Monday, April 30th, 2018

Accra, Ghana

117th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Jan 2004

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ betrayal of

John 13:21

When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 19:25-20:11

* Why did the Lord let Limhi's people end up in bondage?

- sue_heugly: There are two kinds of bondage: The self-inflicted kind from poor choices and iniquity, and the kind that comes from the consequences and choices of others. Limhi's people chose sin, which is to serve Satan. Abinadi warned and prophesied that the people would be brought into bondage because they hardened their hearts against Abinadi's words and wouldn't repent. The dues of discipleship do not come cheap. If we want blessings and freedom from bondage, we must be loyal to God, obey his prophets, keep the commandments and remain humble, submitting our will to His. A blessing always carries with it a responsibility, and a consequence. 

Old Testament

1 Samuel 4

The Israelites are smitten and defeated by the Philistines, who also capture the ark of God - Eli's sons are slain, Eli dies in an accident, and his daughter-in-law dies in childbirth.

General Conference

Let Us All Press On

President Russell M. Nelson

"Your desire to obey will be enhanced as you remember and reflect upon what you have felt these past two days."

Rescuing Wayward Children (221) "When you are united, your power is limitless." - Gordon B. Hinckley

Russell M. Nelson:(4/99) Our Sacred Duty to Honor Women

The Atoning One Chapter 9: "Potential Perils of Grace",

Chapter 10: "The Gospel of God", Chapter 11: "Speaking of the Lord's Atonement" 

I am a little sad I finished this book today because I have really enjoyed it. Next I am going to listen to Elder and Sister Renlund's book, The Melchizedek Priesthood.

At 8 a.m. I left for town, about 20 minutes behind James. We are taking the truck and Lexy in to get new tires. James has to pay for his, I don't have to pay for mine. It's to replace the used one they put on a few days ago when I got a flat coming home from the Morrison's.

 They got our tires on in less than 30 minutes. We took a short walk and it was time to go. Next stop, Walmart, to get the oil changed in Lexy. James made the arrangements and then left. I walked down to the mailbox and mailed the note I wrote to President Shumway.

Now it's time to go in and do my weekly shopping.

I took my time shopping, calculating all my expenses. I checked out and then went to see if my car was ready. I sat in the little waiting room and watched some of Harry Potter. I could see the hood still up on Lexy so I took a spin around the store. This trip is going to be more costly than it seems because I found things to put on my wish list: Grabbit Stick, Black memory foam shoes, "Oh The Places You'll Go" Dr. Seuss book, "Coco,"the movie, and "Coco book and playset. "Star Wars 5 Minute Stories." I actually went home and used my Amazon gift card to by two of the books and the movie. I also bought the movie, "Wonder" because Stacy said it was so good. 

Two more things on my wishlist, cute photo album papers, and some new Ginger scissors.

Finally after a few more trips around the store and the passing of two hours, Lexy was finished. I paid the girl, got my report, and loaded up Lexy for home.

I got home and put everything away and sat down in my recliner wondering where James was. He came in a few minutes later with Brother Howard's Cat skidsteer on his trailer. I was watching a Hallmark movie and he sat down and finished watching it with me. 

For dinner we had cooked cabbage. For F.H.E. we listened to President Nelson's conference talk from October 1999, "A Testimony of the Book of Mormon."

James took me outside to show me how to feed the bunnies. There was a full moon behind clouds that looked rather eerie.

8th grade. Better than his dad.

These two are pretty amazing.

My rose garden.

Ready to go

The Philistines God

Christina's Post

Maybe they should have named him Harry

or Fluffy.

Daddy Daughter Super Hero Dates

Saturday, July 1st, 2017

Sao Paulo, Brazil

17th operating temple

Dedicated: 30 Oct - 2 Nov 1978 by

Spencer W. Kimball

Rededicated: 22 Feb 2004 by

Gordon B. Hinckley

Alma 25:1-17

*How were Abinadi's prophecies fulfilled?

The Lord sends His prophets to serve as His messengers and make His will known. Slometimes they predict future events. Alma 25 is the fulfillment of Abinadi's prophecy from Mosiah 17:14-19.

*What has our prophet counseled us to do today?

DC 95:1-17

1-6, The Saints are chastened for their failure to build the house of the Lord; 7-10, The Lord desires to use His house to endow His people with power from on high; 11-17, The house is to be dedicated as a place of worship and for the school of the Apostles.

Which verse stood out to me?

*1 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you whom I love, and whom I love I also chasten that their sins may be forgiven, for with the chastisement I prepare a way for their deliverance in all things out of temptation, and I have loved you-

8 Yea, verily I say unto you, I gave unto you a commandment that you should build a house, in the which house I design to endow those whom I have chosen with power from on high;

11 Verily I say unto you, it is my will that you should build a house. If you keep my commandments you shall have power to build it.

