Monday, June 12th, 2017

Raleigh, North Carolina
68th operating temple
Dedicated: 18-19 December 1999 by
Gordon B. Hinckley

Alma 14:23-15:4

* When have you seen people suffer trials even though they were striving to be righteous?

* Why were Alma and Amulek able to receive strength from the Lord? (see Alma 14:26, 28.)

* If we call on the

Lord in faith, He will strengthen us in our afflictions and deliver us in His way and in His own time.

* How can suffering trials bring us closer to the Lord?

DC 88:14-24

14-16, The Resurrection comes through the Redemption, 17-31, Obedience to celestial, terrestrial, or telestial law prepares men for those respective kingdoms and glories; 

How can the spirit and the body constitute the soul of man?

* "It has been declared in the solemn word of revelation, that the spirit and the body constitute the soul of man; and, therefore, we should look upon this body as something that shall endure in the resurrected state, beyond the grave, something to be kept pure and holy." - James E. Talmage, DCSM, DC 88:15, The Soul of Man, p. 198).

General Conference

Songs Sung and Unsung

Jeffrey R. Holland

Believe in yourself, and believe in Him. Don't demean your worth or denigrate your contribution. Above all, don't abandon your role in the chorus. Why? Because you are unique; you are irreplaceable. The loss of even one voice diminishes every other singer in this great mortal choir of ours including the loss of those who feel they are on the margins of society or the margins of the Church.

Stand Up Inside and Be All In

Elder Gary B. Sabin

We are, in effect, refusing to unroll our spiritual sleeping bags when we don't take the time to sincerely pray, study, and earnestly live the gospel each day; not only will the fire go out, but we will be unprotected and grow spiritually cold.

James dug 15 holes for posts today with the auger. He cleaned our the dirt with a shovel and set the posts with cement.  I am impressed! 

The next time he came in to give me a report he said: "I hit sold rock and broke a blot and sprang a hydraulic leak and then hit my head on the auger. I need a throw away towel.  He passed through again to get a measuring tape and to wash his hands.  He smells like a diesel truck.   

I decided to count how many emails I got today.  It was over 200 when I stopped counting.

Jared sent us a link to a talk by Jeffrey R. Holland today. The talk is, "Bound by Loving Ties."  Jeffrey R. Holland is one of my favorite speakers.  James ask me to read to him so I stopped what I was doing and read to him from "The Lost Heiress."  

Later I was working on my blog when James asked me to go to town with him, which I did, in spite of the fact that it was not on my list of things to do today.  We went through Sonic for my corn dog, on to Cal-Ranch where I bought a light-up fidget spinner, and then to Walmart and Home Depot.  I did not get to finish my shopping at Walmart before James was ready to go. I guess I will have to finish another day. 

 Saving this one for Kacey W.

When we got back home, some of the cows were back.  I chase them away while James puts the fence back up.  They were back before too long.  

I guess they think they belong here.

For F.H.E. we read lesson #13 in the Gordon B. Hinckley manual, "Peace and Contentment Through Spiritual Self-Reliance."  Afterwards we watched the latest episode of "The Good Witch."

The Vernon postmistress posted these pictures.

She lives in Clay Springs and took this picture on the way

to work one morning.

Here are some photos the kids sent from San Diego:

 Suited up to go look for whales.

Off they go!

Sun-bathing sea lions.

Notice the smile on Stacy's face. This was before she

dropped her phone into the ocean.

Celebrating Ian's birthday at Olive Garden.

Evan taking his time eating a breadstick

while Ben looks on.

Looks like he is in a food coma by the

time he got to dessert.

I guess Kim and Sheri are taking the photos.

When you have talented kids you have

entertainment wherever you go.

Nothing like a sunset over the ocean for

the end to a perfect day.

Carol D. and her husband Roger got asked to tell their

story at the Chandler West stake trek. She was fortunate to

have family in the group.

I think Brennan looks like his dad, Mario, in

this photo.

Mario and Carol and their boys.

