Wednesday, February 27th, 2019

Recife, Brazil

101st operating temple

Dedicated: 15 Dec 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

DC 11:28

Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the life and the light of the world.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 20:12-34
How does learning of Christ's Second Coming affect how you live you life? 
New Testament "Come Follow Me"
Matt 6:25-34; What does it mean to use "vain repetitions" in prayer? "Priesthood and Personal Prayer" Henry B. Eyring 4/15

General Conference

Now Is The Time

Elder Jack N. Gerard

"President Joseph F. Smith proclaimed,'The greatest achievement mankind can make in this world is to familiarize themselves with divine truth, so thoroughly, so perfectly, that the example or conduct of no creature living in the world can ever turn them away from the knowledge that they have obtained."

"Shepherding Souls"

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

"As children of a loving Heavenly Father and as sheep in His flock, we enjoy the blessing of being individually ministered to by Jesus Christ. Simultaneously, we have a responsibility to provide ministering assistance to others around us as shepherds ourselves. We heed the words of the Lord to 'serve me and go forth in my name, and...gather together my sheep."

We sold another book, "The Love Dare." Woohoo!

This morning I did Monday's blog post, paid bills, and worked on a revised budget to include property taxes for the Deming property. 

I walked 10,000 steps and got ready for the temple. 

James went out and sprayed off the car for our trip to the temple with the Howard's. 

We left our house a little after 2 and met the Howard's at the church because Tom says their road is bad. I don't think it could be any worse than ours except there is a steep hill.

We stopped at the post office to check once more if James got the two books he ordered for trades. Nope. They were supposed to be here by the 23rd.

We got to the temple about 3:15 and ended up waiting in the foyer because the afternoon shift was having prayer meeting. We finally got in at 3:30 for the 4:00 session. 

I helped Jean zip up her dress and put her shoes on. She had to borrow a slip and a sash from the temple.  We got our names and sat in our seats. Jean says to me, "I forgot the new name already, is it _______, I nodded yes." It has been a while since she's been at the temple.

Jean did all right during the session. James said that Tom had some difficulty dressing and the guy helping him wasn't much help.

We all sat in the celestial room for a few minutes and then we left. On the way out I said hello to Marylou DeWitt. She was one of my mutual advisors  when I was growing up in Show Low. I also got a hug from Sister Bowers who works with me in the temple. She said they had been on a leave of absence and weren't sure if they were coming back. I told her it wouldn't be the same without her.

Tom invited us to stop at Eva's where he would buy us dinner. Eva's is the Mexican restaurant to go to in Snowflake. I had what I normally get, a chicken enchilada with red sauce and rice and beans. The enchilada was delicious but the beans were not as good as LaCasita's. Tom and James both had green chili burros. James said his wasn't as good as LaCasita's, but it was good. Jean was the only one ordering light. She had two shrimp tacos.

I am so glad we had this time in the temple with the Howard's. They have not been for several years. Jean was able to do her mom's name and Tom did Jean's grandfather, her mom's dad. 

I walked when I got home. I wanted to get 20,000 steps but stopped at 17 and watched an episode of "Victoria" with James.

A sister in our ward, Sister Campbell, found out that she has a rare form of breast cancer and will be starting treatments soon. So sad.

Baby Charlie is 6 months old today!

Charlie's favorite book is about a giraffee

 Kim will like this.

 Adam's baptism 21 years ago.

Thursday, September 20th, 2018

Recife Brazil

101st operating temple

Dedicated: 15 Dec 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

1 Nephi 19:10

And the God of our fathers, who were led out of Egypt, out of bondage, and also were preserved in the wilderness by him, yea, the God of Abraham, and O f Isaac, and the God of Jacob, yieldeth himself, according to the words of the angel, as a man, into the hands of wicked men, to be lifted up, according to the words of Zenock, and to be crucified, according to the words of Neum, and to be buried in a sepulchre, according to the words of Zenos, which he spake concerning the three days of darkness, which should be a sign given of his death unto those who should inhabit the isles of the sea, more especially given unto those who are of the house of Israel.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 6:32-41

*What did the Lamanites gain by following the commandments of God?

- The Lord poured out His Spirit upon them. Lamanites to robbers: "We are going to hunt you dow and preach to you.!!" Gadianton robbers: "Nooo!! Anythig but that ! We are outta here!" Hopefully some of the Gadianton robbers were converted.

Old Testament

Isaiah 13-15

General Conference

His Spirit to be With You

President Henry B. Eyring

"Pray to know the needs and hearts of others and how to help them for the Lord. It has been my opportunity to observe the prophets of God as they pray, ask for inspiration, receive direction, and act on it. I have seen how often their prayers are about the people they love and serve. Their concern for others seems to open their hearts to receive inspiration. That can be true for you."

