Monday, October 1st, 2018

Ascuncion, Paraguay

112th operating temple

Dedicated: 19 May 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

1Corinthians 1:23

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeds follishness;

Book of Mormon

Helaman 13:1-20

How can I be more like Samuel the Lamanite?

-I can become more like Samuel the Lamanite by following the counsel of the Lord, listening to the Spirit, and sharing the gospel with others. I also should not be afraid of others and their opinions.

General Conference

Opening Remarks

President Russell M. Nelson

"As Latter-day Saints, we have become accustomed to thinking of 'church' as something that happens in our meetinghouses, supported by what happens at home. We need an adjustment to this pattern. It is time for a home-centered Church, supported by what takes place inside our branch, ward, and stake buildings."

We had much needed rain most of the day today. I know it also rained and cooled down in the valley too. 

On our trip to Heber on Sunday we noticed all the dead pine trees along the way because of the dryness which causes bark beetles to attack the trees and kill them.

I learned some interesting things about the Creation during my personal gospel study this morning. Here is a quote from the Prophet Joseph Smith:

"...the word create came from the Hebrew word baurau which does not mean to create out of nothing; it means to organize; the same as a man would organize materials and build a ship. Hence, we infer that God had materials to organize the world out of chaos - chaotic matter, which is element, and in which dwells all the glory. Element had an existence from the time He had. The pure principles of elemennt are principles which can never be destroyed; they may be organized and re-organized, but not destroyed. They had no beginning, and can have no end "(TPJS, p. 350-52; see also 28 Truths Taught by the Book of Mormon, p. 42).

I made pancakes for the boys this morning. They each ate one big one and they were done. I had planned on going shopping this morning but ended up paying bills instead. 

James came home because he couldn't work in the rain. The two of us went to town to get pizza and chicken for the boys. I let each boy choose a meal or two. Evan and Max wanted Pizza Hut pepperoni pizza, and Evan asked for fried chicken. Max doesn't like Walmart or KFC chicken so we went to Safeway for the chicken before picking up the pizzas. 

James said I shouldn't have gotten two large pizzas, that mediums would have been enough. Those pizzas were gone in five minutes time. 

After lunch and a nap I went back in to town to do some real grocery shopping. Joshua wants spaghetti and burgers, Max wants hot dogs and steak, and Rowan asked for honey lime chicken enchiladas like his mom makes. I bought a lot of groceries and spent double what I normally spend. I did by lots of snacks and plenty of steak and hamburger. 

Since we had pizza for lunch, we had the chicken for dinner. I also made macaroni and cheese, a salad, and some garlic bread and fresh pineapple.

For F.H.E. we watched the video about Robert Mason and Wilford Woodruff called, "A Search for Truth." 

After FHE the boys went outside to play with the laser guns.

We heard the news that President Ballard's wife Barbara passed away today. How sad to happen right before he speaks in General Conference.

James and I worked on our book business this evening. By working I mean we did some more training sessions. James said that the more he learns the more he is getting excited about doing this business. I got my Amazon Store Card approval for an extra 5% off of all purchases we make.

Huddled around Max's phone because we couldn't get the

FHE video to work on the computers.

"A Search for Truth."

 Ben and his companion Elder Nelson from

Minnesota who is the zone leader.

Ben does all the driving. Grandpa will give some

pointers about driving in the snow.

Taylor Wanlass took this photo yesterday after

sacrament meeting. Ben is in his sister-in-laws ward.

Taylor's dad is the bishop of the Galveston 3rd ward

in Chandler.

Playing Apples to Apples. These boys get

along so well together!

The faces of Charlie. I have got to make 

a photo album!

Skittles misses Joshua. She broke out of her cage

to tell Stacy about it.

Thursday, March 15th, 2018

Cuidad Juarez, Mexico

71st operating temple

Dedicated: 26-27 Feb 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

3 Nephi 15:5

Behold I am he that gave the law, and I am he who covenanted with my people Israel; therefore, the law in me s fulfilled, for I have come to fulfill the law; therefore it hath an end.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 33:1-15

*When has the Lord asked you to do something you follow through simply for the sake of obedience?

Old Testament

Numbers 31-32

31 Moses sends forth 12,000 warriors who destroy Midianites - Prey divided in Israel - None n armies of Israel were lost.

32 Reuben and Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh receive their inheritances east of Jordan - They covenant to join other tribes in conquering Canaan.

General Conference

The Priesthood and the Savior's Atoning Power

Elder Dale G. Renlund

" In addition to obeying the laws and ordinances of the gospel yourself, I invite you to make and keep priesthood covenants. Receive God's oath and His promise. Magnify your responsibilities in the priesthood to help Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Use the priesthood to help deliver the opportunity to benefit from the Savior's atoning power to someone else! As you do, great blessings will come to you and your family. I testify that the Redeemer lives and directs this work, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

I got up at 5:30 this morning. I told James to tell the boys if they slept on the couch to expect the light to come on at 5:00. I guess they slept upstairs. 

After breakfast I met with the boys to plan a menu with them. They like spaghetti, steak, hotdogs and hamburgers, fried chicken, and grilled cheese sandwiches. 

Off I went to the grocery store in the rain and wind. I am so sad about poor Lexy.  

The lines were long at Walmart and I had a huge basketful of groceries. I was in line and a younger man and older woman got in line behind me. The thought occurred to me that I should let them go ahead of me because they didn't have very much in their basket,  but I had waited in line so long already I was selfish and ignored my prompting. I had lots of meat and as a result some blood dripped on the floor. I told the cashier and she gave me a paper towel to clean it up. The older woman behind me offered to do it for me and took the paper towel out of my hand. That was nice of her.

Checking out, loading up my bagged groceries, and getting my ice before I went out the door, I felt like I was doing a balancing act.  It was still cold and windy and as I was loading the back of my car this same woman who was behind me in line came to help me load my car. I was again touched by her thoughtfulness and as I thanked her again, I asked for her name. Her name was Jo and she said her husband has dementia and her son came to stay with her for awhile to help with his dad. Maybe it's a good thing I didn't let her go in front of me in line because I never would have allowed her to do this service for me and we would have never met. It touched my heart that there are still kind and thoughtful people left in the world.

It rained on me most of the way home. When I got home I noticed the rain had turned into little white pellets which melted after they hit the ground. 

Evan and Max and James dug into the fried chicken I got but I noticed Joshua wasn't interested. Luckily I also bought some frozen pizzas. I fixed two, one that James and I ate and the other one for Joshua and Evan. They both loved it.

I read, took a nap, and worked on my blog this afternoon. James took the boys on a Razr ride in the cold. They went down the pit three times and had a great time. 

For dinner James braved the weather outside and grilled the top sirloin steaks I bought. I made garlic bread, corn, and beans. We had a nice meal and the boys all loved the steak and garlic bread.

Enjoying their steak dinner.

The boys went upstairs after dinner and played video games or whatever they do up there. They came down a little later to watch Jurassic Park 3. I did not know I had this movie. Someone must have left it here because I never would have bought it.

James and I finish our steps and then watch an episode of "Heartland."  Lou's book tour bombed. She sold very few books.

 I got 15,120 steps today. 

I watched Pride and Prejudice, 1995 on my phone today. 

Stacy and Paul attended Dallin's concert at the Crescent Ballroom tonight. The Killer's opened for them.

Kacey is ready for the countdown.

Annie and Leo after Leo's open heart surgery.

An Indian woman and spider rock at

the Grand Canyon.

This is how the kids look when they

go on a Razr ride.