Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019

Los Angeles, California

10th operating temple

Dedicated: 11-14 Mar 1956

By: David O. McKay

Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd

Alma 5:57

And now I say unto you, all you that are desirous to follow the voice of the good shepherd, come ye out from the wicked, and be ye separate, and touch not their unclean things; and behold, their names shall be blotted out, that the names of the wicked shall not be numbered among the names of the righteous, that the word of God may be fulfilled, which saith: The names of the wicked shall not be mingled with the names of my people;

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 11:18-41

What does the Savior teach about baptism and contention?

New Testament: Tessalonians 1&2:"Be Not Soon Shaken in Mind, or Be Troubled"

1 Thessalonians 5;  1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; 5:1-10; 2 Thessalonians 1:4-10 "If I am faith and watchful, I will be prepared for the Second Coming" SS: 1 Thess. 4:11-12; 2 Thess. 3:7-13 "We should work to provide for ourselves and those in need.

General Conference

Your Great Adventure

Elder Dieter F Uchtdorf

"The Savior invites us, each day. to set aside our comforts and securities and join Him on the journey of discipleship."

RWC: "Spiritual hunger motivates the need for redemption..The only thing that can satisfy a hungry and thirsty soul is the Holy Ghost, and the satisfaction that He provides results in true joy, which transforms a life and returns it from the natural back to the spiritual."

I made James scrambled eggs for breakfast. He also had some toast, a most substantial breakfast.

I went upstairs this morning and put clean sheets on the bed that Chris slept on. I also went around picking up dead bugs. I will finish putting sheets on the other beds tomorrow.

I came downstairs and worked on my blog for awhile and then I researched books. My goal is to buy 12-15 books a week. So far I have 9.

I made two loaves of pumpkin bread this afternoon. One was for Catherine H. and the other for Tanna. I also made a dozen "monster" donuts to take to the Grapp's.

The Grapp's loved their donuts!

I visited Catherine first this afternoon. She is alone during the day and enjoys when people visit. We had a nice visit and before I left I asked her which was her favorite conference talk. She ran and got her tablet and began scrolling through the talks. She said she liked both President Eyring's talk and President Nelson's talk in the women's session. I told her I would make a note of it when we chose which talks to use for our lessons. Catherine is 85 years old. We are good friends. Kerri, the other RS counselor is her daughter.

When I got to the Grapp's Benson was outside and came running over to open the gate for me. When he saw the donuts he went crazy and ran in the house to tell his mom. Cammy, Leland, and Liana were in the house. Tildy and Emsley were down watering the horses. Cammy made Benson wait before he got his donut so she could take a picture.

Cammy and I had a nice visit. She told me what her plans were for re-finishing their wood floor. Another goal she has is to organize her photos of her children and family. I told her about my blog and she thought that was a good idea. I was ready to leave as Thomas got home from work. The kids had to tell me what they were going to be for Halloween. I told them I wouldn't be here but would they please take a picture and send me. 

Benson is going to be a werewolf, Liana a scarecrow, Tildy a witch, Emsley a pumpkin, and Leland a horse. Here is a picture of Tildy in her costume which they got at a thrift store.

I came home and made a big batch of mashed potatoes for James. That's what we had for dinner. I also finished my steps, I walked 13,106,  and my blog, and finished reading the book to James, "Aunt Dimity Digs In." 

Today is James's brother Dave's birthday. Happy birthday Dave. Dave is 73 years old.

Charlie exploring the Rose Garden

in Tyler, Texas

I love how she does her leg. James has

that same kind of walk.

Such a great photo shoot!

This talk was given by Elder David A. Bednar:

Such a cute picture of Autumn!

Tuesday, October 22nd, 2019

Bern, Switzerland

9th operating temple

Dedicated: 11-15 Sept 1955

By: David O. McKay

Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd
Alma 5:38
Behold, I say unto you, that the good shepherd doth call you; yea and in his own name he doth call you, which is the name of Christ; and if ye will not hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd, to the name by which ye are called, behold, ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd.
Book of Mormon
3 Nephi 11:1-17
How can we keep our ears and hearts open to the whisperings of the Spirit?
New Testament: Thessalonians 1-2: "Be Not Soon Shaken in Mind or Be Troubled"
1 Thessalonians 3-4 & 1 Thess. 3:9-4:12 "As I follow Jesus Christ, I can become holy"

General Conference

"Finding Joy in Sharing the Gospel"

Christina B. Franco

"We have a loving Father in Heaven, who is waiting for us to turn to Him to bless our lives and the lives of those around us."

