Thursday, August 10th, 2017

Oakland, California

13th operating temple

Dedicated: 17-19 Nov 1964

By: David O. McKay

(Scheduled for renovation Feb 2018)

Alma 48:1-8

What can we learn from Moroni's character?

*Trust in the Lord and live up to our divine potential. Pray as if every thing depended on the Lord. Work as if everything depended on you.

DC 110:1-16

What powerful keys were restored on the earth April 3, 1836?

* Moses restored the keys to gather Israel, (11). Elias (Noah) restored the keys of the dispensation in which Abraham lived, (12). These blessings include eternal marriage vows with promises of eternal posterity and family relationships through the patriarchal order of the priesthood. Elijah restored the keys of the sealing power, (13-16).

General Conference

Becoming a Disciple of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Elder Robert D. Hales

" Peter exhorts us to add, 'to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience.' As temperate disciples, we live the gospel in a balanced and steady way. We do not 'run faster than we have strength.' Day by day we move forward, undeterred by the refining challenges of mortality. Being temperate in this way, we develop patience and trust in the Lord. We are able to rely on His design for our lives, even though we cannot see it with our own natural eyes. Therefore, we can 'be still and know that He is God.' When faced with the storms of tribulation, we ask, 'What wouldst Thou have me learn from this experience? With His plan and purposes in our hearts, we move forward not only enduring all things but also enduring them patiently and well."

Happy 11th Birthday Rowan!

This boy is the bomb!

He is kind, thoughtful, a good student, a deep-

thinker, and a great friend. I love him!

Happy Birthday last year!

James went to Susan Jacobson's this morning to work. He called me and said to stay inside because there was a manhunt going on outside. I could hear the helicopter circling for over an hour and then everyone was quiet. I guess they caught the guy.

Susan is getting married this Saturday and she gave James and I an invitation to her reception. She is very happy. James worked a couple of hours and brought home a $100 check. He tried to take Lexy to Sears for an oil change but they were too busy. He made an appointment for tomorrow at nine.

I rode to Mesa with James to check on more work at the McKellips medical building. Afterwards we went to Deseret Book. I got Sheri Dew's book, "Worth the Wrestle" for Laura's birthday and also bought three new books for James and I to read. 

At one o'clock James dropped me off at Chandler Eyecare so I could go to lunch with Sheri. He had an appointment with Dr. Memon at Pecos and Dobson at 1:30. Dr. Memon is his heart doctor. Sheri and I went to Cafe Rio for lunch. I had the spicy green chile pork burrito. Sheri had a salad and she paid for mine. Thanks Sheri!  We had a short, but nice visit. She dropped me off at Dr. Memon's to wait for James because she was in a hurry to get back to work. James came out a few minutes after I arrived. He was very excited. Dr. Memon says there have been a few holdups on his building project but he definitely wants James to be the general contractor. How exciting! We can probably make enough on this job to pay off our business loan. The project will be on the north east corner of Pecos and Cooper. We hope it starts soon! I reminded James of Elder Soare's talk on faith and how the Lord will take care of those who honor Him. 

We had a short time back at Cathi's before picking up the boys for Rowan and Joshua's birthday date. We waited for Max to get out of school and picked up him and Evan and Joshua at Sheri's around 4:30 and then drove out to pick up Rowan. We went to the Chandler Mall but for the first time ever the boys did not want to go to the Lego store.  Rowan got a DS and a game for his birthday and wanted to go to GameStop to get a chip to increase his memory. It cost $5. The boys also went to Barnes and Noble and then we went to the food court to get some dinner.

Evan and Max had to get pizza because Subway's 

computers were down.

Rowan's 10th birthday.

Not sure where Max was.

During dinner the boys decided they wanted to go to Toys R Us so we drove to 54th street and Ray. The boys had a blast just going through the store looking at everything. Finally Rowan settled on three Spiderman action figures and Joshua chose a Link action figure from the game Zelda. They both thanked me and gave me a hug and Joshua said, "I need to remember to pay tithing on this money."

After taking the other boys home we drove Rowan home in a dust storm. 

When we got back to Cathi and Terry's we read a chapter from "Romancing Daphne" before going to bed.

Photos:

My sentiments exactly.

Two superheroes meet.

Mt. Rainier in Washington

Arizona Highways.

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Oakland, California
13th operating temple
Dedicated: 17-19 November 1964
by David O. McKay

Alma 5:1-25

*How might it have helped Alma's people to hear the account of the bondage, deliverance, and conversion of Alma's father and those who followed him?

*Look at Alma 5:7.  According to this verse, what kind of change had occurred in the lives of Alma's father and his people?

* What do you think it means to experience a "change of heart"? (see Alma 5:7-9, 14.)

