Wednesday, May 8th, 2019

Idaho Falls, Idaho

8th operating temple

Dedicated: 23-25 Sept 1945

By: George Albert Smith

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Colossians 1:13

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 25:15-26:13

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Luke 14

General Conference

Seeking Knowledge by the Spirit

Mathias Held

"But how could we know if what the missionaries were telling us about the Book of Mormon, about Joseph Smith, and about the plan of salvation was actually all true? Well, we had understood from the words of the Lord that we could 'know them by their fruits.' So, in a very systematic manner, we started examining the Church by looking for those fruits with the eyes of our very rational minds. What did we see? Well, we saw: A church where Jesus Christ and families are at the center of everything, where members fast once a month and donate to help the poor and needy, where healthy habits are promoted, teaching us to abstain from harmful substances."

Elk and rain this morning, and also, the hummingbirds are back and James has been feeding them.

I loved Elder Holland's talk, "The Other Prodigal." Here are some notes I jotted down: "If envy were a fever we would all have one." "In the story of the prodigal son, the father doesn't tantalize his children. He does not mercilessly measure them against their neighbors. He doesn't even compare them with each other. His gestures of compassion toward one do not require a withdrawal or denial of love for the other. He is divinely generous to both sons."

"We will be provided with a perfectly tailored robe of righteousness for each of us,cleansed in the blood of the Lamb."

It was rainy and cool most of the day. James built a beautiful fire but he says that we are now out of dry firewood. We just thought summer was here, but today it felt more like winter.

Using the workflow chart that Kathy H. made I worked on the book business this morning. James is too busy to help right now because he is getting bids for the Memon and Kisana jobs. Here are the things that Kathy says she feels are important to do on a regular basis:

- Checking books sold overnight and ordering 10-30 more books. This business is all about building inventory. 

- Setting Keepa alerts on good books to buy when the price is lower.

- Prepping merchant fulfilled books for shipment.

- Strive to get positive feedback on sales made. This helps the Amazon algorithm trust you as a seller, and encourages more buyers, too.

- Have a plan. What are your goals, financial or otherwise with this business. 

- If not using a prep center, prepare shipments on a daily basis.

- Add books that you have purchased to the inventory list

-Repricing keeps you competitive, so reprice often.

- Buy as many books as your budget allows, find new sources or ways to buy, reprice, and local source once a week.

- Check feedback and then do any cleanup (stranded inventory, client messages, etc.)

Well, Kathy is my hero in this business. She just did $20,000 worth of sales last month. Two of the things that I like about Kathy are her willingness to share her trade secrets because she genuinely wants to help people and her personal touch. She responds to everyone who asks a question or makes a comment on Facebook and she does that in every aspect of her business. She is a nice person who wants to help others. I wish I could afford to have her be my mentor.

I did desk work today and paid some bills, including Lambson Construction bills. 

James got a call from the Willis's daughter Sandy today. She works during the day but lives with her parents and helps take care of them. Today the company James had do the drywall patching the Willis's needed sent a guy over by himself and I guess he was a bit of an annoyance. He knocked on their door and asked to come in and use the bathroom. When Sister Willis told him no he asked if he could go in her yard. She again said no. He also knocked on the door for a drink of water. Sandy was concerned for her parents safety and that's why she called James. He immediately called the owner of the company and complained. The guy said he would take care of it. The job isn't done yet so hopefully this won't happen again.

 I know it doesn't look very fancy but

those little venison steaks are very tasty.

 My hubby the fire starter

Nothing like a nice fire on a cold day to create

a homey atmosphere.

 Meghan and Prince Harry with their baby boy

 Before the press knew his name they were calling

him baby Sussex. I guess that's because Meghan and Harry

are the Duchess and Duke of Sussex.

 Scarlett sweeping while holding her drink.

 Trying to get out of her seat.

 In to the magazines. At least she

chose a good one.

 The mountain disappeared

Monday, September 3rd, 2018

Nashville, Tennessee

84th operating temple

Dedicated 21 May 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Mosiah 3:9

And lo, he cometh unto his own, that salvation might come unto the children of men even through faith on his name; and even after all this they shall consider him a man, and say that he hath a devil, and shall scourge him, and shall crucify him.

Book of Mormon

Alma 60:29-61:5

How do you "adhere to the word of God"?

- I apply Christ's Atonement daily. I would be lost and miserable without the knowledge that I can repent and become at one with God again, each day when I slip up and need His cleansing and enabling power.

Brian Horak: " It starts with a desire to do so. Everything good in the gospel starts with a desire. We can't force it. It has to come from within. From there it's all about following the teachings of Christ and doing our best each day to follow His example. I think that if we can get the small stuff down, reading our scriptures every day, praying every day, then it's easier to adhere to the word of God. But it's so easy to shirk the small stuff isn't it? My challenge to everyone here is to try and remember to do the small things. The things that are taught in Primary. These are the things that will bring us closer to our Heavenly Father, closer as a family, and ultimately to our Heavenly home."

