Thursday, March 29th, 2018

Villahermosa, Mexico

85th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 May 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ Authority of

3 Nephi 9:15

Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the Father from the beginning. I am in the Father, and the Father in me; and in me hath the Father glorified his name.

Book of Mormon

Enos 1:11-27

Have you ever prayed for an enemy?

Old Testament

Deuteronomy 24-26

24 Laws given concerning divorce, newly married persons, making merchandise of men, taking of pledges, leprosy, oppression of servants, and leaving gleanings of crops.

25 Judges prescribe punishment for wicked - Marriage law provides for brother's widow - Just weights and measures required - Israel commanded to blot out Amalekites from under heaven.

26 Israel shall offer to the Lord a basket of firstfruits of Canaan - They are commanded to keep law of tithing - Israel covenants to keep commandments, and the Lord promises to make them a holy people and a great nation.

General Conference

"Seek Ye Out of the Best Books"

Elder Ian S. Arden

" It is the very essence of religion not to have a sure answer to every question, for this is one of the purposes of faith. In that regard, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has taught us that 'when those moments come and issues surface, the resolution of which is not immediately forthcoming, hold fast to what you already know and stand strong until additional knowledge comes.'"

We had about 20 elk walk across our yard this morning between 8-8:30. They were walking back up the hill to bed down for the day.

After my gospel study this morning I began getting ready to go to the valley. I got out my red pot, two crockpots, the ham roaster, utensils, the ricer and the food I need to take with us. I also boiled some eggs for coloring. I watered my plants, packed a box with snacks, and finished up Stacy's basket. It looked like this:

Pink little Lambie!

We left at 11:47 and James already has 10,000 steps. He worked outside and sprayed off the car and the garage. 

It is a beautiful day, no wind, sunny, and 50 degrees. We stopped at Burger House and got a couple of burros. James needs some Biotene so we stopped at the Walgreen's in Apache Junction.

I got two Tofifay's, one for Stacy and one for us, and some Biotene although they didn't have the little spray bottle. 

From Walgreen's we went on to Darrel's to unload. It is 85 degrees. Yikes!  As soon as we got unloaded we drove over to Chandler to the Enterprise on north Arizona Avenue. We had pre-registered and we were signed up at the one in south Chandler so we drove to the one on Germann and Alma School inside Cobblestone Carwash.

We were there for over an hour. The service was so slow. Finally we came away with a Toyota Camry. James drove Lexy to Erik's and I drove the rental to pick him up. 

Our next stop was at Stacy's. We gave her the basket and she loved it. James had to make an egg with Joshua's egg spinner. 

Such concentration.

Can you find his egg?

Since Stacy is going in the morning to have surgery Paul and James gave her a priesthood blessing. Paul anointed and James gave the blessing. It was sweet.

We got back on the 202 and headed east to Darrel and Trina's. We stopped at the Sweet Tomatoes on Power Rd. and had some dinner.

I had asked the kids to help me fill my Easter eggs. I had seven different colored plastic eggs and I originally was going to assign a color to each kid. Ruby picked the sparkly ones and that made Lola cry. We gave a couple to Lola and then Ruby got upset about something and laid over on the couch the rest of the evening. I felt bad but didn't know what to do. I did everything I could think of to make her happy. I think she was tired. Rowan and Addy and I had fun filling the eggs. Rowan is hilarious. He put a small amount of candy in one egg with a note that said: "I bet you wish there was more."

Lois had cataracts removed from her right

eye today. 

This was three years ago in March.

More from last year at Buckulieu Springs.

Silly kids!

I showed this to Ruby and she loved it.

Kyler, Jasmine's baby.

Somewhere in the White Mountains.

Our new book.

She is one of our favorite authors.

Friday, February 2nd, 2018

Dallas, Texas

30th operating temple

Dedicated: 19-24 Oct 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

Luke 4:32

And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 21:22-22:10

*What does it mean that the Gentiles will nurse Israel back to health? What are some examples I have noticed?

The U.S. government helping with native Americans.

Old Testament

Exodus 22-23

22 The Lord reveals His laws pertaining to stealing, destructions by fire, care of the property of others, borrowing, lascivious acts, sacrifices to false gods, affecting widows, usury, reviling God, and the firstborn of men and of animals - The men of Israel are commanded to be holy.

