Monday, September 17th, 2018

Birmingham, Alabama

98th operating temple

Dedicated: 3 Sept 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Luke 24:20

And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 5:28-52

*What do you learn about repentance in these verses?

- Repentance is available to everyone who has humility to turn to God and turn away from their sins. As we repent, the clouds of darkness in our lives will disappear.

Old Testament

Isaiah 4-6

General Conference

Take the Holy Spirit as Your Guide

Elder Larry Y. Wilson

" Following the feet of the people ahead of you on the path is not enough. We cannot just do and think what others are doing and thinking; we must live a guided life. We must each have out own hand on the iron rod. Then we may go to the Lord with humble confidence, knowing that He shall lead us by the hand, and give us answer to our prayers."

FHE

With One Accord

"Every one of our paths is different, yet we walk them together. Our path is not about what we have done or where we have been; it is about where we are going and what we are becoming, in unity. When we counsel together guided by the Holy Ghost, we can see where we are and where we need to be. The Holy Ghost gives us a vision that our natural eyes cannot see, because revelation is scattered among us, and when we put that revelation together, we can see more."

Anthony called this morning and said Pinky, his cat, was having an episode and he needed to go into town for some medicine but he didn't think he had enough gas. James met him at the Y with a gallon and a half of gas and a $5.00 bill. 

James and I went into town this morning. He had to get something and I got prescriptions at Walmart then we mailed Kacey's birthday card and a new bill to National Turf. 

We also got Kathy some ice cream and James took it over to her along with the ice cream left over from Sunday. I noticed when I went into Walmart today that the summer watermelons have been replaced with pumpkins. I guess Fall is really in the air.

We finished "The Secret Keeper" on the way home from town and ended up really enjoying it. I have one more chapter to read from "Time and Again," and will finish it tomorrow before book club. 

I found a couple of family notebooks from 1999 in my office. One was Darrel's and one was Jared's but I made a notebook for every member of our family up to that time. These are the things the notebook contained: 1) a copy of The Articles of Faith, 2) a copy of the Family Proclamation, 3) a monthly calendar, 4) This week's FHE agenda, 5) a pedigree chart and an article about Overcoming the World written by F. Burton Howard, and a parent's message.

We read Elder Burton's article tonight for FHE. It was still very timely and talked a lot about the Book of Mormon.

While we are still experiencing drought conditions here in Arizona, the Carolina's are being flooded. Many people are trapped in their homes because of the flood waters. We will pray for their safety.

 Our bishop took up mountain biking. He got 11th out of 68 in

his first race.

 Cathi and her sisters.

Sweet Charlie:

 Somebody asked me how the stones got to

Stonehenge. This book answers that question.

Monday, April 30th, 2018

Accra, Ghana

117th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Jan 2004

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ betrayal of

John 13:21

When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 19:25-20:11

* Why did the Lord let Limhi's people end up in bondage?

- sue_heugly: There are two kinds of bondage: The self-inflicted kind from poor choices and iniquity, and the kind that comes from the consequences and choices of others. Limhi's people chose sin, which is to serve Satan. Abinadi warned and prophesied that the people would be brought into bondage because they hardened their hearts against Abinadi's words and wouldn't repent. The dues of discipleship do not come cheap. If we want blessings and freedom from bondage, we must be loyal to God, obey his prophets, keep the commandments and remain humble, submitting our will to His. A blessing always carries with it a responsibility, and a consequence. 

Old Testament

1 Samuel 4

The Israelites are smitten and defeated by the Philistines, who also capture the ark of God - Eli's sons are slain, Eli dies in an accident, and his daughter-in-law dies in childbirth.

General Conference

Let Us All Press On

President Russell M. Nelson

"Your desire to obey will be enhanced as you remember and reflect upon what you have felt these past two days."

