Monday, December 2nd, 2019

St. Louis, Missouri

50th operating temple

Dedicated: 1 June 1997

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Head of Church

1 Nephi 14:12

And it came to pass that I beheld the church of the Lamb of God, and its numbers were few, because of the wickedness and abominations of the whore who sat upon many waters; nevertheless, I beheld that the church of the Lamb, who were the saints of God, were also upon all the face of the earth; and their dominions upon the face of the earth were small, because of the wickedness of the great whore whom I saw.

Book of Mormon

Ether 2:1-12

New Testament

1 John 1-2; Finish reading and studying with New Testament Student Manual, Intro to I/F and SS: "God Is Love"

10/19 General Conference

"True Disciples of the Savior"

Elder Terence M. Vinson

"Giving our all doesn't mean that we will be continually enveloped in blessings or always have success. But it does mean that we will have joy. Joy is not fleeting pleasure or even temporary happiness. Joy is enduring and is founded on our efforts being accepted by the Lord."

RWC: "Inasmuch as we succeed in securing eternal glory, and stand as saviors, and as kings and priests to our God, we will save our posterity."

I read from "Women and the Priesthood" by Sheri Dew this morning. I also discovered that I already have the book on my bookshelf upstairs. Kacey, if you would like a copy, please let me know.

As I am sitting at the dining room table working at the computer, I hear Orson, the woodpecker, or as some people think, the ghost, outside pecking away.

The Churches initiative, "Light the World" started yesterday. Since I forgot to post yesterday's, I will post it today, along with today's.

Company worthy dinner: Green chili stew with Dennis's spanish rice. mmmmm

We made a trip to town today. Two new tires for me and because of warranties they only cost us $68.00. James left his truck at Discount Tire and they will put a new tire on, which they had to order, and we will pick it up on Friday on our way home from the valley.

We went to Walmart to get bananas and spinach so we could make smoothies. James makes me one for dinner plus some chamomile tea. We watched two Christmas movies today; 

Lifetime: "A Sweet Christmas Romance" and

Hallmark: "Christmas in Rome"

I only did one blog post today instead of two. At this rate I will never catch up. I spilled water on my computer and then melted some of the keys with the blow dryer so I am having to share James's computer with him which makes things a little interesting. I ordered two new computers, one for him and one for me.

We waited for our creditor checks from Amrock all day. We went online and saw that they were on the UPS truck going out this morning. We kept checking the front porch but no enveloped from UPS. As we were going to bed around 10 pm I noticed an envelope stuck behind the wrought iron on the front door. Our checks are here!

 The Trezise family gathered at Sheri and Ian's 

for Thanksgiving

 Trina and her girls making Christmas chains

at Aunt Sheri's house

Another Serrano's picture

 I love how Scarlett is just ignoring her.

Thursday, April 4th, 2019

Kansas City, Missouri

137th operating temple

Dedicated: 6 May 2012

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

DC 20:21

Wherefore, the Almighty God gave his Only Begotten Son, as it is written in those scriptures which have been given of him.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 1:15-2:8

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:1-13; Luke 9:28-36 BD: Transfiguration

General Conference

Missionary Work: Sharing What Is in Your Heart

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Wherever you are on this earth, there are plenty of opportunities to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ."

We sold another of our proper romance novels, "Seeking Persephone." We have two more books pending sale - "Friends and Foe", and "Founding Brothers."

We left for the valley a little before 9 this morning. We stopped in Show Low and picked up the wheel and tire James took to Cat and took it to Robert's Tire to be fixed and we will pick it up tomorrow on our way home from the valley.

We made on stop in Globe on our way. The first thing we wanted to do was cash the check James got for a book he returned. We stopped at the Chase bank on Pecos and Arizona Avenue. James went in and came out to announce that this wasn't a full bank anymore. They would not cash his check. He had to deposit it and then get cash out.

We met Sheri, Kim, and Stacy at the Cafe Rio on Chandler Blvd. 

James and I both got chicken quesadillas. Stacy ate half of mine and then she got an individual key lime pie which we shared. Sheri got the chicken toastada and Kim did not eat. The purpose of the lunch was to plan the time, place, and menu for our Easter potluck. We determined to have it at Sheri's at noon on Saturday. Sunday won't work because Sheri and Ian go to Ian's parents on Sunday. Monte is having surgery on the 19th in the Chandler hospital and we are going to invite his family over for dinner so that's why we are having it at Sheri's instead of Darrel and Trina's. 

After lunch James and I went to Terry and Cathi's to visit his mom. Rebecca was also there and she and Cathi were doing some painting. Lois seemed to be in a good mood and we had a nice visit. She is very happy at Cathi and Terry's. She will go home on the weekend when Dawn is home. 

James is doing a little repair job for our friends Reed and Janis. We stopped by to visit them. James served with Reed in a bishopric and I served with Janis in a Relief Society presidencies. We love them and are so grateful for their example and friendship. James is coming back next week to begin work on the roof on their patio.

