Friday, August 2nd, 2019

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

94th operating temple

Dedicated: 16 July 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Foreordained

Matthew 15:24

But he answered and said I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Book of Mormon

Alma 43:41-54

New Testament "A Minister and a Witness"

Acts 27

Paul, in a perilous voyage, travels toward Rome - An angel comforts him - He uses the gift of seership - He is shipwrecked.

General Conference

Careful versus Casual

Becky Craven
"As I reflect upon obtaining lasting happiness, I realize that sometimes we do find ourselves in the gray. Mists of darkness are inevitable as we journey along the covenant path temptation and casualness can cause us to subtly divert our course into the darkness of the world and away from the covenant path. For the times when this might happen our beloved prophet, President Russell M Nelson has urged us to get back on the covenant path and to do so quickly. How grateful I am for the gift of repentance and for the power of our Savior's Atonement."

I missed saying goodbye to everyone at Darrel and Trina's except Trina. I caught her before she went out running and said goodbye, and thank you for allowing us to stay and for taking me to the movies last night. The kids were all gone to school and Darrel was gone to work before I came out of the bedroom.

I had my infusion this morning. I arrived at the AARA office in Mesa at 10:30 and Angela came and took me right back to the infusion center. I lost 6 lbs since the last time I was here. Woohoo!

Frances informed me that beginning in January they are going to a four day work week so I will have to change my Friday appointments. I am trying to decide between Monday or Thursdays.

After my appointment I walked over to Popeye's Chicken because James wasn't here yet. He picked me up in their parking lot.

He got a gift card for Father's Day to either Carrabas or Outback. We chose Carrabas and drove to the one on Market St. in Gilbert.

I ordered the caprese pasta with grilled shrimp and James ordered Mahi Mahi fish with broccoli. 

Very yummy!

Sourdough bread is delicious!

We each also had the house salad with parmesan dressing and we share strawberry drizzled cheesecake for dessert. 

When we walked in to Carrabas I noticed that Crumbl cookie was just across the way and I mentioned to James I wanted to go get a cookie afterwards but I was too full after the cheesecake.

We arrived back in Vernon around 5 pm. Our company had spent the day in Greer and it was time to fix dinner when we arrived. 

Sheri had baked rolls. She also made mashed potatoes and Ian cooked steaks on the grill. I made some broccoli and corn. The dinner was quite delicious. Thanks Sheri and Ian.

After dinner James made a fire in the fire pit and the group roasted marshmallows and made smores. Max played the guitar and sang. 

James and I walked. 

Sheri said that both Ian and Evan saw the bat last night so they join this summers "Cabin Bat Club" along with Darrel and Trina. Ian thought the bat was cool, Evan, not so much.

Greer:

Eli and Max

 Eli, Sam, Max, Evan, and his sidekick, Frasure

All of these boys are good friends!

 Frasure calls a flash light a torch.

He shined one in his dad's face when he was telling

a story. When Michael complained Frasure said:

"But you must be in the spotlight when you are 

telling a story."

 The day it rained and the lights went out.

Frasure said: "I am so bored. This

weather is rubbish."

I love the light in the window.

"Mom, could you get me out of here"?

 Ian, Max, Aly, Sheri

 Evan, Ian, Max, Michael, Aly, Sheri, Sam, Eli

Where is Frasure?

Tuesday, August 29th, 2017

Guatemala City, Guatemala
32nd operating temple
Dedicated: 14-16 Dec 1984 by Gordon B. Hinckley

Atonement

DC 38:4

I am the same which have taken the Zion of Enoch into mine own bosom; and verily, I say, even as many as have believed in my name, for I am Christ, and in mine own name, by the virtue of the blood which I have spilt, have I pleaded before the Father for them.

Jesus Christ, Antemortal Existence of

1 Peter 1:20

Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

Alma 58:1-12

When was a time you poured out your soul in prayer to God? How did it strengthen you?

"I am a walking prayer. I know that without Him, enduring life's everyday challenges would be impossible. I am strengthened through the peace that speaks to my soul giving me courage to press on. The gift of the Holy Ghost brings a great inward strength and peace that calms my heart in this troubled world of shifting values."

DC 124:91-110

What can we do to better understand our individual missions?

We can pray and ask. We can read and ponder the scriptures and our patriarchal blessing. We can look for the Lord's hand in our daily life and see how He is directing us and leading us to do His will.

