Thursday, August 1st, 2019

Veracruz, Mexico

93rd operating temple

Dedicated: 9 July 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Firstborn

Moses 2:26

And I, God, said unto mine Only Begotten, which was with me from the beginning: Let us make man inn our image after our likeness;; and it was so. And I, God said: Let the have dominion over the fishes of the sea and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Book of Mormon

Alma 43:27-40

New Testament "A Minister and a Witness"

Acts 25:13-27; 26

General Conference

How Can I Understand

Ulisses Soares

"When we accept the Savior's invitation to 'come and see,' we need to abide in Him, immersing ourselves in the scriptures, rejoicing in them, learning His doctrine and striving to live the way He lived. Only then will we come to know Him, Jesus Christ and recognize His voice, knowing that as we come unto Him and believe in Him, we shall never hunger nor thirst. We will be able to discern the truth at all times, as occurred to those two disciples who abode with Jesus that day."

We left for the valley a little before 7 this morning. Michael was up sitting on the couch. He says he never sleeps more than 4 or 5 hours. Sean was also up. Sheri was up too. She was out running.

James dropped me off at Dr. Douglas's office around 10:30. My appointment is at 10:45 to get my teeth cleaned with Shelly, the new hygienist. Their computers were down so they were running late.  

I have two crowns in the very back on my left side that need to be replaced, one on the upper and the other on the lower part of my mouth. Dr. Douglas says the top one the tooth is crumbling and will need to be pulled. I said that was fine but I could not afford to get an implant. On the bottom they will take off the crown and replace it. All of this is going to cost around $1,200.

When James picked me up we went to Fry's to get me some dry mouth lozenges. They also told me I needed to drink more water so I got a bottle of water. I looked for the hot and sweet pickles that Sister Bradshaw brings to the temple but there weren't any so I bought bread and butter instead. 

We drove to the Firebirds in Gilbert where I had a lunch date with my friend Karen S. We go to lunch in February for her birthday and August for mine. I had what I always have at Firebirds, the coconut shrimp with mango habernero chutney and an ice cream sundae for dessert. Karen told me how much she loved the book I gave her for her birthday and then she gave me two books.

I have an entire collection of Aunt Dimity books.

Karen got me started on them several years ago.

Karen and I had a nice visit and then it was time to go. James spent some time at Stacy's while I was at lunch working on the door he installed. Stacy gave him a card and a dark chocolate hazelnut bar for Father's day.

We went to Darrel and Trina's next. James dropped me off while he went to mail the book we sold merchant fulfilled. I just walked in the house thinking no one was home but Addy was there. She just had her first day of school and she looked so cute. Here is what she wore her first day:

James and I were both tired so we took a nap. When Trina came home she and I decided we would go to the 7 pm showing of "Lion King". Rowan had football practice until 6. James did not feel well so he stayed home while we went to the movie. Trina put Lola in her pajamas. 

At the movie I bought a big bag of popcorn to share with the kids and drank my water instead of a soda. 

No hot and sweet pickles

 Our old bank in Chandler

I don't think so!

 Today's rain in Vernon

We ended up having to sit on rows 1 and 2 because we were late. I liked the movie. I forgot what a good message it has.

Meanwhile back in Vernon. Ian and his brother Sean worked on fixing the Razr for over six hours. Sheri went in and bought a new battery and they got it started but it doesn't sound good and it won't go very fast. They cleaned it all up and just left it parked in the garage. I know they were disappointed they couldn't get it running but I am so grateful to them for all they did and for trying.

They had a huge rainstorm, a gully washer and the lights went out for over two hours. Sheri said they remembered the stove was gas so they cooked dinner in the dark. 

Thursday, November 3, 2016

A perfect rainbow!

3 Nephi 19:1-29

How can we strive just as much as the Nephites to come unto Christ today?

* How hard do I labor to put myself in places where Jesus can show himself to me?  How hard do I pray?  What efforts do I put into attending the temple?  What sacrifices do I make to have F.H.E., scriptures study, family prayer?  How often am I pondering and seeking the Spirit?  How often and well do I serve?  What am I doing with my time?  What sacrifices am I making?  Do I "labor exceedingly that I might be in the place where Jesus can show himself to me?  When we put forth effort and we are doing the things that our Savior has asked, He will certainly "bless us and His countenance will smile upon us, and shine upon us."  We will witness the Savior in our life.  He will come to us as we come to Him!

