Friday, November 17th, 2017

Ascuncion, Paraguay

112th operating temple

Dedicated: 19 May 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Atonement

Zechariah 9:11

As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.

Book of Mormon

What are the characteristics of a true believer in Christ?

Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926-2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles says: "True believers are settled in their views of Christ. Despite their weaknesses, their spirituality is centered on the Savior. True believers gladly perform their duties in the kingdom. They include partaking worthily of the sacrament, rendering Christian service, studying the scriptures, praying, fasting, receiving ordinances, attending to family duties, paying tithes and offerings. ...True believers are humble. they are not easily offended. They do not resist counsel. True believers are willing to do what Christ wants. Are we willing to let the Lord lead us into further developmental experiences Or do we shrink back? The things which enlarge the soul inevitably involve stretching. True believers truly pray. Their prayers are sincere and heartfelt. True believers have both right conduct and right reasons for that conduct. They are so secure in their relationship with the Lord that their goodness would continue even if nobody were watching. True believers rejoice in the success of others. They don't regard colleagues as competitors. True believers remember that forgetting is part of forgiving. They follow the Lord's example: 'I will remember their sins no more' (DC 58:42). true believers are innocent as to sin, but not naive. They are kind, but candid. They love other people. True believers are happy. They are serious about how they live life, but are also of good cheer" (True Believers, New Era, April 1994, 20-24).

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 8:2-3

2 Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.

3 Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground.

General Conference

Bearers of Heavenly Light

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Light allows us to discern between truth and error and between the vital and the trivial. When we are in the light, we can make righteous choices based on true principles. When we are in the light, we have a 'perfect brightness of hope' because we can see our mortal trials from an eternal perspective. We will find spiritual healing as we step away from the shadows of the world and into the everlasting Light of Christ."

Shaylyn got her mission call this week. She is going to the Indiana, Indianapolis mission and reports to the MTC February 7th.  She and Shelly are good friends and Shelly left for the MTC on Wednesday.

Shelly is going to the Baltimore, Maryland

mission.

James has insomnia. Normally when I get up at 5 a.m. he is still in bed. The last couple of mornings he has been getting up around 3-3:30. By afternoon he needs a nap, but that's pretty normal anyway. 

Today at 7 a.m. it was 55 degrees. Tomorrow, according to my weather app, it will be 25. Things are cooling down as they should, now if we could only get some rain, or snow!

My day today was pretty much like all other days that I spend at home. I blog, I study, I do some housework, and I watch Christmas movies and do my steps. Today at 4 p.m. we left for the temple.  I took a bath earlier and when James came in to take his shower there was no hot water left. Sorry honey.

It is our ward temple night and we signed up to do an endowment session which starts at 6 p.m. but we were told to be in the chapel by 5:15.

We gathered in the chapel at the temple, although they no longer do chapel sessions. President Reidhead came in and spoke to us a few minutes and then those who were doing baptisms were dismissed. They had over 200 baptisms to do thanks to Sister Thompson. I asked her if she does her own research and she said yes, "That's what I do all day." 

Brother Wilhelm did Tyler Tedder's name. Tyler was a young man in our ward who passed away a couple of years ago. He was a good friend with John's son Talon.

Brother Wilhelm, Sr., was the officiator at our session and Brother Peeler was the follower. Their wives were the two women followers. Brother Wilhelm asked us to be the witness couple and of course we said yes. It was a wonderful, spiritual session. Brother Patterson, someone I knew in high school was my receiver at the veil. The new name was the same one I had when I went through for my own endowments 49 years ago.

 Those attending from our ward: The Applegates, two Wilhelm couples, the Diewald's, the Thompsons, Sean and Stefani, Sister Allen, Bishop Miller, and Brother Romyak. Youth that I saw: Alice, Holly, Ashten, Talon and Jace but Talon and Jace were waiting in the foyer with dates. 

Alice totaled her new car while she was taking George somewhere. She was looking at George in the backseat and ran into a tree. Oh yes, George is her baby brother. I feel so bad for her.

