Wednesday, May 30th, 2018

Trujillo, Peru

147th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 June 2015

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Condescension of
Isaiah 50:6
I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
Book of Mormon
Alma 8:18-9:6
*Who was blessed because of Amulek's obedience?
Old Testament
No reading today
General Conference

Prepare to Meet God

Quentin L. Cook

" The divine manifestations that occurred in the Kirtland Temple were foundational to the purpose of the restored Church of Jesus Christ to bring to pass the salvation and exaltation of our Heavenly Father's children. As we prepare to meet God, we can know what our divinely appointed responsibilities are by reviewing the sacred keys restored in the Kirtland Temple."

I went to Fry's around 7 a.m. to get cereal and M&M's, etc. for the girls. Ruby asked for Fruit Loops, my least favorite cereal. 

I've decided that this Fry's caters to old rich people. I could not find No More Tangles for Lola's hair. I got her a detangler hair brush instead. I also bought Cheerios, Cracklin Oat Bran, strawberries whipped cream, popcorn, and apples, and rocky road ice cream.

I dropped off the groceries at the resort, James came down and took them in. I didn't even get out of the car. I had a dentist appointment in Chandler at 9 a.m. 

Jackie cleaned my teeth while a girl who wants to become a hygeneist looked on. We talked about Stacy's family. Jackie always asks about her. I showed them the video of Michael playing the ukelele and Joshua singing. Michael was in yesterday so Doctor Douglas met him and she knows Joshua too. When I told her about Joshua befriending the sad boy who has no friends her eyes teared up. I am a proud grandma.

I paid my bill, made my next appointment and headed back to Scottsdale. Everyone was still in the room. I thought James would take the girls swimming but no such luck. We all went to Peter Piper Pizza for lunch. James got upset with me because I ordered him a drink and the lunch buffet. As a result, he gave his drink to Lola and took several pieces of pizza home with him. 

The girls had a fun time playing games and getting their prizes. James said Lola was putting one coin in each machine, even if they needed two, and saying they were broken. He showed her how to play.

Back at the resort I took the girls down to go swimming. The girls swam, sat in the hot tub and played foozball. Lola played in the splash pad. Addy heard they were giving free ice cream if you had an owner's wristband so she went over to check it out. She came back with a strawberry cone. Of course Lola and Ruby wanted one too.

This boy came over and started playing 

with Ruby.

Ruby beat him 10-9!

Mint chocolate chip.

Mmmmmm Chocolate!

On our walk back to our room.

After showers and baths the girls turned on the Disney channel.

We mainly just "hung out" until it was time to go to Ben's graduation party. Sheri and Ian went to the graduation held at the ASU activity center at 230 this afternoon.

We are proud of you Ben!

When we arrived at the party Sheri said their air conditioner was broken. It really did not seem too warm in their house. It was just our family that came to congratulate Ben on his graduation. Those attending: Paul, Stacy, Michael, Joshua, Sheri, Ian, Max, Evan, and Ben. Alex had to work. Kim, Darrel, Addy, Rowan, Ruby, and Lola and James and I. Oh yes, and Ollie!

Ollie watching Sheri

He is obsessed!

Ben has had some glitches in filling out his mission papers but hopefully he will continue to move forward.

After telling Ben we loved him and were proud of him, (we gave him his card and money last week) we left to go visit James's mom and sister, Dawn.

Lois now has a hearing aid which she says helps a person from getting dementia or alzheimers. She also has new glasses that Sheri help her get.

She ,of course, fed us and she also had an anniversary gift for us.

It lights up 

Tuesday, July 18th, 2017

Trujillo, Peru

147th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 June 2015

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Atonement

Hebrews 5:9

Jesus Christ

2Nephi 25:19; Mosiah 3:8

Alma 34:17-41

*What must we do to receive the full blessings of the Atonement?

*President Uchtdorf; "We need a strong faith in Christ to be able to repent...Faith in Christ will change our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that are not in harmony with God's will....Repentance means a change of mind and heart - we stop doing things that are wrong and we start doing things that are right."

*What happens if we do not exercise faith unto repentance?

(To be "exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice" means to suffer the full consequences for our sins and to forfeit the blessing of eternal life.)

