Sunday, July 2nd, 2017

Sapporo, Japan

151st operating temple

Dedicated: 21 Aug 2016 by

Russell M. Nelson

Alma 26:1-16

*How is it a blessing to be an instrument in the hands of God?

DC 96:1-9

1, The Kirtland Stake of Zion is to be made strong; 2-5, The bishop is to divide the inheritances for the Saints; 6-9, John Johnson is to be a member of the united order.

How can we make our home (stake) strong?

*As I read these scriptures I saw such words as Order, Prayer, wisdom, and keep my commandments...

We have an obligation to "bring forth my word" (vs-4,5) for the purpose of subduing the hearts of the children of men for your good." Good homes produce good people, who in turn produce good works and bless the Church and its members. 

Doing things that invite the Spirit will help us do the most important work of all. We also must assist the Lord in bringing forth His word. (8)

General Conference

The Beauty of Holiness

Carol F. McConkie

"Our Father in Heaven knows us. He loves us, and He has provided for us all that is required so that we can become holy as He is holy. Our hope for holiness is centered in Christ, in His mercy and His grace. With faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, we may become clean, without spot, when we deny ourselves of ungodliness and sincerely repent. We are baptized by water for the remission of sins. Our souls are sanctified when we receive the Holy Ghost with open hearts. Weekly, we partake of the ordinance of the sacrament. In a spirit of repentance, wit sincere desires for righteousness, we covenant that we are willing to take upon us the name of Christ, remember Him, and keep His commandments so that we may always have His Spirit to be with us.

Over time, as we continually strive to become one with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, we become partakers of Their divine nature. Most often it is the sacrifices we make to keep our covenants that sanctify us and make us holy."

We thought maybe we had a bat because we had seen evidence upstairs. James found him laying on the family room floor this morning and took him outside. Emmy and Molly thought he was so cool and Emmy took this picture.

It creeps me out to think that this critter was flying around my house. Later today Kacey mentioned that she thought a bird

was flying around in their room last night. I told her I didn't think it was a bird but I didn't think it would bother her tonight.

Today was our fast and testimony meeting. James and I are fasting for rain. I bore my testimony and bore my testimony of modern-day apostles and prophets. I also mentioned adding studying about the Savior's life to my scripture study because of President Nelson's talk. I enjoyed Bishop Millers, Brother Price's, and Brother Westbrook's testimonies. We had so many guests today that sacrament meeting was filled to the back of the second overflow.  

I had fifteen kids in my tiny Primary classroom. Sister Kuffer asked me to teach her class and there were lots of visitors.

Ashten and Kacey ducking their heads.

Couldn't get them all in one picture.

Molly made a friend in Primary today. He was a visitor and is four years old.

I can't remember his name, but 

I bet Molly does.

Back at home we fixed breakfast for lunch. James helped me by cooking the eggs.  It was quite delicious. I even had some cinnamon rolls for everyone.

Family time around the dining room table.

After lunch I took a nap. After my nap I got a call from Nadine Singleton. Two of her grandchildren who were visitors in my class today finished their homework papers and earned fidget spinners. Caden took the fast camoflage one and his sister Raylynn took my personal favorite, the purple. 

For dinner this evening we had burgers, steaks, beans, and corn-on-the cob.  Afterwards Jared and Kacey took their kids to Greenspeak. Some rode in the van and others rode on the Razr.

 Guess where these five rode.

Such a cute face!

We had FHE and scriptures together this evening. James told the story of how he was saved from the fire as a baby. 

I made popcorn and M&M's.

Emmy, Kacey, and Jared played Life. Molly watched The Incredibles. Earlier in the day Anna and Summer watched "The Help."  It was a good day.

Photos:

Christina and her baby Winter.

Winter was blessed today.

Cute little family.

I remember those days.

Congratulations!

Sunday, April 10, 2016

I should have named my girls,
Faith, Hope, and Charity.

James and I left for Church in time to get there around 8:30.  I set up my classroom and he drew a tree on the chalkboard of his.  His lesson today is on the Allegory of the Olive Tree.  Mine is about the conversion of Alma the Younger.  

Alma the younger trying to convince the people that the Church

isn't true.  Sorry I didn't get a picture of James's tree.

I bore my testimony again this month.  I had not planned on it, but  I felt prompted to do so.  

Neither Zemira or Braylin were in class today.  Zemira was sick and Braylin must have been out of town because none of his family was here.  Kiley, a little girl who came a few weeks ago was here.  She is awesome.  I hope she starts coming every week.  Kasey was here and so was Curtis.  I found out that although Kasey is turning 10, she has never been baptized.  When we got home from church, James called, Sean Hunsaker, the ward mission leader to tell him.

Becky Skousen was back in Primary today.  She is the Primary president and has missed several weeks because of knee surgery.  Our pianist, Analee Hunsaker was here too.  She hurt her hand several weeks ago and we have really missed her.  

The Crane kids, four of them, were in Primary today.  They sold their house in Gilbert and bought a new one that won't close until almost the end of the month.  They have set up a trailer in the Crane's front yard.  Kathy looked a little tired today.  They have a granddaughter who has downs syndrome.  She was so cute when we were singing she would rock back and forth in her seat.  When the music stopped, she stopped.  We learned a new song today, "This Is My Beloved Son."  

