Monday, August 20th, 2018

Kona, Hawaii

70th operating temple

Dedicated: 23 Jan 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

Job 26:13
By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.

Book of Mormon

Alma 53:1-17
*How can we build a "fortified city" to protect us?
-Henry B. Eyring said: "As the forces around us increase in intensity whatever spiritual strength was once sufficient will not be enough. And whatever growth in spiritual strength we once thought was possible, greater growth will be made available to us. Both the need for spiritual strength and the opportunity to acquire it will increase at rates which we underestimate at our peril." How do we build fortifications? By keeping our covenants. They are the way to access the power God has promised to send us.
Old Testament

Psalms 51-55
51 David pleads for forgiveness after he went in to Bathsheba - He pleads, Create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me.
52 David says that wicked tongues devise mischief and the wicked trust in riches - The Saints trust in the mercy of God forever.
53 David says, The fool says there is no God - There is none who does good - Gathered Israel will rejoice.
54 David pleads for salvation and promises to serve God.
55 David prays morning noon, and night - He seeks protection and help against his enemies.

General Conference

Pure Love: The True Sign of Every True Disciple of Jesus Christ

Elder Massimo DeFeo
"My dear brothers and sisters, if you are struggling to find the strength to forgive, don't think of what others have done to you, but think of what the Savior has done for you, and you will find peace in the redemptive blessings of His Atonement.
True disciples love to submit themselves to the Lord with peace in their heart. They are humble and submissive because they love Him. They have faith to fully accept His will, not only in what He does but also in how and when. True disciples know that the real blessings are not always what they want but rather what the Lord wants for them."

FHE:

He That Shall Endure unto the End the Same Shall Be Saved

Elder Claudio D. Zivic

"We must strive to obey all the commandments and pay close attention to those that are hardest for us to keep. The Lord will be at our side, helping us in times of need and weakness, and if we demonstrate a sincere desire and act accordingly, He will make 'weak things become strong.'"

I got up early this morning to work on my blog. As a result I got to see Addy before she left for school. Lola and Ruby helped me wrap Addy's HP Clue game. I wrapped the little gifts and put them in a basket. This is what everything looked like when I was finished:

It looks like an Easter basket.

I should have got a picture of Addy.

I did get a picture of Rowan and Ruby before they went to school, and one for Lola and Trina. Trina is a photo bomber.

 Trina calls him Squints, I
call him Rowan.

Miss Ruby has some rainbow converse shoes

Two lovely ladies.

James went to the Phoenician Golf Course to try to talk to the owner but the guy would not talk to him.

I had lunch with Karen S. at the Firebird's in Gilbert. It was so fun to catch up and see my dear friend. She bought my lunch and gave me two books for my birthday. 

James and I went to visit with his mom before leaving town. She had birthday gifts for me and a quilt and a dress for Jared and Kacey's baby. 

For my birthday I got embroidered pillow cases and a table runner from Lois and Dawn and a $50 Amazon card. I also got a $50 Amazon card from Darrel and Trina, $70 from Sheri and Ian, and $70 from James, enough to buy an embossing/die cut machine.

We went home through Payson. It rained around Heber. 

We listened to "Scarlet" on the way home.

We stopped at Tasha's and picked up the Cougar card I bought from Zack. It cost $20 and there are lots of discounts available.

When we got home James had to pump up the tire on his truck and hook up the trailer. He is leaving at 4 am for Taylor to pick up his tractor. He took with him a $2,100 check to pay for the repairs done on the tractor.

I walked until 9:40 to get my 10,000 steps. 

James took George his dump truck around 8 pm

this evening. 

Congratulations Matt and Ruby!

I'm so excited to receive my first shipment!

Friday, March 30th, 2018

Montreal, Quebec

86th operating temple

Dedicated: 4 June 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

Ether 3:14

Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem y people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters. 

Book of Mormon

Jarom 1:1-15

* How can we stay out of the pride cycle, even when we are prosperous?

