Thursday, July 26th, 2018

San Diego, California

45th operating temple

Dedicated: 25 April 1993

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

Hebrews 1:2

Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Book of Mormon

Alma 40:1-14

*What happens to our spirits after we die? 

- If we have been baptized and have repented of our sins, and considered righteous, we are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise (40:12). A place called spirit prison is reserved for 'those who have died in their sins, without a knowledge of the truth, or in transgression, having rejected the prophets (DC 138:32).

Old Testament

Nehemiah 13-Esther 2

13 The Ammonites and Moabites are denied a place in the congregation of God - Tobiah is ejected from his dwelling place in the temple - Nehemiah corrects abuses and reinstitutes Sabbath observance - Some Jews are rebuked for marrying non-Israelite women and defiling the priesthood.

Esther 1 Ahasuerus of Persia and Media makes roayl feasts - Vashti disobeys the king and is deposed as queen.

2 Ahasuerus seeks a new queen - Mordecai presents Esther - Esther pleases the king and is chosen as queen - Mordecai exposes a plot against the king.

General Conference

"Be With and Strengthen Them"

"Because this report is different from anything you have submitted in the past, let me stress that we at Church headquarters don't need to know how or where or when you make contact with your people; we just need to know and care that you do make it and that you bless them in every way you can."

I read from my Patriarchal Blessing this morning and this is what stuck out to me: "Your home will be a sacred place and love and understanding will abound there and the Spirit of the Lord will be with you in your household and your children will grow up in the fear and admonition of God." I have seen this come to pass and I am so grateful for righteous children.

More about my new Old Testament hero, Nehemiah:

"Here was a man who left a position of great wealth and influence and out of love for God and his people dedicated his life to righteous purposes. Surely Nehemiah will be counted as one of God's chosen servants." (OTSM)

James pointed out to me 15 elk crossing our property this morning.

They were mostly yearlings and two year olds with a few cows, and a couple of spikes. The interesting thing is that there were no babies. 

Where are the babies?

I read from "A Reason for Faith" the chapter on Finding Lehi in American Through DNA Analysis. Basically it says that it is impossible. I also read the chapter 'Latter-day Saint Women in the Twenty-First Century.'

I also read from Brother Bytheway's book, "Finding Your Path in Lehi's Dream." I read about the Rod of Iron and how important it is in order to stay on the path leading to the Tree of Life.

Most of the day was spent preparing for tonight's dinner with the Peeler's. I started a roast about 6:30 this morning, and then the rolls around 8 a.m. After baking the rolls I baked a Dutch apple pie and while the pie was baking I began peeling potatoes. After the potatoes were boiled, riced, and cream and butter added, I put them in the crockpot on warm. 

James came in and said, "what's for lunch?" I said that I didn't know but I knew what was for dinner. He had some roast, declaring it delicious and some mashed potatoes with the same comment.

Also included in our dinner: mixed veggies, Olive Garden salad (soggy because I put in too much dressing), and gravy.

It looked like it was going to rain when the Peeler's arrived right on time at 5:30, but it didn't. It was great to see Donna up and walking. As she sat at the table we  gave her two cushions, one for her back and one for her seat. 

Donna commented how tender the roast was. I noticed that she eats very little. Because she has been having problems with her stomach I gave her some of my Miracle Tea to try. She seemed appreciative.

Dessert was a little disappointing. The pie was good but my delicious Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla ice cream was melted and refroze and full of ice chips. It got left in the sink and was slushy ice. So disappointing.

After dinner we sat and talked until after 7:30. Brother Peeler use to work for the Church and he told us some stories about managing all the canneries and storehouses in the southwest. He had to fire someone for rustling cattle on one of the Church ranches. The guy's uncle, who was a Regional Representative, was upset and made the comment: "I'm going to call Tom." (President Monson). This was President Monson's response: "The decision has been made and you must live with it."

It was an enjoyable evening. Donna loves to watch Hallmark movies as much as I do and right now is watching the Christmas movies. She use to sew and quilt and has quite a stash of fabric. She has a great sense of humor and is someone I value as a friend.

After the Peeler's left I told James he could go out and walk while I cleaned the kitchen because I already had all my steps. He put all the food in plastic containers and put it away before going outside.

After I finished in the kitchen I sat down to finish my Christmas movie. James sat down with me and afterwards we went to bed.

Way to go Scarlett!

I love these photos of the Wilhelm kids

at the lake. 

Michael would come to our house in this

getup early in the mornings. If you could see

his feet, they are bare.

Me too!

No wonder the Chinese don't like the Japanese.

