Sunday, May 6th, 2018

Sacramento, California

123rd operating temple

Dedicated: 3 Sept 2006

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, birth of

2 Nephi 17:14

Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign - Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and shall bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 24:1-15
*How has prayer helped ease your daily burdens?
- Prayer will strengthen us to carry our burdens. In vs. 15 "The Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease." When we pray for help we will receive strength, we then find hope in Christ. By submitting cheerfully the Lord will deliver us from our burdens.
Old Testament
1 Samuel 16-17
16 The Lord chooses David of Bethlehem as king - He is anointed by Samuel - Saul chooses David as his companion and armor bearer.
17 Israel and the Philistines engage in war - Goliath of Gath, a giant, defies Israel and challenges any Israelite to personal combat - David goes against him in the name of the Lord - David slays Goliath with a sling and a stone - Israel defeats the Philistines.
General Conference

The Prophet of God

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"In sustaining President Russell M. Nelson as the Lord's prophet and as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we were part of a divinely decreed solemn assembly - solemn because the events of this past hour have been anticipated in the heavens since before the world was. The Lord Jesus Christ, who directs His work, has today through President Eyring presented His prophet, His anointed leader, to us, His covenant people, allowing us publicly to manifest our willingness to sustain him and follow his counsel."

I got up at 4:30 this morning. Today is the day we weigh and report to Trina on how we did. I lost 2.2 lbs. James lost over 4. I am still happy though. Men always lose faster than women, especially in the beginning.

I prepared a few notes on ministering from the ministering.lds.org website to take with me to young women's when I talk to them today. I also really got in to the RS lesson on revelation. There are so many good things in President Nelson's conference talk. 

We had a really good fast and testimony meeting today. One of my favorite testimonies was Brother Allen's. He said that Sister Brewer came to him last week and asked him what his favorite hymn was. She said because he has been through so much these past few weeks she wanted to do something for him. He said it was "I Stand All Amazed." This was our sacrament hymn today. Brother Allen told why it is favorite hymn. He said when he was 7 or 8 years old he was acting up. His grandfather, who was the stake president, took him by the hand and sat him down next to him on the piano bench. His grandfather began playing and singing "I Stand All Amazed." Brother Allen says he still remembers this incident every time he hears this hymn. He thanks his grandfather for taking the time to teach him and give him an opportunity to feel the Spirit.

Linda Price, a summer, part time member of our ward told about her grandson's sealing in the Salt Lake temple. President Dallin H. Oaks was the sealer and she got to give him a hug.

James got up and after bearing his testimony he began talking about me and how our 50th wedding anniversary is coming up. It was very sweet of him.

Because of James's testimony Linda Price, before Relief Society started showed me some photos of their 50th wedding anniversary celebration two years ago. 

Our  friends the Prices'

Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary!

7 Kids, 40 Grandkids, and 12 Great-Grandkids

Grandchildren, oldest to youngest

7 grandchildren missed the party because of

Missions, college and pregnancy.

Several of the people James and I have stewardship over are having problems today. Pam's husband Ricky is having hernia surgery in the morning. Sister Peeler is in the ER having tests done to see what is causing her pain. It turned out to be not too serious, but still a concern. Anthony, James's friend, has a severe toothache. James checked and he does have antibiotics. Some of the Grapp kids have pink eye and Jean Howard has flu symptons. Our ministering skills will be put to work this week.

I attended the gospel doctrine class for the first time since I was called to teach Primary 3 years ago. Brother Scott was the teacher. He is very knowledgeable but I was disappointed we didn't read any of the scriptures in the lesson except one verse.

I went in to speak to the young women about their upcoming ministering responsibilities. The only ones I knew were LeeAnn and Alice. Of course I know Hailey and Holly and Talena and Bailey but not like I know the older girls. I think it went quite well. Sister Allen only wanted me to take 5-10 minutes so I didn't say nearly as much as I had prepared.

Tamara gave the discussion on personal revelation in Relief Society and from what I heard it was very good. President Nelson's talk from conference on revelation was one of my favorites.

I forgot to mention our future missionary, Jackson Allen, was ordained an elder today after the block. I heard his mom talking about it and half the Allen family attended our ward today. He already has his mission papers in.

This is Jackson. He is quite the mountain man too.

Here he says that you need to appreciate where you are from.

He loves the White Mountains. He is passing up wrestling

scholarships to serve a mission. He is quite the young man.

When James and I got home from church we broke our fast and had lunch. After lunch we shared a quart of Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream. It was delicious!

I took an hour and a half nap and James was down for about 3-4 hours. He needs the rest because he is going to have a brutal week out in the sun beginning tomorrow. 

It was a wonderful Sabbath day. We were in bed by 9:30 because of James's early schedule tomorrow.

Evan treats me like a baby 'cuz I'm the 

younger brother.

Paul wrote this yesterday 

on Facebook.

Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott.

Over 200 years old on the Tweed River.

If I ever go back to Europe it will be to

visit Scotland.

Baby Leo, who had open heart surgery when

he was just a few days old was blessed today

by his dad.

