Thursday, August 29th, 2019

Aba, Nigeria

121st operating temple

Dedicated: 7 Aug 2005

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Glory of

Ezkiel 1:28

As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day or rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.

Book of Mormon

Alma 58:1-12

New Testament "Ye Are the Body of Christ" 1 Corinthians 8-13

1 Corinthians 11

General Conference

The Immediate Goodness of God

"I realize that sometimes life's experiences create confusion and turbulence that can make it difficult to receive or recognize relief. I have been through such times. I testify that, during such times, our mere preservation is a tender and powerful manifestation of the immediate goodness of God. Remember, ancient Israel was ultimately delivered 'by that same God who had preserved them' day to day."

We had prayer this morning before James left for the valley. He is going down to work on the door at Stacy's and to meet with some people about some remodeling. Armando did some landscaping for them and he gave them James's name.

As I looked out my bedroom window this morning I saw a woodpecker on the tree trunk where James has built two birdhouses. There was a bluebird dive bombing the woodpecker to get him off her tree. I guess she may have babies in one of those birdhouses. James says bluebirds nest two times a year, in the spring and the fall. The woodpecker moved to the other side of the tree but the bluebird kept dive bombing him. She was relentless.

I don't know how much more critters I can handle in my house. We just got rid of the bat and now I just saw a mouse in the pantry. This means war!

I finished Aunt Dimity's Good Deed and moved on to Aunt Dimity and the Duke. I now realize I should have read the duke one first.

Repricing took forever but it is totally worth it. I am selling so many books right after I reprice. I did only sell 3 books today though.

I heard from both Stacy and Sheri today and found out that Adam and Kaitlin won't be coming up this weekend.

It rained again today just enough for the car to get muddy when James got home from the valley. No green chili burros. Burger House was closed.

 Such a good little singer!

 Can't you just see them as teenagers!

Charlie loves to climb!

 While Autumn had the kids Kacey and Jared

got to go to the temple in Dallas.

On the Latin America Tour

Sister Nelson says when they get back from these

tours President Nelson hits the ground running and

she just hits the ground.

They were in prison in Utah for murder and

escaped on their way to Pima county, Arizona.

Sorry this isn't legible.

 I feel safe with my friend Lynda in the neighborhood.

Missed Dog Day yesterday.

Monday, September 11th, 2017

San Diego, California

45th operating temple

Dedicated: 25 April 1993 by Thomas S. Monson

Helaman 1:18-34

How do you avoid being deceived by the flattery of men?

Through the inspiration of the Spirit. We must stay spiritually centered and remember what really matters. Read Lynn G. Robbins, "Which Way Do You Face," October 2014 General Conference.

DC 132:29-45

Why should we always be obedient to what the Lord asks us to do?

Because we love Him. The Lord loves all of His children but He can only bless them when they are obedient. Obedience to commandments increases our faith, and brings us exaltation where we can become gods instead of angels.

General Conference

Becoming a Disciple of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Elder Robert D. Hales

"Patience, Peter teaches, leads us to godliness. As the Father is patient with us, His children, we become patient with one another and ourselves. From temperance to patience and from patience to godliness, our natures change. We gain the brotherly kindness that is a hallmark of all true disciples. Like the Good Samaritan, we cross the road to minister to whoever is in need, even if they are not within the circle of our friends. We bless them that curse us. We do good to those who despitefully use us. Is any attribute more godly or Christlike?"

We said our goodbyes, gave hugs, and had family prayer together with Jared giving the prayer, before we left for home. We are so very grateful for being able to come and spend time with Jared, Kacey, and Summer and to attend Molly's baptism and to be able to do sealings in the San Antonio temple. It was a wonderful trip and we are so grateful we were able to come.

'Til we meet again

As we left, Kacey and Summer were gone and Jared was at home cutting up fruit for lunches and doing laundry. He does not have to go to work until 10.

