Monday, February 3rd, 2020

Nauvoo, Illinois

113th operating temple

Dedicated: 27-30 June 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Judge

Genesis 18:25

That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

2 Nephi 1-5 "We Lived after the Manner of Happiness"

2 Nephi 1

Lehi prophesies of a land of liberty - His seed will be scattered and smitten if they reject the Holy One of Israel - He exhorts his sons to put on the armor of righteousness, About 588-570 B.C.

"Be Faithful, Not Faithless

Brother Stephen W. Owen

"Yes, you face challenges. But so does every generation. These are our days, and we need to be faithful, not faithless. I testify that the Lord knows about our challenges, and through the leadership of President Nelson, He is preparing us to meet them. I believe that the prophet's recent call for a home-centered church, supported by what we do in our buildings, is designed to help us survive - even thrive - in this day of spiritual malnutrition."

"The Joy of the Saints"

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Oct 2019

"Even when we are found faithfully keeping the commandments, there are trials and tragedies that could interrupt our joy. But as we strive to overcome these challenges with the Savior's help, it preserves both the joy we feel now and the joy we anticipate. Christ reassured His disciples, 'In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.' It is in turning to Him, obeying Him, binding ourselves to Him that trial and sorrow are turned to joy."

Kim has a meter to check blood sugar. I checked mine about two hours after eating breakfast and it was at 136. Kim said that is within range. What a relief.

I was up early and finished my study of 2 Nephi 1. I also worked on my blog before it was time to get ready for my infusion. James dropped me off at AARA around 10:20. I waited about 15 minutes before Frances called me back. I am not bending my knee but when I look around and see the condition of some of the other patients, I'm not going to complain. Ange administered the infusion poking me half way down my left arm instead of opposite the elbow. It's fine except I will probably have a bruise.

The hour went by and I was on my way. James wasn't outside to pick me up so I began walking over to Freddie's across the street. I went down to the crosswalk by Popeye's and then walked back up to Freddie's where James was waiting for me. 

I forgot our new gift cards to Olive Garden but I had two old ones in my purse that still had a total of $25 on them so we headed to the Olive Garden on Chandler Blvd and the 101. 

I ordered something I've never had before, Frittata Ziti. It was ok. I didn't know that frittata means fried. James got something much healthier. We ordered pasta bowls to take home to Kim and Brian.

I had an appointment at Dr. Shah's at 1:30 to check my extraction and implant. I'm glad I went because the nurse reminded me of what I need to be doing to care for my implant. She said if I don't care for it I could experience bone loss and I would lose my implant. I needed that reminder.

James has a meeting with Alicia Delacruz around 4:00 but he took me home to Kim's before the meeting. My knee was really hurting. I took some tramadol and finished this morning's second blog post. Kim was home and we had a nice visit. She made a gospel restoration timeline and she said I could use it. I want to make my own to use when we give the lesson on the Restoration in Relief Society.

I found some other things to add to the timeline in reading 

"Church History in the Fullness of Times"

I took some Tramadol and Kim and I sat down to visit and then to watch a couple of Hallmark movies. We watched one I hadn't seen yet, " A Valentine's Match" starring Bethany Joy Lenz and Luke Mcfarlane. We also watched one of my favorite new winter movies this year, "Hearts in Winter" starring Jill Wagner and Victor Webster.

Brian came through and told us the latest Ganem Jewelers gossip and about Austin, George Ganem's son-in-law starting his own line of biker jewelry called "American Sons." I guess Curt and Jason aren't too happy about it.

Kim gave me so Deep Blue to rub on my knee and then wrapped it for me and I just laid on the loveseat where Brian usually sits and watched TV. Hopefully my knee will be better tomorrow.

James said his meeting went well and Alicia will be sending us some money next week as will Diana Rico.

The news of the day was Ben's letter and the miracle that occurred when a group of missionaries Ben was with were in a van in a roundabout. I will post the letter and then the email Elder Legas sent out who was driving the van when the miracle occurred.

Betty and 3 of her 4 boys

 This is what happens when the SuperBowl is

on Groundhog day.

Halftime show

Chiefs beat the 49ers 31-20

 The picture in the room where we stayed.

The light was on in the room.

Anthony said the winds were 70 mph today.

Someone's metal building which they were getting

ready to put up, blew away.

They had no insurance.

Kim, Sheri, Michael, Joe, and Brian 

are very excited!

Thursday, November 14th, 2019

Guatemala City, Guatemala

32nd operating temple

Dedicated: 14-15 Dec 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Head of Church

DC 104:1

Verily I say unto you, my friends I give unto you counsel, and a commandment, concerning all the properties which belong to the order which I commanded to be organized and established, to be a united order, and an everlasting order for the benefit of my church, and for the salvation of men until I come -

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 28:25-40

New Testament

Hebrews 11; I/F: Faith requires trusting in God's promises. 

SS: Questions about faith from Hebrews 11.

