Saturday, July 20th, 2019

Reno, Nevada

81st operating temple

Dedicated: 23 April 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Firstborn

DC 77:11
Q. What are we to understand by sealing the one hundred and forty four thousand, out of all the tribes of Israel - twelve thousand out of
every tribe?
A. We are to understand that those who are sealed are high priests, ordained unto the holy order of God, to administer the everlasting gospel; for they are they who are ordained out of every nation, kindred tongue, and people, by the angels to whom is given power over the nations of the earth, to bring as many as will come to the church of the Firstborn.
Book of Mormon
Alma 36:1-24
New Testament "The Word of God Grew and Multiplied" Review
Acts 10-16

General Conference

"Christ: The Light That Shines in Darkness"

Sharon Eubank

" 'Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.' The Lord says emphatically: he or she 'who has repented of ... sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.' In essence: Come, let us reason together You made mistakes; all come short Come unto me and repent. I will remember the sin no more. You can be whole again. I have a work for you to do. Christ makes wool white."

James went to the Howard's this morning to do a little job even though they are out of town. I worked on my blog. 

When Darrel got up he told me that the carpet downstairs was wet. They were going to sleep down there but didn't because of the water and the smell it generated. The water is over by the window so I told Darrel I thought it was from water in the planter. There was a leak in a valve before and it looks like there is another leak.

Trina played the game of "Life" with Ruby and Lola while I made pink "baby" cakes for Lola. 

We all got ready to go to Big Lake before noon. We made sandwiches to take with us. When Rowan was up here with his stake young men he went fishing at Big Lake and he wanted to go back. James got fishing poles for himself, Ruby, and Rowan. We took both cars and headed for Springerville.

In Springerville we stopped at Western Drug. Trina and the kids were going to stay in the car while Darrel and James went in to get fishing licenses and lures. I went over to their car and told them that this store was quite unique and they might like to come and take a look.

Although we were only there for a short time we had a great time. This store never disappoints me!

Back on the road again we headed for Big Lake and before too long, we were there and found our fishing spot, and for me my "chair spot."

 Trina said she thought Big Lake would be bigger.

I remembered it being bigger too. 

Maybe I'm bigger so it seems smaller.

 A gorgeous overcast day.

Ruby is so sweet to Lola!

Trina and I decided we were going to take a walk around the lake. We got a good start but soon we were in high marshy grass and so we decided to forget about the lake and head for the parking lot.

Luckily James and Darrel were right behind us to pick us up.

Next stop was Sheep's Crossing. Those who wanted to fish, Darrel, James, Rowan, and Ruby stayed. The rest of us took Trina's car and headed back for the cabin.

We stopped at Safeway in Springerville to pick up some items. Trina and Addy went shopping while I stayed in the car with Lola who had fallen asleep in her carseat.

Back at the cabin the kids and I finished watching our Christmas movie while Darrel and Trina fixed dinner. James went for his nightly walk.

Darrel and Trina fixed fajitas which were delicious! For dessert we had our "tea party" tea cakes and ice cream. 

I don't know if this is going to work but this

is Lola's dance video at the end of the tea party.

James built a huge bonfire. We were going to do smores but everyone was too full.

It was another one of those great days!

Moon!

 Little Lola

 Popsicle time!

 Stormy summer sky

Doing the dishes

Ruby enjoying the bonfire!

Wednesday, November 8th, 2017

Montevideo, Uruguay

103rd operating temple

Dedicated: 18 Mar 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Ascension of

1 Timothy 3:16

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 23:1-14

What value is there in searching the scriptures and the prophets?

Today I quote from 3 prophets because I couldn't choose one. The Prophet Joseph Smith: "Search the scriptures - search the revelations and ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, to manifest the truth unto you, and if you do it with an eye single to His glory, nothing doubting, He will answer you by the power of His Holy Spirit. You will then know for yourselves. You will not then be dependent on man for the knowledge of God; nor will there be any room for speculation. When men/women receive their instruction from Him that made them, they know how He will save them."

President Gordon B. Hinckley: "I am grateful for the emphasis on reading the scriptures. I hope that for you this will become something far more enjoyable than a duty; that rather, it will become a love affair with the word of God. I promise you that as you read, your minds will be enlightened and your spirits will be lifted. At first it may seem tedious, but that will change into a wondrous experience with thoughts and words of things divine."

President Henry B. Eyring: "The Holy Ghost will guide what we say if we study and ponder the scriptures every day. The words of the scriptures invite the Holy Spirit. With daily study of the scriptures we can count on this blessing. We treasure the word of God not only by studying them. We may be nourished more by pondering a few words, allowing the Holy Ghost to make them treasures to us, than by passing quickly and superficially over whole chapters of scripture."

Karen Lambson: "I love reading the scriptures!"

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 4:2

Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.

General Conference

Be Ye Therefore Perfect - Eventually

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"'Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in Him...,' Moroni pleads. 'Love God with all your might, mind, and strength, then...by His grace ye may be perfect in Christ.' Our only hope for true perfection is in receiving it as a gift from heaven - we cant earn it. Thus, the grace of Christ offers us not only salvation from sorrow and sin and death but also salvation from our own persistent self-criticism."

"Fear not, be of good cheer, your future is as bright as your faith"

-President Thomas S. Monson

It was overcast today but for the next 15 days there is zero moisture in sight.

As I was walking around the house this morning I looked out the window and saw a coyote standing out beyond our fenced yard. He just stood there looking around. I watched him for awhile and then I looked over at the storage building and there was a little cottontail jumping around. I immediately went outside and started yelling and waving my arms to scare the coyote away. He looked at me like I was really weird and then he trotted away. The bunny was saved by the granny.

James went to town today to pick up pavers. I thought for sure he would bring me a taco but I guess maneuvering a trailer around a small parking lot is just too hard. He said we could go to lunch in Springerville and get tacos, so I got ready. On the way we started a new book, "Once an Heiress" which is on my kindle app on my phone. 

We went to Booga Reds and I ordered a green chili Navajo taco. It was okay but I should have ordered a regular taco. While James was waiting to pay the bill, I started walking to Western Drug. He picked me up and we went inside together. This place has a crazy assortment of merchandise, hunting and camping gear, material, dry goods, etc.  I even found a camo tablecloth. We also stopped at Safeway to pick up some strawberries and stuff for salad.

As we approached the graveyard on the Vernon Road, a 4x4 deer was standing in the road. Just as I was about to take a picture he ran off and jumped the fence. 

James is a one man show outside with moving the pavers for the patio. He accomplishes great things. 

As I worked on my blog and did some other chores I watched several Christmas movies: "Love You Like Christmas", "The Mistletoe Promise," "All I Want for Christmas," "Farewell Mr. Kringle," "Second Chance Christmas."

I read from the introduction of "Rescuing Wayward Children" and also got my 10,000 steps or more for the day.

Low hanging clouds hide the top of

Mt. Montoso

It's like the Springerville Superstore

James likes this sign better, maybe because

of the elk.

LaDonna Chapman from our 

early days in Chandler. Her daughter

married one of James's best friends from

high school and they work in the Snowflake temple.

I love this little pig!

Temple Open House

Love these old photos

"Lollipop"

Formerly known as Squaw Peak

Love these clouds!

James laying out the fire pit.

I saw this trailer on my walk through

Springerville today.