Friday, November 24th, 2017

Manhattan, New York

119th operating temple

Dedicated: 13 June 2004

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Atonement through

John 6:51

I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

Book of Mormon

Mormon 5:13-6:5

What does it mean to you to be "in the hands of God?" (v.23)

Elder W. Craig Zwick of the Seventy explained some blessings suggested by being in God hands: "To be in the hands of God would suggest that we are not only under His watchful care but also that we are guarded and protected by His wondrous power. Throughout the scriptures, reference is made to the hand of the Lord. His divine assistance is evidenced over and over again. His powerful hands created worlds, and yet they were gentle enough to bless the little children... Every one of us needs to know that we can go on in the strength of the Lord. We can put our hand in His, and we will feel His sustaining presence lift us to heights unattainable alone. How do we learn to extend our hand and connect to the comfort provided by the Lord? Here are four keys: Learn, Listen, Seek the Spirit, Pray always. The Lord will supply sustenance and support if we are willing to open the door and receive His hand of divine assistance. Imagine the wounds in His hands. His weathered hands, His hands of torn flesh and physical sacrifice, giving our own hands greater power and direction. It is the wounded Christ who leads us through our moments of difficulty. it is He who bears us up when we need direction, or even more courage to continue. If we will keep the commandments of God and walk hand in hand with Him, we will go forward with faith, and never feel alone."

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 11:20-21

20 Behold, this is your work, to keep my commandments, yea, with all your might, mind and strength.

21 Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men. 

General Conference

The Trek Continues

Elder M. Russell Ballard

"I have a deep conviction that if we lose our ties to those who have gone before us, including our pioneer forefathers and mothers, we will lose a very precious treasure. Rising generations must have the same kind of faith that the early Saints had in the Lord Jesus Christ and His gospel."

The turkey was in the roaster oven by 8 a.m. I made another apple pie to take to the temple tomorrow.  Kim and Brian should get here around 1p.m.

I also made mashed potatoes, green beans, Stove Top stuffing, and gravy. Kim and Brian arrived around 12:30 and began making the pumpkin delight dessert. James was happy to see that they brought some Cranberry Celebration from Fry's. 

Our Thanksgiving feast was delicious. I should have taken a picture. James made the comment that this food was so much better than yesterday's. I said yes, but it wasn't made by the Indians. 

James worked on the patio. I went in to the bedroom to watch a Christmas movie and Kim and Brian settled in to watch TV in the family room. I watched "A Boyfriend for Christmas," and "Christmas at Cartwright's." Later in the evening we watched "A Bramble House Christmas" with Kim and Brian. 

Kim tried to help James with the lights on the tree, but several are still not working.

Evan broke his toe playing outside in the backyard. The sad thing is that Joshua and Rowan were going to spend the night, but they had to go home while he went to the doctors.

 The second toe

I was on a roll tonight!

Rondalee gets married

Brother Grapp and Emsley 

Brother Grapp is carrying a box of food to give away

My friend Hailey

Salt Lake is ready for Christmas

I love this picture

Boots, a scooter, a balloon, singing a song.

Perfect.

Sunday, May 28th, 2017

Orlando, Florida

46th operating temple

Dedicated: 9-11 October 1994 by:

Howard W. Hunter

Alma 7:14-27

*Read Alma 7:14-16 to see what we need to do to follow the path leading to the kingdom of God.  Make a list.

*Read Alma 7:22-24. Make a list of what we have to be and do in order to follow the path from mortality to the kingdom of God.

Moroni 9-10

9 Both the Nephites and the Lamanites are depraved and degenerate; They torture and murder each other; Mormon prays that grace and goodness may rest upon Moroni forever.

10 A testimony of the Book of Mormon comes by the power of the Holy Ghost; The gifts of the Spirit are dispensed to the faithful; Spiritual gifts always accompany faith; Moroni's words speak from the dust; Come unto Christ, be perfected in Him, and sanctify your souls. About A.D. 421.

DC 82: 1-12

1-4, Where much is given, much is required; 5-7, Darkness reigns in the world; 8-13, The Lord is bound when we do what He says;

What does it mean in these verses that "darkness reigneth"?

General Conference

How Does the Holy Ghost Help You?

