Thursday, November 22nd, 2018

 Salt Lake City, Utah

4th operating temple

Dedicated: 6-24 Apr 1893

By: Wilford Woodruff

Jesus Christ, Death of

Isaiah 53:9

And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

Book of Mormon #1

Mormon 4:1-23

* Why is it important not to boast in your own strength? 

-When we boast in our own strength and go forth in our own might, repenting not of the evil we have done, but persist in our wickedness, our hearts become hardened. This leads to a lack of  the Spirit, which invites anger towards others. When we notice we have anger in our hearts, it should be an alarm to us that something is wrong. Our pride can convince us that we are okay, but anger is destructive. Repentance heals ill feelings, mends broken spirits, softens hardened hearts, and repairs damaged souls. Instead of looking for reasons to find fault in others, we need to recognize the fault within our own soul first. Also, everything good in our lives comes from God. We are selfish when we fail to acknowledge Him and express gratitude to Him for all of our blessings. DC 59:21 - "And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not His commandments.

Book of Mormon #2

Alma 40-42

Old Testament

Hosea 3-5

General Conference

Wounded

Elder Neil A. Andersen

"We search for happiness. We long for peace. We hope for love. And the Lord showers us with an amazing abundance of blessings. But intermingled with the joy and happiness, one thing is certain: there will be moments, hours, days, sometimes years when your soul will be wounded. Wounds of the soul are not unique to the rich or the poor, to one culture, one nation, or one generation. They come to all and are part of the learning we receive from this mortal experience."

Happy Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving started out by James turning on the smoker, taking the turkey out of the brine, cutting it in pieces, and putting it in the smoker, under Brian's capable supervision. 

We walked outside to put the meat in the smoker

and had to take a picture of this beautiful

sunrise.

These two make a great team!

Kim spent the morning making her pumpkin delight dessert. I will never eat plain old pumpkin pie again. The yellow cake crust with pecans is divine! 

Kim started to do the dishes from her dessert making when the water in the kitchen sink suddenly dwindled to a trickle. We told James and as he was going out to check the well, I noticed a huge puddle of water on the floor. The problem is under the sink. James immediately got under the sink and began looking for the leak. It's not coming from the pipes like it did last time. This time it's coming from one of the connecting fittings. 

Under the sink again, not the

way you want to spend Thanksgiving Day.

I am grateful for a husband who can fix anything.

Sometimes he has to wait until the stores are open for parts.

After trying for almost an hour to fix the leak, including using 

duct tape, James said he would have to leave the water to the sink off, but there would be no problem with the water throughout the rest of the house. We ended up doing all of the many dishes, probably the biggest meal of the year, in the bathtub.

James did most of the dishes, and I dried 

and put away.

Our smoked turkey was delicious. So were the mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, cranberry celebration, green bean casserole, yams, corn, and rolls. The meal was great and the company even better.

We used paper plates instead of china because

of the broken faucet. Grateful to Kim and Brian

for coming to see us every other year.

One of the reasons that Trina and Sheri like to stay at home is the Turkey Trot.

Turkey Trotters

Trina did her first Turkey Trot when she was a

freshman in high school. Addy is a freshman and

this was her first Turkey Trot.

Some of our blessings:

These girls had Thanksgiving together

in Arkansas.

Christmas movies:

"Wish Upon a Christmas"

"A Christmas Arrangement"

"The Christmas Contract"

starring the cast of 

One Tree Hill

"A Godwink Christmas"

Thursday, November 23rd, 2017

Copenhagen, Denmark

118th operating temple

Dedicated: 23 May 2004

By:Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Atonement through

Luke 22:44

And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Book of Mormon

Mormon 5:1-12

*What lessons can we learn and apply to our lives from the writings of Mormon? Why do you think he documented all of the wars and sorrows of the Nephites for us to read?

We can learn from Mormon's writings that wickedness never was happiness! Mormon's account of events during his days have been full of sorrow and despair and unfortunately, because of their wickedness, life did not improve for the Nephites. Mormon takes time in this chapter to explain what he thinks we should learn from this tragic account. The Book of Mormon came forth in our day to persuade us that Jesus is the Christ. Mormon sorrowed that his people did not repent so they could be clasped in the arms of Jesus. Mormon increasingly looked beyond the tragedy before him to a people he hoped would profit from their mistakes.

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 11:17

And then, behold, according to your desires, yea, even according to your faith shall it be done unto you.

General Conference

Fear Not To Do Good

President Henry B. Eyring

" The Lord told His leaders of the Restoration, and He tells us, that when we stand with faith upon His rock, doubt and fear are diminished; the desire to do good increases. As we accept Pres. Monson's invitation to plant in our hearts a testimony of Jesus Christ, we gain the power, the desire, and the courage to go to the rescue of others without concern for our own needs."

