Monday, July 20th, 2020

Nauvoo, Illinois

113th operating temple

Dedicated: 27-30 June 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Light of the World

Isaiah 2:5

O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Alma 36:1-16

April General Conference

"Fulfillment of Prophecy"

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

 We live in that time prophesied; we are the people charged with ushering in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ; we are to gather God's children, those who will hear and embrace the truths, covenants, and promises of the everlasting gospel. President Nelson calls it "the greatest challenge, the greatest cause, and the greatest work on the earth today." Of that miracle I bear my witness.

I had five of the books I bought last week be cancelled, this happened yesterday so I ignored it until this morning. I finally figured out why they were cancelled. I pay for them with my Amazon Store card and the limit on that card is $1,000. I evidently went over the limit so that's why these books were cancelled. The first thing I did when I got up this morning was pay off the card and re-order the books. Some of them went up in price. I also went to settings on the Amazon Seller page and managed a backup payment in case this ever happens again.

I listened to Book of Mormon Central this morning while working on the computer. Brother John Welch was there as a guest speaker. He is actually the founder of Book of Mormon Central and the person who discovered chiasmus in the Book of Mormon while on his mission in Ravensburg, Germany in 1967. He had listened to a lecture on chiasmus in the Bible. The next morning as he was reading in Mosiah 5 he discovered it in verses 10-12. About six months later he discovered the masterpiece of chiasmus in Alma 36. I loved listening to Brother Welch and appreciated his testimony of chiasmus, a Hebrew and Near East literary style foreign to Joseph Smith, and how in Alma 36 it points to the Savior as the center point of Alma's testimony. He talked about Alma 36 being a roadmap for repentance and a change of heart. 

James went to the post office today and brought back ten new books for me. I was happy to see that none of my books are stranded and I also repriced 60 of my books in inventory.

James is worried about the job in Peoria. On Saturday the framer didn't show up because his wife had a baby. James called another framer but he wanted twice as much to do it as James had budgeted. The only solution he could think of was to go down himself and do the job along with help from Sal. He plans on leaving tomorrow afternoon. 

This evening James and I watched the movie, "The Fighting Preacher." This is the story of Willard and Rebecca Bean who were called on a mission to the Joseph Smith farm in Palmyra township, New York. This was in 1915. Brother Bean was a retired boxer. The people were so unkind to the Bean's simply because they were Mormons. By the end of their mission, 24 years later, the longest in Church history, the Bean's were the most well-liked people in the community and people were upset that they were leaving. Some of the acting is a little unprofessional but the message is so inspirational!

Follow the Prophet

If he says to look at a serpent on a stick,

do it.

If he says to wear a mask,

do it.

My books

Thursday, July 9th, 2020

Porto Alegre, Brazil

102nd operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Dec 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Lamb of God

1 Nephi 14:1

And it shall come to pass, that if the Gentiles shall hearken unto the Lamb of God in that day that he shall manifest himself unto them in word, and also in power, in very deed, unto the taking away of their stumbling blocks -

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Alma 30:42-60

April General Conference

"Come Unto Christ-Living as Latter-Day Saints"

Elder John A. McCune

This invitation to "Come unto Christ" has specific implications for Latter-day Saints. As members of the Savior's Church, we have made covenants with Him and have become His spiritually begotten sons and daughters. We have also been given the opportunity to labor with the Lord in inviting others to come unto Him.As we labor with Christ, our most deeply focused efforts should be within our own homes. there will be times when family members and close friends will face challenges. The voices of the world, and maybe their own desires, might cause them to question truth. We should do everything we can to help them feel both the Savior's love and our love. I am reminded of the scripture verse that has become our beloved hymn, "Love One Another," which teaches us, "By this shall ... men know ... ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

 Lambson Study Group

"Be 100% Responsible"

Elder Lynn G. Robbins

BYU Speeches 

August 22. 2017

James got up early to go work on the fence. I got up somewhere between 5:30-6 and walked into the kitchen to get something to eat, in this instance a piece of toast and a caramel protein shake. I have a pain in the back of my left leg that I am trying to get rid of. I walked around the bedroom and was able to sit after awhile. Thank goodness for Tramadol and walking!

