Friday, October 25th, 2019

London, England

12th operating temple 

Dedicated: 7-9 Sept 1958

By: David O. McKay

Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd

Helaman 15:13

And this is according to the prophecy, that they shall again be brought to the true knowledge, which is the knowledge of their Redeemer, and their great and true shepherd, and be numbered among his sheep.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 12:25-48

What does it mean to me to be perfect?

New Testament: Thessalonians 1&2: "Be Not Soon Shaken in Mind, or be Troubled"

2 Thessalonians 2; "Causes and Effects of Apostasy"; Ideas for FSS and FHE

General Conference

Deceive Me Not

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

"As we obey God's commandments, we will always be led in the right way and will not be deceived."

The Second Great Commandment

President Russell M. Nelson

"Our greatest joy comes as we help our brothers and sisters."

RWC: Spiritual hunger comes from the need for the most powerful nutrient a fallen human can receive: the Spirit of the Lord...The Fall creates the hunger. Many people experience only the hunger their entire lives. Many who have the gospel are in a state of half (gospel) and half (world), and that causes the hunger.

After scripture reading this morning James and I watched one of the videos in the Sunday School version of the lesson. It was about the restoration, the story of Robert Mason and Wilford Woodruff.

I texted my cousin Rita today to tell her about Sister Tedder's accident. Pat was Rita's babysitter when she was a child. I told her to tell Aunt Gene about "Patsy" (that's what Rita called her). Rita asked for her address at the rehab center and said both she and her mom had fond memories of Patsy and Jody, Patsy's sister. 

I haven't sold any books for the last couple of days so I did some repricing. I always sell books after I reprice. Before I went to bed I checked and sure enough I had sold one.

I made rolls today, chicken noodle soup with the added chicken from the roasted chicken I bought, and banana nut bread. The rolls are for the temple tomorrow, the soup for James and I, and the banana nut bread is for the temple worker's devotional Sunday evening. We are going to the valley on Sunday to hear Stacy sing in sacrament meeting and won't be back in time for the devotional. I am giving the bread to Sister Elmer tomorrow at the temple so she can take it with her to the devotional.

I washed, on the outside, the window above the outside bbq grill. It was splattered with grease and has been bothering me for a long time. No I can actually look out the window without feeling guilty!

James went to the post office today. He brought back a book to sell and a package addressed to me from Kacey. This was in the package:

The coloring book is the one I got for Dawn and Lois. The pens are the best I've ever used. What a sweet and thoughtful gift and a complete surprise!

We watched the first new Christmas movie on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel. It was called, "A Merry Christmas Match."

 Lola modeling one of my hats

Tuesday, September 18th, 2018

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

99th operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Sept 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

John 12:32

And I if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 6:1-14

*How do you remain firm and steady in your faith?

- Stay obedient in the little day to day things, and it won't be as hard when the big things challenge us. Forgive, repent, love others. Steady, devoted covenant keeping builds a fortress of faith and makes us steadfast and immovable.

Old Testament

Isaiah 7-9

General Conference

Pure Love: The True Sign of Every True Disciple of Jesus Christ

Elder Massimo De Feo

"True disciples love the Lord more than the world and are steadfast and immovable in their faith. They stay strong and firm in a changing and confusing world. True disciples love to listen to the voice of the Spirit and of the prophets and are not confused by the voices of the world. True disciples love to stand in holy places and love to make holy the places where they stand. Wherever they go, the bring the love of the Lord and peace to the hearts of others. True disciples love to obey the Lord's commandments, and they obey because they love the Lord. As they love and keep their covenants, their hearts are renewed and their very nature changes."

James left to look for elk this morning. He wanted to take pictures but he left his camera on since Saturday and the battery was dead. 

I texted my cousin Rita a happy birthday this morning. She turns 70 today. We had a nice visit and she said Aunt Gene would love to see me. I think I will try and go next week to see her.

Rita asked me how my arthur was doing, meaning my arthritis. She has it too. She is taking hydroxycloraquine and Aleve. 

Dennis texted me and asked if I had ever been to Joseph Smith's birth place. I told him no, and asked if he had been there. He said he was there right now and sent me thees pictures:

The Joseph Smith Memorial.

It is 38 1/2 feet tall, representing

the years of Joseph's life.

Both James and I received answers from Ben today. Here is the email he sent me:

I have learned so much about the gospel these last 2 weeks. I head to Idaho next Wednesday the 26th, and I am so excited. Thank you so much for sharing your testimony with me. I have a testimony of the truthfulness of this Gospel. I have seen my testimony grow exponentially in the last 2 weeks alone. I have a testimony of the truthfulness of the scriptures, and the messages and principles they share. But most importantly, I have a testimony of prayer. My knees are callused from praying so often, and I know that prayer is the reason I am so happy constantly. I pray roughly 20 times a day, and it is amazing. My schedule is packed. I love and miss you. -Elder Trezise

Ben's MTC District

He has his arm around his companion.

