Thursday, November 16th, 2017

Campinas, Brazil

111th operating temple

Dedicated: 17 May 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ's Atonement

Mosiah 14:6

All we, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquities of us all.

Book of Mormon

4 Nephi 1:1-22

What is the key to avoiding contention?

President Russell M. Nelson described the source of the great peace that was described in 4 Nephi: "Personal peace is reached when one, in humble submissiveness, truly loves God. Heed carefully this scripture: "There was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people" (4 Ne.1:15). Love of God should be our aim. It is the first commandment - the foundation of faith. As we develop love of God and Christ, love of family and neighbor will naturally follow. Then will we eagerly emulate Jesus. He healed. He comforted. He taught, 'Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God' (Matt. 5:9; 3 Ne. 12:9). Shun contention. Seek godliness. Be enlightened by eternal truth. Be like-minded with the Lord in love and united with Him in faith. Then shall 'the peace of God, which passeth all understanding' (Phillipians 4:7), be your, to bless you and your posterity through generations yet to come." 

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 6:37

Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Amen.

General Conference

Earning the Trust of the Lord and Your Family

Elder Richard J. Maynes

"Being a person of integrity simply means your intentions, as well as your actions, are pure and righteous in all aspects of your life, both in public and in private. With each decision we make, we either merit more of God's trust or diminish His trust. The principle is perhaps most clearly manifest in our divinely appointed responsibilities as parents." 

There were six bunnies outside on the grass this morning with their thick winter fur. The high today is going to be 68. 

James caught two more mice this morning. He is keeping track and says the is close to 100 for the year. 

I had 5,000 steps by 8:30 this morning. I have set a goal to break my record and get at least 17,000 steps for the day. I would have had this record by 8 a.m. but instead I read a chapter from "Once an Heiress" to James. 

James decides he needs to go to town and wants me to go too. I drop everything and go. He goes to Home Depot while I am at Walmart. My main focus was to get James some more shakes and some Christmas tags for my blanket packages. Jared called me while I was shopping in Walmart and we had a nice visit.

On the way home we stopped at Taco Bell. I got a taco salad which was quite tasty. I did not eat the shell which is where most of the calories are.

James put up the Christmas tree this evening as he promised he would. Three strings of lights are not working so we have that to deal with before we can decorate it. 

We sat down to watch our new season 3 of Heartland only to find out that all but four episodes were ones we had seen in season 2. What's going on?

I am so excited! I got 20,000 steps today the most ever!

Woohoo!

Love the Vernon skies!

Hard at work.

Congratulations to Jillie and her husband

Eloise Phoebe. They call her Ellie.

Grandma Cici with Cora and Graham.

Speaking of grandkids here are a couple 

of my cuties: Lola

Ruby

Ro, Evan, Josh 3 years ago

Gotta love those Russian architects

Cute kitty

Wednesday, November 15th, 2017

Monterrey, Mexico

110th operating temple

Dedicated: 28 April 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ's Atonement

Isaiah 53:6

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 29:1-30:2

Make a list of some of the Saviors characteristics you consider to be most important. 

Take a personal inventory of your own life with regard to these characteristics and formulate a plan to better fulfill His mandate to be "even as I am." (3 Nephi 27:27). ( See "Preach My Gospel" chapter 6, 'How Do I Develop Christlike Attributes,' p. 117).

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 6:34

Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.

General Conference

The Truth of all Things

Elder David F. Evans

" My mo knew that I needed to study and pray and that I needed to develop greater patience as I sought answers from the Lord. Willingness to be patient is part of our search for truth and part of the Lords pattern of revealing truth. President Monson: 'If you do not have a firm testimony of these things, do that which is necessary to obtain one. It is essential for you to have your own testimony in these difficult times, for the testimonies of others will carry you only so far.'"

It is 9 a.m. and James is already working outside. I don't think he will ever retire and if he does, he will never stop working.

At 10:30 James leaves for a meeting at the Torreon Golf Course in Show Low. This is a monthly networking meeting of businessmen in the White Mountain area. Usually Brother Applegate and Brother Howard would be there but James went anyway not knowing anyone. The group was started by our friend Brother Howard who is in the valley today. Brother Applegate, another friend, is taking his daughter to the MTC.