On the way home we stopped at Burger King for burgers. Not so great. We also read from our book, "Once an Heiress." We really like it.

This morning's sunrise

Finally we are getting some attention

This is Porter Mountain in Lakeside.

Window Rock of Window Rock, Arizona

This is Shirley. She came last year to see me

but she hasn't been back this year.

I miss her.

A few years ago when we took Ruby 

to Disneyland. She was a delight!

I am dying to try this!

Christmas is coming!

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Columbia, South Carolina,

62nd operating temple

2 Nephi 32:1-9

Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost - Men must pray and gain knowledge for themselves from the Holy Ghost. About 559-545 B.C.

How do you feast upon the words of Christ?

Alma 32:13-33

Faith is a hope in that which is not seen which is true - Alma testifies that angels minister to men, women, and children - Alma compares the word unto a seed - It must be planted and nourished - Then it grows into a tree from which the frut of eternal life is picked. About 74 B.C.

DC 42:53-65

53-60, The scriptures govern the Church and are to be proclaimed to the world; 61-69, The site of the New Jerusalem and the mysteries of the kingdom will be revealed;

How can we always strive to be obedient so that we may always be ready for the Lord to teach us?

General Conference

Sharing the Restored Gospel

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

"As Elder Ballard has taught, 'A most significant evidence of our conversion and of how we feel about the gospel in our own lives is our willingness to share it with others.'"

I had lunch with my friend Pam today at The House.  We both had chili.  We talked for quite awhile after we were finished eating.  Pan and her husband were active members of our ward but something happened and now they don't come anymore.  She told me a little bit of what happened and I am so very sorry.  I wanted to say: "Don't let someone else keep you from your eternal salvation."

I invited Pam and Rick to watch conference with us.  She needed to know that no one else would be there and I assured her that they wouldn't.

I went to Walmart to pickup my Methotrexate and to get an ice cream cone at McDonald's.  James had to call and have the prescription transferred from Chandler.  For some reason Dr. Caldron's office keeps sending it down there. 

 Peralta Trail in the Superstition Mountains

James is pretty much my hero.  In the past six months he has caught about 40 mice in our garage.  Since he has been setting traps out there we haven't had any mice in our house.  

I worked on my blog a couple of hours this afternoon and James loaded up his tractor on the trailer in preparation for going to the valley tomorrow.

Buckelieu Springs

I missed going to the Relief Society activity this evening.  Kathy Crane brought by the most wonderful banana cream dessert afterwards.  It was delicious but I am sure very caloric.  James went to the door in his pajamas because he looks better in his than I do in mine.  We were watching the Hallmark movie, "Call to Duty."  When James opened the door to let Kathy in, we began to realize how terrible today's prescribed burn was.  The house filled with a smoky smell.  Later when he went outside for something he came right back in because the smoke was so bad. It should be against the law to put people's health in danger.  Around here the slogan seems to be: "Save the Trees, Kill the People."

While Sheri was running up here, these two

were running in the valley.

Fun Photos:

 Erik's family in the

Valley of the Goblins in Utah

Looks like a fun place

This formation reminds me of a dinosaur.

Camping in a yurt.

The slides I ordered for the microscope

Quite bizarre

Tricia posted this

James in Greer last May

Ruby

I love the glow in the dark bow

Molly and her sparkler

Getting ready for fireworks

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Phoenix temple

3 Nephi 13:1-15

Why is it so important to forgive our fellowman?

