Tuesday, June 9th, 2020

Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico

72nd operating temple

Dedicated: 27 Feb 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, King

Mosiah 2:19

And behold also, if I, whom ye call your king, who has spent his days in your service, and yet has been in the service of God, do merit any thanks from you, O how you ought to thank your heavenly King!

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Alma 9 with James; Study Guide; "Scripture Study Project" podcast

April General Conference

"Coming unto Christ - Living as Latter-day Saints"

Elder John A. McCune

"There will be times when we will not be able to see any way that a current situation will end well and might even express, as Nephi, 'My heart sorroweth because of my flesh.' There may be times that the only hope we have is in Jesus Christ. What a blessing to have that hope and trust in Him. Christ is the one who will always keep His promises. His rest is assured for all who come unto Him."

"Following Up"

M. Russell Ballard

April 2014

"Where Much is Given, Much is Required"

Boyd K. Packer

October 1974

"In the Strength of the Lord"

David A. Bednar

BYU Devotional

October 2001

It is amazing how we each are affected by so many people in our lives. James work up with a backache and then we found out that the basement leaked again. I was walking around the table near the entryway when I smelled something. I opened the downstairs and knew there was water down there. The sad thing is that James put in sand and plastic to stop the water from coming in from the planter. He is now of the opinion that one of the pipes down below the plastic is leaking. This is just one more thing to add to the number of burdens he is feeling right now. He says he will have to dig down at least four feet to get to the pipe. I told him we need to stop using that faucet and water the plants from the other front faucet. Of course he had to move furniture in order to get the carpet up. He will probably have to move out the bed because the water has gone so far. We need to put tile in the bedroom downstairs. 

I spoke to my friend Jean Howard today. James had heard from Anthony that she was not doing well. Jean is always very pleasant to talk to no matter how she feels or what she is going through. She said she had to go to the hospital this week because she felt like she couldn't breathe. She was told that her heart is failing and that she only has one functioning kidney. This is why she has been tired lately. She is supposed to stay home and take it easy but she said she is not one to do that. She said that Tom is going to town tomorrow and she plans on going with him. She also said I should come over and we should go to lunch in the next few days. I told her to please listen to the doctor and take it easy and I would call her on Thursday morning.

James is concerned about our neighbors Chuck and Kathy. Chuck has been having chest pains. He is having a procedure done on Thursday. Today he and Kathy took Dave K. down to the valley. Dave had surgery several months ago and got mersa while he was in the hospital. The incision in his chest pops open every time he gets up out of his chair. He is going down today to have the incision sewn up. James is worried about Chuck taking Dave down in the condition he is in. 

Camrie posted her engagement pictures today on Facebook. She wrote a long post about overcoming the trial she has been through. Her husband was unfaithful to her while she was carrying his child. She has spent the past two years struggling but through the struggle she is come closer to the Savior. She has studied the Atonement of Jesus Christ and forgiveness. I remember a talk she gave on these very topics and it was amazing. For someone so young she has become so wise. I love her and I am so happy she has found a righteous priesthood holder to love and cherish her and her three little ones.

Paul posted a picture today of his boys who still live at home, everyone except Dallin. They were all sitting around on the couch playing a video game. Jared Ammon was hardly recognizable with long hair and a beard. I looked at them and my heart was sad to think of what could have been with all of them. None of them are really active in the gospel except for Joshua. What will happen to him? Will he remain strong in the gospel and go on a mission? I don't know. Stacy's puzzle was on the table in front of the boys. I thought of her and how unhappy she is right now. She feels like a failure with her boys and the thing I am most concerned about is that she is not taking care of her spirit right now because she is so discouraged. 

So many people to care about. Most of all my family and the pain and sorrow they have to suffer. I know the Lord is with us because I see his hand in the details of our lives. So much suffering in the world right now with the Covid-19 virus and the rioting and protesting in our country. Without the knowledge that the Lord is in charge this present situation could seem impossible. I am so grateful for my Savior and look forward to His coming and the peace that will prevail at that time. I think of Alma and the things he went through to preach the gospel in Ammonihah. This life is not easy, but it will be worth it if we keep the commandments and become clean through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

I blogged, walked, worked on my business, and studied the gospel today. James and I watched episode 3, season 4 of "Lark Rise to Candeford." Only three more episodes left and then what will we watch?

 Trina posted this

I remember this night. Thank you family for

celebrating our anniversary with us at the temple

 There were two fires when we returned

from the valley. Those are under control.

Hopefully this one is nothing.

 Our lunch: Turkey bacon, turkey deli meat,

tomato, avocado, with a cream cheese spread

and cheddar cheese wrapped in a tortilla

all for Taco Tuesday

Jared Ammon, Michael, Joshua, Adam

Wednesday, September 13th, 2017

Bountiful, Utah

47th operating temple

8 Jan 1995 by Howard W. Hunter

Atonement

DC 74:7

But little children are holy, being sanctified through the atonement of Jesus Christ; and this is what the scriptures mean.

