Thursday, April 26th, 2018

Nauvoo, Illinois

113th operating temple

Dedicated: 27-30 June 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ betrayal of

Matthew 27:18

For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 17:1-20

*What take away is there knowing that Abinadi sacrificed his life and only had one convert? 

- sue_heugly: "Abinadi stood against the trends and standards of his society. His osition was not popular or well received and led to his death. Abinadi's words fell on mostly deaf ears yet that 'one conversion of Alma had a lasting impact on Nephite society for over 500 years and is still impacting millions today. Alma's outspoken defense of Abinadi forced him to flee for his life. His secret proselyting ventures back into the city of Nephi ultimately led to the conversion of 450 souls who were willing to leave their homes and society and depart into the wilderness. Without Abinadi's story, the Book of Mormon would lack continuity, and a major part of the books' message would be missing.

Abinadi: Prophet and Martyr...lds.org.

Old Testament

Ruth 4

The nearest relative declines, and Boaz takes Ruth to wife - Ruth bears Obed, through whom came David the king.

General Conference

Ministering as the Savior Does

Jean B. Bingham

"May we show our gratitude and love for God by ministering with love to our eternal sisters and brothers."

I love Emily Watts. Heard her speak

at BYU Women's Conference a few

years back. She is both spiritual and

hilarious.

"It is in commitment to true principles, combined with self-discipline, that true greatness lies." - President N. Eldon Tanner

New Era: "Getting to Know the Savior" 'As you learn about Jesus Christ, you invite His peace and presence into your life.'

I thought this was interesting regarding the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament. This comes from the Old Testament Student Manual, Volume I, 264:

"The book of Ruth contains one of the most beautiful stories ever written. Despite being set in a day when political chaos and moral degeneracy existed in parts of the land, this story contains not a single demeaning feature and is uplifting and heartwarming. The following are examples of quiet devotion and obedience from this story:

1. Ruth's marriage to Mahlon led to her conversion from the Moabite to the Israelite way of life.

2. Ruth's choice to remain with her widowed mother-in-law, Naomi, is an example of selfless concern for others.

3. The acts of kindness exhibited by Ruth and Boaz had a positive effect on those around them.

4. Ruth's virtue and integrity impressed the noble Boaz, and he was honorable in his relation to her, showing willingness to assume family responsibility.

5. The union of Boaz and Ruth produced a royal posterity from whom came King David and eventually Jesus Christ.

"No virtues in the perfection we strive for are more important than integrity and honesty. Let us then be complete, unbroken, pure, and sincere, to develop in ourselves that quality of soul we prize so highly in others." 

The Book of Ruth, even though it is only 4 chapters, was so refreshing after reading about Samson.

FYI: I have lost 11 lbs. since the first of April. Now I am in this Chunky Monkey competition and the weight is coming off a little slower. 

We have been praying in conjunction with going to the temple, to receive further light and knowledge as to how we can help our families realize the blessings of the gospel and the temple. We also want to find ways to create greater family unity. As I was praying and pondering this morning an idea came to me. We should have a couples retreat with all of our children and their spouses. The purpose would be to create greater family unity and a better support system. We would focus on Faith, Family, and Fun. When I told James about it he thought it was a great idea. Now I just have to get the kids on board and start planning, and decide on a date.

James went to town and came home and made a set of shutters and put them up all before noon. The shutters just give a finishing touch to the front of the house (cabin).

James went to town for a tractor part. He came back, put it on, and the tractor still doesn't work. 

Cathi texted and wanted to know where Burger House was. We told her it but she thought it was in Globe. Luckily they saw it when they went through Miami. They are bringing up burros for dinner.

I worked about five hours cleaning house before our company got here. I finished upstairs and even polished the floor. Then I came down and polished the floor and vacuumed and dusted in the family/living room. When everything was done and after lunch I went in and took a whirpool bath. I felt soo good. I got over 8,000 steps just cleaning.

I listened to President Nelson's talk "A New Harvest Time."
From 'Rescuing Wayward Children':

The Language of Priesthood Power

"To accomplish most things in life, mankind must exert physical effort, whereas God works by faith and the power of words." -Bruce R. McConkie

Dave, Laura, Cathi, Terry, and Lady got here around 3 pm. Dave's main concern was getting Laura settled with her oxygen. Her level went down to 83 when it should be 99.  Cathi, Laura and I talked around the entry table for awhile and then moved to the more comfortable furniture in the family room. I have missed visiting with my dear sisters!

James took Dave and Terry for a Razr ride to look for wildlife and antlers. They only saw two deer. 

We really enjoyed our burros from Burger House for dinner.

I took a long walk outside before bedtime. Laura and Dave slept on the recliners in the family room because Laura needs to sit up while she sleeps and Terry and Cathi slept upstairs in Sheri and Ian's room. Poor Lady is almost totally blind. She slept on Cathi and Terry's bed.

Cathi brought these and I think I 

ate almost the entire bag.

Monte's kids Kaytlynn and Zach. Kaytlynn

came to support Zach at his track meet.

He is quite the shotput thrower just

like his dad was.

Carter and Shayna took Alex on a

roadtrip to Yosemite for his birthday.

This is one of the pictures he posted.

Scarlett watching TV at Lolly and Pop's

(Kacey and Jared's)

Kate with Prince Louis Arthur Charles

Elder R and Ricky. Those were the days.

