Sunday, June 23rd, 2019

Anchorage, Alaska

54th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Jan 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Exemplar

1 John 4:17

Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Book of Mormon

Alma 20:19-30

New Testament "It Is Finished"

Review: Matt 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19

General Conference

The Atonement of Jesus Christ

Tad R. Callister

"The Savior overcame the four obstacles that can prevent our spiritual progress. 

1. Death. 'As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.'

2. Sin The Savior overcame sin and guilt for all those who repent.

3. Afflictions and Infirmities. Alma prophesied that Christ 'shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind.' Why? 'That his bowels may be filled with mercy, ... that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.'

4. Weaknesses and imperfections. Because of His Atonement, the Savior has enabling powers, sometimes referred to as grace, that can help us overcome our weaknesses and imperfections and thus assist us in our pursuit to become more like Him."

Brother Thompson read a letter from the First Presidency during sacrament meeting today regarding strengthening home and family especially during the month of July which is designated as family month.

Two young women spoke about their experiences at girls camp. The highlight of the week seemed to be the bishop's night and testimony meeting. Sister MacArthur and Sister Reynolds also spoke and Sister Reynolds said the testimony meeting was the most spiritual meeting she had ever been to.

 Sister Curtis taught Relief Society based on President Oaks's conference talk, "Cleansed by Repentance." These are some of the questions we were asked to consider: 

1. Why do we need to repent?

2. What doors do we need to open in order to feel the Atonement in our lives?

3. Are we teaching our posterity about true repentance?

Here are some notes I took: 

*Sin is like a stumbling block. We all fall short. Compassion for others is so important.

*Guilt can be a good thing if it causes us to overcome sin and weaknesses. We can't let guilt weigh us down.

*The purpose of the Final Judgment is to determine whether we have achieved what Alma described as a "mighty change of heart" where we have become new creatures, with "no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually."

*Some sins need to be reported to priesthood leaders. Being comfortable and at-one with the Savior is vital so we will feel comfortable with Him in the next life. 

*Repent daily, even minute by minute. 

Sister Finnell gave us some homemade salsa and a thank you note for taking cookies to her after she broke her arm. It was delicious and James and I went home and had chips with cheese and salsa for lunch.

I made brownies for James this afternoon for him to take with him to the valley along with his banana nut muffins. He left around 5:20 pm. and will check in at the timeshare. I will leave in the morning after going to the post office and asking them to hold my mail.

This evening I blogged, had pancakes for dinner and watched "The Good Witch" and the new "Mystery 101."

I love this sweet girl!

 Young women who read their Book of Mormon went to

our timeshare to swim and relax in the sun.

Kilee and Shelly are pictured here. We also had Trenda

and LeeAnn.

 Scottish highlander calf

Scarlett

 LeeAnn and Cody were married yesterday

by Bishop Miller.

No, this wasn't LeeAnn's wedding cake.

She made her own with the help of

Sister Scott.

Sunday, November 12th, 2017

Columbia River, Washington

107th operating temple

Dedicated: 18 Nov 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Ascension of

Mosiah 18:2

Yea, concerning that which was to come, and also concerning the resurrection of the dead, and the redemption of the people, which was to be brought to pass through the power, and sufferings, and death of Christ, and his resurrection and ascension into heaven.

Book of Mormon

*How can we strive to be more like Christ in our lives?

President Ezra Taft Benson said: "The entire ministry of the Master was characterized by His voluntary subordination to His Heavenly Fathers will", and in the Savior's own words, "I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me... for I do always the things that please Him" (John 8:28-29).  Christ was not only perfectly obedient, but maybe even more importantly, perfectly trusting. So if we choose, like Jesus Christ, to trust more completely, to follow more obediently, and to make doing the will of our Father the core motivation behind decision-making, focus, thoughts, actions, and if we make understanding His will our very purpose, what could the ripple effect of that be? Would we be cultivating and deepening Christlike virtues such as truth, wisdom, patience, kindness, gentleness, love, godliness, faith and self-control? Would we be more completely and exactly following the Savior's example? Would we experience deeper peace, happiness, and joy? Elder Neal A. Maxwell said: "Only by aligning our wills with God's is full happiness to be found...progression toward submission confers...an enhanced capacity for joy."

