Monday, March 5th 2018

Bismarck, North Dakota

61st operating temple

Dedicated: 19 Sept 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of
Ether 3:14
Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In e shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters.
Book of Mormon
2 Nephi 25:27-26:11
"Beware of Pride" Ezra Taft Benson, April 1989
What are some prideful actions I might get caught up in and not realize it's prideful?
Old Testament
Numbers 12-13
12 Aaron and Miriam complain against Moses, the most meek of all men - The Lord promises to speak to Moses mouth to mouth and to reveal to him the similitude of the Lord - Miriam becomes leprous for a week.
13 Moses sends twelve spies to search the land of Canaan - Ten of them bring an evil report, telling only of the strength of the inhabitants.
General Conference

A Yearning for Home

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

" Discipleship requires our willingness to swim upstream when needed.

As we embrace the gospel in faith and deed, each day and every hour, we will draw a little closer to our God. Our lives will be better, and the Lord will use us in remarkable ways to bless those around us and bring about His eternal purposes."

I listened to President Benson's talk "Beware of Pride." It was read by President Hinckley. I also listened to Elder Bednar's talk from the April 2006 General Conference, "That We May Always Have His Spirit to be with Us."

For F.H.E. James and I listened to Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson's talk, "The Needs Before Us." Here is a quote from her talk:

"President Spencer W. Kimball taught: 

'God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs.'"

My schedule for today has gone awry so I must readjust. I had on my schedule to go to the post office to mail Tanner's card and then come home and make chicken enchiladas. Instead James decided it would be fun to go to Springerville for lunch. I can never turn down a lunch date.

We end up at Booga Reds, the only place we have ever eaten in Springerville besides fast food. I ordered the carne asada tacos. They were dry and the refried beans and spanish rice were...meh.

James's chicken quesadilla wasn't that great either. The chips and salsa were decent. Because of a commitment I made to show the Lord that I love Him more than DP10, or any other carbonated drink, I ordered water with lemon. Today is my first day without a caffeinated drink in a long time.

I walk down the main street while James pays our bill. I only got a quarter of a mile before James picked me up but that was okay with me because it was pretty darn cold even though it was sunny and there was no wind.

I accidentally brought "Rescuing Wayward Children," instead of "Life Everlasting." I enjoyed reading from it and I think James did to. 

When I got home I took a nap, went for a walk, watched Victoria and worked on my blog. James went outside to cut on the tree. We listened to Sister Oscarson's talk for F.H.E. I like this quote: "The essence of living the gospel is service." 

We had whole wheat pancakes for dinner and then watched an episode of "Heartland." 

 Such a mess!

Lots of kissing from these two.

My Easter centerpiece, I finally
put the Valentine one away.
The eggs are wooden.

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Guatemala City, Guatemala

32nd operating temple

Mosiah 2:10-28

* King Benjamin teaches about the importance of serving God and each other and about our eternal indebtedness to God.

* Mosiah 2:10-15

Can you find evidences of King Benjamin's concern about serving the people and not about his own status or recognition?

* President Howard W. Hunter:

" Don't be overly concerned with status....It is important to be appreciated.  But our focus should be on righteousness, not recognition; on service, not status."

* Mosiah 2:16-17

What did King Benjamin want his people to learn?

* Mosiah 2:18-24

Why would King Benjamin refer to himself and his people as unprofitable servants?

* What blessings have you received for which you feel indebted to God?

* Why is it important to realize that we are "eternally indebted" to God?

Alma 63-Helaman 1

Alma 63 

Shiblon and later Helaman take possession of the sacred records - Many Nephites travel to the land northward - Hagoth builds ships, which sail forth in the west sea - Moronihah defeats the Lamanites in battle. About 56-52 B.C.

Helaman 1 

Pahoran the second becomes chief judge and is murdered by Kishkumen - Pacumeni fells the judgment seat - Coriantumr leads the Lamanite armies, takes Zarahemla, and slays Pacumeni - Moronihah defeats the Lamanites and retakes Zarahemla, and Coriantumr s slain. 

