Sunday, August 25th, 2019

Accra, Ghana

117th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Jan 2004

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Glory of

Isaiah 6:3

And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

Book of Mormon

Alma 56:18-40

New Testament "Be Perfectly Joined Together" 1 Corinthians 1-7

Review 1 Corinthians 1-7

General Conference

Cleansed by Repentance

President Dallin H. Oaks

"Overarching God's plan and all of His commandments is His love for each of us, which is 'most desirable above all things ... and the most joyous to the soul'. The prophet Isaiah assured even the wicked that when they 'return unto the Lord, ... he will have mercy ... and abundantly pardon'. Alma taught, 'Behold he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them'. The risen Lord told the Nephites, 'Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive'. From these and many other scriptural teachings, we know that our loving Savior opens His arms to receive all men and women on the loving conditions He has prescribed to enjoy the greatest blessings God has for His children."

Marie and Jasmine were confirmed today in sacrament meeting. They were dressed nice and they were glowing. I congratulated both of them afterwards. 

My friend Jean came to sacrament meeting today at my request but I could tell she did not feel well and I felt a little guilty. She went home after sacrament meeting.

Dimitri G. was the youth speaker today. He spoke on the impact of the "Come Follow Me" program on his family. He said that the "Come Follow Me" program has helped him feel the Spirit and grow close to Jesus Christ. It was a great talk!

The choir sang "Amazing Grace". They need more men. Lots of women but not enough men.

Brother S. Hunsaker was the last speaker. He used Elder Kyle S. McKay's talk, "The Immediate Goodness of God" as the basis for his talk but used his own examples. I could listen to Sean talk all day. Such a sweet, good man. Here are some quotes: "Even while we are patiently waiting upon the Lord, these are certain blessing that come to us immediately" When Alma's people reached Zarahemla: "When they thought of the immediate goodness of God, and his power in delivering Alma and his brethren out of ... bondage, they did raise their voices and give thanks to God." The immediate goodness of God comes to all who call upon Him with real intent and full purpose of heart. He has promised, "My kindness shall not depart from thee." Paul said, 'nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus.'

Sister Skousen taught Relief Society today based on Elder Uchtodorf's talk, "Missionary Work: Sharing What Is in Your Heart". The sisters had lots of stories to tell and really carried the lesson.

After lunch and rest time I reviewed this week's "Come Follow Me" lesson by listening to Brother Butler's and Sister Freeman's YouTube video and filling out their work sheet. I did the same thing with next week's lesson. 

James went to visit the Peeler's and when he returned we headed for the Woods' for dinner. We met Rosa and Dave there. Dave and James are the ministering brothers for Pam and Chuck. When they asked for an appointment Pam invited them to bring their wives for dinner. 

We sat out on the deck and visited while waiting for the sun to go down. After the sun was down we ate out on the deck at the table that was set up. First was the salad which was served in a bowl made from the knot on a tree from Alaska. James asked what kind of tree but they didn't know.

For dinner we had a delicious meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, and broccoli. For dessert a homemade cherry pie with the best crust I have ever tasted! 

After dinner we watched photos projected on the screen from the Woods' recent trip to Prince Edward Island, Kentucky, and Tennesse. Lots of pictures of quilts from the quilt museum in Kentucky.

Pam has been quilting since she was 20 years old and she is now 70. She is a hand quilter. Chuck does the machine quilting.

 Pam with some of her quilts

Lots of awards!

Pam is one of the nicest people I have ever met. She considers everyone her friend and is so kind and loving.

On the way home we stopped at the Halcomb's to get some peaches. They had two big boxes full. We only took a small bag.

 This post was done by Elder Heyman,

Dianne's husband.

Our friends Bob and Claire:

 Sweet little Charlie

This weeks "Come Follow Me"

Saturday, November 1, 2014

"The ordinance of the sacrament needs to become more

holy and sacred to each of us."

-Elder James J. Hamula

"As we look to Jesus as our Exemplar and

as we follow in His footsteps,

we can return safely to our Heavenly Father."

-President Thomas S. Monson

It was very windy today.  I don't really like strong wind.  It destroys the peace.  I read, studied, and did laundry this morning.  At home Evan played a soccer game and made a goal.  Max made an interception and scored a touchdown in his football game.

Can you tell Evan has lost a tooth.

Evan with his Batman Lego set.

Laura and Dave organized a work day at Lois's today.

Here are some of the pictures Laura posted on Facebook:

 Another discovery on Facebook today.  One of James's best friends in high school was a young man named Walter Turley.  Today on Facebook Kristy Thomas posted this picture of her daughter Kaylena with a friend, Walt Turley.  It's the same guy.  James got his number and will call him soon.

I got a text from Jared today that went like this:

"FYI I lost vision in my right eye 3 weeks ago, that's a different eye than my droopy eye.  I had a swollen optic nerve.  I've been on steroids for 3 weeks and most of my vision has returned but not completely.  It might or might not going forward we just have to wait and see.  After MRIs and blood tests to figure out why this happened it was determined that I have Rheumatoid Arthritis.  The inflammation got into my blood vessels and caused a vasculitis and that's why I had the droopy lid in one eye 6 months ago and the vision loss in the other eye.  I was started on weekly methotrexate injections to treat my eye for 4 weeks.  Next week I am getting a Rituxan infusion.  That's the short story but I thought you should know."

Since this text I have spoken to Jared and his eyesight has returned.  He is optomistic in spite of this trial in his life.  Both of my boys have rheumatoid arthritis as I do.  In looking at my mother's life history this week I found that she had rheumatic fever in the sixth grade.  Is this an explanation for why we have this disease?  I don't know.  It doesn't explain why my cousin Rita has it too.

We had stake conference meetings today.  James left with Chuck Crane and Owen Peeler for the 5:00 priesthood leadership meeting.  Donna Peeler drove Kathy Crane, Analee Hunsaker, and myself to the 7:00 meeting.  Our meeting was good and I took notes in my stake conference notebook for further reference.  One of the highlights for me was the youth choir that was asked to sing without prior notice.  I love the youth from the Vernon ward!  Kilee Hunsaker, Trenda, Talon and Alice Wilhelm, Jordyn, Shelly, and Jace Applegate all participated in this choir.  

After the conference session was over I met a dear friend from high school, Jeanene Thomas in the hall on the way out.  This is one of the things I like about living up here.  So many people that I remember from my early days here.

We stopped at Dairy Queen for dinner and I teased Collin Dewitt that the young women outdid the young men again.  We had 5 in the choir and the young men only had 2.  His response: "I didn't know it was a competiton."  My response: "Always."

On the way home Stacy called to tell me about their stake conference session where President and Dianne Heyman were the main speakers.  She said Dianne told her story about health problems while on their mission and her miraculous healing.  After Dianne was finished Stacy said Michael said to her: "Why did I feel so different when Sister Heyman was speaking?"  Stacy told him it was the Spirit witnessing that what she said was true.  I would have loved to have been at that meeting.  I have been a counselor for Dianne Heyman and can testify to her strong faith, determination and conviction in serving the Lord.