CFM: "It is in quiet moments of contemplation and communion with the Almighty that we come to know and love Him as our Father."

I listened to the Book Webinar this morning. Kathy and Kris were the presenters. I decided I was going to set a goal to buy 10-15 books a week. So far I have 7.

I sold two books today.

This morning I baked a loaf of pumpkin bread for Jean Howard. I was going to go visit her this afternoon around 2 but she called and said she had a doctor's appointment around noon. She said she would call me when she got home. When she had not called by 3:15 I left to do my errands. I wasn't sure if the UPS store closed at 4 or 5. 

After dropping off my box of books at UPS I went shopping at Walmart. James called the doctor and he said James could go on the soft diet. He wants me to get him some soup and make him some mashed potatoes. I also got some more bananas so I can make banana bread and put it in the freezer for him.

It was around 6:15 or so when I got home from town. I put the groceries away and had a sandwich to eat. I called Jean and asked if James and I could come over for a visit. She said we could. 

It was very quiet at Jean and Tom's. Jean and I sat in the room with the fireplace and Tom and James sat in Tom's office to talk. I asked Jean how her doctor's appointment went and she said very well. She said other than being filled with metal from all of her accidents, the doctor said she was in great shape for her age. Jean is 79 years old. Tom is the same age as we are. Jean does look good for being 79. 

I asked Jean if Dustin was going to the valley with them in the morning and she said she didn't think so. She said he had a bad day. He said he wanted to be alone and spent the entire day in his room.

I asked if they were ready to put their house up for sale. She said no, she doesn't want to sell it. She doesn't understand why Tom wants to sell. Jean designed and helped build the house so she is invest emotionally. 

We didn't stay long because we knew they were getting up early to go to the valley. I gave Jean the "Come Follow Me" manual and hopefully next week we can arrange to meet together and discuss the next lesson.

 This is so good!

I should never buy it.

 Mine too!

I love this so much!!

 Since the Aunt Dimity books take place in 

England Lori and her friends are always having

"tea." James and I have gotten into the habit of

having herbal tea since we began reading the books.

 I saw Brother Finnell at the store today. He said

His wife Lynda, my ministering sister companion was

in Dalla visiting their daughter and they were right

in the middle of the tornadoes. One touched down just

four miles from where they were staying.

Thursday, November 1st, 2018

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

143rd operating temple

Dedicated: 4 May 2014

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Davidic descent of

Isaiah 11:1

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

Book of Mormon #1

3 Nephi 18:1-14

*How can we better focus on Christ while partaking of the Sacrament each Sunday?

- The Savior taught that the principal purpose for taking the sacrament is to remember Him. We have an opportunity to concentrate on the Son of God during the sacrament ordinance; we should not allow our thoughts to wander or be distracted. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland described several appropriate ways to remember the Lord while renewing our covenants through the sacrament: "We could remember the Savior's premortal life and all that we know Him to have done, the simple grandeur of His mortal birth to just a young woman, His miracles and His teachings, His healings and His help. We could remember that Jesus found special joy and happiness in children and said all of us should be more lie them. We could remember that Christ called His disciples His friends. We could and should remember the wonderful things that have come to us in our lives and that 'all things which are good come of Christ.' (Moroni 7:24). On some days we will have cause to remember the unkind treatment He received, the rejection He experienced, and the injustice He endured. We can remember that Jesus had to descend below all things before He could ascend above them, and that He suffered pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind that He might be filled with mercy and know how t succor His people in their infirmities." 

 I also like to study The Living Christ during the sacrament.

Book of Mormon #2

Mosiah 18-20

Old Testament

Ezekiel 9-10

General Conference

Opening Remarks

President Russell M. Nelson

"The long-standing objective of the Church is to assist all members to increase their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and in His Atonement, to assist them in making and keeping their covenants with God, and to strengthen and seal their families."

When I got up my clock said it was after 5. I had wanted to get up at 4. I came in the kitchen and the clock said 3:50. I guess when I set my clock last night after James through the breaker I set it wrong. Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised. I started out ok but before too long I was tired and had to take a nap. If I am going to get up at 4 I have to go to bed before 10, not 11.

James went out hunting this morning again after scriptures and prayers. He went over by Eagar and Big Lake again.

