Monday, September 30th, 2019

Fort Collins, Colorado

153rd operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Oct 2016

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Glory of

JS-H: 1:17

It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of the spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other - This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!

Book of Mormon

Helaman 12:14-26

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

Ephesians 1

General Conference

Build a Fortress of Spirituality and Protection

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"Our testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ, our homes, our families, and our membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be our personal fortresses of protection surrounding us and shielding us from the power of the evil one. Of this I bear my solemn witness in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen."

Closing Remarks
President Russell M. Nelson
"I leave my love and blessing with you, assuring you that revelation continues in this, the Lord's Church. It will continue until 'the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.'"

Today is Dawn's birthday. I'm not sure how old she is, but I know she is a few years younger than I am. Dawn and I have been friends for over 50 years. We took guitar lessons together, and she was a wonderful example to my children as they were growing up. She has always been kind, patient, loving, and willing to serve others. She is talented like her mother. I remember when she and Carmen and Rebecca were teenagers, they made quilts for our kids. Dawn has a Phd in education and is a wise and patient teacher of children. She now teaches 7-8th grade at a Montessori school in Mesa.

Happy Birthday Dawn. I love you.

Dawn, Carmen and Rebecca after a day of skiing.
Skiing was on Dawn's bucket list.

Before going home Carmen, Rebecca, and
Dawn helped me clean the church.

We don't get to see Carmen very often so it's

always fun when she comes.

I read this quote in "Aunt Dimity's Christmas." 

"Too much comfort is as corrosive to the soul as too little."

I think most of us who live in the United States are in danger of having too much comfort and must be careful it doesn't destory us spiritually. 

Another quote from another book I am reading, "Rescuing Wayward Children":

"Children born in the lineage of Israel are placed there because of the role they will play in serving others. They were faithful and strong before this life marked for greatness here because of their former greatness. They were given the assignment to prepare the world for the Savior's Second Coming. Premortally they had 'conformed to the image of God's Son.' "(Romans 8:29)

James got up this morning and looked outside and said: "That wind is blowing something fierce." I told him I heard an elk close by. James calls, hears him, and leaves. 

Around 6 a.m. I got a text from Tamara,  who is out of town with her husband Jimmy, that there is a fire on Serviceberry Hill, and Jordyn, the only person at home in their family, was being evacuated. I looked outside and saw a small fire on the hill just above Cherry Moyers house where they had been burning brush. James said that this is Serviceberry Hill. I watched as the fire trucks came and eventually the flames were gone and all that was left was smoke. I texted Tamara who is in the valley and told her that her house was in no danger and that Jordyn should be able to return home soon, which she did. It's funny how we can go many days and nothing happens but the minute we leave home something like this happens. We laughed about it and felt grateful to the fire department that the fire was so quickly under control. 

I realized that I was not going to be able to attend my dear friend Analee's funeral later this week because we will be in the valley for my infusion and James's doctor's appointment. The family was asking for donations to pay the hospital bill rather than people sending flowers so James and I signed a card and we sent them a small check, expressing our love for Analee and for the family we know here in Vernon. 

My friend and Relief Society teacher, Diana Curtis, had hip replacement surgery last week. Kathy Crane and I are putting food together to take to Diana and her husband, Blain this evening. 

Kathy made sweet pork burros and had some Texas sheetcake which she put together in a bag. I told her I would make refried beans and a salad to take. I wanted to do more so I also made Zuppa Tuscana soup and some rolls. James and I delivered the food and visited for a few minutes with Diana and Blain who are our dear friends. It is a privilege to have such friends as the Curtis's.

On the way home we stopped at Tanna Conrad's house to give her a sympathy card. Tanna just lost her grandmother who had raised her and lived with her. We spoke with her a few minutes and when she said she wanted a service for her grandmother we gave her the Bishop's phone number and James contacted the bishop.

When we got home I heard our elk calling. James didn't answer this time. We went inside and after cleaning the kitchen we watched the new Ruby Herring mystery, starring Taylor Cole.

Sheri shared Ben's letter with us.

Serviceberry Hill

How do I keep this guy grounded?

Friday, September 30th, 2016

Happy Birthday to the young lady down on the end
in the white jacket.
We love you Dawn!

Helaman 12:14-26

What do we learn about the principle of repentance in these verses?