DC 52:1-11

The next conference is designated to be held in Missouri; Appointments of certain elders to travel together are made; The elders are to teach what the apostles and prophets have written;

* What standard has the Lord set for how missionaries are supposed to teach?

- Verse 9.  What the prophets and apostles have written and what is taught the by the Comforter through the prayer of faith.

General Conference

Gathering the Family of God

President Henry B. Eyring

"God the Father wants His children home again, in families and in glory."

In preparation for the last days I learned the following:

"If ye are prepared ye shall not fear" DC 38:30

"Those who are not purified shall not abide that day" DC 38:8

Parables of Preparation are found in Matthew 25.

There are three ways to prepare: 1.) Spiritual Power 2.) Stewardships 3.) Christian service.

The First Presidency

President Monson and his two counselors,

President Eyring and President Uchtdorf

It is a monumental day!  I am actually caught up on my blog.  I would do a little happy dance but I am afraid I might hurt myself.

After I finished blogging I started to get ready for my trip to the valley.  I ironed two blouses, and listened to a couple of conference talks, I ran off my strengthening marriage talk and Primary lesson, showered, packed, and loaded everything into the car. It is such a beautiful day here, around 65 degrees with a slight breeze.  It was around 1:30 or so when I left.  My first stop was at the Vernon post office.  Again my box was packed full.

It's a good thing I brought my doggie bag.

On to Show Low where I stopped for gas at the Splash and Dash.  I was going to get my car washed but the line was too long.  I stopped at Arby's before leaving Show Low for a sandwich and a drink.  The regular Arby's was too big, I should have ordered a junior, and my drink was flat.  I donated a $1 to some charity.  My bills was over $7.  I should have just made a donation and forgotten about the food.  

The trip to Salt River Canyon was pretty uneventful.  There was no traffic so it didn't take me long to get to Globe.  To keep myself awake I listened to music and at butterscotch baking chips.  In Globe I stopped at McDonald's for an ice cream cone and another drink.  By the way, did you know McDonald's now has Grand Big Mac's, regular Big Mac's, and junior Big Mac's.  A Big Mac for everyone, except me that is.  I passed up Burger House because I figured James bought them on Monday.  Outside of Miami the traffic picks up and my speed slows down.  They are still working on the road so my speed doesn't pick up until I get to Gonzales Pass.

I stopped at Darrel and Trina's on the way in to town to bring Addy her boots that she left at the cabin.  Darrel and the girls were home. Trina was at work and Rowan was at ball practice.  When I ask to use the bathroom Lola said to me: "I want to come to, I want to see your bum."  I told her that was not appropriate, and besides I didn't think she would like my bum anyway.  She is hilarious!

I did some shopping at Deseret Book and stopped at Sam's Club to wash my car.  This is what I bought at Deseret Book:

The Ensign is for my friend Charlotte,

Covenant Hearts is a marriage book by Bruce C. Hafen,

the old guy carrying the pack on his back is Sheri Dew's new book, "Worth the Wrestle", it's based on a talk of her's that she gave at BYU-Idaho that I loved.  The Julie Klassen book is a proper romance for James and I to read, and the two triple combinations are for less active kids in my Primary class.  We are going to visit them as a class, take them cookies and give them the scriptures as we invite them to come to Primary.

I find James quite stressed when I arrive at Cathi and Terry's.  He was supposed to get paid for a job today but found out that the person he emailed the billing to never received it.  I helped him and we finally found the document but we couldn't mail it.  We finally gave up and went to Winco to get some dinner.  Early in the morning James figured how to send it off.

Fun Photos:

Baby Lola a couple of years ago

My friend Julie teaching the girls at girl's camp

about tree rings.  Fascinating stuff.  You can tell how much 

moisture in a year by the tree ring.

Mario and Peter

Paul's dad Gilbert with his boys

I love this picture 

Brian at the place he loves the most

Dallin and friends at the cabin

Sunday, September 18. 2016

Happy Birthday to my sweet cousin Rita.

We are exactly one day and one month apart.

