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.

Sunday, July 31, 2016

One of my favorite temples

Alma 43:15-26  Why is it important to be prepared?

15 - The two armies prepare to meet.

16 - Nephites are led by Captain Moroni.

17 - Moroni was only 25 years old.

18 - Moroni's army are prepared and armed.

19 - The army has breastplates, arm shields, head gear and thick clothing.

20 - Zerahemnah's army only has swords, cimeters, bows and arrows, stones and slings and the Larmanites are girded with a loin cloth.

21 - The Lamanites are afraid even though their numbers are great.

23 - Moroni sends spies to follow the Lamanites.  He also inquired of the Prophet Alma if the Nephites should go and defend themselves against the Lamanites.

24 - Alma says yes and tells Moroni's messengers the Lamanites plan to attack Manti.

25 - Moroni takes part of his army to Manti.

I spent most of the morning before church preparing for my Primary lesson and typing quotes for James's gospel doctrine class. 

My lesson is entitled "Nephi Prophesies".  The main message is on the importance of following the Prophet.

Sacrament meeting was wonderful today. Rick and Pam Giles spoke and they were amazing.  Here is a quote Pam shared in her talk: "The most terrible poverty is loneliness and feeling unloved." - Mother Theresa.  She spoke about love and service and I loved the things she said.  She is a great example as she visits those in rest homes who don't have many visitors.

Rick spoke about President Nelson's talk on priesthood power.  He is a very eloquent speaker and spoke with conviction and sincerity.

I was so proud of both of them!  They were the celebrities for the day.

The bishop said we had more sick people in our ward than all of the other wards in the stake combined.  Along with George Wallace, Mil Bell, and Julie Berry we have Sean Hunsaker with heart problems, Dave Kustuziak, Billy Gillaspy, Brother Patrick, and Dustin Curtis who has stage 4 bladder cancer.  Dustin is the son of our good friends Blain and Diana Curtis.  He is quite young, in his late 20's or early 30's.  I need to text Diana.

We had four girl visitors in our Primary class today along with Curtis and Zemira.  Our visitors were: Reagan, Mariah, and Addison Tingey all from Mesa, and Carson who is also from Mesa.

During the 3rd hour I was excused from Primary Sharing Time to go to the bishops counsel meeting.  I am so glad that I did.  It was wonderful.  He ask what he had recommended to us last year in this meeting to help with most of our problems and to help give us an added measure of comfort for our concerns.  Teresa Smith knew the answer: "Keep the Sabbath day holy."  He reaffirmed that promise and added something else.  He said over the past few years he has been prompted to increase his temple attendance from monthly to weekly and it has made all the difference in his life and also in his wife's life.  He said he began this before he was called as bishop and knows that he would not have been called if he had not made this weekly commitment.  He quoted Elder Maxwell: "Not shrinking is more important than surviving."  I now quote from the remained of his counsel:  "The temple and the Sabbath will hone us to become more like God.  I am a better person because of the temple.  The temple will give you added strength to carry your burdens.  You know what is important and need to do it.  Please don't say you don't have time.  We all have the same amount of time.  It is a matter of priorities.  Remember Elder Oak's talk from a few years ago: "Good, Better, Best."  The temple is the best.  There is power in the temple.  Christ's gospel makes us the best."

He also quoted from President Ezra Taft Benson:

"The temple is a standing witness that the power of God can stay the powers of evil in our midst.  Many parents, in and out of the Church, are concerned about protection against a cascading avalanche of wickedness which threatens to engulf Christian principles.  I find myself in complete accord with a statement made by President Harold B. Lee during World War II.  Said he: 'We talk about security in this day, and yet we fail to understand that ... we have standing the holy temple wherein we may find the symbols by which power might be generated that will save this nation from destruction."

Wow I love our bishop.  He is humble and inspired and such a great example.

Becky Skousen went with me today to visit three boys in my Primary class that I have never seen.  The first was Lej Westbrook. His mother came to the door.  I had cookies.  When I ask if I could meet Lej she hesitated and then said, "I will take the cookies" and that was that.  Well, at least we made contact.  Next we went to the Kenyon's which is always fun.  We gave Cameron two plates of cookies and a handout from today's lesson.  I had a good feeling about him.  Our last visit was to Braxton Penrod.  He was on the computer and you could tell he didn't want to be disturbed, but at Becky's insistance he came to the door and accepted the handout and cookies.  I am grateful to Becky for going with me.  Next month I am going once a week except for fast Sunday, and taking members of my class with me.  Next month we will be delivering Book of Mormon's with reading assignments along with our cookies.

Brother Wallace is doing poorly again.  This has been going on since May 9th when he had his first surgery.  James is very concerned about him.  George is discouraged, but says he is getting better.  I hope so.  James's blessin he gave him said he would get well.

Studied this afternoon and waited for Kim and Brian to arrive.  I finally texted Kim and they said it would be after 10 tonight.

We also waited for the rain but it didn't come until after we went to bed.  Here is the place Kim and Brian attended the Avett Brothers concert on Saturday night..

I love these two C.S. Lewis quotes:

Last year at the cabin:

You've come a long way baby.

A tea party in honor of Molly's birthday.