Showing posts with label cowboys. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cowboys. Show all posts

Monday, May 8, 2017

Thursday, May 4th, 2017

Manhattan, New York
119th operating temple
Dedicated: 13 June 2004 by
President Gordon B. Hinckley

Mosiah 23:1-20
The Lord helps Alma and his people escape from the armies of King Noah and establish a righteous city.
* What do the phrases "caught in a snare" and "bound with the bands of iniquity" teach about the effects of sin?
* Why is it helpful for us to recognize the influences that have led us to sin in the past?
Gospel Principle:
When we repent and choose to live righteously, the Lord will bless us and free us from the bonds of sin.
3 Nephi 23-25
23:1-3 Great are the words of Isaiah - Isaiah is our checklist for the Second Coming of Christ.
4-13 Jesus commands the Nephites to add missing parts to their scripture records.  (Many Saints arose and ministered unto them, and the words of Samuel the Lamanite.)
24:1-18 Jesus quotes the Father's word to Malachi regarding tithing.
25:1-6 The coming of Elijah the Prophet.  The messenger is the gospel through Joseph Smith.  The wicked will burn as stubble.  Our hearts should be turned to our ancestors and our progenitors.
DC 67:1-14
The Lord hears the prayers of and watches over His elders; He challenges the wisest person to duplicate the least of His revelations; Faithful elders will be quickened by the Spirit and see the face of God.
Why is it important to teach by the Spirit?
*Because the Spirit testifies of truth.  Without the Spirit you preach and teach the philosophies of men.  The Spirit brings the message into the hearts of the people we teach.
General Conference
His Daily Guiding Hand
M. Joseph Brough
"Tolerating improper behavior without loving correction is false compassion and reinforces the common notion that wickedness might in fact be happiness."


I gave James some advice this morning when he was complaining about his laryngitis.  I told him to remember President Kimball after he had his throat surgery.  His raspy voice did not stop him from preaching the gospel.  

The banging on Cathi and Terry's roof started at 5:30 this morning instead of the scheduled 6:30.  It was fine for James and I because we were up early.  We had prayer before James left for work around 5:30.  I felt sorry for Cathi and Terry though.  They usually don't get up until 6:30 on days the go to the R.O.C.

I had a funny experience this morning.  We gave Cathi and Terry a gift card to Outback or Carrabbas for their anniversary.  We also had some giftcards I got as a result of the rewards program on my credit card.  We wanted to go to dinner together tonight.  Cathi told me that the Outback on Chandler Blvd.  had closed.  I knew there was one on Market St. in Gilbert.  When I looked on Map Quest it said to the side of all of the Outbacks and Carrabbas, Now closed in bright red letters.  I was beginning to get worried.  I tried Olive Garden and Cheesecake Factory and got the same message.  I began to panic and think there must be some kind of an epidemic going on.  Finally I realized when it said: "Closed now."  It meant closed at 7:30 in the morning!  We will be going to either the Outback or Carrabbas in Gilbert on Market St.


I had lunch today with my friend Jean from Vernon.  We always go to Fresh Start.  She loves the french toast with fresh fruit and I got a grilled ham and cheese sandwich which was very tasty.  Jean is an amazing woman.  She has had a lot of sad things happen to her in her life yet she remains faithful.  Right now her grandson, who she raised as her son, is in jail.  Her family is the family that started a business with their horses, taking people on trail rides.  I asked her if we could arrange a trail ride in July for some of my grandchildren and she said she was sure they could.  They have horses of all sizes, some mini's even for the little ones.

After lunch I was supposed to pick up my friend Charlotte and take her to the Apple Store to receive some lessons on how to use her Ipad.  When I called she said she was too tired.  She said what she really wants to do is read the scriptures with her daughter using the BofM365 program.  I went home and typed her a schedule to use through May and part of June.  When I dropped it off she seemed very grateful.

I don't want to be cremated, but I 
couldn't resist posting this.

I went home and had a nap and then Sheri picked me up around 4:45 to go with her to Max's track meet at Payne Jr. High out near the Santan Mountains.  Max was supposed to run the 400 and he told Sheri if she was there by 5:30 she would be in plenty of time for his race.  We got there at 5:15 and Max had already ran.  He decided to run the mile instead.  We told him next time to let his mom know ahead of time if he changes his plans.  He had his backpack with him that looked awfully heavy.  He said it weighs about 30 lbs.  They no longer have lockers at Bogle Jr. High so he has to carry around all of his books all day long.

This evening, James, Cathi, Terry and I decided to have dinner at Carrabbas because Cathi and Terry had never been there.  James told them that one of the best steaks he ever had was at Carrabbas.  Carrabbas is right next door to Outback.  The first people we saw inside the restaurant were the Ray's.  Their daughter Heather is married to Patrick.  We had a quick visit and then they left.  It looked like they had been to the temple.

Terry, Cathi, and I all ordered the same thing, medium fillets with asparagus.  James got the chicken Marsala.  He said he liked Olive Garden's a little better.  We got the Caprese for an appetizer.  Cathi and I loved it, small tomatoes with olive oil and herbs with soft mozarella cheese.  I could have made that my dinner with their warm bread.  We had enough gift cards to pay for our meal.  It is always fun to visit with Cathi and Terry.  

This evening I read to James from "To Kill a Mockingbird" before going to bed.

Fun Photos:

 My appreciation for cowboys has grown 
since moving to Vernon.

Evan got some new shoes.  He broke them in
running around the movie theater before the
show started.