General Conference

How Does the Holy Ghost Help You

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

"It is vital to our physical and spiritual safety that we keep the gift of the Holy Ghost. We begin to do so by striving to keep the commandments, having individual land family prayer, reading the scriptures, and seeking loving and forgiving relationships with family and loved ones. We should keep our thoughts, actions, and language virtuous. We should worship our Heavenly Father in our homes, at Church, and in the holy temple. Stay close to the Spirit, and the Spirit will stay close to you."

And This is Life Eternal

Elder C. Scott Grow

"You and I do the will of the Father by honoring our covenants, keeping the commandments, and serving God and our fellowmen. As we seek to do God's will by faithfully serving Him and our fellowmen, we feel His approval and truly come to know Him."

I read this report today on the Houston temple. "The Cypress Creek became a river and the current is so strong that it has been dangerous to even try and approach the temple, said temple president Marshall Hayes. Cypress Creek rose by 20 feet. It appears water to the depth of four or five inches has gone inside the temple. That includes a baptistry, a marriage waiting room, dressing rooms, kitchen, and laundry."

I am reading Sister Sheri Dew's book, "Worth the Wrestle." In her book she says we need to ask the Lord to teach us the language of revelation.

James and I made a trip to town to get tacos and to get some things at the auto parts store. James had a shrimp taco at Aliberto's and he said it was delicious. I had my two shredded beef tacos and beans and rice.

The blinker on my car isn't working because some critter chewed the wires in two. James fixed the problem but now he can't roll the windows down in my car from the driver's side.

James and I read from our boo, "Lady in Disguise," and watched a new Hallmark movie, "Sand, Sun, Romance" starring Paul Campbell.

Photos:

Houston Heroes

Comic Relief

My puppy!

One of my favorite pictures of Ruby

This girl is a worker!

Kayla and Addy before they grew up

My friend Natalie

Clouds

More Clouds

Cabin

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Happy Birthday to this beautiful lady,

Denise Curry-Maxwell, my sister-in-law.

She can be the life of the party and does

a mean dance to Rocky Top Tennessee.

Denise and her daughter Rachel.

As a side note, Rachel and I share birthdays.

A Maxwell gathering for Denise's birthday last year.

Since Tasha and Monte are in this picture I want to share something Tasha posted yesterday on Facebook:

BTW, Tasha's birthday was on September 15th.

"Without work ethic I would be a lost sheep.

I struggled in school and had many nights I had to work extra hard to study for the test, but it was up to me to stay up late and do my best.  It wasn't my parents' job or my teacher's.

Then in the spectrum of sports I had to work extra hard compared to the tall person next to me that could 'stand' at the net and block.

But with showing up to practice early, listening to the coach, not

making excuses, and working hard I was able to attend two free

years of college with a scholarship.  My own children know that 

one of our biggest expectations is work ethic in the classroom and on the field.  Our saying to them is that one of the biggest factors

you can control is your effort.  So many ties I see excuses being

made and it breaks my heart because with some effort and work people can conquer the world."

Here is a picture Denise posted on Facebook.  This was

taken in about 1971 when Muhammed Ali was training in

Show Low and staying at my grandparents hotel,

The Maxwell House.  In the front that is my brother Dennis

with the shades on, he is now married to Denise, next to Dennis is

Muhammed Ali hold Kami Hawkins, Aunt Gene's granddaughter.

Next to Muhammed is my grandpa Arlee.

I am not sure who the man standing in the back is.

I am so grateful Denise marred Dennis and became a part of our family.

About this time of year the first thing James does in the morning and the last thing he does at night is bugle for elk.  

The bugling has begun.

Helaman 7:1-12

How can we follow Nephi's example in these verses?

*Remember the righteousness of those who have gone before me.

*Joy in the righteousness of others.

* Sorrow because of wickedness.

*Be prayerful and seek guidance from Heavenly Father.

*Bear testimony to others in spite of opposition.

GC:          'Fathers' by Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"Ye will not suffer your children that they go hungry, or naked; neither will ye suffer that they transgress the laws of God, and fight and quarrel one with another. . . .

But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of 

truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love

one another, and to serve one another."

Today just happens to be International Peace Day.

We had an overcast day but had very little rain.  When I say little I mean maybe 10 minutes.  It was wonderful to sit on the porch and read from Millennial Glory with James.  Later this evening I read from The China Study and The China Study Cookbook.  I know I need to eat more healthy and reading these books motivates me.

