Thursday, May 30th, 2019

Dallas, Texas

30th operating temple

Dedicated: 19-24 Oct 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Helaman 8:14

Yea did he not bear record that the Son of God should come? And as he lifted up the brazen serpent in the wilderness, even so shall he be lifted up who should come.

Book of Mormon

Alma 8:18-9:6

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Mark 12:18-27

General Conference

Build a Fortress of Spirituality and Protection

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"Go ye unto your homes, and ponder" is the next step in taking to heart the words of prophets and Church leaders spoken in this sacred setting. Christ-centered hoes are fortresses for the kingdom of God on earth in a day when, as prophesied, the devil "rages in the hearts of the children of men, and stirs them up to anger against that which is good."

As I opened the blinds this morning I noticed LaVerne walking across the back field by herself. You of course remember our two antelopes, LaVerne and Shirley who came a few days to stay last year. James says it is their time to be alone to have their babies. I couldn't tell for sure if LaVerne was pregnant but she was walking pretty slowly. I'm not sure which direction she went. She was probably headed somewhere for a little privacy, away from my prying eyes.

I heard this quote today: "Where much is given, much is expected." It's a good reminder of how much I have been given and how grateful I am and how much I owe to my Savior and Heavenly Father.

I paid down my credit card today and also paid my tithing. I am grateful we have the funds to do both of those things. We got back over $600 from our book business this month. I know it doesn't sound like much, but it's a start. We have now sold 88 books. In the webinar this morning Jim reminded us that: "We spend money to make money." Buying books is expensive but well worth it when they sell.

I had 15,000 steps by 5 this afternoon. This is my new goal. I finished watching the Iron Chef Challenge between Iron Chef Mike Symon and cake baker, Duff. It was close but Mike won. Jane Seymour was one of the judges. I wonder what qualifications she has?

I prepared shipments of books to be sent out tomorrow. Fourteen books total in three different shipments. I wish Amazon would just let them all go to one place.

He just got back from a tour,

I hope he takes a break before going again!

Wish I lived here. Reminds me of 

the book "Heidi" from when I was a girl.

 Glad my days at camp are over.

The Ray family. Adam graduated 

from Chandler high, the 4th generation to do so.

 Clouds

 Six years ago at Dallin's graduation party at

our home in Chandler. 

Ben in the back, Michael, Alex, Dallin, Joe, Jared Ammon.

 It's official, he's got the diploma

Scarlett enjoying her tacos!

 Wow!

 Jen Lilley of Hallmark movie fame. She is holding a baby that

she fosters. She also fosters his older brother and wants to adopt them both. She is pregnant with her own child, a girl.

She is an amazing woman!

 In honor of our anniversary I am sure!

 Brian and Cher. Colby posted this and said:

"My parents are cooler than your parents."

Three years ago.

Tuesday, December 18th, 2018

Dallas, Texas

30th operating temple

Dedicated: 19-24 Oct 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Death of

2 Nephi 25:14

And behold it shall come to pass that after the Messiah hath risen from the dead, and hath manifested himself unto his people, unto as many as will believe on his name, behold, Jerusalem shall be destroyed again; for wo unto them that fight against God and the people of his church.

Book of Mormon #1

Ether 12:22-41

Book of Mormon #2

3 Nephi 29-4 Nephi

General Conference

Sisters' Participation in the Gathering of Israel

By President Russell M. Nelson

"You remember that last June, Sister Nelson and I spoke to the youth of the Church. We invited them to enlist in the Lord's youth battalion to help gather Israel on both sides of the veil. This gathering is 'the greatest challenge, the greatest cause, and the greatest work on earth today"! 

It is a cause that desperately needs women, because women shape the future. So tonight I'm extending a prophetic plea to you, the women of the Church, to shape the future by helping to gather scattered Israel."

The Vision of the Redemption of the Dead

President M. Russell Ballard

"During his lifetime, President Joseph F. Smith lost his father, his mother, one brother, two sisters, two wives, and thirteen children. He was well acquainted with sorrow and losing loved ones. When his son Albert Jesse died, Joseph F. wrote to his sister Martha Ann that he had pled with the Lord to save him and asked, 'Why is it so? O God why had it to be?'

Despite his prayers at that time, Joseph F. received no answer on this matter. He told Martha Ann that 'the heavens seemed like brass over our heads' on the subject of death and the spirit world. Nevertheless, his faith in the Lord's eternal promises were firm and steadfast.

In the Lord's due time, the additional answers, comfort, and understanding about the spirit world President Smith sought came to him through the marvelous vision he received in October 1918.

That year was particularly painful for him. He grieved over the death toll in the Great World War that continued to climb to over 20 million people killed. Additionally, a flu pandemic was spreading around the world, taking the lives of as many as 100 million people."

I left the house today at 6:45 to pick up my friend Maxine. She goes to the temple every Tuesday and I asked if I could go with her today. I also offered to drive. Maxine is a great example to me. She spends most of her time looking for family  names to take to the temple. She does not spend a lot of money and she moves forward in the right direction. 

I had one of James's name to do today. First I did the initiatory and then I went to do sealings with Maxine. After the sealings we did an endowment session.
The baptismal director would not take any of my cards for baptisms. He said I had to get family or friends to do them. Maxine says that's a rule set by our temple president, President Palmer. 

President Gilliland was the sealer today. He was the first president of the Phoenix temple. 

When we were finished at the temple Maxine and I stopped at the new mongollian bbq place in Snowflake. It was good but quite expensive, $12.49 a bowl.

When I returned home James was still in bed. He suffered a lot of nerve pain last night, and after having his best day ever yesterday, he is miserable today. I made him some lunch and then after lunch he called the doctor's office. 

