Saturday, January 12th, 2018

Colonia Juarez, Chichuachua, Mexico

55th operating temple

Dedicated: 6 Mar 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

2 Nephi 17:14

Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign - Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and shall bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 10:11-11:11

*What do I think it means to "diligently seek"?

* How has the gift of the Holy Ghost blessed you in your life?

New Testament "Come Follow Me" #2

Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38 The faithful willingly submit to God's will.

Luke 1:37 - "With God nothing shall be impossible."

Luke 1:38 - "Be it unto me according to thy word."

General Conference

Believe, Love, Do

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"The scriptures teach us that 'without faith it is impossible to please God: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is.

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. This is the promise to all who seek to believe."

I read an article today in the Ensign called, "The Purpose that Will Change Our Ministering." Here are some quotes from that article:

Our efforts should be guided by the desire to help others achieve a deeper individual conversion and become more liked the Savior." In DC 67:13 it says: "Ye are not able to abide the presence of God now, neither the ministering of angels; wherefore, continue in 

patience until ye are perfected." 

1.) Connect service with the Savior, 2.) Focus on the Covenant Path, 3.) Invite and encourage.

Six ways we can help others progress toward Christ: Share, Promise Blessings (DC 130:20-21), Invite, Plan together, Support, Follow-up.

We were scheduled to clean the church again today. The Allen's were there when we arrived a little before 9 a.m. The Gardner's came at 9 and brought their two sons, Dimitri and Liam.

Here are what our cars looked like parked in front of the church: Notice they are all supposed to be white cars:

Allen's

Lexy

Gardner's 

They definitely win for dirtiest car.

Tina Allen and I cleaned the bathrooms. I got a kick out of this list I found:

The funny part is where it says to always were safety goggles.

Ha!

After we were finished at the church we went to the post office and mailed Anna's birthday card. I can't believe that she is going to be 17!

For lunch we had leftover beef steak and some venison. I believe I liked the venison better. James wanted to wash the car in the warmest part of the day, between 12 and 1, but I convinced him that we needed a nap before we started.

Once we got on our "gear" for using the power sprayer in the snow and mud we were ready to start. It was slow going at first. My assignment was to scrap as much mud out of the garage as possible while James worked on getting the power sprayer going. The first problem we had was that the hose had frozen water in it. I think frozen water is called ice. I got the heater from the bedroom and James slowly thawed the ice.

The next problem we had was getting it started. It is gas and has a pull rope. James tried a few times and then asked me to try. Nothing. He tried again and finally got it started. He wanted to clean out the garage first and then do the car. 

I got to help do the car. It was fun. I like using the power sprayer and watching the caked on mud come off. Here is my man working:

It's so nice to have a clean car and garage!

I always want to have a clean car when I go to

church or to the temple. Remember,

cleanliness is next to Godliness.

I blogged and then tried to order an antenna for our Mifi from Verizon but it's not happening because we have a business account and no one seems to be able to help me. 

James just ordered a book from a company called Bookholders for $46.99 and it sells on Amazon for $145.33. Hopefully ours will sell. So far we have sold one book for a profit.

We watched the new Hallmark movie tonight, "Winter Proposal" starring Taylor Cole, and Jack Turner. James has a little crush on Taylor.

Merry Christmas from the Dowdle's

I love our little "lamb" with her lamb

Such a sweetie!

Look how much she's grown!
Kacey's Bff

 Sheri's Bff

 I love this picture of Rowan snowboarding
about four years ago at Sunrise.

I don't think Addy liked it as much

as Rowan did.

 What a doll!

Sunday, August 5th, 2018

Colonia Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico

55th operating temple

Dedicated: 6 Mar 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

Mosiah 5:15

Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen.

Book of Mormon

Alma 45:15-46:10

*Why should we be wary of the "flatteries" of men?

- The Book of Mormon has taught and cautioned us many times about people who's only desire is to serve themselves, gain power and position over others, and whose motives, trends, and philosophies serve their own agendas. Christ used his words to build and uplift others, Satan and his followers use words and thoughts to destroy.

