Thursday, April 11th, 2019

Phoenix, Arizona

144th operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Nov 2014

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Moses 5:9

And in that day the Holy Ghost fell upon Adam, which beareth record of the Father and the Son, saying: I am the Only Begotten of the Father from the beginning, henceforth and forever, that as thou hast fallen thou mayest be redeemed, and all mankind, even as many as will.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 5:1-15

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matt 16;21-23; 17:22-23; Mark 9:30-32; Luke 9:43-45, 51-56

General Conference

Hearing His Voice

David P. Homer
"In a world with so many competing voices, our Heavenly Father has made it possible for us to hear and follow His."

Happy Anniversary

Dennis and Denise!

It took me awhile to find these photos.

They both are from May 2017.

The top is with Monte's daughter Maddie at her high school graduation. The second is with Denise's daughter Rachel at her

marriage to Thor in Dennis and Denise's backyard. They said their vows under Dennis's beautiful weeping willow tree. Dennis is quite the gardner of flowers and a beautiful yard.

Today is also Jeffrey Maxwell's Birthday.

Happy Birthday Jeffrey.

James left at 6 a.m. for the valley. He is doing a little remodeling job for our friends Reed and Janis. The roof to their patio has some damage and James is repairing it. While he was there he got to visit with Reed's sister Carol and her husband Howard who were also old friend from Chandler.

We sold the book, "Marketing for Hospitality and Tourism" and made $7.98. 

Sheri sent out a text this morning that Cliff Arnett had passed away. Soon after her group text I got a text from Darrel with the same news. I guess he had an anuresym and was put on life support for a short time before the family took him off.

We were neighbors of the Arnett's for years when we lived on 108th Way in Chandler. James built their home. We went to church with them and our kids were good friends with their kids. They are our age and this beings leaving this earth life a little closer to home.

There is not a sweeter, kinder person in the world than Cliff's wife Cathy.

Chea:

Cathy and Cliff. Cathy is sweet and kind.

Cliff is funny, entertaining, and opinionated.

I loved them both.

They were devoted to each other. 

 Cathy and Cliff had 11 children, 5 girls and 6 boys.

Their posterity.

50 years 

The five Arnett girls:

Wendy, Channy, Heidi, Chea and Jackie

Sorry, I don't have a picture of the boys:

Cliff Jr., A.J., Danny, Anthony, Casey and Pierce.

A tragedy at the Crane's. Their rooster, Baby Chicken Friend (named by their grandchildren who raised him), was killed by their dog Anya. Kathy was heartbroken. She said that it's sad living on a farm.

Stacy called today. She is still looking for an investor for her Vivace endeavor. It's a $70,000 machine she needs to do mirco-derm abrasion. I told her it would be perfect for my friend Kay but I can't find Kay's number. Jared, if you are reading this and you have Kay's phone number would you please send it to me. Thanks.

I made cookies today but accidentally used the sugar cookie recipe and added chocolate chips and pecans. When James got home I told him and he said he liked them better. Sometimes accidental happenings are the best.

James bought a book "Marriage and Families." He was supposed to be sent the 8th edition but he was sent the 6th instead. It is not worth the money the 8th is so I requested a refund. I guess every business has setbacks and glitches.

Before going to bed James and I sat down and made some goals for our book business. It was good that we did this so we can both be on the same page.

What do you think of this kitchen?

This baby rules!

Tuesday, March 5th, 2019

Columbia River, Washington

107th operating temple

Dedicated: 18 Nov 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Acts 8:37

And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 25:27-26:11

*What are some prideful actions I might get caught up in and not realize it's prideful? (See "Beware of Pride," E.T. Benson, 4/1989

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matthew 9:18-31; Mark 5:22-43; The Savior can heal infirmities and sicknesses; "The Savior's Touch," M. Russell Ballard, 10/1980

General Conference

Gather Together in One All Things in Christ

Elder David A. Bednar

"I began my message by highlighting the strength that is created as individual strands of material are twisted or braided together into a rope. In a similar way, I promise that increased perspective, purpose, and power will be evident in our learning and living of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ as we strive to gather together in one all things in Christ - even in Him.