*What connection do you see between believing in the word of God and experiencing a change of heart?

*Elder D. Todd Christofferson: "You may ask, why doesn't this mighty change happen more quickly with me? ... For most of us, the changes are more gradual and occur over time.  Being born again. . Is more a process than an event.  And engaging in that process is the central purpose of mortality."

*What words and phrases did Alma use that describe the condition you would lie to be in when you stand before God to be judged? (see Alma 5:16, 19.)

Ether 13

Ether speaks of a New Jerusalem to be built in America by the seed of Joseph; He prophesies, is cast out, writes the Jaredite history, and foretells the destruction of the Jaredites; War rages over all the land.

DC 76:102-119

114-19 The faithful may see and understand the mysteries of Gods kingdom by the power of the Holy Spirit.

How has the Holy Ghost helped me understand spiritual things better?

*He has testified to my spirit as I have tried to serve Him and keep His commandments.  He has comforted me and prompted me to do righteous things and He has brought me peace.

General Conference

The Godhead and the Plan of Salvation

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

"In contrast to the belief that God is an incomprehensible and unknowable mystery is the truth that the nature of God and our relationship to Him is knowable and is the key to everything else in our doctrine."

I reviewed one of the earlier Primary lessons this year on Joseph Smith Preparing to Receive the Gold Plates.  Here is an excerpt from the lesson: Joseph Smith's mother, Lucy Mack Smith, wrote that after the first visits of Moroni, "Joseph continued to receive instructions from the Lord, and we continued to get the children together every evening for the purpose of listening while he gave us a relation of the same. ...During our evening conversations, Joseph would occasionally give us some of the most amusing recitals that could be imagined.  He would describe the ancient inhabitants of this continent their dress, mode of traveling, and the animals upon which they rode; their cities their buildings, with every particular; their mode of warfare; and also their religious worship  This he would do with as much ease, seemingly, as if he had spent his whole life among them (Lucy Mack Smith, History of Joseph Smith, pp 82-83.)

Four years passed between the time Joseph first saw the gold pates and when he actually received them.  The angel Moroni was preparing Joseph for the work he had been called to do.  During these four years, Joseph also met with many other Nephite prophets, such as Nephi, Alma, Mormon, and the twelve disciples chosen by the Savior in America (see Church History in the Fulness of Times, p. 41).

I find this information both interesting and fascinating.  I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God.  I am grateful for his humility and desire to learn his duty in serving the Lord.

Today in the Topical Guide of the scriptures under Jesus Christ I read about the Savior choosing his 12 Apostles.  There is some discrepancy between Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  Matthew and Mark have the 11th apostle listed as Labbaeus Thaddeus and Luke has listed Judas, the brother of James. 

I left this morning for town to do the last of my visiting teaching.  Hailey, the sister I am visiting, said she was going to be at Whipple Ranch Elementary School helping her friend who is the reading resource person there move all of her stuff out.  She is going to a different school next year.  I offered to bring them a pizza and Hailey seemed to like that idea.  I picked up a pepperoni pizza at Dominoes and headed for the school, which is just down the street from where I lived in Show Low.  I got to see Hailey and Huntleigh.  Huntleigh will be two at the end of June and of course she is always with her mom.  She calls me "gma." I invited Hailey to be a part of my Book of Mormon text group and she said yes.  I also told her that President Monson has ask us to read the Book of Mormon.  Hailey and her family have not been to church for several months now.  Her daughter Taylor has not been baptized since she turned 8 last October.  She is supposed to be in my Primary class.  I am so excited that Hailey agreed to read the Book of Mormon with us.  I forgot to tell her we were already started and we are studying Alma 5 this week.  Oh well, I guess she will find out soon enough.  I took half,  (I ate the other half on the way home) to James for lunch.  

This afternoon I watched last night's episode of "Dancing with the Stars."  Each of the three finalists will dance a redemption dance and a freestyle.  The redemption dance is a dance they performed earlier in the year.  They dance it again to see how much they have improved.  The freestyle is just what it sounds like; no rules apply, anything goes!  I want Rashad Jennings to win.  He and Emma got a perfect score for the night.  Rashad is a free agent in the NFL.  One the night he told his story he told about getting a college scholarship to play football when he got a phone call from his mother saying his father was very ill.  Rashad gave up the scholarship to go home and be with his family at this most difficult time.  He also practiced one hundred hours more than any other finalist.  His work ethic is amazing.  Also, I love his partner, Emma Slater, and would love for her to win with Rashad.

I didn't actually watch tonight's finale but I woke up in the middle of the night to see this:

They won!

I am so happy for them because they are both amazing people!

