Monday, December 24th, 2018

Johannesburg, South Africa

36th operating temple

Dedicated: 24-25 Aug 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Death of

Alma 7:12

And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

Book of Mormon

#1 - Moroni 1-5

#2 - Ether 7-9

Old Testament  

Finished

General Conference

Try, Try, Try

President Henry B. Eyring

"Our prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, described a way we might build upon the Rock of our Redeemer and put the Lord's name upon our hearts to guide us through our trials. He said:

'You who may be momentarily disheartened, remember, life is not meant to be easy. Trials must be borne and grief endured along the way. As you remember that "with God nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:37), know that He is your Father. You are a son or daughter created in His image, entitled through your worthiness to receive revelation to help with your righteous endeavors. You may take upon you the holy name of the Lord. You can qualify to speak in the sacred name of God (see DC 1:20)."

Sheri, Darrel and Trina have had a tradition of taking their kids to hike A mountain on Christmas Eve. This morning Sheri took Alex, Max, and Evan. Michael and Joshua met them there. Trina waited until this afternoon when Darrel was off work. 

 The hiking crew

Pondering the future

This is the group that went a few years ago.

After the hike they normally go for lunch at the Mellow Mushroom on Mill Avenue. This year it was closed so Sheri took them to Steaks and Shakes. She didn't want anything but later went to Elmer's in Chandler. She called and asked if we wanted anything. I told her two machaca burros for tomorrow's dinner. Thanks Sheri!

James and I went shopping at the Gilbert Costco to look for the socks that Paul took home as part of his gift from the Christmas party. Adam wanted a pair for Kaitlin and I told him I would look at the Costco where I bought them but they were probably all gone. Sheri looked at the Costco in Chandler and we had no luck. Here is what they look like. There are actually two pairs one with faces and one without.

They remind me of Lamb Chop

This afternoon Sheri took Max, Evan, and Joshua to see the new animated Spiderman movie. Both Alex and Michael had to work this afternoon. While they were gone to the movie Cathi came over to bring us our Christmas present. Ollie was so excited to see her. He was sad when she left so I went out in the back yard with him to play. It was a beautiful sunny day with the temperature around 70.

Ian had to work today but he got home before dark. Sheri, James, Max, Evan, Ollie and I went for a mile walk across the street in the subdivision. Sheri asked us if we wanted to see the "leg" lamp like the one in the movie "The Christmas Story." Of course we said yes. It was bigger than I thought it would be.

Ian fixed us chicken legs for dinner. He made them in the "cooker" outside that his mom gave him. They were delicious.

Tonight Sheri, Ian, Max, and Evan opened their blankets from us and Max and Evan opened their pajamas from their parents. Ian also got pajamas for Sheri. Afterwards we watched most of the movie "Elf" before going to bed. 

Evan wanted Sheri to wrap the living room but the paper kept falling and she gave up. Ian took over and used masking tape and did a great job.

 PJ's and blankets

 Watching Elf

Christmas morning and the wrapped room

 Dave made a knife for Jack for

Christmas.

Jared and his family served lunch at the Salvation

Army today. It was a great way to celebrate Christmas.

I love that she points

The local news even interviewed Jared about the experience. It was pretty neat!

Ben having lunch with other missionaries

Tyler and his family

Tuesday, July 17th, 2018

Johannesburg, South Africa

36th operating temple

Dedicated: 24 Aug 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

Colossians 1:16

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

Book of Mormon

Alma 34:1-16

*What must happen for teachings to become testimonies?

-A change of heart brought upon by the Spirit. Faith and obedience.

Old Testament

2 Chronicles 31-33

31 The faithful Israelites overthrow false worship among them - The people pay tithes and offerings - The Levites administer in temporal matters - Hezekiah serves faithfully.

32 Sennacherib invades Judah and besieges the cities - He rails against the Lord - Isaiah and Hezekiah pray, and an angel destroys the leaders of the Assyrian armies - Hezekiah reigns in righteousness despite some pride in his heart.

33 Manasseh reigns in wickedness and worships false gods - He is taken captive into Assyria - He repents and serves the Lord - Amon reigns in unrighteousness and is slain.

General Conference

Take the Holy Spirit as Your Guide

Elder Larry Y. Wilson

"Ensign Blair did not just ask the Lord to solve his problem. He asked what he could do to be part of the solution. Likewise we might ask, 'Lord, what do I need to do to be part of the solution?' Instead of just listing our problems in prayer and asking the Lord to solve them, we ought to be seeking more proactive ways of receiving the Lord's help and committing to act according to the Spirit's guidance."

