Thursday, September 5th, 2019

Twin Falls, Idaho

128th operating temple

Dedicated: 24 Aug 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Glory of

John 17:5

And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

Book of Mormon

Alma 62:1-18

New Testament "God is Not the Author of Confusion, But of Peace" 1 Corinthians 14-16

Today: 1 Corinthians 15:21-34

General Conference

Just as He Did

W. Christopher Waddell

"Whether we serve as ministering brothers or sisters, or simply when we are made aware of someone in need, we are encouraged to seek the guidance and direction of the Spirit - and then to act. We may wonder how best to serve, but the Lord knows, and through His Spirit we will be directed in our efforts. Like Nephi, who 'was led by the Spirit not knowing beforehand the things which he should do,' we will also be led by the Spirit as we strive to become instruments in the Lord's hands to bless His children. As we seek the guidance of the Spirit and trust the Lord, we will be placed in situations and circumstances where we can act and bless - in other words, minister."

Jif, our little mouse, ate the peanut butter, and sprung the trap and got away. James set it again before we left this morning for the valley.

I read Ian Wanlass's missionary letter today. He got to watch the Prophet speak in Argentina. He said he began speaking in English and then switched to fluent Spanish. Ian's last statement was: "The gift of tongues is alive and well"!

We left a little after 7 this morning. We have to be at Lola's school at 11 o'clock for grandparents day. 

We stopped at Burger House. James ordered a green chili mixed burro and I ordered a Tony's Special breakfast burrito. James ate his and half of mine. I guess he was hungrier than I was.

We arrived at the new Silver Valley Elementary School right on time. We are here to celebrate grandparents day with Lola who is in kindergarten. We had to wait on the playground while the kids had recess and then we went into the cafeteria to have lunch. Lola and her friend Ricky (a girl) whose grandparents weren't able to come sat with us. I asked them if this was a brand new school. Lola said yes because her teacher said so. Ricky said no it wasn't new. She then looked at Lola and said, "I think we are both right." Kids.

When I asked Lola the grandparents were at her school she said, "I think they were supposed to bring Chikfila."

Sorry honey, we didn't know.

 Lola and her friends playing tag

 James and his new friend examining a squished bug.

The little boy wanted to know why there was popcorn coming out of the bugs behind. James said that was his insides. And he kept saying yeah, but why is it popcorn.

 The popcorn bug

 No Chikfila at this table.

Lola's favorite part of her lunch was her drink.

After saying goodbye to Lola and Ricky we headed for Darrel's house to unload our suitcases and to rest for awhile until our appointments at 2 o'clock in Chandler.

I dropped James off at Chandler Eyecare and then I drove over to Dr. Shah's so they could take an xray and the doctor could check my implant. I was reminded that I need to be using a water pick twice a day, an electric toothbrush, and their periodontal rinse at least once a week. I guess I need to do better. Dr. Shah did say that everything looks great and that he would see me in 3 years.

Back at Chandler Eyecare I got to talk to Nancy and Sheri while I was waiting for James. James will be getting new glasses and Medicare paid for them. Nice.

We stopped in at Culver's on the way to Stacy's for a bite to eat. It's on the corner of Willis and Arizona Avenue. We love their fish dinner. 

James wanted to talk to Stacy about what was left for him to do on the doors he installed in Jared Ammon's room. She wants him to come back and paint them so he said he would.

We were going to go over to see James's mom after Stacy's but couldn't reach her on the phone. So instead we took the cake Stacy made for me and headed back to Darrel's where James dropped me off while James went to a meeting in Tempe about a remodeling job he is bidding. 

When the kids got home from school, Addy, Rowan, and Ruby, they were watching "Once Upon a Time" on TV. I used to really be in to the show but quit watching because the plot had so many twists and turns I couldn't keep up with who were the bad guys and who were the good guys. Lola was gone to dance class.

Darrel got off work at five today for his birthday. When Trina and Lola got home Trina began making one of Darrel's favorite dinners, meatloaf and peas. I played with Lola while Trina fixed dinner. Lola, Ruby and I helped cut up strawberries. I also worked with Lola on her sight words. 

 Lola danced for me

 Trina fixing meatloaf

 Lola licking frosting off the cake

41 candles

 Darrel and I are sharing the cake so Trina

insisted we get a picture together.

 The one picture of Addy. She was busy doing homework all evening.

The fire alarm didn't even go off.

