Saturday, December 22nd, 2018

Stockholm, Sweden

34th operating temple

Dedicated: 2-4 July 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Death of

Mosiah 18:2

Yea, concerning that which was to come, and also concerning the resurrection of the dead, and the redemption of the people, which was to be brought to pass through the power, and sufferings, and death of Christ, and his resurrection and ascension into heaven.

Book of Mormon #1

Ether 15:1-17

Book of Mormon #2

Ether 1-2

Old Testament

Malachi 3-4

General Conference

Wounded

Elder Neil L. Andersen
"We each understand that difficulties are part of life, but when they come to us personally, they can take our breath away. Without being alarmed, we need to be ready. The Apostle Peter said, 'Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you.' Along with the bright colors of happiness and joy, the darker-colored threads of trial and tragedy are woven deeply into the fabric of our Father's plan. These struggles, although difficult, often become our greatest teachers."

We delivered banana bread to the Woods's and the Grapp's this morning. We left Anthony's bread at the Grapp's because James doesn't want to take our car out to his place and the truck is in the valley. 

The Grapp's gave us homemade Reese's and they were delicious. I told James we should save them for the family party tonight, but they didn't stand a chance because we both loved them.

When we got home I finished wrapping James's gifts. I put the little gifts for Darrel's kids in some stockings I had. 

I brought wood in because it's going to snow, and I made some chili for tonight, We are taking it down already made in the crockpot. We also took down six bags of frozen venison, canned milk, and bisquick for Christmas morning. 

Our goal was to leave by noon but by the time we got everything done, I did some cleaning and packed the car, it was 3 pm. We had to stop in Show Low at Sister Dye's grandson's house. She is staying there recovering from her stroke so that's where we delivered her banana nut bread. They had a macaw on the front porch.

He must have his wings clipped.

We leave, going the Globe way. I haven't driven more than 10 minutes when I start falling asleep. I asked James if he would drive until Globe and then I would take over again. He did, and I got a short nap.

At Globe we stopped at Walmart because I wanted to get an ugly sweater. They didn't have a very good selection but I found a black one with Santa and Ho, Ho, Ho on the front. Sorry that I didn't get a good picture. I also bought some paper bowls for the chili, Belvita crackers, and some Slimfast for James. James came in and ordered himself some wings. I walked across the parking lot to Taco Bell and got a couple of tacos. It's hard to eat tacos while you are driving, but I managed.

I can barely keep up.

We made it to Sheri's before the party started at 7 p.m. Thanks to Max agreeing to bunk with Evan, we are staying in Ben's old room. The first thing Sheri did was take a picture of me with my Sheri holding Ollie with his Christmas sweater.

An old woman and her granddog

We had Chik-fil-a, chili, Panera cookies, and a yummy popcorn mixture. After snacking, we sat down for some entertainment. We asked each family to participate. Michael played the ukelele and sang "Silent Night" with Joshua. Stacy was sick and didn't come. I am sorry she missed them because they were really good.

These two really harmonize together

Kim and Brian were next. Brian told the story, "For the Man Who Hated Christmas." Kim passed out copies of the story for everyone and then an envelope for each family. Inside our envelope there was a note that said that they had provided items for refugees in Arizona. Sheri's said they had donated to the juvenile diabetes fund and the missionary fund. I'm not sure what Darrel's or Paul's said, but Paul was crying. These simple acts of service are how Kim and Brian celebrated Christmas. They truly brought the Spirit to our party tonight. Thank you!

 Taking a video of Michael and Joshua

 Kim wanted the lambie socks I brought

I showed which gift Paul bought so Rowan

wouldn't pick it. He knows that Paul got the

Taylor Lautner poster.

Ian picked Paul's gift and got the

Taylor Lautner poster to take home

for a year.

 I wanted to get this shirt for James

 Sweet little gingerbread girl!

 All the gifts I had to pack in the car.

 Cute little Scarlett

 Grandpa, Ruby, and Addy

Joshua entered the ugly sweater contest.

He borrowed this one from Kim.

Sunday, July 15th, 2018

Stockholm, Sweden

34th operating temple

Dedicated: 2 July 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

Amos 4:13

For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The Lord, The God of hosts, is his name.

Book of Mormon

Alma 33:1-11

*Why did the Lord hear Zenos' prayer?

- Verse 11: "And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity; and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions, for in thee is my joy; for thou hast turned thy judgments away from me, because of thy Son.

