Monday, March 23rd, 2020

Rome, Italy

162nd operating temple

Dedicated: 10 Mar 2019

By: Russell M. 1

Jesus Christ, Judge

Alma 12:12

And Amulek hath spoken plainly concerning death, and being raised from this mortality to a state of immortality, and being brought before the bar of God, to be judged according to our works.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Enos, Jarom, Omni, Words of Mormon "He Works in Me to Do His Will"

Enos

Enos prays mightily and gains a remission of his sins - The voice of the Lord comes into his mind, promising salvation for the Lamanites in a future day - The Nephites sought to reclaim the Lamanites - Enos rejoices in his Redeemer. About 420 B.C.

Today's reading: Enos 1:1-17

Oct 2019 Gen Con

"The Savior's Touch"

Elder Walter F. Gonzalez

"Let us come unto Christ, taking all necessary steps. As we do, may our attitude by one of saying, 'Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.'  If we do so, we can receive the Master's healing touch, alongside the sweet echo of His voice: 'I will; be thou clean.'

The Savior is a God we can trust. He is the Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah, of whom I testify in His holy name, even Jesus Christ, amen."

Ensign

April message by President Nelson

James and I finished reading "Aunt Dimity Vampire Hunter" today. It was one of our very favorites because in it we find out why Kit didn't want to marry Nell and wow!,  does it have a happy ending!

Kit's concerns have been settled and he will marry the woman he loves!

I am so fed up with the photo app on my computer. It freezes up and makes it very difficult to post the pictures I want and need on my blog. This is one of the reasons I am still so far behind on my blog. By the time I catch up it will be time to go to the valley again and that's when I get behind!

I bought three books today and did some repricing. James went to the post office and picked up ten more books. The only problem is I didn't sell any books today. 

This afternoon I cleaned the wood floor in the family room and living room. I read two chapters of "Aunt Dimity Down Under" to James and wrote a letter to my ministering district asking the sisters to contact the sisters they minister to and make sure they are doing all right. I used the questions that we came up with at our presidency meeting last Wednesday. 

Addy texted James and I asking us for information on our parents for her family search family tree.  I'm glad she is interested!

My friend Kerri reported to me that Jace's mom, Tianna, did not have the corona virus when she passed away. She said she passed away from the effects of some kind of  poison. I'm wondering if it had anything to do with the government coming in and disinfecting her home. Clorox and ammonia mixed together can cause toxic gases.

James is having some problems with the Chacon job. The house he is working on is too big for the lot. I think he's going to have to cut some square footage off the house. He has had a lot of problems with this job and it's just getting started.

Tonight James and I had our "Come Follow Me" lesson. We watched the Enos video that was on our phone apps. These Book of Mormon videos are so good!

Sheri had a good day today. She went to a counseling session with Max and was so impressed with the counselor and feels like he is going to be really good for Max. She also got to talk to Ben and received a letter from him. Thank goodness for good days!

I got this text from my friend Pam today.

Hey woman, how are you guys doing. Please let me know if I can help you out. I'm in town daily and can leave items on your porch if needed. Don't be shy, be safe. I love you.

It's great having friends like Pam.

We finally got one of our renters in Deming to pay us using Venmo. What a relief!

Ben's Letter:

  

Monday, February 17th, 2020

Panama City, Panama

127th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 Aug 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Judge

Judges 11:27

 Wherefore I have not sinned against thee, but thou doest me wrong to war against me: the Lord the Judge be judge this day between the children of Israel and the children of Ammon.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

2 Nephi 11-14

11- Jacob saw his Redeemer - The law of Moses typifies Christ and proves He will come. About 559-545. B.C.

12- Isaiah sees the latter-day temple, gathering of Israel, and millennial judgment and peace - The proud and wicked will be brought low at the Second Coming - Compare Isaiah 2.

13- Judah and Jerusalem will be punished for their disobedience - The Lord pleads for and judges His people - The daughters of Zion are cursed and tormented for their worldliness - Compare Isaiah 3.

14- Zion and her daughters will be redeemed and cleansed in the millennial day - Compare Isaiah 4.

"Two Great Commandments"

President Dallin H. Oaks

"For reasons we do not understand, we have different challenges in our mortal experiences. But we do know that God will help each of us overcome these challenges if we sincerely seek His help. After suffering and repenting for violations of laws we have been taught, we are all destined for a kingdom of glory. The ultimate and final judgment will be by the Lord, who alone has the required knowledge, wisdom, and grace to judge each of us."

I was on task this morning. I did my blog and my book business before Adam and his friends were ready to leave. Kaitlin promised me she would text and let me know when they got home safely. All of the boys live at home with their moms. Kaitlin finally got her own apartment. 

Joshua, Kyle, Chris, Kaitlin, Adam

Today was a gorgeous day. Around 60 degrees, sunny, and very little wind. James and I went to town this afternoon. My prescriptions, thyroid pills and tramadol, are ready to be picked up, plus I need to do some shopping. 

