Saturday, August 31st, 2019

Sacramento, California

123rd operating temple

Dedicated: 3 Sept 2006

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Glory of

Matthew 16:27

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Book of Mormon

Alma 58:30-59:13

New Testament "Ye Are the Body of Christ" 1 Corinthians 8-13

1 Corinthians 13

General Conference

Closing Remarks

President Russell M. Nelson

"Brothers and sisters, we regard a temple as the most sacred structure in the Church. As we announce plans to construct a new temple, it becomes part of our sacred history. Now, please listen carefully and reverently. If I announce a temple in a place that is special to you, may I suggest that you simply bow your head with a silent prayer of gratitude in your heart. We do not want any verbal outbursts to detract from the sacred nature of this conference and the Lord's holy temples."

We left for the temple at our regular time. We listened to our scriptures and our conference talks on the way after starting out with a prayer. The gospel is so wonderful!

The brothers and sisters separated for training today. Sister Elmer and Sister Brimhall, wife of one of the counselors to the temple president, did the sisters training in the chapel downstairs. 

Sister Elmer spoke about the importance of not correcting one another during the performance of ordinances. She also said we should not trade positions with anyone else because she needs to know exactly where each sister is at all times. 

I am the veil director again and my dear friend Sister Humphreys from St. Johns is my assistant. She has worked at the temple for over 15 years and performs her duties well, yet she is quiet, unassuming and humble. Also, she is a big fan of my rolls. She is one of the only ones who knows the secret about the rolls.

We had two live sealings today. One was a couple from Concho who had previously received their endowments. The second was a couple going through the 9:30 session and then were sealed afterward. This was their first time at the temple. James was the assistant to the brother. He had never done it before and when he presented him at the veil he let the brother take his card with him. It was an easy mistake to make. But one of my jobs as the sister veil director is to make sure the own endowment cards are on the top of the stack before we take them to the office. Brother McHood was the brother veil director and I asked him where the own endowee card was for the brother. He looked through the stack and realized it was not there. I told him to check with Brother Lambson who told us the brother had his card and was now in the sealing. At first President Brimhall wanted Brother McHood to go into the sealing and get the card. But after some consideration it was decided he would wait until the sealing was over, which he did, and he got the card and there was no further problem.

This session was such a big session that I missed my scheduled half hour in initiatory. I also went down to the baptistry where I was scheduled to go after initiatory and there were no patrons, so I was released to go.

James took my phone today and got 9,000 steps for me at the temple. I know it sounds like I'm cheating but I probably took that many steps going up and down the stairs as many times as I did today.

It was 97 degrees when we left Snowflake and was 86 in Vernon.

We rested and snacked and then started our fast around 2:30. James went to the dump and worked on the railings this afternoon.

It is surprising how tired I am after a shift at the temple. The Spirit really is draining. I worked on my books for awhile this afternoon. I have now sold 215 books. My account balance is $2,270.81 which is the amount of money Amazon owes me. My total sales number is $7,637.02. I was hoping to get to $10,000 by the end of August but didn't quite make it. I'm am still pretty happy about where I am.

James said he heard an elk bugle this evening and also heard another one answer. I guess it's that time of year again.

I finished walking to get 15,000 and then James and I sat down and watched the new Hallmark movie, "My One and Only" starring Paschal Hutton and Sam Paige. Paschal play Rosemary on "When Calls the Heart" and I kept thinking she should act like Rosemary, but I am pleasantly surprised when she doesn't. You would have to know Rosemary to understand. 

 Scarlett at another birthday party

Scarlett in her favorite shoes.

No more daily Charlie pictures since she turned 1,

just a couple of times a week.

Lola and Ivy

 Joe looks like he's feeling a little better 

after having his wisdom teeth removed.

Tuesday, November 14th, 2017

Lubbock, Texas

109th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 Apr 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ's Atonement

