Sunday, June 10th, 2018

Meridian, Idaho

158th operating temple

Dedicated 19 Nov 2017

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Condescension of

John 3:13

And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

Book of Mormon

Alma 13:21-14:5

*Why does the word of God tend to divide people?

Talk: Truth: The Foundation of Correct Decisions

By: Richard G. Scott

Oct. 2007

Old Testament

2 Kings 7-8

7 Elisha prophesies incredible plenty in Samaria - The Syrian hosts flee at a noise of battle and leave their possessions - Israel takes spoil from the Syrians.

8 Elisha prophesies a seven-year famine - The Shunammite woman is preserved through the famine - Jehoram and then Ahaziah reign in wickedness in Judah.

General Conference

Family History and Temple Work: Healing and Sealing

Elder Dale G. Renlund

"Your worship in the temple and your service there for your ancestors will bless you with increased personal revelation and peace and will fortify your commitment to stay on the covenant path." - President Russell M. Nelson

I lost 1.2 lbs. this week but I am out of the points race. James is still in the points race and he lost 2 lbs. I think he is probably still ahead. One more week. He just might win.

We studied our scriptures and had family prayer before church this morning. I also studied Elder Renlund's talk which is the talk we are studying today in Relief Society and I ironed James a shirt. I should have ironed the shirt last night. Sacrament meeting had barely started when we walked in. 

Charlie G. blessed the sacrament for the first time today. We also have a new elder but I didn't catch his name as he was passing the sacrament. 

Marci W. gave a talk today on the personal finance class she took as part of the Church's self-reliance program. I looked up the manual on my gospel library app and told James we should study it for FHE. He wants me to help him on familysearch instead. 

Three Westbrook's got new callings today. Marci is going to be the Primary chorister, Corina will be the nursery leader, and Joe will be YM secretary. 

Brother Reidhead spoke today on ministering and talked a lot about President Nelson's talk last Sunday evening to the youth. The take is entitled "Hope of Israel" and President Nelson asks the youth to be part of his "Youth Batallion" to help Gather Israel. He gave five challenges to the youth.

1. Hold a seven-day fast from social media.

2. Make a weekly sacrifice of time to the Lord for three weeks.

3. Keep on the covenant path. If you are off, repent and get back on the path.

4. Pray daily that all of God's children might receive the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

5. Stand out. Be different. Be a light. Give to a friend one copy of the booklet For the Strength of Youth.

These were President Nelson's closing remarks:

"My beloved younger brothers and sisters, you are among the best the Lord has ever sent to this world. You have the capacity to be smarter and wiser and have more impact on the world than any previous generation!

"As I conclude, I invite you to stand with the youth from all around the world and experience the thrill of being a member of the Lord's youth battalion in 'Zion's army' by singing our closing hymn, 'Hope of Israel,' because this hymn is all about you!

From the depths of my soul, I testify that this is the work of Almighty God. He lives. Jesus is the Christ. This is His Church, restored to accomplish its divine destiny, including the promised gather of Israel. You are the hope of Israel, 'children of the promised day'! I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

A powerful message from a prophet of God!

Brother Scott taught the lesson in Sunday School. They must have skipped a lesson because he was on lesson 22 instead of 21. We spoke about David being anointed king by Samuel and then slaying Goliath. Saul was disobedient and therefore lost his standing with the Lord.

My friend Rosie L. taught Relief Society today. We discussed Elder Renlund's talk on family history and temple work and focused mainly on the promised blessing outlined in his talk. I especially love this blessing promised by our prophet:

"Your worship in the temple and your service there for your ancestors will bless you with increased personal revelation and peace and will fortify your commitment to stay on the covenant path." - President Russell M. Nelson

I especially loved Sister Hunter's comments about working in the temple and covenants.

Also, I loved a clip of a talk given by Elder Bednar regarding the spiritual gift of discernment. It think we all need to have this gift in our lives.

Well, today is sugar day. I had cookies for breakfast and apple crescent rolls for dessert after lunch. I love Sundays!

Talked to Jared and Kacey. Kacey is moving to Tyler next week. Jared is already working there. A new beginning for them.

 Plus the 11 I lost before I started this challenge.

So true.

A stroll down memory lane with Dennis,

baby Eric, and Muhammed Ali.

Jeff was one of James's counselors when

he served as Bishop.

Braylin, reading a Percy Jackson book.

I introduced him to Rick Riordan and

Percy.

Cousin Brett and his family.

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Happy Birthday to this beautiful lady,

Denise Curry-Maxwell, my sister-in-law.

She can be the life of the party and does

a mean dance to Rocky Top Tennessee.

Denise and her daughter Rachel.

As a side note, Rachel and I share birthdays.

A Maxwell gathering for Denise's birthday last year.

Since Tasha and Monte are in this picture I want to share something Tasha posted yesterday on Facebook:

BTW, Tasha's birthday was on September 15th.

"Without work ethic I would be a lost sheep.

I struggled in school and had many nights I had to work extra hard to study for the test, but it was up to me to stay up late and do my best.  It wasn't my parents' job or my teacher's.

Then in the spectrum of sports I had to work extra hard compared to the tall person next to me that could 'stand' at the net and block.