Jesus Christ, Appearances, Antemortal

Genesis 17:1

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

Helaman 6:32-41

What do these verses tell us about the power of prayer? How can I apply these principles to my own life?

*To me, verse 35 is the key to becoming a true follower of Christ.

'They fasted and prayed oft and increased in humility and were firmer in the faith of Christ. They became sanctified because they yielded their hearts unto God.'
DC 133:1-15
How am I preparing for the Second Coming?
Have I prepared room for Him in my heart? I need to learn all I can about Him through the scriptures and conference talks. I must try to become like Him. I need to communicate with Heavenly Father through prayer. I need to be worthy to have the Spirit be with me at all times because the Spirit testifies of the Savior and helps me to love other people as the Savior loves them. I must repent of my sins and be ready to enter into His presence. Obedience, humility, preparation, restoration, sanctification, gathering are all keywords.
General Conference

The Language of the Gospel

Elder Valeri V. Cordon

"No achievement in this life, important as it may be, will be relevant if we lose the language of the gospel in our families."

Happy Birthday Mom!

My guardian angel

Lakeside Cemetery

James had a 10:30 doctor's appointment with Dr. Moffat. He went by himself. After awhile I got a call saying that the doctor wanted him to go to the emergency room so they could check for a blood clot in his lungs. James told Dr. Moffat that we had just returned from a 2,000 mile car drive and that he had pains in his chest. That's all the doctor needed to hear to have him admitted into the emergency room.

I got ready and got into town as quickly as I could, driving the truck. I think James was happy to see me although he told me I didn't have to come. How could I not? I read to him from our new book, "Borrowed Light" which Cathi gave to us.

This is about a Mormon girl who lives in Salt Lake City in the early 1900's who just graduated from Miss Farmer's cooking school in Boston. She is engaged but not in love so she breaks it off and answers an add in the newspaper for a cook at a remote Wyoming ranch.  I was able to read several chapters before going home this evening.

They did  a test to check for a blood clot and it came back negative. Because James has what they call heart disease, the doctor on call, Dr. Johnson, wants him to stay overnight so they can do a stress test on him tomorrow. They also did 4 EKG's, 3 CT scans, one MRI and an Xray.  

I stayed with him until they moved him in a room with a more comfortable bed and he ordered and ate dinner. Oh yes, his oxygen rate kept falling below 90 so they also gave him oxygen. The reason he went to Dr. Moffat in the first place was because he has been having trouble breathing, especially at night. That problem has not even been addressed. I have a feeling he will be going back to Dr. Moffat soon.

Looking tired. They don't let you rest in the hospital.

The first thing I noticed when I returned home was the clean garage and it reminded me of how lucky I am to be married to such a wonderful man.

This picture doesn't do it justice. Believe me

when I say it has never been this clean!

No Heartland tonight. That wouldn't be fair. I watched an old

Hallmark movie before going to bed.

Random Favorite Photos:

It's vacation time for some people

The Gonzales' are at Disneyland

I love the look on Joshua's face and how
his fists are clenched like he's ready
to fight Darth Vader.

The Elmer's are fishing in
Alaska

Strike a pose

I never would have imagined!

Pet Piggie

Look at that tower. This one has got to
belong to Rapunzel.

Twins or Thief?
Does that mountain in the background look familiar?

Saguaro Sunset

Monday, April 17, 2017

Jordan River temple,

20th operating temple

(Now being renovated)

Mosiah 9:14-10:22

The Lamanites attempt to bring Zeniff's people into bondage.

* What similarities and differences do you see between how Zeniff's people and the Lamanites approached their battles?

* What truths can we learn from this comparison?

* Why did the Lamanites hate the Nephites so intensely?

* Whom does it hurt when we are angry or refuse to forgive?

* How can a person's anger affect his or her family, now and in the future?

Elder Donald L. Hallstrom of the Seventy said: "If you feel you have been wronger - by anyone (a family member, a friend, another member of the Church, a Church leader, a business associate) or by anything (the death of a loved one, health problems, a financial reversal, abuse, addictions) - deal with the matter directly and with all the strength you have...And, without delay, turn to the Lord.  Exercise all of the faith you have in Him.  Let Him share your burden.  Allow His grace to lighten your load... Never let an earthly circumstance disable you spiritually" ("turn to the Lord," Ensign, May 2010, 80).

Helaman 15-16

15 The Lord chastened the Nephites because He loved them - Converted Lamanites are firm and steadfast in the faith - The Lord will be merciful unto the Lamanites in the latter days. About 6 B.C.

16 The Nephites who believe Samuel are baptized by Nephi - Samuel cannot be slain with the arrows and stones of the unrepentant Nephites - Some harden their hearts, and others see angels - The unbelievers say it is not reasonable to believe in Christ and His coming in Jerusalem. About 6-1 B.C.

