Monday, June 10th, 2019

Frankfurt, Germany

41st operating temple

Dedicated: 28 Aug 1987

By: Ezra Taft Benson

Jesus Christ, Exemplar

Matthew 4:19

And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Book of Mormon

Alma 13:21-14:5

New Testament "Not as I will, as Thou Wilt"

Matthew 26:1-19 Mark 14:1-16 Luke 22:1-13

General Conference

Feasting Upon the Words of Christ

Takashi Wada

"The words of Christ can help us 'increase our spiritual capacity to receive revelation' and safely guide us through our life. Mormon teaches that the words of Christ have 'a great tendency to lead the people to do that which is just' and that they are more powerful than anything 'the sword' can accomplish. As I have searched for God's wisdom in dealing with my own challenges, always as I have tried the 'virtue of the word of God', I have felt inspired and enabled to make wise decisions, overcome temptations, and bless my life with increased faith in Christ and love for those around me. Our prophet, Russell M. Nelson, has taught us that 'in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost'. Needed revelation will come as we try the 'virtue of the word,' and that word will be more powerful than anything else we could try or imagine."

I worked on catching up on "Come Follow Me" this morning. 

James left around 8 o'clock to look at a remodel job at Dawn's school.

Ruby went to swimming lessons and Lola went to tumbling. 

Trina was supposed to work but they put her "on call." 

When Lola returned we packed up Lexy and after Rowan offered a prayer of safety and peace we left for Vernon. Rowan sat in the front seat and Lola and Ruby were in the back. James is staying here for a 1:30 appointment with his ear, nose, and throat doctor, Dr. Weiner.

I headed out on the 202 towards Gilbert Rd. Instead of going all the way to the 101 I decided I was going to get off on Gilbert Rd. That's the way James came in on Saturday. Something happened when I got off and instead of heading north on Gilbert Rd., I headed south. I was so frustrated that when I came to the Peter Piper Pizza on Baseline Rd. I decided to stop for lunch. The first thing Lola said was: "Gramma, I don't won't to play, I want to go to the cabin." 

I bought four buffet lunches and we probably ate enough for one. The things that was really costly was the drinks. Oh well. Darrel did give me cash for the week to feed the kids. I promise I didn't use all of it today, only about a third.

I forgot to tell a cute story about Lola that happened yesterday at our family dinner. She said to Joshua: "Everybody in your family is brown except for your mom....and your dog Shipley."

As I left Peter Piper I headed north on Gilbert road and took the 60 to Country Club which turns into the 87, the road to Payson.

When we got to Payson we stopped at McDonald's to use the bathrooms and to eat ice cream. Lola was asleep when we got there but when we said the word ice cream she woke right up.

In Show Low we stopped at Safeway so Lola could use the bathroom and so we could do some shopping. The kids decided they wanted spaghetti for dinner. Ruby likes broccoli so I got some broccoli and french bread to go with our spaghetti. All the kids got to pick out a fruit. Rowan picked nectarines, Ruby plums, and Lola strawberries. We also got some cherries for grandpa. 

Our next stop was the Conoco station on the hill as we were leaving Show Low. Last stop was the post office. No books, but a pink slip saying I had items too big for my box. 

As we were driving towards Vernon I noticed ominous black clouds coming from Springerville, and New Mexico. 

Rowan carried everything in from the car and I put it away. The kids took their stuff up stairs. They are all going to sleep in their family room. 

I went up and helped them clean the dead bugs out of the bathtub and the toilet and then I vacuumed and dusted. 

James got here around 6. He told the kids that there were two antelope outside. It's LaVerne and Shirley! The kids and James stood in our bedroom looking through binoculars to see if the antelope were pregnant. They determined that they were.

As we sat down to dinner it began to rain. It rained hard and then the rain turned to hail and it looked like there was snow on the ground. The temperature dropped from 80 to 60. The drop in temperature is one of the things I love about rain!

After dinner I walked and played with Lola. We played bowling and chess. Ruby and Rowan were upstairs playing Minecraft. Lola found the tea party box with hats, and boas. I told her if she put it back we would get it out tomorrow and have a tea party.

We all had family prayer together before going to bed.

 Eating spaghetti while it rains and hails

Lola said: "I like this bread"!

