Saturday, February 9th, 2019

Tampico, Mexico

83rd operating temple

Dedicated: 20 May 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

John 1:49

Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 3:6-25

This chapter, coupled with Joseph of Egypt's Patriarchal blessing, are great confirmations to the truth behind The Book of Mormon and the gospel we believe. What are my favorite witnesses I found?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Luke 4:16-32 Jesus Christ is the prophesied Messiah

"The Law of the Fast: Elder L. Tom Perry, April 1986

Ensign

"A Personal Relationship with Our Father through Prayer"

Elder Juan A. Uceda

General Conference

Come, Listen to a Prophet's Voice

Bishop Dean M. Davies

"These are some essential building blocks of our individual faith and testimony:

1. Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.

2. The Book of Mormon is the word of God.

3. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the kingdom of God on the earth.

4. Joseph Smith is a prophet, and we have living prophets on the earth today.

James: "The elk are in the front window again, ea, the front yard. There are 8 of them."

James went to the church this morning to help the Scotts clean. They are an elderly couple with health issues and he heard they were cleaning alone. The other couple assigned is the Woods'. They are out of town. James is their ministering brother and he told them he would cover for them. He was the Scott's home teacher a year or so ago and he has a great love for them. He said Millie could barely get around because of the affects of diabetes. They were so appreciative that he was there. Because the Scotts and Woods did such a good job last week there wasn't a whole lot to do.

I stayed home because I was feeling behind and a little stressed with what I needed to accomplish today. I spent the entire morning working on two blog posts. I watched a new Hallmark Valentine movie while blogging, "Valentine in the Vineyard" starring Rachel Leigh Cook and Brendan Penny. Here is a little blurb about the movie: "A double wedding at Sorrentos Winery in the gorgeous wine country of Napa Valley." I would add: "Love conquers all."

The movie starts out playing the song, "One Fine Day". I remember this song from my high school days. I loved it by the Chiffons and played it alot on my record player. 

Nate proposes to Frankie by flying in his drone with a string hanging from the bottom and a ring box tied to the bottom of the string. They are on a cliff overlooking a lake and it is the perfect setting. James proposed to me as we sat by Fools Hollow Lake in his car on a full moon night. It was romantic too. I do wish they would change the name of the lake. I don't think I was a "fool" for accepting.

This afternoon I made sugar cookies for Valentines Day. This is my favorite cookie recipe. I love sugar cookies. This recipe makes about 32 cookies. It calls for almond extract in both the cookies and the frosting. I just made round cookies with pink frosting. Basic but delicious.

I wish I could make cookies that look like this.

I made the frosting but I did not get the frosting put on the cookies. I will have to get up early and do that tomorrow.

 Interesting quilt design

 Can't get enough of this cutie.

 Another cutie addiction.

Sheri gave me this about four years ago.

 Yet another cutie addiction.

 Sometimes Cher has the best posts.

Remembering:

 How small she was when we visited

Whitehouse in October.

Sunday, September 2nd, 2018

Tampico, Mexico

83rd operating temple

Dedicated: 20 May 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

2 Nephi 6:9

Nevertheless, the Lord has shown unto me that they should return again. And he also has shown unto me that the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, should manifest himself unto them in the flesh; and after he should manifest himself they should scourge him and crucify him, according to the words of the angel who spake it unto me.

Book of Mormon

Alma 60:14-28

*How can we avoid idleness?

- Keep the Lord in our hearts always. Serve others and set goals.

Old Testament

Proverbs 1-3

General Conference

Am I a Child of God?

Elder Brian K. Taylor

"I love the God of my fathers, 'the Lord God Almighty,' who weeps with us in our sorrows, patiently chastens our unrighteousness, and rejoices when we seek to 'give away all our sins to know Him.' I worship Him, who is ever 'a father of the fatherless' and a companion to the companionless. Gratefully, I testify that I have come to know God, my Father, and bear witness of the perfections, attributes, and 'excellency of His character.'

That every one of us might truly understand and cherish our 'noble birthright' as a child of God in coming to know Him, 'the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom He hast sent.'"

I love this!

I wrote down the names of all the ministering companionships I have stewardship over and at Church tried to handout all their assignments. Because it is a holiday weekend lots of people were gone, and we had lots of visitors. 

Kaitlin, Adam, and Jacob attended fast and testimony meeting with us. It was a great meeting and Kaitlin mentioned that fact. I especially enjoyed Tamara's testimony about second chances, and Elder Bernecker's powerful testimony regarding faith, the Resurrection, and the fact the he knows that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are real and that they love us and speak to us.

Brother Smith taught the Sunday School lesson on the book of Hosea. Brother Smith quoted from a talk by President Henry B. Eyring called, "Covenants and Sacrifice."

