Thursday, February 1st, 2018

Manila, Philippines

29th operating temple

Dedicated: 25-27 Sep 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

Mark 3:14

And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 21:1-21

*When have I tried to be a missionary in my everyday life?

Old Testament

Exodus 20-21

20 The Lord reveals the Ten Commandments - Israel is to bear witness that the Lord has spoken from heaven - The children of Israel are forbidden to make gods of silver or gold - They are to make altars of unhewn stones and sacrifice to the Lord thereon.

21 The Lord reveals His laws pertaining to servants, marriage, the death penalty for various offenses, the giving of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, and the damage done by oxen.

Old Testament Favorite Scriptures

Genesis 6:22

Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.

General Conference

Abiding in God and Repairing the Breach

"We are divinely designed to give love and be loved, and the deepest love comes when we are one with God. The Book of Mormon invites us to be 'reconciled unto God through the atonement of Christ.'"

The news this morning is that the city of Gilbert is building a 275 acre mega part at Queen Creek and Higley. It will have all kinds of venues and will take 5-10 years to build.

I got word via Facebook that James's uncle Kay passed away this morning. 

We left for the valley at 7:30 this morning. I have a dentist appointment in Chandler at Dr. Douglas's at 11 a.m. to get my teeth cleaned.

While I am at the dentist James visits with Erik about the shocks on our car. Erik says there is nothing wrong with the shocks, it's the bracket that holds the shocks up. He says he can't do anything about it until we get rid of the mud on the undercarriage.

I drove James to Sonoran Spine in Gilbert for his appiontment with Dr Crowder. I then drove back to Chandler to go to lunch with Sheri. 

Rachel, the girl that works with Sheri, is from Heber. She says she grew up with Clayton Reidhead and her brother was his best friend. Clayton and his family live in Vernon and he is our ward mission leader. It's a small world, especially in the church.

I said hello to Dianne and C.T. Davis before leaving Chandler Eyecare. Sheri and I drove to Cafe Rio for lunch. We had a nice visit and did some catching up.Sheri is training for a half marathon she will be running on February 24th. She averages a mile in 9.5 minutes. After we said our goodbyes I drove over to Deseret Book in Gilbert.  

I got a top to go with one of my temple skirts, a novel by Anita Stansfield, a birthday card for Stacy, and a New Testament Student Manual for Michael to use in his scripture group.

James still hadn't texted me to pick him up so I went across the street to Office Max to look for some 5x7 notebooks. Just as I am finishing up James texts me to pick him up. 

James had not eaten so on the way to Darrel and Trina's we stopped at the Sweet Tomatoes on Power Rd. and the 202. 

When we get to Darrel and Trina's, Darrel is home with the kids and Trina is at work. 

Darrel made spaghetti, corn, and breadsticks for dinner. I love seeing my boys cooking for their kids!  

Lola, Ruby, James and I went for a couple of walks around the block. I thought Lola would get tired and asked to be held but she was a real trooper. 

This evening I played Code Name with Darrel, Addy, and Ruby. Poor Ruby had me for a partner and we lost. 

When Trina got home she came bearing gifts. A dress for Addy, an action figure for Rowan, and windup Unicorns for Ruby and Lola, and candy for the adults. (I didn't get any candy because the kids ended up eating it all.)

Ruby invited us to her school play on the 15th of February. She is going to be the smallest planet, Pluto. She said she was chosen because she is the smallest one in her class.

Underground hot springs

Teresa asked Jack to clean off the table

after dinner. This is how he did it.

