Saturday, June 20th, 2020

Tampico, Mexico

83rd operating temple

Dedicated: 20 May 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Lamb of God

Revelation 5:12

Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Alma 16 with James, Study Guide

April General Conference

"That They May See"
Bonnie H. Cordon
"My dear brothers and sisters, for years I've pondered the principle I learned from Elder Perry. The Lord's invitation to let our light so shine is not just about randomly waving a beam of light and making the world generally brighter. It is about focusing our light so others may see the way to Christ. It is gathering Israel on this side of the veil - helping others see the next step forward in making and keeping sacred covenants with God."

"In the Strength of the Lord"

Elder David A. Bednar

BYU Devotional

 I'm itchin' to go back to the Taylor Walmart. It was such a good shopping experience on Tuesday. James went out to work on little Cat and I finished my blog and headed for Taylor. It was after 11 so I thought I would beat the rush and get a cheeseburger at Sonic. There's no beating the rush nowadays so I had to wait in line. I ate my cheeseburger in the far ends of the Walmart parking lot. 

My shopping experience was not as good as the one on Tuesday, because it's Saturday, but it was still better than Show Low. I got two 25 ounce bottles of liquid Safeguard soap, my main reason for coming. Somehow I managed to spend over $100. I had $75 in cash and without thinking, I gave all of it to the cashier and paid for the rest with my debit card. As I was driving home I realized that I had  spent all my cash and I was going to go to the Campbell girl's carwash and bake sale and have them was my car for cash. They are trying to raise money to go to the San Diego Zoo. I wanted to support them because their mom is so amazing about loving and supporting other people. I texted Candi, the mom, and asked if I could send them money via Zelle or Venmo. She told me I was so sweet but that they would have another carwash next month. She helped me to feel better and I told her I would definitely save my cash for the big event.

James has found another problem with little Cat and will need to get the mechanic back out here next week. We both sat on the couch in the recliners and I read to him from our latest Aunt Dimity book, "Aunt Dimity and the Summer King." 

After my nap I did my gospel study. This evening I am going to work outside so I switched my gospel study to this afternoon. I finished my Book of Mormon study guide for Alma 16 and finished reading all the talks about covenants for our Lambson Study Group on Sunday. I also finished my Inklings study by studying Elder Christofferson's conference talk on the Restoration and the Resurrection. Good times.

I rearranged furniture on the patio, swept the patio, and emptied the garbage. I picked up all of the pinecones under the pine tree and put them in a container. I also picked up trash in the "back yard." I use the term yard loosely. I re-organized the furniture on the deck outside of our bedroom and brought one of the small tables over from the deck so we could sit outside in the shade if we wanted to. The only thing I didn't do was clean off the ping pong table and cover it with the cover I ordered. The weather was so beautiful and so was the sunset.

We had chili for dinner and cheese crisps and then watched a new Hallmark movie, "Love Under the Olive Tree." Cheesy

Smokey sunset

 Cuteness abounds

 Love this puzzle

Saturday, August 31st, 2019

Sacramento, California

123rd operating temple

Dedicated: 3 Sept 2006

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Glory of

Matthew 16:27

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Book of Mormon

Alma 58:30-59:13

New Testament "Ye Are the Body of Christ" 1 Corinthians 8-13

1 Corinthians 13

General Conference

Closing Remarks

President Russell M. Nelson

"Brothers and sisters, we regard a temple as the most sacred structure in the Church. As we announce plans to construct a new temple, it becomes part of our sacred history. Now, please listen carefully and reverently. If I announce a temple in a place that is special to you, may I suggest that you simply bow your head with a silent prayer of gratitude in your heart. We do not want any verbal outbursts to detract from the sacred nature of this conference and the Lord's holy temples."

We left for the temple at our regular time. We listened to our scriptures and our conference talks on the way after starting out with a prayer. The gospel is so wonderful!

The brothers and sisters separated for training today. Sister Elmer and Sister Brimhall, wife of one of the counselors to the temple president, did the sisters training in the chapel downstairs. 

Sister Elmer spoke about the importance of not correcting one another during the performance of ordinances. She also said we should not trade positions with anyone else because she needs to know exactly where each sister is at all times. 

I am the veil director again and my dear friend Sister Humphreys from St. Johns is my assistant. She has worked at the temple for over 15 years and performs her duties well, yet she is quiet, unassuming and humble. Also, she is a big fan of my rolls. She is one of the only ones who knows the secret about the rolls.

We had two live sealings today. One was a couple from Concho who had previously received their endowments. The second was a couple going through the 9:30 session and then were sealed afterward. This was their first time at the temple. James was the assistant to the brother. He had never done it before and when he presented him at the veil he let the brother take his card with him. It was an easy mistake to make. But one of my jobs as the sister veil director is to make sure the own endowment cards are on the top of the stack before we take them to the office. Brother McHood was the brother veil director and I asked him where the own endowee card was for the brother. He looked through the stack and realized it was not there. I told him to check with Brother Lambson who told us the brother had his card and was now in the sealing. At first President Brimhall wanted Brother McHood to go into the sealing and get the card. But after some consideration it was decided he would wait until the sealing was over, which he did, and he got the card and there was no further problem.

This session was such a big session that I missed my scheduled half hour in initiatory. I also went down to the baptistry where I was scheduled to go after initiatory and there were no patrons, so I was released to go.

James took my phone today and got 9,000 steps for me at the temple. I know it sounds like I'm cheating but I probably took that many steps going up and down the stairs as many times as I did today.