Rescuing Wayward Children (221) "When you are united, your power is limitless." - Gordon B. Hinckley

Russell M. Nelson:(4/99) Our Sacred Duty to Honor Women

The Atoning One Chapter 9: "Potential Perils of Grace",

Chapter 10: "The Gospel of God", Chapter 11: "Speaking of the Lord's Atonement" 

I am a little sad I finished this book today because I have really enjoyed it. Next I am going to listen to Elder and Sister Renlund's book, The Melchizedek Priesthood.

At 8 a.m. I left for town, about 20 minutes behind James. We are taking the truck and Lexy in to get new tires. James has to pay for his, I don't have to pay for mine. It's to replace the used one they put on a few days ago when I got a flat coming home from the Morrison's.

 They got our tires on in less than 30 minutes. We took a short walk and it was time to go. Next stop, Walmart, to get the oil changed in Lexy. James made the arrangements and then left. I walked down to the mailbox and mailed the note I wrote to President Shumway.

Now it's time to go in and do my weekly shopping.

I took my time shopping, calculating all my expenses. I checked out and then went to see if my car was ready. I sat in the little waiting room and watched some of Harry Potter. I could see the hood still up on Lexy so I took a spin around the store. This trip is going to be more costly than it seems because I found things to put on my wish list: Grabbit Stick, Black memory foam shoes, "Oh The Places You'll Go" Dr. Seuss book, "Coco,"the movie, and "Coco book and playset. "Star Wars 5 Minute Stories." I actually went home and used my Amazon gift card to by two of the books and the movie. I also bought the movie, "Wonder" because Stacy said it was so good. 

Two more things on my wishlist, cute photo album papers, and some new Ginger scissors.

Finally after a few more trips around the store and the passing of two hours, Lexy was finished. I paid the girl, got my report, and loaded up Lexy for home.

I got home and put everything away and sat down in my recliner wondering where James was. He came in a few minutes later with Brother Howard's Cat skidsteer on his trailer. I was watching a Hallmark movie and he sat down and finished watching it with me. 

For dinner we had cooked cabbage. For F.H.E. we listened to President Nelson's conference talk from October 1999, "A Testimony of the Book of Mormon."

James took me outside to show me how to feed the bunnies. There was a full moon behind clouds that looked rather eerie.

8th grade. Better than his dad.

These two are pretty amazing.

My rose garden.

Ready to go

The Philistines God

Christina's Post

Maybe they should have named him Harry

or Fluffy.

Daddy Daughter Super Hero Dates

Tuesday, April 24th, 2018

Campinas, Brazil

111th operating temple

Dedicated: 17 May 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ betrayal of

Mark 14:41

And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 15:10-31
*How has the gospel of Jesus Christ brought you joy?
Talk: The Great Plan of Happiness By: Marcus B. Nash 10/06
- The gospel of Jesus Christ has brought me joy, it has given me a sense of hope, and a desire to minister. Every hour of every day I am blessed by His gospel. Every time I look at one of my children ( I include their spouses as my children), or one of my grandchildren, every time I go to the temple with James, and he holds my hand I feel the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. These are the treasures I have in this life that let me know of my eternity. My eternal family brings me joy. I love His perfect gospel!
Old Testament
Ruth 2
Ruth gleans in the fields of Boaz, a near relative of Naomi - He treats Ruth kindly.
General Conference

Ministering

President Russell M. Nelson

"We will implement a newer, holier approach to caring for and ministering to others."

At 7:30, after my gospel study time, I made muffins to take to Sister MacArthur's house to share with her family and with Laurann, my companion.

After the muffins were done I made out a grocery list and menu plan, and then got ready to start out on my adventures for the day.

I met Laurann down by the Hunsaker's and drove her to Sister MacArthur's. Of course Laurann has her twin one year old boys and Chelsea has her 2 year old daughter Peyton and her nephew Cooper who belongs to the Umphresses. After handing out the muffins to Peyton and Cooper I asked Chelsea if I could take a picture of the mule deer mounted on her wall. I tried to tell James about it last time but I needed a picture.

