Wednesday, February 5th, 2020

Brisbane, Australia

115th operating temple

Dedicated: 15 June 2003

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Judge

1 Chronicles 16:33

Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the Lord, because he cometh to judge the earth.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

2 Nephi 2:17-30

"Unwavering Commitment to Jesus Christ"

Elder Dale G. Renlund

Oct 2019

"As our faith in Jesus Christ grows, God invites us to make promises with Him. These covenants, as such promises are known, are manifestations of our conversion. Covenants also create a sure foundation for spiritual progression. As we choose to be baptized, we begin to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ and choose to identify ourselves with Him. We pledge to become like Him and to develop His attributes."

It was 5 degrees when I got up this morning. Outside, not inside. The cold water on our kitchen faucet was frozen inspite of having the heater blowing on the pipes all night. James took a bigger propane heater outside and tried to unthaw the hose. It finally worked and we had water again.

I read this quote by President Eyring in the book I am currently reading, "Live Up To Our Privileges" by Wendy Ulrich:

"It is wise to fear that our own skills are inadequate to meet the charge we have to nourish. ... But that realistic view of our limitations creates a humility which can lead to dependence on the Spirit and thus to power."

I blogged this morning and again this evening and I am finally caught up! It is going to be so amazing to only have to do one blog post a day!

I inventoried three books and bought a couple of books plus I did some repricing. January was a pretty good month for selling books. 

I read, watched Dave and Emily on YouTube, listened to two chapters from Saints, listened to Greg Matsen discuss 2 Nephi 1-5, read an article from the Ensign by President Eyring "The First Vision: A Pattern for Personal Revelation", listened to three conference talks, and studied indepth, 2 Nephi 2. 

I also did some work on our ministering assignments. We have several new sisters who need ministering sisters. I looked at all of the companionships that were visiting only one or two sisters and gave them another sister. I "cleaned up" our ministering lists and now I need to post online and send Tamara an email. 

James had an elders quorum meeting tonight. They are meeting with Kerri who is showing them how to use the online information on the Church's website for leaders. James said it was pretty impressive.

James is using Kim's formula and making his own breathing remedy. Two drops lemon DoTerra, two peppermint, and two lavender in some water. It really works!

Trina thanked us for her birthday card and gift card. I guess she already opened it although her birthday is not until the 12th.

I made homemade chicken with rice soup. I loved it and so did James.

I got over 14,000 steps today without even bothering my knee.

 I wish he really was my Uncle Neal

 I took this photo with my Iphone

I wish I could say I took this one

Monday, December 31st, 2018

Las Vegas, Nevada

43rd operating temple

Dedicated: 16-18 Dec 1989

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Death of

3 Nephi 11:2

And they were also conversing about this Jesus Christ, of whom the sign had been given concerning his death.

Book of Mormon

#1 - Finished!

#2 - Finished!

Old Testament

Finished!

General Conference

Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints

President Russell M. Nelson

"The new home-centered, Church-supported integrated curriculum has the potential to unleash the power of families, as each family follows through conscientiously and carefully to transform their home into a sanctuary of faith. I promise that as you diligently work to remodel your home into a center of gospel learning, over time your Sabbath days will truly be a delight. Your children will be excited to learn and to live the Savior's teachings, and the influence of the adversary in your life and in your home will decrease. Changes in your family will be dramatic and sustaining."

Happy 45th Birthday Kim!

Kim and her Guys

Sheri and I got ready and left for town this morning around 8 a.m. before Kim and Brian got here. Sheri was going to go running at 7 but it was just too cold and windy. It looks like we are going to get some more snow. We are worried about Kim and Brian making it up over the rim in Chloe (their car). We did not know that they saw Chris Cameron, Merrilee Bogle's husband, at the temple yesterday and he loaned them his truck. Brian said it was a tender mercy that he was not going to accept until he felt prompted that he should.

