Wednesday, November 8th, 2017

Montevideo, Uruguay

103rd operating temple

Dedicated: 18 Mar 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Ascension of

1 Timothy 3:16

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 23:1-14

What value is there in searching the scriptures and the prophets?

Today I quote from 3 prophets because I couldn't choose one. The Prophet Joseph Smith: "Search the scriptures - search the revelations and ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, to manifest the truth unto you, and if you do it with an eye single to His glory, nothing doubting, He will answer you by the power of His Holy Spirit. You will then know for yourselves. You will not then be dependent on man for the knowledge of God; nor will there be any room for speculation. When men/women receive their instruction from Him that made them, they know how He will save them."

President Gordon B. Hinckley: "I am grateful for the emphasis on reading the scriptures. I hope that for you this will become something far more enjoyable than a duty; that rather, it will become a love affair with the word of God. I promise you that as you read, your minds will be enlightened and your spirits will be lifted. At first it may seem tedious, but that will change into a wondrous experience with thoughts and words of things divine."

President Henry B. Eyring: "The Holy Ghost will guide what we say if we study and ponder the scriptures every day. The words of the scriptures invite the Holy Spirit. With daily study of the scriptures we can count on this blessing. We treasure the word of God not only by studying them. We may be nourished more by pondering a few words, allowing the Holy Ghost to make them treasures to us, than by passing quickly and superficially over whole chapters of scripture."

Karen Lambson: "I love reading the scriptures!"

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 4:2

Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.

General Conference

Be Ye Therefore Perfect - Eventually

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"'Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in Him...,' Moroni pleads. 'Love God with all your might, mind, and strength, then...by His grace ye may be perfect in Christ.' Our only hope for true perfection is in receiving it as a gift from heaven - we cant earn it. Thus, the grace of Christ offers us not only salvation from sorrow and sin and death but also salvation from our own persistent self-criticism."

"Fear not, be of good cheer, your future is as bright as your faith"

-President Thomas S. Monson

It was overcast today but for the next 15 days there is zero moisture in sight.

As I was walking around the house this morning I looked out the window and saw a coyote standing out beyond our fenced yard. He just stood there looking around. I watched him for awhile and then I looked over at the storage building and there was a little cottontail jumping around. I immediately went outside and started yelling and waving my arms to scare the coyote away. He looked at me like I was really weird and then he trotted away. The bunny was saved by the granny.

James went to town today to pick up pavers. I thought for sure he would bring me a taco but I guess maneuvering a trailer around a small parking lot is just too hard. He said we could go to lunch in Springerville and get tacos, so I got ready. On the way we started a new book, "Once an Heiress" which is on my kindle app on my phone. 

We went to Booga Reds and I ordered a green chili Navajo taco. It was okay but I should have ordered a regular taco. While James was waiting to pay the bill, I started walking to Western Drug. He picked me up and we went inside together. This place has a crazy assortment of merchandise, hunting and camping gear, material, dry goods, etc.  I even found a camo tablecloth. We also stopped at Safeway to pick up some strawberries and stuff for salad.

As we approached the graveyard on the Vernon Road, a 4x4 deer was standing in the road. Just as I was about to take a picture he ran off and jumped the fence. 

James is a one man show outside with moving the pavers for the patio. He accomplishes great things. 

As I worked on my blog and did some other chores I watched several Christmas movies: "Love You Like Christmas", "The Mistletoe Promise," "All I Want for Christmas," "Farewell Mr. Kringle," "Second Chance Christmas."

I read from the introduction of "Rescuing Wayward Children" and also got my 10,000 steps or more for the day.

Low hanging clouds hide the top of

Mt. Montoso

It's like the Springerville Superstore

James likes this sign better, maybe because

of the elk.

LaDonna Chapman from our 

early days in Chandler. Her daughter

married one of James's best friends from

high school and they work in the Snowflake temple.

I love this little pig!

Temple Open House

Love these old photos

"Lollipop"

Formerly known as Squaw Peak

Love these clouds!

James laying out the fire pit.

I saw this trailer on my walk through

Springerville today.

Sunday, February 5, 2017

St. George, Utah temple

2 Nephi 1:13-29

When have I been benefited by a priesthood blessing?

Omni and Words of Mormon

DC 19:25-41

How can we better seek after eternal blessings?

Talk:  "After Much Tribulation Come the Blessings"

By:  Adney Y. Komatsu

October 1978

GC: "Come, Follow Me By Practicing Chrstian Love and Service"

by Elder Robert D. Hales

"I promise you: the calling to be a parent includes the gift to teach in the ways that are right for you and for your children.