It has rained 9 days in a row now and the meadows are starting to look green. I love it!

I have a budget, a schedule, and a food plan and I can't seem to sta on any of them.

James is at the Howard's again today. 

I listened to a talk that Wendy Watson gave in 1998 at the BYU Women's Conference. It was called: "Change: It's Always a Possibility." I think maybe I was there that year with my girls. 

Well I guess the news of the day is that Darrel and Trina sold there house. It was only on the market for a day and a half. The only catch is that they have to be out by the first weekend in August and they won't be able to come to our couples retreat. I guess we will have to reschedule.

One more bit of new for the day was Talon opening his mission call. He just flew in from Washington today where he has been working for his uncle. The opening was at 9:30 this evening at President Beeler's in Show Low. We were already in bed when I remembered so I got up and turned on Facebook Live.

Talon is going to Uganda, Africa. Ethiopia and Rwanda are also part of his mission. Wow! Pretty exciting!

Curtis watching his brother.

Keeping hoping I will find the

Maxwell ancestral home.

One drawback to the rain

On their way to the family ranch in

Idaho. The Umphresses our friends of

ours here in Vernon.

Jesus with the 11 and Judas's shadow in the doorway

Thursday, February 8th, 2018

Johannesburg, South Africa

36th operating temple

Dedicated: 24-25 Aug 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

This is actually the post for Wed, Feb 7th, I made a boo-boo.

Jesus Christ Authority of

John 1:14

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 2:11-21

*What are some insights about the plan of salvation that can be learned from this chapter?

Old Testament

Exodus 33-34

33 The Lord promises to be with Israel and drive out the people of the land - The tabernacle of the congregation is moved away from the camp - The Lord speaks to Moses face to face in the tabernacle - Later, Moses sees the glory of God but not His face.

34 Moses hews new tables of stone - He goes up into Mount Sinai for forty days - The Lord proclaims His name and attributes and reveals His law - He makes another covenant with Israel - The skin of Moses' face shines, and he wears a veil.

Old Testament Favorite Scriptures

Genesis 26:4

And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;

General Conference

The Living Bread Which Came Down from Heaven

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

" If we yearn to dwell in Christ and have Him dwell in us, then oliness is what we seek, in both body and spirit. We seek it in the temple, whereon is inscribed 'Holiness to the Lord.' We seek it in our marriages, families, and homes. We seek it each week as we delight in the Lord's holy day. We seek it even in the details of daily living: our speech, our dress, our thoughts. As President Thomas S. Monson has stated, 'We are the product of all we read, all we view, all we hear and all we think.' We seek holiness as we take up our cross daily."

Yesterday, when we returned from the temple we had no internet or phone service. This morning for awhile we still didn't have it. We were just getting ready to go in to Verizon to find out what was wrong. I thought maybe it was because I had not paid our bill. It was due on the 8th and I was going to pay it today, but I looked at the bill and now it is actually due on the 5th. 

Just before we left it came back on and I noticed a post by one of my friends that no one had had internet or phone because one of the lines was cut. I had that the line was cut but relieved that it wasn't because I didn't pay my bill.  Needless to say the first thing I did was pay my bill.

James and I both did Autumn's marriage survey. There was a word that I wasn't sure the meaning of, egalitarian so I looked it up on Google: "All people equal and have equal rights." 

We went to the dump in the car because the brakes are out on James's truck. Phew, I'm glad it is not too far away because the smell was not pleasant. After the dump we went to Dollar General where I got some valentine tins for my centerpiece. 

The heart in the middle with the eyes is the tin

I bought.

We may have to make a trip to Deming because one of our renters is two months behind in her payments. Speaking of Deming, that's where my friend Hailey and her family moved. I got her address from her mother -in-law Virginia. Virginia sent me this picture of Hailey's house.

I guess this appropriate for a ranching family.

That's Huntleigh in the background and 

Braylin and Taylor watching T.V.

I had to pay our propane bill today. It was $1,169.15. That takes a big chunk out of my budget. We stopped at the post office and there was a check from our renter who is behind for $475 for January. At least now she is only one month behind.

I decided to order new, cheaper programming from Dish. They are sending me new smart cards for all three televisions.  

I started practicing in my caligraphy book that Trina and Darrel got me for Christmas.

I love the uniqueness of Arizona

Addy and I are saving our money!