Tuesday, July 31st, 2018

St. Louis, Missouri

50th operating temple

Dedicated: 1 June 1997

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

2 Nephi 29:7

Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?

Book of Mormon

* Why is it important to be prepared?

- Just like Moroni prepared his army against the coming of the Lamanites to battle, we can continually be preparing ourselves and our families against coming battles, spiritual or temporal. Victory is sure when our preparation is centered on the Savior and His prophets. "If ye are prepared ye shall not fear."

Old Testament

Job 5-7

5 Eliphaz counsels Job: Man is born unto trouble, seek unto God, and happy is the man whom God corrects.

6 Job bemoans his grief - He prays that God will grant his petitions - Those who are afflicted should be pitied - How forcible are right words!

7 Job asks, Is there an appointed time for man on earth? What is man that Thou shouldst magnify him? Why dost Thou not pardon my transgression?

General Conference

Let Us All Press On

President M. Russell Ballard

" Our message to the world is simple and sincere: we invite all of God's children on both sides of the veil to come unto their Savior, receive the blessings of the holy temple, have enduring joy, and qualify for eternal life."

James worked all day, coming home for a short lunch break, at the Howard's putting down flooring. Ty A. was his assistant. He says that Ty is a good worker. I figured he would be. His sister Shelly could stack wood like nobody else when she was in Young Women's.

I put up photos in the hallway this morning. 

Good start, more to come

Five awesome kids

I also made the August-September centerpiece

for the dining room table

August is the month the sunflowers bloom!

This afternoon I went in to town to go shopping at Walmart. It never ceases to amaze me how much it costs to buy groceries and

other necessities!

On the way home I noticed it had rained in parts of Vernon. James said it rained at the Howard's for about 30 minutes. We didn't get any rain at our house.

My neighbor Kathy came over today to tell me she has chickens, 8 of them. in case I want fresh eggs. By the time I use them my eggs are never fresh. She had been to town and bought feed.

I am really enjoying the audio book I am reading on Deseret Bookshelf called, "Unforgettable." Here is a brief synopsis of what it is about:

Haley has always admired her strong-willed great-grandmother Grisa. The woman survived the disappearance of her husband and thrived after her immigration to America at the beginning of World War II. But when a shocking telephone call from a detective in Germany turns Haley's life upside down in an instant, she finds herself questioning everything she thought she knew about her heritage.

The body of Ulrich Krauss has been found, and the renowned toymaker and artist has a shocking connection to Haley: he is her great-grandfather - not missing, but murdered. Now, at the request of her ailing great-grandmother, Haley travels to Germany to seek answers. What she finds instead are more questions and a growing sense of danger dodging her every step. Protection appears in the form of Joshua, an attractive man from Haley's past who is in Germany on business. Together the pair embark on an emotional quest for the truth, only to discover that a generations-old plot is very much alive, and there are those as determined as ever to keep the facts surrounding Ulrich's death hidden - even if it means silencing his great-granddaughter for good.

James came home exhausted and very grubby. He walked and then took a shower. Kneeling down all day putting in flooring is tiring work. We began watching "Love on Safari." Now I want to go to South Africa.

I finished watching "The Magic Stocking," starring Victor Webster. I like him.

This is really weird

 Most of the squirrels in our yard are 

not this pretty.

Which do you prefer?

 White Texas Sheetcake with

almond flavoring and almonds

Chocolate Texas Sheetcake with

pecans.

Thursday, August 24th, 2017

Boise, Idaho

27th operating temple

Dedicated: 25-30 May 1984 by: Gordon B. Hinckley

Rededicated: 2 May 1987 by: James E. Faust

Rededicated: 18 Nov 2012 by: Thomas S. Monson

Atonement

Moroni 10:33

And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenants of the Father unto the remission of your sins that ye become holy, without spot.

Jesus Christ, Antemortal Existence of

Moses 4:2

But, behold, my Beloved Son, which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning, said unto me - Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.

Alma 56:1-17

How does Helaman show courage and faith in these verses?

*Helaman shows great courage and faith when he encourages the people of Ammon who had buried their weapons of war and covenanted not to fight, to be loyal to their covenants There is great power and strength in covenant keeping, and Helaman knew this.

DC 124:1-15

What did I learn from these verses?

