Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Kansas City, Missouri

137th operating temple

Mosiah 11:1-19

King Noah leads his people into wickedness.

* Why are righteous people willing to follow counsel even when it requires a difficult change in their lives?

* Why do you think the people were willing to support Noah in his wickedness?

* What can we do when people all around us are living unrighteously?

3 Nephi 1

Nephi, the son of Helaman, departs out of the land, and his son Nephi keeps the records - Though signs and wonders abound, the wicked plan to slay the righteous - The night of Christ's birth arrives - The sign is given, and a new star arises - Lyings and deceivings increase, and the Gadianton robbers slaughter many. About A.D. 1-4.

DC 58:44-56

The Saints are to purchase their inheritance and gather in Missouri;

* Why is God's house a house of order?

General Conference

The Greatest Among You

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"God's greatest reward goes to those who serve without 

expectation of reward."

I found this quote in the book I am reading, "The Contrite Spirit:"

"The temple can bring to us a sanctifying growth - 

but only as we move from being acquainted with the temple, to having experience with the temple, to knowing true worship

in the temple, not as spectators, but as participants in the process of giving our hearts to God, which is how sanctification comes."

- Elder Marion D. Hanks

I read two chapters from our book to James before he left for the valley this morning. He didn't want to leave too early otherwise he wouldn't be able to pick up green chili burros for Cathi and Terry.

I wonder if we will see anymore snow this year.

Anna is selling homemade Mother's day cards on Facebook.  I ordered one from her for Lois.  Tricia told me thank you.

I had an appointment with Hailey today for visiting teaching.  I called and change it to next week so I would have more time to work on my talk for Saturday.  I worked on it for four hours today.

I also read the 8th lesson in the Gordon B. Hinckley manual, "We Look to Christ."  It was a good one!  I spent two hours working on my blog.  

Sisters, LeeAnn and Makenzi
Two of my young women

Our new General Relief Society President, Sister Bingham spoke at the U.N. this past week.  The neatest thing about the clip I watched was what one of the other women on the U.N. panel who complimented the LDS church on the amount of aid they have given in the past.  

The man sitting next to Sister Bingham,

Anwar Kman is a Muslim.  At one point

in the discussion he said: "What would

Jesus do?"

James called me this afternoon and said he thinks he has the flu.  I texted Kim and ask her to make him a flu bomb using her DoTerra oils, etc.  Not only did she make it but she delivered it to James.  

He was able to finish repairing broken water lines around 9 p.m.

Jared texted me a link to the Purple Store.  How exciting!  I picked out some earrings and a purple cocoa mug. 

Every city should have one!

Can't you just see me wearing these earring and sipping

cocoa from this cup!

As is my habit, I open the blinds and look outside several times a day to see if there are any animals in the yard.  Imagine my surprise when I did so this evening and saw 9 elk!

There are only 7 in this picture.

Two of them were a little camera shy.

Fun Photos:

I think she could be a model.

Some of my favorites from DWTS

Rashad Jennings and Emma Slater

They only scored 32.

I thought they deserved better.

Normani and Val doing the pasa doble

while Donny Osmond sings

"Let's Get Down to Business"

39 was their score, the top one of the night.

Heather and Allen danced to a 

song from "Frozen"

Simone and Sasha dance to

Moana and scored 38.

Simone is amazing!

Ericka Jane went home!

Monday, April 17, 2017

Jordan River temple,

20th operating temple

(Now being renovated)

Mosiah 9:14-10:22

The Lamanites attempt to bring Zeniff's people into bondage.

* What similarities and differences do you see between how Zeniff's people and the Lamanites approached their battles?

* What truths can we learn from this comparison?

* Why did the Lamanites hate the Nephites so intensely?

* Whom does it hurt when we are angry or refuse to forgive?

* How can a person's anger affect his or her family, now and in the future?

