Tuesday, June 2nd, 2020

Regina, Saskatchewan

65th operating temple

Dedicated: 14 Nov 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, King

John 19:14

And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Alma 5:15-26; "Don't Miss This"

Personal Study

"Stand Forever" by Lawrence R. Corbridge

Family Study Group

"Choose Happiness" by Larry. R. Lawrence

April General Conference

"Shall We Not Go On in So Great a Cause"

President M. Russell Ballard

"Joseph came to realize that the Bible did not contain all the answers to life's questions; rather, it taught men and women how they could find answers to their questions by communicating directly with God through prayer."

"Return and Receive"

M. Russell Ballard

April 2017

"Time to Prepare"

Joseph B. Wirthlin

 April 1998

Spent the morning working on my blog, paying a bill, and studying. "You cannot be better than what you know." 

At ten o'clock we left for my infusion appointment which was at 10:45. Frances called me right back and Ang started my infusion with no problems. I was in and out before noon. James said he was twenty minutes away so I crossed the highway and waited for him at Freddy's when I was finished. I ordered a small diet Dr. Pepper and a Chicago dog. Just as I got my order, James walked in. He helped me eat the Chicago dog and then we were on our way. We had planned on stopping at Elmer's Tacos for lunch so I called in our order. The Chicago dog was just an appetizer. We ordered two machaca tacos, a machaca burro, three bean and cheese burros, and an order of strips. Elmer's had set up a drive-thru outside. We drove up, told them the name the order was under, and we were finished within less than five minutes. 

From Elmer's we drove to Darrel's to pick up Ruby and Lola to take them back with us to the timeshare. Addy and Rowan were both doing things with friends, Addy was going to Sun Splash. Ruby had a friend over, Chloe. We shared lunch with Darrel, Ruby, Lola, and Chloe. Rowan and Addy did not want anything. Trina was at work today.

After lunch I went in to use Darrel's printer to print out the label for the book that I sold and have to ship by tomorrow. The name of the book is, "The Art of the Long View" by Peter Schwartz. I tried to find this book at a local bookstore but it is too old and the ranking is around 14 million so no one had it in stock. James said he would go to Vernon and get it tomorrow and mail it. This might sound extreme but my reputation as a bookseller on Amazon is at stake. It is not the money that I will make from selling the book, but my reputation that matters. 

We loaded up the girls and headed for Scottsdale. After unloading at the timeshare we went back to shop at Walmart. It was a little after five and Walmart was closed. What is going on? I would have imagined they would close by seven, but five? We drove through Chik-fil-a and got the girls some dinner and then we drove over to Fry's on north Hayden. Thank goodness it was open. 

 We bought peanut butter and jam, white and wheat bread, cherries, Captain Crunch cereal, goggles, and donut tubes for the pool. We also got frozen cheese pizza, macaroni and cheese, Sprite, and mint chocolate chip Blue Bell ice cream. 

Back at the timeshare in rooms 1016 and 1015 we colored butterflies in our new coloring book. Ruby took a shower and then helped Lola take her shower. It was her first. Ruby is such a good sister. Oh one thing about Ruby I forgot to mention. She has lost her glasses so she has been squinting a lot. Lola wanted to call her mom and dad and tell them all about the room. We FaceTimed and she gave them a tour. She showed them the puppy towel on the bed and how Ruby ate the eyes. She showed them the patio, and told how the couch makes in to a bed. I am sure they were riveted in their seats with the thrill of it all. I love seeing things through the eyes of a child. They have such an appreciation for the simplest of things. 

We had family prayer together and then the girls laid in bed and watched TV while I walked and then watched "Lark Rise to Candleford" with James. I kept thinking they would go to sleep. When they didn't, I went in and told them to turn the TV off after the show they were watching. It was late when we all went to bed.

A deserted resort in the desert

Lola was afraid of the water a couple of

years ago. Now she swims like a fish.

James bought a yellow watermelon.
It was quite tasty.

 Ronald A. Rasband

 Mailing the old Razr engine

Tuesday, February 13th 2018

Frankfurt, Germany

41st operating temple

Dedicated: 28-30 Aug 1987

By: Ezra Taft Benson

Jesus Christ Authority of

John 7:16

Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 5:26-6:7

* "Be believing, be happy, don't get discouraged. Things will work out." - President Gordon B. Hinckley

*What are ways that you live after the manner of happiness?

-Keeping the commandments, attending my Sunday meetings and attending the temple and giving other service.

Old Testament

Leviticus 4-5

4 Sinners are forgiven through sin offerings of animals without blemish - Priests thereby make an atonement for the sins of the people.

