Monday, April 29th, 2019

Rome, Italy

162nd operating temple

Dedicated: 10 March 2019

By: Russell M. Nelson

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Acts 3:26

Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 19:1-24

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

John 7

General Conference

The Immediate Goodness of God

Kyle S. McKay

"Even while we are patiently waiting upon the Lord, there are certain blessings that come to us immediately."

I read an article in the Ensign today about receiving personal revelation. One of the things that struck me was this statement:

Serious reflection precedes revelation.

James and I left for town this morning a little after 11. We stopped at the Vernon Library to see Tamara and I picked up May birthday cards to sign for Relief Society sisters with birthdays in May. James went in to the 10 cent room to look for books. After I was done visiting with Tamara I joined him. We only came away with three books today. One of the books I got was a quilting book that was ranked really low and that I could sell for over $16 Prime. 

James wanted me to take him home because he had a lot to do today but I talked him in to going to town and getting the oil changed in the car while I did my shopping at Walmart. He did a few other errands and then came to pick me up. I helped James unload some of the groceries and then got in the car. We stopped to get gas on the way out of town and as we were headed towards the Y I asked James where my clipboard was. He said, what clipboard? I said, the one that was in the cart with the groceries. He said, I didn't get it and I realize I also forgot all the soda on the bottom of the cart. He immediately turned around and we headed back to Walmart. 

I don't know how he does it but James came back with my clipboard which had the recipe for the soup I'm fixing for the Howard's tonight, and the three 12-packs of soda that we left. The woman at the customer service desk said that once the groceries leave the store they don't replace them, but they did for James. I guess it's his charm.

As soon as we got home I started the soup.   I bought a roasted chicken and added chicken broth, carrots, celery and Rice-a-Roni chicken garlic flavored rice. Instead of using a crockpot which I didn't have time for, I used my cast iron pot. 

It was raining when we loaded up the car to go to the Howard's and when we unloaded at their house. 

Jean and Tom were alone. I expected the McNeil's and Hunter to be there but they were gone. Jean had set the table for four and insisted that we stay, so we did. 

The soup was still hot, and we also had croissants, and a salad with nuts and berries. It was good and for dessert we had a Sock-It-To Me bundt cake. Jean brought out some Dr. Pepper and Coke for us to drink. When Tom said the blessing on the food he thanked the Lord for bringing the Lambson's into their lives, which made us feel good and we feel the same way about them. They are good people and we love them. It was a nice evening. It was stil raining when we left and when we got home. We went to bed with the sound of rain on our roof.

When we got home and all of our steps were done, we watched the newest episode of "Morning Show Mysteries" starring Holly Robinson Peete and Rick Fox. It was okay but I'm just not in to murder mysteries like I am Hallmark romances.

This is where the Wanlass's moved to.

 This baby is a blues buster!

Love that smiling face!

 Happy Cinco de Mayo

YW's fundraiser

Monday, January 21st, 2019

Halifax, Nova Scotia

64th operating temple

Dedicated: 14 Nov 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

2 Nephi 31:ll

And the Father said: Repent ye repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son.

Book of Mormon

*How does Nephi show patience and understanding to his brothers?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

BD: John, the Gospel of John

General Conference

The Role of the Book of Mormon in Conversion

Elder Shayne M. Bowen

"As we better understand who we are and the purposes of the Book of Mormon, our conversion deepens and becomes more certain. We are strengthened in our commitment to keep the covenants we have made with God. A principal purpose of the Book of Mormon is to gather scattered Israel."

Addy made plans to go to the mall with her friends today. She sat down on the couch and began counting her money. She has $330. II reminded her to pay her tithing and she said she would. Saturday night she earned $50 babysitting. I also said I thought she should open up a savings account so she wouldn't be tempted to spend her money. She said that was a good idea.

Ruby and Rowan each went to a friends house today. Lola went to dance class and then her friend Ivy came over to play. 

James took Jared this morning to Hertz to pick up the car they reserved. Because the credit card it was reserved under was in Kacey's name, she had to be the one picking up the car. James came back to the house and took Kacey to the car rental place on McQueen and Guadalupe. 

We met Jared and Kacey for lunch at the Zuppa's on Baseline and Val Vista. The weather was nice so we ate on the patio.

Grandpa was finished eating first so he

held Charlie so the rest of us could finish

our lunch.

