Wednesday, March 20th, 2019

Newport Beach, California

122nd operating temple

Dedicated: 28 Aug 2005

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

DC 50:27

Wherefore, he is possessor of all things; for all things are subject unto him, both in heaven and on the earth, the life and the light, the Spirit and the power, sent forth by the will of the Father through Jesus Christ, his Son.

Book of Mormon

Jacob 4:1-18

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matthew 13:24-43; BD: Kingdom of Heaven

"What Will a Man Give"?

Mark E. Peterson

October 2018 General Conference

"The Ministry of Reconciliation"

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"My beloved brothers and sisters, I testify that forgiving and forsaking offenses, old or new, is central to the grandeur of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I testify that ultimately such spiritual repair can come only from our divine Redeemer, He who rushes to our aid 'with healing in his wings.' We thank Him, and our Heavenly Father who sent Him, that renewal and rebirth a future free from old sorrows and past mistakes, are not only possible, but they have already been purchased, paid for, at an excruciating cost symbolized by the blood of the Lamb who shed it."

I cancelled my Audible membership today. I have Deseret Book Plus instead. The last couple of book club books I have tried to listen to on Audible have used bad language and I stopped listening.

I'm having another knee flareup so I took some tramadol and sat down on the recliner to watch a movie, "Marrying Mr. Darcy.

Right now James and I have 11 books ordered for our business. Kathy, my mentor, orders 10-30 books a day. I guess I need to pick up my pace. I spent several hours looking for books and only bought two today. 

Laura has been arranging for people to go sit with Lois so she isn't alone. Kim went today. This was Lois's comment: "Why the devil do I have to be babysat"? Kim told her she wanted to come and visit anyway so she was glad that Laura called her. 

When James isn't here I watch more movies than normal. Here are some I watched today. Of course I did blog, or source books or walk while I was watching. "Jane Doe: Ties that Bind," starring Lea Thompson. An oldie from 2007. "Dater's Handbook" starring Megan Markle, "Like Cats and Dogs," "The Art of Us," and "June in January."

By the way, today is the first day of spring. It is not necessarily the same day every year. Next year, 2020 it will be on March 19th.

 Happy Anniversary!

The cutest little flower around!

And now she is a widow with a little baby

and her best friend is off the show.

Thursday, October 11th, 2018

Newport Beach, California
122nd operating temple
Dedicated: 28 Aug 2005
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Mosiah 14:5

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 3:11-26

*Why did Lachoneus admonish his people to pray? After they prayed what did they do to fortify their lands and possessions?

- He wanted them to repent and be right before the Lord so they could receive His blessings. They gathered together with food and weapons.

Old Testament

Jeremiah 10-12

General Conference

All Must Take upon Them the Name Given of the Father

Elder Paul B. Pieper

The Savior's name has singular and essential power. It is the only name by which salvation is possible.

I love this quote about the Holy Ghost from President Henry B. Eyring: "If you have felt the influence of the Holy Ghost during this day...you may take it as evidence that the Atonement is working in your life." (CES Fireside, Sept 10, 2006).

This quote by Elder Uchtdorf also gives me food for thought:

"The more you trust and rely upon the Spirit, the greater your capacity to create."

This morning was spent getting ready for our trip to Whitehouse, Texas. We had to make a trip into Show Low to pick up our rental car, a white Toyota Corolla. We will get better gas mileage in this car and save Lexy from the wear and tear of traveling. I waited while James picked up the car because he took my driver's license in. 

As I was driving home, after only going three or four miles, I realized I had no gas. When I stopped to turn around James stopped too. He asked what was wrong. When I told him he asked if I wanted him to come with me, of course not, go home and get ready to go.

I filled up Lexy with gas and went through the carwash. We left the house a little after 10:30. We stopped at the post office and asked them to hold our mail. We left the post office at 11:00. Texas, here we come!

The rest of Arizona, New Mexico, and west Texas are pretty desolate. James did see a jaguarundi before we left Arizona.

Is that really a word and is there really an animal?? James says it is and there is. He says it is black and looks like a huge house cat. I wouldn't know, I didn't see it. 

We stopped for gas and lunch at Arby's in Socorro, New Mexico. I forgot, I really don't like Arby's. Their onion rings are very greasy.

After about 10 hours of traveling and losing two hours because of the time difference, we stopped in Snyder, Texas at the Baymont Inn for the night. This is a major truck stop as indicated by the 10 or more semi-trucks parked out in front. I don't care as long as my room is clean and quiet, which it was. We stayed in room 308.

During our driving today we read through "Saints" chapter 15. 

Since we didn't get many steps today James went down to the exercise room to walk. I stayed in our room and walked until I got over 10,000 steps. It was late when we went to bed.

Charlie is such an angel!

I think I could do this one!

 So cute!

My friend Catherine and her friend

Harriet from Oklahoma.

Thursday, July 12th, 2018

Taipei, Taiwan

31st operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Nov 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

1 Nephi 17:36

Behold, the Lord hath created the earth that it should be inhabited; and he hath created his children that they should possess it.

Book of Mormon

Alma31:24-38

*How has the Lord given you strength to bear your infirmities?

- The scripture, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me? (Philippians 4:13), gave me strength when I couldn't get out of bed because of rheumatoid arthritis. 

When my mother passed away unexpectedly I was strengthened knowing that there is a resurrection and that I will see her again.