James returned around 2 p.m. and he brought me my favorite lunch, two tacos from Aliberto's. What a guy! He knows the way to my heart. 

Today I blogged, watched Christmas movies and walked. When I got tired I took a nap. What a life I have and it was all made possible because of my dear sweet husband.

My Christmas movies for the day: "What I Did for Love," "A Dream of Christmas," "December Bride," and "A Christmas to Remember."

Paul sent out a message on Facebook about Adam.

"Please pray for Adam, he has another severe infection at his catheter site. He is in the ER, they are likely going to open up his leg to clear the infection." 

Later this message was sent: "They excised Adam's wound and he is doing better. His pain has subsided and the infection seems to be reducing. Josh may have strep but he has a mild fever so we'll see how he is this morning and go from there. Thanks for your prayers."

I am thankful for social media because it allows us to keep in contact with those we love.

James took a nap this afternoon, did some work outside, and then came in to get ready for his High Priest Group leadership meeting at 6:30. He is a busy man this week. I paid tithing and updated our checkbooks. I also looked at an email sent by Paula Johnson. Here it is: Vernon residents: Apparently complaining does work! Mike Maher forwarded this email to me.

Good afternoon: FYI...

I wanted to update you that the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has placed a temporary air quality monitor in Vernon. This station monitors for PM2.5 (the smallest particles in the air). the date can be viewed online via this Web Link:
https://www.phoenixvis.net/PPMmain.aspx

(for data from the temporary Vernon monitor, click "Vernon" in the box on the bottom-left of the page.)

Thank you for your interest.

Sincerely,

Byron James

Community Liaison

Finally! Someone is noticing how bad the air quality has been with all of the prescribed burns they have been having.

Must move more!

My favorite photo with James

My sweet, hard-working husband

Gorgeous fall!

The Pope kids.

I love these boys and their parents!

We are having two Thanksgivings this year.

On Thanksgiving we are going to the buffet

at the Hondah casino. On Friday we will be

fixing Thanksgiving with Kim and Brian.

My second home and my favorite temple.

I love being here.

Monday, October 23rd, 2017

San Jose, Costa Rica

87th operating temple

Dedicated: 4 June 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Appearances, Postmortal

Luke 24:34

Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 11:18-41

*What does the Savior teach about baptism and contention? What do modern prophets say?

-There appears to have been some contention among the Nephites concerning the manner of baptism. The Lord clarified how the ordinance should be performed. President Boyd K. Packer explained the significance of baptism and cautioned that we should not alter this sacred ordinance: "Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins is the first ordinance. Baptism must be by immersion, for it is symbolic of both the coming forth from temporal death, from the grave, and the cleansing required for redemption from spiritual death. ...Under the plan, baptism is not just for entrance into the Church of Jesus Christ. It begins a spiritual rebirth that may eventually lead back into the presence of God. If we really understood what baptism signifies, we could never consider it trivial nor alter the form of this sacred ordinance. ...Through the sacrament we renew the covenant" (Our Fathers Plan, 39-40).

President Henry B. Eyring helps us understand that the Spirit of God will not lead people into contention: "Where people have that Spirit with them, we may expect harmony. The Spirit puts the testimony of truth in our hearts, which unifies those who share that testimony. The Spirit of God never generates contention (see 3 Nephi 11:29). It never generates the feelings of distinctions between people which lead to strife. It leads to personal peace and a feeling of union with others.(Ensign, May 1998, 67).

Doctrine Covenants Scripture Mastery

DC 130:20-21

20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated -

21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.

General Conference

The Trek Continues

Elder M. Russell Ballard

"By 1869, more than 70,000 Saints had made the trek to the Salt Lake Valley. Despite t heir many differences in language, culture, and nationality they shared a testimony of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and a desire to build Zion - a place of peace, happiness, and beauty in preparation for the Second Coming of the Savior."

God's Compelling Witness: The Book of Mormon

Tad R. Callister

"The Book of Mormon is not only the keystone of our religion, but it can also become the keystone of our testimonies so that when trials or unanswered questions confront us, it can hold our testimonies securely in place. This boo is the one weight on the scales of truth that exceeds the combined weight of all the critics arguments. Why Because if it is true, then Joseph Smith was a prophet and this is the restored Church of Jesus Christ, regardless of any historical or other arguments to the contrary. For this reason, the critics are intent on disproving the Book of Mormon, but the obstacles they face are insurmountable because the book is true."

