Tuesday, July 11th, 2017

Taipai, Taiwan

31st operating temple

Dedicated: 17-18 Nov 1984 by

Gordon B. Hinckley

Atonement

Romans 3:25

Jesus Christ

Romans 6:3; 1 Cor. 2:2; 12:3; Ephesians 2:20.

Alma 31:1-23

*How is the word more powerful on the minds of the people than the sword?

DC 101:13-24

16-21, Zion and her stakes will be established; 

What did I learn from today's verses?

*13 Scattered shall be gathered.

14 All who mourn shall be comforted.

15 They who have given their lives for Christ shall be crowned.

16 Let your hearts be comforted. All flesh is in the Lord's hand. Be still and know that I am God.

24 Every corruptible thing shall be consumed.

General Conference

Becoming a Disciple of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Elder Robert D. Hales

"Peter explains, 'add to your faith virtue.' This virtue is more than sexual purity. It is cleanliness and holiness in mind and body. Virture is also power. As we faithfully live the gospel, we will have power to be virtuous in every thought, feeling, and action. Our minds become more receptive to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and the Light of Christ. We embody Christ not only in what we say and do but also in who we are."

Again Sheri and I made a big breakfast this morning. She did bacon and eggs and I did hashbrowns. 

When Sheri went for her run this morning the temperature was in the 70's, a little different from the valley runs.

Before they leave for home Ben, Sheri and I play another game of Five Crowns. I was ahead most of the game but again Ben pulled it out in the end. I am beginning to think that he is unbeatable.

Everyone gave me a hug before leaving except for Sheri and Evan. Ian even gave me his yucca walking stick.

Trezise's and one Lambson

Alex is in England visiting with his

aunt and uncle and his cousins.

James had to pick up some poles in town too big to fit in the car so he took his truck, which basically has no brakes. He wanted me to go with him but I declined. I was exhausted and didn't feel like putting my life on the line. I stayed home and watched a couple of Hallmark movies.  I didn't ask for them, but I am sad when James gets home and doesn't have any tacos. It is taco Tuesday after all.

The rest of the day is pretty relaxing. At one point we read from "The Reluctant Duchess" out on the deck.  I think the last week or so is catching up with me and tomorrow we have to go to the valley.

Joshua in his Dr. Who t-shirt that Uncle Jeff

and Aunt Tara gave him.

I love this thought.

I am looking forward to this day.

Thursday, February 16, 2017

Bismarck, North Dakota temple

2 Nephi 9:1-14

What is my favorite title for Jesus Christ, and why?

Mosiah 20-21

DC 25:1-16

How does it make you feel that the Lord knows your name and you are His?

Talk: He Knows You By Name

By: Elaine S. Dalton

April 2005

GC:'Learn from Alma and Amulek' by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"There is service that no one else can give in quite the same way.  The Lord has trusted you with His holy priesthood, which hold the divine potential to bless and lift others.  Listen with your heart and follow the promptings of the Spirit."

I read a couple of quotes by Elder Neal A. Maxwell today that I want to share:

"So often our sisters comfort others when their own needs are greater than those being comforted.  That quality is like the generosity of Jesus on the cross.  

Empathy during agony is a portion of divinity!"

"Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses?"

I promise that I could study the gospel all day and never get bored.  I found these quotes while reading from "Teaching in the Savior's Way."

"The Lord promises that if we treasure up in our minds continually the words of life... it shall be given us in the very hour what we should say and how we should teach." (DC 84:88)

Under the heading Seek Revelation Daily:

Elder Richard G. Scott:

"Knowledge crefully recorded is knowledge available in time of need, and enhances the likelihood of receiving more light."

Horseshoe Bend

James got home today around 3 p.m. with burros from Burger House. We read a couple of chapters from "The Lady of the Lakes," after he builds a fire.  We also watched "Candles on Bay Street" and "The Locket."  

Blue and Gold Banquet decorated by Kim and attended by Stacy and Joshua.

Oh yes, Kim also made these cute invitations.

She's a one woman show!

Joshua's Lego Batman cake

Mario and his mother.

Fun Photos

Brennan and Taylor

We've known Brennan forever and Taylor was in our

Primary class.