While the Awesome Foursome (Dave, Laura, Cathi, and Terry) were outside target practicing I decided I was going to try to make some baked ziti. I used hamburger instead of sausage, rotini instead of ziti and cheddar cheese instead of mozarella cheese. It actually turned out quite tasty. James loved it! Laura and Cathi both tried it and liked it too. 

I inventoried my next shipment of books. I began removing stickers but got redirected to other activities before I finished. My last shipment that I sent in is no longer stranded but the books are not reserved or active. One more day and I will contact Amazon.

Laura told the story about the people who bought Jason's home, the old Robbins' place right next door to her and Dave. It seems the owner is not living in the home but is using it for a business, a daycare. Laura and the Wilson's next door on the other side, have counted over 20 children. They have complained to the city and now they are limited to four children until further notice. The neighbors are concerned about all of the traffic coming and going. 

Laura also is following the Vallow-Daybell case and told me to watch the Melanie Gibb interview on Dateline,  which I did this morning (Friday) via YouTube.  Melanie was Laurie Vallow's best friend while she lived in Arizona. Melanie tells the story of how Laurie and Chad met and what happened afterwards. It is almost a two hour interview. 

I made some banana nut muffins this afternoon adding extra banana and walnuts. James loved them!

Sheri called me this evening and asked me if I had seen a black panther when we had the cabin in Pinedale. I said I thought I had seen one driving up from Payson to Heber along the rim. I asked her why she had asked. I guess the boys were talking about it and Max told the story. She said, "I have learned to always believe Max." Max was right, I did tell them that I had seen one. We then started talking about if Sheri would be safe running when she came up. I told she would. I also told her there was another strange animal around here called a jaguarundi. We looked it up and it is a strange looking animal. 

We played a game of Five Crowns and this time James played with us. This was the highest scoring game I have ever played. Cathi won with 119 points, Terry 161, James 180, Laura 203, Dave 231, and Karen 233. 

For dinner James grilled us all hamburgers that Dave brought. We also had Busch beans and potato chips. I went to bed feeling a little discouraged. I didn't write in my blog, and I only got 5,000 steps. Must do better!

Wednesday, July 8th, 2020

Recife, Brazil

101st operating temple

Dedicated: 15 Dec 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Lamb of God

1 Nephi 13:40

And the angel spake unto me, saying: These last records, which thou hast seen among the Gentiles, shall establish the truth of the first, which are of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and shall make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away from them; and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people, that the Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father, and the Savior of the word; and that all men must come unto him, or they cannot be saved.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Alma 30:30-42; "Teaching with Power"

April General Conference

"The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon"

Elder Ulisses Soares

The translation process of the Book of Mormon was a miracle. This sacred ancient record was not "translated" in the traditional way that scholars would translate ancient texts by learning an ancient language. We ought to look at the process more like a "revelation" with the aid of physical instruments provided by the Lord, as opposed to a "translation" by one with knowledge of languages. Joseph Smith declared that through God's power he "translated the Book of Mormon from (hieroglyphs), the knowledge of which was lost to the world, in which wonderful event he stood alone, an unlearned youth, to combat the worldly wisdom and multiplied ignorance of eighteen centuries, with a new revelation." The Lord's help in the translation of the plates - or revelation, so to speak - is also evident when considering the miraculously short time Joseph Smith took to translate them.

 Inklings

"Let there be light"

and laughter

Lambson Study Group

"Your Personal Influence"

Thomas S. Monson

April 2004 GenCon

I finished cleaning this morning in preparation for Dave, Laura, Cathi and Terry. When I finished upstairs I went to the basement and cleaned down there. I am not sure where Cathi and Terry will want to stay. Dave and Laura will stay in the family room on the couch. I sanitized the bathrooms, kitchen counters, and door knobs. When I was finished cleaning I worked on getting my books out of the stranded condition. I was finally successful!

It's funny because Cathi texted me around 11:30 and told me to stop cleaning. I was downstairs working on the bedroom when I got the text. My response was, "where are you?" I thought maybe she was here. She said they were stopped for construction at the Queen Creek bridge just outside of Superior. I knew they weren't going to make it here by one o'clock as planned when she told me that. 

Anyway, I asked Cathi how she knew I was cleaning and she said: "Because I know you." All I said was "Yes you do." 

Cathi also wanted us to notify the Crane's that there would be shooting tomorrow. One of the reasons they are all coming up is to do some target practicing. Cathi and Laura are taking a concealed weapons class. They both have pistols. Cathi's is purple. 

