Friday, March 1st, 2019

Montevideo, Uruguay

103rd operating temple

Dedicated: 18 Mar 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

DC 68:6

Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 23:1-22

*While we might be living in "Zion" do you still stream content from "Babylon," shop from their clothing line, or weave their teachings into "Zion's" gospel? How else might we have a foot in "Babylon"?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matt 7:7-20; I should judge righteously

"The Righteous Judge" Elder Lynn G. Robbins, 10/16

General Conference

Opening Remarks

President Russell M. Nelson

"This morning we will announce a new balance and connection between gospel instruction in the home and in the Church. We are each responsible for our individual spiritual growth. And scriptures make it clear that parents have the primary responsibility to teach the doctrine to their children. It is the responsibility of the Church to assist each member in the divinely defined goal of increasing his or her gospel knowledge."

I did an early morning walk in Darrel's backyard. While I was walking I listened to conference talks. I especially loved the one by Elder Lynn G. Robbins, "The Righteous Judge." Here are a couple of quotes from that talk under the subheading 'The Parent as a Righteous Judge.' 

"To effectively teach a child is the very essence of good parenting, and to lovingly discipline is the very essence of being a righteous judge." 

"President Joseph F. Smith taught, 'If children are defiant and difficult to control, be patient with them until you can conquer by love, ... and you can then mold their characters as you please."

"It is insightful that in teaching how to discipline, the prophets seem to always refer to Christlike attributes."

George Albert Smith taught that "unkind things are not usually said under the inspiration of the Lord. The Spirit of the Lord is a spirit of kindness; it is a spirit of patience; it is a spirit of charity and love and forbearance and long suffering. ...

"... But if we have the spirit of fault finding ... in a destructive manner, that never comes as a result of the companionship of the Spirit of our Heavenly Father and is always harmful.

" ... Kindness is the power that God has given us to unlock hard hearts and subdue stubborn souls."

Ruby was telling me about a book that she read called, "Hollis Woods." The only thing Hollis ever really wanted was a family of her own. She went from foster family to foster family and was finally adopted. I asked Ruby if she liked the book and she said yes.

James helped Rowan roll up his sleeping bag and other supplies for his camp out tonight. It was fun watching them.

Rowan still has bed head.

We said goodbye to Trina, Lola, Rowan and Ruby when they left this morning for school and the gym. Darrel was already gone to work and Addy to school. 

Leaving for school and the gym

My infusion was scheduled for 10:30 so we got ready to go and left a little before 10 just as Trina came in holding Lola. I guess Lola got sick in the car. Trina laid Lola down on the couch. When grandpa said, "I'm sorry that you are sick." Lola said, "I will feel better if you give me a kiss grandpa." Such a sweetie.

A fancy sick girl

My infusion was pretty routine. I did have an appointment with Edith who is one of Dr. Caldron's P.A. She insisted that I had to have a chest x-ray if I wanted Medicare to continue to pay for my infusions so I scheduled one for next month right before my infusion on April 5th.

When James came to pick me up he was worried about his tractor not being where he parked it. Thank goodness he called Armando and he had it. 

We headed east on the 202 for the Firebird's near San Tan mall in Gilbert where I am meeting my friend Karen S. for lunch. 

Karen and I have lunch twice a year to celebrate our birthdays. Her birthday is in February and mine is in August so it works out well. I bought her lunch, the Colorado salad and gave her a book, "My Grandfather's Blessing." I had my usual, the coconut shrimp with habanero slaw. The shrimp was cooked perfectly. 

Karen and I visited about family, family history, health, and various other things. Karen is my family research mentor. She is the best family history consultant I know. Karen has had chemo-therapy for kidney cancer and never lost her hair. Now she is on immuno-therapy. Karen says she has her hair done once a week because her right shoulder is frozen. Her hip also bothers her and she was at physical therapy before she came to lunch.

I asked James to take me to Swig's to get a sugar cookie, which he did. He got one too but was wishing it didn't have frosting.

Lola was asleep on the couch with her head laying on Trina's lap. She was dressed in her best dress with several necklaces on because she wanted to look "fancy" even if she was sick. She had asked Trina the other day if "fancy" people fart. Trina said they did but they call it toot or fluff. The conversations you can have with a four year old.

While James was taking a short nap I had a conversation with Trina I wish I could take back. I told her I was ready to die except that I couldn't leave James. I told her so much of life is spent on doing trivial things that don't really matter and the struggle was endless. 
When I got home I got a text from Trina saying if life was too hard in Vernon we could come and live with them. So sweet and thoughtful. 

