Thursday, February 14th, 2019

Fukuoka, Japan

88th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 June 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Matthew 16:16

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 6:8-7:11

*How do the people of the Lord wait for Him?

- We wait for the Lord patiently. We quietly and obediently do what is asked of us by becoming strong in our testimonies of Jesus Christ. We listen to His teachings and develop an individual plan that will carry us through life. The plan will see us through trials, tribulations and also the best of times.

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

John 2:1-11 The power of Jesus Christ can change me

"Spiritual Eclipse" by Elder Gary E. Stevens, October 2017

General Conference

"For Him"

Sister Joy D. Jones

" The first of the Ten Commandments reiterates this divine wisdom: 'I am the Lord thy God. ...Thou shalt have no other gods before me.' The placement of this commandment helps us understand that if we place Him as our main priority, everything else will ultimately fall into place - even our service to others. When He takes the preeminent position in our lives by our deliberate choice, the He is able to bless our actions to our good and to the good of others."

Things Newlyweds Can Teach Oldie Weds

" Surprises show you are thinking of each other even when you aren't together and keep the sparks flying even when you're on a tight budget or have a busy schedule."

"Spontaneity and surprises seek to communicate about and fill each others needs, express gratitude and love daily, establish habits that connect. Gospel habits are vital but so are other traditions that create a couple culture. We go on a date once a week, time together away from other responsibilities. Each night we list 3-5 things together we are grateful for from the day. We also have a 3 year journal with a question for everyday and a spot for each of us to answer. After we turn the lights out, we talk about our highs and lows from the day. Accept imperfection."

- by Michaela Proctor Hutchins

Happy Valentine's Day, Honey

 Behind this card there is a bag of almond M&M's,

a jar of Trail mix with cranberries, almonds, and pecan,

and Hershey dark chocolate with almonds.

James ordered me a necklace and wrote me a letter.

The necklace had to be engraved and did not

come yet. Here is a photo.

James made me breakfast and do sweet things for me throughout the day. He also drove with me when I delivered my Valentine's to the Halcomb's and the Grapp's. We also brought birthday gifts to Benson, today is his birthday, and Tildy, who had a birthday in January. I got James a Rubik's cube and gave Tildy one of my collectible dolls, "Little Miss Muffet", along with her tuffet and a bowl of curds and whey.

Here are the Valentine's I made for the kids along with sugar cookies and suckers.

Pretty basic but fun for me to make

Boxes of cookies and birthday presents

This evening we delivered these cookies

to the Wilhelm's. They were at the temple

with their kids so we took them to 

Mel and Ruth's.

This evening after delivering the cookies to the Wilhelm's we watched the newest Hallmark Movies & Mysteries movie, "Emma Fielding: More Bitter Than Death." I guess who the killer and bad guy was about half way through the movie. I still liked this movie though and so did James. We prefer the romantic movies but this one was pretty good.

 Happy 107th birthday Arizona

 Palmer & Autumn

Sweet Scarlett

 The best Valentine ever!

 Kacey's cute dates

Friday, September 7th, 2018

Fukuoka, Japan

11 June 2000

88th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 June 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Matthew 27:35

And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

Book of Mormon

Alma 62:34-52

*Just like the Nephites we are continually marching to battle. How do you remain humble and refrain from pride?

- By remembering all the Lord has done for me and how much I need Him. By repenting and striving to do His will, and putting Him first in my life.

Old Testament

Proverbs 15-17

General Conference

One More Day

Elder Taylor G. Godoy

"It is my prayer that we follow Him, that we believe Him, that we love Him, and that we feel the love demonstrated by His sacrifice every time we have the opportunity to live one more day."

What a day! As James and I were leaving Darrel and Trina's we did something to trigger the alarm and it started blaring both outside and inside. Everyone else was already gone. I called Trina to ask her what the code was but she didn't know. She had to call her cousin the landlord. She left the gym early to come home. Her cousin had already turned it off and gave her the code in case it happens again. I'm glad she ran six miles this morning because she didn't get to workout at the gym. 

James and I just left the alarm blaring because we were running a little late for grandparents day at Joshua's school. We made it just in time.

Joshua is in the sixth grad and I wasn't sure he would

want his grandparents to come, but he was

happy to see us!

Joshua and some of his friends asked us questions. I am glad we went. It was fun. Joshua went home and told his mom that my nickname was the blonde bomber and that grandpa talked about Pete the crow.

James took me to Hobby Lobby again and then drove me to the AARA infusion center before he headed to Ruby's school for grandparents day.

James went to lunch with Ruby although he didn't eat,

and played tetherball with her on the playground.

They went to the book fair and James bought her

a Lemony Snickets book and a squishy unicorn.