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

"As you heed promptings from the Holy Ghost-impressions most often quiet and still-you may be removed, without ever knowing, from spiritual and temporal danger."

It was difficult but I got up this morning, worked on my lesson and made it to church.  Kim and Brian sat with us during sacrament meeting and attended James's Sunday School class.  Jace A. was the youth speaker in sacrament meeting.  He was pretty funny.  He likened sin to a spider and swatting it and getting rid of it because nobody likes spiders.  Nadine S. spoke on parenting and Bishop Miller finished up by talking about the Book of Mormon.  Our chapel was packed back into the cultural hall because this is a holiday weekend.  

I had seven extra kids in my class.  They were really good.  Colter wasn't here today.  They are in the valley visiting with Kaylynn who just had a baby boy.  His name is Branch.  

Cute little family, minus mom who is taking

the picture.

During sharing/singing time all of the teachers had teacher's council meeting.  I always enjoy the break.

After church James, Liana and I went to Lej's house to deliver his birthday present. As usual, his mother came to the door.  She took the gift and thanked us.  Someday maybe I will get to meet Lej.  I wouldn't know who he was if I saw him on the street.

When we got back to the cabin Brian had prepared a nice meal.  Bacon, sausage, and eggs with potatoes, etc.  It was nice to have something to eat when we got home and we didn't do anything!  We did clean up the kitchen afterwards before taking our naps.

Kim finished another puzzle today.  

So cute.

James went home teaching two times today.  First he went to the Peeler's and then came home while our home teacher's, Bishop Miller and Talon W. visited us.  They encouraged us to watch a Mormon Message video called "Lift", which we did.  As soon as they left James left for the Wilhelm's.  Brother Wilhelm told him not to prepare anything because the kids were doing something for him.  He came home with a paper for each child with their goals listed on it.  When he taught them last time he had told them to set goals.  It was so fun reading through everyone's goals.

Trenda got engaged today!

His name is Emery and he is a

returned missionary.

Fun Photos:

Engaged! What a great idea!

Mount Shasta

Kim's sunset

Lola cheering for Rowan at his

basketball game.

She is really in to it.

The Vernon chapel.

Vernon woodcutters.

Look at that load of wood!

Something smells funny in

this kitchen.

What a difference 4 years makes!

Saturday, March 18, 2017

Cordoba, Argentina

145th operating temple

Jacob 2:17-35

Jacob denounces the love of riches, pride, and unchastity - Men may seek riches to help their fellowmen - The Lord commands that no man among the Nephites may have more than one wife - The Lord delights in the chastity of women. About 544-421 B.C.

How is the love of money the root of all evil?

Alma 38-40

38 Shiblon was persecuted for righteousness' sake - Salvation is in Christ, who is the life and the light of the world - Bridle all your passions. About 74 B.C.

39 The commandments of Alma to his son Corianton. - Sexual sin is an abomination - Corianton's sins kept the Zoramites from receiving the word - Christ's redemption is retroactive in saving the faithful who preceded it.

40 Christ brings to pass the resurrection of all men - The righteous dead go to paradise and the wicked to outer darkness to await the day of their resurrection - All things will be restored to their proper and perfect frame in the Resurrection.

DC 43:13-23

8-14, The Saints are sanctified by acting in all holiness before the Lord; 15-22, Elders are sent forth to cry repentance and prepare men for the great day of the Lord; 

How am I preparing for the great day of the Lord?

General Conference

That He May Become Strong Also

President Henry B. Eyring

"All of us hope that more young men will have experiences like Wilford Woodruff, who as an Aaronic Priesthood holder taught the gospel of Jesus Christ with converting power.  I pray that we will rise to our call to lift others to prepare them for their glorious service."

James and I went to the 7:45 session at the Gilbert temple this morning.  I went through for Merinda Davis.  We took a selfie but it wasn't good, so here is a picture of the temple instead.

After the temple we made a Costco run for bread, walnuts, and chocolate chips.  We also stopped for lunch.  We a hotdogs and drinks for $3.00 total.

Deseret Book is next door so I ran in and got scriptures and journals for Jace and Jerom who are getting baptized this afternoon.

