Tuesday, December 25th, 2018

Seoul, Korea

37th operating temple

Dedicated: 14-15 Dec 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Death of

Alma 11:42

Now, there is a death which is called a temporal death; and the death of Christ shall loose the bands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from this temporal death.

Book of Mormon

#1 - Moroni 6:1-7:19

#2 - Ether 10-12

General Conference

The Father

Brian K. Ashton

"During mortality, Heavenly Father provides us with the conditions we need to progress within His plan. The Father begot Jesus Christ in the flesh and provided Him with divine help to fulfill His mortal mission. Heavenly Father will likewise help each of us if we will strive to keep His commandments. The Father gives us agency. Our lives are in His hands, and our 'days are known' and 'shall not be numbered less.' And He ensures that eventually all things work for the good of those who love Him."

Merry Christmas!

We got up around 6:30. Alex took a shower and then the boys "opened the Christmas room."

After all the gifts are unwrapped, James, Sheri, and I start breakfast. James and I are making biscuits and gravy with venison and Sheri is making bacon. Stacy brought bacon too, Trina brought eggs and German pancakes, and Kim and Brian brought juice. There was plenty of food. Those attending this Christmas extravaganza: Sheri, Ian, Alex, Max, Evan, Kim, Brian, Joe, Stacy, Paul, Joshua, Michael, Dallin, Sarah, and Adam, Darrel, Trina, Addy, Rowan, Ruby, and Lola. Those were the people. The dogs included: Ollie, Shipley, Vader, and Dallin and Sarah's dog, Charlie.

 Christmas Day in the morning: Chandler

Whitehouse, Texas

After breakfast in Chandler:

Some people went outside to play in the backyard

and others lounged around on the couch.

Sarah, Dallin, Charlie, and Joe. Stacy by the door.

After everyone had left we cleaned up and waited for Ben's phone call. The minute I saw he face on Sheri's phone screen I began to tear up. We talked to him for a few minutes but the Trezise's talked for an hour. 

Ben and Elder Nelson in the same sweater.

Before leaving Sheri's Gail came down and visited with James. I think he was in town for Christmas and to see Kit's baby. He wanted to make sure James was ok after his back surgery.

I packed up our car and we said our goodbye's and headed for Darrel and Trina's. We wanted to see their Christmas presents and visit for a few minutes. 

Here we are in Mesa at Darrel and Trina's new house. They are in the drywall phase. Hopefully they will be able to move in sometime in March or early April.

At their rental where they now live:

Ruby got a robe, slippers, and a bunny mug.

Lola on the move. Notice that she is barefooted.

Lots of things to ride this year.

 I don't think she ever got it out of the driveway.

So fun!

I drove to the McDonald's in Globe, which was open by the way, and James drove the rest of the way home. He had said we would be home by 4:30 but it was actually 4:36. 

I begin unpacking and putting everything away. Although we had a great time celebrating with family, it is nice to be home. Here is a list of the Christmas gifts I received:

From Lois and Dawn - An Amazon gift card for $30,  a runner for the table and three aprons that Lois made. President Nelson's book, The Teachings of Russell M. Nelson and a DVD about his life from Kim and Brian. A loopy case for my phone, a family photo, and an Olive Garden gift card from Sheri and Ian. Scotch mellows and a $50 Cheesecake Factory card from Darrel and Trina. Family photos and serving at the Salvation Army from Jared and Kacey. A beautiful garnet/diamond necklace from James. It was a wonderful Christmas and has been a great year.

Such a sweet family!

I love this picture!

Christmas wouldn't be complete without sweet Charlie!

Merry Christmas from some of our friends:

 The Harding's

The Morrison's and Johnson's

 Pam's dad and the Grinch

 The Wilhelm's and Ellsworth's

Bishop Miller and family

Wednesday, July 18th, 2018

Seoul, Korea

37th operating temple

Dedicated: 14 Dec 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

John 1:10

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

Book of Mormon

Alma 34:17-41

*What kind of things should we pray for?

-I think we should pray about everything. Big decisions, little decisions and everything in between. Heavenly Father loves us and wants to be a part of our lives.

