Wednesday, November 13th, 2019

Taipei, Taiwan

31st operating temple

Dedicated: 17-18 Nov 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ
DC 84:32
And the sons of Moses and of Aaron shall be filled with the glory of the Lord, upon Mount Zion in the Lord's house whose sons are ye; and also many whom I have called and sent forth to build up my church.
Book of Mormon
3 Nephi 28:1-24
New Testament
Hebrews 10; 9:1-10:22 Ancient and modern ordinances point to Jesus Christ. SS: 10:34-38; 11 Faith requires trusting in God's promises.

10/19 General Conference

"Standing By Our Promises and Covenants"

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is our great Exemplar when it comes to making and keeping promises and covenants. He came to earth promising to do the will of the Father. He taught gospel principles in word and in deed. He atoned for our sins that we might live again. He has honored every one of His promises."

I started a new Aunt Dimity book today. It's called "Aunt Dimity Goes West" and it's the same day that Jared, Kacey, and Charlie are coming out west to see us. I hope Charlie is okay on the plane.

James and I are reading, "Aunt Dimity Detective."

James went to the post office, the dump, and Dollar General today. 

I listened to the Scripture Study podcast. Jared, Kacey, and Charlie arrived in Mesa. Kacey sent me a picture of Charlie and Lola together.

Such cute girls!

James was on the roof working today. His ladder fell and he spilled stain all over the roof. Luckily he was not hurt. 

I worked on my book shipment today and got it all ready to mail. This time I am mailing 16 book and the box weighs 47 lbs. James lifted it and carried it out to the car when I wasn't looking. He's not supposed to be doing heavy lifting, although it has been 4 weeks since his surgery.

I listened to a podcast today featuring Sheri Dew. She told about having a "broken heart" when her fiance broke up with her when she was in her 30's. She said reading Brother Bruce C. Hafen's book, "A Broken Heart," really helped her. I like this question that Sheri Dew asks: "How much light and godly power do I want in my life and what am I willing to do to get it?

Day 3: Provision. Phillipians 4:19 - God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
There is an abundant storehouse of riches found in Jesus Christ. We don't have if we don't ask. Ask, Seek, Knock.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please give Max the things he needs today and use me as an agent for thee. Please supply my needs as I try to supply his needs.

 Before and after pictures of the logs James 

is working on.

My heart goes out to Randy and

his family.

 More elk on our property

 Thru cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me!

Saturday, November 2nd, 2019

Jordan River, Utah

20th operating temple

Dedicated: 16-20 November 1981

By: Marion G. Romney

Jesus Christ, Head of Church

DC 5:14

And to none else will I grant this power, to receive this same testimony among this generation, in this the beginning of the rising up and the coming forth of my church out of the wilderness - clear as the moon, and fair as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 18:15-39

What do these verses teach us about the power of prayer?

New Testament

Titus and Philemon; Who was Philemon?; Followers of Christ forgive one another; The healing ointment of the Savior's Atonement helps us forgive others; "The Healing Ointment of Forgiveness" Kevin Duncan, April 2016 General Conference.

Oct 2019 General Conference

"True Disciples of the Savior"

Elder Terence M. Vinson

"We can feel enduring joy when our Savior and His gospel become the framework around which we build our lives. However, it's so easy for that framework to become, instead, the things of the world, where the gospel sits as an optional extra or as simply attending church for two hours on Sundays. When this is the case, it is tantamount to putting our wages into 'a bag with holes.'"

 "Be Faithful, Not Faithless"

Stephen W. Owen

"President Nelson warned: 'in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.'"

James installed the new part in his truck this morning. It's called a total integrated power module. It works!

French Bruce contacted me again today. I told him his check was returned. I asked him if he was wasting my time. He never answered me. I suppose we won't hear from him again. James says he owes us $12, the charge for the returned check.

I asked Paula Johnson if I needed to get the signed birthday cards to her today so she could mail the ones that needed to be mailed and she said no, tomorrow at church would be fine. 

James worked outside most of the day on the logs. It was a gorgeous day. I researched and bought six books, making a total of fifteen for the week. I walked and started catching up on my blog.

I also made banana nut bread with our oh so ripe bananas. It is James's favorite bread. I wasn't going to put nuts in it because he's not supposed to eat them right now but he told me I needed to put nuts in banana nut bread. 

I read to James from "Aunt Dimity Beats the Devil," and to myself from "Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea." 

This evening James made cinnamon apple tea for me and camomile for himself while we watched the next Hallmark Christmas movie, "Merry and Bright" starring Andrew Walker and Jodie Sweetin. This was my favorite so far.

 Two cuties at Walmart

The Savior can relieve our burdens

Tuesday, September 25th, 2018

Perth, Australia

106th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 May 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

John 20:25

The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 9:18-41

*It isn't always easy to stand up for what you believe. What do you do to stand strong and defend your beliefs?

- Are we seeing the damage being done to our nation because we don't want to offend anyone? Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, past General Young Women's President said: "Members live in such an atmosphere of avoiding offense that we sometimes altogether avoid teaching correct principles. Of course we should use sensitivity, common sense and our understanding of the plan, to be bold and straightforward, but if we don't teach true doctrine - and teach it clearly - the world will teach those we love Satan's lies.

Old Testament

Isaiah 28-30

General Conference

"Be With and Strengthen Them"

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"Our prayer today is that every man and woman - and our older young men and young women - will leave this general conference more deeply committed to heartfelt care for one another, motivated only by the pure love of Christ to do so. In spite of what we all feel are our limitations and inadequacies-and we all have challenges-nevertheless, may we labor side by side with the Lord of the vineyard, giving the God and Father of us all a helping hand with His staggering task of answering prayers providing comfort, drying tears, and strengthening feeble knees. If we will do that, we will be more like the true disciples of Christ we are meant to be."

This from my novel, "The Lake House":

"Boredom is the province of the witless."

James went out this morning and took pictures of the six bull elk that live near us. Hopefully he will get them downloaded so I can share some of them on here.

We had a nice rainstorm today. I love how fresh and clean everything seems after it rains, except for the mud of course.

I am tired today as I usually am the day after a trip, but I just kept moving, albeit slowly. 

James went to Springerville this afternoon to pickup the slabs of wood he had cut from our juniper tree. He also picked up some poles to replace those worn out on our railing. He had wanted me to go with him but I needed to do my ministering interviews for my district. 

I am not so sure the sisters are catching the vision of what it means to minister. Most of the interviews I had today went somethig like this, 'Yes, I spoke to all three of my sisters but I didn't contact my partner.' Maybe we need to do some training.

This evening as I was reading from the Old Testament Student Manual I became extremely tired and had to go lay down on the coach. Of course, I had to turn on the TV, DWTS. I just watched a dance or two and fell asleep. James said it was time to go to bed, and he was right.

 Sleepin' like a baby

Cutie Pie!

Ben and friends 

Ben's last day in the MTC. When his friend,

Elder Goodman, Peter and Sarah's son, left

for Washington today, Ben said he cried like a baby!

 I like this card, except for the color.

Maybe the photo is in black and white.

 I hope these are the fabrics I get this month!

My journal is not this artistic.