Wednesday, June 7th, 2017

Porto Alegre, Brazil

102nd operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Dec 2000 by

Gordon B. Hinckley

Alma 12:20-27

* What were the effects of the Fall?  Why were they necessary?

* How does the Atonement of Jesus Christ allow us to overcome the effects of the Fall?

* According to Alma 12:24, what did Alma teach is the purpose of life?

DC 84:103-120

103-10, Let every man stand in his own office and labor in his own calling; 111-120, The Lord's servants are to proclaim the abomination of desolation of the last days.

How can we be more aware of the "weak" around us so we may lift them up and help them become strong?

General Conference

Our Good Shepherd

Elder Dale G. Renlund

"As the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ views disease in His sheep as a condition that needs treatment, care, and compassion.  This shepherd, our Good Shepherd, finds joy in seeing His diseased sheep progress toward healing.  The Savior foretold that He would 'feed His flock like a shepherd,' 'seek out that which is lost,...bring again that which is driven away, ...bind up that which is broken, and strengthen that which is sick.'"

Just a few notes from my studies:

Something I want my grandchildren to know: "Know that God lives and Jesus is the Christ; To know the kingdom of God has been established; There is a reward for every commandment we keep."

What I want my children to know:

"The Forgotten Practice that Increases Personal Revelation" by Maurine Proctor, June 7, 2017, ldsmag.com

One night several years ago, we had an older teenaged daughter who did not arrive at her 12:00 a.m. curfew.  One o'clock came and she still wasn't there.  We did what any good parent would do.  We panicked. We prayed. We made those awkward middle-of-night calls to her friends. 2:00 a.m. Our imaginations were flying with the dangers she could be in.  We prayed harder. I cried with worry. The minutes seemed like hours. 2:30 a.m. 2:45 a.m. The world was asleep, but not us - two parents so concerned about their precious daughter.

At last, at 3:00 a.m., we heard the front door quietly open.  We had decided on a plan to divide and conquer.  My husband, Scot, stayed up in our bedroom and prayed for me while I went down to greet our daughter.  The conversation was just as you might expect.  I pounced on her-not literally, but there was an edge in my voice.  I reminded her of her curfew, told her of the dangers and temptations abroad in the late hours of the night, described our painful worry.

She was defensive. She asked if we didn't trust her. She told me she was too old for a curfew. The more she resisted my teaching, the more tension you could feel between us. I badly needed help to turn this divisive conversation into a sweet moment of love and teaching. Just then I felt the influence of my husband's prayers for me, and an impression came into my mind. I had been praying much for this daughter of ours whom I had been worried about, and just a few days earlier the Spirit had whispered something about her to me.

I stopped my lesson on curfews for a moment. I was still and knew that this was the moment to tell her that message. "Last week," I said, "the Spirit told me something about you." Her defensiveness began to fall from her. It was the first time she really yeard anything I said. "Tell me," she said with real eagerness. I answered, "The Spirit told me not to worry so much about your life because all things would work out for you, that everything would be OK."

"You heard that, Mom?" she asked eagerly. "What else did the Spirit tell you about me?" Listen to the faith in her questions.  She believed that God had heard my prayers and answered them. She believed that He knew her and loved her. When I saw her as a daughter pushing the limits by coming in late, He knew her heart and the faith that resided there that maybe she didn't even now. Our conversation became sweet as I told her of the confidence that God had in her and of his personal knowledge of her heart and goodness.

Before, she had been eager to escape my presence and lecture. Now, she was all ears and we talked until 4:00 a.m. I count it as a treasured hour in my mothering experience.

This experience demonstrates why we need revelation so much.

One more note from this article: "Serious reflection precedes revelation."

Happy 48th Anniversary to these two:

Two of my favorite people!

Cows may be dumb, but they are persistent!

James has some tangle problems

The Herd.

James went to town to get the part he ordered yesterday for his auger so he can start digging holes for corner posts.  He is so discouraged because the cows trampled his yard, a sprinkler head and the raspberry bush. He brought me home two fidget spinners from Cal-Ranch.