I made 3 loaves of pumpkin bread this afternoon. One for Donna, one for Cammy, and one for James and I. Donna and Cammy both have birthdays tomorrow. James ministers to Donna and I minister to Cammy. 

After the bread was baked, cooled and out of the pans I covered two loaves and tasted the other. Delicious!  

I posted on my blog for October 31st but didn't have time to download all of the Halloween pictures so I will have to finish tomorrow.

It was after 4 when I left for town. My first stop was at the bank for some cash. I am going to the valley tomorrow with the Halcomb's for Time Out for Women and since they are driving me and letting me stay in their room, I figured I would need some cash to pay them. I also went to Walmart to pick up prescriptions and to do a little shopping. I bought both Cammy and Donna a candle to go with their bread. I am so original. 

It was after dark when I got home. James was already in the shower from working at the Howard's. I hurried and put the groceries away, put the bread in bags and tied some ribbon around the bags, got some birthday cards from upstairs, and slapped a bow on top of the candles, and James and I headed out. First stop was the Peeler's because Donna goes to bed at 8 and it was already 7:30. We knocked for several minutes and finally Donna came to the door with her walker. I felt bad that she had to get up. We should have texted her that we were coming. We gave her the bread and the candle and wished her a happy birthday. She invited us in but we declined because she already had her pajamas on. 

It is quite a ways to the Grapp's, several miles so it was after 8 when we got there. The whole family, except Liana came to the door. Cammy said she loved pumpkin bread and it would probably be gone by the time they went to bed. Benson grabbed the candle and lit it, turning off all the lights in the house. We visited a few minutes and I explained that I was going to TOFW and wouldn't see her tomorrow. She said how much she loved TOFW but decided not to go this year because of the baby. 

When we got home I had to clean the kitchen and walk. James worked on Book Trades. He bought four books. We have credits on our credit card so it did not cost him any money. He kept asking me for help so it took me longer than usual to clean the kitchen.

So adorable! I love how she does her toes.

 Stacy got her hair done.

These two!

 Scarlett is so cute!

Dallin and Sarah

 Cousin Randy and his wife Deb

The "Super" Jones's

Wow!

Thursday, December 28th, 2017

Fort Collins, Colorado

153rd operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Oct 2016

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ Atonement through

Mosiah 4:6

I say unto you, if ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness of God, ad his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men; and also, the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world, that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life, I mean the life of the mortal body -

Book of Mormon

Moroni 8:1-30

*What do you think it means that "little children are alive in Christ?" What do we need to do to become alive in Christ?

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 38:8

But the day soon cometh that ye shall see me, and know that I am; for the veil of darkness shall soon be rent, and he that is not purified shall not abide the day.

General Conference

Do We Trust Him? Hard Is Good

Elder Stanley G. Ellis

"Hard makes us stronger, humbles us, and gives us a chance to prove ourselves. Our beloved handcart pioneers came to know God in their extremities. Why did it take two chapters for Nephi and his brothers to obtain the brass plates and only three verses to enlist Ishmael's family to join them in the wilderness? It seems the Lord wanted to strengthen Nephi through the struggle of obtaining the plates."

When I opened the blinds on the dining room window this morning there were eight bunnies eating grass outside. That is the most that I have ever seen.

James is asleep on the couch.  He slept util almost 10:30 at which time I fixed him hot lemon juice with honey, stevia, and cinnamon. I also gave him two aspirin and a Tramadol. 

I am beginning to wonder if we are ever going to get any snow. Not only is there no snow, but it is 60 degrees. 

Sheri's family is waiting to get a valve stem fixed on one of their tires and then they will be on their way up here.  Kim and Brian are not coming because they are both sick. Michael and his friends are coming tomorrow.

Sheri, Ian, Ben, Max, Evan, and Ollie arrived around 6:30 with Alex and Shayna a few minutes behind. I had just taken three loaves of pumpkin bread out of the oven. After eating KFC for dinner, Max and Sheri had some bread. 

Ollie ran around sniffing everything which makes Sheri a little nervous. She took him outside, just in case.

James and I watched the end of "Broadcasting Christmas."  

The boys turned on the Houston - Boston basketball game. Houston was ahead the whole time until right at the very end they won 99-98. Everyone was happy, at least here in Vernon.

Hallmark moon in Switzerland

I guess penguins are curious.

James says this is a baby otter

I showed this to Joshua and he said he didn't

believe in Santa. How sad.

Is Addy the favorite child?