5 The people are to confess and make amends for their sins - Forgiveness comes through a trespass offering - Priests thereby make an atonement for sin.

Old Testament Favorite Scriptures

Exodus 6:6-7

6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:

7 And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the Lord your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.

General Conference

The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like Without It?

President Russell M. Nelson

" When I think of the Book of Mormon, I think of the word power. The truths of the Book of Mormon have the power to heal, comfort, restore, succor, strengthen, console, and cheer our souls."

Autumn sent Jared a copy of the paper she wrote for her class on our marriage survey and Jared sent it to me. Here it is:

Marriage Interview

With Anonymous Interviewees, Mr. and Mrs. L

About Mr. and Mrs. L

The couple I conducted my interview with have been married for almost 50 years.  They are of the LDS faith, live in Arizona, and have five children together. I chose to interview Mr. and Mrs. L because they are very loving and kind towards one another and anyone they come in contact with. They have a good marriage and their children look up to them. My interviewees are my step-father's parents. Though I have only known them for a short time, Mr. and Mrs. L have made a great impact on me and the way I view marriage. When interviewing this couple, I could sense their love and loyalty for the other. They were happy to share their experiences with me, and answer my questions.

The couple met while in high school biology class. Though they were attracted to one another, they didn't talk until they attended a student council conference together the following summer. It was love at first sight for Mr L. "I was crazy about her the first time I saw her. It was on the first day of school when I was a sophomore in high school." One thing I noticed when talking to Mr. and Mrs. L about their experience in meeting was that they shared common interests. They were both interested in running for Student Council positions. "We were both running for student body offices and we both won our positions. I was elected president and she was elected treasurer," said Mr. L. It was through common interests that the couple were able to work together in their student offices and form a close relationship. They did many activities together. 

Mr. and Mrs. L continued dating through college. Mrs. L recalls, "We dated three years before we got married. In college we spent a lot of time at the zoo taking pictures of ducks and other animals. James was a wildlife biology major." They also went to the movies, dances, and college football games together. They had different activities going on a lot of the time but they kept in touch and spent time together when they could. I think spending both time together and time apart was good for the success of Mr. and Mrs. L's marriage. They dated seriously enough to get to know one another, but weren't spending every single minute together, and kept their own commitments. 

Wedding Bells

Mr. and Mrs L knew they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. "We shared many of the same goals and value,  said Mrs. L. Sharing goals is a huge part of determining marriage with someone. It is something that is essential to a successful marriage. Mr. L knew he wanted to marry Mrs. L. from the moment they met. "One time in high school she broke up with me because a girl I had worked with the summer before was writing to me from college. The next two weeks I went on as many dates as I could arrange, but I could only think about being with her." He was very happy when he went to talk to Mrs. L and she said she would date him again. Soon after, they began talking about marriage and looking at rings. Without his future wife's knowledge, Mr. L put a ring on layaway and paid it off before proposing.

The couple did not receive pre-marital counseling, but did meet with their church leaders in preparation for marriage. Mrs. L. would recommend counseling from a church leader. I think talking to their church leaders was a very smart way to prepare for their marriage and agree with Mrs L. that pre-marital counseling from a church leader would be beneficial.

Marital Relationship

Getting married brought Mr. and Mrs. L. even closer than they were before. "For the first time in my life I learned to love and care for someone else more than myself," Mr. L. said. Mrs. L. had the same experience. She began thinking more about how Mr. L. felt, and how her choices influenced their life together. Even though marriage was something neither of them were used to, the L's used the experience to build their relationship and prepare for their future family.

The way the couple focused on one another's needs and put aside their own selfishness is a huge part of a successful marriage. When you care about someone more than yourself, a good foundation for a relationship is built. Both Mr. and Mrs. L. agree that their marital satisfaction is achieved by spending a lot of quality time with one another. They enjoy reading together, studying together, and attending church and the temple together. I think the fact that Mr. and Mrs. L. have the same religious beliefs contributes to their marital satisfaction. It goes along with having the same goals and values.

Raising a Family

Mr. and Mrs. L. had both egalitarian and traditional things they did in their chores and family functions. "We have traditional views on what should be a mans role and a woman's role, but we also believe in flexibility and listening to each other to determine our individual likes and dislikes. He likes to make the bed and I carry out the trash," Mrs. L. said.

Mr. L. was responsible for the care and maintenance of the family, and Mrs. L. did the budgeting and nurturing of the family. They also had their children participate in family chores. "Our home was clean and well-ordered and the children participated in that process," said Mr. L. I think having the children participate in family functions and chores is very important in order to teach them.

