Sunday, November 3rd, 2019

Atlanta, Georgia

21st operating temple

Dedicated: 1-4 June 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Head of Church

DC 10:67

Behold this is my doctrine - whosoever repenteth and cometh unto me, the same is my church.

Book of Mormon

3rd Nephi 19:1-29

How can we strive just as much as the Nephites to come unto Christ today?

New Testament

Review 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon; Family Scripture Study and Family Home Evening

Oct 2019 General Conference

"The Joy of the Saints"

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"In this conference three years ago, President Russell M. Nelson spoke of joy. Among other things, he said:

'The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives. When the focus of our lives is on God's plan of salvation ... and Jesus Christ and His gospel we can feel joy regardless of what is happening - or not happening - in our lives. Joy comes from and because of Him. ... For Latter-day Saints, Jesus Christ is Joy!'"

For awhile now we have been trying to get a young woman called as a family history consultant. Today, Kyah Westbrook, the young woman whose name we submitted to the bishop was called. My only concern is that her entire family was at church but she wasn't.

Her brothers were both confirmed today by her dad after being baptized by her dad yesterday. Kyah is a great young woman but I know she loves to rodeo and so many events are on Sunday. I do look forward to working with her and felt a prompting today that I should meet with her and see what she knows about family history.

These people bore their testimonies today in our sacrament meeting: Chuck Crane, Lorraine Vaught, Lynda Van Haren, Traedon, Stratton, and Joe Westbrook, Dave Westbrook, Paula Johnson, both missionaries, Tina Allen, Owen Peeler, and Candi Campbell.

Sister Judy Hunter taught our Sunday School class today. One of the first questions she asked was if we could compare the apostle Paul to a modern day apostle of prophet who would it be. Sean Hunsaker said, "I think he's Jeffrey R. Holland's brother." Judy said he reminded her of Boyd K. Packer, someone who was very straight forward when preaching the gospel. I said the Prophet Joseph Smith because both of them wrote scripture while in prison.

I was an absolutely gorgous day. The high was 66 and there was no wind. James and Dave Westbrook went out this afternoon to visit Anthony. James is helping Anthony with family history. He came home and ran off several names for Anthony to take to the temple.

This evening James wrote to Ben and worked on family history for Anthony and Greg Andersen.

I worked on my blog, colored in my Disney coloring book, did some reading from my book, "The Priesthood Power of Women."

We FaceTimed with Jared, Kacey, and Charlie. Jared's kids didn't end up coming this weekend. 

For "Come Follow Me" James and I listened to Dave and Emily talk about Hebrews 1-6. I also listened to "Teaching with Power."

I love both of these YouTube videos.

 East rim of the Grand Canyon

 We watched this Saturday night before

"Merry and Bright"

Wow! They grow up too fast!

California Wildfires

 This rabbit is seriously called:

A blonde beach bunny!

Ian was one of Jared Ammon's best friends in high school.

 Quiet time at the Trezise house

Southern Sabbath Girls

Sunday, June 2nd, 2019

Frieberg, Germany

33rd operating temple

Dedicated: 29-30 June 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Alma 34:2

My brethren, I think that it is impossible that ye should be ignorant of the things which have been spoken concerning the coming of Christ, who is taught by us to be the Son of God; yea, I know that these things were taught unto you bountifully before your dissension from among us.

Book of Mormon

Alma 10:1-16

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

JS-Matthew; Matthew 25; Mark 12-13; Luke 21

General Conference

Careful vs Casual

Becky Craven

"Being careful in living the gospel does not necessarily mean being formal or stuffy. What it does mean is being appropriate in our thoughts and behavior as disciples of Jesus Christ. As we ponder the difference between careful and casual in our gospel living, here are some thought to consider:

Are we careful in our Sabbath-day worship and in our preparation to partake of the sacrament each week?

Could we be more careful in our prayers and scripture study or be more actively engaged in "Come, Follow Me"?

Are we careful in our temple worship, and do we carefully and deliberately live the covenants we made both at baptism and in the temple?

Are we careful in how we minister to others and in how we fulfill our callings in the Church, or are we indifferent or casual in our call to serve?"

I read an amazing talk this morning that really helped me with my fast today. "Fasting with Power" by Elder Shayne M. Bowen, April 2009 Ensign. The first thing that caught my eye in this talk was the statement: "A person can overcome any addiction or bad habit through living the law of the fast."
The entire article is wonderful to read if you are someone who struggles with fasting like I do.

This morning I also found an idea on Pinterest for us to use as our Father's Day gifts this year in the ward.

Simple and fun

Bishop Miller and his family are vacationing in California this week. Brother Thompson conducted our fast and testimony meeting. James bore his testimony and in addition to what he said on Facebook he gave me another tribute. It was a little embarrassing, but very sweet.

Brother Wright bore his testimony and it was one of my favorites. Also a fairly new member Brother Morrison bore his testimony. It was sweet and simple. His twins came up to see him while he was waiting on the stand and when he got up to go to the pulpit Lannie and John got up and each took a twin and delivered them back to their mom and brother.