"Hosea is a book bout commitments and love. 

Read Hosea 2:6-7. Here are the fierce words of the husband, spoken after his wife has betrayed him in adultery: He goes on through verse 13 to describe the punishment she deserves, and then comes a remarkable change in the verses that follow. Verses 14-15, 19-23. The husband is a metaphor for Jehovah, Jesus Christ.

The wife represents His covenant people who had gone after strange Gods. The Lord is teaching us, through this metaphor, an important principle. Even though those with whom he has covenanted may be horribly unfaithful to Him, He would not divorce them if they would only turn back to Him with full purpose of heart. This is a story about love."

Kerri lead the council meeting in Relief Society. Hailey was the only  young woman at church today so she and the young women leaders stayed in Relief Society. This is the handout Kerri gave us:

After breaking our fast James and I enjoyed Navy bean and ham soup which I had put in the crockpot before I left this morning. James said we should definitely have it again. Kaitlin and Adam also enjoyed it.

We had a big rain storm this afternoon with lightning, hail, and hard rain. Our electricity was out for over an hour. Kaitlin loved it!

I had mini Payday bars, a Hershey's bar, and several graham crackers this afternoon. I am making a new commitment to go off sugar for awhile since I can't seem to moderate myself. I crave sugar and graham crackers, popcorn, Hershey bars, and Paydays have all become binge foods.

Adam wanted my help fixing his mom's chicken for dinner. He finally had to call his mom because I couldn't remember all the spices she uses. He got low and was acting strange. I did not realize he was low but Kyle did and made him drink some Sunny Delight to elevate his blood sugar. Everyone helped out with dinner. James kept telling Kaitlin to try my mashed potatoes which were the best. 

Anyway I had a little bite of a chicken tender and some mashed potatoes and stuffing. I guess they all got their fill and I made them some chicken gravy. Jacob tried to make gravy but James gave him the AuJus packet and it just wasn't getting thick. 

After the kids cleaned the kitchen they bundled up and went for a Razr ride. They wanted to go somewhere spooky since it was dark. They decided to go to the haunted line shack.

The look like they are ready for spooky

Just found out that Jacob is good friends with Jeffrey.

I read to James from our Sunday book, "Life Everlasting," took a shower, and went to bed.

Charlie Mae sighting:

 She looks so comfy. Wish I could sleep like that.

I can hardly wait!

Scarlett's Sabbath:

 So adorable anyway!

Love that face!

Tuesday, March 27th, 2018

Tampico, Mexico

83rd operating temple

Dedicated: 20 May 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ Authority of

Moses 6:52

And he also said unto him: If thou wilt turn unto me, and hearken unto my voice, and believe, and repent of all thy transgressions, and be baptized, even in water, in the name of mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth, which is Jesus Christ, the only name which shall be given under heaven, whereby salvation shall come unto the children of men, ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, asking all things in his name, and whatsoever ye shall ask, it shall be given you.

Book of Mormon

Jacob 7:1-20

* Sherem is the first anti-Christ in the Book of Mormon. 

*President Ezra Taft Benson shared the following three questions we can ask ourselves to avoid being deceived:

1.) What do the standard works have to say about it?

Brigham Young said the Book of Mormon was written on the tablets of his heart and no doubt helped save him from being deceived.

2.) The second guide is: what do the latter-day Presidents of the Church have to say on the subject - particularly the living President.

3.) the third and final test is the Holy Ghost - the test of the Spirit....This test can only be fully effective if one's channels of communication with God are clean and virtuous and uncluttered with sin.

Old Testament

Deuteronomy 19-21

19 Cities of refuge appointed for cases of manslaughter - Murderers shall be put to death - Two or three witnesses required in court cases - False witnesses punished.

20 Laws revealed for selection of soldiers and making of war - Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites shall be utterly destroyed.

21 How murders by unknown persons are expiated - Equity required in dealing with wives and children under plural marriage - Stubborn and rebellious sons may be put to death.

General Conference

Do We Trust Him? Hard Is Good

Elder Stanley G. Ellis

" Before this calling I was a financial consultant in Houston, Texas. Most of my work was with multimillionaires who owned their own businesses. Almost all of them had created their successful businesses from nothing through lots of hard work. The saddest thing for me was to hear some of them say that they wanted to make it easier for their children. They did not want their children to suffer as they had. In other words, they would deprive their children of the very thing that had made them successful."

I got up at 4 a.m. and looked outside. It was a winter wonderland and still snowing!  The trees are frosted and it looks like we have at least two inches. Thank you Lord.

According to President Nelson how I care for my body affects my destiny.

