Friday, March 30th, 2018

Montreal, Quebec

86th operating temple

Dedicated: 4 June 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

Ether 3:14

Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem y people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters. 

Book of Mormon

Jarom 1:1-15

* How can we stay out of the pride cycle, even when we are prosperous?

Old Testament

Deuteronomy 27-28

27 The children of Israel are to cross the Jordan, build an altar, and worship the Lord - They are the Lord's people but will be cursed if they do not obey Him.

28 If the children of Israel are obedient, they will be blessed temporally and spiritually - If they are disobedient, they will be cursed, smitten, and destroyed; diseases, plagues, and oppression will come upon them; they will serve false gods and become a byword among all nations; fierce nations will enslave them; and they will eat their own children and be scattered among all nations.

General Conference

Love One Another as He Has Loved Us

Elder Jose L. Alonso

" President Thomas S. Monson has counseled us, saying, 'Let us examine our lives and determine to follow the Savior's example by being kind, loving, and charitable.'"

Today is Good Friday. I wonder why it is called Good Friday when this is the day that the Savior suffered on the cross. 

Rowan and Ruby went with us this morning while Addy, Trina and Lola went on a walk. Actually, Addy roller bladed, Trina jogged and Lola rode in the jogging stroller. 

The first thing we did on our drive was stop at the bank to get some cash to pay Erik for fixing the shocks on our car. I brought my checkbook but I was all out of checks. We got $400 and paid him $380. James took Lexy from Erik's to Chandler Auto Body while I went to Stacy's to pick up Joshua and take him to Sheri's. James finished before we did so he started walking south on Arizona Avenue. We picked him up by Ray Rd. 

Kim took Stacy to the surgery center earlier this morning to have surgery on her foot. Paul will pick her up and take her home. 

After picking up James we drove to Tempe to see Lois and Dawn. Lois had cataracts removed from her left eye yesterday. It is the eye she can't see out of anyway so I'm not sure why they felt the need to remove cataracts. Dawn and Lois were both happy to see us and to see Rowan and Ruby as well. 

Lois fed us lunch. Ruby and I had a turkey and cheese sandwich, chips, and pineapple upside down cake. Rowan had some cake and cantaloupe. I think James had a little of everything.

On our way back to Chandler we stopped at Dollar Tree to pick up some goodies we thought we might put in the Easter eggs. We stopped at Sheri's for the egg coloring activity. Joshua's egg spinner was a big hit especially with Darrel and Trina's kids. Sheri was making rolls while we were there. 

When we got back to Darrel and Trina's James and I went upstairs to take a nap. While we were napping Suzy came to pick up the kids. They are having a cousin sleepover at her house tonight. Lola said to her: "Do you want to go upstairs and see my grandma and grandpa sleeping?" I am glad she declined. 

Trina and I went shopping this evening. Darrel was at work and James went for a walk. Trina had planned on using the massage coupon Darrel got her for her birthday tonight at Massage Envy but they wouldn't let her because even though she had the confirmation number she didn't have the original email. She was pretty upset and so was Darrel. When he got home he sent her the email. I think she will be going back very soon.

James and I were up until midnight making a double batch of Easter beans. Tomorrow I will make the ham and two kinds of potatoes.

I was walking and it turned midnight before

I reached 10,000.

I think this is what James was doing when 

he wrecked my car.

Winter or "Winnie" as her family calls her.

I saw this picture at Lois's and I had to copy it.

I love it!

Sheri's baby

Egg coloring at Sheri's:

Patiently waiting for her turn using

the egg spinner.

I think I need to get him one next year.

An artist at work.

Ruby showing off her egg.

Ollie is the photo bumber.

Sunday, October 22nd, 2017

Montreal, Quebec

86th operating temple

Dedicated: 4 June 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Appearances, Postmortal

Luke 24:15

And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 11:1-17

*How was the voice the Nephites heard similar to the proptings we receive from the Holy Ghost? (The Holy Ghost often speaks to us through our feelings.)

*Why is it important to pay attention to the inspiration we receive from the Lord through the Holy Ghost?

-President Boyd K. Packer: "The Spirit does not get our attention by shouting. It never shakes us with a heavy hand. The Spirit whispers. It caresses so gently, indeed, that if we are preoccupied, we can't feel it at all. Occasionally, the Spirit will press just firmly enough for us to pay attention; but from my experience, most of the time, if we do not heed the gentle feeling, if we do not listen to those feelings, the Spirit will withdraw and wait until we come seeking and listening, in our manner and our expression" ("How Does the Spirit Speak to Us," New Era, Feb. 2010, 3).

Doctrine Covenants Scripture Mastery

DC 130:20-21

20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated -

21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.

Relief Society Scripture

DC 29:5

Lift up your hearts and be glad, for I am in your midst, and am your advocate with the Father; and it is his good will to give you the kingdom.

Why can I rejoice in the Savior as my advocate

General Conference

Fear Not to Do Good

President Henry B. Eyring

"Last April, President Monson gave a message that stirred hearts across the world, including mine. He spoke of the power of the Book of Mormon. He urged us to study, ponder, and apply its teachings. He promised that if we dedicated time each day to studying and pondering and kept the commandments the Book of Mormon contains, we would have a vital testimony of its truth, and the resultant testimony of the living Christ would see us through to safety in times of trouble. Those of us who took his inspired counsel to heart have heard the Spirit more distinctly. We have found a greater power to resist temptation and have felt greater faith in a resurrected Jesus Christ, in His gospel, and in His living Church.

