Monday, May 13th, 2019

Oakland, California

13th operating temple

Dedicated: 17-19 Nov 1964

By: David O. McKay

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

1 John 2:22

Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist,that denieth the Father and the Son.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah29:1-15

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matthew 19:1-15; Mark 10:1-16; Luke 18:15-16; Gospel Topic: Marriage

General Conference

Your Priesthood Playbook

Gary E. Stevenson

"We holders of the priesthood have a team (a quorum) and a playbook (the holy scriptures and words of modern prophets). 

Do you strengthen your teammates? How well have you studied your playbook? Do you fully understand your assignment?"

James left for the valley this morning at 5:30 after our family prayer. 

I worked on our book business from 8 am to noon. I bought five new books and set some alerts. 

I am taking it easy on my knee again today. 

Kacey and I texted today about their family. 

James is working at the Willis's today putting on new siding and painting their house. I hope he gets enough people to help him.

I made a trip to the post office and Dollar General this afternoon. 

I got a mother's day card from Kim and Brian which was very much appreciated. Inside the card was a gift card to Cheesecake Factory. I also got a graduation announcement for Bettylea Rogers.

At Dollar General I bought diet Dr. Pepper, ice, a small package of Little Debbie turtle brownies which were delicious, a small package of sausage, a frozen macaroni and cheese meal, a package of snack sized frozen burritos, peanut M&M's, and a package of dill pickle Lay's potato chips. All of this for under $20. I ate chips all the way home and then threw the rest of the package away before I ate it all.

I did not email Ben this week but James did. Ben sent an email to Sheri for all the members of the family who want to read it. All you have to do is ask Sheri and she will send it to you.

Elder Trezise is quite the preacher. I am so grateful for his faith, obedience, and testimony. It's one of the things that keeps me going.

I watched the latest Hailey Dean Mystery this evening. It is a whodunit and I guess right!

Thanks Kim and Brian for accepting dad into your home to stay this week.

 Two cuties

 The Reidhead's in Georgia

The Chase's in Chandler

 Elder Rosenbaum has long legs!

 Charlie loves her mom!

 Scarlett loves the trampoline!

 Not too scary and I like the characters

Not up to par yet.

Tuesday, July 10th, 2018

Manila, Philippines

29th operating temple

Dedicated: 25 Sept 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

Isaiah 44:24

Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;

Book of Mormon

Alma 30:46-60

*What's the difference between believing and knowing?

-It is belief that pushes us forward to come to know. Knowing is when you receive a spiritual confirmation from the Holy Ghost that confirms your belief is true.

Old Testament

2 Chronicles 11-12

11 Rehoboam strengthens the kingdom of Judah but is forbidden to subdue Israel - Jeroboam leads the kingdom of Israel into idolatry - Rehoboam takes many wives and concubines.

12 Rehoboam forsakes the law of the Lord - The Egyptians plunder Jerusalem and take the treasures of the house of the Lord - The people repent and receive partial deliverance - Rehoboam dies.

General Conference

Teaching in the Home - a Joyful and Sacred Responsibility

"Family prayer is another prime opportunity to teach.

I've always been impressed with how Heavenly Father introduces Jesus Christ as His Beloved Son. I enjoy praying for my children by name as they listen to me express to Heavenly Father how beloved they are to me. It seems there is no better time to communicate love to our children than when praying with them or blessing them When families gather in humble prayer, powerful and lasting lessons are taught."

Family History and Temple Work: Sealing and Healing

"An earlier prophet foresaw blessings for both the living and the dead. a heavenly messenger showed Ezekiel a vision of a temple with water gushing out of it. Ezekiel was told:

'These waters issue out ... and go down into the desert, and go into the dead sea ... , and the waters shall be healed.

'And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live, ... for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.'

Two characteristics of the water are noteworthy. First, though the small stream had no tribuatries, it grew into a mighty river, becoming wider and deeper the farther it flowed. Something similar happens with the blessings that flow from the temple as individuals are sealed as families Meaningful growth occurs going backward and forward through the generations as sealing ordinances weld families together.

Second, the river renewed everything that it touched. The blessings of the temple likewise have a stunning capacity to heal. Temple blessings can heal heart and lives and families."

As I was looking on my gospel library app I found an article in the February 2018 Ensign by the General Sunday School president, Tad R. Callister: "What Can I Do to Teach More Like the Savior?"

Here are the things that Brother Callister says that we can do to teach more like the Savior:

1. Be humble,  2. Have a desire to teach like the Savior,  3. Teach by the Spirit,  4. Focus on the doctrine, 5. Become an avid learner, 6. Seek revelation, 7. Demonstrate love.

