Monday, October 14th, 2019

St. George, Utah

1st operating temple

Dedicated: 6-8 April 1877

By: Daniel H. Wells

Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd

DC 10:59

I am he who said - Other sheep have I which are not of this fold - unto my disciples, and many there were that understood me not.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 5:1-15

New Testament: Philippians 1-2: "I Can Do All Things Through Christ Which Strengtheneth Me"

General Conference

After the Trial of Our Faith

Elder Jorge M. Alvarado

"As we follow God's voice and His covenant path, He will strengthen us in our trials."

The following is from Emily Belle Freeman's book 

"Making It Through the Middle"

"Do not question too much, dear friend,

For the God who ordained the beginning

Can safely be trusted with the end,

As well as with all that lies between."

Did you know that the Lord Jesus Christ is mentioned by name over fifty times in the four chapters of Philippians.

James had an elk answer around 6:30 this morning so he went out "camera stalking" for about two hours.  Here are some of the photos he took:

 If you look closely he has an x on his nose.

 Looks like he's been in the mud.

I asked James what a satellite bull was. He said it's a bull that 

follows the herd bull and his herd, hoping the herd bull with 

share a cow or two with him.

As I was walking this morning I got a call from my brother Harold. He was out walking his dogs and was just checking to see how I was doing since we haven't seen each other for awhile. How thoughtful. We talked about the Show Low football team and how they have been riddled with injuries, including Quentin, Monte's youngest. They are down to their third string quarterback and Harold says he doesn't think they will make it to the playoffs for the first time in a long time. At the beginning of the year they were very hopeful that they would be one of the better teams in the league.

I don't think I got enough sleep last night because I was extremely tired this afternoon. I sold my Catmopolitan magazine and James went to the post office to mail it not realizing that it was Columbus day. Now I have another book to mail, "The Warded Man." I guess they will both have to go out tomorrow.

James went over to the Kostusiak's to help finish the ramp they are building for Dave's wheelchair. He saw Colin DeWitt there and Colin said he would help clean the temple Saturday night. Let the recruiting begin!

James went to town and got what he needed to fix the woodsplitter. He got some wood split before it broke again. I told him I didn't think he should leave it out in the elements. He needs to get a cover for it.

I bought two books this evening.

Brother Curtis and Sean Hunsaker came over this evening and gave James a blessing of health. He is having surgery in the morning for his hiatal hernia.

We watched "Crossword Mysteries" this evening starring Lacey Chabert and Brennan Elliott.

Cousin Randy update:

 Wendy Arnett's husband

Time flies so quickly!

 This drawing was done by Kelly Reynolds.

She was one of my young women.

 Go Charlie, go!

Thursday, May 2nd, 2019

Logan, Utah

2nd operating temple

Dedicated: 17-19 May 1884

By: John Taylor

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Romans 8:29

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 21:9-27

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

John 9

General Conference

Careful versus Casual

Becky Craven

"Fortunately for us, we are on a track, a covenant path we committed to when we were baptized as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Although we may encounter occasional obstacles along the way, this path will keep us moving toward our prized eternal destination if we stay firmly on it."

We sold a book called, "Damascus Countdown" today. It must have been one we got at the library.

The Halcomb's left for the valley this morning before we did. I got a text from Kerri about an accident at the Y that stopped traffic in both directions. We had planned on leaving at 8 because my appointment at Chandler Eyecare is at noon. We did leave at 8 and on our way to the Y Kerri told us that traffic was beginning to move. There were two trucks involved in the accident and four people were hurt. The helicopter from the hospital came in and picked someone up along with two ambulances. This is what the traffic looked like when we arrived on the scene.

I'm not sure why but there were several yellow

dump trucks at the scene.

This traffic slowed us down for awhile but I was still able to make it on time to my appointment. We even stopped at Burger House for burros. I got the Tony's Special breakfast burrito. It is delicious!

This is the first time I've been in the remodeled Chandler Eyecare office. Sheri, Shayna, and Nancy were all there. It seemed funny not seeing Dianne. Dr. Vanover did my exam and determined that I will be needing cataract surgery within the next year or so. Because of that, even though my prescription had changed a little, I decided not to get it filled because it will change again once I get the surgery. I was not charged for the exam and I believe that was because of Dr. Vanover. 

Sheri had a meeting during the lunch hour so we weren't able to go to lunch. James picked me up and we walked around the Chandler mall for awhile. He went to a meeting and left me there. I got something to eat at Wildflower and did some shopping at Macy's. 

James took me to my appointment at Dr. Shah's, the oral surgeon. I was early and they took me right back. I was only there for a total of 15 minutes. They took an x-ray and then Dr. Shah pounded on my implant and said, 'You are ready for a crown.' Now I have to call Dr. Douglas's office and make an appointment for a crown.