Answer: "Forgiving ourselves and others is not easy.  In fact, for most of us it requires a major change in our attitude and way of thinking, even a change of heart.  But there is good news.  This 'mighty change of heart' is exactly what the gospel of Jesus Christ is designed to bring into our lives.  How is it done?  Through the love of God something good and pure happens to us.  The more we allow the love of God to govern our minds and emotions - the more we allow our love for our Heavenly Father to swell within our hearts - the easier it is to love others with the pure love of Christ.  As we open our hearts to the glowing dawn of the love of God, the darkness and cold of animosity and envy will eventually fade.  As always, Christ is our exemplar.  In His teachings as in His life, He showed us the way.  He forgave the wicked, the vulgar, and those who sought to hurt and to do Him harm.  Jesus said it is easy to love those who love us; even the wicked can do that.  But Jesus Christ taught a higher law.  His words echo through the centuries and are meant for us today.  They are meant for all who desire to be His disciples.  They are meant for you and me: "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."  When our hearts are filled with the love of God, we become "kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God for Christ's sake forgave us.  The pure love of Christ can remove the scales of resentment and wrath from our eyes, allowing us to see others the way our Heavenly Father sees us: as flawed and imperfect mortals who have potential and worth far beyond our capacity to imagine. Because God loves us so much, we too must love and forgive each other." - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

GC: ' If Ye Had Known Me' by Elder David A Bednar

"Do we only know about the Savior, or are we

increasingly coming to know Him?

How do we come to know the Lord?"

So far James had caught 3 live rats, 7 live squirrels, and 10 dead mice.  The mice were not in the house, but in the storage room of the garage.  I call him Trapper Jim.

Painting the storage shed.

James drove me to see Jean Howard this afternoon.  As soon as I stepped outside I knew there was a fire.  We drove out of the driveway and saw this:

Another "control" burn.

Why don't they just use a chipper?

Here is what it looked like at the Howard's:

Air quality goes way down when they burn.

Jean is having major surgery on Wednesday.  We had a nice visit and I gave her this:

The tag is a quote by President Monson

about families.

When we left the Howard's we headed for Desert Title in Show Low.  We knew we weren't going to get the title to Jared Ammon's Scion before we left for the valley tomorrow so we went to get a duplicate.  It cost $14 but it was worth if for my peace of mind.  We have to get the car and the only way to do it is to have a key made.  In order to have a key made I have to take it to Big Two Toyota with a title and my driver's license.

I love this picture of Max, Joshua, and Evan

taken a couple of years ago.

Zemira all ready for his first wrestling match.  He is

in my Primary class and invited me to come but 

I couldn't because of the temple assignment.

Back at home we had a little something to eat and then around six o'clock we left for the temple.  Tonight is the Vernon ward's night to clean.  These are our ward members who showed up to help:

Bishop Miller, Blaine, Chuck, Virgil, Mel, Donna and Owen, Barbara and Fred, the Freeman's, Jim and Linda, Millie and Jerry, and Alicia and Kip.  Blaine gave the spiritual thought and Chuck and Jim conducted for James because of his laryingitis.  

A picture I took of the temple:

A light on the hill.

It was over 10 p.m. when we got home.  We were in bed by 11 and tomorrow we get up and leave for the valley.

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

So many wonderful things to celebrate this time of the year.

The most important being the birth, and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Meeting in the Peter Whitmer home in Fayette, New York, on April 6th, 1830, a small group of believers formally organized the Church that had begun to grow based on truths revealed to a young prophet,

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

 The Book of Mormon was first published in March of 1830.  If you have a copy of the original Book of Mormon it is worth $100,000.  My "Nannie", Mae Strickland, gave me a copy of a 1920 edition of the Book of Mormon.  It is almost 100 years old.  I wonder how much it is worth?  It doesn't matter because it's worth to me is far greater than any monetary value.

In my gospel study today I came across this quote by President Howard W. Hunter as I was studying King Benjamin's address and his remarks about service.

"Seek opportunities for service.  Don't be overly concerned with status....It is important to be appreciated.  But our focus should be on righteousness, not recognition; on service, not status.  The faithful visiting teacher, who quietly goes about her work month after month, is just as important to the work of the Lord as those who occupy what some see as more prominent positions in the Church.  Visibility does not equate to value." 

(Ensign, November 1992, 96-97).

Along with reading the Book of Mormon, I think I have mentioned before, I am reading the Book of Mormon Student Manual Religion 121-22.  This course is taught at BYU and most of the commentaries are from General Authorities Conference addresses.

