Friday, April 12th, 2019

Cordoba, Argentina

145th operating temple

Dedicated: 17 May 2015

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 6:1-7:7

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

In this article Elder Andersen also said that "Faith never demands an answer to every question."

General Conference

Behold the Lamb of God

Jeffrey R. Holland

"Our modified Sunday service is to emphasize the sacrament of the Lord's Supper as the sacred, acknowledged focal point of our weekly worship experience."

I try not to get too involved in politics,  but something I feel strongly about is stopping abortion. Over the years it has gotten worse instead of better. First it was first trimester abortions, then partial birth, and now up until birth. The following is part of an email I received from someone named Brian Fisher who thinks the Christian churches should get more involved in trying to stop abortion. After reading what Brian has to say, let me know what you think.

James says that many abortion clinics are selling the body parts from these abortions for surgical transplants and medical studies. They justify this by saying they are saving lives.

One of the young men in our ward is serving a mission in Africa. He wore the soles of his shoes out and instead of buying new shoes he took the tread from some old tires and sewed them on the bottom of his shoes. He said he did this in pure Ugandan fashion.

I love it!

We had another pellet/snow storm today. We didn't get much to stick on the ground but the trees at our place we covered in white. By the time we got in to Vernon, there was no white trees or snow. Show Low was a different story. It was snowing like crazy when I went into the bank and then when we went in to LaCasita to have lunch. We ordered the usual, me a chicken enchilada with red sauce and rice and beans, and James a green chili chicken enchilada with a side of refried beans. James finished mine off for me because I couldn't eat it all. 

We took our books to the UPS store. I figured that we have shipped off 52 books since last Saturday. I figured out that we will make $559.52 if we sell all of these books. Is this something we can do? I hope so. At least now we know what we need to do to make this business work. Our original goal was to make an extra $2,000 a month. 

We sold two books today, "The Invention of Wings," and "The Complete Stories of Truman Copote." 

James thought he lost the Amazon credit card today. He couldn't find it and so he called an cancelled it. When we went to bed he found it on top of the bed. There was a charge on there for today that we didn't recognize so I guess it's a good thing. 

We were in bed by 10. Tomorrow is Cliff's funeral and we are leaving around 5:30 a.m.

None of the snow really lasted very long.

Such adorable pictures!

Darrel put up the kitchen lights today.
He's becoming quite the handyman.

Tuesday, September 4th, 2018

Villahermosa, Mexico

85th operating temple

Dedicted: 21 May 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Matthew 26:2

Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.

Book of Mormon

Alma 61:6-21

*How do you retain your freedom and resist temptation?

- I think I lose my freedom when my eye is off the Lord. Sometimes I rush through my day and don't take the time to be still and seek the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Freedom and peace return when I remember that I truly need Him every hour and lay my weaknesses before His feet.

Old Testament

Proverbs 6-7

General Conference

"Until Seventy Times Seven"

Elder Lynn G. Robbins

"Repentance is God's ever-accessible gift that allows and enables us to go from failure to failure without any loss of enthusiasm. Repentance isn't His backup plan in the event we might fail. Repentance is His plan, knowing that we will. This is the gospel of repentance, and as President Russell M. Nelson has observed, it will be 'a lifetime curriculum.'

I had a goal to leave by 8 a.m. and we left a little before 9. We went back once for something I thought I forgot but I really didn't, and then I ended up forgetting my temple clothes. Luckily the Gilbert temple now rents some clothes. 

We attended the 2:30 p.m. temple session with Sheri and Ben. James said that Ben was very proficient in putting on his ordinances clothes this time. I provided all the temple names from my family tree.

Ben's friends Ian and Burke were outside the

temple when we were leaving. Ian took these

photos for us.

We parted ways and James dropped me off at Michael's to look around while he searched for a fast food place to grab a bite. I was not impressed with Michael's compared to Hobby Lobby.  I didn't buy anything with is quite amazing.

