max absolutely loves Michael!

They are buddies, even if Michael did

knock his tooth out on the trampoline.

Such a handsome boy, and so talented!

His brothers and his cousins are his

best friends.

Such a smart boy, even at this age!

I love you Max!

We had smoke from the San Carlos Hilltop fire today. It got so bad that it was difficult to go outside. It kept Kim and Brian from going for a walk and a Razr ride. They even talked about going home. That's how bad it was. 

James went to Kyra's funeral in St. Johns. This is a picture of Kyra's dad Curtis, and his finance Joie. They are pretty amazing people. More to come about them at a later date.

Curtis is Uncle Delbert's youngest son.

Uncle Delbert was a prisoner of war in

World War II. He wrote a book about it.

He is 94 years old and he and Uncle Kay are the

only two of James's dad's siblings that are

still alive. He lives in St. Johns.

Kyra's kids and one of two of the

children that Joie and Curtis adopted.

I stayed home from the funeral to finish cleaning upstairs. Jared and Kacey and their kids will be arriving tonight. There were so many dead bugs in the bathtubs!  It was a chore, but I finished. The upstairs is ready for company.

Brian cooked me a cheeseburger for lunch. Thanks Brian.  I am so tired. When James got home he, Kim and I played a game of Five Crowns.

Jared, Kacey and the kids arrived around 9:30 after spending 15.5 hours in the car.  They were exhausted and went straight to bed.

Random Photos:

Molly met Kacey's friend Gloria and they were

instantly best friends!

Upper Black River

I love the diversity of scenery in Arizona!