Monday, June 1st, 2020

Halifax, Nova Scotia
64th operating temple
Dedicated: 14 Nov 1999
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, King

John 19:3

And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Alma 5:1-14; "The Scripture Study Project" podcast

Inklings

Restoration Proclamation paragraphs 1-4

Nourish the Body - DC 89:10 - "...all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man"

April General Conference

"Opening Remarks"

President Russell M. Nelson

"This year, we commemorate the 200th anniversary of one of the most significant events in the history of the world - namely, the appearance of God the Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to Joseph Smith. During that singular vision, God the Father pointed to Jesus Christ and said: "This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!"

"We Can Do Better and Be Better"

President Russell M. Nelson

April 2019

James had to leave early to check on his job in Mesa. I got up early to work on my job. He was back before nine as he promised. Today is our 52nd wedding anniversary and so we would like to spend it together.

James asked if I wanted to go to IHOP. I didn't because I knew we were going to go to Cheesecake Factory later. Instead he went to Fry's and got some food for breakfast. He came home and made me sausage, scrambled eggs and toast. It was great. 

I have sold several more books. I also bought three books today. The thing that I feared would happen this week while I am gone from home has happened. I sold a book Merchant Fulfilled. The book I sold is at home. It is an older book and is ranked very highly, which means it does not sell very often so I doubt I can find it in a bookstore. I will try though. 

Molly is staying at Jared's for a couple of weeks. She wanted to tell me she was watching Heartland. It's not a show I would think she would be interested in, it's not really a kids show, but I guess she probably loves the horses. She wanted to FaceTime with me so after my shower we FaceTimed. I told her about Luna's latest doings and we had a nice visit. James was taking a nap so he didn't get to visit with her.

I forgot to bring any socks except the ones I was wearing so after talking with Molly James and I drove to the nearest Walmart to do a little shopping.  

All Walmarts are not created equal. This one was very nice compared to the one in Show Low where we normally shop. I found some socks, a couple of tops, and various other items. James says I love to shop. Sometimes I do. Grocery shopping is not my favorite so I sent James over to get some groceries. He got some ice cream so we had to go back to the resort and put groceries away before going to Tempe to visit with his mom and Dawn. 

Lois had low blood pressure and has been having dizzy spells. When she got up she Dawn immediately took her walker over to her. She is stooped over and frail and looks her age now. She no longer colors her hair and it is totally white. 

On our way to Tempe we got off on Rural Rd. and drove passed ASU. I commented to James how I hardly recognized it any more because there were so many new buildings and still more buildings were being built. I mentioned this to Dawn and she said that students now must live on campus and that accounts for some of the  buildings. I have never heard of such a thing and was a little surprised by this fact. Dawn said that studies show that students do better in school while living on campus. It seems to me like another freedom being taken away. 

Lois did some reminiscing and told of going to grade school at Crescent School in Ft. Cobb, Oklahoma. She said it was a large building divided into two rooms. One room was for grades 1-3 and the other was for grades 4-6. She said there was a large fire burning stove in the middle of the room. Kids would bring a potato, or carrots, or onions with them to school and they would put them in a large pot of boiling water and added some canned beef and that was what they had for lunch. It sounds like a story I used to read to my kids when I taught school and the kids brought vegetables to school and they made a Mulligan stew. 

I asked if they had toronadoes where she lived and she said, "Oh yes." She remembered her family going into the underground root cellar when there was a tornado warning. They stored food and clothes in this cellar in case of emergencies. It was fun listening to her reminisce.

When we came in I did not notice that the piano was gone.  I guess Dawn has a friend who is a concert pianist but lacked a piano when she moved here so Lois gave her piano away. Now they have no place to put the mantle clock that was on the piano. I guess we bought it for her years ago and so now they are returning it to us. It is a very nice clock and it will go on our piano when we get home.

We left Tempe before five so James had time to go to the UPS store to mail back the part that was sent to him for the truck which was not the part he ordered. There was a line at the store so I waited in the car for over 15 minutes. We were parked in the shade but I still needed to keep the motor running because it was over 100 degrees outside. One more stop before we go to dinner. Erik's backyard. James brought down the cracked engine block to the Razr to send in to the company we ordered the new engine from. They said it would save us $800 on the new engine. The only problem is they sent a list of parts they wanted and James doesn't know what half of them are so that's the reason we are asking for Erik's help. I was watching an episode of "Lark Rise to Candleford" on my phone in the car. Erik asked James if he had 15 minutes. James said no, it was our anniversary and we had plans. Erik's comment was: "Oh Karen's okay, she's watching a movie." It's a good thing I like him so well or I might be offended. Another 20 minutes in the car.

