Wednesday, May 30th, 2018

Trujillo, Peru

147th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 June 2015

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Condescension of
Isaiah 50:6
I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
Book of Mormon
Alma 8:18-9:6
*Who was blessed because of Amulek's obedience?
Old Testament
No reading today
General Conference

Prepare to Meet God

Quentin L. Cook

" The divine manifestations that occurred in the Kirtland Temple were foundational to the purpose of the restored Church of Jesus Christ to bring to pass the salvation and exaltation of our Heavenly Father's children. As we prepare to meet God, we can know what our divinely appointed responsibilities are by reviewing the sacred keys restored in the Kirtland Temple."

I went to Fry's around 7 a.m. to get cereal and M&M's, etc. for the girls. Ruby asked for Fruit Loops, my least favorite cereal. 

I've decided that this Fry's caters to old rich people. I could not find No More Tangles for Lola's hair. I got her a detangler hair brush instead. I also bought Cheerios, Cracklin Oat Bran, strawberries whipped cream, popcorn, and apples, and rocky road ice cream.

I dropped off the groceries at the resort, James came down and took them in. I didn't even get out of the car. I had a dentist appointment in Chandler at 9 a.m. 

Jackie cleaned my teeth while a girl who wants to become a hygeneist looked on. We talked about Stacy's family. Jackie always asks about her. I showed them the video of Michael playing the ukelele and Joshua singing. Michael was in yesterday so Doctor Douglas met him and she knows Joshua too. When I told her about Joshua befriending the sad boy who has no friends her eyes teared up. I am a proud grandma.

I paid my bill, made my next appointment and headed back to Scottsdale. Everyone was still in the room. I thought James would take the girls swimming but no such luck. We all went to Peter Piper Pizza for lunch. James got upset with me because I ordered him a drink and the lunch buffet. As a result, he gave his drink to Lola and took several pieces of pizza home with him. 

The girls had a fun time playing games and getting their prizes. James said Lola was putting one coin in each machine, even if they needed two, and saying they were broken. He showed her how to play.

Back at the resort I took the girls down to go swimming. The girls swam, sat in the hot tub and played foozball. Lola played in the splash pad. Addy heard they were giving free ice cream if you had an owner's wristband so she went over to check it out. She came back with a strawberry cone. Of course Lola and Ruby wanted one too.

This boy came over and started playing 

with Ruby.

Ruby beat him 10-9!

Mint chocolate chip.

Mmmmmm Chocolate!

On our walk back to our room.

After showers and baths the girls turned on the Disney channel.

We mainly just "hung out" until it was time to go to Ben's graduation party. Sheri and Ian went to the graduation held at the ASU activity center at 230 this afternoon.

We are proud of you Ben!

When we arrived at the party Sheri said their air conditioner was broken. It really did not seem too warm in their house. It was just our family that came to congratulate Ben on his graduation. Those attending: Paul, Stacy, Michael, Joshua, Sheri, Ian, Max, Evan, and Ben. Alex had to work. Kim, Darrel, Addy, Rowan, Ruby, and Lola and James and I. Oh yes, and Ollie!

Ollie watching Sheri

He is obsessed!

Ben has had some glitches in filling out his mission papers but hopefully he will continue to move forward.

After telling Ben we loved him and were proud of him, (we gave him his card and money last week) we left to go visit James's mom and sister, Dawn.

Lois now has a hearing aid which she says helps a person from getting dementia or alzheimers. She also has new glasses that Sheri help her get.

She ,of course, fed us and she also had an anniversary gift for us.

It lights up 

Friday, May 5th, 2017

Manila, Philippines

29th operating temple

Dedicated: 25-27 September 1984 by

Gordon B. Hinckley

Mosiah 23:21-29

An army of Lamanites and the wicked priests of Noah bring Alma and his people into bondage.

* "Testing...is needed even when you are living a worthy, righteous life and are obedient to God's commandments.  Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously" (Richard G. Scott, "Trust in the Lord," Ensign, Nov. 1995, 16).

* The Lord will try our patience and faith to help us increase our trust in Him.

* What trials are you currently experiencing?

* How can you exercise faith and trust in God during your times of trial?

* How can praying and following the counsel of a prophet help us during a trial?

3 Nephi 26-27

26:1-13 Christ continues to teach and minister to the multitude.

14-16 Mouths of Nephite children are open as they testify of marvelous things.

17-21 The Twelve Nephite Apostles minister to the Church.

27:1-12 Jesus instructs the Nephite Twelve.

13-22 Jesus teaches of His mission and Atonement and explains His gospel.

23-33 Out of the books shall men be judged.

One of my favorite scriptures is 3 Nephi 27:14-15.

