Sunday, February 17th, 2018

Suva, Fiji

91st operating temple

Dedicated: 18 June 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

DC 14:9

Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, who created the heavens and the earth, a light which cannot be hid in darkness;

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 9:15-30

*What is the difference between the knowledge in verse 28 compared to verse 29: How do we ensure our knowledge is godly?

- Ezra Taft Benson, "pride is concerned with who is right, humility is concerned with what is right." (Ensign, Nov. 1993, p. 16).

Neal A. Maxwell, "In fact, if one needs any further persuasion as to how vital this virtue is (meekness) Moroni warned, "none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart." (Moroni 7:43-44.) If we could but believe, really believe, in the reality of that bold but accurate declaration, you and I would find ourselves focusing on the crucial rather than the marginal tasks in life! We would then cease pursuing lifestyles which, inevitably and irrevocably, are going out of style!" (Meekness-A Dimension of True Discipleship, Elder Neal A. Maxwell, BYU fourteen stake fireside, 5 September 1982).

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

John 4:24 Is God a spirit? John 4:7-26 Christ offers me His living water.

"The Blessings of Worship" by Bishop Dean M. Davies, 10/16

Ensign

"Forgiving Others" by Barbara A. Lewis

General Conference

Parents and Children

President Dallin H. Oaks

"My second counsel is even more important. Be kind to others. Kindness is something many of our youth are doing already. Some groups of youth in some communities have shown the way for all of us. We have been inspired by our young people's acts of kindness to those in need of love and help. In many ways, you give that help and show that love to one another. We wish all would follow your example."

Who needs my help today? I thought of Jennifer but I should have been thinking of my ministering companion, Marie, who I found out is in the hospital in Flagstaff. She has something wrong with her pancreas and is in a great deal of pain. She is there by herself as her husband is still in Texas. My friend Kerri made plans to go see Marie on Wednesday if she is still in the hospital.

I found a photo of Elder Rosenbaum, one of the missionaries who served here in Vernon. He is getting married soon and my friends Pam and Rick are planning on going to Utah to attend. James and I took him down to the mission home in Scottsdale when his mission was complete.

I love this contemplative question from today's "Come Follow Me" lesson: "What am I doing to worship the Father in spirit and in truth?" Worship includes prayer, fasting, church service, participating in gospel ordinances, and other practices that show devotion and love for God.

Brother Smith from the high counsel spoke in our ward today on adversity. He said there were three sources of adversity: Our own mistakes, others mistakes, and the Lord's plan for us. "With choices come consequences." He shared the story from a talk given by President James E. Faust, "The Healing Power of Forgiveness," from the April 2007 conference, about a man who killed five young Amish girls and injured five others and how the Amish community forgave him. I remember the talk and the sad story and howI impressed I was with the ability of the Amish to forgive.

Sister Barton needs a ride to Snowflake on Tuesday to see an attorney. I volunteered to take her. She is the 93 year old woman in our ward  who lost her home in the Paradise, California fire and then was bit by a dog and almost lost her leg. While she was in the hospital no one came to visit because her granddaughter Candi let everyone know she was not to have visitors. The first time Sister Barton came to Relief Society she complained that no one visited her. 

Sister Halcomb needs help with family history and James made an appointment to go see her on Tuesday and wants me to go with him.  Thursday we are going to the temple with the Howard's, Friday is book sourcing day, and Saturday we go back to work at the temple. It's going to be a busy week.

It snowed while the sun was shining today. That always seems a little weird to me. James says it's supposed to snow all night.

This evening we read from "Life Everlasting" about the sons of perdition and wrote emails to Ben.

 Getting ready for his Primary lesson.

 Part of today's "Come Follow Me"

 Cutie Pie

Joshua giving advice to Lola

 Joshua gave a talk in church today about

scripture study. Stacy said it was amazing.

 So beautiful. I wonder what it will look like

after being remodeled.

 So tired.

 Lola's first modeling gig.

 My winter study area. It's warmer than the

dining room, and cozier too.

These two.

Monday, September 10th, 2018

Suva, Fiji

91st operating temple

Dedicated: 18 June 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Matthew 28:5

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 1:18-34

*When situations in your life get hard what do you do to keep your faith alive?

- "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10 

I also calm my thoughts through prayer. Quiet my thoughts and abide in the presence of God. Reunite my light with the Savior's light. Study my scriptures and listen to conference talks. Go to the temple and think of Him during the sacrament.