From 4am to 8am on Sunday morning I pray and prepare for my Primary lesson.  Today the lesson is on 3 Nephi 17 where the Savior blesses the sick among the Nephites, prays with and for them, and blesses the children.  I love these Book of Mormon lessons.

I was excited to see Brother Jerry Corter in sacrament meeting this week.  He is a new member and has not been coming the past few months.  He has been on my prayer list.

We had three speakers in sacrament meeting today.  First, Alicia Hunsaker who spoke on personal revelation.  "Living a clean and pure life opens the channels of revelation.  Pondering the scriptures is one of the greatest ways to invite the Spirit and the Spirit is the medium to revelation.  Seek God's will.  Do not try to force spiritual things.  Be patient and let it grow.  Revelation is the natural inheritance of true believers."

Next was Ashley Reidnead who is new in our ward.  She is young, and a return missionary.  She is from Alabama and was just called as the Relief Society secretary.  Her thoughts were based on the talk in General Conference by Elder Snow, "Be Thou Humble."  Here are some of my notes: "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness.  I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. (Ether 12:27).  We must be humble as a little child to return to the kingdom of Heaven.  We need to be teachable, repentant, and dependent on the Lord.  Pride is the ultimate sin and is the opposite of charity.  The antidote for pride is humility.  Mosiah 4: 11-12.

Our stake president, President Williams was the final speaker.  He told about a Sister Diana Batson of the Clay Springs ward thought she had the flu.  She went to the hospital and they said she needed to fly to Phoenix but would probably die before she got there.  She had to have both her legs, one arm, and the fingers on the other hand amputated.  Her ward had a fundraiser for her on Saturday.  Her son is on a mission right now.  She is 40 years old.  The Lord is aware of each and every one of us and he will send people to comfort us.  He spoke about centering our lives on Christ and referred to Elder Maynes's talk in the October 2015 general conference, "The Joy of Living a Christ-Centered Life."  He said that General Conference is like tuning our lives as if we were tuning a musical instrument.  I love President Williams.

The Vernon church

Brayin, Curtis, and Zemira were in Primary today.  I also had Madison from Sister Hall's class.  During singing time Curtis actually sang.  His positive reinforcement was a box of Milk Duds.

After our meetings James went home teaching with his partner Rick.  They visited the Scott's, the Hunsaker's, and the Wallace's.  Sister Wallace has done submitted over 15,000 names for temple work.  I have got to call her and find out how she does it.

I ate lunch, had a nap and then did my gospel study for the day.  I read from my book "Christ in Every Hour."  I read one of my favorite chapters, The Restorative Power of Christ.

  

Helaman 6:1-14.

How do you remain firm and steady in your faith?

Instagram-bofm365-sue_heugly.  Stay obedient in the little day to day things, and it won't be as hard when the big things challenge us.  Forgive, repent, love others.  barleestacey - Steady, devoted covenant keeping builds a fortress of faith and makes us steadfast and immovable.

GC: 'Eternal Families' by President Henry B. Eyring

"What can the young elder do to help in the creation of eternal families?  He may be about to go into the mission field.  He can pray with all his heart that he will be able to find, teach

and baptize families."

GC:  'A Sacred Trust' by President Thomas S. Monson

" Then the Holy Spiirt spoke to my friend: 'You have the

priesthood.  Command the rescuers to pick you up.

He did as prompted: 'n the name of Jesus Christ and by the

power of the priesthood, turn about and pick us up.'

Within a few minutes the vessel was beside them, helping them on deck."

Today President Henry B. Eyring dedicated the Philadelphia temple.  He said he was baptized in Philadelphia so it was like coming home.

 I love the front porch on this little guest house.

When James got home he ate and took a short nap and then we read from Millennial Glory.  It was a wonderful Sabbath day!

From Facebook:

This was a post by Kacey.

Antelope Canyon

There are so many unique and beautiful places in Arizona.

This is our friend from Chandler, Paula.

Her friends and family threw her a surprise

birthday party.  

She loves Disneyland and James calls her Tinkerbell.

She even has the wings.

The tree in our yard.