Leviticus 17:11
For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.
Book of Mormon
3 Nephi 28:25-40
*What do these verses teach us about the Three Nephites and the work that they are doing on the earth before Christ's Second Coming?
We are told, "And wo unto him that will not hearken unto the words of Jesus, and also to them whom He hath chosen and sent among them; for whoso receives not the words of Jesus and the words of those whom He hath sent receive not Him; and therefore He will not receive the at the last day; For do ye suppose that ye can get rid of the justice of an offended God, who hath been tramped under feet of men, that thereby salvation might come?" (v. 34-35)
*Are we among those who trample? Do we listen and obey the words of our Savior and His servants? Do we share the them? Many are sent forth to share the words of Christ.
Sister Shelly Applegate, from our ward, left today for her mission. Her desire is to let people know how much the Lord loves the because she has felt the Lord's love for her and it has made all the difference in her life. The Lord has an army of Saints, missionaries, leaders, families, and individuals who are called to deliver the good news of our Savior. We are to go forth and proclaim the message of the gospel. We are to bear testimony. The Lord tells us that many are called but few are chosen (DC 121:33-40). Why are we not chosen? When we let the world get in the way; when we do not maintain our righteousness; or when we become prideful, then we lost our ability to influence. We are called to the work. Therefore, we have to follow the Spirit, heed promptings, and be humble servants.
Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures
DC 6:23
Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?
General Conference

The Priesthood and the Savior's Atoning Power

Elder Dale G. Renlund

" The atoning power of Jesus Christ is essential because none of us can return to our heavenly home without help. In mortality we invariably make mistakes and violate God's laws. We become stained by sin and cannot be allowed back to live in God's presence. We need the Savior's atoning power so that we can be reconciled to Heavenly Father. Jesus Christ broke the bands of physical death , allowing resurrection for all. He offers forgiveness of sins, conditioned on obedience to the laws and ordinances of His gospel. Through Him, exaltation is offered. The opportunity to benefit from the Savior's atoning power is creations most important payload."

This is James's morning schedule. He gets up and studies his lesson, reads from his book, and then we have scriptures, prayer and breakfast. He asks me to read him a chapter from our book, and then he checks his traps and goes out to work on the patio.

This morning until of going out to work on the patio he left in his truck with Chuck to go help the Carroll's move their stuff out of the house that they have been living in. They didn't get home until 4 p.m. and then they both were at the school board meeting at 5.

It seems apparent that going to the school board is not the answer to getting anything done about our taxes. It all goes back to the county. Dr. Barrados the superintendent was the only one who did anything to help. She is going to call Doyle Shamley the supervisor of district 3 and arrange a meeting. She also called the county to speak to them but they have not returned her call yet.

While James was gone I made a batch of cookies, not a good idea when you are trying to lose weight. 

Today's Christmas movies: "The Christmas Card," "The Nine Lives of Christmas," "On The Twelfth Day of Christmas," "Best Christmas Party Ever."

No Heartland. We finished season 2 and season 3 hasn't arrived yet.

2014 Young Women's in Exellence steak dinner.

The young men were the servers. They did a great job!

Hayden's artwork

Montezuma's castle

I am grateful for pickles.

Love this little ducky. I am all about

cute animals!

Looks like Dan and Karin are enjoying

their honeymoon.

Whew, barely made my goal!

Elder Ballard and his wife Barbara, then and now.

He spoke at BYU today:

Christmas with the Horak's a couple of years ago.

Memories

That guitar is big Addy

Rowan doing some studying

Cute at any age

Baby Lola

She looks a little different today

Cabin days

It's goodbye to Kim and Brian

It seems like there is always dishes to do or

a meal to prepare.

Thursday, November 9th, 2017

Winter Quarters, Nebraska
104th operating temple
Dedicated: 22 Apr 2001
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Ascension of

3 Nephi 11:12

And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words the whole multitude fell to the earth; for they remembered that it had been prophesied among them that Christ should show himself unto them after his ascension into heaven.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 24:1-25:6

*What blessings are promised to those who pay their tithing?

Those who live the law of tithing show their faith in God. Obedience to this law brings the blessings stated in 3 Nephi 24:10-12. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland shared five reasons why every member of the Church, in any kind of circumstance, should obey the law of tithiing: "I suggest five reasons why all of us, rich or poor, longtime member or newest convert, should faithfully pay our tithes and offerings. First, do so for the sake of your children. Teach your children that many of the blessings of the Church are available to them because you and they give tithes and offerings to the Church. Second, pay your tithing to rightfully claim the blessings promised those who do so. Third, pay your tithing as a declaration that possession of material goods and the accumulation of worldly wealth are not the uppermost goals of your existence. Fourth, pay your tithing and offerings out of honesty and integrity because they are Gods rightful due. this leads to a fifth reason to pay our tithing and offerings. We should pay them as a personal expression of love to a generous and merciful Father in Heaven. through His grace, God has dealt bread to the hungry and clothing to the poor. At various times in our lives, that will include all of us, either temporally or spiritually" (Ensign, Nov 2001, 33-35)

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 4:4-5

4 For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;

5 And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.

General Conference

Spiritual Eclipse

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

"In the same manner that the very small moon can block the magnificent sun, extinguishing it's light and warmth, a spiritual eclipse can occur when we allow minor and troublesome obstructions - those we face in our daily lives - to get so close that they block out the magnitude, brightness and warmth of the light of Jesus Christ and His gospel. Elder Neal A. Maxwell took this analogy even further when he stated: 'Even something as small as a man's thumb, when held very near the eye, can blind him to the very large sum. Yet the sun is still there. Blindness is brought upon the man by himself. When we draw other things too close, placing them first, we obscure our vision of heaven.'"

