Tuesday, December 31st, 2019

Medford, Oregon

79th operating temple

Dedicated 16 Apr 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Jehovah

Isaiah 49:26

And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Savior and thy Redeemer, the might One of Jacob.

Book of Mormon

Moroni 10:8-34

"Come Follow Me"

Introduction and Title of the Book of Mormon

Oct General Conference

Closing Remarks

President Russell M. Nelson

"Now, for just a moment, I would like to speak to our youth. We encourage you to qualify for limited use temple recommends. You will be asked only those questions applicable to you in your preparation for the ordinances of proxy baptism and confirmation. We are very grateful for your worthiness and willingness to participate in that sacred temple work. We thank you!"

Today is Kim's 46th birthday. Usually she is up here celebrating, but because the 31st is in the middle of the week, Brian has to work on the day after New Year which would cut their time short. We know she had a great birthday because Brian got tickets for them to go see Brian Regan.

Ben was made an A.P. this transfer. It is a little bittersweet for him because he will not be able to proselyte nearly as much as he is now. While Sheri was talking on the telephone to him, Ziggie had a "serious accident" on the rug by the door going outside. When I told Sheri she immediately cleaned it up even though she was still on the phone with Ben. Elder Brown, one of Ben's companions recently, and a thorn in his side because of his lack of desire to do the work, is going home because his time is up. Elder Clark who spent hours in the bathroom, and refused to go out unless he was forced to,  was sent home. How sad that missionaries come out and are not really interested in sharing the gospel with others.

Shayna and Alex went home this morning. They also have tickets to go see Brian Regan. 

Sheri took the picture for me. I was in the

kitchen making lasagna soup.

It's a little blurry I noticed. Shayna is such a tiny thing.

She weighs less than 90 lbs.

James and I had chicken tacos for lunch. I made lasagna soup and Sheri made rolls and a ham and chocolate chip cookies. Michael made another cobbler. This one was cherry and we had Bluebell Homemade vanilla ice cream to go with it. What is it about the holidays that makes everyone want to eat?

James and I made a trip to Dollar General. I gave Rowan a Hershey bar and a Mug rootbeer. Sheri brought plenty of snacks for her boys and Michael was taking care of Joshua. I thought Rowan might need a little TLC.

I did a little work today. I made our first mortgage payment and did all of my ministering interviews except for one.  I also got all of my steps and spent some of the Relief Society money we had left in our account. It won't roll over to the new year. I bought items from Walmart online and paid with my credit card. Hopefully I will get a receipt dated December 31st.

Today the kids got in to "The Twilight Zone." They taped episodes and watched it most of the day while Sheri and I were in the bedroom watching Hallmark movies. We should have invited Alexis in to watch with us. She said it would have been much better than "The Twilight Zone."

Michael and Alexis went to eat at Licano's again and to look for fireworks. They didn't find any fireworks to speak of. Michael brought tacos back for Joshua. Michael loves Licano's carne asada burros.

Christmas movies we watched: 

"The Christmas Jars" 

Kim asks me every time we talk if I watched it yet. It was really good and of course was about doing service.

"Two Turtle Doves"

"A Merry Liddle Christmas"

Happy New Year!

 Last year's visit

Monday, December 30th, 2019

Fresno, California

78th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Apr 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Jehovah

Isaiah 44:6

Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

Book of Mormon

Moroni 9:20-10:7

"Come Follow Me"

Title Page of the Book of Mormon

Oct General Conference

"Fruit"

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"In our world today, the adversary's construction crews are working overtime, hastily inflating the large and spacious building. The expansion has spread across the river, hoping to envelop our homes, while the pointers and the scoffers wail day and night on their internet megaphones. President Nelson explained, 'The adversary is quadrupling his efforts to disrupt testimonies and impede the work of the Lord.' Let us remember Lehi's words: 'We heeded them not.'"