James dropped me off at Walmart while he went across the street to Circle K to wash the car. Now that the mud is dried up, it should stay clean for awhile. James also got my prescriptions while I did the shopping. We met at the scan and go registers and I checked out while James unloaded the basket and bagged and put our purchases back in the basket. 

On the way home we had our treats. I got a piece of lemon cake for us to share but James wanted his raspberry sherbet bars covered in dark chocolate so I ended up eating twice as much cake as I had planned on. We drove in to CalRanch so James could get a huge bag of feed for the bunnies. He still likes feeding them.

James carried the groceries in from the car and I put everything away. I asked him where the toilet paper was. He said he would check in the car. It wasn't there so he said it must be in the house. It wasn't. I guess it got left at Walmart. I said, "$10 down the drain." I wished I hadn't said it because it made him feel so bad and then he was down on himself and I had to try and build him up. Later this evening he came in and gave me $10 in quarters to pay for his mess up. I put the quarters in a little draw string bag and put the bag in my purse.

Before going to the Goodman's for "Come Follow Me" I made six cookies with the cookie dough Kaitlin left. Three for me and three for James. I ate four and James didn't eat any. I also swept and mopped the kitchen and dining room floor. 

At six o'clock we arrived at the Goodman's where the Peeler's and the Goodman's were waiting for us. We had a good lesson discussion and decided that sometime we would like to watch "The Teaching with Power" presentation. I don't think the Peeler's have seen it. All they have to watch it on is Donna's phone and they said they couldn't turn the volume up loud enough to hear it.

Barbara served us banana/coconut cream pie. It was delicous!

When we got home I read 2 Nephi 11-14 and wrote answers in my workbook. I love studying the gospel!

Our letters from Ben today were wonderful. He is having some great experiences on his mission and is learning to listen and rely on the Spirit. He wrote a long letter to Sheri which I will post here and a short one to James and I.

 Scarlett got her Valentines!

 Pretty girls!

Kacey sent me this, a drink that uses

stevia. She says it's good. I hope I can

find it here or in the valley!

 More to study

Tuesday, October 22nd, 2019

Bern, Switzerland

9th operating temple

Dedicated: 11-15 Sept 1955

By: David O. McKay

Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd
Alma 5:38
Behold, I say unto you, that the good shepherd doth call you; yea and in his own name he doth call you, which is the name of Christ; and if ye will not hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd, to the name by which ye are called, behold, ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd.
Book of Mormon
3 Nephi 11:1-17
How can we keep our ears and hearts open to the whisperings of the Spirit?
New Testament: Thessalonians 1-2: "Be Not Soon Shaken in Mind or Be Troubled"
1 Thessalonians 3-4 & 1 Thess. 3:9-4:12 "As I follow Jesus Christ, I can become holy"

General Conference

"Finding Joy in Sharing the Gospel"

Christina B. Franco

"We have a loving Father in Heaven, who is waiting for us to turn to Him to bless our lives and the lives of those around us."

CFM: "It is in quiet moments of contemplation and communion with the Almighty that we come to know and love Him as our Father."

I listened to the Book Webinar this morning. Kathy and Kris were the presenters. I decided I was going to set a goal to buy 10-15 books a week. So far I have 7.

I sold two books today.

This morning I baked a loaf of pumpkin bread for Jean Howard. I was going to go visit her this afternoon around 2 but she called and said she had a doctor's appointment around noon. She said she would call me when she got home. When she had not called by 3:15 I left to do my errands. I wasn't sure if the UPS store closed at 4 or 5. 

After dropping off my box of books at UPS I went shopping at Walmart. James called the doctor and he said James could go on the soft diet. He wants me to get him some soup and make him some mashed potatoes. I also got some more bananas so I can make banana bread and put it in the freezer for him.

It was around 6:15 or so when I got home from town. I put the groceries away and had a sandwich to eat. I called Jean and asked if James and I could come over for a visit. She said we could. 

It was very quiet at Jean and Tom's. Jean and I sat in the room with the fireplace and Tom and James sat in Tom's office to talk. I asked Jean how her doctor's appointment went and she said very well. She said other than being filled with metal from all of her accidents, the doctor said she was in great shape for her age. Jean is 79 years old. Tom is the same age as we are. Jean does look good for being 79. 

I asked Jean if Dustin was going to the valley with them in the morning and she said she didn't think so. She said he had a bad day. He said he wanted to be alone and spent the entire day in his room.

I asked if they were ready to put their house up for sale. She said no, she doesn't want to sell it. She doesn't understand why Tom wants to sell. Jean designed and helped build the house so she is invest emotionally. 

We didn't stay long because we knew they were getting up early to go to the valley. I gave Jean the "Come Follow Me" manual and hopefully next week we can arrange to meet together and discuss the next lesson.

 This is so good!

I should never buy it.

 Mine too!

I love this so much!!

 Since the Aunt Dimity books take place in 

England Lori and her friends are always having

"tea." James and I have gotten into the habit of

having herbal tea since we began reading the books.

 I saw Brother Finnell at the store today. He said

His wife Lynda, my ministering sister companion was

in Dalla visiting their daughter and they were right

in the middle of the tornadoes. One touched down just

four miles from where they were staying.