Tuesday, January 15th, 2019

Guayaquil, Ecuador

58th operating temple

Dedicated: 1 Aug 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Matthew 17:5

While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 12:11-13:9

*Why is it important to know that Satan organizes his forces to lead us away from God and His laws?

* How can we be made white by the blood of the Lamb?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Luke 2:1-7 Jesus Christ was born in humble circumstances

General Conference

Women and Gospel Learning in the Home

President Henry B. Eyring

"In addition to prayer, serious study of the scriptures will be part of your growing power to nurture. Here is the promise: 'Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man.

So you will take more time to pray, to ponder, and to meditate on spiritual matters. You will have knowledge of truth poured out upon you and grow in your power to nurture others in your family."

Ensign: "Developing the Faith to Reap" by Wilford W. Andersen

* "Faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement is the faith to reap. It is faith in His power, not yours."

"Laman and Lemuel had the faith to try, Nephi had the faith to do and reap. We need sufficient faith to receive our blessings - a faith so strong it can convert our future promises into present realities. Align you will with God's will. Conforming ourdesires to God's will is a prerequisite to the faith to reap. The faith to reap does not require perfection, but it requires persistence."

A stay at home day. I read from "The Captain's Daughter." I am almost caught up on my blog. I would have been totally caught up but I was nauseous this evening and went to bed early. 

I got a call from Stacy today. She needed someone to talk to about all of her problems. She just found out she has another cyst in her uterus and will probably need surgery. She is having troubles with Jared Ammon drinking. He took her car the other day while he was drunk and now one of her floodlights is missing. 

Adam, according to her, almost died on Sunday. He slept until 12:45 in the afternoon without anything to eat. Michael and Paul saved him. Michael said to Stacy, "Why didn't you come in?" "He almost died." Stacy said, "I know, that's why I couldn't go in. I knew you and dad were taking care of him. I was in the hallway crying."

After all the discouraging news she had some fun news to share. Joshua went to a Disney talent tryout and did so well that they called him back twice. The talent scout said he was the best he had seen all day. The catch is it costs thousands of dollars to be a part of their program and Stacy and Paul don't have that kind of money. Joshua has never been interested in sports but he has found something that he loves...getting up in front of people and performing. Hopefully it is something he can pursue in the future.

James dusted all the logs on the ceiling and the ceiling fans. He also shoveled some snow. Grrrr

We watched season 3, episode 1 of "Victoria" this evening. It's just as good as I remembered it being although they leave you hanging at the end of every episode. The French king has been dethroned and seeks exile with Victoria and Albert. The "charts" the working class in England are rebelling and a mob attacks the castle. Someone throws a rock through the window where Victoria is standing. Albert insists they leave the castle and Victoria says, "We can't right now." When Albert asks why she says, "Because my water broke." The episode ends with the rebellion going on outside and Victoria having a baby inside.

Albert is my favorite character in the show.

He is such a kind and caring person.

He is a man for the people.

The following stained glass images are taken from the Rome temple as shared by

Elder Rasband on Instagram.

Sweethearts:

 Scarlett

Charlie

Summer

Monday, March 5th 2018

Bismarck, North Dakota

61st operating temple

Dedicated: 19 Sept 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of
Ether 3:14
Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In e shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters.
Book of Mormon
2 Nephi 25:27-26:11
"Beware of Pride" Ezra Taft Benson, April 1989
What are some prideful actions I might get caught up in and not realize it's prideful?
Old Testament
Numbers 12-13
12 Aaron and Miriam complain against Moses, the most meek of all men - The Lord promises to speak to Moses mouth to mouth and to reveal to him the similitude of the Lord - Miriam becomes leprous for a week.
13 Moses sends twelve spies to search the land of Canaan - Ten of them bring an evil report, telling only of the strength of the inhabitants.
General Conference

A Yearning for Home

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

" Discipleship requires our willingness to swim upstream when needed.

As we embrace the gospel in faith and deed, each day and every hour, we will draw a little closer to our God. Our lives will be better, and the Lord will use us in remarkable ways to bless those around us and bring about His eternal purposes."

I listened to President Benson's talk "Beware of Pride." It was read by President Hinckley. I also listened to Elder Bednar's talk from the April 2006 General Conference, "That We May Always Have His Spirit to be with Us."

