Tuesday, February 7, 2017

I love this view

2 Nephi 2:11-21

What are some insights learned about the Plan of Salvation in this chapter?

Mosiah 2:18-3:13

DC:20:13-24

What can we do to help us give "no heed" to temptation?

Talk: "Shunning Temptation: A Key to Receiving Revelation"

By: Ian S. Arden

February 2004 Ensign

GC:"A Choice Seer Will I Raise Up" by Elder Craig C. Christensen

'Because Joseph was a prophet, we have the blessings and

ordinances of the temple that bind us to God, make us His people, and manifest to us "the power of godliness," making it possible one day to "see the face of God, even the Father, and live."

Because Joseph was a prophet, we know that marriage and family are an essential part of God's plan for our happiness.  We know that through temple ordinances and covenants, our cherished family relationships can endure eternally.'

GC: 'The Lord Jesus Christ Teaches Us to Pray' by Elder Juan A. Uceda

"Do you prepare yourself to make important decisions by praying to your Heavenly Father?  Do you prepare yourself for a moment of prayer?"

Seven Lessons Learned from the Savior:

1.  Satan is the source of temptation - 2 Nephi 2:27, Matthew 4:10

2.  The Savior immediately dismissed temptation.

3.  Jesus took strength from the scriptures as a means of shunning temptation.

4.  From the Joseph Smith Translation, we know that Jesus did not go into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil as portrayed in the King James version, for the righteous seek no temptation.  Rather,

"Jesus was led up of the Spirit, into the wilderness to be with God."

(JST. Matt 4:1)  When we are trying to lose weight, we stay away from the bakery.

5.  Satan tempts us at our weakest point.

6.  Obedience.

7.  Christ was tempted three times in quick succession.  Satan does not give up.

Aba, Nigeria temple

I had hot and sour soup and a sandwich for lunch.  I cleaned our bedroom and bathroom today which included changing the sheets, and washing towels and rugs.  

I blogged for January 18th and 19th. 

I made chicken rice soup and Red Lobster biscuits for dinner this evening.  I also paid bills, and emptied one storage box.  

The Church's Pathway Program has gone global and the President of BYU-Idaho, President Tanner is taking it over.  Henry J. Eyring is the new president of BYU-Idaho.  He has to be President Eyring's son because he looks just like him.  At one time President Eyring was president of Rick's College, which was renamed BYU-Idaho  

After FHE James and I watched a Hallmark movie called "Makeover."  We were in bed by 9.

Fun Photos

A familiar face when visiting Cathi and Terry's.

Such a cute picture!

Speaking of Cathi and Terry, here they are with the

amazing indexing group from Galveston 3rd ward,

one of the best in the entire Church.

Some more familiar faces when visiting at Cathi and Terry's.

Indy on the bed, Lady on the pillow.

Grandpa and Lola

Grandpa with the guys playing Hearts.

Grandpa wins this game 90% of the time.

Some of my young women at the Snowflake temple.

Sisters: Alice and Trenda and

Sisters: Shelly and Jordyn.

Glasses or no glasses, this girl is cute and sweet!

Beautiful!

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

The Logan temple

This is so true!

Alma 36:1-24

(National Covenant) 

1 - . . . inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land.

2 - Remember the captivity of our fathers, for none could deliver them except the Lord.  He did deliver them in their afflictions.

3 - Helaman, my son, her my words and learn of me.  I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, their troubles, and afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.

4 - I know these things because of God.

5 - I know these things because I have been born of God.

6 - I was seeking to destroy the Church of God with the sons of Mosiah until God sent His holy angel to stop us.

7 - He spoke with the voice of thunder and the whole earth did tremble beneath our feet.  We all fell to the earth for the fear of the Lord came upon us.

8 - The voice said unto me arise.  I arose and saw the angel.

9 - He told us to quit seeking to destroy the Church of God.

10 - I fell to the earth and for 3 days and 3 nights I could not open my mouth, neither had I the use of my limbs.

