Sunday, March 23rd, 2020

Barranquilla, Colombia

161st operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Dec 2018

By: Dallin H. Oaks

Jesus Christ, Judge

Mosiah 16:10

Even this mortal shall put on immortality, and this corruption shall put on incorruption, and shall be brought to stand before the bar of God, to be judged of him according to their works whether they be good or whether they be evil -

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Review Jacob 5-7

Oct 2019 Gen Con

"Your Great Adventure"

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"If you sense that your life could have more meaning, a higher purpose, stronger family bonds, and a closer connection with God, please, come, join with us.

If you seek a community of people who are working to become the best versions of themselves, help those in need, and make this world a better place, come, join with us! Come and see what this marvelous, wondrous, and adventurous journey is all about. Along the way you will discover yourself. You will discover meaning. You will discover God. You will discover the most adventurous and glorious journey of your life. Of this I testify in the name of our Redeemer and Savior, Jesus Christ, amen."

Ensign

"My Island of Faith"

I forgot to mention that one day this week we had blueberry pancakes for breakfast. It was the one day Addy ate with us. When she was finished eating, she cooked pancakes for everyone else.

James had ministering interviews this morning at the church. He is an example to me of doing your ministering interviews. Most all of mine, the ones that I've done, have been via text. 

When he got home we had the sacrament and reviewed the "Come Follow Me" lesson for the week, Jacob 5-7. 

I watched a little video clip about Clayton Christensen this morning. I have read his book about everyday missionaries and was so impressed with how he includes missionary work in every aspect of his life. He was a world-renowned business professor at Harvard and always seemed to find a way to talk about his faith. He was 67 years old when he died of cancer on January 23, 2020. 

He says he wanted to feel the Spirit like he did on his mission so he re-positioned himself on the front lines. "Everyday as I left I had a desire to share the gospel and as I did,  I felt the Spirit with me again."

After James and I studied "Come Follow Me" I continued studying by myself. I filled out my study guide for Jacob 5-7 which took quite awhile. 

It was a relaxing day. We FaceTimed with Jared, Kacey, and Charlie this afternoon. I told them about Jace and the possibility that he might have had the coronavirus and because of that I was quarantining myself. They both told us about an app called Zoom which is a video conferencing app. Jared was able to be a part of the Priest's quorum lesson today because of Zoom and Kacey was sent the Relief Society lesson via email. I immediately told Tamara, Kerri, and Maxine about it. Kerri had never heard of it. Tamara had heard of it and said an upcoming regional conference might come to us through Zoom. No one mentioned using it in our ward.

I am grateful for the Sabbath day and how it helps to remember to focus on our Savior. I am also grateful for the Sabbath day because we get pictures of Charlie and usually Scarlett too.

 Alex isn't the only one who loves Shayna

Jace and Talena 

Jace's baptismal day a 

couple of years ago.

He wore a black suit each week when

he passed the sacrament this year.

 Scarlett on Saturday

 Wish my BM journal looked this good!

Coronavirus mantra:

 Is this true?

 Wheelchari Hungry, Hungry Hippo

When I look at this angel, I know 

God exists!

 Scarlett is so beautiful!

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

Tuesday, November 12th, 2019

Dallas, Texas

30th operating temple

Dedicated: 19-24 Oct 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Head of Church

DC 69:3

And also that he shall continue in writing and making a history of all the important things which he shall observe and know concerning my church;

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 27:13-33

New Testament

Hebrews 8-9; I/F: 7:1-22 The Melchizedek Priesthood is the higher priesthood. SS: 8-10 Ancient and modern ordinances point to Jesus Christ.

10/19 General Conference

"After the Trial of Our Faith"

Elder Jorge M. Alvarado

"No matter the obstacles we face in life, we can trust that Jesus Christ will prepare a way forward as we walk with faith. God has promised that all who live according to the covenants they have made with Him will, in His time receive all His promised blessings. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught, 'Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don't come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come.'"

RWC:"Desire qualifies parents for the work of raising children. Also, faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God. Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence. Ask and ye shall receive; knock and it shall be opened unto you." (Parents, like new missionaries, are called to the work of salvation).

Day 2: Protection - Psalms 31:20

Father, please protect Max in the shelter of Thy presence and the presence of Thy Holy Spirit. Keep him safe from those who would conspire against him and from his own negative thoughts. Help me to do my part in keeping him safe - physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Give me strength to be his guardian, defender, and shepherd as I strive to become like Thee and Thy Son.

Today was a beautiful day. Autumn sent out a picture of Charlie looking pretty miserable and asked us to pray for her. She is coming with Jared and Kacey tomorrow on an airplane to visit us here in Arizona. Here is the picture Autumn posted.

This picture breaks my heart

She has an ear infection and a sinus infection and

is now on an antibiotic.

We had to sanitize Kim and Brian's sheets before putting them back on their bed to make sure they were clean because of dog hair.

I mopped the kitchen and dining area this morning while I was listening to the book webinar with Kathy and Kris. I am trying to figure out how to change the shipping settings for merchant fulfilled orders so the buyer pays for shipping. It should be easier than it is.

James picked up books at the post office and got someone else's loose mail. He is still working on the logs outside getting them ready for winter. 

I worked on books, blogged, walked, and went to a family history meeting in Lakeside at the stake center. I love one of the pictures in the high council room. It shows the Savior on a hill with a sheep in his arms looking down on a flock of sheep below. The lighting is beautiful. I would love to have this picture.

Books I received in the mail today

 Charlie sleeping after her doctor's appointment.

 Ruby and her cousin posing in their leos.

 Paul Weigel, our friend in Oregon

caught this fish on the Rogue River.