Friday, December 15th, 2017

Calgary, Alberta

140th operating temple

Dedicated: 28 Oct 2012

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ Atonement through

1 Peter 2:24

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness:by whose stripes ye were healed.

Book of Mormon

Ether 10:17-34

*How can we keep our lives pure?

Repentance and keeping the commandments.

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 29:7

And ye are called to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect; for mine elect hear my voice and harden not their hearts;

General Conference

The Priesthood and the Savior's Atoning Power

Elder Dale G. Renlund

"The purpose of the priesthood is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel. We have the priesthood so that we can help Heavenly Father's children be relieved of the burden of sin and become like Him. Through the priesthood, the power of godliness is manifest in the lives of all who make and keep gospel covenants and receive the associated ordinances. This is the way each of us comes unto Christ, is purified, and is reconciled to God. Christ's atoning power is made accessible through the priesthood, which deliver the payload."

James is cleaning up outside and sealing the patio today. He reached his goal and finished before Darrel's family arrived. 

We made a trip to town today. We paid Arizona Stone $2,330.00 for the materials we got from them for the patio and fire pit. There goes our Christmas money. We also went to Walmart, Panda, Home Depot and Firehouse Subs. 

When we got home we finished getting ready for our company. I had to vacuum again to get up more of the glitter. Our house has been glitterized!  James cleaned the dead flies out of the bathtubs upstairs. 

Today's Christmas movies: "The Christmas Gift," "A Grandpa for Christmas," and "Looks Like Christmas."

Darrel's family arrived around 9 p.m. We had a fire going and the tree lights turned on when they arrived. We visited and played Apples to Apples before going to bed.

Light the World

Day 15

Jesus taught: "Blessed are the merciful." Matt. 5:7

Jesus's sacrifice on our behalf was the greatest example

of mercy. We can follow His example by extending mercy

and compassion to others whenever we can.

On their way to the cabin they stopped for some ice cream

and crepes. The people who own this place are in their ward.

Everyone agree that crepes and ice cream are delicious together!

Grandpa and Lola playing a game of chess.

Grandpa and his girls watching "Brave."

Our tree

A closeup

James's sister Connie with her family at

"The Last Jedi." Katie, her daughter who is

sitting next to her, posted this picture.

Jackson wrestled 10 matches. He got

10 pins and was named the outstanding wrestler

of the tournament. That's his proud papa

standing next to him.

Saturday, August 12th, 2017

Provo, Utah

15th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Feb 1972

By: Joseph Fielding Smith

(Read by: Harold B. Lee)

Alma 49:9-30

Why is it important to be aware of our weaknesses?

 Instagram-bofm365-kdeford1:

Knowing our weaknesses keeps us humble, helps us grow and rely on the Lord. Something that stood out to me was verse 11 where Moroni 'altered the management of affairs among the Nephites.' He knew Amalickiah's intent and arranged his army so that their weak areas were no longer weak. I think its important to be aware of our weak areas so we can 'alter the management of our affairs' and strengthen ourselves against Satan's attacks. It is critical to have the Spirit with us to both know our weaknesses and know how to improve.

DC 112:1-16

What does "take up your cross and follow me" mean to me?

*To cast your burdens on the Lord. To deny ourselves of all ungodliness and follow the Lord. Take yourself the way you are and lift yourself in the direction of the better.

General Conference

Stand Up Inside and Be All In

Elder Gary B. Sabin

" We might need to study more intently, pray more earnestly, or just let some things go so we can hang on to those things that really matter. We may need to let go of the world so we can hang on to eternity."

James took Addy and Ruby on a two hour Razr ride. They saw some wildlife and when I mentioned that might be too long a ride for them Addy said, "Oh no Grandma, it wasn't, we had a great time!"

They had donuts earlier but when they got back from their ride they were starving so I made some pancakes for them. Ruby and I played a couple of games of Who's Who in the Book of Mormon and then she wanted to watch the "Minions" short movies she found.

Trina was here with the rest of the kids a little afternoon. When I say the rest of the kids I mean, Lola, Rowan, Joshua, Evan, Max, and Kreed. The boys were all very glad to be out of the car!

 Darrel arrived a few minutes later with the groceries. I played a game of Five Crowns with Darrel, Trina, and Addy. Everyone had some of the pizza that Darrel bought at Safeway.

James and I made a run to Dollar General for some buns, chips, and candy. When we returned Darrel and Trina decided they needed some things from Dollar General too. 

Lola stayed with us in the cabin and the rest of the kids were outside playing under the "lounge" tree. It started raining pretty hard and the kids came running. 

You can barely see the outline of Lola in

this picture. She's watching the kids.

Kreed looks like he's a little cold.

While James and I read on the porch Lola loves to come out and sit with us. We love to have her.

Darrel made some marinated bbq chicken for dinner. Trina made up the boxed mashed potatoes he bought, and we had rolls, corn, and Bush beans. After dinner we had cake and ice cream and sang happy birthday to Rowan. We only had five candles, but Rowan didn't seem to care.

On the left everyone looks a little tired.

The right have Lola to entertain them.

 Ruby the photo bomber.

Rowan is back there somewhere.

The candles are burning Rowan,

make a wish!

Evan had a sore throat and Trina kept giving him Tylenol. Kreed was always hungry. Ruby and Kreed played a little chess.

I kept hearing Kreed say: "Ruby, you can't do that."

