OUR FAMILY: Fast and Testimony

Showing posts with label Fast and Testimony. Show all posts

Monday, September 3, 2018

Sunday, September 2nd, 2018

Tampico, Mexico

83rd operating temple

Dedicated: 20 May 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

2 Nephi 6:9

Nevertheless, the Lord has shown unto me that they should return again. And he also has shown unto me that the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, should manifest himself unto them in the flesh; and after he should manifest himself they should scourge him and crucify him, according to the words of the angel who spake it unto me.

Book of Mormon

Alma 60:14-28

*How can we avoid idleness?

- Keep the Lord in our hearts always. Serve others and set goals.

Old Testament

Proverbs 1-3

General Conference

Am I a Child of God?

Elder Brian K. Taylor

"I love the God of my fathers, 'the Lord God Almighty,' who weeps with us in our sorrows, patiently chastens our unrighteousness, and rejoices when we seek to 'give away all our sins to know Him.' I worship Him, who is ever 'a father of the fatherless' and a companion to the companionless. Gratefully, I testify that I have come to know God, my Father, and bear witness of the perfections, attributes, and 'excellency of His character.'

That every one of us might truly understand and cherish our 'noble birthright' as a child of God in coming to know Him, 'the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom He hast sent.'"

I love this!

I wrote down the names of all the ministering companionships I have stewardship over and at Church tried to handout all their assignments. Because it is a holiday weekend lots of people were gone, and we had lots of visitors.

Kaitlin, Adam, and Jacob attended fast and testimony meeting with us. It was a great meeting and Kaitlin mentioned that fact. I especially enjoyed Tamara's testimony about second chances, and Elder Bernecker's powerful testimony regarding faith, the Resurrection, and the fact the he knows that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are real and that they love us and speak to us.

Brother Smith taught the Sunday School lesson on the book of Hosea. Brother Smith quoted from a talk by President Henry B. Eyring called, "Covenants and Sacrifice."

"Hosea is a book bout commitments and love.

Read Hosea 2:6-7. Here are the fierce words of the husband, spoken after his wife has betrayed him in adultery: He goes on through verse 13 to describe the punishment she deserves, and then comes a remarkable change in the verses that follow. Verses 14-15, 19-23. The husband is a metaphor for Jehovah, Jesus Christ.

The wife represents His covenant people who had gone after strange Gods. The Lord is teaching us, through this metaphor, an important principle. Even though those with whom he has covenanted may be horribly unfaithful to Him, He would not divorce them if they would only turn back to Him with full purpose of heart. This is a story about love."

Kerri lead the council meeting in Relief Society. Hailey was the only young woman at church today so she and the young women leaders stayed in Relief Society. This is the handout Kerri gave us:

After breaking our fast James and I enjoyed Navy bean and ham soup which I had put in the crockpot before I left this morning. James said we should definitely have it again. Kaitlin and Adam also enjoyed it.

We had a big rain storm this afternoon with lightning, hail, and hard rain. Our electricity was out for over an hour. Kaitlin loved it!

I had mini Payday bars, a Hershey's bar, and several graham crackers this afternoon. I am making a new commitment to go off sugar for awhile since I can't seem to moderate myself. I crave sugar and graham crackers, popcorn, Hershey bars, and Paydays have all become binge foods.

Adam wanted my help fixing his mom's chicken for dinner. He finally had to call his mom because I couldn't remember all the spices she uses. He got low and was acting strange. I did not realize he was low but Kyle did and made him drink some Sunny Delight to elevate his blood sugar. Everyone helped out with dinner. James kept telling Kaitlin to try my mashed potatoes which were the best.

Anyway I had a little bite of a chicken tender and some mashed potatoes and stuffing. I guess they all got their fill and I made them some chicken gravy. Jacob tried to make gravy but James gave him the AuJus packet and it just wasn't getting thick.

After the kids cleaned the kitchen they bundled up and went for a Razr ride. They wanted to go somewhere spooky since it was dark. They decided to go to the haunted line shack.

The look like they are ready for spooky

Just found out that Jacob is good friends with Jeffrey.

I read to James from our Sunday book, "Life Everlasting," took a shower, and went to bed.

Charlie Mae sighting:

She looks so comfy. Wish I could sleep like that.

I can hardly wait!

Scarlett's Sabbath:

So adorable anyway!

Love that face!

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Sunday, May 7th, 2017

Medford, Oregon

79th operating temple

Dedicated: 16 April 2000 by

James E. Faust

Mosiah 25:1-13

Those gathered in Zarahemla unite and become known as Nephites.

*How does it help you to hear examples of God's goodness and power in the lives of others?

*To what sources, other than the scriptures, can we turn to learn of others' experiences with the goodness of God? (Don't forget family stories and histories!).

3 Nephi 29-30

29:1-12 The coming forth of the Book of Mormon is a sign that the latter-day gathering has begun.

