Monday, May 4th, 2020

Johannesburg, South Africa

36th operating temple

Dedicated: 24 Aug 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, King

Psalms 89:18

For the Lord is our defense; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

"A Light That Can Never Be Darkened"; Mosiah 11; Sunday journal; Study Guide

April General Conference

"An Especially Noble Calling"

Sister Joy D. Jones

"I'm grateful to focus my remarks today on women's continuing roles in the Restoration. It is clear that throughout history women have held a distinctive place in our Heavenly Father's plan. President Russell M. Nelson taught, 'It would be impossible to measure the influence that . . . women have, not only on families but also on the Lord's Church, as wives, mothers, and grandmothers; as sisters and aunts; as teachers and leaders; and especially as exemplars and devout defenders of the faith.'"

"The Great Plan"

President Dallin H. Oaks

April 2020

"The Divine Gift of Gratitude"

President Thomas S. Monson

October 2010

We left for the valley around 7 o'clock this morning. James borrowed Tom Howard's truck so he could bring back the Cat that is on the job in Mesa. It is a Chevy and it rides just as rough as James's Dodge.

 My appointment is at 11:00 at the AARA. We got into town around 10 and James went by to check on his job on Bellview St. in Mesa. Afterwards we went to Mesa Blueprint to pick up some blueprints. We then drove over to Country Club and Baseline where my appointment is. James dropped me off and went on his way. I guess the wrong blueprints were sent to Mesa Blueprint and he had to go pick up the right ones after calling Rick Crandall to tell him the wrong ones were sent.

The AARA is so quiet with only patients who are receiving infusions waiting in the office. The doctors are still not seeing any patients. Tiffany insert the needle in my arm instead of Ang who had such difficulty last month. Tiffany's needle went right in. 

My infusions lasts an hour and when I was finished I texted James. He was waiting to meet with Mario's nephew but said he would come and pick me up if I wanted. I told him no, I would walk across the street to Costco and he could pick me up there when he was ready. 

It's a good thing I brought my mask to wear otherwise I would not have gotten in to Costco. These are some of the things I bought: 

steak for mother's day, rotissere checken already shredded and vacuum packed into a plastic bag. I bought the chicken so I could make tacos and enchiladas. A bag of granola, a new pair of pajamas for myself, and two big water guns for Zemira Wilhelm's birthday.

On the way out I bought a hot dog and a drink for lunch. I waited outside and was going to eat my hotdog but I felt uncomfortable, so I didn't. I shared it with James instead. 

The next matter of business was to go to Bill Valentic's construction yard and get the trailer. After hitching up the trailer we went back to the jobsite and James loaded up the Cat. We then were ready to go home. 

We stopped at the Circle K in Superior for a potty break and to put air in a tire. I bought a ham and cheese sandwich for us to share but it was disgusting so we didn't eat it. 

James stopped at his favorite gas station in Globe to get some diesel for the truck and the Cat. He had me go in to Subway and get him a sandwich. I got a 12" instead of a 6" that he asked for and I ate the other half. They were out of roast beef so I got steak on toasted wheat with tomato, banana peppers and mustard for him and mayo for me. He asked where the onions were and I said he didn't ask which I thought was strange.

We stopped at the post office in Vernon and picked up the mail. We were home before 6:30. I tried to walk but my left leg hurt too much so I couldn't do much. We watched Season 1 Episode 5 of "Lark Rise to Candleford." The arrival of a new post office inspector causes problems for Dorcas. Robert has been carving a decorative angel on the schoolhouse for which he is not getting paid. Laura loses an important parcel.

Dorcas says this to the rude post office inspector, Mr. Rushton:

"Any man who puffs himself up by the ruination of others is not welcome in my parlor. Now, if you will excuse us."

Ben's Letter:

Cathy Arnett and some of her daughters

Monday, April 20th, 2020

Apia, Samoa

22nd operating temple

Dedicated: 5-6 Aug 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Judge

Alma 42:23

But God ceaseth not to be God, and mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement; and the atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead; and the resurrection of the dead bringeth back men into the presence of God; and thus they are restored into his presence, to be judged according to their works, according to the law and justice.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Mosiah 4:1-10; Sunday lesson in Sunday journal

April General Conference

"Fulfillment of Prophecy"

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"The prophecies that have been fulfilled by the Restoration of the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ are many."

"Decisions for Eternity"

Russell M. Nelson

October 2013

James was sad to cancel his concrete for tomorrow but Armando is not ready. He doesn't even have water to the house. James spent most of the day working with the city of Mesa to get the water meter unlocked. The concrete is now scheduled for Thursday. 

I worked on my book business this morning repricing books. I made the mistake of pricing a $75 book of $25. I went back and changed it but in that short amount of time the book sold for $25. 

Also I have 23 pending orders over the past 4 weeks. I am not sure why this is happening. Anyway, I'm selling books but don't seem to be making any money. Maybe when those pending orders are complete things will change.

James and I went to town today to mail my shipments of books. We also went to Walmart to get some rice milk for James. He has been using my skim milk and he is very congested because of it. We got rice milk, walnuts, Skinny Cows, raspberry chocolate ice cream bars, cornbread mix, beans, El Pato and a few more small items and ended up spending almost $50. When I went to get my wallet, it was not in my purse. I remembered that James had gotten some stamps out of my wallet and so I asked him if he put my wallet back. He said, "Of course I did." I'm wondering if he put it in a different bag hanging on the purse stand. I guess I won't know until I get home. Anyway, thankfully James had his wallet and we were able to pay for our purchases. 

On the way home we finished the book, "Aunt Dimity and the Family Tree." The next book in the series is "Aunt Dimity and the Village Witch." What are we going to do when we finish all of the Aunt Dimity books?

