Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Montreal, Quebec

86th operating temple

Dedicated: 4 June 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Lamb of God

Ether 13:11

And then also cometh the Jerusalem of old; and the inhabitants thereof, blessed are they, for they have been washed in the blood of the Lamb; and they are they who were scattered and gathered in from the four quarters of the earth, and from the north countries, and are partakers of the fulfilling of the covenant which God made with their father, Abraham.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Alma 18 with James; Book of Mormon Study Guide; Lesson and video with Jean

April General Conference

"The Great Plan"

President Dallin H. Oaks

"The purpose of mortal life and the postmortal growth that can follow it is for the offspring of God to become like He is. This is Heavenly Father's desire for all His children. To achieve this joyful destiny, eternal laws require that we must become purified beings through the Atonement of Jesus Christ so we can dwell in the presence of the Father and the Son and enjoy the blessings of exaltation."

 The diesel mechanics were here bright and early. They were able to fix little Cat and James had to fork out another $600. Now he needs to fix the hydraulic hose and get a new tire before selling to Pierce.

I watched the Book Arbitrage webinar this morning with Kathy and Kris. They did some Keepa training. I am grateful to learn from them. I bought a couple of books and got tired of so many books being gated, over 20 on one page, I went in to fix an early lunch.

I started out thinking I was going to make tacos but they ended up being enchiladas. They were delicious. James loved them too. I sort of made up my own recipe using the green chili stew sauce, enchilada sauce, and beef stock. 

After lunch and rest time I began getting ready to go see my friend Jean. James informed me that he was going to drop me off and then take the car into town. I was not well pleased but what could I do?

Jean and I sat at the kitchen table and studied this week's "Come Follow Me" lesson. I downloaded the Gospel Library app on her phone and we watched the video "Ammon Serves and Teaches King Lamoni." I bore my testimony of the Book of Mormon and told her that Ammon and his brothers changed the whole course of history for the Lamanites as they joined the gospel and changed their lives to become followers of Jesus Christ. 

As we sat at the table and visited we looked out the window at the gorgeous view. There was a nice breeze coming through the open window and it was so peaceful sitting with my dear friend. She told me about her granddaughter Tara and her online relationship with a banker from Dubai. He has bought her a home and completely furnished it. She spends most of her time talking with him online yet she has never met him. He is stuck in Dubai right now because no flights are allowed to go out. I can tell that Jean wants to be happy for her but is a little concerned.

When James came to pick me up Jean had him go in and look at some logs in their home that are cracking. He assured her the structural security of the home was in tact and that he could fill the cracks and make them look better.

I had arranged for my friend Maxine to make us some masks. We stopped by to pick them up. I picked out four, two for James and two for myself. She did not want to accept the $20 I gave to her but I insisted. I told her she could go buy some more fabric. She mentioned how much they loved my rolls. I got in the car and wrote Rhodes rolls on my shopping list.

James was able to pick up my prescription when he was in town but missed dropping off the book I was mailing at the UPS store by 15 minutes. They closed early, at 3 pm because of Covid 19. I am really tired of people using Covid 19 as an excuse for everything.

James went on a ride this evening while I worked on my Book of Mormon study guide and walked while listening to my audio book "Sanctuary."

When James returned I read a chapter to him from "Aunt Dimity and the Summer King." We fixed the vacuum together and I finished my walking while James got ready to go to the valley. He is leaving early in the morning. I am sad he has to take my car every week. Poor Lexy she must be so tired. Luna is James's baby and Lexy is mine.

"I love you sooo much!"

Now that's a hard puzzle!

 Emily's family

 Philadelphia temple

 Michelle Ward and Edward Payne were married

Saturday evening joining two families together.

Both of their spouses died within the last

few years. Both are wonderful families!

Friday, May 4th, 2018

Aba, Nigeria

121st operating temple

Dedicated: 7 Aug 2005

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, betrayal of

DC 45:53

And then shall they weep because of their iniquities; then shall they lament because they persecuted their king.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 22:10-23:15

*How is this story of Limhi's people similar to our own escape from this world into the arms of the Savior?

aliciamil4: "I can see the Savior's hand in everything, the good and the hard as He gives me the choice to choose Him or the ways of the world. He blesses me, he prepares me and he teaches me to move forward. 

Old Testament

1 Samuel 11-12

11 The Ammonites encamp against the Israelites of Jabesh-gilead - Saul rescues them and defeats the Ammonites - His kingship is renewed in Gilgal.

12 Samuel testifies of his own just dealings in Israel - He reproves the people for their ingratitude - He exhorts them to keep the commandments lest the Lord consume them and their king.

