Monday, August 12th, 2019

Winter Quarters, Nebraska

104th operating temple

Dedicated: 22 April 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Foreordained

Job 19:25

For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

Book of Mormon

Alma 49:9-30

New Testament "Overcome Evil with Good"Romans 7-16

Romans 7-8

General Conference

Behold the Lamb of God

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"We make an apostolic plea for the reduction of clamor in the sanctuary of our buildings. We love to visit with each other, and we should - it is one of the joys of church attendance - but it ought not be pursued so vocally in space specifically dedicated for worship. I fear that visitors not of our faith are shocked by what can sometimes be noisy irreverence in a setting that is supposed to be characterized by prayer, testimony, revelation, and peace. Perhaps heaven is a little shocked as well."

Welcome Monday morning! A new beginning to a new week!

During my gospel study I listened to a youtube video by David Butler and Emily Belle Freeman on this week's "Come Follow Me" lesson.  I also used their handout which looks like this: 

Along with these other study aids, I feel I am getting a pretty good understanding of the New Testament:

 I read the chapters along with the help of

the New Testament Student Manual.

The title of this week's lesson

This morning I washed the  sheets downstairs, and blogged Friday and Saturday. I am determined to get caught up by tomorrow. 

James had a meeting in town with the banker about financing our home to pay off our line of credit and credit cards. He is also waiting to hear from Quicken loans. He also picked up my thyroid pills which saved me a trip into the Show Low Walmart.

This afternoon I picked up my friend Shelly, one of my former young women, and took her to Snowflake for an appointment. While Shelly was in her appointment I went to the Taylor Walmart and did some shopping. I wanted to take back some temple dresses I had borrowed to try on from the Distribution Center, but they were closed.

I dropped Shelly off at a friends house and we hugged goodbye. She is going down to live in Thatcher and take some classes at Eastern Arizona College and won't be back until Thanksgiving or Christmas.

I hurried home and ate some dinner and got ready for the Grapp's to come over to watch the next two episodes of "When Calls the Heart." I did some walking but I don't think I will get my hoped for 16,000 steps. I will be lucky to get 10,000.

James went for a walk on the hill behind our house. He got back after the Grapp's were already here. I told Cammy about "WCTH" coming out on DVD on October 1st and she was excited and said they would definitely buy it.

After the Grapp's left James and I finished watching the newest episode of "Aurora Teagarden."

Arthur and Lynn, married to each other

police officers. Aurora's old boy friend.

Lynn is not a fan of Aurora's.

 I can't stand the cuteness!

So sweet!

 Last week two of these women were

hiking in Canada.

My dear sweet friend Ruth.

Monday, August 5th, 2019

Houston, Texas

97th operating temple

Dedicated: 26 Aug 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Foreordained

Hebrews 5:5

So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest: but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

Book of Mormon

Alma 45:15-46:10

New Testament "The Power of God unto Salvation"

Romans 1

General Conference

Just as He Did

Bishop W. Christopher Waddell

"In modeling our ministering after Jesus Christ, it is important to remember that His efforts to love, lift, serve, and bless had a higher goal than meeting the immediate need. He clearly knew of their day-to-day needs and had compassion on their current suffering as He healed, fed, forgave, and taught. But He wanted to do more than take care of today. He wanted those around Him to follow Him to know Him, and to reach their divine potential."

I receive Meridian Magazine emails everyday. They have some great articles and stories about people. Their website is: latterdaysaintmag.com if you want to sign up for their daily emails.

Today I read about James and Dolley Madison. James Madison is known as the father of religious liberty. He helped write the Federalist papers and the Constitution. He was the fourth president of the United States. Dolley opened the President's house on a weekly basis inviting friends and foes alike to festive gatherings. Dolley had a way of making everyone feel important. James regularly attended Dolley's good will gatherings, adding his skills to hers. Dolley was ever gracious and James was ever respectful of the views of others. James listened carefully to the arguments of his opponents in a manner that demonstrated that he was determined to understand the reasons behind their opposing views. He was sometimes attacked for speaking quietly and deliberately, but those traits strengthened his capacity to listen and understand, enabling him to build bridges of agreement where angry differences had once prevailed. 

Dad-by-day, James and Dolley drew on their respective talents responding in a manner that collectively quelled the anger that was consuming a divided nation, slowly leading the American people into the so-called Era of Good Feelings, when divisive partisanship was displaced by a sense that we are all Americans. James's favorite scripture was Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God." 

This is what we need in America today! A President who listens to others and tries to understand. Someone who can be a peacemaker and heal the heart of our divided country.

This article was written by Rodney K. Smith who directs the Center for Constitutional Studies at Utah Valley University and is the author of: "James Madison: The Father of Religious Liberty" and, "Dolley and James Madison: An Unlikely Love Story that Saved America." 

James and I made a trip to town today to deposit some money and to do a little shopping. 

Our first stop was at Aliberto's because I had a craving for a bacon, egg, potato and cheese breakfast burrito. It was delicious!

I went into the bank to deposit some cash that James received from Mr. Chacon. Afterwards we drove to Walmart where I did some shopping. James was on the phone in the car for awhile and then he came in and shopped in the produce department while I covered the rest of the store. 

On the way home we read from our books "Insights" about President Nelson's life, and the Aunt Dimity book that Karen S. gave me for my birthday. 

At home after putting the groceries away James and I had our rest time. We watched the newest Aurora Teagarden mystery, "The Cat and Mouse Game." It is on the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries channel and stars Candace Cameron Bure. We liked it.

I walked this afternoon and worked on Relief Society ministering changes with the permission of our President Tamara and first counselor Kerri. 

I had corn on the cob for lunch as did James. It was delicious. I only wish we had more!

The Grapp family came over this evening and we watched the first two episodes of this seasons "When Calls the Heart." They brought us a loaf of homemade bread and popcorn and cookies. 

The Grapp family consists of: Thomas the father, Cammy the mother, Liana who is 10, Benson 9, Tildy 7, and Emsley 5. 

Since we are calling this our FHE, Benson gave us an opening prayer. They will be back again next week.

Resting up for the next days adventures!

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.