Wednesday, July 17th, 2019

Fresno, California

78th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 April 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Firstborn

Hebrews 12:23

To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Book of Mormon

Alma 34:1-16

New Testament "The Word of God Grew and Multiplied"

Acts 13

General Conference

Where Will This Lead?

President Dallin H. Oaks

"Where will this lead?" is also important in choosing how we label or think of ourselves. Most important, each of us is a child of God with a potential destiny of eternal life. Every other label, even including occupation, race, physical characteristics, or honors, is temporary or trivial in eternal terms. Don't choose to label yourselves or think of yourselves in terms that put a limit on a goal for which you might strive."

Sold a book this morning.

James left early this morning to pick up his friend Anthony. A while back Anthony bought a cat that he thought was a girl and he named her Clare. Well, it turns out that Clare is a boy and has been renamed Clarence. Clarence had an appointment to be "fixed" at the vets today at 7 a.m. Anthony needed a ride so James took him. I guess Clarence was quite vocal about not wanting to be at the vets. He only knows Anthony and his personality is more like a dog than a cat. For example, at home while Anthony is on the computer Clarence will bring a ball in his mouth and sit on the computer and look at Anthony. Anthony throws the ball and Clarence retrieves it.

I picked up my friend Catherine this morning and took her to the Compass Medical Center in Snowflake. Catherine is 85 years old and has diabetes. She has experienced severe neuropathy in her feet and was told if she didn't do something she may face amputations. 

She began doing treatments on her feet about 3-4 months ago. Today was her checkup to see how the treatments had been working. I guess the results were amazing! The doctor said he had never seen anyone make so much improvement. Before she had very little feeling in her feet and now she said when the doctor touched her feet it really tickled. They asked her to write a testimonial and when she came up front to check out a big cheer went up. 

While Catherine was at her appointment I went shopping at Walmart for the dinner I am fixing for the Nicoll family on Thursday. I finished just a few minutes before Catherine. 

Catherine bought me lunch at Sonic. We both had the hotdog, Catherine had tater tots with hers and I had french fries with mine, and a diet cherry limeade. 

They are painting the lines on the highway and we were slowed down for a bit. I really do enjoy visiting with Catherine, she has a lot of personality and is quite talented as a seamstress and she loves to cook. She said she has a list that says, "I'm dead, now what?" She is going to add me on that list to inherit her recipes.

I forgot to mention some news that happened yesterday. Sheri texted me and said that she was just promoted to office manager. I guess Chris, the current office manager, took a job with Shamir to be a lens rep. He and Sheri are good friends and I am sure that he recommended Sheri for office manager. I told Sheri that now she knew how Ben feels and that the advice she gave him regarding getting help from the Lord, also applied to her. She said she never thought of that but it was true. I am very proud of Sheri and know she will do a great job.

This afternoon I took a break from books and fixed dinner. I tried out the goulash recipe I am going to fix for the Nicoll's tomorrow night. James loved it and so did I. I also made green beans and they fit right in with the goulash. The recipe calls for Rotel which is a little spicy. Tomorrow I am going to use diced tomatoes instead and add some Prego sauce. 

I alternated walking with working on books and ended up walking 15,000 steps. I also read several chapters from our book, "Love Unscripted," to James and watched Christmas movies. 

"Mingle All the Way"

"A Gift to Remember"

"The Perfect Christmas Gift"

James has finished taking his prednisone and now he is miserable again. The doctor who did his swallow test said he needed to go in and get a kenolog shot and I have been trying to convince him to do that.

 Michael is unique

 Next best step to being there is these daily photos

 This girl loves berries!

Friday, August 10th, 2018

Columbus, Ohio

60th operating temple

Dedicated: 4 Sept 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

DC 29:31

For by the power of my Spirit created I them; yea, all things both spiritual and temporal - 

Book of Mormon

Moroni 48:1-18

*What can we learn from Moroni's character?

- Trust in the Lord and live up to our divine potential. Pray as if every thing depended on the Lord. Work as if every thing depended on you.

Old Testament

Job 35-37

35 Elihu contrasts the weakness of man and the power of God - Our wickedness hurts other men, and our righteousness helps them - Man should trust in the Lord.

36 Elihu says, Those who are righteous are prospered - The wicked perish and die without knowledge - Elihu praises the greatness of God.

37 Elihu concludes, saying, The Lord controls the laws of nature - God reigns in terrible majesty.

General Conference

Teaching in the Home:A Joyful and Sacred Responsibility

Devin G. Durrant

" Family scripture study is an ideal forum for teaching doctrine in the home. President Russell M. Nelson said, 'Not only are parents to cling to the word of the Lord, but they have a divine mandate to teach it to their children.'"

