Sunday, February 24th, 2019

Birmingham, Alabama

98th operating temple

Dedicated: 3 Sept 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

3 Nephi 20:31

And they shall believe in me, that I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and shall pray unto the Father in my name.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 16:1-17:25

*Why would the Lord send a prophet to a people he knew would reject the message?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Review Matthew 5 and Luke 6

"Be a Peacemaker" Franklin D. Richards, 10/83

General Conference

The Correct Name of the Church

President Russell M. Nelson

"Our revised style guide is helpful. It states: 'In the first reference, the full name of the Church is preferred: 'The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.' When a shortened reference is needed, the terms 'the Church' or the "Church of Jesus Christ' are encouraged. The restored Church of Jesus Christ' is also accurate and encouraged. If someone should ask, 'Are you a Mormon?' you could reply, 'If you are asking if I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, yes, I am!"

I had to be at ward council this morning at 7:15. James drove me because of the snow and mud. He went to his Primary room and studied and set up for his lesson. 

Bishop said the well was froze up and if they couldn't get it fixed they would have to cancel church. Luckily Brother Grapp's brother was able to fix it. 

Brother and Sister Merrill from the stake Self-Reliance Services did a presentation today using the personal finance manual. Afterwards they asked everyone to sign up for the class. It ended up being the ward council signing up for the class which does not normally include me. They decided they would meet on Thursday evenings at 7 . The class lasts for 12 weeks. 

Katie Hahn, a sister in our ward with breast cancer spoke in sacrament meeting. She wore a hat and told everyone why she had a hat on. She was asked to use Elder Uchtdorf's talk, "Believe, Love, Do" in her talk. 

Joe Westbrook was the other speaker. I have never heard him speak before but he has a wonderful testimony and told some cowboy stories and how he knew that the Savior loved him because of the help He has given him when in difficult situations.

Cammy Grapp taught Relief Society from the talk given by Sister Cordon on shepherding. She did a good job and got lots of discussion. We had a full house. 

James and I went home and had lunch and took a nap and then we were back at the church by 3 pm for family history consultant training by the stake representatives, Brother and Sister Ranstrom. 

I thought it would be hands on but they just showed videos and did an overview of family history. They will be back next week and we will begin having some hands on training. We had all of our consultants in attendance except for Sister Klug who is on her way to the Roots Tech conference in Salt Lake. 

Maxine told me that Barbara and Fred Klug have tickets to go to the dedication of the Rome temple. They leave March 8th. The granddaughter served her mission in Rome and will do all the driving while in Italy. How exciting!

Spent a relaxing evening at home. We watched the first episode of the new season of "When Calls the Heart" and I worked on my blog while James wrote an email to Ben.

Love seeing Charlie and Scarlett in

their Sunday best!

 Our friends Rosa and Dave. Their son

Joe spoke in sacrament meeting today.

Love this series of pictures. The 

last one she looks puzzled, like;

"What's wrong with this baby?"

 I ask James if this is what Pete the crow 

looked like and he said yes.

Tonight's sunset looks good with the snow

and trees.

Monday, September 17th, 2018

Birmingham, Alabama

98th operating temple

Dedicated: 3 Sept 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Luke 24:20

And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 5:28-52

*What do you learn about repentance in these verses?

- Repentance is available to everyone who has humility to turn to God and turn away from their sins. As we repent, the clouds of darkness in our lives will disappear.

Old Testament

Isaiah 4-6

General Conference

Take the Holy Spirit as Your Guide

Elder Larry Y. Wilson

" Following the feet of the people ahead of you on the path is not enough. We cannot just do and think what others are doing and thinking; we must live a guided life. We must each have out own hand on the iron rod. Then we may go to the Lord with humble confidence, knowing that He shall lead us by the hand, and give us answer to our prayers."

FHE

With One Accord

"Every one of our paths is different, yet we walk them together. Our path is not about what we have done or where we have been; it is about where we are going and what we are becoming, in unity. When we counsel together guided by the Holy Ghost, we can see where we are and where we need to be. The Holy Ghost gives us a vision that our natural eyes cannot see, because revelation is scattered among us, and when we put that revelation together, we can see more."