Sheri ran in 15 degree weather this morning. She is a real trooper. James and I went to help take down Christmas decorations at the church along with Chuck and Kathy Crane. Soon others came to help, Stefani, Alicia, and Holly Hunsaker, and Michelle Tesarek and a friend. We were through within the hour. James helped Chuck carry the boxes out to the shed where they are stored until next Christmas.

When we returned to the house I helped Sheri fix breakfast. We have eggs, bacon, and biscuits. 

After breakfast Sheri and I went into town. We stopped at Maverick for gas and Sheri also got a drink. It was difficult, but I told her no, I didn't want one. I did buy a Mug rootbeer later at Walmart. 

While at Walmart I wanted to buy a Red Baron pepperoni pizza for the boys but they were all out. Instead I got Tombstone pizza. When we got home I told Max and he said, "If it's Tombstone I don't want any." Oh well, I tried.

Sheri and I watched "Mistletoe and Menorahs." She liked it almost as much as I did. Ziggie is a big distraction for Sheri. She is constantly worried that she is going to have an "accident." I think she has had a couple but we won't tell James.

After my nap I worked on running off  the Redheaded Hostess Book of Mormon lesson for this week. I am so glad I subscribed because she offers so much material for all ages. I also have the study book which is pretty amazing.

Michael and Alexis went for a run. I think they are struggling because of the high altitude.

Michael made a peach/blueberry cobbler this evening. Sheri and I ate ours while watching, "Christmas in Angel Falls."

I got my 10,000 steps but I am getting further behind on my blog. 

We wanted to take the boys to the pit this afternoon to go sledding but no one wanted to go except Rowan and he didn't want to go by himself. He has not been sledding since he got here.

Everyone stayed home and played video games, Trivial Pursuit, Settlers of Catan, and light sabers.

Sheri made chicken tacos for dinner. They were delicious. 

Joshua, Michael, Alexis, Alex, and Shayna went to Licano's for lunch and brought food back for Ian. James, Sheri, and I ate the tacos. I think Max and Evan had ham sandwiches.

About seven years ago

 Settlers

 Trivial Pursuit

 Five Crowns

Sheri's post

 Ziggie and Shayna

 I wonder if Evan is wounded

Saturday, November 30th, 2019

Hong Kong, China
48th operating temple
Dedicated: 26 May 1996
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Head of Church

Romans 16:16

Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

Book of Mormon

Mormon 9:22-37

New Testament

2 Peter 2-3; FSS and FHE and additional resources and videos

10/19 General Conference

"Fruit"

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"What does the tree in the Tree of Life vision with its most precious fruit symbolize? It represent 'the love of God' and proclaims our Heavenly Father's marvelous plan of redemption. 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.'"

Closing Remarks

President Russell M. Nelson

"We know the restored gospel of Jesus Christ will bring hope and joy to people who will hear and heed His doctrine. We also know that each home can become a true sanctuary of faith, where peace, love, and the Spirit of the Lord may dwell."

I woke up at 5:08 this morning. I had almond cake with caramel rum sauce for breakfast. I read an article in the Ensign while I was eating by sister Cristina B. Franco, "Be of Good Cheer." I also had some camomile tea. What a way to start the day!

One of the first things I saw on Instagram was Allison Hoker and her husband Twitch dancing. The caption read, "Cause everyday is a celebration."

The snow levels increased overnight. In other weather related news three tornadoes touched down in the Phoenix metropolitan area, one near Darrel and Trina. They gathered all of the children into the master bedroom with them. Luckily nothing came of it.

Our friends Tom and Jean Howard are snowed in. Tom called James and asked if he could come and help them get out, which he did.

I listened to several BYU-Idaho devotionals today, including one by the school president, President Henry J. Eyring, President Henry B. Eyring's son. One of the things I remember about his talk is that he writes in his journal every night before he goes to bed. I love these devotionals and could listen to them all day!

The sun began to shine today and of course the snow began to melt. When James got home from the Howard's he realized he needed to shovel snow out of our drive way or we would not be going to church in our car tomorrow. He shoveled lots of snow today, not only the driveway. He shoveled it off the front porch off the sidewalk in the back and off the patio. He got a good workout.

