Sunday, January 12th, 2020

Suva, Fiji
91st operating temple
Dedicated: 18 June 2000
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Jehovah

Mosiah 5:2, 15

2 And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.

15 Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Review 1 Nephi 1-7 "I Will Go and Do"

"Developing Faith"

A. Theodore Tuttle

October 1986

Oct 2019 General Conference

"After the Trial of Our Faith"

Elder Jorge M. Alvarado

"Our example of righteous living can make a difference. President Nelson has said: 'As Latter-day Saints, we have become accustomed to thinking of church as something that happens in our meetinghouses, supported by what happens at home. We need an adjustment to this pattern. It is time for a home-centered Church, supported by what takes place inside our branch, ward, and stake buildings.'"

Kerri attended ward council this morning for Tamara who is speaking with her family at the Ft. Apache branch in our stake. 

The Skousen's were the speakers in sacrament meeting. Becky is one of the teacher's in Relief Society and I love her dearly. 

Becky's topic was, "How the Book of Mormon Helps Strengthen My Faith in Jesus Christ." "Third Nephi has done more to strengthen my faith in Jesus Christ than any other book in the Book of Mormon. Children belong to all of us. 3 Nephi 17:1 the Lord commanded all of the little children to be brought to Him.  In versus 12-25 it tells about the Savior blessing the children. Righteousness was perpetuated for many generations because of this experience."

Chris Skousen spoke also about the Book of Mormon. First of all he said he was grateful for the "bow-tie" bishop. Bishop Hunsaker always wears a bow-tie. It fits. Here are some of the scriptures that Brother Skousen quoted: 1 Nephi 3:7, 4:13, Mosiah 2:17, 3:19, Mosiah 18:8-10 - the Baptismal Covenant. The Lord sent prophets to bless the lives of the people and to help them come unto Him. We are to give service and strive to overcome the natural man syndrome. Brother Skousen ended by saying that the Book of Mormon is the foundation of his testimony.

Liana Grapp was the youth speaker. I can't believe that she is in young women's. She won't be 12 until September. She told the story of climbing the rock wall at the Goodman's and likened it to the "wall of life." Christ and the Holy Ghost will help us if we just keep climbing.

I keep smelling rabbit weed or propane in the house, I can't tell which. It isn't all of the time but enough to be concerned. James says maybe we need to change our air filters. We need to do something!

Stacy made this comment today on a family group text:

"Just letting you all know that as I sit here in stake conference with Elder Soares here, a sister is speaking about ministering and how she was alone as a newly wed when her husband was deployed to Iraq in 2003. She spoke about a sister in her ward named Kim Horak who served her, comforted her, and brought her cookies in her time of need."

Brian responded: 

"I know that this makes Kim extremely uncomfortable. But since she's already uncomfortable, I'll pile on. She mentions all the time how she feels like she's not good enough. I want her to know that she inspires me every day. She struggles with health, physically and mentally, but she always wants to be better. She always wants to be helpful. Even when she can't. She wants to be like our Savior. I don't tell her enough, but I think she is the most beautiful person, inside and out. Her spirit lifts me each and every day. She has a heart of gold and she is my Angel face."

Kim says: 

"Kind of defeats the purpose of quietly serving if you announce it out loud."

I told her it was okay because she wasn't announcing it out loud. It's okay if others sing your praises.

Our Relief Society lesson today was based on Elder Uchtdorf's talk, "Our Great Adventure." Diana Curtis was the teacher. 

Elder Uchtdorf asks us to do four things:

1. Incline Your Heart to God

2. Reach Out in Love to Others

3. Share Your Story

4. Ask, When Do I Start

These are the sisters who attended:

Makenzi Forrester, Julie Wilhelm, Lorraine Givens who expressed gratitude for all the service given to her and her husband. Sue Hubble, Catherine Halcomb, Kerri Halcomb, Diana Curtis, Karen Lambson, Ellen Kostusiak, Lynda Price, JoAnn Patrick, Linda Diewald, Lucretia Barton, Amy White, Nicolette Gardner, Chris Brady, Marilyn Tice, Ruth Wallace, Maxine Thompson, Rosie Lauritzen, Barbara S., Millie Scott, Judy Hunter, Sister Chandler, Nadine Singleton, Kim Andersen, Becky Skousenj, Paula Johnson, Sheba Myers, Heather Bowen, and Michelle Tesarek. The most sisters we have had in Relief Society for awhile.

