Monday, November 18th, 2019

Johannesburg, South Africa

36th operating temple

Dedicated: 24 Aug 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Head of Church

DC 124:94

And from this time forth I appoint unto him that he may be a prophet, and a seer, and a revelator unto my church, as well as my servant Joseph;

Book of Mormon

Mormon 1:1-19

New Testament

James 1:1-18; I/F: Introduction and Who Was James? SS: James 1:5-6 When We Ask in Faith, God Gives Liberally.

10/19 General Conference

"Two Great Commandments"

President Dallin H. Oaks

"I begin with what Jesus taught were the two great commandments.

'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.'

This means we are commanded to love everyone, since Jesus's parable of the good Samaritan teaches that everyone is our neighbor. But our zeal to keep this second commandment must not cause us to forget the first, to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. We show that love by 'keeping His commandments.' God requires us to obey His commandments because only through that obedience, including repentance, can we return to live in His presence and become perfect as He is."

Day 7: Pure Thoughts - Philemon 4:8 NKJV

Dear Heavenly Father, Please help Max to think about and focus on what is true, honorable, and right. Help me to guard him from the perverse things that Satan is trying to put in front of him. Show me practical ways to put true, pure, and good things in his path."

Kacey, Jared, Kim, Brian and I played a game of Five Crowns before Kim and Brian left to go home. Jared won.

James would have played Five Crowns too but he had an esophagus test to take in town. They are trying to determine if he needs another surgery to get rid of the pocket in his throat. The tests determined that he did not need surgery, which was a little disappointing because James keeps getting pills caught in this pocket.

Before Kim and Brian left I gave them a jug of James's punch to take home with them.

 Thanks Kim and Brian for coming and for

putting up, putting the lights on, and

decorating my tree.

We had leftovers for lunch. After lunch Jared, Kacey, and Charlie left in the rental car for Green's Peak. I wanted to go but I was so tired that I stayed home. After Green's Peak they came home through Springerville and stopped at Western Drug where Charlie tried on a skunk hat. They also stopped at Basha's and found some Dr. Pepper 10. They brought home a 12-pack for me. I was so happy!

 Charlie called the big satellite receivers on Green's Peak: 

"Moons"

One busy little girl. Dad has a hard

time keeping up.

It was nice outside this afternoon so Kacey and I went out with Charlie. Jared went out also to help James split wood but James was still on the roof putting the new trim around my office window. When they started splitting and stacking the wood I ask Jared if he wanted to use my gloves but he declined. He was lucky that he didn't get any splinters.

Charlie really is such a joy. Kacey said that when Jared gave her blessing when she was sick he said that she had been very close to her Savior and as a result of that she would bring joy in to the lives of others. She really does.

While we were outside James built a fire in the firepit and we came up with the idea of roasting hotdogs for dinner. I have not hotdogs so I went to Dollar General and bought a package of hotdogs, hamburger buns, and plain and bbq potato chips. Hotdogs was the perfect alternative to leftover turkey.

Charlie picked up a comb and started combing her hair. She said, "I pretty." I showed her a picture of herself on my phone and she said, "I cute." I think her favorite thing to say is "thank you." She says it if you give her something and if she hands something to you.

Someone, I think it was Jared, taught her how to say, "Merry Christmas." 

For F.H.E. we watched a story of Hope on the church's website. Afterwards we watched "Christmas Under the Stars" starring Jesse Metcalf and Autumn Reeser.

Kacey and I watched "Dancing with the Stars." There was a little drama with Hannah and Carrie Ann and Hannah ended up apologizing to her.  The big story of the night was James Van Der Beek's wife's miscarriage. You could tell he was very upset but his wife wanted him to dance, so he did, only to get eliminated. He was in the final two with Ally and Ally offered to go home so he could stay. Of course the judges wouldn't allow that but it was a nice gesture. She just might win. The judges give her the highest points although she does not always get the most votes from the audience. These are the dancers who will be in the finale: Kel and Witney, Hannah and Allen, Ally and Sasha, and Lauren and Gleb. I like all of them, Hannah probably the least. I would like to see Ally and Sasha win because Sasha has never won and Ally is a good dancer.