I have been reading about the law of consecration in the Doctrine and Covenants student manual and came across this quote by Joseph Smith: "A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary to lead unto life and salvation." (Lectures on Faith, p. 58.)

James had laryngitis today and he got a call from Anthony. He needs a ride into town.  I called Brother Butler and arranged it for him.  

James worked all day and into the night to put up a makeshift fence so the cows couldn't get in our yard while we are gone to the valley tomorrow.  He was exhausted when he came in. 

Random thoughts:

I made a tomato, cucumber, onion salad to go with our meatloaf leftovers.  I worked on getting all the birthday cards ready to go tomorrow: Ian, Brian, Dallin, and Ruby.  My knees are so bad from chasing cows yesterday with a sling shot that I ended up taking six tramadol. I typed the story of James being saved from a fire when he was 8 months old.  I am starting a blog about his life story, and mine too.  I am going to make them a series of stories.  Both Stacy and Charlotte called today.  It was fine because I just sit at the computer and work on my blog while talking to them.

I ordered these things this week:

Sheets from MobStub for #32.95.  An Indiana Jones hat from Amazon for James for father's day, I also placed two orders of fidget spinners, one from Amazon and one from MobStub.

We leave in the morning around 7.

Summer fun at Water Wheel.

Two bathing blondies

James took this picture while he was working

at the Howard's.

Tuesday, June 6th, 2017

Portland, Oregon

42nd operating temple

Dedicated: 19-21 August 1989 by

Gordon B. Hinckley

Alma 12:1-19

* When has the Holy Ghost helped you recognize and avoid temptation?

* Elder David A. Bednar: "Spiritual understanding...simply cannot be given to us.  The tuition of diligence and of learning by study and also by faith must be paid to obtain and personally 'own' such knowledge.  Only in this way can what is known in the mind also be felt in the heart."

* The Lord reveals spiritual truths to us according to the heed and diligence we give to His words.

* What is the relationship between the condition of our hearts and our ability to receive spiritual truth?

* We will be held accountable before God for our thoughts, words, and actions.

DC 84:89-102

92-97, Plagues and cursings await those who reject the gospel; 98-102, The new song of the redemption of Zion is given; 

What shall be the song that we sing?

* A new song concerning the redemption of Zion and the restoration of Israel.

General Conference

Our Father's Glorious Plan

Elder Weatherford T. Clayton

"In a grand premortal council, Our Father told us about His plan.  When we understood it, we were so happy that we shouted for joy, and 'the morning stars sang together.' That plan is built upon three grand pillars: the pillars of eternity.  The first pillar is the Creation of the earth, the setting for our mortal journey.  The second pillar is the Fall of our first earthly parents.  The third pillar is the Savior Jesus Christ and His Atonement."

I added a new dimension to my scripture study as a result of President Nelson's conference address.  I am studying all of the scriptures under Jesus Christ and the 57 subheadings under his name in the topical guide. Today I studied the scriptures in Matthew, Mark, and Luke regarding the Savior's transfiguration.  I am also making a notebook with scriptures referring to the Atonement to contemplate during the Sacrament.

The herd was here this morning when we got up.  Our grass is trampled.  James is so sad.

We went to town to get a part for the tractor and to get the oil changed in my car.  James had to order a part and it won't be here until tomorrow.  I went grocery shopping but we didn't get the oil changed because they said it would take 2 1/2 hours.  

We had lunch at Aliberto's.  My shredded beef taco was yummy!  I bought alot of extra's today during my shopping trip.  Three $50 gift cards for birthdays, goggles for the Razr, a sling shot to shoot cows with and a facial hair remover gadget, and the new Beauty and the Beast movie.  Oh, by the way, James loves his Harry's razor that I ordered for him.  

We came home and watched the most recent episode of "The Good Witch" and then James went to try out the sling shot.  

James worked outside on the fence until 4 p.m. He stopped and went over to the Howard's to work for awhile.  I chased away cows two times while he was gone. While I am sitting at the dining room table working on my blog and watching Beauty and the Beast, I look outside and see a calf rubbing up against one of James's fruit trees.  I grab my sling shot and go.  I am a lousy shot so I don't think she has anything to worry about.  I yell at her and she stares at me a few seconds and then turns and runs.  This plague of cows is really tiresome.