I read an article in the New Era today about a girl with cyctic fibrosis and how she turned her life around by exercising and eating healthy. She ended up going on a full-time mission. It was very inspirational. I need to realize that my body is a gift from the Creator. When we live with patience, faith, and gratitude, we find joy.

"Joy, it seems, Is not only happiness but the resultant feeling of the Holy Ghost manifest within us." - Barbara B. Winder, former General Relief Society President.

It snowed most of the day today but by the end of the day all of the snow was melted except on the mountains. The snow that fell today melted as soon as it touched the ground.

Brother Patrick came over today to show James some radios. These are walkie-talkie radios run off a tower. James wants some so we can communicate with other people who have them so if there is an emergency and our phones don't work, we can still communicate.

I am sure we will eventually get some but right now we just don't have the money.

At 2:30 I went to visit Sister MacArthur across the road from us. She and her husband and their two year old daughter just moved here from Fairbanks, Alaska. He is still a firefighter in Alaska and will be going back up from April until October. 

They both grew up in Show Low and when they had their baby they decided they wanted to be back down here by family. She is Sister Umphress's sister and their parents live in Linden. Her husbands parents live by Walmart.

I enjoyed my visit with her and took her a small Easter basket and shared a couple of quotes with her, one by President Nelson.

Love this little Lambie!

For dinner we had leftover spaghetti, and salad. We are trying to clean out all the leftovers in the fridge before we leave. 

After dinner James took a short nap and then left to go on a visit with Brother Greer from the stake and Brother Curtis from the ward. They visited the Gordon's, the new converts. James says they have goats and they spin yard out of the goat hair.  He really enjoyed the visit and said you can tell they love the gospel.

We  watched the final episode of season 7 of Heartland. Jack and Lisa secretly got married, Amy flew to Europe with the prince as part of his horse show. Ty and Caleb won $100,000 with their barrel racing horse. Georgie got the trick riding saddle of her dreams because she is spoiled rotten. We will not be ordering season 8. If we watch it, it will be on Amazon Prime.

Added tulips to my Easter centerpiece

I love this frosty scene

So gorgeous!

Our "snow" pit

I wish it would last.

So pretty

"Come As You Are" 
by
Greg Olsen

I wonder if our backyard could
look like this?

The White Dove of the desert

 Interesting

Thursday, October 19th, 2017

Tampico, Mexico

83rd operating temple

Dedicated: 20 May 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Appearances, Antemortal

Abraham 1:15-16

And as they lifted up their hands upon me, that they might offer me up and take away my life, behold, I lifted up my voice unto the Lord my God, and the Lord hearkened and heard, and he filled me with the vision of the Almighty, and the angel of his presence stood by me, and immediately unloosed my hands;

16 And his voice was unto me: Abraham, Abraham, behold, my name is Jehovah, and I have heard thee, and have come down to deliver thee, and to take thee away from thy father's house, and from all thy kinsfolk, into a strange land which thou knowest not of;

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 8:5-25

*How can we prepare today for the Savior's Second Coming?

-Be obedient and be worthy to always have the Spirit to be with you. One of the calamities of the last days is the disintegration of the family. Keep your family members close and create a feeling of unity through Christlike love.

Doctrine Covenants Scripture Mastery

DC 89:18-21

18 And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;

19 And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;

20 And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.

21 And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.

General Conference

Exceeding Great and Precious Promises

Elder David A. Bednar

"One of the great challenges each of us faces every day is to not allow the concerns of this world to so dominate our time and energy that we neglect the eternal things that matter most. We can be too easily diverted from remembering and focusing upon essential spiritual priorities because of our many responsibilities and busy schedules. Sometimes we try to run so fast that we may forget where we are going and why we are running."

I am concerned that James is wearing himself out mixing and pouring this concrete by hand. 

James had two mechanics here working on the Cat. They charge $110 an hour. It ended up costing #380. All the wires had been chewed in two by some rat. 

We had enchiladas and salad again today for lunch. It was a cooler and overcast day with a threat of rain. James said it did actually rain at Home Depot. 

I worked upstairs today. I found all the animals to my Noah's ark and put them out. I also made a chocolate cake for Hailey's birthday tomorrow and then she cancelled until Monday so James and I had to eat the cake. It was delicious!

Darrel walked 23,000 steps one day and 29,000 steps in New York. That's where they are today. They were going out to the Statue of Liberty when he was texting me.  Here are some photos:

Cool Trina in front of the Air B&B where they stayed

in Boston.

A chocolate chip cookie from Levian Bakery

in Central Park. This is why Trina came to New York.

Grady leaving for his mission.

He will be serving in Quito, Equador.

Fall is here.

Oh yes it is!

Ready for the cooler weather.

This dog is getting a cat massage.

The Meridian, Idaho temple open house

is coming soon.