I had a lunch date with Hailey, one of the sisters I visit teach today at 11 at Licano's. She texted me around 6:15 and said she couldn't make it. I ended up meeting her at the Dollar General parking lot around 8:40. I had to hurry to get the cake made and Taylor's candy bouquet put together. Hailey says they will probably be moving this week. I am going to miss this family.

 Taylor's bouquet

I made Hailey a chocolate bundt cake. It looked like a huge chocolate donut. She loved it and asked for the recipe.

I was so tired after meeting with Hailey I came home and took a short nap. Afterwards I made lunch for James who is pouring the next batch of concrete for the new patio. I made chicken breasts coated in Ritz cracker crumbs. It was quite tasty. I got the recipe from the Mormon Cookbook I have. I also made Rice-a-roni and green beans.

I got a visit from my visiting teacher Kaeli and her daughter Natalie. They gave me this:

Natalie told me there was candy inside, so I gave her 

a sucker.

Shelly, who leaves for her mission in less than a month called me today. We are going to the temple together on Friday. She got her own endowments last Friday and wants to go as many times as she can before she leaves on November 15th. 

Another one of my young women, Alice, who just turned 16 went down to Hatch and bought herself a car and paid cash for it. It is a 2012 Chrysler 200. Now that is impressive!

BTW: Alice is Trenda's younger sister.

Definitely over-achievers.

James working on the patio:

Such a hard worker!

He's a one man show!

Mixing it by hand.

I did not get much accomplished today. I'm not sure if it's because I didn't get a good night's sleep or because I am not getting enough thyroid. Still no Naturethroid. I am still on the Levothyroxin.

For F.H.E. we worked on our journals and listened to Brother Callister's talk on the Book of Mormon.

Today was Kyra Lambson's birthday. Her kids, etc. wrote notes to her in heaven and sent them up via helium balloons.

James went home teaching to the Peeler's with his partner Brother Westbrook today. The Westbrook's leave tomorrow for Idaho. Their daughter Sadie lives there and is expecting her first baby any day now. They will be gone for two weeks.

DWTS - Let's go to the movies. Lindsey and Mark danced an Argentine tango to a sci-fi theme. Mark is the perfect mad scientist. It was the best!

Baby javelina

castle

Los Angeles temple

Addy 2014

Rowan 2014

Ruby

2014

Ro's baptism 2014

Friday, November 18, 2016

Manitoba, Canada temple.

I think this is an artist's rendition.  I don't think this temple

is completed yet.

Mormon 1:1-19

What does it mean to willfully rebel against God and what are the consequences? (v.16)  While serving as a member of the Seventy, Elder Dean L. Larsen explained that rebellion against God has individual roots which, if not corrected, spread with devastating consequences: "Historically, the drifting away from the course of life marked out by the Lord has occurred as individuals begin to make compromises with the Lord's standard.  This is particularly true when the transgression is willful and no repentance occurs.  Remember Mormon's description of those who turned away from the true path in his day.  They did not sin in ignorance.  They willfully rebelled against God.  It did not occur as a universal movement.  It began as individual members of the Church knowingly began to make compromises with the Lord's standards.  They sought justification for their diversions in the knowledge that others were compromising as well.  Those who willfully sin soon seek to establish a standard of their own with which they can feel more comfortable and which justifies their misconduct.  They also seek the association of those who are willing to drift with them along the path of self-delusion.  As the number of drifting individuals increases, their influence becomes more powerful.  It might be described as 'the great and spacious building syndrome.' The drifting is the more dangerous when its adherents continue to overtly identify with and participate with the group that conforms to the Lord's way.  Values and standards that were once clear become clouded and uncertain.  Conduct that would once have caused alarm now becomes somewhat commonplace."

I remember years ago when Monte was going to school in Tucson and had become active in the Church.  We went down the Sunday when he was ordained an elder.  Afterwards I wanted to take everyone to lunch, justifying in my mind, that 'just this once it would be okay to go to a restaurant on the Sabbath.'  James refused and I will be forever grateful of his example of faith and obedience.  "Out of small things proceedeth that which is great."

