Friday, May 1st, 2020

Frieberg, Germany

33rd operating temple

Dedicated: 29-30 June 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, King

Psalms 24:7

Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be y lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Mosiah 10:1-10; Book of Mormon study guide and Sunday journal

April General Conference

"Opening Message" 

President Russell M. Nelson

 "Our ultimate quest in life is to prepare to meet our Maker. We do this by striving daily to become more like our Savior, Jesus Christ. And we do that as we repent daily and receive His cleansing, healing, and strengthening power. Then we can feel enduring peace and joy, even during turbulent times. This is exactly why the Lord has implored us to stand in holy places and 'be not moved.'"

"Turn to the Lord"

Elder Donald L. Hallstrom

April 2010

The guy that James hired to grade our road started today but every time we went by he was standing by the side of the road smoking and visiting with a friend. When we got back from Show Low the road had been worked on but was not done and he and his friend were taking a break. James is pretty worried since he hired him in behalf of all of our neighbors. The guy said he had 47 years experience and worked fast. So far we have seen no indication of either one.

I checked on the government website today and it says our stimulus check was mailed today. Hopefully we will get it next week.

I read this from the April Ensign today:

"Learning to choose the things of the Spirit over the things of the flesh is one of the primary reasons why this earthly experience is part of Heavenly Father's plan. It's also why the plan is built upon the solid, sure foundation of the Atonement of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ so that our sins, including the errors we make when we yield to the flesh, can be overcome through constant repentance and we can live spiritually focused. Now is the time to control our bodily appetites to comply with the spiritual doctrine of Christ.

That is why we must not procrastinate the day of our repentance."

I am on chapter 14 of Church History in the Fulness of Times, The Apostasy in Kirtland.

I finished the masks today and delivered them to Maxine along with her birthday present, a 12 pack of diet Coke a journal and pin and a plant with pink blooms.

James went with me to town. We got lunch at Taco Bell and then he dropped me off at Walmart while he went to Circle K to get gas and to wash the car. He came in and helped me check out. It was a zoo today, so many people. We waited for over 20 minutes to check out and then they had no bags so I bought some reusable ones. I was so glad to be done and out of there.

I did not find a German chocolate cake at Walmart for Owen's birthday party on Sunday so I asked James if we could go to Safeway. He let me go in while he stayed in the car to make phone calls. I had to wait in a line outside while someone at the door was counting people and letting them go in two at a time. He said only 150 people at a time could be in the store.

I went in and found a beautiful German chocolate cake in the bakery. I also bought some ice cream and I was ready to go. I have stood in enough lines and seen enough people for one day. There was so much traffic in town it looked like a holiday weekend.

James went on a Luna ride this evening while I blogged, walked, and fixed some dinner. 

Erik and Amelia and their children are coming up tomorrow so Erik can work on the Razr.

James and I watched Season 1 Episode 1 of "Lark Rise to Candleford" this evening. James had never seen it before.

 This is the cutest ever!

 Owen Peeler's birthday cake

Thursday, February 6th, 2020

Redlands, California

116th operating temple

Dedicated: 14 Sept 2003

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Judge

Psalms 58:11

So t hat a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

2 Nephi 3

Joseph in Egypt saw the Nephites in vision - He prophesied of Jseph Smith, the latter-day seer; of Moses, who would deliver Israel; and of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. 588-570 BC

"Trust in the Lord"

President Dallin H. Oaks

Oct 2019

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths" -Proverbs 3:5-6

I got up early this morning and paid two bills, realizing that they were both due yesterday. Hopefully I won't be charged any late fees.

I blogged, worked on books and did errands today. James went with me and of course I read to him. He dropped me off at Walmart while he went across the street to the new Circle K to wash Lexy. 

I planned four meals for this coming week, chicken tenders, chili, meatloaf, and green chili stew. I love it when I plan ahead!

I got James a piece of banana walnut cake and me a piece of lemon cake to eat on the way home. He got almond nut crackers. He liked the crackers the best. I liked the lemon cake.

