Friday, March 8th, 2019

Monterrey, Mexico

110th operating temple

Dedicated: 28 Apr 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

I am a little overwhelmed with life right now and have decided that I need to simplify my blog so that I have time to do other important things, such as, family history and our book business. I will continue to read and study the gospel as before but will not be posting so much of my gospel study on here. I will continue to post the temple pictures. 

"Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice"

Bishop Dean M. Davies

"The chief cornerstone and building block of the Church and for our lives is Jesus Christ. This is His Church. President Nelson is His prophet. President Nelson's teachings witness and reveal for our benefit the life and character of Jesus Christ. He speaks lovingly and knowingly of the Savior's nature and of His mission. He has also borne frequent and fervent testimony of the divine calling of the living prophets - the Presidents of the Church - under whom he has served."

James, Rowan and I left the house around 6:45. No one inside was awake. As we were sitting in the car getting ready to go Trina came running up. I guess she had been outside running. It was nice that Rowan got to see his mom before we left. She made my day because she said to me, "Oh Karen, you look pretty." It was probably surprising to her to see me with my hair done and makeup on.

We had to drop off something in Mesa at James's jobsite before heading to Chandler to pick up Max, Evan, and Joshua.  We got to Sheri's before 8 and she and the boys weren't there. I told James they probably went to get gas and drinks. I was right. While we were waiting for Stacy to show up with Joshua, Ollie got out and ran down the street. Sheri, Evan and I hurried after him. Of course he went straight to Cathi's and Sheri was able to get him. It was a little scary for a minute because when he was running down the street the garbage truck was headed right for him.

I went for a walk and when I got back Stacy was there with Joshua and their three dogs in the car. I went over to say high to the dogs and they went crazy in the car. 

We are trading cars with Sheri for the week because all of the boys won't fit in our car. Rowan forgot his Sunday clothes so Sheri got some of Evan's for him to wear. 

After we left Payson Rowan said he had to go to the bathroom. He had to wait until we got to Heber. It rained from Heber until we got to Show Low. In Show Low we went to Subway for Evan and to KFC for everyone else. We just ordered the chicken to take home with us. 

After we got home and everything was unloaded I headed back for town to do some grocery shopping and to pick up the Razr tire at Center Tire. I ran into the tire store and got soaking wet just to find out that it won't be ready until Monday. 

I bought groceries at Walmart to feed these boys until next Wednesday. I bought bacon, pork chops, steaks, hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken. I also bought chicken tenders and pizza rollups, cereal and milk, and snacks. I think I would rather have too much food than not enough.

James grilled hamburgers and hotdogs outside for dinner. I made corn and beans to go with them.

The boys wanted to play ball on the driveway so

they swept it off. It started raining before they could play.

 Quilt

I think that puppy is real. All they need 

is Lola in the mix.

 I read this today as part of the "Come

Follow Me" lesson for the week.

Saturday, September 29th, 2018

Monterrey, Mexico

110th operating temple

Dedicated: 28 Apr 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Acts 4:10

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 12:1-13

*How will you be blessed if you put your trust in the Lord?

-I can live with peace knowing He has a plan for me. I can remember past blessings. He will prosper me, but when He does, I must not forget Him. As I follow the commandments I am blessed. Obedience is the key!

James/Dad: That is exactly right. If we put our trust in the Lord, then we are blessed with a greater desire to keep the commandments and repent of sins and mistakes. Then the blessings begin to flow. Our faith increases. As our faith increases our ability to feel the Savior's words when we read or hear them increases. We begin to recognize His tender mercies in our lives. We more readily feel of His Spirit and begin to develop an eternal perspective which gives us hope and comfort during trials and tribulation that comes to each of us. We develop the ability to feel happiness and joy even while we are suffering, which dispells discouragement. Things of little or of no eternal value begin to fall out of our lives. We learn and live what is really important.

Old Testament

Isaiah 40-42

General Conference

Prepare to Meet God

Elder Quentin L. Cook

"Please be assured that senior Church leaders who preside over the divinely appointed purposes of the Church receive divine assistance. This guidance comes from the Spirit and sometimes directly from the Savior. Both kinds of spiritual guidance are given. I am grateful to have received such assistance. But guidance is given in the Lord's time, line upon line and precept upon precept, when 'an omniscient Lord deliberately chooses to school us. Guidance for the Church as a whole comes only to His prophet."

We had to stop at the Shell station in Taylor to pick up some Icebreakers before going to the temple. I am not sure I could make it through the shift without them. I also had to share with James because he forgot his Biotin spray.

President Palmer and Sister Palmer were our supervisors today. 
We had the same training video as last time about the endowment session but afterwards President Palmer did some training on his own. He emphasized not trying to do things "in sync" but to do them by the Spirit.  It was a good training.

Here were some of the highlights of my day: 
I was in the new name booth for the first session. It was my first time and I actually enjoyed it.

