OUR FAMILY: fireworks

Sunday, July 8, 2018

Wednesday, July 4th, 2018

Nuku'alofa, Tonga

23rd operating temple

Dedicated: 9-11 Aug 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

Job 38:4

Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.

Alma 27:1-15

*How much faith did the king have in the Lord? (see verse 8).

Elder M. Russell Ballard explains:

"Learning to recognize and follow the Lord's voice is vital for spiritual progression. God expects us to hear and know His voice in this life, but He also expects us to act." ("Responding to the Promptings of the Spirit", Jan. 1988).

Old Testament

2 Chronicles 5-6

5 The temple is finished, and the ark of the covenant is placed in the holy of holies - The glory of the Lord fill the temple.

6 Solomon blesses the congregation of Israel - He offers the dedicatory prayer for the temple - He prays for mercy and blessings for penitent Israel.

General Conference

Until Seventy Times Seven

Elder Lynn G. Robbins

" No one is more on our side than the Savior. He allows us to take and keep retaking His exams. To become like Him will require countless second chances in our day-to-day struggles with the natural man, such as controlling appetites, learning patience and forgiveness, overcoming slothfulness, and avoiding sins of omission, just to name a few. If to err is human nature, how many failures will it take us until our nature is no longer human but divine? Thousands? More likely a million."

Before I left for the valley this morning I put sheets on two of the beds upstairs, wrapped Lola's four presents, made myself a green smoothie did scriptures and prayers, listened to a general conference talk and three articles from the Ensign, including an article by Elder Rasband about his ancestors who were handcart pioneers.

I listened to President Eyring's biography all the way to the valley. I left about an hour late, at 11. When I got to Show Low I washed the car, again. I am glad I wasn't here an hour ago because I would have been in the middle of the 4th of July parade which is a serious thing in Show Low. At the other end of town in front of Licano's there were several police cars flashing their lights. As I approached I saw a smashed black and white police car in the middle of the road.

I stopped at the Fry's in Globe. Listening to President Eyring's book has inspired me to write more and I realized I didn't bring a notebook to write in with me so I stopped and got a couple of notebooks and some new pens. I also bought a diet Coke to help me stay awake and to go with my bag of Booma Chika popcorn.

I arrived at Darrel and Trina's around 3. I guess that Trina and the kids must still be swimming and Darrel is at work. James arrived about 5 minutes after I did. He helped me unload my car. Trina had Lola's party all set up with balloons halfway up the stairs and all the gifts wrapped. I added my four little gifts to the stash.

Happy Birthday Lola!

A little while after we arrived Trina and the kids returned from their swim. They all got ready for the party and soon Bob, Suzy, Tristyn, Ria, and Case arrived. Tristyn is here from Hawaii with her kids because she is going to California with the family. They all go every summer to spend a week on the beach.

Bob and Suzy brought Barro's pizza and some chicken wings to share before the birthday cake and ice cream. Soon Darrel was home and we could all gather around and sing Happy Birthday to Lola.

Happy Birthday!

Enjoy your breakfast Lola!

Before the party Lola ate lots of Doritos

so she wasn't really hungry for pizza or

cake and ice cream.

Such a happy little girl!

Her friend Scarlett went swimming with them

and gave Lola the paint book.

Do you think she's posing?

Ria got to open one of the presents too.

A cake with flower cupcakes on top.

Lola and Ruby both love My Little Ponies.
Lola can tell you their names, and what their
"cutie marks" mean. Those cutie marks look alot
like tatoos.

Time to blow out the candles

Grandpa is playing with one of the toys!

She got them all!

Tasting the frosting

Oh, it's delicious!

The 4th of July is alot more fun with Lola!

Rowan missed the rocky road and settled
for mint chocolate chip.

Is the party over?

We all either walked or rode a scooter or bike over to the Great Eastmark Park for the fireworks show.

It was a great show!

Val from "DWTS"

Happy 4th from the Chaffin's

Independence Day in England

Ollie patiently waiting at home.

They came to visit us on June 19th, 2018

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Columbia, South Carolina,

62nd operating temple

2 Nephi 32:1-9

Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost - Men must pray and gain knowledge for themselves from the Holy Ghost. About 559-545 B.C.

How do you feast upon the words of Christ?

Alma 32:13-33

Faith is a hope in that which is not seen which is true - Alma testifies that angels minister to men, women, and children - Alma compares the word unto a seed - It must be planted and nourished - Then it grows into a tree from which the frut of eternal life is picked. About 74 B.C.

DC 42:53-65

53-60, The scriptures govern the Church and are to be proclaimed to the world; 61-69, The site of the New Jerusalem and the mysteries of the kingdom will be revealed;

How can we always strive to be obedient so that we may always be ready for the Lord to teach us?

General Conference

Sharing the Restored Gospel

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

"As Elder Ballard has taught, 'A most significant evidence of our conversion and of how we feel about the gospel in our own lives is our willingness to share it with others.'"

I had lunch with my friend Pam today at The House. We both had chili. We talked for quite awhile after we were finished eating. Pan and her husband were active members of our ward but something happened and now they don't come anymore. She told me a little bit of what happened and I am so very sorry. I wanted to say: "Don't let someone else keep you from your eternal salvation."

I invited Pam and Rick to watch conference with us. She needed to know that no one else would be there and I assured her that they wouldn't.

I went to Walmart to pickup my Methotrexate and to get an ice cream cone at McDonald's. James had to call and have the prescription transferred from Chandler. For some reason Dr. Caldron's office keeps sending it down there.

Peralta Trail in the Superstition Mountains

James is pretty much my hero. In the past six months he has caught about 40 mice in our garage. Since he has been setting traps out there we haven't had any mice in our house.

I worked on my blog a couple of hours this afternoon and James loaded up his tractor on the trailer in preparation for going to the valley tomorrow.

Buckelieu Springs

I missed going to the Relief Society activity this evening. Kathy Crane brought by the most wonderful banana cream dessert afterwards. It was delicious but I am sure very caloric. James went to the door in his pajamas because he looks better in his than I do in mine. We were watching the Hallmark movie, "Call to Duty." When James opened the door to let Kathy in, we began to realize how terrible today's prescribed burn was. The house filled with a smoky smell. Later when he went outside for something he came right back in because the smoke was so bad. It should be against the law to put people's health in danger. Around here the slogan seems to be: "Save the Trees, Kill the People."