Sunday, September 15th, 2019

Manaus, Brazil

138th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 June 2012

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Glory of

Alma 13:24

For behold, angels are declaring it unto many at this time in our land; and this is for the purpose of preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive his word at the time of his coming in his glory.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 4;18-5:4

New Testament "Be Ye Reconciled to God" 2 Corinthians 1-7

Review

General Conference

Look Unto Jesus Christ

Elder Kim B. Clark

"Have we not cause to rejoice? We do! We hold the holy priesthood of God. As we look unto Jesus Christ, live our covenants, and rivet our focus on Him, we will join with our sisters and minister in a holier way, gather scattered Israel on both sides of the veil, strengthen and seal our families, and prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. It will happen. I so testify."

I had a difficult time going to sleep last night. I was so wound up from the evenings events that I couldn't shut my mind off. I finally went in and took some Nyquil, something I don't like to do too often. It worked, I finally went to sleep.

James had to wake me up this morning. When I asked him what time it was he said, "7:30." What? I never sleep in this late! It was difficult for me to get out of bed, but somehow I managed. 

I just had time to eat some breakfast, take a shower and get ready for church before it was time to leave. It looked like it might rain so I took my umbrella. I'm glad I did because it rained on me as I walked into sacrament meeting.

Bishop Miller conducted the meeting today. Chuck was on the stand but Brother Thompson is still in the valley. He will have his knee surgery on Wednesday.

The bishop read in several new families to the ward. One of the families is McKenzi and Tyler Forrester. McKenzi is one of my former young women and it's great to have her back in the ward.

I met a family sitting behind us who is new but I can't remember their names. Duh.

We had two Tys speak with us today. One was an Applegate and the other the high councilman whose last name is Woods.

Ty A.'s topic was "How I Can Invite Others to Come unto Christ." 

He talked about how difficult this can be at the high school. He said that it's important to be seen as a leader. He said we have choices everyday. Are we going to tease, gossip, or encourage and lift others up. Be a good example. Give someone the scriptures with your testimony in them. He closed by bearing his testimony. His parents can be proud of him, he did a good job!

Brother Woods' talk was on hearing and following the right voices.

He used Elder Homer's talk from conference as the basis of his talk but he shared different experiences. He talked about Korihor listening to the wrong voices and how it pretty much destroyed his life. 

There are many voices in this life and most people follow what is most convenient. Some truths will never change, such as, the Proclamation to the world on the family. This proclamation is a test for this generation. He quoted Moroni 10:4-5. Brother Woods is an avid hiker and he said that it is important when hiking on glaciers to follow the guidelines and gave an example of going off the path and his pole sinking into a huge hole. 

Apostles and prophets help to keep us on the straight and narrow path. We must have faith and trust in Heavenly Father and His timing. We need to know how the Holy Ghost speaks to us. Be sensitive to the impressions you receive. Communicate with family members. Effort before answers. Pray with real intent. Most promptings are very subtle. Take time to meditate and pray. (The reason I got up at 4 am when my children were in the home). You will receive comfort not necessarily solutions. Proceed with faith. Faith is complete trust in God. Teach by the power of the Holy Ghost. 

At the end of his talk Brother Woods told about an experience of talking a group of boys hiking. The hike was long and treacherous up the side of a mountain. As they neared the peak. They sat down to rest in an area of thick trees. You couldn't seek the peak of the mountain. He gave the boys as choice as to whether they wanted to continue or wait here. Some of the boys said, we aren't going any further than we have to. Others said, we aren't coming this far without going to the top. The ones that chose to go to the top left the others behind in the trees. As they left the trees and could see the peak of the mountain, it was spectacular. Someone said, "I'm sure if those boys who chose to stay behind could see this, they would have come." He likened this to our progression towards the Celestial Kingdom. Many give up just before the end. Part of the gospel of Jesus Christ is enduring to the end.

During the second hour I attended the teacher council meeting conducted by our Sunday School president Brother Allen. Those attending the class: Brother and Sister Allen, Amy Reynolds, Sean and Stefani Hunsaker and their daughter Camrie, Brother Curtis, Sam Gordon, the Applegates, and Bishop and Anne Miller, Becky Skousen, and of course myself.

