December 26th, 2019

Oaxaca, Mexico

74th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Mar 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Jehovah

2 Nephi 22:2

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation.

Book of Mormon

Moroni 7:20-34

New Testament

Revelation 16-18; Redheaded Hostess and New Testament Student Manual

Oct General Conference

"Knowing, Loving, and Growing"

Elder Hans T. Boom

"There is no need to constantly tell our spouse or children how they can improve; they know that already. It is in creating an environment of love that they will be empowered to make the necessary changes in their lives and become better people.

In this way repentance becomes a daily process of refining that might include apologizing for poor behavior. I remember and still experience situations where I have been too quick to judge or too slow to listen. And at the end of the day, during my personal prayer, I felt loving counsel from heaven to repent and become better. The loving environment first created by my parents, brother, and sisters and later by my wife, children, and friends has helped me to become a better person."

We left the house and our company around 10:10 this morning. I returned two books I had ordered to UPS. One book cost $16 to return. UPS is too expensive. 

We were supposed to meet a Medicare supplement insurance agent who is with Physicians Mutual at Panda Express at 11. He texted James and said it was too noisy and there were no tables available at Panda and could we meet at Firehouse Subs, so that's where we went. It's right next door to UPS. 

While James picked out a table to wait for Todd Walker, the agent with Physicians Mutual, I went up to order us something to eat. 

I ordered a large Philly cheesesteak and James and I split it. I also go some chips and a drink. I asked Todd if he wanted anything but he declined. 

We spent about an hour with Todd and it was a total waste of time. His company will not cover my infusions. We are currently with Trans America through the NRA. We qualify for the insurance because James is a lifetime member of the NRA. They cover my infusions so we are staying put.

 Todd had convinced James over the phone that he could get us insurance $77 a month cheaper which obviously was not the case.

We left Firehouse and headed for Linden to see Dennis, Denise, Harold and Vickie. Since Dennis was the only one who answered my text we went to his house first. He and Denise were both home and Rachel and her 2 1/2 year old daughter Evie were there too.

We brought banana nut bread and blankets for Dennis, Denise, Harold, and Vickie. I tried to call Vickie and Harold but my phone would not work in Dennis's house. It was okay because they came over after we had been there a little while. 

Evie loved James. She sang him songs and made him sit a certain way on the floor so she could roll a ball to him. When he got the ball he was supposed to make an animal noise.

Evie to the "people" on her tower: "Don't fall people."

Evie sang about alligators getting the monkeys several

times. She also sang "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star," and

"Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed."

When they were sitting on the floor playing with the ball James had

to put his legs out a certain way before she would roll him the ball.

I think Denise was a little jealous of Vickie's yellow blanket. She kept commenting about how pretty it was. We enjoyed our visit. We need to go over and visit more often.

Rachel, Evie, Dennis, Denise, and Evie again

Denise and Rachel told about a book program Dolly Parton has called Imagination Library. Evie receives a free book every month from them until she is five. They are sent to Denise because she lives in a rural area. Dolly is doing the program  in memory of her dad who never learned how to read. 

When we left the cabin Stacy, Paul, Joshua, Dallin, Sarah, and the three dogs Vader, Shipley and Charlie were there. When we returned Michael and Alexis had arrived and everyone was eating pizza from "Pizza Factory" the Gonzales's favorite pizza place on the mountain. 

I took a nap and was working on a blogpost when Kacey texted and said Jared has had some numbing on the left side of his face over the last few days. It has gotten worse and is almost completely numb and he's also had severe headaches. He went to urgent care and they told him to go directly to the ER for brain scans. He is headed there shortly. Please keep him in your prayers. I will keepy you updated. 

I immediately sent a family message out asking for everyone to offer a prayer for Jared. James, Stacy, Paul, Joshua, Dallin, and I knelt down and James offered a prayer. We are worried it may be a stroke. 

Alex, Shayna, Max, and Evan arrived. All of the boys have glowing light sabers that make sounds like the real thing. Dallin built a bonfire outside. It was cool looking out and seeing the light saber fights in the dark. 

The new TV has been on just about nonstop while Stacy is working on the Disney puzzle Adam gave her for Christmas. 