13 Now here is wisdom, and the mind of the Lord - let the house be built, not after the manner of the world, for I give not unto you that ye shall live after the manner of the world;

14 Therefore, let it be built after the manner which I shall show unto three of you, whom ye shall appoint and ordain unto this power.

General Conference

Trust in the Lord and Lean Not

Bonnie H. Cordon

" We must each ask: How do I keep centered and lean not unto mine own understanding? How do I recognize and follow the Savior's voice when the voices of the world are so compelling?

How do I cultivate trust in the Savior: May I suggest three ways to increase our knowledge of and trust in the Savior?

First, we can come to know the Lord and trust Him as we 'feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. Scriptures enlighten our minds, nourish our spirits, answer our questions, increase our trust in the Lord, and help us center our lives on Him.

Second, we can come to know the Lord and trust Him through prayer. As we make a habit of approaching Heavenly Father in prayer, we will come to know the Savior. We will come to trust Him. Our desires will become more like His. We will be able to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that Heavenly Father is ready to give if we will but ask in faith.

Third, we can come to know the Lord and trust Him as we sacrifice to serve others."

James and I made an early morning trip to town. Kim and Brian were still in bed so I left them a note. It was James's errand but I took advantage of it. I bought a mattress topper for the bed in James's office. I bought ping pong balls and paddles, and various and other sundry items. We stopped at Jack-in-the Box for breakfast and I had one of their yummy supreme croissants.  

Happy 14th Birthday Max!

This is one amazing kid. He seems tough on the outside but

on the inside he is a marshmallow.

Max absolutely loves Michael!

They are buddies, even if Michael did

knock his tooth out on the trampoline.

Such a handsome boy, and so talented!

His brothers and his cousins are his

best friends.

Such a smart boy, even at this age!

I love you Max!

We had smoke from the San Carlos Hilltop fire today. It got so bad that it was difficult to go outside. It kept Kim and Brian from going for a walk and a Razr ride. They even talked about going home. That's how bad it was. 

James went to Kyra's funeral in St. Johns. This is a picture of Kyra's dad Curtis, and his finance Joie. They are pretty amazing people. More to come about them at a later date.

Curtis is Uncle Delbert's youngest son.

Uncle Delbert was a prisoner of war in

World War II. He wrote a book about it.

He is 94 years old and he and Uncle Kay are the

only two of James's dad's siblings that are

still alive. He lives in St. Johns.

Kyra's kids and one of two of the

children that Joie and Curtis adopted.

I stayed home from the funeral to finish cleaning upstairs. Jared and Kacey and their kids will be arriving tonight. There were so many dead bugs in the bathtubs!  It was a chore, but I finished. The upstairs is ready for company.

Brian cooked me a cheeseburger for lunch. Thanks Brian.  I am so tired. When James got home he, Kim and I played a game of Five Crowns.

Jared, Kacey and the kids arrived around 9:30 after spending 15.5 hours in the car.  They were exhausted and went straight to bed.

Random Photos:

Molly met Kacey's friend Gloria and they were

instantly best friends!

Upper Black River

I love the diversity of scenery in Arizona!

Sunday, March 26, 2017

Fort Collins, Colorado

153rd operating temple

Jacob 6:1-13

The Lord will recover Israel in the last days - The world will be burned with fire - Men must follow Christ to avoid the lake of fire and brimstone. About 544-421 B.C.

How is repentance a continuous process?  Why doesn't it end once you take the sacrament?

Alma 51

The king-men seek to change the law and set up a king - Pahoran and the freemen are supported by the voice of the people - Moroni compels the king-men to defend their country or be put to death - Amalickiah and the Lamanites capture many fortified cities - Teancum repels the Lamanite invasion and slays Amalickiah in his tent. About 67-66 B.C.

DC 45:60-75

60-62, The Prophet is instructed to begin the translation of the New Testament, through which important information will be made known; 63-75, The Saints are commanded to gather and build the New Jerusalem, to which people from all nations will come.

How can we make our homes a sanctuary for peace?

General Conference

"If Ye Had Known Me"

Elder David A. Bednar

"Serving Him requires all of our heart, might, mind and strength.  Consequently, selflessly serving others counteracts the self-centered and selfish tendencies of the natural man.  We grow to love those whom we serve.  And because serving others is serving God, we grow to love Him and our brothers and sisters more deeply.  Such love is a manifestation of the spiritual gift of charity, even the pure love of Christ."

From the women's session of General Conference

I forgot to post yesterday about James flying his drone.  He and Darrel went out in the back and it flew high and far.  Now he needs to learn how to use the camera so he can spy on the nearby wildlife.