I actually fixed breakfast this morning and I believe James was pleasantly surprised. Scrambled eggs with tomatoes, hashbrowns, and ham. We ate breakfast together before we had scriptures and prayers. 

After prayer, James left with his cat casket on the Razr for Anthony's. He's taking the Razr because they are climbing up a mountain to bury Pinky. You can actually see the mountain from our back porch. I am now calling it "Pinky Point."

Pinky's casket.

James looks sad.

Be careful out on the highway.

Pinky Point

After digging through cinders a 3 foot hole, and putting Pinky's casket inside, James and Anthony shared feelings about Pinky and then Anthony said a prayer and the service was over.

Before leaving for the Howard's James went out to check on his bunny. Ruby thought Betty bunny needed a friend so James put another doe in with her. Betty beat her up and James had to rescue her. I think he should let Betty go free, but for some reason he wants to keep her. He raised bunnies as a child to see to the local market. He's not doing that this time.

I love listening to the scriptures, the Church magazines, and books on my phone. I am so grateful for my phone and wonder what I ever did without it.

This afternoon was spent getting in my steps, making cupcakes, and wrapping gifts for Liana and Emsley. They are coming over tonight with their brother and sister Tildy and Benson. 

The Grapp's arrived around 6:15. First they wanted to watch the Winnie the Pooh Halloween show Frankenpooh. Next we made Halloween cards, which kept everyone busy for quite some time.

Today is Liana's 10th birthday and Emsley

turned 5 on Sept 6th. 

Benson made his card for Abby, a girl in our ward, and put Love, Guess Who. Tildy made hers for her cousin Redick. I should have taken pictures of the cards.

We were watching Beauty and the Beast when mom, dad and baby Leland returned. I hope they had a good time together. We had a good time here with the kids.

I made a birthday calendar for my dot journal today including family members, and ward members we minister to. I love it!

Happy Birthday Kacey!

 Charlie's first trip to the temple

Jared's tribute

We love Kacey and we are so grateful she is a part of our family!

Autumn and Scarlett

Thanks to the Grapp kids I

got some extra steps.

Homemade card of the day

Saturday, April 14th, 2018

Recife, Brazil

101st operating temple

Dedicated: 15 Dec 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

What should I pray for?

Bible Dictionary: Prayer, Paragraph #1.

Before the first generation of mankind had passed away, men began to call upon the name of the Lord (Gen 4:26; Moses 5:4). Prayers, whether with (Gen. 12:8; 13:4) or without (Gen.20:7; 32:9-11) sacrifice, were constantly offered by the patriarchs to God. The efficacy of the intercession of good men was recognized (Gen. 18:23; 20:7; Ex. 32:11).

Jesus Christ betrayal of

Matthew 27:9

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 7:18-33
* How are King Laman's cunning ways similar to Satan's tactics?
- How many times have we been deceived? Satan is the father of lies...It's easy to see ho King Laman and Satan's tactics are similar. There is much symbolism in these scriptures....The luring of unrealistic security as they move closer to him. Satan can seem generous as he persuades us away from true security. Vs. 22 - All this for the sole purpose of bringing this people in subjection (bondage) symbolizing Satan's true motives, as he cunningly tempts us. As the people get ready to pay tribute to the King with one half of all their increase...We see the symbolism that Satan abandons us after he gets what he wants, and turns into the beast we know him to be. It's not until after we have fallen prey to his trap, that we realize Satan's motives. Thank Heaven there is a way out of our foolish choices...Vs.33 Turn to the Lord and with all of your heart trust him, and serve him...and the Lord will deliver us out of bondage symbolic of being freed from the bondage of sin.
Old Testament
Judges 1-2
1 Judah, Simeon, and Joseph continue to conquer the Canaanites - Remnants of the Canaanites remain in the lands of Judah, Manasseh, Ephraim, Zebulum, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan.
2 An angel rebukes Israel for not serving the Lord - As a pattern of future events, a new generation arises that forsakes the Lord and serves Baal and Ashtaroth - The Lord is angry with the children of Israel and ceases to preserve them - He raises up judges to guide and lead them - The Canaanites are left in the land to test Israel.
General Conference

Inspired Ministering

President Henry B. Eyring

" We receive the Holy Spirit best when we are focused on serving others. That is why we have the priesthood responsibility to serve for the Savior."