23 The Lord reveals His laws pertaining to integrity and godly conduct - The land is to rest during a sabbatical year - The children of Israel are to keep three annual feasts - An angel, bearing the Lord's name, will guide them - Sickness will be removed - The nations of Canaan will be driven out gradually.

Old Testament Favorite Scriptures

Genesis 7:23-24

23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.

24 And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days.

General Conference

Value Beyond Measure

Joy D. Jones

"Mothers, you might be kneeling next to your four-year-old as he says his bedtime prayer. A feeling flows over you as you listen. You feel warmth and peace. The feeling is brief, but you recognize that you, at that moment, are counted worthy to receive. We may seldom, if ever receive huge spiritual manifestations in our lives; but we can frequently savor the sweet whisperings of the Holy Ghost verifying the truth of our spiritual worth."

James and I left this morning around 7:30 for his appointment with Dr. Memon at 8:15 in Chandler. I dropped him off and after seeing Dr. Memon he is going to walk to his next doctor's appointment which is only about 1/2 mile away. I drove back to Darrel and Trina's to get ready for my infusion appointment. I brought Lola a Krispy Kreme donut but she said she only like donuts that have chocolate on them so of course I had to eat it. I had already had a lemon filled one. Not good when I have to weigh at the doctor's today.

I hurried and showered and left for Hobby Lobby. I wanted a new centerpiece for the dining room table and some valentines. I found what I wanted and then had to hurry to pick up James at Fry and Dobson. He then drove me to the arthritis center in Mesa for my infusion. AARC is moving. This will be my last appointment at this location. Next time I will be going to Country Club and Baseline.

On the way over to Tempe to see James's mom we stop at the Sweet Tomatoes by her house for lunch. I like this place but I think two times in two days is enough. 

Lois has lots of gifts for James, plus she made him an orange no-bake cheesecake. She also gave me some Barbie dolls she had leftover from Christmas. 

She tells us about Dawn's new job where she works 80 hours a week. She did not get paid for the first few weeks because she was in training. I don't think anyone should have a job where they have to work 80 hours a week. That worries me.

Dawn may be going on a cruise in March for work and if she does Carmen says she is coming to stay with her mom. If she does, it will be nice to see her again. I really love Carmen.

After saying our goodbye's to Lois we headed for the Howard's in Chandler. Sister Howard is recovering from her neck surgery. She seems to be feeling pretty good but her brace comes up to her mouth and it is difficult to talk to people. Deana, the Howard's daughter, and Dakota, Deana's daughter, and Brecken, Dakota's newborn baby came to visit so we said our goodbyes.

Our next stop was Stacy's house, which is just a few miles from the Howard's. We had to wait a few minutes for her to get home as she was picking up Joshua from school. We gave Stacy her birthday card and a gift card for Outback restaurant. We also gave Joshua his knife he left at the cabin and Michael's scripture manual. Stacy said she finished the power point picture file. It has almost 300 photos. I am anxious to get my copy. 

Connie, James's sister, had to have emergency surgery today for a perforated ulcer. We wouldn't have known about it except that I am friends with her daughter Katie on Facebook and she posted about it. Facebook is good for some things. 

James went by to see Salvador about the new business they are starting together and Salvador paid him $200 for his monthly payment for the waterline James put in for him to connect him to city water. I am very impressed with Sal.

This evening while Trina is running kids around, Darrel is at work, and James is visiting Sal and then comes home and goes outside to walk, Lola and I were TV buddies. First we watched a few episodes of "Peppa the Pig," and then we watched "Despicable Me." When it came to the part where Gru shows things he has stolen and the Statue of Liberty comes up Lola gets all excited and says: "I have one of those, pause it."  She runs upstairs and gets the small Statue of Liberty that Darrel and Trina brought back from New York. She looks and hers and then looks and the screen and is so excited that they are exactly alike. She says: "Look, they even have the same book."

