Monday, January 20th, 2020

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

99th operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Sept 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Jehovah

John 1:1 (JST)

In the beginning was the gospel preached through the Son. And the gospel was the word, and the word was with the Son, and the Son was with God, and the Son was of God.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

1 Nephi 11 and Sunday Lesson

"Covenant Belonging"

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

"Covenant belonging centers in Jesus Christ as 'mediator of the new covenant.' All things can work together for our good when we are 'sanctified in Christ ... in the covenant of the Father.' Every good and promised blessing comes to those who remain faithful to the end. The 'happy state of those that keep the commandments of God' is to be 'blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual,' and to 'dwell with God in ... never-ending happiness.'"

I blogged January 8th and 9th this morning and then I bought four books. 

James is frustrated. He now has to file his monthly sales tax report online and the system is flawed. He needs to speak to a real person which isn't always easy to do.

It was overcast today. It was supposed to rain and/or snow, but it didn't. 

I got a text from Cammy Grapp this morning apologizing for asking me to fix the programs for Tildy's baptism. She said Tildy was sad because she didn't get a picture with me. I asked if I could visit tomorrow and we could take a picture then. We set an appointment for 10 am tomorrow. I texted my partner Lynda and asked her to meet me at the Grapp's at 10 and then afterwards we would visit Catherine Halcomb. She said she would be there. It's nice to have a partner who will actually go with me.

For lunch today I cooked some cabbage and heated up a frozen quesadilla for James and a bean burrito for me. 

After lunch I read to James from "Aunt Dimity Next of Kin," and then I read from "Aunt Dimity: Vampire Hunter."

I left for town by myself around 2:30. I finally got the notice that my Tramadol was ready to be picked up. James can't go because he has an elder's quorum presidency meeting at 4:30 at the church and I told him I wouldn't be back in time. 

My first stop in town was at Sonic for a cherry limeade and a corn dog. Next I went to Book Barn and had Tildy's name put on a blue Book of Mormon. I also bought Sister Nelson's book, "The Heavens are Open."

At Walmart the first thing I did was return the mute Elsa for one who could sing. The sister who waited on me is the coordinator on the Saturday afternoon sift in the temple. I was friendly but I'm not sure she recognized me.

I picked up my Tramadol and did some shopping which included spending $45 for new printer cartridges. I told James we need to get a printer that's on the program Kacey and Jared are on where you get 300 copies a month for $9.99. Before we buy a new printer he wants to keep track of how many copies we do a month. Now we have a notebook by the printer that says "Printer Copies."

I realized after leaving Walmart that I forgot to get bananas and lemons. I stopped at the Splash and Dash to get gas and to wash Lexy. 

It was after 5:30 when I returned home. James was still at his meeting. I hurried to put groceries away and turn the oven on for the baked apples he made all before six when the Goodman's and the Peeler's are coming for our "Come Follow Me" discussion.

James made it home before our guests arrived and made a fire. 

I said the opening prayer before we discussed 1 Nephi 11-15. It was a good discussion and I shared some things I learned from my study yesterday. 

The baked apples were a big hit and Barbara wanted the recipe. She also wanted to know where I got the Bilbo misses the Rod picture. I told her it was on the front of Sheri Dew's book, "Worth the Wrestle." 

We studied some more after our guests left and I walked in order to get at least 12,000 steps.

James saw a buck on the way to his meeting this afternoon. He had Chuck stop so he could take a picture.

I think he's posing. When I first saw this I

thought it was a painting that Hayden had sent.

Ben's Letter:

Cat Monday

Domesticate It: Trina's house

My favorite thing - the plaque that says: "Kneel"

 Read the first two chapters and

I love it!

Tuesday, August 28th, 2018

Fresno, California

78th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 April 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Mosiah 14:12

Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death; and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bore the sins of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Book of Mormon

Alma 57:17-36

*How do you remain "firm and undaunted" during times of trial?

- For me to remain firm and undaunted during trials, I have to stay positive, count my blessings, and have a heart full of gratitude for blessings already received, and have faith. I have to trust His plan and remember that He knows all things. He is in charge and I can trust that whatever I am going through is for my good and that as I put my faith in Him, all will be well.

Psalms 91-95

91 A messianic psalm - The Lord will deliver the Messiah from terror, pestilence, and war - The Lord will give His angels charge over the Messiah and deliver Him and honor Him.

92 A psalm or song for the Sabbath day - Give thanks unto the Lord - His enemies will perish - The righteous will flourish - There is no unrighteousness in the Lord.

93 The Lord reigns - He is from everlasting - Holiness adorns the house of the Lord forever.

94 The Lord will judge the earth and all men - Blessed is he whom the Lord teaches and chastens - The Lord will not forsake His people, but He will cut off the wicked.

95 Let us sing unto the Lord - Let us worship and bow down before Him - Israel provoked the Lord and failed to enter into His rest.

General Conference

Behold the Man!

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"There are many in the world today who are either not aware of or do not believe in the precious gift Jesus Christ has given us. They may have heard of Jesus Christ and know of Him as a historical figure, but they do not see Him for who He truly is."

Happy Birthday Addy!

I picked up my friend Linda and we drove up the cinder hill across from the Vernon Road to Elizabeth's house. Elizabeth is a master card maker with all the bells and whistles and machinery you need to make cards. She likes to invite people who are new to have a private lesson at her house and she provides all of the materials. 

