Saturday, June 16th, 2018

Laie, Hawaii
5th operating temple
Dedicated: 27-30 Nov 1919
By: Heber J. Grant

Jesus Christ, Condescension of

1 Nephi 11:16

And he said unto me: Knowest thou the condescension of God?

Book of Mormon

Alma 17:18-39

*Has service ever enabled me to do missionary work?

Old Testament

2 Kings 19-20

19 Hezekiah seeks counsel from Isaiah to save Jerusalem - Isaiah prophesies the defeat of the Assyrians and the death of Sennacherib - Hezekiah prays for deliverance - Sennacherib sends a blasphemous letter - Isaiah prophesies that the Assyrians will be destroyed and that a remnant of Judah will flourish - An angel slays 185,000 Assyrians - Sennacherib is slain by his sons.

General Conference

Take the Holy Spirit as Your Guide

Elder Larry Y. Wilson

"Sometimes we can't hear heaven's signal because we are not worthy. Repentance and obedience are the way to achieve clear communication again. The Old Testament word for repent means 'to turn' or 'turn around.' When you feel far from God, you need only make the decision to turn from sin and face the Savior, where you will find Him waiting for you, His arms outstretched. He is eager to guide you, and you are just one prayer away from receiving that guidance again."

Russell M. Nelson 4/17 #69 "Draw the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives"

"The gospel of Jesus Christ is filled with His power which is available to every earnestly seeking daughter or son of God."

In my prayers this morning I prayed that Darrel and Trina and their kids would arrive safely today. It rained most of the night and is still raining off and on this morning. The rain looks like it is throughout the state of Arizona. Our prayers for rain have been heard. Thank you Heavenly Father.

I read this today in the Old Testament Student Manual for 2 Kings 19 and Isaiah 37:

One of the most remarkable stories in scriptural history. The Lord answered the prayers of  Hezekiah through Isaiah. The Lord defended the city of Jerusalem. A plague struck the Assyrians surrounding Jerusalem and 185,000 Assyrians lay dead. The Northern Kingdom had already fallen, all of Judah except Jerusalem itself was in Assyrian hands. Hezekiah had been a righteous king and now he trusted in God again. In deep and pleading prayer he asked for the Lord to extend his life. In 2 Kings 20 The Lord changes time to preserve Hezekiahs life for 15 years.

This morning I wrapped Ruby's birthday gifts and cleaned upstairs. Darrel, Trina, Addy, Rowan, Ruby, Lola, Kayla and Kreed got here around 2:15. They said it was raining in Show Low and they had experienced rain and fog most of the way. It was not raining here in Vernon when they arrived. It was cool, and Trina had on Darrel's big ASU sweatshirt. 

Trina and I went to Walmart soon after they arrived. Walmart was a circus but we managed to get our shopping done. As we were coming home up our hill we saw all the kids walking down the road. They stopped and stuck out their thumbs as if they were hitchhiking. 

Lola is one of the big kids now.

They told us they were going to walk to the Village. Trina wanted Lola to come with us but she insisted she was going even though it was going to be a long walk.

As soon as the guys got the groceries carried in and Darrel sat down to watch some TV, Trina asked him if he would go check on the kids. They were happy that he came when he did. Lola had fallen down and had a cut on her forehead and they had been trying to call their mom. Rowan had just said a prayer when Darrel showed up. After Darrel showed up, Rowan said a thank you prayer. This was reported to us by Ruby. Later I saw Rowan with a piece of cake and he had stopped to say a blessing over the cake. I love that kid!

Lola was pretty upset about her owie but seemed better when I gave her a Minion bandaid.

Doesn't she look worried?

 She wanted to make sure I got

a good picture.

Tamara, the Relief Society President, came over and the two of us bagged up all of the cookies for tomorrow. The cookies are our treats for the men in our ward for Father's Day.

Tamara made the largest cookies.

I should have gotten a photo.

This is the last night of the Chunky Monkey Weightloss Challenge.

I wonder if James will win. I told Darrel he should let dad win for father's day. He said, "I don't have to, he's winning on his own. Tristan is his next competitor after Darrel.

Rowan understands this principle.

Wednesday, February 14th, 2018

Portland, Oregon

42nd operating temple

Dedicated: 19-21 Aug 1989

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

John 7:29

But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 6:8-7:11

* How do the people of the Lord wait for Him?

The Hebrew translation of wait means "look to," "hope for," "anticipate," and "expect."