General Conference

The Heart of a Prophet

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

" As I sought guidance to know the topic the Lord would have me address today, my mind was directed to a recent conversation with the newly called First Presidency. In this discussion, one of the counselors shared words to this effect: 'I deeply hope that the membership of the Church can comprehend the magnitude of what has taken place with the calling of our new prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, and the significance and sacredness of the solemn assembly that will take place at general conference.' He further observed, 'It has been 10 years, and many, especially the youth of the Church, do not remember or have not experienced this before.'"

Russell M. Nelson-10/01: "Set in Order Thy House"

'Our family is the focus of our greatest work and joy in this life; so it will be throughout eternity.'

Rescuing Wayward Children:"Afflictions can push parents apart, when in actuality afflictions are designed to weld us together" (p. 227) "Oneness brings deliverance." Charity has 3 meanings: Love from Christ, Love for Christ, Love like Christ. (p.233)

James went on an early morning walk while I went downstairs to work on my blog. I was there when Addy got up and left, Ruby, Darrel, Rowan, and Lola. 

Trina and Darrel have a green shake for breakfast in the mornings. It's made from kale, spinach, frozen pineapple, a banana, and sometimes an orange if they have one. Trina let us taste her shake this morning and I must say, it was very tasty. She also introduced me to My Fitness Pal which she uses for her food diary. I love it!

Thanks Trina!

Trina told us a funny story about Lola this morning. She said they saw a woman with black hair and Lola said: "Is that Jo"? Trina asked her who Jo was and she said: "You know that girl who builds houses and her husbands name is Chip."

We said our goodbyes as everyone left for school or work. Ruby's class is going on a fieldtrip to the aquarium and Lola and Trina are going to meet them there. 

James and I loaded up and left for Fry's around 9:00 or so. We were looking for Grape Nut Flakes, for James. We didn't find any but we found the Larabar date balls that Trina introduced us to so we bought two flavors, brownie and salt caramel. A tasty little bite without having to count as a sweet.

James dropped me off at AARA for my infusion at 10:15. I had an appointment with Rana, Dr. Caldron's PA, and then I had my infusion. I lost about 10 lbs since last month which makes me happy and which also means I get less Actemra.

James took the car to get the new headlight put in, took our cast-offs to D.I., and got gas. For lunch we shared a salad I made up at Fry's salad bar. Since we have been on this diet we have actually craved more healthy food. 

Our next stop was in Scottsdale where James is seeing an allergy specialist. I dropped him off and then went to the Fry's Marketplace on Shea Blvd. just to look around. Just to look around cost me over $150. I ended up doing much of my grocery shopping. It was so fun. Much different from Walmart.

I bought James some fried chicken from Fry's because he loves it. He was pretty excited when I picked him up. He said this doctor helped him more than any other doctor. He told him to cut way down on meat, no spicy foods, milk products, or acidic foods. No water within an hour of going to bed. He also wrote him a prescription that he said would help with acid reflex more than the prescription that he is on. 

From Scottsdale we went home through Payson. 

I got my new crockpot!

Casserole Crockpot

There was a volcanic eruption and several earthquakes on the big island of Hawaii today. The one we visited in 1998.

I had to finish my walking when I got home. Afterwards James and I watched "The Beach House."

This reminds me of the Loggerhead turtles

in the movie "The Beach House."

An 18 year old picture of the Wilhelm family.

They just had their 10th baby.

The biggest Star Wars fan I know.

Teresa prepared for a Nerf gun war with

Jack.

Addy loves pineapples!

Good advice!

Gorgeous flowers at Fry's. I especially 

like the blue ones in the back.

The bear won. Can this be true?

What exactly does that mean?

Fun memories!

I wonder who will win this fight.

Thanks Paula.

Wednesday, April 18th, 2018

Guadalajara, Mexico

105th operating temple

Dedicated: 29 Apr 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

What should I pray for?

Bible Dictionary, Prayer, paragraph 5

The attitude of prayer ordinarily was standing (1 Sam. 1:26; Neh. 9:2, 4; Matt. 6:5; Luke 18:11, 13); also kneeling (1 Kgs. 8:54; Ezra 9:5; Dan. 6:10); or prostrate (Josh 7:6; Neh. 8:6). The hands were spread forth to heaven ( 1 Kgs. 8:22; Ezra 9:5; Ps. 141:2; Isa. 1:15). Smiting on the breast and rending of the garments signified special sorrow (Ezra 9:5; Luke 18:13). The Lord's attitude in prayer is recorded only once. In the Garden of Gethsemane He knelt (Luke 22:41), fell on His face (Matt. 26:39), and fell on the ground (Mark 14:35). It is noteworthy that Stephen (Acts 7:60), Peter (9:40), Paul (20:36; 21:5), and the Christians generally (21:5) knelt to pray.