I sent this picture to Sheri. 

She misses Ben so much!

This evening Ben gets to hear Elder Andersen speak at the MTC. He is so excited!

James left for town to pick up some materials and then was off to the Howard's. I listened to the New Era while I did some ironing. I like it almost as well as I do the Ensign.

I finished "Time and Again." I didn't like the ending and many of the women in book club agreed with me. I picked up my friend Linda who invited me to book club and we arrived early enough to greet everyone before it officially started. There were 15 women present and 5 of them were from our ward: Marilyn, Teresa, Amy, Linda, and I. Elizabeth, Pebble, and Dianne from card group were there. One woman was from New Zealand. She has only been a citizen for 3 years. We had a good discussion and the group was divided as to whether they liked the book or not. Some liked it, some said it was ok, and some said they didn't like it. I was one of the fence sitters, although I think I will read the sequel.
Someone asked the question, who believes in time travel? I raised my hand, thinking of Moroni visiting the prophet Joseph Smith.

Cherry, the leader of the group, lives in the big house on the hill above the grave yard. She and Elizabeth were two who really liked the book. 

Our book for this month is called, "Lilac Girls: A Novel." It's about World War II although our leader Cherry says she is tired of novels about World War II.

When I got home I bought "Lilac Girls: A Novel" to listen to on Audible. I read the first chapter and also read the first chapter of "The Lake House."

Tonight before going to bed I read to James from "The Scarlet Pimpernel."

Got this in the mail today.

We plan on going!

So precious!

Daddy, daughter time

Ollie looking very angry

Monday, March 20, 2017

Dallas, Texas

30th operating temple

Jacob 4:1-18

All the prophets worshiped the Father in the name of Christ - Abraham's offering of Isaac was in similitude of God and His Only Begotten - Men should reconcile themselves to God through the Atonement - The Jews will reject the foundation stone. About 544-421 B.C.

When asking the Lord for something in prayer, how do you make sure to still take He counsel and not attempt to sway Him?

Alma 43

Alma and his sons preach the word - The Zoramites and other Nephite dissenters become Lamanites - The Lamanites come against the Nephites in war - Moroni arms the Nephites with defensive armor - The Lord reveals to Alma the strategy of the Lamanites - The Nephites defend their homes, liberties, families, and religion - The aries of Moroni and Lehi surround the Lamanites. About 74 B.C.

DC 44:1-6

Elders are to assemble in conference; The are to organize according to the laws of the land and to care for the poor.

How can we better listen to the Spirit so that we can help people in various circumstances?

General Conference

Joy and Spiritual Survival

President Russell M. Nelson

"He taught us how to have joy  When we choose Heavenly Father to be our God and when we can feel the Savior's Atonement working in our lives, we will be filled with joy. Every time we nurture our spouse and guide our children, every time we forgive someone or ask for forgiveness, we can feel joy."

I like a quote I read in The Contrite Spirit:

"If we keep our covenants with Him, He will keep us spiritually safe."

At 10:15 James and I left for Hailey's to deliver her desk, some cookies, and the visiting teaching message.  Hailey has a new car.  She traded in her Jeep for a Toyota 4-Runner.  

After we left Hailey's we went to Persnikkity's for lunch.  I had the green chili chicken sandwich and sweet potato fries.  James had the Phillly cheesesteak sandwich and broccoli, cheese soup.  Next stop was the Book Barn to get Jeron and Jace's names put on their scriptures.  I texted Hailey and told her they had the "Dragonwatch" book at Book Barn.  Braylin, her son, is a big Fablehaven fan.

This is the book I got for Addy.

When I was in Walmart doing a little shopping I saw my cousin Rita and her husband Bill.

Rita said her mom was doing quite well except for her back.

She is going to have a proceedure done at the Arizona Pain Center in Show Low.

This afternoon I worked on my blog and did some filing.  James and I watched the movie "Unleashing Mr. Darcy" and then had FHE.  We listened to the conference talk, "The Great Plan of Redemption" by Linda S. Reeves.  We went to bed around 8:30.

Fun Photos

The home builder built a home for

his feathered friends.

Don't you just love this face!

I wish I could remember who Emmy was doing her report on.

My favorite salad, Pei Wei's

spicy chicken.

Dallin, Joe, and Michael the photo bomber.

Harry Potter look alikes.

When it rains, the frogs come out.

2012

Our dream patio

Wupatki National Monument