Monday, April 8th, 2019

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

141st operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Mar 2013

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Moses 1:33

And worlds without number have I created; and I also created them for mine own purpose; and by the Son I created themm, which is mine Only Begotten.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 3:19-4:3

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

General Conference review day

General Conference

Seeking Knowledge by the Spirit

"We should learn to discern the truth not only through our rational minds but also through the very still and small voice of the Spirit."

James is so concerned about the little bunnies. He could only find four this morning. He brought the tiniest  one in because he didn't think he had been fed. We tried to feed him with  eye drops bottle but I don't think he wanted the cows milk we were giving him.

 When we put him in the box he just nestled in

and was going to go to sleep.

Notice the worried look on James's face.

We sold two more books today, including, "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" which was one of the first books we listed.

I watched "Cooking with Love" today, one of my favorite Hallmark movies. Kelly says to Stephen when he says he's right: "Sometimes being kind is more important than being right." I love the movies than involve children which this one does. 

Because of Kelly's kindness and good heart she changes Stephen. He has an opportunity for his own television show but in order to take the offer he has to leave New York and Kelly. In the end he says: "I can leave New York, but I can't leave you."

Cheese at it's best.

James jumps on the Cat and heads down the road to do some more work. A few minutes later he calls and says he's broke down and to please come and get him. I am already to go to town and pick him up on the way. The only problem is he has to come back to wash up and change his clothes. I am a little peeved because I had told him I wanted to leave by 11 so we could have lunch at Persnikkity's before it gets too busy.

When we got into town sure enough, the parking lot was full at Persnikkity's. James said, "that's ok, I wanted to go to the bank first anyway. (I had $8,800 in cash in my purse. That's how Mario paid James). 

After the bank we continued to head toward the UPS store. A few blocks down we turned down a side road and parked in front of the restaurant called, "The House." 

I have been here a couple of times before but don't really have a favorite. I decided to try The House Burger which comes with a green chili, cheese, and chipotle sauce along with an 8 oz. burger. 
James ordered the prime rib sandwich. 

Both of our sandwiches came in boxes which James didn't really like. 

The House Burger. Those are crunchy onion rings

and homemade potato chips.

Lunch was good but not our favorite. James said he would have rather gone to Firehouse Subs. Sorry honey.

Next stop, the UPS store. I got out of the car and helped James carry in the packages and then told him I was walking to Walmart. He said okay and that when he was finished here he would go to Home Depot and look for boxes to ship more books in. 

While shopping at Walmart I saw my friends the Howard's. Jean gave me a big hug and said that Tom's mother and sister had gone back to Illinois and they were back in Vernon for awhile. It was great to see my good friend.

On the way home we picked up 12 books from the Vernon post office. James came home and opened each package while I put the groceries away. 

This afternoon I walked, rested, and inventoried all of those 12 books, which took awhile. While doing this I watched "Morning Mystery Show" starring Holly Robinson Peet and Rick Fox, and
"Appetite for Love" starring Taylor Cole and Andrew Walker.

Ben did missionary work because tomorrow will be P-day and the missionaries are going to the temple. I guess we will here from him tomorrow.

 Charlie was gone from social media but she was

never gone from our hearts.

 Take me Mama!

 I love this picture of Joshua and Evan.

Look at the snow stuck to Evan's pants.

 I told Sheri I needed some pictures of her boys for my

blog, so she sent these to me today.

Tuesday, October 30th, 2018

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

141st operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Mar 2013

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Davidic Descent of

Psalms 132:17

There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.

Book of Mormon #1

3Nephi 16:1-20

*What is the purpose of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon?

- It is a sign to the entire world that the Lord has begun to gather Israel and fulfill covenants He made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (3 Ne. 29:1; Ether 4:17). Who is the House of Israel? The House of Israel generally refers to the descendants of Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel in the Old Testament. (Gen 32:27-28). In the Book of Moron the Savior expanded this definition to include no only the literal descendants of Israel (3 Nephi 20:25-27) but also all Gentiles, or other people, who repent, are baptized, and come unto Christ. (3 Ne. 21:6). The Gathering of Israel is taking place in preparation of the Savior's Second Coming. In recent years it has been accelerated as missionaries are being called at a younger age. Heavenly Father loves all of His children and wants us to be gathered and united when the Savior comes to redeem the world. What an exciting time to be alive!