Repentance leads us to Christ's grace.  The Bible Dictionary says that grace is a strengthening or enabling power.  Divine means of help or strength, given through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ.  "Through the grace of the Lord, individuals, through faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means.  This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts." (BMSM, 279-80; or Ensign, Nov. 2004, 76-77).

Elder Gene R. Cook of the Seventy: "The grace of the Lord through the Atonement can both cleanse us of sin and assist us in perfecting ourselves through our trials, sicknesses, and even character defects . .  Christ can repair our flaws and failing that otherwise are not repairable (see Genesis 18:14; Mark 9:23-24) (Ensign, May 1993, 80-81).

GC: 'Tomorrow the Lord will do Wonders Among You' Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"Please remember tomorrow, and all the days after that, that the Lord blesses those who want to improve, who accept the need for commandments and try to keep them, who cherish Christlike virtues and strive to the best of their ability to acquire them.

If you stumble in that pursuit, so does everyone; the Savior is 

there to help you keep going.  If you fall, summon His strength.

Call out like Alma, "O Jesus, . . . have mercy on me."

(Alma 36:18)

He will help you get back up.  He will help you repent, repair, fix whatever you have to fix, and keep going.  Soon enough you

will have the success you seek."

  

It might be time for a haircut.

Dale the Quail

We had another miracle today.  James had just about given up on fixing the Razr.  He came in and said he was going to have Adam bring the trailer up so he could take it in to town to be fixed before next weekend when Darrel and Sheri's families come up.  I said to him:  "Please try one more time.  I really do think Heavenly Father is going to help you."  He gave it one more try using something called Locktight and, it worked!  We both said a prayer of gratitude because I know it was Heavenly Father that helped him.  He knew we couldn't afford to take it in to Show Low Motorsports.

I am intrigued by Dr. Campbell's book, The China Study, which is a study in nutrition.  He is telling about his decision to study the protein cancer connection as a result of studies done in the Philippines linking children with cancer to the amount of protein they eat.  Dr. Campbell advocates a Whole Food Plant Based diet.

I've just about had to learn a whole new vocabulary for my fantasy book Fablehaven.  I am reading about dwarfs, satyrs, dryads, fairies, hamadryads, Fairy Queens, naiads, goblins, revenants, talismans, and zombies.  Here is an excerpt from what I read today:

This is the Fairy Queen speaking to Kendra, who is a 14 year old girl trying to help fight the shadow plague that is taking over the mystical creature preserve, Fablehaven, where her grandpa is the caretaker: "While in your possession, the talisman will cast an umbrella of energy that will help protect those around you.  If you bring the talisman into contact with the dark object, both will be destroyed.  Be forewarned.  Whoever connects the objects will perish.  Much that has darkened will be restored.  Live a fruitful life.  Resist evil.  Give more than you take.  Help others to do likewise."  Such a wise little fairy queen.

Before going to town this afternoon James and I cleaned out the frig and ate most of the leftovers for lunch.  Homemade veggie soup, tortellini, and beans.  I always like to clean the frig the day I go grocery shopping.

The first thing we did when we got into town was go to visit aunt Gene at Haven in Lakeside.  We didn't stay long because she had a room full of people, including my cousin Arlee.  Aunt Gene was in good spirits and obviously felt much better.  Here is the last good picture I have of her.  

She has lost most of her hair and teeth, but she is still
beautiful to me.

We got gas at the Maverick right next to Haven and then headed back to Walmart.  James dropped me off and then he went to Harbor Freight to get some kind of a saw blade sharpener.

We got in to a little rain coming back home.  James carried in the groceries for me and then he headed out on the Razr to call elk.  My back was hurting so badly I grabbed some more Tramadol to take for the pain.  Here are a couple of goodies I got at the store:

I saved most of this for tomorrow so 

I would have something to look forward to.

This is what I had for dinner.

I love this time of year when everything with pumpkin flavoring comes out, so do the orange and yellow leaves, turkeys, and corn maizes.

I could probably handle this one.

Rowan got an attendance award today, just like Ruby

I don't think he likes to show his teeth when he smiles.

We missed Dawn's birthday dinner this evening at Garcia's in Mesa.  It was a little far for us to travel.  We stayed home and watched episode 2 of Chesapeake Shores.  Wow!  My back is making me feel like I am crippled.  I hope it is better tomorrow.