Tuesday, April 14th 2020

Washington D.C.

16th operating temple

Dedicated: 19-22 Nov 1974

By: Spencer W. Kimball

Jesus Christ, Judge

2 Nephi 2:10

And because of the intercession for all, all men come unto God; wherefore, they stand in the presence of him, to be judged of him according to the truth and holiness which is in him. Wherefore, the ends of the law which the Holy One hath given, unto the inflicting of the punishment which is affixed, which punishment that is affixed is in opposition to that of the happiness which is affixed, to answer the ends of the atonement-

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Mosiah 1:10-18; Book of Mormon Study Guide

April General Conference

"Hosanna and Hallelujah - The Living Jesus Christ: The Heart of Restoration and Easter"

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

"At this season of hosanna and hallelujah, sing hallelujah - for He shall reign forever and ever!"

"The Service That Counts"

Thomas S. Monson

October 1989

"The Healing Power of Forgiveness"

James E. Faust

April 2007

 Blogging early in the morning is the best way to get it done for me. At 8 o'clock this morning I tuned in to the book webinar hosted by Kathy and Kris. I don't pay much attention to the webinar on Thursdays but I always listen on Tuesdays because that is Kathy and Kris day. I always learn something from them. 

Kathy said they are beginning to let books be sent in. Not all of them but some and that we should make a shipment and see which ones they will let be sent in. I did. I can send in 41 books. I still have 19 I can't send in. Out of the 60 books I ordered in March, that's where I stand. I don't know what to do with the books I can't send in. I will either list them merchant fulfilled and keep them, or I will try again next week to send them in. 

I paid James's plumber using Zelle today. They would only let me send $5,000. I had to write a check and send it for the other $200.

James worked at the Howard's and I worked on my book shipment most of the afternoon. He said he talked to Tom today and that Jean might have to have exploratory surgery so they might not come back until Monday instead of on Friday as they planned. I asked what the surgery was for but James didn't know. He didn't get the details.

Because of going to the BYU channel on TV to watch conference I have picked up a couple of shows from BYU's lineup. Both of them are British, or at least they are supposed to be in England. One is Hetty Feather. It is only on once a week but I have it taped. The other is "Lark Rise to Candleford." It is on once a day and I am enjoying watching it. So is James. I love the characters and the old world charm of rural England.

James has misplaced his hearing aid. He thinks he may have lost it while riding the Cat last week, or even while riding Luna. I'm hoping it will show up. 

I worked on my Book of Mormon study guide that I got from The Redheaded Hostess this evening.

Scarlett enjoying social distancing

 April 2012

 Can't wait!

Looks celestial to me

 Shipments ready

 One more shipment of 12 books and the

other 19 will be left behind.

Tuesday, November 5th, 2019

Nuku'alofa, Tonga

23rd operating temple

Dedicated: 9-11 Aug 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Head of Church

DC 18:5

Wherefore, if you shall build up my church, upon the foundation of my gospel and my rock, the gates of hell shall not prevail against you.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 20:20-46

What does "be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord" mean?

New Testament

Hebrews 2; Who wrote the epistle to the Hebrews?; Hebrews 1-5 Jesus Christ is the "express image" of Heavenly Father.

Oct 2019 General Conference

"Unwavering Commitment to Jesus Christ"

Elder Dale G. Renlund

"Individuals who enter the Kinshasa Temple see an original painting entitled Congo Falls. It uniquely reminds temple-goers of the unwavering commitment required to anchor themselves to Jesus Christ and to follow the covenant path of our Heavenly Father's plan. The waterfalls depicted in the painting call to mind a practice that was common more than a century ago among early converts to Christianity in Congo. Before their conversion, they worshipped inanimate objects, believing that the items possessed supernatural powers. After conversion, many made a pilgrimage to one of the countless waterfalls along the Congo River, such as the Nzongo Falls. These converts threw their previously idolized objects into the waterfalls as a symbol to God and others that they had discarded their old traditions and accepted Jesus Christ."

"RWC": "The Holy Spirit is the key to happiness, and to lack the Holy Spirit is the source of misery."

I was ready for the book webinar this morning at 8. When it didn't start I thought maybe it was cancelled until I realized the rest of the country is on daylight savings time and it would be broadcast an hour later. My two favorites, Kathy and Kris present on Tuesday's so I always like to listen. They both said that on merchant fulfilled books they have the customer pay for the shipping. I am going to try to change the settings on my account so the customer will pay for the shipping. I bought six books today.

I helped James load the skidsteer tire into the back of the car so he could take it into town to get it fixed. He took the thank you card I wrote to Dr. Douglas for discounting my crown last week, and he brought back some hot and sour soup and three books that I had ordered.

We signed what are hopefully the final papers on our re-finance and then went outside to work. We are supposed to close on Nov. 14th.

I blogged for last Friday and Saturday, walked, and finished watching this week's episode of "Dancing with the Stars." It is so painful to watch Sean Spicer dance. He has so many people voting for him that he is never in the bottom two so the judges can't get rid of him. I can't bear the thought that he might go to the finals.

Sheri is so worried about Max. He is very unhappy right now. He hates going to school and says he wants to live at the cabin. I told her that was fine if it's what he really wants. She said she would talk to him. I never heard back from her. We are all praying for him right now. That he will be happy and feel like he is loved.

I looked for names for baptisms on the Family Search account but didn't find any. We may have to use someone else's family names when we got to the Gilbert temple on the 14th with Joshua and Evan.

 Chandler friends

 She looks good as a blonde!