*Why do you think prayer is an important part of exercising faith unto repentance?
*What does it mean to procrastinate?
*This life is the time for us to prepare to meet God. How would you explain this truth to someone?
*In Alma 34:31, what assurance is given to those who repent now?
*President Boyd K. Packer: "You need not know everything before the power of the Atonement will work for you. Have faith in Christ; it begins to work the day you ask!"
How does understanding this assurance help us?
DC 102:13-34
19-23, The president of the council renders the decision; 24-34, Appellate procedure is set forth.
General Conference

Prepare the Way

Bishop Gerald Causse'

" As you invite your younger brothers to 'prepare the way,' you help the recognize and honor the sacred authority they hold. By doing so, you help them prepare their own way as they prepare for the day that they receive and exercise the higher priesthood."

It says there is an 80% chance of rain today but right now there are now clouds. 

I am ready to go to town for tacos!  Instead James talks me into going to LaCasita for green chili burros. I really don't care for their tacos, but he's right, their green chili burros enchilada style are delicious!

I went to Walmart while James went to Home Depot. Afterwards we went to O'Reilly's Auto Repair to get him some brake pads for his truck. 

This afternoon James and his partner Dave go out to visit Anthony on the Nicoll ranch. While James is gone I work on my July 6th blog post which is all about our day horseback riding so it takes an extra long time because I have so many pictures to post. 

Well happy day! We did get some rain and because of the rain it cools down into the 60's and makes for a gorgeous day. James and I go out on the deck and read from "Lady Unrivaled." This is one of our favorite things to do when it rains. 

We watched several movies today. I watched more than James did. I got in a couple of extras while he was gone and I was working on my blog. "A Christmas to Remember" starring Cameron Mathison, 

"A Dream for Christmas," "My Christmas Love," and a new one starring Victor Webster and Catherine Bell, "Home on Christmas Day." 

I love Christmas in July!

Random Photos:

Two of my favorite places.

Another favorite that feels like home.

Gilbert temple

Mesa temple where it all began.

The most gorgeous temple exterior.

January 21st outside the San Antonio temple 

The Salt Lake temple at

Christmas time.

Castles of the world

Curtis and Joie's home in Flagstaff with

their 10 kids.

Coming up this weekend

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Lima, Peru

38th operating temple

Mosiah 17

Alma believes Abinadi and is cast out; Abinadi is burned.

* What lessons can we learn from Abinadi's example?

President Gordon B. Hinckley: "Be strong - in standing for the right.  We live in an age of compromise...In situations with which we are daily confronted, we know what is right....We must cultivate the strength to follow our convictions.

3 Nephi 11

Jesus Christ did show himself unto the people of Nephi, as the multitude were gathered together in the land Bountiful, and did minister unto them; and on this wise did he show himself unto them.

The Father testifies of His Beloved Son - Christ appears and proclaims His Atonement - The people feel the wound marks in His hands and feet and side - They cry Hosanna - He sets forth the mode and manner of baptism - The spirit of contention is of the devil - Christ's doctrine is that men should believe and be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost. About A.D. 34.

DC 63:1-12

A day of wrath will come upon the wicked; Signs come by faith;

What are my feelings on faith and how has it helped me in my trials?

When I first came down with rheumatoid arthritis, I was bedridden.  My children were 12, 10, 9,7, and 5.  I could here them running around the house but I could do nothing.  I could not even open a door.  The thing that gave me hope was reading the scriptures and a book by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, "The Power of Positive Thinking."  One scripture in particular became my mantra: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Phillipians 4:13.  This scripture and keeping my thoughts positive and hopeful,  got me through one of the most difficult times in my life.  It is my faith in Christ that keeps me going.

General Conference

The Voice of Warning

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"While the duty to warn is felt especially keenly be prophets,

it is a duty shared by others as well."

My visiting teachers, Kailee and Deana came by for a visit at 9:30 this morning.  We had a good discussion about the priesthood and our responsibility to remind our husbands of their responsibilities in the priesthood.  We talked about memorizing DC 84:33-44 as Sister Burton asked us to.  She says if we memorize this oath and covenant of the priesthood the Holy Ghost will expand our understanding of the priesthood and inspire and uplift us in wonderful ways.  I have started to memorize it along with "The Living Christ" and "The Family Proclamation." (I started last year, and picked it up again this year after general conference.)

Right after Kailee and Deana left I loaded up the car and James drove me to Hailey's.  It takes about 45 minutes to get there.  Today was a very windy day and there were dark storm clouds behind Hailey's house. Hailey's husband is a rancher.  She told me they ordered some hay and when he fed it to his cattle the first four fell over dead.  They had nitrate poisoning.  The levels of nitrate in hay are suppose to be around 700.  The nitrates in this hay were 5,900.

They have the hay locked up in the barn away from the cows and are using it for their horses.  What a tragedy.  I have never heard of such a thing before.  Hailey loved the candle and Power Ade I gave her.

