Tuesday, February 5th, 2019

Medford, Oregon

79th operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Apr 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Mark 15:39

And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 1:13-29

When have I been benefited by a blessing from either your father or another Priesthood holder?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Luke 4:14-32

"Drawing Closer to God" Terence M. Vinson, 10/13

General Conference

Be Not Troubled

Ronald A. Rasband

"Stand in holy places. When we stand in holy places - our righteous homes, our dedicated chapels, the consecrated temples - we feel the Spirit of the Lord with us. We find answers to questions that trouble us or the peace to simply set them aside. That is the Spirit in action. These sacred places in the kingdom of God on earth call for our reverence, our respect for others, our best selves in living the gospel, and our hopes to lay aside our fears and seek the healing power of Jesus Christ through His Atonement."

When I woke this morning it was windy and there was a powdered sugar layer of snow on the ground. 

I ordered a gardening book online this morning. I think it will help get me in the mind frame to plant and as a result, to eat better. The only drawback is the fact that I used the credit card, something I don't want to do anymore.

I asked Sheri if she could get tickets to see President Nelson for Addy and Rowan. She called Dave who is in charge of the tickets in the stake and he said they were giving them away tonight at the stake center beginning at 7 p.m. Sheri went down and got two tickets. When she told Trina, Trina said Addy cried because she was so happy.

We listened to the Textbook Money webinar this morning and I actually like some of the things Luke said. "Price spread is important. When pricing books, look at other sellers, price your books based on the market. Price books to move and reprice when necessary. Check daily. You will sell. Buy based on profit, sell based on market. Amazon Prime is our only competitor. 

I made dinner for the Crane's today. Roast with carrots, celery, onions and fingerling potatoes. Rolls and brownies with walnuts. 

Kathy has experienced a great deal of pain. Recently she has been having muscle spasms in her back. Chuck had a bishopric training meeting at the stake center this evening so James took the dinner over at 5:00. Here is the text I got from Kathy:

"Oh my goodness! This looks wonderful. Thank you so very much.

This one from Chuck:

"Jim & Karen, thanks so very much for that wonderfully delicious meal you provided. It's so awesome to have such wonderful neighbors. We enjoyed this meal soooooo much. I actually stuffed myself. Thanks again!!!"

The Crane's are such good neighbors and do so much for us and others in the community and ward, I couldn't let this opportunity to do something for them pass us by.

Today I paid bills and worked on our yearly budget. It took me most of the day but I have a budget set up and a plan of how to implement it. It actually feels good to know I have a plan.

I went to bed thinking about money and how we need to make $2,000 a month in our book business so James can retire from Lambson Construction. 

Today we finished our book, "For a Lady's Favor" by Josi Kilpack and started an audio book, "Miss Snow", by Jennifer Moore.

 That's one way to get her to take a nap.

 Handling the carseat like a boss now.

Memories of Lola

2016 A day that Trina worked, Darrel took the kids

on an outing. 

 Hmmmm a black heart Valentine

 Nothing like pancakes on the patio for dinner.

I love her smile!

 This is the best picture of Maycee's puppy!

 Kate's quilt star

Wednesday, August 29th, 2018

Medford, Oregon

79th operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Apr 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Zechariah 12:10

And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

Book of Mormon

Alma 58:1-12

*When was a time you poured out your soul in prayer to God? How did it strengthen you?

- "I am a walking prayer. I know that without Him, enduring life's everyday challenges would be impossible. I am strengthened through the peace that speaks to my soul giving me courage to press on. The gift of the Holy Ghost brings a great inward peace that calms my soul in this troubled world of shifting values." -tami_sassy

Old Testament

Psalms 96-100

96 Sing praises unto the Lord - Declare His name among the nations - Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness - He comes to judge His people and the world.

97 The Lord reigns in millennial glory - The hills melt at His presence - Those who love the Lord hate evil.

98 Sing unto the Lord - All the ends of the earth will see His salvation - He comes to judge all men with equity and righteousness.

99 The Lord is great in Zion - Exalt the Lord and worship at His footstool, for He is holy.

100 Serve the Lord with gladness, all who are His people - Be thankful unto Him and bless His name.

General Conference

It Is All About People

Bishop Gerald Causse

"Ours is not just a Sunday church. Our worship continues each day of the week, wherever we are and in whatever we do. Our homes in particular are the 'primary sanctuaries of our faith.' It is most often in our homes that we pray, we bless, we study, we teach the word of God, and we serve with pure love. I can testify from personal experience that our homes are sacred places where the Spirit can abound - as much as, and sometimes even more than, in our formal places of worship."

James cut the mango we bought last week and served me part of it. It was absolutely delicious! I think a good mango is my favorite fruit.

