Friday, October 5th, 2018

Redlands, California

116th operating temple

Dedicated: 14 Sept 2003

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Galatians 6:14

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 15:7-16:18

*How can faith and repentance bring about a change of heart?

- When we experience a change of heart we are filled with the Savior's love. The Savior's power comes from His love. Would we suffer less if we loved the Savior more? We cannot pray away another's agency. One more thought today. It doesn't matter who is right, contention is of the devil. President Benson says we can stand "firm and steadfast" in the faith as we learn the doctrines taught in the Book of Mormon.

Old Testament

Isaiah 57-59

General Conference

Be Not Troubled

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"Take heart, brothers and sisters. Yes, we live in perilous times, but as we stay on the covenant path, we need not fear."

We left Darrel and Trina's around 9:15 this morning as Ruby and Lola stood in the doorway waving goodbye to us. Those little girls are so sweet!

I signed in at AARA and sat down by John Trezise in the waiting room. I was surprised to see him. I didn't know he came here. We had a nice little chat before he was called back. 

My infusion, 600 mg of Actemra, went off without a hitch and I was done in an hour. James picked me up and we headed for Texas Roadhouse to use the gift card Cathi and Terry gave us for our anniversary.

Their rolls are delicious served with honey butter. James thought they were too sweet so I had to eat most of them. Oh dear, not a good way to start. I had a delicious filet steak medium with baked potato with butter and sour cream and green beans. It was a super delicious meal. James had chicken but I can guarantee it was not as good as my steak. Thank you Cathi and Terry.

We are now on our way home through Globe and Salt River canyon. I always want to go through Payson but James talks me into going this way by saying it's shorter so I cave.  Actually it doesn't bother me nearly as much as it used to. This time I slept through the canyon.

We got our check from National Turf. James went back into town to deposit it and picked up some lumber for the Howard's job. 
I stayed home, put things away, washed sheets, and cleaned. 

When James got home he helped me put sheets on the two beds upstairs. He also replaced light bulbs, and fixed the curtains in my office. 

We went to bed at 10 or so and Adam and friends were not here. They came in after 11. We heard them even though they were very quiet.

It doesn't get any cuter than this.

Just as cute.

 Journal ideas

Feb 1966, My brother Dennis

is in the front, two stripes on his shirt.

My beautiful roses.

Thursday, August 30th, 2018

Memphis, Tennessee

80th operating temple

Dedicated: 23 Apr 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

John 19:37

And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

Book of Mormon

Alma 58:13-29

*What was Helaman's strategy to regain possession of the city of Manti?

- To outlast and outsmart the enemy. He had his men continue when he knew the enemy would be resting and he knew the city was left with few guards and would be easily overtaken. Sometimes we are required to outlast and outsmart our enemy. With the help of the Lord this is possible.

Old Testament

Psalms 101-105

101 David sings of mercy and justice - He will forsake the company of evildoers.

102 The psalmist offers a prayer of the afflicted - Zion will be built up when the Lord appears in His glory - Though the heaven and earth perish, the Lord who created them will endure forever.

103 David exhorts the Saints to bless the Lord for His mercy - The Lord is merciful unto those who keep His commandments.

104 The Lord is clothed with honor and majesty - He makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flaming fire - Through His providence He sustains all forms of life - His glory endures forever.

105 Make the Lord's doings known among all men - Show His covenant with Abraham and His dealings with Israel - Touch not His anointed, and do His prophets no harm - Israel is to observe His laws.

General Conference

Prepare to Meet God

Elder Quentin L. Cook

"The scriptures give guidance for our most important relationships. The Savior taught that the first commandments was to 'love the Lord thy God.' And the second is to 'love thy neighbor as thyself.'

The Savior additionally explained that everyone is our neighbor. The Book of Mormon makes it clear that there must be no -ites, tribes, or classes. We must be united and equal before God."

One other thing that I am reading that I forgot to mention is the BYU Old Testament Student Manual. Lots of explanations and information!

The Elkins', our new neighbors, purchased 244 acres next to us for $100,000. That is a steal. The land was in liquidation. Not only is it the land but there is a big well and James says the well by itself is worth $100,000. What a blessing for them. 

I worked upstairs and downstairs today, changing sheets and bringing in clean towels for Adam and his friends who are coming for a visit tomorrow.

James finally got Salvador's workmen's comp information and emailed it to National Turf. They should pay us for work completed on July 4th. I am so frustrated with this company!

Here is Charlie Mae's photo of the day as sent by her mother Kacey:

I can't even tell you how much I love

this picture. She is precious!

We are feeding the missionaries this afternoon. We are having Mississippi Crockpot roast, creamy mashed potatoes, corn, salad and garlic knots. For dessert we are having bundt cake from Walmart, 4 different flavors. No, I didn't buy four cakes, it was like a sampler cake with 4 different flavors. Those mentioned were triple chocolate fudge, Louisiana Crunch, Sock It To Me, and Vanilla Bean. We had fun, as we were eating our dessert with Elder Bingham and Elder Bernecker, figuring out which one was Louisiana Crunch, and which one was Sock It To Me.

