Tuesday, July 31st, 2018

St. Louis, Missouri

50th operating temple

Dedicated: 1 June 1997

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

2 Nephi 29:7

Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?

Book of Mormon

* Why is it important to be prepared?

- Just like Moroni prepared his army against the coming of the Lamanites to battle, we can continually be preparing ourselves and our families against coming battles, spiritual or temporal. Victory is sure when our preparation is centered on the Savior and His prophets. "If ye are prepared ye shall not fear."

Old Testament

Job 5-7

5 Eliphaz counsels Job: Man is born unto trouble, seek unto God, and happy is the man whom God corrects.

6 Job bemoans his grief - He prays that God will grant his petitions - Those who are afflicted should be pitied - How forcible are right words!

7 Job asks, Is there an appointed time for man on earth? What is man that Thou shouldst magnify him? Why dost Thou not pardon my transgression?

General Conference

Let Us All Press On

President M. Russell Ballard

" Our message to the world is simple and sincere: we invite all of God's children on both sides of the veil to come unto their Savior, receive the blessings of the holy temple, have enduring joy, and qualify for eternal life."

James worked all day, coming home for a short lunch break, at the Howard's putting down flooring. Ty A. was his assistant. He says that Ty is a good worker. I figured he would be. His sister Shelly could stack wood like nobody else when she was in Young Women's.

I put up photos in the hallway this morning. 

Good start, more to come

Five awesome kids

I also made the August-September centerpiece

for the dining room table

August is the month the sunflowers bloom!

This afternoon I went in to town to go shopping at Walmart. It never ceases to amaze me how much it costs to buy groceries and

other necessities!

On the way home I noticed it had rained in parts of Vernon. James said it rained at the Howard's for about 30 minutes. We didn't get any rain at our house.

My neighbor Kathy came over today to tell me she has chickens, 8 of them. in case I want fresh eggs. By the time I use them my eggs are never fresh. She had been to town and bought feed.

I am really enjoying the audio book I am reading on Deseret Bookshelf called, "Unforgettable." Here is a brief synopsis of what it is about:

Haley has always admired her strong-willed great-grandmother Grisa. The woman survived the disappearance of her husband and thrived after her immigration to America at the beginning of World War II. But when a shocking telephone call from a detective in Germany turns Haley's life upside down in an instant, she finds herself questioning everything she thought she knew about her heritage.

The body of Ulrich Krauss has been found, and the renowned toymaker and artist has a shocking connection to Haley: he is her great-grandfather - not missing, but murdered. Now, at the request of her ailing great-grandmother, Haley travels to Germany to seek answers. What she finds instead are more questions and a growing sense of danger dodging her every step. Protection appears in the form of Joshua, an attractive man from Haley's past who is in Germany on business. Together the pair embark on an emotional quest for the truth, only to discover that a generations-old plot is very much alive, and there are those as determined as ever to keep the facts surrounding Ulrich's death hidden - even if it means silencing his great-granddaughter for good.

James came home exhausted and very grubby. He walked and then took a shower. Kneeling down all day putting in flooring is tiring work. We began watching "Love on Safari." Now I want to go to South Africa.

I finished watching "The Magic Stocking," starring Victor Webster. I like him.

This is really weird

 Most of the squirrels in our yard are 

not this pretty.

Which do you prefer?

 White Texas Sheetcake with

almond flavoring and almonds

Chocolate Texas Sheetcake with

pecans.

Tuesday, July 24th, 2018

Las Vegas, Nevada

43rd operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Dec 1989

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

Helaman 14:12

And also that ye might know of the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and that ye might know of the signs of his coming, to the intent that ye might believe on his name.
Book of Mormon
Alma 38:1-15
* How does one use boldness, but not overbearance?
- Using boldness is teaching the word of God without fear. Being overbearing is the manner in which we teach. Are we pushy, loud, insensitve? Or are we tolerant, friendly and neighborly while sharing our beliefs? While it seems that Shiblon is one of the good sons, commended for his good work and ability too withstand persecution well it seems Alma is trying to curb Shiblon's tendency to be prideful and to be overbearing. If we discuss the gospel with someone making them feel that we think we are better than them or they are ignorant to the truth, making others feel like they have to defend, argue their position then perhaps we are overbearing. Shiblon had personality flaws like all of us. Alma was reminding Shiblon that he needed to trust the Lord instead of his own strength, and that it's Christ who does the saving, and builds testimony.
Old Testimony
Nehemiah 7-9
7 Provision is made to protect Jerusalem - The genealogy is given of the Jews who returned from Babylon - Priests without genealogical records are denied the priesthood.
8 Ezra reads and interprets the law of Moses to the people - They keep the Feast of Tabernacles.
9 The Jews fast and confess their sins - The Levites bless and praise the Lord and recite His goodness toward Israel. 
General Conference