I was up at 12:30 a.m.with severe pain in my right knee. I got up, ate a bowl of cereal and took two aspirin before lying down on the recliner. I was worried about going to the temple in a few hours so I said a prayer asking that I might be able to fulfill my calling in the temple today. At 1 o'clock I set my alarm for 4:30 a.m. and went to sleep. 

When I woke up I was going to tell James that I wouldn't be going with him to the temple when I realized that my leg was much better and that I was able to walk around without the pain I had experienced earlier. I am so grateful to the Lord for hearing and answering my prayer.

On the way to Snowflake James and I listened to the Old Testament, Judges 1-2, and I read from the Book of Mormon. We then listened to President Eyring's talk, "Inspired Ministering."

After dropping the rolls I brought in the kitchen I went to get dressed. I always use a toilet stall because I do not like getting dressed in front of others. Sister Farr does the same thing. 

I got my schedule from Sister Winhardt and realized I was assigned to help with a live sealing. She said not to worry she would help me, and there is a list of things to do that is spelled out very clearly. 

President and Sister Brimhall presided over preparation meeting. We discussed general conference and the emphasis placed on temples and temple work. There were 10 talks that mentioned temple work and two talks in which temple work was the main focus. Those two talks were Elder Renlund's and Elder Cook's. We also discussed the fact that seven new temples will be built and three of them are in countries where there are no other temples, Nicaragua, India, and Russia. 

During the discussion here are some things that were said:

Sister McCleary: "When I worked in the Salt Lake temple the Nelson would come every Friday night to do temple work."

President Brimhall: "I was touched that we were asked to pray for our families, on both sides of the veil."

One of the sisters, Sister Lofgreen, is from Italy and she and her husband are preparing to go to participate in the Rome temple dedication. 

My first assignment was to be the greeter at the top of the stairs. I like this assignment because you get to greet people who are on their way to the 8 a.m. session. Soon President and Sister Brimhall joined me. They served a mission at the Guayaquil, Ecuador temple. I told them my son served his mission in Ecuador. Also, one of the young sisters working today is preparing to go to Ecuador on her mission in June. 

The Brimhall's live in Pinedale. I told them we had a home in Pinedale but it burned down in the fire. They said their's did too, but they rebuilt. I told them we rebuilt too, only this time in Vernon. We talked about the San Juan fire and how it came within a mile of so of our home. 

Next I was assigned to do a half hour in initiatory. I have still not got anything memorized but I love to hear the blessings that are offered with this ordinance. 

Next I had a break so I went down to the kitchen. I sat with Sister Humphrey from St. Johns and for the first time ever for break James was there too. 

I was greeter one behind the recommend desk. I counted the people who said they were going to the 9:30 session. 

My responsibility with the live sealing was greeting, and seating the guests and caring for the couples two sons who were 14 and 20. Sister Brewer took care of the bride and the groom. 

I was to seat the guests in the chapel downstairs and make sure they turned their cell phones off and had on either socks, nylons, or the temple white booties. It got a little congested because at the same time the guests were coming in there was a group doing baptisms. 

The Vernon ward was also here today doing baptisms. I spoke with Anne Miller for quite awhile. She told me how much Andyn loves me as a Primary teacher. Of course I couldn't tell her that I was being released. 

The chapel was full when it was time to take them upstairs. Also, many of the guests went through the 8 a.m. session when the couple were endowed. The sealing room was full. Brother Bowers took the boys upstairs in the waiting room but Brother Hatch made him take them in the matron's office. 

I stood at one end of the hall and Sister Cochran stood at the other. She singled me when it was time for the boys to come and I opened the door and motioned to them to come. Again, Brother Bowers walked them down. 

Although I did not get to be a part of the sealing it was fun to help prepare for it. I also went to the office and got the papers the witnesses are to sign.

Afterwards I ushered the boys downstairs and showed them were to wait for their parents and then I went upstairs and told their mom where they were.  I asked the boys how they felt about being sealed to their parents and they said it was wonderful and they felt really good about it. They are converts of two years and live in Show Low now. President Shumway was at the sealing and so was President Williams. President Rhoton of Lakeside performed the sealing. The families last name is Ramirez. 

The rest of the day went quickly. I monitored the lockers and worked in initiatory for a little while and then helped at the veil for the 11 session. That is a nice way to end the shift.

On the way out James and I met Brother M. Williams from Heber who says he is a personal friend of Brother Reidhead's from our ward. It's a small world in the Church and in the Snowflake area. 

When we got home we ate and took a nap. I got texts from Jared and Sheri. I love hearing from my kids. They both have issues they are dealing with but they have strong testimonies and they are genuinely good people. I love them so much, as is true for all my children.