So sad.

Thursday, September 28th, 2017

Columbia, South Carolina

62nd operating temple

Dedicated:16 October 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Helaman 11:21-38

*It can be very easy to forget Heavenly father and fall into wicked ways. What are some safe guards to help us from doing the same thing?

- Seek to surround yourself with righteous people. Those who will uplift you and make you better. Avoid those who will lead you into temptation and sin. Avoid contention. Seek to have the Spirit with you at all times. Always have a prayer in your heart. Focus on true doctrine and the Plan of Salvation. All men must come unto the Savior, gain faith, repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure in faith. True doctrine understood changes attitudes and behavior. Understand the power of covenants. Look forward to taking the sacrament and worshiping in the temple. Prepare to receive personal revelation through prayer, scripture study, and listening to the prophets, apostles, and other church leaders. Be humble and teachable, not prideful. Love God more than man. Put Him first in your life. Keep the commandments. Prayer and scripture study everyday so we don't forget Heavenly Father and Jesus. They are the givers of all our blessings. Daily repentance. Be truly converted through gospel living because conversion leads to commitment. Love one another.

General Conference

And This Is Life Eternal

Elder C. Scott Grow

"The Savior tells us that the very best way to know God is to become like Him. Starting on the road to becoming like Him, we repent and receive His forgiveness, and He cleanses our souls. Every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am (DC 93:1). I witnessed Elder Neil L. Maxwell's increased spiritual refinement through his ongoing suffering and his continued service as he strove to become like the Savior."

I made banana nut bread this morning, one for the Chaffin's and one for us. I visited Hailey, Braylin, Huntleigh and their ten puppies today.

 I loved the runt the best, I think that's

him in the middle.

I brought a pepperoni pizza from the Stanford store and we enjoyed lunch together. They are moving and this is probably the last time I will see them. I wish Taylor would have been there too. Hailey has all of their stuff in storage and they will be moving in a week or two. I was sad because I thought I would be able to visit one more time. They will be staying in Grant's, New Mexico with grandma and grandpa. Eventually they want to end up in Deming. Their ranch here is "off the grid" and I'm sure that is a selling factor. I am going to miss this family so much. 

Hailey gave me a new recipe to try, baked burrito casserole. 

After saying my goodbye's I drove in to Show Low to do my shopping. My first stop was CVS for James's prednisone prescription, then on to Walmart. I spent $70 for ink for my computer. Yikes!

After bringing in and putting the groceries away James and I took a break and read from "Mind Games." I blogged while James went on a Razr ride. He saw a huge elk on Nigra Knoll. This evening we watched an old Hallmark movie, "Royal Winter."

Marissa was one of the young women in our ward when

James was the bishop. Her family are some of our dear friends

and she is an amazing woman. She will be a wonderful mother.

Paul getting kisses from his dogs. Shipley is getting angry with

Vader for interferring.

Miss Lola making Playdoh tacos. Someday she might

have a taco truck.

Stephanie, who wrote this post is our friend and also the author of "Mind Games."  She really should be a comedian.

Ferrengenous Hawk

Ruby is the cutest

Holly

Wednesday, July 19th, 2017

Tucson, Arizona temple

Dedication: 13 August 2017

Atonement

Hebrews 9:28

Jesus Christ

3 Nephi 9:15; 11:10; 27:2-33

Alma 35:1-16

*How are the people in Jershon an example of charity?

They welcomed those who had been cast out from the Zoramites for believing. This chapter parallels what is happening today. Millions are being killed, cast out, or forced to leave their homes because of violence or differing beliefs. We need to be like those of Jershon. We have been given counsel to look for those refugees who need us, to welcome and to love them, even though they don't have the same religious beliefs as we do.

DC 103:1-13

1-4, Why the Lord permitted the Saints in Jackson County to be persecuted; 5-10, The Saints will prevail if they keep the commandments;

How have my prayers been answered because I heeded the word of the Lord?

*The persecution to the Saints had become merciless and they were pleading to know when relief would come. Many had been driven from their homes "and they earnestly desired to know how and by what means Zion was to be redeemed." (Hyrum Smith) This revelation came and was received four months and 12 days directing the Prophet to begin to gather up the strength of the Church for a relief expedition; which subsequently came to be know as Zion's Camp. The Lord gives the conditions of the blessings that can be given in verse 5 and 6: "and inasmuch as they hearken from this very hour to the counsel which I, the Lord their God shall give unto them...they shall never cease to prevail." Sadly, many did not and the persecution worsened. So the question then begs to be asked of us: how many blessings and opportunities have we forfeited for failure to render prompt and unconditional obedience?

