Sunday, August 5th, 2018

Colonia Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico

55th operating temple

Dedicated: 6 Mar 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

Mosiah 5:15

Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen.

Book of Mormon

Alma 45:15-46:10

*Why should we be wary of the "flatteries" of men?

- The Book of Mormon has taught and cautioned us many times about people who's only desire is to serve themselves, gain power and position over others, and whose motives, trends, and philosophies serve their own agendas. Christ used his words to build and uplift others, Satan and his followers use words and thoughts to destroy.

Old Testament

Job 20-22

20  Zophar shows the state and portion of the wicked - He says: The triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment.

21 Job admits that the wicked sometimes prosper in this life - Then he testifies that their judgment shall be hereafter in the day of wrath and destruction. 

22 Eliphaz accuses Job of divers sins and exhorts him to repent.

General Conference

Until Seventy Times Seven

Elder Lynn G. Robbins

"To keep our hope resilient as we face life's trials, the Savior's grace is ever ready and ever present. His grace is a 'divine means of help or strength, ... an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts.' His grace and His loving eye are upon us throughout our entire journey as He inspires, lightens burdens, strengthens, delivers, protects, heals, and otherwise 'succors his people,' even as they stumble along the strait and narrow path."

Left this morning around 5:30 a.m. for the valley. We arrived at the Galveston building in Chandler about ten minutes before sacrament meeting. We walked in and the first people we saw were Terry and Cathi. We sat by them. They have both lost weight. Cathi says they are on the beriatric diet with Laura. Laura is losing weight to qualify for a lung transplant. Dave and Laura are gone to Idaho this weekend. 

James, Evan, and Cathi bore their testimonies during fast and testimony meeting. 

James said Ben has been a light to our family and now he will be a light to the world. I loved that.

Cathi mentioned that she was grateful to be a part of the Lambson family.

Evan bore testimony about Joseph Smith and the Savior. He said Jesus will help us through our trials. (This is the first time I have heard Evan bear his testimony. It was definitely not your typical kid testimony).

Sunday School was taught by Brother Foster. It was the same lesson we had last week about Elijah passing the mantle of the prophet to Elisha. James and I sat by Cathi and Terry.   Brother Foster had prepared a power point presentation that was quite nice.

Relief Society here we come. Cathi refused to sit in the circle so we sat against the back wall with Dahlia D., Kate G. and her adorable baby Lorelei, Hillary J. and her mother-in-law Kathy, and Bunny M.

The topic for today was emotional and mental health. The sister leading the discussion had her smart phone hooked up to a TV monitor and she showed us how to find this topic on lds.org.

I want one of these!

We listened to individuals tell about dealing with depression and Elder Holland spoke from his conference address, "Like a Broken Vessel." The RS presidency in the ward did a survey and this was the number one topic the sisters wanted to discuss. Two sisters shared about their struggles with depression which cast a negative feeling. The discussion leader said she wanted us to remember the word hope and those people on the video talked about how the Atonement of Jesus Christ had helped them. Paula C. told how listening to music about the Savior helps her to feel peace. 

There really was no action plan. The discussion leader said we would all need to make our own. I though things would have ended more on a positive note if she would have shared some of the things on lds.org.  

"The world is in need of your help. There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to save." -President Thomas S. Monson

We invite Church and community members alike to increase their compassion and support of those who are struggling and take an active role in caring for their own mental health. 

*Watch your words. Your language can change perceptions. Avoid potentially harmful or negative phrases, and choose words that are more descriptive of what you observe. Visit Time to Change or the American Psychiatric Association to learn more.

*Be a friend. Listen patiently and without judgment when others share their concerns. Help them locate professional resources if they need additional support. Visit HelpGuide.org or Active Minds to learn more. 

*Practice self-care. The limitations of mortality may require us to slow down and restore our strength at certain times (see Mosiah 4:27). It is not selfish to take time for yourself. Visit Mind.org or watch a TED Talk on the importance of self-care to learn more.

Cathi told me later she would not be attending Relief Society on a regular basis. She came away feeling sad and like she had been in a therapy session.  She said thank goodness for Ben's ordination to restore the Spirit!

We had to wait for Isaac D.'s ordination. He has been called to serve a mission in Argentina. 