Use the priesthood power as an 'ade in

your life.

When we got home James and I had tuscany tomato bisque soup and grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch.  Delicious!  I got the soup at Safeway yesterday from their "soup bar."

I read two chapters to James from our book "To Kill a Mockingbird."  I think he is beginning to enjoy it.

After my nap this afternoon I watched DWTS.  Maks is back with Heather and they got a perfect score for their rumba and then Heather was voted off the show.  I guess it isn't always about who is the best dancer, because she was definitely better than three of the guys that are left.  I hate it when it becomes a popularity contest instead of about the talent.

James is leaving early tomorrow so he loaded up the back of his truck and the trailer tonight.

  He says there are still no brakes on the trailer.

Should I be worried?

While I was outside taking the above picture I happened to

catch this one of the sunset:

Beautiful!

James and I watched a movie on the Hallmark movies and mysteries channel called: McBride: Dogged.  It stars John Larroquette.  We both really liked it.

Some fun photos:

Alex and his girl Shana

Joe and the mountain.

A handsome picture of Adam when

he was in high school.

Michael teaching Joshua a song for Joshua's

school talent show.

Maddie giving her sister Brooklyn a kiss

on her wedding day.

Brooklyn's family

Sunday, February 12, 2016

Happy Birthday Trina!

I sure do love these two,

and these six!

Runners Lexy and Trina

I sent Trina's birthday card and Cheesecake gift card on the 6th and she still hasn't received it.  James took her a new card and gift card on his last trip down.  

Arequipa, Peru temple

2 Nephi 5:10-25

Why is it important to me to have the light of the gospel in my life?

Mosiah 11:19-12

DC 20:80-21:12

Which prophets have made an impression on you?  Share one of your favorite talks with us.

*President Ezra Taft Benson: "Floor the Earth with the Book of Mormon"

*President Gordon B. Hinckley: "Six B's for Youth, 2001.

GC:  'Abide in My Love' by Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"Beyond rendering the penitent person guiltless and spotless with the promise of being 'lifted up at the last day,' there is a second vital aspect of abiding in the love of God.  Abiding in His love will enable us to realize our full potential, to become even as He is.

As President Dieter F. Uchtdorf stated: 

'The grace of God does not merely restore us to our previous innocent state...His aim is much higher.  He wants His sons and daughters to become like Him.  To abide in God's love in this sense means to submit full to His will."

GC:   'Our Spiritual Development and Learning' by Elder W. Mark Bassett

President Uchtdorf:

"When missionaries have faith in Jesus Christ, they will trust the Lord to follow His commandments - even when they do not completely understand the reasons for them.  Their faith will be manifest through diligence and through work."

James got up earlier than he had planned and helped me finish my Valentines for my class.  Without him I would not have finished.

He left in the truck and I left in Lexy because after the block I am visiting the kids in my class who did not attend with the Primary president.  

My lesson today was on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and the translation of the gold plates and the gifts of the Holy Ghost. Those attending in my class today: Jace, Colter, and Curtis. During the lesson today Jace said he called Glenzo the "n" word because he was angry with him.  Glenzo is an Apache indian from Whiteriver and the "n" word is: A Navajo. 

Tana Westbrook, Analee Hunsaker, and Owen Peeler were the speakers in sacrament meeting.

Deborah Brewer, a fairly new convert was called as the ward sacrament meeting chorister today.  Denice Hall is the new Primary chorister.  She is also still teaching her class.

Jesus loves little children

Becky and I visited Braxton who is supposed to be in my class.  We visited with Cameron's dad and Becky expressed her excitement that the missionaries had said Cameron was going to be baptized soon.  Cameron's dad seemed to have some doubts which gave us reason for concern.  I told him I would love to have him in my Primary class where he could learn more about the gospel.  We went to Wyatt's house but were afraid to get out because of the barking dogs.  I told her I would come back later with James. One of the kids in my class, Dallas, has moved so I crossed him off my list.  

A typical "Haboob" in the valley during the monsoon season.

James had heated up some enchiladas for me for lunch.  They tasted so good.  I watched "A Dash for Love" during my rest time while James went home teaching to the Peeler's with his new partner, Brother Westbrook.

Fun Photos:

Love the 80's hairdos on the girls and the matching dresses

that Lois made them.  Oh yes, and Jared's toothless grin.

Cute picture of Aaron and Kari's family.

Evan's baptism.

Emmy is a soccer player and a very clever girl.

Molly loves to help her dad bake cookies.