Monday, February 18th, 2019

Merida, Mexico

92nd operating temple

Dedicated: 8 July 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

DC 42:1

Hearken, O ye elders of my church, who have assembled yourselves together in my name, even Jesus Christ the Son of the living God, the Savior of the world; inasmuch as ye believe on my name and keep my commandments.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 9:31-49

*S.M.I.L.E. "To be spiritually-minded is life eternal." What does it mean to be spiritually minded?

- Vs 39 says it is life eternal. That is our end goal, but is the word eternal the key to our spirituality? How do we view life? If we view our experiences in terms of eternity, we draw closer to God, and father away from worldliness. These eternal qualities are evident in the way we react to death, tragedy or misfortunes. To be spiritually minded is to view our experiences in terms of the enlarged perspective of eternity. If we view what happens to us in terms of our knowledge of the purpose of life, the mission of the Savior and our eternal destiny... we are spiritually minded. (See talk "Spirituality" by Dallin H. Oaks).

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matthew 5; Luke 6 "Blessed Are Ye"

"Happiness" Jack H. Goaslind, April 1986

Ensign

"The Most Influential People"

"Time to Serve"

General Conference

Sisters Participation in the Gathering of Israel

"Second, I invite you to read the Book of Mormon between now and the end of the year. As impossible as that may seem with all you are trying to manage in your life, if you will accept this invitation with full purpose of heart, the Lord will help you find a way to achieve it. And, as you prayerfully study, I promise that the heavens will open for you. The Lord will bless you with increased inspiration and revelation."

Try, Try Try

President Henry B. Eyring

"The statement that we are 'willing to take upon us' His name tells us that while we first took the Savior's name when we were baptized, taking His name is not finished at baptism. We must work continually to take His name throughout our lives, including when we renew covenants at the sacrament table and make covenants in the Lord's holy temples."

"There are few things as transformative as seeing someone you love take on the mantle of missionary and dedicate their lives to the Lord in a way that makes the Spirit truly their constant companion" ..that's what Ben has done."

It's snowing and it's supposed to snow all day. Ben is skyping hoe today because he wants to see Ollie. 

James and I called our temple supervisors today and told them we would be back at the temple on Saturday. Sister Cochran said I was an answer to prayers because so many sisters are no longer coming. 

I love watching it snow while I am walking, inside, of course. James walked outside while it was snowing and also shoveled off the walks. 

I planned on going grocery shopping today. James didn't want me to go by myself because of the weather, so he went with me. There was much more snow in Show Low than there was in Vernon, which is kind of unusual. There was about 3 inches of snow in Show Low and less than that in Vernon. I am grateful that James went with me. We listened to our book on the way home and conference talks on the way there.

James went through all of the books we have in our inventory and repriced them. It took him several hours. We sold book #10, "Herbs and Things."

For FHE we listened to "Try, Try, Try" and then watched "Chronicle Mysteries: Recovered" starring Alison Sweeney and Benjamin Ayres. It was okay but not great. I really do like the romantic movies so much better than the mysteries.

 Kacey's sister Loren posted this.

 Rusty and Kendall bless their baby

 These two

Buckaliew Spring is running!

I love this little house plan.

Great for Kim and Brian.

Today's Hallmark movies:

 Chef Lola

 O my gosh!

So adorable

I cannot even believe this heinous crime exists.

Tuesday, September 11th, 2018

Merida, Mexico

92nd operating temple

Dedicated: 8 July 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Mark 16:6

And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 2:1-14

*How do you avoid being deceived by the flattery of men?

-Through the inspiration of the Spirit. We must stay spiritually centered and remember what really matters. See Elder Lynn G. Robbins, "Which Way Do You Face," October 2014 General Conference.

Old Testament

Proverbs 27-31

General Conference

Introductory Remarks

President Russell M. Nelson

"These adjustments are inspired of the Lord. As we implement them, we will be even more effective than we have ever been previously. We are engaged in the work of Almighty God. Jesus is the Christ! We are His humble servants! God bless you, brethren, as we learn of and do our duty."

Our friend Bill from Chandler sold Rockin' R Ranch for 2.6 million

recently. I guess he can afford to loan us $16,000 to pay off our creditors from the Phoenician Golf Course job. We still have not been paid and I think they are stalling. James is about ready to file a lien.

We have two heroes gone from the American public eye. One was a real prisoner of war hero, John McCain, and one was a hero of the big screen decades ago, Burt Reynolds, most famous for the movies, "Smoky and the Bandit." 

As I was listening to Proverbs today I wrote down some of my favorites: 

"When the wicked rule, the people perish."

"Where there is no vision, the people perish."

"A virtuous woman is more precious than rubies."

I also read chapter ten from "The Christ that Heals," before going to my card class. 

These were the people in the class today besides myself:

Linda, Elizabeth, Judy (a new one), Marsha, Lorraine, Pam, Rosie, Diana, Pebble, and Deana. Diana started out by showing us some ideas on how to decorate our envelopes.

We did seven cards today, three Halloween by Lorraine, Diana, and Pam. A birthday by Pebble, a Ladybug card by Deana, a beautiful fall card by Elizabeth, and my Burlap Daisy. Here is a photo:

Elizabeth developed her own technique for the fall leaves.

I read a chapter from "Time and Again," watched part of the Debbie Gibson movie and walked and walked and walked. I sat all morning so I had to walk this afternoon and evening. 

I also read to James a chapter from "The Secret Keeper," and worked on my 2019 dot journal. I am putting in a calendar for each month and week of the year. It will take some time before I get to the fun part of the journal.

An idea I might use

James worked outside until after dark on the tree he is going to use for the Howard's counter top.