We had a good discussion. Amy wanted to know some good attention getters. Here were some of the suggestions: Start with a thought provoking question. Share a spiritual experience. Show a Mormon Messages video. 

We discussed last night's meeting and Alma 7:11 - And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind, and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of His people. (See also vs. 12-13).

When teaching we need to learn to be comfortable with silence. Allow people to sit and ponder. 

Encourage your class members to study the lesson in advance. 

Sister Skousen mentioned that the Relief Society sends out an email of the lesson along, the week of the lesson, with questions for the sisters to ponder.

I believe the Elders Quorum does the same thing.

We talked about the difference between the "Come Follow Me" lessons in the book for individuals and families and the one for Sunday School teachers. We wish they were more alike but Sister Allen says her answer is to open up the Sunday School teacher's lesson when she is attending Sunday School. Good idea.

Bishop reminded us that this program is fairly new and a work in progress and we need to be patient. 

Remember we come to feed, not to be fed. 

I was still tired when we got home after our meetings. James fixed lunch and then cleaned the kitchen before rest time.

We did FaceTime with Jared, Kacey, and Charlie which is the highlight of our Sabbath day.

We listened to a message on YouTube from "The Power of Teaching" about next week's lesson on 2 Corinthians 8-13. The name of the lesson is, "God Loveth a Cheerful Giver." I challenged the family to give abundantly this week and then share with us their experiences.

I worked on my blog but Saturday's post is going to take awhile.

Happy 19th Birthday James Hayden!

 She looks like a little doll

 Ok Mom, that's enough

 Beautiful Scarlett

Scarlett loves kitties!

Janet and Clint, I invited them to come see us.

 I wish I would have thought of this last night.

 I love these two families!

Elder Andersen dedicated the Lisbon, Portugal

Temple today. Temple #166

Saturday, September 15th, 2018

Caracas, Venezuela

96th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 Aug 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

John 19:6, 15

6 When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him, Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.

15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 4:18-5:4

*How does being slow to harken to the voice of the prophets effect the Nephites' lives?

- The Church began to dwindle, they had become weak, they no longer had the Spirit with them, the judgment seat was turned over to evil, they became stiff-necked and couldn't be governed by law or justice. Nephi gave up the judgment seat to preach to them because he was 'wearied by their iniquity."

Old Testament 

No reading today, start Isaiah tomorrow.

General Conference

The Powers of the Priesthood

President Dallin H. Oaks

"If fathers would magnify their priesthood in their own family, it would further the mission of the Church as much as anything else they might do. Fathers who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood should keep the commandments so they will have the power of the priesthood to give blessings to their family members. Fathers should also cultivate loving family relationships so that family members will want to ask their fathers for blessings. And parents should encourage more priesthood blessings in the family."

Happy 18th Birthday James Hayden

This picture was taken at least four years ago,

but it is one of my favorites of James!

While James and Rowan were gone elk calling I made some muffins. My banana nut muffins burned on the bottom so I cut off the tops and the middles and put them on a plate. They all disappeared. The chocolate chunk muffins were baked perfectly and they disappeared too. Darrel and Addy said they would have liked to gone calling for elk too and wished dad had told them. 

Ruby, Lola and I played a game of Life. It was pretty hilarious. Since I didn't know the rules, Ruby was in charge. If you didn't have money she just said well it costs whatever you have. All Lola cared about was filling her car with babies. Trina finished the game for me and I think Ruby ended up winning.  

The kids and I and Kim made Halloween cards. Kim brought all of her Halloween paper and decorations for making cards and combined with mine we had lots of things to choose from.

Addy's card inside

Outside back. The front is the one with the

Haunted House.

The game of Life. Lola is excited

because she just had twins!

This afternoon while Brian and Kim stayed home and went on a Razr ride we took Darrel's family to Sheep's Crossing to do some hiking.

These guys hiked while James and I 

stayed behind with Ruby and Lola

at the creek where we had lunch.

 Looking at the creek

I'm not sure why Lola looks so sad.

We spent some time looking for a bathroom for Lola. She told James if we didn't find one soon she was going to go in her pants. When we actually found a bathroom she said it was too gross and she wasn't going to go. I think she made it home before she actually went.

