Tuesday, October 22nd, 2019

Bern, Switzerland

9th operating temple

Dedicated: 11-15 Sept 1955

By: David O. McKay

Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd
Alma 5:38
Behold, I say unto you, that the good shepherd doth call you; yea and in his own name he doth call you, which is the name of Christ; and if ye will not hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd, to the name by which ye are called, behold, ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd.
Book of Mormon
3 Nephi 11:1-17
How can we keep our ears and hearts open to the whisperings of the Spirit?
New Testament: Thessalonians 1-2: "Be Not Soon Shaken in Mind or Be Troubled"
1 Thessalonians 3-4 & 1 Thess. 3:9-4:12 "As I follow Jesus Christ, I can become holy"

General Conference

"Finding Joy in Sharing the Gospel"

Christina B. Franco

"We have a loving Father in Heaven, who is waiting for us to turn to Him to bless our lives and the lives of those around us."

CFM: "It is in quiet moments of contemplation and communion with the Almighty that we come to know and love Him as our Father."

I listened to the Book Webinar this morning. Kathy and Kris were the presenters. I decided I was going to set a goal to buy 10-15 books a week. So far I have 7.

I sold two books today.

This morning I baked a loaf of pumpkin bread for Jean Howard. I was going to go visit her this afternoon around 2 but she called and said she had a doctor's appointment around noon. She said she would call me when she got home. When she had not called by 3:15 I left to do my errands. I wasn't sure if the UPS store closed at 4 or 5. 

After dropping off my box of books at UPS I went shopping at Walmart. James called the doctor and he said James could go on the soft diet. He wants me to get him some soup and make him some mashed potatoes. I also got some more bananas so I can make banana bread and put it in the freezer for him.

It was around 6:15 or so when I got home from town. I put the groceries away and had a sandwich to eat. I called Jean and asked if James and I could come over for a visit. She said we could. 

It was very quiet at Jean and Tom's. Jean and I sat in the room with the fireplace and Tom and James sat in Tom's office to talk. I asked Jean how her doctor's appointment went and she said very well. She said other than being filled with metal from all of her accidents, the doctor said she was in great shape for her age. Jean is 79 years old. Tom is the same age as we are. Jean does look good for being 79. 

I asked Jean if Dustin was going to the valley with them in the morning and she said she didn't think so. She said he had a bad day. He said he wanted to be alone and spent the entire day in his room.

I asked if they were ready to put their house up for sale. She said no, she doesn't want to sell it. She doesn't understand why Tom wants to sell. Jean designed and helped build the house so she is invest emotionally. 

We didn't stay long because we knew they were getting up early to go to the valley. I gave Jean the "Come Follow Me" manual and hopefully next week we can arrange to meet together and discuss the next lesson.

 This is so good!

I should never buy it.

 Mine too!

I love this so much!!

 Since the Aunt Dimity books take place in 

England Lori and her friends are always having

"tea." James and I have gotten into the habit of

having herbal tea since we began reading the books.

 I saw Brother Finnell at the store today. He said

His wife Lynda, my ministering sister companion was

in Dalla visiting their daughter and they were right

in the middle of the tornadoes. One touched down just

four miles from where they were staying.

Saturday, August 17th, 2019

Lubbock, Texas

109th operating temple 

Dedicated: 21 April 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Foreordained

John 17:5

And now, O Father glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

Book of Mormon

Alma 51:22-37

New Testament "Overcome Evil with Good"

Romans 15-16

General Conference

Where Will This Lead

President Dallin H. Oaks

"Take the long view. What is the effect on our future of the decisions we make in the present? Remember the importance of getting an education, studying the gospel, renewing our covenants by partaking of the sacrament, and attending the temple."

I read the Ministering Principles article in the Ensign this month, "Can I Help Someone Change"? These are the bullet points in this article:

1. Don't Be Afraid to Invite Change

2. Remember It's Their Choice to Change

3. Pray for Others Ability to Change

4. Teach Them to Rely on His Power

5. Treat Them as They Can Become

6. Let Them Go at Their Own Pace

7. Don't Give Up If They Relapse into Old Ways

"We have the responsibility to see individuals not as they are but rather as they can become." -Thomas S. Monson

"Let people repent. Let people grow. Believe that people can change and improve." - Jeffrey R. Holland

James and I heard a loud crash this morning. I was in the hallway and he was leaving the bedroom. He went back to the bathroom where the noise came from to find the full length mirror which was on the back of the bathroom door shattered on the floor. I'm not sure who is going to have the seven years of bad luck. I think it may have already started.

James cleaned up the mess while I finished my blog post. He left some chards on the floor and I cleaned them up. 