Some of our most impactful Christian service is given by holding family scripture study, family prayer, and family council meetings.

Let us remember, the most important work we do in our families

is through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Let us remember that our children and grandchildren measure our love by how much devoted time we give them.

Above all, don't lose patience and don't give up!"

Brother Thompson conducted sacrament meeting today.  He read a letter from our stake presidency thanking us for fasting for moisture in January.  Since that fast we have had five major storms.  The letter said some people might call this a coincidence, but we know better.  I am grateful for the faith that comes through fasting and prayer.

I was up at 4 am to finish preparing my Primary lesson on Joseph Smith beginning to translate the gold plates.  The kids loved the paper I had where they had to translate a message that was supposedly written in reformed Egyptian.  Colter was gone today.  His family is at the monster truck rally in the valley.

Talena played a piano solo in sharing time.  She played a hymn and her piano teacher, who is a non-member, came to visit.  

Sister Skousen gave a sharing time about Noah's ark.  Each child was given a picture of an animal and there were two of each animal and everyone had to find their mate before getting on the ark.  I was a bluebird.  Did they have blue birds on the ark?  We sang my favorite Primary song today, "I'm Trying to be Like Jesus."

We got new home and visiting teaching assignments today.  James has the newly baptized member and two total inactives, one no one has ever seen.  Brother Westbrook is his new companion.  

I have a new companion, Sister Carroll, and a new person to visit, my dear friend Pam who I have not seen since October.

We broke our fast when we got home with grilled cheese sandwiches and chili.  We had a nap and then I made James some dark chocolate brownies.  I did my daily gospel study and then James and I watched a Hallmark movie, "All Things Valentine" and read from "Boys in the Boat."  It was a relaxing Sunday afternoon spent with my sweetheart.  

Most of the rest of the world watched The 51st Superbowl Game between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons.  It went into overtime and the Patriots ended up winning 34 to 28.

Fun Photos

Lola could definitely give the Gerber baby a

run for her money!

My only baby picture of myself.

Guster Concert, courtesy of Brian and Kim

How are they going to get down?

Sunday, January 29, 2017

1 Nephi 18:21-19:6
How does Nephi remind me of Christ? (Compare Mark 4:34-39)
2 Nephi 31-33
DC 17:1-9
When have you relied on the word of the Lord and felt that you have been protected from the adversary?
Talk: "Trust in the Lord"
By: Marion G. Hanks
April 1975
GC:  'God Shall Wipe Away All Tears' by Elder Evan A. Schmutz

"Many of us have pleaded with God to remove the cause of ur suffering, and when the relief we seek has not come, we have been tempted to think He is not listening.  I testify that, even in those moments, He hears our prayers, has a reason for allowing our

afflictions to continue, and will help us bear them."

Our garage door was frozen shut this morning when we went to open it.  "Superman" has to open it with his suit on.  Now the rubber guard is torn.  

The Applegates spoke in sacrament meeting today.  First they spoke together and then each of them spoke separately.  The topics: Home and visiting teaching.  

My lesson on Joseph Smith receiving the gold plates went quite well.  Jace, Lianna, Colter, and Curtis attended.  During the third hour the Primary president told the teachers they were excused to go to the bishopric adult meeting in the chapel.  Woohoo!

Bishop spoke for a few minutes and then Brother Wilhelm led the remainder of the meeting.  Here are a few notes I took:

Bishop - Take the Book of Mormon challenge seriously.  Blessings will come, your life will be changed.  Your ability to serve will be elevated.  Stretch yourself and put God first.  How sincere are your prayers?

Brother Wilhelm - The importance of Teacher Council Meetings.  How can we be better teachers?  The Savior's way of teaching came from who He was and the "power of the Spirit that He carried with Him" (Luke 4:14).  The key to teaching as the Savior taught is to live as the Savior lived.  How did He live?  The Savior was full of love.  Everything the Savior did was an expression of love.  The Savior sought and obeyed His Fathers will and taught His Father's doctrine.  The Savior was completely committed to His sacred mission - to bring God's children back to Him.  The Savior loved the scriptures and used them to teach and testify of His mission.  The Savior lived what He taught.  In every setting He was the perfect example.  He taught His followers to pray by praying with them.  He taught them how to live His gospel by the way He lived.  He was always teaching.  

Friends

Brother Bogle who passed away two years ago.

He is remembered for singing the song

"Stampede" around scout campfires.

The Kempton's, our dear friends from Chandler.

President Kempton was a mission president in the same

mission where Jared served while he was there.