While we were in town today we bought a wall mounting kit for the old TV to be mounted in our bedroom. James installed it and when he asked for help Michael and Alex came in. It took awhile to get it mounted and other people wandered in including Dallin and Shayna who were talking about someone who is running for president that they like whose name is Andrew Wong. 

Back in the family room Stacy wants to watch "The Greatest Showman" with Sarah who has never seen it but it is too noisy. 

Kacey texted back regarding Jared: 

CT scan shows a lipoma in the brain which is a benign fatty type tumor. Typically not serious but depending on location and size could be but  not usually. Doesn't seem to be too big from what he can tell. Also CT shows sinus disease especially on the left side. Either of these could be causing the symptoms. He's not a neurologist though but just an ER doctor. He has a call in to the neurologist to figure out what is next. So more waiting. Blood work was normal.

Thank goodness it is not as serious as it could have been but we are still worried and will continue our prayers.

This is Kacey's last text:

Jared ended up getting home around 1:00 last night. They gave him steroids for the inflammation in his face and started an antibiotic for the sinusitis. The neurologist has scheduled him for an MRI today to figure out more.

Dallin looks like he has a headache

Cousin Christina and her family

Saturday, November 30th, 2019

Hong Kong, China
48th operating temple
Dedicated: 26 May 1996
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Head of Church

Romans 16:16

Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

Book of Mormon

Mormon 9:22-37

New Testament

2 Peter 2-3; FSS and FHE and additional resources and videos

10/19 General Conference

"Fruit"

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"What does the tree in the Tree of Life vision with its most precious fruit symbolize? It represent 'the love of God' and proclaims our Heavenly Father's marvelous plan of redemption. 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.'"

Closing Remarks

President Russell M. Nelson

"We know the restored gospel of Jesus Christ will bring hope and joy to people who will hear and heed His doctrine. We also know that each home can become a true sanctuary of faith, where peace, love, and the Spirit of the Lord may dwell."

I woke up at 5:08 this morning. I had almond cake with caramel rum sauce for breakfast. I read an article in the Ensign while I was eating by sister Cristina B. Franco, "Be of Good Cheer." I also had some camomile tea. What a way to start the day!

One of the first things I saw on Instagram was Allison Hoker and her husband Twitch dancing. The caption read, "Cause everyday is a celebration."

The snow levels increased overnight. In other weather related news three tornadoes touched down in the Phoenix metropolitan area, one near Darrel and Trina. They gathered all of the children into the master bedroom with them. Luckily nothing came of it.

Our friends Tom and Jean Howard are snowed in. Tom called James and asked if he could come and help them get out, which he did.

I listened to several BYU-Idaho devotionals today, including one by the school president, President Henry J. Eyring, President Henry B. Eyring's son. One of the things I remember about his talk is that he writes in his journal every night before he goes to bed. I love these devotionals and could listen to them all day!

The sun began to shine today and of course the snow began to melt. When James got home from the Howard's he realized he needed to shovel snow out of our drive way or we would not be going to church in our car tomorrow. He shoveled lots of snow today, not only the driveway. He shoveled it off the front porch off the sidewalk in the back and off the patio. He got a good workout.

We watched a Lifetime movie this evening called, "Staging Christmas." We also watched a Hallmark movie, "Check Inn to Christmas", starring Rachel Boston and Wes Brown.

We started our fast earlier but we said another

prayer and included the Rawlings' family

in our fast.

 Family meal at Serranos to start the Christmas season

Saturday, October 19th, 2019

Cardston, Alberta

6th operating temple

Dedicated: 26-29 Aug 1923

By: Heber J. Grant

Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd

1 Nephi 22:25

And he gathereth his children from the four quarters of the earth; and he numbereth his sheep, and they know him; and there shall be one fold and one shepherd; and he shall feed his sheep, and in him they shall find pasture.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 8:5-25

How can we prepare today for the Savior's Second Coming?

New Testament: "I Can Do All Things Through Christ Which Strengtheneth Me"

Colossians 3-4 & Colossians 3:1-17 Disciples of Jesus Christ become "new" as they live His gospel.