Back to the mall while James had another meeting. I would have gone to Kim's but she was at the doctor's. Something is wrong with her. Her triglycerides have shot up over 2200 in the last week. She feels terrible and the doctor can't seem to figure out what is wrong. She said pancreatitis but Kim doesn't have all the symptoms. 

James took me to Kim's while he had a 5:30 meeting with Dr. Memon at a restaurant. Kim and I watched a movie and were starting to watch another one when James returned. 

James and I were almost in an accident coming off the 24 freeway on to Ellsworth Rd. going to Darrel and Trina's. We were first in line and when the light turned green we made the turn and all of a sudden we heard metal on metal and a car spun out beside us, barely missing my side. We stopped to make sure everyone was okay. A car heading north on Ellsworth ran the red light and hit a car who hit another car who almost hit us. We were a little shaky when we got to Darrel and Trina's. 

I brought Rowan his new glasses from Chandler Eyecare and Ruby some frames to look at.

These are the frames that Ruby picked.

They are pink on the sides.

Juicy Couture.

And yes, that's Addy watching cartoons in the background. Rowan

says she loves "My Little Ponies." I asked here if that was true and she said: "I find them quite fascinating."

Lola went for a walk with us this evening. Her mom told her she could go twice around the green belt. She rode her scooter so we never had to wait for her.

I am very worried about Kim. Hopefully the doctor will be able to determine what is wrong. In the meantime she put her on a statin medicine which Kim isn't too happy about.

 They are putting in a new store at the Chandler mall

called the Crayola Experience.

 Harold putting on his "game face"for the

stake track meet in Mesa this weekend.

Now that's a cute baby face!

I love this photo. Stacy says it's her favorite.

 Stacy started working at Transforming Image

yesterday.

Thursday, March 28th, 2019

Oquirrh Mountain, Utah

130th operating temple

Dedicated: 21-23 Aug 2009

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

DC 93:14

And thus he was called the Son of God, because he received not of the fulness at the first.

Book of Mormon

Jacob 7:21-Enos 1:1-10

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matthew 15:1-20; Mark 7:1-23

"Fear Not to Do Good"

Henry B. Eyring 10/2017

General Conference

"Choose You This Day"

Elder Dale G. Renlund

As the Book of Mormon prophet Jacob said, I say with him:

"Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves - to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life. Wherefore, my beloved brethren (and sisters), reconcile yourselves to the will of God, and not to the will of the devil ...; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved."

So, choose faith in Christ; choose repentance; choose to be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost; choose to conscientiously prepare for and worthily partake of the sacrament; choose to make covenants in the temple; and choose to serve the living God and His children. Our choices determine who we are and who we will become. I conclude with the rest of Jacob's blessing: "Wherefore, may God raise you from ... everlasting death by the power of the Atonement, that ye may be received into the eternal kingdom of God."

James listened to and watched the Book Profits webinar while I got ready to go to town. It was Jim and Herman teaching again. 

Today was my Aunt Gene's, (dad's sister) 91st birthday. I went to visit her and stopped on the way to get yellow mums at Safeway. I chose yellow because I always think of the song, "You Are My Sunshine" when I think of Aunt Gene. 

When I first arrived at her house it was just she and I. She took me into the bedroom and gave me a picture of my grandma and grandpa from their 50th wedding anniversary. It was hanging on the wall in a frame and she gave me the frame also.

Arlee T. Maxwell and

Verdie Rea Robinson Maxwell

This is another picture that was hanging on the wall. Aunt Gene said this picture was taken when grandma and grandpa were first married.

Aunt Gene and I visited a little while when the doorbell rang. It was Harold and Dennis. I had invited them to come. Denise was at work and Vickie's allergies were bothering her. I am glad I invited my brothers. I don't see them too often and it's always nice to catch up. 

Dennis says he and Denise are going to Cleveland, Ohio in May to celebrate their anniversary at the Rock n' Roll and Football Halls of Fame. They love to travel and Dennis loves history of any kind. They will also be going to Texas at the end of May for Bettylea's high school graduation in Del Rio. I told them we were going to Texas also for two graduations.

Harold gave us an update on Monte. Right now he is not allowed to eat any food or drink anything He has a bag he carries around that supplies him with nutrients. On April 19th he is scheduled to have surgery at the Chandler hospital. We will be down on the 20th and 21st for Easter so hopefully we can go see him.

Aunt Gene is pretty independent for a 91 year old, kind of like James's mom. She just got back from a trip to Texas and Arkansas where she visited with her husband Clyde's family. She said she had attendants push her around the airport in her wheelchair and she gave a $5 to everyone that helped her. 

