Sunday, May 6th, 2018

Sacramento, California

123rd operating temple

Dedicated: 3 Sept 2006

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, birth of

2 Nephi 17:14

Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign - Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and shall bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 24:1-15
*How has prayer helped ease your daily burdens?
- Prayer will strengthen us to carry our burdens. In vs. 15 "The Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease." When we pray for help we will receive strength, we then find hope in Christ. By submitting cheerfully the Lord will deliver us from our burdens.
Old Testament
1 Samuel 16-17
16 The Lord chooses David of Bethlehem as king - He is anointed by Samuel - Saul chooses David as his companion and armor bearer.
17 Israel and the Philistines engage in war - Goliath of Gath, a giant, defies Israel and challenges any Israelite to personal combat - David goes against him in the name of the Lord - David slays Goliath with a sling and a stone - Israel defeats the Philistines.
General Conference

The Prophet of God

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"In sustaining President Russell M. Nelson as the Lord's prophet and as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we were part of a divinely decreed solemn assembly - solemn because the events of this past hour have been anticipated in the heavens since before the world was. The Lord Jesus Christ, who directs His work, has today through President Eyring presented His prophet, His anointed leader, to us, His covenant people, allowing us publicly to manifest our willingness to sustain him and follow his counsel."

I got up at 4:30 this morning. Today is the day we weigh and report to Trina on how we did. I lost 2.2 lbs. James lost over 4. I am still happy though. Men always lose faster than women, especially in the beginning.

I prepared a few notes on ministering from the ministering.lds.org website to take with me to young women's when I talk to them today. I also really got in to the RS lesson on revelation. There are so many good things in President Nelson's conference talk. 

We had a really good fast and testimony meeting today. One of my favorite testimonies was Brother Allen's. He said that Sister Brewer came to him last week and asked him what his favorite hymn was. She said because he has been through so much these past few weeks she wanted to do something for him. He said it was "I Stand All Amazed." This was our sacrament hymn today. Brother Allen told why it is favorite hymn. He said when he was 7 or 8 years old he was acting up. His grandfather, who was the stake president, took him by the hand and sat him down next to him on the piano bench. His grandfather began playing and singing "I Stand All Amazed." Brother Allen says he still remembers this incident every time he hears this hymn. He thanks his grandfather for taking the time to teach him and give him an opportunity to feel the Spirit.

Linda Price, a summer, part time member of our ward told about her grandson's sealing in the Salt Lake temple. President Dallin H. Oaks was the sealer and she got to give him a hug.

James got up and after bearing his testimony he began talking about me and how our 50th wedding anniversary is coming up. It was very sweet of him.

Because of James's testimony Linda Price, before Relief Society started showed me some photos of their 50th wedding anniversary celebration two years ago. 

Our  friends the Prices'

Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary!

7 Kids, 40 Grandkids, and 12 Great-Grandkids

Grandchildren, oldest to youngest

7 grandchildren missed the party because of

Missions, college and pregnancy.

Several of the people James and I have stewardship over are having problems today. Pam's husband Ricky is having hernia surgery in the morning. Sister Peeler is in the ER having tests done to see what is causing her pain. It turned out to be not too serious, but still a concern. Anthony, James's friend, has a severe toothache. James checked and he does have antibiotics. Some of the Grapp kids have pink eye and Jean Howard has flu symptons. Our ministering skills will be put to work this week.

I attended the gospel doctrine class for the first time since I was called to teach Primary 3 years ago. Brother Scott was the teacher. He is very knowledgeable but I was disappointed we didn't read any of the scriptures in the lesson except one verse.

I went in to speak to the young women about their upcoming ministering responsibilities. The only ones I knew were LeeAnn and Alice. Of course I know Hailey and Holly and Talena and Bailey but not like I know the older girls. I think it went quite well. Sister Allen only wanted me to take 5-10 minutes so I didn't say nearly as much as I had prepared.

Tamara gave the discussion on personal revelation in Relief Society and from what I heard it was very good. President Nelson's talk from conference on revelation was one of my favorites.

I forgot to mention our future missionary, Jackson Allen, was ordained an elder today after the block. I heard his mom talking about it and half the Allen family attended our ward today. He already has his mission papers in.

This is Jackson. He is quite the mountain man too.

Here he says that you need to appreciate where you are from.

He loves the White Mountains. He is passing up wrestling

scholarships to serve a mission. He is quite the young man.

When James and I got home from church we broke our fast and had lunch. After lunch we shared a quart of Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream. It was delicious!

I took an hour and a half nap and James was down for about 3-4 hours. He needs the rest because he is going to have a brutal week out in the sun beginning tomorrow. 

It was a wonderful Sabbath day. We were in bed by 9:30 because of James's early schedule tomorrow.

Evan treats me like a baby 'cuz I'm the 

younger brother.

Paul wrote this yesterday 

on Facebook.

Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott.

Over 200 years old on the Tweed River.

If I ever go back to Europe it will be to

visit Scotland.

Baby Leo, who had open heart surgery when

he was just a few days old was blessed today

by his dad.

The Chunky Monkey Weightloss Challenge Stats:

If James loses any more weight he is

going to blow away. Boy he makes

me look like a chunky monkey.

I guess I shouldn't blame him, should I.

 Woohoo!

Thursday, May 11th, 2017

Meridian, Idaho

Open House: October 2017

Mosiah 27:18-37

* In my scriptures I have a post-it with Alma, Before and After written on it.  On the before side I have written the description of Alma before he saw the angel as recorded in Mosiah 27:8-10.  On the after side I have written how he was after he saw the angel as recorded in Mosiah 27:23-24, 28-29.  This helps me to remember the importance of repentance and how powerful it is.