For lunch today we had leftover meatloaf and potatoes.  Afterwards James went home teaching to the Wallace's.  I took a nap on the couch.  When James gets home I get up and he takes a nap in the bedroom.  

It is a little unusual to see deer in our yard.

I worked on my blog, and did my gospel study.  When James woke up we watched "Love Locks", a Hallmark movie and read from "Boys in the Boat" by the fire.  We went to bed around 11.

Jared and Kacey

Jared shared this on Facebook recently:

"Three years ago I was at the lowest point that I've ever been in my life.  I was desperate and it felt like there was no escape in sight.  One week ago I married the most amazing person I've ever met.  She has taught me about life and love and what's most important.  There were many days and weeks and years of pain and heartache.  With those days came much prayer and fasting.  I've learned that the Lord lifts us up and comforts us through our trials.  He teaches us.  He leads us, and when we turn our will over to Him then He blesses us.  No prayer goes unheard.  No heartache is given without an opportunity to learn and grow and for Him to lift and carry and comfort.  He has blessed me with the most amazing woman and a wonderful blended family that I love and adore.  I'm grateful for her and I'm grateful for Him.  I'm just grateful."

Kacey shared on Facebook:

"Exactly a week ago, I stood in a Holy temple and committed myself in marriage for eternity.  Literally the best day of my life.  

Today, a week later, I sat in a church for my grandmother's funeral.

Two very different weekends.  However, as I stood at my grandmothers casket and looked at her, so beautiful and peaceful, I was overwhelmed with a very strong sense of the eternal nature of families, very similar to what I had felt just a week prior as Jared and I were married and two families merged.  As I stood and looked at my paternal grandmother, I felt her presence, as well as the presence of my maternal grandmother.  In this moment I became so much more aware of the beauty of God's plan for families.  I felt no divisions of mom's side or dad's side or Mormon or Baptist...I felt unity.  Unity in my grandmothers. l Unity in family.  Whether in the happiest time of marriage or the saddest time of death, it all ties back to the same place.  Family.  Forever.

I love and appreciate these two so much and we are so grateful to have Kacey and her children as part of our family.

Monday, July 11, 2016

Alma 31:1-23

1 - Alma's heart sickens when he hears of the perversions of the Zoramites.

2 - It caused Alma sorrow to hear of iniquity among his people.

3 - The Zoramites live in Antionum.

4 - The Nephites feared the Zoramites would enter into a correspondence with the Lamanites.

5 - Preaching has a more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword.  Alma wants to try the virtue of the word of God.

6 - He took Ammon, Aaron, Omner, Amulek, Zeezrom, Shiblon and Corianton with him.  He left Himni and Helaman in Zarahemla.

8 - The Zoramites were dissenters from the Nephites so they had heard the gospel.

9 - They had fallen into great errors.  They would not keep the commandments of God.

10 - They would not pray daily.

11 - They did pervert the ways of the Lord.

12 - The Zoramites built synagogues and had a strange way of worshipping.

13 - A stand to admit one person.

14 - Cry with a loud voice saying:

15 - Holy God we believe that thou art a Spirit.

16 - We are separated from our brethren and we don't believe their foolish traditions.  Thou hast elected us to be thy holy children.  There shall be no Christ.

17 - Thou hast elected us to be saved while others are destroyed.  We are not bound down to Christ.

18 - We thank thee that we are a chosen and holy people.

19 - Alma and his brethren are astonished beyond measure at these prayers.  

20 - Every man went forth and offered the same prayer.

21 - The places was called Rameumpton being interpreted is holy stand.

23 - After offering up thanks they returned to their homes never speaking of God until the next week.

GC: "Whoso Receiveth Them, Receiveth Me" Elder Neil L. Andersen.

I cleaned upstairs this morning and worked outside in the garage.  The garage is looking better but we still have alot of stuff to put away.  I am mainly sweeping and putting things in piles to be put away.  Oh yes, I held a board so James could run it through the power saw.  Sometimes you don't have to have any skill to help.

James had a doctor's appointment with Dr. Moffat today to get a referral for a new C-pap machine.  He ask me if I would go with him and I said yes.  I made some menus for the week and got my shopping list prepared so i could count this as my weekly shopping. When you don't buy meat your grocery bill is so much less.

We got food at Panda.  I had the steamed rice and veggies again and James had Pacific shrimp and veggies with no rice or noodles.  Both we yummy.

I mailed a birthday card and the CTR necklace I got Aurora for her baptism today.  I hope she gets it before next Monday.

I love this.

Wildlife report: One squirrel.  He was a "super" squirrel though.