I am always amazed at the variety of the
creations of Heavenly Father.

Meet Vader, Stacy and Paul's new puppy.
Stacy is not too happy about having
to be the one to potty train him.
Paul bought him without first consulting her.

Aunt Gene with some of her family when 
she was in the hospital last year.

Baby Lola

Joshua, Stacy, Paul out to dinner at
Xavier's Casa Reynoso in Mesa.

One of my most favorite views.



Sunday, May 7, 2017

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Manaus, Brazil
138th operating temple
Dedicated: 10 June 2012 by
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

 Mosiah 21:23-22:16
31-32 The people make covenants with God.
35 The people of Limhi wanted to be baptized but no one had the authority.
Mosiah 22:1 - The people desire to be out of bondage.
3 Gideon has an idea!
9 The king likes Gideon's plan.
10 The people escape and return to Zarahemla.
T/S The temporal deliverance of the Lord's people is but a type, an illustration of the Holy One's role in delivering His chosen from the fiery darts of the evil one.
* What have you learned from Mosiah 21-22 that would give encouragement to anyone who needed to experience the Lord's power to deliver us from sin?
* Repentance is essential to your happiness in this life and throughout eternity.  Repentance is much more than just acknowledging wrongdoings.  It is a change of mind and heart... It includes turning away from sin and turning to God for forgiveness.  It is motivated by love for God and the sincere desire to obey His commandments.
* Elder Richard G. Scott: "The Lord will give relief with divine power when you seek deliverance in humility and faith in Jesus Christ.  Don't say, 'No one understands me; I can't sort it out or get the help I need.' Those comments are self-defeating.  No one can help you without faith and effort on your part.  Your personal growth requires that. Don't look for a life virtually free from discomfort, pain, pressure, challenge, or grief, for those are the tools a loving Father uses to stimulate our personal growth and understanding.  As the scriptures repeatedly affirm, you will be helped as you exercise faith in Jesus Christ....Faith in Christ means we trust Him; we trust His teachings.  That leads to hope, and hope bring charity, the pure love of Christ - that peaceful feeling that comes when we sense His concern, His love, and His capacity to cure us or to ease our burdens with His healing power."' ("To Be Healed," Ensign, May 1994, 8).
3 Nephi 21
1-7 The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon is a Sign of the Father's Work.
8-11 Joseph Smith and the Great and Marvelous Work.
12-21 The unrepentant Gentiles to be destroyed.
22-29 The Establishment of the New Jerusalem.
3 Nephi 22
1-17 The Savior Quotes Isaiah on the Gathering of Israel.
DC 65-66
65 Revelation on prayer given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Hiram, Ohio, October 30, 1831.
The keys of the kingdom of God are committed to man on earth, and the gospel cause will triumph; The millennial kingdom of heaven will come and join the kingdom of God on earth.
66 Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Hiram, Ohio, October 29, 1831. William E. McLellin had petitioned the Lord in secret to make known through the Prophet the answer to five questions, which were unknown to Joseph Smith.  At McLellin's request, the Prophet inquired of the Lord and received this revelation.
The everlasting covenant is the fulness of the gospel; Elders are to preach, testify, and reason with the people; Faithful ministerial service ensures an inheritance of eternal life.
What is the difference between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Heaven?
The kingdom of God is Christ's Church on the earth.  We are preparing for the kingdom of Heaven when Christ will come down from Heaven and lead His Church upon earth.
General Conference
Gathering the Family of God
President Henry B. Eyring
"Our Father ordained a plan by which we would come to earth, in families, and have experiences that would prepare us to return to Him and live as He lives.  The cultural element of this plan was the promise that Jesus Christ would offer Himself as a sacrifice, to rescue us from sin and death.  Our task in that plan is to accept the Savior's sacrifice by obeying the laws and ordinances of the gospel."


Here are some gospel study notes I took: We are commanded to repent of all our sins.  The Lord will show us the things we need to repent of.  If we are faithful in doing the Lord's will, He will be with us and will bless us so we can accomplish what He requires of us.  The Lord wants us to forsake all things that cumber our spiritual progress.  The Lord knows our specific challenges and temptations.  If we continue faithfully to the end we will receive eternal life.  

After prayer and a few pages from "To Kill a Mockingbird," James left for the valley.  I won't be leaving until later this afternoon. He points out that the elk are here again this morning before he gives me a goodbye kiss.

Today after my gospel studies I paid bill, worked on my blog, Primary lesson, and family history.  I left for the valley around 3:30 and went through Salt River Canyon because of the sun and rush hour traffic.  After a couple of stops for gas and an ice cream, and a carwash at Sam's Club in Chandler to get the bugs off my grill and windshield, I arrived at Cathi's and Terry's around sundown.

They are having new tar paper put on their roof because of leaks, so all the tile pieces are taken off.  Cathi says they have been sick because they got the flu from James.  I feel so bad.  
James is hungry so we go to IHOP to get something to eat.  I got the Swedish crepes.  The were very good but I couldn't eat them all so now I have something to look forward to in the morning.

Yummy!

It is pretty late when we get back to Cathi and Terry's and since James will start early in the morning, we go straight to bed.

Fun Photos and Quotes:

A fun time while Addy and Trina were at
Science camp.

Hannigan Meadows

Molly in El Paso, playing in the snow.

Indy's lookalike getting her teeth brushed.

A 1,500 year old tree in South Carolina


A stalking leopard.

We have some real cowboys around here.

Havasupai

Havasupai