We said goodbye and left just as Trina's dad was getting there to watch Lola while she went to pick up the other kids. It was nice to see him again. 

We got home safe and sound. After putting things away and walking we finished off the evening by watching an episode of "Victoria." There is only one more episode left this season.

 Cutie Pie

 Jared and Emmy reading scriptures

 Ordered this book for 99 cents only to

find out it was digital. I cancelled.

Lots of good quotes in this movie.

Here are a couple:

"A man who loves his job never works 

a day in his life." -Confucius

"Nothing great is ever achieved without enthusiasm."

-R.W. Emerson

 Snow on Four Peaks

Saturday, September 22nd, 2018

Montevideo, Uruguay

103rd operating temple

Dedicated: 18 Mar 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

John 19:10

Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have ower to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?

Book of Mormon

Helaman 7:13-8:10

*How are Moroni and Ammoron different in their motivations for war?

- In Alma 54:13 Moroni says, 'Ye have sought to murder us, and we have only sought to defend ourselves.' In Alma 54:16-17 it says Ammoron is fighting for revenge and power. Moroni is motivated by love, which is unselfish, just like our Savior, Jesus Christ. Ammoron on the other hand is motivated by power, hate, and selfishness, like Satan. We can learn from this account to let love be our motivation for all we do.

Old Testament

Isaiah 19-21

General Conference

Revelation for the Church, Revelations for Our Lives

President Russell M. Nelson

"I urge you to stretch beyond your current spiritual ability to receive personal revelation, for the Lord has promised that 'if thou shalt seek, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things - that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal.' 

Nothing opens the heavens quite like the combination of increased purity, exact obedience, earnest seeking, daily feasting on the words of Christ in the Book of Mormon, and regular time committed to temple and family history work. 

To be sure, there may be times when you feel as though the heavens are closed. But I promise that as you continue to be obedient, expressing gratitude for every blessing the Lord gives you, and as you patiently honor the Lord's timetable, you will be given the knowledge and understanding you seek. Every blessing the Lord has for you - even miracles - will follow. That is what personal revelation will do for you.

If we are to have any hope of sifting through the myriad of voices and the philosophies of men that attack truth, we must learn to receive revelation. 

Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory. But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.

I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation. 

With Moroni, I exhort you on this Easter Sabbath to 'come unto Christ, and lay hold upon every good gift,' beginning with the gift of the Holy Ghost, which gift can and will change your life.

The most important truth the Holy Ghost will ever witness to you is that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God."

We worked in the temple today. We had lots of substitutes. The Elmer's are in Hawaii celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. The Weinhardt's are in Colorado, and no one knows where the Gentry's were.

I put lots of family names on the prayer roll. My first assignment was at the top of the stairs so I had the opportunity to do the prayer roll before patrons started coming in.

Sandra W. from our ward was one of the first people I saw. I gave her a big hug. The youth from are ward are here and she came with John and her kids.

I had the same schedule as last time I was here. We had no weddings today and only one own endowment. I guess someone liked my chili because it was all gone when we left.

We work again next Saturday because it is the 5th Saturday and then the temple will be closed for two weeks. That's when we are going to Texas, when the temple is closed. The Gilbert temple will be closed for a month for some remodeling in the laundry.

As soon as I got home and changed my clothes I went in to make some pumpkin bread. Sister Dye, one of the sisters James visits fell and chipped her tail bone. James wants to go by and see her and take her some bread. I made three loaves, we took one to Sister Dye, one to the Howard's and we kept one for ourselves. It was delicious. James insisted that I put pecans in it.

I am really getting in to my book, "The Lake House." I listened tonight while I walked. We went to bed around 9:30. We are getting up early and going to the valley for Evan's Primary program.

Charming Charlie

 Dot Journal ideas

 Beautiful Germany

 Wendy Arnett's husband

Sonoita Creek

Monday, April 16th, 2018

Montevideo, Uruguay

103rd operating temple

Dedicated: 18 Mar 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

What should I pray for?