Old Testament

2 Chronicles 25-27

25 Amaziah reigns, smites the Edomites, and worships false gods - A prophet foretells Amaziah's destruction - Judah is defeated by Israel, and Amaziah is slain in a conspiracy.

26 Uzziah reigns and prospers as long as he keeps the commandments - He transgresses, attempts to burn incense upon the altar, and is cursed with leprosy.

27 Jotham reigns, builds up the kingdom, and subdues the Ammonites.

General Conference

Inspired Ministering

President Henry B. Eyring

"When a teacher chooses to set the right example by being a good home teacher, greeting the members at church, preparing the sacrament, helping at home, and being a peacemaker, he's choosing to honor his priesthood and fulfill his calling. Being a good teacher doesn't only mean being responsible when we are at church or at Church activities. The Apostle Paul taught, 'Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity'(1 Timothy 4:12)." 

Emsley slept with me last night. She said she wanted to sleep close to someone. I told her she was close to Tildy and she said, "No, a grownup." So that's the story of how I got my new bed partner.

I got up around 4:15 thinking I would have a couple of hours to myself.

At 5:30 James got up to take a shower and he woke Emsley up. She came to find me and I tried to lie down by her on the couch thinking she would go back to sleep but all she could think about was taking a bubble shower. She calls a bath a shower because they don't take baths at their house. I told her we had to wait for Tildy to wake up. As soon as Tildy got up, around 6:30 they ran in the bathroom and got their clothes off. I ran the water and poured in the bubbles and left them there while I went to start breakfast. Pretty soon I hear, "Sister Lambson!" I ran in to see what was the matter. I guess the water was a little too warm. 

They decided that after church they wanted a 

bath without bubbles so they could swim better.

For breakfast James and I made bacon, scrambled eggs, toast and grape juice. They drank the grape juice but didn't eat much of anything else. I gave them a little bowl of Cheerios and they didn't even eat that. Tildy told me they only like turkey bacon. 

All ready for Church

Such pretty girls

President and Sister Brimhall of the temple presidency were the speakers today in sacrament meeting. They both shared special stories about the importance of individuals and families and temple ordinances. It was a very special meeting. Emsley slept all the way through it. That's because she got up so early.

Emsley refused to go to Primary so we sat on the couch in the back foyer and watched everyone go by with their babies. I also spoke with Sister Wilhelm who is teaching Relief Society and Tamara.

When it was time for Relief Society Emsley grabbed my purse and said, "Come on Sister Lambson, let's go." I think she likes Relief Society but she did not want to go to Sunday School.

Sandra did an awesome job teaching from Sister Aburto's conference talk, "With One Accord." 

After Relief Society James, the girls and I all went to the Peeler's to give Sister Peeler the sacrament. The girls know the Peeler's very well so they were comfortable going there. 

As soon as we got home they stripped their clothes off and jumped into the bathtub. They are so exuberant and lively, especially Tildy. She had to show me all the tricks she could do in the bathtub. 

James fixed them some chicken noodle soup for lunch so I told them they had to get out. Emsley hurt herself getting out. I finally had to say, no more bath tub for the rest of the day.

Again they ate like birds. Tildy said the noodles tasted fuzzy. They did eat some watermelon and drank some more grape juice and ate a couple of crackers. I did make Emsley a pbj.

The girls played for awhile with the Barbie's and the Calico Critters and then they wanted to watch a Sunday movie. First we watched Esther and then Ruth. When Tildy isn't watching a movie or playing with Barbie's she is jumping on the trampoline, or standing on her head, or doing summersaults. She is always crying out, "Sister Lambson, I hurt myself." I told her she just needs to sit still for awhile. We sat down and watched "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." 

At dinner time I made some macaroni and cheese but they didn't like it because they didn't like the cheese. Tildy wanted some Smores but I told her no, not if she wasn't going to eat her dinner.

We colored for awhile and I could tell Tildy was tired because she was very cross with Tildy. We sat down and watched another movie. This one is one I have wanted to watch, it's called, "The Secret of Roan Innis." It says it's about a girl searching for her baby brother on the island of seals. It was ok until a seal came out of the water, shed it's skin and became a woman. Weird! I guess this woman eventually went back to being a seal and took care of the girls brother who was lost at sea when is cradle floated away. It was a movie I had a love/hate relationship with. One good thing came of it, Tildy went to sleep.

Brother Grapp texted us. We have been waiting to hear from him all day. The baby boy is here:

So cute!

