Sunday, May 19th, 2019

Seattle, Washington

19th operating temple

Dedicated: 17-21 Nov 1980

By: Spencer W. Kimball

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

1 John 5:12

He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

Book of Mormon

Alma 2:19-38

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Review Matt 19-20; Mark 10; Luke 18

General Conference

Abound with Blessings

Elder Dale G. Renlund
"Faith in the Savior is a principle of action and of power. First we act in faith; then the power comes - according to God's will and timing. The sequence is crucial. The required action, though, is always tiny when compared to the blessings we ultimately receive."

I saw some new people in sacrament meeting and Sunday School today. I wish we still introduced new people in Sunday School.

I felt the power of the Spirit so strongly today during Dave Platt's talk. He certainly has a powerful testimony and conveyed the Spirit during his talk.

Brother Reynolds was the first speaker in sacrament meeting today. His total talk was geared to the treatment of animals. I guess the topic was righteous stewardship. One thing I will say about Brother Reynolds is, he did a lot of research. You could tell this is a topic he feels strongly about. I know his wife Amy is a big animal rights advocate. One year while we were at girls camp there was a mouse found in the kitchen area. Someone killed it with a broom and Amy was very upset!

I like the story of Joseph Smith while traveling in Zion's Camp and three snakes were found, which were about to be killed by one of the brethren. Joseph made this statement: "How will the serpents ever lose their venom if the servants of God hold the same disposition."

Here are some of the notes I took from Brother Platt's talk:

I love doing the work of the Lord. Grateful for Jesus Christ. How can we increase our love for the Savior? Do I truly know my Savior? In college Brother Platt prayed to know if the Savior loved him...this continued for quite sometime, until he felt an overwhelming feeling of love. On his mission he learned to preach the gospel and to be on the Lord's errand Those on the Lord's errand are entitled to His help. Some missionaries were true servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, others just went through the motions. (Ben is a true servant!).

Have ye spiritually been born of God? Have you received His image in your countenance? We must humble ourselves daily to have experiences with God daily. Ask Him how He feels about you? You will experience an overwhelming feeling of love. Also we need to ask, where is my family? 

Brother Platt bore his testimony and made this statement: "I know Him." 

Brother Judd taught Sunday School. He gave next week's lesson so no one was really prepared but it turned out to be really good. 

He left us with this thought: This week remember the two great commandments, Love the Lord and love your neighbor. As you keep those two commandments all of the other commandments will fall into place.

This afternoon James grilled the last two steaks he bought at Costco. I made asparagus and baked potatoes to go with the steaks. For dessert we had Pillsbury croissants filled with cherries and cream cheese. Delicious but not as good as the apple in my opinion.

Jared thanked everyone for fasting. Tomorrow is the day he is talking to the new attorney.

James worked on family history, I worked on my blog. 

This evening we watched "When Calls the Heart." We decided that from now on we will wait until Monday to watch and spend out Sunday evenings reading or studying the gospel.

We did read from "Life Everlasting" and I read from President Nelson's biography "Insights."

Happy 1st Anniversary!

Brother Reynolds mentioned coyotes in his talk. If they are a danger to your livestock it was his opinion it would be all right to kill them, but never kill for sport.

This girl loves the camera!

Love these girls in their Sunday best!

This day will come soon enough

Lunch is served
Costco steaks are the best!

Clouds and snow

 Chili hummus? I have got to try this!

New York, New York

Tuesday, March 5th, 2019

Columbia River, Washington

107th operating temple

Dedicated: 18 Nov 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Acts 8:37

And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 25:27-26:11

*What are some prideful actions I might get caught up in and not realize it's prideful? (See "Beware of Pride," E.T. Benson, 4/1989

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matthew 9:18-31; Mark 5:22-43; The Savior can heal infirmities and sicknesses; "The Savior's Touch," M. Russell Ballard, 10/1980

General Conference

Gather Together in One All Things in Christ

Elder David A. Bednar

"I began my message by highlighting the strength that is created as individual strands of material are twisted or braided together into a rope. In a similar way, I promise that increased perspective, purpose, and power will be evident in our learning and living of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ as we strive to gather together in one all things in Christ - even in Him.

All opportunities and blessings of eternal consequence originate in, are possible and have purpose because of, and endure through the Lord Jesus Christ. As Alma testified: 'There is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, he is the life and the light of the world."

We sold another book today. This one is by Wayne Dyer, "Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life." The sale of our anatomy and physiology book has still not gone through. It is listed as pending and I am getting a little concerned.