I left to go grocery shopping around nine this morning, listening to my audio books on the way. I always start with "The Christ that Heals," and then "Time and Again." Well I guess I should go back a little. After James and I have scriptures, the first thing I listen to is the conference talk of day. Afterwards I listen to one of the Church magazines. Since I have listened to all three magazines as of today, I went immediately to my audio books. When I finish with a chapter from each book, I began listening to my Glenn Yarborough songs.

Once at Walmart I started out using my calculator adding up those things I was buying. This was slowing me down so I stopped. I was careful to only buy those things that were on my list, except I substituted baby back ribs for pork loin chops. I guess ribs sounded better than chops.

When I checked out I was happy with the result although I was over my budget, it was only by 74 cents! I had that much in my pocket. 

I was going to buy lunch before going home but since there was no money left in my budget for lunch, I opened the bag of Skinny Pop Popcorn I had bought and ate half the bag on the way home. 

I made the mistake of buying a Marie Callendar's coconut cream pie. It's weird how my mind works. I got a chocolate cream pie for dessert for the missionaries tomorrow. I then thought, well maybe they don't like chocloate. I remember Elder Bingham loving the lemon cookies Sister Vaught brought to Brother Moore's baptism, so I picked up a lemon meringue too, and then I saw my favorite the coconut cream. I carried those pies half way around the store before I decided I didn't want to spend $18 on pies. I put back the chocolate and the lemon put couldn't bring myself to put the coconut cream one back. I went and got a bundt cake from the bakery for the missionaries. 

James and I, using the microwave, each had a piece of pie. After James left I worked on that pie until it was half gone and I was sick of it, then I threw it away. I think I won't be buying another coconut cream pie for a long time. 

My friend and fellow RS counselor Kerri came over this afternoon. Our plan was to take her Kawasaki side by side and ride up to Green's Peak. Kerri has never been there and she was anxious to go. She had turned her machine off when she went to get me and once we were ready to go, it wouldn't start after trying it several times, so we decided to take the Razr instead. One of the reasons we weren't taking the Razr in the first place was because the two back tires need to be replaced. We have new ones ordered but they won't be here until Friday. We checked the gas gauge and we had less than half a tank and no gas in the gas cans in the garage. I texted James and he said he thought we could make it but to just watch the gauge.

It was the perfect day for a Razr ride, sunny with a high of 82. I told Kerri about Buckeliew Springs and looked down and we had already used one quarter of the gas we had according to the gauge. We made it up passed Christmas Tree Trail where we could actually see Greens Peak but we decided to go back because neither one of us wanted to chance running out of gas. 

Lots of traffic on the forest road because of archery deer season. Also there were a group training dogs to point at birds. We saw Britany Spaniels and several horses too.

Back at the house we were going to jump Kerri's Kawasaki but there were no jumper cables in my car. James said there were a set of old ones out by the woodpile which we retrieved.

Before hooking everything up Kerri tried her machine and it started! We took a little drive down to Chocolate Lake which is now totally dried up. We also went to the village and saw the Elkins huge solar panel. Kerri thought it was facing the wrong way and should be facing west but James said it faces south because that's where the sun is brightest in the winter.

I made an Olive Garden salad for dinner. James looked like he had been fighting a fire when he got home from the Howard's. I guess he was burning brush. I told him he should take a shower before he ate because he really smelled like smoke.

He had to go out after Jean got home to convince her that the fire wasn't going to start up again. She was worried and needed his reassurance.

I told Kacey and Jared I would like a photo a day of Charlie.

Here are today's photos:

 Smile or gas pain, you be the judge

 I say smile!

She wore herself out smiling!

A picture a day of Scarlett would be great too!

What do you see in this tree?

Friday, March 23rd, 2018

Medford, Oregon

79th operating temple

Dedicated: 16 April 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ Authority of

DC 107:3

Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God.

Book of Mormon

Jacob 5:35-48

*Jacob 5:41 says that the Lord wept for his wild trees after all of his work to help them grow. How can you relate?

Third Visit 29-60

29-32 - Zenos prophesies of Latter-day Restoration.

33-37 - The blood of Israel preserved through Apostasy.

38-46 - Universal Apostasy, all branches of Israel affected.

47-51 - Branches overcome Roots = Apostasy

Old Testament

Deuteronomy 11-12
11 Thou shalt love and obey the Lord thy God - If the children of Israel obey, they will be blessed with rain and harvests and will drive out mighty nations - Israel must learn God's laws and teach them - Blessings flow from obedience; cursings attend disobedience.
General Conference

"Lord, Wilt Thou Cause That My Eyes May Be Opened

Elder W. Craig Zwick

"I witness that through the power of Jesus Christ, we become able to look spiritually beyond what we see literally."

I read an article by Elder David A. Bednar today: "Quick to Observe" from the Dec 2006, Ensign. It was very good!

I felt the Spirit when I read the first sentence in Exodus 33:11. It says: "And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend." Is the Savior my friend and will He speak to me face to face?  

