Sunday, May 20th, 2018

Kansas City, Missouri

137th operating temple

Dedicated: 6 May 2012

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Birth of

1 Nephi 11:18

And he said unto me: Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh.

Alma 3:1-19

*Why is it important to keep records?

- So that the truth is kept correct. If there is something that should be preserved and saved for future generations then it should be recorded. Look how much the scriptures mean to us because someone took the time to record valuable truths. We know we don't have everything in the written word. Records have been lost, or translations have not always been 100% accurate, but we can 

count on the books of scripture we do have to help us on our journey. 

Old Testament

2 Samuel 13-14

13 Amnon desires Tamar, his sister, and forces her - He is slain by Absalom's command - Absalom flees to Geshur.

14 Joab arranges by artifice to bring Absalom home after three years - After two more years, Absalom sees the king, and they are reconciled.

General Conference

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

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said: "The first great commandment of all eternity is to love God with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength - that's the first great commandment. But the first great truth of all eternity is that God loves us with all of His heart, might, mind, and strength. That love is the foundation stone of eternity,and it should be the foundation stone of our daily life."

Being the foundation stone of our daily life, pure love is a requirement for every true disciple of Jesus Christ.

I got up at 5 a.m. and ate some breakfast and then began working on my time. It's not long enough. I add two more stories and Stacy's letter from Mother's Day 2013. I only added Stacy's letter because James told me to. 

Brother Owen's from the stake high council was my speaking companion. He says his dad owns Owen's Mortuary. 

I had two people ask for a copy of my talk and several others tell me they liked it. James said it was the best talk he's ever heard in a sacrament meeting, but that's just him loving me and supporting me, which I do appreciate very much. Most of my stories came from the book, "Christlike Parenting."

I should have mentioned this in my talk.

Brother Scott taught Sunday School and Sister Grapp taught Relief Society. Her discussion/lesson was on Brother Durrant's talk, "Teaching in the Home - a Joyful and Sacred Responsibility." I could have used this talk for my talk today but I knew Cammy was teaching from it and I didn't want to steal her thunder. She did very well and got alot of discussion.

After the block James made us some green smoothies and we took a short nap before leaving for the valley for Ben's seminary graduation. Adam and his friends said they like my talk. Everyone went to sacrament meeting except Kaitlin. 

I wasn't even hesitant to leave Adam and company here because I knew them well enough to know they would be good and keep it clean, especially with Kaitlin in charge.

James drove his truck and I drove my car. We left around 2. I got tired and had to stop a couple of times. The worse part of the trip for me is what I call the Miami-Superior corridor. Lots of traffic, cliff on one side and a mountain on the other and lots of curves. I prefer Salt River Canyon.

We drove straight to Sheri's house and didn't get there until after 5. She said dinner was at 5 but didn't seem to upset that we were a little late. 

For dinner we had roast, potatoes, carrots, corn, and rolls. For dessert there were brownies and some of Sheri's lowfat, low calorie Halo ice cream. We indulged and didn't feel too guilty because we both lost weight this week. I lost 2 lbs. and James lost 2 1/2 lbs.

We got dressed and drove to the seminary graduation at the stake center. We left after Sheri and beat her there. The entire family came to support Ben, except for Alex who was at work. Kim and Brian also came and so did Stacy, Paul, and Joshua. 

Ben goes to Hamilton High School and he loves his seminary teacher, Brother Patterson. The Miner's and the Wanlass's were at the graduation because Ian and Kristen are both graduating too. 

We also saw some old friends from the Del Rio 2nd ward, the Menlove's, and Chipman's. Bishop Wilson's daughter Halle was there too. She looks so beautiful and grown up. I taught Kristen, and Halle in Primary several years ago.

I loved President Johansen's talk on the Holy Ghost. He told some great mission stories. One of the little boys that got baptized called him Elder Joe Handsome. Brother Johansen went to the Edmonton, Canada mission.

We did not stay for refreshments. We went back to Sheri's to get James's truck and then drove out to Darrel and Trina's to spend the night.

Lola wanted to sleep with us and of course we could not say no. She was very good but the bed was a little crowded.

Trina was excited because she lost 3 lbs. this week. Darrel has lost a total of 27 pounds and looks good!

My friend Pam posted this.

