Tuesday, October 23rd, 2018

Kiev, Ukraine

134th operating temple

Dedicated: 29 Aug 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Deuteronomy 21:23

His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

Book of Mormon 

3 Nephi 11:18-41

*What does the Savior teach about baptism and contention? What do modern prophets say?

- There appears to have been some contention among the Nephites concerning the manner of baptism The Lord clarified how the ordinance should be performed. President Boyd K. Packer explained the significance of baptism and cautioned that we should not alter this sacred ordinance: "Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins is the first ordinance. Baptism must be by immersion, for it is symbolic of both the coming forth from temporal death, from the grave, and the cleansing required for redemption from spiritual death...Under the plan, baptism is not just for entrance into the Church of Jesus Christ. It begins a spiritual rebirth that may eventually lead back into the presence of God. If we really understood what baptism signifies, we could never consider it trivial nor alter the form of this sacred ordinance....through the sacrament we renew the covenant." 

President Henry B. Eyring helps us understand that the Spirit of God will not lead people into contention: "Where people have that Spirit with them, we may expect harmony The Spirit puts the testimony of truth in our hearts, which unifies those who share that testimony. The Spirit of God never generates contention (see 3 Nephi 11:29). It never generates the feelings of distinctions between people which lead to strife. It leads to personal peace and a feeling of union with others. (Ensign, May 1998, 67).

Old Testament

Jeremiah 46-48

General Conference

The Correct Name of the Church

President Russell M. Nelson

"Jesus Christ directed us to call the Church by His name because it is His Church, filled with His power."

James and I left the house before 8 am to take my tire and rim into Discount Tire to be fixed. After dropping the tire off James said he needed to stop by Kay's Building Supply. I stayed in the truck and told James to leave the engine running. (Sometimes he has a hard time starting it). 

It is raining hard, even some hail, thunder and lightening. James is in the store for over 15 minutes. I am in the truck thinking of all the things I need to do and trying to be patient. I have already done my Book of Mormon, Old Testament, and General Conference. I guess I will listen to something from the New Era. I listened to a talk by Elder S. Gifford Nielsen: "My Quarterback Questions." We need to Ask God, Record Impressions, and Trust God.

From my reading in "The Distant Hours" by Kate Morton. This is the character, Percy Blythe, in reference to her family home, Mildehurst Castle: "A place is more than the sum of its physical parts, it is a repository of memories, a record and retainer of all that's happened within it's boundaries."  I love this! One more:"There is something deeply disquieting about a beloved place relieved of its rightful occupants."

After leaving Kay's we went to Safeway. I wish I would have brought my umbrella. Picked up some DP10 because I can't get it at Walmart. Next was Walmart to pick up my methotrexate and then over to Mountain Thai to pick up soup for Jean, Marie and myself. 

When we drove up the owner came out to talk to us. He told us that they had no electricity. I told him we only wanted soup and he said they could handle soup so I went inside. I was writing a check, in spite of the 'No Checks' sign on the wall, because the credit card machine is obviously electric. Just as I was finished with the check the electricity came back on. I tore up the check and used my credit card. I ordered soup for Jean, Marie and myself.

On the way home James and I listened to chapter 28 of "Saints."

Marie followed us up to the Howard's. The rain is almost over and the road was not too muddy. Marie brought spaghetti and brownies for Jean for this evening.

It was the perfect day for soup. Marie and I had vegetable noodle soup and Jean had clear bean vegetable with shrimp. I bought a bottle of sweet chili for Jean and she and I poured it into our soup. Marie was afraid it would be too hot for her. 

After lunch we said goodbye to Jean who will be in the valley the rest of the week and Marie and I met James at the post office. He said our road was too muddy for Marie to drive on.

Marie was going to go to the temple with Catherine and I tomorrow but she has a cough and a possible sinus infection. 

This evening I downloaded the software for our TextbookMoney business. Now I need to review how to start using the software.

 The Happiest Place on Earth

Lola made a new friend

This independent little girl is touring

the War Veterans Museum

 So funny!

Jean wants James to make her a

table like this.

 Laying a finger a side of her cheek....

 Uh oh

 Stacy at the National Laser Institute

Journal ideas

 This two share a birthday. I told

his mom that he has a great name.

How exciting for our friend Betty!

Wednesday, October 3rd, 2018

The Hague, Netherlands

114th operating temple

Dedicated: 8 Sept 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

1 Corinthians 2:8

Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 14:1-19

*How can we always be preparing for the Second Coming of Christ?

- Through daily repentance and keeping the commandments. We should also prepare temporally with food, water, and shelter.

Old Testament

Isaiah 51-53

General Conference

Lift Up Your Head and Rejoice

Brother M. Joseph Brough

"As we face hard things in the Lord's way, may we lift up our heads and rejoice."

It rained during the night and early into the morning. We need the rain but not the mud.

After breakfast and scriptures I sent the boys upstairs to clean while I worked in the kitchen making honey-lime chicken enchiladas for Rowan. Earlier while the boys were still asleep and James was up getting ready for work, I made cookies for Alice. He dropped them off at the Wilhelm's on the way to work. Alice wasn't home so he gave them to George and Talon. The actual gift we got her hasn't come yet.

James came home just before lunch because it was too wet to work. I put him in charge of lunch. If the boys don't like the enchiladas they can have sandwiches or hot dogs. I left to pick up my ministering sister companion, Marie, and we went over to visit Jean at the Howard's.

I am helping Jean with her family history and gave her the cards for her grandpa's endowment and sealing to his wife. Jean brought out a box of old photographs and we had fun looking through them. 