We stopped at the post office in Vernon on the way in to town and picked up a couple of packages for me. My pillows are here and my Book of Mormon journal. I'm so excited I can hardly wait to get home and open the packages. 

Both Autumn and Jared posted on Facebook today. Autumn about the halftime show at the Superbowl and Jared about Mitt Romney. They were both great posts and I agree with both 100%. I am proud of them for defending what they believe to be right.

This evening was study time for me. I am studying the Restoration and of course "Come Follow Me." Today there was a new Inklings post which included DC 107:71-84 which is about the office of a bishop. Emily shared a story about a time when she was sick and her bishop left church when the meetings were less than half over to visit her. 

I remember when Bishop Horne was our bishop and I was the Primary president. I had been home for church for a couple of weeks because of an arthritis flareup and the bishop asked the entire ward to fast for me. What a feeling of comfort and peace that gave me. Thank you Bishop Horne.

I listened to several chapters from "Saints" today as part of my study of the Restoration. I also read from "Live Up To Our Privileges" by Wendy Ulrich and "Church History in the Fullness of Times." 

Today was so much warmer than yesterday. The high was in the 50's instead of the 20's. We also parked Lexy in the garage because she had no mud on her tires. The roads are all dried out.

Today was a wonderful day for me. I love my home, my ward, my family, my hubby, and my Savior!

Love!

 Love!

Her first Dolly Parton Imagination book

Tonight's sunset:

 Love!

The exact number of steps as yesterday

How did I manage that?

Friday, January 24th, 2020

Montevideo, Uruguay

103rd operating temple

Dedicated: 18 Mar 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Jehovah

Revelation 1:4-5

4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

1 Nephi 14 - History of the World

"Deceive Me Not"

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

Oct 2019

"These are stories of mistaken identity - presuming the real thing to be something else. In each case, the consequences were minor.

However, many today grapple with these same issues on a much larger scale. They are either unable to see things as they truly are or are unsatisfied with truth. Moreover, there are forces at play today designed to deliberately lead us away from absolute truth. These deceptions and lies go far beyond innocent mistaken identity and often have dire, not miner, consequences."

When Darrel called to wish James a happy birthday, he also told him that Peter Ray had been called as a bishop in his ward. I texted Sheri and told her because she is one of Peter's patients. She said, "He will make a great bishop." Jared said the same thing.

I cleaned our bedroom and bathroom today. No matter how many times I clean James's mirror, it always has water drops on it. I think it happens when he combs his hair and he doesn't even know it.

I paid the propane bill of $1,500 today. James ordered from Owens because they were the cheapest, but they don't take credit cards so I had to write a check. Ouch to my bank account.

Around 10:00 this morning I left for town. I have a lunch appointment with Pam Giles and her friend Jen at the Aliberto's in Wagon Wheel. My first stop was at the post office where I picked up a couple of books I ordered. I wanted to go to the carwash before lunch but there was no time. Had I known Pam and Jen were going to be a little late, I would have gone to the carwash. 

I ordered the Arizona burro even though I didn't see it on the menu. Jen and Pam were both ordering one too and they convinced me that it is delicious. Steak with potatoes, chesse and pico de gallo. 

They were right, it is delicious!

I have always liked Jen and been impressed with her gentle spirit. Now I even love her more. She has her brother and his family, which includes triplet girls and a toddler, and her mother-in-law living with her. Pam was telling about Jen's boss, Pam's former boss, who she considers mean and she has a mean gang of girls that hang out with her. Pam tries to avoid them. Jen just walks past them and greets them with a "hello". 

I enjoyed my visit with these two friends and look forward to our next lunch date!

I went to Walmart to get James bigger shirts. The ones I got him for his birthday were too small. I got three instead of two. They did not have the black and red checked one in his size. Boohoo!

James told me that today was Tanna's birthday so I got her a small cake and a birthday balloon to go with the card we signed for her.

I'm going to wait to take it to her until James can go too.