When the Dowdle's came out, the Lambson's went in to the high council room. We all sat around the high council table while Brother Price told Ben that he was an answer to his parents and grandparents prayers. 

James did the ordination with the following family members in the circle: Paul, Brian, Terry, and Adam. Bishop Wanlass and Brother Price were also there. James gave Ben a wonderful blessing. It was a very happy occasion for all who were there. The following family members attended: James, myself, Sheri, Max, Evan, Kim, Brian, Stacy, Paul, Adam, and Joshua.

Ben definitely has a glow about him.

After everyone gave Ben a hug Bishop Wanlass took him to his office for a temple recommend interview. Sheri asked if we could give him a ride home so she could go home and finish preparing dinner. We waited in the foyer and watched the young adults come in for the YSA ward.

I forgot to take a photo of James and Ben so this one Sheri took a while back will have to suffice.

Dinner at the Trezise's was delicious! We had roast, potatoes and carrots, rolls, broccoli, and ribs that Ian had made. For dessert there was brownies and vanilla ice cream. Our fast is broken.

After resting awhile and making friends with Ollie, we headed for home.

 We arrived around 6:30. It looked like it had rained at our place. I took this photo of a rainbow over Green's Peak. Our gas gauge says we could have gone another 12 miles. We did not want to stop and buy gas on Sunday! It was a great Sabbath!

Sunday, July 16th, 2017

Tokyo, Japan

18th operating temple

Dedicated: 27-29 Oct 1980

Spencer W. Kimball

Alma 33:12-23

*What can the account of the Israelites and the brass serpent teach about what we must do to be healed spiritually?

*How does Alma 33:22-23 answer this question?

*How has your choice to believe in the Savior influenced your everyday life?

*How has personal scripture study, prayer, and worship strengthened your faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

*Belief in Jesus Christ is a choice we make. Alma 33:23 says: "And even all this can ye do if ye will."

*President Henry B. Eyring: "Each child in each generation chooses faith or disbelief. Faith is not an inheritance; it is a choice."

DC 101:75-101

76-80, The Lord established the Constitution of the United States; 81-101, The Saints are to importune for the redress of grievances, according to the parable of the woman and the unjust judge.

How does the constitution benefit all men?

*In verses 77-80, the Lord repeatedly reminds us Who set up this constitution! He refers to Himself and then lets us know why He set it up. "That every man may act in doctrine and principle...according to the moral agency which I have given unto him" "...that every man may be accountable for his own sins..." (78). He prepared this land. He brought the explorers here to discover it! He set up, with a divine hand, the constitution. He carefully worded it so that all men who set foot on this soil could  "act in doctrine" and be "accountable" for themselves. Agency is important to the Lord. It is what the war in heaven was all about. Acting and not being acted upon is crucial for us to learn. How blessed we are to have this land. The history of the setting up of the constitution is replete with sacrifice of lives and inspired acts of giving their all. May we always be grateful and show gratitude to Him by using our agency to find Him in our daily worship and our everyday living.

General Conference

Return and Receive

Elder M. Russell Ballard

" To return to is presence and to receive the eternal blessings that come from making and keeping covenants are the most important goals we can set. We return and receive by having 'unshaken faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, relying wholly upon' His merits, pressing 'forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men and women..., feasting upon the word of Christ and enduring to the end.'"

We attended the Galveston 3rd ward sacrament meeting this morning. We sat in the second row with Sheri and her boys.

April St. Onge was the youth speaker and Lynda and Ernie Cull were the main speakers. They all did a great job. I went up and spoke with Lynda afterwards. She says she has been working on getting her YW's Personal Progress and every time she does a value she reads the Book of Mormon cover to cover. I was her visiting teacher when she and Ernie got married around 20 years ago.

We also attended the Gospel Doctrine Sunday School class taught by Gerry P. (I was her visiting teacher when we lived here in 2015). We sat by Cathi and Terry. We participated by reading some assigned parts. The lesson was on the Kirtland missionaries. 

I went to the first part of Relief Society. Hillary J. came over and sat by Cathi and I. I was only there a few minutes when Sheri came and pulled me out for Max's ordination.

Max was ordained in the teacher's quorum. Brother Allen, and Brother Ellsworth were there along with James and Ben and the other boys in the teacher's quorum. Sheri, Evan and I were also there. Grandpa James did a great job with the ordination although there were times when I couldn't hear him.