Thank goodness for Googlemaps or we wouldn't have found our way out of Jared and Kaceys neighborhood. We got on to the freeway and stopped for gas in Boerne where my friend Kay used to live. We read our scriptures and then I read from Brownlie Manor before taking a nap.

We got off the freeway in the little town of Ozona for a potty break and since we were there we got more gas. This town says it's the "biggest little town in the world," Some of the things to do in Ozona are: birdwatching, hunting, star gazing and off-roading. These are the same things we do here in Vernon! There are some beautiful trees and old homes and buildings in Ozona. I didn't get any pictures of homes but here is the town name and motto and the Crockett county courthouse located in Ozona.

The name of the gas station and store where we stopped was Stripes. It is the same place we stopped on Friday. 

On to Van Horn for gas and lunch at McDonald's. This is my friend Hailey's hometown. She says I should have texted her and let her know I was going to be there and she would have suggested some places to eat. She says Lizy's is good and her cousins place RJ's, but RJ's may only be open in the evenings.

Instead of going through Socorro we went back through Deming and Silver City up to Luna and Alpine. This way is more scenic but I do not like the windy road up the mountain. 

We got home around 5 p.m. Arizona time, gaining two hours coming home. It was good to be home except I found a bloated, belly up mouse caught in a trap in the pantry. Welcome home to critterville. 

Brian left us some green chili pork stew. Thanks Brian! After unloading and putting things away I did a little blogging and reading before going to bed. We were in bed by 9.

I did not forget that today was the anniversary of 9/11. Here are some photos I found on Facebook.

 Other random photos I like:

This is NOT the mouse we found in the pantry.

This one is cute, that one wasn't!

Sun and summer storm over the Grand Canyon.

I'm calling this one Cinderella's castle.

The Skousen's

Sister Skousen on the left is our Primary President.

She is a great one!

  

Thursday, August 24th, 2017

Boise, Idaho

27th operating temple

Dedicated: 25-30 May 1984 by: Gordon B. Hinckley

Rededicated: 2 May 1987 by: James E. Faust

Rededicated: 18 Nov 2012 by: Thomas S. Monson

Atonement

Moroni 10:33

And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenants of the Father unto the remission of your sins that ye become holy, without spot.

Jesus Christ, Antemortal Existence of

Moses 4:2

But, behold, my Beloved Son, which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning, said unto me - Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.

Alma 56:1-17

How does Helaman show courage and faith in these verses?

*Helaman shows great courage and faith when he encourages the people of Ammon who had buried their weapons of war and covenanted not to fight, to be loyal to their covenants There is great power and strength in covenant keeping, and Helaman knew this.

DC 124:1-15

What did I learn from these verses?

*When we follow the prophet we receive great blessings. The power of the Holy Ghost. Hyrum Smith is loved because of the integrity of his heart. Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins. You shall receive the Holy Spirit and know the truth and be numbered with the House of Israel.

General Conference

Whatsoever He Saith Unto you, Do It

Elder L. Whitney Clayton

"The trial of our faith will always involve staying true to simple, daily practices of faith. Then, and only then, does He promise that we will receive the divine response for which we long. Only once we have proven our willingness to do what He asks without demanding to know the whens, the whys, and the hows do we 'reap the rewards of our faith, and our diligence and patience, and longsuffering. Real obedience accepts God's commandments unconditionally and in advance."

James caught squirrel number six in his live trap. He will go down to live by the lake with his friends. Chuck gets rid of his in a different way where they are not able to ever come back.

I read an article in the Ensign, "Eight Strategies to Help Children Reject Pornography." I texted all the kids and asked them to read it.

I found evidence that there has been a mouse in our pantry. James set four traps, but I think he is probably gone. We are just wondering how he got in there in the first place as James sealed up all the holes.

We read outside on the porch today. It was absolutely gorgeous! 

For lunch I had one of Rosa's tamales with some ketchup. Yummy!

I went outside and cleaned about 18 greenhouse panels for James today. Some of them have dirt caught in between the two panels.

James found out the greenhouse is only built to withstand 15 mph winds. That is nothing!

