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.

Friday, June 1st, 2018

Tijuana, Mexico

149th operating temple

Dedicated: 13 Dec 2015

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Condescension of

Psalms 113:6

Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!

Book of Mormon

Alma 9:19-34

*Why does the Lord always use two or more witnesses to testify of the truth of His gospel?

Talk: The Many Witnesses of Jesus Christ and His Work

By: James M. Paramore

Oct. 1990

Old Testament

1 Kings 11-12

11 Solomon marries non-Israelite woe, and his wives turn his heart to the worship of false gods - The Lord stirs up adversaries against him, including Jeroboam, the son of Nebat - Ahijah promises Jeroboam that he will be the King of the ten tribes - Solomon dies and Rehoboam reigns in his stead.

12 Rehoboam seeks to impose greater burdens upon the people - The ten tribes revolt and turn to Jeroboam - Jeroboam turns to idolatry and worships false gods.

General Conference

Precious Gifts from God

M. Russell Ballard

"After Jesus's Resurrection, an event we celebrate this glorious Easter weekend, He appeared to His disciples and said, 'Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.' Notice a twofold action - God sends His Son. The Son sends His servants - mortal men and women - to accomplish Their work."

Russell M. Nelson 4/11 #57. Face the Future with Faith.

Happy Anniversary!

50 Years 

We look so young!

Jared, Kacey, and Stacy all posted about us on Facebook. We feel loved. James and I celebrated this morning by me cutting his hair. He looks so handsome!

Jared reminded us that this is our Family Birthday! We used to celebrate by buying the kids gifts.

Stacy's post.

I bet he couldn't do this now.

I look like I am blind.

So sweet. Thank you Jared.

The day started out with gospel study and blogging and family prayer with the boys,  then at 10 o'clock I left for my infusion at Arizona Arthritis and Rheumatology in Mesa. 

The nurse who sets up my infusion asked me if I had lost weight. Yes I said, and to myself, thank you for noticing. 

When I returned to the resort in Scottsdale James had taken the boys swimming and fed them lunch from the Splash Grill. 

James and I were both hungry so we headed to a nearby Outback to use up our last restaurant gift card. I had a 6 ounce Victoria steak with a salad and baked potato soup. I shared my soup with James. He got salmon and broccoli and he said it was delicious. I had no desire for a bite of his food. 

James had a doctor's appointment this afternoon with an ENT (Ears, Nose, Throat) specialist in Scottsdale. The doctor told him he needs two surgeries. One for his adnoids which have grown back, and another for the hernia in his stomach. The doctor is convinced that these two things are what is causing James's laryngitis.

I think he needs to have these surgeries as soon as possible. This is coming from me who hates the thought of surgery.

Rowan and Joshua came into our room this afternoon and watched "Peter Rabbit", and ate cantaloupe and ice cream. Joshua loves mint chocolate chip ice cream as does Max, Rowan loves Rocky Road, and Evan likes vanilla.

Soon Evan joined them and he ate some vanilla ice cream while they watched the movie, "Coco." Joshua says that he and his dad love this movie! Max is still sleeping in the other room. I think that's because they have been going to be so late.

This evening the boys wanted to order NYPD pizza. Evan says that it is a condo tradition. I ordered them a large pepperoni pizza and 12 garlic knots. They ate every bite and then waited a little while before going night swimming. James and I had our green smoothies.

We had family prayer again and then everyone went down to the pool, except James, around 8 pm. James came down and joined us a little later. 

I read from "Riders of the Orphan Train" to James while the boys swam with their one "donut" tube. I kept taking breaks to walk around the pool.

After the boys went in James and I took a 30 minute walk around the resort. 

The real celebration for our anniversary is tomorrow night.

Watching a movie. Notice how Rowan is

laying in the tube.

Eating pizza and garlic knots.

Flowers from James

More flowers from James.

Summer fun for Ruby, roller blading

in her swimsuit. I hope she doesn't

fall and skin her knees.

Ollie saving a spot for Sheri.

Today was also National Donut Day.

This is Kyra Lambson's 
ex-husband. The family he is
threatening is Kyra's family.
Kyra's father, Curtis has her children and 
recently they had to move from their home in
Flagstaff to an undisclosed location.
Delbert's funeral is tomorrow in St. Johns.
Delbert is Kyra's grandfather.
This man has a history of violence.

Thursday, July 27th, 2017

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Groundbreaking: 3 Dec 2016

Estimated completion date: mid-2019

Atonement

1 Nephi 11:33

Jesus Christ, Advocate

Mosiah 15:8

And thus God breaketh the bands of death, having gained the victory over death; giving the Son power to make intercession for the children of men.

Alma 40:15-26

*What happens between death and the resurrection? (see Alma 40:21.) But whether it be at his resurrection or after, I do not say; but this much I say, that there is a space between death and the resurrection of the body, and a state of the soul in happiness or in misery until the time which is appointed of God that the dead shall come forth, and be reunited, both soul and body, and be brought to stand before God, and be judged according to their works. 

*What do you think the definition of evil is?

