Saturday, March 3rd, 2018

Spokane, Washington

59th operating temple

Dedicated: 21-23 Aug 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Book of Mormon
2 Nephi 25:1-13*How would you explain our gospel in plainness to help a child or investigator understand our beliefs?
Old Testament
Numbers 9
Israel is again commanded to keep the Passover - A cloud rests upon the tabernacle by day and by night, plus a fire by night - When the cloud rests, Israel camps; when it lifts they journey.
General Conference

Value Beyond Measure

Joy D. Jones

" If the love we feel for the Savior and what He did for us is greater than the energy we give to weaknesses, self-doubts or bad habits, then He will help us overcome the things which cause suffering in our lives. He saves us from ourselves."

I ordered a book this morning: "A Reason for Faith: Navigating LDS Doctrine and Church History." It may help to answer some of the questions Alex and others have about the Church.

We started our fast today around 1:30. James wants us to fast for better health and less pain. 

It is very windy today. I feel like maybe we should be praying for more moisture again. 

I colored my hair today, something I haven't done for a long time. The reason I decided to was I got a good look at my hair in the mirror in Addy's bathroom and I realized it looks really washed out. I like how it turned out and so does James.

I also gave James a haircut. It is not perfect but it looks much better than it did.

I prepared my Primary lesson, "Jehovah Covenants with Abraham." The wicked priests are ready to sacrifice Abraham until an angel of the Lord comes to save him. The facsimile in the scriptures show the angel of the Lord as a bird. 

James and I watched the second episode of this year's "When Calls the Heart." He decided he was going to sleep on the recliner so he could sit up and hopefully breathe better. I slept in the bed by myself. Although it seemed to me that I had some night time visitors.

 Too bad I can't look this good.

The Chaffin's. I was her visiting teacher

until they moved to Deming.

Paul and Joshua take an early morning

hike up South Mountain.

My She shed. I wonder if James

will by it for me for my birthday.

Saturday, April 22, 2017

Laie, Hawaii

5th operating temple

We saw this temple on our honeymoon!

Mosiah 13:27-14:12

Abinadi teaches about salvation through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

* Abinadi testified that no one can be saved except through the Atonement of Jesus Christ (see Mosiah 13:28, 32).  Why is it important for us to understand this truth?

3 Nephi 6

The Nephites prosper - Pride, wealth, and class distinctions arise - The Church is rent with dissensions - Satan leads the people in open rebellion - Many prophets cry repentance and are slain - Their murderers conspire to take over the government. A.D. 26-30.

DC 61:1-17

The Lord has decreed many destructions upon the waters; The waters were cursed by John, and the destroyer rides upon their face; 

How are the waters "cursed?"

General Conference

Don't Look Around, Look Up

Yoon Hwan Choi

"Inviting others to come unto Christ is our purpose, and

we can fulfill this purpose by looking up to Jesus Christ!"

I was up at 4:30 to finish preparing and going over my talk.  I left at 8:08 for the White Mountain Stake center in Lakeside.  

The first people I see when I arrive at the stake center are Paul, Trenda, and Cammy, all from Vernon.  I really thought no one from Vernon would attend because they announced the time as 6 a.m.

I sat with Trenda and Cammy in the opening.  Trenda had to show me pictures of her boyfriend, Emery.  He is cute.  

The first class I went to was taught by Dr. Hall.  Trenda works for him so she wanted to hear him speak. When he said his dad died when he was two years old, and knew he was Mike Hall's son.  I talked to him after the class and confirmed.  I went to school with Mike Hall.  I called Vickie and she knew the family well because they lived in Linden.  Mike was working on his parents truck putting in a transmission.  The truck fell on him and crushed him to death.  Dr. Hall was one of the three little boys he had with him.  A sad story.  Dr. Hall's mom married Jeff Frost when he was seven but they are now divorced.  Jeff worked in my mom and dad's store when I was growing up.  It's a small world, especially when you return to the place where you grew up.  It is one of the reasons I love living up here.