I was greeter 1 downstairs behind the recommend desk when our friend Anthony came in. I told him the next endowment session wasn't until 9:30 but he could do initiatories while he was waiting. He looked at me and said, "Is there a place I can take a shower first." I was a little taken aback by this request but then I remembered his situation, no running water or electricity, out in the middle of nowhere. I directed him down to the baptismal dressing area and told him there was a shower there. After Anthony went down the hall I spoke with Sister Palmer who was standing behind me by the stained glass artwork. I told her what I had done and she said they had done that with a sister earlier in the week and it was fine. She also said she was glad that I was here when he came in because I understood his situation, which made me feel good.

Again I worked in initiatory twice, which is good practice for me, and something I really enjoy. I also got to assist Sister Wenhardt in the baptistry and listen to President Palmer speak to the groups coming in for baptisms. He told some neat stories, one was about when he served in the West Indies and a couple went without electricity for a year and saved the money so they could go to the temple. He also told about his third great grandfather whose wife joined the Church but he didn't. This was before the construction of the Nauvoo temple and baptisms for the dead were being done in the river. He said his great 3x grandmother was baptized for his grandfather. After the building of the Nauvoo temple this practice stopped and females could only be baptized for other females and males only for other males. He said he and his wife were listening to the new church history book, "The Saints" and they talked about this practice of females being baptized for males and visa versa.

My last assignment was in the Celestial room. I get the group coming from the 11:00 session and I enjoy being there. It's a good way to end my shift. The temple will be closed after today until October 16th.

James and I stopped for lunch at El Cupido's in Snowflake and saw our old friends from high school, Paul and Dianne. We visited and made jokes about getting old. Paul and Dianne work at the temple on Wednesdays. Dianne's sister Tricia and her husband are in the temple presidency.

James went down to the church after we got home to visit with a brother from our ward who wanted some counsel and advice from him. I stayed home relaxed, walked, and worked on my blog.

We started our fast after lunch.

We missed a call from our friend Millie. She had baked an apple pie and wanted to give it to us. Darn!

Happy 23rd anniversary Kim & Brian!

They spent it at the beach and 

going to a concert.

 Trina doing her spring triathalon

 Lola being a "fancy" girl

 Ben having dinner at a members home

in Idaho Falls

James planted some flowers for me.

The little rose bush and the gerber daisy

were gifts for our anniversary.

 Teaching in a journal the

Plan of Salvation

I can hardly wait to meet this

little doll.

 My friend Rosa is visiting her daughter

and her family in Idaho.

 These photos were taken at the Idaho Falls temple.

 Throwback to Dallin 2012.

I wish I could make this card for Christmas.

I love it!

One of those unforgettable movies.

At least that one scene anyway.

Talon returned from Washington today.
Brother George was happy to see him.

Talon shot a bear while in Washington.

Wednesday, November 15th, 2017

Monterrey, Mexico

110th operating temple

Dedicated: 28 April 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ's Atonement

Isaiah 53:6

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 29:1-30:2

Make a list of some of the Saviors characteristics you consider to be most important. 

Take a personal inventory of your own life with regard to these characteristics and formulate a plan to better fulfill His mandate to be "even as I am." (3 Nephi 27:27). ( See "Preach My Gospel" chapter 6, 'How Do I Develop Christlike Attributes,' p. 117).

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 6:34

Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.

General Conference

The Truth of all Things

Elder David F. Evans

" My mo knew that I needed to study and pray and that I needed to develop greater patience as I sought answers from the Lord. Willingness to be patient is part of our search for truth and part of the Lords pattern of revealing truth. President Monson: 'If you do not have a firm testimony of these things, do that which is necessary to obtain one. It is essential for you to have your own testimony in these difficult times, for the testimonies of others will carry you only so far.'"

It is 9 a.m. and James is already working outside. I don't think he will ever retire and if he does, he will never stop working.

At 10:30 James leaves for a meeting at the Torreon Golf Course in Show Low. This is a monthly networking meeting of businessmen in the White Mountain area. Usually Brother Applegate and Brother Howard would be there but James went anyway not knowing anyone. The group was started by our friend Brother Howard who is in the valley today. Brother Applegate, another friend, is taking his daughter to the MTC.

James returned around 2 p.m. and he brought me my favorite lunch, two tacos from Aliberto's. What a guy! He knows the way to my heart. 

Today I blogged, watched Christmas movies and walked. When I got tired I took a nap. What a life I have and it was all made possible because of my dear sweet husband.

My Christmas movies for the day: "What I Did for Love," "A Dream of Christmas," "December Bride," and "A Christmas to Remember."

Paul sent out a message on Facebook about Adam.

"Please pray for Adam, he has another severe infection at his catheter site. He is in the ER, they are likely going to open up his leg to clear the infection." 

Later this message was sent: "They excised Adam's wound and he is doing better. His pain has subsided and the infection seems to be reducing. Josh may have strep but he has a mild fever so we'll see how he is this morning and go from there. Thanks for your prayers."

I am thankful for social media because it allows us to keep in contact with those we love.

James took a nap this afternoon, did some work outside, and then came in to get ready for his High Priest Group leadership meeting at 6:30. He is a busy man this week. I paid tithing and updated our checkbooks. I also looked at an email sent by Paula Johnson. Here it is: Vernon residents: Apparently complaining does work! Mike Maher forwarded this email to me.

