Monday, June 22nd, 2020

Villahermosa, Mexico

85th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 May 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Lamb of God

Alma 13:11

Therefore they were called after this holy order, and were sanctified, and their garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Alma 17 with James, Sunday Journal, study guide, and video of Ammon serving and teaching King Lamoni

April General Conference

"Let This House Be built unto My Name"

Elder David A. Bednar

Why was the return of Elijah important?

"We learn from latter-day revelation that Elijah held the sealing power of the Melchizedek Priesthood: and "was the last prophet to do so before the time of Jesus Christ."

The Prophet Joseph Smith explained: "The spirit, power, and calling of Elijah is, that ye have power to hold the key of the . . . fullness of the Melchizedek Priesthood . . ., and to . . . obtain . . . all the ordinances belonging to the kingdom of God, even unto the turning of the hearts of the fathers unto the children, and the hearts of the children unto the father, even those who are in heaven."

"Hear Him!"

President Russell M. Nelson

"What does it mean for you that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth?

It means that you and your family can be sealed together forever! It means that because you have been baptized by one who has authority from Jesus Christ and have been confirmed a member of His Church, you can enjoy the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. He will guide and protect you. It means you will never be left comfortless or without access to the power of God to help you. It means that priesthood power can bless you as you receive essential ordinances and make covenants with God and keep them. What an anchor to our souls are these truths, especially during these times when the tempest is raging."

"Witnesses of Christ"

Dallin H. Oaks

October 1990

O what a beautiful morning, O what a beautiful day. I've got a beautiful feeling, nothing is going my way. 

My day started out with a phone call from my friend Karen who lives in south Gilbert. She and her husband Lance rented an air b-n-b in Heber for this weekend. Right now because of the Bush Fire highway 87 through Payson is closed. If they come up they would have to come through Globe. She checked the air quality for Heber and it is in the red zone. Her question to me was, what is the air quality like in Vernon. Yesterday it was not good but when I looked outside this morning it wasn't bad. Of course we are about 60 miles east of Heber. As I looked towards Heber I could see smoke on the horizon. Karen, I think, wants to cancel but because it is an air b-n-b they won't get their money back. I told her to just keep checking the fire and the air quality before she makes her final decision. It's funny because she called me before 7 a.m. I guess she knows that I am an early riser.

James asked me this morning if we could pay the plumber via Zelle. I told him I was hesitant because the last time we tried he had given me the wrong phone number and nothing went through. I wasn't sure if we could edit the phone number. I got on to our Chase account and was able to edit the phone number but when I tried to send money it declined the transaction. I tried a second time and it still didn't go through. Instead it locked our Lambson Construction checking account. We were given a number to call. James talked to someone named Christian. When he told him what the problem was Christian said "One moment please, let me transfer you to the fraud department." That one moment turned into 45 minutes. Finally a lady from India came on and asked the same questions Christian had asked and several more, such as, what cars have you owned over the past several years. She asked him how long he had worked for Land Bob Construction. He said he had never worked for them which was the correct answer to this trick question. She left for about 15 minutes and came back. She said she would take the lock off the account. After James hung up I tried to get into the account but it was still locked. Long story short, I was on hold for one hour and James was on hold for another 30 minutes before we finally got the issue resolved. The last person he spoke to said, "Please don't ever try to send money via Zelle to this particular person again." We ended up having to send him a check in the mail. All of this lasted into the afternoon and put both James and I in a foul mood. Nap time and story time brought us back to our normal cheery selves.

I watched an episode of "The Chosen" on my phone app. Each episode is only 30 minutes long. I watched episode number 3, "Jesus Loves the Little Children". I loved it. It is my favorite so far!

James texted Tanna, someone we both minister to, about helping her fix up her house before her baby is born. She said the first thing she needed to do was build a pen for her dogs. When she leaves them outside they bother the neighbors and when she brings them inside they make a mess in the house. After the dog pens are up James will go over and see what she wants him to do. He spoke with the bishop about her and the bishop said that fixing up this house has been a 27 year project. If the ward was going to help the bishop needs some commitments from Tanna. I would say the first commitment should be that she and her boyfriend get married. First things first.

