Friday, April 21, 2017

Kyiv, Ukraine, Russia

134th operating temple

Mosiah 12:18-13:26

Abinadi rebukes King Noah and his priests for refusing to observe and teach the commandments.

* Abinadi said that Noah and his priests had perverted the ways of the Lord.  In other words, they had corrupted sacred things and turned away from the right way to live.  In what ways were Noah and the priests guilty of perverting the ways of the Lord?

* Why is knowing the commandments not enough to qualify us for salvation?

3 Nephi 4:19-5:26

Zemnarihah is hanged.  The Nephites praise the Lord for their victories. About A.D. 19-22.

The Nephites repent and forsake their sins - Mormon writes the history of his people and declares the everlasting word to them - Israel will be gathered in from her long dispersion.

DC 60:1-17

The elders are to preach the gospel in the congregations of the wicked; They should not idle away their time, nor bury their talents; They may wash their feet as a testimony against those who reject the gospel.

How can we be more willing to do "...the will of Him who hath sent us...?"

General Conference

A Sin-Resistant Generation

Joy D. Jones

"As you teach, lead, and love children, you can receive personal revelation that will aid you in creating and arming valiant sin-resistant children."

I spent the day trying to organize my notes and thoughts regarding my talk tomorrow on personal revelation.  It's funny, I have 40 pages of notes and it all boils down to the two gospel doctrine lessons as the main course of my talk, along with some personal experiences.  

It was a bittersweet day because James was so miserable.  

When you have a deadline, time goes by so quickly!!

Fun Photos

Perfect picture

South rim of the Grand Canyon

Addy's birthday date last August

Stacy and Jared Ammon

Michael looks huge compared to Alex

in the background.

Proud of Darrel for hiking in and out of the

Grand Canyon!

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?

Saturday, April 9, 2016

This is where I went this morning with James and Kim.  We made it to the 7:45 session.  I love the Gilbert temple.

Nancy Tolman and Karen Bland, two Chandler friends, were in our session.  I was Karen's visiting teacher for a long time.  Right after Stacy had Adam Karen was adopting a little girl.  She said they couldn't think of a name for her.  I suggested the name Stacy had picked out for Adam if he was a girl, Devry.  Karen loved the idea and that's the name she used.  Devry was with her in the temple today and I got to meet her.

After our session when we went outside, I said I wanted someone to take our picture.  Suddenly there was a brother with a nice camera.  He said he would be glad to take our picture because he had been called as a missionary to do so.  First he took a picture of us with his camera and then he took a couple with mine.  We had to sign release forms saying it would be alright for the Church to use our picture if they wanted to.

 A great way to start the day with people I love!

After the temple James and I went back to Cathi and Terry's and packed up our things to go home. We said our goodbye's and headed to Tempe to have a visit with Jared Ammon.  We needed to talk to him about his car and his ability to make the payments.  He assured James he would have money this Saturday for the payment. 

Our next stop was Jack-in-the-Box for something to eat.  We were late but we made it to Joshua's pinewood derby before they left.  Joshua never lost a race and so obviously he got first place!

Way to go Joshua and of course, Paul.

One happy boy!

We said goodbye to Joshua, Stacy, Paul, and Kim and continued on our way to Rowan's and Evan's soccer game at Greenfield and Knox.  We saw the last five or ten minutes of the game.  I am sad I didn't get any pictures because the boys have purple jerseys! 

Trina family was there and Trina was there with her kids.  I guess Darrel had to work.  Ian was also there with Evan.  Sheri had to work too.  I think the boys lost but I am still glad I got to see them play, even if it was for a short time.

We left for home from the soccer field.  Since we were so close, we went home the Globe way.  We were not hungry when we hit Miami so we did not stop at Burger House.  Our trip home was pretty uneventful.  I forgot and left our book at Cathi's, along with the snacks I had for us to eat on the way home.  

We didn't watch any movies tonight, but prepared our lessons instead and began our fast.

  I love President Uchtdorf!

 

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Spiritually Minded Is Life Eternal

We originally got this handout from our good friend and former gospel doctrine teacher in the Del Rio 2nd ward, Jeff Chubbs.  Since this was part of James's lesson today he wanted to make them for his class.  He copied the one I had saved and we went into town to Allegra Printing to have the laminated.  We also stopped at Panda, Sonic, and Subway for lunch.  