30:1-2 Latter-day Gentiles commanded to come unto Christ.

DC 68:25-35

Parents are commanded to teach the gospel to their children; The Saints are to observe the Sabbath, labor diligently, and pray.

General Conference

Confide in God Unwaveringly

Elder Ulisses Soares

"Therefore, lift up you heads, and rejoice, and put your trust in God..." If ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart,...and serve Him will all diligence of mind,...He will , according to His own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage. Mosiah 7:19,33.

The faith of king Limhi's people was so profoundly affected by the words of Ammon that they made a covenant with God to serve Him and to keep His commandments, regardless of their difficult circumstances. Because of their faith, they were able to devise a plan to escape from the hands of the Lamanites.

I had planned on getting up at 4:30 this morning to finish preparing my Primary lesson, but it was actually 5:30. I got a call earlier in the week from the other teacher who teaches the same lessons as I do. Her brother is very sick in the hospital in Flagstaff and she is going to see him and could I teach her class on Sunday. I said I would be glad to. I took down her brother's name and put it on the temple prayer roll.

My lesson today is on the Saints Gather to Kirtland, Ohio. There were two great stories in this lesson. One was about Joseph Smith walking in to the Whitney store in Kirtland and saying to Newell K. Whitney: "Newell K. Whitney, thou art the man. You prayed me here, now what do you want?" Joseph had seen Brother Whitney in a vision praying for the opportunity to meet the prophet.

The other was the story of Lucy Mack Smith leading a group of saints to Ohio and praying for the ice to break so they could cross Lake Erie. What an amazing story! These are the children who attended my class: Curtis, Colter, Jace and Lianna from my class. Curtis brought enough money for us to buy a set of scriptures to give to one of our inactive members. Since he donated all the money I told Curtis he could choose who we should give it to. He chose his friend Braxton. We will have a pizza party and during the party will deliver cookies and the scriptures to Braxton. From the other class: Norma, Curtis's and Zemira's cousin who is visiting, Talena, Kacey, and Zemira. Ashten wasn't here. Her sister got married last night and maybe she stayed up too late celebrating.

James did not come to church today. When I sat down in the chapel before Fast and Testimony meeting Judy told me she got a call last night a 8 o'clock asking her if she would teach gospel doctrine. I guess Ed didn't make it back from the valley because of a track meet. Everyone who bore their testimony today mentioned the Book of Mormon. Our ward is scheduled to finish it by the end of May. I was not planning on bearing my testimony but the Spirit told me otherwise. I was the last adult to go up.

In singing time today we practiced three mother's day songs. The Primary will be singing next week to the mothers. It felt like Lianna, and Curtis and I were the only ones singing. I was so grateful that in spite of his attitude, Curtis did sing!

Brother Wilhelm and Sister Skousen did a sharing time on repentance. Curtis brought more money today to buy a set of scriptures for someone in our class who is not currently attending. He wants the first set of scriptures to go to his friend Braxton. Since he paid for them I said he could choose.
Lianna, the only girl in my class who attends is my friend and helper. She asked me today if Brother Lambson does anything for me for mother's day. I said oh, yes, he always makes me a steak dinner. Does he serve you breakfast in bed? I said yes, he does. She is so thoughtful and sweet!

I saw the Curtis's son who has cancer at sacrament meeting today. My heart went out to him. He is in his early thirties and is skin and bones. I felt like crying. I have never seen him at church before.

My friend Christy posted these tulips on the

Logan temple grounds.

James was feeling better when I got home from church. Since it still was not time to break out fast we watched part of the first new episode of The Good Witch. While we were watching the doorbell rang. It was the missionaries and they wanted me to go with them to their next appointment to talk to the children about Primary. I said I would be glad to go and I would meet them there. I went in and got dressed again in my Sunday clothes and drove to #91 on the Crossroads. The elders were already there. This sister takes in foster chiildren every other weekend. The children present were Isabell who is nine, Dominic who is 5, and Malia who is probably two. I told them a little bit about Primary and told Isabell she would be in my class. The elders showed a video featuring a Primary song and then went in to their message. I did not say anything more. Dominic came over and sat next to me in my chair. The elders spoke about Heavenly Father's plan but never issued a challenge. I recognized this sister's name from a list of investigators the elders gave us back in 2014. She has been on my prayer list for that long. I will continue to pray for her and the children. Two of her friends showed up during the lesson, Twila and her daughter Kelly.

James had some chili on the stove when I got home so I broke my fast. We finished watching The Good Witch. I sent out my family scripture text and did the rest of my gospel study. Michael sent a wonderful text to James today thanking him for being a great example of what a father should be. I guess his lesson in elder's quorum today was about fathers and it reminded him of his grandpa. I think it made James's day. James texted back to him that he was grateful for the example that Michael was to his brothers.

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