After lunch we drove over to visit with James's mother and his sister Dawn. Dawn told us to hurry because she was leaving soon and she wanted to see the baby. 

Of course Lois had James's birthday gifts ready for him. A shirt, six pairs of socks, $40 cash, and a plaque that she made that said: "Escape the Indoors." Dawn gave him a $40 gift card for Joe's BBQ. He was quite happy.

This is one loved baby!

Back to Chandler and my appointment at Dr. Shah's. He says my incision is 70% healed and wants to see me back on Friday, Feb. 1st. I have instructions to brush with the mouthwash on the incision area, use a water pick, an electric toothbrush, and floss. It almost makes me wish I never had to eat...well, not really.

Back to Darrel and Trina's. James went upstairs to take a nap. I was going to walk but then decided to find a UPS store and mail our book boxes. I found one on Ellsworth and Baseline. After mailing the boxes I also found a Soda Rush and got myself a sugar cookie. 

Trina, Jared, Kacey, and I were sitting around the family room talking and playing with the baby when I got a text from Stacy asking if I had made reservations at Firebirds. We had made plans to meet there at 6:30. I said no, I didn't, would she. She said she didn't want to so Trina called for me.  The earliest they can get a party of 11 in is at 7:30. Stacy said that was too late for her, so we went a little early and they seated us before 7:30. It was a fun night and a great way to celebrate Jared and Kacey's second anniversary.

The food was good and so was the company!

Everyone here except Darrel who had to work and

Ian, who was tired from working all day. Sheri took

his dinner home to him.

Back at Darrel and Trina's I unloaded the dishwasher, and put the dirty dishes in. I also had to spot mop the floor because my shoes had something black on the bottom of them. I didn't go outside to walk because it was too cold. As a result I only got 5,927 steps today.

 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
That's why there was no school.

 This was last night in Arizona around 8:30 p.m. but we forgot
to check. The moon was gorgeous tonight when it came up.

This is what Charlie woke up to.

Lola eating peanut butter. She's all ready

for her dance class.

 There are advantages, at least for Ollie, in
keeping your tree up.

We love you Elder Wilhelm!

Beautiful!

Love this!

Rowan and Ruby went to Sheri's while we were at

Firebirds. We drove with Trina and she dropped them off.

This is afterwards. Rowan working on his homework.

I try.

Saturday, February 17th, 2018

San Diego, California

45th operating temple

Dedicated: 25-30 April 1993

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

John 20:21

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 9:15-30

* What is the difference between the knowledge in verse 28 compared to verse 29?

* How do we ensure our knowledge is of God?

- By being worthy, and prayerful and by acting upon it to see if it feels right.

Old Testament

Leviticus 12-13

12 The Lord reveals the law of purification of women after childbirth, including a sin offering.

13 Laws and tokens are revealed for discerning and controlling leprosy - Leprous garments are to be burnt.

Old Testament Favorite Scriptures

Exodus 15:26

And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.

General Conference

Bearers of Heavenly Light

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

" Darkness is not an indication that there is no light. Most often, it simply means we're not in the right place to receive the light. During the recent solar eclipse, many made great efforts to get into the arrow band of a shadow created by the moon in the middle of a bright sunny day.

In a very similar way, spiritual light continually shines upon all of God's creation. Satan will make every effort to create a shadow or get us into a shadow of our own making. He will coerce us to create our own eclipse; he will push us into the darkness of his cavern.

Spiritual darkness can draw a veil of forgetfulness around even those who once walked in the light and rejoiced in the Lord. Nevertheless, even in moments of greatest darkness, God hears our humble petitions, as we pray, 'Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.'"

I was up by 7 a.m. but after breakfast, a conference talk and some Tramadol I laid down for awhile on the couch. When I got up I still felt lousy and was going to lay down again but I took a walk instead and felt better. 

I have eaten way too many unfrosted sugar cookies today and yesterday!

I read this today while studying Moses 8:1-11: "Noah was ordained to the higher priesthood when 10 years old by his grandfather Methuselah." (DC 107:52). Noah holds the keys of his dispensation and stands next to Adam in authority. 

The "spirit of prophecy" is the testimony of Jesus. (OTSM, 160).

I had set aside today for finishing up my Primary lesson...but I did not finish so I'm still left with getting up early in the morning to finish. It probably didn't help that I watched a Hallmark movie.

I guess I am recovering from the last couple of days because I was tired and hurt all day. James felt the same way but at least we did our steps!

