Wednesday, August 22nd, 2018

Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico

72nd operating temple

Dedicated: 27 Feb 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

DC 88:13

The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things.

Book of Mormon

Alma 54:13-55:14

*How are Moroni and Ammoron different in their motivations for war?

- In Alma 54:13 Moroni says, 'ye have sought to murder us, and we have only sought to defend ourselves.' In Alma 54:16-17 it says Ammoron is fighting for revenge and power. Moroni is motivated by love, which is unselfish, just like our Savior, Jesus Christ. Ammoron on the other hand is motivated by power, hate, and selfishness, like Satan. We can learn from this account to let love be our motivation for all we do.

Old Testament

Psalms 61-65

61 David finds shelter in the Lord, abides in the Lord's presence, and keeps his own vows.

62 David praises God as his defense, his rock, and his salvation - The Lord judges men according to their works.

63 David thirsts for God, whom he praises with joyful lips.

64 David prays for safety - The righteous will be glad in heart.

65 David speaks of the blessedness of God's chosen - The Lord sends rain and good things upon the earth.

General Conference

Small and Simple Things

President Dallin H. Oaks

"Another source of spiritual uplift and growth is an ongoing practice of repenting, even of seemingly small transgressions. Our own inspired self-evaluations can help us see how we have fallen short and how we can do better. Such repentance should precede our weekly partaking of the sacrament."

Another rainy day. The Howard's are worried about their open house on Saturday. 

James and I went to town together today. I shopped at Walmart and picked up prescriptions and he shopped at Home Depot. After shopping we drove to Mountain Thai for lunch. For some reason this place is never crowded. I ordered the vegetable noodle soup with more veggies instead of meat. James had the pork special. While I was waiting for my food to come I stepped over to the counter and picked up a bottle of sweet chili and said I wanted to purchase it. The man told me to take the bottle over to my table and they would add it on to our order, which I did.

I also ordered some mango and sticky rice. My bowl of soup was not as big as the one I had with Jean the other day but it was every bit as good as soon as I poured enough sweet chili in the broth. James's food must have been good because he ate it all as I ate all of my soup. 

Each of us got a half a mango to eat with our sticky rice. I didn't think James would like the sticky rice because it is very sweet with the coconut milk poured over it, but he made the comment: "Mangoes and coconut go really well together."

I would say lunch was a success. We drove home and as I put the groceries away, James got ready to go to the temple. One of the brothers he ministers to, Anthony, is going through the temple today for the first time. He asked James last night if he would be his escort, and of course James said yes. They are attending the 4 o'clock session after doing initiatory. I told James to try his best to be back by 6:45 because I had a presidency meeting at the church at 7. He thought it would be no problem.

While he was gone I walked, worked on my blog and prepared for presidency meeting. James called around 6:30 or so and said he would meet me at the church and we could switch vehicles. I went out and jumped into the truck. When I turned the ignition on the brake light was flashing so I thought I needed to press the emergency brake down. That's not what I needed to do but I couldn't get the handler back up so I drove with the emergency brake on. Luckily I didn't drive far, just to the 3160 where James met me and we switched vehicles.

I always enjoy presidency meetings with Tamara, Kerri, and Maxine. I brought the cards I volunteered to bring for Donna, Judy, Linda and Kambri. Donna's is a get well card, Judy a sympathy card for her sister who is dying of cancer, and Linda and Kambri's are sympathy cards because each one of them had a brother pass away. We signed the cards while we were finalizing all of the ministering sister assignments. I now have a new partner. Ruth W. was going to be my partner but now it is the new sister from Texas, Marie R. The one that has six dogs. 

Towards the end of the meeting Maxine told about the 200 names she had in our stake file at the temple for baptisms were all done last Saturday. She was elated. I asked her how much time she spends a week on family history research and she said 50-60 hours. No wonder she has so many names!

I love this picture of Scarlett!!

A familiar site around here right now.

Darrel and Trina's new house.

Makes me like him more as a person

than as an actor.