After the ordination we didn't go back to our meetings. We went home a little early and had a snack and then took a nap. 

Around 3:30 or so we went down to Sheri and Ian's for dinner. It was Sheri's way of say thank you to dad for ordaining Max.

Sheri had a feast prepared: steak, salmon, shrimp, rice, potatoes, veggies, brownies and grape juice, and DP10, some of James's favorites! (And mine too!) Everything was delicious!

We packed up and left for home around 4:30. We got in to a very heavy rainstorm where it was almost impossible to see. Some people stopped along the side of the road. When we arrive home it looks like it has rained in Vernon. It is 64 degrees and you can smell the wet pine trees when we stop at the post office to pick up our mail. It is great to be home! 

We unload and unpack and watch an episode of "The Good Witch."

Kacey and Jared had a flood in their new home in the laundry room, but I guess it was too bad. Kacey sent this picture:

Jared the elf.

Other Random Photos:

Since we didn't get any pictures of Max and

Gpa James today I am posting pictures that have Max in them.

A couple of years ago at Darrel's and Trina's.

Kids around the table eating smores.

2016 1st day of school

Not sure what year this is but it looks like

another school picture.

2016 Greens Peak

2016

Love the hats!

Greer

This is where they like to sleep.

1/23/17

Happy Birthday Gpa!

Max and his snowman

January 2016

Game time. It looks like poker.

Ice skating with family.

Fun with Shayna

So handsome!

2016

Monday, January 30, 2017

1 Nephi 19:7-24
Have there been times in my life when I chose not to retaliate after a wrong was done to me?  How did I feel?
Jacob 1-2
DC 18:1-10
How can we be more supportive of our leaders whom the Lord has called?
Talk: "Bishop, Help!"
By: Dallin H. Oaks
April 1997
GC:   'No Greater Joy Than to Know That They Know' by Elder K. Brett Nattress

"I am eternally grateful for my angel mother and for all angels who love children perfectly, notwithstanding their imperfections.  

I firmly believe that all sisters - I will call them 'angels' - are mothers in Zion, whether or not they are married or bear children during this earthly experience.  years ago the First Presidency

proclaimed: 'Motherhood is near to divinity.  It is the

highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind.  It places her 

who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels.'"

My angel mother.

I didn't get up until 6:30 this morning.  I guess it's because I didn't go to bed until 11.  I actually fixed James some breakfast this morning.  I read one of my favorite scriptures from the Doctrine and Covenants today: "The worth of souls is great in the sight of God." (DC 18:10)

I was ready to leave for the valley by noon but we didn't actually leave until 12:20.  James had to drain all the water lines in case it freezes while we are gone.  Oh yes, something else slowed us down.  We got stuck in the driveway again! James digs us out and away we go.  Our first stop was at the Vernon post office, then it was on to the Splash and Dash in Show Low for our carwash and gas.  We also went to the Show Low post office, Arby's, and Dennis's to take him Amanda's senior pictures that Jenifer sent back with us.  James wanted to go the Globe way to pick up burros for Cathi and Terry and so we headed back towards Show Low.  

When we drove up in Terry and Cathi's driveway James started to panic.  All the tools he had left in the back of his truck were gone.  He went inside and came back with a big smile on his face.  Terry was worried about them and unloaded them and loaded them into the back of his truck which is always parked in the garage.  That is a good brother!

When Cathi asked Terry what he wanted her to fix for dinner he said: "James and Karen are coming down and James will stop and get us burros.  I am so glad we went the Globe way!

Cathi helped me carry my things in.  As soon as we unloaded the car we went down to Sheri's for dinner.  She almost always invites us when we are here.  We had salmon, rice, and asparagus.  

Sheri told us about an experience our friends the Boles's had in the temple.  They had decided to sell their house and move to Gilbert.  They had a buyer offer them a great price for their house and they found their dream house in Gilbert.  They went to the temple to verify their decision but did not feel good about moving, so they are staying in Chandler.  I love this story!

James went to Dan Taylor's to pick up the cabinet Dan made for the Bowen job.  This is why we had to come down today.  James has to be finished with this job by tomorrow.  

I have a hard time sleeping tonight because I took 3 Tramadols.  I read a chapter to James from "Boys in the Boat."

Family Photos

Rowan's pinewood car.

Two years ago.

