Friday, March 29th, 2019

Vancouver, British Columbia

131st operating temple

Dedicated: 2 May 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

John 1:14

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Book of Mormon

Enos 1:11-27

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matthew 15:21-31; Mark 6:1-13; 7:24-37; John 5:1-16

"Broken Things to Mend"

Jeffrey R. Holland 4/2006

General Conference

"Now Is The Time"

Jack N. Gerard

"As we step back from the world and assess our lives, now is the time to consider what changes we need to make. We can take great hope in knowing that our Exemplar, Jesus Christ, has once again led the way. Prior to His death and Resurrection, as He was laboring to help those around Him understand His divine role, He reminded them 'that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world' (John 16:33)."

A couple of quotes I came across today:

"When we offer our whole souls to the Savior, the abundant power and grace of His Atonement will more than compensate for our shortcomings." - J. Devin Cornish

"Don't worry about Christ running out of ability to help you. His grace is sufficient. That is the spiritual, eternal lesson of the feeding of the 5,000." - Jeffrey R. Holland

My friend and family history expert extraordinaire came over to help me with  Catherine Halcomb's family records. I am helping Catherine through the consultant planner on familysearch.

She has some duplicate records of the same person and I do not know how to merge them. James came in from working on the road so he could learn from Maxine too. 

We not only merged the female duplicate record but we merged Catherine's husband's record which also had a duplicate. 

Maxine helped me make a plan for Catherine and we made an appointment to visit her on Tuesday. We have some questions on a marriage record that she will probably be able to answer. I like doing family history when I have someone like Maxine as my partner.

James had to go to town again today. This time he went to Snowflake to get temple clothes. He also went to Show Low to pick up parts for his skidsteer. He lost some bolts while working on the road. I stayed home to do my "things."

I read several chapters from our book to make up for not going with James to town today. 

Tomorrow is our last day to work in the temple until April 27th,   because the temple will be closed for two weeks beginning April 1st.

On the grounds of the Dallas temple where Kacey 

did a session while Jared and Charlie waited outside.

 Both of these photos are from the cast of

"When Calls the Heart."

 Ollie relaxing in Ian's chair.

 Fat Quarters

The highest priced book we have ever sold.

We made almost $90.

Saturday, October 20, 2018

Vancouver, British Columbia

131st operating temple

Dedicated: 2 May 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

DC 76:41

That he came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world., and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness;

Book of Mormon #1

3 Nephi 9:1-22

*What do you think it means to offer a sacrifice of 'a broken heart and a contrite spirit:' What blessings does the Savior promise to those who come unto Him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit?

- Elder D. Todd Christofferson:

"You can offer the Lord the gift of your broken, or repentant, heart and your contrite, or obedient, spirit. In reality, it is the gift of yourself - what you are and what you are becoming. Is there something in you or in your life that is impure or unworthy? When you get rid of it, that is a gift to the Savior. Is there a good habit or quality that is lacking in your life? When you adopt it and make it part of your character, you are giving a gift to the Lord." (Ensign, May 2004, 12).

Book of Mormon #2

2 Nephi 32-Jacob 1

Old Testament

Jeremiah 37-39

General Conference

The Ministry of Reconciliation

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"I testify of the tranquility to the soul that reconciliation with God and each other will bring if we are meek and courageous enough to pursue it."

I felt the Spirit this morning while reading from 3 Nephi 9, especially when the Savior said, return unto me, repent, and be converted that I may heal you. There are some granchildren in our family that need to do this, and I thought of them. 

In Jeremiah we read of the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians and how the people basically ignored Jeremiah. In 3 Nephi 9 we read about the destruction of the Nephite cities before the Savior's coming because they ignored and even murdered the prophets. If we want to prepare for the Lord's Second Coming, we must listen to the prophets!

I read an article today in the New Era by Elder Bednar called, "Learning in the Lord's Way." He says that preparation bring revelation. Another thing he said that I liked: "Interact to edify, and invite to act."

A couple of lines from my book, "The Distant Hours" by Kate Morton: "She's saucy, my Aunt Rita." Aunt Rita: "My fingers have turned into thumbs."

This morning I made biscuits and James dropped them off at the breakfast at the park to kickoff the Vernon community food drive. I have to tell a funny story about our friend Anthony. He showed up at the breakfast thinking it was a ward activity. He sat down by an older gentleman who, unbeknownst to Anthony, happened to be a preacher from another church. Anthony asked him what ward he was in, and the preacher, acting rather offended, said: "I don't belong to your church." Anthony said, "Oh, that's okay, we are all brothers in Christ." The man then said, "We don't believe in the same Christ" to which Anthony said: "Oh, I didn't know there was more than one." I love that response!

James worked awhile at Howard's and then this afternoon he took me to my 4 pm leadership meeting in Lakeside at the stake center. While I was in the meeting, James went to Grumpy Jack's BBQ and got me dinner. I asked for a pulled pork sandwich and either potato salad or beans. He brought both. After the meeting I ate in the car and then we went into wait for the adult session of stake conference which started at 7 p.m. We sat by the Scott's from our ward. Kerri and her mom sat on the other side. 

It was fun to see our old friend from high school Wendell Allen on the stand. He is a counselor in the Scottsdale Mission Presidency. He spoke for a few minutes and I really enjoyed what he had to say. He talked about how the Nephites failed to care for the poor and needy and that it led to their downfall. They became prideful and contentious. He then asked how we are preparing for the Second Coming of the Savior. 

President Beeler, our stake president, in closing the meeting said: 

"God gathers His children so they can be Eternal families. We need to focus on people, one by one. Don't get so bogged down in means that you don't see the end. We are on the crest. Keep your eye on the Prophet."

Got a McDonald's ice cream on the way home. It was quite tasty and hit the spot!