It was nice to visit with everyone. Terry had a temple recommend interview with Ernesto Jiminez via Zoom. We all got to say hello to him. He asked me what kind of candy Evan likes. I guess he works with the Deacons. I told him I wasn't sure of his favorite but I knew he didn't care for chocolate. I probably should have told him Mike and Ike's. I did tell him he likes hashbrowns so maybe he will take him a plate of hashbrowns. Ernesto's daughter Evie recently received her mission call to Porto Alegre, Brazil. She is to report on August 5th and will probably do home MTC and then serve somewhere in the states before going to Brazil. The said thing is, because of Covid-19, they don't get to go to the temple with Evie before her mission. She will go after she gets in the field when the temple opens up again.

We had our burros for dinner. Everyone except Terry and I got green mixed. Terry got red and I got just plain green. James went for a ride on Luna. While he was gone we played a game of Five Crowns where Laura was the winner. It was fun. We all went to bed around 9:30 because that's what old people do.

Happy 28th Birthday

Jared Ammon 

The sweetest two year old ever who

would sit at my computer and play

Freddie the Fish

One time when he spent the night he asked me:

"Gramma, why am I brown?"

This just melted my heart as I tried to explain to him that Heavenly Father loves all of His children and that we are all alike unto Him.

 This is the ice cream bar that James bought me 

yesterday at Dollar General

 Cathi showing off her gun.

Barely made 10,000 today

Tuesday, July 7th, 2020

Boston, Massachusetts

100th operating temple

Dedicated: 1 Oct 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Lamb of God

1 Nephi 11:21

And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw?

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Alma 30:19-29 with James and "Book of Mormon Central"

"April General Conference

"Prayers of Faith"

President Henry B. Eyring

 "Through His Saints, the Lord will offer the gift of His gospel 'to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.' Technology and miracles will continue to play a part - as will individual 'fishers of men' who minister with power and increasing faith."

Lambson Study Group

"Let Us Be Men"

D. Todd Christofferson

October 2006 GenCon

We received a letter in the form of an email from the Snowflake Temple President, President Palmer this week. President Reidhead has broken his hip and President Palmer is asking that we pray for him. Having a broken hip sounds so painful!

Anthony and James were out early today working on cementing poles in the ground for Luna's fence. I think when she is turned loose in her new field she is going to feel like she has been let out of prison. Once James is finished with the fence we are going to get Luna a companion so she won't be lonely anymore.

I am waiting to hear from Amazon about what to do with my 15 stranded books. I tried what the first technician told me to do and obviously it didn't work. I tried a couple of things on my own and then left it alone. I won't go back until I have heard something from Amazon.

We have company coming tomorrow and so I need to clean upstairs and make sure the bedrooms are ready, even though Laura and Dave will probably sleep in the family room. James said we should set the bug foggers before I clean. I told him I thought that was a great idea. He went upstairs and set them in the bedrooms. I was trying to read out loud to James but I started coughing. I told him I thought it was the fumes from the bug foggers. Come to find out, he set one out in the common area and those fumes were floating down. We decided we better leave for awhile lest we succumb to the fumes. 

I read to James in the car and we went to Dollar General to get ice cream. We saw a couple of ward members, James spoke with Heather Bowen who just found out she is pregnant, and Charlie Gordon who works at Walmart and says it is a zoo right now. I waited in the car. It is hot today, around 90 degrees. We are just holding on until it starts raining. 

After eating my ice cream I read to James. We drove along the 60 towards Springerville. We turned off on the dirt road going to Green's Peak but it was too bumpy so we came back. I was ready to go home. The bug bombs/foggers worked! So many dead bugs upstairs when I went to clean. Going on this little ride today was a nice way to spend some times with James. 

Chuck Lewis came today to put freeon in our air conditioner. He also fixed a leak. We are grateful he came today because of our company tomorrow. We have two air conditioning units and the one that was not working was the one for upstairs where Terry and Cathi will probably sleep. 

James went on his horsey ride while I stayed home and studied the gospel and finished getting my steps. No TV today except for "Lark Rise to Candleford" on my phone. Went to bed around 10 tired and hurting.

 Sweet Scarlett

 Logan, Utah temple

 The highlight of the talk for me