Another amazing session of stake conference. The choir sounded beautiful. There were five members of our ward who sang in the choir. 

President Bealer was the first speaker. He thanked everyone for the prayers offered in behalf of his wife. I assume she has some type of cancer, but he didn't really say. He said that their burdens have been made light through the Atonement and the angels in the White Mountain stake. Jesus Christ should be our great visual, mental-image. We need to learn of Him and His saving truths found in the Book of Mormon. Just as the children of Israel were provided sustenance everyday, we need to feed our spirits on a daily basis. "Feast on that which perisheth not." We need to come to an understanding of Christ's mission through reading the Book of Mormon. There are precious veins deposited throughout the Book of Mormon of repentance, grace, mercy, justice, and agency. It is amazing to me how we can so easily access precious ancient records through the Gospel app on our phones. Power flows into our lives as we study the Book of Mormon. "I have read the Book of Mormon everyday for 30 years. Nothing has impacted my life more." God will speak to you in your trials. 

In the temple President Bealer was reading from the Book of Mormon while waiting for his wife. He felt a strong impression that there would be tough days ahead. Soon after than experience his wife received her diagnosis. "We learn more and become more through each reading of the Book of Mormon. I promise as you read you will have a great understanding of your purpose, you will have great strength, and a greater relationship with Jesus Christ."

President David and Dianne Scott  - Served a mission to the Philippines together. Lives are changed when we smile. Dianne - "I have not heard a better choir." Boyd K. Packer story about a family interested in joining the Church until they heard about the law of tithing and decided it was just too much to ask. Pearl of Great Price. Others are attracted by our high standards. This family ended up joining the Church and being faithful. Our covenants and temple ordinances teach us how to act and deal with the challenges of life. As we honor our covenants our faith will be strengthened. Let the Holy Ghost be our guide.

President Scott - Bear witness of Jesus Christ and his house, the temple. I bear witness that this is the only true Church upon the face of the earth. This is the plan of Happiness. New genealogical site, woodenvillage.org. "The Lord is aware of each of us as we keep our covenants."

Randy Myer - new convert. Baptized March 25, 2017. "I made it home. We have the real deal. Learn how to approach God with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. James 1:5 - I asked, and I received. I am reading the Book of Mormon for the third time. It has changed my life. I will stay on the path, holding to the iron rod until I reach the Tree of Life. The Atonement reconciles us to God. Repent, be baptized and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. The missionaries saved my life and brought me eternal life. Invite someone to Church."

Becky Adams - Bringing young children to the Lord and why it is important. "Children are an heritage of the Lord. The first five years of a child's life are critical." Remembers her dad's testimony and how she felt when she was very young. President Boyd K. Packer says that our children are being raised in enemy territory. They need to have a rock solid testimony of the Savior. One thing is needful for our children to know... that our Savior lives!

Christy Miles

Our sufferings polish us. Give me this mountain, give me these challenges. Things we can do to learn to trust in the Lord (Proverbs 3:5-6). 1.) Personal Prayer. 2.) Temple - go to the temple, be temple minded, find strength and refuge. Our ways and thoughts become His.  3.) Book of Mormon - everyday, an anchor in my life. The testimony of others will carry you only so far.

President Shumway  - Knowledge empowers progression unto salvation.  Learning and acting to become like God. Everything we do is bringing us closer or further away from God. Understanding = motivation. The power is in us to choose good or evil. The Lord does not always tell us what the right answer is. We make the best decision and consecrate it unto the Lord. Knowledge is a gift of the Spirit. Triple S's:

1.) Scriptures - We come to now God. Study, faith, learning, acting. The Book of Mormon as a course of instruction. 

2.) Snowflake temple - Instructions from the Lord. Searching for family names. Thanksgiving.

3.) Sabbath/Sacrament - Bread of Life. Men bring upon themselves their own condemnation. Heed direction and we will be saved and redeemed. Obedience always brings blessings. Knowledge is key to progression. Gaining knowledge of Him accelerates our progression in every endeavor. Learn of Christ.

One of the best stake conferences I can remember attending.

After conference was over we had an appointment with Brother Greer and Brother Hall of the high council. James has a new calling. He was called to be a counselor to Brother Curtis who is the new high priest group leader in our ward. Sean H. is the other counselor. Two spiritual giants.

We came home and after lunch and resting I blogged and indexed. James did some indexing too. 

Molly had a great time at Kacey and Jared's this weekend. She had so much fun she didn't want to go home.

She made a picture for her teacher Mrs. Ellison.

 Not sure if they are painting rocks or cookies.

It was Molly's idea to put the candle in the middle

of the painted rocks for the "Halloween" effect.

Nice Jared!

Darrel and Trina made it home from their trip back East. It sounds like they had a great time.

Looking for witches in Salem.

More photos of the Saturday hike at Oak Creek Canyon.

Rachel, Sheri and her babies.

Blue Ridge homecoming. Lane H. (our ward)

and his date.

James and I watched the newest Hallmark movie, "Harvest Wedding," starring two of our favorite Hallmark stars, Jill Wagner and Victor Webster.

We are beginning to smell smoke again. Not good! Otherwise it was a great Sabbath day!