Thursday, January 31st, 2019

Oaxaca, Mexico

74th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Mar 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship, If thou be the Son of God

Helaman 16:18

Some things they may have guessed right, among so many; but behold, we know that all these great and marvelous works cannot come to pass, of which has been spoken.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 20:1-22

*How have I been refined by the Lord and what have I gained from the experience?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matthew 3:7-12; Luke 3:7-18; BD: Pharisees, Sadducees, Repentance

*What does it mean to bring forth "fruits meet for repentance"? How were the Pharisees and Sadducees ill prepared for repentance? How were they a hinderance to the coming forth of the gospel of Jesus Christ?

- "People are sometimes symbolized by trees that produce either good or bad fruit. "Meet for" means necessary. So are we producing good fruit and are we repenting and bringing the necessary offerings to be forgiven? We demonstrate true repentance to the Lord as we change our desires and actions to follow His teachings. Personal repentance is part of taking up the cross daily. It makes us holy. Repentance is a rescuing doctrine that helps us turn away from evil and turn towards God. May we be found worthy of the blessings of repentance by discarding the bad fruit thru a reckoning of the natural self." (Sue_heugly on Instagram)

General Conference

Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints

"During this conference we have strengthened our resolve to execute the essential effort to honor the Lord Jesus Christ every time we refer to His Church. I promise you that our rigorous attention to use the correct name of the Savior's Church and its members will lead to increased faith and access to greater spiritual power for members of His Church."

I felt much better today and enjoyed the book webinar today featuring Kris and Kathy. I would like to be able to afford to get Kathy as a mentor. 

For lunch I made green beans with fingerling red potatoes, bacon, onion, and garlic. We both loved them except next time I will not use bacon grease to cook them in, only butter.

Stacy had surgery today to remove a 4 cm cyst from her uterus. Hopefully this will be the last time. I texted Paul and he said she came home, ate some Cream of Wheat and then fell asleep. 

James was working on our book business and he got discouraged and depressed and walked away. He took a nap and afterwards felt much better.

I was going over my credit card statement because the payment is due tomorrow. There was a recurring monthly charge from Apple for $42.00. We called and found that I had accidentally ordered monthly exercise plan from Pacer. The woman on the phone showed me where to look on my phone and how to cancel. I am so glad we called!

Kerri texted me this evening and said her mom had something for us. When we arrived at their house, Catherine was happy to see us. She had made cinnamon rolls for James because he recently had surgery.

We sure do love Catherine and Kerri!

After leaving the Halcomb's we went into town to get gas, James's shakes, and my diet Dr Pepper. We also filled the car with gas because we are leaving for the valley early in the morning.

It was a big month for Charlie. She met family in Arkansas at Kacey's mom's 70th birthday party and in Arizona, including her great-grandmother, Lois.

 This is what Charlie thought of today's walk. 

Friday, August 24th, 2018

Oaxaca, Mexico

74th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Mar 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Psalms 22:1

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why are thou so far from helped me, and from the words of my roaring?

Book of Mormon

Alma 56:1-17

*How does Helaman show courage and faith in these verses?

- Helaman shows great courage and faith when he encourages the people of Ammon who had buried their weapons of war and covenanted not to fight to be loyal to their covenants. There is great power and strength in covenant keeping.

Old Testament

Psalms 71-75

71 David praises God with thanksgiving - Who is like unto the Lord!

72 David speaks of Solomon, who is made a typed of the Messiah - He will have dominion - His name will endure forever - All nations will call him blessed - The whole earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord.

73 God is good to Israel - The wicked and ungodly prosper in this world - They will be consumed with terrors hereafter - Those who trust in the Lord will be received up unto glory.

74 O God, remember Thy chosen congregation - The wicked destroy the sanctuary and burn the synagogues - O God, remember them for their deeds, and save Thy people.

75 The righteous praise and thank the God of Jacob - They will be exalted - God is the judge, and the wicked will be condemned.

General Conference

Christ the Lord Is Risen Today

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

"Dear brothers and sisters, we belong to each other. We can be knit together in unity and in love in all things and in all places. As the Lord Jesus Christ invites each of us, wherever we are, whatever our circumstances, please come and see."

