Wednesday, May 15th, 2019

Provo, Utah

15th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Feb 1972

By: Joseph Fielding Smith

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

1 John 3:23

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 29:33-47

New Testament

Matthew 20:1-16

General Conference

Look Unto Jesus Christ

Kim B. Clark

"Brethren, as bearers of the holy priesthood, we are engaged in the work of salvation. In the last year, the Lord has placed the leadership of this work squarely on the shoulders of the elders in Israel. We have an inspiring charge from the Lord - working with our sisters, we are to minister in a holier way, accelerate the gathering of Israel on both sides of the veil, establish our homes as sanctuaries of faith and gospel learning, and prepare the world for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ."

Jeffrey R. Holland: "...His concern is for the faith at which you finally arrive, not the hour of the day in which you got there."

What lack I yet?

I know I have to repent more and change my attitude towards some people.

Sold a book and made $8.75.

I got my first "Done For You" book list. There were seven books on the list and I tried to buy all 7 but 2 were gated. I sent a question in to support as to what could be done about this but as of yet I have not received an answer. 

I actually did some cleaning today. I vacuumed the family room, and swept and mopped the kitchen and wiped down all the countertops. The reason for this flurry of cleaning? The Relief Society presidency is having a meeting here tonight.

I made muffins this afternoon but not for the Relief Society sisters, they were for me. How selfish.

Maxine and Kerri arrived at 6:45 for our 7:00 meeting. Maxine brought half of a cake that she made for Mother's Day. We each had a normal sized piece and saved the biggest piece for Tamara. She ended up taking hers home with her. 

The main purpose of our meeting this evening was to go over our ministering assignments and make some needed changes.

Maxine is going to the temple to do baptisms on Saturday with the youth so I gave her the family baptism cards I had. Maxine is wonderful. She goes to the temple every Tuesday. She is also going tomorrow with a sister from our ward who hasn't been in 20 years. She is going again tomorrow afternoon with her husband. She is a couple of years older than I am. Where does she get her energy?

Kerri told us that since January 500,000 illegals have entered the country. Since she is a former border agent she keeps up on this kind of news.

We made proposed changes to our ministering assignments and will go forward with them as we receive approval from the bishop. 

Has Brienna Nichols had her baby. We don't know but she posted this photo on Facebook.

Caleb 

I found out later that Brienna isn't due until July 24th.

This is a picture of her now three year old, Caleb.

Brienna, did you know that people would think you had had your baby?

Our meeting was over at 9:30 when Tamara got a text from her husband which said: "Please come home."

I stayed up until 11:30 in order to get my new goal of 15,000 steps. 

 Ruby looks adorable in her glasses!

 This little girl always looks adorable!

Jill and Victor, two of my favorites

 Ben's last supper before his mission.
Where is Evan?

Monday, December 3rd, 2018

Provo, Utah

15th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Feb 1972

By: Joseph Fielding Smith

Jesus Christ, Death of

John 12:33
This he said, signifying what death he should die.

Book of Mormon #1

Ether 2:13-25
*The lord wants us to grow and learn as we make our own decisions. He also wants us to take our conclusions to Him frequently for His confirmation. When the brother of Jared asked the Lord about the matter of light for the vessels, the Lord answered with a question of His own: "What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels"? According to President Harold B. Lee, the Lord's question was similar to saying the following: 'Well, have you any good ideas? What would you suggest that we should do in order to have light? Then the Lord went away and left him alone. It was as though the Lord were saying to him, 'Look, I gave you a mind to think with, and I gave you agency to use it. Now you do all you can to help yourself with this problem; and then, after you've done all you can, I'll step in to help you.'" After considering the possibilities, the brother of Jared demonstrated his great faith by asking the Lord to touch 16 stones and supply lights. The Lord answered this plea and not only provided light for the vessels but gave this faithful man a vision unlike any other. President Lee concluded: "This is the principle in action. If you want the blessing, don't just kneel down and pray about it. Prepare yourselves in every conceivable way you can in order to make yourselves worthy to receive the blessing you seek." 