General Conference

The Greatest Among You

Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf

" If we approach our callings as opportunities to serve God and minister to others with faith and humility, every act of service will be a step on the path of discipleship. In this way, God not only builds up His Church but also builds up His servants. Each time we give of ourselves to others, we take a step closer to becoming good and true disciples of the One who gave His all for us: Our Savior."

James: "I can't find my notebook that has critical information about this job." Thank goodness he did eventually find it.

James made tasty potato and egg patties for breakfast. As we are enjoying our breakfast I look outside and see three bunnies munching on the grass outside enjoying their breakfast too.

We have such a predictable life but it's a satisfying one. We went outside on the deck to read from "A Lady Unrivaled" and to watch the clouds in. After we are finished James goes out to start putting the new brakes on his truck. Oh dear. I don't think he's ever done this before. 

After lunch I go with James to the Dollar General at the Y to get some brake fluid. I went in the store and wandered around wondering what I should buy. I came out with a bottle of water. How unoriginal. James bought brake fluid and Dove dark chocolates. He tried to tempt me with them but I turned them down. I had to help James when he put the brake fluid in his truck by holding down the brakes and then letting them up. It's nice to be useful once in a while.

Proof that it rained.

It rained this afternoon and of course we had to go back on the deck and read another chapter. I also blogged and paid bills today.

After dinner we snacked on watermelon while watching Christmas movies. We watched "The Christmas Cure," and "Love You Like Christmas."

Random Photos

James and all of his siblings at his dad's funeral.

Ben and Sheri being goofy

One of my favorite Ruby photos.

Wish I could make this for Addy's birthday.

My workbooks.

Friday, December 9, 2016

Ether 7:1-27

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

     In His kindness and mercy, the Lord sent prophets to warn the people of Shule's kingdom.  As first they reviled and mocked the prophets; however, the prophets were protected by the righteous king's proclamation.  Shule's people then heeded the prophets' warnings and repented, thus avoiding the destruction that would have come as a result of their rejection of the prophets' message.

     President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency explained why the Lord warns His children of their wickedness: "Because the Lord is kind, He calls servants to warn people of danger.  That call to warn is made harder and more important by the fact that the warnings of most worth are about dangers that people don't yet think are real" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1998, 40). 

     Why do prophets often get mocked and reviled?  Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained:

"Prophets must often warn of the consequences of violating God's laws.  They do no preach that which is popular with the world...

"Why do prophets proclaim unpopular commandments and call society to repentance for rejecting, modifying, and even ignoring the commandments?  The reason is very simple.  Upon receiving revelation, prophets have no choice but to proclaim and reaffirm that which God has given them to tell the world" (in Conference Report, Apr. 1996, 52).

     Elder L. Aldin Porter of the Presidency of the Seventy explained another reason people often reject the prophet's counsel.  He explained that people erroneously believe that prophetic warnings interfere with their agency: "Some complain that when the prophets speak with clarity and firmness, they are taking our agency away  We are still free to choose.  But we must accept the consequences of those decisions.  The prophets do not take away our agency.  They simply warn us of what the consequences of our choices will be.  How foolish it is to fault the prophets for their warnings" ( in Conference Report, Oct. 1999, 82 ).

GC:  A Witness of God by Elder Neil L. Andersen

From the miraculous intervention of God to Daniel came the

prophesied future of the gospel of Jesus Christ being restored

to the earth, a kingdom that would fill the whole earth,

"never to be destroyed...but to stand for ever."

In 1831 the Prophet Joseph Smith received this revelation:

"The keys of the kingdom of God and the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth are committed unto man on the

earth, and from thence shall the gospel roll forth unto the ends of 

the earth, as the stone which is cut out of the mountain'without hands shall roll forth, until it has filled the whole earth."

GC:  Valiant in the Testimony of Jesus by Elder Quentin L. Cook

"The remarkable and celestial blessing of the Savior's Atonement is that through repentance, sinful conduct is blotted out.  After Corianton's repentance, Alma concluded, "Let these things trouble you no more, and only let your sins trouble you, with that trouble which shall bring you down unto repentance."

Instead of a selfie, we took a picture of the temple.

Christmas Nativity

Today was my 35th time at the temple this year.  I am so grateful that we have a temple close by so we can attend frequently.

James saw some old friends from high school which is always fun.  The former student body presidents.

We stopped at Sonic on the way home for some lunch.  I think I would have rather gone to El Cupidos but it was James's turn to pick.  