My class went well and I had everyone who was here from Vernon in the class to support me, except for Paula.  There was Trenda, Cammy, Judy, Amy, Tamara, Maxine, Patsy, Teresa, Nadine, and Talena.

After the classes were over they had a luncheon in the cultural hall.

It was decorated beautifully.

I guess one of the counselors in the Relief 

Society stake presidency is a wedding planner.

Stacked pallets for the food line, with greenery.

The dessert corner.  Everything looked
great to me except the greenery across the 
back of the backdrop.  I am thinking maybe
a guy did it.

It was a great conference.
I am glad I was ask to participate and now
I am glad it is over.

I stopped at Walmart on the way home and got some meds for James and some more candles.  I am giving each of the sisters I visit teach a candle with a picture of the Savior.  The message is on the priesthood. 

I was so tired when I got home.  I rested for awhile and then began preparing my Primary lesson for tomorrow on following the Prophet.

Random Fun Photos:

Brooklyn and Brooks got married at the

Wallace ranch this evening.

Congratulations!

McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Brian and Kim being goofy

James putting in our lawn last summer.

Temple date last August with

Kim and Sheri.

The three musketeers doing what they do best.

Not sure when this was but

look how small Rowan looks!

Mmmmm Pizza!

Friday, September 2, 2016

San Antonio temple

Alma 60:14-28

14 - I fear that the judgments of God will come upon this people; because of their exceeding slothfulness.

15 - . . . we could have withstood our enemies.

16 - Had it not been for the kingmen and the war that broke out among ourselves, we should have dispersed our enemies.

17 - Our people are suffering all manner of afflictions because of these kingmen.

18 - Perhaps you are traitors to our country.

19 - Maybe you neglect us because you are surrounded by security.

20 - Have ye forgotten the commandments or the captivity of your fathers and the many times we have been delivered?

21 - Do ye suppose the Lord will deliver us while we sit upon our thrones and don't make use of the means the Lord has provided for us?

22 - Will ye sit in idleness while thousands are falling by the sword?

23 - Remember God has said cleanse the inner vessel first.

24 - Except ye do repent and send forth food and men unto us we will come and cleanse the inner vessel, our government.

28 - I do not fear your power and authority, it is my God whom I fear.

GC: "What Shall We Do?" Sister Marriott.

I worked on my Primary lesson a couple of hours this morning.  I know with company this weekend it will be difficult to study tomorrow.  The lesson is on the Savior visiting the Nephites after His resurrection.

Grand Canyon

James and I made a trip to town today.  I went to Walmart and James went to Dennis's to return the blankets he used for the lawn.

Walmart was insane!  This is the busiest weekend of the month plus it's a holiday weekend so there are extra people here from the valley and Tucson.

James and I ate subs and chips on the way home and called it dinner.  We have got to stop eating in the car!

I love President Hinckley!

Another day that is overcast but no rain.  The high was around 74.  We sat on the porch and read from our new book.  James really likes it.  It's about the Vandermark mansion in New York state back around 1898.

Sophie van Riijn is the main character.

The story takes place in a little village called New Holland.

James helped me put the clean sheets on Kim and Brian's bed downstairs.  They got here somewhere between 9 and 10, just before we went to bed.  Glad they arrived safely.

Polar Bears arguing

Interesting. I like the polar bears better.

Here are the other two books I am reading right now.  I actually
finished this Fablehave book 2 and have moved on to book 3.

Saturday, August 13, 2016

Another Selfie attempt at the Snowflake temple

Alma 50:1-20

1 - Moroni digs up heaps of earth round about all the cities throughout all the land possessed by the Nephites.

2 - On top of the ridges of earth he had built works of timber as tall as a man.

3 - Upon the timbers were pickets.

4 - He had towers and places of security to be built.

5 - They could cast stones from the top thereof.

7 - Moroni has his armies drive the Lamanites out of the east wilderness into their own lands south of Zarahemla.