General Conference

Covenant Women in Partnership with God

President Henry B. Eyring

"Becoming a covenant woman in partnership with God is how great and good daughters of God have always mothered led, and ministered."

Two Great Commandments

President Dallin H. Oaks

"We must try to keep both of the great commandments. To do so, we walk a fine line between law and love."

As I said my prayers this morning I asked Heavenly Father, what lack I yet? The thought came to me that I need to be more self-disciplined in all areas of my life.

"RWC" DC 50:7 - Behold, verily I say unto you, there are hypocrites among you, who have deceived some, which has given the adversary power; but behold such shall be reclaimed; 

This gives me hope for wayward grandchildren!

I love this quote from Joseph B. Wirthlin found in the New Testament Student Manual: "That we do a lot may not be so important. That we focus the energy of our minds, hearts, and souls on those things of eternal significance - that is essential."(p. 442)

I sold two books today for a total in sales of 145.00.

At nine o'clock this morning James and I went to the church to clean. We noticed last week in the bulletin that Blain Curtis was pretty much assigned to clean the church by himself. Diana is still recovering from surgery and everyone else probably don't know they have the assignment because they don't come to church. James told him he would be there Saturday to help him clean. 

Blain wasn't there when we got there so we started without him. I vacuumed, James emptied trashes and cleaned the bathrooms and was vacuuming the pews in the chapel when Blain came around 10:30. He was most appreciative of our help and he told us to please go home and he would finish up, which we did.

I am grateful to James for honoring his commitment to Blain. I tried to talk him out of it, saying that he was recovering from surgery and Blain would understand if he called and told him he couldn't make it. He would not do that. I had not planned on going but there was no way I was going to let James go by himself. I was grateful we did it. There is something so satisfying in doing something for someone else.

We missed the breakfast at the park kicking off the November Food Drive.

We also missed the political rally at the park for David Peelman and Cope Reynolds. I'm not sure what David is running for but Cope is running for Apache County Sheriff. Cope is a good friend and a member of our ward. I think he would make an awesome sheriff and he definitely has my vote! (Cope isn't his real name. He adopted it when in his less active days he chewed Copenhagen tobacco. Nevertheless, he is a great guy! He's also tall and can be intimidating.)

Jaden Hood's baptism. Jaden is mentally but he has come up through the ranks in Primary and I have seen a definite improvement. He understands more than you think, he just cannot speak so you can understand him. At least I can't understand him. Maybe there are those who can.

We left our house this evening a little after five to clean the temple in Snowflake. On the way we stopped at the church and picked up our friend Tom Howard who is going with us. He is Jaden's Primary teacher and he attended Jaden's baptism. Jean, Tom's wife was going to come too but she was not feeling well. He said she was at home with the electric blanket I got her for Christmas wrapped around her.

On our way to Snowflake I got a text from Tamara Applegate. This is what it said:

"Sorry, Jimmie and I got asked to accompany youth to corn maze. Hope you have enough to clean the temple. So sorry not to be there."

We were already going to be a little short so this was disappointing, especially to James who loves Jimmie Applegate.

We are grateful to these ward members who were there to help clean the temple: Amy and Sam Gordon, Wes and Teresa Smith, Anthony Romyak, Kerri Halcomb, Jerry Scott, Virgil Cooper, Tom Howard, Owen Peeler, Chuck Crane, Cammy Grapp, Collin DeWitt (came from the valley to honor his commitment), and of course James and myself. 

James and I vacuumed. I vacuumed and he held the cord. I got to wear the backpack vacuum and someone said: "Who you gonna call, Ghostbusters!" The backpack vacuum is for vacuuming the stairs.

We stopped at McDonald's on the way home and I got an ice cream and a Happy Meal burger and James got an ice cream without the cone. We stopped at Maverick so Tom could get some mints for his Primary class tomorrow. He says they love them and try to get them out of his pockets. He loves kids and I'm sure he is a great Primary teacher.

We were home before nine and read from Aunt Dimity and watched part of the new episode of "Good Witch" before going to bed. James said he didn't feel any pain while he was cleaning the temple.

It was our privilege to help clean the Snowflake temple

this evening.

 Oh Charlie, you are so funny!

 Little Lola

Michael