Sunday, February 2nd, 2020

Asuncion, Paraguay

112th operating temple

Dedicated: 19 May 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Jehovah

DC 93:8

Therefor, in the beginning the Word was, for he was the Word, even the messenger of salvation -

Book of Mormon, "Come Follow Me"

Review 1 Nephi 16-22

"Come Follow Me" discussion at Kim and Brian's

"True Disciples of the Savior"

Elder Terence M. Vinson

October 2019

There is no treasure, nor any hobby, nor any status, nor any social media, nor any video games, nor any sport, nor any association with a celebrity, nor anything on earth this is more precious than eternal life. So the Lord's counsel to every person is 'consider your ways.'"

Woke up in the middle of the night again and had to take some Tramadol and lie on the recliner again. This time I didn't get up until past six. 

I worked on my blog before going to church. I am determined to get caught up!

I love sitting by our friends the Howard's during sacrament meeting. Today was fast and testimony meeting. Brother Grapp conducted the meeting and bore his testimony. 

He mentioned the shiny tie he was wearing saying that his kids got it for him for his birthday. They told him they wanted it to match his "shiny" head. (He's bald).

Brother Grapp spoke about the temple. He said that Liana has been to the temple twice in January to do baptisms and what a wonderful blessing it was to her. Liana is 11.

I loved Sister Chandler's testimony. She said they joined the Church six years ago and because of the influence of the gospel in their lives, they are different people. 

Brother Bowen testified to the power of the Book of Mormon. 

A new sister in the ward, Sister Franklin said she was grateful to be in a ward where the Spirit was so strong. 

Sister S. Smith testified of the Savior's love and His Atonement.

Brother Andersen encouraged us to share the restored gospel with others. How appropriate since he is a ward missionary.

Brother Forrester and Sister Applegate testified of the power of the priesthood and expressed gratitude for it. Sister Applegate said that Jace was able to give his sister, Jordyn, a blessing this week. Jace is preparing to leave on his mission in March.

Newly baptized member "Yogi" bore his testimony that he knew the Church was true.

It was a good meeting and I felt the Spirit.

Sister Judy Hunter taught Sunday School. We talked about the Liahona and how small things can bring great things to pass. Sister Hunter said the computer was a small thing and because of the computer family history has been made so much easier. 

This is the first time James has been able to attend gospel doctrine since he was called to teach Primary. I think he really enjoyed it.

We went home and broke our fast and had lunch and then we got ready to leave for the valley. We left somewhere between 2:30 and 3. We arrived at Kim and Brian's around 6:20 and our "Come Follow Me" group starts at 6:30. Stacy, Joshua and Adam arrived shortly after we did. Kim and Brian had "puppy chow" and rice krispy treats set out for us. Kim's rice krispy treats are the best. She uses an upgraded recipe and they are yummy. Actually she made up the upgraded recipe. I'm wondering if Adam was thinking we were going to have dinner. 

We started out with a discussion about this week's lesson and then we watched part of "Teaching with Power." People like to comment so that wasn't working too well. It is a good resource for preparing for the lesson but not so much for discussing the lesson. Everyone participated in some degree. At 7:30 the Trezise's, Sheri and Evan, and also Adam left. Adam said he had to leave because he hadn't eaten. The rest of us stayed and Stacy shared some things from school about the girls in her class and how vulgar they were and her reaction to them. She said she needed to be stronger about letting them know what she stands for and believes. I asked Joshua how he handles vulgar language, etc. at school and he says he asks them to stop and not talk like that when he's around. I'm grateful that he is strong enough to take that stance.

The evening ended with Stacy telling us a disturbing story about the former Primary president in Nichol's ward who now lives in Idaho. Her name is Laurie Vallow and she is on the run with her husband right now. Her kids have not been seen since September and her former husband is dead. She feels she is on a mission from God and her "calling and election has been made sure." She is definitely under the power of Satan.

Joe came over this evening to bring Kim's car back. It was nice to see him. He and James had a nice visit.

 Sabbath Day Sweeties

Charlie loves her visit to nursery

She ate more than anyone at

snack time. I think she looked around

and saw she was the smallest and

decided she better catch up.

Charlie will be 18 months the

end of February

 Tyler, Chelsea, and Kimber

 Sweet faces I love

Sunday, November 3rd, 2019

Atlanta, Georgia

21st operating temple

Dedicated: 1-4 June 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Head of Church

DC 10:67

Behold this is my doctrine - whosoever repenteth and cometh unto me, the same is my church.

Book of Mormon

3rd Nephi 19:1-29

How can we strive just as much as the Nephites to come unto Christ today?

New Testament

Review 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon; Family Scripture Study and Family Home Evening

Oct 2019 General Conference

"The Joy of the Saints"

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"In this conference three years ago, President Russell M. Nelson spoke of joy. Among other things, he said:

'The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives. When the focus of our lives is on God's plan of salvation ... and Jesus Christ and His gospel we can feel joy regardless of what is happening - or not happening - in our lives. Joy comes from and because of Him. ... For Latter-day Saints, Jesus Christ is Joy!'"

