Tuesday, July 14th, 2020

Columbia River, Washington

107th operating temple

Dedicated: 18 Nov 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Lamb of God

DC 76:39

For all the rest shall be brought forth by the resurrection of the dead, through the triumph and the glory of the Lamb, who was slain, who was in the bosom of the Father before the worlds were made.
Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"
Alma 32:27-43
April General Conference

"Hosanna and Hallelujah - The Living Jesus Christ: The Heart of Restoration and Easter"

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

"The sacred events between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday are the story of hosanna and hallelujah Hosanna is our plea for God to save. Hallelujah expresses our praise to the Lord for the hope of salvation and exaltation. In hosanna and hallelujah we recognize the living Jesus Christ as the heart of Easter and latter-day restoration.

"Seek Learning by Faith"

Elder David A. Bednar

February 3, 2006

Sheri ran this morning and when she returned we went shopping in Taylor. First we went to Walmart. You would have thought I would have finished my shopping yesterday but I guess I can always find something to buy. Sheri got gas at Circle K and we were going to go in and get a drink but their soda machine was broken. Sheri got me $20 with her debit card and I sent her $20 through Venmo to pay her back. I needed the money for Summer's birthday card. 

Since there was no soda fountain at Circle K Sheri got a drink and a burrito at Sonic and a bag of ice. I didn't get anything. Sheri is on the intermittent fasting plan. She only eats between 10 am and 7 pm. 

When we got back to the cabin it was time for lunch, then a nap, and then ordering more books. As I was checking my IPI score on Amazon, my inventory performance index, I noticed it said that I had 25 books that were stranded. These were different than the books I just got out from being stranded. As I got to looking I realized all of the stranded books were ones that I sent yesterday and they had not even arrived at Amazon yet. Here is the message I got back when I emailed Seller Support: 

Based on my investigation, I have confirmed that your shipment is still being shipped to our warehouse. Rest assured that there is nothing wrong with your shipment and your IPI score will not be affected by this. I would also like to inform you that any shipment sent in our fulfillment centers will take 21 days from the delivered/checked in date to be fully received and processed into your account. In addition to this, receiving of shipments nowadays will take longer than usual since there are too many shipments being received prior to your shipment due to the peak season.

I humbly ask you to wait for the shipment status to be closed or to be fully received to avoid any confusions in our warehouse team and any inventory discrepancies. This helps ensure that the products in your shipment have had sufficient time to reach the appropriate fulfillment center, including your products that need to be reshipped to other locations in order to be closer to customers. 

This letter had two more complete paragraphs but I was already lost so I didn't include those paragraphs here. When I checked my status this morning, my books were still listed under stranded. I think they will eventually remove them. Amazon must be a zoo right now.

I ended up buying 11 books today. Only 39 more to go. Now that it is taking Amazon longer to process books, I need to order all of my books by the end of the week. It will take a couple of weeks for them to get here and by the time I send them off and wait 21 days textbook season will be in full gear. Stress.

I forgot to mention that I listened to Kris and Kathy this morning before Sheri and I went shopping. I am always reminded of things I need to be doing when I listen to them. 

Joe and Alex arrived this afternoon. They were not hungry but they were both tired and went upstairs to take naps while Sheri and I fixed dinner. The reason they weren't hungry is because they stopped at Panda Express before coming to Vernon. 

This afternoon Sheri and I made pies. She made a homemade blueberry with the best crust ever. I made an Eagle Brand pie with Coolwhip on top. This pie is for James and Ian. I used the pecan crust and it w

Sheri cooked the steaks outside on the grill and I made the mashed potatoes. She put some asparagus on a cookie sheet, sprinkled it with olive oil and put it in the oven at 450 degrees. All of a sudden I turned around and smoke was rising out of the back of the oven. I looked in at the asparagus and it seemed fine. I tried to open the kitchen window but it was stuck. I called James to come in and he managed to get the window open.  That smoky cloud was with us the rest of the evening. Sheri had bought strip steaks which are much cheaper than the steaks I usually get at Costco but they were delicious. The asparagus and potatoes were good too along with the rolls Sheri brought.