On the way home I stopped at Splash and Dash to wash my car. I did not get gas. 

When I got home James had taken his bumper off his truck and has found a new one online in Show Low. He won't go look at it until next week. 

James also finished the dust control permits for the Chacon job. Mario is upset with James and Armando and has halted construction on the job. James and Armando have bent over backwards to please him and be fair, but he doesn't understand. There is a communication problem and James thinks his nephew, who is the translator, is not giving the correct information. It is a big mess and I don't know what will happen. 

I texted Tanna and asked her if we could come by and see her for a few minutes. She said she was gone and wouldn't be back until late tonight. I asked if we could drop something by for her birthday and she said yes, so off we went. James taped the card to the cake, and left the cake and the balloon on the steps by the door. She texted later and said the cake was delicious and thanked us.

I made rolls for the temple tomorrow and was trying to wash my dress and James's shirt when the washer broke. I had washed the rug by the front door earlier and there were little pieces of rubber all over inside the drum. I wonder if that's what's causing the problem. 

We rinsed our clothes out by hand and put them in the dryer. James said he would look at the washer on Monday and if need be would call a repairman.

The hem partially came out of my temple dress so I spent a good part of the evening re-hemming it. We wanted to go to bed by nine but it was closer to ten.

This girl has been asking for braces for a long time.

 She's thought about it...

 Yes Ruby, you are getting braces!

 It's that tooth in the front that Ruby wants to take care of.

Miss Lola loves to model!

Miss Charlie loves to read!

She also loves to "get down"

Saturday, January 19th, 2019

Columbia, South Carolina

62nd operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Oct 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Luke 9:35

And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 14:9-30

* What are the characteristics of the Church of the Lamb of God vs. the church of the devil?

New Testament

Matt. 2:13-23 Parents can receive revelation to protect their families.

General Conference

Becoming a Shepherd

Bonnie H. Cordon

"So how do we become the shepherds the Lord needs us to become?

As with all questions, we can look to our Savior, Jesus Christ - the Good Shepherd. The Savior's sheep were known and numbered, they were watched over, and they were gathered into the fold of God."

The breakfast boys, Adam and Chris, made their second big breakfast in a row. Today it was breakfast burritos with bacon, sausage, potatoes, and eggs. Kaitlyn got up just in time. 

James went to the dump and was going to take a walker to the Howard's for Jean but they are in the valley. One the way home he stopped at the post office and picked up some more books. Only one was approved to sell. I made up a box before we left for the valley but it was 4:12 when we got to the UPS store and they close at 4 on Saturday, so we drove on to the carwash. The line was too long so we drove on.

Stopped at the Burger King for a Whopper Jr. for me. I took tramadol and needed something in my stomach. James waited for Taco Bell in Globe. Can't believe he chose Taco Bell over Burger House. 

When we got to the valley we drove straight to Stacy's because she was waiting for my pains meds. We also picked up the rest of the clothes we had left at Sheri's at Christmas. I finally got my red sweater back. At Stacy's we were greeted by a chorus of three dogs. Jared Ammon left his dog Sophie with them and Stacy is not too happy. Sophie is afraid of men and does not like Paul and did not take too kindly to James either.

We went to the carwash just south of the Sonic on Arizona Avenue and Germann. We got our car clean for $7. 

On to Darrel and Trina's. Lola was very happy to see us and so excited that Charlie is coming.

Jared and Kacey's flight was delayed an hour because someone saw flames coming out of the exhaust and they had to trade planes, so instead of arriving at 10:30 in Phoenix it was 11:30 p.m. Darrel and Trina went to pick them up. The kids were all upstairs asleep and James and I were outside walking when they arrived. Charlie was awake and it was fun to see her but she was very tired. We all went to bed around 1p.m. 

Our two little sweethearts. 

This is Charlie's fat little foot.

Camping with the Case's

As fun as camping was, Ruby said this was the best day of her

life because she got to play with goats and ride a horse:

 Interesting fruit at the Fry's store.
We went shopping late Saturday night.