*When we follow the prophet we receive great blessings. The power of the Holy Ghost. Hyrum Smith is loved because of the integrity of his heart. Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins. You shall receive the Holy Spirit and know the truth and be numbered with the House of Israel.

General Conference

Whatsoever He Saith Unto you, Do It

Elder L. Whitney Clayton

"The trial of our faith will always involve staying true to simple, daily practices of faith. Then, and only then, does He promise that we will receive the divine response for which we long. Only once we have proven our willingness to do what He asks without demanding to know the whens, the whys, and the hows do we 'reap the rewards of our faith, and our diligence and patience, and longsuffering. Real obedience accepts God's commandments unconditionally and in advance."

James caught squirrel number six in his live trap. He will go down to live by the lake with his friends. Chuck gets rid of his in a different way where they are not able to ever come back.

I read an article in the Ensign, "Eight Strategies to Help Children Reject Pornography." I texted all the kids and asked them to read it.

I found evidence that there has been a mouse in our pantry. James set four traps, but I think he is probably gone. We are just wondering how he got in there in the first place as James sealed up all the holes.

We read outside on the porch today. It was absolutely gorgeous! 

For lunch I had one of Rosa's tamales with some ketchup. Yummy!

I went outside and cleaned about 18 greenhouse panels for James today. Some of them have dirt caught in between the two panels.

James found out the greenhouse is only built to withstand 15 mph winds. That is nothing!

I love our book, "Lily of the Manor." It is my favorite!  It was written by Anita Stansfield.

I made french vanilla cupcakes with lemon frosting today. These should last for awhile because James doesn't like french vanilla. 

I think I have a pinched nerve. 

Photos

Talon and Trenda

Best friends

Trenda and George

The oldest and the youngest

Alice

Johnny

Andy, Curtis and friend

Calico Critters:

Chihuahua's

Cows

Piggies

Mrs. Bunny and babies

Tuesday, August 22nd, 2017

Papeete, Tahiti

25th operating temple

Dedicated: 27-29 Oct 1983 By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Rededicated: 12 Nov 2006 By: L. Tom Perry

Atonement

3 Nephi 11:14

Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.

Jesus Christ, Antemortal Existence of:

3 Nephi 26:5

If they be good, to the resurrection of everlasting life; and if they be evil, to the resurrection of damnation; being on a parallel, the one on the one hand and the other on the other hand, according to the mercy, and the justice, and the holiness which is in Christ, who was before the world began.

Alma 54:12-55:14

How are Moroni and Ammoron different in their motivations for war?

*Trujillofamilyjournal, bofm365, Instagram:

"In Alma 54:13 Moroni says, 'ye have sought to murder us, and we have only sought to defend ourselves.' In Alma 54:16-17 it says Ammoron is fighting for revenge and power. Moroni is motivated by love, which is unselfish, just like our Savior Jesus Christ. Ammoron, on the other hand, is motivated by power, hate, and selfishness, like Satan. We can learn from this account to let love be our motivation for all we do."

DC 122:1-9

How do trials and tribulations help us?
scripturestudy: "Trials and tribulations help us humbly look to God and they help us love like only God does. Love this section Verse 7, 'that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.' We can turn to God and find the good in our situations and circumstances or we can turn away from Him and become bitter and angry. Verse 9, 'Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass.' We need to hold on and look to God, for He is the way to peace and complete happiness."
General Conference

Let the Holy Spirit Guide

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"We must act on the first prompting. First promptings are pure inspiration from heaven. The still small voice points us to opportunities to teach the gospel, to bear testimony of Jesus Christ and the Restoration, to offer support and concern, and to rescue one of God's precious children."

Around 10 a.m. James and I left for Snowflake. We are going to the distribution center to get the clothes we will need to officiate in the temple. Our first stop was El Cupido's so I could get a breakfast burrito. I was starving! 

Our temple clothes are 1/2 off the first time we purchase them. We spent over $140 and it came to $77 after taxes. 

We read from our new book, "Lily of the Manor." I love it. It is the best one we have read in a long time. I read several chapters in our car ride.

James has caught two squirrels now. They have become a nuisance and he takes them down by Chocolate Lake and drops them off. Our neighbors are not so kind to their vermin.

I made a batch of Doubletree Inn cookies. We both love them because they have oatmeal in them. 