GC:     'Rise Up in Strength, Sisters in Zion' by Bonnie L. Oscarson

" In the 8th chapter of Mormon, Mormon describes people from our day who are filled with pride, caught up in the wearing of expensive clothing and who make fun of religion.  

He is shown people who are so obsessed with worldly things that they allow "the needy and the naked, and the sick and the afflicted to pass by without being noticed."

Everybody is so excited about the Cubs!

It was starting to rain and the cloud was dark when we left Vernon this morning around 7:30.  It rained on us most of the way to Payson.  When we got to Chandler we picked up my car at Erik's and I drove to the Costa Vida in Gilbert to meet my friend Karen for lunch.  James went to Cathi and Terry's and unloaded our suitcases.   

Karen and I had a nice lunch and visit and then we went to Deseret Book to do a little shopping. Steve Young will be here this evening for a book signing, and Mitt Romney is in town for a John McCain rally.

Karen is still doing her cancer treatments and Lance has a broken leg from a motorcycle accident. She has to get someone from her ward to drive her to Scottsdale for her treatments.  

I found this on Instagram and had to post it because

after all, I was born in Holbrook!

I went home and James was gone over at the construction yard.  Cathi and Terry were home and I said hello, put my leftovers in the refrigerator, and headed in the bedroom to take a nap.  I didn't sleep long because I wanted to go to Sam's Club and pick up some blankets for the grandkids for Christmas.  

When I went outside to get in the car, this is what the sky looked like:

I think a storm is headed our way.

Sam's Club did not have the blankets that I like, so I decided to go back over to Gilbert to Costco.  They had lots of good blankets.  I got 18, one for each grandchild.  

After checking out, I noticed it was raining hard outside. I stalled by stopping at the snack bar and getting a hotdog and a drink. Not a good time to unload blankets, but I did it! 

Instead of going back to Chandler, I headed out to Darrel and Trina's to pick up Rowan for Evan's birthday date.  It was raining so hard I almost had to pull off the freeway, but I didn't.  

Rowan was waiting for me and Trina was getting ready to go somewhere.  I always enjoy visiting with my grandkids one on one.  Rowan can be quite a talker!

 When we got to Sheri's Joshua was already there.

He got glasses.  Now we have three ten year olds with glasses!

I guess Joshua wanted to show his glass case.

Evan is the only one taking this seriously.

James helped me unload the blankets so we would have enough room in the car for all the kids.  One of them has to ride in the very back.  

At the mall I dropped James and the boys off by the food court entrance and then I found a parking place.  Thank goodness for umbrellas!

Our first stop was at the Lego Store. 

 Make a character station.

Since I didn't get a picture of Evan in the Lego Store, I had James go down and take a picture of him and Max with his Lego sets that he picked out.

Star Wars

Evan the builder

Evan and Max

After the Lego Store we headed for the food court for some dinner.

Joshua had pizza, Evan and Max and Gpa went to Subway,

and Rown went to Panera.

After dinner we headed for the pet store at Evan's request.  The boys found these pet names and thought they were great.

Scuba Steve was the name of Michael

and Joe's band.

Gonzo needs no explanation.

Watching the puppies.

Next door to the pet store was a new business called Bounce and Roll.  We couldn't resist.

The boys had a blast!

On the way out of the mall I took a picture of my boys.

I love these guys and had a wonderful time

with the this evening.

In the car I love listening to the boys talk.  They were talking about the houses of Hogwarts from Harry Potter and trying to decide who of them belonged in what house: Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Griffendor, and Slytherin.

Max read the characteristices of those in Ravenclaw: Intelligent and creativity. He immediately said: "Oh that is Evan.  He is intelligent and creative.  Next was Hufflepuff: Kind and generous.  Evan said: "Oh, that is Rowan.  He is the most kind and generous person I know"!  Such a sweet response.  No wonder I love these boys!

We dropped Max, Evan and Joshua off, and  then took Rowan home.  We got to see Addy, Ruby and Lola.  Such sweet girls!

Lola took me by the hand to show me these pictures:

I love them!

What a great evening!