Old Testament

Job 20-22

20  Zophar shows the state and portion of the wicked - He says: The triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment.

21 Job admits that the wicked sometimes prosper in this life - Then he testifies that their judgment shall be hereafter in the day of wrath and destruction. 

22 Eliphaz accuses Job of divers sins and exhorts him to repent.

General Conference

Until Seventy Times Seven

Elder Lynn G. Robbins

"To keep our hope resilient as we face life's trials, the Savior's grace is ever ready and ever present. His grace is a 'divine means of help or strength, ... an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts.' His grace and His loving eye are upon us throughout our entire journey as He inspires, lightens burdens, strengthens, delivers, protects, heals, and otherwise 'succors his people,' even as they stumble along the strait and narrow path."

Left this morning around 5:30 a.m. for the valley. We arrived at the Galveston building in Chandler about ten minutes before sacrament meeting. We walked in and the first people we saw were Terry and Cathi. We sat by them. They have both lost weight. Cathi says they are on the beriatric diet with Laura. Laura is losing weight to qualify for a lung transplant. Dave and Laura are gone to Idaho this weekend. 

James, Evan, and Cathi bore their testimonies during fast and testimony meeting. 

James said Ben has been a light to our family and now he will be a light to the world. I loved that.

Cathi mentioned that she was grateful to be a part of the Lambson family.

Evan bore testimony about Joseph Smith and the Savior. He said Jesus will help us through our trials. (This is the first time I have heard Evan bear his testimony. It was definitely not your typical kid testimony).

Sunday School was taught by Brother Foster. It was the same lesson we had last week about Elijah passing the mantle of the prophet to Elisha. James and I sat by Cathi and Terry.   Brother Foster had prepared a power point presentation that was quite nice.

Relief Society here we come. Cathi refused to sit in the circle so we sat against the back wall with Dahlia D., Kate G. and her adorable baby Lorelei, Hillary J. and her mother-in-law Kathy, and Bunny M.

The topic for today was emotional and mental health. The sister leading the discussion had her smart phone hooked up to a TV monitor and she showed us how to find this topic on lds.org.

I want one of these!

We listened to individuals tell about dealing with depression and Elder Holland spoke from his conference address, "Like a Broken Vessel." The RS presidency in the ward did a survey and this was the number one topic the sisters wanted to discuss. Two sisters shared about their struggles with depression which cast a negative feeling. The discussion leader said she wanted us to remember the word hope and those people on the video talked about how the Atonement of Jesus Christ had helped them. Paula C. told how listening to music about the Savior helps her to feel peace. 

There really was no action plan. The discussion leader said we would all need to make our own. I though things would have ended more on a positive note if she would have shared some of the things on lds.org.  

"The world is in need of your help. There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to save." -President Thomas S. Monson

We invite Church and community members alike to increase their compassion and support of those who are struggling and take an active role in caring for their own mental health. 

*Watch your words. Your language can change perceptions. Avoid potentially harmful or negative phrases, and choose words that are more descriptive of what you observe. Visit Time to Change or the American Psychiatric Association to learn more.

*Be a friend. Listen patiently and without judgment when others share their concerns. Help them locate professional resources if they need additional support. Visit HelpGuide.org or Active Minds to learn more. 

*Practice self-care. The limitations of mortality may require us to slow down and restore our strength at certain times (see Mosiah 4:27). It is not selfish to take time for yourself. Visit Mind.org or watch a TED Talk on the importance of self-care to learn more.

Cathi told me later she would not be attending Relief Society on a regular basis. She came away feeling sad and like she had been in a therapy session.  She said thank goodness for Ben's ordination to restore the Spirit!

We had to wait for Isaac D.'s ordination. He has been called to serve a mission in Argentina. 

When the Dowdle's came out, the Lambson's went in to the high council room. We all sat around the high council table while Brother Price told Ben that he was an answer to his parents and grandparents prayers. 