Book of Mormon #2

Mosiah 11-13

Old Testament

Ezekiel 5-6

General Conference

Shepherding Souls

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

"We reach out in love to others because it is what our Savior commanded us to do."

As I was reading in the book of Mosiah this morning I realized there was a temple both in Zarahemla and in the land of Nephi. I am sure I knew this, but for some reason it was impressed upon my mind as I read.

I bought my first book on Amazon today to trade back in to Amazon for a profit. If all goes as planned I will make $7.80 after all expenses. I am excited!

James went out on the Razr for an hour or so today to look for deer but had no luck. I think he missed his chance yesterday.

The weather has turned cold and rainy after being in the 70's this weekend. That's okay, it's a good time to stay home and watch Christmas movies. I only had a chance to watch two today.

I started work on my council session I am to lead in Relief Society on Sunday. It is based on President Nelson's message in the women's session of conference, "Sisters' Participation in the Gather of Israel," and his four challenges in that message. 

1. Ten-day fast from social media and other negative media.

2. Read the Book of Mormon again and finish by the end of the year.

3. Attend the temple on a regular basis.

4. Participate fully in Relief Society. Study the purpose of Relief Society and the Relief Society Declaration which was presented almost 20 years ago. (I was in the training meeting when it was presented).

There are some wonderful blessings attached to these challenges. President Nelson says: As you prayerfully study and read the Book of Mormon, I promise that the heavens will open for you. The Lord will bless you with increased inspiration and revelation. As you read, I would encourage you to mark each verse that speaks of or refers to the Savior. Then, be intentional about talking of Christ, rejoicing in Christ, and preaching of Christ with your families and friends. You and they will be drawn closer to the Savior through this process. And changes, even miracles, will begin to happen. 

Establish a pattern of regular temple attendance. This may require a little more sacrifice in your life. More regular time in the temple will allow the Lord to teach you how to draw upon His priesthood power with which you have been endowed in His temple.

I bless you with the ability to leave the world behind as you assist in this crucial and urgent work."

I testify that President Nelson is a prophet of God and he has been called of God to help gather Israel before the Second Coming of the Savior.

Sheri sent me a copy of part of the email Elder Trezise (Ben) sent her this week. It is about his prayer journal. I would like to share it on here so I will always have a record of it.

"I started doing something called a prayer journal. It has really helped me. Basically you find a time and place to be completely alone. You get down on your knees and pray, whether out loud or in your mind. You pray for everything you are thankful for. EVERYTHING. it should be a long list if you really think about it. Then you ask God if there is anything He wants you to know at this point in time. You open up the journal you have with you and just start writing. Don't think. Just write. When I was told about this, I thought that would be the most difficult part, not thinking and just writing. It seems like it wouldn't work, but it does. It is like a section of the Doctrine and Covenants designed specifically for me. It's amazing! Some of it is personal, but I figured I would share a little of my last experience with you."

"Looking back, I can see how little my faith was, even just a month ago. I need to have the faith as the prophets of old. I need to have the testimonies of the prophets. Do not look at them as if they are better than you, because they are not. All souls are equal in the sight of God. I have the same divine potential as the Apostles and Prophets. I have the agency to choose to have the faith they have. I need to be able to stand before my loving Father and say, 'I believe in You, and in your Only Begotten. I had the faith in mortality to move mountains, to part seas, and to commune with angels. I had the faith not only to die for You, but to live for You. I did not simply devote 2 years to You and then say to myself, 'It is finished. I did my part.' No! I served You my entire life. I dedicated everything I have to building Your kingdom. And yes, I faltered. I stumbled and fell. But I got back up and continued to press forward with faith. My work is never finished. I did all I could to bring souls unto Christ, and I did all I could to come live with You again, and I relied on the Atonement of my Savior to do the rest because I cannot return to You without the saving act of the Atonement."

"I would like to invite you to try the prayer journal. Don't try to do it too often, and spiritually prepare yourself before doing it. It is a draining experience."  - Love, Elder Trezise

This missionary of ours is so very spiritually mature. He will be a leader in our family, a shining light and others will look to him for guidance in their own lives. I know I do. I have three bright spots right now. One is Elder Trezise and the other are Charlie and Scarlett. (Actually I have several "bright spots" but these 3 come to mind.)

