Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Lima, Peru

38th operating temple

Mosiah 17

Alma believes Abinadi and is cast out; Abinadi is burned.

* What lessons can we learn from Abinadi's example?

President Gordon B. Hinckley: "Be strong - in standing for the right.  We live in an age of compromise...In situations with which we are daily confronted, we know what is right....We must cultivate the strength to follow our convictions.

3 Nephi 11

Jesus Christ did show himself unto the people of Nephi, as the multitude were gathered together in the land Bountiful, and did minister unto them; and on this wise did he show himself unto them.

The Father testifies of His Beloved Son - Christ appears and proclaims His Atonement - The people feel the wound marks in His hands and feet and side - They cry Hosanna - He sets forth the mode and manner of baptism - The spirit of contention is of the devil - Christ's doctrine is that men should believe and be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost. About A.D. 34.

DC 63:1-12

A day of wrath will come upon the wicked; Signs come by faith;

What are my feelings on faith and how has it helped me in my trials?

When I first came down with rheumatoid arthritis, I was bedridden.  My children were 12, 10, 9,7, and 5.  I could here them running around the house but I could do nothing.  I could not even open a door.  The thing that gave me hope was reading the scriptures and a book by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, "The Power of Positive Thinking."  One scripture in particular became my mantra: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Phillipians 4:13.  This scripture and keeping my thoughts positive and hopeful,  got me through one of the most difficult times in my life.  It is my faith in Christ that keeps me going.

General Conference

The Voice of Warning

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"While the duty to warn is felt especially keenly be prophets,

it is a duty shared by others as well."

My visiting teachers, Kailee and Deana came by for a visit at 9:30 this morning.  We had a good discussion about the priesthood and our responsibility to remind our husbands of their responsibilities in the priesthood.  We talked about memorizing DC 84:33-44 as Sister Burton asked us to.  She says if we memorize this oath and covenant of the priesthood the Holy Ghost will expand our understanding of the priesthood and inspire and uplift us in wonderful ways.  I have started to memorize it along with "The Living Christ" and "The Family Proclamation." (I started last year, and picked it up again this year after general conference.)

Right after Kailee and Deana left I loaded up the car and James drove me to Hailey's.  It takes about 45 minutes to get there.  Today was a very windy day and there were dark storm clouds behind Hailey's house. Hailey's husband is a rancher.  She told me they ordered some hay and when he fed it to his cattle the first four fell over dead.  They had nitrate poisoning.  The levels of nitrate in hay are suppose to be around 700.  The nitrates in this hay were 5,900.

They have the hay locked up in the barn away from the cows and are using it for their horses.  What a tragedy.  I have never heard of such a thing before.  Hailey loved the candle and Power Ade I gave her.

Use the priesthood power as an 'ade in

your life.

When we got home James and I had tuscany tomato bisque soup and grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch.  Delicious!  I got the soup at Safeway yesterday from their "soup bar."

I read two chapters to James from our book "To Kill a Mockingbird."  I think he is beginning to enjoy it.

After my nap this afternoon I watched DWTS.  Maks is back with Heather and they got a perfect score for their rumba and then Heather was voted off the show.  I guess it isn't always about who is the best dancer, because she was definitely better than three of the guys that are left.  I hate it when it becomes a popularity contest instead of about the talent.

James is leaving early tomorrow so he loaded up the back of his truck and the trailer tonight.

  He says there are still no brakes on the trailer.

Should I be worried?

While I was outside taking the above picture I happened to

catch this one of the sunset:

Beautiful!

James and I watched a movie on the Hallmark movies and mysteries channel called: McBride: Dogged.  It stars John Larroquette.  We both really liked it.

Some fun photos:

Alex and his girl Shana

Joe and the mountain.

A handsome picture of Adam when

he was in high school.

Michael teaching Joshua a song for Joshua's

school talent show.

Maddie giving her sister Brooklyn a kiss

on her wedding day.

Brooklyn's family

Sunday, March 26, 2017

Fort Collins, Colorado

153rd operating temple

Jacob 6:1-13

The Lord will recover Israel in the last days - The world will be burned with fire - Men must follow Christ to avoid the lake of fire and brimstone. About 544-421 B.C.

How is repentance a continuous process?  Why doesn't it end once you take the sacrament?