Scarlett looks like she is at the spa!

The last one of Charlie is her Daddy's favorite.

Thursday, April 5th, 2018

Merida, Mexico

92nd operating temple

Dedicated: 8 July 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ Baptism of

Luke 3:21

Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,
Book of Mormon
Mosiah 2:9-27
* What ways are you going to "minister" to those around you?
Talk: Are We Not All Beggars?
By: Jeffrey R. Holland, October 2014
Old Testament
Joshua 7-8
7 Israel is defeated by the people of Ai - Joshua complains to the Lord - Achan and his household are destroyed because he disobeyed the Lord by taking the spoils of Jericho.
8 Joshua uses an ambush, takes Ai, and slays its inhabitants - He builds an altar in Mount Ebal - The words of the law, both blessings and cursings, are read to the people.
General Conference

The Prophet of God

Elder Neil L. Andersen

" A prophet does not stand between you and the Savior. Rather, he stands beside you and points the way to the Savior."

Notes from my Gospel Study:

Grace is an enabling and strengthening power. I can do all things in the strength of the Lord. This is such a comfort.

When Christ introduced the sacrament at the Last Supper He was replacing the Passover with the Sacrament. 

Mosiah 2:20-22

20 I say unto you, my brethren, that if you should render all the thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who has created you, and has kept and preserved you, and has caused that ye should rejoice, and has granted that ye should live in peace one with another - 

21 I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another - I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.

22 And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.

Joshua 7:13 - Sanctify yourselves...conquering the land of Canaan by destroying all the people because the Lord commanded it.

Russell M. Nelson, conference talks:

 #2. "Protect the Spiritual Powerline", October 1984. 

#3. "Reverence for Life," April 1985.

#4. "Self-Mastery," October 1985.

Notes:

" To reach your highest destiny, emulate Christ. Christ was baptized in the lowest elevation of fresh water on the earth...He descended below all things."

Mr. Elkin, our wealthy neighbor, is back in town. He is going to buy James's water trailer which will give us $1,800. 

Chuck came over and James signed the letter he wrote to send to the attorney general. 

After fixing lunch and eating, I read to James. He took a nap in the bedroom and I took one on the couch where I tried to watch the 2nd episode of "Cranford" on my phone.

I also finished watching Russell M. Nelson, Brilliant Mind, Gentle Heart. I love when he and Wendy are talking about their life together. President Nelson values women. in 1985 he got a computer. When he showed Ardeth Kapp, who was the General Young Women's president, she said she would love to have a computer. The next morning she found one on her desk. I love Ardeth Kapp. I got to visit with her when I went to England. She is a very kind and friendly person and radiates the Spirit of Christ. I feel the same way about Wendy Watson Nelson whom I met at BYU women's conference one year. This is what President Nelson says about Wendy, whom he married in 2006 when his first wife, Dantzel died in 2005: "I love women. I wouldn't be here today without Wendy." Wendy says about Dantzel: "I love Dantzel. Because of her I have the new and improved Russell M. Nelson."

They are true sweethearts and you can just tell how much they love each other. 

On April 10-23rd, The Nelson's and the Holland's are touring Europe, Asia, and Africa. How exciting for those people whom they will visit!

I put away most of the Easter decorations today except for the dining room centerpiece. When I go to the valley tomorrow I will get something to replace it.

I took a quick trip with James to town to get a part for his tractor. Of course I read to him. This was not planned, but it was worth it.

This evening I worked on Primary and Children Learning Reading and then James and I watched Elizabeth and Jack get married on "When Calls the Heart."

Joey Andersen's Hobbit Hole

in Chandler.

Saturday, October 28th, 2017

Merida, Mexico

92nd operating temple

Dedicated: 8 July 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Appearances, Postmortal

John 20:20

And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 14:1-27

What fundamental truths do we learn from Christ's teachings in these verses? How will you incorporate these important teachings into your life?

"Stop judging, extend love. Follow the Savior's example. Verse 7 - Pray for others and for answers. Verse 12 - Live the Golden Rule. Beware of false prophets. Build our foundation upon the rock of Christ and when the storm comes we will stand strong."

Doctrine Covenants Scripture Study

JS-H 1:15-20

General Conference

Loved One Another as He Has Loved Us

Elder Jose L. Alonso

"By serving and forgiving others with real love, we can be healed and receive the strength to overcome our ow challenges."

I read this quote by President Benson today:

"The Book of Mormon is the instrument that God designed to 'sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out His elect' ... The Book of Mormon shall so affect men that the whole earth and all its' peoples will have been influenced and governed by it." (Ensign, Oct. 2005, 60-62)

 It was one year ago today that these two couples got engaged:

Married January 21, 2017

Married October 31, 2016

Collin with his new aunt to be,  and

uncle Nathan.

I stayed at home all day today and worked on my blog, made cookies, and studied and watched Christmas movies. James worked on the patio. He also went to watch Zemira and Andy wrestle at a tournament in Show Low. He just missed Zemira win the championship but saw Andy who also won the championship in his weight. These guys are amazing!

Sheri and her office crew entered a race today. 

Joshua in his Halloween costume.

I love this Halloween picture from a couple

of years ago.

Trenda and Emery

A hunter and his deer

So cute!

Wanlass family going to the temple together.

Fall

Sadie and Aaron celebrated Halloween

by having a baby. Congratulations!

Enoch is going home after being

in the hospital for a few days

with breathing problems.

Ethan just turned 8. When he was in our

ward he was the sweetest boy in Primary!

These photos were in my 2015

picture file. This one is James.

Anna

Emmy

Molly

2015 picking pinions

It's always nice to end with a beautiful sunset.