Friday, January 10th, 2020

Adelaide, Australia

89th operating temple

Dedicated: 15 June 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Jehovah

1 Nephi 22:12

Wherefore, he will bring them again out of captivity, and they shall be gathered together to the lands of their inheritance; and they shall be brought out of obscurity and out of darkness; and they shall know that the Lord is their Savior and their Redeemer, the Mighty One of Israel.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 5-6

General Conference Daily

"Lessons from Laman and Lemuel"

Elder Neal A. Maxwell

October 1999

Oct 2019 General Conference

"Come, Follow Me - the Lord's Counterstrategy and Proactive Plan"

Brother Mark L. Pace

"Gratefully, we live in a time when prophets and apostles teach us of the Savior Jesus Christ. Following their counsel helps us establish a firm foundation in Christ."

I love this quote from Sheri Dew's book, "Women and the Priesthood":

"Studying the scriptures is a key to learning the difference between feeling the Spirit and hearing the voice of the Spirit."

We woke up to a winter wonderland this morning. It looks like there is about 3 inches of snow and it is still snowing. 

We went to clean the church this morning at 9 a.m. Tina Allen was there too. The Gardner's were not able to come. We are cleaning on Friday because tomorrow we work at the temple. 

James always heads for the chapel. He likes to wear the vacuum on his back, anyway that's my take on it. He looks like a guy from ghostbusters. 

Tina collected all of the garbage, cleaned the bathrooms, checked all the classrooms, and checked the kitchen and Relief Society room.

I had the big vacuum and did the "big" vacuuming in the halls. It looks like there was a popcorn party because there were bits of popcorn all down the hall. I think it may have been a Primary party because there was lots of popcorn in the Primary room too. 

When I was finished I went to put the vacuums away and there was a guy I had never seen before sitting where I had put my purse, boots, and water. I went in to ask James where my stuff was and he had brought it into the chapel. 

The guys name was Jose. He came to work at the park but when he got here Virgil, who helps maintain the park and is in our ward, said he did not have any work for him. Jose's sister had dropped him off and was heading to Springerville where she lives. He needed a ride home.

We we glad to take him home. He lived on the 61 on the other side of Stanford store. I had to text my friend Maxine whom I was meeting at 11 to go see Pat Tedder, and tell her we might be a little late.

We were a few minutes late meeting up with Maxine. She was waiting for us at the hill and stop sign on 3144. We followed Maxine's red Jeep right in to Pat's place. While Maxine and I went in, James turned the car around. 

Pat fell in the temple about 3 months ago and broke her back. She looked better than I had expected. She wears a back brace about 8 hours a day. She is a pretty amazing woman. She spend some time in the hospital and in rehab and then her daughters house in the valley. She told everyone she would be home for Christmas, and she was. Pat is 86 years old. Maxine is her best friend.

I told Pat I wanted to bring dinner next Thursday. Her son lives with her and they help each other because they both have health issues.

After my visit to Pat,  James and I went in to town. We had lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, LaCasita and then James took me to Walmart. I did some shopping while he got the oil changed in the car. 

When we got home I made rolls for the temple tomorrow and finished watching "Winter in Vail."

 Gilbert and Johnnie Gonzales

So proud!

 My breakfast this morning

Throwback to two years ago on this date.

 Awww

Sunday, June 23rd, 2019

Anchorage, Alaska

54th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Jan 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Exemplar

1 John 4:17

Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Book of Mormon

Alma 20:19-30

New Testament "It Is Finished"

Review: Matt 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19

General Conference

The Atonement of Jesus Christ

Tad R. Callister

"The Savior overcame the four obstacles that can prevent our spiritual progress. 

1. Death. 'As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.'

2. Sin The Savior overcame sin and guilt for all those who repent.

3. Afflictions and Infirmities. Alma prophesied that Christ 'shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind.' Why? 'That his bowels may be filled with mercy, ... that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.'

4. Weaknesses and imperfections. Because of His Atonement, the Savior has enabling powers, sometimes referred to as grace, that can help us overcome our weaknesses and imperfections and thus assist us in our pursuit to become more like Him."

Brother Thompson read a letter from the First Presidency during sacrament meeting today regarding strengthening home and family especially during the month of July which is designated as family month.