Trump is in Phoenix tonight and there is a big rally. He pardoned Joe Arpaio. We are glad. Sheriff Joe is just trying to do his job.

Evan got his Amazon toy from me today. He ordered Link. 

"Feel good" for poking his foot.

Photos:

One of the squirrels James caught.

This guy was hanging out near the Hampton Inn

in Show Low.

I want this book!

After a walk, it's time for some R and R.

I call them James's pets.

Can you see the cougar?

(It's a shadow)

I love this photo of the Mesa temple.

Saturday, October 15, 2016

3 Nephi 5:16-6:14

How do these verses exemplify the pride cycle?  How can we avoid falling into the pride cycle?

Answer:

We can avoid falling into the pride cycle by being truly converted to the faith, and by being "firm, steadfast and immovable, willing with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord."(v.14).

Are our minds and hearts anxiously engaged in good things?  Do we just go through the motions or are we truly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ?  Is the seed of faith planted in our souls?  When our hearts are no longer set upon the things of this world, we will no longer aspire to the honors of men or seek only to gratify our pride.  Instead we take on the Christlike qualities Jesus taught and become His disciples.  Missionaries are able to set aside the things of this world and focus totally on serving the Lord and His children.  Because of this they experience great power and joy, and their hearts are changed and they have no more disposition to do evil but to do good continually as long as they are obedient.

GC: 'Emissaries to the Church' by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

" We are asking you as home teachers to be God's

emissaries to His children, to love and care and

pray for the people you are assigned."

The elk were here last night.  They trampled our grass and left holes in the ground, uprooted Lois's tree and ate the leaves on some of James's other trees.  He says he now has a love/hate relationship with elk.

James participated in a ward woodcutting project this morning at the Knight's home.  We don't know the Knights but we knew Brother Knight's grandparents Dick and Aggie Brown who are no longer with us.  We loved Dick and Aggie.  Dick was the Sunday greeter when we first moved to Vernon and he always seemed so glad to see you when you came to Church.  Aggie was older than me but she went to Creighton School in Phoenix just like I did. 

Off he goes with his new log splitter.

I stayed at home and cleaned.  We have a class meeting in our home on Sunday evening starting tomorrow.  The first thing I did was sweep, clean and polish the wood floors.  Afterwards I vacuumed the couch and all the floors in the family-living room area.  I also dusted, and cleaned the kitchen floor and the kitchen.  I kept busy most of the day.  

When James returned from the service project he went to work on our loveseat that has been broken for quite sometime.  

He was able to fix it so the sides don't fall off when

you sit down, but it is no longer a recliner.

James also did some more trapping today.  Either he is catching different squirrels each time or this one really likes his cage.

Somebody help me, it's a trap!

One giant leap.

This I am going to miss now that the kids are gone home: Playing Uno theMatch game and doing the donut puzzle with Ruby, ping pong, Bounce Off and Poker tournaments with the other kids.  They were so great and there was no fighting or arguing, or at least if there was I didn't hear.

This evening I worked on my Primary lesson.  James is not going to teach tomorrow because he has laryngitis.

I like this picture of Anna and a friend that she posted on Snapchat.

I like the pumpkin too.

Ruby has sure changed in the last

couple of years.  I couldn't

resist posting this.

Wednesday, April 8, 2015



I'm feeling a little squirrelly today.

 

Today I had a doctor's appointment at Allen's Family Medicine with Dr. Allen.  We went over the results of my blood tests.   My progesterone levels should be between 10-20 and they were at 5.  And Estrogen should be between 50-100 and I was at 20.  I have a was to go!  In other news my blood pressure was 114/64 and I lost 3 lbs. since I was in about 3 weeks ago.

 

I have some Evan news to share.  He was sad that his mom and dad didn't get Easter baskets so he made one for them.

What a sweet boy!

 

Also, he finished reading the Book of Mormon and was so happy to get his money.  His favorite scripture was Moroni 10:4-5.

 Way to go Evan!

 

Tonight Michael was inducted into the National Honor Society.  We are very proud of Michael.  He is a well-rounded young man.  He does track, sings with Joe, and does well in school and seminary.

 

 

We are proud of you Michael!

After taking his shower at night, Joshua likes to comb his own hair.  This is the result:

So serious!