While working on my blog I listened to a talk by President Nelson, then Elder Nelson from 10/91. It is entitled: "These...Were Our Examples." He spoke about the Mormon Tabernacle Choirs tour of Europe which he attended. He said they are outstanding missionaries and ambassadors for the Church. He used these attributes to describe them: Faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, and diligence. They sang in 10 languages! One brother who attended a performance said: "Listening to the choir makes me want to be a better person." Can you imagine getting hotel rooms for 500 people, and think of the luggage. One sister's luggage was lost and she tried to make the best of it by looking her best with the same clothes she wore the day before.

This evening I took a whirpool bath, did a little walking but only enough to get 5,000 steps, and worked on my Primary lesson before going to bed.

Hiking buddies, Trina and Lexy.

Pretty amazing!

Isaiah 49:17

"I have engraven thee on the palms

of my hands."

Wow.

Crescent moon over Four Peaks.

Video of a howling husky puppy.

Hilarious!

Oh, how I wish this was now!

JFK have a tea party with daughter Caroline.

  

Monday, November 6th, 2017

Recife, Brazil

101st operating temple

Dedicated: 15 Dec 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Ascension of

Acts 1:11

Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 21:1-29

*What signs of the gathering of Israel do we see today?

Jesus told the Nephites he would give them "a sign" (3 Ne. 21:1) so they would now when the gathering of Israel had begun. He then foretold the Restoration of the gospel, the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, the establishment of a free nation in America, and the taking of the gospel to their seed (v.1-7). He called the Restoration of the latter days "a great and marvelous work (v.8). In the early days of the Restoration, the Savior said "a marvelous work is about to come forth" (DC 4:1). President Gordon B. Hinckley spoke of the Restoration and of our responsibility to help move the work forward: "This glorious gospel was ushered in with the appearance of the Father and the Son to the boy Joseph. The dawn of the dispensation of the fulness of times rose upon the world. All of the good, the beautiful, the divine of all previous dispensations was restored in the most remarkable season. Do we really comprehend, do we understand the tremendous significance of that which we have? We of this generation are the end harvest of all that has gone before. It is not enough to simply be known as a member of this Church. A solemn obligation rests upon us. We must live as true followers of Christ, with charity toward all, returning good for evil, teaching by example the ways of the Lord, and accomplishing the vast service He has outlined for us" (Ensign, May 2004, 83-4).

James made a trip to town today. He bought two tacos like I asked him to but he only made it home with one. That's okay honey, I only needed one anyway. He went to the rescue and picked up my thyroid pills and folic acid.

Cathi's brother-in-law, Paul, Pam's husband, lost his bout with cancer. Cathi will go and stay with Pam for awhile after the funeral.

There was a mass shooting at a small church in Texas today. Why does this continue to happen?

A quote from President Boyd K. Packer in the book, "Rescuing Wayward Children."

"If our children are sealed to us and if we keep our temple covenants, they will return after they have received the Lord's correction."

Today's Christmas movies: "Angels and Ornaments," "Christmas Magic," "Christmas in the Air," "The Christmas Ornament," "The Christmas Secret," and "Christmas Festival of Ice."

Now don't get the wrong idea. I don't just sit around watching movies all day. I do my work and other activities while I am watching. This works well because I have seen most of them before In the evening James and I watch a new Christmas movie if we have any to watch and then an episode of "Heartland." Tonight's Heartland episode was called "The Fix."

James measured so he could order the pavers for  the new patio. He wants to have it finished, fire pit and all, by Thanksgiving.

For F.H.E. we listened to Elder Christofferson's conference talk, "The Living Bread Which Came Down from Heaven." An amazing talk that encourages us to become more holy.

Happy 11th Birthday Evan!

Sheri's post:

Evan through the years

Happy Birthday President Uchtdorf

 What a handsome man!

President and Sister Uchtdorf

The other gospel doctrine teacher

in our ward.

I love trees!

Travis Dutson posted this photo.

I am not sure if this is his cat.

DWTS

Cheryl and Terrel Owens.

They are going home. Too bad because I 

thought he was better than Drew Scott.

Trio night. Drew, Emma, and Rashad

Jennings, the reigning champion.

Victoria and Val

Victoria and Val with Laurie Hernandez

Witney and Frankie with Alfonso Robeiro.

Mark and Lindsey also danced with

Kristy Yamaguichi who was the winner

9 years ago with Mark.

Lindsay and Jordan with Corbin Bleu

Lindsay and Jordan got a perfect

score for both dances tonight.