This evening I read a chapter about Solomon Mack from the Joseph Smith History by His Mother.  James works outside on the fence until 9:30.  He knows we are leaving for the valley in a couple of days and will not leave his trees and grass unprotected from the cows. 

My view while riding in the Razr trying to drive

the cows away.  They look scared, don't they.

The Mountain Elk Burger at

Karen's Country Bakery.

(Maybe I should show this picture to the cows and say:

"This could be you!")

I love the Beast!

Especially when he sings

"Evermore."

June 4, 2015

Our Chandler home remodeled kitchen.

Monday, June 5th, 2017

Phoenix, Arizona

144th operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Nov 2014 by

Thomas S. Monson

Alma 11:26-46

*Why is it impossible to be saved in our sins?

*What is the difference between being saved in our sins and being saved from our sins?

*Alma 11:40 contains a principle that we must follow in order to be saved from our sins.  When we believe in Jesus Christ, we can be redeemed from our sins.

*Why do we need to believe in Jesus Christ to be saved from our sins?  President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: "We need a strong faith in Christ to be able to repent.  Our faith has to include a 'correct idea of God's character, perfections, and attributes.' If we believe that God knows all things, is loving and is merciful, we will be able to put our trust in Him for our salvation without wavering.  Faith in Christ will change our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that are not in harmony with God's will."

*How might someone live their life differently if they believed there was no life after death?

*Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all will be resurrected and judged according to their works.  

*"The purpose of the gospel is to cleanse people of their sins so they can receive the Savior's mercy at the day of judgment." (Preach My Gospel, p. 6.)

DC 84:74-88

62-76, They are to preach the gospel and signs will follow; 77-91, Elders are to go forth without purse or scrip, and the Lord will care for their needs;

How does it make me feel that the Lord does call me friend?

*It makes me want to be worthy of that friendship.

General Conference

Gathering the Family of God

President Henry B. Eyring

"We are not sent here completely in the dark.  Each of us was given a portion of God's light, called the 'Light of Christ,' to help us distinguish between good and evil, right and wrong.  This is why even those who live with little or no knowledge of the Father's plan can still sense, in their hearts, that certain actions are just and moral while others are not."

His daily Guiding Hand

M. Joseph Brough

"Through His prophets, Heavenly Father constantly reminds us that righteousness is happiness.  King Benjamin, for example, taught that Heavenly Father 'doth require that ye should do as He hath commanded you; for which if ye do, He doth immediately bless you.'" (Mosiah 2:24)

I had to put James's shoes and socks on for him this morning because he couldn't bend over.  There are 15 cows in the yard and he needs to go chase them away.  

The Gospel Doctrine lesson this week is on the Word of Wisdom, a principle with a promise.  My Primary lesson is on Joseph Smith being tarred and feathered.  The gospel principle is the principle of forgiveness.  

I made a chocolate cake yesterday afternoon.  I like to do that and call it Sunday dinner.  It was a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting so I thought James would like it.  He told me that cake was his least favorite kind of chocolate.  I ended up flushing the cake down the garbage disposal or I would have ended up eating all of it.

James ask me to go to town with him this morning.  I really didn't want to go but I could tell he really wanted me to so I went.  Of course, our first stop was at Persnikkity's for lunch.  I waited in the car while he did the rest of his errands.  He really want to get the electric fence up before we leave town.  While I was waiting, I ordered 9 fidget spinners for my Primary class.  

When we got home from town I took a nap before working on my blog, paying bills, and making a meatloaf for dinner.  

For F.H.E. we read President Hinckley's lesson #12 entitled: "Obedience: Simply Live the Gospel.  Afterwards I began working on a budget.

It was a disappointing day for James.  The part he needed had to be ordered and he had to chase cows three times.  His back is hurting very badly and it makes him angry.  I told him that anger only makes things worse.

