Monday, February 11th, 2019

Villahermosa, Mexico

85th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 May 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Galatians 2:20

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 4:28-5:9

* Why do you think some blessings we receive are conditional on praying and fasting and others are not?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

John 2:1-11 The power of Jesus Christ can change me.

"Ye Must Be Born Again" Elder David A. Bednar, 4/07

General Conference

Our Campfire of Faith

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

"Our campfire of faith encourages us to establish regular patterns of righteous living that deepen faith and spirituality.These holy habits, righteous routines, or prayerful patterns may include prayer; scripture study; fasting; remembering our Savior and covenants through the ordinance of the sacrament; sharing gospel blessings through missionary, temple and family history, and other service; keeping a thoughtful personal journal; and so on."

I have asked several of my family and friends how they liked the fireside last night. Everyone I spoke to said that Sister Nelson's talk was their favorite. I believe she knows how to connect with people. She was a marriage counselor for years before she was married. She also spoke on a topic that was interesting to everyone. She has a very pleasant voice to listen to. I truly do love her. I remember how she made me felt when I met her. She asked me, "How are you, what is your name, where are you from? Tell me about yourself." It made me feel like she really cared and I actually think she does.

I was laying in bed at Darrel and Trina's this morning when I got a text from Karen S. She has to cancel our lunch date today because she has a man coming to repair her hot water heater. We rescheduled for March 1st, the next time I am down here for an infusion. 

I got up and went downstairs to get cookies and cards ready for Darrel and Trina's family. I decided not to give the sugar cookies to anyone else. Lola helped me put the cookies in heart bags, and choose Mickey and Minnie Valentines and suckers for everyone in her family. She stayed at the house with me while Trina took Rowan and Ruby to school. James went out for a walk.

I made this fox and was going to use it for a Valentine but I ended up not using it. I asked Lola if she had heard the song, "What Does the Fox Say?" She had not so James played it for her on his phone. She loved it!

We wanted to go over and see the progress on the new house but Trina had an appointment with a dermatologist and couldn't go with us and we didn't want to go buy ourselves. 

We left the house around 9:30 and headed for the nearest Verizon store. There was one on Baseline and Signal Butte in the Walmart shopping center. Before the fireside last night James looked down at his phone and it said he had "no contacts." I thought he would be in the store for awhile so I decided to walk across the parking lot to the Hallmark Store. I just arrived and took some pictures when James texted and said he was done. A woman working there checked his setting and his icloud storage was turned off. She turned it back on and all of his contacts re-appeared.

Here are the pictures I took in the store:

 Lola loves pink and she loves unicorns

 Ruby loves unicorns and koala bears.

She also likes pink.

 Addy hates flamingoes but I

had to take a picture.

Love these Valentines for girls

I texted these photos to Trina. When she received them she asked me where I was. When I told her I asked if she was going to show them to her girls. She said no. I just laughed.

After leaving the Hallmark and Verizon stores we headed for the Chacon tire business in Mesa. James stopped by and told Mario Chacon who does not speak english that the permits for the job should be available on Wednesday. 

Our next stop was the Chili's on Baseline and Stapley for lunch. We have three gifts cards, one with $15, $30, and $50. Darrel and Trina gave us the $50 one for James's birthday. We spent around $38 so we still have the $50.

I love the Caribbean salad with shrimp and James loves their salmon. We also ordered unlimited chips and salsa, another favorite.

 Carribean shrimp salad

Salmon with broccoli and rice

We got gas and went through a carwash before heading home. 

We stopped in Globe to put air in our tire and for me to get a drink.

I waited until we got home this evening to email Ben because I had left the information I wanted to send him at home. I think I was too late because I never heard back from him.

Sheri sent me the email he sent her today about how he got his testimony of the Book of Mormon. It is personal and I can't share it on here until I check with Ben which won't be until next Monday.

I finished my steps and James and I watched the latest Hallmark movie, "The Story of Us" starring Maggie Lawson and Sam Page.

 Stacy needs this

 Dalllin's dog. She heard Sarah say

it's time for a bath.

 Is there anything more precious

than a sleeping baby?

Friday, November 16th, 2018

Meridian, Idaho

158th operating temple

Dedicated: 19 Nov, 2017

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Davidic Descent of

1 Samuel 16:1

And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.