I got my mother's day gift from Jared today. It's a book that I am excited to read after I finish the one about the temple that I am reading right now.

James and Sheri both got letters from Ben. He is struggle a little right now because of some controversy regarding his companion. Ben is very protective of him. Ben also feels like the emphasis is on numbers instead of people in the mission. His testimony is intact and is loves teaching the gospel. He will be okay. 

Sheri also had an encouraging conversation with Alex about the 2nd Coming. There was a time when we felt like he didn't even believe in God but obviously that is not true. 

The cows James chased of  yesterday came back today and brought a friend. Somehow they were able to reach through the fence and were nibbling on the hay. They had already drank all of Luna's water. James jumped on Luna and drove them off. Luna kept trying to go in the opposite direction. She is clearly afraid of them. We should have named her "Whimpy."

As part of my gospel study this evening I watched the video in the lesson about Ammon teaching and serving King Lamoni. These videos certainly bring the Book of Mormon to life! When Nathan was here he told about how some students were allowed to wear their hair long because they were in the videos. 

I received the lamp I ordered from Overstock.com. James put it together. I love !

James was impressed with how 

well this lamp is made.

It was 11:00 before we went to bed. I waited for James and watched him put the lamp together.

 Don't understand this. Am I making money

on shipment fees?

 Lola looks like a little Addy in this

picture!

 I could make this!

Tuesday, June 9th, 2020

Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico

72nd operating temple

Dedicated: 27 Feb 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, King

Mosiah 2:19

And behold also, if I, whom ye call your king, who has spent his days in your service, and yet has been in the service of God, do merit any thanks from you, O how you ought to thank your heavenly King!

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Alma 9 with James; Study Guide; "Scripture Study Project" podcast

April General Conference

"Coming unto Christ - Living as Latter-day Saints"

Elder John A. McCune

"There will be times when we will not be able to see any way that a current situation will end well and might even express, as Nephi, 'My heart sorroweth because of my flesh.' There may be times that the only hope we have is in Jesus Christ. What a blessing to have that hope and trust in Him. Christ is the one who will always keep His promises. His rest is assured for all who come unto Him."

"Following Up"

M. Russell Ballard

April 2014

"Where Much is Given, Much is Required"

Boyd K. Packer

October 1974

"In the Strength of the Lord"

David A. Bednar

BYU Devotional

October 2001

It is amazing how we each are affected by so many people in our lives. James work up with a backache and then we found out that the basement leaked again. I was walking around the table near the entryway when I smelled something. I opened the downstairs and knew there was water down there. The sad thing is that James put in sand and plastic to stop the water from coming in from the planter. He is now of the opinion that one of the pipes down below the plastic is leaking. This is just one more thing to add to the number of burdens he is feeling right now. He says he will have to dig down at least four feet to get to the pipe. I told him we need to stop using that faucet and water the plants from the other front faucet. Of course he had to move furniture in order to get the carpet up. He will probably have to move out the bed because the water has gone so far. We need to put tile in the bedroom downstairs. 

I spoke to my friend Jean Howard today. James had heard from Anthony that she was not doing well. Jean is always very pleasant to talk to no matter how she feels or what she is going through. She said she had to go to the hospital this week because she felt like she couldn't breathe. She was told that her heart is failing and that she only has one functioning kidney. This is why she has been tired lately. She is supposed to stay home and take it easy but she said she is not one to do that. She said that Tom is going to town tomorrow and she plans on going with him. She also said I should come over and we should go to lunch in the next few days. I told her to please listen to the doctor and take it easy and I would call her on Thursday morning.

James is concerned about our neighbors Chuck and Kathy. Chuck has been having chest pains. He is having a procedure done on Thursday. Today he and Kathy took Dave K. down to the valley. Dave had surgery several months ago and got mersa while he was in the hospital. The incision in his chest pops open every time he gets up out of his chair. He is going down today to have the incision sewn up. James is worried about Chuck taking Dave down in the condition he is in. 

