Friday, December 6th, 2019

Anchorage, Alaska

54th temple

Dedicated: 9 Jan 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Head of Church

4 Nephi 1, 29

And it came to pass that the thirty and fourth year passed away, and also the thirty and fifth, and behold the disciples of Jesus had formed a church of Christ in all the lands round about. And as many as did come unto them, and did truly repent of their sins, were baptized in the name of Jesus; and they did also receive the Holy Ghost.

And again, there was another church which denied the Christ; and they did persecute the true church of Christ, because of their humility and their belief in Christ; and they did despise them because of the many miracles which were wrought among them.

Book of Mormon

Ether 4:1-19

New Testament

2-3 John; Redheaded Hostess study sheets

Oct 2019 General Conference

"Unwavering Commitment to Jesus Christ"

Elder Dale G. Renlund

"The Book of Mormon people known as the Anti-Nephi-Lehies 'laid down the weapons of their rebelliion,' burying them 'deep in the earth' as 'a testimony to God ... that they never would use their weapons again.' In doing so, they promised to follow God's teachings and never go back on their commitment. This action was the beginning of being 'converted unto the Lord' and never falling away."

In Sister Craig's conference talk she said we need to make a regular appointment with the Lord. My appointment is every morning from 5-7:20. I love having this quiet time with the Lord. James joins me the last 20 minutes as we read our scriptures together. I also read two conference talks during the day and listen to at least one spiritual podcast. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ!

I got to say hello to Trina before work and thank her for allowing us to stay with them. She thanked me for helping her and doing the dishes on Wednesday.

I told Ruby to give me a hug before she left for school. She didn't remind Darrel until they were already on their way to the bus stop so I did not get to see her before school. Darrel went to the gym and he returned just as we were leaving around 9:36 so we waved goodbye to him. 

James dropped me off at the Arizona Arthritis and Rheumatology office around 10:15. They have a new kiosk in the corner where you check in. Since I am seeing Dr. Kumar today I had to fill out lots of paperwork asking me questions about my arthritis and the pain associated with it. Dr. Kumar is a woman and a very young one at that. I liked her though. Frances got me started with my infusion as soon as Dr. Kumar  brought me in to the infusion center. As hour later I was finished. 

James was waiting for me outside, he was walking, when I was finished. We drove north on Arizona Avenue which changes to Country Club at Baseline and we had lunch at Culver's on Country Club and Baseline. I ordered a cheeseburger with sweet potato fries and a strawberry sundae. James had a fish sandwich and we both had water to drink. He made this comment to me when I couldn't finish my cheeseburger: "I used to be the cleanup guy, but not anymore."

We went the Payson way because I wanted James to show me where Punkin Center is. It's near where the Rawling's were washed away in Tonto Creek. It is way down in a valley. I've seen it before but didn't know what it was called. 

We stopped at Basha's in Payson. By the way, I love seeing Trey doing their commercials on TV. I bought chocolate chips and two moi ice cream bites. Ice cream wrapped in some kind of dough.

We arrived at Discount Tire in Show Low at 3:30. James's truck has been there all week and they still did not have the tire put on. James was a little peeved. One of the attendants came out to the car and apologized and offered him something for free and told him it would be ready first thing in the morning. James told him we had a funeral and wouldn't be there until early afternoon.

We stopped to get ice at the Speedway station on the hill. I was tempted but, "no more diet soda for me."

We stopped at the Vernon post office before it closed. I had received six books and one return from Amazon. 

We were surprised to see that all of the snow had melted in the few days that we were gone. There is still mud though.

I finished my steps, printed labels for my book order, fixed a small pizza for dinner and watched two Christmas movies. 

LifeTime: "You Light Up My Christmas" starring Kim Fields from "Facts of Life."

Hallmark: "Christmas Town" starring Candace Cameron Bure

I sent this picture to Trina. I thought it might save

her a trip to Los Angeles.

 It looks like Scarlett too.

That word that got cutoff his internal.

Tuesday, January 22nd, 2019

Regina, Saskatchewan

65th operating temple

Dedicated: 14 Nov 1999

By: Boyd K. Packer

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

3 Nephi 11:7

Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name - hear ye him.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 16:1-16

*Why do the "wicked take the truth to be hard"?

New Testament,"Come Follow Me"

John 1:1-10; JST John 1-10 "We Have Found the Messiah"

General Conference

Wounded

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"God did not create our spirits to be independent of Him. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, through the incalculable gift of His Atonement, not only saves us from death and offers us, through repentance, forgiveness for our fins, but He also stands ready to save us from the sorrows and pains of our wounded souls."

