Saturday, March 31, 2018

San Jose, Costa Rica

87th operating temple

Dedicated: 4 June 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ Authority of

DC 49:5

Thus said the Lord; for I am God, and have sent mine Only Begotten Son into the world for the redemption of the world, and have decreed that he that receiveth him shall be saved, and he that receiveth him not shall be damned -

Book of Mormon

Omni 1:1-11

* Why is it important to keep records of your family?

* Why should we keep a journal?

Old Testament

Deuteronomy 29-31

29 The children of Israel make a covenant with the Lord under which they will be blessed if they are obedient, and cursed if they are disobedient - If they are disobedient, their land will be as brimstone and salt.

30 The scattered Israelites will be gathered from all nations when they remember the covenant - Moses places life or death, blessing or cursing, before the people.

31 Moses counsels Joshua and all Israel to be strong and of good courage - The law is to be read to all Israel every seven years - The children of Israel will follow false gods and corrupt themselves.

General Conference

The Voice of the Lord

Elder Neil L. Andersen

" There is a treasure chest of heavenly direction awaiting your discovery in the messages of general conference. The test for each of us is how we respond to what we hear, what we read, and what we feel."

I slept in until 7:19 a.m. I never woke up once last night which is unheard of for me. James was out taking a walk. I took a shower and washed my hair, sent out the BM and Easter texts and then got to work. I put the ham in the crockpot and started boiling potatoes. 

I made mashed potatoes, and scalloped potatoes, and a glaze for the ham although I think I overcooked it. I had intended to be finished by 11:00 so I could go by and see Aunt Gene but I ran out of time. 

Conference was on the television and I participated in the Solemn Assembly where we voted to sustain President Russell M. Nelson as the 17th prophet, seer, and revelator of the Church. It was awesome!

James and I arrived at Sheri's right at noon. Everyone was there except Darrel and Trina who were waiting for Trina's mom and dad to bring their kids home. 

This is the food we had: Stacy's chicken tenders made by Adam - they were way too hot. Ham, scalloped potatoes, mashed potatoes, Easter beans, Sheri's rolls, Kim and Brian's rice krispy treats, and a coconut cake, Lexy's macaroni and cheese made by Trina, and water to drink. 

These are the people who attended: Paul, Adam, Michael, Joshua, Kim, Brian, Ian, Sheri, Alex, Shayna, Ben, Max, Evan, Darrel, Trina, Addy, Rowan, Ruby, and Lola, James and I. We miss Jared's family. Wish they were here.

After lunch Shayna, Alex, and James went out in the backyard and hid the Easter eggs. Max, Addy, Rowan, Joshua, Evan, Ruby, and Lola looked for the eggs in 90 degree weather. I am melting!

Ollie, Shipley, and Vader joined in the fun. I did not have time or presence of mind to take pictures. Here are the two I took:

Separating the candy from the money

She prefers the candy.

Shayna, Alex, Ben

I texted Rita and told her why I didn't make it to Aunt Gene's party but I never heard back from her. 

When we got back to Darrel and Trina's it to awhile to wash the dishes and put all the food away. I am afraid that Trina and Darrel did most of the work. 

Two new apostles:

Elder Soares and Elder Gong

We missed most of the afternoon session of conference but here is how the morning session went:

Solemn Assembly - President Eyring

1."Precious Gifts from God - M. Russell Ballard

2. "Am I a Child of God"?

Brian K Taylor

3."Even as Christ Forgives You, So Also Do Ye"

Larry J. Echo Hawk

4. "The Heart of a Prophet"

Gary E. Stevenson

5. "Until Seventy Time Seven"

Lynn G. Robbins

6. "The Prophet of God"

Neil L. Andersen

Quotes from the morning session

Afternoon Session

7.  "Meek and Lowly of Heart:
David A. Bednar
8. "One More Day"
Taylor G. Godoy
9. "Young Women in the Work"
Bonnie L. Oscarson
10. "Saving Ordinances Will Bring 
Us Marvelous Light"
Taniela B Wakolo
11. "Teaching in the Home - a Joyful and
Sacred Responsibility"
Devin G. Durrant
12  "Family History and Temple Work:
Sealing and Healing"
Dale G. Renlund