How can I encourage Cammy to read her scriptures? 

Hurricane Lane is wrecking havoc on Hawaii where Trina's sister lives.

After Sheri and Max went on their run this morning the three of us went into Walmart and KFC. I figured my budget for September before leaving and bought a suitcase for $39 because the zipper in mine is broken. 

At KFC I ordered the three piece chicken meal and paid Sheri. When James came home he ate the chicken and coleslaw. I ate the biscuit and some of the mashed potatoes and gravy. 

Sheri, Ben and I played a game of Five Crowns and Sheri won. We got a kick out of watching Ollie look out the window. He knows there are bunnies out there.

Sheri, Ollie and I went for a walk while the boys went for a ride on the Razr. It looked like rain so I stuck my umbrella in my pocket.

Sheri, Ollie, and I watched the newest Hallmark movie, "Pearl in Paradise." 

Brother Howard was taken to the hospital in an ambulance today. He is having problems with his heart and his lungs are filling up with fluid. I think he has physically been trying to do too much to prepare for their open house. 

This evening Sheri fixed her family and Rowan steaks for dinner with corn and beans. James and I had green smoothies. I baked some rolls this evening but they are to take to the temple tomorrow. 

I downloaded the audible book and ordered the book club book of the month, "Time and Again," so I can listen to it instead of having to read it. I read half of the first chapter today.

A young man in our ward posted these photos.

Not sure where they were taken.

Sheri saw this castle when she was in Scotland.

What Sky Harbor used to look like

Tonight's sunset as taken by Sheri

Sunday, March 18th, 2018

Oaxaca, Mexico

74th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Mar 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ Authority of

DC 1:6

 Behold, this is mine authority,and the authority of my servants, and my preface unto the book of my commandments, which I have given them to publish unto you, O inhabitants of the earth.

Book of Mormon

Jacob 2:17-35

*How is the love of money the root of all evil?

*What is the relationship between the riches of the world and the riches of eternity?

Article: "Treasures of Eternal Value

By: Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, April 2008

Old Testament

Deuteronomy 1-2

1 Moses begins recitation of all that befell Israel during forty years in wilderness - They are commanded to go in and possess Canaan - Judges and rulers chosen to assist Moses - Israel's spies bring evil report - Adults of Israel shall perish - Amorites defeat armies of Israel.

2 Israel presses forward to their promised land - They pass through lands of Esau and of Ammon in peace, but destroy Amorites.

General Conference

"Bearers of Heavenly Light"

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

" As a bearer of God's priesthood and as a disciple of Jesus Christ, you are a bearer of light. Keep doing the things that will nurture His divine light. 'Hold up you light' and let it shine before men' - not so that they will see and admire you, but 'that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

I woke up this morning at 4:10. I went back to bed with the plan to get up at 4:30 but I slept in until 5:30. I spent the next two hours or so preparing my lesson. I feel ready! James is coming in to help me today. 

There was a whiteout blizzard when we left for church.

Maddie D., Sister Halcomb, and Sean H. were the speakers in sacrament meeting today. Sean said: "Pray everyday to be able to serve or help someone."

Catherine talked about how to be a better disciple of Jesus Christ and Sean spoke on Elder Holland's conference address.

Today my Primary class consisted of: Jace, Colter, Liana, and Andyn, and of course James and I.  Gracie has missed four weeks now so I talked to her mother. She is in Yuma this week with her grandmother. I gave her mother the note I wrote to her.

Our lesson was on Abraham and Isaac, and it went well. After the lesson we began trying to put the tents together and the glue was not holding very well so most of the kids ended up using double stick tape. Thank goodness James was there to help. 

Alicia taught about the resurrection in sharing time. It was good.

The wind was freezing cold as we went back to the car. The snow was mostly gone and the sun was shining. We went home and had lunch and took a nap and were back down at the church by 2:15 for an appointment with the bishop. James and I were both sure whatever calling he was going to issue would be for me. We still need a Relief Society president so I braced myself. Boy, were we surprised. James was called as a temple and family history consultant. What a relief for me.