10/19 General Conference

"Thru Cloud and Sunshine, Lord, Abide with Me!"

Sister Reyna I. Aburto

"Black clouds may form in our lives, which can blind us to God's light and even cause us to question if that light exists for us anymore. Some of those clouds are of depression, anxiety, and other forms of mental and emotional affliction. They can distort the way we perceive ourselves, others, and even God. They affect women and men of all ages in all corners of the world."

We called Quicken loan, a.k.a. Rocket mortgage, to see if we needed to pay our property taxes which were due on November 1st. We kept thinking they were going to be in our loan but it is taking so long for it to go through we were afraid that we would be charged big penalties. James called them today and they said to go ahead and pay the taxes, which I did.

RWC: The miracle of God's work is that weak things are divinely empowered to accomplish great things. (See DC 35:13)

Day 4: Wisdom: Proverbs 2:2-4

Incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart unto understanding; Cry for insight and ask for understanding. Seek them like hidden treasures.

Seek wisdom and impart it to our children. Wisdom begins as we reverence and worship God. Take time to teach our children. Show them by example. Be patient with them.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray Max would tune his ears to your wisdom. Please give him the wisdom to make good choices. Please help me to teach him by my example. Help me to be patient with him as he struggles to learn of thee and thy Son.

We left for the valley this morning around 10:30, going the Payson way. There is construction on the Pinto Creek bridge between Miami and Superior on Tuesdays and Thursday between 9-1.

We stopped at Culver's in Payson. I got a pot roast sandwich. James kept telling me that we needed to hurry because we were going to be late. I have an appointment with Dr. Shah at 2 p.m. 

As we came into Chandler via the 101 we realized that the Ray exist was closed. We had to go down to Chandler Blvd. and turn back around and go up the access road to Ray. I walked in a few minutes late but they were very understanding. 

It took Dr. Shah about five minutes to check where my tooth was extracted. He said that it looked fine and he said, "See you in three months." 

James had left to mail my book shipment and to get gas. I told him I was out but he was at the gas station so I began walking down Ray towards Dobson. He picked me up just before I got to Dobson. 

We had to hurry out to east Mesa to pick up Ruby from school for Darrel. Ruby had passed us up but when I got out to look for her she saw me and came running. 

It was great to see Jared, Kacey, and Charlie at Darrel and Trina's. We gave them all hugs. James brought our stuff in, changed his clothes, and went to pick up Rowan at school. We are going to the Gilbert temple at 4:30 to do baptisms with Rowan, Joshua, Evan, and Stacy, Kacey and Jared. 

Rowan came in, took a shower, and off we went with Jared, Kacey and Charlie right behind us. We hadn't gone too far when James asked Rowan if he had his temple recommend. When he said no, we turned around and went back home. We told Jared what we were doing and he went ahead without us.

We got to the temple around 4:30, meeting Stacy, Joshua, Sheri, and Evan. Sheri took Charlie with her. She had to take Max to his weekly seminary class and played outside with Charlie while Max was in seminary. She said Charlie would walk around and then would say, "mama, Kacey"!

There were no other youth groups when we arrived at the temple. Several people came in after us though. The sister in charge said we were only supposed to do 4 names a piece but since it was a slow time she allowed us 5. Kacey had her own names. I gave 5 of Maxine's names to Stacy, Joshua, Evan, and Rowan.

James baptized Evan, Joshua, and Rowan. Jared baptized Kacey and Stacey. We traded off as witnesses. I was a witness a couple of times. When it came time to do the confirmations James confirmed Joshua, and Stacy. Jared did Kacey, Rowan, and Evan. It felt good to have our family participating together in doing these temple ordinances. We need to do this more often.

After we were finished we headed over to "The Thirsty Lion" at the San Tan Mall. Charlie had been crying but Sheri said she was happy except for after dropping Max off at home and she was in the backseat of the car by herself in the dark. Kim and Brian also met us at the restaurant as well as Darrel. Darrel was worried because he didn't get a chance to take dinner to his kids at home. He called Addy and she said she had dinner taken care of. She made pancakes. Trina did not come to dinner because she was at work.

I had the same thing Kacey did. I asked her what she had gotten when she went here before and she said the Asian ribs with rice. That's what I got. It was delicious only I could only eat about half of it. I took the rest home. James had salmon and rice and brussel  sprouts.

After dinner we said our goodbyes and went back to Darrel and Trina's where Jared, Kacey and Charlie are staying too. Charlie has a fan club consisting of Lola, Ruby, and Addy.

James and I went outside to walk because neither of us had our 10,000 steps yet. Jared, Kacey, and Charlie are staying in Rowan's room and we are staying in Trina's sewing room where we normally stay. 

Jared, Kacey, and Charlie visited

James's mom and Rebecca

 Such a sweet little girl

Baptisms at the Gilbert temple

The Thirsty Lion

Those are root beer bottles.

Fun at Darrel and Trina's.

 Meeting in the teepee.

Charlie loves climbing the stairs!