Wednesday, August 7th, 2019

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

99th operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Sept 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Foreordained

Revelations 13:8

And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Book of Mormon

Alma 46:29-41

New Testament "The Power of God unto Salvation"

Romans 3

General Conference

The True, Pure, and Simple Gospel of Jesus Christ

President M. Russell Ballard

"Loving God and loving our neighbors is the doctrinal foundation of ministering; home-centered, Church-supported learning; Sabbath-day spiritual worship; and the work of salvation on both sides of the veil supported in the Relief Societies and the elders quorums All of these things are based on the divine commandments to love God and to love our neighbors. Can there be anything more basic, more fundamental, and more simple that that?"

There is a picture in the book, "Insights from a Prophet's Life," of President Nelson's daily journals. They are small notebooks like my small notebooks that I write in daily,  only his are leather bound and mine are spiral bound. I can identify with him because he is a journal writer. In every other way he surpasses me but in this one aspect of his life I can identify with him! I keep notes in my journals and then I transfer them to my blog.

 Look how tiny that writing is!

The notebook I am using right now

My leather bound notebooks I use

for other things than my daily journal.
I have 24 of them all together.

James and I took my shipment of books into town today and dropped it off at UPS. On the way in to town we stopped at Aliberto's and James ordered me a breakfast burrito with bacon. It was really good but not as good as Tony's Special at Burger House.

I did some shopping at Walmart while James was on the phone in the car. He came in and I told him he was in charge of buying the fruits and vegetables for the week. He was in and out before I was finished. We got gas on the way home and I read from our books, "Insights from a Prophet's Life" and "Aunt Dimity and the Heart of God." 

I spent most of the afternoon walking, trying to get at least 10,000 steps before 5 pm when I had to get ready to go to a stake Relief Society meeting. I also worked on proposed ministering changes that Tamara authorized me to make. 

We met at the church at six and Kerri drove our presidency to the stake center in Lakeside. This is a meeting called by the stake presidency and they presided, for Relief Society and Elders Quorum presidencies. We sat on the back row with Brother Curtis and President Grapp. Kerri passed them on the way and Brother Curtis mentioned how slow President Grapp drives.

All of our stake presidency are doctors; President Beeler is a dentist, President Miles an opthamologist, and President Wright a medical doctor. At one point in the meeting President Wright was conducting the discussion and he got a phone call. He said it was important and he had to take it. Up to that point I had not known he was a medical doctor but Sister Thompson, our secretary who was sitting next to me told me. He was the one that treated Sister Barton in our ward when she got bit by a dog. Sister Barton is 92 years old and was very sick because of this dog bite.

The theme of this meeting was: "Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ" 2 Nephi 31:20. It was a meeting about ministering and how to handle certain problems and situations. 

The following scriptures were used on the agenda:

DC 43:8-9 

8 And now, behold, I give unto you a commandment, that when ye are assembled together ye shall instruct and edify each other, that ye may know how to act and direct my church, how to act upon the points of my law and commandments, which I have given. 

9 And thus ye shall become instructed in the law of my church, and be sanctified by that which ye have received, and ye shall bind yourselves to act in all holiness before me - 

Each member of the stake presidency spoke to us. We also read from the handbook. At one point President Grapp, our ward elder's quorum president told about how when he ministers he tries to make it a family affair because family time is so precious to him. He also said that his 5 year old looking up at someone and saying "I love you." Is better ministering than he could ever do. President Beeler, our stake president, loved this idea and he says that he tries to do it too with his children who are teenagers.
President Beeler told us to go back and look at the talk Elder Holland gave in April 2018, "To Be With and Strengthen Them."
He said the principles mentioned in this talk will help us to understand ministering better. 
President Beeler also talked about "Dispensational Priorities" and he said they are: 1) To catch the vision and be inspired ministers, 2) Missionary work, 3) Family History and Temple work, and 4) Teaching. 

President Miles talked about the importance of the ministering quarterly interviews and how they cannot be delegated to anyone else.

It was a great meeting. Kerri drove the back roads to get home. It was after 9:30 when I arrived home and James was worried. We weren't that tired so we stayed up and watched another episode of Jane Doe.

 The fence our neighbor put up along one side

of our property. 

 James's photo of the sunset

 Ian took these pictures. I love that 

the sunflower is bigger than the house!

Back to reality

 Crushing the chips

 I love this!

My friend Amy took this picture

from her deck.

Sunday, August 26th, 2018

Louisville, Kentucky

76th operating temple

Dedicated: 19 Mar 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Psalms 22:16

For dogs have compassed me the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

Book of Mormon

Alma 56:41-57

*Will ye go to battle for what ye believe in?

- Am I prepared to die? What in my life is worth dying for? My family, my friends, and my faith in God. As I trust in the Lord and strive to do His will, the Lord has promised me in the scriptures that He will deliver me. So, knowing I will be delivered by and to Him, I am not afraid to die.

