Monday, July 13th, 2020

Perth, Australia

106th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 May 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Lamb of God

DC 76:21

And saw the holy angels, and them who are sanctified before his throne, worshiping God, and the Lamb, who worship him forever and ever.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Alma 32; "Book of Mormon Central"

April General Conference

"A Good Foundation Against the Time to Come"

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

As I contemplate the next four years of the life of this beautiful, noble, exalted, and awe-inspiring Salt Lake Temple, I envision it more as a time of renewal rather than a time of closure. In a similar way, we might ask ourselves, "How could this extensive renewal of the Salt Lake Temple inspire us to undergo our own spiritual renewal, reconstruction, rebirth, revitalization, or restoration?"

 The first thing I did this morning was to work on my blog. I finished everything except downloading pictures when James told me he wanted to leave for town before 9:00 because he had "lots to do today." I  hear that phrase quite often. I got up and got ready to go. We left for town with my two boxes of books, and a load to take to Goodwill.  

After dropping off our donations at Goodwill, James always makes me take the donation slip to fill out, James dropped me off at Walmart. He went to Home Depot to get light bulbs and then across the street to Circle K to get gas and a car wash. I was finished with most of the shopping when James returned to Walmart. His assignment was to pick up my prescriptions and pick out a watermelon. He was so funny picking out the watermelon, thumping and holding his ear close. He made several choices before he finally decided on the "best watermelon in the bunch."

Walmart is refusing to take cash at most registers. I guess there is a coin shortage. I heard of a woman who only had cash and was not able to get her groceries. I think someone should have volunteered to put her purchases on their card and then taken her cash. What is the world coming to?

After finishing at the scan and go we headed for Taco Bell for some lunch. While I was eating my tacos James went to Harbor Freight to do an exchange. Next it was Tractor Supply for supplies for the fence. Finally we were on our way home. I looked at my watch as we left Show Low, 11:45. I told James we should have stopped at the post office on our way to town because now by the time we got back to Vernon it would be closed. He said it was okay he would come back and get the mail. I knew I would have books, which I did, seven of them.

I got some throw pillow for the couch upstairs. When I went to put them on the couch I made a quick run-thru of all the rooms. It's a good thing I did because there were more dead ants in Ian and Sheri's room. 

When things finally settled down I finished my blog post and was going to buy a few books. I need to buy 50 more books before the end of the month and in order for them to get to Amazon before textbook season, they need to be mailed this week or at the latest the beginning of next. 

I heard from Laura today. She got the book, "Grace Where You Are", that I sent to her for her birthday. Her birthday is Wednesday. She seemed excited to read it.

I checked to see how Summer was doing and Kacey said she was fine, just a little tired. I just figured she would get the virus because her boyfriend tested positive.

Sheri, Ian, Max, Evan, Joshua, Rowan, Ollie, and Ziggie arrived around 6 p.m. That had brought dinner with them, three pizzas and some breadsticks from Little Caesar's. So much stuff unloaded in the kitchen. Alex and Joe are coming up tomorrow so Sheri brought lots of food. I bet we still go to Walmart tomorrow though. 

James tried to get the boys to ride Luna but no one seemed interested. Sheri, the dogs, Ian and I went out to watch James ride. He was kind of "showing off" but running her and then stopping quickly. It's okay. I am just grateful that he loves to ride her.

We had scripture and prayer together, reading Alma 32. Sheri made sure of it.

 Idaho Falls Temple

From Book of Mormon Central

 I love how Max and Evan have their legs up and spread out and

Joshua is sandwiched in between them with his legs

straight out. They are all sitting together on the

broken chair. Maybe I should get an updated picture today.

Wednesday, July 1st, 2020

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

94th operating temple

Dedicated: 16 July 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Lamb of God

DC 58:11

 And after that cometh the day of my power; then shall the poor, the lame, and the blind, and the deaf, come in unto the marriage of the Lamb, and partake of the supper of the Lord, prepared for the great day to come.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Alma 25 and "Don't Miss This"

April General Conference

Opening Message

President Russell M. Nelson

"The purpose of this and every general conference is to help us to hear Him. We have prayed, and invite you to pray, that the Spirit of the Lord will be with us in such rich abundance that you can hear the messages that the Savior has especially for you - messages that will bring peace to your soul. Messages that will heal your broken heart. Messages that will illuminate your mind. Messages that will help you know what to do as you move ahead through times of turmoil and trial."

After reading Alma 25 together and having our family prayer James left to make a delivery to the Goodman's. He spoke to Pierce as Barbara was too miserable to have company. She is recovering from shoulder surgery. Pierce says she is taking tramadol and it makes her hallucinate so she doesn't get any sleep at night. 