When I got home I found my wallet in my big stripped bag. James put it back all right, just in the wrong bag.

Today was a lazy day for me because I did not feel up to par. I did go upstairs and do some cleaning and caught up on my blog, worked on books, and actually made James some dinner. James and I watched the next episode of "Lark Rise to Candleford" and decided that this is our favorite show on TV. Whereas Downtown Abbey was about the wealthy and their foibles, this show is about struggling poor people.  We both love the way the people of these two small English villages look out for one another. I love each character on the show except for maybe Pearl who owns the dress shop, who is a bit self-absorbed.  Here are some of the characters: Dorcas Lane, the postmistress. The post office is the hub of activity in Candleford. Laura Timmins and Daniel Stratford, (Laura chose Daniel and Fisher left town),  Thomas and Margaret, Minnie and Alf, Queenie and Twister, Emma and Robert Timmins. These are the characters we love.  Now Thomas, the postman, has a dog to go with him on his rounds, Amelia Cordelia. These people are so poor they have very little earthly possessions, yet they are happy because they have each other.

I also watched the latest Hallmark movie, "Nature of Love."

I spent an hour or so this evening studying this weeks "Come Follow Me" lesson. I also got 15,026 steps today.

James went on a horsey ride and saw several elk. The elk also came to visit Luna this morning. It was a good day here in Vernon, Arizona.

Scarlett and Charlie

Our favorite Hallmark star had

her baby girl

What a name....poor girl

Is Jared growing a mustache?

Monday, April 13th, 2020

Provo, Utah

15th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Feb 1972

By: Joseph Fielding Smith

Jesus Christ, Judge

DC 19:3

Retaining all power, even to the destroying of Satan and his works at the end of the world, and the last great day of judgment, which I shall pass upon the inhabitants thereof, judging every man according to his works and the deeds which he hath done.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Mosiah 1:1-9; Mosiah1-3 "Filled with Love Towards God"

Study with the Peeler's and the Goodman's

April General Conference

"A Good Foundation Against the Time to Come"

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

"During the coming years, may we allow the improvements made to the Salt Lake Temple to move and inspire us."

"Thus Shall My Church Be Called"

Russell M. Nelson

April 1990

Restoration

Church History in the Fulness of Times

Chapter 10 Development of the Church in Ohio

"Because of the Christ on Calvary"

Brad Wilcox

 We had rain, snow and sunshine today depending on the time and the window you happened to look out.

James went to feed the Howard's horses this morning, something he agreed to do while they were in the valley. Before coming home he went to Dollar General to get a birthday card for Alex and something for refreshments tonight for our "Come Follow Me" group. I had already told him I was going to make a Texas sheetcake but I guess he figured we might need backup. I did tell him to get some ice cream, which he did. He also got a no bake cheesecake box, and a box of brownies.

James worked upstairs today. He was going to work on taxes but he ended up scheduling concrete for the job and talking back and forth with Armando. 

While James was working upstairs and I was at my computer working on books, Luna was outside rolling in the mud. 

We are tempted to call her Winnie because whenever James goes out to feed her she "whinnies." If he is too slow she also paws the ground. We got a horse with some personality!

I had planned on making the Texas sheetcake early this afternoon until I got a text from Sister Goodman saying she had a Boston Creme poke cake she would like to bring. Thanks Barbara!

Because I knew we wouldn't be using the ice cream James bought for tonight's meeting I decided I would try it and see if it was any good. It was and it went well with the hot fudge sauce I had on hand.

Because I have been doing re-pricing and getting rid of old books, my IPS on Amazon went up from 405 to 507 points. IPS stands for Index Performance Score. Now if I could only sell more books.

Jared chose the topic of forgiveness for us to study this week. Here are the talks we will be listening to:

"The Healing Power of Forgiveness"

James E. Faust

April 2007 GC

"I Stand All Amazed"

Jeffrey R. Holland

President of Brigham Young University

From an address given to Salt Lake

Temple workers, 24 November 1985

"On Measuring Flour and Forgiveness"

Madison U. Sowell

Chair of the BYU Department of French and Italian

October 22, 1996 * Devotional

I read these talks and they are quite sobering and some of them have some very sad stories in them. One of the most difficult things to do, I think, in this life is to forgive someone who has wronged someone you love. I am still struggling with this. It can only be done over time and with the help of the Holy Ghost.

We had an enjoyable evening with the Goodman's and the Peeler's. We studied the lesson for Mosiah 1-3, had a good discussion, and then somehow James started telling stories about his grandpa Lambson. I had heard them but I guess the Peeler's and the Goodman's had not. Brother Peeler has ties to Ramah through his grandpa and he and Donna had been there recently.

The Boston Creme poke cake was delicious!

As they were leaving Brother Peeler asked if sometime James would tell stories about his crow. I am sure he would love to do that.

After everyone left James and I did the dishes and then watched the latest episode of "When Calls the Heart."

I finally figured out which input the TV needed to be on in order to get the satellite. I even called Brian and he went by Best Buy but they weren't open. He was going to go in and look at a TV like mine so he could tell me what to do. I am grateful for his concern and support. I am also grateful that I was able to figure it out on my own.

Sheri said Ben is still discouraged although his letter didn't really show it. He is having problems with his companion. He wants to talk to the President and see if he can go back to being just a regular missionary. We are all praying of him.

 Elder Manu and Elder Trezise

Kerri brought us these masks that her mom made.

No matter that she got muddy tracks on our driveway.

One for James and one for me

Oh great! Perfect timing!

I know I am late for siblings day but I

thought I would post this gem anyway.

James gave me the sweater for Christmas that year.

I had to add a little humor

 Wow Trina, it looks like something in a

magazine!

Lola grrrl

Now that's a pantry!

Our friends the Wanlass family

 So sweet