Sunday, October 29th, 2017

Veracruz, Mexico

93rd operating temple

Dedicated: 9 July 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Appearances, Postmortal

John 20:29

Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 15:1-24

*Why is it so important to keep the commandments? 

*How does keeping the commandments allow us to be a light to others?

"Keeping the commandments can help us avoid a lot of sadness, misery and really hard things. 'If ye love me, keep my commandments.' (John 14:15)

Every commandment has a promised blessing. Obedience brings growth, protection, spiritual and temporal blessing, and ultimately eternal life. The most important reason to keep the commandments is to show our love, gratitude and devotion to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ."

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 1:2

For verily the voice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to escape; and there is no eye that shall not see, neither ear that shall not hear, neither heart that shall not be penetrated.

General Conference

The Voice of the Lord

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"Recently, while visiting the Provo City Center Temple, I admired a painting entitled First Vision from Afar. The painting depicts the light and power from heaven as the Father and Son visited the young Joseph Smith. While not making a comparison with the very sacred event that ushered in the Restoration, I can imagine a similar visual that would reflect the light and spiritual power of God descending upon this general conference and, in turn, that power and light moving across the world."

It was Shelly's farewell today. She wants others to feel loved of the Lord like she does. She also played a number on the piano because she is learning to do hard things.  Jackson Allen and the bishop also spoke.

We have a new young men's presidency: Brother Wilhelm, Brother Skousen, and Brother Applegate, a powerhouse presidency.

Jace, Colter, Grace, Liana, and Liana's cousing Brecklyn were in my Primary class today. I guess Curtis is staying home taking care of Ruthie and Johnny who are sick. I gave two lessons today to make up for next week's regional conference. I gave the lesson on the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum and then a brief lesson on Brigham Young becoming the prophet and how a prophet is chosen today.

The third hour the women were taught by Brother Allen and Bishop Miller. Brother Allen did a great job. We discussed Sister Eubank's conference talk.

After the block the new high priest group leadership was set apart in the bishop's office. James was set apart by Brother Greer of the high council and Brother Hunsaker and Brother Curtis were set apart by President Jensen. 

In Brother Greer's setting apart of James he mentioned his voice and his family, two things that were very important to James. It was a wonderful setting apart.

When we returned home Paul was here to do some reloading. James made him some lunch and went outside to eat with him. 

I watched a Christmas movie and did some studying and blogging. 

This evening we had some unexpected visitors. The Grapp family from our ward came by for a visit. They brought apple cake and homemade bread. We had such a nice visit. The kids played upstairs and Brother Grapp and Benson put together my spiderman Legos kit. Sister Grapp told about Tildy who is five getting on one of their horses and riding without a saddle or a bridle. She took a video. It was pretty amazing!

Jared texted to tell us the doctor who is buying his practice is going in to the hospital for bypass surgery and the bank has still not approved his load. We are praying that everything will work out as it should.

A Vernon sunrise

I loved these birthday dates 

at the Lego Store!

Kim, Brian, Alex, Seth

Last year's pumpkin carving, engagement,

birthday party at Sheri and Ian's.

The engagement is for Kacey and Jared,

and the birthday is Jared's.

Michael, Lexus, Alex

Shana and Joe watching Alex at work.

Love these two cuties!

Shayna, Alex, Michael, Sheri

More carving!

Go Addy!

Kim is helping Evan

Every party needs a Lola

Love these cuties!

I love these cuties too but I'm wondering

where Emmy is.

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Sheri's quote:
"So many of us make a great fuss of matters
of small consequence.  We are so easily offended.
Happy is the man/woman who can brush aside the 
offending remarks of another and go on his way."
-President Gordon B. Hinckley

I love to see the temple

It was fast & testimony meeting today but we didn't know.  I don't remember hearing any announcements.  I also had heard that there would no longer be two fast meetings in one month.  Apparently I am confused with false information.

James was sustained today by Brother Thompson as a substitute Sunday School teacher.  Oops! Oh well.  He got the Sunday School teacher right.  

Braylin and Ashten from my class bore their testimonies and so did James. Virginia Chafin bore her testimony and was visibly limping.  When I ask Braylin why his grandma was limping he said she got her big toe cut off.  Hailey said she caught it on a step on a trailer and tore it and had to have surgery at the hospital.  She missed Primary today.

  Several people mentioned the Wallace's 50th wedding anniversary party last night.  Apparently I missed that announcement too.  James said he knew about it but he forgot to tell me.  

Our lesson in Primary today was on honesty.  We read the story from the scriptures of Barnabas, who was honest, and Ananias and Saphrias who were not honest and what happened to them.  Ashten, Jolee, Talena, Braylin, and Zemira attended class today.  This will be James's last time as my worthy assistant.  I am a little nervous about that.

There was no sharing time today, only song practice for the Primary program.  About three quarters of the way through Braylin leaned over and said to me: "This is the longest hour of my life.!"

James was set apart today after the block as a Sunday School teacher by John Wilhelm.  

I saw Shelly and Kelly outside after church.  They both saw a garter snake and ran to pick it up.  Shelly won.

 Shelly, the snake whisperer

I waited for James in the car while he and Rick Lauritzen visited with Virgil Cooper.  Virgil won't allow a home visit so they do their home teaching at the church.

Kathy Crane came over after church.  She had seen my pinion post on Facebook and wanted us to see her pinions.  She kept saying these are pine nuts, right.  They are so expensive in the stores and they are delicious on salads.

 James checking out another of

our pinion trees.  He says they are

better after the first freeze.

We had our Burger House burros for lunch and then took a nap.

After our nap we started a new book: "Sophia". 

Written by an LDS author

Our Hallmark movie for the day was "Book of Love" which we had seen before but since we liked it so much we watched again.

Tonight we watched a Blood Moon, which means the moon was about 9,000 miles closer to the earth than normal, and a Lunar Eclipse. James left our camera in Chandler so we couldn't get  a good picture.  This picture was taken by James's brother Dave using his spotting scope.

  Chandler, Arizona

 This is me

 Gilbert temple

 Eclipse: The earth's shadow on the moon

 Washington D.C.

 Mt. Timpanogos, Utah

 Arizona desert

 Over the ocean