I ironed two white shirts this morning and cleaned the mud and bird poop off the front porch. It isn't a pleasant job but needed to be done.

I made rolls and pork green chili today. I used the crockpot to make the chili. It came out shredded. James likes it better in chunks.

I took a nap, walked, worked on my budget and called a new sister I visit, Sister MacArthur. I found out she is Sister Umphress's sister and lives across the road from me. I made an appointment with her for next Tuesday.

Kim and Brian came in this afternoon from Albuquerque where they attended the Avett Brothers concert. They brought Doubletree Inn cookies with them. Yum!

James and I had to run to town to pick up the wax/acrylic remover I ordered, to get gas for the Razr, and propane for the grill. 

We had the pork chili for dinner and everyone decided it needed a little more kick. I bought some of this to put in it.

Spicy delicious!

I also bought a dozen eggs a piece for each of the 7 younger children that will be hunting for eggs on Saturday. Each person will receive their own color of eggs. I bought golden eggs for all the kids which will have money in them.

The basket is for Stacy. She is having surgery on her foot on Friday.

I enjoyed visiting with Kim while she did the Italy puzzle that Brian got her for Christmas. 

I worked on my blog and walked before going to bed. Tomorrow is our temple day. We wanted to go to bed at 9 but it was actually 10.

beautiful state in the nation!

The kids got a good start on my temple.

Can't we all just get along.

I love the Lamb cookies!

Talon from our ward.

Sunday, October 15th, 2017

Medford, Oregon

79th operating temple

Dedicated: 16 April 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Appearances, Antemortal

Genesis 18:22

And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the Lord.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 5:20-6:14

*How do these verses exemplify the pride cycle? How can we avoid falling into the pride cycle?

-We can avoid falling into the pride cycle by being truly converted to the faith, and by being "firm, steadfast and immovable, willing with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord." (verse 14). Are our minds and hearts anxiously engaged in good things? Do we just go through the motions or are we truly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ? Is the seed of faith planted in our souls?

Doctrine Covenants Scripture Mastery

DC 82:3

For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation.

General Conference

Earning the Trust of the Lord and Your Family

Elder Richard J. Maynes

"Earning the Lord's trust is a blessing that comes through great effort on our part. Trust is a blessing based on obedience to God's laws. Earning the Lord's trust comes as a result of being true to the covenants we have made in the waters of baptism and in the holy temple. When we keep our promises to the Lord, His trust in us grows."

Brother Curtis and Brother Crane were asked to bear their testimonies in sacrament meeting today. Brother Curtis was the ward clerk that was just released. Here are some of the things Brother Curtis said: He said he was blessed to serve four years as the ward clerk. He said right now he is closer to the Savior than he has ever been in his life. The Savior will always come to my rescue. The priesthood is such a blessing as the Lord's tender mercies are administered.

Brother Crane: Grateful to serve in the bishopric. Chuck bore a powerful 4 point testimony. He forgot to mention Joseph Smith.

LeeAnn H. spoke about why she should listen to her parents. She used a talk by Elder M. Russell Ballard, "The Sacred Responsibilities of Parenthood." 

Brother Allen was the final speaker. He used Elder David E Sorenson's talk on temples from the October 2003 general conference. In 1998 there were 94 temple. Today there are 157. Temples stand as a symbol of the grace and goodness of God. The temple is a place of revelation, inspiration, meditation, and peace - a place to restore ourselves, to clear our minds, to find answers to our prayers, and to enjoy the satisfaction of worship and service. 

"When you are about the Lord's work, He will be about your work."

Brother DeWitt and James helped passed the sacrament today. I think Andy asks them because they are both short and the boys don't feel intimidated. 

During Primary we all stayed in the chapel for our program practice. I told my class if they were good that I would make them cookies. Colter and Jace were both very good, and of course Gracie and Liana are always good. Curtis was gone today. I can't remember him ever missing Primary before. Someone said he went to help his dad. Zemira, Ruthie and Johnny were gone for awhile but they all eventually showed up, but no Curtis. I missed him. 

When we got home Kim and Brian were packed up and ready to go home. We said our goodbye's and took a picture on the front porch.

After lunch and nap I studied and called my friend Charlotte and texted Pam. I also worked on my blog. James and I watched the finale of "Chesapeake Shores."

James saw some elk this evening, two herds. 

October 15, 2017

We need a watering trough.

Sunday morning puppy snuggles.

Goodbye to Kim and Brian.

Scarlett

Why do I mail my property taxes to

Houston, Texas?

This was posted on a friend's Facebook feed.

October 15, 2016

Anna and friend with Mike from

Monsters, Inc.

Ruby ready to rock and roll!

Last years new toy,

a log splitter

October 15, 2015

What a difference a couple of years makes.