Sunday, January 20th, 2019

Detroit, Michigan

63rd operating temple

Dedicated: 23 Oct 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship
2 Peter 1:17
For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Book of Mormon
1 Nephi 15:1-18
*Has there ever been anything in my life that is "hard to be understood" until I made sure to inquire of the Lord?
* Why is it important to avoid the spirit of contention?
New Testament
Luke 2:40-52 Even as a youth, Jesus was focused on doing His Father's will.
General Conference

The Ministry of Reconciliation

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

" Surely each of us could cite an endless array of old scars and sorrows and painful memories that this very moment still corrode the peace in someone's heart or family or neighborhood. Whether we have caused that pain or been the recipient of the pain, those wounds need to be healed so that life can be as rewarding as God intended it to be."

Rowan had an early morning BYC meeting this morning. He is the deacon's quorum president in his ward.

James, Jared, Kacey, and I attended the Galveston 3rd ward sacrament meeting and Sunday School. During sacrament meeting Bishop Wanlass told about his dad's stroke and how the people in his California ward rallied around him and his wife. He challenged his ward members to visit and care for each other when they feel prompted to do so.  Sheri held the baby for awhile but the real steal came during Sunday School.

We all settled in Gerry Price's class and Charlie got a  little fussy. She was holding her and took her out. We never saw her again until the class was over and it was time for Max's ordination. 

James ordained Max a priest and gave him a wonderful blessing. I hope Max remembers the things he said. Those in the circle with James: Jared, Darrel, Brian, Terry, Michael, Bishop Wanlass, Mike Ellsworth, and Brother Allen.

Others in the room who witnessed the ordination: Ian, Sheri, Evan, Stacy, Joshua, Kim, Kacey, Charlie, Trina, Addy, Rowan, Ruby, Lola, and Cathi. 

Afterwards we all went outside and Brother Ellsworth took a family photo for us.

 I sure do love these people!

Rowan just couldn't resist.

Sheri fixed lunch for everyone at her house. We had ham, scalloped potatoes, homemade macaroni and cheese, rolls, corn, snickerdoodles, chocolate cake, water, lemonade and DP10. It was so much fun and so nice of Sheri to provide food for all of us.

 Lola inherited some people's leftover cake.

 Ollie took second seat to Charlie and

he sought solace in Brian's arms.

 Charlie was the hit of the party.

I've never seen a sweeter or cuter baby!

Darrel even got a turn.

Lots of love going around.

James got a chance to visit with his friend Zaki before we left Sheri's. 

When we got back to Darrel and Trina's we had a "Come Follow Me" lesson. Darrel ask his dad to be in charge. Rowan answered most of the questions. Darrel showed a video or two from the lesson on the TV. 

Here at Darrel and Trina's Charlie was still the center of attention. Lola gathered all of her "friends" to meet her sweet little cousin.

Trina made her famous guacamole to go with the chips we had. Did I mention how yummy it is? Thanks Trina!

 Who can resist this adorable face?

 Two adorable faces!

 Watching a video from the "Come Follow Me"

lesson.

Jan 20-27 lesson.

Sunday, November 18th, 2018

Concepion, Chile

160th operating temple

Dedicated: 28 Oct 2018

By: Russell M. Nelson

Jesus Christ, Davidic Descent of

Isaiah 4:2

In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.

Book of Mormon #1

Mormon 1:1-19

*What does it mean to willfully rebel against God and what are the consequences? (v.16). While serving as a member of the Seventy, Elder Dean L. Larsen explained that rebellion against God has individual roots which, if not corrected, spread with devastating consequences: "Historically, the drifting away from the course of life marked out by the Lord has occurred as individuals begin to make compromises with the Lord's standard. This is particularly true when the transgression is willful and no repentance occurs. Remember Mormon's description of those who turned away from the true path in his day.They did not sin in ignorance. They willfully rebelled against God.. It did not occur as a universal movement. It began as individual members of the Church knowingly began to make compromises with the Lord's standards. They sought justification for their diversions in the knowledge that others were compromising as well.  Those who willfully sin soon seek to establish a standard of their own with which they can feel more comfortable and which justifies their misconduct. They also seek the association of those who are willing to drift with them along the path of self-delusion. As the number of drifting individuals increases, their influence becomes more powerful. It might be described as 'the great and spacious building syndrome.' The drifting is the more dangerous when its adherents continue to overtly identify with and participate with the group that conforms to the Lord's way. Values and standards that were once clear become clouded and uncertain. Conduct that would once have caused alarm now becomes somewhat commonplace." 

I remember years ago when Monte was going to school in Tucson and had become active in the Church. We went down the Sunday when he was ordained an elder. Afterwards I wanted to take everyone to lunch, justifying in my mind, that 'just this once it would be okay to go to a restaurant on the Sabbath.' James refused and I will be forever grateful of his example of faith and obedience.

