Monday, August 28th, 2017

Taipei, Taiwan

31st operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Nov 1984 by Gordon B. Hinckley

Atonement

DC 29:1

Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, the Great I Am, whose arm of mercy hath atoned for your sins;

Jesus Christ, Antemortal Existence of

2 Timothy 1:9

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Alma 57:17-36

Why were the Nephites able to prevail against the Lamanites? (See Alma 57:19-22)

*Helaman said that his warriors "did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness" (Alma 57:21). 

President Russell M. Nelson said: "You will encounter people who pick which commandments they will keep and ignore others that they choose to break. I call this the cafeteria approach to obedience. This practice of picking and choosing will not work. It will lead to misery. To prepare to meet God,, one keeps all of His commandments. It takes faith to obey them, and keeping His commandments will strengthen that faith" ("Face the Future with Faith," Ensign, May 2011, 34).

DC 124:70-90

What special rights were bestowed upon Hyrum?

He was the Church Patriarch, after his father, and the 2nd elder of the Church.

General Conference

To the Friends and Investigators of the Church

Elder Joaquin E. Costa

"Every decision I have made in my life since then has been influenced by that moment when I humbled myself and prayed for forgiveness, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ on my behalf became part of my life."

Then Jesus Beholding Him Loved Him

Elder S. Mark Palmer

"No true teaching or learning will ever occur when done in frustration or anger, and hearts will not change where love is not present. Our homes should always be safe havens for our children."

Happy Birthday Addy

This girl became a teenager today.

She is Amazing Addy and she is

wearing a Miraculous Lady Bug T-shirt.

Owen and Donna Peeler will be taking our shift at the temple on September 9th, when we are gone to San Antonio.

I visited Hailey today as her visiting teacher and took her a basket of fruit. She and Huntleigh were the only ones at home. For the first time Huntleigh was very friendly to me. Hailey is packing. They sold their ranch and they are moving to Deming, New Mexico. The deal closes on November 1st. 

I also took Taylor, Hailey's daughter, a triple combination with my testimony in it. Taylor is in my Primary class but she does not attend. As I was driving to Hailey's I told myself the most important thing I could do was have prayer with her. Once I got there, I totally forgot. I am not a very good visiting teacher!

I hit a rock pretty hard on Hailey's road. Luckily my tire didn't go flat. The ride home was pretty miserable because my knee hurt so badly. As soon as I got home I ate a tamale for lunch, the last one, and took two Tramadol and sat down to watch a Hallmark movie.

Eventually I started working on my blog and I also made a batch of brownies. Those two things go together well. I also like to watch Hallmark movies while I am blogging.

James is so frustrated with his tractor. He drove it to the front so he could load it on the trailer to take to the valley when we go on Wednesday. He wants to trade it in at Bingham Equipment. Today it wouldn't start and also the lights on James's trailer don't work after Chuck and Owen borrowed it. He is very discouraged.

For FHE he and Brother Westbrook went to meet the Wilhelm's at the new house they are building. James gave a lesson on the Word of Wisdom and took the brownies I made. It was a nice evening for everyone. I stayed home.

Photos:

This sounds about right.

Black Hawk helicopter rescue.
Te helicopters are made in Mesa, Arizona.

Having a little fun in the disaster

School starts in Texas

This is what we use when our lights go out

Lola and her mom love Home Depot

Who knew? 
I want this barn!

Shipley and Vader fighting on Stacy and Paul's bed.
I guess this is pretty much a daily occurrence.

Tuesday, July 11th, 2017

Taipai, Taiwan

31st operating temple

Dedicated: 17-18 Nov 1984 by

Gordon B. Hinckley

Atonement

Romans 3:25

Jesus Christ

Romans 6:3; 1 Cor. 2:2; 12:3; Ephesians 2:20.

Alma 31:1-23

*How is the word more powerful on the minds of the people than the sword?

DC 101:13-24

16-21, Zion and her stakes will be established; 

What did I learn from today's verses?

*13 Scattered shall be gathered.

14 All who mourn shall be comforted.

15 They who have given their lives for Christ shall be crowned.

16 Let your hearts be comforted. All flesh is in the Lord's hand. Be still and know that I am God.

24 Every corruptible thing shall be consumed.

General Conference

Becoming a Disciple of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Elder Robert D. Hales

"Peter explains, 'add to your faith virtue.' This virtue is more than sexual purity. It is cleanliness and holiness in mind and body. Virture is also power. As we faithfully live the gospel, we will have power to be virtuous in every thought, feeling, and action. Our minds become more receptive to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and the Light of Christ. We embody Christ not only in what we say and do but also in who we are."

Again Sheri and I made a big breakfast this morning. She did bacon and eggs and I did hashbrowns. 

When Sheri went for her run this morning the temperature was in the 70's, a little different from the valley runs.

Before they leave for home Ben, Sheri and I play another game of Five Crowns. I was ahead most of the game but again Ben pulled it out in the end. I am beginning to think that he is unbeatable.

Everyone gave me a hug before leaving except for Sheri and Evan. Ian even gave me his yucca walking stick.

Trezise's and one Lambson

Alex is in England visiting with his

aunt and uncle and his cousins.

James had to pick up some poles in town too big to fit in the car so he took his truck, which basically has no brakes. He wanted me to go with him but I declined. I was exhausted and didn't feel like putting my life on the line. I stayed home and watched a couple of Hallmark movies.  I didn't ask for them, but I am sad when James gets home and doesn't have any tacos. It is taco Tuesday after all.

The rest of the day is pretty relaxing. At one point we read from "The Reluctant Duchess" out on the deck.  I think the last week or so is catching up with me and tomorrow we have to go to the valley.

Joshua in his Dr. Who t-shirt that Uncle Jeff

and Aunt Tara gave him.

I love this thought.

I am looking forward to this day.