Saturday, March 18, 2017

Cordoba, Argentina

145th operating temple

Jacob 2:17-35

Jacob denounces the love of riches, pride, and unchastity - Men may seek riches to help their fellowmen - The Lord commands that no man among the Nephites may have more than one wife - The Lord delights in the chastity of women. About 544-421 B.C.

How is the love of money the root of all evil?

Alma 38-40

38 Shiblon was persecuted for righteousness' sake - Salvation is in Christ, who is the life and the light of the world - Bridle all your passions. About 74 B.C.

39 The commandments of Alma to his son Corianton. - Sexual sin is an abomination - Corianton's sins kept the Zoramites from receiving the word - Christ's redemption is retroactive in saving the faithful who preceded it.

40 Christ brings to pass the resurrection of all men - The righteous dead go to paradise and the wicked to outer darkness to await the day of their resurrection - All things will be restored to their proper and perfect frame in the Resurrection.

DC 43:13-23

8-14, The Saints are sanctified by acting in all holiness before the Lord; 15-22, Elders are sent forth to cry repentance and prepare men for the great day of the Lord; 

How am I preparing for the great day of the Lord?

General Conference

That He May Become Strong Also

President Henry B. Eyring

"All of us hope that more young men will have experiences like Wilford Woodruff, who as an Aaronic Priesthood holder taught the gospel of Jesus Christ with converting power.  I pray that we will rise to our call to lift others to prepare them for their glorious service."

James and I went to the 7:45 session at the Gilbert temple this morning.  I went through for Merinda Davis.  We took a selfie but it wasn't good, so here is a picture of the temple instead.

After the temple we made a Costco run for bread, walnuts, and chocolate chips.  We also stopped for lunch.  We a hotdogs and drinks for $3.00 total.

Deseret Book is next door so I ran in and got scriptures and journals for Jace and Jerom who are getting baptized this afternoon.

We went back to Cathi's and packed up.  We said goodbye to Cathi but Terry was gone shopping.  James had to meet the painter out at the Queen Creek job, something about a key.  Finally we are on our way home.  

Pine trees here we come!

We passed up Burger House and then waited in line at McDonald's for 10 minutes for an ice cream.  We finished our book, "The Seven Tipping Points that Changed the World" before Salt River.

These tree look beautiful lining the street in downtown Show Low.

"Popcorn popping on the apricot trees"

When we got home we unloaded the car and put things away and then it was time to get ready for Jace and Jerom's baptisms.

Jerom and Jace

Jace and Brother Wilhelm

Talon baptized Jerom

It is a happy day for these guys

Elder Watson and Elder Rich

taught Jerom

After the baptism we came home, at a little dinner, worked on our lessons and then went to bed.

Fun Photos:

FSO

Emmy's soccer team

Wyatt Earp and John McCain

Who wears the mustache better?

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Concepcion, Chili

temple to be completed in late 2018

Jacob 1:1-19

Jacob and Joseph seek to persuade men to believe in Christ and keep his commandments - Nephi dies - Wickedness prevails among the Nephites.

Why does it seem that societies often fall as a whole?  Why is it never just a few people?

Alma 35-36

35 - The preaching of the word destroys the craft of the Zoramites - They expel the converts, who then join the people of Ammon in Jershon - Alma sorrows because of the wickedness of the people.

36 - Alma testifies to Helaman of his conversion by an angel - He suffered the pains of a damned soul; he called upon the name of Jesus, and was then born of God - Sweet joy filled his soul - He saw concourses of angels praising God - His converts have tasted and seen as he did.
DC 42:79-93
74-93, Laws governing fornication, adultery, killing, stealing, and confession of sins are set forth.
Has there been a time when I have had to reconcile with someone?  What did I learn? - Yes.  Some people don't want to reconcile, but I felt more at peace.
General Conference

There Is Power in the Book

Elder LeGrand R. Curtis

"The Book of Mormon will prepare you for the great call of diligence to labor in the vineyards of the Lord.  You will be able to discern truth from error, and you will feel the assurance of the Holy Ghost reconfirming your testimony over and over again to read the  Book of Mormon throughout your life. 