James found a Carl's Jr. and bought each of us a Santa Fe chicken sandwich. How thoughtful!  We had stopped for In n Out burgers when we first got in to town. Yikes! What were we thinking? Fast food is not good when you are trying to lose weight.

We went back to Darrel and Trina's so we could say hi to the kids. Trina was at work. The girls were home alone because Darrel had taken Rowan to his football game.

I can't text Addy anymore because she has a different phone so we were glad when someone opened the door for us. 

Ben's setting apart was in the high council room of the Chandler West stake center, the room where I used to attend stake council meeting when I was the stake Relief Society president. 

President Kent Johansen, the stake president, set Ben apart. He explained that he got his authority directly from President Russell M. Nelson. President Johansen asked if anyone knew the 5th Article of Faith. Rowan raised his hand and recited it. President was impressed. He gave a beautiful blessing. Sheri, Kim, and I all were trying to write things down. I was sitting by Lola and she kept asking me questions. He told Ben that his name tag was a reminder that he was taking upon himself the name of Christ and was his representative. Here is my sketchy version of the blessing:

Serve with all your heart, might, mind and strength. You will feel great joy and receive direct revelation as you act in courage. At times of trial and discouragement seek the Lord in humble prayer. Chase darkness away and be filled with light. Be diligent in your studies. You teachings and your pure and humble testimony will go deep into the hearts of others. Develop a great love for the people you teach and see them and love them through Heavenly Father's eyes. Bear testimony often. I bless you with health, strength, a sound mind and a sound body. I bless you that through your obedience you will find great joy in serving the Lord. Make friends and be a leader. Be an inspiration and lift those who are struggling in the responsibilities of serving a mission. Be diligent. Overlook the faults of others. Take counsel from DC 84:88 where the Lord says: And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.

See the Lord's purpose. You may think of your mission as a great sacrifice but it is actually a great blessing and will be for you and your family now and in generations to come. 

President Johansen is a very powerful, spiritual man and the Spirit was definitely in the room.

Those who attended: Sheri, Max, Evan, Kim, Brian, Darrel, Addy, Rowan, Ruby, Lola, James and myself.  Now Ben is a missionary and can go forward to serve. President cautioned him to obey mission rules and have someone as a companion until he leaves for Utah and the MTC tomorrow morning.

James and I met Sheri, Ian, Alex, Ben, Max, Evan, Kim, and Brian at the Mellow Mushroom in Mesa for pizza. Our pizza was delicious: mozarella and parmesan cheese, fresh basil, olives, onions, and tomatoes. Yummy! I had two pieces and James had four. The last time we will see Ben for two years.

Goodbye Ben!

 Scarlett, Autumn, Palmer

Sweet family!

 James brought me a bouquet

Sweet Charlie

Adorable!

Wednesday, August 8th, 2018

Guayquil, Ecuador

58th operating temple

Dedicated: 1 Aug 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

Alma 5:15

Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you? Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view this mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption raise in incorruption, to stand before God to be judged according to the deeds which have been done in the mortal body?

Book of Mormon

Alma 47:1-19

*How can the interaction between Amalickiah and Lehonti be symbolic of our interaction with temptations?

- Amalickiah never gave up even though Lehonti refused him several times. Eventually Lehonti gave in just like we often do to Satan.

Old Testament

Job 29-31

29 Job recalls his former prosperity and greatness - He was blessed because of his righteousness, his charity, and his good deeds

30 Job is derided by the children of vile and base men - In his afflicted state, he cries to the Lord - Job says that he wept for those in trouble.

31 Job invites judgment so that God may know his integrity - If he has done ill, Job welcomes the penalties for so doing.