Book of Mormon #2

Helaman 3-4
Old Testament
Jonah 3-4

General Conference

Lift Up Your Head and Rejoice

M. Joseph Brough

"I was forever changed upon hearing these words from Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve, spoken in the midst of his struggle with leukemia. He said, 'I was doing some pensive pondering and these 13 instructive and reassuring words came into my mind: 'I have given you leukemia that you might teach my people with authenticity.' He then went on to express how this experience had blessed him with 'perspective about the great realities of eternity. ...Such glimpses of eternity can help us to travel the next 100 yards, which may be very difficult."

I was up at five this morning. James got up around six. We had scriptures and prayers before we started getting ready for our trip to the valley. James made a trip to town in my car to get gas for his truck because his truck would have never made it. 

I have two more packages to mail today. I forgot to send Lois's Christmas stockings to the kids in Texas so I will need to send them today. I also have Ben's Christmas package. 

We are taking both the car and the truck. James is leaving the truck and the Bobcat in the valley for the Mesa job which Armando will be running when and if they get the permits. 

I was ready to leave a little before 11. James was still doing something with the trailer. I told him I had to stop at the church to leave my roaster and then I was going to the post office. He actually ended up passing me up while I was at the post office and I never caught him because I stopped in Show Low to wash Lexy. I never caught up to him. I went the Salt River way in case something happened to James's rig I would be there to help.

I had wanted to stop at Deseret Book when I got in to town but there was no time. I drove directly to my appointment with Dr. Shah. The appointment was a consultation about putting in an implant. James had a meeting with Armando then he dropped his truck and the Bobcat off at Bill V.'s yard and then walked over to Sheri's to wait for me to pick him up. 

I am set for an implant on Tuesday, January 8th and thanks to Care Credit I will pay $250 a month for the next year interest free. Whoopee....$3,000 is still a lot of money. Am I sure I want to do this? Why is everything so expensive?

I picked up James and we went to Olive Garden for dinner. I had Zuppa Toscana soup and salad and of course breadsticks. James had salmon. 

After dinner we went across the street to Target to finish shopping for Ben's Christmas package. I was a little disappointed that I couldn't find cozy socks. 

We finally ended up at Darrel and Trina's for the night. Lola was certainly "wound up" this evening. She had a rope around her stuffed dog Tommy and was dragging him all over the place. She, Ruby, and I also played hide the ball in the Christmas tree. I was afraid we were going to knock the tree over so we changed the rules a little. 

Trina was telling me about her dad's childhood this evening. She said his mother was killed by a drunk driver when he was 18 months old. He used to stand and wait at the door for her to come home. His mom was pregnant when she was killed. They story gets worse. His first stepmom was a little crazy and did some bizarre things including trying to kidnap Trina's dad. 

His second step mom was very jealous of anything his dad did for him and demanded he do the same for her kids. Finally one of his older sisters came and got him and took him home to live with her family. Elder Bernecker's grandmother wanted to adopt him and have him come and live with them. Bob, Trina's dad is one of the nicest, kindest, unselfish people I have ever met and I never knew he had such a difficult childhood. 

When Darrel got home from work at 9:30 He went upstairs and changed into a white shirt and tie so he could give James a blessing.  The kids were in bed and Trina was upstairs so it was just the three of us. The blessing was a great comfort and Darrel emphasized the importance of healing and being patient after surgery.

I did some walking before going to bed. 

President Nelson's talk at last night's devotional was wonderful.

 The Long Road ahead

Love these two!

 Our friends the Umphress family

 Dec 3, 2012

Tuesday, June 26th, 2018

Provo, Utah

15th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Feb 1972

By: Joseph Fielding Smith

Jesus Christ, Condescension of

3 Nephi 1:13

Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfill all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.