We spent a nice quiet afternoon at home.  Today is sibling day and I enjoyed looking at everyone's posts with their siblings.  Here are a couple from our family.

 James with his brothers and sisters at his father's funeral.

 Dennis, me, and Harold.

James bought me the sweater and necklace for Christmas.

This was before we were married.

 One of my favorite family pictures, even

if I do have owl glasses

Sandra Wilhelm posted these pictures of her boys, Zemira and Curtis who are following in the footsteps of their older brothers.

Since they are both in my Primary class, I had to post these.

 Zemira got second.

Curtis got second too!

This afternoon I deleted all the pictures and contacts from my old phone because I gave it to LeeAnn.  When she came to get it she showed me where the sim card was and how to get it out.  I didn't have to delete anything!

 

This evening we did some studying by the fire that James built.  It was cool tonight and was supposed to rain but if it did it wasn't much.  After we were finished studying we watched our Hallmark movie.  This one is a new one.  Part of the Spring Fling group.

 Great movie about a 'manny' who becomes the 'daddy'.

 We wanted to watch the finale of "When Calls the Heart" but for some reason it did not tape!  Hopefully there will be a rerun so we can see it.

Sunday, August 2, 2015

Sunrise

Sunset

 

Today was our fast and testimony meeting.  We all sat together, Jared and his kids, Trina and her kids, and James and I. We took up one entire row.  I bore my testimony and told about our family reading the Book of Mormon.  I shared how I got a call from Emmy on Easter morning where she told me she had finished reading and shared her favorite scripture: 

3 Nephi 11:14

"Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands

into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of 

Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been

slain for the sins of the world."

I've said it before and I will say it again; this experience made my Easter!

 

The lesson in Primary today was on Jesus' suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane.  I had the following children in my class: Addy, Rowan, Emmy, Ashten, Kasey, Talena, Zemira, and Braylin.  During sharing time Bishop Miller came in and talked about miracles.  He ask the kids if they knew of any miracles.  Rowan raised his hand and said: "It was a miracle that Jesus suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane but he didn't die."  I had told my class that just like olives in an olive press the Savior was "pressed" but not "crushed."  I also told them that no one else could have suffered like he did without dying.  That makes it a miracle.

 

For lunch James grilled some chicken and I made corn.  We shared with whoever wanted to eat with us. 

James Hayden went on a Razr ride and when he returned Anna took Molly and Ruby.  They were gone a very long time and when they returned Ruby was covered with cactus quills.  It took some doing to get all of them out.   Ruby had a warm bath with the Strawberry Shortcake dolls and felt much better.  

We said goodbye to Jared and his kids with the hopes of seeing Jared again in September and he and his kids again around Thanksgiving.

James and I and Trina's kids were outside on the front porch while Trina was inside getting things ready to leave for home.  Lola was sitting on the porch with a stick when suddenly she lifted the stick towards James and said: "Here Gampa."  James and I both heard her and would swear that's what she said!

 Sweet Lola

After saying goodbye to Trina and her kids as they left for home, James and I went on a Razr ride.  It was a little chilly so when we returned we made some hot chocolate 

This evening we had scriptures and read from our book 

 

 

 



   

 



Sunday, January 12, 2014

We had prayer before James left for high council this morning at 5:15.  We are fasting for missionary work and reactivation of family members.  

There was a beautiful sunrise this morning a little after 7.  I really need a new camera that would caputure the colors a little better.

For part of my gospel study I read Elder Holland's conference talk on mental illness and depression.  I am so grateful for the Savior and how He helps people with ailments and gives them hope.

James made it back in time from high council to take me to church.  I wore my new black sweater and blue blouse.  I love them!  We had fast and testimony meeting today because last Sunday was Sadie Westbrook's farewell.  I bore my testimony.  I talked about how strong the youth are in our ward and said that I knew that Jesus Christ was the Only Begotten Son of the Father, that he atoned for our sins, and that someday we will be resurrected because of Him.  

When we got home from the block meetings we broke our fast with our burros from Burger House.  I kept my Sunday clothes on because Kilee Hunsaker is coming over to index and then we are going to the Book of Mormon scripture class.  

James went home teaching with Westin Hall to the Wilhelm's today.  He took them some grapefruit and oranges.  He said Trenda answered all the questions he asked and I told him that sounded about right, just like she does in Young Women's.  

Kilee went with us to the Book of Mormon class which is being taught by her dad.  When I helped her get a username and password for indexing her password was daddysgirl45.  Brother Hunsaker is such a nice man!

There was a good turn out to the class and James and I really enjoyed it.  The elders were there because this is part of the ward's effort to do missionary work.  After the class was over James set apart Stefani Hunsaker as the Stake Primary secretary.

This is what the sky looked like when we came out of the church around 5:30:

.Beautiful!

It was a very enjoyable sabbath day.  To top it off we watched "Ultimate Treehouse Masters."  Pete, the treehouse master, builds an adventure treehouse in the Pocana mountains of Pennsylvaion.  It was so awesome, I saved the show!

Facebook finds:

James says this was true of the raven he had, although he 

never held a grudge against James.

 I want to make these bubbles

when the grandkids are here next time.