Taken a couple of years ago.

I sure do like these people!

The newlyweds again.

I just can't get enough of them.

'

Sunday, July 3, 2016

The First Presidency

President Eyring, President Monson and

President Uchtdorf

Alma 26:17-37

17 - God was merciful to us and snatched us from our awful, sinful, and polluted state.

18 - We threatened to destroy His Church.

19 - Why didn't He allow the sword of justice fall upon us and doom us to eternal despair.

20 - . . . He did not exercise His justice upon us, but in His great mercy hath brought us over that everlasting gulf of death and misery, even to the salvation of our souls.

21 - What natural man is there that knoweth these things?  None, save it be the penitent.

22 - He that repenteth and exerciseth faith and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing - unto such it is given to reveal things which never have been revealed, to bring thousands to repentance . . .

23 - We were laughed to scorn when we said we were going among the Lamanites.

25 - The Nephites wanted to destroy the Lamanites.

26 - Our desire was to save some few of their souls.

27 - When we were depressed, the Lord comforted us and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give you success.

28 - We have suffered every privation but relied upon the mercies of God.

29 - We taught them everywhere and have been cast out, mocked, spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks, stoned, bound with strong cords and cast into prison.  Through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered.

30 - We did it that perhaps we might save some soul.

31 - We can witness the fruits of our labors.

33 - They have such great love, even greater than the Nephites toward their brethren.

35 - We have great reason to rejoice!God has all power, all wisdom and understanding, knowledge, and mercy.

36 - This is my life, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo.  Blessed be the name of my God who has been mindful of us, wanderers in a strange land.

37 - God is mindful of every people.  I will give thanks unto my God forever!

GC: "I Was An Hungered" by Sister Linda K. Burton.

We  attended the Galveston 3rd ward meetings today.  Cathi and Terry rode with us to the church but we sat by Sheri's family.  

Mike Ellsworth conducted the meeting and bore his testimony.  It was wonderful and really got the ball rolling.  Cathi and I both bore our testimonies.  I loved Brother Arington's testimony.  He is a new convert.  Brian Ross who leaves for his mission this week, and his dad Mike Ross both bore their testimonies.  The Ross's are also moving this week.  Brooklyn Lieb sat by us and drew this picture for us:

Brooklyn just turned six and had on the cutest

Little Mermaid dress.

I got to sit in Primary with Sheri's class while she met with the bishop and here one of my favorite songs: "I Can Follow God's Plan for Me." After opening I went to Sunday School because Ian was there to teach the class. 

Julio Careces was the teacher and always does a great job and has lots of power point presentations.

Debbie Lieb taught Relief Society.  The lesson was based on Elder Cook's talk, "See Yourself in the Temple."  We had lots of good discussion.

We broke out fast when we got home from lunch and ate leftovers for our meal.  I had the rest of my food from Cheesecake Factory and James had the rest of some chicken he had from El Pollo Asado.

We visited with Terry & Cathi and then went to see James's mom and Dawn.  At first Dawn was gone helping Aunt June who has alzheimers.  Lois talked about how much she didn't like the Lambson's until I got her started on her life history.  We got as far as her first year of high school and stopped.  I told her we would continue again next month.  Dawn said she was amazed that she would tell me anything because she and Rebecca were trying to talk to her for months.

We had two invitations for dinner, first from Sheri, and then from Cathi & Terry.  We went to Sheri's and had steak, potatoes, asparagus, and rolls.  Yummy.  When we got back we tasted the potato salad and sirloin steak Cathi & Terry got at Sam's Club yesterday.  Very tasty.  

Jared, James, and Molly came by on their way to Darrel and Trina's.  Molly got along great with Cathi, and Indy.

Showing Cathi something on her arm.

Such cute little faces!

Who do you think is taller?

I think Ian by a very slim margin.