Book of Mormon#1

4 Nephi 1:1-22

*What is the key to avoiding contention?

-President Russell M. Nelson described the source of the great peace that was described in 4 Nephi: "Personal peace is reached when one, in humble submissiveness, truly loves God. Heed carefully this scripture: 'There was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people'(4 Nephi 1:15). Love of God should be our aim. It is the first commandment - the foundation of faith. As we develop love of God and Christ, love of family and neighbor will naturally follow. Then will we eagerly emulate Jesus. He healed. He comforted. He taught, 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God' (Matt. 5:9; 3 Ne.. 129). Shun contention. Seek godliness. Be enlightened by eternal truth. Be like-minded with the Lord in love and united with Him in faith. Then shall 'the peace of God, which passeth all understanding (Phillipians 47), be yours, to bless you and your posterity through generations yet to come."

Book of Mormon #2

Alma 25-26

Old Testament

Daniel 3-4

General Conference

Parents and Children

President Dallin H. Oaks

" Latter-day Saint women understand that being a mother is their highest priority, their ultimate joy. President Gordon B. Hinckley said: 'Women for the most part see their greatest fulfillment, their greatest happiness in home and family. God planted within women something divine that expresses itself in quiet strength, in refinement, in peace, in goodness, in virtue, in truth, in love. And all of these remarkable qualities find their truest and most satisfying expression in motherhood.'"

We left for the valley this morning around 5 a.m. after sleeping on the recliners all night. James dropped me off at Darrel and Trina's a little after 8, and I mean dropped my suitcase on the sidewalk and drove off to his appointment in Tempe at 8:30. 

Luckily Trina, Rowan, and Lola were still home. Ruby is on a fieldtrip to the Grand Canyon. Rowan greeted me at the door and helped me carry in my stuff. He told me I left a suitcase here last week. I told him that was my makeup bag and I thought he might want to use it. He came back with, "It's all gone."

Soon everyone was gone and I was home alone. I did some walking and put my books and computer in the shoe room. 

When James got home we went to Chili's for lunch. There is one close by on Baseline and Signal Butte. I got the Carribean salad with shrimp, one of my favorites. James got the salmon. 

I guess his surgery is still on. I thought maybe the doctor would postpone because of his ribs injury. 

After lunch James had a meeting with Mr. Quintana, the owner of the lots in Mesa on Bellview Street where James is putting in the waterlines. He promised me this meeting would be only 15 minutes and he was pretty much true to his word.

We arrived at Kim's and James stayed there while Kim and I went shopping in our car to Deseret Book and Costco. Kim lets Joe take her car to work on Friday evenings.

I used to buy many of my Christmas blankets at Sam's Club but I don't have a Sam's card anymore so Costco and Walmart will have to do. I found two really cool plaid blankets and one blanket for Scarlett and one for Charlie. Kim bought food for her Joe and his cousins dinner on Monday evening. I also bought Jean an electric blanket. She has so much metal in her body she is always cold, hence the electric blanket.

Costco has the most beautiful wrapping paper and ribbon. I had to buy 3 rolls of wrapping paper and three colors of ribbon. 

I also bought two towels to take with us when we stay at Darrel and Trina's. 

At Deseret Book we were looking for stuff to send Ben for Christmas. I also bought myself a new temple suitcase, the cheapest one I could find. I bought a tiny tree with scripture ornaments for Ben. We are coming back tomorrow when Sheri can come with us. 

James was walking down the sidewalk when we got back to Kim's. He hates to just sit around. When we got to Darrel and Trina's Trina was gone and Darrel was on the phone talking to someone about their new house. There were Levain Bakery chocolate chip cookies laying out on the counter. Trina had made them for her RS secret sister. Not only does she have sisters she ministers to, she also has a secret sister. Reminds me of girls camp.

James and I walked in the backyard. The weather is perfect, sunny and about 75 degrees. 

Trina brought home dinner. Someone in their wrd is doing a fundraiser for their daughter. They are caterer's and Trina brought us pulled pork, coleslaw, beans, and macaroni and cheese. It was all delicious!

