Wednesday, February 6th, 2019

Memphis, Tennessee

80th operating temple

Dedicated: 23 Apr 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Luke 4:41

And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 1:30-2:10

How do you keep a balanced perspective on your dependence on God's grace and your desire to live righteously?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Luke 4:33-44

"Trust in the Lord" Marion G. Romney; Oct 1977

General Conference

Gather Together in One All Things in Christ

Elder David A. Bednar

"Truth faith is focused in and on the Lord Jesus Christ - in Him as the divine and Only Begotten Son of the Father and on Him and the redemptive mission He fulfilled. 'For he hath answered the ends of the law, and he claimeth all those who have faith in him; and they who have faith in him will cleave unto every good thing; wherefore he advocateth the cause of the children of men.' Exercising faith in Christ is trusting and placing our confidence in Him as our Savior, on His name, and in His promises."

We got up this morning to snow and fog. We had planned on going to the temple today but after looking outside I tried to talk James into going tomorrow instead. He said he really wanted to go today because he already had his mind set. I said okay.

We brought in wet wood to dry out on the hearth. We had scriptures and prayer and I worked on my blog for awhile before going in to get ready for the temple. 

We left for the temple a little after 9 for the 10:30 session. It was slow going to Show Low and when we got there we headed straight for the carwash. The roads to Taylor and Snowflake were pretty clear, not any snow. 

It was freezing cold and windy at the temple. James made a joke. He said the pioneers upon entering Snowflake said: "We will stay here until the wind stops." That's how the town was founded by Mr. Snow and Mr. Flake.

I gave Kathy, a friend from high school, a hug upon entering. Judy, a friend from Vernon was also near the entrance. She teaches the temple prep class in our ward and she said that a member of our ward, Paula, would be going through the temple on Friday to take out her endowments. This is exciting news! Paula is an amazing person who does lots of community service and is always helping someone. I am so happy for her. Judy asked me to please let Tamara know. I said I would.

James and I sat across from each other for the first part of the endowment session. I must say that I am quite happy with the changes that were made in the endowment session athough now it is slides instead of a video.

We discussed who's names we wanted to put on the prayer roll and we divided them up. I put Harold's, Max's, and some people from the ward. James wanted to put Alex's and Sister Peeler.

So much for the car being washed. By the time we got home it was covered with mud again. 

After resting and walking I worked on my blog this evening.

James is anxious to get back to working at the temple, especially after going today and seeing that he could make it through a session.

 Our view outside this morning

This face makes me happy

Wednesday, October 24th, 2018

San Salvador, El Salvador

135th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 Aug 2011

By: Henry B. Eyring

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Daniel 9:26

And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a food, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

Book of Mormon #1

3 Nephi 12:1-24

*How do you make sure you aren't putting your light under a bushel?

- The Savior's transcendant message in the Sermon on the Mount is of burning-bush importance to all of us. 'But seek ye first to build up the kingdom of God, and to establish His righteousness' (JST, Matt. 6:38). This message needs to penetrate into our hearts and souls. As we accept this message, we are taking our personal stand in this life." (Ensign, May 2004, 67 - President James E. Faust)

Book of Mormon #2

Jarom-Omni

General Conference

Wounded

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"In the crucible of earthly trials, patiently move forward, and the Savior's healing power will bring you light, understanding, peace, and hope."

James went out early this morning scouting for deer. Sheri and I woke Kim up texting about "Dancing with the Stars."  Oops...

I picked my friend Catherine up at 9 am. and we headed for the Snowflake temple. My car wheel wells are filled with mud. While I was waiting for Catherine I found a stick and tried to dig some of it out but I wasn't very successful. 

It was beautiful and sunny when we left Vernon but halfway to Show Low it became very foggy as if we were in a cloud and pretty much stayed that was until we got to Snowflake.

We made it in time for the 10:30 session. It was as full as it can get with 54 patrons. The Gilbert temple is still closed and we met a sister from Gilbert. I wonder how many more were from the valley.

They showed my favorite film so I was happy. 

One the way home we stopped at Sonic. Catherine got a hotdog and tater tots and a diet cherry limeade. I got a corn dog, fries, and a small cherry limeade. Catherine shared that Sonic originated in Oklahoma where she is from. She talked about her childhood and being raised by her grandmother. She loves to talk and I love to listen.

Catherine told me some sad news just before we went in to our session. She said that Elder Allen, who just left for his mission in the Philippines in September is back home. He was diagnosed with ADHD. I wondered why he was posting pictures taken in Arizona on Instagram. She doesn't know what his plans are but both of us are concerned for him and his family. I couldn't stop thinking about him during the session.

I had a message on my phone that Jared Ammon broke his foot in three places. He had to have surgery and have plates put in. He is staying at his girlfriend's house. Poor guy.

I finally got an email from Ben. He had his P-day on Wednesday so he could go to the temple but he can only go four times on his mission so next week and from now on his P-day will be back on Mondays.

I am tired because lately I have been eating junk. I need to get back on a better diet or eating program. James came home hungry and I made him a couple of chicken quesadillas which he loved. I had a cheese crisp and a cinnamon sugar tortilla. (See what I mean about lousy eating.)

James went out to site in his gun for his hunt. I forgot and went outside on the deck to walk when I heard a loud BANG which scared me back inside. 

James went into town this evening to pick up supplies for Howard's job while I stayed home and worked on our book business. 

We are both very tired when he returns so we go to bed a little earlier than normal.