Happy 12th Birthday Rowan!

I've never seen Rowan drink a soda. That must be

one of his dad's. When this sweet boy was asked what he

wanted for his birthday he said: "I'm getting the priesthood, I don't need anything else." You will not find a better brother, son, grandson, or friend that this young man. He is incredible!

Marvin J. Ashton, a former member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and one of my favorites, said this:

Tragedy and frustration are the unexpected intruder's on life's plans."

The question we as a Relief Society presidency are considering today is whether our next council meeting in September should be about dealing with depression and suicide prevention. I am praying for an answer.

Today I made hamburger soup for lunch and for the weekend. Luckily James loved it. He said he was pleasantly surprised when he got here at lunch time.

I also made rolls for the temple tomorrow and chocolate chip cookies for Brother Moore's baptism. It was a day spent in the kitchen. 

James worked at the Howard's most of the day trying to get their bunkhouse finished and ready for their open house on the 25th. 

I read from Dragonwatch, The Way of Kings, The Secret Keeper, Loving Lieutenant Lancaster, and Life Everlasting, the last two with James. 

It was a hazy day. I read that the California fires and causing smoke throughout the United States clear to New York. 

We started having some thunder around 4:15 pm. It rained a while but in Tempe they had what they are calling a 100 year storm, if you can believe the media. They got 3.5 inches of rain in less than an hour according to my friend Karen.

 Adalyn Tibbetts

Sheri's fifth child

 Love the cone shaped roof

 If I got these for the yard I wonder if James

would try to feed them.

 Whiteriver gets the most!

 Priest in our ward

Love this view of the Idaho Falls temple.

Monday, February 5th, 2018

Frieberg, Germany

33rd operating temple

Dedicated: 29-30 June 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

Luke 10:22

All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 1:13-29

*When have I been benefited by a priesthood blessing?

-When Stacy was 7 and had pneumonia and James gave her a blessing and she was healed. As her mother, that was a great benefit to me.

Old Testament

Exodus 28-29

28 Aaron and his sons are to be consecrated and anointed to minister in the priest's office - Aaron's garments are to include a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a coat, a miter, and a girdle - The breastplate of judgment is to contain twelve precious stones with the names of the tribes of Israel thereon - The rim and Thummim are to be carried in the breastplate.

29 Aaron and his sons are to be washed, anointed, and consecrated - Various sacrificial rites are to be performed - Atonement is to be made for the sins of the people - The Lord promises to dwell among them.

Old Testament Favorite Scriptures

Genesis 12:1-2

1 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

General Conference

The Need Before Us

Bonnie L. Oscarson

" Elder D. Todd Christofferson has taught, 'A major reason the Lord has a church is to create a community of Saints that will sustain one another in the strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life.' He goes on to say, 'This religion is not concerned only with self; rather, we are all called to serve. We are the eyes, hands, head, feet, and other members of the body of Christ."

I came across these two quotes this morning while reading from "Rescuing Wayward Children:" "Holiness is the strength of the soul. It comes by faith and through obedience to God's laws and ordinances. God then purifies the heart by faith, and the heart becomes purged from that which is profane and unworthy." - President James E. Faust

"Sanctification is the process of becoming pure and spotless before God through the power of the sanctifier, who is the Holy Ghost, through true and constant repentance and a love of that which is good." - Blaine M. Yorgason

James and I went to lunch at Persnikkity's today. We were disappointed that they did not have our Philly cheesesteak sandwich. I ordered my second favorite thing, the chicken, green chili and bacon sandwich with sweet potato fries. James ordered the same thing except instead of sweet potato fries, he just had plain fries.  My friend Claire was there with a gentleman friend. She came over to me and gave me a big hug which made my day.

FH

After lunch we went to CVS to pickup James's prescriptions, and then on to Safeway for DP10, and then Walmart. We read from "The Marshall Takes a Wife." 

Lee texted James and said that his daughter, Debbie fell and broke her neck so they have been going back and forth from Ramah to the valley to help take care of her. We put her name on our prayer list.

For F.H.E. we listened to this conference talk: "The Plan and the Proclamation" by Elder Dallin H. Oaks. I also did 3 blog posts today. Hopefully I will catch up before the end of the year.

We watched "Secret Valentine," starring Lacey Chabert and Andrew Walker and an episode of "Heartland" where Lou buys Maggie's Restaurant.

Chandler Stake Officers 

1984-85

Making orange juice

Carmen's dinosaur cake

The last time I went to Target I was disappointed.

They didn't have anything I was looking for and

Target didn't tell me what I needed.

Saturday, December 9th, 2017

Kyiv, Ukraine
134th operating temple
Dedicated: 29 Aug 2010
By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ Atonement through

Philipians 2:8

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Book of Mormon

Ether 7:1-27

How can I better listen to and obey the words of the prophets?

