Saturday, December 29th, 2018

Frankfurt, Germany

41st operating temple

Dedicated: 28-30 1987 Aug

By: Ezra Taft Benson

Jesus Christ, Death of

3 Nephi 6:20

And there began to be men inspired from heaven and sent forth, standing among the people in all the land, preaching and testifying boldly of the sins and iniquities of the people, and testifying unto them concerning the redemption which the Lord would make for his people, or in other words, the resurrection of Christ; and they did testify boldly of his death and sufferings.

Book of Mormon 
#1 - Moroni 9:1-19
#2 - Moroni 8-10
General Conference

Now Is The Time

Elder Jack N. Gerard

"Unless we take the time to reflect, we may not realize the impact of this fast-paced environment on our daily lives and the choices we make. We may find our lives consumed with bursts of information packaged in memes, videos, and glaring headlines. Although interesting and entertaining, most of these have little to do with our eternal progress, and yet they shape the way we view our mortal experience."

The sun is shining, the wind is blowing, and the frosting (snow) is falling off the trees. Michael ran four miles this morning. I'm so proud of Joshua for shoveling the snow off the front porch in preparation for the Trezise's coming today. 

James made biscuits and gravy for lunch. It was a little early because Stacy, who fasts most of the morning, was starving and she says this is her favorite meal. 

This afternoon Michael and I met Sheri at Maverick. Ian drove Max and Evan to the cabin in the van and Sheri, Michael and I went shopping at the Walmart in Taylor. I saw Brother Hatch, one of the temple recorders doing his shopping. 

Brrrr...It is sun shiny but windy and cold today. I got gas at the Circle K next to Walmart and was going to wash my windshield but the water was frozen. 

Things are getting a little crowded in our kitchen with Stacy and Sheri setting their food out on the counter and everyone sharing the frig and freezer. Luckily Sheri brought an ice chest and we put that in the garage. 

I cooked the other roast I bought in the crockpot and we had it for dinner with leftover mashed potatoes. It was delicious.

Stacy watched Galaxy Quest this evening and then Michael found the Maverick DVD and everyone watched that while Sheri and I were in the bedroom watching Christmas movies. Michael wanted to watch Ratouille. I realized I didn't have it so I ordered one...oops I accidentally ordered two. I guess I can give it to Michael for his birthday.

Michael and James made a blueberry, apple cobbler this evening. It was delicious!  We didn't have any 7-Up so they used red cream soda and it turned out pink.

 Michael staring at the pink with white

polka dots cobbler.

It's the taste that matters and it 

was delicious!

2018 pictures of Palmer, Autumn

and Scarlett

 I think Charlie might be looking

for her teeth.

She looks so cute in the dress Lois made her.

Of course, she looks cute in anything.

 Ready to play in the snow. Michael pulled

them around on our sled behind the Razr.

They had a blast, except the snow does fly

back in the face of whomever is riding.

Ian showing me his wireless ear phones.

He loves reading and listening to Brandon

Sanderson books on his Audible account.

 The Umphresses got hover boards for

Christmas

This happened a few days later.

Thursday, October 4th, 2018

Brisbane, Australia

115th operating temple

Dedicated: 15 June 2003

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

2 Corinthians 13:4

For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 14:20-15:6

* How does the principle of agency play into this chapter?

- We can choose our actions but not the consequences. What is God's divine love? The Lord loves all people but cannot tolerate sin. Athought Helaman 15:4 states that the Lord hated the Lamanites  because their deeds have been evil continually," Samuel is an example of the many Lamanites who were taught the gospel message and gained God's favor once they were converted.