Charlie loves to sit in baskets

 Cooking a hotdog with mama

Playing with dad

Charlie also likes to be the centerpiece
on the table.

I wanted to stay up and get 10,000 steps but James

wanted me to go to bed. I went to bed with the plan

to get up before midnight and finish to 10,000.

When I woke up it was 11:50. I went into the bathroom and 

walked as fast as I could but when I got to 9,921, the

counter turned backed to 0 because it was midnight.

Wednesday, October 16th, 2019

Manti, Utah

3rd operating temple

Dedicated: 21-23 May 1888

By: Lorenzo Snow

Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd

1 Peter 2:25

For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 6:15-30

Why is it so important to follow our leaders, especially in these the latter days?

New Testament:"I Can Do All Things Through Christ Which Strengtheneth Me: Philippians 4 & Philippians 3:5-14 The Gospel of Jesus Christ is worth every sacrifice.

General Conference

Thru Cloud and Sunshine, Lord, Abide with Me

Reyna I. Arburto

"I testify that 'thru cloud and sunshine' the Lord will abide with us, that our 'afflictions can be swallowed up in the joy of Christ.'"

I got up around 5:30. I said my prayers and studied "Come Follow Me" and then I did some blogging and paid a couple of bills. At 7:30 I took a shower, ate some breakfast and around 8:20 I left for the hospital. Just before I got to Highway 60 I stopped by the side of the road to call James. Just at that time I received a text from him that said: "I guess I'm walking out of here without you?"

I immediately called him and asked if he had seen the doctor and been released from the hospital. When he told me yes, I told him I was on my way.

When I walked into his room James was dressed and sitting on the couch waiting for me. I told him I was sorry I had kept him waiting. Mirna, the nurses aid, walked to the car with us. She told us yesterday that she is from El Salvador and went to high school at Blue Ridge. Her husband played football and Blue Ridge. Now they live in Show Low and her son plays for Show Low. She said it is hard for them to sit on the Show Low side when they play Blue Ridge but they do it for their son. I told her my nephew was the coach at Show Low.

Before going home James and I went shopping at Walmart. He has to be on a liquid, soft diet for the next week or two. We bought things that we don't normally buy for him to eat.

Later we learned he can't have the frozen pineapple or any

fresh fruits or vegetables. He just bought about 10 bananas the day

before his surgery. I guess I will have to make banana nut bread and put it in the freezer. The milk is mine. He's got ice cream, pudding, yogurt, jello and eggs. The eggs will have to wait a few days too. The hardest thing is he can't have any chocolate for 30 days and no nuts. He loves Equate dark chocolate shakes with walnuts.

Our next stop was to get gas and wash the car. It took a while at the carwash because there were two cars ahead of us. James was quite patient I must say. We stopped at CVS and picked up a prescription for pain that Dr. DeLange called in. 

We stopped at the post office to pick up the mail. I had no books. Brother Brady said it was a perfect day and he was glad he rode his quad to pick up the mail. He had one of his grandsons with him.

When we got home James watched "DWTS" with me. It was my second time but his first. He doesn't usually watch it but he will watch Disney night.

James went outside to get some air and do a little walking. He still has pains from the gas and they told him walking would help. 

He spent this afternoon getting more paperwork to Quicken loan.

We watched a Flower Shoppe Mystery this afternoon while I walked and James rested. He says that nothing is helping with the pain. I read to him from our Aunt Dimity book.

I talked to Cathi today about family history. It was nice to hear her voice and visit with her.

Stacy, Kim, Sheri, Kacey and Trina all asked about James today. They and their families have been praying for him.

 Kacey says she climbs on the table

quite often and does this.