Bible Dictionary, "Prayer," paragraph 3

Even in the times of the Judges, the children of Israel did not forget to cry unto the Lord, and a model of prayer is furnished by Hannah (1 Sam. 2:1). Samuel was recognized by his nation to be characteristically a man of prayer ( 1 Sam. 7:5; 8;12:19, 23; Ps. 99:6).David's Psalms, and the Psalms generally, breathe the highest spirit of prayer. The nation that possessed them must have been rich in teachers and examples of prayer. Remarkable prayers were prayed by Solomon (1 Kgs. 8); Hezekiah (2 Kgs. 19:14, etc.; Isa. 38:9, etc.); Ezra (Ezra 9:5); the Levites (Neh. 9:5, etc.); and Daniel (Dan. 9:3, etc.). "Making many prayers" was a part of the corrupt religion of Israel under the later kings (Isa. 1:15) and a marked feature of the religion of the Pharisees (Matt. 6:5; 23:14).

Jesus Christ betrayal of

Matthew 10:4

Sion the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 9:1-19

* How can we relate this story of Zeniff and his people to our own lives?

- I can relate to Zeniff because I have been over-zealous at times in doing things my way, and have been slow to remember the Lord. Remembering past blessings helps us to wake up.. and recall the times the Lord has delivered us, and we can once again call upon God and ask for His help. When we are faithful we can receive the help we need to overcome sin, adversity and to warn us of spiritual dangers. How grateful I am that we have a God that believes in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th chances.. How grateful I am that between my sins and adversity is a variety of mistakes and errors and that with the gift of the Atonement, I can right the wrongs, and I can erase and repair all that keeps me from returning to my Creator. 

Old Testament

Judges 6-8

6 Israel is in bondage to the Midianites - An angel appears to Gideon and calls him to deliver Israel - He overthrows the altar of Baal, the Spirit of the Lord rests upon him, and the Lord gives him a sign to show he is called to deliver Israel.

7 Gideon's army is reduced to 300 - They frighten the Midianite armies with trumpets and lights - The Midianites fight among themselves, flee, and are defeated by Israel.

8 Gideon pursues and destroys the Midianites - He frees the children of Israel but refuses their invitation to reign as king over them - Gideon dies, and Israel returns to idolatry.

General Conference

Ministering with the Power and Authority of God

President Russell M. Nelson

" We will minister in His name, with His power and authority, and with His loving kindness."

Take the Holy Spirit as Your Guide

Elder Larry Y. Wilson

" What an incomparable gift comes to those who put their faith in Jesus Christ. That gift is the Holy Spirit."

Happy Birthday

Alexander Kay Trezise

Born: April 16, 1998

Alex and Shayna

A read an article from the Ensign today entitled, "Christlike Attributes: Integrity," by Sister Barbara A. Lewis. Here are some notes I took:

" When we have integrity we live by our righteous beliefs and standards."

President Hinckley: 

"Keeping our covenants with honor is part of our integrity. The strength of our integrity is often tested when we are at our weakest. If we listen to the Holy Ghost we can develop trued integrity."

I always read from the Ensign first thing in the morning while I am eating my breakfast, and then I read from "Rescuing Wayward Children." Here are a few notes from that book:

"Center on your covenants, attend the temple, fast and pray, sanctify yourselves as you strive to rescue your children."

I had lunch with my friend Jean at Persnikkity's today. She got to the register before I did and consequently she bought my lunch.

I had a twisted philly cheesesteak sandwich with a side of sweet potato fries. Jean had a salad. How sensible of her.

This is Jean with her daughter Deana.

Jean has had to have multiple surgeries on

her back and neck because of a horrific car

accident she was in. It is a miracle she is alive.

I value her friendship and see the good that

she does in serving others.

I drove home by myself because Tom, Jean's husband picked her up so she could go sign some legal papers. I had a difficult time staying awake on the way home but as soon as I got out of the car at the post office the blasting wind woke me up. 

After nap time I went out to help James cut lumber to use for forms on the job he is starting at Legacy Golf Course on the 1st of May. While I helped I listened to a talk by President Nelson, from the October 1992 conference, "Where Is Wisdom"? This is the 18th talk I have listened to of his. I also listened to Brother Robert Millet's "The Atoning One," chapters 5, Treading the Winepress, and chapter 6, On Calvary's Cross.

My view. My job was to hold the boards

as they came through the saw.

Whistling while he works until he realizes

afterwards how much his back hurts.

When James took a break, I finished before he did, I read to him from Ashes on the Moor. I finished my blog and walked and walked, and walked. 

For FHE we listened to Elder Wilson's conference talk: "Take the Holy Spirit as Your Guide." James worked on entering names of children and grandchildren. He is just about finished.