We went into town today. Our first stop was the UPS Store to mail one of James's returns. Since we were in the neighborhood we stopped in for lunch at Firehouse Subs. We shared a large sandwich, chips, and a drink. 

Our next stop was at the post office in Show Low. It was closed but James dropped his return package, which already had been paid for and had the label on it, so he dropped it in the parcel box.

On the way back to Vernon we stopped at Dairy Queen to spend my $10 gift card on a box of Dilly bars. First I ordered a cherry dipped small ice cream cone to eat on the way home, and then I ordered a box of cherry Dilly bars,  but when James made a face I changed it to chocolate. I was shocked to find out that my ice cream cone cost over $3.00 and our bill was over $12. Glad I had some cash. My cherry dipped cone was good but not worth $3.19. The cones at McDonald's are under $1.00.

Back at home after my rest time I did some walking and book repricing. This evening James and I watched the new Hallmark movie.

Erin Krakow, Ryan Pavey, and the two

actors in the back were on Lori Loughlin's

cancelled show, "Garage Sale Mystery"

Tyler and Chelsie

 This one fierce lady is Jackie Arnett

The other girl is a Hunsaker whose

parents are in our ward.

 Sunflowers and Verbina everywhere right now!

Stacy said that Rowan was the "last man standing."

He beat out about 40 other competitors.

 This girl loves to flush,

she's got that part down pat.

 This was a video and she was dancing.

I guess I didn't download it right.

Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019

Halifax, Nova Scotia

64th operating temple

Dedicated: 14 Nov 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Family of

Mark 3:31

There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without sent unto him, calling him.

Book of Mormon

Alma 26:17-37

New Testament "Ye Shall Be Witnesses Unto Me"

Acts 2:37-47; 3:13-26

General Conference

Answers to Prayer

Brook P. Hales

"When our worthy desires are not granted in the way we had hoped, it may actually be for our ultimate benefit. For example, Joseph the son of Jacob was envied and hated by his brothers to the point that they plotted Joseph's murder. Instead, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. If ever a person might have felt that his prayers were not answered in the way he had hoped, it could have been Joseph. In reality, his apparent misfortune resulted in great blessings to him and saved his family from starvation."

Well James survived working at Howard's yesterday so he's back again today. Anthony isn't there to help because his vehicle has no brakes. Weston was supposed to help him but never showed up, so he's working alone, struggling with crooked posts and rails.

I finished getting my shipment ready this morning and worked on my blog and walked. These movies were playing in the background:

"A Rocky Mountain Christmas"

(filmed in Vancouver, Canada)

"All I Want for Christmas"

(One of my favorites, I love the kid in this movie!)

"A Joyous Christmas"

"Mistletoe Over Manhattan"

"Christmas Everlasting"

I didn't watch all of these in the morning, some spilled over into the afternoon.

James came home from the Howard's around 1 o'clock and told them he wouldn't be back until 4 because he was going to town with me.

Our first stop in town was at Taco Bell for lunch. It was so busy there were only two empty tables. The place was a mess. This town gets so overcrowded on holidays and most people don't know how to handle it. A girl came out and cleaned tables, sweeping more food onto the already dirty floor. Maybe I should get a job here.

James dropped me off at Walmart while he went to the UPS store and to Home Depot. Walmart was a disaster. They had to close for awhile on Sunday because of a power outage and it must not be fixed because most all of the frozen food and dairy cases were empty and the store was packed with people. I always wonder why people go grocery shopping with the entire family to tow.

I couldn't even get a quart of milk to go with my frosted mini wheats. I had to ask for help to get James's rice milk because there was only two and they were pushed back so far on the counter that I couldn't reach them. I wanted out of that place and so when James arrived I told him it was time to go!

On the way home he stopped at McDonald's to get me an ice cream cone. He really does love me!

We dropped off the book, Plato, we are returning to the seller because of a broken spine at the post office. We also picked up another load of books. This time only two boxes full instead of three.

Even Amazon thinks we deserve a refund.

James went back to the Howard's and I put the groceries away, including the two watermelons I picked out, and opened books. 

This evening we finished watching "Mystery 101: Playing Dead."

We both decided that Jill Wagner is one of our favorite actresses on Hallmark. She is pretty down to earth too. She lives on a farm in Tennessee and posted this picture on Instagram.

She said this little guy will live with his mom on the

farm all of his life.

Jill's farm

 On to the next thing!

 Yes, but how does her dad feel about country music?

I don't know how to post videos.

 It's supposed to be a "controlled" burn but there has

been so much smoke and it's close by.

 They change so much!

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.