James made a trip to town this evening to pick up some material and wanted me to go with him. I started home to work on the book business but I regretted my decision afterwards.

 I can't stand the cuteness!

 Definitely a "bright spot"

McKell's baby's name is Maxwell Alexander.

I couldn't have chosen it better myself.

 Interesting schedule

Elder Wilhelm's biggest fan club

 Stacy's graduation day

 There to support there Mom.

Thursday, May 24th, 2018

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

141st operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Mar 2013

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Birth of

3 Nephi 1:19

And it came to pass that there was no darkness in all that night, but it was as light as though it was mid-day. And it came to pass that the sun did rise in the morning again, according to its proper order; and they knew that it was the day that the Lord should be born because of the sign which had been given.

Book of Mormon

Alma 5:26-42

* How can you know if you have received a change of heart?

-frankorion0711: "The day I felt the Holy Ghost for the first time. Feeling God's love changed my attitude changed my priorities. Of course the feeling leaves but the memories fused my soul. Change of heart for me is striving to follow Christ. When I fail I have my memories of partaking of the 'fruit of the tree of life that keeps me pushing forward. Trying, striving and enduring in following Christ will bring hope, love and peace which changes my heart.

Old Testament

2 Samuel 21-22

21 The Lord sends a famine - David understands that the famine came because Saul smote the Gibeonites, contrary to the oath of Israel - David delivers up seven sins of Saul to be hanged by the Gibeonites - Israel and the Philistines continue their wars.

22 David praises the Lord is a psalm of thanksgiving - The Lord is his fortress and savior, He is mighty and powerful in deliverance, He rewards men according to their righteousness, He shows mercy to the merciful, His way is perfect, He lives, and blessed is He.

General Conference

Christ the Lord is Risen Today

Gerrit W. Gong

"This Easter Sabbath, I joyfully sing, 'Alleluia.' The song of our risen Savior's redeeming love celebrates the harmony of covenants (that connect us to God and to each other) and the Atonement of Jesus Christ (that helps us put off the natural man and woman and yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit)."

Russell M. Nelson, 10/08, #52. Celestial Marriage

"The noblest yearning of the human heart is for a marriage that can endure beyond death. Fidelity to a temple marriage does that. It allows families to be together forever."

James made two trips to town today to buy parts for Brother Wallace's grapple, the fittings and hydraulic hoses kept breaking. He also got the mail and went to Dollar General for laundry detergent. When he got home he cut up the pork for the green chili pork stew. 

I was able to get the pork stew going quite early so it could simmer and the meat would be very tender, then I made the white sauce chicken enchiladas. 

The missionaries called. They want to change the time for dinner from 5 to 4:30. 

James also invited his friend Anthony to eat with us. Anthony was on time but the missionaries were a little late. 

We set the food out on the counter and created a buffet line like we normally do when we have company. We had green chili pork stew, chicken enchiladas, the best refried beans ever from LaCasita, spanish rice, and an Olive Garden salad. Oh yes, and chips and salsa. 

Elder Macy thought the green chili stew was a little hot but he ate all of his and so did Elder Burt. Elder Burt normally serves in the Aspen ward in Pinetop but they are doing splits tonight. Elder Macy is from Montana and Elder Burt is from Pennsylvania.

The missionaries had to leave before leaving a message because they had an appointment with Chris M. Chris is going to be baptized on June 2nd. His wife, Mary, was another one of my young women.

After the missionaries leave James and Anthony go to the Wallace's to deliver Brother Wallace's grapple which James finally got fixed. 
I'm left washing the three crockpots and the cast iron pot and all of the dishes, silverware, etc. It takes me over an hour to clean the kitchen.

When James and Anthony returned Anthony, who lives out in the middle of nowhere and does not have a shower, took a shower in our bathroom. He came out saying that he wants a shower just like that one. He says he is going to build it himself.

James and I started our new book this evening. It is the one that Dennis loaned to me and is called, "Riders on the Orphan Train." It is a novel about a little-known piece of American history. Between 1854 and 1929, over 250,000 orphans and 'surrendered' children were placed out across the country. They started their journey in New York and were given away in train stations in every state in the continental United States. This is the story of two children from very different backgrounds, Ezra Duval and Elizabeth Farrell; who find themselves on the same train heading West in 1918w. Their odyssey is a story of dislocation, loss, and the search for home that is at the heart of the American experience. Can you tell I got this information off the back cover of the book? I wonder why there were so many orphans?

