Wednesday, October 4th, 2017

Raleigh, North Carolina

68th operating temple

Dedicated: 18 Dec. 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Appearances, Antemortal

2 Nephi 2:4

And thou hast beheld in thy youth his glory; wherefore, thou art blessed even as they unto whom he shall minister in the flesh; for the Spirit is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. And the way is prepared from the fall of man, and salvation is free.

Helaman 14:20-15:6

*How does the principle of agency play into this chapter?

*What is meant by God's divine love?

-Elder D. Todd Christofferson on the divine gift of repentance: "I gratefully acknowledge and testify that the incomprehensible suffering, death, and resurrection of our Lord 'bringeth to pass the condition of repentance' (Helaman 14:18). The divine gift of repentance is the key to happiness here and hereafter In the Savior's words and in deep humility and love, I invite all to 'repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand' (Matthew 4:17) I know that in accepting this invitation, you will find joy both now and forever" ("The Divine Gift of Repentance," Ensign, Nov. 2011, 41).

DC 14:7

And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.

General Conference

Three Sisters

By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"We are responsible for our own discipleship, and it has little - if anything - to do with they way others treat us."

James has caught 8 mice in the last 3 days, one in the pantry, the rest in the garage storage room. This is the time of year when they begin coming in from outside.

James worked on his talk all morning long. Instead of working on my talk, I blogged for Saturday, September 30th which was General Conference.

He did take a break to clean off the logs in our bedroom.

I took 5,000 steps before noon. This was my total at the end of the day.

Woohoo!

James and I went to Aliberto's for lunch. There was no electricity but they were still serving food, but no drinks. We tried to go to Walmart but it was closed because of the electricity issue so we went on to Napa Auto. They didn't have what James needed. On the way home we read from our new book, "Petticoat Spy."

We went home and took naps. I blogged most of the afternoon and at 5:30 James went out to look for elk. No elk, but he did see some mule deer.

For dinner we had more lasagna soup. Afterwards we watched the new Hallmark movie, "Harvest Love."

Castle "Green Grass"

This guy is crazy

Congratulations Michael!

October 4, 2015

October 4, 2014

Adam, Alex, Kyle

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Orlando, Florida

46th operating temple

9 Oct 1994 by Howard W. Hunter

Helaman 3:1-18

How did the Nephites persevere despite their difficulties?

sue_heugly: "I noticed 4 things that helped the Nephites persevere despite their difficulties. Vs-3 There were many contentions and dissensions so they departed and went to another land (1) Walk away from contention. Vs-7 They went to work. They became expert in making cement and provided homes for their families. (2) Go to work. Vs-9. They were concerned about the future of others, so they were united about not cutting down trees until they grew tall (3) Concern for others and the future. Vs.-13-16. Record keeping was important. (4) Keep individual and family records.

DC 132:46-66

Can our exaltation be sure?
Verse 49: "I am the Lord thy God...for verily I seal upon you your exaltation, and prepare a throne for you in the kingdom of my Father."

General Conference

Stand Up Inside and Be All In

Elder Gary B. Sabin

"It is hard to measure the impact for good each individual can have by standing up inside. My father and his two shipmates refused to listen to those in the great and spacious building who were pointing the finger of scorn. They knew that it is far better to follow the Creator than the crowd."

While Irma raged, 11,000 Mormon volunteers worked to save Texas home Irma went after Florida, but Harvey is still trying to kill Texans. Deadly black mold threatens lives and will destroy thousands of Harvey-ravaged homes within days if they aren't cleaned out quickly. On Saturday and Sunday, more than 10,000 Mormon Helping Hands volunteers mucked out the homes of anyone who asked. 

James said when he attended priesthood in the San Antonio Stone Oak ward almost the entire meeting was spent organizing forces to go down and help in Houston the following week. The Priesthood in action.

As a busy stake president, it's not unusual for Joseph Lindsay to spend most of his day on a typical Sunday inside a Mormon meetinghouse. But Sunday, September 10th, was a Sabbath day like no other for the leader of the Fort Myers Stake. President Lindsay and his wife, Stacy, spent Sunday hunkered down inside the Bonita Springs ward building as Hurricane Irma raged and howled outside. The Lindsays weren't alone. Thirty-two full-time missionaries serving in the Fort Myers area joined them for the weekend. Besides a few bouts of cabin fever, everyone weathered the storm in good shape.

"The waiting was the hardest part," said President Lindsay, who remained at the meetinghouse with the missionaries on Monday while power and running water were being restored across the region.

"It's been a great blessing that the storm was muted in our area," he said. 

Mormon leaders living along Irma's Florida path were making initial damage assessments Monday and checking on the welfare of their members. The arduous work of contacting people and gathering information will likely take several days. Many from the Fort Myers stake and others evacuated their homes and won't return for several days.

Prior to Irma's arrival, missionaries in vulnerable areas received instruction to be prepared with food, water and other provisions. They were also moved to secure areas outside their residences, as needed. 

Thousands without water or electricity

This report that I read from Meridian Magazine reminds me of a similar situation back in the early 90's when Hurrican Mitch hit Honduras. I am grateful for an inspired mission president that sent all the missionaires to a safe place where plenty of food and water had been stored. Darrel was one of those missionaries.

James and I had to return the rental car at 8 a.m. to Hatch Toyota in Show Low. Afterwards we went to Safeway to get some Dr. Pepper 10, lemons, ice, and facial wipes. James went in and got everything but the facial wipes. He brought back a package of Kleenx tissues instead.

Next stop was Aliberto's drive thru where we ordered a number 1 for James and #2 meal for me to take home and eat for lunch. 

James set up new vehicle insurance for our Lambson Construction equipment today. It will be about $150 cheaper a month.

We sat outside today and finished reading "Brownlie Manor" while enjoying the beauties of nature: mountains, trees, sky, clouds, grass, and flashes of lightning. 

I sure do love where I live!

This evening before going to be we watched an episode from Heartland Season 1, "Thicker Than Water."

Photos:

Antelope Canyon

Another example of the diversity of nature

found in Arizona.

"Hello everyone, my name is Miles"

In case you were wondering

I tried to teach this to my kids but I 

am not sure that I succeeded.

Dedication, perseverance, and hard work.

This brother lives in the Galveston 3rd ward,

Chandler, Arizona. He sits behind us in

sacrament meeting when we attend that ward.

Since I missed getting my patio set,

I want this swing for our patio.

I can get it on one of my favorite sites:

Jet.com

Birthday gifts from my dear, sweet friend Karen.