Monday, October 15th, 2018

Curitiba, Brazil
126th operating temple
Dedicated: 1 June 2008
By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

DC 35:2

I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was crucified for the sins of the world, even as many as will believe on my name, that they may become the sons of God, even one in me as I am one in the Father, as the Father is one in me, that we may be one.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 5:16-6:14

*How do these verses exemplify the pride cycle? How can we avoid falling into the pride cycle?

-We can avoid falling into the pride cycle by being truly converted to the faith, and by being "firm, steadfast, and immovable, willing with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord." (v.14)

Are our minds and hearts anxiously engaged in good things? Do we just go through the motions or are we truly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ? Is the seed of faith planted in our souls?

When our hearts are no longer set upon the things of this world, we will no longer aspire to the honors of men or seek only to gratify our pride. Instead we take on the Christlike qualities Jesus taught and become His disciples. Missionaries are able to set aside the things of this world and focus totally on serving the Lord and His children. Because of this they experience great power and joy, and their hearts are changed and they have no more disposition to do evil but to do good continually as long as they are obedient.

I love all of you so much and see the power you have to do good as you turn your hearts over to the Lord. I ask myself each day in my morning prayers for the Lord to lead me to someone who needs my help.

Old Testament

Jeremiah 22-24

General Conference

The Joy of Unselfish Service

Cristina B. Franco

"We have promised our Father in Heaven that we will serve Him and others with love and do His will in all things."

Women and Gospel Learning in the Home

President Henry B. Eyring

"The Savior is your perfect example of how you will play a major part in His move to place greater emphasis on gospel learning in the home."

We left Jared and Kacey's around 5 am Texas time, 3 am Arizona time. We took the toll road and as we neared the Dallas/Ft. Worth area a digital sign said you might want to take a detour because of an accident we did. We took the detour and ended up going right up through the middle of the city. We never had to stop, but this way did some longer if there had not been an accident. James said it was like driving through Phoenix for three hours. The rain is really coming down as it has been most of the time.

We saw a semi-truck jack-knifed in the wrong direction. Traffic going the other direction was backed up for miles. The speed limit here is 70 mph. Most of the time on the freeway it is 75 mph. 

We stopped for gas and some refreshment and it was raining very hard!

Some notes from my book, "The Forgotten Garden":

"A person need rescue themselves."

"A rat, I saw a rat, large as a dog with beady black eyes and sharp teeth. I'm not made for such horrors." (Mrs. Sturgent, the do-gooder, come to take Eliza to the workhouse.)

Some observations about Texas: There are lots of Sonics, Whataburgers, and Dairy Queens. Nearly every town has a water tower. At one point when we saw oil rigs, we could smell the oil.

We stopped at the little town of Post to use the restroom at a McDonald's. We got there just as a bus was unloading and I was able to beat those "older" women to the restroom. I was going to say "Old ladies" but how would that sound? Would I want someone to refer to me in that way?

Another line from "The Forgotten Garden":

"Tiny white cottages clung like barnacles to the rocky cove."

Some of the things we did on this trip: Read from the Book of Mormon and the Old Testament and President Eyring's conference talk, "Women and Gospel Learning in the Home." I read to James from "Saints" and I listened to "The Forgotten Garden." While James drove like a machine or a robot, I slept. How unfair. I offered to drive but he turned me down.

Did you know that there is a UFO museum in Roswell, New Mexico.

We arrived home around 5:45 Arizona time and it was raining. It rained on us most of the way home. It was good to be home.

Some things I learned about Jared's and Kacey's kids on this trip:

-James wants to be a chef.

-Anna wants to go to art school in North Carolina after she graduates.

-Summer is interest in fashion design.

-Tanner loves trucks and he loves taking things apart to see how they work. Putting things back together again is one of his talents.

Darrel and Trina went to Waco to see Joanna and Chip and to shop at the Silo. I guess it was a little too cold for Trina.

Such a cute little face!

Nothing sweeter than a sleeping baby

I think Scarlett likes to shop with her mom.

Just a little too organized for me.