Book of Mormon #2

Alma 30-31

Old Testament

Daniel 7-8

General Conference

The Vision of the Redemption of the Dead

President M. Russell Ballard

"In October 1918, 100 years ago, President Joseph F. Smith received a glorious vision. On November 1918, he sat in his room pondering Christ's atoning sacrifice and reading the Apostle Peter's description of the Savior's ministry in the spirit world after His Crucifixion. He recorded:

"As I read I was greatly impressed. ...As I pondered over these things ..., the eyes of my understanding were opened, and the Spirit of the Lord rested upon me, and I saw the hosts of the dead." The full text of the vision is recorded in Doctrine and Covenants section 138.

I made this note in my written journal today: 

Daniel 5:17 - "Let Thy Gifts Be to Thyself" - 'Those who function under the influence of the Spirit of God have increased capabilities, not because of their own qualifications, but because of the power of God which they are privileged to use."

"Without a knowledge of the past, present, and future, Jesus would not have been able to make the Atonement."

In the words of Joseph Smith, "the past, present and the future were and are, with Him, one eternal 'now." (TPJS, p. 220)

An exciting day for Jared, Kacey, Summer, Tanner, and Charlie. They went to San Antonio to see President Nelson and Elder Bednar who spoke at the Alamodome. Summer got to sit down on the floor but the rest of the family had the cheap seats. They had to drive over 6 hours each way to get there, but it was worth it. 

Such a cute couple!

Charlie has good taste!

I spent the morning studying. One of the things I studied was the Sunday School Old Testament lesson #41, "I Have Made Thee This Day .. an Iron Pillar" Jeremiah 1-2; 15; 20; 26; 36-38.

This quote was by Elder Marion D. Hanks:

Material objectives consume too much of our attention. The struggle for what we need or for more than we need exhausts our time and energy. We pursue pleasure or entertainment, or become over involved in associations or civic matters. Of course, people need recreation, need to be achieving, need to contribute; but if these come at the cost of friendship with Christ, the price is much to high. For my people have committed two evils,' said the Lord to Israel; 'they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.'(Jer.2:13).

"The substitutions we fashion to take the place of God in our lives truly hold no water. To the measure we thus refuse the 'living water,' we miss the joy we could have" (in conference report, April 1972, 127; or Ensign, July 1972,  105).

We attended the Galveston 3rd ward block meetings today. Trevor Jensen just returned from his mission in Peru. He is 50 lbs lighter than he was two years ago. He spoke about being a witness of Christ. He said that he always had a testimony but before his mission he was afraid to share it. Since his mission he looks for every opportunity to share it. It was great to feel of his spirit and testimony. James and I sat by Terry and Cathi but they had to leave after sacrament meeting to minister to a sister who was in need.

Laura and Dave are in Boise for Logan's 16th birthday.

My friend Gerri taught Sunday School. She is an amazing, in depth, gospel doctrine teacher. James was very impressed. I have gained a fuller appreciation of the prophet Jeremiah since reading about him this year.

Another friend, Janny, taught Relief Society. She started her lesson by saying it was based on Sister Arburto's talk, "With One Accord" but she never used anything from the talk in her lesson. 

Janny has a therapist and she used her therapy session for her Relief Society lesson. It was interesting to learn about being in parasympathetic mode or sympathetic mode but it was not appropriate when Relief Society is supposed to be based on a talk from the last General Conference. 

After the block we all gathered in the high council room because the bishop's office wasn't big enough. James was voice for the ordination with the following in the circle: Bishop Wanlass, Paul, Adam, Michael, Brian, and Darrel. Those in the room: Stacy, Joshua, Sheri, Max, Kim, Trina, Addy, Rowan, Ruby, Lola, and me. 

It was a great family experience and I am so sad that I did not get a group photo. I guess I had a senior moment.

James and I had lunch at Sheri and Ian's. We had ham, salad, mashed potatoes, and rolls. It was all delicious!  Evan wouldn't eat any ham because he says he doesn't like "pig flesh." Funny how he always order ham on his sandwich when we take him to Subway.

We went back to Darrel and Trina's and Trina was baking a blueberry pie and he a banana cream pie out on the counter. They are going to a pie party at a friend's  house. We brought home some ham for Darrel and Rowan.

After a nice long nap we James and I headed over to Kim and Brian's to watch a Christmas movie. This was the scene that greeted us at the door:

There are 7,600 lights on this tree.

We had a great time relaxing with Kim and Brian and watching the new, "Christmas in Evergreen" movie starring Jill Wagner. I love that old red Dodge truck. It reminds me of the one my Nannie and Grandpa had. Dennis has that truck now and it's just sitting in his driveway. James wants to know if Dennis would sell it to us. I guess I need to find out.

The Evergreen movie is supposed to be in Vermont but we looked it up and it's actually filmed in a little village in British Columbia called Burnaby. Best Christmas town ever!

