Sunday, March 18th, 2018

Oaxaca, Mexico

74th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Mar 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ Authority of

DC 1:6

 Behold, this is mine authority,and the authority of my servants, and my preface unto the book of my commandments, which I have given them to publish unto you, O inhabitants of the earth.

Book of Mormon

Jacob 2:17-35

*How is the love of money the root of all evil?

*What is the relationship between the riches of the world and the riches of eternity?

Article: "Treasures of Eternal Value

By: Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, April 2008

Old Testament

Deuteronomy 1-2

1 Moses begins recitation of all that befell Israel during forty years in wilderness - They are commanded to go in and possess Canaan - Judges and rulers chosen to assist Moses - Israel's spies bring evil report - Adults of Israel shall perish - Amorites defeat armies of Israel.

2 Israel presses forward to their promised land - They pass through lands of Esau and of Ammon in peace, but destroy Amorites.

General Conference

"Bearers of Heavenly Light"

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

" As a bearer of God's priesthood and as a disciple of Jesus Christ, you are a bearer of light. Keep doing the things that will nurture His divine light. 'Hold up you light' and let it shine before men' - not so that they will see and admire you, but 'that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

I woke up this morning at 4:10. I went back to bed with the plan to get up at 4:30 but I slept in until 5:30. I spent the next two hours or so preparing my lesson. I feel ready! James is coming in to help me today. 

There was a whiteout blizzard when we left for church.

Maddie D., Sister Halcomb, and Sean H. were the speakers in sacrament meeting today. Sean said: "Pray everyday to be able to serve or help someone."

Catherine talked about how to be a better disciple of Jesus Christ and Sean spoke on Elder Holland's conference address.

Today my Primary class consisted of: Jace, Colter, Liana, and Andyn, and of course James and I.  Gracie has missed four weeks now so I talked to her mother. She is in Yuma this week with her grandmother. I gave her mother the note I wrote to her.

Our lesson was on Abraham and Isaac, and it went well. After the lesson we began trying to put the tents together and the glue was not holding very well so most of the kids ended up using double stick tape. Thank goodness James was there to help. 

Alicia taught about the resurrection in sharing time. It was good.

The wind was freezing cold as we went back to the car. The snow was mostly gone and the sun was shining. We went home and had lunch and took a nap and were back down at the church by 2:15 for an appointment with the bishop. James and I were both sure whatever calling he was going to issue would be for me. We still need a Relief Society president so I braced myself. Boy, were we surprised. James was called as a temple and family history consultant. What a relief for me.

We stayed at the church for Sister Gordon's baptism by her son Charles. Tildy sat on my lap through the entire baptism.

When we got home James asked me to turn on the Rootstech conference where President Oaks and his wife spoke on the TV upstairs. The bishop suggested he watch it. I went downstairs to work on my blog and watched the conference on my phone. James came downstairs quite upset. He said the recording would stop and start and it was very annoying.

James played the song "O Lord My Redeemer" by Jeff Goodrich on his phone. I forgot how much I love that song.

 Dallin and Michael

 Sometimes we don't realize how

fortunate we are.

 Barney Pfife did this one time on the

Andy Griffith Show.

 Picachio Peak and the Moon

 I love this quote!

The Heyman's in front of the Rome, Italy temple.

Sunday, February 4th, 2018

Guatemala City, Guatemala

32nd operating temple

Dedicated: 14-16 Dec 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

DC 11:11

For, behold, it is I that speak; behold, I am the light which shineth in darkness, and by my power I give these words unto thee.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 1:1-12

*How have the American continents been kept sacred?

- The sacredness is in the freedoms we have and the people striving to keep the commandments.

Old Testament

Exodus 26-27

26 The tabernacle is to be built with ten curtains and with boards - A veil is to separate the holy place from the most holy place - The ark of testimony (with the mercy seat) is to be put in the most holy place.

27 The tabernacle is to contain an altar for burnt offerings and a court surrounded by pillars - A light is to burn always in the tabernacle of the congregation.

Old Testament Favorite Scriptures

Genesis 9:11-13

11 And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.

12 And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:

13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.