* How have you been changed through the Atonement of Jesus Christ as you have repented and done your best to follow the Savior?

Gospel Principle: Each of us must be born again through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Mormon 4-5

4 War and carnage continue; The wicked punish the wicked; Greater wickedness prevails than ever before in all Israel; Women and children are sacrificed to idols; The Lamanites begin to sweep the Nephites before them. About A.D. 363-75.

5 Mormon again leads the Nephite armies in battles of blood and carnage; The Book of Mormon will come forth to convince all Israel that Jesus is the Christ; Because of their unbelief, the Lamanites will be scattered, and the Spirit will cease to strive with them; They will receive the gospel from the Gentiles in the latter days. About A.D. 375-84.

DC 72:1-26

Elders are to render an account of their stewardship unto the bishop; The bishop keeps the storehouse and cares for the poor and needy; bishops are to certify the worthiness of elders.

General Conference

Stand Up Inside and Be All In

Elder Gary B. Sabin

"Conference is a time of reflection, revelation and sometimes redirection. "If the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.  All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him.'-Ezekiel 18:21-22.

What a fabulous promise, but it requires two alls to receive the promise of the third.  Turn from all; keep all; then all is forgiven.  This requires being all in!"

James and I had prayer together before he left for work.  For breakfast I had a shake, a blueberry muffin, blueberries and chocolate.  I played several games of Solitaire before I actually accomplished anything this morning.  Games are such a time waster!

I finished my Sunday post before starting my gospel study.  Part of my gospel study was the Gordon B. Hinckley lesson called "The Precious Gift of Testimony."  This was a wonderful lesson.  My testimony of Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ and the Restoration of the Gospel, including the Book of Mormon are my most precious possession.  I loved the examples President Hinckley shared of the lives of individual members of the Church and how they gained their testimonies.

James came home for a lunch break a little after 11.  We went to Pei Wei for lunch and beat the crowd.  While we were eating the line went out the door.  We ordered lettuce wraps to share and James ordered Mongolian beef with rice and I had the spicy chicken salad.  It was a delicious lunch.

I did some blogging later this afternoon for Monday and Tuesday while eating my leftover alfredo noodles from Olive Garden. Why do all my posts contain something about food?
 James came home and said my worries were over.  I asked him what he meant and he said Susan J. is engaged.  I teased him about her being his girlfriend.  She is marrying someone who is a sealer in the Phoenix temple.  

We got ready and left for Lois's around 4:45 to give her the mothers day card that Anna made for her.  We got an added bonus because Dawn was home too.  Our visit was short because we wanted to stop to get Addy some flowers before attending her last choir concert of the year.  We stopped at the Fry's on McClintock and Baseline.  They had a big display of flowers and James picked out a nice bouquet.  I think Addy will like them.  In the meantime, the candy bar I got her melted in my purse.  If I would have noticed sooner I could have gotten her another one while in Fry's.  

Highland High School is on Power and Guadalupe.  We arrived a little early and saved a row for Trina, the kids, and Trina's parents.  
During the first number Ruby says to me: "They sang this song last time."  I said: "What?  Is this a rerun?"  Lola loves Trina's parents but she did sit on my lap for awhile.  The concert wasn't too long and after it was over James gave Addy her flowers.

Addy and her flowers with Trina in the background.

10 year old Max and Harry Potter.

My friend Jean at Lone Butte buffet.
A good place to eat.

The Vernon ward young women.

Summer and Tanner getting ready for
scripture study on the grounds of the 
San Antonio temple.

New hats for Paul and  Joshua.

I want my porch and yard to look like this.

Scout is all grown up.

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Today's sunrise.

I got up to study and then I took a nap.  James left quite early to go to our ward's P.E.C.  I sat on a row by myself until Wendy DeWitt and one of her daughters came in with 3 kids looking for a place to sit.  I moved over and shared my row with them.
Ann Miller was the first speaker in sacrament meeting.  She spoke about mothers and their place in the home.  James spoke on the priesthood in the Church and in the home.  Both talks were very good.  Bishop Hall told James he could listen to him speak all day.  What a nice thing to say.
Tina Allen gave the lesson in Young Women on how the Atonement can help us through our trials.  We watched a video on my tablet about a young girl who cannot eat solid foods and how it has affected her life.  She enjoys doing service for children in the hospital by making them sock monkeys.  It was very inspirational.
James and I came home and watched a Hallmark movie and then he took a nap while I made cookies for tonight's fireside at Brother Smith's home.  Westin Hall requested chocolate chip cookies and Jackson Allen requested oatmeal with walnuts and raisins.  Since Shelly is making chocolate chip I am making the oatmeal with raisins and walnuts.
I picked up Kilee and LeeAnn Hunsaker and Trenda Wilhelm.  The fireside was really good.  The three members of the bishopric all spoke.  The bishop assigned the topic of resisting temptation.  Each talk was so good and each took a different perspective.  I think the youth really felt the Spirit and learned alot.
Back at home I helped James set up our old bed from Chandler downstairs for Kim and Brian.  They are coming this week.  Afterwards we watched my new favorite show: "Once Upon a Time."  Sheri got here around 9pm.  James went to bed while Sheri and I watched the latest episode of "The Mentalist."
Jared and Tricia sent this picture from Cloud Croft, New Mexico where they are spending a few days.  This picture was taken from inside the cabin where they are staying.