Old Testament

Leviticus 6-7

6 The people must first make restitution for sin, then offer a trespass offering, and thereby gain forgiveness through atonement made by the priests.

7 Laws governing various sacrifices are listed - The children of Israel are forbidden to eat fat or blood - They worship by sacrifice - Through sacrifice they gain forgiveness, make vows, consecrate their property, render thanks, and are reconciled to God.

Old Testament Favorite Scriptures

Exodus 6:8

And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the Lord.

General Conference

The Priesthood and the Savior's Atoning Power

Elder Dale G. Renlund

" I have come to realize that the purpose of organizing a stake, or using the priesthood of God in any way, is to assist Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in Their work - to provide the opportunity for redemption and exaltation to each of God's children. Like the rocket whose purpose is to deliver a payload, the priesthood delivers the gospel of Jesus Christ, enabling all to make covenants and receive the associated ordinances, 'The atoning blood of Christ.' can thereby be applied in our lives as we experience the sanctifying influence of the Holy Ghost and receive the blessings God promises."

Happy Valentines Day!

I got a hand-written letter and a beautiful necklace from James this morning. It was sitting out on the table when I got up at 5 a.m. How sweet!

The red is brighter than it looks here.

I had 5000 steps by 6 a.m., 10,000 steps by 8:30, and 15,000 by noon. 

There are clouds in the sky this morning and rain is predicted for later in the day!

I made a new recipe for dinner, it's called Italian soup. I think James will like it because it has beef and beans.  I turned it on low and went upstairs to make my Valentines for my Primary class. I can't believe I didn't take a picture. I put a cute face on a white bag, wrote Happy Valentine's Day and filled them with a small toy, a Rice Krispy treat, and a favorite candy. 

I began making deliveries around 5. First to Colter, Andyn, and then Jace who wasn't home so I gave his bag to Mary who is going to have a baby within the next week or so.

Liana wasn't home either. She went with her dad to deliver a meal to the Allen's. When we went to Gracie's we also dropped off her birthday gift, a cute teddy bear, and a heart-shaped bank. It started to rain as we left Gracie's by the Y. 

When we got home we ate our Italian stew. James added a little salt and announced that he loved it. Before going to bed I mixed up two batches of sugar cookies to take to the valley tomorrow. 

James got 20,000 steps today and I got 18,500. 

A tragedy today in Florida. A mentally ill shooter killed 17 young people at a junior high. A 14 year old LDS girl was one of the tragedies. Another LDS girl was hospitalized. She was shot several times but is expected to live. It is a scary world we live in. What can we do to protect our schools?

Joshua and Paul saw a movie and 

then had a meal.

"Black Panther" was the name of the movie.

Congratulations!

Queen Joie and King Curtis

The Royal Court

Tuesday, September 13th, 2016

Happy Birthday to this beautiful lady,

my Mom!

Bettylea Strickland Maxwell

September 13, 1930

March 31, 1999

Don't you just love my mom's hair

and my bonnet. (And what about that baby chin?)

Helaman 3:19-37

What do these verses tell us about the power of prayer?  How can you apply these principles to your own life?

Helaman 3:35 is the key to becoming a true follower of Christ.  They fasted and prayed oft and increased in humility and were firm in the faith of Christ.  They became sanctified because they yielded their hearts unto God.

I also love verse 20 which says that Helaman did that which was right in the sight of God continually.

GC: 'The Sacred Place of Restoration' by Elder Jairo Mazzagardi

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it."

Isaiah 2:2

James and I went to the Snowflake temple today and here is what we did: Three female initiatories, including Vickie's mom.  Two endowments, including Vickie's mom.  James did two male baptisms,  and also had my mother sealed to her parents, something I thought had been a long time ago.  That is 8 ordinances!  We took a selfie afterwards but we both looked tired and wrinkly (which we were, but who wants to see that!)  I am posting this instead:

Two little lovebirds,

James and Karen.

The reports said there would be no rain today but there were huge rain clouds in the sky when we left Snowflake and Taylor.  This turned out to be one of the best widespread rain days that we have had in a long time.  (I think we were rewarded for doing so much temple work.)