And there she goes!

That's the temple behind us.
I'm not very good at selfies.

 Ben loves the cold!

Such a handsome group!

 This girl likes to talk.

One happy baby except when you put

her in her car seat and in the car.

 Going out looking for deer.

Thursday, December 11, 2014

"Let us commit to give a most meaningful gift to the Lord.  Let us give Him our lives, our sacrifices.  Those who do so will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can."

-Ezra Taft Benson

We returned James's rental car this morning.  It's still foggy out there.  We also went to Walmart, National Bank, and to get gas.  I read to James from our last Sarah Eden book, "An Unlikely Match."  

James went to the post office for me and returned the purse I ordered and hated, and sent off Jared's Christmas card and Jared Ammon's graduation card.  

Addy's Hedwig and ipod arrived in Chandler today from the Embassy Suites in Anaheim.  

Kathy Crane gave us a delicious loaf of cinnamon bread today.  It is great toasted with butter.

James had a meeting tonight with the high priest group leadership in our ward. 

Addy, Rowan and Ruby had a Christmas program at their school this evening.  Their principal dressed up like Buddy the Elf.

Addy played the violin.

We watched "One Christmas Eve", and "A Town Without Christmas."

 

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

 I had breakfast with Darrel this morning.  He gets to go home today when his shift ends at 3:30.  We had more fog today.  Darrel says it takes him a good 15 minutes longer to get into work when it is foggy.

I went into town this afternoon to get something to give Shelly and Kelly for babysitting last night at the Relief Society activity.  I want them and the other girls to know how much we appreciate their willingness to serve.  I also picked up my order of Nerf guns from Walmart.  

James got home from the valley this evening just as I was leaving for Mutual.  Tonight we had our Christmas party for the girls.  We had a white elephant gift exchange and gave each of the girls a Christmas gift from their leaders.  It was a fun evening but I wish I would have made some cookies.  We did have soda's to drink for refreshments but cookies would have been nice too.
Those girls who attended: Kyah, Alice, Hope, Heaven, Maddie, Kilee, LeeAnn, Kelly, Trenda, Coty, Shelly, and Jordyn.  The best turnout we have had all year!

Kelly, Heaven, Shelly, and Trenda

Our fearless leader

LeeAnn, Rosie, Ruth, and Trenda

Coty

 Maddie, Kyah, Analee, Alice, Hope, Stefani

Kilee looks like she fell asleep picking out her present.

Maddie

Stefani, and Jordyn

Diana and Kelly

Diana, Kelly, Heaven, Shelly

Maddie, Kilee, and LeeAnn enjoying their

Crush sodas.

Stefani's reindeer shirt

Back at home in Chandler Max had a band concert.  

I watched two Christmas movies today: "A Christmas Secret", and "Silver Bells."

Monday, December 8, 2014

"He was born, a long time ago - nearly Two Thousand years ago - at a place called Bethlehem. ...And then the Angel told the Shepherds to go to that Stable, and look at that little child in the Manger. Which they did; and they kneeled down by it in its lseep, and said 'God bless this child!'"

-Charles Dickens

Sunrise

Darrel left for work around 7.  James and I left shortly after to go to Hatch's so James could rent a car. We saw two nice bull elk just standing by the side of the road.   I dropped James off and drove through the fog to Walmart. The fog went from Show Low to the church in Vernon and from there to our house it was clear.  

I got home and put groceries away and took a couple of aspirin.  I worked on General Conference "catchup" most of the day and watched Christmas movies.  I also fixed a chicken pot pie for dinner using a recipe I found in one of my "Food Nanny" cookbooks.  

Jared texted today and said he is going to have to rent a van or truck to come for Christmas.  I immediately got a card with some money in it and sent it to him.  

Robert did not show up to fix the truck today.  I am beginning to think we can't believe anything he says.  He certainly is dragging his feet.  

James had to fix a broken water line under the asphalt at work.  He acted like it was no big deal.  He never ceases to amaze me.

Sheri is worried about her boys and frankly, so am I.

Max is a tough kid.  He plays football with the big boys and comes out looking like this:

 

 

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

"It is better to prepare and prevent than it is to repair and repent."

-Ezra Taft Benson

There was so much fog this morning I couldn't see the sun or my mountain, Sierra Montosa.

  

James has got some major truck problems.  I think he may have gotten a lemon.  He needs new brakes, a new radiator, and something else.  Erik is going to put in new brakes this week and the radiator next week.  I wish we could afford to buy a new truck but it wouldn't be a good idea right now.

There were lots of clouds today but not much rain.  There has been some flooding in the valley.  

Our young women's president, Diana Curtis is gone to Utah for a Curtis family reunion so that means I'm sort of in charge at Young Women's  Tonight we had: Kilee, LeeAnn, Hope, Heaven, Alice, Trenda, Shelly, Jordyn and Kelly.  I missed Maddie but later I found out her dog Bumpy got hit by a car.  I also found out Hope is in a relationship (she's too young!), and Arizona is practicing with her bow so she can go archery deer hunting next week.  I got all of this information on Facebook.  I made Rice Krispy treats for the girls but they were too hard and crunchy.  I think I put too many Rice Krispies in them.  Tonight we did a little Personal Progress working on the value Good Works and then I turned the time over to Trenda so we could plan next week's combined activity.  We are doing something called "A Minute to Win It."

When I got home from Mutual I tried to call Jared but he didn't answer.  

Watched "So You Think You Can Dance."