December 26th, 2019

Oaxaca, Mexico

74th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Mar 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Jehovah

2 Nephi 22:2

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation.

Book of Mormon

Moroni 7:20-34

New Testament

Revelation 16-18; Redheaded Hostess and New Testament Student Manual

Oct General Conference

"Knowing, Loving, and Growing"

Elder Hans T. Boom

"There is no need to constantly tell our spouse or children how they can improve; they know that already. It is in creating an environment of love that they will be empowered to make the necessary changes in their lives and become better people.

In this way repentance becomes a daily process of refining that might include apologizing for poor behavior. I remember and still experience situations where I have been too quick to judge or too slow to listen. And at the end of the day, during my personal prayer, I felt loving counsel from heaven to repent and become better. The loving environment first created by my parents, brother, and sisters and later by my wife, children, and friends has helped me to become a better person."

We left the house and our company around 10:10 this morning. I returned two books I had ordered to UPS. One book cost $16 to return. UPS is too expensive. 

We were supposed to meet a Medicare supplement insurance agent who is with Physicians Mutual at Panda Express at 11. He texted James and said it was too noisy and there were no tables available at Panda and could we meet at Firehouse Subs, so that's where we went. It's right next door to UPS. 

While James picked out a table to wait for Todd Walker, the agent with Physicians Mutual, I went up to order us something to eat. 

I ordered a large Philly cheesesteak and James and I split it. I also go some chips and a drink. I asked Todd if he wanted anything but he declined. 

We spent about an hour with Todd and it was a total waste of time. His company will not cover my infusions. We are currently with Trans America through the NRA. We qualify for the insurance because James is a lifetime member of the NRA. They cover my infusions so we are staying put.

 Todd had convinced James over the phone that he could get us insurance $77 a month cheaper which obviously was not the case.

We left Firehouse and headed for Linden to see Dennis, Denise, Harold and Vickie. Since Dennis was the only one who answered my text we went to his house first. He and Denise were both home and Rachel and her 2 1/2 year old daughter Evie were there too.

We brought banana nut bread and blankets for Dennis, Denise, Harold, and Vickie. I tried to call Vickie and Harold but my phone would not work in Dennis's house. It was okay because they came over after we had been there a little while. 

Evie loved James. She sang him songs and made him sit a certain way on the floor so she could roll a ball to him. When he got the ball he was supposed to make an animal noise.

Evie to the "people" on her tower: "Don't fall people."

Evie sang about alligators getting the monkeys several

times. She also sang "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star," and

"Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed."

When they were sitting on the floor playing with the ball James had

to put his legs out a certain way before she would roll him the ball.

I think Denise was a little jealous of Vickie's yellow blanket. She kept commenting about how pretty it was. We enjoyed our visit. We need to go over and visit more often.

Rachel, Evie, Dennis, Denise, and Evie again

Denise and Rachel told about a book program Dolly Parton has called Imagination Library. Evie receives a free book every month from them until she is five. They are sent to Denise because she lives in a rural area. Dolly is doing the program  in memory of her dad who never learned how to read. 

When we left the cabin Stacy, Paul, Joshua, Dallin, Sarah, and the three dogs Vader, Shipley and Charlie were there. When we returned Michael and Alexis had arrived and everyone was eating pizza from "Pizza Factory" the Gonzales's favorite pizza place on the mountain. 

I took a nap and was working on a blogpost when Kacey texted and said Jared has had some numbing on the left side of his face over the last few days. It has gotten worse and is almost completely numb and he's also had severe headaches. He went to urgent care and they told him to go directly to the ER for brain scans. He is headed there shortly. Please keep him in your prayers. I will keepy you updated. 

I immediately sent a family message out asking for everyone to offer a prayer for Jared. James, Stacy, Paul, Joshua, Dallin, and I knelt down and James offered a prayer. We are worried it may be a stroke. 

Alex, Shayna, Max, and Evan arrived. All of the boys have glowing light sabers that make sounds like the real thing. Dallin built a bonfire outside. It was cool looking out and seeing the light saber fights in the dark. 

The new TV has been on just about nonstop while Stacy is working on the Disney puzzle Adam gave her for Christmas. 