Prophets Speak by the Power of the Holy Spirit

Ulisses Soares

"Isn't it a blessing to have prophets, seers, and revelators on earth in these days in which we live, who seek to know the will of the Lord and follow it? It is comforting to know that we are not alone in the world, despite the challenges we face in life. Having prophets is a sign of God's love for His children. They make known the promises and the true nature of God and of Jesus Christ to Their people. I have learned that through my personal experiences."

From my morning browsing of Meridian Magazine:

The Problem with Bribing Kids: "Rewards can sometimes buy compliance, but they don't build character. Research underscores the long term negative consequences of using rewards to motivate children. An astute child will become a mercenary. 'I shouldn't do anything without a reward.' Children don't learn the oy of goodness but the value of resistance."

From the book "Covenant Hearts" by Bruce C. Hafen: 

"Our homes are laboratories where we test and develop our religion."

I remember that one of the things Elder Bernecker mentioned in his talk Sunday was his seminary teacher telling him to be mindful of the tender mercies of the Lord in his life. He said that doing that helped prepare him to serve a mission. I have decided I would like to do that too. Here goes...in my patriarchal blessing I am told that I will never want for the necessities of life and that the way will be open for me and my companion to help others who are not so fortunate as ourselves. This has been true in my life and I am so grateful to the Lord for this tender mercy.

I talked to Elder Bernecker about Kylie Long today. She is 14 and my friend Pam says she is interested in the church and was going to go last week with her friends the Westbrook girls, Joe and Corrina's daughters. I told Elder Bernecker about her and that she has a brain tumor and that he should speak with the Westbrook's and see if they could meet her at the Westbrook's home.

Happy Pioneer day. On Family Search Sunday one of my pioneer ancestors was featured. Her name is Martha Jane Mathias. She was married to William Bailey Maxwell, my great, great grandfather.
Martha traveled with the Uriah Curtis Company. They departed Kanesville, Iowa in June 1852 at which time Martha was 7. They traveled for 93 days before reaching their destination.

I also learned today that Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, is the great, great grandson of Heber C. Kimball.

James is doing backbreaking work at the Howard's and he is pretty miserable. The good news is they were able to find floor covering in the valley that they can bring home with them. Ordering from Home Depot was going to take two weeks. 

James tracked dust all through the house from the grinding he is doing at the Howard's. I cleaned floors this afternoon.

I am gathering all framed family photos and trying to find places to hang them on our walls. Some of the glass in the frames got broken and I either have to replace the glass or get new frames. Sad that the glass in this frame got broken. One of my favorite family photos.

James is holding the photo and it's

a little crooked. Probably taken in 1994.

June, July centerpiece

August/Sept will feature sunflowers

Friday, September 20, 2013

James and I went in to Show Low today.  Our first stop was our favorite restaurant, LaCasita for lunch.  I had the same thing I had at Booga Red's last night only this meal was twice as good.  They have the best refried beans!  After lunch James dropped me off at Walmart while he went to Horne's car dealership to check on a job he is bidding for them. 

Here is a list of some of the extra things I bought at Walmart: A water pick to clean out where my filling fell out, a tablecloth and centerpeice for fall, a pumpkin spice candle, and candy bars for Young Women's, lots of protein shakes, and a small warmer crockpot.

The amazing thing about this trip is that James drove my car the entire way there and back.  I came home and put everything away and watched The Walton's.  Sissy Spacek was John Boy's love interest. 

I posted August 1st, 2nd, and 3rd on my blog.  I fixed corn on the cob and a medly of flower squash, cabbage and cauliflower for dinner, all from Kathy Crane's garden. I also took these pictures:

 We couldn't stop reading from Visions of Glory.  We did go to bed by 10pm.