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 6:5-7

5 Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you.

6 Now, as you have asked, behold, I say unto you, keep my commandments, and seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion.

7 Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich.

General Conference

By Divine Design

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"Our lives are like a chessboard, and the Lord moves us from one place to another - if we are responsive to spiritual promptings.

Looking back, we can see His hand in our lives."

Neither one of us had to prepare a lesson today. We left for church around 8:45. I did not feel well but I made myself go. It was fast and testimony meeting and Shelly bore her testimony for the last time in sacrament meeting before leaving for her mission. Her family is taking her to Utah to the MTC on Tuesday. 

The bishop was out of town today and Anne was home with two sick babies. The bishop's parents brought the older children so they would be here for the Primary program practice. 

I loved Brother Secard's testimony. He got up as he normally does and as he was talking he tried to explain that he had an illness but he couldn't remember the name of it. He said: "You know, it's the one where you can't remember anything." 

My friend Rosa who is also a Primary teacher told me we were supposed to teach today but she didn't come prepared because she thought we were practicing for the program both hours. I told her I wasn't prepared either and I went to talk to Sister Skousen, the Primary president. She said originally we were not going to teach but they decided two hours was too long to practice so she had Sister Thompson the secretary, call every one. I told her I did not get a call and neither did Rosa. She said it was okay that the presidency would cover the teaching hour, which they did along with the music director. Sister Thompson came to me and apologized and told me she sent out an email on Thursday. I told her I didn't get it but then I realized that every day I delete over 200 emails and maybe I accidentally deleted it. Sure enough, I found it in my deleted files. I was a little embarrassed. Oh well, I guess I need to be more careful in the future.

One exciting thing happened today. Braxton, one of the boys in my class who very rarely comes, came to Primary today and participated in the program!

I was so tired and sleepy I just kept watching the clock and almost decided to leave early during the practice since I was just sitting there anyway. I knew if I went home though I would just have to come back and pick up James so I stayed.

As soon as we got home we broke our fast and I sat down to watch a Christmas movie while eating a peanut butter sandwich and drinking a glass of milk. 

James grilled some steaks and cooked some corn for our real lunch. It was delicious. I was still tired and had a headache and just camped in front of the TV watching Hallmark Christmas movies. 

I watched: "The Sweetest Christmas" starring Lacey Chabert, and Lea Coco. "A Cookie Cutter Christmas" starring Erin Krakow, and David Haydn-Jones, and Alan Thicke. "A Song for Christmas" starring Rebecca Tobin, Kevin McGarry, and Kendra Leigh Thomas. And last but not least, "Enchanted Christmas" starring Carlos and Alexa PenaVega.  Afterwards I vowed there would be no more TV watching on Sunday. It just wasn't right because it kept James from indexing and me from working on family history.

I gave Pam and Ricky conference Ensigns yesterday on the way home from the temple. Pam texted me and said she had finished reading the entire Ensign! Wow! Pretty amazing!

More photos from last night's

Patriotic Program in Chandler

Sister Bear, Sister Barney (from Snowflake), 

Sister Lamb, and Sister Davis.

Brian L., friends with James

The Montgomery's, who happen to have a

summer place in Vernon.

Pres. A. Farnsworth with his daughter and son-in-law.

Sister Kempton and Sister Layton

my counselor and secretary when I was the Primary

President in Chandler 2nd ward.

Fall photo of the day

Kilee, one of my young women

This is about what I look like first thing in the morning.

The Whalen family

The Whalen family Christmas tree

Northern Lights and a glowing igloo

Sooo cute!

My kids cousins and their kids

The Living Christ

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Cedar City, Utah temple

under construction

2 Nephi 27:12-35

How have you seen people draw near to the Lord with their lips? How have I drawn near to the Lord with my lips?

Alma 22:19-23

23- Religious freedom is proclaimed-The Lamanites in seven lands and cities are converted-They call themselves Anti-Nephi-Lehies and are freed from the curse-The Amalekites and the Amulonites reject the truth.