Anthony called this morning and said Pinky, his cat, was having an episode and he needed to go into town for some medicine but he didn't think he had enough gas. James met him at the Y with a gallon and a half of gas and a $5.00 bill. 

James and I went into town this morning. He had to get something and I got prescriptions at Walmart then we mailed Kacey's birthday card and a new bill to National Turf. 

We also got Kathy some ice cream and James took it over to her along with the ice cream left over from Sunday. I noticed when I went into Walmart today that the summer watermelons have been replaced with pumpkins. I guess Fall is really in the air.

We finished "The Secret Keeper" on the way home from town and ended up really enjoying it. I have one more chapter to read from "Time and Again," and will finish it tomorrow before book club. 

I found a couple of family notebooks from 1999 in my office. One was Darrel's and one was Jared's but I made a notebook for every member of our family up to that time. These are the things the notebook contained: 1) a copy of The Articles of Faith, 2) a copy of the Family Proclamation, 3) a monthly calendar, 4) This week's FHE agenda, 5) a pedigree chart and an article about Overcoming the World written by F. Burton Howard, and a parent's message.

We read Elder Burton's article tonight for FHE. It was still very timely and talked a lot about the Book of Mormon.

While we are still experiencing drought conditions here in Arizona, the Carolina's are being flooded. Many people are trapped in their homes because of the flood waters. We will pray for their safety.

 Our bishop took up mountain biking. He got 11th out of 68 in

his first race.

 Cathi and her sisters.

Sweet Charlie:

 Somebody asked me how the stones got to

Stonehenge. This book answers that question.

Wednesday, April 11th, 2018

Birmingham, Alabama

98th operating temple

Dedicated: 3 Sept 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Betrayal of

Psalms 22:16

For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 5:1-15

*What benefit is there in taking upon us Christ's yoke?

- Because his yoke is the one best suited for us...it is custom fit to our needs. The Savior's ways help us live in harmony with our true nature because He knows us and can succor us individually.

Camille Fronk Olson mentions the benefits of discipleship, and ways our burdens become lighter when we are yoked with Christ.

We can dispose of unnecessary baggage thru repentance...

We can gain power thru covenants we make, because when we covenant, God promises to bear us up...There is mutual support from other saints. We help one another, and rejoice with one another. The Lord makes us stronger and helps us build spiritual muscles... Christ teaches us how to carry burdens. We learn to not be weary, and how to be patient in trials and submit to God's will. 

The yoke of Christ is heavy in meaning, though it is designed to make things lighter.

Old Testament

Joshua 19-20

19 Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan receive their inheritances by lot.

20 Six cities of refuge are appointed for those guilty of manslaughter.

General Conference

What Every Aaronic Priesthod Holder Needs to Understand

Brother Douglas D. Holmes

" Your Aaronic Priesthood ordination is central to helping God's children receive Christ's atoning power."

Today is Dennis and Denise's 20th wedding anniversary so I texted them to wish them a Happy Anniversary. I remember my Mom being Dennis's best man (mom). They were married outside at Greer on a beautiful spring day.

Today is also Jeffrey's birthday so I wished him a happy one.

From the Ensign today I read the article and looked at the picture, "The Savior's Final, Lonely Journey."  'No mortal mind can conceive the full import of what Christ did in Gethsemane. His suffering satisfied the demands of justice, ransomed penitent souls from the pains and penalties of sins, and made mercy available to those who believe in His holy name.' President Boyd K. Packer

From "Rescuing Wayward Children:  By the power of our righteousness and not by force, bad things will improve and good things will flow to us.' (p. 185)

#13.Talk by Russell M. Nelson: October 1987 General Women's Meeting:

" Lessons from Eve": From our study of Eve, we may learn five fundamental lessons of everlasting importance:

1.) She labored beside her companion (see Moses 5:1).

2.) She and Adam bore the responsibilities of parenthood (see Moses 5:2).

3.) She and her partner worshipped the Lord in prayer (see Moses 5:4).

4.) She and Adam heeded divine commandments of obedience and sacrifice (see Moses 5:5,6).

5.) She and her husband taught the gospel to their children (see Moses 5:12).