 ASU T-shirts from us, a Fitbit watch and a blanket from Trina

money from Trina's parents. 

Lola played music for me while I walked

after the party. We also did a unicorn puzzle

together with grandpa's help.

 Take time to smell the flowers

Charlie heard it was Darrel's birthday so

she celebrated too.

 Trina's mom brought Ruby Taco Bell for 

grandparents day lunch. I guess she got the memo.

 Last year at Ben's farewell

He's been out one year!

Wednesday, September 5th, 2018

Montreal, Quebec
86th operating temple
Dedicated: 4 June 2000
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Matthew 27:22

Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

Book of Mormon

Alma 62:1-18

*What effect did Moroni's standard of liberty have on the hearts of the people of Nephi?

- It gave them courage and confidence and hope in the cause they were fighting for.

Old Testament

Proverbs 8-10

General Conference

The Prophet of God

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"We embrace President Nelson as we would have embraced Peter or Moses if we had lived in their day. God told Moses, 'I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.' We listen to the Lord's prophet with the faith that his words are 'from the Lord's own mouth.' 

Is this blind faith? No, it is not. We each have a spiritual witness of the truthfulness of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. By our own will and choice, we raised our hand this morning, declaring our desire to sustain the Lord's prophet with our confidence, faith, and prayers and to follow his counsel. We have the privilege as Latter-day Saints to receive a personal witness that President Nelson's call if from God."

This morning James and I went to Fry's to get the ingredients to make shredded beef tacos. Fry's had coffee and donut holes out for their shoppers. I was so excited to see donut holes that I grabbed some, totally forgetting about my commitment to not eat sugar. How do I overcome this addiction?

Can't help but compare Fry's produce section 

to Walmart's. There is no comparison. 

Sorry for the backside of the old guy.

While we were at Fry's Trina said she was going to take Lola to the gym with her and then she would bring her over to Cathi's later. We tried to hurry home before she left but we didn't make it. I am watching Lola and picking up Addy from the bus stop while Trina goes to the doctor. 

Cathi is so nice to do this for me. She is providing the material, time, and no how to make my card kits for card making class. I asked James to go to the bank and get $20 for her, which he did. 

Here is what I ended up with:

16-17 kits for card class

Lola made a card for her dad's birthday and then went upstairs and got locked in the play area. Later she said she liked playing with the dogs and making her card but she didn't like getting locked in with the toys.  Cathi watched Ollie for Sheri while Sheri took her car in. James picked Sheri up.  She is very emotional today. It's the saddest happy she has ever been.

Saying goodbye to Ben:

We left Cathi's around 1:15. Addy gets out of school early today and we are supposed to pick her up at the bus stop at 1:45. Lola told us she knew where the bus stop was. When I asked her which way we turn she said I think it's right, or maybe left. At first Addy didn't see us so she called her dad. Darrel called us and we drove around closer to where she was so she could see us. 

Addy wanted to go home so we went to drop her off. Trina had accidentally locked the door so Addy came with us to Jersey Mike's. James ordered her a mini sandwich with provolone cheese and ham. She said she didn't really like ham but she ate the entire sandwich. Lola ate the inside of her bread where it was nice and soft. She drank lots of pink lemonade and ate chips. James got her a cookie and she said she didn't want it. I looked at it and it had raisins in it so that's probably why.

Poor Trina spends most of her time in the afternoon running back and forth taking and picking up kids. She picked up Rowan from football practice and then took Addy to Mutual. Rowan was supposed to go too but he didn't want to because he doesn't really know anyone. Addy didn't have time to eat dinner and she was not here for Darrel's "party." We had to have Darrel's party between 6 and 7 because one of his birthday presents from Trina was a massage and he had to be there at 7.

Our tacos, both chicken and shredded beef were delicious. Darrel says tacos alot, that's why we made them for him. I hope he liked them.

Happy Birthday Darrel

  A candle and a kid for every decade of his life. 

The Big 40.

Lola's card:

Ruby's card:

Rowan's card:

Rowan didn't know that his dad used to
drive a motorcycle.

Photo a day:

Miss Charlie Mae

She sleeps with her legs in the air
building up her leg muscles for when she
becomes a dancer.

 Flooding in Manhattan, Kansas
Hurricane Gordon

I was her home teacher. She got me registered

at D.U.P. 

Daughters of Utah Pioneers

She was unforgettable and I loved her!