Monday, May 20th, 2019

Jordan River, Utah

20th operating temple

Dedicated: 16-20 Nov 1981

By: Marion G. Romney

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

1 Nephi 10:17

And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father, concerning the things which he saw in a vision, and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God - and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come - I, Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in times of old as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men.

Book of Mormon

Alma 3:1-19

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matt 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-40; John 12:1-19

General Conference

Christ: The Light That Shines in Darkness

Sharon Eubank

"Seeing darkness where I expected to see light reminded me that one of the fundamental needs we have in order to grow is to stay connected to our source of light - Jesus Christ. He is the source of our power, the Light and Life of the World. Without a strong connection to Him, we begin to spiritually die."

Russell M. Nelson: You can pray all you want, you can hope all you want, but until the law is fulfilled upon which that blessing is

predicated, it won't happen."

Bruce R. McConkie says that: "Our greatest blessing is the daily manifestation of His Spirit."

I read an article in Meridian Magazine today about repentance. Here are some notes from that article:

"I grew up thinking that repentance was an emergency brake. Now, I know it is really the steering wheel. I literally cannot move forward without carefully using it everyday. Stay away from seven deadly sins: lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, and pride.

If I use repentance like an emergency brake, I am not likely to win many races. But, if I use God's love as my gas pedal and repentance as my steering wheel I can leave sin and despair at the starting line Every time I turn to Him I am repenting." - Tom Obenchain  

It was cold, windy, and rainy today and we even got some snow!

I got a text from my neighbor Kathy today. She is the compassionate service leader in our ward and is taking dinner to a sister in our ward, Sister Finnell. Sister Finnell broke her hand yesterday morning and is not able to use it at all. Kathy asked me if I would bring some of my delicious cookies to the Finnell's. Of course I said I would. Thankfully I had some cookies in the freezer. I made up a plate of cookies and when Kathy came to pick me up at 5:00 I was ready. 

It was about 39 degrees and Kathy asked me where my jacket was. I told her I didn't need it because I wasn't going to be outside. The drive to the Finnell's was beautiful. They live across the road from the Wallace's, the most beautiful part of Vernon. They actually have a Lakeside address. Everything is so pretty and green. The Finnell's have a small home but it is beautiful and in a beautiful setting.

Linda's sister Kathy is staying with her to help her until Thursday. They were most appreciative for the dinner. Kathy's homemade chicken noodle soup is quite delicious. She also included rolls, biscuits, and a jar of jam. I was worried that my cookies were going to be to hard. I told Linda to put them in the microwave for a few minutes before eating them. Linda has a doctor's appointment on Wednesday and he will examine her wrist and she will know if she is going to have to have surgery.

Today is my friend Pam's birthday. I wished her a happy birthday and asked if she prayed for snow. She was happy with the snow. 

Sold a textbook.

Jared spoke with the new attorney. He is still going to have to pay alimony for four more years. No way to get out of it legally. So sad.

I will be posting Ben's letter for this week. He is quite the preacher.

Watched the newest Hailey Dean mystery. That's the end of the season until next year. It was good but I don't save the murder mysteries on my TV. I watch them and erase them, not like the others shows which I save until Sheri comes up to watch them with me.

A snowy day in May

My friend says Mother Nature is

bi-polar. This is a wild Iris

James found on a sunny day.

She makes everyday sunny!

Wednesday, May 15th, 2019

Provo, Utah

15th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Feb 1972

By: Joseph Fielding Smith

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

1 John 3:23

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 29:33-47

New Testament

Matthew 20:1-16

General Conference

Look Unto Jesus Christ

Kim B. Clark

"Brethren, as bearers of the holy priesthood, we are engaged in the work of salvation. In the last year, the Lord has placed the leadership of this work squarely on the shoulders of the elders in Israel. We have an inspiring charge from the Lord - working with our sisters, we are to minister in a holier way, accelerate the gathering of Israel on both sides of the veil, establish our homes as sanctuaries of faith and gospel learning, and prepare the world for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ."