General Conference

Young Women in the Work

Bonnie L. Oscarson

"As we consider the roles that our young women will be expected to assume in the near future we might ask ourselves what kind of experiences we could provide for them now that will help with their preparation to be missionaries, gospel scholars, leaders in the Church auxiliaries temple workers, wives, mothers, mentors, examples, and friends. They can actually begin now to fill many of those roles. Youth are often asked to hep teach lessons on Sunday in their classes. Opportunities are now available for our young women to perform service in the temple previously completed by ordinance workers or volunteers when they attend with their youth groups to perform baptisms for the dead. Our primary -age girls are now invited to attend Temple and Priesthood Preparation meetings, which will help them understand that they too are important participants in priesthood-directed work. They are learning that men, women, youth, and children are all recipients of priesthood blessings and all can take an active role in moving forward the Lord's work."

Happy 9th Birthday Molly!

I love this girl's zest for life and her smile!

I enjoy listening to articles from the Ensign while I am ironing. Today I listened to: "Parents, Help Them to Prepare," and "My Scar Story."

James made three trips to town today to get parts for the pump on the well and it's still not working right. I have had no shower since Monday and James is quite discouraged. In the morning he will be calling the manufacturer of the pump.

My friend Jean and I went to lunch today. We went to Mountain Thai because that is one of her favorite restaurants up here on the mountain. James and I went there once and we did not like what we ordered. Jean says she gets the soup. I ordered the same thing she did, the vegetable soup with shrimp except I ordered egg noddles and she ordered clear noodles. When we asked the waitress what the difference was she said the clear noodles are better for you but the egg noodles have a better flavor. I said I would go for the flavor. Jean reminded the waitress to bring over the bottle of sweet chili and then she ordered sticky rice and mangoes for her daughter Deana, and one order for us to share.

When our soup came it tasted pretty bland until we poured in the sweet chili sauce. Delicious!  Neither one of us finished so we got take home boxes. I love when I can get two meals out of an order!

We may have been too full to finish off our soup but we weren't too full to eat all of the fresh mangoes and sticky rice. This is the best dessert I have had in a long time! Jean insisted that she pay for my lunch even though I protested and told her it was my turn. She said I always pick her up and she wanted to treat me. I told her I was so glad we came here and I would come back and bring James with me. She said the four of us should come back together.

On the way home we stopped at Dr. Hall's dentist office. Hunter, Jean's granddaughter works here. Hunter's mom Deana was waiting for us to pick her up. First we loaded Dean's groceries into my car and then we followed Deana to her mother-in-laws home where she took Hunter's car. Jimmy will pick it up there and take it to get new tires. Deana then got in and we drove home. I told her I was sure glad she ordered the mangoes and sticky rice otherwise I wouldn't have known what I was missing. Deana is Jean's daughter and she has some health issues as do both her mom and dad. She was on oxygen. Deana I think is probably around 50 years old.

I went home, took a short rest on my recliner in front of the TV and then worked on getting my 20,000 steps today, inspite of not being able to take a shower. 

Oh yes, I forgot to mention that the check engine light is no on in my car. The maintenance required light has been on for quite some time. I am beginning to get concerned. Don't fail me now Lexy!

Donna update from Kathy: 

"Doctor Francis saw the fracture on the MRI and said nothing to panic about and she shouldn't have been sent down. No surgery with that fracture. They are going to do an MRI today on her upper back and neck."  -10:13 AM

"Just got a call from Owen. Donna has been in a lot of pain today and elevated blood pressure. They took another MRI and have decided to do surgery tomorrow. She will have a rod put in to keep her back straight to try and help it to heal." - 7:37 PM

Happy 15th Anniversary to these two!

Interesting!

I wonder what she wanted.

Always on the look out.

Gilbert temple after a rain storm.

Friday, May 25th, 2018

 Gilbert, Arizona

142nd operating temple

Dedicated: 2 March 2014

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Birth of

DC 20:1

The rise of the Church of Christ in these last days, being one thousand eight hundred and thirty years since the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the flesh, it being regularly organized and established agreeable to the laws of our country, by the will and commandments of God, in the fourth month, and on the sixth day of the month which is called April-

Book of Mormon

Alma 5:43-52

*How did Alma receive his knowledge of the gospel?