I got up and walked this morning early. I got in 3,000 steps before James told me it was too cold to walk and that I needed to come in because he didn't want me to catch cold. I try to honor my husband when he makes a request so in I came. He seemed to disappear. I guess he went upstairs to lay down. 

This morning was our temple day that Jared and Kacey requested. Trina watched Charlie and Sheri, James, and I were going to go to the temple with Jared and Kacey. First of all, James left his temple bag and recommend at home. I told him he could go and rent clothes and they would look up his name on the recommend list and he could get in but he decided he would take the car to Discount Tire to get the tires balanced and rotated. The ride down here the car began vibrating around 65-70 mph. 

We had planned on going to the 10:45 session. I met Sheri at the temple at 10:00, well actually James missed the turnoff so it was more like 10:10. We were going to do initiatories before the session. I couldn't find my recommend. I guess the last time I went I did not put it back in my wallet and I left it in my other temple purse. A brother Andersen took down my name and birthdate and was gone a few minutes. When he came back he welcomed me into the temple. 

Sheri and I got ready and were waiting for Kacey. When we all three went to get the new name we were told the 10:45 session was closed. 

We finally decided that Kacey would go up to the chapel waiting room and meet Jared there for the 11:30 session while Sheri and I went to do initiatories. 

I had three family names for initiatories and one name for an endowment. I gave the name for the endowment to Kacey and Sheri and I took the three names to initiatory. I got a temple name and we each did two names. Three is the limit. 

So grateful Jared, Kacey, Sheri and I were able 

to do ordinances here today.

They have three initiatory booths but we still had to wait about an hour to do our names. When we were finished we picked up James at the Discount Tire on Market St. and got me a sugar cookie and drink at Swig and Sweets,  and then headed back to Trina's to pick up Charlie. 

A cold sugar cookie that is divine!

Charlie fell asleep while Trina was taking Lola to school and she was still sleeping when we got there. I changed my clothes and our plan was to meet Kacey and Jared for lunch. After their session they were able to do a sealing for Kacey's grandmother and then we met them at the Cafe Rio near the temple.

We had a nice lunch and President Johansen, Sheri's stake president and an old friend from Chandler came over to visit for a few minutes about Ben. It was nice seeing him. 

Charlie finally woke up from her nap. That bottle on the table isn't good for much. Trina tried to give it to Charlie but she wasn't having it.

 Sweet picture, even though you can't see

Charlie's face.

The most photographed baby ever!

After lunch Sheri took us back to Discount Tire to get our car. No more vibrating!  

When we got back to Trina and Darrel's I laid down for a short while and James went to have a meeting with Armando about the Mesa, Bellview job. He wasn't gone long and when he got back he wanted to go home. 

While I was packing up James was working on removing the piece of hard plastic that has been hanging down from underneath our car. He finally got it removed and then had to sweep up the clumps of mud left on Darrel's driveway.

We left a little before six and we were almost to Vernon before nine. I didn't even notice but James missed the Vernon turn and just kept on sailing down the highway at over 70 mph. The speed limit changes to 55 just before Vernon and continues on past Vernon. A cop was waiting for him and he got a ticket on his birthday eve. It will cost him $200 for doing 74 in a 55 zone  unless he does traffic school online. He plans to do the traffic school. I could not get upset with him because he already felt so bad.

So our trip had a less than happy ending. It was good to be home though and we unloaded the car and unpacked everything before going to bed. Kacey, Jared, and Charlie are coming up tomorrow.

 Lola loves Charlie!

 Here Scarlett is ready for prayer. She loves Charlie too.

When they Facetime with Kacey she always

asks for "baby."

Wish we could go to Rome to see the temple.

Somehow I managed to get all my steps

today. I guess it was that early start I got

this morning.

Friday, April 20th, 2018

Columbia River, Washington

107th operating temple

Dedicated: 18 Nov 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

What should I pray for?

Bible Dictionary, "Prayer," paragraph 7

As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are His children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part (Matt. 7:7-11). Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship. Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings.

Jesus Christ betrayal of

Matthew 26:16

And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 12:1-16

*Why do you think King Noah and his priests chose not to listen to Abinadi's warnings?

