Thursday, May 28th, 2020

Columbus, Ohio

60th operating temple

Dedicated: 4 Sept 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, King

John 19:19

And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Alma 2; Meridian Magazines Podcast with the Proctor's

Inklings

Restoration Proclamation Week #6

Restoration

Chapter 18 "The Mission of the Twelve"

April General Conference

"The Finest Homes"

Elder L. Whitney Clayton

"From the Lord's perspective, establishing the finest homes has everything to do with the personal qualities of the people who live there. These homes aren't made fine in any important or lasting way by their furniture or by the net worth or social status of the people who own them. The finest characteristic of any home is the image of Christ reflected in the home's residents. What matters is the interior design of the souls of the inhabitants, not the structure itself."

"No Time for Contention"

Elder Marvin J. Ashton

April 1978

Anthony delivered some hay this morning and James gave him his old computer. The problem is that he couldn't find the cord to it so he gave him the cord to his new computer. He thinks he will buy a new one. I hope he is able to find one.

James made us some lo-mein noodles for lunch while I read to him from "Aunt Dimity and the Wishing Well." James was going to go to town this morning to look at cinders for the road but he decided against it. He is going to go with me tomorrow. He is so disappointed about the part to his truck. It is going to cost so much more than he thought and he will have to wait again for the part to come. Now he is fixing the small items that need to be fixed on the Cat so he can sell it to Pierce.

It took me several hours to buy three books today. I need to spend more time doing others things to keep my business going but it is taking all my time just to buy books. 

I love staying home. I love my home and where we live. I would like to make some improvements outside, such as fixing up the grass patch and planter in the front and planting grass in the backyard. It would also be nice to have the field fenced in for Luna.

Again, while James was out riding I was studying "Come Follow Me", the Restoration Proclamation, and Church History in the Fulness of Times. I love studying the gospel and strengthening my testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Potstickers for dinner. One of the things we look forward to at the end of the day is sitting down together and watching an episode of "Lark Rise to Candleford." We watched episode 4 of season 3 which is one of the saddest episodes. Lark Rise is bringing in the harvest when an epidemic of measles hits. Daniel shows his true colors by staying in town to help. Little Archie Arless dies while his brother Alf is trying to bring in the harvest. James and I both loved the episode because it was real human drama and acted so well. 

James is so happy about last years flowers

returning

 Natural, unkempt flower garden

I like the color!

Wednesday, October 9th, 2019

Rome, Italy

162nd operating temple

Dedicated: 10 Mar 2019

By: Russell M. Nelson

Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd

Isaiah 40:11

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 2:1-19

New Testament: Ephesians: "For the Perfecting of the Saints"

General Conference

Found through the Power of the Book of Mormon

Elder Ruben V. Alliaud

"All must experience and be found by the power of the truths contained in the Book of Mormon."

3 Nephi 1:30 says: And thus were the Lamanites afflicted also, and began to decrease as to their faith and righteousness, because of the wickedness of the rising generation. Many of the rising generation today are decreasing in faith and righteousness while others are sacrificing to go on missions. What makes the difference?

"Rescuing Wayward Children", 'The Lone and Dreary World':

The universal law of opposites states that to ascend upon high we must descend below all things, so that we might comprehend all things, and thereby gain the ability to become as the gods - above, and in all, and through all things (DC 88:6). For reasons that we do not completely understand, this process is the only way to become exalted.'

Sheri went out running again this morning as she has the last two mornings. Alex and Max got up early and went fishing. 

When Sheri returned from her run she made breakfast, hashbrowns, turkey bacon, and eggs. Sheri asked me if I wanted some hasbrowns and I accepted. Evan came asking for more hashbrowns and they were all gone. I felt a little guilty because I know how much he loves hashbrowns and french fries.

When it got time for Sheri, Ian and Evan to leave Max and Alex were still gone fishing. 

Even though Joshua is staying, I wanted him to

have his picture taken with the people he came with.

 Look what Alex caught along with his fish.

Another successful day at Silver Creek.

When Alex and Max got home they played a couple of games of

"Settlers." The set that James bought me for my birthday years ago is so enticing. Max and Joshua never played before and they both won a game.

Settlers of Catan

I sold three more books and my total yearly sales are inching towards the ten thousand mark. When I get to ten thousand I'm posting on the Book Arbitrage Facebook group.

While Alex and Max were sleeping this afternoon Joshua mowed our little patch of grass while James used the tractor to knock down weeds in the rest of the yard. It did my heart good to look outside and see them working together.

This evening I had a bad spell of dizziness and nausea. I guess I took Tramadol and didn't eat, or at least didn't eat enough. James brought me some Sprite and I went to bed very early, around 8 o'clock. I guess the boys had frozen pizza for dinner. Adam and his friends Kaitlyn and Chris arrived during the night.

 The last yellow flowers of the season

 Paris Disney, Mickey looks too orange

Conference Quotes:

The Whole Armour of God

Tuesday, June 4th, 2019

Chicago, Illinois

35th operating temple

Dedicated: 9-13 Aug 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

DC 76:54

They are they who are the church of the Firstborn.