Two young women spoke about their experiences at girls camp. The highlight of the week seemed to be the bishop's night and testimony meeting. Sister MacArthur and Sister Reynolds also spoke and Sister Reynolds said the testimony meeting was the most spiritual meeting she had ever been to.

 Sister Curtis taught Relief Society based on President Oaks's conference talk, "Cleansed by Repentance." These are some of the questions we were asked to consider: 

1. Why do we need to repent?

2. What doors do we need to open in order to feel the Atonement in our lives?

3. Are we teaching our posterity about true repentance?

Here are some notes I took: 

*Sin is like a stumbling block. We all fall short. Compassion for others is so important.

*Guilt can be a good thing if it causes us to overcome sin and weaknesses. We can't let guilt weigh us down.

*The purpose of the Final Judgment is to determine whether we have achieved what Alma described as a "mighty change of heart" where we have become new creatures, with "no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually."

*Some sins need to be reported to priesthood leaders. Being comfortable and at-one with the Savior is vital so we will feel comfortable with Him in the next life. 

*Repent daily, even minute by minute. 

Sister Finnell gave us some homemade salsa and a thank you note for taking cookies to her after she broke her arm. It was delicious and James and I went home and had chips with cheese and salsa for lunch.

I made brownies for James this afternoon for him to take with him to the valley along with his banana nut muffins. He left around 5:20 pm. and will check in at the timeshare. I will leave in the morning after going to the post office and asking them to hold my mail.

This evening I blogged, had pancakes for dinner and watched "The Good Witch" and the new "Mystery 101."

I love this sweet girl!

 Young women who read their Book of Mormon went to

our timeshare to swim and relax in the sun.

Kilee and Shelly are pictured here. We also had Trenda

and LeeAnn.

 Scottish highlander calf

Scarlett

 LeeAnn and Cody were married yesterday

by Bishop Miller.

No, this wasn't LeeAnn's wedding cake.

She made her own with the help of

Sister Scott.

Sunday, April 28th, 2019

Barranquilla, Colombia

161st operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Dec 2018

By: Dallin H. Oaks

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Acts 3:13

The God Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 18:17-35

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Review Matthew 18 and Luke 10

General Conference

Prepared to Obtain Every Needful Thing

David A. Bednar

"Blessings will come as we strive to fulfill our individual responsibility to learn and love the restored gospel of Jesus Christ."

I missed seeing Shelly this morning at church. She didn't want to cause a disruption in the chapel so she sat in the foyer and I missed her. Afterward sacrament meeting she went to the singles ward.

We sat by Kim and Brian during sacrament on the back row. Several youth spoke on conference talks and it was difficult to hear them. Elder Irish was the last speaker and we could hear him fine. He bore his testimony and shared some messages from the prophet, President Nelson. Kim and Brian went home after sacrament meeting. 

Cammy was nervous about teaching in Relief Society. She is teaching from Elder Holland's conference address, "Behold the Lamb of God."  The sisters came through for Cammy and we had a good discussion about reverence in the chapel and during the sacrament. I noticed that Holly G. wasn't there and I texted her after church to make sure she was okay. 

We had a family history meeting after the block. I forgot about it and was visiting in the RS room with Tamara, Kailee, and Kerri. I was a little embarrassed coming in late. Everyone was there except our teenager Ty. I texted him afterwards and told him we wanted him to visit Charlie G. and that James would go with him. Tamara his mom said he would do it but it would be after May 4th because he is preparing for the state track tournament.

James and I fixed biscuits and gravy for Kim and Brian before they left. James did all the work. I got the biscuits out of the freezer and warmed them up in the oven. The venison gravy was delicious!

Kim, Brian and I played a game of Five Crowns before they left. Brian whipped us each by over a 100 points. Maybe he was getting even with us for eating Rocky Road ice cream in front of him. (He's lactose intolerant).

After Kim and Brian left James went to the Howard's to help Tom with family history. While I was home alone I listened to a podcast interview with Sheri Dew about her association with prophets. She has written three books about prophets, Ezra Taft Benson, Gordon B. Hinckley, and now Russell M. Nelson. She told the story of the circumstances surrounding the meeting of Wendy Watson and President Nelson. She was a part of them getting together. I want this book that she has written for mother's day. I have told James and posted an advertisement for it on my white board. No jewlery honey, just a book.