Old Testament

Deuteronomy 27-28

27 The children of Israel are to cross the Jordan, build an altar, and worship the Lord - They are the Lord's people but will be cursed if they do not obey Him.

28 If the children of Israel are obedient, they will be blessed temporally and spiritually - If they are disobedient, they will be cursed, smitten, and destroyed; diseases, plagues, and oppression will come upon them; they will serve false gods and become a byword among all nations; fierce nations will enslave them; and they will eat their own children and be scattered among all nations.

General Conference

Love One Another as He Has Loved Us

Elder Jose L. Alonso

" President Thomas S. Monson has counseled us, saying, 'Let us examine our lives and determine to follow the Savior's example by being kind, loving, and charitable.'"

Today is Good Friday. I wonder why it is called Good Friday when this is the day that the Savior suffered on the cross. 

Rowan and Ruby went with us this morning while Addy, Trina and Lola went on a walk. Actually, Addy roller bladed, Trina jogged and Lola rode in the jogging stroller. 

The first thing we did on our drive was stop at the bank to get some cash to pay Erik for fixing the shocks on our car. I brought my checkbook but I was all out of checks. We got $400 and paid him $380. James took Lexy from Erik's to Chandler Auto Body while I went to Stacy's to pick up Joshua and take him to Sheri's. James finished before we did so he started walking south on Arizona Avenue. We picked him up by Ray Rd. 

Kim took Stacy to the surgery center earlier this morning to have surgery on her foot. Paul will pick her up and take her home. 

After picking up James we drove to Tempe to see Lois and Dawn. Lois had cataracts removed from her left eye yesterday. It is the eye she can't see out of anyway so I'm not sure why they felt the need to remove cataracts. Dawn and Lois were both happy to see us and to see Rowan and Ruby as well. 

Lois fed us lunch. Ruby and I had a turkey and cheese sandwich, chips, and pineapple upside down cake. Rowan had some cake and cantaloupe. I think James had a little of everything.

On our way back to Chandler we stopped at Dollar Tree to pick up some goodies we thought we might put in the Easter eggs. We stopped at Sheri's for the egg coloring activity. Joshua's egg spinner was a big hit especially with Darrel and Trina's kids. Sheri was making rolls while we were there. 

When we got back to Darrel and Trina's James and I went upstairs to take a nap. While we were napping Suzy came to pick up the kids. They are having a cousin sleepover at her house tonight. Lola said to her: "Do you want to go upstairs and see my grandma and grandpa sleeping?" I am glad she declined. 

Trina and I went shopping this evening. Darrel was at work and James went for a walk. Trina had planned on using the massage coupon Darrel got her for her birthday tonight at Massage Envy but they wouldn't let her because even though she had the confirmation number she didn't have the original email. She was pretty upset and so was Darrel. When he got home he sent her the email. I think she will be going back very soon.

James and I were up until midnight making a double batch of Easter beans. Tomorrow I will make the ham and two kinds of potatoes.

I was walking and it turned midnight before

I reached 10,000.

I think this is what James was doing when 

he wrecked my car.

Winter or "Winnie" as her family calls her.

I saw this picture at Lois's and I had to copy it.

I love it!

Sheri's baby

Egg coloring at Sheri's:

Patiently waiting for her turn using

the egg spinner.

I think I need to get him one next year.

An artist at work.

Ruby showing off her egg.

Ollie is the photo bumber.

Friday, February 2nd, 2018

Dallas, Texas

30th operating temple

Dedicated: 19-24 Oct 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

Luke 4:32

And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 21:22-22:10

*What does it mean that the Gentiles will nurse Israel back to health? What are some examples I have noticed?

The U.S. government helping with native Americans.

Old Testament

Exodus 22-23

22 The Lord reveals His laws pertaining to stealing, destructions by fire, care of the property of others, borrowing, lascivious acts, sacrifices to false gods, affecting widows, usury, reviling God, and the firstborn of men and of animals - The men of Israel are commanded to be holy.