Here is another quote I found inspirational by Elder Robert J. Whetten of the Seventy:

" Conversion means consecrating your life to

 caring for and serving others who need your help 

and sharing your gifts and blessings....

"Every unselfish act of kindness and service increases your spirituality.  God would use you to bless others.

Your continued spiritual growth and eternal progress

are very much wrapped up in your relationships -

how you treat others.  Do you indeed love others and become a blessing in their lives?

Isn't the measure of the leverl of your conversion how you

treat others?

The person who does only those things in the

Church that concern himself alone will never

reach the goal of perfection.  Service to others

is what the gospel and exalted life are all about."

(Ensign, May 2005, 91).

James had to go to town today to get some more cement for his building project and to take a tire in.  I needed to pick up some prescriptions and do a little shopping at Walmart, so I went with him.  

Of course we went around lunch time.  We have been wanting to try Darbi's restaurant in Pinetop for a long time, so that's where we decided to go.  

This parking lot was pretty full, but we found a spot.

The food was delicious.  James had a french dip sandwich with a side of potato salad.  I had a green chili chicken sandwich on buttered sourdough bread with bacon and cheese and a side of sweet potato fries.

The fries had a cinnamon dipping sauce that was very yummy.

I ate most all of the fries and consequently could only eat half of my sandwich.  I was going to take it home but decided to give it to James instead.  He gobbled it up.

After lunch James dropped me off at Walmart while he went to get a tire fixed.  As we were driving home I was reading a short story to him from our Sarah Eden book.  They are doing work on Highway 60 between Show Low and Vernon and the traffic was a little backed up.  Suddenly a truck from behind us passed.  James made the comment: "Do you know why I am driving a little slower?"  I said: "Because of the bags of cement you bought which makes our load heavier.?"  He looked at me with a shocked look on his face.  "I forgot the cement!"  We were just past the St. Johns Y so we turned around to go back to town first stopping at the Stanford Store to see if they had any cement.  They didn't.  We had to go all the way back to the Home Depot in Show Low.

On our way back to Vernon we saw a huge plume of smoke.  James made the comment that if it was a prescribed burn, it looked like it was out of control.  Here are some pictures he took.

About 7 miles from our house, according

to James.

This picture was taken on our road.

I posted this first picture on Facebook and got some interesting responses:

Pam Giles: "I went to look.  Highway 60 has a do not report prescribed burn flashing sign. ( It's past the Vernon turnoff which is why we didn't see it.)

Courtnie Dobson Angell: It is prescribed, they are burning over 1000 acres.  It's not about burning the trees it's burning the underbrush that fuels the fires, and they do cut, it's just seasonal.  The marked trees are the ones that stay.

I hate burning.  It ruins our air quality and makes the forest look desolate.  I know it needs to be done but I wish there was a better way.  I especially wish they wouldn't do it on dry, windy days.

James finished the footings on the shed, just as he planned, in spite of an hour delay.  

I did some work around the house and paid a few bills.  

This evening we watched the LDS World Report which was on between conference sessions on Saturday.  I loved seeing Elder Ballard and Elder Kearon helping distribute goods to the refugees in Europe.  We also saw Elder Bednar and his wife speak to the saints in Libya and Sister's Esplin and Marriott visit the saints in Asia.  When you see these leaders out in the world serving it brings a whole different light to who they are.  I would like all my children and grandchildren to watch this report.  It just might strengthen their testimonies of the gospel.

We also watched "Ice Dreams" on the Hallmark movie and mystery channel.

A former Olympic figure skater coaches an up

and coming star.  It was good.

As we were getting ready to go to bed I hear that James has started a load of laundry.  I have already said my prayers and am waiting in bed for him to return so we can say our family prayers.  When he finally comes in he says: "I had another senior moment.  I washed my pants with my phone in the pocket.  When I remembered I found it in the bottom of the washer.  It had been immersed in water."  

  I looked up some information on Google.  James blow dried it and then immersed it in wheat since he couldn't find any rice.  

