Friday, December 6th, 2019

Anchorage, Alaska

54th temple

Dedicated: 9 Jan 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Head of Church

4 Nephi 1, 29

And it came to pass that the thirty and fourth year passed away, and also the thirty and fifth, and behold the disciples of Jesus had formed a church of Christ in all the lands round about. And as many as did come unto them, and did truly repent of their sins, were baptized in the name of Jesus; and they did also receive the Holy Ghost.

And again, there was another church which denied the Christ; and they did persecute the true church of Christ, because of their humility and their belief in Christ; and they did despise them because of the many miracles which were wrought among them.

Book of Mormon

Ether 4:1-19

New Testament

2-3 John; Redheaded Hostess study sheets

Oct 2019 General Conference

"Unwavering Commitment to Jesus Christ"

Elder Dale G. Renlund

"The Book of Mormon people known as the Anti-Nephi-Lehies 'laid down the weapons of their rebelliion,' burying them 'deep in the earth' as 'a testimony to God ... that they never would use their weapons again.' In doing so, they promised to follow God's teachings and never go back on their commitment. This action was the beginning of being 'converted unto the Lord' and never falling away."

In Sister Craig's conference talk she said we need to make a regular appointment with the Lord. My appointment is every morning from 5-7:20. I love having this quiet time with the Lord. James joins me the last 20 minutes as we read our scriptures together. I also read two conference talks during the day and listen to at least one spiritual podcast. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ!

I got to say hello to Trina before work and thank her for allowing us to stay with them. She thanked me for helping her and doing the dishes on Wednesday.

I told Ruby to give me a hug before she left for school. She didn't remind Darrel until they were already on their way to the bus stop so I did not get to see her before school. Darrel went to the gym and he returned just as we were leaving around 9:36 so we waved goodbye to him. 

James dropped me off at the Arizona Arthritis and Rheumatology office around 10:15. They have a new kiosk in the corner where you check in. Since I am seeing Dr. Kumar today I had to fill out lots of paperwork asking me questions about my arthritis and the pain associated with it. Dr. Kumar is a woman and a very young one at that. I liked her though. Frances got me started with my infusion as soon as Dr. Kumar  brought me in to the infusion center. As hour later I was finished. 

James was waiting for me outside, he was walking, when I was finished. We drove north on Arizona Avenue which changes to Country Club at Baseline and we had lunch at Culver's on Country Club and Baseline. I ordered a cheeseburger with sweet potato fries and a strawberry sundae. James had a fish sandwich and we both had water to drink. He made this comment to me when I couldn't finish my cheeseburger: "I used to be the cleanup guy, but not anymore."

We went the Payson way because I wanted James to show me where Punkin Center is. It's near where the Rawling's were washed away in Tonto Creek. It is way down in a valley. I've seen it before but didn't know what it was called. 

We stopped at Basha's in Payson. By the way, I love seeing Trey doing their commercials on TV. I bought chocolate chips and two moi ice cream bites. Ice cream wrapped in some kind of dough.

We arrived at Discount Tire in Show Low at 3:30. James's truck has been there all week and they still did not have the tire put on. James was a little peeved. One of the attendants came out to the car and apologized and offered him something for free and told him it would be ready first thing in the morning. James told him we had a funeral and wouldn't be there until early afternoon.

We stopped to get ice at the Speedway station on the hill. I was tempted but, "no more diet soda for me."

We stopped at the Vernon post office before it closed. I had received six books and one return from Amazon. 

We were surprised to see that all of the snow had melted in the few days that we were gone. There is still mud though.

I finished my steps, printed labels for my book order, fixed a small pizza for dinner and watched two Christmas movies. 

LifeTime: "You Light Up My Christmas" starring Kim Fields from "Facts of Life."

Hallmark: "Christmas Town" starring Candace Cameron Bure

I sent this picture to Trina. I thought it might save

her a trip to Los Angeles.

 It looks like Scarlett too.

That word that got cutoff his internal.

Wednesday, October 30th, 2019

Sao Paulo, Brazil

17th operating temple

Dedicated: 30 Oct-Nov 2 1978

By: Spencer W. Kimball

Jesus Christ, Head of Church

3 Nephi 18:6

And this shall ye always observe to do, even as I have done, even as I have broken bread and blessed it and given it unto you.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 16:1-20

What do these verses teach us about the gospel in these the latter days?

