Monday, March 2nd, 2020

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

141st operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Mar 2013

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Judge

2 Nephi 13:14

The Lord will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people and the princes thereof; for ye have eaten up the vineyard and the spoil of the poor in your houses.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

2 Nephi 31:1-12

Saints, Volume 2

Chapter 30

A Steady, Onward Movement

October 2019 GenCon

True Disciples of the Savior

Elder Terence M. Vinson

"Are we true followers of Him who gave His all for us? He who is our Redeemer and our Advocate with the Father? He who was Himself absolutely committed in His atoning sacrifice and is so now in His love, His mercy, and His desire for us to have eternal joy? I plead with all who hear and read these words: Please, please don't put your total commitment off until you get around to it at some nonexistent, future time. Get fair dinkum now and feel the joy!"

I already did this post once but my computer some how lost it, or maybe I forgot to save it. Anyway, here it goes again. 

I got up and worked on my blog for awhile before going to get my infusion. Darrel took Addy and Rowan to school. They leave much earlier than Ruby and Lola. Suzy came and picked up Ruby and Lola to take them to school. 

James dropped me off at AARA for my infusion. He borrowed my Costco card and said he was going to see if they could fix his hearing aid. He also went to Verizon and got the ringer on his phone fixed. I asked him if he got me a cord like I asked him to and he said he forgot. He said we could go by and get one later. We never did.

I had a few minutes after my infusion to go to Deseret Book and get a book for my friend Karen whom I am having lunch with to celebrate her birthday. I got her Sister Wendy Nelson's book, "The Heavens Are Open." It's the one that I am reading. I was afraid she might already have it and she did. I told her I wanted to get her Emily Belle Freeman's new book on grace but it doesn't come out until March 9th. She told me to take this book back and get Emily's and the next time we have lunch I could give it to her. Will do.

I had what I almost always do when I go to Firebirds, coconut shrimp with mango coleslaw. It is actually an appetizer. Karen used to order it too but now she is eating a plant-based, gluten free diet. She ordered a baked potato and a salad. She told the waiter that I wanted dessert. We both always use to order a scoop of vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce. I guess she wants to live vicariously through me because she told him that's what I wanted. It was yummy.

I guess when old people get together they talk about their ailments. That's what we did. Karen still does chemo every other Wednesday. She's lucky her hair has not fallen out. She says she will have to do the chemo for the rest of her life. She has some type of kidney cancer. 

Lance, her husband, had prostate cancer and did 8 weeks worth of treatments at Loma Linda University in California. This school is run by the Seventh Day Adventist church who are very health conscious.

When it was time to go, it was raining outside so James pulled around by the front door. Karen said it was hailing when she left and she had to wait for about five minutes. I think it was a cloudburst right over the restaurant because we were out of the rain a few minutes after we left. 

We went to Chacon's tire shop in Mesa where Mario signed the contract and gave James a check for $6,200. 

James hired Duran Thompson, a friend from Chandler that he has worked with before, to survey Mario's lots. His price was under a thousand dollars whereas the guy Mario hired wanted $1,700.

James went by to see Duran before we headed to the Gilbert Costco.

Costco was a big disappointment. I wanted toilet paper and paper towels and they were out of both. I also wanted some fresh strawberries to take home to Darrel's kids. They had none. We got cantaloupe instead. No bread so we got croissants. I got lunchmeat and cheese and some chicken salad to make sandwiches for the kids dinner. Suzy was going to do dinner for them but I told her we would. She took the girls to school and picked them up and then took them to their tumbling class.

When Ruby walked in the door from tumbling she asked what was for dinner. I guess tumbling makes you hungry. Addy had heated up the leftovers from last night and I had stuff out to make the croissant sandwiches. Lola ordered a turkey with cheese. 

Darrel came in with a big handful of mail. I guess they don't pick up their mail very often because one of the letters I sent for Valentine's day was in the pile. 

Lola wanted to know why I used pink and yellow to color the LOVE card. I told her because that was the colors at her mom and dad's wedding reception. When she heard that she wanted to make a card just like it. She did a pretty good job of duplicating it.

Lola started talking about her birthday and how she wishes it was on the "oneth" of July instead of the fourth. Rowan thought that was so funny. He said, "yeah, you could tell everyone your birthday is the oneth of July!" I told Lola she wouldn't want her birthday on that day because that was Max's birthday. 

James and I went to bed pretty early because we are making a trip to Walmart in the morning before going to the temple. James left his dress shoes at home and needs to get another pair. We could have gone tonight but I was already in bed when he made the discovery.

Just hangin' around

 Tristan, Trina's sister in Hawaii

 Greg Butler giving Deb Randy's plaque

Greg worked in my dad's store as a teenager.

I was happy to see Aunt Gene in this picture.

I can't believe my mom lived here.

