Friday, February 15th, 2019

Adelaide, Australia

89th operating temple

Dedicated: 15 June 2000

By: Gordon B. Hincley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

John 6:69

And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 8:1-25

*God will gather his saints and comfort Zion.

Why do you think so many people put so much trust in the things of men instead of trying to get close to the Lord?

- Elder Scott counseled: "Trust in God ... no matter how challenging the circumstance. ... Your peace of mind, your assurance of answers to vexing problems, your ultimate joy depend upon your trust in Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ" ("The Sustaining Power of Faith in Time of Uncertainty and Testing," Ensign, May 2003, 76.78).

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

John 2:1-11; John 3:1-21 I must be born again to enter the kingdom of God.

"Living Water to Quench Spiritual Thirst" Joseph B. Wirthlin, April, 1995

Ensign

"Finding Peace in the Storm of Addiction" Chakell Wardleigh

General Conference

Divine Discontent

Michelle D. Craig

"Never suppress a generous thought. Sometimes when I have an impression to do something for someone, I wonder if it was a prompting or just my own thoughts. But I am reminded that 'that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.' Whether they are direct promptings or just impulses to help, a good deed is never wasted, for 'charity never faileth' and is never the wrong response."

The Joy of Unselfish Service

Christina B. Franco 

President Dallin H. Oaks taught: "Our Savior gave Himself in unselfish service. He taught that each of us should follow Him by denying ourselves of selfish interests in order to serve others. He continued: A familiar example of losing ourselves in the service of others ... is the sacrifice parents make for their children. Mothers suffer pain and loss of personal priorities and comforts to bear and rear each child. Fathers adjust their lives and priorities to support a family. ..."

My right knee hurts. Is 15,000 too many steps?

"It is not possible for you to sink

lower than the infinite light of Christ's Atonement shines." 

I love this quote because it gives so much hope to us and our loved one.

I also love the article I read in the Ensign, "Finding Peace in the Storm of Addiction."

James has a theory about moisture: "Timing is more important than quantity, but it's important to have quantity in the winter time. 6" rain or 2' of snow in the winter is good because it slowly seeps into the ground. A light rain after the snow is good because moisture soaked in won't dry out because it stays wet on the top of the ground." So scientific honey. I am impressed!

The research about scanners continues and James is learning alot of valuable information. The reason we bought a scanner is to take with us when we are locally buying/sourcing books. We can scan the ISBN and find out the sales ranking and what it is selling for on Amazon. This will help us decide if we want to buy the book or not. 

Something exciting happened today for missionaries and their families. Normally on p-day missionaries can send and receive emails from family and friends. Now missionaries can initiate a skype, Facetime, text, or phone call to family and friends. Sheri is so excited that Ben will be able to text or talk to Max who really needs him right now.

We attended the 4 p.m. endowment session at the temple today. Our friends, the Applegate's, were also in the session. This is their regular time for going to the temple. After the session we were in the Celestial Room and a tall, handsome young man came up to us and asked if we were the Lambson's. Yes we are. He introduced himself as Joshua Van Vleet. He grew up in our ward in Chandler. Nancy, his mom is a good friend and works with Sheri at Chandler Eyecare. He and his wife Katie live in Snowflake. Katie says she grew up in the same ward as Trina. I am so glad Joshua recognized us because we would never had recognized him.

I am so grateful to have a temple close by. There is nothing that feels better than going to the temple.!

We left 9 cards that need baptism in our stake file in the credenza. Maxine is going to pick them up in the morning when the youth from our ward come to do baptisms. In return James took one of her brothers names through the endowment session today.

This was part of the "Come Follow Me" lesson this week.

I always have wondered why a snake was used as a type and a shadow of the Savior.

A typical breakfast: toast with butter, and jam

a slice of ham cut in half with melted cheese

in between. Delicious!

 Our little bookworm

 What a great Valentine's gift Brother Tomlinson!

From my boss, Sister Applegate:

 Quilted by my friend Kate

 Would love to take the family here:

 Snowflake temple

Sunday, July 15th, 2018

Stockholm, Sweden

34th operating temple

Dedicated: 2 July 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

Amos 4:13

For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The Lord, The God of hosts, is his name.

Book of Mormon

Alma 33:1-11

*Why did the Lord hear Zenos' prayer?

- Verse 11: "And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity; and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions, for in thee is my joy; for thou hast turned thy judgments away from me, because of thy Son.

Old Testament

2 Chronicles 25-27

25 Amaziah reigns, smites the Edomites, and worships false gods - A prophet foretells Amaziah's destruction - Judah is defeated by Israel, and Amaziah is slain in a conspiracy.