While we were in town today we bought a wall mounting kit for the old TV to be mounted in our bedroom. James installed it and when he asked for help Michael and Alex came in. It took awhile to get it mounted and other people wandered in including Dallin and Shayna who were talking about someone who is running for president that they like whose name is Andrew Wong. 

Back in the family room Stacy wants to watch "The Greatest Showman" with Sarah who has never seen it but it is too noisy. 

Kacey texted back regarding Jared: 

CT scan shows a lipoma in the brain which is a benign fatty type tumor. Typically not serious but depending on location and size could be but  not usually. Doesn't seem to be too big from what he can tell. Also CT shows sinus disease especially on the left side. Either of these could be causing the symptoms. He's not a neurologist though but just an ER doctor. He has a call in to the neurologist to figure out what is next. So more waiting. Blood work was normal.

Thank goodness it is not as serious as it could have been but we are still worried and will continue our prayers.

This is Kacey's last text:

Jared ended up getting home around 1:00 last night. They gave him steroids for the inflammation in his face and started an antibiotic for the sinusitis. The neurologist has scheduled him for an MRI today to figure out more.

Dallin looks like he has a headache

Cousin Christina and her family

Thursday, November 1st, 2018

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

143rd operating temple

Dedicated: 4 May 2014

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Davidic descent of

Isaiah 11:1

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

Book of Mormon #1

3 Nephi 18:1-14

*How can we better focus on Christ while partaking of the Sacrament each Sunday?

- The Savior taught that the principal purpose for taking the sacrament is to remember Him. We have an opportunity to concentrate on the Son of God during the sacrament ordinance; we should not allow our thoughts to wander or be distracted. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland described several appropriate ways to remember the Lord while renewing our covenants through the sacrament: "We could remember the Savior's premortal life and all that we know Him to have done, the simple grandeur of His mortal birth to just a young woman, His miracles and His teachings, His healings and His help. We could remember that Jesus found special joy and happiness in children and said all of us should be more lie them. We could remember that Christ called His disciples His friends. We could and should remember the wonderful things that have come to us in our lives and that 'all things which are good come of Christ.' (Moroni 7:24). On some days we will have cause to remember the unkind treatment He received, the rejection He experienced, and the injustice He endured. We can remember that Jesus had to descend below all things before He could ascend above them, and that He suffered pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind that He might be filled with mercy and know how t succor His people in their infirmities." 

 I also like to study The Living Christ during the sacrament.

Book of Mormon #2

Mosiah 18-20

Old Testament

Ezekiel 9-10

General Conference

Opening Remarks

President Russell M. Nelson

"The long-standing objective of the Church is to assist all members to increase their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and in His Atonement, to assist them in making and keeping their covenants with God, and to strengthen and seal their families."

When I got up my clock said it was after 5. I had wanted to get up at 4. I came in the kitchen and the clock said 3:50. I guess when I set my clock last night after James through the breaker I set it wrong. Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised. I started out ok but before too long I was tired and had to take a nap. If I am going to get up at 4 I have to go to bed before 10, not 11.

James went out hunting this morning again after scriptures and prayers. He went over by Eagar and Big Lake again.

I made 3 loaves of pumpkin bread this afternoon. One for Donna, one for Cammy, and one for James and I. Donna and Cammy both have birthdays tomorrow. James ministers to Donna and I minister to Cammy. 

After the bread was baked, cooled and out of the pans I covered two loaves and tasted the other. Delicious!  

I posted on my blog for October 31st but didn't have time to download all of the Halloween pictures so I will have to finish tomorrow.

It was after 4 when I left for town. My first stop was at the bank for some cash. I am going to the valley tomorrow with the Halcomb's for Time Out for Women and since they are driving me and letting me stay in their room, I figured I would need some cash to pay them. I also went to Walmart to pick up prescriptions and to do a little shopping. I bought both Cammy and Donna a candle to go with their bread. I am so original. 

It was after dark when I got home. James was already in the shower from working at the Howard's. I hurried and put the groceries away, put the bread in bags and tied some ribbon around the bags, got some birthday cards from upstairs, and slapped a bow on top of the candles, and James and I headed out. First stop was the Peeler's because Donna goes to bed at 8 and it was already 7:30. We knocked for several minutes and finally Donna came to the door with her walker. I felt bad that she had to get up. We should have texted her that we were coming. We gave her the bread and the candle and wished her a happy birthday. She invited us in but we declined because she already had her pajamas on. 