We left for the valley a little after 8 a.m. James was driving the truck and pulling a 22 foot long trailer. We stopped to get gas and then our next stop was Burger House in Miami. We each had a burro, and we bought two extras to take to Sheri. My appointment with Chandler Eyecare was at noon and I arrived right on time. James dropped me off and then went to Bill's to park the trailer. 
My left eye needs a little more correction so I got a new prescription. It is always fun to see Sheri and friends Nancy, Rachel and Chris at work. Sheri gets off at one for lunch so we met James at Cafe Rio. Sheri took this photo of us and I was going to take one of her and James outside but I forgot.

 Boy I look old!

After lunch Sheri had to go back to work and James had to go see Dr. Hatch about doing a remodeling job at his dental office. While James was meeting with Dr. Hatch I took the truck and drove down to the Albertson's and did some walking. When James called I went back and picked him up. We drove to the Costco in Gilbert and bought some Alpine Valley bread, James's favorite, and 11 blankets for grandkids for Christmas. If they don't get anything else from us they will get a new blanket. 

Next stop, Deseret Book, which is right next door. I bought 3 conference Ensigns for the sisters I visit teach. I actually only visit 2 sisters right now, Jean, and Pam but I bought an extra for Pam's husband Ricky. I bought a Book of Mormon and had my name engraved on it for next year's Book of Mormon study. I also bought two journals, one for Sunday and one for Shelly for her mission.

By this time it was 4:30 and time to go pick up Rowan who is going with Evan on his birthday date. Joshua and Max are going too but they are already at Evan's. 

When we walked in to Trina and Darrel's Lola was sitting on the couch eating popcorn and watching Moana. When she saw us she said, "Oh they are probably picking me up." We visited a few minutes with Ruby and Lola, Addy was at a friends, and then the three of us left.

The boys had fun playing in the backyard with Ollie and we had to keep reminding them we were here to take them on a birthday date.

Rowan was a little afraid of Ollie because last time

he "chewed" on him. He would run and of course

Ollie would run after him.

Evan didn't want to go shopping like we normally do. He asked if we could go to the Xtreme Air on Rural and Ray. He had to give the location because there is one here on McQueen and Pecos just a couple of miles away but the boys like the Rural and Ray one better.

I dropped James and the boys off while I went across the street to Fry's Marketplace to get a few groceries. I bought some shakes, chicken, cranberry celebration, a fresh salad, and three ASU blankets. The three blankets are for Evan, Joshua, and Rowan. I am holding out for a Cardinal's blanket for Max. 

After their hour at Xtreme Air the boys were hungry. Oh yes, so was James. He had been walking the whole time the boys were doing their activities.

Evan decided he wanted to go to the mall food court for dinner. He and Max went to Subway and Joshua and Rowan to the pizza place just like always. James brought in his chicken and cranberry celebration from Fry's. I am holding out for the fresh salad I got.

I did decide to go to Panera and get some cookies. I got six chocolate chip cookies which qualified me for six more free cookies. I got two snickerdoodles, two ginger molasses, and two frosted pumpkin sugar cookies. 

We took Evan and Max home and then Joshua. Our ride to Rowan's gave us time to talk to him about school and what he is doing. He plays the cello and also plays soccer. We got to see Addy and Ruby and Trina when we got to the house. Lola was asleep. We visited a few minutes. I wanted to give the kids the cookies but Trina said no.

We stayed at Sheri's and slept downstairs in Alex's room. Roxy's cage is down there so of course I said hi. Sheri was already in bed when we got back.

Joe, Kim and Brian have been in Disneyland

this week. They came home today.

Old Family Photos

Camping at the north rim of

the Grand Canyon.

So cute.

Jonathan, Charlotte, Jared

Jared's birthday

Christmas eve at Grandmother Clark's.

Interesting

Lola reading scriptures

Dallin H. Oaks with hair

Saw this at Sheri's

Look at those claws!

Love this!