The Chunky Monkey Weightloss Challenge Stats:

If James loses any more weight he is

going to blow away. Boy he makes

me look like a chunky monkey.

I guess I shouldn't blame him, should I.

 Woohoo!

Tuesday, June 20th, 2017

Sacramento, California

123rd operating temple

Dedicated 3 Sept 2006 by:

Gordon B. Hinckley

3 Nephi 14

The Savior Appears to the Nephites

Jesus commands: Judge not; ask of God beware of false prophets - He promises salvation to those who do the will of the Father - Compare Matthew 7.

Alma 19:22-36

*In Alma 19:12-14 what truths had Lamoni learned during the previous two days?

*Lamoni, the queen, and Ammon were "overpowered with joy." When have you felt the influence of the Spirit in a powerful way?

(Before bearing my testimony in sacrament meeting a couple of months ago, when praying and studying the scriptures, especially when they testify of the Savior, and when I shook hands with President Kimball, and sang with a small group outside the tabernacle, "We Thnak Thee O God for a Prophet", to President McKay just to name a few.)

*When have I felt great joy? (At the birth of each of my children and grandchildren and when I was sealed in the temple to my sweetheart and seeing my children sealed to their sweethearts.)

*By sharing our testimonies and setting righteous examples, we can help others turn to the Lord.

DC 88:111-126

103-16, Angelic trumps proclaim the restoration of the gospel, the fall of Babylon, and the battle of the Great God; 117-26, Seek learning, establish a house of God (a temple), and clothe yourselves with the bond of charity;

Has there ever been a time that you wanted to "run" and share the gospel with others?

General Conference

A Sin-Resistant Generation

Joy D. Jones

"Fortifying children to become sin-resistant is a task and a blessing for parents, grandparents, family members, teachers, and leaders. We each bear responsibility to help. However, the Lord has specifically instructed parents to teach their children 'to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord.'"

James broke the auger and the Cat.  He is having such a difficult time digging the post holes for our fence because there are big rocks buried underground.  They got a little rain in Vernon today. Here in the valley it was 122 degrees.

I waited until Addy got up before going to the store. I went to Frys and got food and supplies and then stopped at Jack-in-the-Box for a breakfast Jack. I also took the girls some pancakes.  The ordered waffles and strawberries for breakfast.  They each ate a waffle and of course Ruby had to have some whipped cream with hers. Later we made strawberry shortcake. After breakfast we went swimming.

Or I should say the girls went swimming and I

sat and watched.

Ruby sits on the edge of the pool and watches Addy.

A little sister fun.

They need some pool toys and goggles

Ruby waving.

The water does look inviting.

After their morning swim they each got a smoothie and then we went back to the villa. (That is what they call them here.)  The girls got dressed and we went to Chik-fil-a for lunch. After ordering Ruby informs me she doesn't like their chicken but she eats her fries. Addy likes the chicken but not the fries. I could have ordered one meal and they could have shared it.

After Chik-fil-a we went to Walmart to find some tubes for them to play with in the water.  I ended up buying seven tubes because I knew Lola, Rowan, Max, Evan, and Joshua were all coming this week.  

The afternoon swim was much more fun with the tubes.

So much more relaxing!

This picture makes me laugh. It looks like

Ruby's feet are in Addy's tube!

So cute!

Ruby coming back from the hot tub.

We had just enough time to shower and eat some strawberry shortcake before leaving for Rowan's Cub Scout Arrow of Light Ceremony in east Mesa. I drove over 40 miles to Crismon and Guadalupe to their meetinghouse.  We got there just in time, and just a little before Trina and Darrel arrived.  

The meeting was quite long because others boys got awards and a retired Navy Aviator came and spoke. It was interesting. They saved Rowan for last. We are very proud of him for receiving the highest award you can receive in Cub Scouts.

Rowan's scout leader came over and asked me if I knew what

a great young man Rowan was. I said I did.

Darrel handing Rowan his award.

Rowan pinning on Trina

Rowan with his award and his arrow.

He wanted to bring the arrow with him to the resort but

I told him I didn't think it was a good idea.

Rowan and one of his friends

We are all very proud of him!

Addy is like Adam, she takes a book with her wherever she goes.

Lola watching Ruby lick the frosting off her cupcake.

And this is the result.

Lola planning her next move.

She had to make sure I saw her green tongue.

I said goodbye to the girls and Trina and Darrel and Rowan and I headed for Chandler to pick up Joshua, Evan, and Max.  I also stopped at Cathi's and picked up the Omaha frozen food that Jared purchased for James for Father's Day.  Lots of good stuff.  Cathi told me about Lois being sick and spending time with her in the hospital last night as she couldn't stop vomiting.  They thought she had eaten some bad potato salad but that proved to be wrong. For the rest of the week, Cathi, Dawn, and then Terry were vomiting and very sick. So sad.

Back at the resort these boys like to stick together.

This was supposed to be Evan and Joshua's bed but

they all ended up sleeping together.

Max and Evan said the resort, they call it the condo, was their favorite place in the world. Rowan and Joshua opted for the cabin.