Tomorrow morning Rowan and Addy are supposed to get up early and walk 12 miles to the temple. Rowan does not want to go for two reasons. #1 He has cross country practice everyday after school and by Saturday he is pretty tired. #2 He says he doesn't have any friends in the ward. Trina tried talking to him about going to things so he would have friends. He wanted to hang out with Max, Evan, and Joshua tomorrow afternoon and Darrel told him if he wanted to do that he would need to go on the walk to the temple, so Rowan said he would go. 

James and I made a trip to Fry's. My crown keeps falling out so I had to get some Fixodent, the stuff people use when they have dentures. 

Ruby got home somewhere between 9:30 and 10. She went straight to bed because she has a volleyball at 8:45 in the morning.

Chandler and Highland played in the semi-final state football game tonight. Stacy and Paul went and Stacy said that this should have been the championship game. She admitted that Highland was just as good as Chandler. Chandler won in overtime 36-35 so they play Perry next week for the state championship.

Chandler is Darrel's alma mater and Highland is Trina's.

 Trina's got into the Christmas mood and 

made this display.

 My Chili's salad, one of my favorites

Lola's car that she loves to wash, that's where

the puddle in the corner came from.

Darrel and Trina's great backyard.

 Ruby's adorable smile.

 This baby girl loves to sleep.

Paradise lost

Love that smile.

 Scarlett at IHOP looking at the Grinch pancakes.

Of course she had to order a green pancake!

Monday, May 28th, 2018

Cardoba, Argentina

145th operating temple

Dedicated: 17 May 2015

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Birth of

Moses 5:57

For they would not hearken unto his voice, nor believe on his Only Begotten Son, even him whom he declared should come in the meridian of time, who was prepared from before the foundation of the world.

Book of Mormon

Alma 7:14-27

*Verse 23 shares with us the attributes one must have to come unto Christ. 

Why do you think these attributes are so important?

Talk: Come unto Christ

By: Ezra Taft Benson

Oct. 1987

Old Testament

1 Kings 5-6

5 Solomon solicits and gains Hiram's help in getting timber to build the temple - The Israelites hew stones and cut timber for the temple.

6 Solomon builds the temple - The Lord promises to dwell among the Israelites if they are obedient - The ornaments of the temple are described.

General Conference

Behold! The Man

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"I am deeply humbled and very happy to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where millions of men, women, and children are willing to lift where they stand - in whatever capacity or calling - and strive with all their hearts to serve God and His children, building the kingdom of God."

Christlike Parenting

"When faced with a perplexing family dilemma, I find that the best hope for resolution is found in the answer to the question, 'What would Jesus do?' His path was a straight path marked by perfect love and persuasion, by gentleness and meekness, by kindness, and pure knowedge. He was full of patience and long-suffering. If everyone would parent as Christ would parent, there would be no need for the hundreds of parenting books published over the years."

James went to the Legacy Golf Clubhouse this morning to pick up his check. Since we were going to be out of town all week he asked them to not mail it but to hold it and he would pick it up on Monday. Obviously he and the superintendent forgot that Monday was a holiday. After driving 30 miles from the timeshare, when the superintendent wasn't there, he realized it was memorial Day and probably no one would be in the office, but he went in anyway and asked the golf pro for the check. No one knew what he was talking about and the accountant wasn't in. He explained that he was told he could pick up a check today by the superintendent. They called the superintendent who told them he forgot it was a holiday and directed them to an individual who happened to be there. This individual wrote the check out by hand, saving James another trip. What a great company to work for!

When James returned to Scottsdale it was time for lunch. Since we had a gift card for Chili's we headed for the nearest Chili's on Shea Blvd. The only problem was, this Chili's is no longer in this location. Next stop, Chili's on Chandler Blvd. near the Chandler mall. 

I had my favorite, Caribbean salad with shrimp. James had salmon and broccoli. After lunch we headed for Costco to get new phones. The only problem is, Costco is closed for the holiday. No new phones today. Next stop, the Super Cleaners on Alma School so James can get his suit cleaned and some pants hemmed. They are closed to. What next? Walmart. They are always open, unless it's Christmas.

I bought some clothes, a new curling iron, and a DVD. I ended up spending over $200. Yikes!

Back to the condo only James takes the long way. I-10 to the 51. Oh well, it's nice to know there is another way to get here.

