Wednesday, May 22nd, 2019

Apia, Samoa

22nd operating temple

Dedicated: 5-6 Aug 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

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.

Book of Mormon

Alma 4:5-20

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matthew 22:1-14; Luke 19:1-27

General Conference

Preparing for the Lords Return

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

In two weeks, we will celebrate Easter. The Resurrection confirms the divinity of Jesus Christ and the reality of God the Father. Our thoughts turn to the Savior, and we ponder "His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice." I hope we also think about His pending return when 'He will rule as King of Kings and ... Lord of Lords."

I bought books from a new DFY list today. One of the books was gated but I bought all the rest. I also bought some books that have sold off of my inventory list. Others that weren't profitable now I set alerts on. I have bought 30 new books since May 13th. We sold three today.

Kacey sent a text today that gives hope that Jared may be able to get out from under the alimony payment. 

This afternoon I made cookies for one of the Wilhelm kids. Zemira turns 13 today. When we took the cookies and a card over to them Zemira and Andy and Johnny were on horses and were headed for the hills to go camping. When James hands Zemira the cookies he says, "but I already had cookies today." Andy says: "That's okay, we can take them with us."!

I read from "To Win a Lady's Heart" to James and then walked while watching "Chopped Junior." I haven't watched "Chopped" for awhile and I forgot how much I enjoy it. These kids were really good chefs!

James did some roadwork on the Cat this afternoon until it died and he couldn't get it started. He thinks it may have a dead battery. He told the Judd's they could use it on Saturday to haul beams for their new house so we will have to go into town and take the battery and have it tested.

We sent out a temple cleaning email via the Relief Society and Elder's Quorum today. Hopefully that will get people's attention. James will also make phone calls until we get at least 15 people committed for Saturday evening. Our ward has this assignment every Memorial Day weekend.

The Pacific Northwest

Wish we could go back to these days!

 53 years

They are on a mission in Wyoming at
Martin's Cove right now.

 Pancakes!

Monday, December 10th, 2018

Apia, Samoa

22nd operating temple

Dedicated: 5-6 Aug 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, death of

Philippians 2:8

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Book of Mormon #1

Ether 8:1-17

*Why are secret combinations so dangerous when they are established in societies?

Book of Mormon #2

3 Nephi 4-6

Old Testament

Zephaniah 2-3

General Conference

Our Campfire of Faith

Elder Gerritt W. Gong

"Second, our campfire of faith can encourage us to minister in new, higher, and holier Spirit-filled ways. Such ministering brings miracles and the blessings of covenant belonging - where we feel God's love and seek to minister to others in that spirit."

I woke up at 7 this morning, a little later than I had planned. I'm glad I took my shower last night. I read scriptures, said my prayers, began packing and getting myself ready to go. Kim gave me a plate of yummy cookies to take with me. The sugar cookies are my favorite!

I went to Circle K and got gas and then dropped Wendy's basket off at Cathi's house. I should have taken a picture but with everything else going on, I forgot. Oh, and btw, Cathi is soooo skinny!

James called to ask me where I was and said that they were releasing him. I told him I would get there as quickly as I could but it's over 28 miles. I also asked him if it was ok if I stopped at Marshall's to pick up the bunny mugs (shown earlier) for Ruby and Lola. He said yes!

After Marshall's I parked my car in valet parking at the hospital. I hope these guys don't expect tips because I never have any cash with me. Oh well. 

When I get to his room James is dressed, except for his shoes which I help him put on. I got there just before the physical therapist came to take him for a walk. When he got back from a spin around the hall he said he was sore. Just about everything is ready for him to go but they will not give him a pain pill before he goes or allow us to take any with them. I complained and asked Ryan, the nurse, if he would call Dr. Caldron's office and ask for some pain pills. I think the problem is they called his prescriptions in to the CVS in Show Low. He will be on the anti-biotic, oxycodone, Lyrica, and a stool softener.

Ryan came in a few minutes later with a 15mg oxycodone. James's prescription is only 5mg a does. I guess that will get him through the 3 hour drive home.

Ryan read us all the release forms and Gabriel pushed him in the wheelchair downstairs. I went ahead to have the valet guys get the car. We said goodbye to Gabriel, Honor Health, and room 5306. Honestly, I hope we never have to come back.

I drove out Shea Blvd to the old Beeline Highway to Payson. In Payson we stopped at Taco Bell for lunch. James did pretty well, considering we didn't even take his walker in.

