Sunday, February 17th, 2018

Suva, Fiji

91st operating temple

Dedicated: 18 June 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

DC 14:9

Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, who created the heavens and the earth, a light which cannot be hid in darkness;

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 9:15-30

*What is the difference between the knowledge in verse 28 compared to verse 29: How do we ensure our knowledge is godly?

- Ezra Taft Benson, "pride is concerned with who is right, humility is concerned with what is right." (Ensign, Nov. 1993, p. 16).

Neal A. Maxwell, "In fact, if one needs any further persuasion as to how vital this virtue is (meekness) Moroni warned, "none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart." (Moroni 7:43-44.) If we could but believe, really believe, in the reality of that bold but accurate declaration, you and I would find ourselves focusing on the crucial rather than the marginal tasks in life! We would then cease pursuing lifestyles which, inevitably and irrevocably, are going out of style!" (Meekness-A Dimension of True Discipleship, Elder Neal A. Maxwell, BYU fourteen stake fireside, 5 September 1982).

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

John 4:24 Is God a spirit? John 4:7-26 Christ offers me His living water.

"The Blessings of Worship" by Bishop Dean M. Davies, 10/16

Ensign

"Forgiving Others" by Barbara A. Lewis

General Conference

Parents and Children

President Dallin H. Oaks

"My second counsel is even more important. Be kind to others. Kindness is something many of our youth are doing already. Some groups of youth in some communities have shown the way for all of us. We have been inspired by our young people's acts of kindness to those in need of love and help. In many ways, you give that help and show that love to one another. We wish all would follow your example."

Who needs my help today? I thought of Jennifer but I should have been thinking of my ministering companion, Marie, who I found out is in the hospital in Flagstaff. She has something wrong with her pancreas and is in a great deal of pain. She is there by herself as her husband is still in Texas. My friend Kerri made plans to go see Marie on Wednesday if she is still in the hospital.

I found a photo of Elder Rosenbaum, one of the missionaries who served here in Vernon. He is getting married soon and my friends Pam and Rick are planning on going to Utah to attend. James and I took him down to the mission home in Scottsdale when his mission was complete.

I love this contemplative question from today's "Come Follow Me" lesson: "What am I doing to worship the Father in spirit and in truth?" Worship includes prayer, fasting, church service, participating in gospel ordinances, and other practices that show devotion and love for God.

Brother Smith from the high counsel spoke in our ward today on adversity. He said there were three sources of adversity: Our own mistakes, others mistakes, and the Lord's plan for us. "With choices come consequences." He shared the story from a talk given by President James E. Faust, "The Healing Power of Forgiveness," from the April 2007 conference, about a man who killed five young Amish girls and injured five others and how the Amish community forgave him. I remember the talk and the sad story and howI impressed I was with the ability of the Amish to forgive.

Sister Barton needs a ride to Snowflake on Tuesday to see an attorney. I volunteered to take her. She is the 93 year old woman in our ward  who lost her home in the Paradise, California fire and then was bit by a dog and almost lost her leg. While she was in the hospital no one came to visit because her granddaughter Candi let everyone know she was not to have visitors. The first time Sister Barton came to Relief Society she complained that no one visited her. 

Sister Halcomb needs help with family history and James made an appointment to go see her on Tuesday and wants me to go with him.  Thursday we are going to the temple with the Howard's, Friday is book sourcing day, and Saturday we go back to work at the temple. It's going to be a busy week.

It snowed while the sun was shining today. That always seems a little weird to me. James says it's supposed to snow all night.

This evening we read from "Life Everlasting" about the sons of perdition and wrote emails to Ben.

 Getting ready for his Primary lesson.

 Part of today's "Come Follow Me"

 Cutie Pie

Joshua giving advice to Lola

 Joshua gave a talk in church today about

scripture study. Stacy said it was amazing.

 So beautiful. I wonder what it will look like

after being remodeled.

 So tired.

 Lola's first modeling gig.

 My winter study area. It's warmer than the

dining room, and cozier too.

These two.

Monday, September 10th, 2018

Suva, Fiji

91st operating temple

Dedicated: 18 June 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Matthew 28:5

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 1:18-34

*When situations in your life get hard what do you do to keep your faith alive?

- "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10 

I also calm my thoughts through prayer. Quiet my thoughts and abide in the presence of God. Reunite my light with the Savior's light. Study my scriptures and listen to conference talks. Go to the temple and think of Him during the sacrament.

Old Testament

Proverbs 24-26

General Conference

Family History and Temple Work: Sealing and Healing

Elder Dale G. Renlund

President Russel M. Nelson cautioned:

"We can be inspired all day long about temple and family history experiences others have had. But we must do something to actually experience the joy ourselves." 

He continued, "I invite you to prayerfully consider what kind of sacrifice - preferably a sacrifice of time - you can make to do more temple and family history work." As you accept President Nelson's invitation, you will discover, gather, and connect your family. Additionally, blessings will flow to you and your family like the river spoken of by Ezekiel. You will find healing for that which needs healing.

FHE:  What Every Aaronic Priesthood Holder Needs to Understand

Douglas D. Holmes

"Aaronic Priesthood holders, we have the privilege and duty to be fellow servants with John the Baptist. John was sent as an authorized messenger to bear witness of Christ and invite all to repent and be baptized - that is, he exercised the Aaronic Priesthood keys we have discussed. John then declared, 'I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I...:he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire."

My first order of business for the day was to have James drive me into ADOT in Show Low so I could get my driver's license renewed. Of course the line was almost out the door but I persevered and eventually made it to the front. The worst part was getting my picture taken. I look like a scared rabbit.