As we headed back towards Show Low James dropped me off at the hospital to see Aunt Gene while he went to do some errands.  Rita has something to do today and she ask me if I could spend an hour with her this afternoon and I said I would.  Aunt Gene was asleep when I got there.  Rita said to wake her up but I didn't want to.  Soon a nurse and an orderly came in and turned her and the nurse tried to wake her up but she was exhausted and was barely audible when the nurse ask her what day it was.  She said Wednesday, but that's close enough.   I guess they wore her out in physical therapy.  While I was there a couple came in who are friends of Aunt Gene.  They said they moved here in 1998 and she was the first person they met.  They were the Crittenden's.  Anyway when James picked me up I was glad I didn't leave my Auntie alone, even though I don't think she even knew they were there.

James and I did our grocery shopping at Walmart.  I am always so grateful when he helps me.  We bought a silk wreath, done in fall colors, to put on my mom's grave.

We didn't stay long because of the lightning,

thunder, and rain!

Well, it happened.  Both my temporary and my permanent crown fell out this afternoon.  It's a good thing I got some Dentemp when I was at Walmart.  If I keep having to replace these babies shouldn't I get some kind of a discount?

I wonder how much I could get from the tooth fairy.

I crashed when I got home and watched the premier of DWTS.

Of course James watches from his spot at the dining room table and pretends he's not interested.

I am signing off with a scenic picture and a C.S. Lewis quote:

I wonder if Brother Lewis's temple work has been done.

The windy road to Hawley Lake.

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.

 

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Happy Birthday Jared!

Jared and Emmy reading scriptures on his phone.

Jared and his kids when they visited us this summer.

Anna and James from a few years ago.

Jared did not get his card from us on his birthday as I had hoped he would.  It finally came on Saturday, November 7th.

It rained all night here in Vernon and it's still raining.  There was some flurries of snow too.  I wish James was here and I had a fire!

I found these two pictures back in July while I was looking for pictures of Jared:

I am going to miss this home!

We lived here for 39 years.

We moved in a few weeks before Jared was born.

 Our new home in Vernon.

I paid some bills, and ordered our Disney tickets and did some other desk work this morning.  

Kilee came this afternoon and washed the inside windows while I finished cleaning out the entry closet.  

 Kilee washing windows

My new clean closet

When I took Kilee home it was still raining and the roads were very muddy.  Now Lexy is covered with mud for our trip to the valley tomorrow.  

For dinner I had a can of chicken and rice soup.  It tasted good on this cold wintry day.  I also had a cup of Pero with chocolate and whipped cream.  

This evening I hemmed James's new pants for him.  He is in Chandler trying to unclog Sheri's plumbing.  

I watched a couple of Christmas movies this evening:

"Cancel Christmas", and "A Carol Christmas." 

 

Thursday, July 31, 2014

"The Lord has said, 'I say unto you, be one; and 

if ye are not one ye are not mine.'

-D&C 38:27

Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson

This morning's sunrise

The first thing I saw on Facebook this morning was that Sheri had taken Ben to the ER in the middle of the night.  I guess he was sleep walking and cut his foot on something sharp.  This has not been a good year for Ben as far as injuries go.  He broke his arm, had surgery on his thumb, and now this.

Ben looking sad and sleepy

I got a call from Alicia Hunsaker this morning who is my visiting teacher.  She would like to come for a visit this morning.  I hurried to get myself presentable and finish polishing the floor before she got her.  LeeAnn came with her and brought her Personal Progress sheet.  She is on fire!  She is going to finish before the Laurel's do.

I had a nice visit with Alicia.  Kaylynn and Nick may be moving to New York which makes her sad.  I told her if Nick was a good worker that James had plenty of work in the valley.  

After LeeAnn and Alicia left I made a trip into town for two reasons: to get more hummingbird food and to go to Panda Express again.  I have been craving orange chicken since I had it on Tuesday.  I was able to satisfy my craving and won't need to go there again for awhile.

I came home and took a nap and watched a couple of episodes of Pioneer Woman.  She makes some good food but uses alot of fat, sugar and beef.  There are a couple of recipes I want to try.

Boy isn't this the truth!

This afternoon a big storm came in and we got pounded!  It rained for several hours and finally stopped just before I went to bed.  I love the rain!

 It's not quite that bad.

James is having some problems with the house in Chandler.  As he was working on the kitchen cabinet doors something went bonkers with the toilet in the bathroom where he put in the new tile and water began leaking all over the floor.  It seems like he keeps having to re-do things.  Hopefully he can get it fixed before I come down tomorrow.

I am loving a new show, well new to me, I started watching on BYU-TV.  It's called Susan Thomas, F.B.Eye.  It's about a deaf girl hired by the FBI for her lip reading skills.  It's not gory and I like the actors.  I taped several episodes so James can watch too.