Sunday, August 4, 2013

For my morning study I am reading three different places in the Book of Mormon and I am also reading the Doctrine and Covenants.  Today we are fasting that we will be able to get out of debt. 

Sunrise

We said goodbye to Paul and Joshua before leaving for church.  Tara and Trisha are still upstairs.  James went to fast and testimony meeting, Sunday School and Priesthood.  He is pretty miserable though.  Today we learned in Sunday School that Liberty Jail was more like a temple than a prison because of the Prophet Joseph and the things he learned from the Lord.

We divided into classes today in Young Women's.  Randa Covert taught the Beehives and Denice Hall taught the Mia Maids and Laurels.  The topic for the month is marriage and family.  Denice has a unique way of teaching and the girls lover her.

It was raining when we came out of church.  We came home and broke our fast before taking a nap.  I worked on my blog this afternoon and this evening we watched "The Walton's" and "Cedar Cove."

 So pretty and green!

My petunia's love the rain!

I love dead trees!

Ominous clouds.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Well I got a text from James this morning at 5am which woke me up.  I guess he doesn't know that when he's not here I don't go to bed as early as I should.  Since I was up I took a picture of the sunrise.

Well of course my first item of business of the day is to remind the cows that they are not welcome on Lambson acres, at least where I can see them from my window,

The wood floor is giving me fits.  It is so hard to strip wax.  When it first goes on it looks gorgeous until it starts developing streak marks.  I think I am going to leave this project until next week since I have to leave for the valley in time to get to Dallin's graduation party at 5pm.

I left around 12:30 but made a few stops.  The first stop was to take a picture of James's favorite tree.  It almost looks as cool dead as it did alive.  We have several pine trees on our property that are dying and we aren't sure why.  Of course our neighbors the Cranes don't have any which makes the matter even more disturbing.

A nesting place for an eagle.

We have several youth from our Chandler ward who graduated today.  One of them is this guy, Taylor Wanlass.  As his former bishop James cannot say enough good things about this kid.  He will soon be a missionary in the San Antonio, Texas mission.

From kindergarten to high school grad.

Another high school grad is Cody Miner, Dallin's good buddy.  Cody and Taylor both graduated from Hamilton High.

McKell and Cody Miner

The rest of these photos are random pictures taken at Dallin's graduation party:

Cheesy and the Thinker

Adam walked in just after we took this picture.

Ruby and Grandpa

 An uninvited guest

The two graduates and their friend Holly

Dallin and his girlfriend Holly

I wonder if Sarah knows

Dallin and Sarah

Stacy and Dallin

The Gonzales family

Austin Field, Chandler High School Graduation

Thanks to Aunt Kim for helping Stacy frost the sugar cookies that were such a big hit at Dallin's party.

Some of the people who attended the party: Aunt Tara, Nicol and Chad Schaub and their family, Shelly and John Johnson, The Lukes, Darrel and his kids, Kim and Joe, Sheri and her boys, and of course James and I.  We are proud of Dallin for graduating.

Friday, May 17, 2013

This morning's sunrise.

Hummingbird's at our feeder.

Well I just thought the cows were getting the message.  I started chasing them away at 6 am.

It was nice to have scripture and prayers with James this morning.  I also read Elder Craig Cardon's conference talk: "The Savior Wants to Forgive."  

Sad news today for President Monson and his family.  His wife, Frances Monson, passed away this morning.  She was 85 years old.

James and I went to Show Low today.  He had a meeting with Aaron and Andrew Horne at Horne Automotive.  While he was meeting I went over to KMart to look around.  I bought a few items and waited in line at least ten minutes.  Of course James had to go to C-A-L to buy more primers.  We looked at the baby chicks while we were there.  

James wants some of these. 

We had lunch at LaCasita and then I went to Walmart while James went to Home Depot and Lowes looking for light bulbs.  

On the way back to Vernon I took a picture of this awesome tree.  Thanks James for stopping!

We read from "The Grecian Princess" and took a nap when we got home.  I got a call from Stacy.  Dallin is singing at seminary graduation this Sunday.  He is singing "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing."

Sunset