 Hospital volunteers made this pillow for

James. When he needs to cough he holds

it next to his stomach.

 Is this true?

 Part of my "Inklings" homework.

Kacey had to explain to me that the

Hebrew definitions are found in the Old

Testament scriptures and the Greek in 

the New Testament scriptures.

Tuesday, October 1st, 2019

Star Valley, Wyoming

154th operating temple

Dedicated: 30 Oct 2016

By: David A. Bednar

Jesus Christ, Glory of

Acts 7:55

But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

Book of Mormon

Helaman 13:1-20

New Testament: Ephesians: "For the Perfecting of the Saints"

Ephesians 2

General Conference

The Message, the Meaning, and the Multitude

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
"Through the incessant din and drumbeat of our day, may we strive to see Christ at the center of our lives, of our faith, and of our service."

A quote from "Rescuing Wayward Children" under the heading: "The Noble and Great Ones Do the Work of Redemption"

The thing that characterizes the God's and those who aspire to godhead is the love of the work of redemption. Israel means 'men becoming like God.' Cry repentance. If the Lord's intention is the redemption of all His children, no childs' birth into a LDS home is a mistake or roll of the dice. The chances of being born into an LDS home are 1 in 508.

My books keep selling and I am creeping towards $10,000 in sales. It will happen sometime in October. 

I paid bills and my tithing today. James did errands for me. He went to take a photo of the Bowen's where he is bidding a porch, stopped at Dollar General to get money for Scarlett's card, and mailed Scarlett's card. I hope she gets it in time. 

I watched "DWTS". Because Ray Lewis got hurt and had to quit, no one else was eliminated.

Anthony had a horrible, near death reaction, to the arthritis drug Humira. They are taking every precaution and paying for him to go to the valley to get more tests done. He said they even paid for his lunch which was a bologna and cheese sandwich on white bread, and a lukewarm bottle of water.

I am inventoring my new books and getting ready to ship them. I am sending one back.

We finished our leftovers today so tomorrow I can make something new, a Dr. Pepper pork roast.

We kept seeing old cars come through town on Friday and

this was why.

Tuesday, September 24th, 2019

Trujillo, Peru

147th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 June 2015

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Glory of

DC 76:20

And we beheld the glory of the Son, on the right hand of the Father, and received of his fulness;
Book of Mormon
Helaman 9:1-17
New Testament: Galatians: "Walk in the Spirit
Galatians 2

General Conference

"Come, Follow Me"

President Russell M. Nelson

"Pour out your heart to God. Ask Him if these things are true. Make time to study His words. Really study! If you truly love your family and if you desire to be exalted with them throughout eternity, pay the price now - through serious study and fervent prayer - to know these eternal truths and then to abide by them."

A quote from President Romney's talk: 

"Obedient to the law of Christ is liberty. Learn the law of Christ and obey it. This is the purpose of life."

I listened to Kathy and Kris, two of my favorites, on the book webinar this morning. Kris says that between May and August 15th he buys $1,000 worth of books a day. That is a lot of money!

By the way, I sold three books today.

I was going to make pork chops today for lunch but I was just not feeling up to it. My muscle is still sore from yesterday's slip. 

I sat down for a few minutes and ended up watching last night's episode of "Dancing with the Stars." I think the Bachelorette, Hannah Brown was my favorite.

There was a strange hotline advertisement on TV today. The announcer said: I you have experienced abuse in Mormonism please call this number...What?

I did manage to walk today. Actually the more I walked the less sore my muscle was. 

James worked outside on log upkeep again today. This evening we watched the latest episode of Mystery Theater 101, our second episode for this week. We were a little behind.

 Alex is teaching Max how to city fish.

 Lola's tumbling lesson

 Dressing up 

 I couldn't resist another picture of James's elk.

 He's still going to the temple minus the walker.

 I love Persnikkity's!

 Congratulations Eastmark Firebirds for beating

the Willis Firebirds for the Championship!