Snow on the Superstitions

Thursday, December 7th, 2017

Gila Valley, Arizona

132nd temple

Dedicated: 23 May 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ Atonement through

2 Corinthians 5:18

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

Book of Mormon

Ether 5:1-6:11
The Lord Jesus Christ is the source of light for our world and for our lives. The Lord touched the stones the brother of Jared presented to Him "to give light unto men, women, and children"(6:3) as they crossed the ocean. The Lord also provides light to guide us through the darkness of mortality and toward the brightness of the celestial kingdom - our promised land. Our way is lit by the light of apostles and prophets, the standard works, and inspired leaders and teachers. We too can be a light-we can light the way for others when we hearken to the Lord's counsel and keep ourselves worthy of His Spirit. Sister Ardeth G. Kapp, former Young Women General President counseled: "You have the light within. You can shine in darkness. You can light up the world. You can help dispel darkness. You ca make a difference." I was privileged to travel with Sister Kapp when I went to England. She invited my friend and I to have dinner with her and her sisters. She went out of her way to be kind to us, virtual strangers. She seemed genuinely interested in us and asked us question about our lives. I have never met a kinder or sweeter person. She truly radiates the light of Christ!
Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures
DC 20:29
And we know that all men must repent and believe on the name of Jesus Christ, and worship the Father in his name, and endure in faith on his name to the end, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God.
General Conference

"I Have a Work for Thee"

Elder John C. Pingree, Jr.

"Focus on others. We can follow Christ, 'who went about doing good.' If you desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation' DC 11:8. The primary purpose of divine assignments is to bless others and to do much good."

Moroni did not use King Mosiah's Hebrew translation of the Jaredite plates. He made his own translation in reformed Egyptian. 

Happy Birthday Curtis!

This boy turns 10 today

I left for the valley around 9:30 this morning by myself. James is too sick to go with me. I stopped in Show Low and Heber to put air in my tire because the indicator light kept coming on to tell me I had a low tire. By the time I got to Payson it was ok. I think maybe it was low because of the cold air. 

My first stop in the valley was at Chandler Eyecare. Sheri put new lenses in my glasses and then we went to lunch at Zupa's. I had a gift card that Kim gave me last year. When the girl scanned it, the computer froze up so she told me my lunch was free. I had a salad and some soup.

After lunch I went to the Fry's on Germann and Alma School and picked up a birthday card and gift card to Outback for Paul since today is his birthday. I also got a box of oatmeal for Stacy so Joshua could make cookies for Paul. 

Sister Wilhelm asked me if I would pic up something for Wendy DeWitt for her. Wendy is making her copies of kids movies on a flash drive for Christmas. Wendy had sent me her address so I put it in my GPS and drove directly to it. After visiting with Wendy and Colin a few minutes Wendy gave me a card and asked if I would deliver it to the Scott's. She also asked me not to tell them who it was from. I said I would make the delivery and my lips were sealed. 

While I was in Gilbert I stopped at Deseret Book and got a triple combination for Curtis in my Primary class. I had his name engraved on it. Next stop, the Costco next door. I picked up some more blankets, and wrapping paper, but they were out of ribbon, the main reason I stopped. 

I hurried back to Stacy's in Chandler. Joshua has a concert tonight and he and Stacy needed a ride. Paul is meeting them there, driving they only car they have right now that is working. Joshua plays the trumpet. I took a picture of him before they left. I am sad his and Evan's concert is tonight, the same night as Addy's.

Such a handsome guy!

Right after Joshua's concert, Evan had his first orchestra concert.

The cutest violinist I've ever seen!

I dropped off gifts at Sheri's today and got to see Ben and Ollie.

This evening I dropped off at Sam's Club to see if they had any Christmas ribbon. Sure enough they did. I am so glad I stopped. I got some more wrapping paper and some croissants. They make the best. 

After my stop at Sam's Club I drove out to Darrel and Trina's. Addy was already at the school but Trina and the other kids were home. 

We all jumped in Trina's car and drove to Desert Ridge High School. Trina's mom had saved us seats down front. The concert was short and sweet. Addy and her group sang "Santa Baby" as one of their songs. Lola told Addy she really lie t.

It was a great concert. I'm just sorry James and Darrel couldn't be there.

I managed to get my steps in today.

Kacey posted this picture. It actually snowed

in San Antonio. 

Jared is in El Paso and he posted this:

Thursday, August 10th, 2017

Oakland, California

13th operating temple

Dedicated: 17-19 Nov 1964

By: David O. McKay

(Scheduled for renovation Feb 2018)

Alma 48:1-8

What can we learn from Moroni's character?