Camrie posted her engagement pictures today on Facebook. She wrote a long post about overcoming the trial she has been through. Her husband was unfaithful to her while she was carrying his child. She has spent the past two years struggling but through the struggle she is come closer to the Savior. She has studied the Atonement of Jesus Christ and forgiveness. I remember a talk she gave on these very topics and it was amazing. For someone so young she has become so wise. I love her and I am so happy she has found a righteous priesthood holder to love and cherish her and her three little ones.

Paul posted a picture today of his boys who still live at home, everyone except Dallin. They were all sitting around on the couch playing a video game. Jared Ammon was hardly recognizable with long hair and a beard. I looked at them and my heart was sad to think of what could have been with all of them. None of them are really active in the gospel except for Joshua. What will happen to him? Will he remain strong in the gospel and go on a mission? I don't know. Stacy's puzzle was on the table in front of the boys. I thought of her and how unhappy she is right now. She feels like a failure with her boys and the thing I am most concerned about is that she is not taking care of her spirit right now because she is so discouraged. 

So many people to care about. Most of all my family and the pain and sorrow they have to suffer. I know the Lord is with us because I see his hand in the details of our lives. So much suffering in the world right now with the Covid-19 virus and the rioting and protesting in our country. Without the knowledge that the Lord is in charge this present situation could seem impossible. I am so grateful for my Savior and look forward to His coming and the peace that will prevail at that time. I think of Alma and the things he went through to preach the gospel in Ammonihah. This life is not easy, but it will be worth it if we keep the commandments and become clean through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

I blogged, walked, worked on my business, and studied the gospel today. James and I watched episode 3, season 4 of "Lark Rise to Candeford." Only three more episodes left and then what will we watch?

 Trina posted this

I remember this night. Thank you family for

celebrating our anniversary with us at the temple

 There were two fires when we returned

from the valley. Those are under control.

Hopefully this one is nothing.

 Our lunch: Turkey bacon, turkey deli meat,

tomato, avocado, with a cream cheese spread

and cheddar cheese wrapped in a tortilla

all for Taco Tuesday

Jared Ammon, Michael, Joshua, Adam

Wednesday, May 27th, 2020

Spokane, Washington

59th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 Aug 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, King

Luke 23:38

And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"a

Alma 1; James, Sunday journal, study guide; "Sunday on Monday" 

Restoration

Chapter 17 Refuge in Illinois

Inklings

Beautify Soul; Restoration Proclamation

April General Conference

"Come and Belong"

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"My dear brothers and sisters, my dear friends, each week members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all around the globe worship our beloved Heavenly Father, the God and King of the universe, and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. We ponder the life and teachings of Jesus Christ - the only sinless soul who ever lived, the spotless Lamb of God. As often as we can, we partake of the sacrament in remembrance of His sacrifice and recognize that He is the center in our lives."

"Preserving Agency, Protecting Religious Freedom"

Elder Robert D. Hales

April 2015

I am truly happy and blessed.

I bought books this morning before leaving to pick up my friend Jean for lunch. Tom gave me a check for James when I arrived.  Jean and I drove to Native, Jean's favorite place to have lunch. They were open but many table had no chairs and there were only a few people inside having lunch. All of the waitresses had masks on. 

We both ordered the apple walnut chicken salad without the blue cheese crumbles. 

Jean and I had a nice visit. I told her about our anniversary next week and how we were going to our timeshare in Scottsdale. She said her anniversary was this Friday but she didn't think that Tom remembered because he hasn't said anything. 

Jean loves the ocean and would like to go to San Diego but Tom hates the ocean. Tom wants to go to Illinois this summer to see his mom but Jean does not want to go. Jean is not happy about selling their place here in Vernon but she knows Tom shouldn't be living up here. It is difficult for him to breathe. 

