Friday, May 26th, 2017

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

95th operating temple

Dedicated: 30 July 2000 by

James E. Faust

Alma 5:53-6:8

*What is the fruit of the tree of life?

*What do we have to do to obtain it?

*What do you need to change in your life to be prepared to meet the Savior?

Moroni 6-7

6 Repentant persons are baptized and fellowshipped; Church members who repent are forgiven; Meetings are conducted by the power of the Holy Ghost. About A.D. 401-21.

7 An invitation is given to enter into the rest of the Lord; Pray with real intent; The Spirit of Christ enables men to know good from evil; Satan persuades men to deny Christ and do evil; The prophets manifest the coming of Christ; By faith, miracles are wrought and angels minister; Men should hope for eternal life and cleave unto charity.

DC 79-80

79 1-4, Jared Carter is called to preach the gospel by the Comforter.

80 1-5, Stephen Burnett and Eden Smith are called to preach in whatever place they choose.

Why should we not be afraid to share the gospel?

*Because we are sharing the truth that will allow us and others to return to live with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

General Conference

To the Friends and Investigators of the Church

Elder Joaquin E. Costa

"So, from my first lesson, I say to you friends and investigators of the Church: once you meet the missionaries, please take them seriously; they are giving up important years of their lives for you."

James set 14 fence posts today before we left to go to the temple.  We decided to do the 4 o'clock afternoon session.  We left around 2:45, stopping at the post office to pick up the new Hoover Floor Mate that I ordered.  When we arrived at the temple I knew it was going to be a big session, I just didn't know how big. The line to get in was out the door.  Again at the front desk there was someone from our high school days.  Brother Patterson.  He was not a member of the Church in high school so I was pleasantly surprised to see him. 

Our session was packed to say the least.  Normally there are enough seats for 40 people.  This session had a fold up chair in every spare place.  There were 59 of us in this session, including our friend Brother Peeler from Vernon.  There were two newly called missionaries going through for their own endowments and of course there were lots of family and friends there with them.  The celestial room was packed so we didn't stay long.  

It was my turn to choose where to have dinner and of course I chose El Cupido's.  I got a taco and cheese enchilada plate and it was not that great.  I am going to choose somewhere else next time.

A sister from Pinetop took our picture for us.

Another windy day.

 Our temple names.

Grateful to Jared for doing the research.

The "Rock of our Salvation"

Another rock, Cathedral Rock in the

Santa Catalina mountains.

Hallstatt, Austria

Upkeep on the Razr.  Thank goodness for directions

you can get on your phone.

This sunset looks like Mount Montoso is

on fire!

Saturday, August 9, 2014

"When we put God first, all

other things fall into their proper

place or drop out of our lives."

-President Ezra Taft Benson

Jared and his friend Richie got in very late last night.  Jared home teaches Richie who was just baptized in March.  He has been wanting to do baptisms for the dead but he can't go to the Juarez temple because he doesn't have a passport so Jared asked if they could come here and do baptisms.  It just so happens that our youth were scheduled to go today so Jared, James, Anna, Richie and I all left the house a little after 5am to meet our group at the church by 5:30. It was a neat experience for me to get to go to the temple with James, Anna, and Jared. Jared had several family names for Anna and James to do.  Richie was baptized for his great grandfather. Here are some pictures I took afterwards:

 Anna, James, and Richie

Richie is a very nice young man.  He is 22 and the only member of the church in his family.  I hope he decides that he wants to go on a mission.

Jordyn, Shelly and Trenda were the young women

who came from our ward.  Shelly disappeared so

Westin was happy to take her place

in this picture.

 Anna and Trenda had two things in common:

Their outfits and their love for Hunter Hayes.

 Vernon ward young men:

Ty Applegate, Lane Hall, Westin Hall,

Jackson Allen and Talon Wilhelm.

Jace Applegate was here too but he isn't in

this picture.

 James, Jared, and Anna

After the temple, as is our wards tradition, we went to El Cupido's for breakfast.  Jared, James and I had burros and Anna and Richie had burgers.  It was all good.

 This picture is a little blurry.

Molly didn't really lose a leg.  She and Emmy

stayed home with grandpa while we were at the temple.

I guess they had ice cream for breakfast.  Molly insists that

she had some cereal too.

Grandpa James was doing upkeep on the Razr when we got home.  James went out to help him. I told James I would take over so he could go on a family outing with his dad and sisters, and of course Richie. They went to Greer where James did a little fishing and the girls played in the water.

Anna looks like she might be cold.

Of course, no trip to Greer is complete without stopping for ice cream.

During the summer Sunrise ski run has all sorts of fun activities.   They all rode the tram and played on the slide.  It was fun but costly for dad.

 James and Emmy riding the tram.

 Anna and Emmy going down the slide.

 James on the slide.

 Molly's turn!

 Making faces.

 From the smiles on their faces I 

would say they had a good time.

Back at the cabin grandpa James and I read and relaxed.  When everyone arrived home they wanted to go on Razr rides.  James Hayden and I started cooking dinner.  James cooked chicken with lots of tasty seasonings while I made chicken, bacon, cheese and Ranch panini sandwiches.  They were quite good.  Some people preferred not to have the Ranch dressing but come up with their own sauces.  

This sunset was the perfecting ending to a great day.