Emma has never had a good partner.  Last year she was stuck with Rick Perry and he was one of the first to go home.  She is always upbeat and kind to her partners and never complains about them.

She deserves this too! Besides, I love her British accent.

James is so discouraged.  He took the pump apart today trying to fix it but was not successful.  When I got home from town, he had tried putting it back together and could not get it to work.  We knelt down and said a prayer and he went out and tried one more time.  This time it worked!  He still has to figure out why we have a leaks; one water leak and one air leak.  Tomorrow is another day.  He has had enough stress for today.  

We watched an episode of "Victoria" to relax. Victoria is a Masterpiece Classic on the Public Broadcasting station.  Victoria is the story of queen Victoria of England who came to reign at the young age of 18. She marries her cousin, Albert from Germany.  He is trying to find a place in the government and takes on the issue of abolishing slavery.  His first speech in front of parliament is very well received.  He wants to be known as a man of principle. They are very much in love and everyone is waiting for them to produce an heir.  Oh dear.

 We also started reading a book that Cathi loaned us called "The Shack."

Cathi didn't tell us much about it but I believe it is based on a

true story.

I am also reading a book by Greg Trimble, who is LDS, called: "Dad's Who Stay and Fight."

The chapter I read today was called: "Dads and Technology."

"Technology is a useful servant, but a dangerous master."

-Christian Lauge

"I fear that we have yet to fully realize the severe emotional, spiritual, and physical consequences our youth will experience in coming years due to our overly digital age. 

- Brandon Stewart

Founding musical director for the Millennial Choirs

and Orchestras.

"Technology is active vegetation of your kids' minds."

-Greg Trimble

Tuesday, October 20 2015

The Oakland temple

James filled all my tires with air before he left this morning for the valley.  Such service!  He left around 6am.  I got ready and left by 9:30am.  In Show Low I stopped for gas, and at Sonic for a burrito and a diet cherry coke.  I went the Payson way.  

It is a gorgeous day!  55 in Vernon when I left and 70 degrees in the valley.  

James and I had lunch at Cheesecake Factory because I still had some left on a couple of gift cards.  We had the fried zucchini, I had Baja tacos, and James had chicken marsala.  I took home a piece of lemon meringue cheesecake.

Yummy, but almost too rich for me this time.

Back at home I began packing up my Precious Moments statues and the animals from my big Noah's Ark.  

At 5 o'clock I went with Sheri to take Evan and Joshua to soccer practice.  I had ulterior motives.  I wanted to see Darrel and Trina's kids.  I was disappointed that Addy wasn't there but I got to spend some time with Ruby and Lola and Rowan gave me a hug.  Ruby was sick today with the stomach flu but she was feeling better this evening.  I took this picture of Lola.

 I have never seen a cuter little girl!

Sheri and Ian came down and took the living room furniture today.

One room empty and a few more to go!

Monday, July 6, 2015

Oakland, California temple

 

James started his job at Desert Highlands today.  Somehow he pulls workers out of the air and makes things happen.  He is really quite amazing.  He also got Seth to work on the golf course with him.

Seth brooming concrete

Jared's girls love bagels and cream cheese.  I think that's what they have had for breakfast everyday that they have been here. 

 

Jared wanted to spend some time with his kids before he had to head for home.  They are going home with Tricia.  He dropped Anna and James off at a movie while he took Emmy and Molly to the Main Event in Tempe.  I took this picture before they all left.

I love this family!

James loves music, Emmy loves sports and learning.

Anna is more quiet but is quite the artist!

Molly loves to write and play the match game.  When I played her

she beat me 21-10.

I can't wait to see them again at the end of July when they are coming to the cabin for a visit.

 

Ben came down to work this morning and I helped him clean around the BBQ grill outside.  Evan came down to visit with both me and Joshua.  If Joshua is still in the bedroom he comes in and talks to me.

 

I had Cathi's cleaning ladies, Heather and Louise clean today for three hours.  They did a great job and charged me $80.  I paid them $100 because I liked them so well. 

 

I finally finished cleaning the entryway closet.

A little organization can certainly boost morale.

Since Adam is staying here for awhile I got to visit with him today before he left for work.  He ordered a sandwich from Jimmie Johns and they delivered it.  Nice to know.  He left for work around 12:15 when his boss came and picked him up.  He is teaching a group of children about theater at the Tuscany Theater. 

 

James and I sat down to dinner tonight while Paul, Stacy, Michael, Jared Ammon and Joshua played Scattergories as part of their FHE.

 

Joshua and Jared were partners.  Joshua says Jared is his favorite brother.

 

I read to James from "Girl in the Gatehouse."  It is our entertainment and escape.  We were in bed by 9 as James has to get up at 4.