26 Uzziah reigns and prospers as long as he keeps the commandments - He transgresses, attempts to burn incense upon the altar, and is cursed with leprosy.

27 Jotham reigns, builds up the kingdom, and subdues the Ammonites.

General Conference

Inspired Ministering

President Henry B. Eyring

"When a teacher chooses to set the right example by being a good home teacher, greeting the members at church, preparing the sacrament, helping at home, and being a peacemaker, he's choosing to honor his priesthood and fulfill his calling. Being a good teacher doesn't only mean being responsible when we are at church or at Church activities. The Apostle Paul taught, 'Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity'(1 Timothy 4:12)." 

Emsley slept with me last night. She said she wanted to sleep close to someone. I told her she was close to Tildy and she said, "No, a grownup." So that's the story of how I got my new bed partner.

I got up around 4:15 thinking I would have a couple of hours to myself.

At 5:30 James got up to take a shower and he woke Emsley up. She came to find me and I tried to lie down by her on the couch thinking she would go back to sleep but all she could think about was taking a bubble shower. She calls a bath a shower because they don't take baths at their house. I told her we had to wait for Tildy to wake up. As soon as Tildy got up, around 6:30 they ran in the bathroom and got their clothes off. I ran the water and poured in the bubbles and left them there while I went to start breakfast. Pretty soon I hear, "Sister Lambson!" I ran in to see what was the matter. I guess the water was a little too warm. 

They decided that after church they wanted a 

bath without bubbles so they could swim better.

For breakfast James and I made bacon, scrambled eggs, toast and grape juice. They drank the grape juice but didn't eat much of anything else. I gave them a little bowl of Cheerios and they didn't even eat that. Tildy told me they only like turkey bacon. 

All ready for Church

Such pretty girls

President and Sister Brimhall of the temple presidency were the speakers today in sacrament meeting. They both shared special stories about the importance of individuals and families and temple ordinances. It was a very special meeting. Emsley slept all the way through it. That's because she got up so early.

Emsley refused to go to Primary so we sat on the couch in the back foyer and watched everyone go by with their babies. I also spoke with Sister Wilhelm who is teaching Relief Society and Tamara.

When it was time for Relief Society Emsley grabbed my purse and said, "Come on Sister Lambson, let's go." I think she likes Relief Society but she did not want to go to Sunday School.

Sandra did an awesome job teaching from Sister Aburto's conference talk, "With One Accord." 

After Relief Society James, the girls and I all went to the Peeler's to give Sister Peeler the sacrament. The girls know the Peeler's very well so they were comfortable going there. 

As soon as we got home they stripped their clothes off and jumped into the bathtub. They are so exuberant and lively, especially Tildy. She had to show me all the tricks she could do in the bathtub. 

James fixed them some chicken noodle soup for lunch so I told them they had to get out. Emsley hurt herself getting out. I finally had to say, no more bath tub for the rest of the day.

Again they ate like birds. Tildy said the noodles tasted fuzzy. They did eat some watermelon and drank some more grape juice and ate a couple of crackers. I did make Emsley a pbj.

The girls played for awhile with the Barbie's and the Calico Critters and then they wanted to watch a Sunday movie. First we watched Esther and then Ruth. When Tildy isn't watching a movie or playing with Barbie's she is jumping on the trampoline, or standing on her head, or doing summersaults. She is always crying out, "Sister Lambson, I hurt myself." I told her she just needs to sit still for awhile. We sat down and watched "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." 

At dinner time I made some macaroni and cheese but they didn't like it because they didn't like the cheese. Tildy wanted some Smores but I told her no, not if she wasn't going to eat her dinner.

We colored for awhile and I could tell Tildy was tired because she was very cross with Tildy. We sat down and watched another movie. This one is one I have wanted to watch, it's called, "The Secret of Roan Innis." It says it's about a girl searching for her baby brother on the island of seals. It was ok until a seal came out of the water, shed it's skin and became a woman. Weird! I guess this woman eventually went back to being a seal and took care of the girls brother who was lost at sea when is cradle floated away. It was a movie I had a love/hate relationship with. One good thing came of it, Tildy went to sleep.

Brother Grapp texted us. We have been waiting to hear from him all day. The baby boy is here:

So cute!

One thing I have been trying to teach the girls while they are here is

who the new prophet is. I said you can call him President Nelson or President Russell M. Nelson. They are having a hard time remembering but maybe by the time they leave tomorrow they will know. They will stay until tomorrow morning. If brother Grapp came up tonight from Payson he probably wouldn't get here until after ten. I told him tomorrow would be fine.

Tildy woke up from her late nap and reminded us we needed to have scriptures when we said our family prayer. We did.

Emsley slept with me again. I think James is jealous.

