Thursday, April 9th, 2020

Hamilton, New Zealand
11th operating temple
Dedication: 20-22 April 1958
By: David O. McKay

Jesus Christ, Judge

Alma 5:15

Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you? Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view this mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption raised in incorruption, to stand before God to be judged according to the deeds which have been done in the mortal body?

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Mosiah 5:1-2, 27:8-28, Alma 15:3-13, 24:7-19

"In the Strength of the Lord", David A. Bednar, GC Oct 2004

April 2020 General Conference

"Come Unto Christ - Living as Latter-day Saints"

Elder John A. McCune

"We can do difficult things and help others do the same, because we know in whom we can trust."

I

I love my hours in the morning devoted to gospel study. I still can't seem to stay on my schedule though. I am getting further behind on my blog. Tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday I will try to catch up.

I emailed the ministering sisters in my district to remind them of tomorrow's fast. I also asked them to contact the sisters they minister to as a reminder regarding the fast.

James made grilled tuna sandwiches with pepperjack cheese for lunch while I read from "Aunt Dimity and the Family Tree."

After lunch James left to work at the Howard's for a few hours. He was supposed to bring back Luna but Tom told him to wait until tomorrow and he would bring him in the trailer.

I was tired today and didn't feel like doing much so I watched a movie that's been in my DVR since Christmas. It's a Lifetime movie called "The Christmas Wish" starring Hilarie Burton. I have never seen it and enjoyed watching it. Hilarie is one of my favorites.

Today James and I read about Lazarus and planted some week grass to remind us that hope can unexpectedly come out of dark places.

This morning I read from Church History in the Fulness of Times, chapter 7, "The Infant Church Expands."

James went for a walk this afternoon, a rather long one I might add. I saw one lonely elk in the yard. 

Kerri came by to return the container we took to her house with the ground wheat in it. She stay and visited for awhile.

After Kerri left we had dinner and then started our fast.

 We had some rain today

 Summer, Charlie and Ollie

 Following the labrinyth

 Reading about a llama with her mama.

She knows what's coming next.

Thursday, November 29th, 2018

Hamilton, New Zealand

11th operating temple

Dedicated: 20-22 April 1958

By: David O. McKay

Jesus Christ, Death of

Matthew 20:18

Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, 
Book of Mormon #1
Mormon 9:1-21
*What experiences have I had that confirm that God is still a God of miracles?
- One of the greatest miracles I have seen is the transformation of people's lives as they accept and live the gospel of Jesus Christ. I was privileged to be a ward missionary when both Laura and Cathi accepted the gospel. There is no greater joy in this life than to see someone accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and to align their lives in accordance with His teachings. It is truly a miracle. One of the reasons I love the Book of Mormon is because it teaches so clearly the steps we must take to return to the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. Jesus Christ and His Atonement is our greatest miracle. I am thankful for my mom and Nannie who accepted the gospel. I am thankful for Laura, Cathi, Brian and Ian in our family today for accepting the gospel. I am grateful for five faithful children who try each day to live the gospel. The Plan of Salvation is a miracle which bring families together for eternity.
Book of Mormon #2
Alma 56-57
Old Testament
Amos 5-6
General Conference

Shepherding Souls

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

"President Nelson has explained:

'A hallmark of the Lord's true and living Church will always be an organized, directed effort to minister to individual children of God and their families. Because it is His Church, we as His servants will minister to the one, just as He did. We will minister in His name, with His power and authority, and with His loving-kindness."

The Book of Mormon helps us live the Plan of Salvation. I don't remember where I got this quote from or who said it but it was in my notebook so I am sharing it here because I believe it to be true.

James was determined he was going to do some weed-eating for me today even though the string he has is too big and every 20 seconds he has to stop to fix it. I have been asking him to do it for a long time. He didn't get all of it done but I was appreciative for what he did. 

Today is my niece Jenifer's birthday. I texted her to wish her a happy birthday and we corresponded back and forth for a few minutes. She told me about her daughter Bettylea being down in front when President Nelson came to San Antonio and all of them going to see him so I told her about Summer and Jared, Kacey, Tanner, and Charlie traveling 14 hours to see President Nelson and Elder Bednar.