All opportunities and blessings of eternal consequence originate in, are possible and have purpose because of, and endure through the Lord Jesus Christ. As Alma testified: 'There is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, he is the life and the light of the world."

We sold another book today. This one is by Wayne Dyer, "Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life." The sale of our anatomy and physiology book has still not gone through. It is listed as pending and I am getting a little concerned.

I went with my friend Catherine to the temple this morning. She asked if I would take her. Today is the 9th anniversary of the day she buried her husband and she wanted to talk to him in the celestial room. After our 11 o'clock session she sat down in a chair in the celestial room and bowed her head and folded her arms. After a few minutes she got up and said that she had received her answer and we could go now. Such faith.

We stopped at Dollar General on the way home so I could a container to take dinner over to the Campbell's this evening.

I just had time to read Ben's email to Sheri when I got home and then I had to start preparing dinner. Here is the email:

For dinner I made homemade alfredo sauce with fettucini noodles. James grilled some chicken breasts to go with it. I also had breadsticks, a salad, and some homemade sugar cookies with pink frosting.

The Campbell family consists of: Candi, the mom, Terry, the dad and stepdad, Marie the 19 year old daughter, Jasmine the 12 year old daughter, and Winter 4, and Cassie who is 2, and Candi's grandmother Lucretia. As we were taking the food in Winter asked if we had anything for her. I told her if she ate her dinner I made her a pink cookie she could have for dessert. 

Candi had surgery yesterday morning for her breast cancer.  

James was so sweet when we returned from the Campbell's. He knew I was tired so he volunteered to clean the kitchen and do the dishes. I really do appreciate him.

I walked and watched "Love in Paradise" starring Luke Perry. As I was watching James said, "You know Luke Perry died this week." I didn't know but I checked on the internet. He was only 52 and he died of a massive stroke at his home in Beverly Hills. Very sad. He left behind a daughter and a son.

We watched the finale of this seasons "Victoria." The last scene is Albert collapsing on the floor as Victoria cries, "Albert, Albert." I know he dies young but I didn't think it was his time yet but just to make sure I checked on the internet. In this episode he just finished the Great Exhibition. He still has ten more years and a couple of more children to father.  Stacy says they just needed a cliff hanger.

 Luke Perry is holding a pig.

He plays a western movie star 

in this Hallmark movie.

Scarlett made corndogs with her mom today.

She only got put in time out one time.

 Water over the spillway at Fool's Hollow, the

lake where James proposed to me over 50 years ago.

 She looks like she is so proud of herself

for drinking from a bottle.

Thursday, February 28th, 2019

Porto Alegre, Brazil

102nd operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Dec 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

DC 45:52

Then shall they know that I am the Lord; for I will say unto them: These wounds are the wounds with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. I am he who was lifted up. I am Jesus that was crucified. I am the Son of  God.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 21:1-22:6

* Ensigns are referred to often in scripture. What could an ensign symbolize for us?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matthew 6:1-13; Why don't we recite the Lord's prayer?

"Lessons from the Lord's Prayer," Russell M. Nelson,  4/2009

General Conference

Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints

President Russell M. Nelson

"Now let's turn to the topic of temples. We know that our time in the temple is crucial to our salvation and exaltation and to that of our families. After we receive our own temple ordinances and make sacred covenants with God, each one of us needs the ongoing spiritual strengthening and tutoring that is possible only in the house of the Lord. And our ancestors need us to serve as proxy for them. Consider the great mercy and fairness of God, who, before the foundation of the world, provided a way to give temple blessings to those who died without a knowledge of the gospel. These sacred temple rites are ancient. To me that antiquity is thrilling and another evidence of their authenticity."

We sold another book. The Anatomy and Physiology book I got at the Vernon library for ten cents. It sold for $40.50, the fees were around $15.00 so we made about $25.00. This was the first day it was on the market. We need more books like this!

I walked 3,000 steps this morning before leaving for the valley at 7:15. 

