Tuesday, December 11th, 2018

Nuku alofa, Tonga

23rd operating temple

Dedicated: 9-11 Aug 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, death of

2 Timothy 1:10

But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

Book of Mormon #1

Ether 8:18-26

Book of Mormon #2

3 Nephi 7-9

Old Testament

Haggai 1-2

General Conference

All Must Take Upon Them the Name Given of the Father

Elder Paul B. Pieper

"One meaning of the word take is to partake of or receive into one's body, such as when we take a drink. By taking upon ourselves the name of Christ, we commit to take His teachings, His characteristics, and ultimately His love deep into our beings so that they become part of who we are. Thus the importance of President Russell M. Nelson's invitation to the young adults to 'prayerfully and vigorously seek to understand what each of the Savior's various titles and names means personally for them' and to feast on the words of Christ in the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon."

After gospel study I made breakfast for James and then we listened to the Book Profits help session. Lots of exciting things coming in the new year. If we sign up for the new year we get a $400 discount plus access to all the new materials for six months and during the beta testing. We prayed and thought about it and decided we have to give this business a chance for a least one more year and since we will be saving money and getting access to more software, we both thought we should sign up...the offer only stands today. I did it.

I took a trip in to town this afternoon. I took a blanket and my first stop was the hospital to visit Monte. He has diverticulitis. They were going to do surgery on him but they were able to drain the abscess instead. He still looked pretty miserable. Harold, Vickie, Tasha, and Kaitlynn were all in the room too. 

After leaving the hospital I went across the street to Walmart to buy the ingredients for homemade vegetable soup. I am using the recipe they used to use at the Mesa temple. James and I both loved their soup. 

I mailed Ben's birthday card today and stopped by the post office and picked up the mail. The "grabber" I got for James came, put the device to help him put on his socks.

When I got home our neighbors, the Crane's came over. They brought homemade chicken noodle soup and biscuits, and left over fajita meat and fixin's from the ward party. What nice neighbors we have!

This evening we worked on our book business. I inventoried 10 books. One of the books was one I had underlined with a pencil in. James erased all of the underling so we could send it in to sell.

One of my mains jobs while James is down is keeping the fire going. I guess I fell a little behind because James actually carried in some wood. I gave him a stern scolding!

Scarlett an

Light the World and serve in your community.

I love this picture.

I love this sweet girl!

 This one too!

 The Trezise tree

 Best wishes Betty!

Monday, December 10th, 2018

Apia, Samoa

22nd operating temple

Dedicated: 5-6 Aug 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, death of

Philippians 2:8

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Book of Mormon #1

Ether 8:1-17

*Why are secret combinations so dangerous when they are established in societies?

Book of Mormon #2

3 Nephi 4-6

Old Testament

Zephaniah 2-3

General Conference

Our Campfire of Faith

Elder Gerritt W. Gong

"Second, our campfire of faith can encourage us to minister in new, higher, and holier Spirit-filled ways. Such ministering brings miracles and the blessings of covenant belonging - where we feel God's love and seek to minister to others in that spirit."

I woke up at 7 this morning, a little later than I had planned. I'm glad I took my shower last night. I read scriptures, said my prayers, began packing and getting myself ready to go. Kim gave me a plate of yummy cookies to take with me. The sugar cookies are my favorite!

I went to Circle K and got gas and then dropped Wendy's basket off at Cathi's house. I should have taken a picture but with everything else going on, I forgot. Oh, and btw, Cathi is soooo skinny!

James called to ask me where I was and said that they were releasing him. I told him I would get there as quickly as I could but it's over 28 miles. I also asked him if it was ok if I stopped at Marshall's to pick up the bunny mugs (shown earlier) for Ruby and Lola. He said yes!

After Marshall's I parked my car in valet parking at the hospital. I hope these guys don't expect tips because I never have any cash with me. Oh well. 

When I get to his room James is dressed, except for his shoes which I help him put on. I got there just before the physical therapist came to take him for a walk. When he got back from a spin around the hall he said he was sore. Just about everything is ready for him to go but they will not give him a pain pill before he goes or allow us to take any with them. I complained and asked Ryan, the nurse, if he would call Dr. Caldron's office and ask for some pain pills. I think the problem is they called his prescriptions in to the CVS in Show Low. He will be on the anti-biotic, oxycodone, Lyrica, and a stool softener.

Ryan came in a few minutes later with a 15mg oxycodone. James's prescription is only 5mg a does. I guess that will get him through the 3 hour drive home.

Ryan read us all the release forms and Gabriel pushed him in the wheelchair downstairs. I went ahead to have the valet guys get the car. We said goodbye to Gabriel, Honor Health, and room 5306. Honestly, I hope we never have to come back.

I drove out Shea Blvd to the old Beeline Highway to Payson. In Payson we stopped at Taco Bell for lunch. James did pretty well, considering we didn't even take his walker in.

 James did stay in the car while I went in to Basha's to pick up some things. He wanted a watermelon and some cantaloupe, I told him they were out of season but I would get some. They turned out lousy, both of them.