Old Testament

Proverbs 24-26

General Conference

Family History and Temple Work: Sealing and Healing

Elder Dale G. Renlund

President Russel M. Nelson cautioned:

"We can be inspired all day long about temple and family history experiences others have had. But we must do something to actually experience the joy ourselves." 

He continued, "I invite you to prayerfully consider what kind of sacrifice - preferably a sacrifice of time - you can make to do more temple and family history work." As you accept President Nelson's invitation, you will discover, gather, and connect your family. Additionally, blessings will flow to you and your family like the river spoken of by Ezekiel. You will find healing for that which needs healing.

FHE:  What Every Aaronic Priesthood Holder Needs to Understand

Douglas D. Holmes

"Aaronic Priesthood holders, we have the privilege and duty to be fellow servants with John the Baptist. John was sent as an authorized messenger to bear witness of Christ and invite all to repent and be baptized - that is, he exercised the Aaronic Priesthood keys we have discussed. John then declared, 'I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I...:he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire."

My first order of business for the day was to have James drive me into ADOT in Show Low so I could get my driver's license renewed. Of course the line was almost out the door but I persevered and eventually made it to the front. The worst part was getting my picture taken. I look like a scared rabbit.

After success at ADOT James and I celebrated by going to lunch at Aliberto's. LaCasita is closed on Mondays. We each had a toastado and a taco.

After lunch we went out separate ways, me to Walmart and James to Home Depot. As I was leaving the car James says, "Get me a watermelon, please." He knows I hate to pick them out, but of course I did. It turned out to be a good one!

During my rest time I watched last night's episode of "Chesapeake Shores." I then did some walking and started hanging some more family photos in the hallway. James could see I was having some trouble pounding the nails into the wall, so he came over with bigger nails and did it for me. We put up four more family photos.

The rest of the afternoon I spent finishing up my card kits for tomorrow's card making class while watching a Debbie Gibson movie on Hallmark. James went for a Razr ride.

Thank goodness for Cathi and her card!

For F.H.E. we listened to Brother Holmes's talk about the Aaronic Priesthood and then wrote emails to Ben.

Heading straight for the Carolina's where Steve and Elise 

moved too. They expect Category 3 or 4.

So excited for Jackson!

Love those leg lifts!

Wednesday, April 4th, 2018

 Suva, Fiji

91st operating temple

Dedicated: 18 June 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Baptism of

Mark 1:9

And it came to pass n those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 1:15-2:8

*What are some blessings promised to us if we watch and study General Conference?

- My favorite verse today is 6. it says they pitched their tents round about the temple, every man having his tent with the door thereof towards it. They were ready to listen. Do we have our ears, eyes and hearts turned to the messages we receive in General Conference?

One of the greatest blessings of watching conference that I see mentioned in this block of scripture is an increase in gratitude. I feel so grateful to my Heavenly Father for the sanctuary that General Conference provides. I feel peace, comfort and inspiration.

Old Testament

Joshua 5-6

5 The inhabitants of Canaan fear Israel - The males of Israel are circumcised - Israel keeps the Passover, eats the fruit of the land, and manna ceases - The captain of the Lord's host appears to Joshua.

6 Jericho is taken and destroyed - Only Rahab and her household are saved.

General Conference

"Until Seventy Times Seven"

Elder Lynn G. Robbins

" Amid a life full of stumbling blocks and imperfection, we all are grateful for second chances."

I listened to President Nelson's first conference talk after he was called as an apostle in April 1984. The title: "Call to the Holy Apostleship."  He had April 1984 circled on his calendar for months because it was going to be the first priesthood session of conference that his son would be old enough to attend with him. He was called by President Spencer W. Kimball. 

At 4:30 this afternoon I had 12,000 steps and by 6 I had 14,000. I seem to do better walking in the afternoon and evening. James is outside walking trying to catch up with me. He is not used to me being ahead of him. 

He has been working on income taxes and is almost finished. Next is the property tax letter to the state attorney general that he and Chuck and Owen are writing. When we first moved here our property taxes were around $1,200 a year. Now they are $2,900 and over 80% of that is for the Vernon school with it's 100 students.

I am worried about James and Stacy, they both say they hurt all the time. That is to be expected from Stacy who is recovering from surgery, but James shouldn't hurt all the time. 