Old Testament

2 Chronicles 16-18

16 Asa employs Syria to defeat Israel - Hanani the seer reproves Asa for lack of faith - Asa suffers from disease and dies.
17 Jehoshaphat reigns well and prospers in Judah - Priests travel and teach out of the book of the law of the Lord.
18 Jehoshaphat of Judah joins Ahab of Israel to fight Syria -Ahab's false prophets foretell victory - Micaiah prophesies the fall and death of Ahab - The Syrians slay Ahab.
General Conference

Introductory Remarks

President Russell M. Nelson

"Tonight we announce a significant restructuring of our Melchizedek Priesthood quorums to accomplish the work of the Lord more effectively. In each ward, the high priests and the elders will now be combined into one elders quorum. This adjustment will greatly enhance the capacity and the ability of men who bear the priesthood to serve others. Prospective elders will be welcomed in and fellowshipped by that quorum. In each stake, the stake presidency will continue to preside over the stake high priests quorum. But the composition of that quorum will be based on current priesthood callings, as will be explained later." 

I sent a dispute claim to the bank to get a refund for the watch I ordered from Brobrogadgets. It cost $69:95 and we've already spent $15 sending it back to China.

Today was a gorgeous cloud-filled rainy day. I paid bills and asked James to drop them in the mail. It's a good thing he checked before he mailed them because one was a blank envelope. 

At 3:15 we left for the 4:30 session at the temple. James says, "You know, if we get there too early they will ask us to be the witness couple." I told him that was fine. Sure enough at the top of the stairs right where James waits where he is officiating a session, was a brother who came over and asked if we would be the witness couple. We told him that of course we would.  

The first person I saw in the women's dressing room was my next door neighbor, Kathy. Our friends the Wilhelm's sat next to us in the session. John shaved off his beard and looks so great! I guess he just grew it for trek. Their son Talon is returning from Washington state where he has been a bee keeper for his uncle on Tuesday and at 9:30 p.m. he is opeing his mission call at President Beeler's in Show Low. Next Friday he is going through the 6 pm session to get his endowments. Sandra also told me their daughter Ruthie is being baptized next Saturday, the 21st, at 11 a.m. We don't work on the first and third Saturday's but we traded with the Nelson's and working next week. We really want to go to the baptism because we love the Wilhelm's and James is one of their ministering brothers. Somehow we will make it there.

Arrived 2 1/2 weeks ago.

The session was small, 7 couples and we were of course the first ones through the veil. We sat in the celestial room for awhile, each of us saying a prayer. I went back in the dressing room and put two more names on the prayer roll after receiving a prompting. 

The officator who offered the prayer in the prayer circle thanked the Lord for the moisture and asked for more. 

On the way home we stopped at Walmart for snacks, fruit, Benadryl, toothpaste, and some more frozen dinners. 

I had put Slimfast in my thermos, drinking my smoothie before I left, so I had my dinner on my way home. 

I didn't have a name for James to do, as all of my male names need initiatory first, so he got a name from one of the sisters in our ward.

I did the name of Ida Baxter, who I believe is one of my grandpa Strickland's relatives.

I home I change my clothes and get ready to do some walking. I went over to close the blinds by the fireplace and the thought came to me that I should turn on the light. Then I thought, no, I don't need too. As I walked past the ottoman, I tripped and face planted right on the wood floor. I yelled to James, Help! I've fallen and I can't get up. He helped me up and when I looked in the mirror I looked like Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer. I also had a cut on my upper lip and it hurt on the left side of my tush and my right knee. I sat down and took it easy for a few minutes. I did manage to get my 10,000 steps in spite of my injury. 

I slept on the recliner this evening.

New York

 This is what you do in New York City

 911 Memorial

Lady Liberty

Although Kim, Brian and Joe are home

Kim posted photos of when they were 

in London:

 Joe and the Beatles

France:

Newport Beach:

How's this for a cute family!

Our friends the Hatch family

Vernon Ward Girl's Camp

Nice setup

Monday, November 27th, 2017

Newport Beach, California

122nd operating temple

Dedicated: 28 Aug 2005

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Atonement through

John 12:32

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

Book of Mormon

Mormon 8:12-25

*How can Moroni's words in verse 22 strengthen us s we labor in the Lord's cause?

We know that no matter what happens the Lord is in charge and His eternal purposes will be accomplished.

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 14:7-8

7 And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.

8 And it shall come to pass, that if you shall ask the Father in my name, in faith believing, you shall receive the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance, that you may stand as a witness of the things of which you shall both hear and see, and also that you may declare repentance unto this generation.

General Conference

Do We Trust Him? Hard Is Good

Elder Stanley G. Ellis

"Hard makes us stronger, humbles us, and gives us a chance to prove ourselves. Our beloved handcart pioneers came to know God in their extremities. Why did it take two chapters for Nephi and his brothers to obtain the brass plates and only three verses to enlist Ishmael's family to join them in the wilderness? It seems the Lord wanted to strengthen Nephi through the struggle of obtaining the plates."

I read this statement today in "Rescuing Wayward Children," and a strong, warm feeling went through me. "Our Heavenly Father wants to save everyone of His children." 

James convinced me to go to town with him this morning although it was not a part of my plans. He dropped me off at Walmart while he went to Home Depot and Lowes. He said that the name of the company that made our tree is American Living. 

I saw the Scott's and Sister Peeler in Walmart. Sister Peeler had lost Brother Peeler and their son. I should have stayed and help her find them. 

On the way home we stopped at the post office and picked up Heartland season 4. 

James replaced the hose he got for the tractor and now he discovers that he needs another one. On another note, rats have taken the orange rebar caps and used them to make a nest. Also, one of the cages is missing and he thinks the rats dragged it off to make a nest. These rats are really annoying!

It was windy and cold today. I discovered this fact while I was waiting outside of Walmart for James to pick me up. 

My Christmas movies for the day: "Dear Santa," "A Bride for Christmas," and a new one with Jodie Sweetin, "Finding Santa."

For FHE James and I listened to Elder Parrella's talk. We also watched Heartland, "Homecoming" was the episode.

Thanksgiving 2016

Thanksgiving 2014