OUR FAMILY: John and Sandy Bear

Sunday, July 8, 2018

Wednesday, July 4th, 2018

Nuku'alofa, Tonga

23rd operating temple

Dedicated: 9-11 Aug 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

Job 38:4

Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.

Alma 27:1-15

*How much faith did the king have in the Lord? (see verse 8).

Elder M. Russell Ballard explains:

"Learning to recognize and follow the Lord's voice is vital for spiritual progression. God expects us to hear and know His voice in this life, but He also expects us to act." ("Responding to the Promptings of the Spirit", Jan. 1988).

Old Testament

2 Chronicles 5-6

5 The temple is finished, and the ark of the covenant is placed in the holy of holies - The glory of the Lord fill the temple.

6 Solomon blesses the congregation of Israel - He offers the dedicatory prayer for the temple - He prays for mercy and blessings for penitent Israel.

General Conference

Until Seventy Times Seven

Elder Lynn G. Robbins

" No one is more on our side than the Savior. He allows us to take and keep retaking His exams. To become like Him will require countless second chances in our day-to-day struggles with the natural man, such as controlling appetites, learning patience and forgiveness, overcoming slothfulness, and avoiding sins of omission, just to name a few. If to err is human nature, how many failures will it take us until our nature is no longer human but divine? Thousands? More likely a million."

Before I left for the valley this morning I put sheets on two of the beds upstairs, wrapped Lola's four presents, made myself a green smoothie did scriptures and prayers, listened to a general conference talk and three articles from the Ensign, including an article by Elder Rasband about his ancestors who were handcart pioneers.

I listened to President Eyring's biography all the way to the valley. I left about an hour late, at 11. When I got to Show Low I washed the car, again. I am glad I wasn't here an hour ago because I would have been in the middle of the 4th of July parade which is a serious thing in Show Low. At the other end of town in front of Licano's there were several police cars flashing their lights. As I approached I saw a smashed black and white police car in the middle of the road.

I stopped at the Fry's in Globe. Listening to President Eyring's book has inspired me to write more and I realized I didn't bring a notebook to write in with me so I stopped and got a couple of notebooks and some new pens. I also bought a diet Coke to help me stay awake and to go with my bag of Booma Chika popcorn.

I arrived at Darrel and Trina's around 3. I guess that Trina and the kids must still be swimming and Darrel is at work. James arrived about 5 minutes after I did. He helped me unload my car. Trina had Lola's party all set up with balloons halfway up the stairs and all the gifts wrapped. I added my four little gifts to the stash.

Happy Birthday Lola!

A little while after we arrived Trina and the kids returned from their swim. They all got ready for the party and soon Bob, Suzy, Tristyn, Ria, and Case arrived. Tristyn is here from Hawaii with her kids because she is going to California with the family. They all go every summer to spend a week on the beach.

Bob and Suzy brought Barro's pizza and some chicken wings to share before the birthday cake and ice cream. Soon Darrel was home and we could all gather around and sing Happy Birthday to Lola.