23 The Lord reveals His laws pertaining to integrity and godly conduct - The land is to rest during a sabbatical year - The children of Israel are to keep three annual feasts - An angel, bearing the Lord's name, will guide them - Sickness will be removed - The nations of Canaan will be driven out gradually.

Old Testament Favorite Scriptures

Genesis 7:23-24

23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.

24 And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days.

General Conference

Value Beyond Measure

Joy D. Jones

"Mothers, you might be kneeling next to your four-year-old as he says his bedtime prayer. A feeling flows over you as you listen. You feel warmth and peace. The feeling is brief, but you recognize that you, at that moment, are counted worthy to receive. We may seldom, if ever receive huge spiritual manifestations in our lives; but we can frequently savor the sweet whisperings of the Holy Ghost verifying the truth of our spiritual worth."

James and I left this morning around 7:30 for his appointment with Dr. Memon at 8:15 in Chandler. I dropped him off and after seeing Dr. Memon he is going to walk to his next doctor's appointment which is only about 1/2 mile away. I drove back to Darrel and Trina's to get ready for my infusion appointment. I brought Lola a Krispy Kreme donut but she said she only like donuts that have chocolate on them so of course I had to eat it. I had already had a lemon filled one. Not good when I have to weigh at the doctor's today.

I hurried and showered and left for Hobby Lobby. I wanted a new centerpiece for the dining room table and some valentines. I found what I wanted and then had to hurry to pick up James at Fry and Dobson. He then drove me to the arthritis center in Mesa for my infusion. AARC is moving. This will be my last appointment at this location. Next time I will be going to Country Club and Baseline.

On the way over to Tempe to see James's mom we stop at the Sweet Tomatoes by her house for lunch. I like this place but I think two times in two days is enough. 

Lois has lots of gifts for James, plus she made him an orange no-bake cheesecake. She also gave me some Barbie dolls she had leftover from Christmas. 

She tells us about Dawn's new job where she works 80 hours a week. She did not get paid for the first few weeks because she was in training. I don't think anyone should have a job where they have to work 80 hours a week. That worries me.

Dawn may be going on a cruise in March for work and if she does Carmen says she is coming to stay with her mom. If she does, it will be nice to see her again. I really love Carmen.

After saying our goodbye's to Lois we headed for the Howard's in Chandler. Sister Howard is recovering from her neck surgery. She seems to be feeling pretty good but her brace comes up to her mouth and it is difficult to talk to people. Deana, the Howard's daughter, and Dakota, Deana's daughter, and Brecken, Dakota's newborn baby came to visit so we said our goodbyes.

Our next stop was Stacy's house, which is just a few miles from the Howard's. We had to wait a few minutes for her to get home as she was picking up Joshua from school. We gave Stacy her birthday card and a gift card for Outback restaurant. We also gave Joshua his knife he left at the cabin and Michael's scripture manual. Stacy said she finished the power point picture file. It has almost 300 photos. I am anxious to get my copy. 

Connie, James's sister, had to have emergency surgery today for a perforated ulcer. We wouldn't have known about it except that I am friends with her daughter Katie on Facebook and she posted about it. Facebook is good for some things. 

James went by to see Salvador about the new business they are starting together and Salvador paid him $200 for his monthly payment for the waterline James put in for him to connect him to city water. I am very impressed with Sal.

This evening while Trina is running kids around, Darrel is at work, and James is visiting Sal and then comes home and goes outside to walk, Lola and I were TV buddies. First we watched a few episodes of "Peppa the Pig," and then we watched "Despicable Me." When it came to the part where Gru shows things he has stolen and the Statue of Liberty comes up Lola gets all excited and says: "I have one of those, pause it."  She runs upstairs and gets the small Statue of Liberty that Darrel and Trina brought back from New York. She looks and hers and then looks and the screen and is so excited that they are exactly alike. She says: "Look, they even have the same book."