I love living in Vernon

"On the evening of the twenty-first

of September 1823 . . ."

Friday, September 16, 2016

Paul posted this picture. 

Early morning baptisms with the young men.

A great way to start the day.

Helaman 5:5-17

Helaman chapter 5 is one of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon.  The word remember is used at least seven times.  This is what President Kimball says about the word remember.  "when you look in the dictionary for the most important word, do you know what it is?  It could be remember.  Because all of you have made covenants - you know what to do and you know how to do it - our greatest need is to remember.  That is why everyone goes to sacrament meeting every Sabbath day - to take the sacrament and listen to the priests pray that they 'may always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them.'  Nobody should ever forget to go to sacrament meeting.  Remember is the program, remember is the word."

Nephi and Lehi devote themselves to preaching.  Their names invite them to Remember and pattern their lives after their forebears - Christ redeems and Remembers those  who repent - Their father Helaman reminds them to do that which is good, to lay up treasure in heaven.  Remember, Remember the words of king Benjamin and Remember your Savior Jesus Christ.  Remember Amulek's words about the Savior.  Remember, Remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.  These are the things Helaman taught to his sons.  The did Remember his words, kept the commandments and taught the people the word of God.  They even taught among the Lamanites in Zarahemla.  Many of the Nephite dissenters did come forth, repent and were baptized.  They returned to the Nephites and tried to repair the wrongs they had done.  There were 8,000 Lamanites in and around Zarahemla who were baptized.  As the go to Nephi , Lehi and Nephi are cast into prison.  They were encircled about as if by fire and protected from their captors.  The earth shook and the walls of the prison did tremble.  So many miracles in this chapter.

What does this remind you of?

It reminds me of the CTR shield in Primary.

GC:  'The Greatest Leaders Are the Greatest Followers' by Stephen W. Owen

"Your ability to lead does not come from an outgoing personality, motivational skills, or even a talent for public speaking.  It comes from your commitment to follow Jesus Christ.  It comes from

your desire to be, in Abraham's words, 'a greater follower of righteousness.' (Abraham 1:2)  If you can do that - even if you aren't perfect at it, but you're trying - then you are a leader."

James is in Chandler doing a concrete pour for President John Ballard's son, Michael.  Adam and Erik both helped with the pour.  He got home this evening and brought me a couple of burros from Burger House. (Insert smiley face).

Courtney and Dakoda Pannell

The Pannell's were in our ward when James was the bishop.  When I told him about this, he was so happy to hear that Dakoda is going to be serving a mission.  

I got a text from Jared today.  The other day I had a picture of a temple on my blog and I did not know the location of said temple.  Jared texted me and said it was the Dallas temple.  He said he knew because he had just been there with Kacey.  Thanks Jared!

He is going to San Antonio this weekend to see his kids and for James's birthday.  Kacey will be going too. (She has to drive eight hours to get there).  She will also be going to the San Antonio temple while she is there.  I am really impressed with her.  She is pretty amazing!

I actually put away one box of stuff today from my office closet.  It was filled with memorabilia and photos from the trip I took with Adam, Jeffrey, and Vickie to Washington D.C. back in 2005.  I need to make a photo album.

I know the Golden Gate bridge isn't in D.C.,

but this is such a beautiful picture, I just had to post it.

Here is another bridge:

This one is called Devil's Bridge trail.

While James was in Chandler Cathi and Terry told him all about their trip to Salt Lake.  Cathi loved the live endowment session in the Salt Lake temple.  They also loved the family history building and the Church history museum. They were kept very busy attending meetings, etc., but had a wonderful time. 

 The authorities over them, I am not sure who they were, wanted Cathi and Terry to come up to Salt Lake on a mission and run the ROC in Salt Lake.  (ROC stands for Records Operation Center where they do research and work preparing documents to be digitized for family history research).  Cathi and Terry said they would like to open one in Chandler and they have already spoken to President Johansen, the stake president for the Chandler West stake, and he loves the idea.  So did the Salt Lake people.  So instead of going to Salt Lake, Terry and Cathi will be serving another year right at home in Chandler!  (When you have a talent, you can work anywhere).

I spoke to two of my Chandler friends today, Charlotte Mattice, and Karen Schneider.

The moon was gorgeous tonight.  A camera doesn't do it justice.  

Someone said this will be the last Harvest Moon

until 2024.  Does anyone know what is meant by a

Harvest Moon?

Home Sweet Home