DC 39:12-24

15-21, The Lord's servants are to preach the gospel before the Second Coming; 22-24, Those who receive the gospel will be gathered in time and in eternity.

Why is it so important to have faith:

Talk: Choices

By: Thomas S. Monson

April 2016

General Conference

Am I Good Enough? Will I Make It?

Elder J. Devn Cornish

Alma proclaimed,

"Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness."

With repeated sinning, we distance ourselves from the Spirit,

become discouraged, and then stop repenting.

International Women's Day

One of my favorite quotes!

Twenty-four elk spent a little time in our yard today.  I saw them but I missed the two cow elk up on their hind legs pawing at each other.  James said it was hilarious.

I love their light colored bums.

I talked to Stacy today and she said that Michael is having trouble with his lungs.  I think it all is related to the fact that he had RSV as an infant.  Also, he has terrible allergies.  

I managed to blog for February 24th and 25th today.  It is taking me forever to catch up.  I hope I never get this far behind again.  It was a day of little accomplishment although I got up at 4 am.  I had to take an hour nap before noon.  I did finish my gospel study, paid some bills and took a shower.  Things I planned to do but didn't:

Fix a meal using items from our years supply, a chicken and stuffing casserole.  Clean upstairs.  I did go upstairs and discovered Sheri and Ian's toilet needed some adjusting.  After dusting the ping pong table I went downstairs to tell James about the toilet.  I never made it back upstairs.  James worked on a bid for Desert Highlands Golf Course most of the day.  

Instead of having a nice meal for dinner James had some leftover chili and refried beans with one of the biscuits I made. Whatever I get a craving for is what I end up fixing.  I wished I craved vegetables or something healthy.  

This evening we watched: "Stop the Wedding" and "The Sweet Life."

Fun Photos:

If this really true?

A few years ago I wrote the Book of Mormon out in long-hand.

I found out this week in my Primary lesson that Oliver Cowdery was ask to do the same thing by the Prophet Joseph Smith.

The only rugs I could find to protect my floor from the backdoor

to the fireplace where James brings wood in.

The Shipley intrusion

Beady eyes

She really wants to jump in the tub

with Stacy.

An Arizona legend.

My grandparents and dad had Navajo rugs

made just like this.  My dad gave one to Sheri and Ian

when they got married.

Another attempt at making the perfect hashbrowns.

A friend spotted a bald eagle in her

backyard.

Kilee at a Mutual outing at the

Wallace's.

Darrel and Jon back in the day

when they both were hunks.

Oh, yes, they still are!

Sheri and her new friend.

Max and Elder Christofferson.

Evan and Elder Christofferson

at a Stake Conference in Chandler.

President Randall Jones and

President Blackerd in the background.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Happy Birthday Jared!

Jared and Emmy reading scriptures on his phone.

Jared and his kids when they visited us this summer.

Anna and James from a few years ago.

Jared did not get his card from us on his birthday as I had hoped he would.  It finally came on Saturday, November 7th.

It rained all night here in Vernon and it's still raining.  There was some flurries of snow too.  I wish James was here and I had a fire!

I found these two pictures back in July while I was looking for pictures of Jared:

I am going to miss this home!

We lived here for 39 years.

We moved in a few weeks before Jared was born.

 Our new home in Vernon.

I paid some bills, and ordered our Disney tickets and did some other desk work this morning.  

Kilee came this afternoon and washed the inside windows while I finished cleaning out the entry closet.  

 Kilee washing windows

My new clean closet

When I took Kilee home it was still raining and the roads were very muddy.  Now Lexy is covered with mud for our trip to the valley tomorrow.  

For dinner I had a can of chicken and rice soup.  It tasted good on this cold wintry day.  I also had a cup of Pero with chocolate and whipped cream.  

This evening I hemmed James's new pants for him.  He is in Chandler trying to unclog Sheri's plumbing.  

I watched a couple of Christmas movies this evening:

"Cancel Christmas", and "A Carol Christmas."