Jesus Christ betrayal of

Matthew 20:18

Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 11:1-15

*How are King Benjamin and King Noah different? How can we develop character traits of King Benjamin?

- Verse 2 sums up King Noah's life pretty well. He didn't keep the commandments, he made his own rules, violated God's laws, sponsored all kinds of evil, which led the people away from Christ. Everything King Benjamin did was to bring people towards Christ. He didn't want to be a burden to his people, and worked hard to provide of his needs. King Noah on the other hand, expected others to support his laziness, idolatry and whoredoms. These two leaders illustrated differences of righteous and unrighteous use of power and authority, how to handle conflicts, attitudes toward temples, physical labor and service. One had a lust for worldliness, and one had courage, faith and worshipped God. Which leader would you rather have? In the end King Benjamin retired from the kingship, lived in peace, and passed the kingdom to his son, and his obedience secured him a place in God's kingdom. King Noah spent his life on the desires of the flesh, his cruel treatment of Abinadi became his own death sentence. 

Old Testament

Judges 12-14
12 The Gileadites slay 42,000 Ephraimites - Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon and Abdon each in turn judge Israel.
13 Israel is in Philistine bondage for forty years - An angel comes to Manoah's wife and promises a son who will begin to deliver Israel - The angel comes again; he ascends in a flame from the altar - Samson is born, and the Spirit of the Lord moves upon him. 
14 Samson slays a young lion with his bare hands - He marries a Philistine wife, propounds a riddle, is deceived by his wife, and slays thirty Philistines.
General Conference

With One Accord

Reyna I. Aburto

" In order to reach our sublime destiny, we need each other, and we need to be unified."

President Russell M. Nelson #20, "Constancy Amid Change" October 1993. 

" Three things that will never change:

Personages, Plans, Principles."

James and I left for Show Low at 7:20 this morning. We stopped at Dr. Moffat's office so James could get a steroid shot before going to the hospital for an MRI on his shoulder and upper back. I shopped a little at Walmart buying veggies and water for our trip and then walked around the parking lot at the hospital. James finally came out around 10 a.m. Just in time. I guess it was quite an ordeal because the MRI machine was so tiny.

We arrived at Sheri's work right at 1 p.m. when she gets off for lunch. Kim was already waiting in the parking lot. James dropped me off and went to get Lexy and take back the rental car. Kim drove us to Cafe Rio across from the Chandler mall. I had a green chili pork taco with some pinto beans. It was nice to visit with my girls even if it was for a short time. James texted and said he was on his way so Kim and Sheri said their goodbyes and left me in front of Cafe Rio. James drove right up as they left. 

Guess where we went? Olive Garden so James could have some lunch. I had a $50 giftcard I got with the rewards program on my credit card.  I just had soup and salad and of course two breadsticks! 

Next stop was Stacy's house to take her the Savior book mark. Well actually I forgot to give Kim and Sheri theirs so we stopped by Sheri's and after Stacy's we went to Kim's.

Joshua was home from school with a tummy ache and of course we were greeted by Vader and Shipley. Vader ran away and Joshua had to go chase him down.

Stacy was in bed upstairs. She says she is doing much better. When I asked if there was anything we could do she said no, Paul was taking good care of her. I guess he has order her "Freshly" the food service that is delivered to your home.

After Kim's we drove out to see Darrel's family. Everyone was home, including Darrel. We gave them their bookmark and James took a nap on the couch. We stayed about an hour and then we were on our way home. When I walked in the door Lola came running to me and jumped into my arms. That made my day. She had a friend, Scarlett over to play. She needed help building something and James helped her. Trina's Chunky Monkey challenge starts on Sunday. I am excited! 

We stopped at Taco Bell in Globe for dinner. We arrived home at 7:45, the exact time James said we would. I think Lexy was happy to be home, I know I was.

I walked until I got 15,000 steps and finished watching "The Greatest Showman."

 Helping me make enchilada sauc

for grandpa's birthday party.

 Lunch today with Sheri and Kim

 Robert and Kambri's baby June

 Happy Bday to the Hunsaker twins!

Can you tell? It's the mammas!

 Resort memories!

 Wilhelm baby girl

She's #10

 Her big sister said the world needed

one more sassy Wilhelm girl!

Lanell Sheree

Sister Arburto spoke about

monarch butterflies in her

conference address.

I have two friends in this old Young Adult

photo. Pam front and center and Tamara

in the back, far right.