Tuesday, December 12th, 2017

Kansas City, Missouri

137th operating temple

Dedicated: 6 May 2012

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ Atonement through

Hebrews 7:27

Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

Book of Mormon

Ether 9:1-22

How can we choose to possess our lands unto the Lord?

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 27:16-18

16 Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, which I have sent mine angels to commit unto you;

17 Taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked;

18 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of my Spirit which I will pour out upon you, and my word which I reveal unto you, and be agreed as touching all things whatsoever ye ask of me, and be faithful until I come, and ye shall be caught up, that where I am ye shall be also. Amen.

General Conference

By Divine Design

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"Each of us is precious and loved by the Lord, who cares, who whispers, and who watches over us in ways unique to each of us. He is infinitely wiser and more powerful than mortal men and women. He knows our challenges, our triumphs, and the righteous desires of our hearts."

Stinkin' tree lights!  We had to go back to town again today to get more lights for the tree. James comes too. He heads for Home Deport and Firehouse Subs while I go to Walmart. I mail Michael's birthday card and $20 to Kim to buy a little boy some Hotwheel cars for Christmas. 

James found some lights and when we get back home he went outside to work. I don't think this was a good idea because he had a big coughing spell right at bed time. 

While I am watching the movie, "Christmas Princess," a true story about a girl who becomes one of the princesses in the Rose Bowl Parade, he puts the new lights on the tree.  Now I can decorate it tomorrow.  

We found out today that our temple substitutes for last Saturday, Ruth and Mel Wilhelm did not make it to the temple because their car broke down in Taylor.

I missed the ward Relief Society party this evening. I didn't really feel like going. I still have the blahs.

Today's movies: "A Golden Christmas," "Falling for Christmas," and of course "Christmas Princess" which I already mentioned.

I put this message on Facebook regarding this years Christmas presents: This year for Christmas each of you will receive a blanket from us. Dad/Grandpa even went Christmas shopping with me this year. To me a blanket symbolizes our love for each of you. It evokes images of sitting in front of a fire wrapped in a warm blanket and reading a good book or watching a Christmas movies with someone you love. As you are wrapped in the warmth of your blanket, think of Dad and I and the love we feel for each one of you. Think of the Savior and being wrapped in the arms of His love. We love you all so very much and wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Instead of buying gifts for us, do a service or something kind for someone else!

I didn't tell them that blankets were all I could afford because dad spent all of our Christmas money on our new patio and fire pit.

If James would let me get a dog, I would get

one that looks something like this.

Nice castle and moon.

Max, enjoying Cross Country.

Case's at the North Pole

The Whalen family

Tuesday, August 29th, 2017

Guatemala City, Guatemala
32nd operating temple
Dedicated: 14-16 Dec 1984 by Gordon B. Hinckley

Atonement

DC 38:4

I am the same which have taken the Zion of Enoch into mine own bosom; and verily, I say, even as many as have believed in my name, for I am Christ, and in mine own name, by the virtue of the blood which I have spilt, have I pleaded before the Father for them.

Jesus Christ, Antemortal Existence of

1 Peter 1:20

Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

Alma 58:1-12

When was a time you poured out your soul in prayer to God? How did it strengthen you?

"I am a walking prayer. I know that without Him, enduring life's everyday challenges would be impossible. I am strengthened through the peace that speaks to my soul giving me courage to press on. The gift of the Holy Ghost brings a great inward strength and peace that calms my heart in this troubled world of shifting values."

DC 124:91-110

What can we do to better understand our individual missions?

We can pray and ask. We can read and ponder the scriptures and our patriarchal blessing. We can look for the Lord's hand in our daily life and see how He is directing us and leading us to do His will.

General Conference

How Does the Holy Ghost Help You

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

"It is vital to our physical and spiritual safety that we keep the gift of the Holy Ghost. We begin to do so by striving to keep the commandments, having individual land family prayer, reading the scriptures, and seeking loving and forgiving relationships with family and loved ones. We should keep our thoughts, actions, and language virtuous. We should worship our Heavenly Father in our homes, at Church, and in the holy temple. Stay close to the Spirit, and the Spirit will stay close to you."

And This is Life Eternal

Elder C. Scott Grow

"You and I do the will of the Father by honoring our covenants, keeping the commandments, and serving God and our fellowmen. As we seek to do God's will by faithfully serving Him and our fellowmen, we feel His approval and truly come to know Him."

