Thursday, September 19th, 2019

Gilbert, Arizona 

142nd operating temple

Dedicated: 2 March 2014

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Glory of
DC 45:44
And then they shall look for me, and, behold, I will come; and they shall see me in the clouds of heaven, clothed with power and great glory; with all the holy angels; and he that watches not for me shal be cut off.
Book of Mormon
Helaman 6:15-31
New Testament 2 Corinthians 8-13 "God Loveth a Cheerful Giver"
2 Corinthians 11

General Conference

Abound with Blessings

Elder Dale G. Renlund

 "I invite you to faithfully activate heavenly power to receive specific blessings from God. Exercise the faith to strike the match and light the fire. Supply the needed oxygen while you patiently wait on the Lord. With these invitations, I pray that the Holy Ghost will guide and direct you so that you, like the faithful person described in Proverbs, will 'abound with blessings.' I testify that your Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, live, are concerned with your welfare, and delight to bless you, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

James went out this morning looking for the "big" elk but he had no luck. He was gone nearly two hours. He thought because he was so close last night that he would bed down close by. I guess that's why this elk has lived so long, because he does the unexpected.

When James got home we had scriptures and prayer and then he went to check his mousetraps. 

I was going to watch the book webinar this morning but they had technical difficulties and cancelled.

I walked 2,000 steps while listening to Elder Renlund's talk. Then I blogged while listening to " The Sifting" by Elray Christiansen.

I must mention here something that James does everyday. He gets up and always makes our bed, unless I'm still in it. A year or so ago we decided that would be his "chore" and I would empty the kitchen trash. It has worked out wonderfully for me. I so love the fact that my bed is always made and I didn't have to make it!

I decided on what my three meals would be this coming week. I always try to plan on making three nice meals and then eating leftovers and eating out once a week. This coming week our meals will be: Chicken enchiladas with white sauce, pork chops with stuffing, and minestrone soup with rolls.

We went to town this afternoon. Our first stop was LaCasita for lunch. Because I am trying to lose some weight I ordered an enchilada without rice or beans. It was difficult because I love their beans and rice.

James dropped me off at Walmart while he dropped my book shipment off at UPs and then went to Lowes. 

On the way home we stopped at Dairy Queen and got two boxes of Dilly bars, one cherry and one chocolate because Darrel's family is coming up this weekend.

About six o'clock this evening James calls to me from upstairs:

"Karen, that bull is in the same spot again! Such excitement!

 I know these are videos but I don't know how

to post videos on here. The pictures

are still adorable!

 My kind of gingerbread house!

 This is for our friend Alice who

is a firefighter.

Saturday, November 18th, 2017

Nauvoo, Illinois

113th operating temple

Dedicated: 27-30 June 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ's Atonement

Matthew 8:17

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

Book of Mormon

Mormon 1:1-19

*What does it mean to willfully rebel against God and what are the consequences? (v. 16)

While serving as a member of the Seventy, Elder Dean L. Larsen explained that rebellion against God has individual roots which, if not corrected, spread with devastating consequences: "Historically, the drifting away from the course of life marked out by the Lord has occurred as individuals begin to make compromises with the Lord's standard. This is particularly true when the transgression is willful and no repentance occurs. Remember Mormon's description of those who turned away from the true path in his day. They did not sin in ignorance. They willfully rebelled against God. It did not occur as a universal movement. It began as individual members of the Church knowingly began to make compromises with the Lord's standards. They sought justification for their diversions in the knowledge that others were compromising as well. Those who willfully sin soon seek to establish a standard of their own with which they can feel more comfortable and which justifies their misconduct. They also seek the association of those who are willing to drift with them along the path of self-delusion. As the number of drifting individuals increases, their influence becomes more powerful. It might be described as 'the great and spacious building syndrome.' The drifting is the more dangerous when its adherents continue to overtly identify with and participate with the group that conforms to the Lord's way. Values and standards that were once clear become clouded and uncertain. Conduct that would once have caused alarm now becomes somewhat commonplace."

I remember years ago when Monte was going to school in Tucson and had become active in the Church. We went down the Sunday when he was ordained an elder. Afterwards I wanted to take everyone to lunch, justifying in my mind, that just this once it would be okay to go to a restaurant on the Sabbath. James refused and I will be forever grateful for his example of faith and obedience. 

"Out of small things proceedeth that which is great."

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 9:7-9

7 Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me.

8 But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that you bosom shall burn without you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.

9 But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me.

General Conference

The Lord Leads His Church

President Henry B. Eyring

" Members have to know the call to serve as a bishop came from the Lord, by revelation. Without their faith, the bishop, who was called of God, will find it harder to get the revelation he needs to help them. He will not succeed without the faith of the members to sustain him."

Our six bunnies love to graze on the lawn before sunrise. 

James and I made a trip to town this morning. I bought two turkeys at Walmart, one small one for Thanksgiving and a large one for Christmas dinner. James went to Home Depot and Lowes looking for Christmas replacement lights. He found some at Lowe's where we bought our tree. Hopefully they will work. 

We went to Aliberto's where I got two tacos and James got an Arizona burrito. The burrito was delicious but way too greasy!

While we were in town the bishop called and said the High Priests were supposed to deliver food baskets this morning. There were 75 people who put together 70 baskets in 15 minutes at the mission in Vernon. We were going to go but we totally forgot. By the time we got back to Vernon there was only one basket left to deliver. The Giles' were there to help and delivered several baskets for us.

The basket James is going to deliver goes to one of the sisters that he was just assigned to home teach. 

I forgot to mention that just outside of Show Low we saw a herd of antelope grazing by the side of the road. 

Today's Christmas movies: "Lucky Christmas," and a new one with Danica McKellar, "Coming Home for Christmas."

I also got all my steps in today and while doing it I made a delicious lasagna soup for dinner. James said he wasn't going to eat, but he did and he loved it. It also made the house smell really good.

I started studying my Primary lesson but will have to finish in the morning because I am just too tired tonight.

It takes alot of steps to burn a few calories.

Trina and her friend

This is my kind of garden box. James says

it needs to be bigger.

I was Melonie's Mia Maid advisors.

Uncle Kay in Fairview, Utah

Go Wolves!

Shayna and Alex

Baniff, Canada

Heather, Pat, and kids on a hike

These boots are made for catchin'

Tanner