Monday, December 18th, 2017

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

143rd operating temple

Dedicated: 4 May 2014

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ Atonement through

1 John 2:2

And he is the propitiation for our sins: ad not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Book of Mormon

Ether 12:22-41

*The Savior showed the most perfect charity or sacrificial love when He gave His life and atoned for each of us. We must pray that we "may be filled with this love" so we can inherit eternal life (Moroni 7:48). Elder Marvin J. Ashton (1915-94) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained what it means to have charity: 

"Charity is, perhaps, in many ways a misunderstood word. We often equate charity with visiting the sick, taking in casseroles to those in need, or sharing our excess with those who are less fortunate. But really, true charity is much, much more. Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again. It makes the thought of putting others down repulsive. Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don't judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone's differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn't handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another's weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other" (Ensign, May 1992, 18-19).

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 31:5

Therefore, thrust in your sickle with all your soul, and your sins are forgiven you, and you shall be laden with sheaves upon your back, for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Wherefore, your family shall live.

General Conference

Bearers of Heavenly Light

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"If you open your mind and heart to receive the Light of Christ and humbly follow the Savior, you will receive more light. Line upon line, here a little and there a little, you will gather more light and truth into your souls until darkness has been banished from your life. God will open your eyes. God will give you a new heart. God's love, light and truth will cause dormant things to spring to life, and you will be reborn into a newness of life in Jesus Christ."

The Lord Leads His Church

President Henry B. Eyring

"The Lord sees His servants perfectly. He sees their potential and their future. And He knows how their very nature can be changed. He also knows how they can be changed by their experiences with the people they lead."

Light the World

Jesus taught: "Forgive men their trespasses."

Matthew 6:14

Allowing anger or resentment to fester will never lead to happiness. We must make amends with people before bitterness destroys our important relationships.

The Christmas tree is my favorite symbol of Christmas. It stands for everlasting life. I love my tree

This photo was taken a couple of years ago. 

I am not sure what happened to this star.

I did not finish with my blog today until 5 p.m., two hours later than I planned. I made some oatmeal cookies and watched these movies: "12 Wishes of Christmas," "Angel in the Family," "A Christmas Reunion," and a new one, "Romance at Reindeer Lodge."

James got an xray today. He also took a load of wood to Sister Dye. I wrapped five presents today. 

James was dizzy and felt like he could breathe better if he slept on the couch. I slept next to him.

Christina Tibbetts posted this photo. It was taken

five years ago, probably at her wedding reception.

Antelope in our yard taken a couple of years ago.

Elk seen in Vernon.

Rowan with his cello at his Christmas concert.

Monday, December 4th, 2017

Draper, Utah

129th operating temple

Dedicated: 20-22 Mar 2009

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ Atonement of

Romans 5:9
Much more the, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Book of Mormon
Ether 3:1-16
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has said, in regards to the brother of Jared seeing the spiritual, premortal Jesus Christ: "Perhaps Christ was saying to the brother of Jared, 'Never have I shown myself unto man in this manner, without my volition, driven solely by the faith of the beholder.' As a rule, prophets are invited into the presence of the Lord, are bidden to enter his presence by Him and only with His sanction. The brother of Jared, on the other hand, seems to have thrust himself through the veil, not as an unwelcome guest but perhaps technically as an uninvited one. Said Jehovah: 'Never has man believed in me as thou hast.' Obviously the Lord himself was linking unprecedented faith with this unprecedented vision. If the vision itself was not unique, then it had to be the faith and how the vision was obtained that was unparalleled. The only way that faith could be so remarkable was its ability to take the prophet, uninvited, where others had been able to go only with God's bidding" (Christ and the New Covenant, 21-23).
Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures
DC 19:23
Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me.
General Conference

Three Sisters

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

" What did the Savior teach? 'I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.' This is the Savior's way. It is the first step in breaking down the barriers that create so much anger, hatred, division, and violence in the world."

A Yearning for Home

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"No matter your history - if you have faltered, failed, feel broken, bitter, betrayed  or beaten - know that you are not alone. God still calls to you. The Savior extends His hand to you. He speaks with infinite love, 'Come Follow me.' If you will hear Him, He will speak to you this very day."

James works outside. I feel better so I caught up on my gospel study. I also worked on my blog but only got around 5,000 steps. I am still short of breath and I have limited energy.

We watched "12 Days of Giving" and loved it. It is one of the best Christmas movies that I've watched yet. 

James worked until after dark, around 5:30, and then we went into town for hot and sour soup. James also had to stop at Home Depot. I laid low in the car at both places. 

The trip to town was worth it not only for the soup but for the super yellow moon on the way home. It was the most beautiful moon I have ever seen.  

To satisfy James's craving we watched Heartland tonight, "Where the Truth Lies."

Rowan on a fieldtrip to Biz Town.

First place of Z!

Choir kids: Beckham, Samantha, Mabel, Aurora.

Ouch!

Joshua and Shipley

The Heyman's tree

It snowed today...

for five minutes

It didn't stop James from working.

Sunday, November 20, 2016

President Henry B. Eyring dedicated the Hartford,

Connecticut temple today.

Elder Holland and President Eyring

Mormon 2:17-29

What happens when the strength of the Lord is not with us and we are left unto ourselves as it says in verse 26?  