Thursday, November 26, 2015

James brought me the perfect breakfast back to our room this morning.  I had fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, bacon, an english muffin and orange juice.  After breakfast he went to work for awhile for Arizona Rehab.  
After showering and getting ready I went to Sheri's and got my little turkey and took it to Cathi's to cook it in her roaster oven.  As I was walking to my car I remember that I woke up this morning thinking I needed to look under my car seat for my debit card.  As soon as I got to the car and opened the door, I saw the debit card lying on the floor just under the front seat. Hopefully I can call tomorrow and reinstate it.
After getting the turkey in the roaster I made a trip to Walmart to get some corn.  James picked up the cranberry celebration for me.  
This morning while we were still at Cathi's Kim brough by a pumpkin delight dessert for James.  It was still warm from the oven.  How thoughtful!  She knows how much he loves this dessert.  Kim and Brian are going to Brian's parents this year.  
I cooked at Cathi's because she said it would be fine.  I made yams, macaroni and cheese and corn.  James sliced the turkey, set up the kids tables and made his famous punch with citrus juices, pineapple juice and almond extract and Sprite. 

Sheri was gone this morning until about 11.  She ran the Turkey Trot with Connor and Michael.  Trina didn't go this year because Addy was sick.

 We are around 1 pm because Sean, Ian's brother has to go to work at Target this afternoon.  Alex gave the blessing on the food.  Here is our lineup: Betty, John and Sean Trezise, Sheri, Ian, Alex, Ben, Max, and Evan.  Jared, James, Anna, Emmy, and Molly.  Darrel, Trina, Addy, Rowan, Ruby, and Lola.  James and I.  Paul and Stacy had their boys come to their house and Paul fixed them dinner.

The kids ate outside and then played soccer and some of us colored.

Ruby and Evan chasing after the ball.

Lola trying to get in on the action.

Addy found her Disney bracelet she thought she had lost.

 Waiting for the kick.

Trina and Darrel left pretty early because they were also going to her families Thanksgiving at 4:30.  Some of us went to see the house being built just south of Cathi and Terry's.

Yes, that's Joshua.  He came with Michael and Adam.

Michael loves this house and Joshua says he hopes his family can buy it.

Even James was impressed.  As you come in

the front door their is a staircase that starts as one and

then splits and goes in both directions up the stairs.

Molly and Evan

Sheri and her boys and Jared and his kids went to the movies this afternoon. Some saw "The Good Dinosaur" and Ian, James and Anna saw "Mocking Jay.""

James went back to Cathi's and did all of the dishes there, plus he helped with the dishes at Sheri's.  He was tired and so was I so we went back to the motel.  

When Jared and his kids got back to the motel, Molly said she was sleeping in our room.  I told her that was fine but she needed to go get her pajamas.  When she got back to her room Jared had just left to go down to the car to get something.  Molly decided to follow him, but Jared had no idea she was coming.  Anyway, he got back to the room and asked where Molly was.  No one knew.  Jared took off with his kids to look for her and I called down at the desk.  The guy who answered the phone said he saw a young girl go outside.  He sent people out to search the parking lot.  In the meantime, Jared and his kids opened the door of the elevator on level 3 and there was Molly, standing there crying.  She gave us quite a scare for about five or ten minutes!  I called the front desk and told them we found her.

Molly sleeps in the bed on the other side of me and goes to sleep but keeps coughing in her sleep.  James is on the other side of me snoring loudly.  I said a prayer and all of the noise stopped.  It was like a mini-miracle.

We watched the movie "Handcuffed for Christmas" starring Mario Lopez.  It's a pretty funny movie.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Throwback Thursday to this picture of

Paul & Stacy

 

I cleaned in the living room today.  The ceiling fan and the silk plant took the most time.  The carpet needs to replaced or professionally cleaned. 

I also picked up Ben, Max, Evan and Joshua from school because Sheri had to be at work. 

 

I got a call from my brother Dennis today.  He said that our cousin Carol Seay passed away either during the night or early this morning.  She had been complaining of her legs hurting but I am not sure what the cause of death was determined to be.  He is going to let me know when the funeral will be. 

 

I was doing a little shopping this afternoon and got a call from Trina and the kids.  They invited me to meet them for ice cream at the DQ in Santan Village. 

What a fun way to spend part of my afternoon!

 

Sheri invited us down to her house for dinner tonight.  She was supposed to feed the missionaries but one of them was sick so they didn't come.  We had ziti, salad, garlic knots, brownies, and a small meatloaf from Safeway which was my contribution.

 

 

The high today was around 90 degrees.  A little too hot for March.  The evenings are still nice though.

 

Kaitlyn Booth was in a car accident tonight.  She fractured her nose sprained her ankle, and busted her lip.  This is what her car looks like:

Adam is very worried about her!