 James did stay in the car while I went in to Basha's to pick up some things. He wanted a watermelon and some cantaloupe, I told him they were out of season but I would get some. They turned out lousy, both of them.

Next stop, CVS in Show Low and then on home to Vernon. We actually got home before dark. I got James settled in and then began unloading the car and putting things away. It took a few hours before I finished and was able to sit down and relax. 

We watched a new Christmas movie, called "Once Upon a Christmas Miracle," about a girl with liver disease and the guy who gives her part of his liver. It was actually based on a true story.

Coming back from the well and turning the water

on. I actually had to twist the handle because James

couldn't bend over. I'm beginning to appreciate

all the things he does that go unnoticed. I need to

appreciate him more.

Picture of Charlie always make us happy

and make our day so much better!

 She will be such a great missionary!

 Arizona Highways and snow on the dessert,

something you don't see very often.

Thursday, January 25th, 2018

Apia, Samoa

22nd operating temple

Dedicated: 5-6 Aug 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

Zechariah 14:9

And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.

Book of Mormon

1Nephi 17:17-30

*What are some worldly pleasures that might be hard to give up, only trusting that the Lord has something better in store?

*How do you maintain the faith that the Lord has something better in store when he asks you to give up worldly pleasures?

Old Testament

Exodus 7-8

7 Moses is appointed to give the word of the Lord to Pharaoh - The Lord will multiply signs and wonders in Egypt - Aaron's rod becomes a serpent - The river is turned into blood - The magicians imitate the miracles of Moses and Aaron.

8 The Lord sends plagues of frogs, lice, and flies upon Egypt - Pharaoh hardens his heart.

Old Testament Scripture Mastery

Jeremiah 16:16

Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the Lord, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.

General Conference

God's Compelling Witness:The Book of Mormon

Brother Tad R. Callister

"But even if we suppose that Joseph were a creative and theological genius with a photographic memory - these talents alone do not make him a skilled writer. To explain the Book of Mormon's existence, the critics must also make the claim that Joseph was a naturally gifted writer at age 23. Otherwise, how did he interweave scores of names, places, and events into a harmonious whole without inconsistencies? How did he pen detailed war strategies, compose eloquent sermons, and coin phrases that are highlighted, memorized, quoted, and placed on refrigerator doors by millions of people, phrases such as,'When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God' (Mosiah 2:17) or 'Men are, that they might have joy' (2 Nephi 2:25). These are messages with a heartbeat - messages that live and breathe and inspire. To suggest that Joseph Smith at age 23 possessed the skills necessary to write this monumental work in a single draft in approximately 65 working days is simply counter to the realities of life."

"I believe that the greatest lesson that can be learnedby the youth of Zion is to do the right thing because you love the Lord." - Hartman Rector, Jr. 

"Patriarchal blessings may be given by natural patriarchs, that is by fathers in Israel who enjoy the blessings of the patriarchal order, or they may be given by ordained patriarchs, specially selected brethren who are appointed to bless worthy church members." - Bruce R. McConkie

James is getting quite competitive with the  Pacer app. His username is PacerGuy48 and he is #1 in the 6,000 club. 

James worked at the Howard's today and got to spend some time with Nally.

Sister Howard is having neck and back surgery today. I talked to her husband and he said it lasted over five hours. 

I met my visiting teaching companion, Sister Morrison, at Sister Grapp's today. Sister Morrison has twin 18 month old boys and Sister Grapp babysits for her so they are pretty good friends. Liana, who is in my Primary class, opened the gate for me. They have two big dogs who are very friendly, a little too friendly One of them is a party poodle, full sized. Party means she is multi-colored. Tildy cries or hides the entire time we are there. Benson was very friendly, he played the piano for me. I brought a goal handout for Sister G. and cookies for Sister G. and Sister M. Sister G. takes zucchini bread out of the over and covers it with butter for us. Yummy. When I ask what we can do for Sister G. Liana suggests babysitting. Great idea!

Liana and Benson take me down to see their two Welch ponies, Raisin who is black, and Rocky who belongs to Liana. Tildy follows us but she is not speaking to anyone.

This evening for dinner I made parmesan chicken with squash and zucchini. It was delilcious!

We watched the first episode of this seasons Victoria this evening.

I love this picture of Evan

Peek-a-boo Panda

My friend Gerry and her twin sister Kerry

taken when they were teenagers.

This makes me laugh

Jackson and his mom at senior day.

The Wilhelm's in the background.

I am sad this is blurry