Wednesday, July 10th, 2019

Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

71st operating temple

Dedicated: 26 Feb 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Family of

Acts 1:14

But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.

Book of Mormon

Alma 30:46-60

New Testament "What Wilt Thou Have Me To Do?"

Acts 7:37-60; 8:1-3

I read about the martyrdom of Stephen today and watched the video in the "Come Follow Me" lesson. I read this quote for the New Testament Student Manual: "Stephen's declaration that his accusers were like their forefathers and had rejected the Savior is what ultimately led to his martyrdom."

General Conference

Feasting Upon the Words of Christ

Takashi Wada

"Enos likewise shared his personal experience of the enlightenment that comes from contemplating the words of Christ. As Enos let the words that his father taught him regarding 'eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sink deep into his heart,' his soul 'hungered; and he kneeled down before his Maker ... in mighty prayer' (Enos 1:3-4). In that prayer he came to know the Savior and learned that we have great worth, are loved and can be forgiven of our mistakes, and are truly children of God."

James went to work at the Howard's this morning. He was gone a couple of hours and then he came back home. He needed to go to Springerville to get a couple of log spindles for the railing he is making and wanted to know if I wanted to go with him. I am beginning to get cabin fever and I said yes I wanted to go as long as I didn't have to see anyone face to face. He assured me all he was doing was going to pick up the spindles and then we could go to a drive thru for lunch. 

The drive to Springerville is pretty desolate but I do love Eagar and the drive up the 260 to the log place. The place is owned by the Nicoll family who are also from Ramah, New Mexico and James knows them. 

I tell him I'm just going to wait in the car and he says it shouldn't be too long. Well after 15 minutes I begin to wonder what's going on. It's about 85 degrees outside and my arm is in the sun and getting hot. I'ms afraid because I am on methotrexate that it's going to break out like it used too when I would work in the yard when we lived in Chandler.

I texted James and he texted back, "Just a few more minutes." Ten more minutes went by and I rolled up the windows and turned on the air conditioning. Five minutes later he threw the spindles in the back seat and said he was sorry. I said, "I thought the order was ready." He said, "So did I but evidently it wasn't and they had to make them on the spot." 

We drove back into Eagar and ate at the Aliberto's. I had two beef tacos and James had the carnitas. We drove to the McDonald's parking lot and ate our food. Afterwards James went and got me an ice cream. It was a nice outing even though I had to wait in the car so long.

Here are the Christmas movies for the day: "Sounds of Christmas," "Christmas Bells Are Ringing," and "Operation Christmas."

I forgot something that happened on Monday that I am going to tell about here. My friend Cammy, a sister I minister to and her family, love "When Calls the Heart." They have watched all of the past seasons but don't have "live" TV so they have not seen the latest season. I had told them I would have them over to watch this seasons episodes. I texted her Monday to explain that I was sick and would have to postpone for awhile. She texted back and ask if she and the kids could bring us some bread and some get well cards the kids had made. I told her that I really couldn't see anyone right now and she said, "Well, we will leave them out on the rocking chair on your front porch." 

A while later the door bell rang. James went to the door and sure enough, there on the rocking chair was a beautiful loaf of Cammy's homemade wheat bread and several get well cards the kids had made.

Cammy's wheat bread is the best James has ever tasted. Those are his words. When he texted her to thank her he ask if she would give him the recipe so we could make it. She said she would do better than that, she would show him how to make it whenever he was ready. My husband is going to learn how to make homemade bread! I'm so excited!

I don't know how I forgot to tell this story on Monday but we are most grateful for the Grapp family. Cammy offered to bring us dinner but I told her the bread was enough. She said they would be praying for us. I said that would be wonderful!

 You threw away the ice cream?

Go for the gusto!

 So happy for these girls!

Sleeping like a baby...bunny

 What is so incredible about a

dust storm?

 Trina's longhorn. She named him 

Ross Perot. I wonder if she knows Ross died.

 Daydreaming

Scarlett and friends

 This is the work that James has been doing

at the Howard's.