Before school:

Friday, August 11th 2017

Ogden, Utah

14th operating temple

Dedicated: 18-20 Jan 1972

By: Joseph Fielding Smith

Rededicated: 21 Sept 2014

By: Thomas S. Monson

Alma 48:18-49:8

*In a class I took from Sister Jennifer Gardiner she compared Moroni's building program and fortifications to President Hinckley's building program of temples. In 1995 when President Hinckley took office there were 47 temples. In 2003, when Jennifer made this comment, there were 114 temples with 14 under construction. President Monson has continued with the building of temples. Today there are 156 operating temples, 13 under construction, and 13 announced. Why is the building of temples so important and how are they like a fortification to us?

*Many of us will have the opportunity this week to attend a temple dedication with our children 8 and older. What a great privilege, blessing and opportunity to teach our children about the temple!

DC 111:1-11
How can we always remember to include the Lord in our decision making?
*juliekiser says: If I include the Lord in my decision making going through the proper steps, then I can rest assured all will be well. It doesn't mean it will be easy or without challenges but I have the confidence that I have the Lord's "stamp of approval" so I can go on. If we don't go to the Lord in fasting and prayer, when we are making a big decision then we don't know if we've made the right decision. When the challenges come we will second guess the decision we made. But if I go through the proper order of decision making including going to the temple, then I move forward with peace knowing the Lord has answered my prayers and guided me in the right direction. I can't make a decision any other way. It's important to always remember the Lord in our decision making. He desires to guide and bless us, we just need to ask!
General Conference

Songs Sung and Unsung

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"With divine imperatives of love and faith, repentance and compassion, honesty and forgiveness, there is room in this choir for all who wish to be here. 'Come as your are,' a loving Father says to each of us, but He adds, 'Don't plan to stay as you are.' We smile and remember that God is determined to make of us more than we thought we could be."

Using Terry's truck we took the car to Sears this morning for an oil change. They say we need an alignment and when James asked how much it would cost they said, $600. He said "he would look into it." I am not sure what that means but he will probably take it to Erik to look at. It is driving fine and there is no indication that it is out of alignment. 

We picked up the car at 10:15 and I was going to drive to my infusion appointment in Mesa but I realized I was totally out of gas so I went down Chandler Blvd. to the nearest station. I filled the tank and headed down the 101 to Mesa. I happened to look out the rear view mirror to see I had forgotten to replace the tank lid and it was dangling on the side of the car. I made a quick exist on Warner. I while waiting for the light to change ran out and replaced the lid and got back on the freeway. I was only about six minutes late for my appointment. 

A new girl set up my infusion and drew blood. I had an appointment to see Dr Caldron and had a nice visit with him. He took Dr. Moffat's lab request for thyroid bloodwork and told me he would have the lab do it and send it to Dr. Moffat.

At 12:30 I was at Firebird's having lunch with my friend Karen Schneider. This was my birthday lunch, on Karen. I ordered what I always order at Firebirds, the coconut shrimp appetizer with habanero coleslaw. We both also love their sourdough bread that comes to every table. Karen also made sure I ordered a scoop of ice cream with chocolate sauce although she herself did not indulge.

Karen has cancer and has chemo treatments every other week. She is one of the lucky ones who has not lost her hair. We had alot of catching up to do. She is a dear friend and we have quite a bit of history together. She is an amazing resource person for doing family history. The best researcher I know.

After returning to Cathi's I had a short rest and then it was time to pack up and get ready to go home. We said our goodbye's and thanked Cathi and Terry for their hospitality. On our way out of town James let me stop at Deseret Book to buy a hankie for the temple dedication. 

We picked up Addy and Ruby who are going with us to Vernon. The rest of their family is coming up tomorrow for Rowan's birthday celebration. 

Since we won't be here for Addy's birthday on the 28th we gave her birthday present to her. I got her a complete new set of Harry Potter books. She seemed excited. Also, she gets to choose where we have dinner. She chose Rubio's. We found one in the Walmart shopping center on Signal Butte near Baseline. 

After our delicious Rubio's meal Addy, Ruby, and I walked to the Bosa Donut shop nearby and ordered a dozen donuts from a little oriental lady we could barely understand. Now it's on to the cabin. 

Of course James went the Salt River Canyon way. I know Addy doesn't like it but she never complained. 

It has definitely rained here since we were gone.  We could tell by our muddy road and the puddles in the road. 

Our first order of business was to get rid of the dead moths upstairs, which I did much to Addy and Ruby's delight. I also vacuumed their room and James helped by putting sheets on the bed in Sheri's room. I guess we are now ready for company, except for the broken box springs in James's office. It happened when kids jumped from the loft onto the bed. Ruby admitted it was her, and Molly, and she says Emmy did it once. Addy said she knew they did it, but she didn't.