Teacher walkout today in Arizona

Our friends the Ellsworth's from Chandler are

both teachers at Chandler High School.

Brother Pace and his daughter Chelsea were

at the strike at the Arizona Capitol.

Marcy

  

Friday, April 20th, 2018

Columbia River, Washington

107th operating temple

Dedicated: 18 Nov 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

What should I pray for?

Bible Dictionary, "Prayer," paragraph 7

As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are His children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part (Matt. 7:7-11). Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship. Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings.

Jesus Christ betrayal of

Matthew 26:16

And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 12:1-16

*Why do you think King Noah and his priests chose not to listen to Abinadi's warnings?

- Don't we hear what we want to hear? Who wants to be told they are wrong and need to repent? When we start to veer off the path our sight becomes clouded. We don't see things in their true light. It's so easy to get confused. What is the cause? Pride, wickedness, and rationalization, just to name a few. When we don't have the Holy Ghost with us, and we do all the thinking we can go off the strait and narrow path quickly. When we think evil is good, and good is evil, and have no need to listen to the Lord's anointed, we can be sure we are in trouble spiritually. No one wants to believe Satan has a hold on their heart. But when we aren't following Christ and his appointed leaders, then aren't we followers of evil?

Old Testament

Judges 18-19

18 The Danites send men to seek an inheritance - They take Michah's images and priest, burn the city of Laish, and set up idolatry. 

19 A Levite's concubine returns to her father - Her husband takes her back, and they lodge overnight in Gibeah - The men of Gibeah abuse the concubine and she dies - The Levite husband cuts her into twelve pieces and sends them to the tribes of Israel.

General Conference

His Spirit To Be With You

President Henry B. Eyring

"I pray with all my heart that you will hear the voice of the Spirit, which is sent to you so generously."

I got up late this morning and then James told me we had to go to town to get our tire checked out at Discount Tire. 

We arrived at Discount Tire at 8:30. Our tire is ruined, probably because I drove on it for quite awhile before I noticed it was flat, but they will still honor our warranty. They don't have any new tires to fit our car but they gave us a used one and they will trade it for a brand new one when it comes in. They said it would take about an hour. I had some shopping to do at Walmart so that was perfect.

The Grapp kids and Amaron are coming over tonight so I got some stuff to fix hamburgers. I also got some frozen lemonade, limeade, grape juice, and fruit punch. 

While I was in Walmart James went to Home Depot for potting soil and a couple of irises and a hydrangea bush. 

When we got back to Discount, an hour since we left our car, it was just sitting in the work bay. I knew an hour sounded too good to be true. I talked James into going back to the hiking trail on Show Low Creek just this side of the Hampton Inn. We realized we could not only hike here but could take the kids fishing too. Sheri and I did this hike once sometime back but I did not remember about the fishing. 

We hiked for probably 45 minutes and turned back. We could have gone further but decided it was time to go back to check on Lexy.

My picture of James

His picture of me

Selfie because Jared and Kacey 

requested it. 

Beware of the livestock

This is place is right by the highway so it's

very convenient.

When we got back to Discount James went in to get the car and I was supposed to drive the truck home. Instead I sent a couple of texts so he ended up leaving before I did. I also stopped at Dollar General on the way home to get marshmallows and chocolate for Smores tonight for the Grapp kids. I got a little carried away. I found baby gifts for the Wilhelm baby, some fun stuff for Andyn's birthday, and a pair of pants for James. 

When I got home I fixed lunch and then took a short nap. 

I worked on my blog while James went outside to work. 

Stacy texted me about the date for our anniversary party. We finally settled on June 2nd, which is the Saturday we will be at the timeshare in Scottsdale. I have the assignment to see if there is a room available for us to use. 

Stacy mentioned the Arizona Teacher's Walkout schedule for this next Thursday. I guess if demands are not met for better wages the teachers will not be showing up for school.

I tried to get all of my steps in before 5 p.m., the time that the

Grapp's are supposed to show up. I made it!

The Grapp's arrived at 5 but Amaron's mom, Laurann got lost and I had to go pick him up down by the Hunsaker's. She has a Prius

and she bottomed out in a couple of places so she was going to go home. I told her I would come and get Amaron who was crying.

A storm is definitely on it's way. It looks like it is raining pretty hard towards Snowflake and Taylor.  It finally arrived here while the kids were eating only it wasn't rain, but snow. We had a white cover on the ground when it got dark. 

Benson and Tildy watched The Little Mermaid II in our room and Liana watched Beauty and the Beast in the family room after dinner. Emsley played upstairs and Amaron hung out in the kitchen asking for food. He had a smore and then some more chocolate and I sent him upstairs to play. Emsley never came down for a smore, she did come down once for a drink of water. 

We only had one altercation, Emsley hit Tildy with something and made her cry. Tildy went to Liana for comfort but didn't seem like she was hurt too badly. I went up to talk to Emsley and she was curled up in a ball on the couch with her hands in her face. I just told her that Tildy loved her and was sad that she hit her. I could tell she already felt bad so I didn't say too much. 

The Grapp's took Amaron home so Laurann didn't have to venture over here again.

I did listen to one of President Nelson's talks today. This one was from October 1994, "The Spirit of Elijah."  After our company left, they left after nine, James and I read from our books and then went to bed.

President and Sister Nelson in India

The fires have already begun.