James was in charge of FHE.  We listened to two Ensign articles.  The first was: "Like the Widow of Zarapeth: The Miracle of Fast Offerings."  Here are a few notes I took: Give for your own welfare.  Giving decreases selfishness and increases spirituality.

The last was called: "My Journey as a Pioneer from India."  This was a pretty amazing story.  This man's first contact with the church was President Spencer W. Kimball and they remained friends until President Kimball's death.

We were in bed by 9:00.

Darrel posted this picture of Rowan on Instagram:

The caption said: "Safety first at the pool."

This is a picture of Ruby and Max taken a couple of

years ago at Hamilton pool.

Monday, July 11, 2016

Alma 31:1-23

1 - Alma's heart sickens when he hears of the perversions of the Zoramites.

2 - It caused Alma sorrow to hear of iniquity among his people.

3 - The Zoramites live in Antionum.

4 - The Nephites feared the Zoramites would enter into a correspondence with the Lamanites.

5 - Preaching has a more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword.  Alma wants to try the virtue of the word of God.

6 - He took Ammon, Aaron, Omner, Amulek, Zeezrom, Shiblon and Corianton with him.  He left Himni and Helaman in Zarahemla.

8 - The Zoramites were dissenters from the Nephites so they had heard the gospel.

9 - They had fallen into great errors.  They would not keep the commandments of God.

10 - They would not pray daily.

11 - They did pervert the ways of the Lord.

12 - The Zoramites built synagogues and had a strange way of worshipping.

13 - A stand to admit one person.

14 - Cry with a loud voice saying:

15 - Holy God we believe that thou art a Spirit.

16 - We are separated from our brethren and we don't believe their foolish traditions.  Thou hast elected us to be thy holy children.  There shall be no Christ.

17 - Thou hast elected us to be saved while others are destroyed.  We are not bound down to Christ.

18 - We thank thee that we are a chosen and holy people.

19 - Alma and his brethren are astonished beyond measure at these prayers.  

20 - Every man went forth and offered the same prayer.

21 - The places was called Rameumpton being interpreted is holy stand.

23 - After offering up thanks they returned to their homes never speaking of God until the next week.

GC: "Whoso Receiveth Them, Receiveth Me" Elder Neil L. Andersen.

I cleaned upstairs this morning and worked outside in the garage.  The garage is looking better but we still have alot of stuff to put away.  I am mainly sweeping and putting things in piles to be put away.  Oh yes, I held a board so James could run it through the power saw.  Sometimes you don't have to have any skill to help.

James had a doctor's appointment with Dr. Moffat today to get a referral for a new C-pap machine.  He ask me if I would go with him and I said yes.  I made some menus for the week and got my shopping list prepared so i could count this as my weekly shopping. When you don't buy meat your grocery bill is so much less.

We got food at Panda.  I had the steamed rice and veggies again and James had Pacific shrimp and veggies with no rice or noodles.  Both we yummy.

I mailed a birthday card and the CTR necklace I got Aurora for her baptism today.  I hope she gets it before next Monday.

I love this.

Wildlife report: One squirrel and James saw 12 bunnies.

James was in charge of FHE.  We listened to two Ensign articles.  The first was: "Like the Widow of Zarapeth: The Miracle of Fast Offerings."  Here are a few notes I took: Give for your own welfare.  Giving decreases selfishness and increases spirituality.

The last was called: "My Journey as a Pioneer from India."  This was a pretty amazing story.  This man's first contact with the church was President Spencer W. Kimball and they remained friends until President Kimball's death.

We were in bed by 9:00.

Darrel posted this picture of Rowan on Instagram:

The caption said: "Safety first at the pool."

This is a picture of Ruby and Max taken a couple of

years ago at Hamilton pool.

Monday, January 25, 2016

Cathi gets ready to leave for California and we get ready to leave for home.  We wash all the sheets and towels and rugs before we leave and make sure the room and bathroom are clean.  We really do appreciate Cathi and Terry allowing us to stay with them.  They make us feel very welcome and we love their dogs.

We pack the vacuum and file cabinet into our car.  We have shakes, walnuts and bananas for breakfast.  James makes a Sonic run for Cathi and I before we leave.  

We stop at Bass Pro Shop and James spends $200 of his gift cards on various items.  I buy some sugar-cinnamon coated almonds while I am waiting for him.  

Is there really $200 worth of stuff in that bag?

By the time we got to Payson we were hungry so we stopped at Chili's for lunch.  I had a 6 oz. steak with a salad, cooked tomatoes, garlic and avocados.  It was delicious!  James has fish tacos but forgets to ask for corn tortillas.  

There is still lots of snow on the rim.