Right before the missionaries arrived we had a wind storm and a cloud burst. The wind blew our shade awning up against the house. As soon as the rain stopped James went out to fix it. He also finished up the final preparations for the meal so I could go in and take a bath and get ready for Elder Bingham and Elder Bernecker.

I had started to rice to potatoes but just wasn't strong enough so he did it for me. 

After dinner and Elder Bernecker had shared a couple of scriptures, the elders left. They were looking forward to sports night at the church. They are also teaching two men, one is a fireman.

James made a deal with me. He said if I would go with him to the Howard's he would do the dishes. Sounded like a good deal to me. Jean was still at the hospital with Tom when we arrived. Hunter drove up and she went with us down to the bunkhouse to answer some questions James had about the light fixtures.

I helped James just a little with the kitchen. There was a lot of cleanup and dishes. When he was finished I read a chapter to him from "The Secret Keeper." I was going to do some planning and reading but I was just too tired. We both finished our "steps" and then went to bed before 9:30!

What a library!

Friday, December 15th, 2017

Calgary, Alberta

140th operating temple

Dedicated: 28 Oct 2012

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ Atonement through

1 Peter 2:24

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness:by whose stripes ye were healed.

Book of Mormon

Ether 10:17-34

*How can we keep our lives pure?

Repentance and keeping the commandments.

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 29:7

And ye are called to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect; for mine elect hear my voice and harden not their hearts;

General Conference

The Priesthood and the Savior's Atoning Power

Elder Dale G. Renlund

"The purpose of the priesthood is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel. We have the priesthood so that we can help Heavenly Father's children be relieved of the burden of sin and become like Him. Through the priesthood, the power of godliness is manifest in the lives of all who make and keep gospel covenants and receive the associated ordinances. This is the way each of us comes unto Christ, is purified, and is reconciled to God. Christ's atoning power is made accessible through the priesthood, which deliver the payload."

James is cleaning up outside and sealing the patio today. He reached his goal and finished before Darrel's family arrived. 

We made a trip to town today. We paid Arizona Stone $2,330.00 for the materials we got from them for the patio and fire pit. There goes our Christmas money. We also went to Walmart, Panda, Home Depot and Firehouse Subs. 

When we got home we finished getting ready for our company. I had to vacuum again to get up more of the glitter. Our house has been glitterized!  James cleaned the dead flies out of the bathtubs upstairs. 

Today's Christmas movies: "The Christmas Gift," "A Grandpa for Christmas," and "Looks Like Christmas."

Darrel's family arrived around 9 p.m. We had a fire going and the tree lights turned on when they arrived. We visited and played Apples to Apples before going to bed.

Light the World

Day 15

Jesus taught: "Blessed are the merciful." Matt. 5:7

Jesus's sacrifice on our behalf was the greatest example

of mercy. We can follow His example by extending mercy

and compassion to others whenever we can.

On their way to the cabin they stopped for some ice cream

and crepes. The people who own this place are in their ward.

Everyone agree that crepes and ice cream are delicious together!

Grandpa and Lola playing a game of chess.

Grandpa and his girls watching "Brave."

Our tree

A closeup

James's sister Connie with her family at

"The Last Jedi." Katie, her daughter who is

sitting next to her, posted this picture.

Jackson wrestled 10 matches. He got

10 pins and was named the outstanding wrestler

of the tournament. That's his proud papa

standing next to him.

Friday, December 28, 2012

It was a sunny day today and the snow is already melting.  It makes me sad.  I rotated between studying, working, and watching TV most of the day.  I vacuumed, mopped, cleaned the kitchen and put clean sheets on the beds upstairs. 
Tricia left El Paso around noon and she said Jared and Anna were about 30 minutes behind her.  James left the valley with Alex, Joe, and Michael around 3pm.  Tricia arrived a little after dark.  Emmy somehow got herself stuck in her seatbelt and had to be cut out.  We waited for Jared to get here to do it because Tricia really didn't want to cut the seatbelt in her new van. 
James really enjoyed going to Alex Tolman's wedding.  An old friend from our early days in Chandler, Bob Layton was the sealer.  I wanted to go but felt I needed to get home to prepare for our company.
Jared's family, and Grandpa James opened their Christmas presents. I opened a gift from Jared & Tricia.  It was a picture book of their family with a history of the things they have done in the past year.  These are the best kinds of gifts!

Anna, Molly, and Emmy.

Molly loved her baby doll.

Molly in her Woody P.J.'s.

Although Jared's family spent Christmas in a cabin at Cloud Croft, New Mexico, where it snowed, they were so excited to be here and see the snow.  It is going to be a fun day tomorrow!