It rained off and on for most of the day today. James did me a favor and went to get the mail. I got the garlic press I ordered and the Little Pony, "Songbird Serenade" that I ordered for Lola. The Little Pony was tiny, much tinier than her other ponies. I decided I would make a trip into town to get the Princess Celestia I had seen at Walmart yesterday. 

James was busy reading something when I left so I went into town by myself. I left around 4:20 and was back by 6, Princess Celestia in hand. It rained on me most of the way.

I got a text from Sheri today. She said Laura had messaged her and said that Ben had received his assignment and would be getting his call probably sometime next week. Perfect timing as the Trezise's will be back this weekend from Europe.

I am enjoying watching old Christmas movies on Hallmark this week. They are running them through July 1-15th. Today I watched "Romance at Reindeer Lodge." 

This evening James and I watched a Hailey Dean mystery on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries. Even though he doesn't much like Kelly Martin he does like these Hailey Dean mysteries. 

Finished my steps before going to bed.

Sheri's posts from Paris, France:

ing their soccer team on to victory.

The cheer that went up after they won was

infectious!

Stacy used to have this photo in her living room.

  

Wednesday, June 20th, 2018

Bern, Switzerland

9th operating temple

Dedicated: 11-15 Sept 1955

By: David O. McKay

Jesus Christ, Condescension of

Alma 19:13

For as sure as thou livest, behold, I have seen my Redeemer; and he shall come forth, and be born of a woman, and he shall redeem all mankind who believe on his name. Now, when he had said these words, his heart was swollen within him, and he sunk again with joy; and the queen also sunk down, being overpowered by the Spirit.

Book of Mormon

Alma 19:12-21

*Why do you think Abish waited to make her conversion known to the Lamanites?
-In Matt 7:6 the Savior taught "neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." Abish was waiting for the right time to share her testimony. She was waiting until the Lord prompted her. There has to be people ready to listen to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Old Testament
1 Chronicles 1-2
1 The genealogies and family ties from Adam to Abraham are given - The posterity of Abraham is listed.
2 The descendants of Israel, Judah, Jesse, Caleb, and others are listed.
General Conference

His Spirit to Be With You

President Henry B. Eyring

"My hope today is to increase your desire and your ability to receive the Holy Ghost. Remember, He is the third member of the Godhead. The Father and the Son are resurrected beings. The Holy Ghost is a person of spirit. (See DC 130:22.) It is your choice whether to receive Him and welcome Him into your heart and mind."

Russell M. Nelson 10/17 #70 The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like Without It?

"In a most miraculous and singular way, the Book of Mormon teaches us of Jesus Christ and His gospel."

Ensign: "The Savior Heals Our Hurts" and "Place Your Trust in Him." 

I got up at 5, my regular time, for the first time in a few days. 

I asked Sheri if Ben had sent in his mission papers yet and she said President Johansen sent them in last night. I think they are sent electronically.

Here are some of the guesses as to where he is going: 

Grandma: Scotland/England or the Philippines.

Grandpa: Borneo, Mongolia or the big island of Hawaii. He remembers going to church there and how wonderful the people were.

Brian: North Carolina so he can convert the Avett Brothers.

We actually probably have relatives in North Carolina. That's where my grandpa Strickland was from. Brian also guessed Virginia.

Michael: Bulgaria or Korea

Kim: New Zealand

Adam: California or Washington

Stacy: Georgia

Anyone else want to guess?

James sent his old phone back to Verizon today. He got his mailing label in the mail but I did not get mine. Trying to get this mailing label is like pulling teeth. I tried several times to get it online and James called Verizon and they said he had to get it online. He finally went to the Verizon store and used their phone to order another one. 

James also went to the dump and did some other errands in town while I stayed home and worked on stripping the polish off the wood floor. Another task that is as hard as pulling teeth. That polish does not want to come off. Sometimes I have to scrape it off because the remover doesn't get it all. Not a fun task. I also ordered some more finish so when I get the old polish off, I can put a new satin finish back on.

James and I watched one of the Hailey Dean mysteries this evening. It was a good one. She finally found out who killed her fiance. His best friend was the mastermind behind it. The killer was supposed to have killed her. I don't usually like murder mysteries but I like these. The stories are written by the reporter, Nancy Grace and she appears in all of the episodes as a TV news commentator.

I want these purple flowers all over my yard.

So funny!

I hope this means he can feed himself now.

I want one of these for our family!

Rain and lightning over the 

Grand Canyon.

Relief Society 4th Sunday lessons