Evan woke up sick to his stomach this morning.  Rowan said he was a little bit sick too, and Trina got no sleep because of Lola, so Trina stayed home from church with the two boys.

A couple of sickies

Today was our fast and testimony meeting.  I bore my testimony and said that all I ever needed to learn in life I learned in Primary. I know that Heavenly Father loves me, that the Savior died for my sins, that Joseph Smith is the prophet of the Restoration and that he translated the Book of Mormon.  I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God, that the Church is true, and that we have a prophet on the earth today, even Thomas S. Monson.  When I went back to my seat Ruby whispered to me, "good job."  What a sweetie!

Many of the testimonies were in regards to Ravenna Gillespie and what an influence she was here in Vernon.  

I love the statue of the Savior

My lesson in Primary today was about "The First Latter-day Missionaries"  I was impressed with the sacrifices these early missionaries made to preach the gospel and tried to impress upon the children in my class how important it is for us to make sacrifices to share the gospel.  The third hour we had teacher council meeting.  When I told my class I wouldn't be in sharing time because I was going to a meeting to help me be a better teacher.  Curtis and Lianna both said: "You are already a great teacher." That made me feel good and a little guilty because I actually ask Curtis to leave the class for awhile today because he would not stop making weird noises.

Flagstaff area

We broke our fast this afternoon and had leftover green chili pork stew, mini corndogs and pizza rolls that Darrel cooked.  Here are some things we did this afternoon:

These girls did a puzzle

Kayla, Addy, and Darrel played Tenzi's.

Trina wanted to play too but Lola insisted that she sit and

watch Toy Story 2 with her.

Addy and Grandpa "hung out"

The kids got their picture taken

Lola and I went outside and I blew bubbles while Lola chased them.  It was so much fun to here her giggle and laugh.

Evan ate crackers because of his upset stomach.  I made "brookies," chocolate chip cookies with brownie batter.  The were ok, but I think I like my regular chocolate chip cookies better.

Finally we had to say our goodbyes.

Love these people and I am so grateful 

they came to visit.

James went home teaching to the Peeler's today and we started our new book, "Witness in the Dark."  Ordinarily we wouldn't read on Sunday but we have to finish this one before Tuesday so James can return it to Cathi.  It is in modern time and takes place in Tooele, Utah.  It is about a girl who witnesses a murder and is thrown into a mine shaft.  A little mute girl saw it happen and takes care of her until she is found 7 days later.  It was a good book.

I got a call from the stake Relief Society President this evening. She would like me to speak at a stake women's conference on Saturday, April 22nd.  The topic is receiving personal revelation.  I am humbled that I would be ask to do this but now I have two talks to give this month plus three Primary lessons to prepare.  I better not waste any time getting started. 

Fun Photos:

Bishop Hall's son Kendall got 

married last night. Congratulations!

Drennan, Heather and their two girls came to 

Arizona to visit.  In this picture Heather looks like

Dianne and the little girl she is holding looks like her

as a child.

  I wrote Lola's name on a piece of paper in

sacrament meeting.  She copied it.

Genius.

Ruby's drawings during sacrament meeting

I love how she spelled grandpa.

Monday, May 30, 2016

Finally got a picture of Addy!

Joshua is holding Larry the Lizard.

James Hayden was on a Razr ride.

 When I woke up this morning in Chandler at 5:50, James was already up and dressed and he said to me: "I'll be waiting out in the car for you.  He was ready to go home.  Thirty minutes later I was ready.

We started a new book called Alexandra on the way home.

It's called a sweet and clean

Regency romance novel.

  We got back to Vernon around 10, and our company was still there!

Addy started a game of Apples to Apples.  I forgot

how much fun this game is to play with kids.

Hey who went to Maverick?
I guess it was Jared when he got gas for the Razr. 

More random pictures.

We have some posers in our family.

Things I didn't get pictures of that I wish I had:

Darrel vacuuming.

The kids have a "candy fest" eating all the candy I usually save for my Primary class.

More pictures of kids on the Razr.

More pictures of James and Addy.

Evan learning to drive.

Both cars left a little after noon. Molly came and sat on my lap and ask if she could live with me.  That melted my heart.
  I hope Darrel doesn't get caught in the Memorial Day traffic.  The house was very quiet after everyone left.  I sat down and watched an episode of "Chopped."  James took a two hour nap.  He was up awfully early this morning.

Some random pictures I want to post.  I showed this first one to James Hayden and he said it looked like "marshmallow clouds."

Toasted marshmallow clouds.

I would love it if James could build a clubhouse that looked like this:

We could paint it purple and plant it by a

red tree and put up a colorful fence!