We stayed at the church for Sister Gordon's baptism by her son Charles. Tildy sat on my lap through the entire baptism.

When we got home James asked me to turn on the Rootstech conference where President Oaks and his wife spoke on the TV upstairs. The bishop suggested he watch it. I went downstairs to work on my blog and watched the conference on my phone. James came downstairs quite upset. He said the recording would stop and start and it was very annoying.

James played the song "O Lord My Redeemer" by Jeff Goodrich on his phone. I forgot how much I love that song.

 Dallin and Michael

 Sometimes we don't realize how

fortunate we are.

 Barney Pfife did this one time on the

Andy Griffith Show.

 Picachio Peak and the Moon

 I love this quote!

The Heyman's in front of the Rome, Italy temple.

Tuesday, October 10th, 2017

Oaxaca, Mexico
74th operating temple
Dedicated: 11 Mar. 2000
By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Appearances, Antemortal

Ether 3:20

Wherefore, having this perfect knowledge of God, he could not be kept from within the veil; therefore he saw Jesus; and he did minister unto him.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 3:1-10

*Why is it so important to stand guard against the flatteries of men?

-So that we stay on the covenant path. We need to constantly repent and progress and flattery blinds us to our sins and areas we need to improve. Flattery causes us to be puffed up and vain.
Doctrine and Covenants Scripture Mastery
DC 58:42-43
42 Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.
43 By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins - behold, he will confess them and forsake them.
General Conference

Repentance Is Always Positive

Stephen W. Owen

"Too often we think of repentance as something miserable and depressing. But God's plan is the plan of happiness, not the plan of misery! Repentance is uplifting and ennobling. It's sin that brings unhappiness." 

 The Eternal Everyday

Elder Quentin L. Cook

"We are all equal before God. His doctrine is clear. In the Book of Mormon, we read, "All are alike unto God," including "black and white, bond and free, male and female." Accordingly, all are invited to come to the Lord."

I made blueberry muffins while Sheri was out running this morning. When she returned she made some bacon and eggs. 

James left this morning with Chuck Crane with the Land Lease Agreement I typed. They are going to Cary Dobson's to get his signature and then on to the county offices in St. John's.

He got back just as Sheri, Ian, and the boys were leaving. We all said our goodbyes and of course took a picture.

Thanks for coming!

Goodbye Ollie!

After our company left we almost didn't know what to do with ourselves. We had a little lunch, leftover roast beef, mashed potatoes, corn, and rolls. Afterwards we took a nap. Sleeping and eating have always been my talents. 

James needed to take a trip to town. I should have stayed home and got some things done, but I decided to go with him. He bought 20 bags of concrete at Home Depot. He was going to order concrete but instead of costing $220 they were going to charge him $500 for a shortload. This is, of course, for the patio he is building. 

We went through Aliberto's drive thru and got a taco and an Arizona burro. I read from Petticoat Spy the way there and the way home. Hopefully they will be finished with the road construction by Maverick soon. It is getting on everyone's nerves!

James and Chuck were going to go to the school board meeting this evening which is always scheduled the second Tuesday of the month. Since they raised everyone's taxes they decided to meet the first week to avoid the protestors. At least that's what we think. 

I blogged for the 3rd and 4th of October and then we watched a couple of episodes of Heartland, "Starstruck," and "Divorce Horse."

Thankfully Sheri and Ian made it home safely. I told Pam we would have to take a raincheck on dinner for Friday evening because Kim and Brian are coming up.

October 10, 2017

I wished I would have known!

So sad.

Somebody loves their goats.

Look at the heart on her forehead.

Mark and Lindsey

My favorite yogurt.

Noosa Blueberry

He really is Sheri's baby!

October 10, 2016 Photo File:

Dallin "Taming Nature" as he says.

Addy loses at poker, again.

Rowan enjoying a smore.

These kids were awesome! All week long

and no fights that I was aware of.

Ruby is a poser.

Gathering pinecones to start fires with.

Evan's artwork.

He is so amazing!

Ruby's artwork.

She's pretty amazing too.

I got my windows washed for free!

Watch out for those blinds Ruby!

October 10, 2015

Wow!

Seth and his fish.