For "Come Follow Me" we watched a video of Alma giving his speech to the poorer Zoramites. We also read Alma 33. James asked Joshua to give the family prayer.

When James went out to ride Luna Ian, Sheri, the dogs and I went outside too. The dogs constantly bark at Luna. James was chasing after some cows so when he took off he was running Luna. Ollie was not on his leash and got loose and started running after him. We think he was going to save James from the "big spotted dog."

Sheri was yelling for him to stop but he was running full speed ahead and I doubt if he heard her. I was worried he was going to go out in the trees and get lost. James was long gone. Thank goodness Joshua and Evan were outside and Evan had shoes on. He could run faster than Sheri in her flip flops and was able to catch little Ollie who has such short legs. Sheri spent the evening pulling burrs out of Ollie's hair. 

Max, Alex, Joe, and James played a game of Hearts. Max came and asked James to play. While they were playing I was walking and listening to talks. I managed to get my 12,500 steps.

Joe and Alex went for a walk while we were eating. The other boys went upstairs and discovered a bat. It flew into my office and they shut the door. That's where Alex is sleeping and they said they would tell him. He was not upset at all and neither was Joe. Alex just said, "okay, I will catch him."

When James went out to ride Luna Ian, Sheri, the dogs and I went out also. The dogs just constantly bark at Luna. When James rode off to chase some cows he was going at a high run. Ollie was not on his leash and he took off running after James and Luna. She went running after him yelling for him to come back but he was in the "zone" and was not about to stop running. Sheri was slow because she had flip flops on and the ground is rocky and the grass high. Luckily Evan and Joshua were outside and they took off at a high run for Ollie. Thank goodness Evan had shoes on and was able to catch him. I asked Sheri if she spanked him and she said, "No, but I yelled at him." Poor Ollie.

This evening Max came in and asked if he wanted to play Hearts. James can't turn down a chance to play Hearts. Hearts is a came for four people, Alex and Joe being the other two. While they played I walked around the table in the entry listening to conference talks. I managed to get my 12,500 steps. It was a good day filled with family, fun and food.

 I wonder where mom and dad are going to sleep

 Hearts is serious business around here

 Tyra Banks is the new MC for Dancing 

with the Stars. I'm going to miss Tom and Erin.

Thursday, May 21st, 2020

Monticello, Utah

53rd operating temple

Dedicated: 26 July 1998

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, King

Matthew 27:11

And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? and Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Mosiah 27:1-22 with James; Sunday journal, study guide, Sunday on Monday podcast

Family Group Study

"Love and Law" Dallin H. Oaks, October 2009

April General Conference

"A Perfect Brightness of Hope"

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"Speaking of Jesus, had we lived in those first years of the 19th century, we would have realized with great alarm that doubts about the reality of the Savior's life and Resurrection were beginning to take significant hold within Christendom. Therefore, we would have hoped for evidence to come to the whole world that would confirm the biblical witness that Jesus is the Christ, the literal Son of God, Alpha and Omega, and the only Savior this world will ever know. 

It would have been among our dearest hopes that other scriptural evidence be brought forward, something that could constitute another testament of Jesus Christ, enlarging and enhancing our knowledge of His miraculous birth, wondrous ministry, atoning sacrifice, and glorious Resurrection. Truly such a document would be "righteousness sent down out of heaven; and truth sent forth out of the earth."

"Full Conversion Brings Happiness"
Elder Richard G. Scott
April 2002

I am grateful for friends, family, and modern conveniences.

James started out this morning for Payson and then the valley in Tom Howard's truck. After less than an hour he called me and said the truck was not running right and could I pick him up at the Howard's in about 20 minutes. I said I could. 