I texted Sheri and asked her to get the dried plums the Goodman's wanted. She said she would and she will bring them up on the 13th. We are both saddened by the condition in our country right now. Sheri says she either wants to die or have the Savior come. I agreed with her.

For lunch I made a mini batch of enchiladas with some sauce that I had leftover from the last batch I made. There were about four servings. I had one and James had the other three. 

Kerri brought over July birthday cards for me to sign. I told her I would take the cards over to Maxine's because I had something else I was taking her. I made rolls because Maxine mentioned when I went to pick up face masks from her that I could have paid her in rolls and she would have been happy. 

James and I left to take the rolls to the Thompson's around 5:30 this afternoon. I texted Maxine and told her we were coming but she never answered. We drove all the way to their house, 8-9 miles, and they were not home. We left the rolls and the cards on their front porch. I mentioned to James that Maxine might have gone to our house. Sure enough we passed her red Jeep on the way home. She texted and said the had gone to our house. She didn't read my text because she didn't have her phone with her. Funny. We should have met halfway. 

James went on a Luna ride this evening to chase some cows away. He said she is so spooky. That would have been a good name for her, Spooky. At one point she caught the movement of a cow from behind a tree and took off running at high speed. She puts the bit in her teeth so pulling on the reins doesn't stop her. James has to turn her head to make her stop. He was pretty disgusted with her.

This evening I listened to and watched "Don't Miss This" with Dave and Emily. I loved some of the things they said about Alma 26 where Ammon remembers the great things the Lord did for them in teaching the Lamanites. Emily says she has her kids read this chapter before they come home from their missions and in their letter to her share their feelings like Ammon shared his. She said these particular letters are some of her most treasured possessions. 

I am going to write to Ben and ask him to do this same thing.

Before going to bed I read to James from "The Pilgrim Hypothesis". This is the book Jared sent him for Father's Day. Thanks Jared. I also read the first chapter from our new Aunt Dimity book, "Aunt Dimity and the Buried Treasure."

Happy 17th Birthday Max!

Greer

Shayna

 I want one

Anti-Nephi-Lehies

Thursday, May 28th, 2020

Columbus, Ohio

60th operating temple

Dedicated: 4 Sept 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, King

John 19:19

And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Alma 2; Meridian Magazines Podcast with the Proctor's

Inklings

Restoration Proclamation Week #6

Restoration

Chapter 18 "The Mission of the Twelve"

April General Conference

"The Finest Homes"

Elder L. Whitney Clayton

"From the Lord's perspective, establishing the finest homes has everything to do with the personal qualities of the people who live there. These homes aren't made fine in any important or lasting way by their furniture or by the net worth or social status of the people who own them. The finest characteristic of any home is the image of Christ reflected in the home's residents. What matters is the interior design of the souls of the inhabitants, not the structure itself."

"No Time for Contention"

Elder Marvin J. Ashton

April 1978

Anthony delivered some hay this morning and James gave him his old computer. The problem is that he couldn't find the cord to it so he gave him the cord to his new computer. He thinks he will buy a new one. I hope he is able to find one.

James made us some lo-mein noodles for lunch while I read to him from "Aunt Dimity and the Wishing Well." James was going to go to town this morning to look at cinders for the road but he decided against it. He is going to go with me tomorrow. He is so disappointed about the part to his truck. It is going to cost so much more than he thought and he will have to wait again for the part to come. Now he is fixing the small items that need to be fixed on the Cat so he can sell it to Pierce.

It took me several hours to buy three books today. I need to spend more time doing others things to keep my business going but it is taking all my time just to buy books. 

I love staying home. I love my home and where we live. I would like to make some improvements outside, such as fixing up the grass patch and planter in the front and planting grass in the backyard. It would also be nice to have the field fenced in for Luna.

Again, while James was out riding I was studying "Come Follow Me", the Restoration Proclamation, and Church History in the Fulness of Times. I love studying the gospel and strengthening my testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Potstickers for dinner. One of the things we look forward to at the end of the day is sitting down together and watching an episode of "Lark Rise to Candleford." We watched episode 4 of season 3 which is one of the saddest episodes. Lark Rise is bringing in the harvest when an epidemic of measles hits. Daniel shows his true colors by staying in town to help. Little Archie Arless dies while his brother Alf is trying to bring in the harvest. James and I both loved the episode because it was real human drama and acted so well. 

James is so happy about last years flowers

returning

 Natural, unkempt flower garden

I like the color!