One thing I have been trying to teach the girls while they are here is

who the new prophet is. I said you can call him President Nelson or President Russell M. Nelson. They are having a hard time remembering but maybe by the time they leave tomorrow they will know. They will stay until tomorrow morning. If brother Grapp came up tonight from Payson he probably wouldn't get here until after ten. I told him tomorrow would be fine.

Tildy woke up from her late nap and reminded us we needed to have scriptures when we said our family prayer. We did.

Emsley slept with me again. I think James is jealous.

I got a text from my friend Hailey. I visit taught her until she moved with her family to Deming, New Mexico. She wanted to thank me for all I did for their family while they lived in our ward. She said she found the set of scriptures I gave to Taylor with her name on them. She said Taylor was baptized this past Saturday which made me so happy because they had not been active for quite sometime when they left for New Mexico. I think they really like it where they are.

 I love this family!

Taylor looks so grown up.

She is nine.

Hailey also sent me this brownie recipe:

Back in France:

 In front of the Louvre

So sweet

Sheri says these two are the best dog

sitters in the world!

Thanks Michael and Cathi!

Ollie loves Cathi and Michael too!

The Tomlinson's are sending their

second missionary out while the

first one is still gone.

They have 5 boys. Such an

amazing family! Love those smiles!

Prince Louis christening

Tuesday, February 6th, 2018

Stockholm, Sweden

34th operating temple

Dedicated: 2-4 July 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Warning: This actually happened on Thursday, Feb 8th,
I skipped Wed, Feb 7th so it will be posted on Thurs, Feb 8th.

Jesus Christ Authority of

John 1:1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 1:30-2:10

*How do I keep the balanced perspective of my dependence on God's grace with the desire to live righteously?

- I know that if I do the best I can that the Lord will do the rest.

Old Testament

Exodus 30-32

30 An altar of incense is to be placed before the veil - Atonement is to be made with the blood of the sin offering - Atonement money is to be paid to ransom each male - Priests are to use holy anointing oil and perfume.

31 Artisans are inspired in building and furnishing the tabernacle - Israel is commanded to keep the Lord's Sabbaths - The death penalty is decreed for Sabbath desecration - Moses receives the stone tablets. 

32 Aaron makes a golden calf, which Israel worships - Moses serves as a mediator between God and rebellious Israel - Moses breaks the tablets of stone - The Levites slay about 3,000 rebels - Moses pleads and intercedes for the people.

Old Testament Favorite Scriptures

Genesis 17:3-4, 7

3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,

4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.

7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

General Conference

"I Have a Work for Thee"

Elder John C. Pingree, Jr.

" Sometimes we feel that we don't have any particularly important gifts. One day, a discouraged sister pleaded, 'Lord, what is my personal ministry?' He answered, 'Notice others.' It was a spiritual gift! Since then, she has found joy in noticing those who are regularly forgotten, and God has worked through her to bless many. While some spiritual gifts may not be prominent by the world's standards, they are essential to God and His work."

 "Our only hope for true perfection is in receiving it as a gift from heaven." - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland.

We went to the 11 a.m. session at the Snowflake temple. James wants to watch the officiator so he will know what to do when he is asked to officiate. We were the witness couple which is always a special privilege. We noticed the the officiator said very little and at one point I even thought maybe he was mute, but not so. 

Before going home we stopped at El Cupido's for lunch. I had a Big Jake burro and a diet Dr. Pepper. They have the best ice!  

We also stopped at Walmart and I got some things to add to my Valentine centerpiece on the dining room table. We also had to get some gas. One the way home we noticed lots of dark clouds above us. We went home the White Mountain Lake way and I must say I was not impressed although the road was paved all the way. They really need some zoning laws up here. 

On the way home Jared texted and asked if we could do a marriage survey for one of Autumn's college classes. She needs to interview a couple who have been married at least 20 years. I told him we would work on it when we got home from the temple. 

We really thought the clouds were going to bring us some moisture, which they did, but it only lasted a few minutes. 

We got home to find out that our internet and phones were down. There was no way to contact Jared or Autumn to tell them of our situation. They were down all the rest of the day. I couldn't pay bills either. So I watched an episode of "Signed, Sealed, Delivered." I hadn't seen it before and I really enjoyed it but can't remember the name of the episode so I called it, "Until the Cows Come Home."

We also watched two episodes of "Victoria," "The Warp and Weft," and "Sins of the Fathers."  

My knee started to hurt so I only got 4,650 steps today. James has over 20,000 steps. He has lots of people on Pacer who like his progress but someone named Denise likes his progress better than anyone.

We look so old!

Can you tell how much he loves

picking out new glasses?

Carmen's zebra cake