Tuesday, January 14th, 2020

Veracruz, Mexico

93rd operating temple

Dedicated: 9 July 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Jehovah

DC 109:68

O Lord, remember thy servant, Joseph Smith, Jun., and all his afflictions and persecutions - how he has covenanted with Jehovah, and vowed to thee, O Mighty God of Jacob - and the commandments which thou hast given unto him, and that he hath sincerely striven to do thy will.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 8:21-38

Oct 2019 General Conference

"Thru Cloud and Sunshine, Lord, Abide with Me"

Reyna I. Aburto

"When we open up about our emotional challenges, admitting we are not perfect, we give others permission to share their struggles. Together we realize there is hope and we do not have to suffer alone."

Up at 4:30. Studied Inklings. In DC 107:18-20 it says:

The power and authority of the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the Church - 

To have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to have the heavens opened unto them, to commune with the general assembly and church of the Firstborn, and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father and Jesus the mediator of the new covenant.

The power and authority of the lesser, or Aaronic Priesthood, is to hold the keys of the ministering of angles, and to administer in outward ordinances, the letter of the gospel, the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, agreeable to the covenants and commandments.

After reading verse 20 where it talks about the Aaronic priesthood having the ministering of angels one of the sisters in our group called her dad to asked what it meant to have the keys of the ministering of angels. This is what he said:

"When Deacons, Teachers, and Priests prepare, bless, and pass the sacrament they become literal ministering angels to us. They are acting in the place of Christ to administer this ordinance on His behalf."

This sister went on to say: "It made me think of the few times I drove the young men to administer the sacrament in the homes of ward members and how those elderly/sick people must have seen them as ministering angels, bringing the sacred sacrament to them."

"The Fall has two directions, downward yet forward." - Orson F. Whitney.

For breakfast I again had scrambled eggs, turkey bacon, toast with butter and jam. Yummy. For the first time in my life I actually like eggs!

James ate breakfast with me then we had prayer, and he kissed me goodbye as he left for the Chacon job in the valley. He left a little bit late and the road closed at 9 am by the Superior bridge. He had to go around through Winkelman. He is staying at Kim and Brian's because it is closer to his job. 

I listened to some podcasts this morning. I also got a text from Anna thanking me for her birthday card. I sent her a card and $20.00. I was happy to hear from her.

My friend Jean Howard and I had lunch at Native in Show Low. It is one of Jean's favorite restaurants on the mountain. I had the pork tacos and a salad. Jean ordered the chicken, walnut, apple salad. My tacos were tiny so I'm glad I got a salad. We had a nice visit. Mystery was our waitress again. 

Today was a beautiful day. It was sunny and 52 degrees, with just a little wind.

I came home had some yogurt and nuts took a nap, got up and had some herbal tea and blogged January 2nd. My computer keeps freezing up. 

This evening I had a stake family history meeting and then a temple recommend interview with President Smithson afterwards. President Smithson is a doctor and when he found out that I had lived in Chandler for 40 years he asked me if I knew Tom Paxman. Tom grew up in the Chandler 2nd ward when we were in the ward. He said Tom had been his partner and just retired. Again, It's a small world.

Fomo is "Fear of Missing Out"

Monday, December 30th, 2019

Fresno, California

78th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Apr 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Jehovah

Isaiah 44:6

Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

Book of Mormon

Moroni 9:20-10:7

"Come Follow Me"

Title Page of the Book of Mormon

Oct General Conference

"Fruit"

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"In our world today, the adversary's construction crews are working overtime, hastily inflating the large and spacious building. The expansion has spread across the river, hoping to envelop our homes, while the pointers and the scoffers wail day and night on their internet megaphones. President Nelson explained, 'The adversary is quadrupling his efforts to disrupt testimonies and impede the work of the Lord.' Let us remember Lehi's words: 'We heeded them not.'"

Sheri ran in 15 degree weather this morning. She is a real trooper. James and I went to help take down Christmas decorations at the church along with Chuck and Kathy Crane. Soon others came to help, Stefani, Alicia, and Holly Hunsaker, and Michelle Tesarek and a friend. We were through within the hour. James helped Chuck carry the boxes out to the shed where they are stored until next Christmas.

When we returned to the house I helped Sheri fix breakfast. We have eggs, bacon, and biscuits. 