Old Testament

Proverbs 4-5

General Conference

Even as Christ Forgives You, So Also Do Ye

Elder Larry J. Echo Hawk

"I plead for all of us this day to remember and follow the example of Jesus Christ. On the cross at Golgotha, in His anguish, He uttered these words: 'Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.'

By having a forgiving spirit and acting upon it, we can realize the promise of the Savior: 'Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.'"

FHE

The Heart of a Prophet

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

"This divinely ordained process leads to another divinely called prophet. Just as President Monson was one of the grandest inhabitants to grace this earth, so is President Nelson. He has been profoundly prepared and specifically tutored by the Lord to lead us at this time. It is a great blessing to now have dear President Russell M. Nelson as our loving and devoted prophet - the 17th President of the Church in this final dispensation."

When Adam finally got up, James said he heard them upstairs until 3 a.m., he started breakfast. He says he likes to cook but he never gets the chance at home. He made potato eggs with the left over mashed potatoes from yesterday, and sausage. While the boys were sitting at the table eating, Kaitlin put in cinnamon rolls. Next round was cinnamon rolls and left over, heated up, bacon.  

After breakfast the played a game called, "Cover You Assets." Adam assured me that I would love it. I wonder.

James took care of his babies today. In the winter it's the bunnies and in the summer it's the hummingbirds.

Focusing on the one:

After breakfast cleanup Adam had to go out and change the tire on his car. It took awhile but now they are ready to go home. They each wrote in our guest book about what a fun time they had and thanked us. Kaitlin confessed that she was doing a cartwheel upstairs, she's 26 years old mind you, she cracked the corner of the ping pong table and offered to buy us a new one. It's a pretty big crack but I don't think we are going to make her buy a new one. We need some kind of insurance called "damage done by guests."

Adam, Kaitlin, Jacob, and Kyle

"A jolly group, that like to have fun."

I made ministering calls today and delivered a check to Kerri for registering me at "Time Out for Women" which will be November 2nd-3rd in Phoenix. I have my ticket and will keep it in a safe place.

I made a salad for dinner while James went to the Howard's to pick up our awning. Tom had just gotten home from the hospital and James didn't feel comfortable asking him for a check because he had company. 

I ironed three blouses for our trip tomorrow this evening, and did a little unpacking of a box that's been in my bedroom for five years. The nice thing about waiting that long to unpack is you find hidden treasures you forgot you had and it's like getting something brand new.

 I read a story called "Scarlet" based on the

Scarlet Pimpernel and now I can read the original!

For F.H.E. we listened to Brother Stevenson's talk about the Prophet, Russell M. Nelson, and then I cut James's hair. 

 She looks like a little peanut!

 Brush fire at the Howard's

James's service project.

 Waterline dug on Saturday filled up with rain from

Sunday's rain. The Applegate's pumped some water out

and then it was the mud brigade. Of course, Ty being

the youngest gets the worse job. He is grimacing because he

keeps getting mud in his face.

 Scarlett loves to swing while waiting for 

Daddy to get home from work.

Trip to town to pick up my prescriptions and do a

little shopping. My pink water bottle is on the floor

because it keeps clanging against James's when it's in the

holder. Shoes off while I'm reading to James.

Poor Tinkerbell.

Wednesday, August 23rd, 2017

Mexico City, Mexico
26th operating temple

Dedicated: 2-4 Dec 1983 By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Rededicated: 16 Nov 2008 By: Thomas S. Monson

Rededicated: 13 Sept 2015 By: Henry B. Eyring

Atonement

Moroni 8:20

And he that saith that little children need baptism denieth the mercies of Christ, and setteth at naught the atonement of him and the power of his redemption.

Jesus Christ, Antemortal Existence of

Ether 3:16

Behold, this body, which e now behold, is the body of my spirit; and man have I created after the body of my spirit; and man have I created after the body of my spirit; and even as I appear unto thee to be in the spirit will I appear unto my people in the flesh.

Alma 55:15-35

What can we learn from Moroni's example?

*We have to be in the world but not of the world. His Christian beliefs were always the basis of his choices. His only motivation in war was to save people, not to murder. It is possible to do what the Lord wants us to do without destroying others.

DC 123:1-17

What is the purpose of collecting documents of anti-Mormon oppression:

*To try to get help from government leaders. Because the Lord enjoined them to. "That the whole nation may be left without excuse before He can send forth the power of His mighty arm."

General Conference

The Power of the Book of Mormon

President Thomas S. Monson

"Because the Book of Mormon is true, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's Church on the earth, and the holy priesthood of God has been restored for the benefit and blessing of His children."

"Whether we reach our potential depends on whether our spirits govern our bodies, whether we prevail over 'the natural man.'

- Elder Terence M. Vinson, Ensign, August 2017, 50-53.

A rainy, gorgeous afternoon and evening. We went into town and had dinner at LaCasita. We both had green chili burros, enchilada style. We discovered they charge an additional $3.50 for enchilada style. That might be the last time we order our burros enchilada style.

