Monday, January 21st, 2019

Halifax, Nova Scotia

64th operating temple

Dedicated: 14 Nov 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

2 Nephi 31:ll

And the Father said: Repent ye repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son.

Book of Mormon

*How does Nephi show patience and understanding to his brothers?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

BD: John, the Gospel of John

General Conference

The Role of the Book of Mormon in Conversion

Elder Shayne M. Bowen

"As we better understand who we are and the purposes of the Book of Mormon, our conversion deepens and becomes more certain. We are strengthened in our commitment to keep the covenants we have made with God. A principal purpose of the Book of Mormon is to gather scattered Israel."

Addy made plans to go to the mall with her friends today. She sat down on the couch and began counting her money. She has $330. II reminded her to pay her tithing and she said she would. Saturday night she earned $50 babysitting. I also said I thought she should open up a savings account so she wouldn't be tempted to spend her money. She said that was a good idea.

Ruby and Rowan each went to a friends house today. Lola went to dance class and then her friend Ivy came over to play. 

James took Jared this morning to Hertz to pick up the car they reserved. Because the credit card it was reserved under was in Kacey's name, she had to be the one picking up the car. James came back to the house and took Kacey to the car rental place on McQueen and Guadalupe. 

We met Jared and Kacey for lunch at the Zuppa's on Baseline and Val Vista. The weather was nice so we ate on the patio.

Grandpa was finished eating first so he

held Charlie so the rest of us could finish

our lunch.

After lunch we drove over to visit with James's mother and his sister Dawn. Dawn told us to hurry because she was leaving soon and she wanted to see the baby. 

Of course Lois had James's birthday gifts ready for him. A shirt, six pairs of socks, $40 cash, and a plaque that she made that said: "Escape the Indoors." Dawn gave him a $40 gift card for Joe's BBQ. He was quite happy.

This is one loved baby!

Back to Chandler and my appointment at Dr. Shah's. He says my incision is 70% healed and wants to see me back on Friday, Feb. 1st. I have instructions to brush with the mouthwash on the incision area, use a water pick, an electric toothbrush, and floss. It almost makes me wish I never had to eat...well, not really.

Back to Darrel and Trina's. James went upstairs to take a nap. I was going to walk but then decided to find a UPS store and mail our book boxes. I found one on Ellsworth and Baseline. After mailing the boxes I also found a Soda Rush and got myself a sugar cookie. 

Trina, Jared, Kacey, and I were sitting around the family room talking and playing with the baby when I got a text from Stacy asking if I had made reservations at Firebirds. We had made plans to meet there at 6:30. I said no, I didn't, would she. She said she didn't want to so Trina called for me.  The earliest they can get a party of 11 in is at 7:30. Stacy said that was too late for her, so we went a little early and they seated us before 7:30. It was a fun night and a great way to celebrate Jared and Kacey's second anniversary.

The food was good and so was the company!

Everyone here except Darrel who had to work and

Ian, who was tired from working all day. Sheri took

his dinner home to him.

Back at Darrel and Trina's I unloaded the dishwasher, and put the dirty dishes in. I also had to spot mop the floor because my shoes had something black on the bottom of them. I didn't go outside to walk because it was too cold. As a result I only got 5,927 steps today.

 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
That's why there was no school.

 This was last night in Arizona around 8:30 p.m. but we forgot
to check. The moon was gorgeous tonight when it came up.

This is what Charlie woke up to.

Lola eating peanut butter. She's all ready

for her dance class.

 There are advantages, at least for Ollie, in
keeping your tree up.

We love you Elder Wilhelm!

Beautiful!

Love this!

Rowan and Ruby went to Sheri's while we were at

Firebirds. We drove with Trina and she dropped them off.

This is afterwards. Rowan working on his homework.

I try.

Thursday, October 4th, 2018

Brisbane, Australia

115th operating temple

Dedicated: 15 June 2003

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

2 Corinthians 13:4

For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 14:20-15:6

* How does the principle of agency play into this chapter?

- We can choose our actions but not the consequences. What is God's divine love? The Lord loves all people but cannot tolerate sin. Athought Helaman 15:4 states that the Lord hated the Lamanites  because their deeds have been evil continually," Samuel is an example of the many Lamanites who were taught the gospel message and gained God's favor once they were converted.

President Russell M. Nelson addressed the subject of God's love for those who sin: "Does this mean the Lord doesn't love the sinner? Of course not. He hates the sin but loves the sinner. Divine love is infinite and universal. The Savior loves both saints and sinners. The Apostle John affirmed, 'We love Him, because He first loved us.' (1 John 4:19). And Nephi, upon seeing in vision the Lord's mortal ministry, declared: '...Yea, they spit upon Him, and He suffereth it, because of His loving kindness and His long-suffering towards the children of men (1 Nephi 19:9). We know the expansiveness of the Redeemer's love because He died that all who die might live again." ("Divine Love," Ensign, Feb. 2003, 24).

Old Testament

Isaiah 54-56

General Conference

Laying the Foundation of a Great Work

Elder Steven R. Bangerter

"Lessons taught through the traditions we establish in our homes, though small and simple, are increasingly important in today's world."

We left for the valley at 6:30, about 30 minutes later than planned but I was still able to make it on time to my appointment at Dr. Douglas's in Chandler. Dr. Douglas is my dentist. 