We will see what happens.  Apple says not to take the phone apart but seek help.  I guess we will be going to Verizon tomorrow when we go to the valley.  I think James might have "Sometimers", instead of Alzheimers.

It seems I have disappointed some of my children lately.  Last week we missed going to see Jared and this week we won't be in town soon enough to babysit Lola for Darrel or pick up Sheri's kids for her. I hate disappointing the people I love the most!

 

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Here is a list of some of the things I am studying right now.  The Book of Momron.  By the end of the year I will have read it eight times.  The Doctrine and Covenants and Our Heritage as part of our Sunday School curriculum.  The Come Follow Me lessons for young women, and the teachings of Lorenzo Snow as part of the Relief Society course of study.  The current conference talks, the Family Proclamation (Pres. Williams asked us to memorize it), a book by Monte Nyman, "28 Truths Taught by the Book of Mormon, "Visions of Glory", "Rescuing Wayward Children", "Becoming His", "Everyday Missionaries", and "100 Versus to bring us Closer to Christ."  I love studying the gospel and spend several hours in the morning, starting usually at 4am, in gospel study. 

I am also trying to catch up on my journal/blog.  Today I made three entries.  I tried to do some indexing of gravestones but couldn't get pas the first entry.  I had to stop and get ready to go to town with James.  He's waiting for me. 

We stopped at the post office, the bank, and then at La Casita for my favorite meal.

James in front of LaCasita.

James dropped me off at Walmart while he went on to Home Depot and to Horne's Auto to measure for concrete.  On the way home we saw this smoke from a prescribed burn.  It is so annoying when they pollute our fresh air with smoke.

I don't like prescribed burns!!

We took a Razr ride up the hill to see where the fire was.  It was pretty close, and right where James said it would be.

Today's Facebook pictures:

Ben after cross country refusing to get in the car because

Alex is in the front seat. 

I think he is tired.  Alex finally moved.

The angel Moroni on top of the

Gilbert temple.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

At 8 o'clock this morning I left for the Valley of the Sun.  I have a lunch date with Sheri and Trina at 11:45 at Joe's Farm Grill in Gilbert.  Sheri called and said the time was changed until 12:15 which gave me time to stop at Circle K and get a drink.  Because I was a little pressed for time I went the Salt River way because James says it's between 15-25 minutes faster.  On the way out of town I saw this:

Smoke from another prescribed burn.  Grrr...

I am not so sure the Salt River way was faster today.  Look what I got caught in between Miami and Superior.

I was stopped for about 10 or 15 minutes, then traffic crawled along another 15 minutes.

  Sheri and I met at an outlet store on Baseline and Val Vista to see if they had any good buys for Christmas.  While there I bought something I have been looking for, a mini-trampoline, otherwise known as a rebounder.  I read an article recently about all the health benefits of using one for a short time each day, and since then I have been wanting one.  It was regularly $89 for $50.  I was so excited.  Sheri put it in the back of my car for me.  There was a long line when we got to Joe's.  It's a beautiful day to be here where we can eat outside. 

Sheri is always dressed so fashionably.

James came all the way over from his job in Phoenix to have lunch with us.  What a sweetie.  

We had some Ruby time.

Good company and good food. I love their

chicken pesto sandwich and their pickles are freshly made

and grown in their onsight garden.

It was a beautiful day to eat outside.

Sheri had to work this afternoon and Trina had things to do so I went shopping by myself.

I went to Target and Michael's to look for Christmas gifts for my young women.  I found lots of cute things and decided to do hot chocolate mugs filled with goodies.  I found so many goodies I should have bought bigger mugs.

This evening Addy's drill team performed at halftime at the Highland High School basketball game.  I drove over to Darrel and Trina's and went with them.  James was still at work.  Addy posed for me:

What a cutie.

Addy's cousin Kayla was also performing.  These two girls are best friends.

The two cutest girls on the dance team.

I love Addy's stance.

Addy and Kayla on the back row.

It was a fun evening and I am so glad I went.  I love spending time with Darrel and his family.

Rowan invited me to stay for a slumber party.

He is such a sweet boy!