The great thing about the rain is that it was not forecast. I had prayed that it would rain, and it did, clear into the night. It felt like Heavenly Father sent it just for me.

Photos:

Baby Lola

I sure do love this face!

The Trezise's are anxiously awaiting for

Oliver James.

A few of James's pet birds.

Michael and a fellow track star.

Winna and baby Denisyn

She is raising him and he is her great-grandson.

A young Paul.

Does he remind you of anyone?

Cleveland, Ohio castle.

Friday, July 28th, 2017

Winter Quarters, Nebraska

104th operating temple

Dedicated: 22 Apr 2001 by:

Gordon B. Hinckley

Atonement

2 Nephi 2:7

Jesus Christ, Advocate

Moroni 7:28

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 f the children of men; and he dwelleth eternally in the heavens.

Alma 41:1-15

*Why is it important to have a correct understanding of what will happen to us after we die?

*Why were some of the people going astray? (To wrest the scriptures is to twist, distort, or change their meaning.)

*What words or phrases in Alma 41:6-7 suggest that we are responsible for what we receive in the resurrection?

*Why is it true that 'wickedness never was happiness?"

Elder Glenn L. Pace: "Activities always forbidden by the Lord and for many years frowned upon by society are now accepted and promoted by that same society. The media serves up these activities in such a fashion as to make them look desirable...Don't mistake Telestial pleasure for Celestial happiness and joy. Don't mistake lack of self-control for freedom. Complete freedom without appropriate restraint makes us slaves to our appetites. Don't envy a lesser and lower life....The commandments you observe were not given by a dispassionate God to prevent you from having fun, but by a loving Father in Heaven who wants you to be happy while you are living on this earth as well as the hereafter."

DC 105:14-26

14-19, The Lord will fight the battles of Zion; 20-26, The Saints are to be wise and not boast of mighty works as they gather;

What is an endowment?

*The direction that the first elders of the Church 'should receive their endowment from on high in my house...in Kirtland' (DC 105:33), referred to those keys and to the great outpouring of the Lord's Spirit and the manifestations that were to accompany the dedication of the Kirtland Temple. The Spirit that was poured out upon the Saints at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple was the same Spirit that was poured out on the day of Pentecost (see Acts 2). That endowment of power was promised to the latter-day elders (see DC 95:8). This was not as complete as the endowment later revealed. (DCSM, 259).

General Conference

To the Friends and Investigators of the Church

Elder Joaquin E. Costa

" That day I opened my heart to the Spirit, desired to repent, and wanted to be baptized! Before that moment, I had thought of repentance as something negative, associated only with sin and wrongdoing, but suddenly I saw it in a different light - as something positive that cleared the path to growth and happiness."

Then Jesus Beholding Him Loved Him

Elder S. Mark Palmer

" As we learn to see others as the Lord sees them rather than with our own eyes, our love for them will grow and so will our desire to help them. We will see potential within others they likely do not see in themselves. With Christlike love we will not be afraid to speak with boldness, for 'perfect love casteth out fear.' And we will never give up, remembering that those who are hardest to love need love the most."

Can I tell you how much I love Elder Palmer's conference address!

Here are some of the highlights for me:

"How can I be filled with Christlike love so others can feel the love of God through me and desire to change?

"How can I be more like the Savior?

"If I didn't love you, I wouldn't care about who you become. So I invite you to change those thiings that are hard for you and become who the Lord wants you to be

"Pray for the gift of charity.

"See others as the Savior sees them."

We seem to have a plague of moths. I flushed three down the toilet this morning. 

James put the new 'body' on the Razr today. He also washed the outside of my care. We were going to go to the temple, but decided to go in the morning instead.

We read on the deck while it rained. This is becoming somewhat of a ritual...but a good one!

I worked on my blog a couple of hours this afternoon and did two posts. I am very slow!

I made ground beef tacos for dinner. James ate six and I ate three. There was one left. I guess you could say they were a hit.

After dinner we watched "A Heavenly Christmas," starring Kirstin Davis and Eric McCormack, and Shirley Maclaine.

That is just about the end of the Christmas movies, until the end of October that is! That is when the new ones come out!

Random Photos:

This is what we watch while we are reading.

I counted 17, how about you?

James has this recipe for making their nectar.

He even heats up the sugar so it's nice and smooth.

He loves his little critters. Remember, he also planted 

grass for the bunnies. The only critters we have a problem with are

the squirrels who get in to our garbage if we leave the garage door open.

Mt. Montoso almost looks like an active volcano.

Sphinx moth on my front porch.

New York, New York. There is beauty wherever you go.

There is even beauty in Cibecue, Arizona.

Talk about beauty! 

Two of my favorite beauties!

Chandler boys from the 80's.

Mike, Aaron (Paul's brother), and another friend.

I love it when castles_world posts a picture!

Castles are one of my passions.