Sunday, March 3rd, 2019

Guadalajara, Mexico

29 Apr 2001

105th operating temple

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Mark 1:1

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 25:1-13
*How would you explain our gospel in plainness to help a child or investigtor understand our beliefs?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matthew 6-7 Review

"If Ye Had Know Me", David A. Bednar, 10/16

General Conference

Lift Up Your Head and Rejoice

M. Joseph Brough

"As we face hard things in the Lord's way, may we lift up our heads and rejoice."

"There is Sunshine in My Soul Today." 

I love this quote from Elder Robbins: " There is only one way to judge righteous judgment as Jesus Christ does, and that is to be as He is."

"If children are defiant and difficult to control. be patient with the until you can conquer by love, ... and you can then mold their characters as you please." President Joseph F. Smith

Many of the testimonies today in our fast and testimony meeting were regarding the Book of Mormon. I read today in an article in the New Era a story about a time when President Nelson was a doctor and one of the nurses he worked with asked him what made him different than the other doctors. He didn't get angry, or use bad language and he was always kind. This was his reply: "Because I know the Book of Mormon is true." He gave this nurse a copy of the Book of Mormon with his testimony. Years later while visiting a stake conference in Tennessee as a General Authority, he met this woman again. As a result of her conversion she shared with him the 80 people had joined the Church. Wow!

During Sunday School we were discussing foundations and I got to read Helaman 5:12 -And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.
Sister Woods' went around the room and asked everyone what foundation they were built upon. I thought to myself that Christ is our foundation but I didn't say anything. People were saying things like prayer, love, forgiveness, etc. The bishop got up and said he did not think those things were our foundation. He said our foundation is built upon apostles and prophets and Jesus Christ being our chief cornerstone. The attributes we mentioned earlier are the walls. Interesting. Nice to have our bishop in class to set us straight.

When I got home from church this afternoon I called Marie Robertson to check on her. She said she was doing okay and had plenty of food. She told me this was the first time in 24 years that she had felt real affection from her husband, that it had been a hard marriage but as a result of his actions recently she knew that he loved her.

I read an article today in the Ensign by Elder Godoy about the saints in Venezuela. The name of the article is, "Sources of Peace and Power." Here is a quote from that talk: How can the members in Venezuela, who face great challenges, still be cheerful, strong and at peace? I believe what is happening with many of them is that they are becoming more dependent on God. As a consequence, they are receiving strength from the source of all strength. They recognize the blessings they receive from Heavenly Father, they rely on the power of Jesus Christ and His Atonement, and they are comforted, supported, and strengthened by the Holy Ghost. As a result, their burdens become lighter, their sorrow is relieved, and they find peace in the midst of their trials."

We had a family history training meeting this afternoon with Brother Ranstrom. We still have not learned anything on the computer. Our homework is to ask someone in the ward to allow us to help them on family search. I am asking Sister Halcomb and James is asking Tom.

We watched the next episode of "When Calls the Heart" this evening.

Sunday morning photo session

 I love this face!

 Fools Hollow Lake

Sunday, July 6, 2014

"The commandment 'thou shalt not kill, nor do anything like unto it' is founded upon spiritual law that protects all of God's children, even the unborn.  Long experience suggests that when we ignore this law, immeasurable sorrow results.  Yet many believe it is acceptable to terminate the life of an unborn child for reasons of preference or convenience."

-Elder Robert D. Hales

Ponytails by Addy

Our fast and testimony meeting was mostly gratitude that the fire was out and that the rains have come.   Shelly and Tamara Applegate talked about their trip to Palmyra and doing family names at the Palmyra temple.  Our bishop has been gone for over a month now and we all miss him.  Oh yes, we sat in the very front row while Kim, Brian, Joseph, and Alex sat in the very back row.

 My new book and sacrament journal

Wendy DeWitt was the teacher in Sunday School today.  Brother Wilhelm is on vacation for the third week in a row.  The lesson was on the friendship between David and Jonathan.  

Sandra Wilhelm gave the lesson in young women's about ordinances and covenants.  Those attending: Alice, LeeAnn, Shelly and Jordyn.  We also had two visitors from Gilbert, Olivia and her sister Vanessa.

Back at home the kids were excited to go up to the clubhous and go on a Razr ride to chase rabbits.

 The clubhouse needs alot of work.

Addy is hopeful that Emmy and Anna will be

here later in the month to help clean it up.

 Ruby is ready to go, goggles and all.

The weather has been rainy and cool and so enjoyable.  

Addy and Rowan watched Harry Potter 5 today.  Not exactly a Sunday movie but Addy has been reading the books and Rowan was so excited to watch it with her.

For dinner we had steaks and burgers.  Brian cooked a burger for Addy and we cooked a steak for him.  Of course Ruby had mac and cheese and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  After dinner grandpa made a fire for them to cook smores.  We used the giant marshmallows but they were so messy and gooey.  

The kids all took a bath in our big tub, first Rowan and then Addy and Ruby together and then I read them one of my favorites stories about two little pigs named Toot and Puddle.  Rowan and Ruby watched the Curious George movie.

Alex took us to the girls(Michael's cross country team) clubhouse.  It was really cool but too far away.  I need to go back in the daytime and take some pictures.

Sunday, January 6, 2013

This year in Sunday School we are studying the Doctrine and Covenants.  Today the lesson covered the introduction and section 1.  In Relief Society and Priesthood the course of study comes from the Teachings of Lorenzo Snow.  Also, I am super excited about our new curriculum for Young Women.  Our topic of study for January is the Godhead.  I love teaching doctrinal lessons from the scriptures!
A sister who lived in Vernon for many years and had a great influence on the community passed away this week.  Her name was Beulah Penrod.  Many of the testimonies today in fast & testimony meeting were reminiscing about her life and the history of the church in Vernon.  James bore his testimony and I was the last person to bear mine.  We were already over time when I bore mine so I made it brief and mainly about the Savior.

I attended Lannie Gillespie's teacher training class during Sunday School.  Kaeli Nicoll taught the lesson in Young Women's about the nature of the Godhead.  She did a good job and got alot of participation.
James attended our ward's sacrament meeting and then went to the Park Place ward in Show Low.
After church we came home and took naps and then broke our fast before dinner time.  James fixed dinner and then cleaned the kitchen.
This evening we watched the second half of "Love's Christmas Journey" and then about 3/4's of the season 3 premier of Downton Abbey.  It was a good sabbath day.