Friday, July 5th, 2019

Billings, Montana

66th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 Nov 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Family of

Matthew 13:55

Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

Book of Mormon

Alma 27:16-28:8

New Testament "Ye Shall Be Witnesses Unto Me"

Acts 4:13-30; 5:17-42

General Conference

Just as He Did

W. Christopher Waddell

"We are taught on the ministering website of the Church that 'while there are many purposes of ministering, our efforts should be guided by the desire to help others achieve a deeper individual conversion and become more like the Savior.' Elder Neil L. Andersen said it this way:

'A person with a good heart can help someone fix a tire, take a roommate to the doctor, have lunch with someone who is sad, or smile and say hello to brighten a day. But a follower of the first commandment will naturally add to these important acts of service.'"

I called to make an appointment with Dr. Moffat for James but he is out of the office until Monday. He has an appointment on Monday at 10:45. James thinks he has bronchial pneumonia.

My face is swelling on my right side. My eyelid is the worse. It's like when I had cellulitis in my face when Ben was small, about 15 years ago. I guess I should have made an appointment with Dr. Moffat for myself. Cellulitis can be life-threatening, according to James. He looked it up on the internet and it said that if gangrene sets in tissues can die and the person could even lose their life. That sounds pretty drastic and I don't feel like my life is being threatened right now, just my face.

I texted Kim today to see if she and Brian were coming this weekend like she said they were last time they were here. Their plan was to go to a concert in Colorado and stop by here on the way home. She said they didn't have the money to go to the concert because they are helping Joe get his wisdom teeth out and that they have had a lot of medical expenses recently. She also said she tested off the charts for three different kinds of mold and she is getting treatments for that. I hope these treatments will help and that she will be able to feel good again. It's been a long time.

On the happy side of today I got a phone call from Lola. I wished her a happy birthday and told her that when she comes to see me that I am going to make her pink "baby" cupcakes. She was very excited!

I sent birthday cards to Max, Palmer, and Jared Ammon today. 

I got another two boxes of books ready to send out. 

There is smoke everywhere outside from the fire. Adam sent me a letter regarding the fire. James wanted to go outside to walk but there was too much smoke. What started out as a controlled burn has gotten out of control and it is pretty close to us.

James and I watched the movie, "Once Upon a Christmas Miracle."

It a true story about a girl who has liver disease and desperately needs a transplant and the guy who volunteers to give her his liver. It is a great story.

Head 85 percentile, body 15 percentile

Feet: Perfect

Alex took this photo at Big Sur

There is a black dog on the dark blanket

 Can you see the smoke?

Two more boxes

 Scarlett and her friend Callie Jo

Baby Christening

Thursday, March 7th, 2019

Lubbock, Texas

109th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 Apr 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

2 Corinthians 1:19

For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 26:31-27:11

What do you think it means, the books shall be read upon the house tops?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matt 8:28-34; 9:32-38; Mark 3:21-30; 5:1-21

"Balm of Gilead" Boyd K. Packer, 10/1977

General Conference

"Firm and Steadfast in the Faith of Christ"

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"Always remember the promise of good things to come, both now and hereafter, for those who are firm and steadfast in the faith of Christ. Remember, eternal life, and the joy of the saints. 'O all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love; for ye may, if your minds are firm, forever.' In the name of Jesus Christ, amen"

We sold "To Kill a Mockingbird," and "Joseph Smith, A Rough Stone Rolling." 

Darrel works from 9-9 today and Trina from 10-10. We stayed home with Lola and took her to preschool at noon. We picked up Ruby at 12:30 at the bus stop because today is a half day. We were going to go to IHOP but we realized we did not have enough time because we had to pick up Rowan at the bus stop at 1:30. We went to Peter Piper and ordered some pizza to take home instead. We picked up Rowan at 1:30 then took Ruby and Rowan home. 

We picked up Lola from preschool at 2:30. She has some pizza and joins Ruby and Rowan in watching Studio C. James left to have a meeting with Armando but was back before I had to pick up Addy.

James went upstairs and took a nap and I picked up Addy around 4:30. What a schedule and to think that Trina does this everyday, unless she's at work. On our way home Addy and I see grandpa holding hands with Ruby and Lola walking home from the park.

Lola 

After we got the kids settled at home James and I left to visit Donna in Scottsdale at the hospital. 

Donna is on the same floor of the hospital where James was, the fifth floor. He was in room 6 and she is in room 18. She was in the room alone, sitting up in bed, just finishing her dinner. She looks well and she says she feels well which is such good news. She has suffered so much for so long. 

We had a nice visit with Donna but did not want to stay too long. We said goodbye and headed for Menchie's, the place I went yesterday to get the lemon and mango frozen yogurt.

We went to the Menchie's off the Power and the 202. I got pineapple, pistachio, and the original flavor. James got the mango and lemon. He liked it but not as well as I did.

Back at home we went walking. Lola went with us and laughed at her shadow most of the time.

Started out as the Primary Presidency now
Sister Bingham is the General RS President,
and Sister Cordon is the YW's President.

 Wedding day

 Summer is graduating

Tuesday, January 15th, 2019

Guayaquil, Ecuador

58th operating temple

Dedicated: 1 Aug 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Matthew 17:5

While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 12:11-13:9

*Why is it important to know that Satan organizes his forces to lead us away from God and His laws?

* How can we be made white by the blood of the Lamb?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Luke 2:1-7 Jesus Christ was born in humble circumstances

General Conference

Women and Gospel Learning in the Home

President Henry B. Eyring

"In addition to prayer, serious study of the scriptures will be part of your growing power to nurture. Here is the promise: 'Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man.