I got a text from my friend Hailey. I visit taught her until she moved with her family to Deming, New Mexico. She wanted to thank me for all I did for their family while they lived in our ward. She said she found the set of scriptures I gave to Taylor with her name on them. She said Taylor was baptized this past Saturday which made me so happy because they had not been active for quite sometime when they left for New Mexico. I think they really like it where they are.

 I love this family!

Taylor looks so grown up.

She is nine.

Hailey also sent me this brownie recipe:

Back in France:

 In front of the Louvre

So sweet

Sheri says these two are the best dog

sitters in the world!

Thanks Michael and Cathi!

Ollie loves Cathi and Michael too!

The Tomlinson's are sending their

second missionary out while the

first one is still gone.

They have 5 boys. Such an

amazing family! Love those smiles!

Prince Louis christening

Monday, March 19th, 2018

Tuxtla, Gutierrez, Mexico

75th operating temple

Dedicated: 12 Mar 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ Authority of

DC 19:24

I am Jesus Christ; I came by the will of the Father, and I do His will.

Book of Mormon

Jacob 3:1-14

*Why does Jacob choose to say 'awake' in this chapter instead of just repent or change? What do you visualize in Jacob 3:11?

* What is the relationship between the riches of the world and the riches of eternity?

Article: "Treasures of Eternal Value"

By: Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, April 2008

Old Testament

Deuteronomy 3-4

3 Israel destroys people of Bashan - Their lands, on east of Jordan, given to Reuben and Gad - Moses sees Canaan from Pisgah but is denied entrance thereto - He counsels and strengthens Joshua.

4 Moses exhorts Israel to keep commandments, to teach them to their children and to be exemplary before all nations - They are forbidden to make graven images or worship other gods - To witness that they had heard the voice of God - Israel shall be scattered among all nations when they worship other gods - They shall be gathered again in latter days when they seek the Lord their God - Moses extols mercy and goodness of God to Israel.

General Conference

The Lord Leads His Church

President Henry B. Eyring

" There is a thread that binds us to the Lord in our service. It runs from wherever we are called to serve in the kingdom, up through those called to preside over us in the priesthood, and to the prophet, who is bound to the Lord. It takes faith and humility to serve in the place to which we are called, to trust that the Lord called us and those who preside over us, and to sustain them with full faith."

That Your Joy Might Be Full

 Sister Jean B. Bingham

" As we learn more about Jesus Christ, we develop greater faith in Him and we naturally want to follow His example. Keeping His commandments becomes our greatest desire. Our hearts yearn to relieve others' suffering, as He did, and we want them to experience the peace and happiness we have found."

James is always so miserable when he gets up in the morning and today was no different. I sympathize with him but usually it just takes some time and, oh yes, some lemon juice.

The snow is all gone except for a few small patches here and there. Hopefully we will get some more. 

One of our ward members, I will call him Brother Scott, was assigned to clean the church this past week. No one else that was assigned was able to be there, including his wife who is quite ill. Brother Scott went down at 8:30 on Saturday to clean and at 4:00, after Charlie's baptism he was still there cleaning. Now that's dedication! I already loved this brother, but now I love him even more.

I am struggling with trying to give up sugar. It is much harder for me than giving up Dr. Pepper 10. I have not had any since the 4th of March.

James went upstairs to work on taxes and had a difficult time getting on our bank website. I finally had to go up and help him. It is usually him helping me so it's nice that I can help him once in awhile.

For lunch we had steak, baked potatoes, and a salad. Afterwards I had a nice nap. 

This afternoon I blogged, walked, and read to James. Somehow I missed cleaning. Around 4:30 we left for Show Low. James went to Home Depot to look for some wax remover for the wood floor. I went to Walmart to get a dessert for Sister Howard whom I am visiting tomorrow. Her birthday is on Thursday. Not only am I her visiting teacher, I consider her a good friend. 

Home Depot had no wax remover so on the way home I ordered some online from Walmart. 

James grilled me a cheeseburger for dinner. We had four hamburger patties left from when Max, Evan, and Joshua were here.

For FHE we listened to Sister Bingham's conference talk, "That Your Joy Might Be Full." I also showed James around the Family Search website.

I quit watching "Upstairs, Downstairs" on my phone. It got to be too racy. Instead I am watching "Little Men" which is a TV series based on the book "Little Men" by Louisa May Alcott. The March sisters Jo, Amy and Meg are all in it, and so is Lauri.

I think I post this every year.

Our bishop and his buddy.

What is it about seals that I like?

Maybe it's the cute face.

Trina and the kids in Sedona.

Tomlinson's and their cousins in D.C.

Looks like an elephant to me, or a 

woolly mammoth.