Book of Mormon

Alma 22:15-26

*What was Lamoni's father willing to give up to know God? (vs. 15-18). How might such willingness help us draw nearer to God? (see Omni 1:26).

-In Alma 22:18 Lamoni's father says: "I will give away all my sins to know thee." Like Lamoni's father, we must be willing to sacrifice all things to be born of God. In the Lectures on Faith we learn the importance of sacrifice in our eternal progression: "Let us here observe, that a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation; for, from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things. It was through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men do actually know that they are doing the things that are well pleasing in the sight of God. When a man has offered in sacrifice all that he has for the truth's sake, not even withholding his life, and believing before God that he has been called to make this sacrifice because he seeks to do His will, he does know, most assuredly, that God does and will accept his sacrifice and offering, and that he has not, nor will not seek His face in vain. Under these circumstances, then, he can obtain the faith necessary for him to lay hold on eternal life."  To take His name upon us means a willingness to do whatever He requires of us.

Old Testament

1 Chronicles 13-14

13 David fetches the ark from Kirjath-jearim - Uzza is slain by the Lord when he steadies the ark - The house of Obed-edom prospers because they care for the ark.

14 David marries wives, begets children, and defeats the Philistines; his fame spread to all nations.

General Conference

Ministering as the Savior Does

Jean B. Bingham

"Combining Relief Society efforts with the now-restrucured elders quorum will bring a unity that can yield astonishing results. Ministering becomes one coordiated effort to fulfill the priesthood duty to 'visit the house of each member' and to 'watch over the church always, and be with and strengthen them,' as well as to achieve the Relief Society ppurpose to help on another prepare for the blessings of eternal life. Working together under the direction of the bishop, elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies can be inspired as they seek the best ways to watch over and care for each individual and family."

New Era:

"The Final Sprint," "How to Teach from Life," What, Why, and How: A Breakdown of the Restoration."

After prayer James left to go do a job spreading cinders and gravel, about 220 tons. He came home with $250. He gave me $190 to add to my personal budget. Thanks honey!

I did my errands early today because I had planned on going with James to the stake center this evening to get his new temple recommend signed by a member of the stake presidency. 

My first stop in Show Low was at the printers where I left my Savior bookmark to make copies for Laura and Cathi. It is very warm today. My thermostat in my car says 97!

Next stop, J.C. Penney's for some new tops for church. One of my former young women, Jordyn works there and gave me a hug. She is also my friend Tamara's daughter. I found 2 petite large and one extra large blouse. I bought all 3 and will wear the extra large this Sunday and save the other 2 for when I lose more weight.

Dollar Tree is just down from Penney's so I stopped in to get some trays and baskets to put cookies and muffins in when I give them away. Also bought some cute patriotic napkins.

Finally I get to Walmart. It is crazy busy today. It looks like everyone from Whiteriver is here. I bought my weekly groceries and some pork chops, rolls, potatoes, broccoli, salad stuff, and ice cream to fix for the missionaries on Saturday evening. 

Sunday I asked Elder Bernecker what he wanted for dinner Saturday and he said pork chops, so pork chops it is. We also have the Wood's coming too. Chuck W. is a non-member.

I got home around 4 p.m. and it took awhile to put all of my purchases away. I bought Jared Ammon a gift card for his birthday on July 8th but Stacy doesn't know how to get it to him. She suggested that I contact Dallin.

Stacy wants to bring Joshua and Rowan up next week. Addy is gone to Wisconsin with her cousins, Kilee and Kayla. Lexy's parents live on an island in Wisconsin and they are going to visit them.

I made both James and I a green smoothie for dinner and sat down to watch "Summer Villa," one of my favorite Hallmark movies starring Hilary Burton, and Victor Webster.

James came in and got ready to go get his temple recommend and I had planned to go with him but I began having stomach pains. 

I wonder if its from the green smoothie or maybe the pint of Halo I ate on the way home from Show Low.

