Thursday, October 3rd, 2019

Paris, France

156th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 May 2017

By: Henry B. Eyring

Jesus Christ, Glory of

DC 93:36

The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 14:1-19

New Testament: Ephesians: "For the Perfecting of the Saints"

Ephesians 4

General Conference

Be Faith, Not Faithless
Stephen W. Owen
"We must deliberately take time each day to disconnect from the world and connect with heaven."

"Rescuing Wayward Children": The Cosmic War - "God never bestows upon His people, or upon an individual, superior blessings without a severe trial to prove them,... to see whether they will keep their covenants with Him, and keep in remembrance what He has shown them. Then the greater the ... blessings, the greater the display of the power of the enemy." -Brigham Young

James and I left Vernon at 7:10 this morning. My appointment at Dr. Douglas's, in Chandler,  is at 10:30. I made it in plenty of time. James drove a little fast and we had no stops. They were ready for me when I got there.

First on the agenda, a shot to numb my mouth on the left side where they are doing the drilling. Jackie gave me the shots. She did okay except for the fact that she shook my face incessantly. Nothing I couldn't handle.

Next came the two faces with goggles on looking at me and the drilling to get the old crown off. This is the part that I like the least because I have to keep my mouth open so long and my mouth gets so dry. Finally the old crown was off and then the assistant, a hispanic girl from Globe-Miami, made the mold for the new crown and installed the temporary crown. We had a nice chat about where to find the best Mexican food in Globe-Miami. She said Guayo's El Rey in Miami by the old swimming pool in downtown Miami was by far the best. I have heard good things about this place but have yet to try it. 

While I was in Dr. D's Chamber of Torture, (my next appointment is on Halloween), James was getting the oil changed in the car, picking up his new glasses at Chandler Eyecare, and mailing my book shipment at UPS. He also went to Culver's and got two fish sandwiches, one for himself and one for me. He ended up eating both because my mouth was too numb to eat mine. Besides, I was waiting for lunch at Olive Garden.

We had lunch at the Olive Garden on Gilbert Rd. just north of Germann. By the time I got my food I was ready to eat, most of the numbness in my mouth was gone. I had zuppa tuscana soup, salad and breadsticks, and their strawberry ricotta cheesecake with shortbread crust, which is my very favorite cheesecake anywhere.
James was tired and wanted to go to Trina and Darrel's for a nap, but Trina wasn't home and their door was locked so we went to Coscto to spend the Reward's cash of $99.95 I had from using their credit card. We bought toilet paper, walnuts, cinnamon-sugar covered almonds, and a pumpkin pecan baking mix, some Christmas wrapping paper, and two spools of Christmas ribbon. It came to around $76 and they gave me back $24 in cash. It's nice to have some cash!

We went down the street to Barnes and Noble and I bought three adult coloring books for Lois and Dawn and to sets of ultra fine markers. One of the coloring books was a Disney Princesses one I would have loved to have for myself. I usually by things for other people that I would like and this is certainly true today.

After Barnes and Noble we went to Trina's and took naps. Ruby, Rowan and Addy were at home when I woke up but Trina was gone to pick up Lola at dance. When they returned Lola's friends Ivy and Scarlett were with them. Trina had been decorating for Halloween and Lola had to show me the giant spiders and witches hats. There was a whoopee cushion on the floor and Lola proceeded to show her friends how if you sit on the cushion it makes a sound like you tooted. They took turns sitting on the cushion and laughing their heads off. I mentioned that it was a whoopee cushion and Lola says, "No, it's a fart pillow." I said something about Lola being rater R and Rowan says, "Oh yeah, she really is."

James and I got our gifts together for Lois and Dawn and headed over to Tempe. They liked the gifts and I think Lois especially loved the Disney Princess coloring book. She said she hoped she could color the pictures as good as the photographs that were also in the coloring book. Dawn really liked the coconut hibiscus body lotion. It was a good evening. We had some of Aunt Faye's coconut cream pie before leaving. 

When we got back to Darrel and Trina's there were several bicycles parked by the house. Rowan and friends were playing capture the flag in the greenbelt. It was late so we went right to bed.

 Kaitlin's sister's baby and family

 Zuppa Tuscana

 Sweet Charlie

The Whoopee girls

 Drawing the whoopee cushion and writing

whoopee on it.

 Lola and Ruby watching TV while Addy does

her homework.