* We may not recognize and appreciate how much Heavenly Father helps us in our daily lives as we try to live faithfully.  Mormon wrote that when his people became wicked they lost the strength of the Lord that had previously protected them.  While serving as a member of the Seventy, Elder Ray H. Wood explained: "When a person violates any of God's commandments, if there is no repentance the Lord withdraws His protective and sustaining influence.  When we lose power with God, we know of a certainty that the problem lies within us and not within God. 'I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise' (D&C 82:10).  Our misdeeds bring despair.  They sadden and extinguish the 'perfect brightness of hope' offered by Christ (2 Nephi 31:20).  Without God's help, we are left to ourselves " (Ensign, May 1999, 40-41).  I am personally amazed and grateful to Mormon for his righteousness amidst such wickedness.  It must have been difficult to stand as a witness of Christ against such odds!

Jackson Allen, Denice Hall, and Brother Smithson from the high council were the speakers in sacrament meeting today.  Denice spoke on the holy ghost and it was such a good talk.  She shared stories about her mother and how she always knew where she was because she said the Holy Ghost told her. It was a good meeting and I felt the Spirit.

I gave Sadie her card and after Primary she came and gave me a hug.  I also gave Kaeli her loaf of pumpkin bread.

Curtis and Zemira were the only kids in my class today.  We had a lesson on the Jaredites and they seemed very interested and we had a great discussion.  This was the handout we did at the end of the lesson:

Also known as the Pride Cycle which was the

eventual downfall of both the Jaredite and Nephite

nations.

After our church meetings James went home teaching.  When he returned home I made him a salad and then he wanted for both of us to go take a nap.  I told him I was too stressed about getting ready for the marriage class this evening so instead of taking a nap he brought up the Christmas decorations and decorated our Christmas tree.  I was so grateful for his love and support.

In our marriage class this evening we discussed ways to manage anger.  These are our assignments for the week:

1.  Think of something we can do to draw closer to the Savior individually and as a couple.

2.  Fill out the anger log handout.

It was another wonderful Sabbath Day!

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

"My family knows that just before Christmas I will read again my Christmas treasury of books and ponder the wondrous words of the authors.  First will be the Gospel of Luke, even the Christmas story.  This will be followed by a reading of A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens and, lastly, rereading The Mansion, by Henry Van Dyke."
-Thomas S. Monson

I made french toast for breakfast and afterwards I went back to bed because I wasn't feeling well.  

The kids had a great time playing with the Nerf guns.  They had a war upstairs.  Once James Hayden was in "prison", the closet and was waiting to be freed.  In the meantime the kids quit playing and didn't tell him so he sat in the closet another 15 minutes before he realized the game was over.

Jared brought his computer and we found some more family names to do temple work.  He also found some names for the Trezise's.

 Jared offered to take his kids to a movie because it is a Wallen family tradition but none of them wanted to go.  He and Trina did take them up to the pit and the swing.  The weather was sunny and quite warm.  Darrel was at work until 6.  

In the valley Sheri took her kids and a few extras on her traditional Christmas Eve hike up A mountain.  Trina and her kids usually go to but this year she had to settle for the pit.

 Evan doing a little "deep thinking" near

the top of the mountain.

Trina made chicken taquitos for dinner.  They were delicious!

We had a little program this evening with the kids, a special F.H.E. First Rowan played "Deck the Halls" on the piano.  Next Addy and Emmy played "Silent Night."  Addy was on the guitar and Emmy on the piano.  Addy played another song on the guitar and James H. played "Carol of the Bells" on the piano.  Molly & Ruby sang "Let It Go."  I told the story, "Trouble at the Inn."  

The kids all got to open their pajamas from their parents and their blankets from us.  It was a fun Christmas Eve.

 Rowan playing "Deck the Halls"

Emmy and Addy playing "Silent Night"

Addy looks so serious.

James playing "Carol of the Bells"

It was awesome!

Love those blue eyes!

Molly is quite the performer.  Ruby was a little

shy and therefore a little silly.

These two cuties love each other!

 Molly showing off her bandaged chin.

These two love each other too!

They slept together in the "loft".

Is Trina taking a selfie with her new iphone6 plus?

A picture of Anna with her new blanket,

and Rowan in his new pajamas.

Lola waving goodnight to everyone.

 

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Gospel Study

President Eyring

'To My Grandchildren'

"There is not one of us but what God's love has been expended upon.  There is not one of us that He has not cared for and caressed.  There is not one of us that he has not desired to save, and that He has not devised means to save.  There is not one of us that He has not given His angels charge concerning.  We may be insignificant and contemptible in our own eyes, and in the eys of others, but the truth remains that we are the children of God, and that He has actually given His angels - invisible beings of power and might - charge concerning us, and they watch over us and have us in their keeping." 

-George Q. Cannon

 

Gail's friends my be here today so instead of going to town like I planned, I stayed home and clean and finished decorating for Christmas.  James got here around 4pm from the valley.  He brought burros from Burger House.  Bless him!  

I washed the sheets on Sheri's bed but hadn't finished cleaning her room yet.  James said Paul, Gail's friend, called and said they were going to stay in Phoenix for the night instead of coming up here.  Instead of finishing the cleaning, I took a break and watched some Christmas movies.  I did finish the tree and it llos very nice.  James loves the new silver bulbs I got at Target.

 Later I added my two poinsettas by the fireplace

Christmas movies: Santa Baby, Santa Baby Two, The Mistle Tones, A Princess for Christmas, Santa Switch.  I may have watched some of these while I was cleaning and decorating.  Believe me I did not sit around all day watching movies!