On the way home we stopped at the post office.  I got two rings from Mobstub, but nothing from our friend Gerardo Rico.  When I got home I took a nap and then got ready for my 4:30 appointment with Claire Mercado.

When I arrived at Claire's no one was there so I called her on her phone, but she did not answer.  I wait a few minutes and then knock on the door.  As I suspected, there was no one at home.  I left the framed family proclamation and a candy bar on her front porch.  I just home no animal comes along and eats the candy bar.  I also texted Corrina to see if she was coming, she forgot.  After waiting 20 minutes, I left for home.  

The only other sister we have to visit is Jean Howard.  I tried to call her the other day but I think I woke her up from her nap.  She asked me if she could call me back, but she never did.  I don't know what to do.  I don't want to be a pest.  I get the feeling she is not interested in having me as her visiting teacher.  I know she has alot of health problems and maybe that's it.  She is always very nice to me when I talk to her on the phone, but still, I am hesitant.

James texted Jared Ammon about picking up his car tomorrow.  Come to find out, I had the wrong phone number for Jared.  Maybe that's why he never returns my texts.  

James has an appointment in Chandler tomorrow with Dr. Memon.  He is leaving early in the morning without me.

We watched a movie called The Locket.  It is based on a story by Richard Paul Evans.  We both really enjoyed it.

I love this quote by John Wayne!

Monday, April 13, 2015

When Sheri texted me this picture this morning I had a feeling that

she hadn't gone to work. 

This is where she went with Trina and Lexy:

Trina and Lexy paddle boarding on the Salt River

Sheri and Trina

 Lexy and Trina

I told Sheri they looked like a bunch of foot loose and fancy free college girls!

Next time I want to be the one that babysits Lola!

 

James and I had more pesto flatbread for lunch.  Now if we want more I am going to have to go shopping.

 

Jared Ammon came over today to thank us for the help we have given him and to see if we could help him a little more until he gets back on his feet.  Of course we said yes.

 

Joshua got stung by a bee today.



Joshua also had a slight fever so he stayed home from

school on Tuesday.



 



Tuesday, April 2, 2013

I read from my Book of Mormon and then went out to water plants and grass.  I am afraid I got to much Weed & Feed on the lawn and it is going to have the opposite effect.  Instead of greening up the grass I wonder if it will kill it.  I hope not.
Today I had a doctor's appointment with Dr. Sam Walters in Scottsdale.  He prescribes my thyroid pills and my hormone creams.  I go to him once a year for a checkup.  I don't look forward to it.  He is not on my insurance and it is very costly.  He is always very complementary and tells me I look beautiful but I am quite sure he does that to all of his women patients.  He asks some pretty personal questions.  I feel like saying that is privileged information but then I realize he is only trying to help me.  Since I began going to him in 2003 my overall health has improved quite dramatically!  Just ask James.
On the way home I went by Power Toyota to see Erik.  He was suppose to fix my brakes but when I got there he said he could not longer do side jobs as of this morning.  He help me get a discount on some brake pads and then told me to make an appointment with Brake Masters. 
When I got home James was there.  He is worried about Zaki who is in the hospital with two bulging disks.  They are going to do surgery one him very soon. 
We called Darrel and ask if we could come and see him and the kids.  Trina is at work.  Of course the kids had to show us their baby chicks.  There are six of them, two for each kid, and they all have names but I can't for the life of me remember them.

Right now the chicks are in a box in the garage under a warming lamp.  Trina's Dad is going to build them a coop.
Rowan still has his tortoise and he also got some sea monkeys for Easter that he had to show us.  Ruby and Rowan were in a playful mood while Addy was busy doing her homework.

Something about guessing how many pennies can fit in a container.

Rowan had to show me his frog puppet head.

Addy finished her homework and cried when we said we were leaving.  We stayed a little longer so she could play with grandpa too.

A funny story about Evan today.  I was sitting in the dining room at home eating some cinnamon stix Jolly Ranchers.  Max tried them and said they were too hot.  Evan tried one and loved it.  He came back for 2 or 3 more!  A kid that has my taste in candy.

I went to Walmart today and the guard was a large blonde tough looking guy with a ponytail and a shirt that said Asset Protection.  At least I thought he was tough looking until I saw him from the front and he had makeup on.  Really??

On the way home from Darrel's we stopped at Taco Bell for dinner.  When we got home we got to see Jared Ammon for a few minutes.  He came over to do his laundry.