We left around 10 o'clock this morning to go to the Thanksgiving buffet at Hondah. Hondah is on the reservation on the other side of Pinetop. If we were to go through Show Low, Lakeside-Pinetop, it would be about 38 miles. James convinced me to go on the backroads and it was exactly 1/2 the distance, 19 miles. We arrived at 10:45 and went inside the restaurant where there was already a long line at the buffet. We thought maybe it was still for breakfast so James went to check it out. It was for the Thanksgiving luncheon. James reserved us a table and joined me in line. The food was decent but nothing to write home about. I couldn't eat all of mine.

They also had prime rib but we didn't get any.

Look at the big bowl of whipped cream in the middle

of the pie table.

James said it was just like the first Thanksgiving because the Indians served us. 

It was a perfect day weather wise here in Vernon. It was 66 degrees and there was no wind. On the way home we finished reading our book, "Once an Heiress."

Today I baked 48 rolls, a sweet potato casserole, cranberry salad, and an apple pie. We are having dinner here with Kim and Brian tomorrow.

Today's Christmas movies: "Christmas Incorporated," "Window Wonderland," "A Perfect Christmas," and with James a new one, "Mistletoe Inn."

The Turkey Trotters

My steps today

Darrel and Trina's kids had a fun day.

Ruby with her braapstick

Nick Goodman's post

Our friends the Glemsers

Last year the day after Christmas

I love seeing that big snowflake!

This years Rhodes rolls don't look as good

as last years did, but they taste great!

A better picture of James in his jacket

Admiring his work

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Mormon 5:13-6:5

What does it mean to you to be "in the hands of God?" (v.23).

* Elder W. Craig Zwick of the Seventy explained some blessings suggested by being in God's hands: "To be in the hands of God would suggest that we are not only under His watchful care but also that we are guarded and protected by His wondrous power.  Throughout the scriptures, reference is made to the hand of the Lord.  His divine assistance is evidenced over and over again.  His powerful hands created worlds, and yet they were gentle enough to bless the little children ... Every one of us needs to know that we can go on in the strength of the Lord.  We can put our hand in His, and we will feel His sustaining presence lift us to heights unattainable alone. How do we learn to extend our hand an connect to the comfort provided by the Lord?  Hear are four keys: Lean, Listen, Seek the Spirit, Pray always. The Lord will supply sustenance and support if we are willing to open the door and receive His hand of divine assistance.  Imagine the wounds in His hands.  His weathered hands, His hands of torn flesh and physical sacrifice giving our own hands greater power and direction.  It is the wounded Christ who leads us through our moments of difficulty.  It is He who bears us up when we need direction, or even more courage to continue.  If we will keep the commandments of God and walk hand in hand with Him, we will go forward with faith, and never feel alone."

A beautiful start to the day.

GC:     "The Blessings of Worship" by Bishop Dean M. Davies

'Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.  And behold, I am the light and the life of the

world." (3 Nephi 11:10-11).

"And when they had all gone forth and had witnessed for themselves, they did cry out with one accord, saying:

Hossanna! Blessed be the name of the 

Most High God!" 

(3 Nephi 11:14, 16-17).

After reading Bishop Davies talk I realize that daily worship is critical to my spiritual well-being.  

Today is the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving.  How appropriate.

Also, Donald Trump posted a Thanksgiving message on Facebook asking the American people to set aside their differences and come together to make America great.

James helped me get things ready for our Thanksgiving guests.  I put the turkey in the roaster oven and it was done in 2 hours instead of 3.  Kim and Brian got here before noon and we were ready to eat by one.  James's friend Virgil who he home teaches joined us for dinner.

Happy Thanksgiving

Before we began eating James ask everyone to tell what they were

most thankful for.  I said I was thankful for my family and the gospel.  James said he was thankful for me.

I am also thankful for good food!

Sheri started her day out at the Turkey Trot was

Connor and Michael:

Gotta make room for the turkey.

Jared went to Arkansas to have Thanksgiving dinner with Kacey's family.  I told him to send some pictures.  He said he doesn't like pictures and would avoid them at all costs.  I told him that Kacey could take his picture when he took his food coma nap.  This is the first picture Kacey sent:

Food coma nap

Cute couple

This is what I feel like after Thanksgiving dinner.

I call this one Watcher in the Woods.

I love this picture.

This is a good one too.

I have not had this many pictures of Jared since

he was a kid.

Jared, Kacey, Tanner, Autumn, and Summer.

Here are some Thanksgivings memories from years past:

Two years ago

Two years ago James and Alex joined us for Christmas with Kim, Brian and Joe.  Jared and Anna were here for a few minutes but had to leave to rescue Tricia who had a roll over accident with Molly and Emmy.  Luckily no one was hurt.

Two years ago.

In 2012 Alex caught the biggest rainbow trout ever!

2014 Evan loves pumpkin pie!

Last year at Sheri's house.

Fun outside

Addy, Lola, Molly

Darrel, Emmy, Rowan, Evan, Trina, Addy

We spent the afternoon and evening just hanging out at home watching Christmas movies and the Disney Christmas Special.

We watched "Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade," and "Love Always, Santa."

James built a fire, decorated the mantle, hung the 

stockings and turned on the tree lights for atmosphere.

Sedona