The couple did disagree on methods of discipline when their children came along. Mr. L. was prone to using the same techniques his parents used to discipline him..."We did not always agree on discipline. In the beginning his philosophy was, "spare the rod and spoil the child." After being married a few years I believe I convinced him that "a soft voice turneth away wrath," was a better philosophy." Mr. L. tried to adapt his ways to follow a more tolerant style of discipline once he saw his wife's point of view. Adapting and changing ourselves can be one of the toughest parts of marriage. I think the fact that the L.'s were willing and able to do this was a big factor in having marital success.

Struggles and Advice

Mr. and Mrs. L.'s marriage is not without struggle. They had difficulties with disciplining children in their younger days, as well as money and finance disagreements. Mrs. L. admits she could be better at budgeting, but says, "The gospel has helped us see eye to eye on the aspects of our lives." It is how they handle these stressors on their marriage that determine its success. Mr. L. said they have been able to work through it by remembering that "people are more important than money." They care for one another too much to let disagreements keep them apart.

Communication skills have been very important in Mr. and Mrs. L.'s marriage. "I like the direct approach. Sometimes I feel like we both need to listen a litte better," said Mrs. L. They both agree that llistening to one another's point of view and considering the other persons feelings is very important. "I need to lose the frustration in my voice because to her it sounds like anger. We need to speak with a voice of concern, no accusations. Sometimes hurt feelings are mistaken for bad feelings," Mr. L. said. I think the way this couple sees communication has really helped their marriage succeed. In a marriage you have to be non-accusing, willing to listen, and willing to adapt.

When giving marital advice, Mr. and Mrs. L. both suggest to put the other person before yourself, listen and act with patience and kindness. I think their advice was spot on. You must be selfless in order to have a happy marriage, and this couple is definitely selfless toward one another. I am grateful they agreed to let me have insight into their marriage. I think by following the tips they gave, anyone could have a successful marriage.

Concluding Thoughts

After interviewing Mr. and Mrs L. I can see that they possess real love. Real love is giving of yourself in order to make someone else happy. It is about sacrifice and change. Real love is forgetting about yourself. Both Mr. and Mrs. L. have exhibited this. I have learned so much from the things they told me about their marriage. The way they listen to one another and try to understand the others feelings is inspiring. I have learned many things from this couple. I hope I am able to have more patience as they do with each other, but the main thing I learned from them that I want to change in my own marriage is being a better listener and being non-accusing. I think this can really eliminate many arguments had by my husband and I. Thanks to the example of Mr. and Mrs. L., I know what I can do to work on being a better spouse.

L., Mr. (2018, February 7) Online Interview

L., Mrs. (2018, February 7) Online Interview

Whew! That was long but I wanted to include this in my blog. I am grateful to Autumn for asking us to participate in her project. It helped me to re-evaluate some things I could do to make our marriage better.

Today I got 10,000 steps before 11 a.m. That is a record. 

I did a blog post for February 1st and while working on February 2nd the entire page went blank and I can't get it back. That's an hours worth of work gone. I just can't deal with this right now. I guess instead I will work on James's invoice for the Howard's job, and then get started on my Valentine's for my Primary class. 

I moved my Valentine project upstairs to my office because I can't stand the mess being downstairs in the dining room. I took a break at one point and watched, "Very, Very Valentine" starring Danika McKellar and Cameron Mathison. 

We had frozen pizza for dinner. After cleaning the kitchen I took a bath and got ready to go to the stake center for my temple recommend interview. 

President Shumway let us in the building and I thought we were the first ones until I got inside and saw the line outside the stake office door.

James was so sweet to drive me here and he sat and held my hand while I waited for my turn to be interviewed.

 My interview ended up being with President Beeler. We had a nice chat about his wife's family the Adams's. I told him I was a good friend of his wife's aunt, Beverly and how one of the most fun times I had as a youth was going to a slumber party and sleeping in their barn. 

On the way home we stopped at CVS where James spent $136 picking up a 3-month prescription of Nefedeprine. Dairy Queen is practically next door and since tomorrow is Valentine's day I talked him into going through the drive-thru and getting me a blizzard. I was going to go for Oreo but they had a special called the Dipped Strawberry Blizzard and that's what I got. We shared it on the way home. James loved the chunks of Giradelli dark chocolate. It was delicious!

We started a new book, "Love and Loss at Whitmore Manor" by Anita Stansfield.

When we got home we watched the episode of "Victoria" about the Irish potato famine. I love that Victoria is portrayed as compassionate and caring.  

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

played by Jenna Coleman and Tom Hughes

Curtis and Joie and their adopted children.

They just got married in July. 

Elmer's in Chandler

James watching a little TV from 
the dining area.

Kim and Jim

Go Jackson!

