Thursday, March 22nd, 2018

Fresno, California

78th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Apr 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

DC 93:17

And he received all power, both in heaven and on earth, and the glory of the Father was with him, for he dwelt in him.

Book of Mormon

Jacob 5:19-34

*Share a time you chose to nourish a bad tree hoping that it would improve but it profited you nothing in the end.

Second Visit: 15-28

Old Testament

Deuteronomy 9-10

9 Other nations driven out of Canaan because of their wickedness - Moses rehearses rebellions of Israel, and tells how he mediated between them and the Lord - On two occasions he has gone without food and water for forty days.

10 Tables of stones containing Ten Commandments placed in ark - All that God requires is that Israel loves and serve him - How great and mighty is the Lord!

General Conference

Turn to the Lord

Bishop W. Christopher Waddell

" Elder Richard G. Scott taught this eternal truth: 'True enduring happiness with the accompanying strength, courage, and capacity to overcome the most challenging difficulties comes from a life centered in Jesus Christ...There is no guarantee of overnight results, but there is absolute assurance that, in the Lord's time, solutions will come, peace will prevail, and emptiness will be filled."

I have a book called, "The Treasure of a Friend," by John C. Maxwell, (I wonder if we are related), and today I read the story of Abrecht Durer and his brother Hans. The story is called "Praying 

Hands":

As children, brothers Hans and Albrecht, the German-born sons of a Hungarian goldsmith, dreamt about becoming great artists. And they both began studying art at an early age. But times were difficult for their family in the late 1400s, and it soon became clear that their studies were a luxury the family could not afford. It looked like the brothers would have to return to their father's  shop

and become goldsmiths.

But that disturbed Hans. He saw that his brother had a great gift for artistry, and he didn't want that wonderful talent to be wasted. Thus, Hans gave himself to the family trade so that Albrecht could continue studying.

And study he dd. Apprenticing under painter and printer Michael Wolgemut, he blossomed into a profoundly talented artist. Many consider Albrecht Durer the greatest German artist of the Renaissance era. He went on to create world-famous prints, such as The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, The Passion of Christ, and The Last Supper.

Though not Durer's most dramatic or spectacular work, Study of Praying Hands is one of his most poignant pieces. It display the sinewy, callused hands of a laborer coming together in the contrite act of prayer. It embodies the humble dependence on God believers are to possess. Who was the model for Albrecht Durer's famous work? None other than his brother Hans, the man who made it possible for him to pursue his calling as an artist. For all time, this expression of Durer's faith also symbolizes the deep love, appreciation, and friendship of one brother for another."

I woke up at 4 and was going to go back to sleep until 5 but when I woke up it was 6 so I started an hour late.

As I was changing the vacuum cleaner bag today the handle of the vacuum fell to the floor and knocked the starter switch so James and I had to operate on it. The sad thing is we got it all fixed and the handle drop again and we had to start all over. We finally did get it fixed and I was able to finish my vacuuming. 

We had chicken, baked potato, and salad for lunch again today. Afterwards I had a short nap. After my nap I got ready to go to the temple. I have seven initiatory names that need to be done and I may not be able to get them done when I work on Saturday, so I am taking them today. It was almost 4 o'clock before I got in the initiatory line. There were several sisters a head of me, including Jane Finch, my new friend from Eager. She had been waiting almost 45 minutes when I got there. When had a nice visit. It is amazing how the gospel makes it so easy to make new friends. 

I also saw my friend and neighbor Kathy C. who works in the temple on Thursday afternoons. She was getting ready to go in to do sealings. 

These are the names I did today: Sarah M. McCroy, Mary Hannah, Sallie M. Lee, Anna Smith, and Sarah. Sarah was born in 1704.

I saw President and Sister Reidhead while I was there. 

On the way home I wanted to stop at McDonald's to get an ice cream cone but the drive-thru was closed and I didn't feel like going in. I stopped at Walmart and got the ingredient for green pork chili. I also got some mini powdered donuts to eat on the way home. I wish I didn't have such a sweet tooth.

James had a cheeseburger ready for me when I arrived home. After dinner to show my thanks I read to him from "Charity House Courtship," and then blogged. I walk until I get 400 calories burned which is over 13,000 steps. James walked over 30,000 steps today. That is a new record!

We went to bed at 10:30, almost an hour late. That's what happens when you start late.

My steps

James's steps

Kim and Brian were in Albuquerque

tonight seeing the Avett Brothers.

