Saturday, March 28th, 2020

Ariquipa, Peru

167th operating temple

Dedicated: 15 Dec 2019

By: Elder Ulisses Soares

Jesus Christ, Judge

D&C 135:5

And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord that he would give unto the Gentiles grace, that they might have charity. And it came to pass that the Lord said unto me: If they have not charity it mattereth not unto thee, thou hast been faithful; wherefore thy garments shall be made clean. And because thou hast seen thy weakness, thou shalt be made strong, even unto the sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my Father. And now I ... bid farewell unto the Gentiles; yea, and also unto my brethren whom I love, until we shall meet before the judgment-seat of Christ, where all men shall know that my garments are not spotted with your blood. The testators are no dead, and their testament is in force.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Words of Mormon

Mormon abridges the large plates of Nephi - He puts the small plates with the other plates - King Benjamin establishes peace in the land. About A.D. 385.

October 2019 Gen Con

"Giving Our Spirits Control Over Our Bodies"

President M. Russell Ballard

"Brothers and sisters, I encourage you to slow down a bit and think about where you are now in subjugating your carnal nature and empowering your divine, spiritual nature so when the time comes, you may pass into the spirit world to a joyful reunion with your loved ones - for which I testify and humbly pray in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen."

"Finding Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ"

Elder Robert D. Hales

October 2004

I woke up James with some Citrus Sunshine tea this morning. My three favorite teas are: Chamomile, Peach, and Citrus Sunshine, all Celestial Seasonings brand.

When he saw Sister Halcomb at the store on Tuesday James promised her he would grind her some flour so that's what he did this morning. 

He ground a little too much and got flour all over the counters and floor. What a mess, but it was worth it. This is the first time we have used this grinder I bought about ten years ago for $100 and we were pleased with the results.

I had a ministering interview with Sister A. Miller today. She has become good friends with Candi and so I told her about how Jasmine said her mother, Candi, won't let her do baptisms for the dead because she doesn't think we should force people to join our church. I tried to explain to her that we aren't forcing anyone but it won't do any good unless someone convinces Candi. I told Anne so she would look for an opportunity to bring the subject up sometime when she is with Candi.

We got an email from Bishop Hunsaker today about the special fast President Nelson has asked us to do this weekend to stop the Corona virus. Basically if you are not paying your fast offerings online but in an envelope he said the bishopric would be at the church from 10:30 to 11:00 on Sunday. You just drive by and hand them your envelope.

I did some cleaning upstairs today. While I was in Darrel and Trina's bedroom James told me to look out the window. There was a herd of elk out in the field. We took some pictures.

Upstairs is really the best place to take pictures. I texted them to Addy and said, "Outside your bedroom window."

We started our fast after lunch. 

I called my Aunt Gene this afternoon. Today is her 92nd birthday. We had a nice visit until her son Arlee and his wife Carol came bringing her flowers. I told her I was selling books online and she told me she had lots of books that I could have. When this whole Corona virus is over I will pay her a visit.

It took me most of the day, with a few interruptions, to do two blog posts. I am determined I am going to get caught up!

This evening as we were watching the newest Spring Fling movie on Hallmark, I got a call from my friend Jean. They have lots of unexpected company and she was wondering if she could borrow some toilet paper. I told her yes and she said Tom would come over in the morning to pick it up. When I told James he suggested we deliver it tonight. We stopped our movies, made the delivery, and came back and finished. It was a good one called "Just My Type."

Megan Wanlass got married at home today.

Happy 92nd Birthday!

 Why???

 Trina talking about Addy

Missionaries on a plane coming home from

Africa singing, "Called To Serve"

 Since she didn't have any customers, the

owner of Carefreetea served her pets

 Digging post holes for a corral

Saturday night at the Trezise's

That's me

 Grand Canyon

Saturday, March 3rd, 2018

Spokane, Washington

59th operating temple

Dedicated: 21-23 Aug 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Book of Mormon
2 Nephi 25:1-13*How would you explain our gospel in plainness to help a child or investigator understand our beliefs?
Old Testament
Numbers 9
Israel is again commanded to keep the Passover - A cloud rests upon the tabernacle by day and by night, plus a fire by night - When the cloud rests, Israel camps; when it lifts they journey.
General Conference

Value Beyond Measure

Joy D. Jones

" If the love we feel for the Savior and what He did for us is greater than the energy we give to weaknesses, self-doubts or bad habits, then He will help us overcome the things which cause suffering in our lives. He saves us from ourselves."

I ordered a book this morning: "A Reason for Faith: Navigating LDS Doctrine and Church History." It may help to answer some of the questions Alex and others have about the Church.

We started our fast today around 1:30. James wants us to fast for better health and less pain. 

It is very windy today. I feel like maybe we should be praying for more moisture again. 

I colored my hair today, something I haven't done for a long time. The reason I decided to was I got a good look at my hair in the mirror in Addy's bathroom and I realized it looks really washed out. I like how it turned out and so does James.

I also gave James a haircut. It is not perfect but it looks much better than it did.

I prepared my Primary lesson, "Jehovah Covenants with Abraham." The wicked priests are ready to sacrifice Abraham until an angel of the Lord comes to save him. The facsimile in the scriptures show the angel of the Lord as a bird. 

