Monday, July 13th, 2020

Perth, Australia

106th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 May 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Lamb of God

DC 76:21

And saw the holy angels, and them who are sanctified before his throne, worshiping God, and the Lamb, who worship him forever and ever.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Alma 32; "Book of Mormon Central"

April General Conference

"A Good Foundation Against the Time to Come"

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

As I contemplate the next four years of the life of this beautiful, noble, exalted, and awe-inspiring Salt Lake Temple, I envision it more as a time of renewal rather than a time of closure. In a similar way, we might ask ourselves, "How could this extensive renewal of the Salt Lake Temple inspire us to undergo our own spiritual renewal, reconstruction, rebirth, revitalization, or restoration?"

 The first thing I did this morning was to work on my blog. I finished everything except downloading pictures when James told me he wanted to leave for town before 9:00 because he had "lots to do today." I  hear that phrase quite often. I got up and got ready to go. We left for town with my two boxes of books, and a load to take to Goodwill.  

After dropping off our donations at Goodwill, James always makes me take the donation slip to fill out, James dropped me off at Walmart. He went to Home Depot to get light bulbs and then across the street to Circle K to get gas and a car wash. I was finished with most of the shopping when James returned to Walmart. His assignment was to pick up my prescriptions and pick out a watermelon. He was so funny picking out the watermelon, thumping and holding his ear close. He made several choices before he finally decided on the "best watermelon in the bunch."

Walmart is refusing to take cash at most registers. I guess there is a coin shortage. I heard of a woman who only had cash and was not able to get her groceries. I think someone should have volunteered to put her purchases on their card and then taken her cash. What is the world coming to?

After finishing at the scan and go we headed for Taco Bell for some lunch. While I was eating my tacos James went to Harbor Freight to do an exchange. Next it was Tractor Supply for supplies for the fence. Finally we were on our way home. I looked at my watch as we left Show Low, 11:45. I told James we should have stopped at the post office on our way to town because now by the time we got back to Vernon it would be closed. He said it was okay he would come back and get the mail. I knew I would have books, which I did, seven of them.

I got some throw pillow for the couch upstairs. When I went to put them on the couch I made a quick run-thru of all the rooms. It's a good thing I did because there were more dead ants in Ian and Sheri's room. 

When things finally settled down I finished my blog post and was going to buy a few books. I need to buy 50 more books before the end of the month and in order for them to get to Amazon before textbook season, they need to be mailed this week or at the latest the beginning of next. 

I heard from Laura today. She got the book, "Grace Where You Are", that I sent to her for her birthday. Her birthday is Wednesday. She seemed excited to read it.

I checked to see how Summer was doing and Kacey said she was fine, just a little tired. I just figured she would get the virus because her boyfriend tested positive.

Sheri, Ian, Max, Evan, Joshua, Rowan, Ollie, and Ziggie arrived around 6 p.m. That had brought dinner with them, three pizzas and some breadsticks from Little Caesar's. So much stuff unloaded in the kitchen. Alex and Joe are coming up tomorrow so Sheri brought lots of food. I bet we still go to Walmart tomorrow though. 

James tried to get the boys to ride Luna but no one seemed interested. Sheri, the dogs, Ian and I went out to watch James ride. He was kind of "showing off" but running her and then stopping quickly. It's okay. I am just grateful that he loves to ride her.

We had scripture and prayer together, reading Alma 32. Sheri made sure of it.

 Idaho Falls Temple

From Book of Mormon Central

 I love how Max and Evan have their legs up and spread out and

Joshua is sandwiched in between them with his legs

straight out. They are all sitting together on the

broken chair. Maybe I should get an updated picture today.

Saturday, December 29th, 2018

Frankfurt, Germany

41st operating temple

Dedicated: 28-30 1987 Aug

By: Ezra Taft Benson

Jesus Christ, Death of

3 Nephi 6:20

And there began to be men inspired from heaven and sent forth, standing among the people in all the land, preaching and testifying boldly of the sins and iniquities of the people, and testifying unto them concerning the redemption which the Lord would make for his people, or in other words, the resurrection of Christ; and they did testify boldly of his death and sufferings.

Book of Mormon 
#1 - Moroni 9:1-19
#2 - Moroni 8-10
General Conference

Now Is The Time

Elder Jack N. Gerard

"Unless we take the time to reflect, we may not realize the impact of this fast-paced environment on our daily lives and the choices we make. We may find our lives consumed with bursts of information packaged in memes, videos, and glaring headlines. Although interesting and entertaining, most of these have little to do with our eternal progress, and yet they shape the way we view our mortal experience."

The sun is shining, the wind is blowing, and the frosting (snow) is falling off the trees. Michael ran four miles this morning. I'm so proud of Joshua for shoveling the snow off the front porch in preparation for the Trezise's coming today. 

James made biscuits and gravy for lunch. It was a little early because Stacy, who fasts most of the morning, was starving and she says this is her favorite meal. 

This afternoon Michael and I met Sheri at Maverick. Ian drove Max and Evan to the cabin in the van and Sheri, Michael and I went shopping at the Walmart in Taylor. I saw Brother Hatch, one of the temple recorders doing his shopping. 