Shot on Chelsea's parents ranch in Idaho.

I guess I should have taken a photo of the people, but I didn't.

We had a nice visit. Chelsea said she wanted to come and see our house and I told her just give me a warning text so I could make sure I was dressed and she could come any time. Laurann said she would like to come out and go for a walk sometime. Maybe we could walk down to "Chocolate Lake."

Just as I am getting ready to go Laurann asks me if I know Jeanne Wallen. At first she caught me off guard and then I explained how I knew her. She said her mom is best friends with Jeanne and Jeanne told her that I lived in Vernon and that I was very sweet. I told Laurann I could say the same thing about Jeanne.

I left a little after ten for my lunch appointment with my friend Pam at the Show Low hospital. Pam invited her friend and co-worker, Jennifer to join us for lunch. When I got to the checkout in the lunch line Pam swiped her badge before I had a chance to get my card out. That makes the fifth lunch in the past two weeks that I have not paid for. 

Jennifer's husband Ed had a bad accident not too long ago and has been without work. Pam got Jennifer hired at the hospital and now Ed has to have surgery and Jennifer will have insurance to cover it. Jennifer also has a 15 year old daughter that has a brain tumor. She needs good insurance! Pam is a saint. She also brought Jennifer to church on Sunday and Jennifer is very interested in the gospel.

I so much enjoyed my lunch with these two sweethearts, plus I got all three of my veggie servings!

Next stop, grocery shopping at Walmart, with my calculator because I am trying to stay within my budget of $200. I had to eliminate some of the things from my list, but my total was under $200 at $197.

When I got home James was putting shutters on the house. He had made them and painted them while I was gone. I'm glad I wasn't here to see him put them on the upstairs bathroom window. A picture is forthcoming when he finishes the ones for our bedroom.

I put the groceries away, rest a few minutes, and then blog and listen to President Nelson's talk from the October 1996 conference, "The Atonement." 

For dinner I bought a ready made kit made by Walmart. It had pulled pork, country style beans, and mashed sweet potatoes. It was delicious. I especially loved the beans. 

I finished the April Ensign today, read to James from "Stars Above Northumberland", and listened to Robert Millett's book, "The Atoning One," chapters 6 "On Calvary's Cross," and 7 "Infinite, Yet Intimate." I also walked a few steps.

Part of my gospel study today.

Eden and Winter

Here is the story as posted by their mom, Christina:

Evan and his "little brother," Oliver.

It's so nice that Oliver likes this.

What's he thinking here?

My friend Taylor looks beautiful

in her new glasses.

Those were the days!

Duddings were members of our ward.

It's changing hearts that makes a difference.

Monday, October 9th, 2017

Albuquerque, New Mexico

73rd operating temple

Dedicated: 5 Mar. 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Appearances, Antemortal

Ether 3:13

And when he had said these words, behold, the Lord showed himself unto him, and said: Because thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my presence; therefore I show myself unto you.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 2:1-19

*Why do you think forgetting spiritual experiences can make us vulnerable to Satan?

*What can we do to ensure that we do not forget the spiritual experiences we have had?

-I record spiritual experiences I have so I will remember and never forget them. Keeping a journal/blog has blessed me many times!

I sometimes go back and look at it and reflect on the good times and spiritual experiences I've had, and all that God has blessed me with. I try to record when I have felt the Spirit on a daily basis. Keeping a journal helps me to see God's hand in my life. 

-Losing a testimony usually happens a little at a time Having the Spirit with us on a daily basis helps keep our testimonies alive. That is why we need to read the scriptures everyday and pray. When we take the sacrament each week, we eat and drink in remembrance of the body and blood of Jesus Christ, we promise that we will always remember Him. Remembering is so important. When we feel close to Him we act differently. When we forget we gradually withdraw ourselves from Him and His Spirit.