 Sweet Scarlett

 These two are friends forever!

 Five years ago had the time share.

I love the look on Max's and Joshua's faces

as they consider the fact that Evan knew

more Articles of Faith than they did.

 Last year Trina wanted to go here. I think

she thought it would be a real forest.

 Jared's friends Brian and Amy.

Tuesday, May 15th, 2018

Gila Valley, Arizona

132nd operating temple

Dedicated: 23 May 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, birth of

Romans 1:3

Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 29:33-47

*How did Mosiah's new system of government affect the agency of the people?

- It put more responsibility and accountability on the people's shoulders. They were used to Mosiah leading them and making sure they didn't get into trouble. Now they had to step up ad make more of those decisions on their own. It also gave them more freedom.

Old Testament

2 Samuel 3-4

3 The houses of David and Saul engage in a log war - David grows stronger - Abner joins David but is slain by Joab - David mourns for Abner.

4 Two of Saul's captains lsay Ishbosheth - They take his head to David, who has them slain for killing a righteous person.

General Conference

Inspired Ministering

President Henry B. Eyring

"As the Saints moved across the plains, their care for each other was organized in 'companies.' One of my paternal great-grandfathers was returning from his mission in what is now Oklahoma when he met a company on the trail. He was so weak with disease that he and his companion were on their backs in a little wagon.

The leader of the company sent two young women to help whoever might be in that forlorn wagon. One of them, a young sister who had been converted in Switzerland, took a look at one of the missionaries and felt compassion. He was saved by that company of Saints. He recovered enough to walk the rest of the way to te Salt Lake Valley with his young rescuer by his side. They fell in love and married. He became my great-grandfather Henry Eyring, and she my great-grandmother Maria Bommeli Eyring."

Rescuing Wayward Children, 268,

An endowment of power opens the way 

for an endowment of knowledge.

Russell M. Nelson, 4/06, #47.

"Marriages would be

happier if nurtured

more carefully."

Dale G. Renlund,Melchizedek Priesthood, Chapter 12 Principle #4

A Priesthood Holder Recognizes and Follows

Righteous Patterns

Truman G. Madsen, Lecture #4, 

Joseph Smith and Trials

I had a lunch date today with Harold, Vickie, Dennis and Denise at Darbi's in Pinetop for Dennis's birthday. Since we didn't do anything for Harold's birthday I considered it for his birthday too so I offered to buy. I paid the bill but Vickie came me $20 and Denise left $15 for the tip and gave me $15. 

I had a Chinese chicken salad and it was delicious. Dennis and Denise both loved their salads and Harold and Vickie loved their burgers. I can't believe that I failed to ask the waitress to take a picture of us!

After having lunch and saying our goodbyes, I went shopping at Walmart. I had to buy cards and gifts for my friend Pam, Zemira whose family James ministers to, and Ben for seminary and high school graduation. This is one of those weeks where you spend more money they you intended, especially since my calculator kept blanking out and I finally gave up on keeping track of how much I was spending.

I came home, put groceries away, rested for a little while and then headed out to visit the Burton family. I am taking them one of my "extra" crockpots and seeing what other needs they have. They are moving to St. Johns and will be living in one of Neal Lambson's homes. The parents are both handicapped and their are twin daughters Melanie and Tara who are 14. Sister Burton says the girls need clothes but she couldn't give me a size. They live in two small travel trailers you would use for camping so I am glad they are getting to move into a home. They need someone to pick up stuff they have in a storage unit in the valley. I shared this with the presidency and said we should pray to know who to ask. Kerri, the first counselor volunteered to do it and her mother who is 84, said she would go with her. I called them Superwoman and her assistant. Kerri was going down for a doctor's appointment on Thursday and will stay Friday to bring the Burton's things back. The Burton's are responsible to see that people are there to help load Kerri's trailer and truck. I told Kerri she was an answer to our prayers before we even prayed!

James reported in so we could get the point for speaking to our partners on the weight loss challenge. I prayed for him most of the day and he had a pretty good day on the golf course.

This evening I  walked, blogged, worked on my budget, and studied "Children Learning Reading." I finally got my notebook put together.

Brother Allen had surgery today on his shoulder. This injury is a result of the fall off the roof. First they attended to his broken pelvis and now they are doing his shoulder. I'm glad he got to see Jackson get his mission call before he had this surgery. Jackson is his youngest son. He and Sister Allen have 5 daughters and 2 sons.