Cute dog, but he has sharp teeth

Taylor and her chicken

Taylor's baptism. We taught her as a 

five year old in Primary.

Royal Wedding at Windsor Castle

Saturday, May 19th, 2018

Quetzaltenango, Guatemala

136th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Dec 2011

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Birth of

2 Nephi 25:19

For according to the words of the prophets, the Messiah cometh in six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem; and according to the words of the prophets, and also the word of the angel of God his name shall be Jesus Christ the Son of God.

Book of Mormon

Alma 2:19-38

* What did the Nephites do to help them gain victory over the Amlicites?

- The war chapters teach us much about how to gain victory over our enemies. What can we learn about gaining victory over our enemies? Verse 21 Alma sent spies to know of the plans and plots of the Amlicites. We have the Holy Ghost that can warn us and prepare us to be ready for Satan's attacks. We can pray mightily as in vs. 28, and be strengthened by the Lord. In verse 30 we can be men and women of God, exercising our faith that no matter what we can be instruments in the Lord's hands. The Nephites were outnumbered by the Amlicites but God was on their side, which was the reason they gained victory!

Old Testament

2 Samuel 11-12

11 David lies with Bathsheba, and she conceives - He then arranges for the death in battle of her husband, Uriah.

12 Nathan tells David the parable of the ewe lamb - The Lord gave many wives to David, who is now cursed for taking Bathsheba - David fasts and prays for his son, but the Lord takes him - Solomon is born - David conquers the royal city of the Ammonites.

General Conference

With One Accord

Reyna I. Aburto

"Like the monarch butterflies, we are on a journey back to our heavenly home, where we will reunite with our Heavenly parents. Like the butterflies, we have been given divine attributes that allow us to navigate through life, in order to 'fill the measure of our creation.' Like them, if we knot our hearts together, the Lord will protect us 'as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings' and will make us into a beautiful kaleidoscope."

James's business credit card was due today. I had to transfer more money out of our line of credit to pay it. There is only $2,000 left in our line of credit.

The first thing James did this morning when he got up was feed the hummingbirds and the bunnies. 

After reading Alma 2:19-38 on the prayers of Alma, James tells me the result of my prayers for him this past week. When I prayed that he would have enough help workers showed up that he hadn't expected. He believes very strongly in my faith and prayers now.

Adam and his friends got up rather late to make breakfast. Kaitlin is recovering from being sick so she slept in even longer, and misses the guys big breakfast. They save her some. Mmmm nothing like leftover pancakes and bacon. 

James and I left to go to town and the guys, Chris, Kyle and Jacob,  went on a Razr ride. I guess they left Kaitlin a note. 

On the way into town I read from our current book, "Stars Over Northumberland" by Anita Stansfield.

We stopped for lunch at LaCasita. James got a chicken green chili enchilada and I got a plain green chili enchilada. His was better. I will know next time. I had to try it. The waitress brought me extra lettuce. Next time I need to ask for extra lettuce and tomato.

After lunch I ran in to Walgreen's to get me an eyebrow pencil because I can't find the one I bought yesterday. (I find it later, and now I have two). 

Next stop, Cal-Ranch for bunny food. I went in and took pictures of the baby chicks.

So cute when they are little.

When we get home I sit down to work on my talk on righteous parenting. I also did my walking outside. James is so tired from the hectic week he had that he lies down to take a nap. Adam and his friends are upstairs playing video games. They took the 4G wifi upstairs.

It is a beautiful evening to walk outside. The bunnies are eating, some in the grass, others out of the containers James has out for them. Since we don't have a dog or cat I guess you could say that these bunnies are our pets. 

I love the book, "Christlike Parenting," by Glenn I. Latham. Most of my talk is based on the principles in this book. 

Oh, did I mention, Adam has a beard and mustache but even better than that, one of the guys who came up with him has long hair, and a long beard. I call this group, Kaitlin and the guys. Adam told me that Jacob was in the pirate play with him and Kaitlin. I thought to myself that he's still playing the part of the pirate.

 Hatch's continue their temple tour.

This time they are in St. Louis, Missouri.

 Introducing the Duke and Duchess

of Sussex. The Royal Wedding 

was today.

Bunnies cutting the grass.

Beautiful sunset.