Afternoon Session Quotes

Priesthood Session

13. "What Every Aaronic
Priesthood Holder Needs to
Understand"
Douglas D. Holmes
 14. "Introductory Remarks"
Russell M. Nelson
15. "The Elders Quorum
D. Todd Christofferson
16. "Behold! A Royal Army"
Ronald A. Rasband
17. "Inspired Ministering"
Henry B. Eyring
18. "The Powers of the Priesthood"
Dallin H. Oaks
19. "Ministering with the Power
and Authority of God"
Russell M. Nelson

Priesthood Session Quotes

All the high priest groups in the wards have been dissolved and
the high priests are now part of the elder's quorum.
Darrel sent this to us.

While James and Darrel were at the priesthood session of conference, Addy and I went shopping. I promised her I would take her to Dollar Tree to look for things to use for April Fool's jokes. She found a For Rent sign and a Garage Sale sign she is going to put on her house tomorrow morning with her mom's phone number on the For Rent sign.

Hobby Lobby was right next door to Dollar Tree. I told Addy I just couldn't be this close and not go in. Here are a few of the things I found:

I got this puzzle for Stacy

This was Addy's favorite.

I love both of these.

I just couldn't justify buying them right now.

A gigantic Easter egg with 

nesting eggs inside.

Cost too much even with the discount.

James watched conference at the church by Darrel and Trina's house. Addy went to meet him when it was over on her roller blades.

Darrel went to Trina's parents house. Afterwards Darrel, Trina's dad, and Bryce went out to eat at The Keg. James was invited but he opted not to go. He and I took Addy and Ruby to IHOP for dinner. Rowan wasn't here. He spent the day at Sheri's.

The four of us each got different flavored pancakes. James got harvest nut and grain, Addy got blueberry, Ruby chocolate chip, and I got just plain buttermilk with warm maple syrup, my favorite.

Talk about having cake for dinner!

This girl loves whipped cream and chocolate!

Almost done.

When we got back to Darrel and Trina's James and I walked around the block a couple of times. I came in after two and James kept walking. 

Saturday, January 20th, 2018

Sao Paulo, Brazil

17th operating temple

Dedicated: 30 Oct-2 Nov 1978

By: Spencer W. Kimball

Jesus Christ Atonement through

John 19:30

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Book of Mormon

1Nephi 15:1-18

*Has there ever been anything in my life that is 'hard to be understood' until I made sure to 'inquire of the Lord'?

*Why is it important to avoid the spirit of contention?

Old Testament

Genesis 48-49

48 Jacob tells of the appearance of God to him in Luz-He adopts Ephraim and Manasseh as his own children-Jacob blesses Joseph-He puts Ephraim before Manasseh-The seed of Ephraim will become a multitude of nations-The children of Israel will come again into the land of their fathers.

49 Jacob blesses his sons and their seed-Reuben, Simeon, and Levi are chastened-Judah will rule until Shiloh (Christ) comes-Joseph is a fruitful bough by a well-His branches (the Nephites and Lamanites) will run over the wall-The Shepherd and Stone of Israel (Christ) will bless Joseph temporally and spiritually-Jacob chooses to be buried with his fathers in Canaan-He yeilds up the ghost and is gathered to his people.

Old Testament Scripture Mastery

Proverbs 3:5-6

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

General Conference

Has the Day of Miracles Ceased

Elder Donald L. Hallstrom

"Elder David A. Bednar once asked a young man who had requested a priesthood blessing, 'If it is the will of our Heavenly Father that you are transferred by death in you youth to the spirit world to continue your ministry, do you have the faith to submit to His will and not be healed?'

Do we have the faith 'not to be healed' from our earthly afflictions so we might be healed eternally?"

It rained during the night and was cold and windy this morning. James and I left to go get breakfast at IHOP. I wanted to take some of the kids with us but I hated to wake them up because Saturday is really the only day they get to sleep in.

After a yummy breakfast of bacon, eggs, and buttermilk pancakes, we headed for Ruby's soccer game. Ruby was on the field and Lola and Darrel were waiting for us. Darrel even brought me a chair, as I asked him to!