11 - The angel spake more things to my brethren, but I did not hear them.  
12 - I was racked with eternal torment for all my sins.
13 - I was tormented with the pains of hell for all my sins and iniquities.  I had rebelled against God and not kept His commandments.
14 - I had led many of His children away into destruction.  The very thought of seeing God did rack my soul with horror.
15 - I wanted to be banished and become extinct both soul and body that I might not be brought to stand in the presence of my God to be judged of my deeds.
16 - For 3 days and nights was I racked, even with the pains of a damned soul.

GC: "Choices" by President Thomas S. Monson.

James and I took one of the elders assigned here in Vernon, Elder Rosenbalm, to the Scottsdale Mission Home.  His mission isn't over until next Monday, but he has a doctor's appointment this week.

Elder Rosenbalm in the front, Elder Goodenough behind him.

Elder Rosenbalm slept most of the way to Payson while I read to James from The Washington Hypothesis.  He woke up enough to hear some so we told him about Tim Ballard.

We stopped in Payson at Denny's for breakfast.  Our next stop was in Scottsdale to drop Elder Rosenbalm off at an apartment with some other elders, across from the mission home.  Goodbye and good luck.  He is flying to London next week to see his family.  They will then go to France and on to Kuwait where his family is living.  After a week in each of these places Elder Rosenbalm will fly back to the states to attend BYU.

When we arrived at Cathi and Terry's Cathi was at home.  Terry has been in the hospital this week having treatments done for his ulcers. Cathi brought him home today.  James was going to go visit George Wallace but when he called he was being released and was on his way home.  So, no hospital visits today.

When Cathi left to go get Terry she told the dogs, "Stay with aunt Karen."  Lady was very obedient and never left my side.

My little friend.

James took me to lunch at Jersey Mike's before leaving to work at Lindsay Smith's.  He is making and putting up decorative shelves for her.

Nice

I called James's mother, Lois, and talked with her quite awhile on the phone today.  Dawn and Rebecca are visiting Gail in Oregon and she is home alone.  She said she doesn't mind being alone, in fact she rather enjoys it.  She talked about regrets she had with her kids when they were growing up and never being able to attend their school functions, etc., because of work.  I told her I was sure they understood and knew she had done the best she could.  She really is a sweet person and so very talented and level-headed.  I am so grateful to have her in my life.

When Terry got home from the hospital he looked as good as new and said he felt great.  I am sure they will be back at the Records Operation Center by tomorrow.  

James got home, took a shower and crashed on the bed complaining that his back hurt.  I took the car and went to see my friend Charlotte Mattice.  Her Relief Society president, Melanie Patton was there helping her sort and organize papers.  I helped and told her I would be back tomorrow with James.  He is going to help her with some financial issues she has.

Facebook finds:

This is so true!

This is true too!

Sunday, May 29, 2016

Future missionaries!

These boys, along with 11 other children were all in my Primary class today.  They read and answered gospel questions.  I was very impressed.  They are three of the best boys I know!

 Molly ready for Church.

Ruby would not allow any pictures of her because she had to fix her dress, she said you could see through it.  Addy came to the rescue.

 We took this picture after Church with her 

Ruby shirt on.

 Lola stayed home with her dad

and Addy.  

Addy is still recuperating from surgery.

 I love this picture of Molly.

 Lola and her friends.

 Emmy was in my Primary class too.

She was the oldest and probably

the wisest.

 James went to Mel Wilhelm's class.

Brother Wilhelm was very impressed

with James's gospel knowledge.

After teaching 14 Primary children, only two who were actually part of my normal class,  I went in to sharing time and Sister Skousen, the Primary president, said I could go to the 5th Sunday adult meeting in the chapel with the bishop.  I was so happy.  

James, Jared, James Hayden, and I all sat together on the 2nd row.

The bishop gave a presentation about FamilySearch and the Find, Take, Teach program.  He said he was directed to do so by the First Presidency.  He used a computer and projected images up on a screen.  He showed us how to use the fan chart and descendency chart to find ancestors who need temple work done.  I was excited to go home and try it.  

When we got home from Church, Jared's lunch was waiting for us.  He prepared ribs and wanted to make sure we had some before we left for the valley.  They were delicious!  Thank you so much Jared!