He looks thrilled, doesn't he.

I wanted to find where Tyler, Texas was.

My friend Ann posted this. I thought

it was pretty amazing!

When I get skinny this is one of 

the dresses I want.

Lindsey from "DWTS" at her temple wedding.

It's nice to see her with clothes on!

I was 9 years old and remember

hearing about this. I also remember

the Sputnik gum, shaped like a

jaw breaker, blue with little spikes.

Ian's grandma was from Bisbee and

her last name was Beebe.

Weird and dumb

That is some big hail. I would

hate to get hit on the head with one of those.

Amazing!

"Peeping Tom"

Cats are so nosy!

People come from all over the world to see

the Red Rocks of Sedona. It is pretty but

looks a little barren to me.

Awesome photo!

Seven bunnies eating out grass.

Can you find them all?

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Be a lighthouse for the Lord

Helaman 11:1-20

In these verses the Nephites did begin to remember the Lord their God.  What blessings have you seen come into your life when you choose to remember Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?  How do you feel when you ponder about what the Savior has done for you?

Karen: I feel like going to church is like going to the hospital.  We are all hurting or sick in some way.  I feel "healed" as I partake of the sacrament.  I know that as I repent and re-commit to keep the commandments the Savior forgives me and accepts of my offering, and I feel His love for me.  I have the strength to face the challenges ahead of me for another week.  During the week when I feel myself, "losing it", I offer a prayer to calm me down.  I ask for peace, comfort, strength, and love and to have the Spirit to be with me.  I need Him every hour!  I also try to repent immediately or at night during my prayers, I ask, Heavenly Father if there is something I need to repent of please let me know so I can do so now.  

James: When I choose to "remember" by praying and attending my meetings in an attitude of gratitude and worship, I am reminded of the power of the Atonement which has helped me overcome so much of the natural man; which has changed my heart and helped me to overcome bad habits and re-directed my focus from the world to things of eternity.  Over time I have learned that it is not about me.  I have a long way to go, but I have learned that the Atonement is about changing our life and our focus.  It is no longer about me.

GC: "Opposition in All Things" by Elder Dallin H. Oaks

"God rarely infringes on the agency of any of His children by intervening against some for the relief of others.  But he does

ease the burdens of our afflictions and strengthens us to bear

them, as He did for Alma's people in the land of Helam

(Mosiah 24:13-15).  Through all mortal opposition, we have God's

assurance that He will "consecrate our afflictions for our gain"

(2 Nephi 2:2).  We have also been taught to understand our

mortal experiences and His commandments in the context

of His great plan of salvation, which tells us the purpose of

life and gives us the assurance of a Savior, in whose name

I testify of these things."

Thank you President Uchtdorf for the reminder.

This morning I listened to a video by a doctor entitled: "Abortion Argument Destroyed in Six Minutes."  It reminded me of how critical it is for Roe vs. Wade to be overturned.  It just breaks my heart that abortion is so common place and people are so callous about it.  

I had no plans to go to town today, but when James said he needed to go and invited me to go and to lunch, I couldn't turn him down.  

He dropped me off at the Dollar Tree Store, and then he went down to Harbor Freight.  I am still looking for another glass plate.  This Dollar Tree Store is the most disorganized, messy store I have ever been in.  There are always boxes sitting everywhere and it is difficult to get around in.  I wouldn't come in here if it weren't for those glass plates and stuff for my Primary class.  They still did not have my plate,  so I walked down to Harbor Freight and waited in the car for James. When he finished with what he was buying, a lift to put under the Razr while he changes the fluids, he came out and loaded it in to the back of my car.  I suggested we go to The China Buffet for lunch because it was close, which we did.

We had a filling lunch and then James went to Home Depot and then to Show Low Motorsports on the way out of town.

We read from Millennial Glory.  Corrynne finished off Dr. Page in an accidental death before he could infect her with the virulent form of  Streptcoccous A which causes a person to feel like they are on fire and rots the skin away before the person dies. Evil doctor!  We are almost finished with this book.  I hope the next one comes soon.

Speaking of evil, James sneaked up on me today and tapped me on the shoulder looking like this:

Naughty husband.