After we settled in, the girls wanted to watch the Incredibles so I put it on for them and watched a little with them before going to bed. It is good to be home.

Photos

You know it's going to be a good day when

the sunrise looks like this.

I am in love with this little girl.

Trina made the skirt and the ribbons in her 

hair match.

I've seen a few of these this summer. It

reminds me of spending my summers in

Lakeside with Nannie when I was a girl.

She always had bird feeders. She didn't like the

bluejays because they drove the other birds away.

Her favorites along with my grandpa Al's, were

the cardinals. Maybe they loved them because

 they were big St. Louis Cardinals fans.

Whenever they were playing my grandpa would have the game on.

I may have already posted this, but

I couldn't take the chance that I hadn't.

Addy and grandpa at Big Lake a 

few years ago.

Addy loved this and wanted me to send it to her.

Cute photo of these two.

Two Vernon boys and their wives who

now live in Houston.

Friday, May 5th, 2017

Manila, Philippines

29th operating temple

Dedicated: 25-27 September 1984 by

Gordon B. Hinckley

Mosiah 23:21-29

An army of Lamanites and the wicked priests of Noah bring Alma and his people into bondage.

* "Testing...is needed even when you are living a worthy, righteous life and are obedient to God's commandments.  Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously" (Richard G. Scott, "Trust in the Lord," Ensign, Nov. 1995, 16).

* The Lord will try our patience and faith to help us increase our trust in Him.

* What trials are you currently experiencing?

* How can you exercise faith and trust in God during your times of trial?

* How can praying and following the counsel of a prophet help us during a trial?

3 Nephi 26-27

26:1-13 Christ continues to teach and minister to the multitude.

14-16 Mouths of Nephite children are open as they testify of marvelous things.

17-21 The Twelve Nephite Apostles minister to the Church.

27:1-12 Jesus instructs the Nephite Twelve.

13-22 Jesus teaches of His mission and Atonement and explains His gospel.

23-33 Out of the books shall men be judged.

One of my favorite scriptures is 3 Nephi 27:14-15.

DC 68:1-12

The words of the elders when moved upon by the Holy Ghost are scripture; Elders are to preach and baptize, and signs will follow true believers;

Why do the Lord and His prophets continually tell us to "be of good cheer?"

* Because the gospel of Jesus Christ is "good news."  We need to trust in the Lord and keep the companionship of the Spirit.  The Lord stands by His faithful servants who testify of Him in good cheer.

When the Lord's servants are moved upon by the Holy Ghost, their words will lead people to salvation.

General Conference

Our Father's Glorious Plan

Weatherford T. Clayton

"Before we were born, we lived with God, the Father

of our spirits.  All of us on earth are literally brothers and sisters in His family, and each of us is precious to Him.

We lived with Him for eons of time before our mortal birth - learning, choosing, and preparing."

In my study of the Doctrine and Covenants I learned that Orson Hyde and Samuel H. Smith in 1832 as missionaries for the Church in New England, traveled 2,000 miles on foot.  I wonder what would happen today if we expected our missionaries to do this.  After Elder Hyde was ordained an apostle he served a mission to England and then one to Jerusalem where he dedicated, on top of the Mount of Olives, Palestine for the gathering of the Jews.

I also studied this week's Gospel Doctrine lesson on tithing and fasting.  Some of the purposes of fasting are: To draw nearer to the Lord, receive guidance, increase our spiritual strength, humble ourselves, subject our bodily appetites to our spirits, overcome temptation or weakness, strengthen our testimonies, and to ask the Lord to bless others.

I left Cathi's a little after ten for my infusion and doctor's appointment in Mesa.  One the way over I called Dennis to wish him a happy birthday.  Just as I was arriving at my appointment on Dobson and Southern he was arriving at Mesa Community College across the street for the State Track Meet.  He came down with Monte and Harold.  Denise stayed at home.  

Dennis and Denise with Rachel at her wedding

in Dennis's backyard.

Madison is Monte's daughter.

This was her high school graduation last year.

I was supposed to see Dr. Caldron today but he never made it.  He sent his assistant instead and she was an hour late.  I guess he is just too busy to see someone who isn't really sick. I am thinking about asking for a new doctor.  It wasn't a total loss.  I did get my infusion and I also downloaded a Scrabble app on my phone and played to pass the time.

My son-in-law Brian sent me these flowers

for Mother's Day a couple of years ago.

On the way back to Chandler I stopped at Costco and picked up a gift card for Lois for mother's day.  I will have to send her card that Anna made next week.  I went from Costco to Firebird's so have lunch with my friend Karen S.  She was late so I ordered for both of us.  She had a salad and I had the coconut shrimp appetizer with mango habanero coleslaw.  When Karen arrived we had a nice visit.  She has cancer treatments twice a month.  She looks pretty good and thankfully has lost none of her hair.  She will not eat any sugar so while I ate my ice cream with chocolate sauce she had some berries.  I told our waiter that he reminded me of Maks from "Dancing with the Stars" and I think it made his day.