Ruby's on the purple team! 

Lola is cold so we take her home.

The rest of the family went to a baptism while James, Lola and I went to Fry's to do some shopping for James's party.

It is raining here in the valley and snowing in Vernon. Our prayers are answered again.  

James leaves to go see Salvador and then Steve Allen who is in the hospital in Phoenix. 

Lola and I start to make spanish rice and Lois's enchiladas, James's request for his birthday dinner. 

The party was supposed to start at four o'clock this afternoon but Stacy had some technical difficulties and was a little late. We started out with a blessing on the food and then everyone enjoyed some favorite family recipes: Lois's enchiladas, Mary's refried beans as made by Paul, Dennis's spanish rice, Sheri's salsa with chips, Trina's salad, and James's punch as made by Darrel. Kim proved the birthday cake and candles. We had family favorite flavors of ice cream to go with the cake: Stacy asked for pistachio almond, Sheri-mint chocolate chip, Evan - vanilla, James - butter pecan, Addy and me - cookies and cream, and Rowan - Rocky Road. Bluebell was on sale at Fry's, 2/$8.

After we were finished eating we watched some old 8mm film converted to digital on Darrel's TV. The best was when James, Tom Meeks, and Terry were fishing in Mexico. James runs out into the ocean and comes back carrying a fish as big as he is that he caught with his bare hands. The kids loved it! There was also one of Gail spearing a fish in a creek with a knife and bringing it up out of the water. 

Next was the power point presentation with some of the photos, there were so many Stacy ran out of time to use the all. Also on the power point were quote about things each person has learned or appreciated about James. 

When we were finished with the power point, we each shared a memory and then we had cake and ice cream. 

I think everyone had a great time!  We did miss having Jared's family here.

Helping her mom fix the salad

Addy sweeping the floor before the big event.

The cake is afire!

Getting ready to blow.

There he blows!

Enjoying the show.

Grandpa telling Addy about Pete the Crow.

James and one of his girls.

I love these two!

Two more girls!

Those missing:

Thursday, January 19, 2017

The Petrified Forest

1 Nephi 14:9-30

What are the characteristics of the Church of the Lamb of God versus the church of the devil?

2 Nephi 9

DC 10:22-33

How can we prevent Satan from overpowering our testimony?

Talk: " Always Have His Spirit To Be With Us"

By: David A. Bednar

April 20006

GC: 'The Sacrament Can Help Us Become Holy' by Peter F. Meurs

" The sacrament prayers introduce the covenants with the phrase 'that they are willing' (Moroni 4:3).  This phrase has so much

potential power for us.  Are we willing to serve and participate?

Are we willing to change?  Are we willing to address

our weaknesses?  Are we willing to reach out and

bless others?  Are we willing to trust the Savior?"

James gets up early to go to work.  He is back by 8:30 so we can take the car to Discount to get the tires rotated and balanced.  Before we went to Discount we stopped by Sheri's to take back Ian's slippers that he left at the cabin.  I give Max a hug and James gives Sheri a hug. 

After dropping the car off we went to IHOP for breakfast.  I had an omlet, which I ended up giving to James, soggy hashbrowns, and pancakes.  

We just learned on Facebook today that our friend Brooklyn has juvenille diabetes.

 At least she still has a smile.

Practicing her shot giving skills on her bear.

Ready to go home.

We pick up my car from Discount and take James's truck to Erik's, and then get gas at Sam's Club.  We leave for El Paso around 11:30.

We stayed the night in Jared's house in El Paso and will

continue on to San Antonio tomorrow.  Jared flew out tonight so we didn't even get to see him.  He left us a roast dinner in the crockpot.

It was delicious and we felt like we were at home.

We finished our book, "Adam-Ondi-Ahman" and started a book by a friend of ours called, "Not A Word."

It was a relaxing evening.

Fun Photos

Joshua reading Calvin and Hobbs.

A family tradition.

One of our favorite Vernon families!

Curtis and Zemira are in my Primary class.

This picture of Anna was taken a year ago.

Joe doing what he loves best.