Baby news:

Baby Leo after open heart surgery.

 Winter is not having a 

good day.

Kyler is learning to smile.

Saturday, October 14th, 2017

Fresno, California

78th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 April

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Appearances, Antemortal

Moses 7:4

And I saw the Lord; and he stood before my face, and he talked with me, even as a man talketh one with another, face to face; and he said unto me: Look, and I will show unto thee the world for the space of many generations.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 5:1-15

*What do these verses teach us about forgiveness?

-Forgiveness can be a healing balm for the person who has been offended. Usually those who have gone through the most in regards to trials are also those who have developed empathy and are good listeners and have developed Christlike love. When we forgive the person who did us wrong we will find liberty in letting go of the resentment which if not dealt with can turn into contention. Forgiveness is never easy but in the long run will bring peace and contentment.

Doctrine Covenants Scripture Mastery

DC 76:22-24

22 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

23 For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father-

24 That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.

General Conference

The Truth of All Things

David F. Evans

"Through study, prayer, and keeping the commandments, I found that there are answers to all of my important questions. I also found that for some  questions, continuing faith, patience, and revelation are needed."

We left for the temple at 5:45 this morning. President Hancock, the temple president, and his wife conducted prayer meeting. This will be their last one on this shift. There is a new temple president's handbook. Brother Hatch from the recording office explained the new procedures in the baptistry. Patrons, except the baptizer and the one being baptized no longer have to change into whites. They can even wear their street shoes.

Here are some of the highlights of my day in the temple. I was the downstairs greeter when people began coming in for "the Martineau sealing." The Martineau's have 14 children, 10 of them are adopted. They live in Heber and Sister Martineau is also the Relief Society President.

I met a sister from Kansas who came out to Arizona to tour the new temples. She is a worker in the Oklahoma City temple but it is being close for rennovation. Her husband didn't want to come so she came by herself. She stopped at the Lubbock, Texas temple on her way here. Next she is going to the valley and then on to Safford. I admired her for going on this littler adventure by herself. She is at least seventy years old.

I was in the 9:30 and was so tired that I fell asleep but thank goodness, I didn't snore!  

I had a nice visit with my friend Debbie from Chandler who is also a temple worker. We were both sitting in the back of the dressing room studying the initiatory ordinances.

James had a good day too. He got to be a veil worker. He also worked in the baptistry and a group from Chandler came in and he got to visit with Kaleena Thomas. He used to be her bishop and we also attended her baptism. While he was in the baptistry he visited with our friend Pete from high school who is also a temple worker.

James also met patrons from Germany and England. We both had "as assigned" in our last time slot and we were both able to leave a little early. We stopped at Arby's for turkey Reubens on the way home and arrived home around 2 p.m.

When we got home Kim and Brian were gone on a Razr ride to see the fall leaves. James went in to take a nap and I sat down to blog. We have to leave for the temple again at 5:15 to clean. 

When Kim and Brian got home their faces were covered with dirt!

They said there were lots of people on the mountain, some cutting wood, others turkey hunting and camping, and some just out having fun. Lots of people on top of Green's Peak looking at the leaves.

Chuck Crane came with us to the temple. Kathy was canning all day so she didn't come. He rode in our back seat and told us we needed new shocks. I will add it to my list of things to have done on my car.

Again we cleaned with the Show Low Creek ward with the Patterson's and the Brewer's in charge. We had 32 people attend with 17 being from our ward. Here is our list: Chuck C., Virgil C., Jerry S., Colin D., Blain C., Teresa and Wes S., John and Sandra, Amy R., the Thompson's, Grapp's, Brother Woodruff, and us. 

John and Sandra had the hardest job. They cleaned the baptismal font, including the oxen. 

I was touched by Brother Patterson's message. He talked about how each of us should take our particular cleaning tasks to heart and act as if we were cleaning for the Savior and that he will appreciate our efforts. He has a spiritual quality about him that is very touching.

We were home by 9 p.m. I ate and finished my steps. I ended up with 11,100. I had a wonderful day serving the Lord. Our selfie was not good so I will not be posting it.

October 14, 2017

So sweet.

Kim took this picture on their Razr ride.

From the top of Green's Peak.

October 14, 2016

Ruby and the donut puzzle.

Rowan helped grandpa chop and pile this 

wood all morning.

Subway at the Walmart in Payson where we

met Trina so the kids could go home with her.