This is our "Max" a couple of years ago playing

the trombone in his band concert.

James and I dropped his truck off at Discount Tire and drove over to his mom's in Lexy.  Cathi and Terry were there with Colin.  They are having Dawn evaluate him.  His kindergarten teacher wants to keep him back a year and Terry really doesn't like the idea.  The evaluation went well and Dawn thinks Colin is totally ready for first grade.  I do think the teacher's concern was his social development and interacting with other children.

This is a picture of James making a sling

for my Primary class.  The lesson was on Ammon

protecting the King's flock. 

This picture was taken last year.

After giving Lois her gift card James and I left and headed for Darrel and Trina's.  Ruby and Rowan both have games tomorrow, Ruby plays baseball and Rowan plays basketball, but they are both scheduled for around 11 when I am supposed to go to lunch with Kim and Sheri for mother's day.  I wanted to at least see the kids and spend a little time with them.  

Sorry I didn't get pictures of Ruby or Addy.  They all did tricks on the trampoline for us.  Also Lola is being potty trained and she had to show us her Minnie Mouse panties.  Addy was concerned because she had left her backpack at Amazing Jake's.  Her mom called and they found it and will save it for her.  Ruby told me her favorite thing to do at school is to play with her friends.  Rowan is a very lovable boy.  On our way out he ran up behind me and gave me a big hug.  James was in a hurry to leave to pick up his truck before they closed.  Lola grabbed my hand and pulled me along saying: "Hurry gamma, gampa is gonna leave you." So fun.

I am exhausted when we get home.  I read to James most of the way home from "To Kill a Mockingbird."  When we get home all I want to do us put on my pj's and relax.  James wants some dinner so he goes to Fry's and gets some fried chicken and cranberry celebration.

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

1 Nephi 21:1-21

1.  When have I been a missionary in my everyday life?

2.  When have you had the chance to be an everyday missionary?

Jacob 5

DC: 18:21-30

How do we take upon us the name of Christ?

Talk:  "Taking Upon Us The Name of Jesus Christ?

By: Dallin H. Oaks

April 1985

GC:   'I Will Bring the Light of the Gospel into My Home' by Jean

B. Bingham

"When we see our own imperfections more clearly, we are less inclined to view others 'through a glass, darkly.'

We want to use the light of the gospel to see others as the Savior does - with compassion, hope, and charity.  The day will come

when we will have a complete understanding of others' hearts and will be grateful to have mercy extended to us - just as we

extend charitable thoughts and words to others during this life."

After my morning gospel study I paid my credit card bill that is due today and then headed for Deseret Book to pick out a gift for Karen Schneider.  I am having lunch with her today and it is her birthday month.  This is what I got:

I also got this book for James and I to read.

I already have a gratitude journal like this one.

I got to Firebirds, our favorite restaurant, before Karen did because she was helping a friend with family history work.  While I was waiting I got a Firebirds gift card for Sheri's birthday to go with her puzzle.  (Earlier I bought gift cards for Trina, Stacy, Adam, and Joe for their birthdays.  We have lots of February birthdays!)

It was great to see Karen.  I had our regular meal of coconut shrimp with habernero mango salsa coleslaw, and sourdough bread.  For dessert I ordered creme brulee cheesecake.  Karen has cancer and was very careful about what she ate.  She will probably have to have treatments for the rest of her life to keep her cancer in check.

She brought me a gift too:

She got me started on the Aunt Dimity series years ago and I have every book, except this new one.  I am excited to read it!

We had a nice visit and then said our goodbyes and decided we would do it again soon.  I went home to take a nap but not before reading from my new Aunt Dimity book.  Nancy Atherton is a good writer.

James spent the morning re-making the cabinet he ordered from his friend Dan.  He came home feeling quite sick.  It's probably from the episode last week when he got sprayed with water.  He went right to bed.  I got him a blanket, aspirin, soup, stew, and water.  I eat Goldfish and creme brulee cheesecake for dinner.  Oh yes, I also read from "Boys in the Boat" for James.  Once he was asleep I read from Aunt Dimity.

Terry and Cathi are so kind.  They provided the soup and stew for James.  

Fun Photos

Four of my favorites.  Two of them have birthdays' today.

Happy Birthday Drea and Adrienne!

A year or two ago.

Adam and Alex helping in Lois' yard.

Is she cool or what?  I love the cowboy boots and the

look on her face.

Evan's Robo Company bake sale a couple of years ago.

He made a lot of money and shared it with his workers,

Max, Joshua, and Rowan.

I love this face!

The Ray boys the way I remember them before they

all grew up.

Andy, Brennan, Peter

Tim, and Matt.