Elder Donald L. Hallstrom of the Seventy said: "If you feel you have been wronger - by anyone (a family member, a friend, another member of the Church, a Church leader, a business associate) or by anything (the death of a loved one, health problems, a financial reversal, abuse, addictions) - deal with the matter directly and with all the strength you have...And, without delay, turn to the Lord.  Exercise all of the faith you have in Him.  Let Him share your burden.  Allow His grace to lighten your load... Never let an earthly circumstance disable you spiritually" ("turn to the Lord," Ensign, May 2010, 80).

Helaman 15-16

15 The Lord chastened the Nephites because He loved them - Converted Lamanites are firm and steadfast in the faith - The Lord will be merciful unto the Lamanites in the latter days. About 6 B.C.

16 The Nephites who believe Samuel are baptized by Nephi - Samuel cannot be slain with the arrows and stones of the unrepentant Nephites - Some harden their hearts, and others see angels - The unbelievers say it is not reasonable to believe in Christ and His coming in Jerusalem. About 6-1 B.C.

DC 58:34-43

To repent, men must confess and forsake their sins;

* What verse stood out to me today?  

- 42 Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.

- 43 By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins - behold, he will confess them and forsake them.

General Conference

Called to the Work

Elder David A. Bednar

"An assignment to labor in a specific place is essential and important but secondary to a call to the work."

Prepare the Way

Bishop Gerald Causse

"Even though they are vested with different missions and

authority, the Aaronic Priesthood and the 

Melchizedek Priesthood are inseparable partners

in the work of salvation."

James left to go on a Razr ride this morning at 7:15.  I encouraged him to go and to have a little fun thinking he would be back in an hour or so.  I soon realized that he broke two of our rules.  First, he did not take his phone, and second, he left in such a hurry that he failed to tell me where he was going.  When he wasn't back by 9 a.m. I said a prayer and decided I needed to go out looking for him.  I wasn't sure which way he would go so I headed up forest road 404 and made the loop turning down Christmas Tree Trail and then back down the 61.  The only animal I saw was a turkey.  This is a 30 mile loop and it took me an hour.  I got back home at 10 a.m., and there was still no James.  Now I was really worried.  I texted the kids and told them to say a prayer that I would be able to find dad.  On my way out I called my neighbor Kathy and as I was talking to her on the phone, James came zipping up the road from the direction of Chocolate Lake.  I was so relieved that I couldn't even get mad at him.  Of course I had to remind him of the two rules he had broken.  If something would have happened to him I would have never found him because he went up Mount Montoso looking for elk antlers.  Someone closed a gate on him and he had to take a round about way home, which is why it took him so long.

When I am stressed or nervous I eat.  I did plenty of eating today.

James was gone again this afternoon from 2:30-4:30 visiting Anthony with his home teaching companion Dave.  We were able to watch this weeks episode of "When Calls the Heart."  Afterwards James left to have FHE with the Wilhelm's.  The lesson was on missionary work and James's companion Dave told about his mission to Scotland.  

James is going to be gone for the next couple of days to the valley so I would have liked to spent more time with him today but I am grateful to have a husband who fulfills his priesthood assignments.

I was able to spend three hours working on my talk for Saturday on receiving personal revelation.  I also watched Dancing with the Stars Disney Night.

My favorites from tonight: Rashad and Emma, Normani and Val, and Simone and Sasha.

Fun Photos:

Congratulations to one of my young women,

Makenzi who went to the temple and got

engaged all in the same night.

The Reidhead's,

one of the cute families in our ward.

They met are their missions.

Another one of my young women, Shelly,

turned 19 today.  Here she is with her

cousin Ruthie.

It's always fun to go for ice cream,

except it does get a little cold.

Christmas with the Gonzo boys, minus

Joshua,  a few years ago.

Such a cute picture!

Anna and her new friend

First day of school.

The first time we met Kacey,

last July.

Snowflake temple

We look old.

Temple trip with the young women.