DC 58:34-43

To repent, men must confess and forsake their sins;

* What verse stood out to me today?  

- 42 Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.

- 43 By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins - behold, he will confess them and forsake them.

General Conference

Called to the Work

Elder David A. Bednar

"An assignment to labor in a specific place is essential and important but secondary to a call to the work."

Prepare the Way

Bishop Gerald Causse

"Even though they are vested with different missions and

authority, the Aaronic Priesthood and the 

Melchizedek Priesthood are inseparable partners

in the work of salvation."

James left to go on a Razr ride this morning at 7:15.  I encouraged him to go and to have a little fun thinking he would be back in an hour or so.  I soon realized that he broke two of our rules.  First, he did not take his phone, and second, he left in such a hurry that he failed to tell me where he was going.  When he wasn't back by 9 a.m. I said a prayer and decided I needed to go out looking for him.  I wasn't sure which way he would go so I headed up forest road 404 and made the loop turning down Christmas Tree Trail and then back down the 61.  The only animal I saw was a turkey.  This is a 30 mile loop and it took me an hour.  I got back home at 10 a.m., and there was still no James.  Now I was really worried.  I texted the kids and told them to say a prayer that I would be able to find dad.  On my way out I called my neighbor Kathy and as I was talking to her on the phone, James came zipping up the road from the direction of Chocolate Lake.  I was so relieved that I couldn't even get mad at him.  Of course I had to remind him of the two rules he had broken.  If something would have happened to him I would have never found him because he went up Mount Montoso looking for elk antlers.  Someone closed a gate on him and he had to take a round about way home, which is why it took him so long.

When I am stressed or nervous I eat.  I did plenty of eating today.

James was gone again this afternoon from 2:30-4:30 visiting Anthony with his home teaching companion Dave.  We were able to watch this weeks episode of "When Calls the Heart."  Afterwards James left to have FHE with the Wilhelm's.  The lesson was on missionary work and James's companion Dave told about his mission to Scotland.  

James is going to be gone for the next couple of days to the valley so I would have liked to spent more time with him today but I am grateful to have a husband who fulfills his priesthood assignments.

I was able to spend three hours working on my talk for Saturday on receiving personal revelation.  I also watched Dancing with the Stars Disney Night.

My favorites from tonight: Rashad and Emma, Normani and Val, and Simone and Sasha.

Fun Photos:

Congratulations to one of my young women,

Makenzi who went to the temple and got

engaged all in the same night.

The Reidhead's,

one of the cute families in our ward.

They met are their missions.

Another one of my young women, Shelly,

turned 19 today.  Here she is with her

cousin Ruthie.

It's always fun to go for ice cream,

except it does get a little cold.

Christmas with the Gonzo boys, minus

Joshua,  a few years ago.

Such a cute picture!

Anna and her new friend

First day of school.

The first time we met Kacey,

last July.

Snowflake temple

We look old.

Temple trip with the young women.

Friday, February 17, 2017

Boise, Idaho temple

2 Nephi 9:15-30

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

Mosiah 22-23

DC 26-27:18 - Who is Raphael?  (It has not been revealed.)

What would your feelings be as you partook of the sacrament with the Savior being present?

GC:  'That He May Become Strong Also' by President Henry B. Eyring

"By the Prophets delegation every man who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood can be endowed with authority and the privilege of speaking and acting in the name of the Almighty.

There is infinity to that power.  It is concerned with life and death, with family and the Church, with the great nature of God Himself and His eternal work."

I woke up at 3am thinking a black football player had tapped me on the shoulder.  He wanted my place in bed.  I got up and went to the bathroom.  I got back in bed since the black man had apparently left.  (Why do I have these things happen when other people have spiritual experiences with their dreams?)  James's machine was too loud so I went to sleep in my recliner until 4:45.

The first thing I read when I got up was chapter nine of "The Contrite Spirit."  Here are some notes I took: 

"We are endowed with Christlike capacities of godliness."

"What does it mean that Christ might seal us His?"

-The promise pertains to the temple.

-The temple is a house of love.

According to James, because I never count if there are more than 5-6, we had 110 elk in our yard this morning.

It snowed a little today but didn't really stick.  James got his truck stuck trying to take his trailer up on the hill.  We have got to get some cinders or granite to put on that road.  It will probably will cost over $1,000. 

Speaking of James's truck, here is a time he locked his keys inside and was trying to pry open the door.

 This was at Cathi and Terry's

Michael had a track meet in Flagstaff tonight.  His family went to support him and on they way home they stopped at a diner for biscuits and gravy.  Stacy said they were delicious.  I wonder if they were as good as James's.

James and I read from our book and watched an Amish movie called "Uncommon Grace."  I admire most of the Amish people but sometimes they are just a little too strict and clannish.

 Historical fiction

Fun Photos:

Two years ago.

About 50 years ago

The Case clan

Dallin singing on the rim.

James's home teaching companion.

He is 70 years old now.

My sweetheart.