Tuesday, September 11th, 2018

Merida, Mexico

92nd operating temple

Dedicated: 8 July 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Mark 16:6

And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 2:1-14

*How do you avoid being deceived by the flattery of men?

-Through the inspiration of the Spirit. We must stay spiritually centered and remember what really matters. See Elder Lynn G. Robbins, "Which Way Do You Face," October 2014 General Conference.

Old Testament

Proverbs 27-31

General Conference

Introductory Remarks

President Russell M. Nelson

"These adjustments are inspired of the Lord. As we implement them, we will be even more effective than we have ever been previously. We are engaged in the work of Almighty God. Jesus is the Christ! We are His humble servants! God bless you, brethren, as we learn of and do our duty."

Our friend Bill from Chandler sold Rockin' R Ranch for 2.6 million

recently. I guess he can afford to loan us $16,000 to pay off our creditors from the Phoenician Golf Course job. We still have not been paid and I think they are stalling. James is about ready to file a lien.

We have two heroes gone from the American public eye. One was a real prisoner of war hero, John McCain, and one was a hero of the big screen decades ago, Burt Reynolds, most famous for the movies, "Smoky and the Bandit." 

As I was listening to Proverbs today I wrote down some of my favorites: 

"When the wicked rule, the people perish."

"Where there is no vision, the people perish."

"A virtuous woman is more precious than rubies."

I also read chapter ten from "The Christ that Heals," before going to my card class. 

These were the people in the class today besides myself:

Linda, Elizabeth, Judy (a new one), Marsha, Lorraine, Pam, Rosie, Diana, Pebble, and Deana. Diana started out by showing us some ideas on how to decorate our envelopes.

We did seven cards today, three Halloween by Lorraine, Diana, and Pam. A birthday by Pebble, a Ladybug card by Deana, a beautiful fall card by Elizabeth, and my Burlap Daisy. Here is a photo:

Elizabeth developed her own technique for the fall leaves.

I read a chapter from "Time and Again," watched part of the Debbie Gibson movie and walked and walked and walked. I sat all morning so I had to walk this afternoon and evening. 

I also read to James a chapter from "The Secret Keeper," and worked on my 2019 dot journal. I am putting in a calendar for each month and week of the year. It will take some time before I get to the fun part of the journal.

An idea I might use

James worked outside until after dark on the tree he is going to use for the Howard's counter top.

Scarlett looks like she is at the spa!

The last one of Charlie is her Daddy's favorite.

Thursday, July 20th, 2017

Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico
75th operating temple
Dedicated: 12 Mar 2000 by:
James E. Faust

Atonement

1 Peter 2:21

Jesus Christ

3 Nephi 28

Alma 36:1-24

*What impresses you about Alma's testimony in Alma 36:1-5?

*How long was Alma "racked with eternal torment while harrowed up by the memory of his sins?"

*What can Alma's experience teach us about sin?

*According to Alma 36:17, what did he remember?

*If we exercise faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, then He will deliver us from the pain of our sins and fill us with joy.

*President Uchtdorf: "Satan will try to make us believe that our sins are not forgiven because we can remember them. Satan is a liar; he tries to blur our vision and lead us away from the path of repentance and forgiveness. God did not promise that we would not remember our sins. Remembering will help us avoid making the same mistakes again. But if we stay true and faithful, the memory of our sins will be softened over time. This will be part of the needed healing and sanctification process. Alma testified that after he cried out to Jesus for mercy, he could still remember his sins, but the memory of his sins no longer distressed and tortured him, because he knew he had been forgiven. It is our responsibility to avoid anything that would bring back old sinful memories. When we continue to have a 'broken heart and a contrite spirit,' we may trust that God will 'remember our sins no more.'"

DC 103:14-28

11-20, The redemption of Zion will come by power, and the Lord will go before His people; 21-28, The Saints are to gather in Zion, and those who lay down their lives will find them again;

How can we not pollute our inheritances?

*In verse 19 it tells us to not let our hearts be faint (weak). We must not let our hearts fail us! Our faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to the commandments and covenants we have made makes our hearts strong! So don't "pollute our inheritance" through sin - repent and look to God and live!

General Conference

"Walk With Me"

President Henry B. Eyring

" Ordination to the priesthood is an invitation from the Lord to walk with Him. And what does it mean to walk with the Lord? It means to do what He does, to serve the way He serves. He sacrificed His own comforts to bless those in need, so that's what we try to do. He seemed to take particular notice of people who were overlooked and even shunned by society, so we should try to do that too. He testified boldly yet lovingly of the true doctrine He received from His Father, even if it was unpopular, and so must we. He said to all, 'Come unto me' (Matt. 11:28), and we say to all, 'Come unto Him.' As priesthood holders, we are His representatives. We act not for ourselves but for Him. We speak not our words, but His. The people we serve come to know Him better because of our service."

We had a solid rain this morning before sunrise. 

James and I have prayer before he leaves for the valley to start his job. He is doing more remodeling at the medical building on McKellips Rd. that he did a couple of months ago. He leaves at 5:30 and after he leaves I say another prayer for his safety.

I guess the news of the day is that senator John McCain has brain cancer. Here is a picture of him in 1973 when he returned from being a prisoner of war in Vietnam.

By 6:30 the sun is shining and it stopped raining. I prefer rain in the day time.  

I am not feeling well this morning so I am going to watch a Hallmark Christmas movie, "Every Christmas Has a Story."

Sheri and Shayna picked up Alex in Los Angeles today. He just got back from his trip to Europe and he looks pretty pleased to be home.

 Why the happy face?

I needed to go into town to do some shopping at Walmart. Normally I would go in the afternoon but I decided to leave at 10:30 to hopefully beat the rain. My first stop was at Aliberto's for lunch. I had the #2 plate which includes two shredded beef tacos with rice and beans. Next time I think I will skip the rice and beans. While I am at Walmart I can hear the rain coming down hard on the Walmart roof. It stopped before I was finished so I didn't get wet. On my way home I ate a chocolate pudding filled donut. Yum! It rains hard until I get home and the sky looks like this:

We live on the edge.

I watched a few more Christmas movies today. You might even say I O.D. I watched: "Christmas Cookies" with Wes Brown and Jill Wagner. "A Wish for Christmas" starring Lacey Chabert and Paul Greene. This house was in the movie.

Beautiful!

I also watched, "Looks Like Christmas" starring Anne Heche and Dylan Neal, and "Hearts of Christmas."" I was in bed before midnight.

Today was a pretty exciting day for both Anna and Addy. Anna got her learner's permit and Addy got to go to Harry Potter World.

It seems impossible, but it's true.

A dream come true!

I love this picture taken near Sedona.

Christmas in July