President Romney's promise:

'The spirit of contention will depart.  Parents will counsel children in greater love and wisdom.  Children will be more submissive and responsive to the counsel of their parents.  Righteousness will increase.  Faith, hope, and charity - the pure love of Christ - will abound in our homes and lives, bringing greater peace, joy, and happiness."

This was said about Lydia Knight in "The Contrite Spirit:"

"Enough grief had already touched her life that she knew how to fit joy into the corners."

I was ready to go to the valley around 11 a.m.  I stopped to get the mail.  My box was stuffed so full I could barely get it out.

All of this was shoved into my tiny little box.

After leaving the post office I picked up Amy at her house. When we left her four goats just stared at me as if to say: "Where are you taking our mommy?"  Amy says they follow her everywhere when she is outside.  From Amy's we went to the Splash and Dash in Show Low to get gas and to wash the car.  I had promised James, Cathi, and Terry burros so our next stop was in Miami at Burger House.  I had called in my order and went to the front of the line but the woman working behind the counter told me I had to go to the back of the line, which I did.  I felt bad because Claire has been waiting at the Phoenix airport since 9:30 this morning.

Devil's Bridge,  Sedona

I drove to the airport because Amy is not familiar with driving in the valley.  She is from northern California.  We picked up Claire on the northside of Terminal 4, because she flew on Southwest, somewhere between 4-4:30.  It is 97 degrees today.  Claire seemed to be in a good mood and told us about all the people she met while waiting in the airport.  Of course we got in rush hour traffic going in to Chandler.  It wasn't bad once we got on the 101 south of Baseline.  

When we got to Cathi's Claire and Amy helped me carry my suitcases in.  I introduced them to Cathi and Terry and offered each of them a glass of water.  We said our goodbyes and they left with Lexy.  Hopefully they won't have any problems.

Kacey posted this yesterday on Facebook.

I wanted to share it on here.

Cathi says she is feeling better except she does not have any energy.  She looks very pale to me.  James is very happy to see me.  I brought him the key to the medical building and now he has to go out and go to work.  He took me to get a drink at Sonic first.  He is pretty frustrated because no fully-formed company wants to do the countertop at the medical office.  

While James was gone I spent a couple of hours on my blog.  We were in bed by 10 p.m.  I got a text from Claire at 12:53 a.m. that they made it home safely.

Fun Photos:

Addy and Kayla in Rocky Point, Mexico

Stacy, pioneer woman.

Easier for men that women.

About three years ago

Carlsbad a few years ago

Dallin the year he graduated

from high school.

Adam just out of high school

Emmy and her soccer team, and

Molly

Monday, February 13, 2017

Atlanta, Georgia temple

2 Nephi 5:26-6:7

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

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

Mosiah 13-15:14

DC 22-23:7

What verses stood out to me today?

22:1 - Baptism by authority is a new and everlasting covenant.

23 - Preach, exhort, and strengthen the Church.

23:1 - Beware of pride.

23:6 - Pray vocally, secretly, with family, among friends, and in all places.

GC:  'Be Ambitious for Christ' by Elder Kazuhiko Yamashita

"In our lives we experience trials, but if we are ambitious for Christ, we can focus on Him and feel joy even in the midst of them.  Our Redeemer is the ultimate example.  He understood His holy mission and was obedient to the will of God the Father.

What a choice blessing it is to bring His wonderful example to our remembrance each week as we partake of the sacrament."

I had a question today about dispensations.  What they were and what were the seven that we usually hear about.  I found an article by Brother Robert J. Matthews of BYU entitled "The Fulness of Times" in the December 1989 Ensign that answered most of my questions.  The seven dispensations we hear about most are:

Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Joseph Smith.  I highly recommend this article!

Yesterday when Sister Skousen and I visited the Kenyon's, Cameron's dad said, to Sister Skousen's comment that she was excited about Cameron's upcoming baptism, that the missionaries were overzealous and he felt like Cameron needed to learn more than just the basics. It was then that I invited him to Primary.  I wished I would have said, quoting Dallin H. Oaks: "Some things can only be learned by exercising faith."  