When I got to the Howard's, James was not there yet. Tom was out in the yard so I spoke with him. I think he thought I was there to see Jean but it was only 7:30 in the morning. I told him I was there to pick up James because he was having problems with the truck. Tom told me to go in the house and visit with Jean but I was not dressed appropriately for a visit. I tried calling Jean but she didn't answer. She called me back later and we were going to go to Persnikkity's for lunch but Jean said she had a doctor's appointment. 

When James and I got home Alex was up sitting on the couch. He was anxious to go find the snake. He and James went outside and Alex carried the snake away in a bucket. He did not want to kill it. When he came back he found another snake. I wanted him to kill it but again he carried it off in a bucket. This picture says it all:

This picture makes my skin crawl

I was determined to get my 15,000 steps today. I walked almost all of the 15,000 in my bedroom while working on my blog and trying to buy books. I am concerned that I have been through three pages of books and have only found one to buy. Amazon is selling books cheap Prime keeping FBA sellers from making any profit. I'm not sure why. My balance right now is $796.30 but I am looking to the future and I am a little concerned.

James got Armando to pick up the fixtures in Payson and take them to the valley. He is still trying to decide when he needs to go down and meet with subcontractor's. I told him to hold off until next week because Darrel and Trina are coming tomorrow. Addy texted me and told me she could hardly wait. I said I felt the same way and for her to text me when they left. She said it would be in the morning and she would. 

James and Chuck had a meeting about the road. It is probably going to cost us $5,000 a piece by the time we finish grading it and get the cinders down. Everything is so expensive. We still have the Razr to fix too which will probably cost around $3,000 and a fence to build, another $3,000. Oh yes, we also have a horse to feed.

I made chili this afternoon using leftover taco meat and Bush beans. I added a can of tomato soup. James loved it. He spent time with the boys this evening. First they played Hearts. It was Max's first time and he actually ran them once. Alex won.

James also took them out to look for coyotes but they had no success. The last great even was going to Anthony's to look for planets through his telescope. No planets were out this evening but they did see a meteor. 

I worked on my budget and did some gospel studying but for some reason I did not feel well this evening. I ended up going to bed at 8:30.

 Next move: The DIY network with her

own show

 My friend Paula walks at Woodland Lake almost

everyday. I am dying to go there. They have

a walking path around the lake.

So true!

 Playing Hearts with G-pa

 "I want some food mama"

Thursday, December 27th, 2018

Buenes Aires, Argentina

39th operating temple

Dedicated: 17-18 Jan 1986

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Death of

Alma 22:14

And since man had fallen he could not merit anything of himself; but the sufferings and death of Christ atone for their sins, through faith and repentance, and so forth; and that he breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory, and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory; and Aaron did expound all these things unto the king.

Book of Mormon

#1- Moroni 7:35-48

#2 - Ether 15-Moroni 4

General Conference

Wilt Thou Be Made Whole?

Matthew L. Carpenter

 "Through His ministry, Christ taught that He had power over the physical body. We cannot control the timing of when Christ's healing of our physical ailments will occur. Healing occurs according to His will and wisdom. In the scriptures some suffered for decades; others, their entire mortal lives. Mortal infirmities can refine us and deepen our reliance upon God. But when we allow Christ to be involved, He will always strengthen us spiritually so we can have greater capacity to endure our burdens."

I blogged through December 19th today. I wonder if I will ever catch up. My problem is that my internet is so slow and it takes forever to download pictures.

Stacy is coming today so I had to do a little cleaning. I vacuumed our bedroom and the family room. I dusted and cleaned bathrooms upstairs and did some laundry. 

After cleaning, James and I went to town. We had lunch at Los Corrales because Maxine told me they had a lunch special for $6.95. I got a chicken enchilada plate with rice and beans, which is the lunch special. James splurged and got the Los Corrales enchilada and it looked like this:

Pork with bell peppers, onions, and sour cream sauce.

I tasted it and it was delicious!

We picked up a prescription for James at CVS and then did some shopping at Walmart. I bought squash, broccoli, asparagus, two roasts, steak, spinach, bread, pineapple, bananas, eggs, milk, cheerios, shakes, ice, diet Dr. Pepper, and toilet paper and paper towels. That ought to last us a couple of days.