When we finally got to Darrel and Trina's, Darrel was gone to pick up Ruby at dance. Trina was at work, Rowan was outside with friends and Lola was watching "My Little Ponies" on the TV. 

We unloaded our stuff into our new room and new bed. We are sleeping in Trina's craft room. After unloading we got in the car and drove to Jersey Mike's for dinner.

James took the car to Erik's to have him look at it. The check engine light has been on for a long time but recently it has started blinking and the car is idling very rough. 

Erik determined there was something wrong with the coils. He and James thought maybe there were some wires chewed in two by mice. James came home and will check it out in the morning before going back to see Erik.

I played Rummicub with Addy and Ruby. Addy won.  When James returned we went for a walk around the green belt in front of Darrel and Trina's before going to bed. 

Getting in to bed was a little difficult because the bed is so high but it was worth it because it was very comfy. There is no fan in the room yet so I opened both windows. Poor James, he got cold during the night but never closed a window. I finally got up and closed one of them.

Nothing like a good nap.

 James showing his baby bunnies to Rebecca

and Cathi.

Scarlett trying out the dryer.

Two of my favorite Hallmarkies.

 Darrel and Trina's new home.

Ollie after his summer haircut.

 If I took the time to make these I would

never allow anyone to eat them. I would

frame them and hang them on the wall.

Monday, January 21st, 2019

Halifax, Nova Scotia

64th operating temple

Dedicated: 14 Nov 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

2 Nephi 31:ll

And the Father said: Repent ye repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son.

Book of Mormon

*How does Nephi show patience and understanding to his brothers?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

BD: John, the Gospel of John

General Conference

The Role of the Book of Mormon in Conversion

Elder Shayne M. Bowen

"As we better understand who we are and the purposes of the Book of Mormon, our conversion deepens and becomes more certain. We are strengthened in our commitment to keep the covenants we have made with God. A principal purpose of the Book of Mormon is to gather scattered Israel."

Addy made plans to go to the mall with her friends today. She sat down on the couch and began counting her money. She has $330. II reminded her to pay her tithing and she said she would. Saturday night she earned $50 babysitting. I also said I thought she should open up a savings account so she wouldn't be tempted to spend her money. She said that was a good idea.

Ruby and Rowan each went to a friends house today. Lola went to dance class and then her friend Ivy came over to play. 

James took Jared this morning to Hertz to pick up the car they reserved. Because the credit card it was reserved under was in Kacey's name, she had to be the one picking up the car. James came back to the house and took Kacey to the car rental place on McQueen and Guadalupe. 

We met Jared and Kacey for lunch at the Zuppa's on Baseline and Val Vista. The weather was nice so we ate on the patio.

Grandpa was finished eating first so he

held Charlie so the rest of us could finish

our lunch.

After lunch we drove over to visit with James's mother and his sister Dawn. Dawn told us to hurry because she was leaving soon and she wanted to see the baby. 

Of course Lois had James's birthday gifts ready for him. A shirt, six pairs of socks, $40 cash, and a plaque that she made that said: "Escape the Indoors." Dawn gave him a $40 gift card for Joe's BBQ. He was quite happy.

This is one loved baby!

Back to Chandler and my appointment at Dr. Shah's. He says my incision is 70% healed and wants to see me back on Friday, Feb. 1st. I have instructions to brush with the mouthwash on the incision area, use a water pick, an electric toothbrush, and floss. It almost makes me wish I never had to eat...well, not really.

Back to Darrel and Trina's. James went upstairs to take a nap. I was going to walk but then decided to find a UPS store and mail our book boxes. I found one on Ellsworth and Baseline. After mailing the boxes I also found a Soda Rush and got myself a sugar cookie. 

Trina, Jared, Kacey, and I were sitting around the family room talking and playing with the baby when I got a text from Stacy asking if I had made reservations at Firebirds. We had made plans to meet there at 6:30. I said no, I didn't, would she. She said she didn't want to so Trina called for me.  The earliest they can get a party of 11 in is at 7:30. Stacy said that was too late for her, so we went a little early and they seated us before 7:30. It was a fun night and a great way to celebrate Jared and Kacey's second anniversary.

The food was good and so was the company!

Everyone here except Darrel who had to work and

Ian, who was tired from working all day. Sheri took

his dinner home to him.

Back at Darrel and Trina's I unloaded the dishwasher, and put the dirty dishes in. I also had to spot mop the floor because my shoes had something black on the bottom of them. I didn't go outside to walk because it was too cold. As a result I only got 5,927 steps today.

 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
That's why there was no school.

 This was last night in Arizona around 8:30 p.m. but we forgot
to check. The moon was gorgeous tonight when it came up.

This is what Charlie woke up to.

Lola eating peanut butter. She's all ready

for her dance class.

 There are advantages, at least for Ollie, in
keeping your tree up.

We love you Elder Wilhelm!

Beautiful!

Love this!

Rowan and Ruby went to Sheri's while we were at

Firebirds. We drove with Trina and she dropped them off.

This is afterwards. Rowan working on his homework.

I try.