For F.H.E. James and I listened to Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson's talk, "The Needs Before Us." Here is a quote from her talk:

"President Spencer W. Kimball taught: 

'God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs.'"

My schedule for today has gone awry so I must readjust. I had on my schedule to go to the post office to mail Tanner's card and then come home and make chicken enchiladas. Instead James decided it would be fun to go to Springerville for lunch. I can never turn down a lunch date.

We end up at Booga Reds, the only place we have ever eaten in Springerville besides fast food. I ordered the carne asada tacos. They were dry and the refried beans and spanish rice were...meh.

James's chicken quesadilla wasn't that great either. The chips and salsa were decent. Because of a commitment I made to show the Lord that I love Him more than DP10, or any other carbonated drink, I ordered water with lemon. Today is my first day without a caffeinated drink in a long time.

I walk down the main street while James pays our bill. I only got a quarter of a mile before James picked me up but that was okay with me because it was pretty darn cold even though it was sunny and there was no wind.

I accidentally brought "Rescuing Wayward Children," instead of "Life Everlasting." I enjoyed reading from it and I think James did to. 

When I got home I took a nap, went for a walk, watched Victoria and worked on my blog. James went outside to cut on the tree. We listened to Sister Oscarson's talk for F.H.E. I like this quote: "The essence of living the gospel is service." 

We had whole wheat pancakes for dinner and then watched an episode of "Heartland." 

 Such a mess!

Lots of kissing from these two.

My Easter centerpiece, I finally
put the Valentine one away.
The eggs are wooden.

Tuesday, February 27th, 2018

Colonia Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico

55th operating temple

Dedicated: 6-7 March 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

Hebrews 5:9

And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 20:12-34

* How does learning of Christ's Second Coming affect how you live your life?

Old Testament

Numbers 3

Aaron and his sons minister in the priest's office - The Levites are chosen to do the service of the tabernacle - They are the Lord's, replacing the firstborn of all families of Israel - Their number, charge, and service are given.

Old Testament Favorite Scriptures

Exodus 20:8-11

8 Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy.

9 Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work:

10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within they gates:

11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

General Conference

Seek Ye Out of the Best Books

Ian S. Arden

" The greater the light in our lives, the fewer the shadows. However, even in an abundance of light, we are exposed to people and comments that misrepresent our beliefs and try our faith. The Apostle James wrote that 'the trying of our faith worketh patience' (James 1:3). With this insight, Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught, 'A patient disciple . . . will not be surprised nor undone when the Church is misrepresented."

Love One Another as He Has Loved Us

Elder Jose L. Alonso

" The next day was very difficult for us as we were all completely overwhelmed with grief. I fell to my knees and prayed the most sincere prayer I had ever offered. I asked Heavenly Father in the name of my Savior to take away my overwhelming grief. He did so."

I wasn't feeling very well this morning so I laid down around 10:30. We were going to go to town at 11:30 but we didn't leave until after noon. Our first stop was LaCasita for lunch. I had a chicken enchilada and refried beans but I didn't eat it all. I did have my share of chips though. I love their chips, salsa, and refried beans. 

James ordered a green chili supreme burro not knowing it came with sour cream. He ate it all and he also ate the rest of my food. 

After lunch we took the car to Walmart to have the oil changed. The first place we went while we were waiting was the McDonalds inside of Walmart where I had an Oreo McFlurry. It was not nearly as good as the blizzard I had at Dairy Queen. 

I did a little shopping but our car was ready in record time for Walmart, less than an hour. We got gas, washed the car for the trip to the valley tomorrow and went to Cal Ranch to get some rabbit feed. On the way home I read to James from "Hannah's Beau" the new Renee Ryan book we are reading. 

James is stressed about not having enough information on the Memon & Muneer job to get a decent ballpark figure. 

The evening we watched the Victoria season 2 Christmas finale. Albert almost drowns. Darrel says he dies young, around 42, way before Victoria does.

James got over 20,000 to finish off the February challenge. I got over 13,000.

Watched Jenna Coleman and Tom Hughes

do a question and answer for "Victoria."

By: Hayden Lambson

Interesting

Jasmine's Addy and baby

The youngest Lambson is still a work in progress.

Erik's daughter Mabel was baptized this evening

When I showed this picture to Lola she said:

"Hey, that's the guy who fixes my cars."