General Conference

"A Yearning for Home"

" Blessings will come not so much because of your abilities but because of your choices. And the God of the universe will work within and through you, magnifying your humble efforts for His purposes. His work has always advanced on this important principle: "Out of small things proceedeth that which is great."

We were a little late getting to church this morning. We arrived at the building at 8:50. We had lots of things to carry in for my lesson. I am grateful for James's help. 

Our fast and testimony meeting was conducted by Brother Crane. It was his first fast and testimony meeting to conduct. The following people bore their testimonies: Brother Crane, Brother M. Wilhelm, Sister Johnson, Sister Smith who is leaving this Wednesday for the MTC, Brother Applegate, Brother Peeler, Bishop Hall, Brother Skousen, Elders Macy and Smith our fulltime missionaries, Sister Applegate, Brother Curtis, Brother Grapp, Sister Gillespie, Sister Kennedy and Jace was the only youth. We had these children from Primary bear their testimonies: Colter, Zemira, Curtis, Liana, and Benson.

It was a good fast and testimony meeting. I thought something Sister Kennedy said in her testimony was interesting. She said that when Elder Renlund was called to the Quorum of the Twelve, President Nelson handed him a copy to The Family, a Proclamation to the World and said: "This is your instruction guide."

My Primary lesson went quite well except for the fact that Colter and Amaron are really not interested in the lesson which causes a distraction. Amaron did like the picture of the Savior that I had on the cross and asked some questions about it. Andyn was a little disappointed because I didn't have a newsletter today.

The Goodman's have been called to teach the 6-7 year old Primary class. Also, Tyler Hunsaker has been called to teach the 10-11 year olds.

During singing time we sang: "My Heavenly Father Loves Me," and "I Am a Child of God," all four verses. For sharing time Brother Thompson talked to the kids about the creation and then Sister Skousen did an activity with them. Again, Amaron was not interested in anything except talking to me. He is very sweet and helped me carry my stuff to the car after the meetings were over. 

James stayed at the church while I went home and broke my fast and had some lunch. I went back to the church around 1:00 for a meeting with the bishop about one of the sisters I visit teach. The bishop asked me to invite this sister to lunch but I struggled with that because she is not even speaking to me. We went from being best friends to nothing and I don't know why. 

James came home with me after my meeting with the bishop. I was concerned about what he had asked me to do until I read President Uchtdorf's talk, "Three Sisters," and this quote: "What did the Savior teach? 'I say unto you Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.' This is the Savior's way. It is the first step in breaking down the barriers that create so much anger, hatred, division, and violence in the world."

My whole attitude changed when I read this quote and I knew I could reach out to this sister and eventually invite her to lunch. I felt peace instead of turmoil.

James broke his fast and took a nap and so did I. When we got up we spent the rest of the day studying the gospel and I wrote in my journal (blog). No Super Bowl for us.

Today is my brother Harold's 68th birthday. I wished him a happy birthday and told him that I loved him.

I got a message from C. Arnett today. This is what she said: "I went to Primary today to listen to my granddaughters talk. I walked into Primary and sat down. A flood of memories and the sweet spirit I felt serving with you and Betty overcame me. I could not stop crying. Thank you Thank you for the best spiritual experience of my life! Heavenly Father is real and He loves all of His children."

What a sweet message and reminder of how much I love C. Arnett!

Oh yes, and Brother Goodman in our ward is her first cousin.

 This photo came up on my Facebook

feed. It was taken last year right after 

Kacey and Jared got married.

 James gave me this gem.

I love it!

Taken at Uncle Kay's funeral by

Dane Lambson. I am sorry I don't know everyone

and he didn't label the photos.

The redhead is Uncle Kay's daughter Lori.

With her is Laurie, Uncle Gene's daughter.

James thinks the man is Marshall, Uncle

Delbert's son, but he is not sure. 

Aunt Flora, Uncle Gene's wife, and

Uncle Delbert, the only one left of

13 children. He is grandpa George's older

brother and he lives in St. Johns. 

Uncle Delbert and his son Curtis. 

 On the left is Daniel Lambson, Uncle

Kay's son.

 Last year playing Five Crowns with Harold, Vickie,

Dennis, and Denise.

Harold. Love those blue eyes!