Wednesday, January 17th, 2018

Ogden, Utah

14th operating temple

Dedicated: 18-20 Jan 1972

By: Joseph Fielding Smith

Jesus Christ Atonement through

3rd Article of Faith

We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 13:28-39

*What is the #1 reason I'm thankful for the scriptures?

They help me feel the Spirit, they help strengthen my testimony of Jesus Christ, and they teach me the commandments of God.

*Why do the Gentiles in Nephi's dream stumble? When were the plain and precious things recovered? 

Some were recovered in the Book of Mormon, and also the Joseph Smith translation of the Bible.

Old Testament

Genesis 39-40

39 Joseph, prospered by the Lord, becomes ruler of Potiphars house - He resists the advances of Potiphar's wife, is falsely accused, and is cast into prison - The keeper of the prison commits the prisons' affairs into Joseph's hands.

40 Joseph interprets the dreams of Pharaoh's chief butler and chief baker - The butler fails to tell Pharaoh about Joseph.

Old Testament Scripture Mastery

1 Samuel 16:7

But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

General Conference

Bearers of Heavenly Light

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"The Lord has promised, 'If you eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light and there shall be do darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things."  This is the ultimate remedy for spiritual sickness. Darkness vanishes in the presence of light."

Happy 16th Birthday Anna!

James and I are reading the Book of Mormon and the Old Testament together. I get up at 5 and he doesn't usually get up until after 7 so I study other things until he gets up.

This morning in looking for more photos for Stacy, I found a couple of boxes of old photos upstairs. I sent a couple to her but decided I needed to go through them and organize them before our anniversary on June 1st. This is a big year for us. We both turn 70 and we celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary.

I started typing family memories and Alex's made me cry. He wrote an entire page and it's not too difficult to see how much he loves and respects his grandpa James. 

I rearranged furniture for Sundays fireside today. The bishop expects around 30 people. 

James had a high priest group presidency meeting this evening.
I worked on my blog and talked to my friend Jean who is going in for surgery next week. We are going to lunch next Monday.

When James got home we watched an episode of "Heartland."

Sounds like something I would do.

Except Sheri was a little "rough" with Jared.

Snow while we are gone this weekend!

Pete the Crow.

Not sure what the brown spot is.

James and I on a double date with my cousin Rita and her

date Terry Branson.

Me with my helmet head hair and James.

Just clownin' around.

James, Dave Dudding, Jeff Szoke, Harold.

Working on Mrs. Weech's house.

Christmas caroling with Dave and Sandy's kids.

Looks like Stacy got to be Mary this year.

I love Jared's face in this one.

James and Kevin.

Kim and Charlotte working for James.

Fun in Pinedale

Pinedale cabin before it burned.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Double rainbow in the desert.

Helaman 15:7-16:18

How can faith and repentance bring about a change of heart?

When we experience a change of heart we are filled with the Savior's love.  The Savior's power comes from His love.  Would we suffer less if we loved the Savior more?  We cannot pray away another's agency. (These thoughts came from Elder Hales recent conference talk).  President Benson says we can stand "firm and steadfast" in the faith as we learn the doctrines taught in the Book of Mormon.

GC: 'The Soul's Sincere Desire' by Carol F. McConkie

"Every moment of precious prayer can be holy time spent with our Father, in the name of the Son, by the power of the Holy Ghost."

James and I left for the valley today around 9 am.  Of course I read to him after we had our scriptures and listened to a conference talk.  The second book in the Millennial Glory series is called "Wars of Light."

We stopped at the Arby's at Fountain Hills and had some lunch.  We both got the beef and cheddar sandwich.  Neither one of us liked it very well.  

I dropped James off at the "yard" to get his truck.  First we had to go bad and get the keys from Adam so I got to see Joshua for a minute.  When I got to Cathi and Terry's I unloaded the car and got ready to go see Charlotte.  

Charlotte and I went to Deseret Book in Gilbert where I bought her an Ensign and myself another journal. 

I have about 20 of these 5 x 6 1/2 sized journals in all colors

and designs.   

We also got a mint truffle and a Stewart's diet orange soda.  Next it was on to Costco where I had over $36 in rewards to spend.  I ask Charlotte if there was anything she wanted and this is what she picked: 

She said we could both use this and divided up the four months supply between the two of us.

I also bought the DVD "Saturdays Warriors."  Before leaving we had to stop at the snack bar and get a hotdog and drink for $1.50 each.  

Our last stop was Target.  I had a $40 gift card and bought toilet paper and laundry detergent, lemons, and protein shakes.  It was almost 4 p.m. when I dropped Charlotte off at home.  I called James and he was taking Seth and Adam to work and said he would meet me at Sears where I was taking my car to be serviced.  They are changing the oil and rotating the tires.  When I ask for a lube too, the little Oriental lady said, no lube on this kind of car.  Ok.. Off to the mall food court I went to wait for James.

Desert pictures usually indicate that I am
in the Valley of the Sun.

  After about two and a half hours my car was finished and we headed for Tempe to see Lois and Dawn, James's mother and sister.  We had a nice visit and Lois gave us some pictures of our family for us to keep.  She is trying to organize and clean out all of her things.  She tried to give me some of her dolls, but I told her I would be back another time.  