Brother Judd taught Sunday School and started to introduce next week's lesson amidst protests so he went back to this week's lesson, "The Son of Man Shall Come." The class go into quite a discussion about being prepared, the monetary system, food storage, etc. My friend Tamara and I were a little disappointed that no other topics were discussed. One of the things I appreciated from this lesson was the reference from Gospel Topics on the Second Coming. Here is a list that I found regarding the prophesied events and signs:

1. Apostasy from gospel truth.

2. The Restoration of the gospel, including the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ.

3. The restoration of priesthood keys.

4. The coming forth of the Book of Mormon.

5. The preaching of the gospel throughout the world.

6. A time of wickedness, war, and turmoil.

7. Signs in heaven and on the earth.

The righteous need not fear the Second Coming or the signs that precede it. The Savior's words to His Apostles apply to all who prepare for His coming and who look forward to it with joy: "Be not troubled, for, when all these things shall come to pass, ye may know that the promises which have been made unto you shall be fulfilled." (DC 45:35).

We had a family history consultant meeting immediately after the block. James, Brother Curtis, Sister Thompson, Sister Klug, and I attended.

Brother Curtis says the bishop is concerned about the consultants getting into the homes of the members. It is a challenge getting people interested in doing the work. On another note Brother Curtis and indexed and reviewed over 185,000 names. He says it is his hobby and he loves doing it.

James and I went home and took naps. After napping we broke our fast and had some dinner. James had bought steaks when he went shopping Friday and he grilled them outside. I made the potatoes and the veggies.

 I was able to fast for 24 hours, something that is difficult for me to do but I was determined after reading Elder Bowen's talk. Here is an excerpt from his talk:

After dinner we went a little overboard with dessert. We had ice cream with roasted pecans and caramel sauce. Quite delicious. 

James took a long nap while I worked on my blog and then we both wrote letters to Ben and watched the finale of "When Calls the Heart."

 Nothing like a sleeping baby

What Charlie does while Kacey and Jared

are teaching Sunday School

 Macy and Scarlett

Which do you prefer, desert,

or

mountains? 

 Hunsaker's had a baby blessing in the valley

James said his missed Colter in his class.

I think Kip is giving Alicia bunny ears or horns.

 Celebrating on their mission in 

Martin's Cove, Wyoming

Hunks of "When Calls the Heart"

Sunday, September 30th, 2018

Campinas, Brazil
111th operating temple
Dedicated: 17 May 2002
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Acts 5:30

The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 12:14-26

*What do we learn about the principle of repentance in these verses?

- Repentance leads us to Christ's grace. The Bible Dictionary says that grace is a strengthening or enabling power. Divine means of help or strength, given through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ. Through the grace of the Lord, individuals, through faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means. This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts. (p. 279-80 BMSM)
Old Testament
Isaiah 43-45
General Conference

Let Us All Press On

President Russell M. Nelson

My dear brothers and sisters, construction of these temples may not change your life, but you time in the temple surely will. In that spirit, I bless you to identify those things you can set aside so you can spend more time in the temple. I bless you with greater harmony and love in you homes and a deeper desire to care for your eternal family relationships. I bless you with increased faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and a greater ability to follow Him as His true disciples."

Fast and Testimony meeting - James passed the sacrament. Talon is back and he blessed along with Charlie G. Seems funny not to have Jackson here. He is at the MTC in the Philippines.

Chuck conducted and offered a five point testimony: Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, and today's Prophet, Russell M. Nelson.

Elder Bernecker testified that we need to be brilliant in the basics. Brother Joe W. said that the Savior's sacrifice means everything to him. James/Dad bore a five point, powerful testimony. 

Brother Burkee says that the Spirit causes people to glow. Millie S. said that when she and Brother Scott went to sacrament meeting for the first time he turned to her and said: "Millie, the people are glowing."

Brother Wallace told of having a friend here and giving him a Book of Mormon with his testimony in it. He made the comment: "Don't ever run out of your Books of Mormon.

Macy W., a young woman talked about trials, trusting Heavenly Father and her parents. She said they have very little, but really, they have everything. It was great! To me, one of the most memorable testimonies born.

We sat by the Howard's. After sacrament meeting Jean asked if she could stay with me. I was supposed to go to teacher council meeting but I went to Brother Smith's Sunday School class with her instead. We talked about Isaiah.

There is a scripture that says that the Lord never wearies of us. Brother Smith asked how we felt about that and then asked if we could do the same for those in our lives.

He then related the phrase of Joseph Smith in the 131st section of the Doctrine and Covenants: "O God where are thou?" Have we ever asked this question? How did we handle the situation? 

We discussed relying on the Spirit and turning things over to the Lord. "All things work together for good to those that love God."

In Relief Society Sister S. Wilhelm led the discussion on allowing others to minister to us. She had this quote on the board:

"The many missions we have in life cannot be embarked upon successfully without the help of others." 

This afternoon we broke our fast and had lunch. I finished off the Big Jake burro I got yesterday at El Cupido's. James had some leftover stew and a roll. Afterwards we laid down for a nap. We got up a little before and hopped in the car to meet Sheri and Max, Evan, Joshua, and Rowan in Heber. The boys are coming up here for a few days since they are on fall break.

We drove Sheri's van back to our house and she took our car home. We are going down on Thursday for appointments and will get our car back.

Since Ben is in the mission field now his P-day has changed from Tuesday to Monday so James and I emailed him before going to bed. 

We had family prayer with the boys and James told them to be in bed by 11.

 Card

Dot Journal

 A storm is definitely coming!

 They better let him have some!

I never thought Hungary was 

beautiful until now.

 Michael and Alexis went to the
Cardinals vs. Seahawks game.

So much cuteness!

So sad

While the rest of the boys were downstairs

eating grilled cheese sandwiches, Evan

was upstairs and did this.

He said he bumped his head but wouldn't

explain how.