Saturday, June 1st, 2019

Guatemala City, Guatemala

32nd operating temple

Dedicated: 14-16 Dec 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Alma 13:16

Book of Mormon

Alma 9:19-34

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

JS-Matthew 1:22-55; Luke 21:25-38; Gospel Topic: The Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

General Conference

How Can I Understand?

"Our purpose as we seek to learn and to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ must be to increase faith in God and in His divine plan of happiness and in Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice and to achieve lasting conversion. Such increased faith and conversion will help us make a genuine spiritual transformation in us - in other words, transforming us into a new creature, as taught by the Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Corinthians. This transformation will bring us a more happy, productive, and healthy life and help us to maintain an eternal perspective."

Happy 51st Wedding Anniversary to us!

Just a couple of kids

James made me breakfast this morning: sausage, an omelet, hashbrowns, toast with cherry jam, and orange juice. Best of all he cleaned the kitchen afterwards!

Before the sausage and toast came

He posted on Facebook about our anniversary and is trying so hard to make it special. He asked me what I wanted to do. I told him I just wanted to stay home this morning and then go to the 1:00 temple session, have lunch at Charlie Clark's, and then go on a ride up in the mountains. He was okay with that and went in to take a nap while I did some walking and working on my blog and books.

When we were getting ready to leave for the temple I asked James to get my bag while I got a drink, he said he would. I got my drink and went to the car and when he came out he was carrying a bag and I thought it was mine. When we got to the temple and I asked for my bag from the back seat he said, it's not here. I guess that was his bag he was carrying to the car. I reminded him I had asked him to get my bag. It was too late for me to go in and try to find a dress, etc., so we just left. He felt terrible, but I did not get upset with him. I told him it was okay and that we would go Tuesday. I did not want to destroy all of the good feelings we have had by getting angry. I guess it was partly my fault too, I should have made sure my bag was in the backseat before we left.

We drove from Snowflake to Pinetop to Charlie Clark's and got there around 2 p.m. I ordered a steak and a baked potato and James got the salmon salad. We sat out on the patio in plastic chairs. Everyone says this is the best place to get a steak in the White Mountains but I have never been here and it's been here forever.

My steak was delicious and James's salmon was good. We were disappointed that they didn't serve any bread with our meal but maybe that's because we were still on the lunch menu. We shared deep dish peach pie with ice cream for dessert. 

Pretty tasty

After lunch we drove up to Paradise Creek. James wanted to find the tree where he carved our initials about 55 years ago. We didn't find the tree but we saw some beautiful country.

 Now where was that tree...

It's out there somewhere

This evening we started our fast and watched the newest Hallmark movie.

Lots of good Elvis songs in this one!

It was a wonderful day to spend with my best friend and sweetheart.

I love these sheep!

Meanwhile, back in Texas:

Friday, July 13th, 2018

Guatemala City, Guatemala
32nd operating temple
Dedicated: 14-16 Dec 1984
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

Isaiah 65:17

For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

Book of Mormon

Alma 32:1-20

*How does one worship God?

- Obedience is the highest form of worship. A correct understanding of the nature of God and the Godhead is required for proper worship to occur.

Old Testament

2 Chronicles 19-21

19 Jehoshaphat is rebuked for helping ungodly Ahab - He helps the people return to the Lord, sets up judges, and administers justice.

20 The Ammonites and others attack Judah - Jehoshaphat and all the people fast and pray - Jahaziel prophesies the deliverance of Judah - Judah's attackers war among and destroy themselves.

21 Jehoram slays his brothers, marries Ahab's daughter, and reigns in wickedness - Elijah prophesies a plague upon the people and the death of Jehoram - The Philistines and others war against Judah - Jehoram dies of sore diseases.

General Conference

The Elders Quorum

By Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"What are the purposes of the adjustments to Melchizedek Priesthood quorums? Having one Melchizedek Priesthood quorum in a ward unifies priesthood holders to accomplish all aspects of the work of salvation, including the temple and family history work previously coordinated by the high priests groups. It allows quorum members of all ages and backgrounds to benefit from the perspective and experience of one another and of those in different stages of life. It also provides additional opportunities for experienced priesthood holders to mentor others, including prospective elders, new members, young adults, and those returning to Church activity. I cannot adequately express how excited I am to contemplate the increasingly vital role that elders quorums will play in the future. The wisdom, experience, capacity, and strength that will be found in these quorums portend a new day and a new standard of priesthood service across the Church."

I read an article entitled "Answers to 35 Questions about Religious Freedom" in Meridian magazine. I am going to make a copy and keep it in my files. There are groups actively working to banish religion in any form from the public square and we need to be aware of what our rights are.

James bought a Colorado Golden melon last night at Walmart and he cut it up this morning and gave me some of it. I thought it was a little bland. I like cantaloupe much better. James really liked it.

Sheri is frustrated in New York. Actually they are staying at an airbnb in Union City, New Jersey. She wants to go exploring in the city but Ian and Ben are too tired. She finally gets Max and Evan to come with her to Central Park. Ian doesn't want them to spend any money so they can't go to the Museum of Natural History.

Here are some of the photos she took:

Raccoon checking out New York

I am definitely having problems walking today. I can't bend my right knee. I know it may be from the fall I took last night but I checked out my calendar and the week after my infusion last month I had the same problem. I hope this isn't a pattern.

James put some heat on it for me and rubbed my feet. Hopefully I will be ok for the temple tomorrow. Sitting on the couch with my knee up reminds me of how the Spirit and body work together. If the body doesn't work the way it's supposed to the Spirit is affected.

At 6:40 p.m. the rain is here and it's a downpour!