DC 68:1-12

The words of the elders when moved upon by the Holy Ghost are scripture; Elders are to preach and baptize, and signs will follow true believers;

Why do the Lord and His prophets continually tell us to "be of good cheer?"

* Because the gospel of Jesus Christ is "good news."  We need to trust in the Lord and keep the companionship of the Spirit.  The Lord stands by His faithful servants who testify of Him in good cheer.

When the Lord's servants are moved upon by the Holy Ghost, their words will lead people to salvation.

General Conference

Our Father's Glorious Plan

Weatherford T. Clayton

"Before we were born, we lived with God, the Father

of our spirits.  All of us on earth are literally brothers and sisters in His family, and each of us is precious to Him.

We lived with Him for eons of time before our mortal birth - learning, choosing, and preparing."

In my study of the Doctrine and Covenants I learned that Orson Hyde and Samuel H. Smith in 1832 as missionaries for the Church in New England, traveled 2,000 miles on foot.  I wonder what would happen today if we expected our missionaries to do this.  After Elder Hyde was ordained an apostle he served a mission to England and then one to Jerusalem where he dedicated, on top of the Mount of Olives, Palestine for the gathering of the Jews.

I also studied this week's Gospel Doctrine lesson on tithing and fasting.  Some of the purposes of fasting are: To draw nearer to the Lord, receive guidance, increase our spiritual strength, humble ourselves, subject our bodily appetites to our spirits, overcome temptation or weakness, strengthen our testimonies, and to ask the Lord to bless others.

I left Cathi's a little after ten for my infusion and doctor's appointment in Mesa.  One the way over I called Dennis to wish him a happy birthday.  Just as I was arriving at my appointment on Dobson and Southern he was arriving at Mesa Community College across the street for the State Track Meet.  He came down with Monte and Harold.  Denise stayed at home.  

Dennis and Denise with Rachel at her wedding

in Dennis's backyard.

Madison is Monte's daughter.

This was her high school graduation last year.

I was supposed to see Dr. Caldron today but he never made it.  He sent his assistant instead and she was an hour late.  I guess he is just too busy to see someone who isn't really sick. I am thinking about asking for a new doctor.  It wasn't a total loss.  I did get my infusion and I also downloaded a Scrabble app on my phone and played to pass the time.

My son-in-law Brian sent me these flowers

for Mother's Day a couple of years ago.

On the way back to Chandler I stopped at Costco and picked up a gift card for Lois for mother's day.  I will have to send her card that Anna made next week.  I went from Costco to Firebird's so have lunch with my friend Karen S.  She was late so I ordered for both of us.  She had a salad and I had the coconut shrimp appetizer with mango habanero coleslaw.  When Karen arrived we had a nice visit.  She has cancer treatments twice a month.  She looks pretty good and thankfully has lost none of her hair.  She will not eat any sugar so while I ate my ice cream with chocolate sauce she had some berries.  I told our waiter that he reminded me of Maks from "Dancing with the Stars" and I think it made his day.

This is our "Max" a couple of years ago playing

the trombone in his band concert.

James and I dropped his truck off at Discount Tire and drove over to his mom's in Lexy.  Cathi and Terry were there with Colin.  They are having Dawn evaluate him.  His kindergarten teacher wants to keep him back a year and Terry really doesn't like the idea.  The evaluation went well and Dawn thinks Colin is totally ready for first grade.  I do think the teacher's concern was his social development and interacting with other children.

This is a picture of James making a sling

for my Primary class.  The lesson was on Ammon

protecting the King's flock. 

This picture was taken last year.

After giving Lois her gift card James and I left and headed for Darrel and Trina's.  Ruby and Rowan both have games tomorrow, Ruby plays baseball and Rowan plays basketball, but they are both scheduled for around 11 when I am supposed to go to lunch with Kim and Sheri for mother's day.  I wanted to at least see the kids and spend a little time with them.  

Sorry I didn't get pictures of Ruby or Addy.  They all did tricks on the trampoline for us.  Also Lola is being potty trained and she had to show us her Minnie Mouse panties.  Addy was concerned because she had left her backpack at Amazing Jake's.  Her mom called and they found it and will save it for her.  Ruby told me her favorite thing to do at school is to play with her friends.  Rowan is a very lovable boy.  On our way out he ran up behind me and gave me a big hug.  James was in a hurry to leave to pick up his truck before they closed.  Lola grabbed my hand and pulled me along saying: "Hurry gamma, gampa is gonna leave you." So fun.

I am exhausted when we get home.  I read to James most of the way home from "To Kill a Mockingbird."  When we get home all I want to do us put on my pj's and relax.  James wants some dinner so he goes to Fry's and gets some fried chicken and cranberry celebration.