For awhile now we have been trying to get a young woman called as a family history consultant. Today, Kyah Westbrook, the young woman whose name we submitted to the bishop was called. My only concern is that her entire family was at church but she wasn't.

Her brothers were both confirmed today by her dad after being baptized by her dad yesterday. Kyah is a great young woman but I know she loves to rodeo and so many events are on Sunday. I do look forward to working with her and felt a prompting today that I should meet with her and see what she knows about family history.

These people bore their testimonies today in our sacrament meeting: Chuck Crane, Lorraine Vaught, Lynda Van Haren, Traedon, Stratton, and Joe Westbrook, Dave Westbrook, Paula Johnson, both missionaries, Tina Allen, Owen Peeler, and Candi Campbell.

Sister Judy Hunter taught our Sunday School class today. One of the first questions she asked was if we could compare the apostle Paul to a modern day apostle of prophet who would it be. Sean Hunsaker said, "I think he's Jeffrey R. Holland's brother." Judy said he reminded her of Boyd K. Packer, someone who was very straight forward when preaching the gospel. I said the Prophet Joseph Smith because both of them wrote scripture while in prison.

I was an absolutely gorgous day. The high was 66 and there was no wind. James and Dave Westbrook went out this afternoon to visit Anthony. James is helping Anthony with family history. He came home and ran off several names for Anthony to take to the temple.

This evening James wrote to Ben and worked on family history for Anthony and Greg Andersen.

I worked on my blog, colored in my Disney coloring book, did some reading from my book, "The Priesthood Power of Women."

We FaceTimed with Jared, Kacey, and Charlie. Jared's kids didn't end up coming this weekend. 

For "Come Follow Me" James and I listened to Dave and Emily talk about Hebrews 1-6. I also listened to "Teaching with Power."

I love both of these YouTube videos.

 East rim of the Grand Canyon

 We watched this Saturday night before

"Merry and Bright"

Wow! They grow up too fast!

California Wildfires

 This rabbit is seriously called:

A blonde beach bunny!

Ian was one of Jared Ammon's best friends in high school.

 Quiet time at the Trezise house

Southern Sabbath Girls

Sunday, March 31st, 2019

Cebu City, Phillipines

133rd operating temple

Dedicated: 13 June 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Jacob 4:5,11

Behold, they believed in Christ and worshiped the Father in his name, and also we worship the Father in his name. And for this intent we keep the law of Moses, it pointing our souls to him; and for this cause it is sanctified unto us for righteousness, even as it was accounted unto Abraham in the wilderness to be obedient unto the commands of God in offering up his son Isaac, which is a similitude of God and his Only Begotten. 

Wherefore, beloved brethren, be reconciled unto him through the atonement of Christ, his Only Begotten Son, and ye may obtain a resurrection, according to the power of the resurrection which is in Christ, and be presented as the first-fruits of Christ unto God, having faith, and obtained a good hope of glory in him before he manifesteth himself in the flesh.

Book of Mormon

Omni 1:1-11

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Review: Matthew 14-15; Mark 6-7; John 5-6

General Conference

Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints

President Russell M. Nelson

"My dear brothers and sisters, the assaults of the adversary are increasing exponentially, in intensity and in variety. Our need to be in the temple on a regular basis has never been greater. I plead with you to take a prayerful look at how you spend your time. Invest time in you future and in that of your family. If you have reasonable access to a temple, I urge you to find a way to make an appointment regularly with the Lord - to be in His holy house - then keep that appointment with exactness and joy. I promise you that the Lord will being the miracles He knows you need as you make sacrifices to serve and worship in His temples."

Today was our fast and testimony meeting because for the next two weeks we have General and stake conference. I bore my testimony. I felt prompted to tell about the feelings I had yesterday in the celestial room of the temple when Holly and Charlie embraced for such a long time. I said I thought was how it was going to be when we meet our loved ones in Heaven.

The second hour Bishop Miller talked to us about finances. He said all bishops were instructed to do so by the First Presidency because of the financial status of so many members. It was quite sobering as James and I realized how ill prepared we really are for retirement. The only way for us to go is up. 

Sister Barton, a 90 year old member of our ward who lost her home in the Paradise, California fire, bore her testimony and talked about how she used to be a Baptist. She said there were lots of great baptists, and that John was one. Somehow that just struck me funny. I tried not to laugh out loud because after all, we were in sacrament meeting.

After the block we had a family history meeting where Brother Curtis went over a list that the bishop provided and each consultant was given some people to work with, except for Ty and Sister Klug who were not here.

James got a text from his sister Dawn. His mom was back in the hospital for back pain. She will probably go home tomorrow as soon as they get her blood pressure under control.

I had my quarterly ministering interviews today. I spoke or texted with everyone except Sister Deatherage. She is my ministering sister so I pretty much know that she has not visited. Besides, she has also been ill.

Today is the 20th anniversary of my mom's death. Stacy always remembers. She posted this on Facebook:

Snow White

Mickey Mouse

Trident original flavor gum

blue green eye shadow

leather purse

yummy food'unforgettable laugh

Can't believe it's been 20 years

Love you Gramma

Charlie loves books for many reasons

Scarlett is ready for Sunday photos!

 

Such a cute girl!