Sheri and I need to get some groceries, propane so we can use our smoker, and gas for the Razr. Our first stop was at the Maverick station in Show Low to get drinks. Sheri wanted to know why we were going to the Show Low Walmart and I told her because I needed to pick up my thyroid prescription, Levothyroxin. I ended up forgetting to do this so I will have to come back later in the week.

I wanted to get either a brisket or some ribs to cook in the smoker tomorrow. The briskets were huge and cost almost $50 so I got ribs instead. Probably not enough for everyone for a meal but this is an experiment. I got two racks of baby backs because that's all they had and one rack of beef. Sheri got more sub rolls for sandwiches.

Our next stop after Walmart was Stanford. Sheri stayed at the gas pump and was trying to get gas for the Razr but the credit/debit wasn't working so I took her card inside. It is freezing and windy by the way. I had to wait in line but had the clerk run the card. I went back to Sheri and it still wasn't working. This time she went in and I got in the line outside for propane. Propane is a hot commodity in this community where many rely on it for their heat. When it was finally my turn the guy filled my tanks and I lifted them and put them in the back of my car. No easy feat for me, especially in the cold but he did not offer to help.

Next I went inside and ordered some lunchmeat and cheese from the deli. When I finally checked out, which took about ten minutes because the guy was so slow, it cost me over $65 for propane and lunchmeat and cheese. Oh dear. I did get quite a bit of meat and cheese so I guess we will be having sub sandwiches for awhile.

When we got home Michael carried in most of the groceries. Finding a place to put all of our stuff is tricky, especially in the refrigerator. 

We know that Kim and Brian are on their way. It is snowing again so we are praying for their safe arrival. 

While Sheri and I were gone to town the boys and Ian helped James get some wood in. Ian and Michael helped James with the woodsplitter and the boys carried it over to the porch in the Razr and stacked. We now have wood to last for awhile. Thanks guys!

Ok, so it's not stacked neatly, at least it's dry.

I forgot to mention that Sheri bought a big bucket of chicken for everyone at KFC on the way home. It lasted about 10 minutes before it was all gone. I guess chopping and hauling wood makes you hungry.  Ian and James each got a container of coleslaw, there were also biscuits and potato wedges.

We were so happy when Kim and Brian got here. It was a great blessing that Chris allowed them to bring his truck. I'm not sure they would have made it up our hill without it. Later in the day they closed all the roads north of Payson because of snow. Many people were stranded in Payson.

We had steak for dinner again. James cooked ours and Michael did everyone else's. He used the cast iron skillet and cooked them with butter and garlic like before. Sheri had enough steaks to feed Kim and Brian. They were going to stop at Safeway for food for tonight but they came straight here instead. 

Michael cooking steak

We sang Happy Birthday to Kim. Brian brought up a cake and I got some ice cream at the store today. 

After the celebration Kim worked on the new Dowdle puzzle we got her.

We had more sledding, fires, and movies today. They boys stayed up to celebrate the new year but I'm not sure that anyone else did.

 This sweet baby is reason to celebrate!

Instant replay of the latest sledding adventure.

 45 candles is a lot!

 There she blows!

 Kim trying on the hooded coat blanket

Ian got for Christmas from his mom.

 Joshua ready for some snow

 Putting their wet clothes by the fire.

 Wisemen

Monday, November 12th, 2018

Star Valley, Wyoming

154th operating temple

Dedicated: 30 Oct 2016

By: David A. Bednar

Jesus Christ, Davidic Descent of

Acts 13:23

Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Savior, Jesus:

Book of Mormon #1

3 Nephi 27:13-33

*How can we strive to be more like Christ?

- President Ezra Taft Benson said: "The entire ministry of the Master was characterized by His voluntary subordination to His Heavenly Father's will, and in the Savior's own words: 'I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me...for I do always the things that please Him' (John 8:28-29). 

