Sunday, January 20th, 2019

Detroit, Michigan

63rd operating temple

Dedicated: 23 Oct 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship
2 Peter 1:17
For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Book of Mormon
1 Nephi 15:1-18
*Has there ever been anything in my life that is "hard to be understood" until I made sure to inquire of the Lord?
* Why is it important to avoid the spirit of contention?
New Testament
Luke 2:40-52 Even as a youth, Jesus was focused on doing His Father's will.
General Conference

The Ministry of Reconciliation

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

" Surely each of us could cite an endless array of old scars and sorrows and painful memories that this very moment still corrode the peace in someone's heart or family or neighborhood. Whether we have caused that pain or been the recipient of the pain, those wounds need to be healed so that life can be as rewarding as God intended it to be."

Rowan had an early morning BYC meeting this morning. He is the deacon's quorum president in his ward.

James, Jared, Kacey, and I attended the Galveston 3rd ward sacrament meeting and Sunday School. During sacrament meeting Bishop Wanlass told about his dad's stroke and how the people in his California ward rallied around him and his wife. He challenged his ward members to visit and care for each other when they feel prompted to do so.  Sheri held the baby for awhile but the real steal came during Sunday School.

We all settled in Gerry Price's class and Charlie got a  little fussy. She was holding her and took her out. We never saw her again until the class was over and it was time for Max's ordination. 

James ordained Max a priest and gave him a wonderful blessing. I hope Max remembers the things he said. Those in the circle with James: Jared, Darrel, Brian, Terry, Michael, Bishop Wanlass, Mike Ellsworth, and Brother Allen.

Others in the room who witnessed the ordination: Ian, Sheri, Evan, Stacy, Joshua, Kim, Kacey, Charlie, Trina, Addy, Rowan, Ruby, Lola, and Cathi. 

Afterwards we all went outside and Brother Ellsworth took a family photo for us.

 I sure do love these people!

Rowan just couldn't resist.

Sheri fixed lunch for everyone at her house. We had ham, scalloped potatoes, homemade macaroni and cheese, rolls, corn, snickerdoodles, chocolate cake, water, lemonade and DP10. It was so much fun and so nice of Sheri to provide food for all of us.

 Lola inherited some people's leftover cake.

 Ollie took second seat to Charlie and

he sought solace in Brian's arms.

 Charlie was the hit of the party.

I've never seen a sweeter or cuter baby!

Darrel even got a turn.

Lots of love going around.

James got a chance to visit with his friend Zaki before we left Sheri's. 

When we got back to Darrel and Trina's we had a "Come Follow Me" lesson. Darrel ask his dad to be in charge. Rowan answered most of the questions. Darrel showed a video or two from the lesson on the TV. 

Here at Darrel and Trina's Charlie was still the center of attention. Lola gathered all of her "friends" to meet her sweet little cousin.

Trina made her famous guacamole to go with the chips we had. Did I mention how yummy it is? Thanks Trina!

 Who can resist this adorable face?

 Two adorable faces!

 Watching a video from the "Come Follow Me"

lesson.

Jan 20-27 lesson.

Monday, August 13th, 2018

Detroit, Michigan

63rd operating temple

Dedicated 23 Oct 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator 

DC 76:24

That by Him, and through Him, and of Him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.

Book of Mormon

Alma 50:1-20

* What cane we do to cut off our spiritual enemies from their strongholds?

- It's imporatnt that even when we are under "prosperous circumstances," that we do "not stop making preparations...to defend ourselves". There is a tendency for us to become at ease when things are going well. However, we can't let our guard down for one moment. We have to continually be building "strong and high" defenses against the adversary, "preparing strongholds" and "securing...our people from the hands of the devil and evil forces." We can't ever let our guard down and stop preparing."

Old Testament

Psalms 9-14

9 A messianic psalm of David - He praises the Lord for rebuking the nations - The Lord will judge the world in righteousness - He will dwell in Zion - The wicked will be sent to hell.

10 David speaks of various acts of the wicked - God is not in their thoughts - But the Lord is King forever and ever - He will judge the fatherless and oppressed.

11 David rejoices that the Lord is in His holy temple - The Lord tests the righteous and hates the wicked.

12 David decries flattering lips and proud tongues - He says, The words of the Lord are pure words.

13 David trusts in the Lord's mercy and rejoices in His salvation.

14 David says, The fool has said in his heart, there is no God - Israel will rejoice in the day of restoration.

General Conference

Introductory Remarks

President Russell M. Nelson

"These modifications have been under study for many months. We have felt a pressing need to improve the way we care for our members and report our contacts with them. To do that better, we need to strengthen our priesthood quorums to give greater direction to the ministering of love and support that the Lord intends for His Saints."