Book of Mormon

Alma 11:1-25

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

John 13:34-38; John 15:9-17

General Conference

Missionary Work: Sharing What Is in Your Heart

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Members of the Church of Jesus Christ - both in past times as well as in ours - have enthusiastically and joyfully shared the gospel with friends and acquaintances. Their hearts are aflame with the testimony of Jesus Christ, and they sincerely want others to experience the same joy they have found in the Savior's gospel."

We sold the book, "Beginning and Beyond" for $48.99.

My friend Pam, who works at the hospital,  texted the following to me this morning:

Pam: Police are everywhere!

Me: He's here? Yikes! I'm going to the temple!

Pam: Yes. It's crazy. Cops are in riot gear with rifles.

Me: Where do they think he is? What did he do?

Pam: I pulled over and at least 6 cars zipped by. Pulling cars over near the doghouse subdivision. He killed his dad and one other.

Me: So where are the police? Vernon or Show Low? ( I wasn't sure where the doghouse subdivision was). 

Pam: Show Low. You know the doghouse thrift shop area. 

Me: Not sure where that is, is it on the 260 or the Deuce?

Pam: It was going down about 6:45 this morning, on the 260. Tons of police, helicopter. I didn't know what the heck was happening, but when I saw the tactical gear and rifles I figured it was not safe. Went straight to the hospital instead of shopping. LOL. Even the ER parking lot looked like it had activity. I don't know much more yet. so scary.

Me: I hope they catch him. You are safe in the hospital with the security. Keep your office door locked just in case. I'm saying a prayer.

These are photos from Pam's office. She has it decorated for Jen's birthday. Jen is her best friend and co-worker. 

Later in the day I received the following message from Pam:

Pam: The brother of the shooter posted a video asking everybody to stop saying mean things about his baby brother. The baby brother is mentally ill. He said that he and his dad are recovering and they want everyone to stop saying horrible things. It's heartbreaking. I loved his message. 

Me: Wow. So, they never caught him?

Pam: They did, and I was surprised at my reaction when I saw the picture. It was so sad. I said to Jenny his expression was remorse, sadness and trauma. He's not okay. Poor kid.

Me: Oh, that is sad.

Pam: He's 29 but I can call him a kid because I'm old.

As I told Pam earlier I had planned on going to the temple today with James and our 85 year old friend Catherine. Catherine wants to do her sister-in-law's initiatory and endowment. This is her beloved husband Clyde's sister and she knows that doing his sisters work is going to make him so happy.

We picked up Catherine around 9:15. I drove, Catherine was in the front passenger seat, and James was in the back. Catherine loves to talk and she is hard of hearing. I am afraid we left James pretty much out of the conversation all of the way to Show Low. 

We got to the temple around 10 am for the 11 o'clock session in order to have plenty of time to do the initiatory work. Initiatory was busy but our friend Donna L. was the initiatory director and she worked it out so that we could both do our names before the session. I got one more name done by a sister who didn't have a name. 

The session was packed with extra chairs set up in the aisle for both the sisters and brothers.  Catherine and I were seated in the corner of the last row. I got a little claustrophobic when we were putting on our ordinance clothing.

When we got to the celestial room Catherine was so happy. She said to me, "Oh this was such a wonderful family day. The new name was my mother's name and Pierce from our ward, who's niece is married to my grandson, took me through the veil. I know my husband is so happy right now that his sister's work is done."

With those good feelings we left the temple and headed for Eva's Mexican restaurant in Snowflake for a late lunch/ early dinner. 

I had a chicken enchilada with green sauce and rice and beans. James had a chili relleno with green sauce and rice and beans, and Catherine had a taco salad. When we got ready to leave Catherine insisted that she was paying. She said she "owed" us. I said that she owed us nothing but I allowed her to pay and I left the tip. Thank you Catherine.

The ride home was beautiful. We were surrounded by clouds and in some areas they were rain clouds. It was overcast in Vernon but we never got any rain to speak of.

We stopped at the post office and picked up about 8 books. My goal this evening is to get all the FBA books we have ready for shipping.

James was so happy to see that the iris's he planted last year, along with the flowers, had bloomed.

Clouds and flowers, two of my favorites!

My evening was spent getting my steps and preparing book shipments. I shipped 13 books, 12 to California and 1 to Washington state.

Happy Birthday Emmy!

Emmy turns 14 today.

This photo was taken in 2017 and all of the kids have grown

since then. We also have Charlie added to the group.

I'm not sure where James was, he should be in this photo too.

James washed the car and cleaned out the garage
and driveway before we went to the temple.

 Bettylea is named after my mother whose name
was Bettylea Strickland Maxwell.
She is the second oldest of my niece's Jenifer. Jenifer is my brother
Dennis's only girl.

Dennis and Denise in Texas.

They went to Bettylea's graduation.

Dennis says the Doobie Brother's had a song about

China Grove. I wouldn't know.

Barbara was one of the first sisters I visited as a visiting teacher when I moved to Chandler in 1971. Kathy Jones, the bishop's wife,
was my companion.

Our bishop and his wife on vacation. Not sure why the
word whiskey is on his shirt.

Buns of Cinnamon for the win