  

Sunday, December 31st, 2017

Paris, France

156th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 May 2017

By: Henry B. Eyring

Jesus Christ Atonement through

Alma 7:11

And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

Book of Mormon

Moroni 10:8-34

*What blessings did Moroni teach would come to those who have faith, hope, and charity? 

What spiritual gifts should we seek?

Elder Gene R. Cook discussed the strength of discovering and using the spiritual gifts given to each person: 

"One of the greatest processes you go through in life is to discover yourself. to find those gifts and capacities God has given you. He has given you great talents, the smallest part of which you have just begun to utilize. Trust the Lord to assist you in unlocking the door to those gifts. Some of us have created imaginary limits in our minds. There is literally a genius locked up inside each of us. Don't ever let anyone convince you otherwise" (Trust in the Lord, In Hope, 1988, 90-91).

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 38:42

And go ye out from among the wicked. Save yourselves. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord. Even so. Amen.

General Conference

The Voice of the Lord

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"I promise you that as you prepare your spirit and come with the anticipation that you will hear the voice of the Lord, thoughts and feelings will come into your mind that are customized especially for you. You have already felt them in this conference, or you will as you study the messages in the weeks ahead."

Happy Birthday Kim!

Kim and Brian were sick this year and not

able to come up to celebrate her birthday with us at the cabin.

We really missed them. We are so grateful for them and

there example of love and service.

Next year Kim, and there better be snow!!

Sheri, Ben, Max, Evan, Michael and Joshua all joined us at sacrament meeting this morning. The Applegate family spoke about the "Light the World" initiative. It was enjoyable. I especially liked Jimmy telling about how Shelly has been able to visit his brother, who is a non-member, on her mission. She asked her dad, Jimmy, to send him a Book of Mormon with his testimony in it.

I had both classes today in Primary. The lesson was on tithing and testimony.  These are the kids who attended: Colter, Curtis, Chism, (Bishop Miller's nephew), Zemira, and Talena. 

James had a bad coughing spell during Sunday School and had to go outside so we went home after the second hour.  

When we got home Sheri was cooking bacon, and lots of it. I had some bacon and frozen waffles for "brunch."  After we ate James and I went in to take a nap. Sheri knocked on our door and said they were leaving so I got up to take a picture. Joshua was going to go with them but he wanted to stay and since he was feeling better I told him he could.

 Alex and Shayna left first.

James seems to be photo bombing this picture.

This one too. Max is hiding behind Ollie.

I made a chocolate bundt cake for Brother Wilhelm's birthday, which was yesterday but he was gone to Prescott to a wrestling match. James gave it to one of the kids because John and Sandra were still asleep.

Drop off at the Wilhelm's

I made Joshua some chicken noodle soup and a peanut butter sandwich with a glass of milk for dinner.  James and I just snacked.

We watched a new Hallmark movie this evening, "A Royal New Year's Eve" and then we said goodnight to everyone and went to bed.  Happy New Year!

An enjoyable hedgehog massage.

The Elmer Family

Jillie and her family had their baby blessed today.

They came from Houston to visit.

I wish I could remember the baby's name.

It is a girl.

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Happy Birthday to this handsome boy.

Summer fun at Fossil Creek.

At the beach.

Alma 48:1-18

Amalickiah incites the Lamanites against the Nephites - Moroni prepares his people to defend the cause of Christians - He rejoices in liberty and freedom and is a mighty man of God. 72 BC.

GC: "Be Thou Humble" by Elder Steven E. Snow and "That I Might Draw All Men Unto Me" by Elder Dale G. Renlund.

James and I attended a session at the Gilbert temple this morning.  We saw Sister Skinner who is a summer visitor in Vernon, and The Price's from the Galveston 3rd ward in Chandler.  Sister Gerry Price assisted me at the veil.

Temple selfie.

After the temple James had an appointment to get his teeth cleaned.  Sheri works across the street and she wanted a priesthood blessing so after the dental appointment we went to Chandler Eyecare.  James gave Sheri her blessing and it was very special.  I am glad I was there to hear it.  

On the way home we stopped at Elmer's for lunch and Sheri was there picking up food for her co-workers.  Oh yes, we also went by the post office and mailed two pair of shoes to James Hayden that he left at the cabin. 

James is tired so I drive from Payson to Show Low.  We have to stop at Walmart to pick up a prescription and a few groceries.  I the way home we get rained on, just a bit.  It feels so good to be home and feel some cool air.  

Before going to bed I watch an episode of Chopped featuring school lunch ladies and then James and I watch a new Hallmark movie, "My Summer Prince."

Mary and Marvin having a serious talk with Michael.

Marvin shared some stories about his mission.