Friday, February 7th, 2020

Accra, Ghana

117th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Jan 2004

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Judge

 Psalms 82:8

Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

2 Nephi 4

Lehi counsels and blesses his posterity - He dies and is buried - Nephi glories in the goodness of God - Nephi puts his trust in the Lord forever. About 588-570 B.C.

"Watchful Unto Prayer Continually"

Elder David A. Bednar

"Just as important lessons can be learned by observing the behavior of cheetahs and topis, so each of us should look for the lessons and warnings found in the simple events of everyday life. As we seek for a mind and heart open to receive heavenly direction by the power of the Holy Ghost, then some of the greatest instructions that we can receive and many of the most powerful warnings that can safeguard us will originate in our own ordinary experiences. Powerful parables are contained in both the scriptures and in our daily lives."

James looked up online how to fix a starter on a CAT tractor. He said there were fourteen steps using tools that he doesn't have. What to do, what to do...

Tamara and I figured out some ministering problems we were having. I worried about giving Sister Chandler to Kambri and Rosa Westbrook. She suggested we give her to Anne M. and that way Violet could get to know Andyn and Katherine. Good idea. 

I made rolls today for the temple tomorrow. Of course I had to sample a couple of them. I also made Culver's chili and another apple crisp. Brian and Kim are coming tonight and I want Kim to try it. 

The Culver's chili has a lot of chili powder in it. It's good and now we have something to eat on Sunday. 

I forgot to mention that the Culver's in Show Low is now open. We would have stopped in yesterday but it was way to busy!

This evening I studied 2 Nephi 4 and 5. I love the Psalm of Nephi in chapter 4 versus 15-35. I was going to write my favorite lines until I realized that they are all my favorite. Actually Nephi is my favorite. He is a manly man, he can hunt and make tools and build a boat from scratch and he is very spiritual and he can write psalms and share his feelings. Nephi is the man!

Kim and Brian came in about 9 this evening, right before we went to bed. We work in the temple tomorrow and leave at 5:30 am.

 Sedona

Autumn:

Friday, November 2nd, 2018

Phoenix, Arizona

144th operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Nov 2014

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Davidic descent of

2 Nephi 21:1

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 18:15-39

*What do these verses teach us about the power of prayer? 

-Watch and pray always to overcome temptation, pray in your families, pray for others. Our relationship with Heavenly Father is imperative to our success. The Savior prayed all the time, every day.. He sought God consistently, intently, and with sincere desire. Through prayer Christ learned, evolved, and was led to serve the greatest mission on earth. Prayer centered our Savior in every step of His life, even helping Him to overcome all temptation. Prayer was an integral part of the Atonement. He prayed for us and others and ask us to do the same. Our Savior knows what prayer can do. If Christ needed to pray always, and understood the power in it, how much more do we need to pray and follow His example. How can we make our prayers more meaningful? Pray to do His will. How can we be more sincere with our relationship with God? How can we utilize prayer more effectively like the Savior did? "We should seek to emulate the Savior as much as we can." - Elder Neal A. Maxwell

Book of Mormon #2

Mosiah 21-23

Old Testament

Ezekiel 11-12

General Conference

Deep and Lasting Conversion to Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

Elder Quentin L. Cook

"Our purpose is to balance the Church and the home experience in a way that will greatly increase faith and spirituality and deepen conversion."

I woke up early with my throat on fire. I grabbed a Slimfast, two aspirin and relocated to the recliner. I thought if I felt better by 7 I would go ahead and get ready for Phoenix and "Time Out for Women." 7 came and I wasn't much better. I ate a little something, too some Tramadol and settled in to the recliner to watch a Christmas movie. I texted the Halcomb's and told them I wouldn't be able to join them today. They were very kind and Kerri even checked on me later in the day. 

I think I needed a "down" day, a "time out." 

It truly was a relaxing day. James went hunting this morning for a few hours after scriptures and prayers. These were some of my favorite verses today from 3 Nephi 18: 15-16, 19-20. 

I did a no-no today. I was chomping on a Milk Dud and my crown fell out. I could not get it back in so James had to do it when he got home. I will never eat another Milk Dud, or attempt to anyway.

I started a new book today on Audible and I didn't have to pay for it because I had a credit. It is another Kate Morton book. This one is called "The Clockmaker's Daughter." Here is a quote that I thought was funny. It reminded me of the Lambson's and how they like to tell a good story.

"It's a dull man that allows truth to get in the way of a good story."

James even took time out of his day to watch a Christmas movie with me, "A Rocky Mountain Christmas." 

I worked on my blog, finally posting all of the Halloween pictures and then blogging and adding photos for November 1st. I got over 12,000 steps and worked on my lesson, or council discussion for Relief Society. I made a chart of the promised blessings that go with each challenge. It will be up to the sisters to help me create an action plan as what we are going to do to accomplish these goals.

I also sent questions to the secretary so she could send them out to the sisters so they can be thinking about our discussion and come prepared.

James went out again hunting this evening. When he came home he cleaned up and went straight to the computer to buy books to sell. He says it's addictive.

I wish I could do simple drawings

 All worn out

Amazing!

 Look at those eyes!

 Love that smile.

Talking to Molly

 Love these two

 Love these two too!

 The Morrison's

Kim and Brian

 The truck is from 

"Christmas in Evergreen"

 Ollie got a haircut!

Thursday, February 8th, 2018

Johannesburg, South Africa

36th operating temple

Dedicated: 24-25 Aug 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

This is actually the post for Wed, Feb 7th, I made a boo-boo.

Jesus Christ Authority of

John 1:14

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 2:11-21

*What are some insights about the plan of salvation that can be learned from this chapter?