- verse 46 - By the Holy Spirit of God. I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by His Holy Spirit, and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me.

Old Testament

2 Samuel 23-24

23 David speaks by the power of the Holy Ghost - Rulers must be just, ruling in the fear of God - David's mighty men are named and their deeds extolled.

24 David sins in numbering Israel and Judah - The men of war total 1,300,000 - The Lord destroys 70,000 men by pestilence - David sees an angel, offers sacrifice, and the plague is stayed.

General Conference

Prophets Speak by the Power of the Holy Spirit

"Who hath made man's mouth? Or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Have not I the Lord?

Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say" (Exodus 4:11-12; see also verse 10).

  

Russel M. Nelson 4/09 #53. Lessons from the Lord's Prayer

" Our prayers follow patterns and teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. He taught us how to pray."

Dale G. Renlund The Melchizedek Priesthood, Chapter 17, Principle #9 - A Priesthood Holder Fulfills His Duty

I invited Chelsea M. and Laurann over this morning for a tour of our house. Chelsea said she wanted to come the last time we visited her and Laurann is my companion so I invited her. Laurann didn't come because her husband, Charlie wanted to go to the lake instead. Chelsea came by herself. Her nieces Gracie and Bailey and babysitting her little girl Peyton. 

I gave Chelsea the grand tour. She has lived in Alaska and has always wanted a log home. She loved ours. James told her about climbing up to put the logs in and how no one else would do it.

When Chelsea got ready to leave I gave her a dozen chocolate chip muffins to give to the kids. Later she thanked me for the delicious muffins and the tour of our beautiful home.

I started some rolls to take to the temple tomorrow for potluck and James went to see Brother Howard. James offered to give Brother Howard his tractor and Cat and Brother Howard said no, he didn't want anything. He said it was an accident and didn't expect James to pay for it. James couldn't accept that. Brother Howard finally said that he would accept using the tractor and Cat but he would not take ownership. James was so grateful that he stopped on the way home and sent him a text. We are grateful to have such a wonderful friend.

This evening we were invited to have dinner with the Woods' and the missionaries. The Woods' are a retired couple about our age. As I was getting ready I realized that my curling iron was not working. After dinner I mentioned it to Pam and she insisted that I take hers home with me, which I did.

We had a healthy, delicious dinner. Salad, grilled chicken, broccoli, and corn. For dessert there was fresh strawberries and vanilla ice cream. Pam and I did not have any dessert. Elder Macy and Elder Smith were the missionaries. They shared a message about family history and encouraged the Woods' to do their family history. I told James on the way home that he should offer to help them since he was/is their home teacher and also a family history consultant.

After the elders left we sat on the porch and talked for awhile. It was such a nice evening but we had to leave quite early because we have to leave for the temple in the morning at 5:30.

Back at home I finished walking and worked on my blog before going to bed.

We are a happy family...a least for awhile.

Me, as a baby.

High School

Honeymoon in Hawaii

 James in high school

College wrestling at ASU

Hawaii on our honeymoon

I had these photos on my phone in preparation for
our anniversary party on June 2nd.

Wednesday, May 16th, 2018

Cebu City, Philippines

133rd operating temple

Dedicated: 13 June 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, birth of

Galatians 4:4

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

Book of Mormon

Alma 1:1-14

*Nehor used flattery and false doctrine to attract followers and attack the church of God. His teachings were popular because they excused sin in the name of religion. He encouraged wickedness, rationalizing that in the end all men should have eternal life regardless of their personal behavior. Elder L. Tom Perry:

"Nehor's words appealed to the people, but his doctrine, while popular to many, was incorrect. As we face the many decisions in life, the easy and popular messages of the world will not usually be the right ones to choose, and it will take much courage to choose the right."

Verse 16 states that priestcraft was 'preaching false doctrines...for the sake of riches and honor.' Do we have people doing this today?

