Friday, May 1st, 2020

Frieberg, Germany

33rd operating temple

Dedicated: 29-30 June 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, King

Psalms 24:7

Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be y lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Mosiah 10:1-10; Book of Mormon study guide and Sunday journal

April General Conference

"Opening Message" 

President Russell M. Nelson

 "Our ultimate quest in life is to prepare to meet our Maker. We do this by striving daily to become more like our Savior, Jesus Christ. And we do that as we repent daily and receive His cleansing, healing, and strengthening power. Then we can feel enduring peace and joy, even during turbulent times. This is exactly why the Lord has implored us to stand in holy places and 'be not moved.'"

"Turn to the Lord"

Elder Donald L. Hallstrom

April 2010

The guy that James hired to grade our road started today but every time we went by he was standing by the side of the road smoking and visiting with a friend. When we got back from Show Low the road had been worked on but was not done and he and his friend were taking a break. James is pretty worried since he hired him in behalf of all of our neighbors. The guy said he had 47 years experience and worked fast. So far we have seen no indication of either one.

I checked on the government website today and it says our stimulus check was mailed today. Hopefully we will get it next week.

I read this from the April Ensign today:

"Learning to choose the things of the Spirit over the things of the flesh is one of the primary reasons why this earthly experience is part of Heavenly Father's plan. It's also why the plan is built upon the solid, sure foundation of the Atonement of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ so that our sins, including the errors we make when we yield to the flesh, can be overcome through constant repentance and we can live spiritually focused. Now is the time to control our bodily appetites to comply with the spiritual doctrine of Christ.

That is why we must not procrastinate the day of our repentance."

I am on chapter 14 of Church History in the Fulness of Times, The Apostasy in Kirtland.

I finished the masks today and delivered them to Maxine along with her birthday present, a 12 pack of diet Coke a journal and pin and a plant with pink blooms.

James went with me to town. We got lunch at Taco Bell and then he dropped me off at Walmart while he went to Circle K to get gas and to wash the car. He came in and helped me check out. It was a zoo today, so many people. We waited for over 20 minutes to check out and then they had no bags so I bought some reusable ones. I was so glad to be done and out of there.

I did not find a German chocolate cake at Walmart for Owen's birthday party on Sunday so I asked James if we could go to Safeway. He let me go in while he stayed in the car to make phone calls. I had to wait in a line outside while someone at the door was counting people and letting them go in two at a time. He said only 150 people at a time could be in the store.

I went in and found a beautiful German chocolate cake in the bakery. I also bought some ice cream and I was ready to go. I have stood in enough lines and seen enough people for one day. There was so much traffic in town it looked like a holiday weekend.

James went on a Luna ride this evening while I blogged, walked, and fixed some dinner. 

Erik and Amelia and their children are coming up tomorrow so Erik can work on the Razr.

James and I watched Season 1 Episode 1 of "Lark Rise to Candleford" this evening. James had never seen it before.

 This is the cutest ever!

 Owen Peeler's birthday cake

Monday, June 10th, 2019

Frankfurt, Germany

41st operating temple

Dedicated: 28 Aug 1987

By: Ezra Taft Benson

Jesus Christ, Exemplar

Matthew 4:19

And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Book of Mormon

Alma 13:21-14:5

New Testament "Not as I will, as Thou Wilt"

Matthew 26:1-19 Mark 14:1-16 Luke 22:1-13

General Conference

Feasting Upon the Words of Christ

Takashi Wada

"The words of Christ can help us 'increase our spiritual capacity to receive revelation' and safely guide us through our life. Mormon teaches that the words of Christ have 'a great tendency to lead the people to do that which is just' and that they are more powerful than anything 'the sword' can accomplish. As I have searched for God's wisdom in dealing with my own challenges, always as I have tried the 'virtue of the word of God', I have felt inspired and enabled to make wise decisions, overcome temptations, and bless my life with increased faith in Christ and love for those around me. Our prophet, Russell M. Nelson, has taught us that 'in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost'. Needed revelation will come as we try the 'virtue of the word,' and that word will be more powerful than anything else we could try or imagine."

I worked on catching up on "Come Follow Me" this morning. 

James left around 8 o'clock to look at a remodel job at Dawn's school.

Ruby went to swimming lessons and Lola went to tumbling. 

Trina was supposed to work but they put her "on call." 

When Lola returned we packed up Lexy and after Rowan offered a prayer of safety and peace we left for Vernon. Rowan sat in the front seat and Lola and Ruby were in the back. James is staying here for a 1:30 appointment with his ear, nose, and throat doctor, Dr. Weiner.

I headed out on the 202 towards Gilbert Rd. Instead of going all the way to the 101 I decided I was going to get off on Gilbert Rd. That's the way James came in on Saturday. Something happened when I got off and instead of heading north on Gilbert Rd., I headed south. I was so frustrated that when I came to the Peter Piper Pizza on Baseline Rd. I decided to stop for lunch. The first thing Lola said was: "Gramma, I don't won't to play, I want to go to the cabin." 