New Testament

1 Timothy 5-6; 2 Timothy 1 "God hath not give us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind"

General Conference

Take Up Our Cross

Ulisses Soares

"Taking upon yourselves your crosses and following the Savior means continuing with faith on the Lord's path and not indulging in worldly habits."

I got up early this morning and made a couple of loaves of pumpkin bread. I wanted to take one to Tanna, Sister Dye's granddaughter. I also filled out a homemade Halloween card to give her. I plan on going by after James's doctor's appointment in town.

Anthony reported this morning that it was 6 degrees outside at his house. He recently put insulation in his floor and he said normally before the insulation it would be a little warmer than it was outside. This morning it was 78 degrees. The low here in Vernon last night was 13 degrees.

The Washington Nationals won the World Series for the first time last night. They beat the Houston Astros. Congratulations!

I got an email from French Bruce this morning. He is pushing for us to send a certificate of sale for one of the cemetery plots. We told him the bank had not cleared the check. James told him because it was not a certified check that it would take two weeks before we would send the certificate. James talked to the bank and they said that was the period of time in which the writer of the check could stop payment on the check. We did not hear from French Bruce anymore today. I am pretty sure this is a scam but James is still holding on to some hope.

James had an appointment at Dr. DeLange's office today, his post surgery checkup. I drove into town with him and dropped him off at  the doctor's and went to Walmart where I got birthday cards for Jared and Evan. I bought a few groceries and as I was waiting for James to call me to pick him up I got Jared's card ready to mail. 

After picking up James we headed for the post office in Show Low to mail Jared's birthday card and the book that I sold, "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe."

We dropped the pumpkin bread off at Tanna's on the way home. Someone came to the door, some guy, not Tanna, and James gave him the bread and the card. I want so much to get a truck and start hauling off garbage. There is two dumpsters full and garbage everywhere in the yard. I told James we should ask her if she needs help.

We stopped at the Vernon post office and I had five books that I had ordered to sell.

I read to James most of the time we were in the car and when we got home we finished the book, "Aunt Dimity's Christmas." I can see why it is my friend Karen's favorite.

James tried to work outside on the logs this afternoon but it was so cold and windy he came in a little early and built a fire. I was getting my shipment of books ready. I loaded it in the back of the car, all 34 lbs of it. It really bothers James that he can't lift things for me right now. The physician's assistant at Dr. DeLange's this morning told him if he wasn't careful about not lifting anything over 10 lbs and careful about what he ate, he may have to do the surgery over again. He doesn't want that so hopefully he will be good.

I bought a couple of books this evening. I am still six short of my weekly goal of 15. I worked on my blog and went to bed.

 This week's elimination, Karamo and Jenna.

They look happy, don't they.

 James's fire on a cold and blustery day

Saturday, August 17th, 2019

Lubbock, Texas

109th operating temple 

Dedicated: 21 April 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Foreordained

John 17:5

And now, O Father glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

Book of Mormon

Alma 51:22-37

New Testament "Overcome Evil with Good"

Romans 15-16

General Conference

Where Will This Lead

President Dallin H. Oaks

"Take the long view. What is the effect on our future of the decisions we make in the present? Remember the importance of getting an education, studying the gospel, renewing our covenants by partaking of the sacrament, and attending the temple."

I read the Ministering Principles article in the Ensign this month, "Can I Help Someone Change"? These are the bullet points in this article:

1. Don't Be Afraid to Invite Change

2. Remember It's Their Choice to Change

3. Pray for Others Ability to Change

4. Teach Them to Rely on His Power

5. Treat Them as They Can Become

6. Let Them Go at Their Own Pace

7. Don't Give Up If They Relapse into Old Ways

"We have the responsibility to see individuals not as they are but rather as they can become." -Thomas S. Monson

"Let people repent. Let people grow. Believe that people can change and improve." - Jeffrey R. Holland

James and I heard a loud crash this morning. I was in the hallway and he was leaving the bedroom. He went back to the bathroom where the noise came from to find the full length mirror which was on the back of the bathroom door shattered on the floor. I'm not sure who is going to have the seven years of bad luck. I think it may have already started.