So you will take more time to pray, to ponder, and to meditate on spiritual matters. You will have knowledge of truth poured out upon you and grow in your power to nurture others in your family."

Ensign: "Developing the Faith to Reap" by Wilford W. Andersen

* "Faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement is the faith to reap. It is faith in His power, not yours."

"Laman and Lemuel had the faith to try, Nephi had the faith to do and reap. We need sufficient faith to receive our blessings - a faith so strong it can convert our future promises into present realities. Align you will with God's will. Conforming ourdesires to God's will is a prerequisite to the faith to reap. The faith to reap does not require perfection, but it requires persistence."

A stay at home day. I read from "The Captain's Daughter." I am almost caught up on my blog. I would have been totally caught up but I was nauseous this evening and went to bed early. 

I got a call from Stacy today. She needed someone to talk to about all of her problems. She just found out she has another cyst in her uterus and will probably need surgery. She is having troubles with Jared Ammon drinking. He took her car the other day while he was drunk and now one of her floodlights is missing. 

Adam, according to her, almost died on Sunday. He slept until 12:45 in the afternoon without anything to eat. Michael and Paul saved him. Michael said to Stacy, "Why didn't you come in?" "He almost died." Stacy said, "I know, that's why I couldn't go in. I knew you and dad were taking care of him. I was in the hallway crying."

After all the discouraging news she had some fun news to share. Joshua went to a Disney talent tryout and did so well that they called him back twice. The talent scout said he was the best he had seen all day. The catch is it costs thousands of dollars to be a part of their program and Stacy and Paul don't have that kind of money. Joshua has never been interested in sports but he has found something that he loves...getting up in front of people and performing. Hopefully it is something he can pursue in the future.

James dusted all the logs on the ceiling and the ceiling fans. He also shoveled some snow. Grrrr

We watched season 3, episode 1 of "Victoria" this evening. It's just as good as I remembered it being although they leave you hanging at the end of every episode. The French king has been dethroned and seeks exile with Victoria and Albert. The "charts" the working class in England are rebelling and a mob attacks the castle. Someone throws a rock through the window where Victoria is standing. Albert insists they leave the castle and Victoria says, "We can't right now." When Albert asks why she says, "Because my water broke." The episode ends with the rebellion going on outside and Victoria having a baby inside.

Albert is my favorite character in the show.

He is such a kind and caring person.

He is a man for the people.

The following stained glass images are taken from the Rome temple as shared by

Elder Rasband on Instagram.

Sweethearts:

 Scarlett

Charlie

Summer

Saturday, December 8th, 2018

Jordan River, Utah

20th operating temple

Dedicated: 16-20 Nov 1981

By: Marion G. Romney

Jesus Christ, Death of

1 Corinthians 11:26

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

Book of Mormon #1

Ether 6:12-30

*We learn that the Jaredites were taught the importance of humility. Modern revelation also teaches us the importance of humility:'Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand and give thee answers to thy prayers.' (DC 112:10). Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin explained that 'humility is the recognition and attitude that one must rely on the Lord's assistance to make it through life.' (CR, Oct 2004, 110).

Book of Mormon #2

Helaman 15-3 Nephi 1

Old Testament

Nahum 3-Habakkuk 2

General Conference

Firm and Steadfast in the Faith of Christ

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"To persevere firm and steadfast in the faith of Christ requires that the gospel of Jesus Christ penetrate one's heart and soul, meaning that the gospel becomes not just one of many influences in a person's life but the defining focus of his or her life and character. The Lord says: 'A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

'And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

'And...ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.'"

I ordered James an omlet with tomatoes, onions, ham, spinach and cheese and a side of O'Brien potatoes. It looked really good as I ate my yogurt with berries.

I was going to help James with a bath but an x-ray tech came in to take him for a chest x-ray. I told the aide on duty that I was leaving, hoping he would help James with a bath...no such luck. 

I went home to Kim's to take a shower and to do some laundry. 

Kim has turned her kitchen into a cookie factory. She is making 25 cookie plates and each plate has five or six different kinds of cookies. I hope she doesn't wear herself out. 

While Kim was baking Brian was doing errands and I was washing clothes and reading. Brian had a lunch date at Dickey's BBQ and he brought Kim and I back some lunch. We had brisket that was so tender that it melted in your mouth, macaroni and cheese, beans, and rolls. It was delicious! He also went to the store and asked if there was anything he could get me. I asked if he could get some Slimfast shakes, dark chocolate, for James. He said yes he could.

Stacy came over for a few minutes this afternoon. She brought Jared Ammon's dog, Sophie with her. The dog was shaking but finally calmed down. That dog needs a mani/pedi.

I went back to the hospital and Sheri met me there. James was awake but he had not had a bath. He was practicing blowing on one of his devices.

 Sounds like a sick elk

That container in front contained some of the

brisket I brought back for James.

Nurse Ana came in to say hello. She was happy to know that James is off the oxygen and is on the mend. He is breathing fine on his own.

The top one is his oxygen saturation level.

Sheri brought dark chocolate covered Cello cherries, 2 boxes for James and Ghiradelli milk chocolate squares filled with caramel and a Sonic cherry limeade for me. 

Sheri and I walked over to Marshall's and did a little shopping. Sheri also went to the DSW store to look for shoes. She has always been a shoe buff. 

After Sheri left we watched the Hallmark channel and I stayed until Kim and Brian got home from seeing Jim Gaffagin. I don't want to go to their house when they aren't there because of their fancy alarm system. 

 I love everything about this girl!

 Very pretty!

Stacy and Paul high school memories:

Adam's baptism, 20 years ago.

Why get this close to 10,000 and not finish?