One was a picture of her grandmother in front of a small wooden house back in the 30's or 40's leaning against an old model A or T. Jean said her grandmother built the house and all of the houses in the subdivision where this house was located in Johnstown, Colorado. She received several rewards for her efforts. I told Jean she should make a scrapbook and write down the story of her grandmother for her kids and grandchildren.

After our visit I took Marie home and drove into town to get my thyroid prescription. I drove home and low and behold, it was time for dinner preparations. James is going to have to be in charge again because I am going on visits with the Relief Society presidency. The plan is to grill hamburgers and hot dogs outside.

Tamara, Kerri, and I met at the church. Maxine didn't think she needed to come but actually we wanted to divide into twos and visit several people. As it turned out we couldn't visit two of the sisters we had scheduled so the three of us headed out together to visit Analee and Donna who live close to us. 

When we finished our visit with Analee we drove down to Donna's who lives in the same area. It was 8:20 and we were supposed to be there at 8. The lights were on but no one answered the door. Later we found out Donna had gone to bed and Owen was upstairs and didn't hear us. So in spite of all our grand plans to visit four people, we only visited 1.

When I got home the boys were outside with a bonfire. They had just finished making smores and seemed like they had had a great time. 

We never did get to go to Anthony's and try out his telescope first because of rain and second because of mud.

I spent an hour or so cleaning before going to bed. We will get home Friday afternoon and Adam and his group will be here Friday night.

 The new table runner I got at "Sweet Potato"

 My study books

 Reminds me of a photo of Stacy

in this same position.

Can you stand the cuteness?

 Wide eyes!

Thursday, September 13th, 2018

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

94th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 July 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Mark 9:31

For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 3:19-37

*What do these verses tell us about the power of prayer? How can you apply these principles to your own life?

- Verse 35 is the key to becoming a true follower of Christ. They fasted and prayed oft and increased in humility and were firmer in the faith of Christ. They became sanctified because they yielded their hearts unto God.

Old Testament

Ecclesiastes 7-12

General Conference

Behold! A Royal Army

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"Today we all stand as witnesses of the Lord revealing His will through His prophet, President Russell M. Nelson. I testify that he is God's prophet here on earth. I bear my witness of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our great Redeemer and Savior. This is His work, and this is His will, to which I bear solemn testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

There is one lonely cupcake left from Tamara's birthday celebration. Guess who ate it.

Ecclesiastes, the Preacher:

"Wisdom gives life to them that have it"

"Anger resteth in the bosom of fools"

"Wisdom is better than strength"

I listened to three articles from the Ensign this morning while doing my chores. One was about President Eyring written by Elder Holland. Another was entitled, "An Ensign to the Nations," and the third was about motherhood and how all women and mothers in some way.

I have decided to give away all of my Victoria Holt books except for "Mistress of Mellyn," which is the one that Nannie first gave to me. I had 26 of her books. James and I read all of them together. We decided that she is a good author but some of the things she writes are a little inappropriate. Goodbye Victoria.

My office buddies. Out with some of the books to

make room for my crafts.

I met my ministering sister companion and we visited Kerri and Catherine Halcomb today. It took awhile for us to actually get together. I waited for her at the Bannon Springs facility and she was looking for me further out on the road the the Bannon Springs sign. I did not have Marie's cell phone number and she forgot to bring mine so we were stuck. I looked on LDS Tools and the directions to Marie's address are incorrect. I remembered her saying that Sister Tice was her neighbor, so I looked up the directions to her home and was able to find Marie. Sometimes ministering is a real adventure!

Marie and Catherine really hit it off. Marie has six dogs which are like her children. I found out she had one son who was killed 17 years ago in a motorcycle race. When Catherine and I talked about our children and grandchildren she said, "I will never have any." 

Catherine used to be a dog groomer and raised Siberian huskies. Marie said her dogs needed to be groomed so Catherine is going to come over and show Marie how to groom her six schnauzers.

Catherine is a seamstress and is doing alterations for Brother Hunsaker's suit. His son Tyler is getting married on Saturday.

We got to meet Catherine and Kerri's dogs, Shelly and Star. Shelly is a "blue" Great Dane. Actually she is gray, and Star is a Red Tick Hound. Shelly is beautiful, Star not so much but they are both gentle once you get to know them. I told Kerri all I ever heard was them barking and then being shooed outside and I would like to meet them so she brought them in. Kerri has applied, as a retired federal agent, to go to the Carolina's and help with the hurricane. If called, she will make $500 a day.

 The top picture is what Catherine calls her

Church Wall. The bottom is her 16 great

grandchildren.

Today would have been my mother's 88th birthday. I have a photo of her on my desk and I think of her and her goodness to me in my life everyday. I am so grateful to be her daughter. Sheri remembered it was her birthday and sent me a message. It made me feel good that she remembered her grandma.

James went to town this afternoon and got three new tires put on his truck and two new ones for the Razr. He brought back a drink for me and my first Quilter's magazine which I received in the mail. Even if I never make anything I love looking at all the projects I could make if I were more talented. 

I put clean sheets on two beds upstairs in readiness for our company this weekend. James and I read from "The Secret Keeper" which we are really beginning to like. I also did some Old Testament reading, and worked on my 2019 dot journal before it was time to retire to our comfy bed.

I asked for a photo of Summer and Charlie together.

Kacey said that this is how they bond. Cute.

I have this leaf punch!

You can see her personality shine through

in this photo. I love you Scarlett!

 My kind of castle

The name of this photo is: "Owie"