Sunday, December 1st, 2019

Mt. Timpanogas, Utah

49th operating temple

Dedicated: 13 Oct 1996

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Head of Church

1 Corinthians 12:27

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

Book of Mormon

Ether 1:1-43

New Testament

Review 1-2 Peter; Read 1-3 John, Jude, using Redheaded Hostess and New Testament Student Manual and "Don't Miss This" YouTube presentation.

10/19 General Conference

"The Message, the Meaning, and the Multitude"

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"The prayer of every speaker at this conference, the hope of all who sing, the reverence of every guest - all are dedicated to inviting the Spirit of Him whose Church this is - the Living Christ, the Lamb of God, the Prince of Peacer."

This thought came to me as we were driving to church and the snow was glistening as the sunlight shined on it: "I don't like glitter on my floor but I love glittering snow."

I got a text from Rita. Randy passed away at 1a.m. this morning. She asked me to please tell my brothers so I immediately texted Harold and Dennis.

Chuck Crane conducted our Fast and Testimony meeting this morning. Many people were absent today. Some of them are down at Tonto Creek looking for Willa Rawlings. Several testimonies mentioned the sadness surrounding the Rawlings family. Chris Skousen said he knew them well. 

Brother Peeler said something interesting in Sunday School. He said that during the trial of our faith as we pray to the Father, through the Son, our answers come through the Holy Ghost. Of course I knew this but someone said afterwards, Pam Wood's, our teacher: "So that's why it takes so long for our prayers to be answered."

I read about a study that was done regarding diet soda and aspartame. The study is linking aspartame to leukemia and lymphoma. Since I have had bouts with lymphoma I decided it was time for me to quit drinking diet sodas. I had my last Coke Zero today.

I listened to several BYU-Idaho Devotionals and made some calls regarding ministering assignments. So happy that Darla Rider said she would be a companion to Paula Johnson!

Jani Huso Johnson did a post about the Rawlings family and how they owned and ran several theaters in northern Arizona. I had told James before that that the only Rawlings I knew was Bud Rawlings who ran the Show Low Theater. I guess he was a brother to Bill. Bill is Willa's grandpa.

This evening we listened to "Don't Miss This" with Dave and Emily. They gave a lesson on 1-3 John and Jude, our reading assignment for this coming week.

 One of our angels

oops

Another of our angels

 Autumn and Scarlett were at Jared and Kacey's today.

We quit a little early because they were all going to go

look at Christmas lights. 

I love the look on Scarlett's face!

Family Dinner at Serrano's on the 

1st Sat of December

The Rawlings Family

Saturday after Thanksgiving every year

Saturday, November 30th, 2019

Hong Kong, China
48th operating temple
Dedicated: 26 May 1996
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Head of Church

Romans 16:16

Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

Book of Mormon

Mormon 9:22-37

New Testament

2 Peter 2-3; FSS and FHE and additional resources and videos

10/19 General Conference

"Fruit"

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"What does the tree in the Tree of Life vision with its most precious fruit symbolize? It represent 'the love of God' and proclaims our Heavenly Father's marvelous plan of redemption. 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.'"

Closing Remarks

President Russell M. Nelson

"We know the restored gospel of Jesus Christ will bring hope and joy to people who will hear and heed His doctrine. We also know that each home can become a true sanctuary of faith, where peace, love, and the Spirit of the Lord may dwell."

I woke up at 5:08 this morning. I had almond cake with caramel rum sauce for breakfast. I read an article in the Ensign while I was eating by sister Cristina B. Franco, "Be of Good Cheer." I also had some camomile tea. What a way to start the day!

One of the first things I saw on Instagram was Allison Hoker and her husband Twitch dancing. The caption read, "Cause everyday is a celebration."

The snow levels increased overnight. In other weather related news three tornadoes touched down in the Phoenix metropolitan area, one near Darrel and Trina. They gathered all of the children into the master bedroom with them. Luckily nothing came of it.

Our friends Tom and Jean Howard are snowed in. Tom called James and asked if he could come and help them get out, which he did.

I listened to several BYU-Idaho devotionals today, including one by the school president, President Henry J. Eyring, President Henry B. Eyring's son. One of the things I remember about his talk is that he writes in his journal every night before he goes to bed. I love these devotionals and could listen to them all day!

The sun began to shine today and of course the snow began to melt. When James got home from the Howard's he realized he needed to shovel snow out of our drive way or we would not be going to church in our car tomorrow. He shoveled lots of snow today, not only the driveway. He shoveled it off the front porch off the sidewalk in the back and off the patio. He got a good workout.

We watched a Lifetime movie this evening called, "Staging Christmas." We also watched a Hallmark movie, "Check Inn to Christmas", starring Rachel Boston and Wes Brown.