Christ was not only perfectly obedient, but maybe even more importantly, perfectly trusting. So if we choose, like Jesus Christ, to trust more completely, to follow more obediently, and to make doing the will of our Father the core motivation behind decision-making, focus, thoughts, actions, and if we make understanding His will our very purpose, what could the ripple effect of that be? Would we become more like the Savior? Would we be cultivating and deepening Christlike virtues such as truth, wisdom, patience, kindness, gentleness, love, godliness, faith, and self-control? Would we be more completely and exactly following the Savior's example? Would we experience deeper peace, happiness, and joy? Elder Maxwell said: 'Only by aligning our wills with God's is full happiness to be found...progression toward submission confers.an enhanced capacity for joy.'"

Book of Mormon #2

Alma 15-17

Old Testament

Ezekiel 41-43

General Conference

Believe, Love, Do

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"We achieve that abundant life not by focusing on our own needs or on our own achievements but by becoming true disciples of Jesus Christ - by following in His ways and engaging in His work. We find the abundant life by forgetting ourselves and engaging in the great cause of Christ."

For Him

Joy D. Jones

"We realized that we were sincerely striving to serve this family and to serve our bishop, but we had to ask ourselves if we were really serving out of love for the Lord. King Benjamin made clear this distinction when he stated, 'Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God.'"

In site of the cold weather, the high was 33 today, I am feeling so much better than I did last week and the week before. 

I stayed inside and was nice and cozy because James built a big and and kept the house warm all day.

James moved his office upstairs this morning instead of at the end of the dining room table. He's making phone calls about this job in Mesa that he is supposed to do next week, or the week after.

James came down to fry up some venison for lunch. He gave me the steaks and he took the heart and the liver! I made a salad.

While I was walking this afternoon James left for the Howard's.

Besides walking I also made Trina's Levian Bakery cookies, and worked on our book biz. I learned how to change our shipments  from merchant fulfilled to Fulfilled by Amazon. This is supposed to be better but I'm not sure why because it is quite costly.

Oh my gosh! These cookies are delicious! I need to get them out of my sight!

This batch was the best.

While talking on the phone with Sister Howard about our lunch date tomorrow she told me that James fell off a ladder today, hit Tom and they both went tumbling to the ground. James hit a rock. 

Funny, when he came in earlier he never mentioned falling off a ladder. When I asked him about it, he admitted he wasn't going to tell me and then proceeded to tell me he thinks he cracked some ribs. I think I might have noticed that he was in such great pain.

I heard from Stacy today and from Sister Price reminding me about card making class tomorrow. I said if she was here I was going but I had to leave early for a lunch date. 

Along with Ben's email and his answer, I texted Max today and shared with him Alma 36:3 -"And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day." Max texted me back and said, "Thank you, that was awesome." I talked with Ben a little bit about Max and how he is feeling and told him I thought Max needed to have his faith strengthened and would he, Ben, please help. He said he did and wondered why his family was going through such trials. He shared with Max one of his favorite scriptures, Helaman 5:12 - "And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which e are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."

Every week when I email Ben I am going to also send something uplifting to Max.

Tanner is in the hospital with mesenteric adenitis, inflammation of the lymph nodes located in your mesentery. The mesentery is the membrane that attaches your intestines to the inside wall of your abdomen. Lymph nodes are collections of tissue that filter bacteria, viruses, and waste substances from the bloodstream. We said a special prayer for Tanner this evening. 

Hate to see this guy down. He is always

so full of life and energy.

For FHE we listened to Sister Jones's conference talk, "For Him," one of my favorites. I love Sister Jones! 

Afterwards we watched a new Hallmark movie, "A Veteran's Christmas." Fitting for veterans day.

This shirt is one that I got Scarlett for

her birthday. She looks so cute!

 So excited for Kris and Kristine. They are such a

sweet couple!

I have to have my Charlie fix everyday!

 Enough cuteness....I've got to take a nap.

Future athletes of America
Lola and Ruby