Alma 51

The king-men seek to change the law and set up a king - Pahoran and the freemen are supported by the voice of the people - Moroni compels the king-men to defend their country or be put to death - Amalickiah and the Lamanites capture many fortified cities - Teancum repels the Lamanite invasion and slays Amalickiah in his tent. About 67-66 B.C.

DC 45:60-75

60-62, The Prophet is instructed to begin the translation of the New Testament, through which important information will be made known; 63-75, The Saints are commanded to gather and build the New Jerusalem, to which people from all nations will come.

How can we make our homes a sanctuary for peace?

General Conference

"If Ye Had Known Me"

Elder David A. Bednar

"Serving Him requires all of our heart, might, mind and strength.  Consequently, selflessly serving others counteracts the self-centered and selfish tendencies of the natural man.  We grow to love those whom we serve.  And because serving others is serving God, we grow to love Him and our brothers and sisters more deeply.  Such love is a manifestation of the spiritual gift of charity, even the pure love of Christ."

From the women's session of General Conference

I forgot to post yesterday about James flying his drone.  He and Darrel went out in the back and it flew high and far.  Now he needs to learn how to use the camera so he can spy on the nearby wildlife.

Evan woke up sick to his stomach this morning.  Rowan said he was a little bit sick too, and Trina got no sleep because of Lola, so Trina stayed home from church with the two boys.

A couple of sickies

Today was our fast and testimony meeting.  I bore my testimony and said that all I ever needed to learn in life I learned in Primary. I know that Heavenly Father loves me, that the Savior died for my sins, that Joseph Smith is the prophet of the Restoration and that he translated the Book of Mormon.  I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God, that the Church is true, and that we have a prophet on the earth today, even Thomas S. Monson.  When I went back to my seat Ruby whispered to me, "good job."  What a sweetie!

Many of the testimonies were in regards to Ravenna Gillespie and what an influence she was here in Vernon.  

I love the statue of the Savior

My lesson in Primary today was about "The First Latter-day Missionaries"  I was impressed with the sacrifices these early missionaries made to preach the gospel and tried to impress upon the children in my class how important it is for us to make sacrifices to share the gospel.  The third hour we had teacher council meeting.  When I told my class I wouldn't be in sharing time because I was going to a meeting to help me be a better teacher.  Curtis and Lianna both said: "You are already a great teacher." That made me feel good and a little guilty because I actually ask Curtis to leave the class for awhile today because he would not stop making weird noises.

Flagstaff area

We broke our fast this afternoon and had leftover green chili pork stew, mini corndogs and pizza rolls that Darrel cooked.  Here are some things we did this afternoon:

These girls did a puzzle

Kayla, Addy, and Darrel played Tenzi's.

Trina wanted to play too but Lola insisted that she sit and

watch Toy Story 2 with her.

Addy and Grandpa "hung out"

The kids got their picture taken

Lola and I went outside and I blew bubbles while Lola chased them.  It was so much fun to here her giggle and laugh.

Evan ate crackers because of his upset stomach.  I made "brookies," chocolate chip cookies with brownie batter.  The were ok, but I think I like my regular chocolate chip cookies better.

Finally we had to say our goodbyes.

Love these people and I am so grateful 

they came to visit.

James went home teaching to the Peeler's today and we started our new book, "Witness in the Dark."  Ordinarily we wouldn't read on Sunday but we have to finish this one before Tuesday so James can return it to Cathi.  It is in modern time and takes place in Tooele, Utah.  It is about a girl who witnesses a murder and is thrown into a mine shaft.  A little mute girl saw it happen and takes care of her until she is found 7 days later.  It was a good book.

I got a call from the stake Relief Society President this evening. She would like me to speak at a stake women's conference on Saturday, April 22nd.  The topic is receiving personal revelation.  I am humbled that I would be ask to do this but now I have two talks to give this month plus three Primary lessons to prepare.  I better not waste any time getting started. 

Fun Photos:

Bishop Hall's son Kendall got 

married last night. Congratulations!

Drennan, Heather and their two girls came to 

Arizona to visit.  In this picture Heather looks like

Dianne and the little girl she is holding looks like her

as a child.

  I wrote Lola's name on a piece of paper in

sacrament meeting.  She copied it.

Genius.

Ruby's drawings during sacrament meeting

I love how she spelled grandpa.

Saturday, April 12, 2014

"Christ loves us more 

than Satan wants us."