James takes a long nap. I am going to work on my blog and watch a movie, "Peter Rabbit." I can't get the dvd player to work so I call the front desk and they send up a repairman. A nice looking young man named Jared shows up at my doorstep. He says the dvd player is not hooked up so he goes to get a hookup. It still doesn't work so he goes to get a new dvd player. 

The Peter Rabbit movie is pretty much what you would expect. It does have a good ending. By the time the movie is finished James is up and it is time to go for a walk. We walk around the resort and James decides he needs to go back for pain meds. I continue walking. 

When I return to the room I ask James if he want to watch the movie "Wonder" for FHE. He does and we do. He loves it and so do I.

 Pool at Sheraton Desert Oasis

Gary B. as a marine when he was 18.

I remember when he enrolled. My friend

Polly, his girlfriend, was so upset.

Near Forest Lakes, this fire was quickly contained.

We so nothing on our way to the valley.

Ben and Ollie, best friends forever.

Amazing wing-span on this Heron.

In memory of those who died to 

maintain our freedoms.

Friday, March 2nd, 2018

Guayaquil, Ecuador

58th operating temple

Dedicated: 1-2 Aug 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

Hebrews 8:1

Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 24:1-32

*Why do you think it is dangerous for people to be 'at ease in Zion' thinking that no improvement is needed at this time?

Old Testament

Numbers 7-8
7 The princes of Israel make offerings for the tabernacle at its dedication - The Lord speaks to Moses from the mercy seat, between the cherubim, upon the ark.
8 The Levites are washed, consecrated and set apart by the laying on of hands - They are the Lord's in place of the firstborn of every family - They are a gift to Aaron and his sons to do the service of the tabernacle.
General Conference

Abiding in God and Repairing the Breach

Neill F. Marriott

"You probably want me to love her." Love her I prayed on, saying something like "How can I love her I don"t think I even like her. My heart is hard; my feelings are hurt. I can't do it."

Then, surely with help from the Spirit, I had a new thought as I said, "But you love her, Heavenly Father. Would You give me a portion of Your love for her - so I can love her too?" My hard feelings softened, my heart started to change, and I began to see this person differently. I began to sense her real value that Heavenly Father saw.

Addy stays home from school today. Ruby has choir photos today and forgot her shirt so Trina had to take it to her. Rowan took his planet and it's moons to school. Lola and Trina go to the gym. Darrel left for work earlier. 

Trina has another business with Lexy trying to sell t-shirts. She and Lexy are designing a shirt for mothers day. 

I had my infusion at 11 a.m. at the new building. I put the address in map quest and it took us right to the complex but not the exact building. I had to get out of the car and look at the map to find suite 129. While I was getting my infusion James went to Erik's and delivered Mabel's baptism gift, a crystal necklace.

After my infusion James and I went to lunch at Chili's using the gift card I got for Christmas from Darrel and Trina. I forgot how good their Caribbean salad is. I usually get it with chicken but this time i got shrimp. I had shrimp at Olive Garden yesterday and at Red Lobster last night although I left most of them for Darrel to eat. 

After lunch we headed for Phoenix to meet some concrete guys at the job James and Salvador are doing. When I say Phoenix I really mean east L.A. This place was on 197th Avenue and Thomas. There really isn't much out there.

It looks like a nice house but not a very 

nice neighborhood.

Since I found out about Victoria season one on Amazon Prime I have watched four episodes. I never thought I would watch a TV program or movie on my phone.

When we got back to Darrel & Trina's Trina and Addy were making Easter baskets with Trina's baby rattles in them to use for advertising. Ruby and Rowan were playing with friends, and Lola was asleep on the couch. 

We decided to go home. We packed up and left around five or so. Our first stop was at Panera to get two dozen cookies for Sister Wilhelm because today is her birthday and James is her home teacher. We stopped in Superior for gas and then at the McDonald's in Globe. We got burgers but they were disgusting. The meat was very dry and it tasted like they had been under a heat lamp all day.

We stopped at the bank in Show Low to get money for Tanner's birthday card and then we stopped at the Wilhelm's to deliver cookies. Thank goodness we are home again!

Only 7,029 steps for me. I spent too much time in the car and sitting in the doctor's office. 

Lola wearing one of the necklaces 

Trina made.

Brookelyn's baby boy

Jasmine's baby boy

Electrifying!