Dedicated to his calling, even though

he hates the computer.

President Nelson's visit to Africa

Lola watching leap and getting ready to "leap."

Fay Canyon in Sedona

Wonder where she got the deer and if

she kept him in her house.

This rabbit was caught in this trap and

then transferred to the black cage, 

which he got out of.

Wednesday, November 8th, 2017

Montevideo, Uruguay

103rd operating temple

Dedicated: 18 Mar 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Ascension of

1 Timothy 3:16

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 23:1-14

What value is there in searching the scriptures and the prophets?

Today I quote from 3 prophets because I couldn't choose one. The Prophet Joseph Smith: "Search the scriptures - search the revelations and ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, to manifest the truth unto you, and if you do it with an eye single to His glory, nothing doubting, He will answer you by the power of His Holy Spirit. You will then know for yourselves. You will not then be dependent on man for the knowledge of God; nor will there be any room for speculation. When men/women receive their instruction from Him that made them, they know how He will save them."

President Gordon B. Hinckley: "I am grateful for the emphasis on reading the scriptures. I hope that for you this will become something far more enjoyable than a duty; that rather, it will become a love affair with the word of God. I promise you that as you read, your minds will be enlightened and your spirits will be lifted. At first it may seem tedious, but that will change into a wondrous experience with thoughts and words of things divine."

President Henry B. Eyring: "The Holy Ghost will guide what we say if we study and ponder the scriptures every day. The words of the scriptures invite the Holy Spirit. With daily study of the scriptures we can count on this blessing. We treasure the word of God not only by studying them. We may be nourished more by pondering a few words, allowing the Holy Ghost to make them treasures to us, than by passing quickly and superficially over whole chapters of scripture."

Karen Lambson: "I love reading the scriptures!"

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 4:2

Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.

General Conference

Be Ye Therefore Perfect - Eventually

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"'Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in Him...,' Moroni pleads. 'Love God with all your might, mind, and strength, then...by His grace ye may be perfect in Christ.' Our only hope for true perfection is in receiving it as a gift from heaven - we cant earn it. Thus, the grace of Christ offers us not only salvation from sorrow and sin and death but also salvation from our own persistent self-criticism."

"Fear not, be of good cheer, your future is as bright as your faith"

-President Thomas S. Monson

It was overcast today but for the next 15 days there is zero moisture in sight.

As I was walking around the house this morning I looked out the window and saw a coyote standing out beyond our fenced yard. He just stood there looking around. I watched him for awhile and then I looked over at the storage building and there was a little cottontail jumping around. I immediately went outside and started yelling and waving my arms to scare the coyote away. He looked at me like I was really weird and then he trotted away. The bunny was saved by the granny.

James went to town today to pick up pavers. I thought for sure he would bring me a taco but I guess maneuvering a trailer around a small parking lot is just too hard. He said we could go to lunch in Springerville and get tacos, so I got ready. On the way we started a new book, "Once an Heiress" which is on my kindle app on my phone. 

We went to Booga Reds and I ordered a green chili Navajo taco. It was okay but I should have ordered a regular taco. While James was waiting to pay the bill, I started walking to Western Drug. He picked me up and we went inside together. This place has a crazy assortment of merchandise, hunting and camping gear, material, dry goods, etc.  I even found a camo tablecloth. We also stopped at Safeway to pick up some strawberries and stuff for salad.

As we approached the graveyard on the Vernon Road, a 4x4 deer was standing in the road. Just as I was about to take a picture he ran off and jumped the fence. 

James is a one man show outside with moving the pavers for the patio. He accomplishes great things. 

As I worked on my blog and did some other chores I watched several Christmas movies: "Love You Like Christmas", "The Mistletoe Promise," "All I Want for Christmas," "Farewell Mr. Kringle," "Second Chance Christmas."

I read from the introduction of "Rescuing Wayward Children" and also got my 10,000 steps or more for the day.

Low hanging clouds hide the top of

Mt. Montoso

It's like the Springerville Superstore

James likes this sign better, maybe because

of the elk.

LaDonna Chapman from our 

early days in Chandler. Her daughter

married one of James's best friends from

high school and they work in the Snowflake temple.

I love this little pig!

Temple Open House

Love these old photos

"Lollipop"

Formerly known as Squaw Peak

Love these clouds!

James laying out the fire pit.

I saw this trailer on my walk through

Springerville today.