 We stopped at the bank and Show Low.  When we got to Vernon, Chuck was on Owen Peeler's tractor grading our road.  We do appreciate our good neighbor.  He stops to tell us that our garage door is open.  Oh dear...how many days have we been gone?

We put stuff away and I put the new bedspread on our bed.  I love it!

 This picture doesn't show how really purple it is.

This shows it a little better.

 We watched three movies tonight:

"Unleashing Mr. Darcy"

"The Apple Mortgage Cake"

(We loved this one!)

"Comeback Dad"

 

 

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

A favorite movie from the 80's.

Sheri's quote for the day:

Elder Holland said:

"However late you think you are, however many chances

you think you missed, however many mistakes you feel you

have made or talents you think you don't have, or 

however far from home and family and God you feel you have

traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the 

reach of divine love.""

I had scriptures and prayer with James before he left for the valley around 7 this morning.  

I pay some bills and get ready to go.  It's around noon when I leave.

 Goodbyes are never easy.

James told me to check the tire in Show Low but I didn't.  I got something to eat at McDonald's and got gas and my car washed.  Luckily the tire was fine.  I went the Payson way.  I enjoyed it so much more than the Globe way.  I don't care if it takes a little longer, it's worth it!

I stopped in Star Valley at the Circle K for a potty break and some snacks.  I got peanut M&M's and Junior Mints.  

I arrived in Chandler a little before 4pm.  

I unpacked my car and put in an order at Mimi's.  We are taking dinner to Lois and Dawn.  On the way to Tempe we dropped James's truck off at Erik's.  It's been heating up.  We are so grateful for Erik.  He saves us alot in car repairs!

We picked up the food at Mimi's and arrived at Lois' just as Dawn got home from work.  The four of us enjoyed a nice quiet dinner together.  I am a little disappointed because I forgot Dawn's Book of Mormon.  

Stacy and Paul finally found a place.  They don't sign the papers until next week though.  Next week is our final week to move everything out.  I am not looking forward to it.  I hate to move!

 

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

"Christlike love is the greatest need we have on this planet in part because righteousness was always supposed to accompany it.

Pure Christlike love flowing from true righteousness can change 

the world."

- Jeffrey R. Holland

When I opened the pantry this morning the mousetrap was turned over and I could see a tail sticking out.  We caught the mouse!  Thank goodness Darrel was here to stick in in a bag and throw him out.

 Darrel and I had ham and eggs for breakfast before he left for work.  He shared this picture with me before leaving.

She seems to like the bumbo seat.

Today on Facebook I was challenged by Sandra Wilhelm to share my favorite scripture.  Here is what I shared:

"I don't really have one favorite scripture because I have so many that I love.  One scripture that has meant a great deal to me lately is Moroni 10:32

'Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in Him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of 

all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is His grace sufficient for you, that by His grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.'

I have been pondering how I can feel the power of the Atonement in my life and what it means to be perfect in Christ.  This scripture helps to answer these questions.  I must repent of my sins and deny myself of all ungodliness and love God with all my might, mind, and strength.  If I will do these things along with partaking of the sacrament each week and keep the covenants I make there, I can feel the power of God, or the Atonement in my life.  Recently a dear friend gave me an article to read by Elder Gerrit W. Gong entitled: 'Becoming Perfect in Christ.'  Elder Gong says:

'Understanding the Savior's freely given atoning love can free us from self-imposed, incorrect, and unrealistic expectations of what perfection is.  Such understanding allows us to let go of fears that we are imperfect - fears that we make mistakes, fears that we are not good enough, fears that we are a failure compared to others, fears that we are not doing enough to merit His love.  The Savior's freely given atoning love helps us become more forgiving and less judgmental of others and of ourselves.  This love heals our relationships and gives us opportunities to love, understand, and serve as our Savior would.' "

Something else that was on Facebook today:

This is a picture of Roxy, Alex's chinchilla.

She lives in the Trezise basement so we don't get to see her to often.

I made cookies this afternoon to take to Mutual tonight.  Others brought cookies and we combined them to make up five plates to take to others.  We made plates for: The bishopric, Brother Mayfield, Alex Jones, Arizona Hill, and Denice Hall.

 Maddie, LeeAnn, Trenda, Kyah, and

Coty in the background.

Ruth Wilhelm and Jordyn.

Kyah, Shelly, Coty and Trenda.

Coty and Trenda

We had to sample the cookies to make sure they were okay.

When I got home from Mutual I made some chili for dinner and watched the finale of "So You Think You Can Dance."  Ricky and Valerie were the final two.  I wanted Valerie to win, but of course it was Ricky.