Finally we were on our way to The Cheesecake Factory at the Chandler mall. The mall is closed because of the possibility of a riot. Police cars everywhere and glass doors boarded up with plywood. So sad. Thank goodness The Cheesecake Factory was open. 

I ordered a filet, medium with mashed potatoes and green beans and James ordered their most popular dish, chicken Madeira. We first had sourdough and molasses bread which was quite delicious.

The steak was juicy and tender and the chicken

was delicious. I can see why it is the most

popular dish here.

After dinner we went back to our timeshare. Once again we were on the freeway at 8 p.m., the curfew time. 

I realized I had only 4,000 steps so I began walking in my "circle." I start in the dining room - living room and got through the bedroom and bathroom and circle back. I walked until I got 10,000 steps and then stopped. James and I watched "Lark Rise to Candleford" on my phone before going to bed.

Charlie got her Olaf!

Thursday, February 28th, 2019

Porto Alegre, Brazil

102nd operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Dec 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

DC 45:52

Then shall they know that I am the Lord; for I will say unto them: These wounds are the wounds with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. I am he who was lifted up. I am Jesus that was crucified. I am the Son of  God.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 21:1-22:6

* Ensigns are referred to often in scripture. What could an ensign symbolize for us?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matthew 6:1-13; Why don't we recite the Lord's prayer?

"Lessons from the Lord's Prayer," Russell M. Nelson,  4/2009

General Conference

Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints

President Russell M. Nelson

"Now let's turn to the topic of temples. We know that our time in the temple is crucial to our salvation and exaltation and to that of our families. After we receive our own temple ordinances and make sacred covenants with God, each one of us needs the ongoing spiritual strengthening and tutoring that is possible only in the house of the Lord. And our ancestors need us to serve as proxy for them. Consider the great mercy and fairness of God, who, before the foundation of the world, provided a way to give temple blessings to those who died without a knowledge of the gospel. These sacred temple rites are ancient. To me that antiquity is thrilling and another evidence of their authenticity."

We sold another book. The Anatomy and Physiology book I got at the Vernon library for ten cents. It sold for $40.50, the fees were around $15.00 so we made about $25.00. This was the first day it was on the market. We need more books like this!

I walked 3,000 steps this morning before leaving for the valley at 7:15. 

We had prayer and we were on our way. We stopped in Show Low for gas and to go through the car wash. We also made a stop in Globe and then went straight to Dr. Douglas's in Chandler. James missed the exit to get on the 202. When I asked him why he said it was because I was on the phone with Stacy and he was distracted. Stacy had called to tell me that she has a job interview at a spa to do cool sculpting. She is very excited. 

Because we were still on the 60 we went to Arizona Avenue to get off and followed Arizona Avenue all the way down to Chandler Blvd. and over to Hartford where Dr. Douglas's office is. I made it there a little after 11. My appointment was at 11. I am just here to get my teeth cleaned but will need to come back to get two more teeth taken care of. 

Shelly is their new hygienest and she is who I saw today. Jackie was there and came over and said hi. I liked Shelly. 

After my appointment James and I went to Goodwill and picked up a few books. James then took me to Kim's and dropped me off. Kim and I are going to lunch and James has a meeting about the Chacon job. We decided to go to Olive Garden for lunch. 

I had a nice visit with Kim. We talked about Joseph and his future in the music industry. He has taught himself music theory and is so good on the guitar. Music is the one thing in life that he is passionate about. Joe is also writing some songs.

After lunch we went to Hobby Lobby where I bought some gift bags and tissue paper. When we got back to Kim's Brian was there for lunch. We felt bad that we didn't bring him anything.

James picked me up and we headed to Darrel and Trina's. James went straight upstairs to take a nap. I tried to take one but couldn't so I went back downstairs and played a game of Rummy with Ruby. She beat me but not by too far. 

While James was still resting I started looking up bookstores on my phone. I found one over on Power and Southern called Half Price Books. When James got up we headed over. It didn't take me long to realize that half price books are too expensive. 

James was hungry and since we have a $50 gift card to Cheesecake Factory we headed over to Superstition Springs mall for dinner.

We ordered crab cake appetizers, I ordered a chicken taquito appetizer for my meal (Not hungry) and James ordered the pot pie off the skinnylicious menu. I looked down at my watch and it was 6:30 and we still did not have our food. Addy's concert starts at 7. 