I love our book, "Lily of the Manor." It is my favorite!  It was written by Anita Stansfield.

I made french vanilla cupcakes with lemon frosting today. These should last for awhile because James doesn't like french vanilla. 

I think I have a pinched nerve. 

Photos

Talon and Trenda

Best friends

Trenda and George

The oldest and the youngest

Alice

Johnny

Andy, Curtis and friend

Calico Critters:

Chihuahua's

Cows

Piggies

Mrs. Bunny and babies

Thursday, May 25th, 2017

Ogden, Utah

14th operating temple

Dedicated: 18-20 January 1972 by

Joseph Fielding Smith

Rededicated: 21 September 2014 by

Thomas S. Monson

Alma 5:43-52

*Is there a way to know or learn something without using your five senses?

*According to Alma 5:48, what did Alma know?

*What did Alma say was the source of his testimony? (See verse 46)

*Elder M. Russell Ballard: "Individual, personal testimony of gospel truth, particularly the divine life and mission of the Lord Jesus Christ, is essential to our eternal life....In other words, life eternal is predicated upon our own individual, personal knowledge of our Father in Heaven and His Holy Son.  Simply knowing about them is not enough.  We must have personal, spiritual experiences to anchor us.  These come through seeking them in the same intense, singleminded way that a hungry person seeks food" (Feasting at the Lord's Table," Ensign, May 1996, 80).

Ether 15-Moroni 5

Ether 15  Millions of the Jaredites are slain in battle; Shiz and Coriantumr assemble all the people to mortal combat; The Spirit of the Lord ceases to strive with them; The Jaredite nation is utterly destroyed; Only Coriantumr remains.

Moroni 1 Moroni writes for the benefit of the Lamanites; The Nephites who will not deny Christ are put to death. A.D. 401-21,

Moroni 2 Jesus gave the twelve Nephite disciples power to confer the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Moroni 3 Elders ordain priests and teachers by the laying on of hands.

Moroni 4 How elders and priests administer the sacramental bread is explained.

Moroni 5 The mode of administering the sacramental wine is set forth.

DC 78:1-22

1-4, The Saints should organize and establish a storehouse; 5-12, Wise use of their properties will lead to salvation; 13-14, The Church should be independent of earthly powers; 15-16, Michael (Adam) serves under the direction of the Holy One (Christ); 17-22, Blessed are the faithful, for they will inherit all things.

How will the Lord bless His faithful servants?

*With Eternal Life.

General Conference

The Voice of Warning

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"Far from being anxious to condemn, our Heavenly Father and our Savior seek our happiness and plead with us to repent, knowing full well that 'wickedness never was and never will be happiness.'

So Ezekiel and every prophet before and since, speaking the word of God out of a full heart, have warned all who will to turn away from Satan, the enemy of their souls, and 'choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men."

From "Dads Who Stay and Fight" at the beginning of the chapter 'Dads Who Build Forts': "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson

And from page 145 of the same book: "I believe that there is a direct correlation between a man who was firm in the faith of Christ as Moroni was, and a man who builds physical and spiritual forts for his family."

I downloaded the book "Christ and the New Covenant" on my phone and have started to listen to it.  I read it when it first came out but that was awhile ago.  

James and I had lunch at Persnikkity's today.  He had his favorite sandwich, the twisted Philly cheesesteak, and I had my favorite salad, the Chinese chicken.  They were both yummy.  You ask me how I know?  Because I tasted them both!

While I was at Walmart James went shopping for fence posts for our new fence.  When we came home and he unloaded them he scared the elk away.

Before being scared away.

Just minding their own business before their rude interruption.

Sheri and Shayna loving the same glasses at work.

At first I thought this was real, and then I realized

after seeing the signature at the bottom, that it was a painting.

I left to go see Vickie before Rachel opened her gifts.

Elder Robert D. Hales and his wife Mary.
I loved his last conference talk on being a 
Disciple of Christ.

Me when I'm late for Church.

I love these three!