I read this report today on the Houston temple. "The Cypress Creek became a river and the current is so strong that it has been dangerous to even try and approach the temple, said temple president Marshall Hayes. Cypress Creek rose by 20 feet. It appears water to the depth of four or five inches has gone inside the temple. That includes a baptistry, a marriage waiting room, dressing rooms, kitchen, and laundry."

I am reading Sister Sheri Dew's book, "Worth the Wrestle." In her book she says we need to ask the Lord to teach us the language of revelation.

James and I made a trip to town to get tacos and to get some things at the auto parts store. James had a shrimp taco at Aliberto's and he said it was delicious. I had my two shredded beef tacos and beans and rice.

The blinker on my car isn't working because some critter chewed the wires in two. James fixed the problem but now he can't roll the windows down in my car from the driver's side.

James and I read from our boo, "Lady in Disguise," and watched a new Hallmark movie, "Sand, Sun, Romance" starring Paul Campbell.

Photos:

Houston Heroes

Comic Relief

My puppy!

One of my favorite pictures of Ruby

This girl is a worker!

Kayla and Addy before they grew up

My friend Natalie

Clouds

More Clouds

Cabin

Tuesday, July 25th, 2017

Villahermosa, Mexico

85th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 May 2000 by:

Thomas S. Monson

Atonement

1 John 3:5

Jesus Christ, Advocate
Hebrews 7:25; 924; 1 John 2:1
Alma 39:1-19
*Why are some sins more serious than others?
*What was Alma's reason for teaching Corianton the seriousness of his sin?
*Elder D. Todd Christofferson:"The invitation to repent is an expression of love....If we do not invite others to change or if we do not demand repentance of ourselves, we fail in a fundamental duty we owe to one another and to ourselves. A permissive parent, an indulgent friend, a fearful Church leader are in reality more concerned about themselves than the welfare and happiness of those they could help. Yes, the call to repentance is at times regarded as intolerant or offensive and may even be resented, but guided by the Spirit, it is in reality an act of genuine caring" ("The Divine Gift of Repentance," Ensign, Nov. 2011, 39).
*When our sins affect others, what must we do as a part of our repentance?
*Why was the coming of Jesus Christ good news for Corianton?
DC 104:51-65
47-53, The united order in Kirtland and the order in Zion are to operate separately; 54-66, The sacred treasury of the Lord is set up for the printing of the scriptures;
Do we have revelations today that are printed for us to learn from?
*Yes we do. A couple of examples are, "The Living Christ," and "The Family Proclamation."
General Conference

The Godhead and the Plan of Salvation

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

" What we know of the nature of God the Father is mostly what we can learn from the ministry and teachings of His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. One of the paramount purposes of Jesus's ministry was to reveal to mortals 'what God our Eternal Father is like,...to reveal and make personal to us the true nature of His Father, our Father in Heaven.' The Bible contains an apostolic witness that Jesus was 'the express image' of His Fathers person (Hebrews 1:3), which merely elaborates Jesus's own teaching that 'he that hath seen me hath seen the Father.' (John 14:9)."

I got up at 4 a.m. with James this morning. We had prayer and kisses before he left for the valley to finish the remodeling at the medical building at McKellips. 

As I am studying at the dining room table I look outside and four bunnies are nibbling on our grass. I think this is the reason James planted it. He also loves feeding the hummingbirds.

There is no rain but there are cool breezes and huge dark clouds. There is so much to enjoy here but it's not nearly as enjoyable without someone to share it with.

I made a daily schedule but wasn't able to stay on it. I'm tired, unmotivated and distracted. What am I to do? I know, watch Christmas movies!

Here are a few in my que: 
"I'm Not Ready for Christmas," "Christmas Melody," "Merry Matrimony," "My Christmas Dream," "Christmas List," "A Bride for Christmas," and "A Cookie Cutter Christmas."

Random Photos and Posts:

Back to school for these two cuties.

Rowan is in 5th grade and Ruby in 3rd.

Addy doesn't start until next week.

Lyman, Harold, Gary, Jack, and Ray.

I add some blueberries and Coolwhip...Delicious!

This is Christina and Winter.

Christina is Rebecca's only daughter.

The following is a story she told on Facebook.

Near Flagstaff. This reminds me of the flower

fields in Vernon.

I love cute animal photos!

Breakfast at Curtis's and Joie's

Adoption day for these three.

Curtis is probably taking the picture.