 Saguaro cactus are so photogenic.

James dropped me off at Walmart today while he went to Discount Tire to see if they could balance our tires so we don't get the vibrating when we go over 65.  They were too busy but James made an appointment for next week on the 21st to take it in.  He ate at KFC while I did my shopping at Walmart.  

When James came to pick me up at Walmart he said I could buy the Prisma colored pencils I have been eyeing.  I also got some Abreva for my coldsore which is $17 for a tiny tube.  I ended up spending another $200.  Yikes!  The main reason I came to town was to get ingredients for fixing chili, a cheesecake and a chocolate pie for tonight's dinner with my brothers and their wives.  

Darrel posted this on Trina's birthday and I forgot it yesterday.

I couldn't go without posting it today.

I had a short nap when we returned from town and then went to work fixing the chili and setting the table.  Nothing fancy:

My glass dishes I bought at the Dollar Tree.

Vickie was supposed to bring some cornbread but when Denise tasted it for her she said it was not good.  Vickie agreed and so she threw it out in our front yard for the birds.  We had chips instead.

Denise loved the chili and said it was great.  We ate most all of it.

Afterwards we played a game of Five Crowns.  If you can't tell by the look on her face, Vickie was the winner!

This tree was a conversation piece.  Vickie thinks I need

to put some flowers, or decorations on it for whatever the holiday is.  For February, hearts, and for March, shamrocks, April, Easter eggs.  I kind of like the idea but I am afraid to try.  What it really needs is some more family photos!  Maybe for Mother's Day.

After everyone left James started doing the dishes.  I helped.  It was a fun evening and we should have company more often.

A happy night in the Gonzales family and their extended family too.

Fun Photos

Emmy and her soccer team.  They got 2nd in last

weekends tournament.

Alex helps Rowan catch a fish at 

Power Ranch.  This was a

few years ago.

Saturday, May 21, 2016

The Snowflake Temple

Scripture study before we leave for the temple.

Alma 3:20-4:4

What changed in the land as a result of the wars with the Amlicites and Lamanites?  Sadly, the fields of grain were trodden under and had to be re-planted.

My notes:

24 - Nephites begin to establish peace.

25 - Wars in the 5th year of the reign of the judges.

26-27 - Book of Mormon Student Manual p. 174:

"Eventually, the choices of a lifetime will reveal whom one has chosen as an eternal employer.  President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, taught this truth when he declared: 'Our lives are made up of thousands of everyday choices.  Over the years these little choices will be bundled together and show clearly what we value" ( Ensign, Nov. 1980, 21).

Alma 4

1 - No contentions in the sixth year of the reign of the judges.

4 - And they began to establish the church more fully; yea, and many were baptized in the waters of Sidon and were joined to the church of God; yea, they were baptized by the hand of Alma, who had been consecrated the high priest over the people of the church, by the hand of his father Alma.

On the way to the temple we listened to Sister Oscarson's talk, "Do I Believe?", and Brother Waddell's talk, "A Pattern for Peace."

Today James went through for the second Henry Strickland and I went through for Mildred Reynolds.  Not sure which line Mildred is from.  Jared found her.

After the temple we went to El Cupido's and got a mexican pizza and two Big Jake burritos to take home for lunch.  The pizza was for James and the burritos for James and I.

I hate to be wrong so I am not very confident.

This afternoon I took a nap, worked on my blog, wrote missionary savings receipts for the grandkids, and worked on my Primary lesson.  James worked on the shed and Adam planted flowers.  Oh yes, I also prepared two pies for tonight's YM/YW fundraiser dinner.

James and I made a showing at the dinner, I ate a little spaghetti, and we took two plates home for Adam.  We did not stay for the dessert auction, I just left a donation instead.  I heard later that Wayne Todd Mayfield is a pretty awesome auctioneer!

Jared texted me these pictures of Emmy and her soccer team.

I don't think Molly is on the team, but she does

like to eat.

This was an intense tournament and out of 12 teams, Emmy's team came in third.

I spent the evening working on my lesson and so did James.  We went to bed a little after nine because I plan on getting up at 4.