After success at ADOT James and I celebrated by going to lunch at Aliberto's. LaCasita is closed on Mondays. We each had a toastado and a taco.

After lunch we went out separate ways, me to Walmart and James to Home Depot. As I was leaving the car James says, "Get me a watermelon, please." He knows I hate to pick them out, but of course I did. It turned out to be a good one!

During my rest time I watched last night's episode of "Chesapeake Shores." I then did some walking and started hanging some more family photos in the hallway. James could see I was having some trouble pounding the nails into the wall, so he came over with bigger nails and did it for me. We put up four more family photos.

The rest of the afternoon I spent finishing up my card kits for tomorrow's card making class while watching a Debbie Gibson movie on Hallmark. James went for a Razr ride.

Thank goodness for Cathi and her card!

For F.H.E. we listened to Brother Holmes's talk about the Aaronic Priesthood and then wrote emails to Ben.

Heading straight for the Carolina's where Steve and Elise 

moved too. They expect Category 3 or 4.

So excited for Jackson!

Love those leg lifts!

Saturday, May 12th, 2018

Draper, Utah,

129th operating temple

Dedicated: 20-22 Mar 2009

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, birth of

Luke 1:31

And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

Book of Mormon
Mosiah 28:1-20
*Why did the sons of Mosiah want to preach to the Lamanites? 
- Because the thought that any soul should endure endless torment caused them to quake and tremble..they were desirous to declare salvation to every creature.
We as members of His Church are not salesmen but servants of the most high who work for peace. By inviting all to repent and come unto Christ, we are encouraging peace, hope and comfort by helping others change their hearts. We need to learn the language of the Spirit, so we can find they way to the hearts of those we are called to teach. We are His messengers. 
Old Testament
1 Samuel 29-30
29 Israel and the Philistines gather for war - The Philistine princes send David away.
30 The Amalekites spoil Ziklag and the borders of Judah - David smites Amalek and regains and divides the spoil.
General Conference

What Every Aaronic Priesthood Holder Needs to Understand

Douglas D. Holmes

President Thomas S. Monson counseled us that young men need to understand "what it means to be bearers of the priesthood of God They need to be guided to a spiritual awareness of the sacredness of their ordained calling."

Today I pray that the Holy Ghost will guide us to a greater understanding of the power and sacredness of the Aaronic Priesthood and inspire us to focus more diligently on our priesthood duties. My message is for all Aaronic Priesthood holders, including those who also hold the Melchizedek Priesthood.

Russell M. Nelson: 4/05: #45. Now Is The Time to Prepare

"Now is the time to prepare to meet God. Tomorrow may be too late."

On the way to the temple this morning James and I listened to 1 Samuel 29-30. David becomes friends with the Philistines and lives with them for about 16 months. I read from the Book of Mormon and the conference talk for the day because we forgot to bring our speaker and we couldn't hear the phone very well in the car.

This is my morning schedule on the days we work in the temple. I get up at 4 and today I went to the kitchen to get some breakfast and put the stew on to warm up. I also have my prayers. James gets up around 4:45 and showers. I come back in a little after five and take over the bathroom to get ready to go. 

Before we left I put the stew back in the crockpot with the crockpot turned on. We took it to the temple in the crockpot. 

The men and women had separate training today. Sister Reidhead and Sister Cochran were the women's trainers. We talked about initiatory and the baptistry. Sister Reidhead said there was a temple trainer here from Salt Lake last week. He was amazed at how many family names we have to do in the credenza. He said that he has never seen so many names at any other temple. I guess we have lots of people in our temple district doing family history.

Sister Wenhardt was not here today. She is a florist and Mother's Day is her biggest day of the year. 

The Wilhelm's from our ward were taking the Gentry's place today. Also, Ione Whipple worked our shift. I knew her as a youth in Show Low. I don't think she recognized me. When I knew her everyone called her "Babe." I guess maybe she didn't want to put Babe on her temple badge.

One of my former young women who is now married came to the temple today. She wasn't just any young woman, but my favorite. Trenda and her husband Emery were the witness couple in the session where I was the 1st follower. I got to help her at the veil and her grandpa, Brother Wilhelm was the receiver for her. He was so excited about this opportunity!

During break Sister Sauwen told me about a restaurant at the golf course called The Skillet. She said the food was really good and it was reasonably priced. Maybe another day. Today I am on a weight loss challenge. I want to kill my chunky monkey!

I loves the temple. I always feel so good when I am here, even though at the end of my shift I am ready to go home and take a nap.

I guess my stew was a hit because there was very little left to take home. It's a good thing I saved some for James in our frig.

After nap time I made a green smoothie for both James and I. He gulped his down and took off for the Wallace's to see about his tractor and then he went to get some gas in the car because we forgot on the way home.

I stayed home and did my 45 minute walk. Afterwards I had a Slimfast and a bell pepper for dinner.

James and I watched the finale of "When Calls the Heart." James agreed with me that it was really well done in spite of Jack dying.

Summer and Tanner were asked to clean the kitchen.

Tanner is working and Summer is dancing

around the kitchen. When she sees her mom

is making a video, she falls to the ground.

It is pretty funny!

 The Navajo taco dinner fundraiser.

We didn't got but we did buy tickets and

let someone else eat our tacos.

They made $1,700.00!

This castle needs a remodel. I don't know if

anyone lives there but it looks like they are

running a herd of cattle. Or, maybe the cattle live in the castle.

 Kilchurn Castle was built in the mid 1400's by Sir Colin Campbell, 1st Lord of Glenorchy.

I'm starting to collect photos of 

dresses I like.

Fiji looks divine!

I really like the skirt, not sure about the top.

Dreaming about catching the birds and cats

he chases all the time. Yes that curly thing

is his tail.