Whew! I just finished April firsts blog post...it was a long one what with Easter, general conference, April Fools Day and Darrel's family. Now James and I are watching "When Calls the Heart."

We recorded a program entitled, "President Russell M. Nelson, Brilliant Mind, Gentle Heart" from BYU TV in between Sunday conference sessions. We started watching it this evening. Or rather I watched it while James listened and walked.

President Nelson and his wife Wendy were being interviewed. Wendy said that since he has been called as the prophet the nightly revelations have been more frequent. He said he keeps a notebook by his bed and writes them down. Wendy said they will go to a concert and the next morning while she is fixing breakfast he will sit down at the piano and play a song from the concert. He plays by ear and he has perfect pitch when he sings. 
They love to do jigsaw puzzles and play Scrabble. She says he is very romantic. He writes her love poems and then sets them to music. She says she wants him to know that he is loved, adored, wanted and needed which creates the acronymn, "lawn." Since it was close to bedtime I didn't finish watching it but I will finish tomorrow.

I got these cards just from going on

Family Search today and doing what

they suggested.

Cathedral Rock Trail, Sedona, AZ.

Yes he's real. He has not been out in

the wild but lives in a sanctuary.

Nice thoughts

Friday, October 27th, 2017

Suva, Fiji

91st operating temple

Dedicated: 18 June 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Appearances, Postmortal

John 20:19

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 13:16-34

*How can we make sure we are laying up treasures in heaven?

"By living true to the gospel and following the commandments we can be assured that the kingdom of God will be opened to us." -Alex

"By putting the things of eternal importance first in our lives. Make service and scriptures and prayer and family the most important" -Kim

"I think it has to do with the desires of our hearts. Are we striving every day to be better and to do His will? We have to start with the desire." -Sheri

Doctrine Covenants Scripture Mastery

DC 137:7-10

7 Thus came the voice of the Lord unto me, saying: All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God;

8 Also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom;

9 For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.

10 And I also beheld that all children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven.

General Conference

Seek Ye Out of the Best Books

Elder Ian S. Ardern

"As we study from the best books, we protect ourselves against the menacing jaws of those that seek to gnaw at our spiritual roots."

James made me some oryx for breakfast. It was delicious. Paul shot an oryx in New Mexico and gave us some of the meat.

This is an oryx. Weird.

I left the house at 8:30 this morning to pick up Shelly A. We are going to the temple together. I was Shelly's Mia Maid advisor a few years ago and now she is getting ready to go on a mission. She has been called to the Baltimore, Maryland mission and is leaving on November 15th. Her farewell is on Sunday. She went through the temple for her own endowments last Friday. Today she is going with me to do initiatories and then do a session. 

The two of us did two initiatories and then we each did an endowment all for my ancestors. I had the temple do four other initiatories making 8 in all. Incidentally, I got these names on the name "Take a Name" which Shelly's dad told us about. Shelly is an amazing girl! She has also been called to work in the temple for the two weeks before she leaves on her mission.

An old woman and a young chick.

Shelly introduced me to El Cupido's a few years ago so it was only fitting that we go there for lunch after our time at the temple. We both had the Big Jake burro. I had a soda and Shelly had an horchata to drink. I tried it, not bad.

Shelly told me her dogs left home and they haven't seen them for almost 24 hours.

It was almost 3 pm when I returned home. I had to do 7,000 more steps before bedtime but I made it.

The Hallmark Christmas movies start today! I started watching this evening while I blogged. James sat right across from me at the table reading a Brad Wilcox book. Now that's romance!

We finished our book, "Miss Leslie's Secret." We also watched Heartland, "Man's Best Friend." It was a good episode. Jack's best friend was his old truck. It kept breaking down on him but he had a hard time letting go. That's how I am going to be with Lexy.

Stacy had surgery on her foot today and Paul is

taking care of her. She calls him her nurse.

Summer with her dance team 

Kacey posted this on Facebook.

Kendall got married in April and now she 

shooting a deer with Rusty and his brother.

The herd is back.

If the cows were this cute 

we would let them stay.

Memories:

Ruby and Lady

Rowan and Indy. He says he wants a dog

just like Indy.

A full load.

2014

Visit to the Phoenix temple open house.

Phoenix temple

Frost's afterwards

Rowan is not a fan.