9 - The Nephites possess the east wilderness.

10 - Moroni continues to build fortifications in the south of the land northward.

13-14 - The Nephites begin to build cities, Moroni, and Nephihah.

15 - They also built one in the north called Lehi.

16 - Thus ended the 20th year.

18 - The Nephites did prosper exceedingly and they became exceedingly rich.

19 - The Lord is merciful and just in fulfilling all His words unto the children of men which He spake unto Lehi saying:

20 - Blessed art thou and thy children and they shall be blessed, inasmuch as they shall keep my commandments they shall prosper in the land.  But inasmuch as they will not keep my commandments they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord.

GC: "To the Rescue: We Can Do It" by Elder Arnold and "The Sacred Place of Restoration" by Elder Mazzagardi.

Our temple names today: Marietta Davis and Solomon Bales

On the way home from the temple James dropped me off at Teresa Smith's home for a Relief Society progressive dinner.  We had appetizers at Teresa's and then moved to Rosie Lauritzen's for the main course.  I drove with Trenda and Sandra Wilhelm, Tammy Grap, and Ashley Reidhead.  I felt like I was in the fun, young car.  Ashley is new in our ward and was recently called as the Relief Society secretary.  She has a two year old and a three month old baby.  

Rosie Lauritzen is a great cook.  She had prepared chicken enchiladas and rice and meat.  We had several non-member women attend.  Teresa gave a lesson and Tamara Applegate shared some stories of her young married years in Relief Society.

Monument Valley

Just in case you were going to sleep reading 

my boring blog, I place pictures to wake you up.

Our final destination was Amy Reynolds' for dessert.  We had a yummy banana torte with pecan encrusted crust.  I rode back to the church with Stefani Hunsaker and Linda Price and then Linda Price drove me home.  I sure do like her and wish she and John would move up here year round.

I was exhausted when I got home and in dire need of a nap.  James was working outside.  He actually burned some of the brush that has been piling up the past few months.

I spent the afternoon preparing for my Primary lesson on Samuel the Lamanite.  

This evening I read from "The Seven Tipping Points that Saved the World", and "The China Study."  Good reading!!

I texted with Pam Giles this evening.  I saw her today but we really didn't get to visit.  I told her about Prolympian and how excited I am about it.  Pam is a good friend.

Tricia and her kids left for Houston today.  They are going on a cruise with Christine, Tricia's birth mother.  Here are some pictures Anna took in the car.

Two beautiful girls.

James catching up on his sleep.

Trina is excited about her upcoming hiking adventure to Havasupai.  She ordered some goodies to take with her.

How good can this be?

At least the picture looks good.

Paul posted this picture:

Michael has his phone to entertain him but

Joshua looks bored.

Saturday, February 6, 2016

I like the porch on this Tiny House.

James fixed me one of my favorite breakfasts this morning, scrambled eggs, hashbrowns and bacon.  It was delicious.

  I guess we are celebrating because he is all caught up on his income taxes, including 2015!  Luckily we don't have to pay anything for 2015 because we had a sizable payment for 2014.  

I took a nice nap after my breakfast and then worked on my Primary lessons most of the afternoon.

Jared is meeting Kelly, the girl from Reno that he went to see, in the valley today.  Her mom lives in Chandler.  I wish we were going to be there to meet her.  

James made a beautiful salad for dinner in an effort to clean out some of the veggies in the frig.  After dinner we watched an Aurora Teagarden mystery starring Candace Cameron Bure.

This is a picture of our friend Carol Ray Decker and her five boys.  Carol is a friend of ours from Chandler.  She lost her husband Mario back in 1990 and has since remarried.  Our kids grew up with her kids.  Her son Peter is now Sheri and Trina's dentist and was Jared's best friend growing up.

Brennan, Matt, Tim, Carol, Peter, and Andy

Sunday, January 31, 2016

Nothing like a tiny house in the yard.