Jeffrey R. Holland: "...His concern is for the faith at which you finally arrive, not the hour of the day in which you got there."

What lack I yet?

I know I have to repent more and change my attitude towards some people.

Sold a book and made $8.75.

I got my first "Done For You" book list. There were seven books on the list and I tried to buy all 7 but 2 were gated. I sent a question in to support as to what could be done about this but as of yet I have not received an answer. 

I actually did some cleaning today. I vacuumed the family room, and swept and mopped the kitchen and wiped down all the countertops. The reason for this flurry of cleaning? The Relief Society presidency is having a meeting here tonight.

I made muffins this afternoon but not for the Relief Society sisters, they were for me. How selfish.

Maxine and Kerri arrived at 6:45 for our 7:00 meeting. Maxine brought half of a cake that she made for Mother's Day. We each had a normal sized piece and saved the biggest piece for Tamara. She ended up taking hers home with her. 

The main purpose of our meeting this evening was to go over our ministering assignments and make some needed changes.

Maxine is going to the temple to do baptisms on Saturday with the youth so I gave her the family baptism cards I had. Maxine is wonderful. She goes to the temple every Tuesday. She is also going tomorrow with a sister from our ward who hasn't been in 20 years. She is going again tomorrow afternoon with her husband. She is a couple of years older than I am. Where does she get her energy?

Kerri told us that since January 500,000 illegals have entered the country. Since she is a former border agent she keeps up on this kind of news.

We made proposed changes to our ministering assignments and will go forward with them as we receive approval from the bishop. 

Has Brienna Nichols had her baby. We don't know but she posted this photo on Facebook.

Caleb 

I found out later that Brienna isn't due until July 24th.

This is a picture of her now three year old, Caleb.

Brienna, did you know that people would think you had had your baby?

Our meeting was over at 9:30 when Tamara got a text from her husband which said: "Please come home."

I stayed up until 11:30 in order to get my new goal of 15,000 steps. 

 Ruby looks adorable in her glasses!

 This little girl always looks adorable!

Jill and Victor, two of my favorites

 Ben's last supper before his mission.
Where is Evan?

Wednesday, May 1st, 2019

St. George, Utah

1st operating temple

Dedicated: 6-8 April, 1877

By: Daniel H. Wells

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Romans 8:3

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 20:12-21:8

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

John 8:31-59

General Conference

How Can I Understand

Ulisses Soares

"The question asked by this Ethiopian man is a reminder of the divine mandate we all have to seek to learn and to teach one another the gospel of Jesus Christ. In fact, in the context of learning and teaching the gospel, we are sometimes like the Ethiopian - we need the help of a faithful and inspired teacher; and we are sometimes like Philip - we need to teach and strengthen others in their conversion."

I got a call from Marie R. my ministering companion this morning. I was hoping she was going to ask when we could do some visits but that wasn't the case. She was in the hospital in the valley having a procedure done and needed Paula J.'s number because Paula is babysitting her dogs. 

I left the house around 9:30 this morning. My first stop was at my friend Maxine's. Today is her birthday. She is 73 and is our Relief Society secretary. I brought her a card signed by Tamara and Kerri, the other members of our RS presidency. I also brought her some chocolate chip cookies, a Gerber daisy plant and a 12-pack of diet Coke. She told me one time that her children would remember her because she loved doing family history and temple work and she loved diet Coke. She said the gifts were perfect. I wanted to bring her flowers because when she was a little girl, on her birthday, she would hand out flowers to the women in her neighborhood.

After leaving Maxine's I headed for my brother Dennis's house in Linden. Dennis texted me the other day and said he was putting new flooring in one of the bedrooms and had taken all the books off the bookshelf. He knows we are selling books on Amazon and wanted to know if I wanted to come over and look at the books he has. I said yes I could come Wednesday morning. 