James did the ordination with the following family members in the circle: Paul, Brian, Terry, and Adam. Bishop Wanlass and Brother Price were also there. James gave Ben a wonderful blessing. It was a very happy occasion for all who were there. The following family members attended: James, myself, Sheri, Max, Evan, Kim, Brian, Stacy, Paul, Adam, and Joshua.

Ben definitely has a glow about him.

After everyone gave Ben a hug Bishop Wanlass took him to his office for a temple recommend interview. Sheri asked if we could give him a ride home so she could go home and finish preparing dinner. We waited in the foyer and watched the young adults come in for the YSA ward.

I forgot to take a photo of James and Ben so this one Sheri took a while back will have to suffice.

Dinner at the Trezise's was delicious! We had roast, potatoes and carrots, rolls, broccoli, and ribs that Ian had made. For dessert there was brownies and vanilla ice cream. Our fast is broken.

After resting awhile and making friends with Ollie, we headed for home.

 We arrived around 6:30. It looked like it had rained at our place. I took this photo of a rainbow over Green's Peak. Our gas gauge says we could have gone another 12 miles. We did not want to stop and buy gas on Sunday! It was a great Sabbath!

Tuesday, February 27th, 2018

Colonia Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico

55th operating temple

Dedicated: 6-7 March 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

Hebrews 5:9

And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 20:12-34

* How does learning of Christ's Second Coming affect how you live your life?

Old Testament

Numbers 3

Aaron and his sons minister in the priest's office - The Levites are chosen to do the service of the tabernacle - They are the Lord's, replacing the firstborn of all families of Israel - Their number, charge, and service are given.

Old Testament Favorite Scriptures

Exodus 20:8-11

8 Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy.

9 Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work:

10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within they gates:

11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

General Conference

Seek Ye Out of the Best Books

Ian S. Arden

" The greater the light in our lives, the fewer the shadows. However, even in an abundance of light, we are exposed to people and comments that misrepresent our beliefs and try our faith. The Apostle James wrote that 'the trying of our faith worketh patience' (James 1:3). With this insight, Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught, 'A patient disciple . . . will not be surprised nor undone when the Church is misrepresented."

Love One Another as He Has Loved Us

Elder Jose L. Alonso

" The next day was very difficult for us as we were all completely overwhelmed with grief. I fell to my knees and prayed the most sincere prayer I had ever offered. I asked Heavenly Father in the name of my Savior to take away my overwhelming grief. He did so."

I wasn't feeling very well this morning so I laid down around 10:30. We were going to go to town at 11:30 but we didn't leave until after noon. Our first stop was LaCasita for lunch. I had a chicken enchilada and refried beans but I didn't eat it all. I did have my share of chips though. I love their chips, salsa, and refried beans. 

James ordered a green chili supreme burro not knowing it came with sour cream. He ate it all and he also ate the rest of my food. 

After lunch we took the car to Walmart to have the oil changed. The first place we went while we were waiting was the McDonalds inside of Walmart where I had an Oreo McFlurry. It was not nearly as good as the blizzard I had at Dairy Queen. 

I did a little shopping but our car was ready in record time for Walmart, less than an hour. We got gas, washed the car for the trip to the valley tomorrow and went to Cal Ranch to get some rabbit feed. On the way home I read to James from "Hannah's Beau" the new Renee Ryan book we are reading. 

James is stressed about not having enough information on the Memon & Muneer job to get a decent ballpark figure. 

The evening we watched the Victoria season 2 Christmas finale. Albert almost drowns. Darrel says he dies young, around 42, way before Victoria does.

James got over 20,000 to finish off the February challenge. I got over 13,000.

Watched Jenna Coleman and Tom Hughes

do a question and answer for "Victoria."

By: Hayden Lambson

Interesting

Jasmine's Addy and baby

The youngest Lambson is still a work in progress.

Erik's daughter Mabel was baptized this evening

When I showed this picture to Lola she said:

"Hey, that's the guy who fixes my cars."