Gospel study today consisted of the following: 1 Nephi 20:1-22, finished the book A Witness and a Warning, read an Ezra Taft Benson RS lesson, and two conference talks.  I also taught Primary.

James stayed home today.  He is still sick.  It was our ward conference.  Bishop Miller and President Williams spoke in our sacrament meeting.  The choir sang, "I Am a Child of God", Analee is sick so Lorraine Tieman played the organ.  

I had four kids in my Primary class today, Kacey, Braylin, Curtis, and Zemira.  Our lesson was on the Liahona and Nephi breaking his bow.  

The third hour the stake took over the Primary and all of the adults went into the chapel with President Williams.  We discussed the blessings that come from following the Prophet.  

I came home and fixed corndogs for lunch and then laid down to take a nap.  James was at the dining room table indexing.  

I made a taco chili in the crockpot for dinner.  It was a Weight Watcher recipe and we loved it!  

We watched a new Hallmark movie called "All Things Valentine."

It was raining when we went to bed.

 

Saturday, July 25 2015

View from our porch

 

The boys went on an early morning Razr ride with James.  When they returned James made steak, gravy and biscuits for everyone.  This is one of Alex's favorite meals!  I think Seth liked it too but he may have had a difficult time chewing because of his wisdom teeth being pulled this week.

 

I got a call from Becky Skousen this morning asking if I could teach the 9-10 year olds in Primary tomorrow.  I told her I would be glad to so she delivered the manual to me.  The lesson is entitled: "The Triumphal Entry and the Last Supper."

While I was doing the dishes and laundry, the boys and James went to Stanford's store to get gas for the Razr and passion fruit punch sherbet for dessert.  James loves this sherbet as much as I do.

 

This afternoon while sitting on the porch we saw a double rainbow.  It was raining and the sun was shining at the same time.

I posted this picture on Facebook.

When our neighbor Donna Peeler saw it she commented:

"You see everything on your porch."

 

Seth and Alex took a drive to the top of Green's Peak this afternoon.  When James checked his wildlife camera this picture came up:

I call this:

"The gathering of the bulls"

 

The guys went out coyote hunting this evening.  When they returned I fixed pancakes and sausage for dinner. 

 

James and I finished our book "The Tutor's Daughter" today.  I liked the heroine, Emma Smallwood.  She likes to make lists, read, collect books, and write in her journal.  I love these things too!

 

One more picture from our porch.

 

Back at home in Chandler, Michael gets a much needed haircut.  Joe promised he would cut his hair after Michael got his cut.  When we reminded him of this, he said: "I didn't say how long after."  Tricky Joe, tricky.  We were all disappointed, including Amanda.









 



Saturday, June 20, 2015

Darrel took this picture of Lola. Trina's brother Bryce says she looks like Sherman from Mr. Peabody. 

 

Joel came to paint this morning and Alex, Ben, and Seth worked outside.  Seth got sick and went home early.  I think the heat bothers him.  James is remodeling the lights downstairs and left Skittles in the dark.  Skittles is the family love bird.  When Michael got home from San Diego he immediately brought her upstairs and put her cage on the floor by the fireplace.  She's been chirping and happy ever since.

 

Senor Tacos for dinner.  I wanted to go to Serrano's and get a chili relleno, but there was no place to park.  Senor Taco's chili relleno was okay but the thing that makes Serrano's so good is the sauce they put over it.  Maybe next week if I am feeling up to it.  I have felt a little better this week since my infusion.

 

James and I did a little grocery shopping at Walmart this evening.  He picked out a new watch for Father's Day since the one I got him isn't working.  I also got him some dark chocolate Hershey's Nuggets with almonds.  They are his favorite.  Walmart was crazy.  I wanted to come after dark when it was cooler and it looks like everyone else in Chandler had the same idea.

 

I also worked on our Primary lesson today which is on Repentance and the Atonement.

Michael says he's going to miss San Diego and the sunsets on the beach.