- Don't we hear what we want to hear? Who wants to be told they are wrong and need to repent? When we start to veer off the path our sight becomes clouded. We don't see things in their true light. It's so easy to get confused. What is the cause? Pride, wickedness, and rationalization, just to name a few. When we don't have the Holy Ghost with us, and we do all the thinking we can go off the strait and narrow path quickly. When we think evil is good, and good is evil, and have no need to listen to the Lord's anointed, we can be sure we are in trouble spiritually. No one wants to believe Satan has a hold on their heart. But when we aren't following Christ and his appointed leaders, then aren't we followers of evil?

Old Testament

Judges 18-19

18 The Danites send men to seek an inheritance - They take Michah's images and priest, burn the city of Laish, and set up idolatry. 

19 A Levite's concubine returns to her father - Her husband takes her back, and they lodge overnight in Gibeah - The men of Gibeah abuse the concubine and she dies - The Levite husband cuts her into twelve pieces and sends them to the tribes of Israel.

General Conference

His Spirit To Be With You

President Henry B. Eyring

"I pray with all my heart that you will hear the voice of the Spirit, which is sent to you so generously."

I got up late this morning and then James told me we had to go to town to get our tire checked out at Discount Tire. 

We arrived at Discount Tire at 8:30. Our tire is ruined, probably because I drove on it for quite awhile before I noticed it was flat, but they will still honor our warranty. They don't have any new tires to fit our car but they gave us a used one and they will trade it for a brand new one when it comes in. They said it would take about an hour. I had some shopping to do at Walmart so that was perfect.

The Grapp kids and Amaron are coming over tonight so I got some stuff to fix hamburgers. I also got some frozen lemonade, limeade, grape juice, and fruit punch. 

While I was in Walmart James went to Home Depot for potting soil and a couple of irises and a hydrangea bush. 

When we got back to Discount, an hour since we left our car, it was just sitting in the work bay. I knew an hour sounded too good to be true. I talked James into going back to the hiking trail on Show Low Creek just this side of the Hampton Inn. We realized we could not only hike here but could take the kids fishing too. Sheri and I did this hike once sometime back but I did not remember about the fishing. 

We hiked for probably 45 minutes and turned back. We could have gone further but decided it was time to go back to check on Lexy.

My picture of James

His picture of me

Selfie because Jared and Kacey 

requested it. 

Beware of the livestock

This is place is right by the highway so it's

very convenient.

When we got back to Discount James went in to get the car and I was supposed to drive the truck home. Instead I sent a couple of texts so he ended up leaving before I did. I also stopped at Dollar General on the way home to get marshmallows and chocolate for Smores tonight for the Grapp kids. I got a little carried away. I found baby gifts for the Wilhelm baby, some fun stuff for Andyn's birthday, and a pair of pants for James. 

When I got home I fixed lunch and then took a short nap. 

I worked on my blog while James went outside to work. 

Stacy texted me about the date for our anniversary party. We finally settled on June 2nd, which is the Saturday we will be at the timeshare in Scottsdale. I have the assignment to see if there is a room available for us to use. 

Stacy mentioned the Arizona Teacher's Walkout schedule for this next Thursday. I guess if demands are not met for better wages the teachers will not be showing up for school.

I tried to get all of my steps in before 5 p.m., the time that the

Grapp's are supposed to show up. I made it!

The Grapp's arrived at 5 but Amaron's mom, Laurann got lost and I had to go pick him up down by the Hunsaker's. She has a Prius

and she bottomed out in a couple of places so she was going to go home. I told her I would come and get Amaron who was crying.

A storm is definitely on it's way. It looks like it is raining pretty hard towards Snowflake and Taylor.  It finally arrived here while the kids were eating only it wasn't rain, but snow. We had a white cover on the ground when it got dark. 

Benson and Tildy watched The Little Mermaid II in our room and Liana watched Beauty and the Beast in the family room after dinner. Emsley played upstairs and Amaron hung out in the kitchen asking for food. He had a smore and then some more chocolate and I sent him upstairs to play. Emsley never came down for a smore, she did come down once for a drink of water. 

We only had one altercation, Emsley hit Tildy with something and made her cry. Tildy went to Liana for comfort but didn't seem like she was hurt too badly. I went up to talk to Emsley and she was curled up in a ball on the couch with her hands in her face. I just told her that Tildy loved her and was sad that she hit her. I could tell she already felt bad so I didn't say too much. 

The Grapp's took Amaron home so Laurann didn't have to venture over here again.