Wednesday, December 6th, 2017

Vancouver, British Columbia

131st operating temple

Dedicated: 2 May 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ Atonement through

Romans 8:32

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Book of Mormon

Ether 4:1-19

Moroni wrote that the brother of Jared recorded in his vision all the inhabitants of the earth from beginning to end. This vision reveals "all things from the foundation of the world unto the end thereof" (2 Nephi 27:10). Moroni explained that "there never were greater things made manifest" than what the brother of Jared saw (Ether 4:4). We know Moroni sealed a copy of this vision with  the plates he delivered to Joseph Smith. (Ether 4:5;5:1)  Moroni further informed us of the conditions the Lord indicated must exist for this sealed portion of the record to come forth. The scriptures indicate we must repent; exercise faith in the Lord, like the brother of Jared did; and become sanctified. (Ether 4:6-7).

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 19:38

Pray always, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you, and great shall be your blessing - yea, even more than if you should obtain treasures of earth and corruptibleness to the extent thereof.

General Conference

The Plan and the Proclamation

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

"Inevitably, the actions of those who try to follow God's plan of salvation can cause misunderstanding or even conflict with family members or friends who do not believe its principles. Such conflict is always so. Every generation that has sought to follow God's plan has had challenges. ...Whatever the cause of conflict with those who do not understand or believe God's plan, those who do understand are always commanded to choose the Lord's way..."

James is sick. I warned him that if he kept kissing me he was going to get sick, and sure enough, he did. 

I wrapped presents today. I am taking some down to the valley with me tomorrow so we won't have such a big load when we go down on the 23rd. I am still trying to decide how I am going to get Jared's family's gifts to them. His kids will be in the valley for Christmas.

I talked to Wendy DeWitt today on the phone. Sister Wilhelm wants me to pick up something from her while I am in the valley. 

These are the Christmas movies I watched while wrapping presents: "Christmas Hope," "Our First Christmas," "Dear Secret Santa."

Kathy Crane brought us dinner this evening. Homemade chicken noodle soup, biscuits, and a piece of cake for each of us. We are grateful to have such good neighbors.

James and I dropped off Curtis Wilhelm's birthday gift tonight to an empty house. I will check in the morning and make sure he got his tackle box with lures.

We had our first fire of the season this evening.

We still don't have our tree decorated.

The Wilhelm's are having their tenth baby and

it's a girl. Boys 6 Girls 4.

California is still on fire.

Saturday, July 22nd, 2017

Vancouver, British Columbia

131st operating temple

Dedicated: 2 May 2010 by:

Thomas S. Monson

Atonement 

1 John 1:7

Jesus Christ

Ether 3:14-20

Alma 37:11-25

*How do you stay diligent in keeping God's commandments?

Commandments, like everything else God gives us, are for our benefit. It's easier to be diligent when you see the commandments as loving gifts to guide us to where and how God lives.

DC 104:1-15

1-10, Saints who transgress against the united order will be cursed; 11-16, The Lord provides for His Saints in His own way;

What is the United Order?

*To enter the united order required that a man enter into a solemn covenant to accept the law of consecration. The law of consecration is the law of the celestial kingdom. Consecration and stewardship. Everything we have belongs to the Lord.

General Conference

Don't Look Around, Look Up!

Elder Yoon Hwan Choi

" Dear brothers and sisters, it is not easy for us to recognize the love of Heavenly Father when we look around with our temporal eyes, because we see inconvenience, loss, burdens, or loneliness first. On the other hand, we can see the blessings beyond when we look up. The Lord has revealed, 'When we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.' To al those who embark in any service of God, know that you are a solid connection for powerful blessings to those before you and to generations after you."

James went over this morning to visit our new neighbor, Dave E. 

He is going to do some construction work for Dave. Right now Dave is focusing on building a pond so it will be awhile before he is ready for any other construction.

I made cookies this morning and James made hasbrowns and eggs. The hashbrowns were yummy and so were the cookies. I'm not sure about the eggs because I didn't have any. The cookies are for my visiting teaching partner Mary and her family. Her kids have the chicken pox. 

I picked up Pam G. for lunch and we went together to drop off the cookies at Mary's. As I was carrying the cookies in the front door I tripped and fell and the cookies went flying. Mary's husband hurried and picked them up and both he and Pam acted like they hadn't seen a thing. Talk about embarrassing!

Pam and I chatted with Mary and her husband for awhile and then we headed for Persnikkity's in Show Low for our monthly visiting teaching chat and our favorite salads.  Pam and I have such a great time together!  I really do love her! She gave me a beautiful scarf as a gift just because she said it reminded her of me. So sweet!

This turns out to be another gorgeous day with overcast skies and just enough rain to cool everything down. 

I made James a meatloaf with baked potatoes and green beans for dinner. He loves meatloaf!  After dinner we worked on our lessons and watched "The Perfect Christmas."

Random Photos:

   Dallin and Kevin

Blonde beach babes.

Curtis and Joie were at Huntington Beach

today too!

 This happened at the Taylor Rodeo.

Dan B. proposed to Karin G.

She said yes!

Karin is our friend from Chandler. Her husband passed away a yer

or so ago from brain cancer. She is an amazing person. I think

she and Dan met because they are both members of the

Mormon Millenial Choir in the valley.

This is Braylin. I think the pigs name is Roger.

Braylin is handicapped but he doesn't let that

stop him from enjoying life. He has a very

positive attitude and I have never ever heard

him complain or feel sorry for himself.

Braylin and Ronald. Ronald didn't feel

like doing anything today so he should stood there.

Braylin got third place overall.

I couldn't resist posting this Instagram photo.

This is what I imagine the ugly duckling

looked like.

2013

We always love it when friends come to

visit. The St.Onge family from Chandler.

James was their bishop.