I texted Tamara, our Relief Society president, today to share with her some ideas of communicating with the youth that the bishop had asked us for. Here were the ideas that I shared:

* Ask them for their input.

* Let them know you value and respect their opinions.

* Never talk down to them.

* Let them know and feel of your love.

* Don't assume that they are the problem.

Accept responsibility and ask them what you can do to help them feel more comfortable in sharing things with you.

* Come up with a pan together.

* Treat them how you would want to be treated and encourage their input and ideas.

* If they do something to disappoint you tell them how you feel and express your love. 

* Guide them in a way that they never want to disappoint you because they know how much you love them.

* Don't be afraid to take action when needed but do it in a loving way.

I had some other suggestions but that's enough for now. I realize that I'm not "in the trenches" and that some of these suggestions are rather idealistic.

It's after 6 this evening and I'm just now starting to wrap presents. Why does it always take me so long to do things. I can never do as much as I think I can. I wrapped 3 out of 12 presents before going to bed. 

These are the Arkansas packages

The weather is supposed to turn cold and snowy tonight. James said the sky looked clear when we went to bed.

Oh Rowan!

Now that's a cute girl!

Love this!

Can't believe how much he's changed!

This girl makes the cutest faces!

Friday, June 22nd, 2018

Hamilton, New Zealand
11th operating temple
Dedicated: 20-22 April 1958
By: David O. McKay

Jesus Christ, Condescension of

DC 88:6

He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth.

Book of Mormon

Alma 20:1-18

*How do you express love for your family members who are not members of the Church?

- The same way that you would for those that are. There's no difference. You love your family, no matter what. Love is unconditional. - Brian

Old Testament

1 Chronicles 5-6

5 The sons of Joseph received Reuben's birthright - Judah and his descendants became rulers in Israel - The line of Reuben down to the captivity is given - The Assyrians carry the Reubenites, Gadites, and half of Manasseh into captivity.

6 The sons of Levi, including David's singers, are listed - The responsibilities of Aaron and his descendants are given - Levite cities are designated in the areas of the various tribes.

General Conference

Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives

President Russell M. Nelson

"Without our Redeemer's infinite Atonement, not one of us would have hope of ever returning to our Heavenly Father. Without His Resurrection, death would be the end. Our Savior's Atonement made eternal life a possibility and immortality a reality for all."

New Era:"Page After Page Says We Believe," "Three Helps for Being Your Happiest and Best Self" - Elder Cornish

This was my first day back on Family Search for awhile. I have lots of suggested tasks but most of them are dead ends unless I take the time to do some research. 

I ironed two white shirts for James this morning, one for the temple tomorrow, and one for Church on Sunday. 

I swept and mopped the kitchen and dining room floor. I made 4 dozen rolls, 3 dozen for the temple, and a dozen for the Peeler's.

Brother Peeler told us that Donna likes my "buns." I call them rolls.

I contacted 23 people about the ward party tomorrow night, and I made Lois's enchiladas for the party tomorrow night and put them in the frig. James called her and got a history of the recipe. Lois said about 70 years ago right after she was first married her cousin who was married to someone from Tijuana, Mexico that owned a restaurant invited her to dinner. They served her enchiladas and they were the best she had ever tasted. She tweeked the recipe and made a casserole instead of individual servings and her family loved it. She still makes them today at 90 years of age and her children and grandchildren make them for their families too.

This evening I typed James's eight page talk for sacrament meeting. I am afraid he is going to have to cut it down a bit. The talk is on personal revelation.

I got my 13,000 steps today and also had my green smoothie for dinner.

I watched an older Hallmark movie today starring Alicia Witt, "Backyard Wedding." I watched while I was typing James's talk so I didn't feel like I was wasting my time.

This is one of the reasons I stay on Facebook

Here is another one. This was last year when

we went to Scottsdale for our weekend at the

time share. We always go to Peter Piper Pizza.

I bet these guys could make the jump.
Alpacas.

New restaurant in South Chandler.