Evan had a headache during the last hour of Church and spent his time laying down on the couch in the foyer.  As soon as he got home I fixed him, Josh, and Rowan something to eat, and he felt better.

We left for the valley at 1:35 for Michael's seminary graduation and arrived at the Ray and McQueen stake center at 4:55, five minutes before it started.  Thank goodness Stacy saved us places.

Kyle Dana was quite entertaining as he is the high councilman over seminary. Also, three of Kim and Brian's former bishops were speakers: President Campbell, President Lewis, and Brother Nelson.  Michael says Brother Nelson is his Sunday School teacher and he loves him.  He put in a plug for institute.  He actually teaches institute at ASU and Stacy encouraged Michael to attend his class.  Here are some pictures of family members who attended:

Where is grandpa James you ask.  He was in the men's room.

I love these pictures of Alex and Michael.

They have grown up together and have

been buddies all of their lives!

 G-pa and his boys!

They have outgrown him.

After graduation we went to Stacy and Paul's for dinner.  Stacy had fixed a delicious roast with carrots and rolls.  Before dinner Paul showed Elder Bednar's video about light and then bore his testimony to Michael about going on a mission and how he was prouder of him graduating from seminary than high school.  It was felt heartfelt and I hope Michael was really listening to his dad.

It was nice to visit with Cathi and Terry.  They have not been to the ROC since Tuesday because of the smell of the newly varnished floors.  Terry had a trip to the hospital on Friday because of severe stomach pains.  He also had headaches, but seems to be feeling better tonight.

Terry's son Nathan and his girlfriend, Allison came by to see Terry.  Nathan asked if there was anything they could do to help and offered to do yardwork.  I was impressed with Allison, because she was very friendly and came up and shook our hands.  She is a child psychologist and works with high risk kids.  Nathan is my favorite of Terry's boys.  I guess he and Allison met at a "bug" show.  She bought one of his butterflies.  

Lady and Indy were so happy to see us when we got here.  Lady couldn't stop barking and dancing around!

Thursday, May 5, 2016

This is where I want to be instead of running

around in the valley in 100 degree temperatures.

I was so tired this morning that I slept right through my gospel study time.  James left to go look at a job at Desert Highlands golf course around 7:30.  I got up and took a shower and came back into the bedroom to work on my blog.  Lady is my new best friend:

I think she misses Cathi and Terry being gone

all day.  She stayed with me until I left.

Today is my brother Dennis's birthday.  I called him to wish him a happy birthday and he said that he and Denise were on their way to visit Tonto National Bridge.  We set a date to go to lunch on Monday.  

James had an eye appointment with Dr. Vanover at Chandler Eye at 11.  I sent my glasses with him and Sheri fixed them perfectly!

While he was gone I went to Walgreen's to get a mother's day card and Amazon gift card for Lois for mother's day.  

When James returned from his appointment we drove the car to Sears to get the oil changed and the tires rotated.  It heated up immediately.  James dropped me off at the mall and then took the car to Sears.

We had lunch at Cheesecake Factory and this is what we had to eat.

This is the parmesean herb-crusted chicken

with mashed potatoes and green beans.

I love this dish, except I think my mashed

potatoes are better.  Their platter-plates are

huge and I can never eat everything on my plate.

James had the madeira chicken with mashed

potatoes and asparagus.  It was yummy too.

We made the mistake of ordering a piece of

cheesecake to share. 
It was just a little too much after our big meal.

After our car was finished we drove over to see Lois and Dawn.  We had a nice card and an Amazon gift card for Lois, and I gave Dawn a Book of Mormon and a journal with a note inside the Book of Mormon.  She may have peeked in the bag and seen what it was and didn't want to open it when we were there, I'm not sure, but the gift bag lay on the counter untouched as far as I know.  We also brought them a copy of the Conference Ensign and told them about the refugee choir.  

We had a nice visit but when we left I was wishing that we had brought flowers or a plant.  

Back at Cathi and Terry's we spent the evening in the office studying.  When Cathi went to bed she ask if they were ever going to get to visit with us while we were here.  I told her that I had saved tomorrow evening for that very purpose.  

Happy Cinco de Mayo

Sheri having fun with Snap Chat