The first thing I noticed when I drove up to Dennis's was Nannie's old green Chevy truck. I had to take a picture. It looks like Dennis has had the truck re-painted and he said he took it out for a spin the other day. This is a little scary because Dennis is legally blind and should not be driving.

I love this truck and the memories it brings

Dennis had books everywhere but none of them would sell very well on Amazon. I did enjoy my time with him and his two dogs, Maisy and Jewel. Jewel is a basset hound and Dennis says if you have anything to eat in your purse she will sniff it out. She looked at me and with a disgusted look, just walked away. Sorry Jewel, no goodies in my purse.

When I left Dennis's I headed back in to Show Low and stopped at Safeway with the purpose of getting some Dr. Pepper 10. They did not have any. I got some shredded rotiserie chicken and an egg salad croissant. The croissant was for lunch and the chicken is to put in the chicken noodle soup I am making for the Grapp's dinner this evening. I also got myself a Payday candy bar. On to Walmart.

I got everything I needed for the Grapp's dinner at Walmart. I also got a Mother's Day card and a petunia plant for Lois for mother's day. We are going to the valley tomorrow and won't be down the following week on mother's day. 

When I got home I put together the chicken noodle soup and let it simmer for awhile while I made a salad with berries. It was a very similar dinner as the one I took to the Howard's last night except that the soup is chicken noodle instead of chicken and rice. 

James helped me take everything over around 5:30. Liana told me that's when there dad gets home and that's when they usually have dinner. 

Here is the text I got from Cammy later, after dinner: 

"Your meal was the best meal we have ever had brought in. You and your husband way out did yourselves. Thanks so much for helping to lighten my load tonight. It couldn't have come at a better time. Thomas has meetings, Liana activity days. With me not feeling up to it, not having to make dinner was a real blessing. Thanks again."

We sold two more books today.

 There is just something about old vehicles.

This is the car from "When Calls the Heart."

 Elder Rasband and his wife are Angels

She's always happy to take a bath.

 Scarlett in front of her new house.

Congratulations to the Child family!

I love these pictures!

 Since I didn't get to see the falls run this year I

posted this picture from a couple of years ago.

 So excited for Cathryn's baptism!

Cathryn is our bishop's daughter.

Friday, April 26th, 2019

Cedar City, Utah

159th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 Dec 2017

By: Henry B. Eyring

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

John 19:7

The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 17:1-20

New Testament "Come Follow Me
Luke 10:25-37 How can we be better neighbors?

General Conference

Exercising Our Spiritual Muscles

Juan Pablo Villar

"Just as reading and earning about muscles is not enough to build muscle, reading and learning about faith without adding action is insufficient to build faith."

This morning I work up thinking of my neighbor Kathy Crane. Interesting how today's Come Follow Me lesson is about the Good Samaritan. I think I am feeling guilty because I have not bought any eggs from Kathy. I also woke up with the impression that I should visit the sisters I minister to and take them some bread. Most of my inspiration comes in the early hours of the morning.

Well Paul is going to Costa Rico with his boss. She chose him over several other people. I hope she doesn't think he speaks Spanish. 

We are surrounded by smoke this morning because of the brush burn. This does not make me happy. 

I buffed the wax on the floor today and I must say they look pretty good. James loves how they look. I think I put too much wax on and they are a little too shiny. I spent most of the afternoon cleaning, getting ready for Kim and Brian. They arrived at 6 pm. Grateful to be here. It's 104 degrees in the valley and they are already tired of it. 

Kim, Brian and I were watching a Hallmark Christmas movie when James came in and announced that he did not have his temple recommend. I guess it was in his wallet that he left at Darrel and Trina's.

We sold another book and made $15.63 profit. Whoopee.

We were in bed by 9:30 because we have to get up early tomorrow for our shift at the temple.

                                trade our time in Chandler for anything.

 Molly looks happy, Charlie looks a little scared.

The movie I watched with Brian and Kim.

 Giraffees are such interesting animals.