Monday, September 11th, 2017

San Diego, California

45th operating temple

Dedicated: 25 April 1993 by Thomas S. Monson

Helaman 1:18-34

How do you avoid being deceived by the flattery of men?

Through the inspiration of the Spirit. We must stay spiritually centered and remember what really matters. Read Lynn G. Robbins, "Which Way Do You Face," October 2014 General Conference.

DC 132:29-45

Why should we always be obedient to what the Lord asks us to do?

Because we love Him. The Lord loves all of His children but He can only bless them when they are obedient. Obedience to commandments increases our faith, and brings us exaltation where we can become gods instead of angels.

General Conference

Becoming a Disciple of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Elder Robert D. Hales

"Patience, Peter teaches, leads us to godliness. As the Father is patient with us, His children, we become patient with one another and ourselves. From temperance to patience and from patience to godliness, our natures change. We gain the brotherly kindness that is a hallmark of all true disciples. Like the Good Samaritan, we cross the road to minister to whoever is in need, even if they are not within the circle of our friends. We bless them that curse us. We do good to those who despitefully use us. Is any attribute more godly or Christlike?"

We said our goodbyes, gave hugs, and had family prayer together with Jared giving the prayer, before we left for home. We are so very grateful for being able to come and spend time with Jared, Kacey, and Summer and to attend Molly's baptism and to be able to do sealings in the San Antonio temple. It was a wonderful trip and we are so grateful we were able to come.

'Til we meet again

As we left, Kacey and Summer were gone and Jared was at home cutting up fruit for lunches and doing laundry. He does not have to go to work until 10.

Thank goodness for Googlemaps or we wouldn't have found our way out of Jared and Kaceys neighborhood. We got on to the freeway and stopped for gas in Boerne where my friend Kay used to live. We read our scriptures and then I read from Brownlie Manor before taking a nap.

We got off the freeway in the little town of Ozona for a potty break and since we were there we got more gas. This town says it's the "biggest little town in the world," Some of the things to do in Ozona are: birdwatching, hunting, star gazing and off-roading. These are the same things we do here in Vernon! There are some beautiful trees and old homes and buildings in Ozona. I didn't get any pictures of homes but here is the town name and motto and the Crockett county courthouse located in Ozona.

The name of the gas station and store where we stopped was Stripes. It is the same place we stopped on Friday. 

On to Van Horn for gas and lunch at McDonald's. This is my friend Hailey's hometown. She says I should have texted her and let her know I was going to be there and she would have suggested some places to eat. She says Lizy's is good and her cousins place RJ's, but RJ's may only be open in the evenings.

Instead of going through Socorro we went back through Deming and Silver City up to Luna and Alpine. This way is more scenic but I do not like the windy road up the mountain. 

We got home around 5 p.m. Arizona time, gaining two hours coming home. It was good to be home except I found a bloated, belly up mouse caught in a trap in the pantry. Welcome home to critterville. 

Brian left us some green chili pork stew. Thanks Brian! After unloading and putting things away I did a little blogging and reading before going to bed. We were in bed by 9.

I did not forget that today was the anniversary of 9/11. Here are some photos I found on Facebook.

 Other random photos I like:

This is NOT the mouse we found in the pantry.

This one is cute, that one wasn't!

Sun and summer storm over the Grand Canyon.

I'm calling this one Cinderella's castle.

The Skousen's

Sister Skousen on the left is our Primary President.

She is a great one!

  

Sunday, August 27th, 2017

Dallas, Texas
30th operating temple
Dedicated: 19 Oct 1984 by: Gordon B. Hinckley

Atonement

DC 19:16

For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;

Jesus Christ, Antemortal Existence of

Ephesians 1:4

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Alma 57:1-16

How do I fortify myself against the attacks of the adversary?

Our bishop gave a brief message today on obedience. He quoted President Benson: "When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power."

I guess I would say then that I strive to be obedient in all things so I can be armed with God's power. I have a ways to go, but that is my desire. 

DC 124:50-69

What did I learn from these verses?

The Lord says that whenever He gives a commandment, no matter what it is about, to the children of man, and they go to with their might and endeavor to fulfill His commandment, and do that which is required of them, and they are prevented by their enemies, or any other means, from accomplishing it, He does not require any more at their hands. He accepts of their offering.

General Conference

The Voice of Warning

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"One observer noted, 'Jesus taught his followers to do as he did: to welcome everyone but also to teach about sin, since love demands warning people about what can hurt them.'"

Today the Umphresses spoke in sacrament meeting. There was a little time left at the end of the meeting so the bishop spoke to us about obedience. I am going to share again the quote he gave:

"When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power." - Ezra Taft Benson

I found a talk today on obedience that I want to read. It is from the April 1998 General Conference by Elder Donald L. Staheli called, "Obedience - Life's Greatest Challenge."

My Primary class today consisted of: Colter, Curtis, Jace, Gracie, Bailey, and Ashten. Sister Kuffer's friend passed away and her funeral is on Tuesday. Sister Kuffer should be here next week to take her class. Bailey and Ashten are both in her class.

Houston is facing the worst flood disaster in U.S. History. They, and surrounding areas, have had around 50 inches of rain. I guess Kevin is surviving, and so is Jillie and her family.

The Houston temple had flooding on the first floor. Thank goodness that is all.

Thousands of homes are flooded with people trapped inside. The worst is yet to come. Residence heard conflicting stories as to whether to evacuate. Evacuation itself creates a nightmare. The news is urging people to stay at home. Millions are at risk. Airports are closed. 9 million people are under flash flood warning. I am grateful that our two Vernon boys and their wives got out. Kendall and his wife were at church today here in Vernon.