Oh yes, and the refreshments were great, I had warm pumpkin struesel bread with butter and a glass of milk and James had cranberry orange bread with melted butter.  Who could ask for anything more?

Brian has a turkey breast in their smoker. He gave me the recipe for the brine he put the turkey in before putting it in the smoker. I told James we need to get a smoker before Thanksgiving and call it our Christmas present to each other. 

Old but reliable

My crown keeps falling out. Thank goodness for Fixodent. It's not easy getting old. I'm losing my teeth and hair and James is losing his hearing.

James played a game of Go Fish with Ruby and Lola before bedtime.

 Ollie loves socks. He tried to steal mine when 

I changed my shoes at Sheri's today.

 This little cutie is ready for Thanksgiving!

 Sorry Hang-head Harry, you should 

have locked the door.

Trina got a new skirt...it goes

around the tree.

Only Trina could wear a tree skirt

and make it look good.

Sunday, November 28, 2015

We attended the Galveston 3rd ward today and sat by Cathi, Laura, and Bremen.  I got to see Max pass the sacrament for the first time since he was ordained a deacon.

Isaac Dowdle and the Jiminez's spoke on centering our lives on Christ.  It was based on Elder Maynes conference talk.  Laura and Bremen left after sacrament meeting but Cathi stayed with us.  James, Cathi, and I all went to Elder Hirt's gospel doctrine class together.  The lesson was on 1st and 2nd Peter and we discussed what we need to do to make our "calling and election" sure.  Elder Hirt is a very good teacher.  We had his daughter Callie in our Primary class when we taught Primary in this ward.

During Relief Society Cathi and I sat by Lynda Cull who was sitting in the front all by herself.  Gerry Price gave the Ezra Taft Benson lesson on Self-Reliance and did an outstanding job.  She is such a good teacher and it was a great lesson, one that I needed to hear!

Cathi came home with us.  James had some lunch and then he and I went down to Sheri's to get some stuff we left there after Thanksgiving.  He is going to take it home with him.  Ian was outside painting when we got to Sheri's.  James mentioned that he was painting the planter the wrong color.  I guess he wasn't in a good mood because his response was rather sharp.  I just walked right in the house.  I felt bad for James.

James left for home around 3:30.  I think he was anxious to see his brothers and help Dave and the boys find their elk.

Sheri invited Cathi and I down for dinner.  She made meatball subs, and they were delicious!

 Cathi and I both want the recipe!

We stayed and visited with Sheri for a little while.  The boys were watching football.  The Cardinals just beat the 49ers and the Broncos wind up beating the Patriot's.  Of course Brian is happy about the Broncos and Alex is a little upset because he is a Patriot's fan.

Cathi and I went home and watched a couple of Christmas movies before going to bed.

 

Sunday, May 4, 2014

"No one can know of spiritual truths without prayer."

-p. 39, Preach My Gospel

"In answer to our prayers, the Holy Ghost will teach us truth through our feelings and thoughts."

I had my gospel study this morning.  James and I are fasting for some family members.  

At 9am we attended the Galveston 3rd ward fast and testimony meeting.  Paula Casto came over before the meetings and gave me a big hug.  We sat behind Adrienne and Mike Ellsworth so I got to talk to Adrienne.  

Bishop Lewis conducted the meeting and bore his testimony.  He also awarded Geoffrey Dowdle his missionary plaque and read from a letter Geoffrey's mission president sent.  It was pretty incredible.

 These were the people I know who bore their testimonies: 

Hilary Jiminez and her two daughters Evie and Elise, Sheri, our sweet daughter, Geoffrey Dowdle, Diana Dowdle, Dahlia and Isaac Dowdle, Paula Casto, and Bob Kaufman.  It was a good meeting.

We attended the gospel doctrine Sunday School class taught by Mike Ellsworth.  He is an awesome teacher!  The lesson was "Look to God and Live."

During the last hour was Alex's ordination to the office of a priest in the Aaronic priesthood.  James gave the blessing and ordination and did an incredible job.  Paul, Michael, and Ian were all in the circle.  

Back at home James and I broke our fast and went down to Sheri and Ian's to help fix dinner.  We did fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, corn and asparagus.  Everyone liked the chicken.  Sheri says that is a rarity in their family.

 Sheri's new shirt.  I need one too.

  After dinner we went home and took a nap and then got up to go visit with Darrel's family.

It was nice that Trina was there too!

 Love these kids!

We sat on the back porch while Rowan fed the bunnies and Addy told us about her trip to the Grand Canyon.  It was a nice visit, so relaxing and fun.

 I'm not sure what Rowan is after in this picture.

We couldn't stay long because James had to get back for Jacob and Isaac Dowdle's Court of Honor.  He is being honored as one of Jacob's mentors and received another mentor's pen.

Jacob, Diana, Jared, and Isaac Dowdle

and the back of Bishop Lewis's head.