President Russell M. Nelson addressed the subject of God's love for those who sin: "Does this mean the Lord doesn't love the sinner? Of course not. He hates the sin but loves the sinner. Divine love is infinite and universal. The Savior loves both saints and sinners. The Apostle John affirmed, 'We love Him, because He first loved us.' (1 John 4:19). And Nephi, upon seeing in vision the Lord's mortal ministry, declared: '...Yea, they spit upon Him, and He suffereth it, because of His loving kindness and His long-suffering towards the children of men (1 Nephi 19:9). We know the expansiveness of the Redeemer's love because He died that all who die might live again." ("Divine Love," Ensign, Feb. 2003, 24).

Old Testament

Isaiah 54-56

General Conference

Laying the Foundation of a Great Work

Elder Steven R. Bangerter

"Lessons taught through the traditions we establish in our homes, though small and simple, are increasingly important in today's world."

We left for the valley at 6:30, about 30 minutes later than planned but I was still able to make it on time to my appointment at Dr. Douglas's in Chandler. Dr. Douglas is my dentist. 

I had x-rays and my teeth cleaned. Bad news. I need two new crowns. Cavities developing under the old ones. This is going to be very costly, $820 a piece. I guess I need dental insurance. 

While I was at the dentist James took the boys to breakfast at IHOP. They all ordered pancakes. Rowan of course ordered the chocolate pancakes. 

After taking the Chandler boys home, Max, Evan, and Joshua, James and Rowan came back and picked me up. We went across the street to Chandler Eyecare and traded cars, getting our Lexy back. 

We then took Rowan home. We beat Darrel home and had to wait for him to get back from the gym to open the door for us. 

We unpacked the car, and left to go to Sears to get the oil in Lexy changed. We went to the Sears by the Chandler mall and James dropped me off at the Carter store which sells baby clothes. Everything in the store was 50% off! 

After dropping the car off James joined me and we walked to Olive Garden across Chandler Blvd. Luckily it was not sweltering hot, it was only in the upper 80's but we were still warm when we reached the restaurant. 

The reason for Olive Garden other than it's one of my favorites, was that we have a gift card. I soon discovered that I had left the gift card in my other purse so we had to put the charge on our credit card.

Because I forgot to put my earrings in this morning I walked over to Claire's at the mall and bought a pair of earrings so my ears don't close up. James went to Sears, picked up the car, and then picked me up at the mall. I had him drop me off at the Carter store again so I could get some things for Scarlett.

Our next stop was Costco so James could get batteries for his hearing aid. He also got a watermelon to make up for the fact that they didn't have Alpine Valley bread. 

Met Stacy at the scrubs store. She starts at the National Laser Institute on the 15th.

Back at home Darrel was taking the kids to the park. Lola wanted me to go but I told her I had to go take a nap. It was just Darrel, Rowan, and Lola who went. Ruby was at a friends and Addy is at school. She is the only one who isn't out for fall break.

After our naps it was time to go visit Dawn and Lois for their birthdays. We stopped at Fry's on the way to get gas. I also got a plant to give to them. We had to wait until this evening to visit so we could see Dawn too. 

We took them the small desk, the cupboard with drawers, a basket with candles, body wash, and other good smelling things. I told them they could decide who gets what. We also gave them their two handmade cards. We had a nice visit. I showed them the patchwork table runner I bought so Lois showed me a quilt she was making and the bedspread she made for Dawn:

Designs are made on Lois's machine.

Each one is different.

We didn't take any photos but thank 
goodness Teresa did.

 Our friends Janet and Clint

 Looks like quite a fortress

Is there anything more precious?

I sure do love these boys!

He is always there for us.

Paul has lost 90 lbs!

Where's your credit card Mom?

Serving from the Vernon ward

Love Trenda and Emery!

 O be wise, what can I say more?

 Card craze

Tuesday, September 4th, 2018

Villahermosa, Mexico

85th operating temple

Dedicted: 21 May 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Matthew 26:2

Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.

Book of Mormon

Alma 61:6-21

*How do you retain your freedom and resist temptation?

- I think I lose my freedom when my eye is off the Lord. Sometimes I rush through my day and don't take the time to be still and seek the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Freedom and peace return when I remember that I truly need Him every hour and lay my weaknesses before His feet.