We had prayer and we were on our way. We stopped in Show Low for gas and to go through the car wash. We also made a stop in Globe and then went straight to Dr. Douglas's in Chandler. James missed the exit to get on the 202. When I asked him why he said it was because I was on the phone with Stacy and he was distracted. Stacy had called to tell me that she has a job interview at a spa to do cool sculpting. She is very excited. 

Because we were still on the 60 we went to Arizona Avenue to get off and followed Arizona Avenue all the way down to Chandler Blvd. and over to Hartford where Dr. Douglas's office is. I made it there a little after 11. My appointment was at 11. I am just here to get my teeth cleaned but will need to come back to get two more teeth taken care of. 

Shelly is their new hygienest and she is who I saw today. Jackie was there and came over and said hi. I liked Shelly. 

After my appointment James and I went to Goodwill and picked up a few books. James then took me to Kim's and dropped me off. Kim and I are going to lunch and James has a meeting about the Chacon job. We decided to go to Olive Garden for lunch. 

I had a nice visit with Kim. We talked about Joseph and his future in the music industry. He has taught himself music theory and is so good on the guitar. Music is the one thing in life that he is passionate about. Joe is also writing some songs.

After lunch we went to Hobby Lobby where I bought some gift bags and tissue paper. When we got back to Kim's Brian was there for lunch. We felt bad that we didn't bring him anything.

James picked me up and we headed to Darrel and Trina's. James went straight upstairs to take a nap. I tried to take one but couldn't so I went back downstairs and played a game of Rummy with Ruby. She beat me but not by too far. 

While James was still resting I started looking up bookstores on my phone. I found one over on Power and Southern called Half Price Books. When James got up we headed over. It didn't take me long to realize that half price books are too expensive. 

James was hungry and since we have a $50 gift card to Cheesecake Factory we headed over to Superstition Springs mall for dinner.

We ordered crab cake appetizers, I ordered a chicken taquito appetizer for my meal (Not hungry) and James ordered the pot pie off the skinnylicious menu. I looked down at my watch and it was 6:30 and we still did not have our food. Addy's concert starts at 7. 

I told the waiter and he figured our bill and soon our food was here. I ate half of mine and got a box for the rest. James finished his and said it was delicious. 

It's a good thing that Trina's parents saved us seats because we were about five minutes late to the concert and the auditorium was packed. I don't think it's a good idea for them to do the junior high and high school concerts together. 

The concert was two hours long and Addy was toward's the end. These are the songs her group sang: 

Lift Thine Eyes to the Mountains

Oceans and Stars

Morokeni (Greeting Song)

Little David, Play on Your Harp

(This was the finale song and everyone

participated.)

Before the concert was over, but towards the end, a young man was walking up the aisle with 3 roses tied together. He stopped on our row and handed them to me. Now I have flowers to give to Addy. 

After the concert was over I had to use the little girls room. I gave the flowers to James and told him to give them to Addy. Ruby came up to me later and said: "You can imagine how special Addy felt when she found out where the flowers came from." I said, "Who told her?" Ruby just looked sheepish. Who knew she was so sarcastic.

Lola stayed home with Rowan so she missed the 7th and 8th grade boys sing "A Million Dreams" from "The Greatest Showman." She loves that song.

Trina's mom was a little irritated the the concert was so long. Trina wondered why they sang so many love songs. I do agree with it being too long and think they should separate the junior high and high school. I thought the singing was good but it would have been nice to have had more songs we knew.

Lola went for a five minute walk with us when we got back to the house. That's all she needed and she was happy. I knew if she didn't get to go she would be upset.

Moonlight in the Spring Concert

 Addy is fourth from the right with the

longer sleeves.

The finale. 

 Ruby doing her reading and snacking

after the concert.

 The flash was too strong I guess

 The temple is the connection between

heaven and earth.

All of the lakes in the White Mountains

are full. Last year at this time this lake

was completely dried up. 

Praying and fasting for moisture works!

 Getting ready to crawl!

It's harder to get steps when you

are not home.