The Elders Quorum

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"Thanks be to God for the men of the priesthood and for the service they will yet render in lifting individuals and families and in establishing Zion."

Today is the 2nd Monday of the month. The empty nester RS sisters are coming to my house for a potluck lunch. I started out by making two Texas sheetcakes, one chocolate and one almond, pecan with white cake. 

James pitched in without even asking. He cleaned up around in the yard, tried to mow the lawn but he couldn't get the mower to work, sprayed the bird poop off the front porch and helped me set up the awning outside on the patio in case it is so crowded we need some people to sit out side. It looks like this:

We ended up having only 14 sisters so we did not use the outside setup. These are the people who attended: Catherine, Kerri, Stefani, Linda, Judy, Ellen, Tamara, Amy, Teresa, Maxine, Patsy, Debbie, Millie and myself.

After cleaning up and putting the leftover cake in the freezer, I sat down for a rest. James came in a couple of hours later and said we needed to go into town to fix my tire. It was all I could do to pry myself out of my chair. I am glad we went though. Not only did I get a new tire for only $28, I got in a good long walk, and did some of my weekly shopping at Walmart. It was a good use of time.
We listened to a conference talk on the way home and counted it for FHE. 

James and I are reading the book club book together, "The Secret Keeper," by Kate Morton.

 Last nights storm that landed in Cibeque

 Max and Ollie playing

 Erik and Amelia's kids:

Mabel, Oliver, Aurora, Tabitha Rose

 Relief Society sisters luncheon

Scenes from my walk

Our electricity was off from 8:18 to until a little after 10. We lit a couple of our kerosene lanterns. They don't give off a ton of light but they create a cozy atmosphere. I had to get a flashlight to read to James from "The Secret Keeper."

Wednesday, March 7th, 2018

Detroit, Michigan

63rd operating temple

Dedicated: 23-24 Oct 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

Revelations 5:12
Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.
Book of Mormon
2 Nephi 26:31-27:11
* What do you think it means, the books shall be read upon the house tops?
Old Testament
Numbers 16-17
16 Korah, Dathan, and Abiram and 250 leaders rebel and seek priestly offices - Earth swallows the three rebels and their families - Fire from the Lord consumes the 250 rebels - Israel murmurs against Moses and Aaron for slaying the people - The Lord sends a plague, from which 14,700 die.
17 As a test, a rod for each tribe is placed in the tabernacle of witness - Aaron's rod buds and blossoms and brings forth almonds - It is kept as a token against rebels.
General Conference

"I Have a Work for Thee"

John C. Pingree

" Sin is perhaps our greatest stumbling block, dulling our sensitivity to the Holy Ghost and restricting our access to spiritual power. To perform the work Heavenly Father has for us, we must strive to be clean. Are we living in such a way that God can work through us?"

Historian Richard Anderson said this about Joseph Smith: 

"The early Joseph is above all the Joseph of faith, of great humility, and of constant prayer."

I read this information today in the Old Testament Student Manual regarding the blooming of Aaron's rod blooming: 

" A man's rod was the sign of his position as ruler in the house and congregation. This showed that Aaron was not only qualified for his calling, but administered his office in the full power of the Spirit and bore the fruit expected of Him."

James and I left for the Snowflake temple at 9:20 for the 10:30 session. The session was packed. There were 33 sisters and 22 brothers. I was in the back row on the brothers side. I did a name for a Brother Masterson whom I met when I worked at the temple last time. I brought an addressed and stamped envelope with me and on the way home we mailed the card back to the name on the front, which is his wife's name. 

While I did some quick shopping at Walmart James got gas in the car and then went to Taco Bell to pick us up some lunch. He left the taco salad box in my seat and when I saw it, I thought it was a cake box. 

I bought a small bonsai tree in Walmart. The tag on it says it brings peace and harmony and I could use more of both in my life. 

This afternoon was naps and steps. This evening James had a High Priest Group leadership meeting while I stayed home alone. 

I found something this evening while I was home alone that we have been looking for a long time. I was cleaning the master bedroom and bath and pulled out the box under the bench at the end of our bed. Inside was James's blood pressure cuff and the exterior hard drive that we have been looking for since we moved. We both thought they were in a box upstairs, and here they were literally right under our feet.

When James got home we watched an episode from Heartland season 7.

My bonsai tree which is bound to bring 

peace and harmony.

 My wooden eggs

The Bogle's farm fresh eggs.

Two golden oldies at the temple