I caught up on my blog this evening and watched a Mormon Message video, "The Passover Lamb." Tamara told us about this video in Relief Society today. This is something I will watch every Easter.

Happy Sabbath from these two sweet girls!

 Anxiously awaiting!

Dear sweet Ruby

Thursday, September 13th, 2018

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

94th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 July 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Mark 9:31

For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 3:19-37

*What do these verses tell us about the power of prayer? How can you apply these principles to your own life?

- Verse 35 is the key to becoming a true follower of Christ. They fasted and prayed oft and increased in humility and were firmer in the faith of Christ. They became sanctified because they yielded their hearts unto God.

Old Testament

Ecclesiastes 7-12

General Conference

Behold! A Royal Army

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"Today we all stand as witnesses of the Lord revealing His will through His prophet, President Russell M. Nelson. I testify that he is God's prophet here on earth. I bear my witness of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our great Redeemer and Savior. This is His work, and this is His will, to which I bear solemn testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

There is one lonely cupcake left from Tamara's birthday celebration. Guess who ate it.

Ecclesiastes, the Preacher:

"Wisdom gives life to them that have it"

"Anger resteth in the bosom of fools"

"Wisdom is better than strength"

I listened to three articles from the Ensign this morning while doing my chores. One was about President Eyring written by Elder Holland. Another was entitled, "An Ensign to the Nations," and the third was about motherhood and how all women and mothers in some way.

I have decided to give away all of my Victoria Holt books except for "Mistress of Mellyn," which is the one that Nannie first gave to me. I had 26 of her books. James and I read all of them together. We decided that she is a good author but some of the things she writes are a little inappropriate. Goodbye Victoria.

My office buddies. Out with some of the books to

make room for my crafts.

I met my ministering sister companion and we visited Kerri and Catherine Halcomb today. It took awhile for us to actually get together. I waited for her at the Bannon Springs facility and she was looking for me further out on the road the the Bannon Springs sign. I did not have Marie's cell phone number and she forgot to bring mine so we were stuck. I looked on LDS Tools and the directions to Marie's address are incorrect. I remembered her saying that Sister Tice was her neighbor, so I looked up the directions to her home and was able to find Marie. Sometimes ministering is a real adventure!

Marie and Catherine really hit it off. Marie has six dogs which are like her children. I found out she had one son who was killed 17 years ago in a motorcycle race. When Catherine and I talked about our children and grandchildren she said, "I will never have any." 

Catherine used to be a dog groomer and raised Siberian huskies. Marie said her dogs needed to be groomed so Catherine is going to come over and show Marie how to groom her six schnauzers.

Catherine is a seamstress and is doing alterations for Brother Hunsaker's suit. His son Tyler is getting married on Saturday.

We got to meet Catherine and Kerri's dogs, Shelly and Star. Shelly is a "blue" Great Dane. Actually she is gray, and Star is a Red Tick Hound. Shelly is beautiful, Star not so much but they are both gentle once you get to know them. I told Kerri all I ever heard was them barking and then being shooed outside and I would like to meet them so she brought them in. Kerri has applied, as a retired federal agent, to go to the Carolina's and help with the hurricane. If called, she will make $500 a day.

 The top picture is what Catherine calls her

Church Wall. The bottom is her 16 great

grandchildren.

Today would have been my mother's 88th birthday. I have a photo of her on my desk and I think of her and her goodness to me in my life everyday. I am so grateful to be her daughter. Sheri remembered it was her birthday and sent me a message. It made me feel good that she remembered her grandma.

James went to town this afternoon and got three new tires put on his truck and two new ones for the Razr. He brought back a drink for me and my first Quilter's magazine which I received in the mail. Even if I never make anything I love looking at all the projects I could make if I were more talented. 

I put clean sheets on two beds upstairs in readiness for our company this weekend. James and I read from "The Secret Keeper" which we are really beginning to like. I also did some Old Testament reading, and worked on my 2019 dot journal before it was time to retire to our comfy bed.

I asked for a photo of Summer and Charlie together.

Kacey said that this is how they bond. Cute.

I have this leaf punch!

You can see her personality shine through

in this photo. I love you Scarlett!

 My kind of castle

The name of this photo is: "Owie"