I told the waiter and he figured our bill and soon our food was here. I ate half of mine and got a box for the rest. James finished his and said it was delicious. 

It's a good thing that Trina's parents saved us seats because we were about five minutes late to the concert and the auditorium was packed. I don't think it's a good idea for them to do the junior high and high school concerts together. 

The concert was two hours long and Addy was toward's the end. These are the songs her group sang: 

Lift Thine Eyes to the Mountains

Oceans and Stars

Morokeni (Greeting Song)

Little David, Play on Your Harp

(This was the finale song and everyone

participated.)

Before the concert was over, but towards the end, a young man was walking up the aisle with 3 roses tied together. He stopped on our row and handed them to me. Now I have flowers to give to Addy. 

After the concert was over I had to use the little girls room. I gave the flowers to James and told him to give them to Addy. Ruby came up to me later and said: "You can imagine how special Addy felt when she found out where the flowers came from." I said, "Who told her?" Ruby just looked sheepish. Who knew she was so sarcastic.

Lola stayed home with Rowan so she missed the 7th and 8th grade boys sing "A Million Dreams" from "The Greatest Showman." She loves that song.

Trina's mom was a little irritated the the concert was so long. Trina wondered why they sang so many love songs. I do agree with it being too long and think they should separate the junior high and high school. I thought the singing was good but it would have been nice to have had more songs we knew.

Lola went for a five minute walk with us when we got back to the house. That's all she needed and she was happy. I knew if she didn't get to go she would be upset.

Moonlight in the Spring Concert

 Addy is fourth from the right with the

longer sleeves.

The finale. 

 Ruby doing her reading and snacking

after the concert.

 The flash was too strong I guess

 The temple is the connection between

heaven and earth.

All of the lakes in the White Mountains

are full. Last year at this time this lake

was completely dried up. 

Praying and fasting for moisture works!

 Getting ready to crawl!

It's harder to get steps when you

are not home.

Monday, January 7th, 2019

St. Louis, Missouri

50th operating temple

Dedicated: 1 June 1997

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Death of

Colossians 1:22

In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 5:7-6:6

* Lehi was filled with the Spirit as he began to read the plates. Which scripture really teaches you and why?

* The Nephites understood the importance of their genealogy. How has doing your family history made a difference in your life?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matthew 1; Luke 1; "Be it unto Me according to Thy Word"

General Conference

Truth and the Plan

President Dallin H. Oaks

" We honor individual agency. Second, we are a missionary people. We esteem all mortals as children of God and we want to share our spiritual and temporal abundance with everyone. Mortal life is sacred to us. Some are troubled by some of our Church's positions on marriage and children. Our knowledge of God's revealed plan of salvation requires us to oppose current social and legal pressures to retreat from traditional marriage and to make changes that confuse or alter gender or homogenize the differences between men and women. 

We also have a distinctive perspective on children. We look on the bearing and nurturing of children as part of God's plan and a joyful and sacred duty of those given the power to participate in it. In our view, the ultimate treasures on earth and in heaven are our children and our posterity. Therefore, we must teach and contend for principles and practices that provide the best conditions for the development and happiness of children - all children."

I sent an email to Ben this morning on our way in to Show Low. We left the house at 9 o'clock. James dropped me off at Walmart to get my prescriptions filled for my post-implant surgery. There are four of them; amoxicillin, 600 mg ibruprofen, and 5 mg hydrocodone, plus a mouthwash. 

While I was in Walmart James went to the gas station to get the car washed, something we normally do before going to the valley.

As James drove away the card was making a load rubbing sound as it does when the wheel wells are full of mud. I guess at the carwash James had to cut the plastic cover for the gas tank off because it was dragging on the ground. I guess we are going to have to order a new one.

Our first stop once we got to the valley was at Darrel and Trina's. All of the kids and Darrel were gone, except Rowan who had an orthodontist appointment today. Lola had dance earlier and now she is at a friend's house and Ruby and Addy are at school. Rowan helped us unload our car. We visited with Trina and Rowan a little. Darrel had texted me earlier and told me that Rowan was the new deacon's quorum president in their ward. I guess lots of those 29 deacons moved up and are now in the teacher's quorum.

I asked him if I should call him

President Lambson and he said no,

he prefers Rowan.

We left for James's doctor's appointment a little after two. It's not until 2:45 but it is clear on the other side of Tempe near Rio Salado and Riverton way. While James was in his appointment I did some walking down Beck St. This is where old meets new in Tempe. New modern apartment buildings and old houses and a corner grocery store. 