The doctor's office is giving him different directions than the hospital staff did. He is not supposed to do any exercise except walk until he comes in for his six week appointment. 

James and I both wrote our Christmas letter to the family this evening. I did no wrapping and did not work on my blog. I did walk my 10,000 steps and watched some Christmas movies:
"A Small Town Christmas," and "A Gingerbread Romance."

Grandpa Case with Kayla, Kylee who

turns 15 tomorrow, Addy, and Ruby

Looking at Charlie's feet

Uh oh

Not sure why he's barking but it

doesn't take much.

 Trezise tree

Our tree with presents

  

Friday, February 2nd, 2018

Dallas, Texas

30th operating temple

Dedicated: 19-24 Oct 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

Luke 4:32

And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 21:22-22:10

*What does it mean that the Gentiles will nurse Israel back to health? What are some examples I have noticed?

The U.S. government helping with native Americans.

Old Testament

Exodus 22-23

22 The Lord reveals His laws pertaining to stealing, destructions by fire, care of the property of others, borrowing, lascivious acts, sacrifices to false gods, affecting widows, usury, reviling God, and the firstborn of men and of animals - The men of Israel are commanded to be holy.

23 The Lord reveals His laws pertaining to integrity and godly conduct - The land is to rest during a sabbatical year - The children of Israel are to keep three annual feasts - An angel, bearing the Lord's name, will guide them - Sickness will be removed - The nations of Canaan will be driven out gradually.

Old Testament Favorite Scriptures

Genesis 7:23-24

23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.

24 And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days.

General Conference

Value Beyond Measure

Joy D. Jones

"Mothers, you might be kneeling next to your four-year-old as he says his bedtime prayer. A feeling flows over you as you listen. You feel warmth and peace. The feeling is brief, but you recognize that you, at that moment, are counted worthy to receive. We may seldom, if ever receive huge spiritual manifestations in our lives; but we can frequently savor the sweet whisperings of the Holy Ghost verifying the truth of our spiritual worth."

James and I left this morning around 7:30 for his appointment with Dr. Memon at 8:15 in Chandler. I dropped him off and after seeing Dr. Memon he is going to walk to his next doctor's appointment which is only about 1/2 mile away. I drove back to Darrel and Trina's to get ready for my infusion appointment. I brought Lola a Krispy Kreme donut but she said she only like donuts that have chocolate on them so of course I had to eat it. I had already had a lemon filled one. Not good when I have to weigh at the doctor's today.

I hurried and showered and left for Hobby Lobby. I wanted a new centerpiece for the dining room table and some valentines. I found what I wanted and then had to hurry to pick up James at Fry and Dobson. He then drove me to the arthritis center in Mesa for my infusion. AARC is moving. This will be my last appointment at this location. Next time I will be going to Country Club and Baseline.

On the way over to Tempe to see James's mom we stop at the Sweet Tomatoes by her house for lunch. I like this place but I think two times in two days is enough. 

Lois has lots of gifts for James, plus she made him an orange no-bake cheesecake. She also gave me some Barbie dolls she had leftover from Christmas. 

She tells us about Dawn's new job where she works 80 hours a week. She did not get paid for the first few weeks because she was in training. I don't think anyone should have a job where they have to work 80 hours a week. That worries me.

Dawn may be going on a cruise in March for work and if she does Carmen says she is coming to stay with her mom. If she does, it will be nice to see her again. I really love Carmen.

After saying our goodbye's to Lois we headed for the Howard's in Chandler. Sister Howard is recovering from her neck surgery. She seems to be feeling pretty good but her brace comes up to her mouth and it is difficult to talk to people. Deana, the Howard's daughter, and Dakota, Deana's daughter, and Brecken, Dakota's newborn baby came to visit so we said our goodbyes.

Our next stop was Stacy's house, which is just a few miles from the Howard's. We had to wait a few minutes for her to get home as she was picking up Joshua from school. We gave Stacy her birthday card and a gift card for Outback restaurant. We also gave Joshua his knife he left at the cabin and Michael's scripture manual. Stacy said she finished the power point picture file. It has almost 300 photos. I am anxious to get my copy. 

Connie, James's sister, had to have emergency surgery today for a perforated ulcer. We wouldn't have known about it except that I am friends with her daughter Katie on Facebook and she posted about it. Facebook is good for some things. 

James went by to see Salvador about the new business they are starting together and Salvador paid him $200 for his monthly payment for the waterline James put in for him to connect him to city water. I am very impressed with Sal.

This evening while Trina is running kids around, Darrel is at work, and James is visiting Sal and then comes home and goes outside to walk, Lola and I were TV buddies. First we watched a few episodes of "Peppa the Pig," and then we watched "Despicable Me." When it came to the part where Gru shows things he has stolen and the Statue of Liberty comes up Lola gets all excited and says: "I have one of those, pause it."  She runs upstairs and gets the small Statue of Liberty that Darrel and Trina brought back from New York. She looks and hers and then looks and the screen and is so excited that they are exactly alike. She says: "Look, they even have the same book."

I needed to finish getting my steps today but Lola didn't want me to walk, she wanted me to sit by her. Trina brought home dinner from Panda at Lola's request. She wanted chicken and noodles and a cookie, but not a square cookie. The other kids are gone to Kreed's birthday party. His birthday is the same day as Stacy's and Kilee's is the same day as Michael's.  

After Trina goes to get the kids we all watch the last episode ever of KC Undercover starring Zendaya.  

Lola falls asleep on the stairs. James fixes the drain in the upstairs bathroom sink.

Brooklyn Carroll Hobrock had her baby today. A little boy named Deklin.  

Ruby and her things.

She fell asleep like this.

Congratulations!

Connie, James's sister who lives in

San Angelo, Texas.

On this day some time in the

last few years.

Our new First Presidency