After breakfast Sheri and I went into town. We stopped at Maverick for gas and Sheri also got a drink. It was difficult, but I told her no, I didn't want one. I did buy a Mug rootbeer later at Walmart. 

While at Walmart I wanted to buy a Red Baron pepperoni pizza for the boys but they were all out. Instead I got Tombstone pizza. When we got home I told Max and he said, "If it's Tombstone I don't want any." Oh well, I tried.

Sheri and I watched "Mistletoe and Menorahs." She liked it almost as much as I did. Ziggie is a big distraction for Sheri. She is constantly worried that she is going to have an "accident." I think she has had a couple but we won't tell James.

After my nap I worked on running off  the Redheaded Hostess Book of Mormon lesson for this week. I am so glad I subscribed because she offers so much material for all ages. I also have the study book which is pretty amazing.

Michael and Alexis went for a run. I think they are struggling because of the high altitude.

Michael made a peach/blueberry cobbler this evening. Sheri and I ate ours while watching, "Christmas in Angel Falls."

I got my 10,000 steps but I am getting further behind on my blog. 

We wanted to take the boys to the pit this afternoon to go sledding but no one wanted to go except Rowan and he didn't want to go by himself. He has not been sledding since he got here.

Everyone stayed home and played video games, Trivial Pursuit, Settlers of Catan, and light sabers.

Sheri made chicken tacos for dinner. They were delicious. 

Joshua, Michael, Alexis, Alex, and Shayna went to Licano's for lunch and brought food back for Ian. James, Sheri, and I ate the tacos. I think Max and Evan had ham sandwiches.

About seven years ago

 Settlers

 Trivial Pursuit

 Five Crowns

Sheri's post

 Ziggie and Shayna

 I wonder if Evan is wounded

Monday, October 7th, 2019

Concepcion, Chile

160th operating temple

Dedicated: 28 Oct 2018

By: Russell M. Nelson

Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd

Psalm 80:1

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 1:1-14

New Testament: Ephesians Review: "For the Perfecting of the Saints"

General Conference

Trust in the Lord

President Dallin H. Oaks

"Our only sure reliance is to trust in the Lord and His love for His children."

Sheri made pumpkin muffins and turkey bacon for breakfast. She also cooked eggs for anyone who wanted them. She put pecans in some of the muffins for dad and I. Thanks Sheri!

I sold a couple of books today. My total sales for the year: $9,755.10.

Sheri, Max, Evan, Joshua and I went into town this morning. The purpose of the trip was to get a fishing license for Max at Walmart per Alex's request. Alex is coming up tonight and wants Max to go fishing with him in the morning.

I found a new recipe for chicken tacos and wanted to make them this evening so I bought the ingredients for tacos. On the way home we stopped at KFC to take home chicken for everyone. I told James he didn't need to eat KFC because I was going to make him some chicken tacos. He still had to have one piece.

Sheri and I watched two Hallmark movies, a Ruby Herring mystery and one that was filmed in Ireland. Ian was saying that all Hallmark movies were basically the same. I said, well, aren't all football games basically the same? While he and Max watched Monday Night Football in the family room Sheri and I went in the bedroom and watched tonight's episode of "Dancing with the Stars." Lamar Odom finally went home.

Sheri fixed hotdogs and hamburgers for dinner and I made chicken tacos. James had four tacos and a hotdog. How does he do it and stay so thin. It's not fair.

 You just can't keep a good man down.

 The logs look so much better!

Twinkie Minions from 5 years ago.

 Yes, Lola is a winner!

 One of my favorites on "DWTS"

Friday, September 13th, 2019

Quetzeltenango, Guatemala

136th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Dec. 2011

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Glory of
Alma 5:50
Yea, thus saith the Spirit: Repent, and ye ends of the earth, for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand; yea, the Son of God cometh in his glory, in his might, majesty, power, and dominion. Yea, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, that the Spirit said: Behold the glory of the King of all the earth; and also the King of heaven shall very soon shine forth among all the children of men.
Book of Mormon
Helaman 3:19-37
New Testament "Be Ye Reconciled to God" 2 Corinthians 1-7
2 Corinthians 6

General Conference

Your Priesthood Playbook

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

"I pray that you will make the commitment to live worthy of the holy priesthood that you bear and strive to execute your sacred role every day. I bless you with the ability and desire to do so. I add my testimony of the power of the priesthood that you hold, of living prophets, and of Jesus Christ and His role as our Savior and Redeemer. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

James served me breakfast as I was doing my morning gospel study. Oatmeal with walnuts and a side of bananas and strawberries. Quite delicious.