We started our fast earlier but we said another

prayer and included the Rawlings' family

in our fast.

 Family meal at Serranos to start the Christmas season

Saturday, December 3, 2016

Ether 2:13-25

The Lord wants us to grow and learn as we make our own decisions.  He also wants us to take our conclusions to Him frequently for His confirmation.  When the brother of Jared asked the Lord about the matter of light for the vessels, the Lord answered with a question of His own: "What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels?"  According to President Harold B. Lee, the Lord's question was similar to saying the following: 'Well, have you any good ideas?  What would you suggest that we should do in order to have light?'  Then the Lord went away and left him alone.  It was as though the Lord were saying to him, 'Look, I gave you a mind to think with and I gave you agency to use it.  Now you do all you can to help yourself with this problem; and then, after you've done all you can, I'll step in to help you.'"  After considering the possibilities, the brother of Jared demonstrated his great faith by asking the Lord to touch 16 stones and supply lights.  The Lord answered this plea and not only provided light for the vessels but gave this faithful man a vision unlike any other.  President Lee concluded: "This is the principle in action.  If you want the blessing, don't just kneel down and pray about it.  Prepare yourselves in every conceivable way you can in order to make yourselves worthy to receive the blessing you seek" (Stand Ye in Holy Places (1974), 243-44).

GC:    Rise Up in Strength, Sisters in Zion by Bonnie L. Oscarson

" If current trends are an indication, we need to be prepared for the storms that lie ahead.  It would be easy to throw our hands up in despair but as covenant people we need never despair.  As Elder Gary E. Stevenson has said, "Heavenly Father's generous compensation for living in perilous times is that we also live in the fulness of times."  I love the comfort of that statement."

Jared and Kacey are in San Diego this weekend for 

a convention for Jared's work.  

James went to the Gilbert temple this morning without me.  I forgot my temple clothes.  I really can't believe I did!  He did 5-6 initiatories while I stayed at Cathi's and read my scriptures and read a conference talk.  Oh yes, and I also ate the last piece of cheesecake for breakfast.  James was home a little after 8 and wanted to go to breakfast at IHop.  How could I say no even though I had just consumed over 600 calories.  

I had decided I was just going to have hash browns but I ended up getting an egg and a couple of pieces of bacon too.  Their hash browns were mushy, not nearly as good as the ones I make at home in my new oil-free skillet.  James had a piece of sausage with a chunk out of it and I complained about it.  Our waitress immediately brought two more pieces of sausage.   Because I appreciated her doing this and because I was trying to think of what to do in the way of service today to 'light the world', I left her a $10 tip and a note thanking her for her good service and wishing her a Merry Christmas.

When I got back to Cathi's, Cathi was waiting for me.  We had a date to go to Deseret Book, my favorite store.  What a fun time with one of my favorite people.

More pictures from San Diego:

Kacey's first time in San Diego

I bet the water is cold!

Toes in the sand.

One of the traditions in the city of Chandler on the first Saturday in December is the lighting of the tumbleweed Christmas tree.

When completed the tree is 35 feet tall.

James had a flat tire on the trailer he is bringing back to Vernon.  He took it in to Discount to get it fixed.  I began packing up but didn't actually pack my car until we got back from our family lunch at Serrano's.  This is a tradition that Kim and Brian started.  Serrano's on the first Saturday of December and then go look at Christmas lights.  Of course we did not stick around for the Christmas lights but went home after picking up James's tire.  He went through Globe and I went through Payson.

Candid shots at Serranos.

It takes James awhile to decide what he wants to eat.

There was quite a large group of us:
Sheri, Ian, Alex, Ben, Max, Evan, Kim, Brian, 
Joe, Amanda, Adam, Michael, Joshua,
James and me. 

I tried to get a shot from each corner of the table.

Amanda and Joe came in late and sat right 
across from me.

Of course we missed Jared and his family and Darrel and his family.  They were both off doing fun things today though:

The cutest Rudolph's I've ever seen!

When the elf ask Darrel what he does for a living

he said: "I sell drugs." I'm glad he didn't get arrested!

After a session in the temple.

After packing up and getting ready to go home I stopped at Charlotte's to bring her the conference Ensign and to help her set up the Gospel Library on her Ipad.  To my surprise she wasn't home.  I tried to call her later, but there was no answer.  I hope she is all right.

One more family outing I forgot to mention.  Sheri took her boys, along with Alex and Shana to the hot air balloon festival at the San Tan Village Mall.

Cute picture!

I got home about 30 minutes after James did.  It was around 7:30.  I unloaded and put everything away.  We forgot it was fast Sunday.  We usually like to start our fast around noon on Saturday, but tonight it was more like 8 pm.  We went to bed early.