Sunday, May 27th, 2018

Phoenix, Arizona

144th operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Nov, 2014

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Birth of
DC 93:4
The Father because he gave me of his fulness, and the Son because I was in the world and made flesh my tabernacle and dwelt among the sons of men.
Book of Mormon
Alma 7:1-13
* What does Alma prophesy about the Savior?
-He shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers...he shall go forth suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
Old Testament
1 Kings 3-4
3 Solomon loves the Lord and keeps His commandments - The Lord appears to Solomon and promises him a wise and an understanding heart - He judges between two harlots and determines who is the mother of a child.
4 The officers in Solomon's court are listed - Solomon reigns in peace and prosperity over a large kingdom - His wisdom and understanding exceed that of all men.
General Conference

"Be With and Strengthen Them" 

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

" Brothers and sisters, as the work of quorums and auxiliaries matures institutionally, it follows that we should mature personally as well - individually rising above any mechanical, function-without-feeling routine to the heartfelt discipleship articulated by the Savior at the conclusion of His earthly ministry."

I was up before five this morning. The first thing I did was weigh myself. I lost 1.2 lbs. this week so I had chocolate cream pie for breakfast.

I spent the morning getting ready for my Relief Society lesson on ministering until it was time to get ready to go.

James loads, the small table I have my family display set up on and a box of photos, my old sewing machine, and two baskets into the car.

We have family prayer in the car. 
The church is packed because it is Memorial Day weekend. The Howard's saved us a place next to them. So nice. On the way in we say hi to the Montgomery's. Dave used to work for James and Tammy grew up in Chandler. We have known her family, the Cluff's, for years. 

The rumor was that the bishopric had asked certain people to bear their testimonies and then if there was any time left they would call people up out of the audience. We were a little nervous but I was confident I wouldn't be called up because I spoke in sacrament meeting last week.

It was nice to have three priests at the sacrament table, Jace, Talon, and Jackson. Talon and Jackson both have suits on and look like missionaries. Jackson has received his mission call to the Philippines and will be leaving in September.

The oldest brother Wilhelm was asked to bear his testimony on the Teaching in the Savior's Way program. He was supposed to take 5 minutes but it ended up taking 10 or more. This is good, less time to call people up out of the audience.

Talon was asked to bear his testimony and did a nice job. 

There was a men's chorus. They sang "Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy."

Bishop Miller's wife bore her testimony about the Pathway program and then Brother Peeler, who loves to speak, bore his testimony on temple and family history work. He took at least 15 minutes. 

When Brother Peeler finished there was some time left so Brother Greer, our high councilman was asked to bear his testimony. I love Brother Greer. He is a former mission president and is just a friendly, happy, cheerful person. His testimony was great. At the end he said that Heavenly Father wants  us to return to Him, that we are His chubby little babies. That made me smile.

Last, but certainly not least, Bishop Miller bore his testimony. In regards to the Savior he said; "I have never seen Him, but I know Him." I felt the Spirit when he said that.

The closing hymn was "Count Your Many Blessings." Afterwards I turned to Jean and told her she was one of my blessings. She gave me a hug.

During Sunday School I was setting up for my lesson. James brought all of my things in for me and then he went to the gospel doctrine class taught by Brother Smith. I really wanted to hear the gospel doctrine lesson and thought maybe I would go in late, but my setup took the entire time. 

First I set up my family history table. Then I was going to put up pictures from the gospel art packet of the Savior ministering but I couldn't get the pictures to stay on the wall. Tamara told me we were allowed to use blue painters tape on the walls, which I had but it does not work. Heather Bowen came in and was trying to help me.

I finally settled on six photos to put up near the chalkboard. By this time Sunday School was out and sisters were coming in to the room.

We had six visitors in Relief Society and one of them played the piano for us. They were great participants in the lesson. It was an easy lesson to teach because everyone has examples of ministering in their lives. Sister Scott even shared something that I never knew. She said they had a son that died and she had a poem about tears that she memorized that helps her. One of the visiting sisters also had a son who had passed away.

After church we went home, ate and took a nap and then began getting ready for our trip to the valley. We left for our timeshare, Sheraton Desert Oasis around 4 and arrived somewhere between 7:30 and 8 o'clock. James checked in with Chrissy and got our owners packet. We are in rooms 2047 and 2048 in Spring Court, building 6 around in the back. Next time I am asking for a downstairs room.

After lugging all of our stuff upstairs, James doing most of the lugging, including an ice chest, we were able to sit down and relax for awhile. 

Very proud of Summer for earning her Young Women's medallion.

Congratulations!

