Wednesday, January 16th, 2019

Spokane, Washington

59th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 Aug 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

 Matthew 17:5

While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 13:10-27

* Has there been a time in my life when I "prospered" in one way or another because I had the Spirit with me?

* In Nephi's dream he sees that the Gentiles proper as they heed the Spirit of the Lord. How has this been true in my life?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Luke 2:8-38; Matt 2:1-12; There are many witnesses of the birth of Christ.

General Conference

Parents and Children

President Dallin H. Oaks

"My first counsel concerns cell phones. A recent nationwide survey found that over half of teens in the United States said they spend too much time on their cell phones. More than 40 percent said they felt anxious when they were separated from their cell phones. This was more common among girls than boys. My young sisters - and adult women too - it will bless your lives if you limit your use of and dependence on cell phones."

Ensign: "Service - the Best Medicine." One of the ways we can face difficult challenges is to give heartfelt service to others. "Forget yourself and go to work." -Bryant S. Hinckley

James and I watched a bunny "face-off" outside our dining room window this morning. You could also call it a stare down. It was a buck after a doe. She did not take her eyes off him. When he went down to lick his paws, she took off running!

I had told James yesterday that I smelled propane but he just brushed it off. Today he came in from outside and announced that we were "out of propane." You can always smell it when you are running low. I wish he would have checked yesterday. The last time we received an order was in July. When he called Sierra Propane, the company that gives us the best deal on prices, they said they would be in Vernon on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday because they have a lot of orders. They will try to get us by Friday. We use propane for hot water, cooking, and heating. Hopefully we will survive.

We had lunch at Native New Yorker in Show Low today with our friends the Howard's. Jean loves to eat here. We all ordered salads and Jean and I each ordered five wings. Everything was delicious. I ate as much of my salad as I wanted and then shared some with James. There was still some to take home. I also shared a couple of wings with him.

The Howard's want us to go to the temple with them the week after next. Tom said he went and was the slowest one getting dressed. Jean needs someone to be there to help her and we agreed to go with them. It will be our pleasure!

We stopped at Safeway to get some Dr. Pepper 10 because Walmart doesn't carry it anymore. I also got some vanilla wafer pie crusts for James's birthday pie. We also went through High Country carwash. All it did was make designs in the mud.

 We stopped at the post office and picked up two textbooks. Textbook season lasts until February 1st. The woman in the post office told James he must be a fast reader because he orders so many books. 

We stopped at the library and picked up 30 more books and spent $10. 

I home I took a short nap and then did my walking. This evening I had a SRS meeting, Self-reliance Stewardship, with Sister S. Wilhelm, President Grapp, and the rest of the RS presidency. Sister Wilhelm, under the direction of the bishop, wants names for a class she will be starting soon. Our ward members are interested in classes in personal finance, starting a small business, and furthering educational employment. 

After the SRS meeting we had a RS presidency meeting. The bishop wants ideas for this year's ward activities, names for the SRS class, and we need ideas for our RS activity in March. We also planned our Sunday lessons through the end of April. We talked about our ministering interviews and re-doing some partnerships at our next meeting. I love working with these sisters!

On the way home I saw a mouse running across my car hood. Suddenly he went down by the windshield and he's now going to be in my car!  I splattered mud all over my windshield and could barely see to drive home. A big animal ran in front of me but I'm not sure if it was an elk or a deer. I finally made it home safely!

 Kerri, the 1st counselor in Vernon RS.

I got this conductor's hat for her because

she was always conducting our meetings.

I think she has conducted more than her fair share.

 Congratulations to Monte's oldest son, Zachary!

 Looks like she woke up happy!

What an example of faithful ministers!

 I wish I could grab that sugar cookie

out of her hand. They are the best I've had!

 Anyone you know like this?

Kacey eyes and Jared face.

 Cuteness and personality!

 I want to pinch those cheeks!

I love this picture taken a few years ago of

Darrel reading to Ruby's class!

 A video of Charlie laughing and giggling

 So adorable!

Monday, August 6th, 2018

Madrid, Spain

56th operating temple

Dedicated: 19 March 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

Mosiah 26:23

For it is I that taketh upon me the sins of the world; for it is I that hath created them; and it is I that granteth unto him that believeth unto the end a place at my right hand.

Book of Mormon

Alma 46:11-28

*Who were the first people to call themselves Christians?

- And those who did belong to the church were faithful; yea, all those who were true believers in Christ took upon them, gladly, the name of Christ, or Christians as they were called, because of their belief in Christ who should come. Nephite civilization, about 73 B.C.

Old Testament

Job 23-25

23 Job seeks the Lord and asserts his own righteousness - He says, When the Lord has tried me, I will come forth as gold.

24 Murderers, adulterers, those who oppress the poor, and wicked people in general often go unpunished for a little while.

25 Bildad bemoans the lowly state of man and classifies him as a worm.

General Conference

The Prophet of God

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"Although we admire all of these noble qualities, why do we follow President Nelson? Why do we follow the prophet? Because the Lord Jesus Christ has called him and designated him as His watchman on the tower."