Welcome to the Lambson's

Rebecca painted this pictures for her Mom:

Cathi and Laura made this fairy village

for Lois and Dawn

I need this, Christmas movies

start October 25th.

Thursday, November 9th, 2017

Winter Quarters, Nebraska
104th operating temple
Dedicated: 22 Apr 2001
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Ascension of

3 Nephi 11:12

And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words the whole multitude fell to the earth; for they remembered that it had been prophesied among them that Christ should show himself unto them after his ascension into heaven.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 24:1-25:6

*What blessings are promised to those who pay their tithing?

Those who live the law of tithing show their faith in God. Obedience to this law brings the blessings stated in 3 Nephi 24:10-12. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland shared five reasons why every member of the Church, in any kind of circumstance, should obey the law of tithiing: "I suggest five reasons why all of us, rich or poor, longtime member or newest convert, should faithfully pay our tithes and offerings. First, do so for the sake of your children. Teach your children that many of the blessings of the Church are available to them because you and they give tithes and offerings to the Church. Second, pay your tithing to rightfully claim the blessings promised those who do so. Third, pay your tithing as a declaration that possession of material goods and the accumulation of worldly wealth are not the uppermost goals of your existence. Fourth, pay your tithing and offerings out of honesty and integrity because they are Gods rightful due. this leads to a fifth reason to pay our tithing and offerings. We should pay them as a personal expression of love to a generous and merciful Father in Heaven. through His grace, God has dealt bread to the hungry and clothing to the poor. At various times in our lives, that will include all of us, either temporally or spiritually" (Ensign, Nov 2001, 33-35)

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 4:4-5

4 For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;

5 And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.

General Conference

Spiritual Eclipse

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

"In the same manner that the very small moon can block the magnificent sun, extinguishing it's light and warmth, a spiritual eclipse can occur when we allow minor and troublesome obstructions - those we face in our daily lives - to get so close that they block out the magnitude, brightness and warmth of the light of Jesus Christ and His gospel. Elder Neal A. Maxwell took this analogy even further when he stated: 'Even something as small as a man's thumb, when held very near the eye, can blind him to the very large sum. Yet the sun is still there. Blindness is brought upon the man by himself. When we draw other things too close, placing them first, we obscure our vision of heaven.'"

We left for the valley a little after 8 a.m. James was driving the truck and pulling a 22 foot long trailer. We stopped to get gas and then our next stop was Burger House in Miami. We each had a burro, and we bought two extras to take to Sheri. My appointment with Chandler Eyecare was at noon and I arrived right on time. James dropped me off and then went to Bill's to park the trailer. 
My left eye needs a little more correction so I got a new prescription. It is always fun to see Sheri and friends Nancy, Rachel and Chris at work. Sheri gets off at one for lunch so we met James at Cafe Rio. Sheri took this photo of us and I was going to take one of her and James outside but I forgot.

 Boy I look old!

After lunch Sheri had to go back to work and James had to go see Dr. Hatch about doing a remodeling job at his dental office. While James was meeting with Dr. Hatch I took the truck and drove down to the Albertson's and did some walking. When James called I went back and picked him up. We drove to the Costco in Gilbert and bought some Alpine Valley bread, James's favorite, and 11 blankets for grandkids for Christmas. If they don't get anything else from us they will get a new blanket. 

Next stop, Deseret Book, which is right next door. I bought 3 conference Ensigns for the sisters I visit teach. I actually only visit 2 sisters right now, Jean, and Pam but I bought an extra for Pam's husband Ricky. I bought a Book of Mormon and had my name engraved on it for next year's Book of Mormon study. I also bought two journals, one for Sunday and one for Shelly for her mission.

By this time it was 4:30 and time to go pick up Rowan who is going with Evan on his birthday date. Joshua and Max are going too but they are already at Evan's. 

When we walked in to Trina and Darrel's Lola was sitting on the couch eating popcorn and watching Moana. When she saw us she said, "Oh they are probably picking me up." We visited a few minutes with Ruby and Lola, Addy was at a friends, and then the three of us left.

The boys had fun playing in the backyard with Ollie and we had to keep reminding them we were here to take them on a birthday date.

Rowan was a little afraid of Ollie because last time

he "chewed" on him. He would run and of course

Ollie would run after him.

Evan didn't want to go shopping like we normally do. He asked if we could go to the Xtreme Air on Rural and Ray. He had to give the location because there is one here on McQueen and Pecos just a couple of miles away but the boys like the Rural and Ray one better.