I walked for about an hour and a half. Because this area is close to ASU, I had a view of A mountain, there were motorized scooters all along the sidewalk. I was tempted to jump on one but I didn't. I should have got a picture though.

I did a little shopping at Rollins Market. I needed a snack. A diet A&W rootbeer and some miniature powdered donuts. What's the point of walking if you eat donuts afterwards?

We used our Cheesecake Factory gift card for an early dinner. We were both craving crab cakes. Now all they have is little bite-sized ones as an appetizer. We ordered one to share. We also enjoyed the bread basket with the sourdough and whole grain bread. I ordered steak medallions with mashed potatoes with tomatoes, mushrooms and asparagus. James had salmon but he said it was not as good as Olive Garden's. No room for dessert. (The donuts were my dessert).

We got back to Trina's around 5:30, just in time to go with her and the kids to the movies. We had planned on seeing "Mary Poppins Returns." James and Rowan ended up going to see the new spiderman movie, "Spider-Verse." (Not sure if that's right, but close enough).

As we were leaving the movies I was walking behind Trina and Addy and realized how much they look alike, especially from the back. During the movie I had the privilege of sitting by Lola and Ruby and sharing my popcorn with them. Lola and I both liked the bathtub scene the most in the movie. Ruby liked at the end when the people were hanging on to balloons and floating in the air.

When Darrel got home from work he and James gave me a priesthood blessing because I am a little nervous about my implant tomorrow.

Helping mom clean the car.

 Christmas lights linger at this house.

Tuesday, May 30th, 2017

Panama City, Panama

127th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 August 2008 by

Thomas S. Monson

Alma 8:18-9:6

*How did the Lord bless Alma for being obedient?

*What challenges did Alma and Amulek face as they went out to teach the people?

*How did the Lord help Alma and Amulek? (see Alma 8:30-31.)

*What are some reasons why people who have been taught the gospel might forget what they have learned or not understand what they have been taught?

DC 83:1-6

1-4, Women and children have claim upon their husbands and fathers for their support; 5-6, Widows and orphans have claim upon the Church for their support.

How can we be more aware of people who are in need of spiritual as well as temporal needs?

*Through visiting and home teaching is one way.

General Conference

That Our Light May Be a Standard for the Nations

Elder Benjamin DeHoyos

"Our days are so extraordinary that they were even shown in a vision to the prophet Isaiah; he too saw and prophesied of this day of the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ and of its purpose, saying, "And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth" (Isaiah 11:12)

I got up at my normal time of 4:45 am.  I took a shower and washed my hair and then had a couple of hours of gospel study before I had to start getting ready to go to the valley. We are going down to hear Joshua sing in his school's talent show.  We left the house at 9 am.
Our first stop was at Burger House in Miami.  Cathi wants us to pick up four burros for them.  We each also got a burro for a total of six.  Somehow they messed up our order and we got seven.  It is better to have one more than you ordered rather than one less.

We arrived at Cathi and Terry's around 12:30.  We unloaded the car, laid down for about five minutes and headed to Sam's Club to wash the car.  We didn't have time to get gas before heading for Hancock Elementary School.  We sat with Kim, Paul, Stacy, and Jared Ammon.  Dallin was here for the earlier show but we missed him.

Joshua was great and it was so nice of Michael to accompany him on the ukulele. 

"I Can Tell That We Are Gonna Be Friends"

Some of Joshua's fans

Cousins and fans

Three brothers

I love the smiles!

James and I headed back to Cathi's house for a nap.  After his nap James went to the construction yard to work on his water trailer.  He says he should be able to sell it for around $3,000, which would be great.

Some awesome blossoms

This evening James and I went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner as part of our anniversary celebration.  We both ordered crab cakes from the appetizer menu and we shared a French country salad and a piece of key lime cheesecake.  It was a perfect dinner! 

In the car on the way down this morning we read quite a bit from "The Shack."  The concept of God in this book is a little strange, but it does have a good message.  Cathi is so excited because she ordered the movie and it just came in.

I worked on my blog today trying to catch up.  I don't like it when I get behind.  I also started reading an e-book on Deseretbookshelf called, "12 Steps Closer to Christ."  

More Photos:

I love this picture of Autumn and Kacey

at Autumn's wedding.

 A boy of many talents.

You know it is close to summer when the

hummingbirds appear.

I do! I do!

I love the summer sunsets!