I am worried about my friends Tom and Jean. I asked Jean if she and Tom would like to study the "Come Follow Me" lessons with us since we are not attending church. She said she would like that and would talk with Tom.

We had lunch and I drove Jean home. She has a doctor's appointment at 2:30 and will be driving back into town with Tom.

When I got home James was cooking himself some lunch, he was frying some fish. I offered him my leftover salad but he didn't like it so he put it in the frig. I thought he would like it because of the walnuts but I guess the dressing was too sweet for him.

A package was delivered to our front door today. It was the part for James's truck only it was the wrong part. So frustrating!

I spent the rest of the day working on books, walking, studying, and watching "Lark Rise to Candleford." We started our new Aunt Dimity book, "Aunt Dimity and the Wishing Well." The leg was loose on my chair so I turned it upside down on the table. James asked why the chair was on the table and I told him there was a loose leg I would like him to tighten. I didn't expect that he would do this:

I was sitting at the table studying when

sparks started to fly. I asked why he was

doing that and he said, I'm cutting off the end

of the top screw so I can get to the bottom one.

He fixed the chair and then changed a lightbulb for me.

BFF's

Scarlett and Charlie

 Addy's room decorating

Wednesday, April 15th, 2020

Sao Paulo, Brazil

17th operating temple

Dedicated: 30 Oct-2 Nov 1978

By: Spencer W. Kimball

Jesus Christ, Judge

2 Nephi 6:10

And after they have hardened their hearts and stiffened their necks against the Holy One of Israel, behold, the judgments of the Holy One of Israel shall come upon them. And the day cometh that they shall be smitten and afflicted.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Mosiah 2:1-26; Book of Mormon study guide

April General Conference

"How the Priesthood Blesses Youth"

Lauody Ruth Kaouk

"Through the priesthood, we can be lifted. The priesthood brings light into our world."

"How the Priesthood Blesses Youth"

Enzo Serge Petelo

"We are given the opportunity to minister like angels, to preach the gospel on all the continents of the earth, and to help souls come unto Christ."

"For Him"

Joy D. Jones

October 2018

"On Measuring Flour and Forgiveness"

Madison U. Sowell

Chair of the BYU Department of French and Italian

October 22, 1996

BYU Devotional

It was a beautiful day here in Vernon, sunny and the high was around 60.   

James left for the Howard's around 9:30 and wasn't back until 1.

I took a carrot out this morning to feed Luna. When she saw me she whinnied. I think Whinny is going to be Luna's nickname.

Sheri said many of her co-workers got their government stimulus check. Since she didn't get hers  she went online to irs.gov and signed up for it. She told me I should do the same thing. I went on and had to wait for a few minutes. I kept getting the message, "status not available." James is going to talk to our accountant. Anthony says the stimulus money should come with our monthly social security money. That's not until next Wednesday. In the meantime I'm going to keep trying to get things going on the irs.gov site.

When James got home we went to town. James dropped me off at Walmart while he went to the UPS store to mail my books. James was supposed to go to Home Depot to get some lumber for the Howard's and to Circle K to get gas and watch the car. He was back at Walmart too soon to have done all that. I wondered why? He forgot his wallet.    

James really needed the lumber for the Howard's so we went back to Home Depot and he used my credit card. The boards fit in my car but barely. They came right up to the console and I had to move my drink. We also went across the street to Circle K and got gas and a carwash. 

On the way home I read from "Aunt Dimity and The Family Tree." It's getting good. During rest time back at home we watched, "Lark Rise to Candleford." 

James went for a horseback ride and also went to feed the Howard's horses again. I spent the afternoon getting books ready to send in to Amazon. 

This evening we had gospel study. We both studied from the Book of Mormon.

Harold and Vickie's Senior pictures

posted for their grandson Zach

Fixing a saw on the dining room table.

Creation of Chandler stake,

Martin and Suzanne Kempton, Boyd K. Packer,

Terry and Evans Farnsworth, and mystery guest