I dropped James and the boys off while I went across the street to Fry's Marketplace to get a few groceries. I bought some shakes, chicken, cranberry celebration, a fresh salad, and three ASU blankets. The three blankets are for Evan, Joshua, and Rowan. I am holding out for a Cardinal's blanket for Max. 

After their hour at Xtreme Air the boys were hungry. Oh yes, so was James. He had been walking the whole time the boys were doing their activities.

Evan decided he wanted to go to the mall food court for dinner. He and Max went to Subway and Joshua and Rowan to the pizza place just like always. James brought in his chicken and cranberry celebration from Fry's. I am holding out for the fresh salad I got.

I did decide to go to Panera and get some cookies. I got six chocolate chip cookies which qualified me for six more free cookies. I got two snickerdoodles, two ginger molasses, and two frosted pumpkin sugar cookies. 

We took Evan and Max home and then Joshua. Our ride to Rowan's gave us time to talk to him about school and what he is doing. He plays the cello and also plays soccer. We got to see Addy and Ruby and Trina when we got to the house. Lola was asleep. We visited a few minutes. I wanted to give the kids the cookies but Trina said no.

We stayed at Sheri's and slept downstairs in Alex's room. Roxy's cage is down there so of course I said hi. Sheri was already in bed when we got back.

Joe, Kim and Brian have been in Disneyland

this week. They came home today.

Old Family Photos

Camping at the north rim of

the Grand Canyon.

So cute.

Jonathan, Charlotte, Jared

Jared's birthday

Christmas eve at Grandmother Clark's.

Interesting

Lola reading scriptures

Dallin H. Oaks with hair

Saw this at Sheri's

Look at those claws!

Love this!

Wednesday, July 12th, 2017

Tampico, Mexico
83rd operating temple
Dedicated: 20 May 2000 by
Thomas S. Monson

Atonement

2 Corinthians 5:18

Jesus Christ

Philippians 2:10-11; 2 Timothy 2:8

Alma 31:24-38

*What was the focus of the Zoramites' prayer?

*What was the focus of Alma's prayer?

*What elements of Alma's prayer would you like to incorporate into your personal prayers?

*How has the Lord given you strength to bear your infirmities?

DC 101:25-38

22-31, The nature of life during the Millennium is set forth; 

32-42, The Saints will be blessed and rewarded then;

How can we better take care of our souls?

* By coming unto Christ, repenting of our sins, being baptized and receiving the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end in obedience and righteousness.

General Conference

Songs Sung and Unsung

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"The declarations of heaven cry out to us that the only way complex societal issues can ever be satisfactorily resolved is by loving God and keeping His commandments, thus opening the door to the one lasting, salvific way to love each other as neighbors. The prophet Ether taught that we should hope for a better world."

Our friend Grady E. from Chandler got his mission call. He is going to Quito, Equador. He leaves in October. We are excited for him. We had Grady in our Primary class a few years back.

James worked on finishing the fence this morning while I got ready to go to the valley. We left at 10:50. I read three chapters of "The Reluctant Duchess" before we stopped at the Taco Bell in Payson. 

I made it to my appointment at Dr. Douglas's at 2:30 a few minutes early. Sheri got James an appointment with Dr. Carpenter at 3 so I dropped him off there before going to my appointment.  It did not take Dr. Douglas long to fill my tooth. I was out in 30 minutes. James was still waiting to see Dr. Carpenter so I decided to go to Target and get some Dr. Pepper 10. 

It was a quick shopping spree but I bought four small notebooks, four DP10's, four bathtub scrubber refills, and a few more items before James was ready for me to come and get him. I grabbed a mini pizza at the snack bar and shared it with James. 

At Cathi and Terry's James unloads the car while I tell Cathi about our cousins reunion, and all of our kids visiting. 

I hang out in the bedroom most of the evening. James got me an In-n-Out Burger and a Jersey Mike's. I am saving the Jersey Mike's for tomorrow. We read another chapter from "The Reluctant Duchess" before going to bed.

Random Photos

Today marks 27 years from when Mario, a friend of ours from Chandler,  died in a tragic airplane accident. Brennan, his oldest, was only 15 but he and his mom and brothers keep Mario's memory very much alive in their family by sharing the memories of him. This is all of Papa Mario's grandchildren except Adam and Gabby.

38 years of marital bliss for these two.

Ray and Dianne.

This is my dear friend Analee.

I would have never recognized her from this photo

as it was taken several decades ago.

I need to show this to James.