I needed to finish getting my steps today but Lola didn't want me to walk, she wanted me to sit by her. Trina brought home dinner from Panda at Lola's request. She wanted chicken and noodles and a cookie, but not a square cookie. The other kids are gone to Kreed's birthday party. His birthday is the same day as Stacy's and Kilee's is the same day as Michael's.  

After Trina goes to get the kids we all watch the last episode ever of KC Undercover starring Zendaya.  

Lola falls asleep on the stairs. James fixes the drain in the upstairs bathroom sink.

Brooklyn Carroll Hobrock had her baby today. A little boy named Deklin.  

Ruby and her things.

She fell asleep like this.

Congratulations!

Connie, James's sister who lives in

San Angelo, Texas.

On this day some time in the

last few years.

Our new First Presidency

Wednesday, August 9th, 2017

London, England

12th operating temple

Dedicated: 7-9 Sept 1958 

By: David O. McKay

Rededicated: 18-20 Oct 1992

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Atonement

Mosiah 13:28

And moreover, I say unto you, that salvation doth not come by the law alone; and were it not for the atonement, which God himself shall make for the sins and iniquities of his people, that they must unavoidably perish, notwithstanding the law of Moses.

Jesus Christ, Antemortal existence of

John 1:1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Alma 47:20-36

Why did prior knowledge of the Lord cause the dissenters to forget the Lord their God?

*Instagram answer: Those who fell away from the gospel most likely also lost the influence of the Spirit. They sought after others who were in the same situation and as often happens they pulled each other down.  When you intentionally reject the gospel you set yourself up to drift here and there.

DC 109:61-80

How can we always be filled with joy and praise God ad the Lamb?

*Keeping the companionship of the Holy Ghost, which requires humility, repentance, forgiveness, and keeping the commandments. Through the Holy Ghost we can be filled with joy and praise for God and the Lamb.

General Conference

Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives

President Russell M. Nelson

"Covenant-keeping men and women seek for ways to keep themselves unspotted from the world so there will be nothing blocking their access to the Savior's power."

The Trezise's are getting a dog!

His name is Oliver James.

The boys are so excited and so is Sheri!

James worked outside all morning long. We left for the valley around 12:30 after having another family prayer. 

Our first stop was in Show Low to get gas and the car washed. Our first mishap occurred when the code wouldn't work in the carwash. James called the help number and the guy said to look for the attendant on duty. We looked. There wasn't one. We called again and the guy gave us his personal code, which worked. As we were sitting there all of a sudden we were both wet. The sky roof was not completely shut and was leaking all over us!  Finally we got it closed.

Our next stop was the Show Low post office to mail Molly's Moana doll. Jared sent us a text saying Molly had decided to be baptized and the date is September 9th.  James and I really want to go. 

Before leaving town we stopped at Arby's to get something to eat. James got a turkey reuben and I got a salad. Finally we are on the road!  We have nothing to read but hopefully our new book will be waiting for us at Cathi's. 

We had to make a 10-15 minute stop in Salt River Canyon for roadwork. We stopped at Burger House for two mixed greens and two green burros for Cathi and Terry. Of course we also had to get a couple for ourselves which we ate along the way. They were, of course, delicious!

When we arrive at Cathi and Terry's my four new purple Pioneer Woman goblets are waiting for me along with our new book by Sarah Eden, "Romancing Daphne." I only get to visit with Cathi a few minutes before it's time to go see Lois and Dawn. We stop and pick up food for Elmer's as both Dawn and Lois love their machaca tacos and burros. 

The four of us eat diner together and we have a nice visit. Lois gives me back a Snow White doll I gave her along with an Anne of Green Gables and a grandma with a little girl. Dawn brings out a tray of miniature Madame Alexander dolls.

They said I could have whichever ones I wanted. 

