Friday, November 2nd, 2018

Phoenix, Arizona

144th operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Nov 2014

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Davidic descent of

2 Nephi 21:1

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.

Book of Mormon#1

3 Nephi 18:15-39

*What do these verses teach us about the power of prayer? 

-Watch and pray always to overcome temptation, pray in your families, pray for others. Our relationship with Heavenly Father is imperative to our success. The Savior prayed all the time, every day.. He sought God consistently, intently, and with sincere desire. Through prayer Christ learned, evolved, and was led to serve the greatest mission on earth. Prayer centered our Savior in every step of His life, even helping Him to overcome all temptation. Prayer was an integral part of the Atonement. He prayed for us and others and ask us to do the same. Our Savior knows what prayer can do. If Christ needed to pray always, and understood the power in it, how much more do we need to pray and follow His example. How can we make our prayers more meaningful? Pray to do His will. How can we be more sincere with our relationship with God? How can we utilize prayer more effectively like the Savior did? "We should seek to emulate the Savior as much as we can." - Elder Neal A. Maxwell

Book of Mormon #2

Mosiah 21-23

Old Testament

Ezekiel 11-12

General Conference

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

Elder Quentin L. Cook

"Our purpose is to balance the Church and the home experience in a way that will greatly increase faith and spirituality and deepen conversion."

I woke up early with my throat on fire. I grabbed a Slimfast, two aspirin and relocated to the recliner. I thought if I felt better by 7 I would go ahead and get ready for Phoenix and "Time Out for Women." 7 came and I wasn't much better. I ate a little something, too some Tramadol and settled in to the recliner to watch a Christmas movie. I texted the Halcomb's and told them I wouldn't be able to join them today. They were very kind and Kerri even checked on me later in the day. 

I think I needed a "down" day, a "time out." 

It truly was a relaxing day. James went hunting this morning for a few hours after scriptures and prayers. These were some of my favorite verses today from 3 Nephi 18: 15-16, 19-20. 

I did a no-no today. I was chomping on a Milk Dud and my crown fell out. I could not get it back in so James had to do it when he got home. I will never eat another Milk Dud, or attempt to anyway.

I started a new book today on Audible and I didn't have to pay for it because I had a credit. It is another Kate Morton book. This one is called "The Clockmaker's Daughter." Here is a quote that I thought was funny. It reminded me of the Lambson's and how they like to tell a good story.

"It's a dull man that allows truth to get in the way of a good story."

James even took time out of his day to watch a Christmas movie with me, "A Rocky Mountain Christmas." 

I worked on my blog, finally posting all of the Halloween pictures and then blogging and adding photos for November 1st. I got over 12,000 steps and worked on my lesson, or council discussion for Relief Society. I made a chart of the promised blessings that go with each challenge. It will be up to the sisters to help me create an action plan as what we are going to do to accomplish these goals.

I also sent questions to the secretary so she could send them out to the sisters so they can be thinking about our discussion and come prepared.

James went out again hunting this evening. When he came home he cleaned up and went straight to the computer to buy books to sell. He says it's addictive.

I wish I could do simple drawings

 All worn out

Amazing!

 Look at those eyes!

 Love that smile.

Talking to Molly

 Love these two

 Love these two too!

 The Morrison's

Kim and Brian

 The truck is from 

"Christmas in Evergreen"

 Ollie got a haircut!

Thursday, October 25th, 2018

Quetzeltenango, Guatemala

136th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Dec 2011

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Galatians 3:1

O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should ot obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

Book of Mormon 

3 Nephi 12:25-48

*What does it mean to you to be perfect?

- Moroni 10:32 says: "Come unto Christ, and be perfected in Him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is His grace sufficient for you, that by His grace ye may be perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God." President James E. Faust explained that we must seek for perfection now so as to be able to attain it in the next life: "Perfection is an eternal goal. While we cannot be perfect in mortality, striving for it is a commandment which ultimately, through the Atonement, we can keep." We have the perfect example in Jesus Christ.

Old Testament

Jeremiah 51-52

General Conference

The Father

Brian K. Ashton

"Each of us has the potential to become like the Father. To do so, we must worship the Father in the name of the Son."

James went out scouting for deer between Eagar and Big Lake. Not much luck but he went through Eagar and stopped at Aliberto's and brought me back a taco. Yum! I love their tacos.  Thanks honey!

