Saturday, October 7th, 2017

Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

71st operating temple

Dedicated: 26 Feb 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Appearances, Antemortal

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.

3 Nephi 1:1-14

*What does it mean to you to "lift up your head and be of good cheer?"

-"To not despair in spite of your circumstances Literally lift up your head, look to Him and His Atonement. Be optimistic and exercise faith and remember what President Hinckley: 'Things will work out.'"

Scripture Mastery

DC 19:16-19

16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;

17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;

18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit - and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink-

19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.

General Conference

The Plan and the Proclamation

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

"In a parable, Jesus described those who hear the word but become unfruitful when that word is choked by the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches. In His final teachings in mortality, He told His Apostles, 'If ye were of the world, the world would love His own: but because ye are not of the world, ... the world hateth you'(John 15:19). "

"Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy to God" (James 4:4).

I read my talk to James this morning and basically what it was, was a quote from every conference talk. He told me it was good at first but then he got confused because I changed subjects so often and it was hard to follow. Back to the drawing board, but first I have to finish cleaning upstairs because Sheri, Ian, and the boys are coming and will be here around 1.

I cleaned upstairs until noon, even polishing the wood floor. I took a shower and started to re-write my talk. The Trezise's and Joshua got here around 1:30. I will have to finish my talk later. Ollie is adorable and much smaller than I thought he would be. Sheri is definitely his mom and main caregiver. 

After unloading and taking Ollie potty, Sheri and I get in my car and go to Walmart. I picked up my alternate thyroid prescription ( Levothyroxin) and some groceries: 3 Halo ice creams, potatoes, Dayquil for James, corn, grapes, strawberries, and hot dog buns.

She got spaghetti and meatballs to make for the boys. I told her I was going to make her and Ian chicken enchiladas, which I did. they both loved them. 

There is definitely an Ollie obsession going on in the Trezise clan. Sheri went to bed at 8, after scriptures and prayers because she plans on getting up with Ollie at 3 am. The boys and Ian watch Ollie until they go to bed, then they take him and put him in his kennel.

I re-wrote my talk, hopefully for the last time. I was in bed by 11. This time I spoke about my experiences with last April's conference and how they affected me. It was more from the heart.

What an amazing family!

Grandpa Jared and Scarlett

I love this time of year.

Twinkie 'stashed minions

2014

Fond memories

Temple memories

I can identify

The day Addy faced her fears and went on 

Tower of Terror

2015

2015 the Trezise boys and their mom

helped Grandmother with yard work.

Sunday, March 26, 2017

Fort Collins, Colorado

153rd operating temple

Jacob 6:1-13

The Lord will recover Israel in the last days - The world will be burned with fire - Men must follow Christ to avoid the lake of fire and brimstone. About 544-421 B.C.

How is repentance a continuous process?  Why doesn't it end once you take the sacrament?

Alma 51

The king-men seek to change the law and set up a king - Pahoran and the freemen are supported by the voice of the people - Moroni compels the king-men to defend their country or be put to death - Amalickiah and the Lamanites capture many fortified cities - Teancum repels the Lamanite invasion and slays Amalickiah in his tent. About 67-66 B.C.

DC 45:60-75

60-62, The Prophet is instructed to begin the translation of the New Testament, through which important information will be made known; 63-75, The Saints are commanded to gather and build the New Jerusalem, to which people from all nations will come.

How can we make our homes a sanctuary for peace?

General Conference

"If Ye Had Known Me"

Elder David A. Bednar

"Serving Him requires all of our heart, might, mind and strength.  Consequently, selflessly serving others counteracts the self-centered and selfish tendencies of the natural man.  We grow to love those whom we serve.  And because serving others is serving God, we grow to love Him and our brothers and sisters more deeply.  Such love is a manifestation of the spiritual gift of charity, even the pure love of Christ."

From the women's session of General Conference

I forgot to post yesterday about James flying his drone.  He and Darrel went out in the back and it flew high and far.  Now he needs to learn how to use the camera so he can spy on the nearby wildlife.

Evan woke up sick to his stomach this morning.  Rowan said he was a little bit sick too, and Trina got no sleep because of Lola, so Trina stayed home from church with the two boys.

A couple of sickies

Today was our fast and testimony meeting.  I bore my testimony and said that all I ever needed to learn in life I learned in Primary. I know that Heavenly Father loves me, that the Savior died for my sins, that Joseph Smith is the prophet of the Restoration and that he translated the Book of Mormon.  I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God, that the Church is true, and that we have a prophet on the earth today, even Thomas S. Monson.  When I went back to my seat Ruby whispered to me, "good job."  What a sweetie!

Many of the testimonies were in regards to Ravenna Gillespie and what an influence she was here in Vernon.  

I love the statue of the Savior

My lesson in Primary today was about "The First Latter-day Missionaries"  I was impressed with the sacrifices these early missionaries made to preach the gospel and tried to impress upon the children in my class how important it is for us to make sacrifices to share the gospel.  The third hour we had teacher council meeting.  When I told my class I wouldn't be in sharing time because I was going to a meeting to help me be a better teacher.  Curtis and Lianna both said: "You are already a great teacher." That made me feel good and a little guilty because I actually ask Curtis to leave the class for awhile today because he would not stop making weird noises.

Flagstaff area

We broke our fast this afternoon and had leftover green chili pork stew, mini corndogs and pizza rolls that Darrel cooked.  Here are some things we did this afternoon:

These girls did a puzzle

Kayla, Addy, and Darrel played Tenzi's.

Trina wanted to play too but Lola insisted that she sit and

watch Toy Story 2 with her.

Addy and Grandpa "hung out"

The kids got their picture taken

Lola and I went outside and I blew bubbles while Lola chased them.  It was so much fun to here her giggle and laugh.

Evan ate crackers because of his upset stomach.  I made "brookies," chocolate chip cookies with brownie batter.  The were ok, but I think I like my regular chocolate chip cookies better.

Finally we had to say our goodbyes.

Love these people and I am so grateful 

they came to visit.

James went home teaching to the Peeler's today and we started our new book, "Witness in the Dark."  Ordinarily we wouldn't read on Sunday but we have to finish this one before Tuesday so James can return it to Cathi.  It is in modern time and takes place in Tooele, Utah.  It is about a girl who witnesses a murder and is thrown into a mine shaft.  A little mute girl saw it happen and takes care of her until she is found 7 days later.  It was a good book.

I got a call from the stake Relief Society President this evening. She would like me to speak at a stake women's conference on Saturday, April 22nd.  The topic is receiving personal revelation.  I am humbled that I would be ask to do this but now I have two talks to give this month plus three Primary lessons to prepare.  I better not waste any time getting started. 

Fun Photos:

Bishop Hall's son Kendall got 

married last night. Congratulations!

Drennan, Heather and their two girls came to 

Arizona to visit.  In this picture Heather looks like

Dianne and the little girl she is holding looks like her

as a child.

  I wrote Lola's name on a piece of paper in

sacrament meeting.  She copied it.

Genius.

Ruby's drawings during sacrament meeting

I love how she spelled grandpa.