Next stop, CVS in Show Low and then on home to Vernon. We actually got home before dark. I got James settled in and then began unloading the car and putting things away. It took a few hours before I finished and was able to sit down and relax. 

We watched a new Christmas movie, called "Once Upon a Christmas Miracle," about a girl with liver disease and the guy who gives her part of his liver. It was actually based on a true story.

Coming back from the well and turning the water

on. I actually had to twist the handle because James

couldn't bend over. I'm beginning to appreciate

all the things he does that go unnoticed. I need to

appreciate him more.

Picture of Charlie always make us happy

and make our day so much better!

 She will be such a great missionary!

 Arizona Highways and snow on the dessert,

something you don't see very often.

Saturday, May 5th, 2018

Newport Beach, California

122nd operating temple

Dedicated: 28 Aug 2005

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, birth of

Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Book of Mormon
Mosiah 23:16-39
*How do you remember to give thanks? Why is it an important thing to do?
- frankorion0711: "Sometimes when I pray I only give thanks for all the blessings and trials, or opportunities to grow, in my life. It really puts things in perspective.
Old Testament
1 Samuel 13-15
13 Saul offers a burnt offering - The Lord rejects him and chooses another captain over His people.
14 Jonathan smites the garrison of the Philistines - Saul instructs the people to eat no food until evening - Unaware of the oath, Jonathan eats, and Saul decrees his death - He is rescued by the people - Saul vexes his enemies on every hand.
15 Saul is commanded to smite and destroy the Amalekites and all that they have - He saves some animals to sacrifice - Saul is rejected as king and told that to obey is better than sacrifice - Samuel destroys Agag.
General Conference

Until Seventy Times Seven

Elder Lynn G. Robbins

"Success," it has been said, "isn't the absence of failure, but going from failure to failure without any loss of enthusiasm."

Russell M. Nelson:4/02 How Firm a Foundation:

"The foundation of one's individual faith, if anchored firmly to eternal truth, allows each of us to reach upward with an eternal perspective."

Rescuing Wayward Children: p. 239-40:

Elder Bruce C. Hafen wrote:

" A covenant marriage in the highest sense will begin as a temple marriage. When the partners are then sufficiently righteous, the marriage will be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise (DC 132:7), 

"which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true" (DC 76:53). Such a marriage will then be not only eternal in duration but also celestial in quality, for it will be a marriage that partakes of God's quality of life."

Elder Dale G. Renlund:The Melchizedek Priesthood: Chapter 4:

"The Priesthood Blesses the Priesthood Holder"

I am so grateful for my dear, sweet husband. He knew he was only going to be able to get things done for me today because tomorrow is the Sabbath and he leaves again for his job at Legacy Golf Course early Monday morning. Here is a list of the things he did this morning:

*Took the wet vacuum and blew out the dryer vent. I now have a working dryer!

*He went to the dump

*Washed the car because we are going to the temple this afternoon

*Took the shelves we got from Trina and put them upstairs where they belong. 

He is the best!

He's handsome too!

When I was at Fry's yesterday I bought a boxed meal, Jerk chicken with stewed greens,  with all the ingredients in the box. All you have to do is follow the directions for preparation and boom! your meals is ready.

The chicken was cooked perfectly but I didn't like the jerk seasoning very well. The stewed kale was good but my favorite was the mango salsa. James liked everything quite well too.

After lunch we started our fast. We are fasting for family concerns, our grandchildren who have gone away from the gospel, and what we can do to help them and their parents. We are also fasting that all of our children and their spouses will have family prayer, scripture study, and FHE. It is a good thing to be united together in fasting and prayer.

We left for Snowflake at 3:15 for the 4:30 temple session. I was fortunate to sit by a former temple matron's assistant during the session, Sister Miller. She says that all of the former temple presidency and their wives are temple workers. I knew we were in good company as temple workers!

James looks puzzled and I look like

I have a spider leg on my forehead.

We stopped at Walmart on the way home to pick up some ice cream. Tomorrow is the day we have our big treat for the week. We both love Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia so that's what I got, you know, one of those small containers. A 1/2 cup of this stuff has 260 calories!

I finished my 10,000 steps this evening and didn't even drink any water. I did have some sugarfree Icebreakers. I couldn't survive without my Icebreakers.

James worked on loading his truck for work on Monday and I worked on studying for tomorrow's RS lesson on Revelation and what I am going to say to the Young Women about ministering. Sister Allen asked one of us to come in and explain to the girls what the Laurels and Mia Maids responsibilities will be in their ministering assignments.

Today is my brother Dennis's Birthday.

Happy birthday Dennis!

Let's do lunch.

 Looking a little tired at the state track meet

in Mesa. It was over 100 degrees.

Well, after all, he is 64!

Today is also my dear sweet friend 

Betty Bogle's birthday. Here she is with

9 of her 10 children. Her oldest, Bobby,

was killed in an airplane crash several

years ago.

Congratulations Zachary!

As a sophmore he got 3rd in state in the

shot put. Throwing a distance of 49' 8".

Royal children, Princess Charlotte kissing

her brother Prince Louis.