James and I finished "Riders on the Orphan Train" this evening and started a new book on Deseretbook Plus called "Abby's Crossing."

I also spoke to Jared on the phone. He says they would like to come out for Thanksgiving which makes me really happy!

Photos from Texas:

Tanner caught a fish

Molly

 Kacey looking beautiful!

Back in Vernon:

Building a rabbit hutch.

I love these summer storms!

Ian's photos of churches around the world:

Recognize any of these.

I saw Notre Dame and I am wondering if this

last one is St. Patrick's in New York.

Sunday, February 4th, 2018

Guatemala City, Guatemala

32nd operating temple

Dedicated: 14-16 Dec 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

DC 11:11

For, behold, it is I that speak; behold, I am the light which shineth in darkness, and by my power I give these words unto thee.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 1:1-12

*How have the American continents been kept sacred?

- The sacredness is in the freedoms we have and the people striving to keep the commandments.

Old Testament

Exodus 26-27

26 The tabernacle is to be built with ten curtains and with boards - A veil is to separate the holy place from the most holy place - The ark of testimony (with the mercy seat) is to be put in the most holy place.

27 The tabernacle is to contain an altar for burnt offerings and a court surrounded by pillars - A light is to burn always in the tabernacle of the congregation.

Old Testament Favorite Scriptures

Genesis 9:11-13

11 And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.

12 And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:

13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.

General Conference

"A Yearning for Home"

" Blessings will come not so much because of your abilities but because of your choices. And the God of the universe will work within and through you, magnifying your humble efforts for His purposes. His work has always advanced on this important principle: "Out of small things proceedeth that which is great."

We were a little late getting to church this morning. We arrived at the building at 8:50. We had lots of things to carry in for my lesson. I am grateful for James's help. 

Our fast and testimony meeting was conducted by Brother Crane. It was his first fast and testimony meeting to conduct. The following people bore their testimonies: Brother Crane, Brother M. Wilhelm, Sister Johnson, Sister Smith who is leaving this Wednesday for the MTC, Brother Applegate, Brother Peeler, Bishop Hall, Brother Skousen, Elders Macy and Smith our fulltime missionaries, Sister Applegate, Brother Curtis, Brother Grapp, Sister Gillespie, Sister Kennedy and Jace was the only youth. We had these children from Primary bear their testimonies: Colter, Zemira, Curtis, Liana, and Benson.

It was a good fast and testimony meeting. I thought something Sister Kennedy said in her testimony was interesting. She said that when Elder Renlund was called to the Quorum of the Twelve, President Nelson handed him a copy to The Family, a Proclamation to the World and said: "This is your instruction guide."

My Primary lesson went quite well except for the fact that Colter and Amaron are really not interested in the lesson which causes a distraction. Amaron did like the picture of the Savior that I had on the cross and asked some questions about it. Andyn was a little disappointed because I didn't have a newsletter today.

The Goodman's have been called to teach the 6-7 year old Primary class. Also, Tyler Hunsaker has been called to teach the 10-11 year olds.

During singing time we sang: "My Heavenly Father Loves Me," and "I Am a Child of God," all four verses. For sharing time Brother Thompson talked to the kids about the creation and then Sister Skousen did an activity with them. Again, Amaron was not interested in anything except talking to me. He is very sweet and helped me carry my stuff to the car after the meetings were over. 

James stayed at the church while I went home and broke my fast and had some lunch. I went back to the church around 1:00 for a meeting with the bishop about one of the sisters I visit teach. The bishop asked me to invite this sister to lunch but I struggled with that because she is not even speaking to me. We went from being best friends to nothing and I don't know why. 

James came home with me after my meeting with the bishop. I was concerned about what he had asked me to do until I read President Uchtdorf's talk, "Three Sisters," and this quote: "What did the Savior teach? 'I say unto you Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.' This is the Savior's way. It is the first step in breaking down the barriers that create so much anger, hatred, division, and violence in the world."

My whole attitude changed when I read this quote and I knew I could reach out to this sister and eventually invite her to lunch. I felt peace instead of turmoil.

James broke his fast and took a nap and so did I. When we got up we spent the rest of the day studying the gospel and I wrote in my journal (blog). No Super Bowl for us.

Today is my brother Harold's 68th birthday. I wished him a happy birthday and told him that I loved him.

I got a message from C. Arnett today. This is what she said: "I went to Primary today to listen to my granddaughters talk. I walked into Primary and sat down. A flood of memories and the sweet spirit I felt serving with you and Betty overcame me. I could not stop crying. Thank you Thank you for the best spiritual experience of my life! Heavenly Father is real and He loves all of His children."

What a sweet message and reminder of how much I love C. Arnett!

Oh yes, and Brother Goodman in our ward is her first cousin.

 This photo came up on my Facebook

feed. It was taken last year right after 

Kacey and Jared got married.

 James gave me this gem.

I love it!

Taken at Uncle Kay's funeral by

Dane Lambson. I am sorry I don't know everyone

and he didn't label the photos.

The redhead is Uncle Kay's daughter Lori.

With her is Laurie, Uncle Gene's daughter.

James thinks the man is Marshall, Uncle

Delbert's son, but he is not sure. 

Aunt Flora, Uncle Gene's wife, and

Uncle Delbert, the only one left of

13 children. He is grandpa George's older

brother and he lives in St. Johns. 

Uncle Delbert and his son Curtis. 

 On the left is Daniel Lambson, Uncle

Kay's son.

 Last year playing Five Crowns with Harold, Vickie,

Dennis, and Denise.

Harold. Love those blue eyes!