Saturday, March 16th, 2018

Copenhagen, Denmark

118th operating temple

Dedication: 23 May 2004

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

DC:6:21

Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the same that came unto mine own, and mine own received me not. I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not.

Book of Mormon

Jacob 1:1-19

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Luke 7:36-50; 11:37-54

"That Your Burdens May Be Light" L. Whitney Clayton, 10/2009

General Conference

Parents and Children

Dallin H. Oaks

"As a servant of the Lord, I say to you young women our world needs your goodness and love. Be kind to one another. Jesus taught us to love one another and to treat others as we want to be treated. As we strive to be kind, we draw closer to Him and His loving influence."

We woke up this morning with some visitors in our yard. James went to his "perch" upstairs with the binoculars, and announced that there were 24 elk in the backyard and 8 in the front. They were just passing through, snacking as they went. Where are the bulls? James says they are bachelors this time of the year, hanging out by themselves. There were none in this bunch.

I have been a little "out of sorts" lately. I just sometimes lose sight of the eternal perspective and get caught up in the day to day stresses of living. As I prayed this morning I specifically prayed for help in this area and for the Spirit to be with me. 

I spent the morning getting our book box ready to mail, which means I printed labels for all 37 books, and the box, and put the box on the scale to weigh it. It weighs between 47-49 lbs. The maximum is 50 lbs. It is so much cheaper to send a big box of books than smaller ones when shipping to Amazon.

After lunch we loaded our box in the car, James at one end, me at the other. When we got to the UPS store I told James to wait and I would go inside and see if they had a dolly or something we could put the box on to carry it in. 

When I got in the store the girl behind the counter, a skinny, cute, young thing, asked me if I needed help. I said yes, I needed help carrying in my box and did she have a cart or something I could use. She said, "oh yes." She followed me outside and I then realized she was the "cart." I said I didn't want her to have to help but she said, 'Oh, no problem." I felt pretty dumb at this point. She picked up the box but James would not let her carry it by herself. So they carried it together. I had told her he had back surgery recently and was not supposed to do heavy lifting so she kept trying to take this big box away from him. It was quite comical as they bantered back and forth. James was not letting go of that box. His manhood was at stake.  I did appreciate her willingness to help and would give UPS a star for their customer service today.

We washed the car and got gas. Probably the first time I've been this close to Walmart and didn't even go inside. 

When we got home I blogged, walked, and rested. James made a trip to the dump. He usually goes the Saturday we aren't at the temple. 

This evening we watched the new Hallmark movie, "Flip that Romance," and the last "When Calls the Heart" episode, which James didn't see. It was a good one for Lori Loughlin to go out on. Abigail goes head to head with the new saloon owner Lucas Buchard and comes out looking like the great mayor that she is with a solution to the saloon staying open late and disturbing the peace.

We got some sad news today via the Chandler Facebook page. Bob Layton, our dear friend, passed away. He has battled Parkinson's disease for years. He was a bishop, stake president, and mission president. He and his wife Dianne were such an amazing example to both of us and we loved them dearly.

 James got bunny feed at Cal-Ranch while

I took pictures of unicorns and chickies.

 Such a fun baby!

Saturday, May 19th, 2018

Quetzaltenango, Guatemala

136th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Dec 2011

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Birth of

2 Nephi 25:19

For according to the words of the prophets, the Messiah cometh in six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem; and according to the words of the prophets, and also the word of the angel of God his name shall be Jesus Christ the Son of God.

Book of Mormon

Alma 2:19-38

* What did the Nephites do to help them gain victory over the Amlicites?

- The war chapters teach us much about how to gain victory over our enemies. What can we learn about gaining victory over our enemies? Verse 21 Alma sent spies to know of the plans and plots of the Amlicites. We have the Holy Ghost that can warn us and prepare us to be ready for Satan's attacks. We can pray mightily as in vs. 28, and be strengthened by the Lord. In verse 30 we can be men and women of God, exercising our faith that no matter what we can be instruments in the Lord's hands. The Nephites were outnumbered by the Amlicites but God was on their side, which was the reason they gained victory!

Old Testament

2 Samuel 11-12

11 David lies with Bathsheba, and she conceives - He then arranges for the death in battle of her husband, Uriah.

12 Nathan tells David the parable of the ewe lamb - The Lord gave many wives to David, who is now cursed for taking Bathsheba - David fasts and prays for his son, but the Lord takes him - Solomon is born - David conquers the royal city of the Ammonites.

General Conference

With One Accord

Reyna I. Aburto

"Like the monarch butterflies, we are on a journey back to our heavenly home, where we will reunite with our Heavenly parents. Like the butterflies, we have been given divine attributes that allow us to navigate through life, in order to 'fill the measure of our creation.' Like them, if we knot our hearts together, the Lord will protect us 'as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings' and will make us into a beautiful kaleidoscope."

James's business credit card was due today. I had to transfer more money out of our line of credit to pay it. There is only $2,000 left in our line of credit.

The first thing James did this morning when he got up was feed the hummingbirds and the bunnies. 

After reading Alma 2:19-38 on the prayers of Alma, James tells me the result of my prayers for him this past week. When I prayed that he would have enough help workers showed up that he hadn't expected. He believes very strongly in my faith and prayers now.

Adam and his friends got up rather late to make breakfast. Kaitlin is recovering from being sick so she slept in even longer, and misses the guys big breakfast. They save her some. Mmmm nothing like leftover pancakes and bacon. 

James and I left to go to town and the guys, Chris, Kyle and Jacob,  went on a Razr ride. I guess they left Kaitlin a note. 

On the way into town I read from our current book, "Stars Over Northumberland" by Anita Stansfield.

We stopped for lunch at LaCasita. James got a chicken green chili enchilada and I got a plain green chili enchilada. His was better. I will know next time. I had to try it. The waitress brought me extra lettuce. Next time I need to ask for extra lettuce and tomato.

After lunch I ran in to Walgreen's to get me an eyebrow pencil because I can't find the one I bought yesterday. (I find it later, and now I have two). 

Next stop, Cal-Ranch for bunny food. I went in and took pictures of the baby chicks.

So cute when they are little.

When we get home I sit down to work on my talk on righteous parenting. I also did my walking outside. James is so tired from the hectic week he had that he lies down to take a nap. Adam and his friends are upstairs playing video games. They took the 4G wifi upstairs.

It is a beautiful evening to walk outside. The bunnies are eating, some in the grass, others out of the containers James has out for them. Since we don't have a dog or cat I guess you could say that these bunnies are our pets. 

I love the book, "Christlike Parenting," by Glenn I. Latham. Most of my talk is based on the principles in this book. 

Oh, did I mention, Adam has a beard and mustache but even better than that, one of the guys who came up with him has long hair, and a long beard. I call this group, Kaitlin and the guys. Adam told me that Jacob was in the pirate play with him and Kaitlin. I thought to myself that he's still playing the part of the pirate.

 Hatch's continue their temple tour.

This time they are in St. Louis, Missouri.

 Introducing the Duke and Duchess

of Sussex. The Royal Wedding 

was today.

Bunnies cutting the grass.

Beautiful sunset.