I needed to finish getting my steps today but Lola didn't want me to walk, she wanted me to sit by her. Trina brought home dinner from Panda at Lola's request. She wanted chicken and noodles and a cookie, but not a square cookie. The other kids are gone to Kreed's birthday party. His birthday is the same day as Stacy's and Kilee's is the same day as Michael's.  

After Trina goes to get the kids we all watch the last episode ever of KC Undercover starring Zendaya.  

Lola falls asleep on the stairs. James fixes the drain in the upstairs bathroom sink.

Brooklyn Carroll Hobrock had her baby today. A little boy named Deklin.  

Ruby and her things.

She fell asleep like this.

Congratulations!

Connie, James's sister who lives in

San Angelo, Texas.

On this day some time in the

last few years.

Our new First Presidency

Thursday, February 1st, 2018

Manila, Philippines

29th operating temple

Dedicated: 25-27 Sep 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

Mark 3:14

And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 21:1-21

*When have I tried to be a missionary in my everyday life?

Old Testament

Exodus 20-21

20 The Lord reveals the Ten Commandments - Israel is to bear witness that the Lord has spoken from heaven - The children of Israel are forbidden to make gods of silver or gold - They are to make altars of unhewn stones and sacrifice to the Lord thereon.

21 The Lord reveals His laws pertaining to servants, marriage, the death penalty for various offenses, the giving of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, and the damage done by oxen.

Old Testament Favorite Scriptures

Genesis 6:22

Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.

General Conference

Abiding in God and Repairing the Breach

"We are divinely designed to give love and be loved, and the deepest love comes when we are one with God. The Book of Mormon invites us to be 'reconciled unto God through the atonement of Christ.'"

The news this morning is that the city of Gilbert is building a 275 acre mega part at Queen Creek and Higley. It will have all kinds of venues and will take 5-10 years to build.

I got word via Facebook that James's uncle Kay passed away this morning. 

We left for the valley at 7:30 this morning. I have a dentist appointment in Chandler at Dr. Douglas's at 11 a.m. to get my teeth cleaned.

While I am at the dentist James visits with Erik about the shocks on our car. Erik says there is nothing wrong with the shocks, it's the bracket that holds the shocks up. He says he can't do anything about it until we get rid of the mud on the undercarriage.

I drove James to Sonoran Spine in Gilbert for his appiontment with Dr Crowder. I then drove back to Chandler to go to lunch with Sheri. 

Rachel, the girl that works with Sheri, is from Heber. She says she grew up with Clayton Reidhead and her brother was his best friend. Clayton and his family live in Vernon and he is our ward mission leader. It's a small world, especially in the church.

I said hello to Dianne and C.T. Davis before leaving Chandler Eyecare. Sheri and I drove to Cafe Rio for lunch. We had a nice visit and did some catching up.Sheri is training for a half marathon she will be running on February 24th. She averages a mile in 9.5 minutes. After we said our goodbyes I drove over to Deseret Book in Gilbert.  

I got a top to go with one of my temple skirts, a novel by Anita Stansfield, a birthday card for Stacy, and a New Testament Student Manual for Michael to use in his scripture group.

James still hadn't texted me to pick him up so I went across the street to Office Max to look for some 5x7 notebooks. Just as I am finishing up James texts me to pick him up. 

James had not eaten so on the way to Darrel and Trina's we stopped at the Sweet Tomatoes on Power Rd. and the 202. 

When we get to Darrel and Trina's, Darrel is home with the kids and Trina is at work. 

Darrel made spaghetti, corn, and breadsticks for dinner. I love seeing my boys cooking for their kids!  

Lola, Ruby, James and I went for a couple of walks around the block. I thought Lola would get tired and asked to be held but she was a real trooper. 

This evening I played Code Name with Darrel, Addy, and Ruby. Poor Ruby had me for a partner and we lost. 

When Trina got home she came bearing gifts. A dress for Addy, an action figure for Rowan, and windup Unicorns for Ruby and Lola, and candy for the adults. (I didn't get any candy because the kids ended up eating it all.)

Ruby invited us to her school play on the 15th of February. She is going to be the smallest planet, Pluto. She said she was chosen because she is the smallest one in her class.

Underground hot springs

Teresa asked Jack to clean off the table

after dinner. This is how he did it.

Snow on the Superstitions