Good afternoon: FYI...

I wanted to update you that the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has placed a temporary air quality monitor in Vernon. This station monitors for PM2.5 (the smallest particles in the air). the date can be viewed online via this Web Link:
https://www.phoenixvis.net/PPMmain.aspx

(for data from the temporary Vernon monitor, click "Vernon" in the box on the bottom-left of the page.)

Thank you for your interest.

Sincerely,

Byron James

Community Liaison

Finally! Someone is noticing how bad the air quality has been with all of the prescribed burns they have been having.

Must move more!

My favorite photo with James

My sweet, hard-working husband

Gorgeous fall!

The Pope kids.

I love these boys and their parents!

We are having two Thanksgivings this year.

On Thanksgiving we are going to the buffet

at the Hondah casino. On Friday we will be

fixing Thanksgiving with Kim and Brian.

My second home and my favorite temple.

I love being here.

Sunday, May 14th, 2017

Monterrey, Mexico

110th operating temple

Dedicated: 28 April 2002 by

Gordon B. Hinckley

Mosiah 29:16-32

* According to King Mosiah, what benefits would come through making decisions by the voice of the people?

* What consequences would come if the people chose iniquity?

* Why is it important for both leaders and followers to be accountable for their actions?

Truths learned in Mosiah 29:

* Unrighteous leadership can bring contention and sin.

* It is not common for the voice of the people to choose something that is not right.

* If the people choose iniquity, the judgments of God will come upon them.

* Each person has a duty to uphold righteous laws and leaders.

Mormon 9

Moroni calls upon those who do not believe in Christ to repent; He proclaims a God of miracles, who gives revelations and pours out gifts and signs upon the faithful; Miracles cease because of unbelief; Signs follow those who believe; Men are exhorted to be wise and keep the commandments. About A.D. 401-21.

DC 75:13-22

All will come forth in the resurrection of the just or the unjust; The inhabitants of many worlds are begotten sons and daughters unto God through the Atonement of Jesus Christ; 

Was there a time I exercised faith and was given the strength to overcome?

* I can't think of a time right now.

General Conference

Return and Receive

Elder M. Russell Ballard

"Over the years, I have observed that those who accomplish the most in this world are those with a vision for their lives, with goals to keep them focused on their vision and tactical plans for how to achieve them.  Knowing where you are going and how you expect to get there can bring meaning, purpose, and accomplishment to life."

Kindness, Charity, and Love

President Thomas S. Monson

"And if a man be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity." -Moroni 7:44

I was up at 4:00 a.m. on this beautiful mother's day to work on my Primary lesson.  The lesson is about Edward Partridge being the first bishop and what our bishop does for us.  

James wrote me a nice one page letter for mother's day.  He would rather write to me than to buy a card.

So sweet.

The mother's had an amazing day at church.  We got giant candy bars and a carnation in sacrament meeting.  During Relief Society the RS presidency set up a luncheon in the Relief Society room.  We had chicken salad sandwiches on rolls, veggies and dip, chips, and chocolate covered strawberries.  It was yummy and totally unexpected.  During Primary each of the children wrote a note to their mom's and gave them either a red or yellow rose.  The roses were beautiful.

Candy bar, carnation, and cards.

Cathi and Terry's grandson, Colin, filled this out at kindergarten.  I thought it was pretty funny.

I love her red hair and his answer to the last question.

James came home from church and made me a wonderful steak dinner.  We had fillets, baked potatoes, corn, and a salad.  I also bought a little chocolate cake but I ended up throwing it away because it had too much buttercream frosting.  

I got a call or a text from all of my kids.  Stacy wrote me a sweet message on Facebook.  Brian sent me a card.  Jared sent me a Deseretbookshelf plus card good for one year.  Darrel called me and Trina wished me a Happy Mother's Day.  Darrel had to work today and Trina spent the day making her mother dinner.  She also took this picture of three of her four kids.

While Trina was taking this picture Lola was inside and locked

them all out of the house.  Thank goodness Rowan knew how

to break in.  So, no picture of Lola.

When Stacy called me she told me a little more about their trip to Tombstone.  She said over 1200 bodies are in the bottom of the mine they were in.  She said the guide told them to take lots of pictures because they may get an orb.  Stacy got one and you can see a face in it if you look hard.  She said Paul got one that moved around.

The orb is way over on the left.  I can't see anything on here but I

did when Stacy posted it on Facebook.

Paul posted these pictures of Stacy and some of her boys:

Dallin

Michael

Joshua

We had some visitors this evening.  James got some closeups.

Cows 

James said there were five cows and

two yearlings.

Their light butts are so funny looking

They came to wish me a happy mother's day!

It was a wonderful day.  I am so grateful to my wonderful family.

I was impressed that Jared worked all day Saturday and then drove to San Antonio, arriving at 1:30 a.m. so he could fix Kacey breakfast and spend mother's day with her, and then drive back home Sunday afternoon after making her cookies.  

Here are some more fun reminders of Mother's Day:

Happy Mother's Day!