For some reason I was very tired when I got home so I sat down to watch a Christmas movie.  It was an old one, "Holiday Switch."  

I postponed my Primary party until next week.

Biosphere in Oracle, Arizona

I was grateful that James cleaned all of the dried mud out of the garage today.  While I was blogging I watched another Christmas movie, "Christmas Proposal."  

I got out some more Christmas decorations from downstairs.  James and I read by the fire and then we watched "Hearts of Christmas" a new movie about nurses in the NICU in a busy hospital.

Devil's Bridge in Sedona

Family and Friends:

Bluth family

Molly and Ruby last year after Christmas

Lola enjoying her Cheetos as a soccer game.

     

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

I love temple open houses!

3 Nephi 18:15-39

What do these verses teach us about the power of prayer?

* Watch and pray always to overcome temptation.  Pray in your families.  Pray for others.  Our relationship with Heavenly Father is imperative to our success.  The Savior prayed all the time, every day.  He sought God consistently, intently, and with sincere desire.  Through prayer Christ learned, evolved, and was led to serve the greatest mission on earth.  Prayer centered our Savior in every step of His life, even helping Him to overcome all temptation.  Prayer was an integral part of the Atonement.  He prayed for us and others and ask us to do the same.  Our Savior knows what prayer can do. If Christ needed to pray always, and understood the power in it, how much more do we need to pray and follow His example.  How can we make our prayers more meaningful?  Pray to do His will.  How can we be more sincere with our relationship with God?  How can we utilize prayer more effectively like the Savior did?  "We should seek to emulate the Savior as much as we can." Elder Neal A. Maxwell

GC:  'The Master Healer' by Carole M. Stephens

"When we learn how to apply the doctrine of Christ to our individual circumstances, our love for our Savior grows.  And we recognize 'that regardless of perceived differences, all of us are in need of the same infinite Atonement.  We realize that He is

our foundation - 'the rock of our Redeemer, a sure foundation whereon if we build we cannot fall."

I made crispy hashbrowns this morning for breakfast.  They turned out really well.  I cook them in the Saladmaster electric skillet so I don't use any grease.  I do add a little butter.  I told James I would make them once a week for breakfast.  

I paid bills and blogged today while watching Christmas movies.  I watched "The Magic Stocking", and "Christmas Shepherd."  

James and I read from "The Ascension", and I read from Fablehaven, "Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary", and then from my history book about "Ghengis Khan.  

I started putting away my Halloween decorations:

Every time one of us goes upstairs we take something.

The Cubs won the World Series for the first time in 108 years.

Three Cubs fans.

Paul has been a fan since he was a little boy and watched the

games with his grandpa.

A fan because his dad is a fan.

Two of my favorite people!

We have to leave for the valley by 7-7:30 in the morning so I can make my lunch date with my friend Karen.

Gorgeous Havasu Falls!

I love how blue the water is.

Saturday, July 12, 2014

"The essential doctrine of uniting families came forth line upon line and precept upon precept.  Vicarious ordinances are at the heart of welding together eternal families, connecting roots to branches."

-Elder Quentin L. Cook

 Scenic Drive

This first thing James wanted to do this morning was read from our book Blackmoore outside on the porch.

 One of our favorite things to do.

 Another favorite thing to do is watch the clouds roll in.

After reading I made a trip into town to get some ribs to fix for dinner.  Sheri and Ian are coming up and Ian loves ribs.  So does Alex.  I got both beef and pork and I am trying a recipe I got from LDS Living magazine.  I put the rub on the three racks of ribs and put them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.  I then made some BBQ sauce and let it simmer on the stove for a couple of hours.  Onions is one of the ingredients for the sauce.  James was nice enough to chop them for me.  I brought Little Caesar's home for the boys for lunch.

James, Max, Joshua, and Evan took a Razr ride up on the mountain to Gillespie Flat. 

Love my Razr

 I was sad when I saw the burned trees.  We got stopped by a women forest ranger informing us that the kids needed helmets on.  Well that's a new rule or at least we've never been told that before. 

Ben, Max, Evan and Joshua played Hedbanz.  It's a fun game.

The ribs went in the oven for 3 hours at 300 degrees.  When Ian and Sheri and Alex got here we had them for dinner.  They were delicious but could have been a little more tender.  Next time I am going to cook them longer at a lower temperature.  We broiled them with the sauce on instead of using the grill because it was raining outside.  

James was so nice to clean the kitchen.  I helped a little.

 Not sure if this is the moon or the sun,
but I'm thinking now that it's the sun.