James and I watched the second episode of this year's "When Calls the Heart." He decided he was going to sleep on the recliner so he could sit up and hopefully breathe better. I slept in the bed by myself. Although it seemed to me that I had some night time visitors.

 Too bad I can't look this good.

The Chaffin's. I was her visiting teacher

until they moved to Deming.

Paul and Joshua take an early morning

hike up South Mountain.

My She shed. I wonder if James

will by it for me for my birthday.

Sunday, November 12th, 2017

Columbia River, Washington

107th operating temple

Dedicated: 18 Nov 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Ascension of

Mosiah 18:2

Yea, concerning that which was to come, and also concerning the resurrection of the dead, and the redemption of the people, which was to be brought to pass through the power, and sufferings, and death of Christ, and his resurrection and ascension into heaven.

Book of Mormon

*How can we strive to be more like Christ in our lives?

President Ezra Taft Benson said: "The entire ministry of the Master was characterized by His voluntary subordination to His Heavenly Fathers will", and in the Savior's own words, "I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me... for I do always the things that please Him" (John 8:28-29).  Christ was not only perfectly obedient, but maybe even more importantly, perfectly trusting. So if we choose, like Jesus Christ, to trust more completely, to follow more obediently, and to make doing the will of our Father the core motivation behind decision-making, focus, thoughts, actions, and if we make understanding His will our very purpose, what could the ripple effect of that be? Would we be cultivating and deepening Christlike virtues such as truth, wisdom, patience, kindness, gentleness, love, godliness, faith and self-control? Would we be more completely and exactly following the Savior's example? Would we experience deeper peace, happiness, and joy? Elder Neal A. Maxwell said: "Only by aligning our wills with God's is full happiness to be found...progression toward submission confers...an enhanced capacity for joy."

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 6:5-7

5 Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you.

6 Now, as you have asked, behold, I say unto you, keep my commandments, and seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion.

7 Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich.

General Conference

By Divine Design

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"Our lives are like a chessboard, and the Lord moves us from one place to another - if we are responsive to spiritual promptings.

Looking back, we can see His hand in our lives."

Neither one of us had to prepare a lesson today. We left for church around 8:45. I did not feel well but I made myself go. It was fast and testimony meeting and Shelly bore her testimony for the last time in sacrament meeting before leaving for her mission. Her family is taking her to Utah to the MTC on Tuesday. 

The bishop was out of town today and Anne was home with two sick babies. The bishop's parents brought the older children so they would be here for the Primary program practice. 

I loved Brother Secard's testimony. He got up as he normally does and as he was talking he tried to explain that he had an illness but he couldn't remember the name of it. He said: "You know, it's the one where you can't remember anything." 

My friend Rosa who is also a Primary teacher told me we were supposed to teach today but she didn't come prepared because she thought we were practicing for the program both hours. I told her I wasn't prepared either and I went to talk to Sister Skousen, the Primary president. She said originally we were not going to teach but they decided two hours was too long to practice so she had Sister Thompson the secretary, call every one. I told her I did not get a call and neither did Rosa. She said it was okay that the presidency would cover the teaching hour, which they did along with the music director. Sister Thompson came to me and apologized and told me she sent out an email on Thursday. I told her I didn't get it but then I realized that every day I delete over 200 emails and maybe I accidentally deleted it. Sure enough, I found it in my deleted files. I was a little embarrassed. Oh well, I guess I need to be more careful in the future.

One exciting thing happened today. Braxton, one of the boys in my class who very rarely comes, came to Primary today and participated in the program!

I was so tired and sleepy I just kept watching the clock and almost decided to leave early during the practice since I was just sitting there anyway. I knew if I went home though I would just have to come back and pick up James so I stayed.

As soon as we got home we broke our fast and I sat down to watch a Christmas movie while eating a peanut butter sandwich and drinking a glass of milk. 

James grilled some steaks and cooked some corn for our real lunch. It was delicious. I was still tired and had a headache and just camped in front of the TV watching Hallmark Christmas movies. 

I watched: "The Sweetest Christmas" starring Lacey Chabert, and Lea Coco. "A Cookie Cutter Christmas" starring Erin Krakow, and David Haydn-Jones, and Alan Thicke. "A Song for Christmas" starring Rebecca Tobin, Kevin McGarry, and Kendra Leigh Thomas. And last but not least, "Enchanted Christmas" starring Carlos and Alexa PenaVega.  Afterwards I vowed there would be no more TV watching on Sunday. It just wasn't right because it kept James from indexing and me from working on family history.

I gave Pam and Ricky conference Ensigns yesterday on the way home from the temple. Pam texted me and said she had finished reading the entire Ensign! Wow! Pretty amazing!

More photos from last night's

Patriotic Program in Chandler

Sister Bear, Sister Barney (from Snowflake), 

Sister Lamb, and Sister Davis.

Brian L., friends with James

The Montgomery's, who happen to have a

summer place in Vernon.

Pres. A. Farnsworth with his daughter and son-in-law.

Sister Kempton and Sister Layton

my counselor and secretary when I was the Primary

President in Chandler 2nd ward.

Fall photo of the day

Kilee, one of my young women

This is about what I look like first thing in the morning.

The Whalen family

The Whalen family Christmas tree

Northern Lights and a glowing igloo

Sooo cute!

My kids cousins and their kids

The Living Christ