*What counsel does Amulek give to the Zoramites regarding their salvation in verses 37-41. I found 12:

1. Work out your salvation with fear before God.

2. Deny no more the coming of Christ.

3. Contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but receive it.

4. Take upon you the name of Christ;

5. Humble yourselves to the dust and worship God wherever you may be in spirit and truth.

6. Live in thanksgiving daily for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you.

7. Be watchful unto prayer continually.

8. Don't be led into temptation by the devil.

9. Have patience.

10. Bear with all manner of afflictions.

11. Do not revile against those who do cast you out because of your poverty.

12. Bear with afflictions in a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from them.

Old Testament

2 Chronicles 34-36

34 Josiah destroys idolatry in Judah - The people of Judah repair the house of the Lord - Hilkiah finds a book of the law - Huldah the prophetess reveals the desolations to come upon the people - Josiah and the people covenant to serve the Lord.

35 Josiah and all Judah keep a most solemn Passover - Josiah is mortally wounded by the Egyptians at Megiddo.

36 Various kings rule in Judah - Nebuchadnezzar overruns Judah and makes Zedekiah king - Zedekiah rebels, the people reject the prophets, and the Chaldeans burn the temple and destroy Jerusalem - Cyrus of Persia decrees the building of the temple.

General Conference

"With One Accord"

Reyna I. Aburto

"The Lord's followers were one in purpose, in love, and in works. They knew who they were, they knew what they had to do, and they did it with love for God and for each other. They were part of a magnificent kaleidoscope moving forward with one accord.

Some of the blessings they received were that they were filled with the Holy Ghost, miracles took place among them, the Church grew, there was no contention among the people, and the Lord blessed them in all things."

Stacy had gall bladder surgery this morning. She came through with no complications and hopefully she will have a speedy recovery.

Christina, Rebecca's daughter, had oral surgery today. Here is her Facebook post:

Oral surgery this morning! After multiple surgeries for tooth extractions, implant, and bone grafting last year, we ended with a "failure to integrate." The implant didn't work, and has resulted in bone and tissue loss since. The surgeon we used wanted to do a second attempt, which would have been free, but his process required some things that would be a health risk for me, so after a lot of weighing of our options, we decided to go with a different surgeon and pay for the whole thing over again. Doing a bone and soft tissue graft and implant placement this morning. Any prayers would be appreciated! We need this to work!

We prayed for Christina too. She has three little children she needs to be a mother to.

James has rescheduled his back surgery. He will be having it on December 5th this year. 

James and I left for town around 11:30 this morning. He went over and got started at the Howard's and then left to wait for dry wall to dry. 

I read to James from "Abby's Crossing" on the way to town. Our first stop was at the Show Low post office to mail Summer's and Molly's birthday cards.  Next stop was at LaCasita's for green chili chicken enchiladas and for James also some of their delicious refried beans.

While I went shopping at Walmart James went to Home Depot to get some paint mixed for the Howard's. They are due home tonight.

When James picks me up at Walmart it is raining outside but by the time we drive a couple of miles it stops. We stop at the Book Barn and James picks out a journal to give to Ruthie for her baptism on Saturday. We left it there to get Ruthie's name engraved on it.

 I got a call from my friend Laurann who has the twins. She and her husband are trying to move furniture from their old house to the new and she needs someone to watch the boys. I said I would so we stopped and picked them up on the way home. The boys also included Amaron.

The twins were asleep when James unloaded them at home but they didn't stay asleep long. Amaron lets the twins out of their carseats and they just walk around the house and play with Amaron. 

I only had them a couple of hours when their parents came to pick them up. They really are too cute.

As soon as everyone went home I sat down for a short break and then got to work on the dining room and kitchen floor. I swept, mopped, and polished. I didn't quite finish when it was time to get ready for my RS presidency meeting. James finished for me.

At 6:45 a huge storm blew in and the downpour, lightening and thunder started. Kerri was the first to arrive for the meeting and just as she came in there was a loud clash of thunder very close. Nice entrance Kerri. Maxine was next and then Tamara who was a little late. She brought the ministering board for us to work on.

Tamara offered the opening prayer and then I gave the spiritual thought based on DC 18:10-16, the worth of souls is great in the sight of God. 