It was 97 degrees when we left Snowflake and was 86 in Vernon.

We rested and snacked and then started our fast around 2:30. James went to the dump and worked on the railings this afternoon.

It is surprising how tired I am after a shift at the temple. The Spirit really is draining. I worked on my books for awhile this afternoon. I have now sold 215 books. My account balance is $2,270.81 which is the amount of money Amazon owes me. My total sales number is $7,637.02. I was hoping to get to $10,000 by the end of August but didn't quite make it. I'm am still pretty happy about where I am.

James said he heard an elk bugle this evening and also heard another one answer. I guess it's that time of year again.

I finished walking to get 15,000 and then James and I sat down and watched the new Hallmark movie, "My One and Only" starring Paschal Hutton and Sam Paige. Paschal play Rosemary on "When Calls the Heart" and I kept thinking she should act like Rosemary, but I am pleasantly surprised when she doesn't. You would have to know Rosemary to understand. 

 Scarlett at another birthday party

Scarlett in her favorite shoes.

No more daily Charlie pictures since she turned 1,

just a couple of times a week.

Lola and Ivy

 Joe looks like he's feeling a little better 

after having his wisdom teeth removed.

Saturday, August 24th, 2019

Redlands, California

116th operating temple

Dedicated: 14 Sept 2003

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Glory of

Exodus 40:34

Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

Book of Mormon

Alma 56:1-17

New Testament "Be Perfectly Joined Together" 1 Cor. 1-7

1 Corinthians 7

General Conference

Come, Follow Me

President Russell M. Nelson

"The anguish of my heart is that many people whom I love, whom I admire, and whom I respect decline His invitation. They ignore the pleadings of Jesus Christ when He beckons, 'Come, follow me.'"

Today we worked in the temple. President and Sister Reidhead presided. After our preparation meeting President Reidhead spoke with both James and I, separately about continuing on as temple workers. It has been two years since we were called and that is the end of our first term. We both told him we would work as long as we were able and as long as they needed us.

James has his voice today. Yesterday he did not have a voice and was not sure he would be able to talk today. Our prayers were answered.

We had several own endowments and live sealings today. One of the live sealings was the Hall-Crandall wedding. President Hall and President Crandall are both counselors to President Williams in the Show Low stake presidency. President Hall's daughter married President Crandall's son. What a cute couple they were. They looked so young! When they came out of the temple, a big cheer went up outside.

I saw several people I knew today in the temple which is always fun. Brother and Sister Bowers, former temple workers, did 2 sessions. They brought a crab salad and ate lunch with our shift. James actually ate with them. Their salad was delicious and I told Janet she should bring it every time we are here.

After our shift was complete we got lunch at Arby's, meh, and then stopped in at the CVS in Taylor for some bandages. Sister Halcomb, Kerri's mom, fell and hurt both arms. Kerri is gone to Utah to get peaches and Catherine needs someone to help change her bandages. I told her James and I would stop by after the temple, which we did. 

 Catherine's skin is so thin, she
bruises very easily.

 Never fear, Dr. Jim is here.

Catherine calls this her sunflower tree.

After snacking on ice cream James and I both took naps. For some reason we are exhausted after working in the temple.

I read a little from my Aunt Dimity book and then spent and hour or so walking. James carries his phone in the temple, I don't so I'm always behind in my steps. While walking I watched "Pioneer Woman," and "Supermarket Stakeout." James worked on his Primary lesson.

This evening we watched the new Hallmark summer movie starring Autumn Reeser and Brennan Elliott.

 The birthday card we sent Charlie

 She got a new book with the money
we sent.

 I would buy one in a minute if they 
would stay small.

The Ellsworth-Harding family

Alyssa and Joshua

 Alyssa
Last month hiking in Canada, this
month a beautiful bride

Hatch family

This Campbell sisters were baptized today.

Marie and Jasmine. Bishop Miller and Brother Applegate 

did the honors. Lucretia, the great grandmother gave the

talk on the Holy Ghost.

Another wedding

James's former counselor and friend,
Brother Chubbs

August 19, 2016

Happy 68th Birthday to me!

Sheri, Ian, Alex, and Ben arrived home last night around midnight.  We stayed until they arrived and then we went to Cathi and Terry's 

to sleep.  As I was reading to James he was lying on the bed.  Lady came in for a visit and of course she had to be on the bed too.

This is the scripture that kept me from going into

a deep depression when I first came down with

rheumatoid arthritis and was bedridden.

I love all things purple:

This would make a nice gift

I love my grandchildren!

Here are just a couple.

Hammock at the cabin

Rowan looks a little more secure than Ruby

I love good food!

James took me to Olive Garden for lunch

and this is my favorite dish at the OG,

chicken scampi.

I love my family!

Here are some more pictures from Havasupai:

Trina taking the plunge

Great picture of Ian

Ben

Ian with his Indiana Jones hat

Today was a great day.  I got lots of birthday wishes on Facebook, around 85.  Sheri,  and Kim gave me cards and so did Lois and Dawn.  I got a call from Jared and birthday wishes from Darrel and Trina.  James really made my day special.  He left his truck so he could ride home to Vernon with me.  When we arrived we watched a Hallmark movie, "Summer in the City."  It was a great day even if I did turn 68.  Addy texted me and wished me a Happy Birthday and so did Alex and Adam.  Max and Evan gave me birthday hugs.