-President Henry B. Eyring on keeping a journal: "I wrote down a few lines every day for years. I never missed a day no matter how tired I was or how early I would have to start the next day. Before I would write, I would ponder this question:'Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?'

As I kept at it, something began to happen. As I would cast my mind over the day, I would see evidence of what God had done for one of our family members that I had not recognized in the busy moments of the day. As that happened, and it happened often, I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done. More than gratitude began to grow in my heart. Testimony grew. I became ever more certain that our Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. I felt more gratitude for the softening and refining that come because of the Atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ. And I grew more confident that the Holy Ghost can bring all things to our remembrance - even things we did not notice or pay attention to when they happened" ("O Remember, Remember," Ensign Nov 2007, 67).

Doctrine Covenants Scripture Mastery

DC 58:26-27

26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.

27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

General Conference

Be Ye Therefore Perfect - Eventually

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"I believe that Jesus did not intend His Sermon on this subject to be a verbal hammer for battering us about our shortcomings. No, I believe He intended it to be a tribute to who and what God the Eternal Father is and what we can achieve with Him in eternity.

Spiritual Eclipse

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

"President Monson, mindful of those desiring to wish him happy birthday, described an ideal birthday gift. 'Find someone who is having a hard time or is ill or lonely and do something for them. That's all I would ask.'"

After breakfast Sheri and I took Max, Evan and Joshua for a ride to The Lollipop Shoppe in Alpine. Sheri and I wanted to see the changing colors of the leaves but neither one of us wanted to take our cars on the road to Greens Peak. I suggested Alpine and then maybe Hannigan Meadows because of my friend Sherry's post on Facebook. On the way through Nutrioso I suggested we stop at the house where my grandpa Maxwell was born and grew up. 

Sheri took a picture of the boys and I  and then later I realized I should have had Joshua take a picture of Sheri, the boys and I for 3 generations.

The Maxwell Homestead

Vickie said that grandpa told them he used to walk to school in Round Valley everyday and that's why he was such a fast runner.

Stopping here turned out to be the highlight of our trip. We spent a lot of money at the Lollipop Shoppe but it was quite disappointing. We didn't go on to Hannigan Meadows because Sheri was anxious to get back. On the way home we stopped at McDonald's and got drinks and french fries for the boys.

It was a little cold today, the high was 56. Too bad Kim and Brian aren't here. The rest of the week will be in the 60's and 70's. They are coming Friday evening.

James worked on the patio again today and then took Ian over to Dave's pond. 

Always working on the equipment

The boys love to play games. Here they are playing Uno. They also played Quelf, and Yahtzee.

Sheri loves Moana and I wanted to know why so I put it on this afternoon. The one time I watched it was with Lola and I was a little distracted. I love it too now, but Cinderella is still my favorite. 

This one is my favorite!

We had burgers, hotdogs, fries, and squash for dinner. After dinner we read scriptures and then Sheri told a story for F.H.E. It was the story of the human chain from Sister Eubank's conference talk. Being different is ok. Developing talents and using them to serve others is what Heavenly Father would like for us to do.

We also watched DWTS, most memorable year episode. My favorite dances were Lindsey and Mark's, Lindsay and Jordan's, and Val and Victoria. 

James went on a Razr ride this evening and saw 16 elk very close to our house.

Some things never change. This photo was taken in 2016 but

it could have been taken tonight.

I wonder if any of those 16 elk 

was this big.

Elder Hales and Jason, his "tie buddy"

Sister Hales gave Jason Elder Hale's tie

after his funeral.

Cousin fun in San Antonio

Lola thought her eyebrows needed to be

a little darker.

Montana mountains and pebbles

 Memories:

Supergirl!

Such a sweetie!

Post by Christina

McDowell Sonoran Reserve

lambsondallen

So beautiful!

Hogwarts wannabe

Yikes!

He works hard for no money

He works hard for the money

Missed him at conference but he was there in

spirit. So many speakers quoted him!

Addy waiting for the electric light parade.

Sheri and Ian's wedding party

1996