When we got back to Vernon Stacy, Michael, Joshua, Shipley and Vader were there. I guess Paul decided not to come. It took me forever to carry in all of the groceries. Michael was carrying in wood with Joshua.

We have more snow. While it was snowing outside Stacy, Michael, James, and I played Hearts. James ran them at least twice and Michael ended up losing. 

For dinner Michael made us Gordon Ramsey steaks and Stacy made fingerling potatoes with parmesan cheese. I made some asparagus and squash. Everything was delicious. 

Stacy and the boys watched Harry Potter while I watched a Christmas movie in the bedroom. I also walked.

 Zoo Lights

 The Whalen family

 The Thompson family

 The dogs love Michael

They love Joshua too, especially when he

shares his apple with them.

Such a big girl!

 I love that smile!

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

I love this view

2 Nephi 2:11-21

What are some insights learned about the Plan of Salvation in this chapter?

Mosiah 2:18-3:13

DC:20:13-24

What can we do to help us give "no heed" to temptation?

Talk: "Shunning Temptation: A Key to Receiving Revelation"

By: Ian S. Arden

February 2004 Ensign

GC:"A Choice Seer Will I Raise Up" by Elder Craig C. Christensen

'Because Joseph was a prophet, we have the blessings and

ordinances of the temple that bind us to God, make us His people, and manifest to us "the power of godliness," making it possible one day to "see the face of God, even the Father, and live."

Because Joseph was a prophet, we know that marriage and family are an essential part of God's plan for our happiness.  We know that through temple ordinances and covenants, our cherished family relationships can endure eternally.'

GC: 'The Lord Jesus Christ Teaches Us to Pray' by Elder Juan A. Uceda

"Do you prepare yourself to make important decisions by praying to your Heavenly Father?  Do you prepare yourself for a moment of prayer?"

Seven Lessons Learned from the Savior:

1.  Satan is the source of temptation - 2 Nephi 2:27, Matthew 4:10

2.  The Savior immediately dismissed temptation.

3.  Jesus took strength from the scriptures as a means of shunning temptation.

4.  From the Joseph Smith Translation, we know that Jesus did not go into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil as portrayed in the King James version, for the righteous seek no temptation.  Rather,

"Jesus was led up of the Spirit, into the wilderness to be with God."

(JST. Matt 4:1)  When we are trying to lose weight, we stay away from the bakery.

5.  Satan tempts us at our weakest point.

6.  Obedience.

7.  Christ was tempted three times in quick succession.  Satan does not give up.

Aba, Nigeria temple

I had hot and sour soup and a sandwich for lunch.  I cleaned our bedroom and bathroom today which included changing the sheets, and washing towels and rugs.  

I blogged for January 18th and 19th. 

I made chicken rice soup and Red Lobster biscuits for dinner this evening.  I also paid bills, and emptied one storage box.  

The Church's Pathway Program has gone global and the President of BYU-Idaho, President Tanner is taking it over.  Henry J. Eyring is the new president of BYU-Idaho.  He has to be President Eyring's son because he looks just like him.  At one time President Eyring was president of Rick's College, which was renamed BYU-Idaho  

After FHE James and I watched a Hallmark movie called "Makeover."  We were in bed by 9.

Fun Photos

A familiar face when visiting Cathi and Terry's.

Such a cute picture!

Speaking of Cathi and Terry, here they are with the

amazing indexing group from Galveston 3rd ward,

one of the best in the entire Church.

Some more familiar faces when visiting at Cathi and Terry's.

Indy on the bed, Lady on the pillow.

Grandpa and Lola

Grandpa with the guys playing Hearts.

Grandpa wins this game 90% of the time.

Some of my young women at the Snowflake temple.

Sisters: Alice and Trenda and

Sisters: Shelly and Jordyn.

Glasses or no glasses, this girl is cute and sweet!

Beautiful!