During sharing/singing time all of the teachers were in a teacher council meeting. Arizona and another little girl went out to go to the bathroom. Afterwards, Salena, the other girl who is staying at Nadine's ran home instead of going back in to Primary. I guess we are going to have to have hall monitors for Primary now.

I texted Sheri today and said we should go to the Carefree, Arizona tea room for her birthday. She agreed.

We spent a quiet, relaxing afternoon at home with no TV. We did go outside and read a couple of chapters from our book. We are still reading "A Lady in Disguise."

Photos, etc:

New stake presidency of the Pleasanton, California stake.

Brother Black, in the middle, the stake president,

is a former member of our ward in Chandler.

This is Brian and Stephanie 28 years ago on 

the windy wedding day.

Stephanie is Bruce R. McConkie's granddaughter.

She writes murder mysteries.

This is her latest.

I love how pink these piggies are.

Another castle to add to my collection.

This was taken a few years ago.

Trenda, Talon, Alice, Andy.

The Grand Canyon

  

Friday, August 25th, 2017

Sydney, Australia

28th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 Sep 1984 by: Gordon B. Hinckley

Atonement

DC 18:11

For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.

Jesus Christ, Antemortal Existence of

Abraham 3:27

And the Lord said: Whom shall I send? And one answered like unto the Son of Man: Here am I, send me. And another answered and said: Here am I, send me. And the Lord said: I will send the first.

Alma 56:18-40

When have you had to stand up for something you believe in?

*Once I was asked to not pray or meditate for a month as part of a training exercise for an online position. I told my leader I could not do that and ask to get my money back and withdraw my name from the program. Can you imagine not praying for a month?

DC 124:16-30

What can we do to make our homes a place that Christ may come and dwell?

*melanieryerse:"I remember seeing an ad that said something like this - 'put good in, get good out!' If it is our goal to be good and we want our kids to be good as well, we need to put good in our homes. These good things include daily scriptures as a family, couple and individuals, prayers, family time, working together, forgiveness, kindness, service, wholesome media choices, keeping the commandments, etc.

General Conference

The Godhead and the Plan of Salvation

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

"Because we have the truth about the Godhead and our relationship to Them, the purpose of life, and the nature of our eternal destiny, we have the ultimate road map and assurance for our journey through mortality."

I worked on my Primary lesson today and read lesson 17 in the Gordon B. Hinckley manual, "The Power of the Book of Mormon.

Today was a day of anticipation. Tomorrow we start as temple workers in the Snowflake temple. I must say, I am a little nervous.
My co-ordinator, Sister Winhardt called and said she looked forward to meeting me. James's co-ordinator, Brother Coltrin called and said we would have an opportunity tomorrow morning at 7 to introduce ourselves during prayer meeting. That made me even more nervous. 

I did a little research and discovered that out of the 157 dedicated temples, President Hinckley dedicated 84 of them. That is amazing!

We went to bed early this evening with a plan to get up around 4:30 since we need to leave for the temple around 5:30. No TV tonight!

Photos

These little guys are showing up everywhere.

The Hedgehog Family

The Koala's

The Squirrel's

Runaway rabbit babies

Paul and Tara

Addy is out shopping for her birthday and

she sent me this.

Arizona Highways

Baby sloth

Friday, June 2nd, 2017

Payson, Utah

146th operating temple

Dedicated: 7 June 2015 by

Henry B. Eyring

Alma 10:1-16

*What do you think Amulek meant when he said "I would not hear" and "I would not know?"

*In what ways does the Lord call to us? (Promptings from the Holy Ghost, instructions from parents and Church leaders, and Church callings.)

*How do you think Amulek's decision to obey made a difference in his life?

*Gospel Truth:

When we hear and obey the Lord's call, blessings come to us and to others.

DC 84:29-39

33-44, Men gain eternal life through the oath and covenant of the priesthood; 

Why are the oaths and covenants of the priesthood so important?

*If we keep the covenant, we shall receive all the Father hath.  All those who are ordained unto this priesthood are made like unto the Son of God, abiding a priest continually to sware with an oath is binding and sacred.

General Conference

The Beauty of Holiness

Carol F. McConke

"Holiness is in the striving and the struggle to keep the commandments and to honor the covenants we have made with God.  Holiness is making the choices that will keep the Holy Ghost as our guide.  Holiness is setting aside our natural tendencies and becoming "a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord." Every moment of our lives must be holiness to the Lord."

I read this today in the Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual under Epnrichment H (H-8), The Church Must Stand Independent.

This quote is by Elder Bruce R. McConkie:

"We must maintain our own health, sow our own gardens store our own food, educate and train ourselves to handle the daily affairs of life.  No one else can work out our salvation for us, either temporally or spiritually."

I listened to "Christ and the New Covenant", chapter 9, The Father and the Son where we learn from Christ we can use discipline to overcome temptation. The will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father.

I also read from The History of Joseph Smith by His Mother and Primary lesson #20 about Joseph Smith translating the Bible and other Scriptures.  I think the kids will like to hear about the papyrus with the history of Abraham that were found with some ancient Egyptian mummies.  Also studied from "Teaching in the Savior's Way" on teaching the doctrine. 

 North rim of the Grand Canyon

James went to town this morning to get some supplies for the fence he is building.  He stopped at Firehouse Subs and brought me back a sub.  Around 2:45 we left for the Snowflake temple.  Thank goodness the 4 o'clock session was not nearly as busy as it was last week.  

Where are my sunglasses?

When we got back from the temple we watched the latest episode of "The Good Witch" and then went to bed.

Fun Photos:

I don't know everyone but those I

know in this family, I love!

I love these two!

Huntleigh, Braylin, and Taylor too!

Someone from our ward posted this

on Facebook.  We went by and saw

these young men working.

We are very grateful!

Summer fun 2016

Love this face!

Dallin's birthday 2016