I went with my friend Catherine to the temple this morning. She asked if I would take her. Today is the 9th anniversary of the day she buried her husband and she wanted to talk to him in the celestial room. After our 11 o'clock session she sat down in a chair in the celestial room and bowed her head and folded her arms. After a few minutes she got up and said that she had received her answer and we could go now. Such faith.

We stopped at Dollar General on the way home so I could a container to take dinner over to the Campbell's this evening.

I just had time to read Ben's email to Sheri when I got home and then I had to start preparing dinner. Here is the email:

For dinner I made homemade alfredo sauce with fettucini noodles. James grilled some chicken breasts to go with it. I also had breadsticks, a salad, and some homemade sugar cookies with pink frosting.

The Campbell family consists of: Candi, the mom, Terry, the dad and stepdad, Marie the 19 year old daughter, Jasmine the 12 year old daughter, and Winter 4, and Cassie who is 2, and Candi's grandmother Lucretia. As we were taking the food in Winter asked if we had anything for her. I told her if she ate her dinner I made her a pink cookie she could have for dessert. 

Candi had surgery yesterday morning for her breast cancer.  

James was so sweet when we returned from the Campbell's. He knew I was tired so he volunteered to clean the kitchen and do the dishes. I really do appreciate him.

I walked and watched "Love in Paradise" starring Luke Perry. As I was watching James said, "You know Luke Perry died this week." I didn't know but I checked on the internet. He was only 52 and he died of a massive stroke at his home in Beverly Hills. Very sad. He left behind a daughter and a son.

We watched the finale of this seasons "Victoria." The last scene is Albert collapsing on the floor as Victoria cries, "Albert, Albert." I know he dies young but I didn't think it was his time yet but just to make sure I checked on the internet. In this episode he just finished the Great Exhibition. He still has ten more years and a couple of more children to father.  Stacy says they just needed a cliff hanger.

 Luke Perry is holding a pig.

He plays a western movie star 

in this Hallmark movie.

Scarlett made corndogs with her mom today.

She only got put in time out one time.

 Water over the spillway at Fool's Hollow, the

lake where James proposed to me over 50 years ago.

 She looks like she is so proud of herself

for drinking from a bottle.

Friday, December 7th, 2018

Seattle, Washington

19th operating temple

Dedicated: 17-21 Nov 1980

By: Spencer W. Kimball

Jesus Christ, Death of

Romans 6:8
Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
Book of Mormon #1
Ether 5:1-6:ll
*The Lord Jesus Christ is the source of light for our world and for our lives. The Lord touched the stones the brother of Jared presented to Him "to give light unto men, women, and children" (6:3) as they crossed the ocean. The Lord also provides light to guide us through the darkness of mortality and toward the brightness of the celestial kingdom - our promised land. Our way is lit by the light of apostles and prophets, the standard works, and inspired leaders and teachers. We too can be a light - we can light the way for others when we hearken to the Lord's counsel and keep ourselves worthy of His Spirit. Sister Ardeth G. Kapp, former Young Women General President counseled: "You have the light within. You can shine in darkness. You can light up the world. You can help dispel darkness. You can make a difference." I was privileged to travel with Sister Kapp when I went to England. She invited my friend and I to have dinner with her and her sisters. She went out of her way to be kind to us, virtual strangers. She seemed genuinely interested in us and asked us questions about our lives. I have never met a kinder or sweeter person. She truly radiates the light of Christ!
Book of Mormon #2
Helaman 13-14
Old Testament
Nahum 1-2
General Conference

Truth and the Plan

President Dallin H. Oaks

"In the course of mortal life, we would all be soiled by sin as we yielded to the evil temptations of the adversary, and we would eventually die. We accepted those challenges in reliance upon the plan's assurance that God our Father would provide a Savior, His Only Begotten Son, who would rescue us by a universal resurrection to an embodied life after death. The Savior would also provide an atonement to pay the price for all to be cleansed from sin on the conditions He prescribed. Those conditions included faith in Christ, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and other ordinances performed by priesthood authority."

Happy Birthday Paul!

I left the hospital at 8 a.m., went to Kim's showered, and washed my hair. Tiger loves Joe's room where I am staying and comes in to visit me and tries to get in my suitcase before I shoo him out. 