F.H.E.

Meek and Lowly of Heart

Elder David A. Bednar

"The Christlike quality of meekness often is misunderstood in our contemporary world. Meekness is strong, not weak; active, not passive; courageous, not timid; restrained, not excessive; modest, not self-aggrandizing; and gracious, not brash. A meek person is not easily provoked, pretentious, or overbearing and readily acknowledges the accomplishments of others."

James went into the well house this morning and realized the leak was worse than he thought. There was water on the floor and mold growing on the walls. Something needs to be done. Little did I know that the bath I took today would be the last for awhile.

I read an article in the Ensign this morning by Elder Kevin W. Pearson, "How to Survive Spiritually." Here is what he suggests we do in order to survive spiritually:
1. Love and obey God first.
2. Hold personal prayer and seek the Holy Ghost.
3. Seek learning even by study and also by faith.
4. Search the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon everyday.
5. Focus on the big picture.
6. Above all else, Trust in Jesus Christ.

I fixed a big lunch today. Pork chops with mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes, and mixed vegetables. I would have fixed a salad but the salad mix had gone bad even though it said it was good until August 9th.

"Love is the only thing that lasts." - Adam S. Miller, "An Early Resurrection."

James wrote and I typed, a letter to Jeff Omahen of National Turf regarding the work done at the Phoenician Golf Course. James asked for full payment in a timely fashion. After he wrote this letter he left for the Howard's. He was back after a short time because no one was home. The next thing he did was head for Stanford Store with two gas cans to get gas for my car. I don't think I could have made it if I drove there. I'm glad I didn't drive because Stanford was out of gas and James had to go all the way into Show Low.

Jared called this afternoon. We are trying to decide when James and I should come to Texas after the baby is born. Finally, after talking to James, we decided on Sept 18-24. That means we will need to get a sub to work for us in the temple on the 22nd.

This evening we watched the latest Hallmark Summer Nights movie starring Cameron Mathison and Catherine Bell.

 Bishop Tomlinson is an amazing guy!

Looks like the road we were on when 

I saw my herd of bachelor elk or I

should say elk royalty!

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Is this the Logan temple?

Helaman 4:1-17

Nephite dissenters and Lamanites join forces and take Zarahemla again! The Nephites defeats come because of their wickedness and being left to their own strength.   Why is it so important for us to remain worthy to have the Holy Ghost at all times?

Instagram-bofm365-kdeford1 - I need the peace that comes from living worthy to have the Holy Ghost with me.  There is happiness, freedom and peace from just living the commandments - from not being physically enslaved to poor choices.  There is an actual physical comfort that I feel when the Holy Ghost is with me.  (I totally agree!)

GC: 'Always Retain a Remission of Your Sins' by  Elder Bednar

"The ordinance of the sacrament is a holy and repeated

invitation to repent sincerely and to be renewed spiritually.

The act of partaking of the sacrament, in and of itself,

does not remit sins.  But as we prepare conscientiously

and participate in this holy ordinance with a broken heart

and a contrite spirit, then the promise is that we may always have the Spirit of the Lord to be with us.  And by the

sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost as our constant

companion, we can always retain a remission of our sins."

GC: 'Family Councils by Elder M. Russell Ballard

". . ., there was a time when the walls of our homes provided all the defense we needed against outside intrusions and influences. . . . Those days are now gone.  The physical walls, door, fences,

and gates of our homes cannot prevent unseen invasion 

from the Internet, mobile phones, satellite and cable.

They can penetrate our homes with just a few 

clicks and keystrokes."

This. Is. Me.

I read several good articles from the Ensign today.  One that I particularly liked was by Elder Brent H. Nielsen of the Seventy entitled: 'Can We Live "after the Manner of Happiness"'?  Elder Nielsen says we need to embrace our trials and move forward with faith.  I really needed to hear this right now.

James got sick after lunch today.  Maybe the Beanie Weanies we ate were bad.  Of course it also could have been from breathing

concrete dust.

Resetting stone in our front porch.

We read from our new book "Millennial Glory."  James really likes it but I am a little bored with it.  I am getting more enjoyment out of reading book 3 in the Fablehaven series: 

I can't believe I'm reading this 

and enjoying it.

While working at my computer, paying bills, etc., I turned on Dancing With the Stars again.  I really shouldn't like this show, but

I do.

Five of the six pros are LDS but I think only

two or three are active.

I keep losing my crowns and it is driving me crazy!  This Dentemp is not working very well.  I guess maybe I need to go on a liquid diet.

I finished reading the book "The Seven Miracles that Saved America."  It was a great history book!

I always love it when friends and family post things on Facebook or Instagram.  Here are some things I saw today:

Friends even though they wear different uniforms.

Friends McKell and Christopher had their first baby today.  Christopher's dad wrote this:

A reminder from September 2013:

Yellow daisies everywhere!

A beautiful desert sunset.