She has the most gorgeous view from outside her house. I wished I would have taken a picture. She and her husband own 100 acres. They had an electrical fire a few years back and had to re-build their house. She had a beautiful quilt on one of her bed and asked her if she made it. She said now, Pam W. made it. Pam is one of my friends. 

Elizabeth has been a teacher, she's a chef, she has a Phd in cellular biology, and she is a pilot. In spite of all her grandeur she is very down to earth and she said that after 9ll she decided that she was going to put more love into the world and do nice things for people everyday. Both Linda and I made 4 cards while we were at Elizabeth's. Judy H. another friend from church, came by and visited with us and showed us her dot journal. 

These are the cards I made. The top on the left is a birthday card,

a get well card, and the donkey card is for Darrel's birthday, and the fish one for James Hayden's. I had so much fun and was grateful to Elizabeth for inviting us over.

I listened to a weightloss program this morning called The Fat Belly Detox diet. I like that name. It sounds promising. I learned that visceral fat is the fat that attaches itself to your organs and is the most dangerous kind of fat. Also, eating 3 meals a days is better than 6 small meals because every time you eat your body releases insulin and insulin is a fat storing hormone. Instead of ordering this diet I just made my Miracle Herbal Tea and will be drinking it this evening and afternoon.

Trina sent a video of Addy after she opened her Harry Potter Clue game where she was saying how much she wanted this game every time she saw it at Barnes and Noble. Trina said she loved all of the gifts but the purse was her favorite.

Baby Charlie came home from the hospital today. Here are some photos before she left and then in her going home outfit.

Sleep while you can

Dad's get tired too.

Dad, Charlie, and Mom

Going home!

James and I watched the last Garage Sale Mystery this evening. I actually guess who the murderer was!

This was the day, August 28th, that MLK
gave his famous speech.

Monday, January 15th, 2018

London, England

12th operating temple

Dedicated: 7-9 Sept 1958

By: David O. McKay

Jesus Christ Atonement through

Moses 5:7
And then the angel spake, saying: This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth.
Book of Mormon
1 Nephi 12:11-13:9
*Why is it important to know that Satan organizes his forces to lead us away from God and His laws?
*How can we be made white by the blood of the Lamb?
Old Testament
Genesis 35-36
35 God sends Jacob to Bethel, where he builds an altar and the Lord appears to him - God renews the promise that Jacob will be a great nation and that his name will be Israel - Jacob sets up an altar and pours a drink offering - Rachel bears Benjamin, dies in childbirth, and is buried near Bethlehem - Reuben sins with Bilhah - Isaac dies and is buried by Jacob and Esau.
36 The descendants of Esau, who is Edom, are listed.
Old Testament Scripture Mastery
Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
General Conference

The Priesthood and the Savior's Atoning Power

Elder Dale G. Renlund

"Severe consequences result from breaking priesthood covenants and altogether turning from them. Being casual or apathetic in a priesthood calling is like introducing material fatigue into a rocket component. It jeopardizes the priesthood covenant because it can lead to mission failure. Disobedience to God's commandments breaks the covenant. For a perpetual, unrepentant covenant-breaker, the promised blessings are withdrawn."

The Truth of All Things

Elder David F. Evans

"Patiently keeping our covenants while we do what is necessary' to receive answers from the Lord is part of Gods pattern for learning truth. Especially when things are hard, we may be required to 'submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.'

Patient covenant keeping increases our humility, deepens our desire to know truth, and allows the Holy Ghost to 'guide us in wisdom's paths that we may be blessed, prospered, and preserved."

I had difficulty bending my right knee this morning so I took six methotrexates, the prescribed dosage. I spent the day looking for and texting photos to Stacy for the power point presentation she is preparing for James's party. 

I loved Kacey's post about Jared today on Facebook:

"I have to brag on my husband because well, he's the best. Thanks to my sweet little firsties, I was on the couch most of the weekend with strep. But this amazing husband of mine attended to my every need and want. All I had to do was mention that chicken tortilla soup sounded good and he was on it. Homemade deliciousness. He wouldn't let me do anything for myself and made sure I did nothing but rest, which is something I am not good at doing. I'm still in awe every day at how loving and amazing he truly is. I love him more every single day. I am most blessed."

The sale of Jared's practice in El Paso finally went through and he is back living in San Antonio. 

Kathy C., our neighbor, had back surgery in the valley this morning. Chuck, her husband, said it went well. She is home from the hospital and was able to walk into her daughter's home where she is staying for a week or so. She can do very little sitting.

For F.H.E. James and I listened to Elder Renlund's conference talk. We also read from our book, "Life Everlasting," and "Journey's End." Afterwards we watched Heartland.

I had a talk today about Pam with Kaeli, the Relief Society president. Pam has not answered any of my texts to her in the last couple of weeks.

Today is Martin Luther King Day

The Show Low wrestling team wins another

tournament.

Jackson is #1 again.

This was taken from our 50th high school

reunion memory book.

Wedding reception upstairs at

the Maxwell House.

The pictures are poor quality because they

were taken with a polaroid.

Nice cake.

 James has his eyes closed but this is the only 

picture that has my mom in it.

You can barely see my dad in this one.

On our way to our room.

James feeding Alex at the Pinedale cabin

with Joe sitting next to Alex.

Alex and James.

Best buddies.

Eeyore, Michael, and James

It looks like we are at Peter Piper Pizza

I love this picture.