Summer's dance team took first in state as they competed tonight.

Congratulations Summer!

Woohoo! 

Oh how I love a beautiful sunrise!

Lean on the Savior to receive a 

"Fullness of joy."

Sheriff visits a victim of the shooting at a

Florida School on February 14th.

The nearly completed Rome, Italy

LDS temple.

Monday, June 19th 2017

Rome, Italy

Estimated completion date:

Mid 2018

John 17:19 

Atonement

3Nephi 13

Jesus teaches the Nephites the Lord's Prayer; They are to lay up treasures in heaven; The twelve disciples in their ministry are commanded to take no thought for temporal things.

Alma 19:1-11

King Lamoni and many of his people repent and are baptized.

*Ammon's missionary efforts caused a ripple effect: Ammon, King Lamoni, the queen, Lamoni's servants, Abish, and many other Lamanites.

*What can we learn about the queen in Alma 19:7-11?

DC 88:99-110

95-102, Angelic trumps call forth the dead in their order; 103-16, Angelic trumps proclaim the restoration of the gospel, the fall of Babylon, and the battle of the great God;
What things will be revealed?
* All things will be revealed!
General Conference

"Walk With Me"

President Henry B. Eyring

"Every one being ordained after this order and calling should have power, by faith, to break mountains, to divide the seas, to dry up waters, to turn them out of their course; to put at defense the armies of nations, to divide the earth, to break every bond, to stand in the presence of God, to do all things according to His will, according to His command, subdue principalities and powers; and this by the will of the Son of God which was from the foundation of the world." (Joseph Smith)

The Power of the Book of Mormon

President Thomas S. Monson

"We live in a time of great trouble and wickedness. What will protect us from the sin and evil so prevalent in the world today?

I maintain that a strong testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of His gospel will help see us through to safety."

James left for the Howard's around 6 a.m. to work. While he was gone I did my gospel study and then started to get ready to go to the valley. I am spending the week at our timeshare in Scottsdale.

Today I am picking up Darrel and Trina's girls to stay with me.

Before I left I made a green chili stew for James.  It is one of his favorite meals and I was going to fix it for him for Father's Day but James told me he would rather I didn't fix it on Sunday.  It was a good idea because he isn't coming down to the valley until Wednesday and now he will have something to eat in my absence.

I was able to say goodbye to James before I left at 1:45.  I stopped in Show Low at the McDonald's for an ice cream cone. I ended up getting a Happy Meal to go along with my cone because they were giving away Beanie Babies with their Happy Meals, or so I thought. Instead of a Beanie Baby I got a Smurf cup that I ended up throwing away.  What a waste and the food wasn't even that good.

I felt like I was falling asleep between Salt River Canyon and Globe so I stopped a few minutes to rest.  I also stopped in Globe to get gas and then at Walmart to get some earrings because I realize I forgot to wear any and if I don't put some in the holes in my ears will grow back together again. I get some earrings and put them in. I also got some cheese sticks and some cherries to eat on the way.  I do better about staying awake when I eat. This is why I should never drive on long trips.

I arrive at Darrel and Trina's around six. Rowan opens the door and gives me a big hug.  Trina is at work and Lola is asleep. Addy and Ruby are ready to go.

These headphones are her favorite birthday gift!

That's what I call a loaded backpack.

I wonder what's in there?

Addy's bag looks a little less full.

Our first stop was the Chandler mall where we had some

dinner and then took Ruby shopping. She must have spent an hour

in this store and came out with one fake pair of glasses!

Addy did a little decorating once we arrived at the timeshare.

Our timeshare is Sheraton Desert Oasis on

1770 N. Hayden Rd. in Scottsdale. We were assigned

units 1023 and 1024 this stay. I was happy to get downstairs units!

Someone's sleeping in my bed!

Yikes! An alien in the bathroom!

Bambi's going to do a little reading.

Cream staring at his reflection.

I think Flower wants a drink.

Right by the front door to welcome us as we come in.

Now I know what Ruby had in her backpack!

Addy watched "Beauty and the Beast" while I went in to put Ruby to be.  Michael had slept in the bed she was sleeping in the night before and she wanted to know if there were any bedbugs.  I assured her there weren't but we had to check anyway.  We sang, "I Am a Child of God", "Nephi's Courage," and "You Are My Sunshine." You Are My Sunshine is Ruby's signature song.