Old Testament

Exodus 33-34

33 The Lord promises to be with Israel and drive out the people of the land - The tabernacle of the congregation is moved away from the camp - The Lord speaks to Moses face to face in the tabernacle - Later, Moses sees the glory of God but not His face.

34 Moses hews new tables of stone - He goes up into Mount Sinai for forty days - The Lord proclaims His name and attributes and reveals His law - He makes another covenant with Israel - The skin of Moses' face shines, and he wears a veil.

Old Testament Favorite Scriptures

Genesis 26:4

And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;

General Conference

The Living Bread Which Came Down from Heaven

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

" If we yearn to dwell in Christ and have Him dwell in us, then oliness is what we seek, in both body and spirit. We seek it in the temple, whereon is inscribed 'Holiness to the Lord.' We seek it in our marriages, families, and homes. We seek it each week as we delight in the Lord's holy day. We seek it even in the details of daily living: our speech, our dress, our thoughts. As President Thomas S. Monson has stated, 'We are the product of all we read, all we view, all we hear and all we think.' We seek holiness as we take up our cross daily."

Yesterday, when we returned from the temple we had no internet or phone service. This morning for awhile we still didn't have it. We were just getting ready to go in to Verizon to find out what was wrong. I thought maybe it was because I had not paid our bill. It was due on the 8th and I was going to pay it today, but I looked at the bill and now it is actually due on the 5th. 

Just before we left it came back on and I noticed a post by one of my friends that no one had had internet or phone because one of the lines was cut. I had that the line was cut but relieved that it wasn't because I didn't pay my bill.  Needless to say the first thing I did was pay my bill.

James and I both did Autumn's marriage survey. There was a word that I wasn't sure the meaning of, egalitarian so I looked it up on Google: "All people equal and have equal rights." 

We went to the dump in the car because the brakes are out on James's truck. Phew, I'm glad it is not too far away because the smell was not pleasant. After the dump we went to Dollar General where I got some valentine tins for my centerpiece. 

The heart in the middle with the eyes is the tin

I bought.

We may have to make a trip to Deming because one of our renters is two months behind in her payments. Speaking of Deming, that's where my friend Hailey and her family moved. I got her address from her mother -in-law Virginia. Virginia sent me this picture of Hailey's house.

I guess this appropriate for a ranching family.

That's Huntleigh in the background and 

Braylin and Taylor watching T.V.

I had to pay our propane bill today. It was $1,169.15. That takes a big chunk out of my budget. We stopped at the post office and there was a check from our renter who is behind for $475 for January. At least now she is only one month behind.

I decided to order new, cheaper programming from Dish. They are sending me new smart cards for all three televisions.  

I started practicing in my caligraphy book that Trina and Darrel got me for Christmas.

I love the uniqueness of Arizona

Addy and I are saving our money!

Monday, October 2nd, 2017

Billings, Montana

66th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 Nov 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Appearances, Antemortal

Amos 9:1

I saw the Lord standing upon the altar: and he said Smite the lintel of the door, that the posts may shake: and cut them in the head, all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword: he that fleeth of them shall not flee away, and he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered.

Helaman 13:21-39

*Why do you feel it is important to listen to the prophets of God?

-Elder M. Russell Ballard has said: "If we bring the teachings of the prophets and apostles into our homes our relationships with family members will improve and so will our relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. As we draw close to the Lord we will be able to feel the Spirit and He will teach us and prompt us to know what to do to follow the counsel given that our testimonies might be strengthened and that we might have peace and joy" (Ensign, May 2001, 67).

DC 8:2-3

2 Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.

3 Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground.

General Conference

Abiding in God and Repairing the Breach

Sister Neill F. Marriott

We need to continually deepen our knowledge of and obedience to Heavenly Father. Our relationship with Him is eternal. We are His beloved children, and that will not change. How are we going to whole heartedly accept His invitation to draw near to Him and thus enjoy the blessings He longs to give us in this life and in the world to come. Do we trust Him enough to abide in Him and walk with Him?

I read an article in the New Era this morning by Elder David A Bednar called, "A Christlike Character." Here are some notes from that article:

"There could have been no Atonement without the character of Christ." - Neal A. Maxwell

"Character is demonstrated by looking and reaching outward when the natural and instinctive response is to be self-absorbed and turn inward."

"Jesus, who suffered the most, has the most compassion for all of us who suffer so much less. Indeed, the depth of suffering and compassion is intimately linked to the depth of love felt by the ministering one."

The hurrier I go, the behinder I get. James and I did finish "Mind Games" today. Our friend Stephanie is a pretty good writer. 

I made one of my new recipes for dinner: foil steak and potatoes, and asparagus. I will not make this meal again. Too much work, and not the right way to cook a delicious ribeye steak.

I also made rolls and banana nut bread. 

It was windy today, which is never pleasant when James goes outside to work.

I am patiently waiting for the conference talks to be downloaded onto lds.org.

I worked on Alice's candy bouquet while James went to the dump, Empire Cat, Home Depot, Aliberto's and Verizon. He brought me back a tace! Bless him!

I worked on my blog for the 27th and 28th of September.

Carmen is here for her mom's 90th birthday. Her daughters Sarah and Sydney came with her. She was very sad that Lois's party was cancelled and that we were not coming down. So is Gail. 

For F.H.E. we read from Preach My Gospel. Afterwards we watched "Chesapeake Shores." 

Happy Birthday Mom, Grandmother, ....

You are the best!

(Cake by Amelia)

Teresa, the oldest granchild, wrote this.

Going to the gym has paid off for Trina

Sedona

Fun with Friends

Trina always wanted a pink Jeep!

I am obsessed with goats right now.

My friend Hailey posted this.

I can't wait until we get our horses!