From my study of Preach My Gospel Chapter 5, What is the Role of the Book of Mormon? quote by Boyd K. Packer, p. 108:

" In a world ever more dangerous...the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ has the nourishing power to heal starving spirits of the world."

With all the walking I do, about three hours or so, I have tried different things to listen to while I walk. I have tried conference talks, books, and music. Music seems to work the best. I have the soundtrack of the movie, "The Greatest Showman."  The tract is 40 minutes long and I like all of the songs so that is what I have been using. Most of the songs are upbeat and help me to move along a little quicker than I normally would. 

I set a new record!

My running track. Start at the end of the table

by the window, walk around the island in the 

kitchen and back down around the table.

I love listening to Robert L. Millet's book, "The Atoning One."

Today I listened to chapter two, 'Life in a Fallen World.' Here is a quote: " A redeemed man is capable of rising much higher than an unfallen man. Natural men are not redeemed, living by their own light."

My silk flowers are planted. I hope they don't blow away in the wind. 

Looks like I need to paint the pots. 

James and I went to the 8:30 session at the Snowflake temple this morning. We both did a family name. My name was Sarah and she was born in 1792. That's all I really know about her. I also sent Sheri two names to do.

We came straight home after the temple, only stopping for gas at Maverick. We fixed lunch at home. A frozen Korean BBQ dinner, salad, and for James some ham and eggs. 

I spent the afternoon walking, blogging, and listening to music and gospel talks. It was a beautiful day but tomorrow it is supposed to be very windy and James's weather app says there is fire danger in Vernon. Already?

I ate my last carbs before 6 p.m., strawberries, whipped cream, and yogurt. I only had 12,000 steps around 6 and my goal is 20,000. I made it! (See above)

James and I watched the next episode after Jack and Elizabeth get married of "When Calls the Heart."

Pretty much the same for 39 years.

Friday, November 3rd, 2017

Birmingham, Alabama

98th operating temple

Dedicated: 3 Sept 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Ascension of

John 14:12

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 19:1-29

*What can you do to feel closer to the Savior?

How hard do I labor to put myself in places where Jesus can show himself to me? How hard do I pray? What efforts do I put into attending the temple? What sacrifices do I make to have F.H.E., scripture study, family prayer? How often am I pondering and seeking the Spirit? How often and well do I serve? What am I doing with my time? What sacrifices am I making? Do I 'labor exceedingly that I might be in the place where Jesus can show himself to me? When we put forth effort, and we are doing the things that our Savior has asked, He will certainly 'bless us and His countenance will smile upon us, and shine upon us.' We will witness the Savior in our life. He will come to us as we come to Him!"

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 1:31

For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance;

General Conference

A Yearning for Home

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"I believe that every man, woman, and child has felt the call of heaven at some point in his or her life. Deep within us is a longing to somehow reach past the veil and embrace Heavenly Parents we once knew and cherished. Some might suppress this yearning and deaden their souls to its call. But those who do not quench this light within themselves can embark on an incredible journey - a wondrous migration toward heavenly climes."

Paul said he was coming over early this morning so I made two loaves of banana nut bread to give him. He left happy and reminded James to be sure and come fishing in Oregon next summer.

Kip and Colter, Colter is Kip's 9 year old son, delivered James's sand this morning and thank goodness I had a plate of chocolate chip cookies to give them. Colter knocked on the door and when I handed him the plate he had a huge grin on his face. He is in my Primary class so we are good friends already.

James went to town to get prices for the pavers he needs for the patio. He also brought me back two tacos from Aliberto's. No wonder I love him so much! He also washed my car this afternoon.

I am barely getting in my 10,000 steps and James is getting 15,000 a day. He works outside and checks his traps up on the hill and is just naturally more active than I am. 

This evening we watched Heartland, "Growing Pains."

GRRR We have smoke outside again!

James changing a lightbulb.

Mr. Handyman

I'm slow.

Memories:

Little Lola

The Three Musketeers

Evan's birthday date.

Joshua with glasses?

Pet Store 

The night Joshua finds Shipley.

Food Court fun

So fun!

Where's Emmy?

Oh yes!

Complete Rainbow

Cubs are Number 1

Love these two!