By reading conference talks and taking them seriously, trying to do the things I am asked to do.

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 20:37

And again, by way of commandment to the church concerning the manner of baptism - All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church.

General Conference

Be Ye Therefore Perfect-Eventually

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"We may not be able to demonstrate yet the 10,000-talent perfection the Father and the Son have achieved, but it is not too much for Them to ask us to be a little more godlike in little things, that we speak and act, love and forgive, repent and improve at least the 100-pence level of perfection, which it is clearly within our ability to do so."

Bishop Miller, who is our home teacher, came over to give James a blessing. James is very sick. After the blessing James asked if he could go to the church here in Vernon tomorrow to watch the conference via satellite. He said he would sit away from people and leave right after. The bishop said that would be fine. I am still planning on going to the Show Low stake center.

I went to town this afternoon to pick up my prescriptions and a few groceries. While I was in Walmart I saw our friend from Chandler, Ruth Gale. We had a nice visit and I invited her to the conference tomorrow but she declined. 

I picked up James's request list: fresh pineapple, orange juice, and vegetable beef soup. 

It was a nice day today, 52 degrees and no wind!  When I got back to Vernon I stopped at Rosa Westbrook's to pick up two dozen tamales I ordered from her. Rosa makes the best tamales! The masa is not grainy and there is plenty of tasty meat. I bought two dozen this time instead of one. I will be living off these tamales for awhile.

I put groceries away, blogged, read to James, and watched Christmas movies. "Christmas Mail," "Naughty or Nice," "Christmas on the Bayou," and "Christmas Encore."

I feel so bad for James. He is so miserable. If he isn't better by Monday he is going to the doctor.

Gingerbread houses at Sheris's today.

Sheri's on the left, Evan's in the middle, and Alex and

Shayna's on the right.

Kim's house.

Jackson Allen from our ward.

Love it!

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

Tuesday, August 15th, 2017

Tokyo, Japan

18th operating temple

Dedicated 27-29 Oct 1980

By: Spencer W. Kimball

Closed for renovation 29 Sept 2017

Atonement

Alma 7:11

And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

Jesus Christ, Antemortal Existence of

John 3:13

And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

Alma 51:1-12

What happens when people are divided?

*Abraham Lincoln said: "A house divided against itself cannot stand." Just before the Savior carried out the Atonement He pled for unity: "That they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us." The Savior knows that contention divides and weakens marriages, families, friends, neighbors, wards, and nations. Marvin J. Ashton taught about the negative effects of contention in "No Time for Contention (April 1978). Elder Ashton shared these ideas for alleviating contention:

"1.) Pray to have the love of God in your heart. The Spirit of the Lord can soften hard feelings and mellow a callous spirit. 2.) Learn to control your tongue. Think twice before you speak and three times before you act. 3.) Don't allow emotions to take over, rather reason together. 4.) Refuse to get embroiled in the same old patterns of argument and confrontation. 5.) Practice speaking in a soft, calm voice."

DC 114:1-115:19

If we build our homes after the pattern that the Lord has set forth, how can this help us keep our families safe?

*The Lord's standards are: 1) To unify and protect members 2) Members are to be standards of righteousness 3) They are to keep their covenants and 4) Create a refuge from the storm. (DC 115:6).

General Conference

Return and Receive

Elder M. Russell Ballard

"To return to His presence and to receive the eternal blessings that come from making and keeping covenants are the most important goals we can set. We return and receive by having 'unshaken faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, relying wholly upon 'His merits, pressing forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men and women... feasting upon the word of Christ and enduring to the end."

James went on a Razr ride today to place his wildlife camera for the Oregon hunters who are friends of Gail. I stayed home to study, and to make brownies and beans. 

Around 3:30 this afternoon we went to town. We stopped at LaCasita to get green chili burros, enchilada style. They are delicious!  I went to Walmart while James headed over the Cal-Ranch. We got gas and read three chapters from our book so it was a productive trip. 

James works on his new, bigger gate for the backyard so he can get his equipment inside the yard of he needs to. I polished the wood floor, put peppermints in my candy jars, and put the beans away. I also colored this evening and worked on my Primary lesson. 

We started watching "My Boyfriend's Dogs" but I had to stop. I had taken some Tramadol and evidently it didn't agree with me. I felt nauseous and had to go to bed earlier than I had planned. 

I sure hope North Korea doesn't strike the U.S. today.

Photos:

Sheri's post

I love Koalas'!

Creepy castle!

If I recently posted this, oh well,

here it is again. 2013 visit from

our Chandler friends.

Another gorgeous Vernon sunset!