We watched a Lifetime movie this evening called, "Staging Christmas." We also watched a Hallmark movie, "Check Inn to Christmas", starring Rachel Boston and Wes Brown.

We started our fast earlier but we said another

prayer and included the Rawlings' family

in our fast.

 Family meal at Serranos to start the Christmas season

Thursday, June 13th, 2019

Toronto, Ontario

44th operating temple

Dedicated: 25 Aug 1990

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Examplar

Luke 9:23

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Book of Mormon

Alma 15:5-19

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matthew 26:31-46 Mark 14:27-42 Luke 22:39-46

General Conference

Your Priesthood Playbook

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

"You know what temptations you are most vulnerable to, and you can predict how the adversary will try to derail and dishearten you. Have you created a personal game plan and playbook so that you will know how to respond when faced with opposition?"

This was the question I asked the kids during our "Come Follow Me" scripture study this morning: "What do you do to help you think about Jesus during the sacrament?" 

We discussed how we could read the words to a sacrament hymn. The sacrament hymns start on page 169. I also told them they could look up the word sacrament in the topical guide in their hymn book if they forgot the page number. We also talked about the scriptures and the topical guide and Rowan said he has used the topical scripture guide.

I then had Rowan and Ruby read the sacrament prayers and we talked about them. We also read Luke 22:50-51 and talked about the kind of person Jesus was to heal the ear of one of his enemies.

While they were eating breakfast I read to them from the Book of Mormon and then we had family prayer. 

James left for the valley this morning so we all said goodbye to him. He is putting in a door at Stacy's house and then one at Hatch Dental in Tempe.

I went upstairs after dinner with the kids and helped them clean. We thought that Jason and his family were coming today and we wanted everything to look nice for them. Lola is very excited to meet Lila.

I needed to go to Dollar General to get some cash to mail Dallin's birthday card. The kids went with me. I told Rowan and Lola they could each pick out something for themselves and something for Ruby for her birthday. We are going to have a party for her tomorrow. Lola found a jewelry set right away that she liked and then she found a pink purse. She wanted both but I told her she had to decide. Right after she chose the purse she found a fuzzy pink diary with a key and a feather pen. This is what she ended up with. She picked a blue stuffed elephant for Ruby saying it was the "cutest thing she had ever seen." She was a little jealous it wasn't her birthday. She said she was going to invite Charlie to her birthday in July.

Rowan picked out a Just Friends Lego set for Ruby and said because it was so expensive he wasn't going to get anything for himself. He is such a thoughtful kid. I also got Ruby a Just Friends set with a girl with brown hair and glasses that I thought looked like her.

On the way home we mailed Dallin's card and picked up some books. While I was fixing lunch Rowan grabbed the paper towels and windex and went outside to clean off my windshield. I love this kid!

Lola watched "Beauty and the Beast". The other two joined in because they didn't want to scare the antelope away outside. We have LaVerne and Shirley and Elvis who has a nice set of antlers.

Finally I told the kids it was too nice a day to stay inside so they went out. They said the antelope ran away and they think they saw a baby with them but it could have been a big jack rabbit. I had to hold back a laugh.

Rowan asked James if he could borrow his rabbit squealer and he and Ruby went outside to try to call up some coyotes. Lola decided to stay with me. She played with my Hello Kitty bank and James's Snoopy bank while I worked on the computer. 

When it was dark and the kids weren't back I walked outside and shouted their names. They came in a few minutes later.

We had bean burritos for dinner and cantaloupe and corn. I was surprised that Lola doesn't like corn or cantaloupe and Ruby doesn't like corn but loves cantaloupe. I cut up a tomato for Lola to eat.

We watched the movie "Private Eyes", Ruby's choice and then I read a story to Lola while she was in bed with Ruby looking on.

Lola was a little sad that Lila and her family didn't come.

 Arizona Highways

 Danica is now a Hallmark star.

 One of James's former Teachers

 TBT: Boy these guys have changed!

 Sisterly love