I picked out three from the Wizard of Oz to go

with the set I got from McDonald's a few years ago.

The Lollipop Guild boy, Elphaba, and  the Wizard

were the ones I chose.

When we get back to Cathi and Terry's she is watching a new show she loves called "Heartland." It is a series and I have been curious about it for a while. She loves it but she gets it on Netflix which we don't have so I order the first season on DVD.

Before going to bed I read a chapter from our new book, "Romancing Daphne."

Random Photos

This is true of Tramadol!

When Sheri announced they were getting a dog,

Brian said he wanted one. Kim posted this photo

and said: "You have one."

One thing I like about coming through Globe is

seeing Superstition Mountain when we hit 

Apache Junction.

Vickie posted this picture on Facebook.

I love it!

Autumn had a sonogram today.

Kacey met her in Dallas and they went to the temple.

The castles continue.

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

 

"The average American watches more than four hours of television per day.  What would happen if we spent more time developing our talents than watching others develop theirs?"

-John Bytheway

 

The Church held a news conference today calling for a "fairness for all" approach that balances religious freedom protections with reasonable safeguards for LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) people - specifically in areas of housing, employment and public transportation, which are not available in many parts of the country.  Those speaking were: D. Todd Christofferson, Jeffrey R. Holland, Dallin H. Oaks, and Neill F. Marriott.  Sister Marriott is a counselor in the Young Women's presidency.

 

I did my gospel study and worked on my blog this morning before getting ready to go to Vernon. 

James is going to have Erik put new struts on Lexy while we are gone.  He also asks me to go with him to see Reed and Janis Willis, which I did.  He was nice to see dear friends we have known for over 40 years.  Next we have to stop by Greg Hatch's office for a few minutes on our way to see Lois and Dawn.  By this time I am a little grouchy because I haven't eaten.  Lois had an apricot pineapple pie for James for his birthday.  Laura and Dave were at her house to so we ask them to take it back to our house and have Stacy put it in the frig until we get home.  While there we pick up our Christmas gifts from Carmen and Rebecca.  Rebecca made me a temple bracelet with a clip on it to put my name slip on.  Very handy.  Laura liked hers too.  Laura looks a little pale to me but she says she is feeling a little better everyday. 

 

On our way out of town we stop at Arby's in Mesa for lunch.  It's 1:30 when we finally leave town.  I went to sleep until after Salt River Canyon.  We arrived at the cabin around 5pm.  This evening I watched Downton Abbey and we read two chapters from "Reluctant Courtship" while sitting in front of the fire.

  



Thursday, October 30, 2014

"The Messiah came to redeem men from the Fall of Adam.

Everything in the gospel of Jesus Christ points toward

the atoning sacrifice of the Messiah, the Son of God."

-C. Scott Grow

I took the boys to school again this morning and then went to the 9:15 session at the Gilbert temple.  Before the session started I put several names on the prayer roll.  I love attending this temple.  It is my favorite.  My session was full and I felt so much peace as I left.  I am so grateful that I went.

Afterwards I went to Deseret Book and Office Max to do a little shopping.  I bought James and I a new book:

I also bought James's Christmas present but I won't be showing it.  It is actually something he ask for.

James and I had lunch at one of our favorite places, Pei Wei.  We each got an order of lettuce wraps and shared a spicy chicken salad. 

That's my drink that James is holding.

This evening around five we went to James's Mom's to do some yardwork and take her birthday card and gift to her.  Alex and Adam came and helped.

 James fixed a clog in her water line.

Later in the evening Trina and the kids came by for a visit.

 Love all of these faces!

 Rowan had to try out the mini trampoline.

Afterwards James and I went to Frost.  I figure it would be my last time for awhile.  I had salted carmel and raspberry.  I tasted the toasty marshmallow which was good but I thought it might be a little too sweet.  

#TBT on Facebook:

 Darrel when he was 8 or 9.