Pat Tillman report

No, that's not a bald kid in the audience,

parents were invited to hear the reports.

Joshua was Wyatt Earp

Addy and friends

Alex and Michael's graduation party

Socks are serious business

Graduation 2016

Talon's graduation this year

Anakin at the lake. Wonder where 

his twin is.

Saturday, December 16th, 2017

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

141st operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Mar 2013

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ Atonement through

1 Peter 3:18

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

Book of Mormon

Ether 11:1-23

*Why is it easy for some to reject the words of the prophets?

Sheri: "Because what they are doing is not in line with what the prophet is preaching."

Stacy: "Sheri hit the nail on the head. Moral relativism at its finest. Wish our youth understood this."

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 29:12

And again, verily, verily, I say unto you, and it hath gone forth in a firm decree, by the will of the Father, that mine apostles, the Twelve which were with me in my ministry at Jerusalem, shall stand at my right hand at the day of my coming in a pillar of fire, being clothed with robes of  righteousness, with crowns upon their heads, in glory even as I am, to judge the whole house of Israel, even as many as have loved me and kept my commandments, and none else.

General Conference

The Truth of All Things

Elder David F. Evans

"To know the truth, we need to live the gospel and experiment on the word. We are cautioned to not resist the Spirit of the Lord. Repentance, coupled with a determination to keep the commandments, is an important part of each individual's search for truth. In fact, we may need to be willing to 'give away all' our sins in order to know the truth."

I forgot to mention that last night was our ward's Christmas party. James and I did not attend but our neighbors the Crane's brought us some food. They brought a big plate of turkey and baked potatoes. The turkey was smoked and it was the best turkey I have ever eaten. I told James he needs to find out how it was cooked so we can do ours like that next Thanksgiving.

Today is Ben's 18th birthday. This is what his mom posted on Facebook/Instagram:

This boy always has a smile on his face!

We had a fun day with Darrel's family. We ate cinnamon rolls, played Five Crowns and the Match game, Candyland, and Apples to Apples. This is the score from a Five Crowns game that Addy and I played.

Addy had zero until the king round.

All of Darrel's family went outside and helped grandpa with yardwork. Here is Darrel getting pine needles out of the gutter.

Addy looks on in the Hogwarts hat I got her.

Rowan raking pine needles off the grass.

Burning the pine needles was the most fun.

Sweet Addy

Ruby supervising the job with Grandpa

Darrel, Trina, Addy, Rowan, Ruby, Lola, and I took a trip to the Dollar Store. I told each of the kids they could get something as long as it wasn't more than $10. Rowan and Ruby picked out what they wanted right away. Addy and Lola had to shop around a little more. We saw Dave and Rosa at the Dollar Store and I told Rosa I needed another dozen tamales. We came home and drank hot chocolate and made gingerbread houses.

Addy's had a peppermint theme

Rowan's was creative.

Ruby's had little beady eyes.

Lola and Trina's with a little help from gpa.

Lola was proud of her double front doors which you

can't see in this picture.

We watched the movie Brave several times because Lola wanted to see the mom turn into a bear. 

Grandpa took the kids on a couple of Razr rides. Darrel started to but it was too cold for him. Grandpa even took them to the pit according to Ruby's instructions. They went down three times.

We built a fire in the fire pit and roasted hot dogs for dinner and then we roasted marshmallows for smores. 

Rowan made this comment about turning 12 next year. "I won't need any gifts because getting the priesthood will be my gift."

Lola had a stuffy nose only she said she had a "fluffy" nose.

Darrel got to watch some football on TV before my Hallmark Christmas movie started taping so he ended up watching "The Christmas Neighbor" with the rest of us.

Rowan playing the piano while Ruby looks on.

Ruby played a song on the piano too.

Rowan trying out some new glasses.

As many fun things as we did today I did

not get all of my steps in.

Rowan and Addy playing chess.

Ruby showing off her cool jacket.

Fun around the fire.

In the valley

A hike and Mellow Mushroom Pizza for
Ben's birthday.