My card assignment

I did not bring these cards but I want to 

make them:

Sunday, May 14th, 2017

Monterrey, Mexico

110th operating temple

Dedicated: 28 April 2002 by

Gordon B. Hinckley

Mosiah 29:16-32

* According to King Mosiah, what benefits would come through making decisions by the voice of the people?

* What consequences would come if the people chose iniquity?

* Why is it important for both leaders and followers to be accountable for their actions?

Truths learned in Mosiah 29:

* Unrighteous leadership can bring contention and sin.

* It is not common for the voice of the people to choose something that is not right.

* If the people choose iniquity, the judgments of God will come upon them.

* Each person has a duty to uphold righteous laws and leaders.

Mormon 9

Moroni calls upon those who do not believe in Christ to repent; He proclaims a God of miracles, who gives revelations and pours out gifts and signs upon the faithful; Miracles cease because of unbelief; Signs follow those who believe; Men are exhorted to be wise and keep the commandments. About A.D. 401-21.

DC 75:13-22

All will come forth in the resurrection of the just or the unjust; The inhabitants of many worlds are begotten sons and daughters unto God through the Atonement of Jesus Christ; 

Was there a time I exercised faith and was given the strength to overcome?

* I can't think of a time right now.

General Conference

Return and Receive

Elder M. Russell Ballard

"Over the years, I have observed that those who accomplish the most in this world are those with a vision for their lives, with goals to keep them focused on their vision and tactical plans for how to achieve them.  Knowing where you are going and how you expect to get there can bring meaning, purpose, and accomplishment to life."

Kindness, Charity, and Love

President Thomas S. Monson

"And if a man be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity." -Moroni 7:44

I was up at 4:00 a.m. on this beautiful mother's day to work on my Primary lesson.  The lesson is about Edward Partridge being the first bishop and what our bishop does for us.  

James wrote me a nice one page letter for mother's day.  He would rather write to me than to buy a card.

So sweet.

The mother's had an amazing day at church.  We got giant candy bars and a carnation in sacrament meeting.  During Relief Society the RS presidency set up a luncheon in the Relief Society room.  We had chicken salad sandwiches on rolls, veggies and dip, chips, and chocolate covered strawberries.  It was yummy and totally unexpected.  During Primary each of the children wrote a note to their mom's and gave them either a red or yellow rose.  The roses were beautiful.

Candy bar, carnation, and cards.

Cathi and Terry's grandson, Colin, filled this out at kindergarten.  I thought it was pretty funny.

I love her red hair and his answer to the last question.

James came home from church and made me a wonderful steak dinner.  We had fillets, baked potatoes, corn, and a salad.  I also bought a little chocolate cake but I ended up throwing it away because it had too much buttercream frosting.  

I got a call or a text from all of my kids.  Stacy wrote me a sweet message on Facebook.  Brian sent me a card.  Jared sent me a Deseretbookshelf plus card good for one year.  Darrel called me and Trina wished me a Happy Mother's Day.  Darrel had to work today and Trina spent the day making her mother dinner.  She also took this picture of three of her four kids.

While Trina was taking this picture Lola was inside and locked

them all out of the house.  Thank goodness Rowan knew how

to break in.  So, no picture of Lola.

When Stacy called me she told me a little more about their trip to Tombstone.  She said over 1200 bodies are in the bottom of the mine they were in.  She said the guide told them to take lots of pictures because they may get an orb.  Stacy got one and you can see a face in it if you look hard.  She said Paul got one that moved around.

The orb is way over on the left.  I can't see anything on here but I

did when Stacy posted it on Facebook.

Paul posted these pictures of Stacy and some of her boys:

Dallin

Michael

Joshua

We had some visitors this evening.  James got some closeups.

Cows 

James said there were five cows and

two yearlings.

Their light butts are so funny looking

They came to wish me a happy mother's day!

It was a wonderful day.  I am so grateful to my wonderful family.

I was impressed that Jared worked all day Saturday and then drove to San Antonio, arriving at 1:30 a.m. so he could fix Kacey breakfast and spend mother's day with her, and then drive back home Sunday afternoon after making her cookies.  

Here are some more fun reminders of Mother's Day:

Happy Mother's Day!