Needless to say I jumped and screamed.

We had lots of clouds today, but again, at our place, very little rain.  Over on the Show Low side of Vernon our friend took this picture:

Looks like snow, but it was hail.  

While James was out in the back this afternoon he saw this guy sitting on our porch:

He was chasing squirrels.  I am not sure if he actually got one.

Perigrine Falcon

I love my husband because he is a problem solver.  He lost the owner's manual to the Razr so he found a video online that tells him how to change the five different fluids that need to be changed in this machine.  Here he is at work:

Holding his phone and thinking about what the

video just told him to do.

This evening after dinner I sat down to read "The Seven Tipping Points That Saved the World" by Chris and Ted Stewart.  I finished the other book I was reading of theirs, "The Seven Miracles that Saved America", and loved it!  This one is almost as good.  I am on Chapter 4: The Battle That Preserved a Christian Europe.   

Noted German Historian Leopold Von Ranke says: "Poitiers was the turning point of one of the most important epochs in the history of the world." Poitiers is a place between France and Spain.  Good stuff.  I am reading about the Muslim invasion of Europe and actually had to get out my world map to look at so I could figure out where all the places were that they were talking about.

We had a gorgeous sunset tonight.  This was taken from our front porch:

I love where I live.

Saturday, June 15, 2013

The Dettman's left yesterday so now it's just us and the Trezise's.  Sheri went running this morning and met Julie Wilhelm.  Sheri, Alex and I went in to town to see about getting Sheri's tire fixed.  We took my car.  The tire was torn with a rock and is not fixable so they have to buy a new tire.  We mixed business with pleasure and the three of us had breakfast/brunch at Persnikkity's.  I had a chicken salad sandwich, Alex had French toast, and Sheri had oatmeal.  We also got lemon squares, cheesecake, and German chocolate brownies.  Everything was delicious. 
Sheri bought gas for the Ranger and we made a quick trip to Walmart so I could get James a watch.  He mentioned yesterday afternoon that he needed a watch to wear for work. I got him a Superman watch because he is known as Superman in some circles.

I came home and took a nap.  When I woke up it was hailing.  It lasted less than ten minutes. 
This afternoon we played Five Crowns and Sheri and I watched a Hallmark movie called, "Smart Cookies."  Ian fixed us a delicious dinner of fish, wild rice, mango salsa, salad and broccoli.   It was delicious!!

I fixed Alex's shorts and Sheri made cookies for me.  The Relief Society is making goodie plates for all the men tomorrow for Father's Day.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

One of the reasons I get up so early in the morning (4 am) is because I love spending quiet time to think, ponder, study and pray. Today I listened to it rain in the background. I didn't mind the interruption at all.

James had an early meeting so he took his truck to Church. I got a text from Sheri asking me if I would take her boys because she wasn't feeling well. I was hoping it would be all four of them but I guess Evan slept late and had just gotten up. I love Alex, Ben and Max. I asked Ben and Alex how they did on their 30 mile hike. They said it was alot of fun but they got really cold the first night. Funny, James said the same thing about his campout.

Just when I got to Church James grabbed me and said the bishop wanted to see us in his office. I knew it was coming but I'm not sure I was ready for it, at least not today. Bishop Wilson thanked us for our service and then released James as the 1st counselor in the Young Men's presidency and he released me as 1st counselor in the Relief Society. That's it. The last callings we will have in this ward. I am a little sad. No one has been called yet to take our places.

Halle Wilson was the youth speaker in sacrament meeting and Rachel and Greg Hill were the main speakers. The theme was "The Living Christ."

During Brother Chubbs's Book of Mormon lesson in Sunday School I sat by Karen Schneider and we looked up the scripture readings on our iphones. Have I mentioned how much I love my new phone. I think James is jealous. I want to get him one too.

Julie Johansen gave the lesson in Relief Society on sustaining our leaders. It was a good lesson to have right before stake and general conference.

While we were in Relief Society it hailed really hard outside. The only indication I saw of it was a picture Janet Anderson posted on Fasebook and Stacy telling me that the ground was covered in white. Brian sent me a picture of the snow at the cabin. Kim says it's been snowing 13 hours straight and shows no signs of stopping. Hope they don't run out of propane and get snowed in.