James went to the stake center by himself. He was gone for a couple of hours and said President Wright of the new stake presidency signed his new recommend. My recommend doesn't expire until February of 2020.

I felt better after awhile and was able to finish my steps, my blog, and take a shower and wash my hair. When James gets home I read from "Riders on the Orphan Train." Over 110,000 children were shipped west on these trains. Trina sent me a link of a guy who has worked at the Mexican border and the tragedies he has seen happen, especially to young children. These kinds of stories increase my desire for the Second Coming to come soon.

This morning I woke up with this question on my mind: Who is Artie Elizabeth Walker Rutledge's mother. Artie is my Nannie's mother. I looked it up and now remember, her name is Amanda Sophrina Epley. I began looking at her children and she has one daughter whose work has not been done because she has no first name and whoever put her in family search put to commas before her last name. I need to clear this up and do some research so her work can be done.

Braylin is feeling better after surgery on his arm.

I am waiting to hear if he can now feed himself.

Cali Fire

Thursday, January 18th, 2018

Provo, Utah

15th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Feb 1972

By: Joseph Fielding Smith

Jesus Christ Atonement through

Leviticus 4:31

And he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat is taken away from off the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the priest shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savour unto the Lord; and the priest shall make an atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 13:40-14:8

*As I strive to follow the Lord, how have I seen Him take away my stumbling blocks?

*Why is it so important to hold fast to the plain and precious truths of the gospel?

Old Testament

Genesis 41-45

41 Pharaoh dreams of the cattle and the ears of grain-Joseph interprets the dreams as seven years of plenty and seven of famine-He proposes a grain storage program-Pharaoh makes him ruler of all Egypt-Joseph marries Asenath-He gathers grain as the sand upon the seashore-Asenath bears Manasseh and Ephraim-Joseph sells grain to Egyptians and others during the famine.

42 Jacob sends his sons to buy grain in Egypt-They bow before Joseph-He makes harsh accusations against them, imprisons Simeon, and sends them back for Benjamin.

43 Jacob is persuaded to send Benjamin to Egypt-Joseph's brothers show respect to him-They all eat and drink together.

44-Joseph arranges to stop the return of his brothers to Canaan-Judah offers himself in place of Benjamin for their father's sake.

45 Joseph makes himself known to his brothers-They rejoice together-Pharaoh invites Jacob and his family to dwell in Egypt and eat the fat of the land.

Old Testament Scripture Mastery

Job 19:25-26

25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

General Conference

The Lord Leads His Church

President Henry B. Eyring

"The Lord sees His servants perfectly. He sees their potential and their future. And He knows how their very nature can be changed. He also knows how they can be changed by their experiences with the people they will lead."

President Uchtdorf posted on Facebook today that he appreciated everyone's concern for him but that he loved being back in the Quorum of the 12 and he loves and supports the new First Presidency.

James is really in to our book, "Journey's End and asks me to read from it several times a day. 

I read this from "Rescuing Wayward Children:" 

"Personal repentance and sanctification are essential tools in asking for power from heaven in order to reclaim others." p. 91.

I have no more pain in my knee! I am not doing my steps until after my infusion. James has been walking between 15-20,000 steps everyday. I got over 8,000 steps today without even trying. I cleaned and polished the wood floors and moved furniture around again for the fireside. 

Our elder's quorum president, Steve Allen, fell off a house today and was air-evacuated to Phoenix. He was getting ready to go to a wrestling tournament with his son Jackson.

We watched the new Emma Fielding mystery movie on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries tonight.

I wonder if this is one of his grandchildren.

 I love the smell of bacon!

I cleaned off the games shelf before the fireside.

James got right up from his nap and fixed 

this bench for me today.

Jared Ammon was such a sweet little boy.

Very smart and competitive.

I have several photos of James playing chess

with various grandchildren. The last one was

with Lola.