I'm not sure who won.

Lola came into our room and watched a Hallmark movies with us while Addy, Trina, and Darrel played Settlers. In our movie, which was about wine making, the actress tastes the wine she is aging in a barrel. A few minutes later a guy comes in and takes some wine from the barrel. Lola says: "Oh, she's gonna be mad at him!"

Darrel put on the movie "Private Eyes". James and I went to bed.

Protestors in Charlottesville, Virginia tonight over a Robert E. Lee statue.

Random Photos:

Lola taking a rest.

These two got married today.

James had done lots of handyman work for Susan.

Show Low 1945.

I lived here when I was born in 1948.

Castles_World

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Girls camp was cancelled this week because of the fire although it was not a direct threat to the camp itself.  It was a stake camp and since many of the leaders are from Show Low and Show Low is on pre-evacuation orders they cancelled.  I am sure the girls and the leaders were quite disappointed.

Ready to go!

Trina and the kids went on a Razr ride this morning.  I would have gone too but then Ruby wouldn't have had a seatbelt so I stayed home.  This is what they looked like when they returned.

Trina got a nice tan.

Alma 17:18-31 Study Notes

When has service enabled you to share the gospel with others?

"Service softens the soil so seeds don't fall by the wayside."

When we are disciples of Christ we have opportunities everyday to love and bless someone else.

Ammon's desire was to serve and teach the people the gospel.

General Conference: "In Praise of Those Who Save" - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf.  

The guy from Wi-Power came out and looked around and decided it wouldn't be worth it for us to have their service because it would be very slow.  He said they are building a tower on a hill in Vernon and then the service would be much better.  He said to call every so often because the more calls they get the sooner they will get the tower built.

Rowan finally talked Addy in to playing chess with him.  They played two games and he won them both.

Note the excitement on Addy's face.

Because Addy played chess with Rowan we talked him in to playing Apples to Apples with us because we needed four players.

I think he really enjoyed it, although I won.

After Apples to Apples we went outside on the deck and played Candyland with Ruby.  Addy won.

Ruby ready to go home.

Trina wasn't in a big hurry to get home because it is so hot in the valley.  She left in the middle of the afternoon.  Before she left she washed the sheets on her beds and put them back on and washed all the towels they used.  I am very grateful.

I had to post these pictures of Rowan and Lola.  

Great balance Rowan!

Such a poser!

Before they left we finished off Dallin's birthday cake.

I was sad to see everyone go.  I sat down and watched an episode of "Chopped."

This evening I watched a Hallmark movie called, Ms. Matchmaker starring Alexa Penavega.

Sunday, March 15, 2015



Jared and his family are leaving today after they take the sacrament.  I am so grateful they came!  We had so much fun and accomplished good things!  They will be missed until they come again, which we hope will be soon.  Maybe around Emmy's birthday so I can take her to get a pedicure.

 

April St. Onge was the youth speaker in sacrament meeting.  She told us that the Atonement is central to Heavenly Father's plan of salvation. 

Mauri Waller also spoke on the Atonement using Elder Klebingat's conference address: "Approaching the Throne of God with Confidence."1.) Take responsibility for your own spiritual well-being. 2.) Take responsibility for you own physical well-being. 3.) Embrace voluntary whole-hearted obedience as part of your life. 4.) Become good at repenting thoroughly and quickly. 5.) Become good at forgiving 6.) Accept trials, setbacks, and surprises as part of your mortal experience.

Darrell Waller used President Packer's talk entitled: "The Reason for Our Hope" to base his talk on the Atonement.  President Packer gave a leather bound copy of the scriptures to an officiant at Oxford University.  He showed him the name of Jesus Christ in the topical guide and all the information in our scriptures about the Savior, thus establishing common ground.  ( John 14:16, 2 Nephi 25:26, Ether 3:14, 1 Corinthians 15:22, Alma 34:9-10, Romans 3:23-24).  Mercy is the mighty healer, even to the wounded innocent.  The Atonement purifies and brings peace.

 

We only had seven kids in our class today.  Some people are gone for spring break I suppose since Chandler has two weeks off.  Taylor's dad, Brennan Ray had surgery a couple of days ago.  Taylor was here today to tell us about it.

 

Ivy had a birthday this week and her mother got engaged.  She wasn't here to tell us about it but we saw it on Facebook and You Tube.

Ivy's mom Tasha is a dancer for the Phoenix Suns and her fiancé Trevor surprised her by proposing after a dance at halftime on Friday night.  Ivy and her mom live in the apartments on Willis Rd.

 

I forgot cookies today but I remembered the Playdough.  Sheri helped us for awhile but then she left.  The lesson was on baptism.

 

I ordered a chess set for James on Thursday or Friday and it arrived today.  I used my Amazon points and there was no shipping charges so it didn't cost me anything.  James played a game with Michael and then a couple of games with Alex.





The old guy still has it.  He beat both Michael and Alex once, and then Alex beat him the last game.

A thinking man's game.

 

Alex finished the Book of Mormon and came down tonight to share one of his favorite scriptures with me.  He shared Mosiah 4:16-23 and then we discussed it.  I asked him if he learned anything and he said he did.  I enjoyed spending this time with him. 

 

Adam texted me and said he finished through Alma 57 so I sent him $20 via Chase.

 

I was an enjoyable Sabbath day.  Jared made it home by 7:30 Texas time.