Another Daddy-Daughter Date.

I know the quality is terrible but I

love this picture of Joe.  It brings back great memories!

Last game of the season for these two.

Notice photo bomber Ruby.

I think this is the day we went to the temple to do 

J.D.'s baptism and confirmation.

Hiking with their mom.

I am looking forward to this day!

Thursday, November 7, 2013

When we all went down to breakfast this morning the boys were disappointed that there weren't any pancakes.  The disappointment didn't last long when they saw all the cereals they had.  They both had cold cereal and Rowan had a donut.  A great way to start the day.  James and I both had omelets.

After breakfast we head to California Adventure.  They boys and James wait for quite awhile in front of California Adventure while I buy our tickets.  Their computer is down so it takes longer than usual.  Finally we get our tickets and mass migrate into California Adventure.  James takes the boys on Soaring Over California and they love it!

In the meantime I walk all the way back to Cars Land to get fast passes only to find out that the Radiator Springs ride is closed for maintenance.  Next time I come here I am going to check online to see what rides are open before I come!

While James and Evan go on the Grizzly Rapids ride Rowan and I do a little window shopping.  I have $137.00 in Disney dollars so I told Ro and Evan I would buy each of them something, plus Trina gave me $40 so I let each one of them have $20.  Rowan saw some things he liked but we didn't buy anything.
 Evan did not like getting wet on the Grizzly Rapids ride!

James talks Evan into going on the Pacific Palisades roller coaster, it's the big one in Cali Adventure, and then afterwards Evan said he would go on Tower of Terror  Rowan and I went on the ferris wheel but he insisted that we get a basket that doesn't swing.  He also does not like roller coasters.  A kid after my own heart.  

 After the roller coaster Evan decided he did not want to go on Tower of Terror. His face was white as a sheet and had a look of fear on it.    We opted to go to lunch instead. 

We went over where the McDonald's use to be but it wasn't there any more.  Right next to where it was there was an italian restaurant.  The boys all had pizza and I have five cheese ravioli with pesto sauce and pine nuts.  It was delicious! 

My lunch.  James was jealous.

My Disney Rewards credit card go us in to a private meeting with some of the Disney characters.  The boys thought that sounded fun so we headed over to the backlot near the Monsters Inc. ride.  On the way over James and the boys went on the Mater ride in Carsland.  

We waited in line to see one Disney character, Minnie Mouse.  Next to Daisy Duck she is the boys least favorite character.  I was imagining that there would be several characters there for them to meet.  Minnie was hugging on them and I could tell Rowan was really uncomfortable.  When she asked for a kiss on the cheek, that's where the boys drew the line!  Afterwards Rowan said: "Man, I hated that!"

Later while we were on the Monsters, Inc. ride we saw Stitch go over and take Minnie's place.  The rules were one visit per day so we couldn't go back.  At the end of the Monsters, Inc. ride Roz says to Evan: "Hey, nice glasses, kid!"  They thought that was funny.

James was exhausted and his leg was really hurting, so we went back to the hotel for a break.  I told the boys I would bring them back later if they wanted to come.  They decided they wanted to go swimming so we went down.  We waited in the lobby for the lion to roar.  We asked the lady at the desk and she said he roared every half hour.  Well we waited well past the half hour and nothing, so we went on out to the pool.  

These boys are awesome swimmers.

They were racing laps across the length of the pool!

Back in our room the boys were having so much fun, we decided not to go back to Disneyland.  I went out to get us something to eat and to do a little shopping at Target.  I left the boys with James.  There was a little excitement while I was gone.  The boys went out in the hall to see if the lion was roaring and got locked out of the room.  They knocked and knocked but James didn't hear them.  Instead of crying or panicking they went down on the elevator and told the attendant at the front desk.  They luckily knew we were in room 526 so the girl called and told James.  It makes a funny story but it could have been dangerous. 

I brought back 40 chicken nuggets and some fries from McDonald's for our dinner.  A fine dining experience.  We had family prayer and the boys watched some TV and played before going to bed.

 I got a call from Adam about when they arrived at the hotel.  He, Joe, and Alex wanted to come by for a visit but I told him the boys had already gone to sleep.  We will see them tomorrow at breakfast.