I got a call from the Elders in our ward just as we were driving into the garage at 4:20. They said all their appointments were gone to the Hunsaker reception and could they come over for dinner. I said that would be fine if they could wait until 5:30. Trina and I worked in the kitchen while Darrel grilled chicken outside. James helped by making the salad. Trina made some delicious cornbread and grilled asparagus. I made some blueberry muffins. We also had chocolate chip cookies and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies but they got burned. We didn't know that the oven was set for convection, which cooks much faster than the regular setting.

Lola and Ruby playing the Book of Mormon

Guess Who game while Trina and I were

fixing dinner.

We enjoyed the missionaries and they left a message about the Book of Mormon before leaving. We got a picture of Darrel and Trina's family with them because Elder Bernecker's dad and Trina's dad are good friends from high school. Just as a side note Elder Bernecker's former dance partner, Charity Anderson, is a dancer on the show "World of Dance."

Trina's mom asked for a photo to send Elder Bernecker's

dad. He's the one by Trina.

James took the 3 older kids on a Razr ride to call elk. I was so tired, I went to bed. So much for our family history FHE. I did talk to Brian about getting his four generations on Family Search and he said he would. Stressing over the missionaries coming wore me out. I'm not sure why. They are really nice and not at all intimidating.

Charlie:

 Happy

Serious 

Tyler's wedding:

Cute couple.

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple

1 Nephi 17:1-16

1.  Why did Nephi feel so blessed in spite of their suffering?

2.  How has the Lord been your light in the wilderness?

2 Nephi 21-24

DC 11:11-21

What are some ways we can seek Christ to obtain better understanding and knowledge to guide us to do His will?

GC: 'Gratitude on the Sabbath Day' by President Henry B. Eyring

"Just as we sometimes cannot see the results of our own service given on the Sabbath, we may not be able to see the cumulative effects of other servants of the Lord.  But the Lord is building

His kingdom quietly through His faithfu and humble servants,

with little fanfare, towards its glorious millenial future.

It takes the Holy Spirit to see the growing grandeur."

Breakfast delivery from James before he went to work this morning.

I did some laundry and caught up on my General Conference reading.  At lunch time James came home to take me to Jersey Mike's.

I could tell he was a little stressed because he forgot his coupon and blamed me for not bringing it.  I remember him mentioning it this morning but I had no idea where it was.  

After lunch, James went back to work to fix a broken water line.  Is there anything worse in the construction business than plumbing problems?

I went shopping at DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse) and Deseret Book.  

One of these pair of shoes is very comfortable and the other one is rubbing a blister on my heel.  Can you guess which is which?

The first book here I bought for James to read as a resource for teaching Church History and the Doctrine and Covenants in his gospel doctrine class.  The second one is the book I started reading at Jared's and decided I wanted my own copy.  The third one is the book James and I are currently reading together.  I bought the first two today at Deseret Book.

James's treat from Deseret Book

I had a diet orange creme soda and one small truffle.

Before leaving office Obama sent $221 million dollars to the Muslims.  Trump was not happy about it.

This afternoon I took a nap, studied, and worked on my blog.  Cathi is still in Las Vegas and Terry is gone to the ROC and James is at work.  As he was turning a shut-off valve it broke off and blew 80 pounds of water pressure all over him.  He said he was freezing cold but had to stay to fix the problem.  

At 4:30 I left with Sheri and Evan to go to Evan's flag football practice.  It was cold!  Sheri and I finally went back to sit in the car.  I got home at 6:45 and James was still gone.  I am a little hungry so I eat my leftover steak from last night, to tide me over until James comes home and we can get some dinner.  

When James finally gets home he takes a shower and we head for Serranos even though it is after 8 pm.  Hey, it's taco Tuesday.

I ordered a chicken taco with a side of beans and rice but it ended up being a beef taco.  Oh well.  

Kim and Brian came over this evening and gave James a $50 gift card to Olive Garden for his birthday.  Oh boy!

Fun Photos

My friend Janet's Harry Potter party.

Last year's birthday breakfast at Mimi's after the

Pinewood Derby.

At the Pinewood Derby last year.

When Brookly found out it was James's birthday,

she made him a card.

So sad.

The Heyman family.