It is quite a ways to the Grapp's, several miles so it was after 8 when we got there. The whole family, except Liana came to the door. Cammy said she loved pumpkin bread and it would probably be gone by the time they went to bed. Benson grabbed the candle and lit it, turning off all the lights in the house. We visited a few minutes and I explained that I was going to TOFW and wouldn't see her tomorrow. She said how much she loved TOFW but decided not to go this year because of the baby. 

When we got home I had to clean the kitchen and walk. James worked on Book Trades. He bought four books. We have credits on our credit card so it did not cost him any money. He kept asking me for help so it took me longer than usual to clean the kitchen.

So adorable! I love how she does her toes.

 Stacy got her hair done.

These two!

 Scarlett is so cute!

Dallin and Sarah

 Cousin Randy and his wife Deb

The "Super" Jones's

Wow!

Wednesday, October 25th, 2017

Adelaide, Australia

89th operating temple

Dedicated: 15 June 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Appearances, Postmortal

Luke 24:39

Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 12:25-48

*How hard is it to love our enemies?

I think it requires lots of prayer, forgiveness, and humility, and the Holy Ghost filling us with pure love.

*What does it mean to you to be perfect?

President Russell M. Nelson: "We need not be dismayed if our earnest efforts toward perfection now seem so difficult and endless. Perfection is pending. It can come in full only after the Resurrection and only through the Lord. It awaits all who love Him and keep His commandments" ("Perfection Pending," Ensign, Nov. 1995, 88).

Doctrine Covenants Scripture Mastery

DC 130:22-23

22 The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.

23 A man may receive the Holy Ghost, and it may descend upon him and not tarry with him.
General Conference

Do We Trust Him? Hard Is Good

Elder Stanley G. Ellis

"The Lord does trust us in so many ways. He has given us the gospel of Jesus Christ. He entrusts us with His priesthood authority, complete with the keys for its proper use. With that power we can bless, serve, receive ordinances, and make covenants. He trusts us with His restored Church, including the holy temple. He trusts His servants with the sealing power - to bind on earth and have it bound in heaven. He even trusts us to be the earthly parents, teachers, and caregivers of His children."

Paul and Janell are here shooting. I took a walk up to the broken down CAT with James to do some "observing," while he tries to start it. It started but now he's having problems draining the old oil so he can put in some new. 

James had a shirt on today that I have not seen him wear for a long, long time. When I told him I liked it he told me the following story. "You bought me this shirt when we took Darrel to the MTC for his mission. (That was in 1998). We took Amy Bush to dinner at Tony Roma's in Provo and she told me my shirt was a "chick magnet."

This chick is attracted.

We have smoke again today! Yikes! I guess we didn't do enough complaining!

Let the complainings begin!

James went to town today because he had an appointment with Dr. Reagan who was supposed to help him with the pain in his shoulder. He was going to do some other errands including picking up rice and beans at La Casita for our dinner we are taking to the Curtis's. Luckily I texted him his driver's license and credit card and they accepted it. He did not see the doctor because he was an hour and a half behind on his appointments. He is on call at the hospital for up to 14 days. The other doctor fills in for him but that means he is double booked. 

While James was gone I made a batch of chicken enchiladas. He took awhile because I cut the meat off a roasted chicken and shredded it and then put everything else together. When James returned I asked him to deliver the dinner and while he was gone I would make him so enchiladas. I really wanted to see my friend Dianne but I was not in any condition to see anyone. The dinner consisted of chicken enchiladas, a salad, and the delicious rice and beans from LaCasita. They have the best refried beans, rivaling Paul's mom's.

While he was making the delivery I made another batch of chicken enchiladas. I could not make them for someone else and not make some for James. He loves them!

When James returned we ate our enchiladas and watched an old movie we had taped "The Apple Mortgage Cake" which is based on a true story. It is a great movie and we enjoyed watching it again.

We also watched an episode from season two of Heartland: "Miracle Girl."

I also made time to do this today:

Shayna and the guys carving pumpkins

at Kim and Brian's.

Thanks for carrying on the tradition!

Evan did his free hand!

Addy wanted to know why poodle dogs so I sent her this:

So big he can't even stand up.

Some photos Carmen took of Sarah and Sydney on

their tour of Arizona.

Fall

Golden Oldie