I bought four buffet lunches and we probably ate enough for one. The things that was really costly was the drinks. Oh well. Darrel did give me cash for the week to feed the kids. I promise I didn't use all of it today, only about a third.

I forgot to tell a cute story about Lola that happened yesterday at our family dinner. She said to Joshua: "Everybody in your family is brown except for your mom....and your dog Shipley."

As I left Peter Piper I headed north on Gilbert road and took the 60 to Country Club which turns into the 87, the road to Payson.

When we got to Payson we stopped at McDonald's to use the bathrooms and to eat ice cream. Lola was asleep when we got there but when we said the word ice cream she woke right up.

In Show Low we stopped at Safeway so Lola could use the bathroom and so we could do some shopping. The kids decided they wanted spaghetti for dinner. Ruby likes broccoli so I got some broccoli and french bread to go with our spaghetti. All the kids got to pick out a fruit. Rowan picked nectarines, Ruby plums, and Lola strawberries. We also got some cherries for grandpa. 

Our next stop was the Conoco station on the hill as we were leaving Show Low. Last stop was the post office. No books, but a pink slip saying I had items too big for my box. 

As we were driving towards Vernon I noticed ominous black clouds coming from Springerville, and New Mexico. 

Rowan carried everything in from the car and I put it away. The kids took their stuff up stairs. They are all going to sleep in their family room. 

I went up and helped them clean the dead bugs out of the bathtub and the toilet and then I vacuumed and dusted. 

James got here around 6. He told the kids that there were two antelope outside. It's LaVerne and Shirley! The kids and James stood in our bedroom looking through binoculars to see if the antelope were pregnant. They determined that they were.

As we sat down to dinner it began to rain. It rained hard and then the rain turned to hail and it looked like there was snow on the ground. The temperature dropped from 80 to 60. The drop in temperature is one of the things I love about rain!

After dinner I walked and played with Lola. We played bowling and chess. Ruby and Rowan were upstairs playing Minecraft. Lola found the tea party box with hats, and boas. I told her if she put it back we would get it out tomorrow and have a tea party.

We all had family prayer together before going to bed.

 Eating spaghetti while it rains and hails

Lola said: "I like this bread"!

 Sweet Scarlett

 These two are friends forever!

 Five years ago had the time share.

I love the look on Max's and Joshua's faces

as they consider the fact that Evan knew

more Articles of Faith than they did.

 Last year Trina wanted to go here. I think

she thought it would be a real forest.

 Jared's friends Brian and Amy.

Friday, May 17th, 2019

Sao Paulo, Brazil

17th operating temple

Dedicated: 30 Oct - Nov 2 1978

By: Spencer W. Kimball

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

1 John 4:14

And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

Book of Mormon

Alma 1:15-33

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matthew 20:18-29; Mark 10:32-45; Luke 18:31-34

General Conference

Where Will This Lead?

President Dallin H. Oaks

"Some time ago I gave a talk titled 'Good, Better, Best.' In that talk I said that 'just because something is good is not a sufficient reason for doing it. The number of good things we can do far exceeds the time available to accomplish them. Some things are better than good, and these are the things that should command priority attention in our lives. ... We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best."

I have something to say about the talk I read yesterday by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "The Laborers in the Vineyard" from the April 2012 General Conference. This talk was life changing for me and answered a question that I have had for some time now about our will. James has said he was going to give certain children less inheritance because we have helped them more than we have helped others. I understood what he was saying, but I was not totally comfortable with that decision. Kim and Brian are going to be the executor's of our will and I did not want to leave it up to them to make any decisions we should have made. This talk has helped me to realize that all that we have should be divided equally among our five children. Period. The main inheritance will be our home and property in Vernon. It will be up to them as to what they do with this inheritance. I feel so goo about this decision and after listening to Elder Holland, I think that James does too. I would encourage everyone to listen to this talk!!A

Here is part of a quote from that talk: "Why should you chose to be jealous because I chose to be kind? It is my money."

As I sat at my desk this morning doing my scripture study, I could hear the wind howling and blowing through the trees outside. Another windy day.

Hear is another Jeffrey R. Holland quote from another talk, "Lessons from Liberty Jail, Ensign, Sept 2009, 30.) 

"When lonely, cold, hard times come, we have to endure, we have to continue, we have to persist. That was the Savior's message in the parable of the importuning widow...Keep knocking on that door. Keep pleading. In the meantime, know that God hears your cries and knows your distress. He is your Father and you are His child."

Another quote I found as part of my study. This one was in the New Testament Student Manual as part of the religion class taught at BYU:

"Perseverance is rooted in the foundational gospel principles of faith and hope. Perseverance reflects our faith that our actions will bring the Lord's blessings into our lives."