I finally told the kids about the November 10th mini-Lambson reunion in Discovery Park. I said we weren't going because we had to work in the temple. Sheri said she would only come if we came so I told that to James. He said, "Then let's go." Now we have to find someone to trade temple shifts with someone.

I made brownies for James to take with him we he goes hunting tomorrow. I watched the new Halloween episode of "The Good Witch." I'm trying to clean things out of my DVR to make room for the Hallmark movies which start tomorrow.

I cleaned, walked, blogged and listened to "The Distant Hours" today. I also worked on our book business. I am finished with the training and ready to start making some money!

Cuteness Overload!

My Little Charlie

Target practice: Bullseye!

What a sweetie!

Friday, October 19th, 2018

Oquirrh Mountain, Utah

130th operating temple

Dedicated: 21-23 Aug 2009

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

DC 45:52

Then shall they know that I am the Lord; for I will say unto them: These wounds are the wounds with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. I am he who was lifted up. I am Jesus that was crucified. I am the Son of God.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 8:5-25

*How can we prepare today for the Savior's Second Coming?

- Now is the time to repent and prepare. Elder Klebingat, Oct 2014 general conference, asks: "On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your spiritual confidence before God? Do you have a personal witness that your current offering as a Latter-day Saint is sufficient to inherit eternal life? Can you say within yourself that Heavenly Father is pleased with you? Six practical suggestions by Elder Klebingat: 1) Take responsibility for your own spiritual well-being. 2) Take responsibility for your own physical well-being. 3) Embrace wholehearted obedience as part of your life. 4) Become really good at repenting thoroughly and quickly. 5) Become good at forgiving. 6) Accept trials, setbacks, and surprises as part of your mortal experience and learn from them. 

Old Testament

Jeremiah 34-36

General Conference

Becoming a Shepherd

Bonnie H. Cordon

"I hope those to whom you minister will see you as a friend and realize that, in you, they have a champion and a confidant."

James was in so much pain in his upper back this morning he took a couple of Tramadol and went back to bed for awhile. 

We signed up to be FBA seller's on Amazon today. 

I made James two pbj sandwiches for his lunch before he left for the Howard's. That was his request. After work he went by to check the mail and the cheque from National Turf is here. It was too late to get it in the bank today. 

James was outside walking and I was in the family room when the doorbell rang. I actually thought it was James and he was locked out so I went to the door looking rather bedraggled. I was embarrassed to see that it was the elders. Elder Bingham said he wanted us to meet Elder Welsh. James looked just about as bad as I did. Elder Bingham did almost all of the talking. The only thing I know about Elder Welsh is that he is very tall and he is from Pennsylvania and he doesn't know Carmen. We talked about the work in the area and before they left I asked them what they wanted to eat next week when they come over for dinner. No response so it's up to me. I think I learned a lesson tonight. Even though I am home alone I need to try and make myself presentable.

Our book arbitrage training was on pricing and book condition. 

I read several chapters from my new Kate Morton book, "The Distant Hours."

"The barometer of how great and terrible the 2nd Coming will be is our relationship to the prophets." - BYU Round Table Discussion

These two!!

 Love this baby card!

 This is Lois's ceiling. Two things wrong with this picture.

A stain indicating a leak, and a popcorn ceiling!

I wish I could do the simplest of artwork.

Today's Steps:

12,102

Thursday, October 11th, 2018

Newport Beach, California
122nd operating temple
Dedicated: 28 Aug 2005
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Mosiah 14:5

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 3:11-26

*Why did Lachoneus admonish his people to pray? After they prayed what did they do to fortify their lands and possessions?

- He wanted them to repent and be right before the Lord so they could receive His blessings. They gathered together with food and weapons.

Old Testament

Jeremiah 10-12

General Conference

All Must Take upon Them the Name Given of the Father

Elder Paul B. Pieper

The Savior's name has singular and essential power. It is the only name by which salvation is possible.

I love this quote about the Holy Ghost from President Henry B. Eyring: "If you have felt the influence of the Holy Ghost during this day...you may take it as evidence that the Atonement is working in your life." (CES Fireside, Sept 10, 2006).

This quote by Elder Uchtdorf also gives me food for thought:

"The more you trust and rely upon the Spirit, the greater your capacity to create."