But with showing up to practice early, listening to the coach, not

making excuses, and working hard I was able to attend two free

years of college with a scholarship.  My own children know that 

one of our biggest expectations is work ethic in the classroom and on the field.  Our saying to them is that one of the biggest factors

you can control is your effort.  So many ties I see excuses being

made and it breaks my heart because with some effort and work people can conquer the world."

Here is a picture Denise posted on Facebook.  This was

taken in about 1971 when Muhammed Ali was training in

Show Low and staying at my grandparents hotel,

The Maxwell House.  In the front that is my brother Dennis

with the shades on, he is now married to Denise, next to Dennis is

Muhammed Ali hold Kami Hawkins, Aunt Gene's granddaughter.

Next to Muhammed is my grandpa Arlee.

I am not sure who the man standing in the back is.

I am so grateful Denise marred Dennis and became a part of our family.

About this time of year the first thing James does in the morning and the last thing he does at night is bugle for elk.  

The bugling has begun.

Helaman 7:1-12

How can we follow Nephi's example in these verses?

*Remember the righteousness of those who have gone before me.

*Joy in the righteousness of others.

* Sorrow because of wickedness.

*Be prayerful and seek guidance from Heavenly Father.

*Bear testimony to others in spite of opposition.

GC:          'Fathers' by Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"Ye will not suffer your children that they go hungry, or naked; neither will ye suffer that they transgress the laws of God, and fight and quarrel one with another. . . .

But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of 

truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love

one another, and to serve one another."

Today just happens to be International Peace Day.

We had an overcast day but had very little rain.  When I say little I mean maybe 10 minutes.  It was wonderful to sit on the porch and read from Millennial Glory with James.  Later this evening I read from The China Study and The China Study Cookbook.  I know I need to eat more healthy and reading these books motivates me.

I love living in Vernon

"On the evening of the twenty-first

of September 1823 . . ."

Thursday, June 9, 2016

The back side of water.

Alma 13:10-20

Brigham Young's definition of sanctification:

"Overcoming every sin and bringing all into subjection to the law of Christ. God has placed in us a pure spirit; when this spirit reigns predominant, ..., and triumphs over the flesh and rules and governs and controls . . , this I call the blessing of sanctification."

Alma 13:16 "The Rest of the Lord"

Joseph F. Smith: "To me it means that through the love of God I have been won over to Him, so that I can feel at rest in Christ, that I may no more be disturbed by every wind of doctrine, by the cunning and craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; and that I am established in the knowledge and testimony of Jesus Christ, so that no power can turn me aside from the straight and narrow path that leads back into the presence of God, to enjoy exaltation in His glorious kingdom; that from this time henceforth I shall enjoy that rest until I shall rest with Him in the heavens."

Evan and Rowan played a game of Tenzi this morning before we went down to the pool.

 I love their summer hairdo's.

I thought this post on Facebook by Michael was pretty funny.

Sounds about right.

Pool time this morning for a couple of hours.  Rowan, Max, Evan and I had to take a snow cone break.  This time Evan got grape instead of sour apple.

Not sure what Ben is doing. I hope he isn't texting.

After we finished swimming we went back to the suite for lunch.  I fixed quesadillas for Ben and Max and cheese crisps for Evan, Rowan, and Joshua.  Joshua had two.  I guess he was really hungry.

Michael worked a few hours and then James brought him back to the resort.

 He fits right in with the rest of the crew with the

last name of Gonzales.

Trina brought Addy and Ruby this afternoon to spend the night.  Of course Lola came with them.

Who cares if it's 100 degrees outside and you have a jacket

on when you are this cute!

I had promised Ruby we would go to the mall for her birthday shopping so we headed for Chandler.  Our first stop was to take Michael home.  Trina took Ben, Evan, Max, and Joshua home with her.  

After dropping Michael off Ruby, Addy and I headed for the Chandler mall.  This is the gift that Ruby picked out at Fuzziwigs.

Cookies 'n' Cream and baby Oreo.

She was so excited and because she bought Panda's, we had to eat at Panda Express for dinner.

Addy found this at Barnes and Noble and I just had to buy it for her.  She is a huge Harry Potter fan.  I was afraid if I waited until her birthday it would be gone.

Harry Potter in his quidditich

uniform.

Ruby wanted to take a picture in the photo booth but it cost $5.  I had the girls get in the booth and I took my own picture.

Two cuties!

Back at the resort grandpa was finally home.  He played Tenzi with the girls while I did some shopping at Fry's.  

I took the girls down to go swimming and they had a great time.

I love Ruby's swimsuit.  She has Lola

has one just like it.

Addy is such a great sister!

 The snowcone place was closed so we had to get smoothies instead.

 Addy got lemonade and Ruby and I got strawberry with

whipped cream.

Ruby is quite a poser.

After the smoothies the girls were cold so we had

to go over to the hot tub for awhile.

We went down to the clubhouse and picked out a movie, "Maleficient".  Grandpa watched it with them while I fixed some refreshments and put clean sheets on their bed.

Addy had seen it before but Ruby and

Grandpa had not.  It totallly changes the

story of Sleeping Beauty.

Cookie 'n' Cream and Oreo liked the movie too.

Cookie is the mom and Oreo the baby

In other news, Muhammed Ali's funeral was today.  I posted this picture of him with my brother Dennis in 1976.

 Muhammed is holding Dennis's son Eric.