Aunt Gene has a great attitude. She says she focuses on what she can do, not on what she can't do.

We stayed an hour or so and then we said our goodbye's. I promised Aunt Gene I would be back soon to see her. 

I stopped at the post office and mailed a book we sold, "Visions of Glory." I went to the bank to deposit a check from Mario Chacon and then went on to Walmart to go grocery shopping. On the way home I stopped and filled my car with gas. 

James stayed home because he had some phone calls to make regarding work that was to be done today that Armando is handling. He went to town at 4:30 because that's when President Beeler said he could meet with him and sign his temple recommend. It is frustrating when we have to make two trips to town in the same day but I guess this time it couldn't be helped.

This evening we ordered books, I blogged, and walked while watching Hallmark movies. Maybe I am in a rut.

The ice hotel in this movie is amazing!

This girl loves books!

 Dallas, Texas temple

 Filmed in Bruges, Belgium

One of my favorites

Thursday, August 16th, 2018

Billings, Montana

66th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 Nov 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

Moses 1:33
And worlds without number have I created; and I also created them for mine own purpose; and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten.

Book of Mormon

Alma 51:13-21
*How can we refrain from pride, and be humbled?
-We can be humble and avoid pride by putting God first in our daily lives and decisions. Over time, through the Atonement, we can become stronger. "Beware of Pride" Ezra Taft Benson.

Psalms 26-32
26 David says that he has walked in integrity and obedience - He loves the Lord's house.
27 David says, The Lord is my light and my salvation - He desires to dwell in the house of the Lord forever - He counsels, Wait on the Lord and be of good courage.
28 David pleads with the Lord to hear his voice and grant his petitions - David prays, Save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance.
29 David counsels, Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness - David sets forth the wonder and power of the voice of the Lord.
30 David sings praises and gives thanks to the Lord - David pleads for mercy.
31 David trusts in the Lord and rejoices in His mercy - Speaking as the Messiah he says, Into Thine hand I commit my spirit - He counsels, O love the Lord, all ye His Saints, for the Lord preserves the faithful.
32 David says, Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputes not iniquity - David acknowledges his sin - He recommends that the righteous be glad in the Lord and rejoice.

General Conference

The Powers of the Priesthood

President Dallin H. Oaks
"To fulfill this divine charge, we must be faithful in 'magnifying' our priesthood callings and responsibilities, President Harold B. Lee explained what it means to magnify the priesthood: 'When one becomes a holder of the priesthood, he becomes an agent of the Lord. He should think of his calling as though he were on the Lord's errand. That is what it means to magnify the priesthood.'"

I read the "Living Christ" this morning and want to share the last sentence of testimony:

"We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles - that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son."

I made banana nut muffins this morning. James took three of them to work with him but no one else ate any so I put them in the freezer. 

Alex and his friends went into town to play frisbee golf on the Show Low Creek course where we walk. They also went shopping at Walmart. Before they left Sky asked me if we needed anything at the store. I said no but I was impressed with her thoughtfulness.

I made a green chili stew today but didn't use any of the "hot" green chilies. James said he missed them.

We got lots of lightning, thunder and rain today. That didn't stop the kids from driving the Razr up to Green's Peak. They weren't even muddy when they returned.  

I had to pay the business credit card today and James says we need over $2,000 to pay for the repairs on the tractor. Yikes! We are having a cash crisis. Hopefully he will get paid for work done at the Phoenician very soon!

Jean Howard wants James to make a tree slab countertop, like the one she has in her bathroom at home, for the bunkhouse.

I like the sink and the faucet too. James found a 4 foot wide alligator juniper tree on our property if we could only find a saw big enough to cut the slab.

After leaving the Howard's James and I drove into town to get the oil changed in Lexy. Instead of going to Walmart where it takes anywhere from 1-3 hours we stopped at Jiffy Lube. We were in and out in 30 minutes. They really are jiffy! We enjoyed the overcast skies and walked to McDonald's where I got an ice cream cone. We walked down by President Beeler's gorgeous home and saw Show Low Creek and the green pastures with horses and cows. 

The attendant at Jiffy Lube told James the filter on the ac filter needs to be changed. He cleaned out a bunch of debri that looked like stuff a rat had drug in to make a nest. Yikes! A rat was inside my car? The filter and fan for the ac is behind the glove compartment. 

This evening I entered my ministering district in the computer. There are four sisters who visit each other that we will have to change.

The kids fixed frozen pizza for dinner and James told them about Pete the crow. 

Blast from the past.

Can you find Sheri?

Storm near Tucson

Joshua's baptism

Our bishop, his son, and his dad, all 

members of our ward.

Such a cute couple