This morning was spent getting ready for our trip to Whitehouse, Texas. We had to make a trip into Show Low to pick up our rental car, a white Toyota Corolla. We will get better gas mileage in this car and save Lexy from the wear and tear of traveling. I waited while James picked up the car because he took my driver's license in. 

As I was driving home, after only going three or four miles, I realized I had no gas. When I stopped to turn around James stopped too. He asked what was wrong. When I told him he asked if I wanted him to come with me, of course not, go home and get ready to go.

I filled up Lexy with gas and went through the carwash. We left the house a little after 10:30. We stopped at the post office and asked them to hold our mail. We left the post office at 11:00. Texas, here we come!

The rest of Arizona, New Mexico, and west Texas are pretty desolate. James did see a jaguarundi before we left Arizona.

Is that really a word and is there really an animal?? James says it is and there is. He says it is black and looks like a huge house cat. I wouldn't know, I didn't see it. 

We stopped for gas and lunch at Arby's in Socorro, New Mexico. I forgot, I really don't like Arby's. Their onion rings are very greasy.

After about 10 hours of traveling and losing two hours because of the time difference, we stopped in Snyder, Texas at the Baymont Inn for the night. This is a major truck stop as indicated by the 10 or more semi-trucks parked out in front. I don't care as long as my room is clean and quiet, which it was. We stayed in room 308.

During our driving today we read through "Saints" chapter 15. 

Since we didn't get many steps today James went down to the exercise room to walk. I stayed in our room and walked until I got over 10,000 steps. It was late when we went to bed.

Charlie is such an angel!

I think I could do this one!

 So cute!

My friend Catherine and her friend

Harriet from Oklahoma.

Tuesday, September 25th, 2018

Perth, Australia

106th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 May 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

John 20:25

The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 9:18-41

*It isn't always easy to stand up for what you believe. What do you do to stand strong and defend your beliefs?

- Are we seeing the damage being done to our nation because we don't want to offend anyone? Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, past General Young Women's President said: "Members live in such an atmosphere of avoiding offense that we sometimes altogether avoid teaching correct principles. Of course we should use sensitivity, common sense and our understanding of the plan, to be bold and straightforward, but if we don't teach true doctrine - and teach it clearly - the world will teach those we love Satan's lies.

Old Testament

Isaiah 28-30

General Conference

"Be With and Strengthen Them"

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"Our prayer today is that every man and woman - and our older young men and young women - will leave this general conference more deeply committed to heartfelt care for one another, motivated only by the pure love of Christ to do so. In spite of what we all feel are our limitations and inadequacies-and we all have challenges-nevertheless, may we labor side by side with the Lord of the vineyard, giving the God and Father of us all a helping hand with His staggering task of answering prayers providing comfort, drying tears, and strengthening feeble knees. If we will do that, we will be more like the true disciples of Christ we are meant to be."

This from my novel, "The Lake House":

"Boredom is the province of the witless."

James went out this morning and took pictures of the six bull elk that live near us. Hopefully he will get them downloaded so I can share some of them on here.

We had a nice rainstorm today. I love how fresh and clean everything seems after it rains, except for the mud of course.

I am tired today as I usually am the day after a trip, but I just kept moving, albeit slowly. 

James went to Springerville this afternoon to pickup the slabs of wood he had cut from our juniper tree. He also picked up some poles to replace those worn out on our railing. He had wanted me to go with him but I needed to do my ministering interviews for my district. 

I am not so sure the sisters are catching the vision of what it means to minister. Most of the interviews I had today went somethig like this, 'Yes, I spoke to all three of my sisters but I didn't contact my partner.' Maybe we need to do some training.

This evening as I was reading from the Old Testament Student Manual I became extremely tired and had to go lay down on the coach. Of course, I had to turn on the TV, DWTS. I just watched a dance or two and fell asleep. James said it was time to go to bed, and he was right.

 Sleepin' like a baby

Cutie Pie!

Ben and friends 

Ben's last day in the MTC. When his friend,

Elder Goodman, Peter and Sarah's son, left

for Washington today, Ben said he cried like a baby!

 I like this card, except for the color.

Maybe the photo is in black and white.

 I hope these are the fabrics I get this month!

My journal is not this artistic.