More Photos:

  

I wonder if Jesus likes cows as much as

He likes sheep. 

They aren't as cute as sheep.

This is Winter, Christina's baby

Christina and kids

Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly:

Pure Class and Elegance

One Cool Dude!

June 4, 2016

Goodbye to Holly

Commercial Break

I love to see the temple,

I'm going there someday....

on June 22, 2017

Thursday, June 1st, 2017

Paris, France

156th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 May 2017 by

Henry B. Eyring

Alma 9:19-34

*According to Alma 9:19-23, what gifts and blessings had the Nephites, (including the people of Ammonihah), experienced because they were the Lord's covenant people?

*What are some ways we can stay true to the light and knowledge we have received?

DC 84:17-28

18-25, The greater priesthood holds the key of the knowledge of God; 26-32, The lesser priesthood holds the key of the ministering of angels and of the preparatory gospel;

What authority did John the Baptist receive from the angel?

*"To overthrow the kingdom of the Jews, and to make straight the way of the Lord before the face of his people, to prepare them for the coming of the Lord, in whose hand is given all power." (verse 28).  John the Baptist was a preparer and he held the Aaronic priesthood or the preparatory priesthood.

General Conference

Trust in the Lord and Lean Not

Bonnie H. Cordon

"When we physically lean toward one side or another, we move off

center, we are out of balance, and we tip.

When we spiritually lean to our own understanding we lean away from our Savior.  If we lean, we are not centered; we are not balanced; we are not focused on Christ."

Happy Anniversary to us!
49 years and counting!

James placed a card on my study desk at Cathi and Terry's this morning.  It was the first thing I read.  I am so grateful to him.  He is my best friend, my priesthood leader, and the love of my life.  I wish everyone could be as happy as we are!

To celebrate we went to Biscuits for breakfast.  I got the same thing I got yesterday, Joe's Scramble, only this time I ate every bite.  James got the corned beef, potatoes, hashbrowns, and eggs. 

When we returned to Cathi's James put on his work clothes.  He is patching a section of drywall in Cathi and Terry's garage.  We he finishes he keeps in, takes a shower, and changes his clothes.  It is time for me to stop my gospel study and get ready to go home to Vernon.  I am sad we were not able to get our new windshield because we never heard back from our insurance company, National General.  On the way out of town we stopped at the Chandler Costco so James could get some batteries for his hearing aid.  We also got steaks, cough drops, and a few other items of groceries.  We ended up spending around $100.  Away we go!  We are still reading from "The Shack". Of course we went through Globe.

  

Our first stop on the way home was at the Burger King in Show Low for a Whopper Jr.  Next stop was the Vernon post office.  We got the book, "Joseph Smith, a Rough Stone Rolling," and two checks from Diana R.  I also got a thank you card from Rachel and a fidget spinner.  It is 65 degrees, overcast, and we get a little rain.  Perfect weather!  As I am unloading my suitcases and putting everything away a feeling of gratitude comes over me for my beautiful home and where we live.  We are truly blessed!

This evening we watch an old Taylor Cole movie on Hallmark.  James cooks steaks and I make some lemon pepper asparagus.  The perfect dinner.  These steaks are divine!

I finished reading "Dad's Who Stay and Fight" and did some other studying.  As we are sitting outside on our bedroom porch I head cows mooing.  We have not seen any cows since the 2014 fire.  James takes off on the Razr to check it out and says he saw 215 cows.  Oh dear, and this before we get our fence up.

I love James because:

He is an awesome grandpa!

He can cook!

He loves to study the gospel.

He is a hard worker.

This was a service project he did for 

Kim and Brian.

He likes to take me out to eat.

El Cupido's after the Snowflake temple

This is a chinese restaurant in Phoenix

that Kim recommended.  We took Alex, Michael,

and Kim here last year as part of our 

scripture study, lunch program.

He looks handsome in his suit 

and purple tie.

He is a wonderful father.

He helps me with projects for my 

Primary class.

Here he is making paper airplanes.

He takes me to the temple!

Happy Anniversary Honey!

I love you!