Brrrr...It is sun shiny but windy and cold today. I got gas at the Circle K next to Walmart and was going to wash my windshield but the water was frozen. 

Things are getting a little crowded in our kitchen with Stacy and Sheri setting their food out on the counter and everyone sharing the frig and freezer. Luckily Sheri brought an ice chest and we put that in the garage. 

I cooked the other roast I bought in the crockpot and we had it for dinner with leftover mashed potatoes. It was delicious.

Stacy watched Galaxy Quest this evening and then Michael found the Maverick DVD and everyone watched that while Sheri and I were in the bedroom watching Christmas movies. Michael wanted to watch Ratouille. I realized I didn't have it so I ordered one...oops I accidentally ordered two. I guess I can give it to Michael for his birthday.

Michael and James made a blueberry, apple cobbler this evening. It was delicious!  We didn't have any 7-Up so they used red cream soda and it turned out pink.

 Michael staring at the pink with white

polka dots cobbler.

It's the taste that matters and it 

was delicious!

2018 pictures of Palmer, Autumn

and Scarlett

 I think Charlie might be looking

for her teeth.

She looks so cute in the dress Lois made her.

Of course, she looks cute in anything.

 Ready to play in the snow. Michael pulled

them around on our sled behind the Razr.

They had a blast, except the snow does fly

back in the face of whomever is riding.

Ian showing me his wireless ear phones.

He loves reading and listening to Brandon

Sanderson books on his Audible account.

 The Umphresses got hover boards for

Christmas

This happened a few days later.

Monday, November 19th, 2018

St. George, Utah,

1st operating temple

Dedicated: 6-8 Apr 1877

By: Daniel H. Wells

Jesus Christ, Davidic Descent of

Luke 3:23

And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli

Book of Mormon #1

Mormon 2:1-16

*What is the difference between sorrowing and sorrowing unto repentance? How can our sorrow help turn our hearts to the Lord?

- President Ezra Taft Benson explained the nature of godly sorrow so that we might understand the sorrow that leads to cleansing repentance: "Godly sorrow is a gift of the Spirit. It is a deep realization that our actions have offended our Father and our God. It is the sharp and keen awareness that our behavior caused the Savior, He who knew no sin, even the greatest of all, to endure agony and suffering. Our sins caused Him to bleed at every pore. This very real mental and spiritual anguish is what the scriptures refer to as having a 'broken heart and a contrite spirit' (DC 20:37). Such a spirit is the absolute prerequisite for true repentance." 

Book of Mormon #2

Alma 32-33

Old Testament

Daniel 9-10

General Conference

Becoming a Shepherd

Sister Bonnie Cordon

"Last April, President Nelson extended an invitation, like the Savior's to Peter, to feed our Father's sheep in a holier way through ministering. To effectively accept this invitation, we must develop a shepherd's heart and understand the needs of the Lord's sheep. How do we become the shepherd's the Lord needs us to become? As with all questions, we can look to our Savior, Jesus Christ - the Good Shepherd. The Savior's sheep were known and numbered, they were watched over, and they were gathered into the fold of God."

James and I are home alone after the morning rush for work, school, and the gym. James hangs around until around ten o'clock when he leaves for his appointment with his back surgeon, Dr. Crandall. Now I'm "home alone." I walk, study, pay the Amazon credit card, work on my last Wednesday blog post, email Ben, and have banana cream pie for breakfast. I end up throwing most of it away at Trina's earlier request. 

Lola and Trina get home before James gets back. While Trina is upstairs taking a shower Lola and I pay Llamanoes. Lola has her first dance concert tonight and we won't be here. I ask her if she could dance for me and she said, "No, not without my teacher."

Trina and Lola left for a lunch date with one of Trina's friends before James gets back. 

I re-pack the car to get all of my purchases in while James emails Ben. I emailed him earlier. 

We stopped at Fry's on the way out of town for a small turkey, a spiral cut ham, and some cranberry celebration. We also stopped at Jersey Mike's for our favorite subs.

James drives until Globe where I take over the wheel and drive until just before Show Low. 

After unloading the car and putting most everything away, I sat down to watch the "Dancing with the Stars" finale. I happened to be looking on Instagram and saw who won before I was finished watching. I was surprised to see it was Bobby Bones. He is the worst dancer of all of the four finalists but he has a lot of fans and is a great entertainer. Sharna Burgess is his partner and I'm glad for her because she has never won.

Brian and I were rooting for Evann & Keo to win,

Sheri and Kim wanted Milo & Witney, but Bobby

and Sharna took home the trophies.

Congratulations

 Charlie loves the tree lights

 And playing peek-a-boo with Tanner

This boy can run!

 Our fancy girl is taking a bow

Dancing is more fun with your cousins.

Admiring her trophy with grandpa Case

This came up and I couldn't resist posting.

When Adam was five years old and came down with diabetes, we had a haunted house in the basement in our home in Chander.  and

Ian was on the pool table inside a coffin. He

jumped up like this when the kids came by and the kids loved it!

One of my favorite family memories.

It was great to sleep in our own bed tonight!

Rowan's bed is very comfortable and

we appreciate him giving it up a few nights

for us.