I had x-rays and my teeth cleaned. Bad news. I need two new crowns. Cavities developing under the old ones. This is going to be very costly, $820 a piece. I guess I need dental insurance. 

While I was at the dentist James took the boys to breakfast at IHOP. They all ordered pancakes. Rowan of course ordered the chocolate pancakes. 

After taking the Chandler boys home, Max, Evan, and Joshua, James and Rowan came back and picked me up. We went across the street to Chandler Eyecare and traded cars, getting our Lexy back. 

We then took Rowan home. We beat Darrel home and had to wait for him to get back from the gym to open the door for us. 

We unpacked the car, and left to go to Sears to get the oil in Lexy changed. We went to the Sears by the Chandler mall and James dropped me off at the Carter store which sells baby clothes. Everything in the store was 50% off! 

After dropping the car off James joined me and we walked to Olive Garden across Chandler Blvd. Luckily it was not sweltering hot, it was only in the upper 80's but we were still warm when we reached the restaurant. 

The reason for Olive Garden other than it's one of my favorites, was that we have a gift card. I soon discovered that I had left the gift card in my other purse so we had to put the charge on our credit card.

Because I forgot to put my earrings in this morning I walked over to Claire's at the mall and bought a pair of earrings so my ears don't close up. James went to Sears, picked up the car, and then picked me up at the mall. I had him drop me off at the Carter store again so I could get some things for Scarlett.

Our next stop was Costco so James could get batteries for his hearing aid. He also got a watermelon to make up for the fact that they didn't have Alpine Valley bread. 

Met Stacy at the scrubs store. She starts at the National Laser Institute on the 15th.

Back at home Darrel was taking the kids to the park. Lola wanted me to go but I told her I had to go take a nap. It was just Darrel, Rowan, and Lola who went. Ruby was at a friends and Addy is at school. She is the only one who isn't out for fall break.

After our naps it was time to go visit Dawn and Lois for their birthdays. We stopped at Fry's on the way to get gas. I also got a plant to give to them. We had to wait until this evening to visit so we could see Dawn too. 

We took them the small desk, the cupboard with drawers, a basket with candles, body wash, and other good smelling things. I told them they could decide who gets what. We also gave them their two handmade cards. We had a nice visit. I showed them the patchwork table runner I bought so Lois showed me a quilt she was making and the bedspread she made for Dawn:

Designs are made on Lois's machine.

Each one is different.

We didn't take any photos but thank 
goodness Teresa did.

 Our friends Janet and Clint

 Looks like quite a fortress

Is there anything more precious?

I sure do love these boys!

He is always there for us.

Paul has lost 90 lbs!

Where's your credit card Mom?

Serving from the Vernon ward

Love Trenda and Emery!

 O be wise, what can I say more?

 Card craze

Tuesday, October 2nd, 2018

Nauvoo, Illinois

113th operating temple

Dedicated: 27-30 June 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

1 Corinithians 2:2

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 13:21-39

*How can we be more like Samuel, the Lamanite?

- Remember the Primary song, "Follow the Prophet," he knows the way. President M. Russell Ballard said that if we bring the teachings of the prophets and apostles into our homes our relationships with family members will increase and so will our relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. As we draw close to the Lord we will be able to feel the Spirit and He will teach us and prompt us to know what to do to follow the counsel given that our testimonies might be strengthened and that we might have peace and joy.

Old Testament

Isaiah 48-50

General Conference

Deep and Lasting Conversion to Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

Elder Quentin L. Cook

"Our purpose is to balance the Church and the home experiences in a way that will greatly increase faith and spirituality and deepen conversion."

The boys were up early this morning roaming around before breakfast. Breakfast, although there were many choices, was donuts.

James got up earlier and went for a walk. He called some elk and although he didn't see any, he had some answer him.

It was a relaxing morning for me. James went to work and the boys entertained themselves playing games and going outside. I was able to do two blog posts. Afterwards I made spaghetti and garlic bread for lunch. With the salad left over from last night we had a complete Italian meal. Joshua says spaghetti is one of his favorites.

At one point I looked up and he was walking around outside barefoot eating spaghetti.

It was overcast here but there was a cloud over Show Low most of the afternoon and that cloud was full of rain. We took the boys in to do the Show Low Bluff Trail hike. At first it was raining. James let me off at Sweet Potato to do some shopping and he took the boys to McDonald's to get ice cream. By the time they got back to pick me up the rain had let up so we all did the hike. Before we got back to the car it had started to rain again and we all got wet. 

The first thing the boys wanted to do when we got home was take showers. I told them not to all shower at once or there would't be enough water pressure, so they took turns. 

For dinner we had New York strip steak, baked potatoes, corn, beans, and salad. Max said the steak was delicious. It was his choice so I am glad that he liked it. He likes lots of salt just like James on most of his food. 

Evan wanted to do a load of laundry, his second since being here, so I showed him how to use the washer and dryer. He says he does the laundry and fold the clothes for his mom at home. 

Max has an online social studies class that he worked on while the other boys went outside to play. As soon as he was finished he joined them. 

James and I worked on a book trader business until we reached a glitch. I had to email and ask for help. Hopefully we will get our answer by tomorrow.

 My friend saw this ghostbusters car in

Phoenix yesterday, October 1st.

 Looking forward to Scarlett's 1st birthday party!

Dot Journal tracking

 Love the arms up in the air!

Good walking companion