James fixed venison steak and gravy for lunch. I made some Bisquick drop biscuits to go with it. Afterwards we had a rest time and then I began to blog. Today I did December 29th and 30th.

We Facetimed with Jared, Kacey, and Charlie and watched "Don't Miss This" on YouTube.

This evening our friends the Grapp's stopped by for a visit. They were returning the dishes from the dinner we brought them and bringing us their family Christmas card. They visited for awhile.

James and I both wrote to Ben. Also, the girl that we minister to together, Tanna, texted and said that she is pregnant. Her boyfriend lives with her and she just graduated from high school a year ago. 

Oh dear. 

 My Sabbath day Sweethearts

Haley's friend is the newest baptized

member of our ward. If I heard correctly 

his name is Ulisses Estara.

I love this!

Monday, September 11th, 2017

San Diego, California

45th operating temple

Dedicated: 25 April 1993 by Thomas S. Monson

Helaman 1:18-34

How do you avoid being deceived by the flattery of men?

Through the inspiration of the Spirit. We must stay spiritually centered and remember what really matters. Read Lynn G. Robbins, "Which Way Do You Face," October 2014 General Conference.

DC 132:29-45

Why should we always be obedient to what the Lord asks us to do?

Because we love Him. The Lord loves all of His children but He can only bless them when they are obedient. Obedience to commandments increases our faith, and brings us exaltation where we can become gods instead of angels.

General Conference

Becoming a Disciple of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Elder Robert D. Hales

"Patience, Peter teaches, leads us to godliness. As the Father is patient with us, His children, we become patient with one another and ourselves. From temperance to patience and from patience to godliness, our natures change. We gain the brotherly kindness that is a hallmark of all true disciples. Like the Good Samaritan, we cross the road to minister to whoever is in need, even if they are not within the circle of our friends. We bless them that curse us. We do good to those who despitefully use us. Is any attribute more godly or Christlike?"

We said our goodbyes, gave hugs, and had family prayer together with Jared giving the prayer, before we left for home. We are so very grateful for being able to come and spend time with Jared, Kacey, and Summer and to attend Molly's baptism and to be able to do sealings in the San Antonio temple. It was a wonderful trip and we are so grateful we were able to come.

'Til we meet again

As we left, Kacey and Summer were gone and Jared was at home cutting up fruit for lunches and doing laundry. He does not have to go to work until 10.

Thank goodness for Googlemaps or we wouldn't have found our way out of Jared and Kaceys neighborhood. We got on to the freeway and stopped for gas in Boerne where my friend Kay used to live. We read our scriptures and then I read from Brownlie Manor before taking a nap.

We got off the freeway in the little town of Ozona for a potty break and since we were there we got more gas. This town says it's the "biggest little town in the world," Some of the things to do in Ozona are: birdwatching, hunting, star gazing and off-roading. These are the same things we do here in Vernon! There are some beautiful trees and old homes and buildings in Ozona. I didn't get any pictures of homes but here is the town name and motto and the Crockett county courthouse located in Ozona.

The name of the gas station and store where we stopped was Stripes. It is the same place we stopped on Friday. 

On to Van Horn for gas and lunch at McDonald's. This is my friend Hailey's hometown. She says I should have texted her and let her know I was going to be there and she would have suggested some places to eat. She says Lizy's is good and her cousins place RJ's, but RJ's may only be open in the evenings.

Instead of going through Socorro we went back through Deming and Silver City up to Luna and Alpine. This way is more scenic but I do not like the windy road up the mountain. 

We got home around 5 p.m. Arizona time, gaining two hours coming home. It was good to be home except I found a bloated, belly up mouse caught in a trap in the pantry. Welcome home to critterville. 

Brian left us some green chili pork stew. Thanks Brian! After unloading and putting things away I did a little blogging and reading before going to bed. We were in bed by 9.

I did not forget that today was the anniversary of 9/11. Here are some photos I found on Facebook.

 Other random photos I like:

This is NOT the mouse we found in the pantry.

This one is cute, that one wasn't!

Sun and summer storm over the Grand Canyon.

I'm calling this one Cinderella's castle.

The Skousen's

Sister Skousen on the left is our Primary President.

She is a great one!