Kim and I left about the same time, around 10 a.m. I have an appointment at AARA for my infusion at 10:45. I wasn't in the waiting room too long when Frances came to get me. There was a different girl doing the infusions but it's always great to see Frances. They got me all hooked up and someone came to take me to a room for an appointment with Rana, Dr. Caldron's assistant. My appointment didn't take too long and I was back in the infusion room watching a show on the Discovery channel about repossessing small airplanes. I was done by noon and on my way.  I stopped for lunch at Culver's where I got a roast beef sandwich. I listened to "The Clockmaker's Daughter" on the way back to the airport.

James calls the respiratory therapist working with him a Nazi. She got very upset with him because he took his mask off without calling someone. She says he must be on oxygen at all times!  He can't do anything, including getting up to go to the bathroom, without calling someone. The only problem is that half the time when you call it takes forever for someone to answer and respond. 

James is now on an antibiotic to fight the pneumonia, plus he is on oxygen. 

I walked to Marshall's, Fry's, and Whataburger this evening after dark. I got the cutest mugs at Marshall's for Addy and Rowan. I also got one for me and one for James to use in the hospital.

 Addy gets Mama Bear because she's purple.

 Of course Rowan gets the dog.

 This one is for me to use at the hospital.

This one is for James because he is a silver fox.

I forgot how much I love Marshall's. I found the coolest pink and gray Paris blanket and couldn't resist buying it. 

I took James a Whataburger and he had to wait to eat it after getting back from a test. He didn't even finish eating it. He has really lost his appetite. His favorite thing to eat/drink is a Slimfast shake.

After eating the Whataburger the room smelled like onions and one of the nurses made a comment. 

I like the night nurse Haley. She reminds me of my friend Ashley Umphress. 

I spent the night at the hospital. James asked for drugs at 1 a.m. and then fell back asleep. At 2:30 he still hadn't got them. I complained and they were right on it.

 There is nothing more precious than a

sleeping baby.

This baby could be a model.

December 7, 2013

My Young Women:

LeeAnn, Trenda, Kilee, Maddie, Heaven, Jordyn,

Hope, Alice, Shelly.

Wednesday, September 26th, 2018

Columbia River, Washington

107th operating temple

Dedicated: 18 Nov 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Acts 2:23

Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
Book of Mormon
Helaman 10:1-19
*How did Nephi qualify for this great power? Can we have this same power? How are you an everyday missionary?
- The answer to the first question is found in verses 4 & 5. The last sentence in verse four says: "Thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments. The blessing is promised in verse five. Can we have this same power? If we are willing to put forth the effort to love and serve our fellowman as Nephi did and if it is the Lord's will, I would say yes. I think apostles and prophets and worthy missionaries who are doing the Lord's work full time can certainly have great power as they serve and bless the lives of others. How am I an everyday missionary? By trying to live the gospel and serving. When I serve I don't want it to feel like a burden or an interruption but like I am doing the Lord's will. When I serve I feel the Spirit. When I feel the Spirit it fills me with great power to love and care for others. As we live the gospel, people will notice. They will judge our religion based on our actions.
Old Testament
Isaiah 31-33
General Conference

Ministering as the Savior Does

Jean B. Bingham

"I gladly bear my personal witness that these revelatory changes are inspired of God and that, as we embrace them with willing hearts, we will become better prepared to meet His Son, Jesus Christ, as His coming. We will be closer to becoming a Zion people and will feel surpassing joy with those whom we have helped along the path of discipleship."

"

"The gospel ordinances are part of the specific means outlined by the Lord whereby one can overcome his natural state, receive a spiritual rebirth, and become like God." - OTSM, Vol.2, p 162.

James left for Howard's this morning with the request that I wait until he gets back so he can go to town with me.

I worked on my blog, changed the sheets on our bed, worked a little in my office, and did some ministering interviews today. 

Our first stop in town was at Aliberto's for lunch. We ordered the two taco plate and shared it. It was yummy. Afterwards I went shopping at Walmart while James made some phone calls. 

On the way home I read to James from "Loving Lieutenant Lancaster." This afternoon was spent walking, talking to Sister Butler on the phone, and watching a little of "Dancing with the Stars." I am starting to become disenchanted with this show.

At 7 p.m. I had a Relief Society presidency meeting at the church with Tamara, Maxine, and Kerri.

Tamara had us listen to a song called "Blessings" by a Christian composer, Laura Story. Laura won a grammy for this song. My favorite line: "What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise."

Ben flew to Idaho today and met his mission

president and his wife.

She did not like the bow!

Lola

 You can track anything with a dot journal.

Ollie, you are such a poser!