I finished my infusion and appointment with Dr. Caldron before James returned so I walked across the street to Freddie's. I got a chocolate/vanilla custard cone and a drink. I loved the custard!

After James picked me up we went to Red Lobster to use our gift card. We had a nice lunch and then left for home. 

It always takes time to unpack and put things away. We went to bed fairly early because we have to leave for the temple by 5:45 a.m.

Charlie Mae is out and about

Ty A. participated in a Crossfit competition.

Here he is pulling 90 lbs.

Raised in Chandler

Old Photos:

Chandler Hospital where Jared had his

appendix out.

Rocket slide at Arrowhead Park.

The old Valley National Bank where we used 

to bank.

The Bayless store at Ray and Arizona

Avenue in North Park Plaza.

Those were the days!

Sunday, April 1st, 2018

Fukuoka, Japan

88th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 June 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

DC 76:42

That through Him all might be saved whom the Father had put into His power and made by Him;

Book of Mormon

Omni 1:12-30

*What's your favorite part of Omni 1:26?

Old Testament

Deuteronomy 32-33

32 Israel will sing the song of Moses and acclaim: God speaks to heaven and earth; the children of Israel were known in the premortal life; God chose them in this life; they forgot the Rock of their salvation; He sent terror, a sword, and vengeance upon them; there is no God beside Him - Moses will be gathered to his people.

Old Testament Favorite Scriptures

Deuteronomy 4:29-31

29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

30 When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;

31 (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) He will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which He sware unto them.

General Conference

Precious Gifts from God

President M. Russell Ballard

" Life can be filled with faith, joy, happiness, hope, and love when we exercise the smallest amount of real faith in Christ."

Happy Easter

The Easter bunny came for Darrel and Trina's kids this morning. They all got swim suits, towels, and either sandals or flipflops, and lots of candy. 

Yesterday I learned that Addy does not like flamingos. Luckily the flamingo bathing suit belongs to Lola and the flamingo towel belongs to Ruby. Addy got a towel with pineapples on it. She loves pineapples. I couldn't resist showing her this picture:

On Instagram their heads were moving.

They do have weird heads and beaks.

Before conference started Darrel fixed us a big breakfast: French toast, fresh strawberries, biscuits, and eggs. It was a great way to start the day!

A birds eye view.

Conference began at 9:00 a.m. Here are a few photos I took and a brief summary of the speakers:

188th Annual General Conference

Sunday Morning Session

20. "Take the Holy Spirit as Your Guide"

Larry Y. Wilson

21. "With One Accord"

Reyna I. Aburto

22. "Pure Love: The True Sign of Every True

Disciple of Jesus Christ"

Massimo De Feo

23. "He That Shall Endure unto the End, the Same 

Shall Be Saved"

Claudio D. Zivic

24. "His Spirit to Be with You"

Henry B. Eyring

25. "Small and Simple Things"

Dallin H. Oaks

26. "Revelation for the Church,

Revelation for Our Lives"

Russell M. Nelson

During the first session the kids played with Legos. Darrel made them put them away before the second session. Also, as part of their Easter gifts they got a web swing which Darrel hung between sessions. I loved what Rowan made with the Legos. It helped me to know that he was thinking about the Savior. 

Such a sweet boy!

Addy is trying to re-construct Hogwarts.

James dressed in his Sunday clothes,

taking notes.

It looks like he lost his concentration.

Checking the new swing out.

Peppa pig and her family. Dad needs a shave.

Lola with her new swimsuit and goggles.

One of Addy's April Fool's pranks.

Smiley faces with mustaches on all the faces in

all the family photos.

Sunday Afternoon Session

27. "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today"

Gerrit W. Gong

28. "Prophets Speak by the

Power of the Holy Spirit"

Ulisses Soares

29. "Ministering"

Russell M. Nelson

30. "Be With and Strengthen Them"

Jeffrey R. Holland

31. "Ministering as the Savior Does"

Jean B. Bingham

32. "Behold the Man!"

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

33. "It Is All about People"

Gerald Causse

34. "Prepare to Meet God"

35. "Let Us All Press On"

Russell M. Nelson

In President Nelson's last talk he announced 7 new temples to be built around the world: 1.) Salta, Argentina; 2.) Bengalurio, India;

3.) Mangua, Nicaragua; 4.) Cagayan de Ore, Philippines; 5.) Layton, Utah; 6.) Richmond, Virginia; 7.) and a major city in Russia.

Quotes from the afternoon session

After the last session of conference we left for home.

But not before saying goodbye to these cuties.

Memories of President Nelson

Tears of joy

Waving goodbye with his sweet wife Wendy

at the end of conference.