James went out this morning to try and put the motor in for his broken drivers window. This is his third attempt and third component and this one did not work either. He is getting pretty frustrated! He went into town to return the part and bought me a box of cherry Dilly bars so the day wasn't a complete waste.

Still selling books, six today. WooHoo!

I made rolls, washed my temple clothes and asked James if he had anything clothes for me to wash, and gave myself a manicure all in preparation for going to the temple tomorrow. 

I wished Tamara a happy birthday. I told her I would never forget her birthday because it is the same day as my mom's. She said she got a new temple dress and is so excited to wear it today in the temple. She and her husband try to go every Friday afternoon.

I walked and listened to conference talks this morning and in the afternoon and evening while I was walking I watched "Chopped."

Happy 89th Birthday Mom!

What a great mom I have!

This is Gracie. She is in James's Primary class. She is
a rodeo girl. She won first place in the barrel racing.

 Look at this cutie super model!

 Is this for real?

Yea! They caught the bad guy and girl!

President Nelson with his many birthday cards.

24 and I only have 17.

Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019

San Diego, California

45th operating temple

Dedicated 25 April 1993

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Death of

Moroni 9:25

My son, be faithful in Christ; and may not the things which I have written grieve thee, to weigh thee down unto death; but may Christ lift thee up, and may his sufferings and death, and the showing his body unto our fathers, and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 1:16-2:15

New Testament

To truly learn from the Savior, I must accept His invitation, "Come follow me." Matt. 6:14-15; 18:21-35; Luke 23:33-34

General Conference

Deep and Lasting Conversion to Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

Elder Quentin L. Cook

"World conditions increasingly require deepening individual conversion to and strengthening faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and His Atonement. The Lord has prepared us, line upon line, for the perilous times that we now face. In recent years, the Lord has guided us to address related core concerns, including:
* Honoring the Sabbath day and the sacred ordinance of the sacrament has again been emphasized for the last three years.
* Under the bishop's direction, strengthened elders quorums and Relief Societies are focused on the purpose and divinely appointed responsibilities of the Church and helping members make and keep sacred covenants.
* Ministering in a higher and holier way is being joyfully adopted. 
*Beginning with the end in mind, temple covenants and family history service are becoming a purposeful part of the covenant path."

When I came in to the family room this morning Kim, Brian, and Sheri were watching a Christmas movie. They ended up watching two movies this morning. Ian was making breakfast. Michael cleaned the fireplace using my $2,000 vacuum. It's okay though because it is old. 

After breakfast Ian took the boys sledding. Max came in afterwards and said he lost his pants while he was on the sled. Oh dear. 

Sheri and Kim went out to build a snowman but the snow would not stick together because it was so dry so they went for a walk instead. They were gone for quite awhile and walked over two miles. Sheri looked it up on Google and a 40 year old woman burns 2,000 calories a day. I wonder how many calories a 70 year old woman burns in a day.

 Meet Mrs. Smiley Snow

It's snowing again. The boys come in and drop their snow-covered clothes in the laundry room. I have them trained well. 

Brian is smoking our ribs for us. I prepared a rub and James put the rub on and put the ribs in the smoker. It says leave them for 3 1/2 hours but since our smoker is run by propane you have to check it periodically to make sure it maintains the right temperature. This is what Brian did until they were done around 4 p.m. The boys devoured the first rack in about five minutes and the rest of us shared the second rack. The beef ribs were mostly fat and bone. Delicious, although they were just a snack. Brian and Sheri both made burgers for dinner and Sheri also made hotdogs. I did not have dinner.

Brian says the best kind of smoker is a Traeger so I looked them up. They run anywhere from $599 to thousands of dollars if you get them with a grill. I guess I will need to start saving my money.

You watched movies and played games inside and outside there was the snow.

 Joshua wears this mask to keep

his face warm. I think it is Brian's.

While Sheri and Kim were on their walk they

texted it to me and ask me to show it to James.

They wanted to know if it was a mountain 

lion. He said no, it is either a dog or coyote.

Trivial Pursuit

The game gets more interesting when Kim plays.

 She finished her "Valley of the Sun" puzzle.

 Something I definitely need more of.

 She always brightens my day!

Lots of steps today!