Thursday, May 24th, 2018

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

141st operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Mar 2013

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Birth of

3 Nephi 1:19

And it came to pass that there was no darkness in all that night, but it was as light as though it was mid-day. And it came to pass that the sun did rise in the morning again, according to its proper order; and they knew that it was the day that the Lord should be born because of the sign which had been given.

Book of Mormon

Alma 5:26-42

* How can you know if you have received a change of heart?

-frankorion0711: "The day I felt the Holy Ghost for the first time. Feeling God's love changed my attitude changed my priorities. Of course the feeling leaves but the memories fused my soul. Change of heart for me is striving to follow Christ. When I fail I have my memories of partaking of the 'fruit of the tree of life that keeps me pushing forward. Trying, striving and enduring in following Christ will bring hope, love and peace which changes my heart.

Old Testament

2 Samuel 21-22

21 The Lord sends a famine - David understands that the famine came because Saul smote the Gibeonites, contrary to the oath of Israel - David delivers up seven sins of Saul to be hanged by the Gibeonites - Israel and the Philistines continue their wars.

22 David praises the Lord is a psalm of thanksgiving - The Lord is his fortress and savior, He is mighty and powerful in deliverance, He rewards men according to their righteousness, He shows mercy to the merciful, His way is perfect, He lives, and blessed is He.

General Conference

Christ the Lord is Risen Today

Gerrit W. Gong

"This Easter Sabbath, I joyfully sing, 'Alleluia.' The song of our risen Savior's redeeming love celebrates the harmony of covenants (that connect us to God and to each other) and the Atonement of Jesus Christ (that helps us put off the natural man and woman and yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit)."

Russell M. Nelson, 10/08, #52. Celestial Marriage

"The noblest yearning of the human heart is for a marriage that can endure beyond death. Fidelity to a temple marriage does that. It allows families to be together forever."

James made two trips to town today to buy parts for Brother Wallace's grapple, the fittings and hydraulic hoses kept breaking. He also got the mail and went to Dollar General for laundry detergent. When he got home he cut up the pork for the green chili pork stew. 

I was able to get the pork stew going quite early so it could simmer and the meat would be very tender, then I made the white sauce chicken enchiladas. 

The missionaries called. They want to change the time for dinner from 5 to 4:30. 

James also invited his friend Anthony to eat with us. Anthony was on time but the missionaries were a little late. 

We set the food out on the counter and created a buffet line like we normally do when we have company. We had green chili pork stew, chicken enchiladas, the best refried beans ever from LaCasita, spanish rice, and an Olive Garden salad. Oh yes, and chips and salsa. 

Elder Macy thought the green chili stew was a little hot but he ate all of his and so did Elder Burt. Elder Burt normally serves in the Aspen ward in Pinetop but they are doing splits tonight. Elder Macy is from Montana and Elder Burt is from Pennsylvania.

The missionaries had to leave before leaving a message because they had an appointment with Chris M. Chris is going to be baptized on June 2nd. His wife, Mary, was another one of my young women.

After the missionaries leave James and Anthony go to the Wallace's to deliver Brother Wallace's grapple which James finally got fixed. 
I'm left washing the three crockpots and the cast iron pot and all of the dishes, silverware, etc. It takes me over an hour to clean the kitchen.

When James and Anthony returned Anthony, who lives out in the middle of nowhere and does not have a shower, took a shower in our bathroom. He came out saying that he wants a shower just like that one. He says he is going to build it himself.

James and I started our new book this evening. It is the one that Dennis loaned to me and is called, "Riders on the Orphan Train." It is a novel about a little-known piece of American history. Between 1854 and 1929, over 250,000 orphans and 'surrendered' children were placed out across the country. They started their journey in New York and were given away in train stations in every state in the continental United States. This is the story of two children from very different backgrounds, Ezra Duval and Elizabeth Farrell; who find themselves on the same train heading West in 1918w. Their odyssey is a story of dislocation, loss, and the search for home that is at the heart of the American experience. Can you tell I got this information off the back cover of the book? I wonder why there were so many orphans?

Pat Tillman report

No, that's not a bald kid in the audience,

parents were invited to hear the reports.