 Scarlett is not sure if she likes it

Tuesday, October 22nd, 2019

Bern, Switzerland

9th operating temple

Dedicated: 11-15 Sept 1955

By: David O. McKay

Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd
Alma 5:38
Behold, I say unto you, that the good shepherd doth call you; yea and in his own name he doth call you, which is the name of Christ; and if ye will not hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd, to the name by which ye are called, behold, ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd.
Book of Mormon
3 Nephi 11:1-17
How can we keep our ears and hearts open to the whisperings of the Spirit?
New Testament: Thessalonians 1-2: "Be Not Soon Shaken in Mind or Be Troubled"
1 Thessalonians 3-4 & 1 Thess. 3:9-4:12 "As I follow Jesus Christ, I can become holy"

General Conference

"Finding Joy in Sharing the Gospel"

Christina B. Franco

"We have a loving Father in Heaven, who is waiting for us to turn to Him to bless our lives and the lives of those around us."

CFM: "It is in quiet moments of contemplation and communion with the Almighty that we come to know and love Him as our Father."

I listened to the Book Webinar this morning. Kathy and Kris were the presenters. I decided I was going to set a goal to buy 10-15 books a week. So far I have 7.

I sold two books today.

This morning I baked a loaf of pumpkin bread for Jean Howard. I was going to go visit her this afternoon around 2 but she called and said she had a doctor's appointment around noon. She said she would call me when she got home. When she had not called by 3:15 I left to do my errands. I wasn't sure if the UPS store closed at 4 or 5. 

After dropping off my box of books at UPS I went shopping at Walmart. James called the doctor and he said James could go on the soft diet. He wants me to get him some soup and make him some mashed potatoes. I also got some more bananas so I can make banana bread and put it in the freezer for him.

It was around 6:15 or so when I got home from town. I put the groceries away and had a sandwich to eat. I called Jean and asked if James and I could come over for a visit. She said we could. 

It was very quiet at Jean and Tom's. Jean and I sat in the room with the fireplace and Tom and James sat in Tom's office to talk. I asked Jean how her doctor's appointment went and she said very well. She said other than being filled with metal from all of her accidents, the doctor said she was in great shape for her age. Jean is 79 years old. Tom is the same age as we are. Jean does look good for being 79. 

I asked Jean if Dustin was going to the valley with them in the morning and she said she didn't think so. She said he had a bad day. He said he wanted to be alone and spent the entire day in his room.

I asked if they were ready to put their house up for sale. She said no, she doesn't want to sell it. She doesn't understand why Tom wants to sell. Jean designed and helped build the house so she is invest emotionally. 

We didn't stay long because we knew they were getting up early to go to the valley. I gave Jean the "Come Follow Me" manual and hopefully next week we can arrange to meet together and discuss the next lesson.

 This is so good!

I should never buy it.

 Mine too!

I love this so much!!

 Since the Aunt Dimity books take place in 

England Lori and her friends are always having

"tea." James and I have gotten into the habit of

having herbal tea since we began reading the books.

 I saw Brother Finnell at the store today. He said

His wife Lynda, my ministering sister companion was

in Dalla visiting their daughter and they were right

in the middle of the tornadoes. One touched down just

four miles from where they were staying.

Tuesday, August 6th, 2019

Birmingham, Alabama

98th operating temple

Dedicated: 3 Sept 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Foreordained

1 Peter 1:20

Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 

Book of Mormon

Alma 46:11-28

New Testament "The Power of God unto Salvation"

Romans 2

General Conference

A Home Where the Spirit of the Lord Dwells

President Henry B. Eyring

"In addition to your example of growing in faith, your praying as a family can play a crucial part in making home a sacred place. One person is usually chosen as voice to pray for the family. When the prayer is clearly to God in behalf of the people kneeling and listening, faith grows in all of them. They can feel expressions of love for Heavenly Father and for the Savior. And when the person who prays mentions those who are kneeling in that circle who are in need, all can feel love for them and for each member of the family."

This morning my Meridian Magazine had an article entitled: "When Pancho Villa Appeared Asking for Temple Work."

Just like the article yesterday about the Madison's, I read this one to James. We really enjoyed it. I would encourage all of my children to read it to our grandchildren. I already asked Sheri to read it to Max and Evan. 

I listened to the book arbitrage webinar this morning. Luke and John were the featured speakers. They are the owners of the company. They talked about textbook season and prizes for those who sell the most books both in the newbie category and the veteran category. I don't consider myself belonging to either of these groups. I am more of an intermediate. I have not intention of buying truckloads of books to up my inventory. Most of the big sellers probably have around 10,000 books and they are in the six and seven figure club. I will be happy if I can make a couple of thousand dollars a month doing the business. I actually love it but I would love it even more if I could make some money!

James took birthday cards to the post office today for Molly, Rowan and Joshua. Molly will be ten on the 8th and Rowan and Joshua will both be 13. I can't believe they are teenagers! They all had new addresses this year.

Today after lunch during our rest time we watched an episode of Jane Doe starring Lea Thompson. This is from a few years ago so some of the things are outdated like the cell phones. Jane Doe is an undercover agent for the Central Security Agency. She is an expert puzzle solver and always solves the case. 

I got to Facetime with Jared, Kacey, and Charlie today. Charlie likes to blow kisses and she did patty cake with me. I loved it and I am so grateful that Jared asks me to do this from time to time. She is growing up so fast!

I spent the evening putting books into my Amazon inventory to get them ready to ship tomorrow. I have about 13 books to send in.

James spent the evening helping Greg Anderson and Michele Tesarek on Family Search.

We got some bad new regarding Randy this evening via Facebook.

 Throwback to dance recitals in June

 This is her "stink eye" face

Ben's Letter