Friday, September 30th, 2016

Happy Birthday to the young lady down on the end
in the white jacket.
We love you Dawn!

Helaman 12:14-26

What do we learn about the principle of repentance in these verses?

Repentance leads us to Christ's grace.  The Bible Dictionary says that grace is a strengthening or enabling power.  Divine means of help or strength, given through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ.  "Through the grace of the Lord, individuals, through faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means.  This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts." (BMSM, 279-80; or Ensign, Nov. 2004, 76-77).

Elder Gene R. Cook of the Seventy: "The grace of the Lord through the Atonement can both cleanse us of sin and assist us in perfecting ourselves through our trials, sicknesses, and even character defects . .  Christ can repair our flaws and failing that otherwise are not repairable (see Genesis 18:14; Mark 9:23-24) (Ensign, May 1993, 80-81).

GC: 'Tomorrow the Lord will do Wonders Among You' Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"Please remember tomorrow, and all the days after that, that the Lord blesses those who want to improve, who accept the need for commandments and try to keep them, who cherish Christlike virtues and strive to the best of their ability to acquire them.

If you stumble in that pursuit, so does everyone; the Savior is 

there to help you keep going.  If you fall, summon His strength.

Call out like Alma, "O Jesus, . . . have mercy on me."

(Alma 36:18)

He will help you get back up.  He will help you repent, repair, fix whatever you have to fix, and keep going.  Soon enough you

will have the success you seek."

  

It might be time for a haircut.

Dale the Quail

We had another miracle today.  James had just about given up on fixing the Razr.  He came in and said he was going to have Adam bring the trailer up so he could take it in to town to be fixed before next weekend when Darrel and Sheri's families come up.  I said to him:  "Please try one more time.  I really do think Heavenly Father is going to help you."  He gave it one more try using something called Locktight and, it worked!  We both said a prayer of gratitude because I know it was Heavenly Father that helped him.  He knew we couldn't afford to take it in to Show Low Motorsports.

I am intrigued by Dr. Campbell's book, The China Study, which is a study in nutrition.  He is telling about his decision to study the protein cancer connection as a result of studies done in the Philippines linking children with cancer to the amount of protein they eat.  Dr. Campbell advocates a Whole Food Plant Based diet.

I've just about had to learn a whole new vocabulary for my fantasy book Fablehaven.  I am reading about dwarfs, satyrs, dryads, fairies, hamadryads, Fairy Queens, naiads, goblins, revenants, talismans, and zombies.  Here is an excerpt from what I read today:

This is the Fairy Queen speaking to Kendra, who is a 14 year old girl trying to help fight the shadow plague that is taking over the mystical creature preserve, Fablehaven, where her grandpa is the caretaker: "While in your possession, the talisman will cast an umbrella of energy that will help protect those around you.  If you bring the talisman into contact with the dark object, both will be destroyed.  Be forewarned.  Whoever connects the objects will perish.  Much that has darkened will be restored.  Live a fruitful life.  Resist evil.  Give more than you take.  Help others to do likewise."  Such a wise little fairy queen.

Before going to town this afternoon James and I cleaned out the frig and ate most of the leftovers for lunch.  Homemade veggie soup, tortellini, and beans.  I always like to clean the frig the day I go grocery shopping.

The first thing we did when we got into town was go to visit aunt Gene at Haven in Lakeside.  We didn't stay long because she had a room full of people, including my cousin Arlee.  Aunt Gene was in good spirits and obviously felt much better.  Here is the last good picture I have of her.  

She has lost most of her hair and teeth, but she is still
beautiful to me.

We got gas at the Maverick right next to Haven and then headed back to Walmart.  James dropped me off and then he went to Harbor Freight to get some kind of a saw blade sharpener.

We got in to a little rain coming back home.  James carried in the groceries for me and then he headed out on the Razr to call elk.  My back was hurting so badly I grabbed some more Tramadol to take for the pain.  Here are a couple of goodies I got at the store:

I saved most of this for tomorrow so 

I would have something to look forward to.

This is what I had for dinner.

I love this time of year when everything with pumpkin flavoring comes out, so do the orange and yellow leaves, turkeys, and corn maizes.

I could probably handle this one.

Rowan got an attendance award today, just like Ruby

I don't think he likes to show his teeth when he smiles.

We missed Dawn's birthday dinner this evening at Garcia's in Mesa.  It was a little far for us to travel.  We stayed home and watched episode 2 of Chesapeake Shores.  Wow!  My back is making me feel like I am crippled.  I hope it is better tomorrow.