Facebook finds:

Rowan playing with blocks,
three years ago.  It is amazing how much 
these kids change in three years.

Three years ago at October conference time
we had some visitors from Chandler.

Jared and Molly, just recently.

Thursday, September 8, 2016

Kim came too but she went back to do a

couple of initiatories.

Oh, I must mention that Susan J. was in our session.  James 

does handyman work for her and they are good friends.  Such good friends that she came up and stood on the other side of him when we were in the prayer circle.  

Alma 63:1-17

Why is it important in our day to keep records?  What can we learn from them in the future?

They help us remember!  We can see patterns in our lives as we go back and review our records, such as the recurring mercy of the Lord.  I am hoping that my posterity will better understand me and my motives and my heart by the records I keep.  Hopefully my testimony is being kept there.  My story is unique.  There have been times that I have been strengthened or taught by my own words as I remember all the Lord has done for me.

GC: The Healing Ointment of Forgiveness by Elder Kevin R. Duncan

"One key to forgiving others is to try to see the as God

sees them.  At times, God may part the curtain and 

bless us with the gift to see into the heart, soul, and spirit of

another person who has offended us.  This insight may

even lead to an overwhelming love for that person."

After the temple James, Alex and I jumped in Kim's car and headed to Grand Canyon University in Phoenix to pick up Michael and go to lunch.  I am grateful to Kim for volunteering to be our driver since my car is in the shop.  Kim also knew of a place to go in Phoenix.  She had been there before and said the food was awesome, China Chili.

The food was delicious and the service

was amazing.  We were served within 5 minutes.

James kept saying they nuked the food, but I said no,

it was too fresh and delicious.  I had the lemon chicken and just thinking about it is making my mouth water.

James liked the hot and sour soup and so did I.

Everyone at everything on their plates except for Michael.

He didn't like the cooked onions.  He says he only likes

them raw.  That's a switch.

We had a good time and we got Michael back to school in time to make it to his next class.

Alex slept most of the way home.  James and I took a nap as soon as we hit the house.  After our naps we went to visit Joshua and listen to the talk he is giving in church on Sunday for the Primary childrens sacrament meeting program.  

His favorite scripture story is about Nephi and Lehi

being encircled about by fire as recorded in Helaman 5

Good job Joshua!

James has a new best friend.  Not only does Susan

like him, but so does Shipley!

I guess Shipley likes everybody.

Joshua also played the piano for us.

Such good posture!

After leaving Joshua and Shipley, we went to see Charlotte M.  She has an appointment to see about re-financing her house next week.  James helped her with a couple of things and we were on our way.  She still can't find the receipt for her Ipad.

I receive emails for a site called Meridian Magazine, which is an LDS publication.  It is through Meridian that I became familiar with one of my favorite LDS authors, Larry Barkdull.  I have several books by him, including "Rescuing Wayward Children."  (I gave copies to Stacy and Kim).  There was an article by Brother Barkdull on Meridian's site today called: "How Crucial is Priesthood Power to Your Family's Future?"  This is definitely one that I want to read.  Right under the article there was an announcement:

I guess Brother Barkdull went in for a routine surgery and developed a blood clot which took his life.  He was only 66 years old.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

James's meeting with Zaki went well this morning.  Zaki guaranteed that there would be no hearing with the Registrar of Contractors.  He says he's going to file for divorce soon. 

I go shopping for Josh's birthday and get one more gift for Rowan.  I get Joshua some Batman stuff because he told me that was what he wanted.  I also get Ro a Batman to go with his Ninjago dragon.  I go to Sprouts and Fry's for James.  I get some bread, although Sprouts didn't have the Alpine Valley bread that James likes, and at Fry's I get some cranberry celebration and some tuna salad.  I also get gas and my car washed at Sam's Club. 

Paul fixed the leak we had in the kitchen but Stacy says she thinks there is some mold and that she is getting sick from it.  I couldn't smell anything.

We leave for home around 10:40.  We stop at KFC in Payson for lunch.  When we get home we take a short nap.  I had to be at Young Women's at 5:30 to help Diana Curtis set up for our Personal Progress Pajama night.  Here are some pictures I took.  It was a fun night and the girls had a blast!!

A couple of cuties, Maddie and Trenda

Another cutie, Jordyn!

Fun and Games!

Hope and girls at the refreshment table. 

All of our refreshments started with a P.

It was a fun night. Those who attended: Diana Curtis, Analee Hunsaker, Kaeli Nicoll, Denice Hall and myself in the way of leaders.  The Young Women: Ashten Hall ( she's 8 and Sister Hall's daughter), Jordyn and Shelly Applegate, Trenda Wilhelm, Maddie Carroll, Alex Jones, Kilee and LeeAnn Hunsaker, Hope Lootan, and Kelly Reynolds.  I think Brother Smith was a little irritated because we were late finishing up.  

Ann Miller had a baby boy today.  They named him Hyrum.

Here are a couple of pictures I stole off the internet:

Dave's kids: Teresa, baby Wendy, Charlotte, and Kevin.

Kayla and Addy all dolled up for dance.