Christina's baby

I just thought this was funny.

Dallin right after graduation.

Kim at Chandler High

This dog is obsessed with Sheri!

Tuesday, April 24th, 2018

Campinas, Brazil

111th operating temple

Dedicated: 17 May 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ betrayal of

Mark 14:41

And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 15:10-31
*How has the gospel of Jesus Christ brought you joy?
Talk: The Great Plan of Happiness By: Marcus B. Nash 10/06
- The gospel of Jesus Christ has brought me joy, it has given me a sense of hope, and a desire to minister. Every hour of every day I am blessed by His gospel. Every time I look at one of my children ( I include their spouses as my children), or one of my grandchildren, every time I go to the temple with James, and he holds my hand I feel the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. These are the treasures I have in this life that let me know of my eternity. My eternal family brings me joy. I love His perfect gospel!
Old Testament
Ruth 2
Ruth gleans in the fields of Boaz, a near relative of Naomi - He treats Ruth kindly.
General Conference

Ministering

President Russell M. Nelson

"We will implement a newer, holier approach to caring for and ministering to others."

At 7:30, after my gospel study time, I made muffins to take to Sister MacArthur's house to share with her family and with Laurann, my companion.

After the muffins were done I made out a grocery list and menu plan, and then got ready to start out on my adventures for the day.

I met Laurann down by the Hunsaker's and drove her to Sister MacArthur's. Of course Laurann has her twin one year old boys and Chelsea has her 2 year old daughter Peyton and her nephew Cooper who belongs to the Umphresses. After handing out the muffins to Peyton and Cooper I asked Chelsea if I could take a picture of the mule deer mounted on her wall. I tried to tell James about it last time but I needed a picture.

Shot on Chelsea's parents ranch in Idaho.

I guess I should have taken a photo of the people, but I didn't.

We had a nice visit. Chelsea said she wanted to come and see our house and I told her just give me a warning text so I could make sure I was dressed and she could come any time. Laurann said she would like to come out and go for a walk sometime. Maybe we could walk down to "Chocolate Lake."

Just as I am getting ready to go Laurann asks me if I know Jeanne Wallen. At first she caught me off guard and then I explained how I knew her. She said her mom is best friends with Jeanne and Jeanne told her that I lived in Vernon and that I was very sweet. I told Laurann I could say the same thing about Jeanne.

I left a little after ten for my lunch appointment with my friend Pam at the Show Low hospital. Pam invited her friend and co-worker, Jennifer to join us for lunch. When I got to the checkout in the lunch line Pam swiped her badge before I had a chance to get my card out. That makes the fifth lunch in the past two weeks that I have not paid for. 

Jennifer's husband Ed had a bad accident not too long ago and has been without work. Pam got Jennifer hired at the hospital and now Ed has to have surgery and Jennifer will have insurance to cover it. Jennifer also has a 15 year old daughter that has a brain tumor. She needs good insurance! Pam is a saint. She also brought Jennifer to church on Sunday and Jennifer is very interested in the gospel.

I so much enjoyed my lunch with these two sweethearts, plus I got all three of my veggie servings!

Next stop, grocery shopping at Walmart, with my calculator because I am trying to stay within my budget of $200. I had to eliminate some of the things from my list, but my total was under $200 at $197.

When I got home James was putting shutters on the house. He had made them and painted them while I was gone. I'm glad I wasn't here to see him put them on the upstairs bathroom window. A picture is forthcoming when he finishes the ones for our bedroom.

I put the groceries away, rest a few minutes, and then blog and listen to President Nelson's talk from the October 1996 conference, "The Atonement." 

For dinner I bought a ready made kit made by Walmart. It had pulled pork, country style beans, and mashed sweet potatoes. It was delicious. I especially loved the beans. 

I finished the April Ensign today, read to James from "Stars Above Northumberland", and listened to Robert Millett's book, "The Atoning One," chapters 6 "On Calvary's Cross," and 7 "Infinite, Yet Intimate." I also walked a few steps.

Part of my gospel study today.

Eden and Winter

Here is the story as posted by their mom, Christina:

Evan and his "little brother," Oliver.

It's so nice that Oliver likes this.

What's he thinking here?

My friend Taylor looks beautiful

in her new glasses.

Those were the days!

Duddings were members of our ward.

It's changing hearts that makes a difference.