At 7am I went upstairs to start the scalloped potatoes for today's potluck dinner.  I also worked on filling the eggs with candy and money for the Easter egg hunt.  At 9am I stopped and took Evan to his flag football game.  Joshua didn't go because he lost his mouth piece and Rowan missed because of his ward's fathers and sons outing.  I am kicking myself for not getting a picture of Evan.  At one point during the game when he was out on the sideline he came running over to me and asked: "Are you watching me?"  So sweet, I  was glad I was there.  

On the way home from the game Evan and I stopped at CVS to get some candy and a treat because Evan didn't get one after his game.  He picked out a Dr.Pepper and twinkies and cupcakes.  The twinkies were for Max. 

Back at home it was time to get ready for the Boles' sealing.  Sheri picked us up at 11:50.  The sealing is at 12:45 but we were asked to be there at 12:15.  We gathered in a huge room on the third floor of the temple.  It was amazing and wonderful to be with so many former friends and members of the Del Rio 2nd ward.  Here is a list of those attending: Chris and Melissa Brogan, Bishop and Tammy Wilson, Jared and Diana Dowdle, Eric and Christy Wanlass, Dixie and Jeff Chubbs, Dave and Bunny Miner, Karen Schneider, Karin Gonda, Kyle and Nicole Tolman, Wes and Jill Lueck, Dave and Laura Lambson, Hilary Jiminez, Sheri, Adrienne Ellsworth, Curtis and Hilary Whalen, Jen Coffey, Chris and Val McCray, Robyn Rogers, Mike and Jen Baxter, Kerry and Robin Finlinson, Cory and Lynette Braddock, Jannie St. Onge Butler, and Drea's sister, Annie Critchfield, and of course, Drea and Jason.  It was such a wonderful blessing to see baby Benjamin sealed to this couple who have tried for ten years to have a baby.  It is a tender mercy and a miracle.  I am so glad we got to be there.

Also there: Bishop and Cindy Lewis, and the Price's. James served with Brother Price on the high council. Bishop Lewis is the bishop for the Boles' now. He's also Sheri and Stacy's bishop.

Jason, Drea's friend Chelsi

holding Benjamin, and

Drea.

As we came out of the elevator after the sealing I saw Brother Oakley, a missionary who serves in our ward in Vernon.  He was there for a sealing.  It was fun to see him.  

Back at home from 2-4pm it was a mad dash to get ready for the potluck/egg hunt.  Ben came down and helped James hide the eggs.  Since he wouldn't get to look for eggs now, I had Ian hide him an egg with $10.  

Ben with his $10 egg.

Max and Addy each found one of the $5 eggs.

Oops, that's not Addy's egg.

After the egg hunt the kids got to each chose a Disney baby

thanks to my friend Karen Schneider who gave me her collection.

Huey, Dewey, and Louie

Such a cutie!  Addy misses her

cousins Anna and Emmy.

Ruby needs some sunglasses.
Kimmy sent me these pictures that she took:

 Ready for the hunt.

Joshua's stash.

Love that intense smile.

Sweet Addy.

Max and his find.

Ruby stopping for a bite to eat.

Kimmy got a picture of Adam!

After the fun and games we settle down to eat.  Here was what was on the menu: Baked ham, Easter Calico beans, scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole,chips,  Sheri's homemade rolls, and poke cake, lemon bites, and mini cupcakes, and of course candy and ice water.

 Delish!

We were sorry Stacy and Paul couldn't be here with us.  They were gone to see Michael run in the Sun Angel Classic where he beat his own record in the 800.  He got under a minute.  Alex and Joe were on a choir trip in California and were at Disneyland today.  Alex was very sick and they were concerned because he took them a long time to get his 102 temperature down.  Trina had to work, and of course, we always miss Jared's family.  It was nice to have Adam with us although I didn't actually get a picture of him.

Adam and Skittles

After everyone else was gone Sheri stayed and helped me clean up.  James helped too but then he left for home around 6:30.  Sheri loaded up my car and didn't leave until everything was done.  I so much appreciated her thoughtful help.  It meant so much to me.  I left for home around 7:15.  James told me to set my speedomoter so we could compare how long it was the Payson way and how long the Globe way.  His speedomoter registered 180 miles and mine registered 197.  Next time I'm in a hurry I guess I will have to go the Globe way.  

I got home around 10:30.  James was already in bed because he has a high council meeting in Show Low at 6am tomorrow morning.  I spent an hour unloading my car and then went to bed around midnight.

Next year's Easter idea:

  A shepherd in Scotland does this to his
sheep at Easter time for people
driving past his farm.