James cleaned up the mess while I finished my blog post. He left some chards on the floor and I cleaned them up. 

We went into town today. Our first stop was the UPS Store to mail one of James's returns. Since we were in the neighborhood we stopped in for lunch at Firehouse Subs. We shared a large sandwich, chips, and a drink. 

Our next stop was at the post office in Show Low. It was closed but James dropped his return package, which already had been paid for and had the label on it, so he dropped it in the parcel box.

On the way back to Vernon we stopped at Dairy Queen to spend my $10 gift card on a box of Dilly bars. First I ordered a cherry dipped small ice cream cone to eat on the way home, and then I ordered a box of cherry Dilly bars,  but when James made a face I changed it to chocolate. I was shocked to find out that my ice cream cone cost over $3.00 and our bill was over $12. Glad I had some cash. My cherry dipped cone was good but not worth $3.19. The cones at McDonald's are under $1.00.

Back at home after my rest time I did some walking and book repricing. This evening James and I watched the new Hallmark movie.

Erin Krakow, Ryan Pavey, and the two

actors in the back were on Lori Loughlin's

cancelled show, "Garage Sale Mystery"

Tyler and Chelsie

 This one fierce lady is Jackie Arnett

The other girl is a Hunsaker whose

parents are in our ward.

 Sunflowers and Verbina everywhere right now!

Stacy said that Rowan was the "last man standing."

He beat out about 40 other competitors.

 This girl loves to flush,

she's got that part down pat.

 This was a video and she was dancing.

I guess I didn't download it right.

Monday, June 24th, 2019

Colonia Juarez, Mexico

55th operating temple

Dedicated: 6 Mar 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Exemplar

2 Nephi 31:16

And now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved.

Book of Mormon

Alma 21:1-23

What does it mean to be "zealous for keeping the commandments of God?"

New Testament "He Is Risen"

Matt 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-10

General Conference

Come Follow Me

President Russell M. Nelson

"Jesus Christ teaches the way back to our eternal home. He understands our Heavenly Father's plan of eternal progression better than any of us. After all, He is the keystone of it all. He is our Redeemer, our Healer, and our Savior."

We sold three books today: "Dimensions of Human Behavior," "Leadership and Nursing Care Management," and "Arrhythmia Recognition." 

As I was thinking about my day yesterday I realized that in Relief Society I learned about the importance of repentance and then Sunday evening I watched two TV shows, one which was not Sabbath appropriate. I could say I was home alone and the TV keeps me company but that is a cop out. I need to do better. I should have read from my book about President Nelson.

On my way out of town this morning I stopped at the Vernon post office to speak with Debbie, the postmistress. (Is that right?)

I told her I would be gone out of town until Saturday and I was expecting quite a few books and asked her to please hold them for me. I had to sign a paper giving them permission to hold my mail. 

Debbie asked me where I was going and when I told her to our timeshare in the valley she said, "I'm going to be gone too, but I'm going somewhere better, Durango." Little does she know I don't ever leave my condo unless absolutely necessary and I crank the air conditioner down to wherever it feels good.

My trip was pretty uneventful until I got to Star Valley where I had to wait over 30 minutes for road construction. James is waiting to take me to lunch before he goes to work at Hatch's Dental so I had to tell him I would be 30 minutes later than expected.

After unpacking the car James and I headed for Pei Wei for lunch. He said he wasn't hungry so I suggested we order the lettuce wraps to share, which we did. I also ordered a salad with orange chicken.

My spicy chicken salad is no longer on the menu.

We finished the lettuce wraps in no time.

I saved half my salad to take home with me.

Not as good as the spicy chicken.

James takes a short nap and is off to work at Hatch's around 3 pm. I am "home alone." I work on my book business, I'm still trying to buy 10 books a day, watch the Foodnetwork, and walk from the table through the door to the bedroom and bath, back around to the table, it's a nice circle. 

Not much else happened in Palm Court Rm 1069 here at the Sheraton Desert Oasis.

 Scarlett's a little blurry because this 

is a video.

I need to remember to pray for the firefighters.

 The hospital where Jared had his appendix out.

 Worth the wrestle