*The record states that Gideon "was an instrument in the hands of God" (Alma 1:8). When confronted by Nehor's false teachings, Gideon admonished Nehor "with the words of God (Alma 1:7). As a result, Gideon was slain for defending the faith. 

How do you defend your faith?

Old Testament

2 Samuel 5-6

5 All Israel anoints David king - He takes Jerusalem and is blessed of the Lord - He conquers the Philistines.

6 David takes the ark to the city of David - Uzzah is smitten for steadying the ark and dies - David dances before the Lord, causing a breach between him and Michal.

General Conference

The Powers of the Priesthood

President Dallin H. Oaks

"The Melchizedek Priesthood is not a status or a label. It is a divine power held in trust to use for the benefit of God's work for his children. We should always remember that men who hold the priesthood are not 'the priesthood.' It is not appropriate to refer to 'the priesthood and the women.' We should refer to 'the holders of the priesthood and the women.'"

Rescuing Wayward Children, 59: 

We must teach our children that God's commandments 

are patterns for safe and happy living.

Worth the Wrestle, 14:

"The Lord wants us to ask every probing question we can muster because not asking questions can be far more dangerous than asking them. Alma taught that those who harden their hearts receive less and less until they 'know nothing...; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led...down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell; (Alma 12:11).

In other words, refusing to seek after truth makes you stupid. On the other hand, inspired questions asked in faith lead to truth - and 'light and truth forsake that evil one' (DC 93:37)."

-Sheri Dew

Dale G. Renlund, The Melchizedek Priesthood:

Chapter 13, Prinicple #5

A Priesthood Holder's Identity Becomes Christlike

Truman G. Madsen, The Prophet Joseph Smith

Lecture 5

Joseph and the Kirtland Temple

After my study time this morning I started dinner for the Scott's. 

I put out two dozen rolls to rise and made a stew and put it in the crockpot. Later on I made an Olive Garden salad.

My day is pretty predictable. I walked, rested, blogged, budgeted and took a whirpool bath. Before leaving for the Scott's a little after 5 I made a salad and a green smoothie for me to eat on the way to my delivery. 

Sister Hunter was at the Scott's visiting when I arrived. Brother Scott helped me carry the food in and he took the food out of my containers and put it in some of their's. He even completely washed the crockpot for me. They seemed very appreciative and Sister Scott said that I outdid myself. After saying goodbye I hurried down to the church for a meeting with Sister Applegate and Brother Reidhead to finalize our plans for the ward activity we are in charge of on June 23rd. Kerri is in the valley. She has a doctor's appointment and then she will be picking up the Burton's things in storage and bringing them back up here. Laurann is having some tests done because she has been having chest pains. We prayed for both of them.

My major assignment is to be in charge of the displays, Brother Reidhead is working with the missionaries and the family history consultants with the family history demonstration, Tamara is in charge of the food, and Kerri the children's activities.

It was a good meeting and Brother Reidhead went home to watch sick kids so his wife could come to Mutual.

Afterwards Tamara and I stayed for a presidency meeting. We planned the lessons for June and talked about ministering companionships for the young women. I need to ask Sister Thompson if she will teach Relief Society on June 10th. The lesson will be based on Elder Renlund's conference talk, "Temple and Family History Work - Healing and Sealing."

I came home, took a shower so I could wash my hair, did some reading, talked to James on the phone, and went to bed.

James sent me this photo. Out with the old,

in with the new. Golf cart path that is.

Congratulations Cash for making it into

National Junior Honor Society!

These guys look like they could be

from Vernon.

"Dancing with the Stars"

I'm watching the Athletes season right now.

Salt and Pepper or

Blackie and Whitie,

my Grandpa Strickland, who we called Grandpa Al,  

would have called the white one

Pepper and the black one Salt.

That's what he did with his own cats.

Jeffrey at Disneyland when he was four.

Such a cutie!

The beautiful Gilbert temple