I did listen to one of President Nelson's talks today. This one was from October 1994, "The Spirit of Elijah."  After our company left, they left after nine, James and I read from our books and then went to bed.

President and Sister Nelson in India

The fires have already begun.

Tuesday,February 21, 2017

Ascuncion, Paraguay temple

2 Nephi 12-13:5

What are things I tend to idolize in our exciting day?  What kind of idols did Isaiah see in verses 7 and 8?

Mosiah 29 - Alma 1:13

DC 29:23-33

What is meant by the first shall be last and the last shall be first?

v.32 - First spiritual, secondly temporal, which is the beginning of my work; and again, first temporal, and secondly spiritual, which is the last of my work.

GC:  'The Blessings of Worship' by Bishop Dean M. Davies

"When we worship God, we approach Him with reverent love, humility, and adoration.  We acknowledge and accept Him as our sovereign King, the Creator of the universe, our beloved and infinitely loving Father.  We respect and revere Him.  We submit ourselves to Him.  We lift our hearts in mighty prayer cherish His word, rejoice in His grace, and commit to follow Him with dedicated loyalty.  Worshiping God is such an essential element in the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ that if we fail to receive Him in our hearts, we will seek for Him in vain in our councils, churches and temples."

I read an article to day by one of my favorite authors, Larry Barkdull.  It was called: "Miracles Reveal the Character of God."

I also started reading "Isaiah for Airheads" by John Bytheway to help me get through the Isaiah chapters in 2 Nephi.  James and I left for town around 10, he in his truck and me in Lexy.  We dropped Lexy off at Discount Tire to get the tire fixed and to have the tires balanced.  We went to Mountain Thai for lunch.  The only thing we liked were the eggrolls. A friend had recommended it so we were very disappointed.  The food that we left mostly on our plate ended up costing us $36.  Not good.

We went back and picked up Lexy and I did some shopping at Walmart.  I stopped to get gas and James was there filling up the truck.  

We had hotdogs for dinner, read from "Lady of the Lakes," and watched a Hallmark movie, "Love at a Glance."  The high was around 60 degrees today.

Fun Photos

 Lola and her Colorado cousin Reia.

Kim and Jim

Trina and Sheri

Joshua, Evan, Max

Trina's birthday 2015

Princess Ruby

Joshua in the bed grandpa made for him.

Enjoying a flavor break while fixing up our house

on 108th Way to sell.

Alice, LeeAnn, Jordyn, Kelly

Thursday, January 19, 2017

The Petrified Forest

1 Nephi 14:9-30

What are the characteristics of the Church of the Lamb of God versus the church of the devil?

2 Nephi 9

DC 10:22-33

How can we prevent Satan from overpowering our testimony?

Talk: " Always Have His Spirit To Be With Us"

By: David A. Bednar

April 20006

GC: 'The Sacrament Can Help Us Become Holy' by Peter F. Meurs

" The sacrament prayers introduce the covenants with the phrase 'that they are willing' (Moroni 4:3).  This phrase has so much

potential power for us.  Are we willing to serve and participate?

Are we willing to change?  Are we willing to address

our weaknesses?  Are we willing to reach out and

bless others?  Are we willing to trust the Savior?"

James gets up early to go to work.  He is back by 8:30 so we can take the car to Discount to get the tires rotated and balanced.  Before we went to Discount we stopped by Sheri's to take back Ian's slippers that he left at the cabin.  I give Max a hug and James gives Sheri a hug. 

After dropping the car off we went to IHOP for breakfast.  I had an omlet, which I ended up giving to James, soggy hashbrowns, and pancakes.  

We just learned on Facebook today that our friend Brooklyn has juvenille diabetes.

 At least she still has a smile.

Practicing her shot giving skills on her bear.

Ready to go home.

We pick up my car from Discount and take James's truck to Erik's, and then get gas at Sam's Club.  We leave for El Paso around 11:30.

We stayed the night in Jared's house in El Paso and will

continue on to San Antonio tomorrow.  Jared flew out tonight so we didn't even get to see him.  He left us a roast dinner in the crockpot.

It was delicious and we felt like we were at home.

We finished our book, "Adam-Ondi-Ahman" and started a book by a friend of ours called, "Not A Word."

It was a relaxing evening.

Fun Photos

Joshua reading Calvin and Hobbs.

A family tradition.

One of our favorite Vernon families!

Curtis and Zemira are in my Primary class.

This picture of Anna was taken a year ago.

Joe doing what he loves best.