Joshua was Wyatt Earp

Addy and friends

Alex and Michael's graduation party

Socks are serious business

Graduation 2016

Talon's graduation this year

Anakin at the lake. Wonder where 

his twin is.

Thursday, August 4, 2016

 Jared got to go to the Gilbert temple this morning.

Alma 44:16-45:14
16 - Zerahemnah is angry and stirs up his soldiers to contend against the Nephites.
17 - Moroni commands his people to fight back.
18 - The Lamanites because of their bare skins fall fast before the Nephites.
19 - Zerahemnah cries that if their lives are spared they never will come to war again.
20 - Moroni stops the work of death.  He takes the Lamanites weapons and after they enter in to a covenant of peace, they enter into the wilderness.
21 - The number of the dead on both sides was so great they weren't numbered.
22 - The dead were buried in the waters of Sidon and carried out to sea.
23 - Moroni's army returns home.
24 - Thus ended the 18th year and the record of Alma.
Alma 45
The record of Helaman comprises Alma 45-62.
1 - The Nephites give thanks unto their Lord for their delivery. 1) Give thanks 2) fast and pray 3) worship God with great joy. 
2 - Alma interviews Helaman as to his worthiness to keep the records and promises him he will prosper in the land if he keeps the commandments.
7 - Helaman to his father: Yea, I will kee the commandments with all my heart. (Doesn't every parent want to hear these words?)

GC: "Trust in That Spirit Which Leadeth To Do Good" President Henry B. Eyring.

I looked outside and saw two bunnies chasing each other around a pine tree.  This is why I love living here.

I am thankful for my phone for many reasons:
It has my gospel library which I use every day.  I have a banking app, and a weather app, a music store and a music player, I store my pictures on my phone, and books I want to read.  What did I ever do without it?

While going through a box today I found James's BYU Leadership Scholarship.  It was worth $180.  My how times have changed.

I vacuumed, dusted, and vacuumed the family room couch today in preparation for company.  I also mopped the kitchen and dining room floor.  The house is ready and so am I!

I read from Fablehaven book 2, The Rise of the Evening Star, and The Seven Miracles that Saved America, and The Seven Tipping Points that Saved the World.  

In the early afternoon I made a trip to town.  My first stop was at my brother Dennis's house to drop off the book "The Washington Hypothesis."  Vickie called to me as I was getting out of my car from the woodworking shop she and Harold have in their backyard.  She is becoming more involved in the business.  She gave me this for my birthday.

Harold does the wood and Vickie does the decorating.

They make a good team.

After visiting with my brothers and Vickie I headed for Walmart to buy some groceries.  Jared arrived at the cabin with his kids and Anna's friend Joe just before I did and James and Alex, Seth, and Adam were right behind me.  Jared said he wasn't able to stop for groceries because his car was filled with groceries and people so I am glad I bought burgers and fries for dinner.  

The first thing his kids wanted to do was go for Razr rides.  It was raining and muddy and we warned them they would get soaked, which they did.  When they returned everyone headed for the showers.  I am surprised we had enough water pressure.

Jared cooked the burgers for dinner.  Everyone ate and then settled down for the evening.  Jared and his kids watched a movie.

James and I went to bed a little after nine.

Alex took a picture of this gorgeous sunset.

I took one too, but it was not nearly this beautiful.

This was taken from his parents bedroom deck.

Since today it Throwback Thursday I thought I would share some old pictures:

I left these two watching hummingbirds while I went to Walmart.

When I returned Joshua said: Gramma, I was bored so grampa took

me for a ride on the Razr.  Someone is in trouble.

Rowan's Harry Potter wand. 

Rowan casting a spell.

These pictures were taken two years ago.

A cute picture of a cute couple.

Molly performing

She did some cheers for us.

Fun together.

Ruby

Ruby and Grampa

Anna and Lola

Emmy and Lola

Addy and Lola

Joshua and Lola

Molly and Ruby and their baby.

Michael and Joe entertained us.

These two are really good!

The Three Amigos

Lola's blessing.  This is before Rowan 

learned how to smile.

Michael's baptism