James had an appointment at Chase Bank today at 10:30 to see about cashing in our Zion's Bank stock. I dropped him off and I headed for Safeway. While I was shopping at Safeway I ran in to Sister Grapp and her kids. All of the kids except baby Leland gave me a hug. They were excited about coming over tonight so their parents could have a night out. Benson said he was going to bring his army guys if that was okay. Of course Benson. 

James called me before I was finished shopping, just as I discovered they had no Dr. Pepper 10. He needs me at the bank to sign some papers, so I cut my shopping short and off I went to Chase Bank. 

Jeremy was the name of the bank officer helping James. After signing all the papers he told us we should be getting our money in about 7-10 days. We should be getting around $2300 if all goes well. I already know what I am doing with the money.

We had lunch at LaCasita, we each had our usual. While there an old friend from high school and a friend of James's when he was on the Show Low high council walked in with several other workers at the hospital. Brother MacArthur is a bigwig at the hospital and so is Greg Butler. I will always remember Greg Butler as the kid who worked in my dad's store when we were in high school. We called him Bugs Bunny because he had white Converse tennis shoes and a feather duster in his back pocket and he walked with sort of a hop. I hope they had a nice lunch. Brother MacArthur spent a lot of time in Vernon because he was assigned to our ward when on the high council.

When the Grapp's got here this evening at 6 pm there were only two kids instead of four. Benson and Tildy are being punished for bad behavior and will have to stay home this evening. I guess Cammy and Thomas are staying home and hanging pictures. Liana (10)and Emsley(5)are little angels and we had a great time. They played Barbie's for awhile and then we watched the movie, "Ratatouille."

I made popcorn and James made limeade. I also had made cookies and they each had a cookie.

When Cammy came back to pick them up she said: "It's funny how you got the two good kids and we had the two misbehaving kids." We laughed and I said hopefully all of them would be able to come next time. I really do want to play with Benson's army guys.

 I love the many faces of Charlie

 Just making some funny faces!

I loved this story and picture!

 Lots of things to earn this week.

 I like this kind of recycling!

 Good idea!

 Congratulations Hunter!

My mentor is becoming a book hoarder!

 Like his brother Dallin, Joshua likes to perform

to an audience.

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019

Paris, France

156th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 May 2017

By: Henry B. Eyring

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

John 11:4

When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 14:1-15:9

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Luke 10:1-16

General Conference

The Atonement of Jesus Christ

Tad R. Callister

"The Savior's Atonement is not only infinite in scope but also individual in reach."

One of the things I love most about spring is the birds singing in the morning. I heard them today.

I read a great article today by President M. Russell Ballard from 1996 called, "When Shall These Things Be"? You can find it in the Dec 1996 Ensign on p. 60.

James came in this morning and announced that he could not find his wallet. He spent over an hour looking for it. He said the last time he saw or used it was on Saturday when he bought gas. 

On our way to town I called Darrel and asked him to look in the bedroom where we stayed. At first he couldn't find it but then he said he found it on the floor at the edge of the bed. Thank goodness! How many more things can this guy lose?

Our first stop in town was at the bank where I deposited $1,200 that James got from Mario. This money belongs to Burnham for cleaning up the lots after the work was done.

We were hungry so we stopped at LaCasita for lunch. When the waitress asked for our order I said, "I'll have the usual." She looked at me kind of funny and I said, "Oh, I thought you probably had our orders memorized by now." She said she didn't but would try to remember next time. I told her I was only joking. 

After lunch we went to Walmart to do some shopping. I ran in to a friend who spends her winters in the valley and summers in Vernon, Teresa. She was frustrated because she couldn't find a couple of items she wanted. I told her I knew how she felt. She said tomorrow is her husband Wes's birthday and she is going to go to Safeway because she thought their ribeye steaks were better than Walmart's. I agreed. 

We went to Safeway to get Dr. Pepper10. We saw Teresa again. We also stopped by CVS and spent $146 for James's prescriptions. On the way out of town we stopped for gas. It rained on us most of the way home, quite hard. We always need the rain and I love rainy days.

We listened to our Anita Stanfield book, "Ivy and Stone" on the way home from town. I also listened to the book "Squint." 

After returning from town I got a Facetime call from Jared and Charlie. How fun! The highlight of my day.

I watched one of my favorite Hallmark movies, "A Country Wedding" while working on the floor and walking. 

James and I watched McBride: Dogged. I had already seen it but I wanted James to see it too. He guess right away who the killer was. I guess he has more of a criminal mind than I do.

Two more books that I ordered came today. I will need to create a shipment tomorrow.

 Uh oh

 That's better

 James and I both love this sweet girl. 

Her birthday was yesterday.

My sweet friend Jean with her husband, Marcy her

daughter, Joe her son-in-law and two of her

grandchildren. Jean and Ralph spoke in Church and

shared their testimonies of the Gospel.