We spent most of our time working on our ministering board. Our meeting lasted until after 9:30 but we got most all of the partnership's put together and most of the sisters assigned.

Our board now looks like this:

Looks a little unorganized but having the 

assignments on a board really helps.

Ruby and Molly got their ponies today. Molly Facetimed me

to thank me. 

I couldn't resist sending Ruby a pony the

same color as the pony she loves, Pepper.

Best friends.

Jackson is going to the Philippines and

Talon to Uganda.

He looks scared.

Parent Trap

Abbey Road 

Friday, February 9th, 2018

Seoul, Korea

37th operating temple

Dedicated: 14-15 Dec 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

John 5:22

For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 3:6-25

*Compare with Genesis 49:10,22,26.

This chapter, coupled with Joseph of Egypt's Patriarchal Blessing, are great confirmations to the truth behind the Book of Mormon and the gospel we believe. What are my favorite witnesses I found? 

Old Testament

Exodus 37-38

37 Bezaleel makes the ark, the mercy seat, and the cherubims - He makes the table, the vessels, the candlestick, the incense altar, the holy anointing oil and the sweet incense.

38 Bezaleel and others make the altar of burnt offerings and all things pertaining to the tabernacle - Offerings are made by 603,550 men.

Old Testament Favorite Scriptures

Genesis 28:12-14

12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.

13 And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;

14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

General Conference

Spiritual Eclipse

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

" In my experience in the Church as well as throughout my professional career, some of the greatest, most effective people I have known have been among the most meek and humble.

Humility and meekness fit hand in glove. May we remember that 'none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart.' I pray that  we will strive to avoid the spiritual eclipse of pride by embracing the virtue of humility."

From "Rescuing Wayward Children:" 'Enos increases his personal sanctification and his power to redeem increases. (p. 112-113.)

Catherine Thomas wrote, "Our ancestor and patriarch Joseph, who was sold into Egypt, was the model for us as he sanctified himself to have a sanctifying influence on his very troubled family and, like his Savior, exercised a saving power on his brethren." We, who are Joseph's children enjoy the blessings of Joseph's sanctification. Just so, parents who are willing to sanctify themselves obtain power to save their troubled children and bless their family for many generations. (p. 113-14 RWC.)

"The Savior's example of personal sanctification teaches us that we can sanctify ourselves and thus sanctify others by focusing on fundamental gospel principles and commandments, such as increasing our obedience, worthily partaking of the sacrament, fasting with purpose, attending the temple, and offering mighty prayer coupled with sacrifice." (RWC, 115.)

I tried working on my blog this morning at 5:30 a.m. but something is wrong and it won't load. I worked on my Primary lesson instead. 

I read an article in the Ensign about the 2011 earthquake in Japan. The Lord does perform miracles in our behalf. No missionaries were hurt in spite of the devastation around them.

While reading and studying 2 Nephi 2 I came across this quote in a study guide I am using by Brother Eldin Ricks:

"In Lehi's inspired and profound discourse that comprises chapter 2 we find the theological and philosophical core of the Book of Mormon. Within the limits of this single treatise the prophet explains (a) t he hopelessness of man's plight without a redeemer, v. 5 (b) man's dependence upon Christ for his salvation, vs. 6-9, (c) the legal demands of divine justice, v. 10 (d) the reason for God''s allowing evil in the world, vs. 10-13 (e) the story of the fall of Adam and its purpose in opening the doorway to man's mortality in the midst of good and evil, vs. 14-25 (f) man's freedome to attain Eternal Life through the redemption of Christ, vs. 26-29."

I sure do love studying the gospel. I could probably do it all day but eventually I have to get up and do something. Actions speak louder than words!

We had a busy day here at home. James washed the car so it would be clean for the temple tomorrow. He worked on fixing the brakes on his truck. We both walked, I mended my black sweater that I wear every temple day and Sunday. I also washed my temple dress and cleaned the kitchen blinds and made chicken enchiladas and chocolate chip cookies and worked on my blog and Primary lesson.

Glad I made time!

Kacey's post. Sweet little Scarlett.

Cactus garden at the Mesa, Arizona temple.

Paul's dad Mary and his stepdad

Marvin.

Joie and Curtis's clan.