We went back to Cathi's and packed up.  We said goodbye to Cathi but Terry was gone shopping.  James had to meet the painter out at the Queen Creek job, something about a key.  Finally we are on our way home.  

Pine trees here we come!

We passed up Burger House and then waited in line at McDonald's for 10 minutes for an ice cream.  We finished our book, "The Seven Tipping Points that Changed the World" before Salt River.

These tree look beautiful lining the street in downtown Show Low.

"Popcorn popping on the apricot trees"

When we got home we unloaded the car and put things away and then it was time to get ready for Jace and Jerom's baptisms.

Jerom and Jace

Jace and Brother Wilhelm

Talon baptized Jerom

It is a happy day for these guys

Elder Watson and Elder Rich

taught Jerom

After the baptism we came home, at a little dinner, worked on our lessons and then went to bed.

Fun Photos:

FSO

Emmy's soccer team

Wyatt Earp and John McCain

Who wears the mustache better?

Friday, November 25, 2016

The Christmas season is officially here!

Mormon 6:6-22

Mormon asks his people why they rejected the open arms of Christ.  Mormon taught that their reunion with the Savior would have been joyful.  We too must prepare ourselves to stand before the Lord at the Judgment.  President James E. Faust explained: "We long for the ultimate blessing of the Atonement - to become one with Him, to be in His divine presence, to be called individually by name as He warmly welcomes us home with a radiant smile, beckoning us with open arms to be enfolded in His boundless love.  How gloriously sublime this experience will be if we can feel worthy enough to be in His presence.  The free gift of His great atoning sacrifice for each of us is the only way we can be exalted enough to stand before Him and see Him face to face.  The overwhelming message of the Atonement is the perfect love the Savior has for each of us.  It is a love full of mercy, patience, grace, equity, long-suffering and, above all, forgiving.  The evil influence of Satan would destroy any hope we have in overcoming our mistakes.  He would have us feel that we are lost and that there is no hope.  In contrast, Jesus reaches down to us to lift us up.  Through our repentance and the gift of the Atonement, we can prepare to be worthy to stand in His presence. (CR, October 2001).

GC:      "The Righteous Judge" by Elder Lynn G. Robbins

In His mortal life, Jesus Christ was a loving judge, uncommonly wise and patient.  He is known in the scriptures as "the righteous judge," and His counsel to us is to also "judge righteous judgment" and "to put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good and to judge righteously."

 I just couldn't resist.

There were over 20 cows in our yard today and James had to chase them away twice. After the second time he said: "I need a dog.  I guess the Dobson's just opened the gates and let them go."

We spent a relaxing day at home eating leftovers, and watching Christmas movies.  I am sorry to say that I ate a little too much.

Kim and Brian went on a Razr ride.  Kim was happy because they got to see snow and she got to feel the wind in her face.

James wrapped up in his polar bear blanket on the couch

watching "An Old-Fashioned Christmas."

He is such a romantic at heart.

I am grateful to James for keeping the fire going all day, and for building us such a beautiful home,  and for his desire to make constant improvements.

Sheri, Max, and Evan went over to visit at Darrel and Trina's today.

Lola was upstairs but when she saw Evan she yelled:

"Evan, come here, I need you!"

 Better than shopping on Black Friday!

Lola takes Sheri for a ride.

Some sad news in this entertainment world today.  Florence Henderson, the mother on the "Brady Bunch" TV show passed away today. She was 82 years old.

The last time I saw her was in September on "DWTS"

when she paid a surprise visit to Maureen McCormick, who played her daughter Marcia Brady on the "Brady Bunch."

This evening while we were watching Christmas movies, James, Kim and I, Brian went upstairs to watch the annual ASU vs. UofA

game.  Sad to say there won't be much celebrating in Tempe tonight unless it is by the Wildcat fans.  

Here are the movies we watched today: "An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving," "An Old Fashioned Christmas," "Christmas Homestead," and "Christmas List."

Some photos of guys that I love:

Grandson James two years ago on Thanksgiving.

Rusty and Jackson from our ward.

These are two of the kindest, thoughtful,

and polite boys you will ever meet.

Rusty is a return missionary and Jackson is a state

wrestling champ from last year as a junior.