*Trust in the Lord and live up to our divine potential. Pray as if every thing depended on the Lord. Work as if everything depended on you.

DC 110:1-16

What powerful keys were restored on the earth April 3, 1836?

* Moses restored the keys to gather Israel, (11). Elias (Noah) restored the keys of the dispensation in which Abraham lived, (12). These blessings include eternal marriage vows with promises of eternal posterity and family relationships through the patriarchal order of the priesthood. Elijah restored the keys of the sealing power, (13-16).

General Conference

Becoming a Disciple of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Elder Robert D. Hales

" Peter exhorts us to add, 'to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience.' As temperate disciples, we live the gospel in a balanced and steady way. We do not 'run faster than we have strength.' Day by day we move forward, undeterred by the refining challenges of mortality. Being temperate in this way, we develop patience and trust in the Lord. We are able to rely on His design for our lives, even though we cannot see it with our own natural eyes. Therefore, we can 'be still and know that He is God.' When faced with the storms of tribulation, we ask, 'What wouldst Thou have me learn from this experience? With His plan and purposes in our hearts, we move forward not only enduring all things but also enduring them patiently and well."

Happy 11th Birthday Rowan!

This boy is the bomb!

He is kind, thoughtful, a good student, a deep-

thinker, and a great friend. I love him!

Happy Birthday last year!

James went to Susan Jacobson's this morning to work. He called me and said to stay inside because there was a manhunt going on outside. I could hear the helicopter circling for over an hour and then everyone was quiet. I guess they caught the guy.

Susan is getting married this Saturday and she gave James and I an invitation to her reception. She is very happy. James worked a couple of hours and brought home a $100 check. He tried to take Lexy to Sears for an oil change but they were too busy. He made an appointment for tomorrow at nine.

I rode to Mesa with James to check on more work at the McKellips medical building. Afterwards we went to Deseret Book. I got Sheri Dew's book, "Worth the Wrestle" for Laura's birthday and also bought three new books for James and I to read. 

At one o'clock James dropped me off at Chandler Eyecare so I could go to lunch with Sheri. He had an appointment with Dr. Memon at Pecos and Dobson at 1:30. Dr. Memon is his heart doctor. Sheri and I went to Cafe Rio for lunch. I had the spicy green chile pork burrito. Sheri had a salad and she paid for mine. Thanks Sheri!  We had a short, but nice visit. She dropped me off at Dr. Memon's to wait for James because she was in a hurry to get back to work. James came out a few minutes after I arrived. He was very excited. Dr. Memon says there have been a few holdups on his building project but he definitely wants James to be the general contractor. How exciting! We can probably make enough on this job to pay off our business loan. The project will be on the north east corner of Pecos and Cooper. We hope it starts soon! I reminded James of Elder Soare's talk on faith and how the Lord will take care of those who honor Him. 

We had a short time back at Cathi's before picking up the boys for Rowan and Joshua's birthday date. We waited for Max to get out of school and picked up him and Evan and Joshua at Sheri's around 4:30 and then drove out to pick up Rowan. We went to the Chandler Mall but for the first time ever the boys did not want to go to the Lego store.  Rowan got a DS and a game for his birthday and wanted to go to GameStop to get a chip to increase his memory. It cost $5. The boys also went to Barnes and Noble and then we went to the food court to get some dinner.

Evan and Max had to get pizza because Subway's 

computers were down.

Rowan's 10th birthday.

Not sure where Max was.

During dinner the boys decided they wanted to go to Toys R Us so we drove to 54th street and Ray. The boys had a blast just going through the store looking at everything. Finally Rowan settled on three Spiderman action figures and Joshua chose a Link action figure from the game Zelda. They both thanked me and gave me a hug and Joshua said, "I need to remember to pay tithing on this money."

After taking the other boys home we drove Rowan home in a dust storm. 

When we got back to Cathi and Terry's we read a chapter from "Romancing Daphne" before going to bed.

Photos:

My sentiments exactly.

Two superheroes meet.

Mt. Rainier in Washington

Arizona Highways.