DC 105:1-13

1-5, Zion will be built up by conformity to celestial law; 6-13, The redemption of Zion is deferred for a little season; 

General Conference

The Voice of Warning

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

" A crucial element of the parental duty to warn is to paint not oly the demoralizing consequences of sin but also the joy of walking in obedience to the commandments. Recall the words of Enos about what led him to seek God, receive a remission of sins, and become converted: 'Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart.'"

I had lunch with Hailey, Braylin, Taylor, and Huntleigh today at Pizza Factory. I am Hailey's visiting teacher and I invited her and her kids before school starts next week. I was Braylin's Primary teacher last year and this year I am Taylor's. I just love this little family. Their dad is a rancher and they live way out in the middle of nowhere yet Hailey brings her kids to and from school everyday. Here are a few pictures of the family. A few days ago I posted a picture of Braylin with his pigs. Now I have photos of Hailey, Taylor, and Huntleigh.

This is Huntleigh. She did this to herself on the way home with

a permanent marker. Hailey says it will come right off with

coconut oil.

I couldn't resist posting another picture of Braylin.

He is such an amazing boy, with a winning personality!

Hailey and Taylor. Notice the Lone Star on the wall.

Hailey is a Texas girl. Taylor is such a hard worker. She helps

her dad around the ranch and I could tell today at Pizza Factory

how much her mom depends on her with Braylin being handicapped and Hunteigh only two years old. Taylor is

pretty amazing!

I love this family so much and I am a little sad that we don't see them at church anymore. Hopefully someday they will come back.

After saying goodbye to Hailey and the kids I headed to Walmart to do some shopping. It rained hard while I was inside but I was able to get my things in the car without getting wet. Then again it rained on the way home. I do love this weather!

After putting the groceries away I read to James from "A Lady Unrivaled" and worked on my blog.

More photos:

There are several reasons I like this photos.

The sheep look like they are posing in their parkas with

their little black faces sticking out.

I love seeing the clouds and the Matterhorn in the background.

I also love looking at the expressions on the faces of these

adorable sheep. Look at their feet, they look like they have boots on.

This picture reminds me of the sunflower field in

Vernon. I can hardly wait until they bloom.

I've never seen a cuter face!

I'm a sucker for these two!

Sunday, March 12, 2017

Colonia Juarez Chihuahua

55th operating temple

2 Nephi 30:1-18

Converted Gentiles will be numbered with the covenant people - Many Lamanites and Jews will believe the word and become delightsome - Israel will be restored and the wicked destroyed. About 559-545 B.C.

Alma 30

Korihor, the anit-Christ ridicules Christ, the Atonement, and the spirit of prophecy - He teaches that there is no God, no fall of man, no penalty for sin, and no Christ - Alma testifies that Christ will come and that all things denote there is a God - Korihor demands a sign and is struck dumb - The devil had appeared to Korihor as an angel and taught him what to say - Korihor is trodden down and dies.  About 76-74 B.C.

DC 42:30-39

30-39, Laws governing the consecration of properties are set forth;

How has paying tithing blessed my life?

General Conference

Abide in My Love

D. Todd Christofferson

"And he went a little further and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.  Then, as I imagine, the distress grew even more severe, He pleaded a second time for relief and, finally, perhaps at the peak of His suffering, a third time. He endured the agony until justice was satisfied to the very last drop.  This He did to redeem you and me."

Sheri, Ben, Max, Evan, and Rowan came to sacrament meeting and sat with us.  Jackson Allen, Tom Howard and Sean Bowman were the speakers in sacrament meeting.  James helped pass the sacrament.  Sheri and the boys all left after sacrament meeting.  

My lesson in Primary was on the organization of the Church.  These are the children in my class today: Colter, Curtis, Jace, Lianna, Sister Kuffer the new teacher for the class just older than mine, Talena, Zemira, Norma, a visitor, and Braxton who has never attended before.  Braxton kept asking if he could go home but he ended up staying the entire three hours.  

My friend Diana was released today as the Young Women's President.  She was a great president but she has been in about three years so it was time.  Sister Allen was called as the new president.

Sheri finished the puzzle today:

I love it.

For lunch we fired up the grill and James cooked some hotdogs and hamburgers.  The hamburgers were delicious!

After lunch James, Sheri, Max and I played Five Crowns.  We also watched some Hallmark movies: The Lost Valentine, The Locket, and Love and Duty.  We had pork chops and applesauce for dinner.  Yummy.  

Sheri walked to Chocolate Lake this afternoon:

This is the best Chocolate Lake has looked in years!

This is a picture of Sheri and the boys reading scriptures this evening:

Ian came in and surprised us with this outfit:

He would fit right in living in Vernon.

Fun Photos:

Ruby when she was three.

I love this picture!

Evan looks like he's asleep but believe me

this kid can eat.

My favorite Lola picture.

Which do you prefer:

Big Horn sheep as seen by Kim and Brian

on Christmas Tree Trail.

Angie when she came to visit last year.

Big Buck

Angie is my favorite.

The Falls from the top.

Hailey and Huntleigh at a family reunion

in Van Horn, Texas.