GC:     'That He May Become Strong Also' by President Henry B. Eyring

" Now I have been some fifty four years a member of the Twelve Apostles.  I have traveled with that and other quorums now for sixty years; and I want to say to this assembly that I was just as much sustained by the power of God while holding the office of a Teacher, and especially while officiating in the vineyard as a Priest, as I ever was as an Apostle.  There is no difference in this

as long as we do our duty."

No antelope came to visit today.  We did see some yesterday in the field out by Highway 60 when we were going to Snowflake.  Today the three cows came back that trampled our grass and plants.  They are the bane of James's existence.  ________cows!

There was no wind today but the high was around 45.  This didn't stop James from working outside.

Replacing cracked stone.

While working on my blog I watched, "Mistletoe over Manhattan."

I love the Mrs. Santa Claus in this movie.  I always watch it every year.

We made a trip to town today to get the ingredients for meatball subs which we are feeding the missionaries tomorrow night.  Also I bought a turkey.  They were on sale.  It is a Butterball and weighs about 14-15 lbs.  I also bought a dutch apple pie since I didn't make James an apple pie from the Honey Crisp apples we got.

We had lunch at the China Buffet and took home two quarts of hot and sour soup.  I could live on that stuff!

As soon as I got home and was putting the groceries away I got a call from the missionaries.  They will not be able to make it to our dinner appointment tomorrow night because of a baptism.  Well I guess James and I will have to eat meatball subs by ourselves!

Anna hosted friends at her house for a

"friendsgiving dinner."

I love it!

I love living in Vernon.  I think it is beautiful and I love experiencing the four seasons.  I love the people in our ward and the peace and quiet.  Sometimes I wish it looked a little more like this:

Don't get me wrong!  I am extremely happy!

Ruby is excited about being a cheerleader and wanted to show everyone her outfit.

Love it!

I watched "I'm Not ready for Christmas" starring Alicia Witt, and "Trading Christmas" starring Faith Ford while working on my Primary lesson.

I love this picture of Jared and as a bonus

Kim is in the background along with Ryan and Cheryl.

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Two years ago at the Gilbert temple

Alma 43: 41-54

41-44 - The Nephites encircle the Lamanites and the Lamanites fight like dragons and slay many Nephites.

45 - Nevertheless the Nephites were fighting for a better cause. 

46 - They were doing their duty towards God.

47 - The Lord has said: "Ye shall defend your families unto bloodshed."

48 - As the Nephites began to shrink before the Lamanites Moroni had to remind them of what they were fighting for.

50 - They began to stand against the Lamanites with power  As they cried for their freedoms, the Lamanites fled before them.

51 - There were twice as many Lamanites as Nephites.

52 - The Nephites surround the Lamanites and the Lamanites are struck with terror.

54 - Moroni commands his men to stop fighting.

What "better cause" inspires you to fight.

GC: What Shall We Do?  Sister Marriott

James and I played a game of Five Crowns with Kim and Brian before they left.  This time Kim was the winner.  They really did not want to leave but Brian has to go to work tomorrow.

Great smiles!

James finished spreading the top soil and is ready to plant grass.  He got this completed before the rain came.

Working in spite of his pain.

The monsoons hit so hard in the valley that some places are flooded.  The Bogles posted a picture on Facebook of their road that is now a river.  They live in south Chandler formally known as Ocotillo.

I am grateful for my husband.  He worked hard outside then he came in and helped me.  He changed a lightbulb, hung some pictures, and fixed the vacuum.  This evening while we were watching our Hallmark movie he fixed me some Pero.  He wanted to watch our movie tonight since we will have company on Friday and we might not get to watch it then.

For dinner this evening we had squash cooked in my new cookware without water or oil, and a sweet potato.  It really was a most delicious meal.  I am reading a book right now called The China Study.  It says at the top that it is the most comprehensive study of nutrition ever conducted.  The author highly recommends a whole food plant based diet, which totally agrees with the Word of Wisdom.

Interesting

Greg Trimble says: "God will not save a nation of pseudo-Christians."  This has me a little worried, but I totally agree with Brother Trimble.

This brings back fond memories.  I saw these three 

almost everyday after school playing together.