Old Testament

Proverbs 6-7

General Conference

"Until Seventy Times Seven"

Elder Lynn G. Robbins

"Repentance is God's ever-accessible gift that allows and enables us to go from failure to failure without any loss of enthusiasm. Repentance isn't His backup plan in the event we might fail. Repentance is His plan, knowing that we will. This is the gospel of repentance, and as President Russell M. Nelson has observed, it will be 'a lifetime curriculum.'

I had a goal to leave by 8 a.m. and we left a little before 9. We went back once for something I thought I forgot but I really didn't, and then I ended up forgetting my temple clothes. Luckily the Gilbert temple now rents some clothes. 

We attended the 2:30 p.m. temple session with Sheri and Ben. James said that Ben was very proficient in putting on his ordinances clothes this time. I provided all the temple names from my family tree.

Ben's friends Ian and Burke were outside the

temple when we were leaving. Ian took these

photos for us.

We parted ways and James dropped me off at Michael's to look around while he searched for a fast food place to grab a bite. I was not impressed with Michael's compared to Hobby Lobby.  I didn't buy anything with is quite amazing.

James found a Carl's Jr. and bought each of us a Santa Fe chicken sandwich. How thoughtful!  We had stopped for In n Out burgers when we first got in to town. Yikes! What were we thinking? Fast food is not good when you are trying to lose weight.

We went back to Darrel and Trina's so we could say hi to the kids. Trina was at work. The girls were home alone because Darrel had taken Rowan to his football game.

I can't text Addy anymore because she has a different phone so we were glad when someone opened the door for us. 

Ben's setting apart was in the high council room of the Chandler West stake center, the room where I used to attend stake council meeting when I was the stake Relief Society president. 

President Kent Johansen, the stake president, set Ben apart. He explained that he got his authority directly from President Russell M. Nelson. President Johansen asked if anyone knew the 5th Article of Faith. Rowan raised his hand and recited it. President was impressed. He gave a beautiful blessing. Sheri, Kim, and I all were trying to write things down. I was sitting by Lola and she kept asking me questions. He told Ben that his name tag was a reminder that he was taking upon himself the name of Christ and was his representative. Here is my sketchy version of the blessing:

Serve with all your heart, might, mind and strength. You will feel great joy and receive direct revelation as you act in courage. At times of trial and discouragement seek the Lord in humble prayer. Chase darkness away and be filled with light. Be diligent in your studies. You teachings and your pure and humble testimony will go deep into the hearts of others. Develop a great love for the people you teach and see them and love them through Heavenly Father's eyes. Bear testimony often. I bless you with health, strength, a sound mind and a sound body. I bless you that through your obedience you will find great joy in serving the Lord. Make friends and be a leader. Be an inspiration and lift those who are struggling in the responsibilities of serving a mission. Be diligent. Overlook the faults of others. Take counsel from DC 84:88 where the Lord says: And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.

See the Lord's purpose. You may think of your mission as a great sacrifice but it is actually a great blessing and will be for you and your family now and in generations to come. 

President Johansen is a very powerful, spiritual man and the Spirit was definitely in the room.

Those who attended: Sheri, Max, Evan, Kim, Brian, Darrel, Addy, Rowan, Ruby, Lola, James and myself.  Now Ben is a missionary and can go forward to serve. President cautioned him to obey mission rules and have someone as a companion until he leaves for Utah and the MTC tomorrow morning.

James and I met Sheri, Ian, Alex, Ben, Max, Evan, Kim, and Brian at the Mellow Mushroom in Mesa for pizza. Our pizza was delicious: mozarella and parmesan cheese, fresh basil, olives, onions, and tomatoes. Yummy! I had two pieces and James had four. The last time we will see Ben for two years.

Goodbye Ben!

 Scarlett, Autumn, Palmer

Sweet family!

 James brought me a bouquet

Sweet Charlie

Adorable!