Old Testament

Psalms 81-85

81 Israel is commanded to sing praises to God - If the Israelites had walked in the Lord's ways, they would have triumphed over their enemies.

82 Thus says the Lord, Ye are gods and children of the Most High.

83 God is asked to confound the enemies of His people - Jehovah is the Most High over all the earth.

84 The righteous cry unto the living God - It is better to be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord than to dwell in the tents of wickedness - No good thing is withheld from those who walk uprightly.

85 The Lord speaks peace to His people - Truth will spring out of the earth (the Book of Mormon), and righteousness will look down from heaven.

General Conference

Ministering

President Russell M. Nelson

"Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Sister Jean B. Bingham, General President of the Relief Society, will explain how assigned brethren of the priesthood and assigned sisters of the Relief Society and Young Women will now function in serving and watching over members of the Church throughout the world."

James and I got to sacrament meeting a little early and saved an entire row behind the Wilhelm's for Sheri, Ian and the boys. I was so glad that Ian came even though they all left after sacrament meeting and were gone home before we got home from the block.

Andy W. was the youth speaker in sacrament meeting. He spoke about his experiences on trek. It was short. Next was Sister Hunter. She spoke about the temple and her experiences as the temple prep teacher for the members of our ward getting ready to go to the temple. She told about going through with Anthony last week. She said that he said to her in the Celestial Room, "Wow!"

Brother Howard's name was on the program but obviously he could not speak because he is in the hospital. Brother K. Hunsaker spoke on intentional and righteous parenting. That topic sounds familiar. That's what I spoke on when I spoke in sacrament meeting on May 19th, 2018.  He did a good job.

Before Sunday School began I asked Sister Johnson if she would be in charge of getting photos, birthdays, and favorites of the young women to put on the wall in the back of the Relief Society room. She said she would be glad to. She also gave me a birthday card. She wrote a note on the inside that said: "Dear Karen, You are such a great example to me of faithfulness, humility and obedience. You are always striving to do what the Lord wants you to do. I want to be just like you when I grow up!" This really touched me because I look up to Paula so much. She is the president of the Vernon Park, distributes food from the Vernon Food Bank, and is a member of the Vernon Women's Club. She is constantly giving service. I told her that I felt the same way about her!

For Sunday School I attended the teacher council meeting taught by our Sunday School President, Brother Allen. We talked about closed and open ended questions. I couldn't find that particular topic in our manual so I turned to the lesson on Asking Inspired Questions. There are three headings in this lesson about the kinds of questions a teacher should ask. 1.) Ask Questions That Help Learners Gain Basic Knowledge of Eternal Truths - "What did the Savior do for us in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46).

2.) Ask Questions That Touch The Heart and Mind - Becuase responses to these questions often rely on the feelings and experiences of the leaarners, the questions usually do not have just one correct answer. "How do you think the Apostles might have felt as they walked to the Garden of Gethsemane with the Savior?"

3.) Ask Questions That Invite Learners To Act - "What will you do differently because of what you learned today?"

Before Relief Society began I asked Sister Moore if she would be a ministering sister. She said she would love to, but she did not want to drive because of her eyes. 

Sister Curtis gave the lesson in Relief Society entitled: "True Ministers Focus on the Needs of Others." As always, she did a great job and used several of the examples of ministering that Sister Bingham gave in her conference address. We have a new sister in our ward, another one from the Concho branch. Barbara was not there today. I am afraid that although she lives in our ward she wants to continue to attend the Concho branch. She told someone at the temple that she likes Concho better than Vernon.

We had orange meatballs and salad for lunch. James took a nap while I did my weekly planning and we both ran off ancestors names we got from the app "Take a Name." I think I have enough ordinances to last me at least a month or two.

James talked to Sister Peeler. She had low sodium they are trying to treat. She is no longer in the rehab center but back in the hospital. She is getting quite discouraged because it just seems she has one setback after another.

I love this field of sunflowers somewhere in France!

I am obsessed with homemade cards!

 Wouldn't this make a nice summer home!

My sweet friend Amaron turned 9!

Wednesday, August 22nd, 2018

Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico

72nd operating temple

Dedicated: 27 Feb 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

DC 88:13

The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things.

Book of Mormon

Alma 54:13-55:14

*How are Moroni and Ammoron different in their motivations for war?

- In Alma 54:13 Moroni says, 'ye have sought to murder us, and we have only sought to defend ourselves.' In Alma 54:16-17 it says Ammoron is fighting for revenge and power. Moroni is motivated by love, which is unselfish, just like our Savior, Jesus Christ. Ammoron on the other hand is motivated by power, hate, and selfishness, like Satan. We can learn from this account to let love be our motivation for all we do.

Old Testament

Psalms 61-65

61 David finds shelter in the Lord, abides in the Lord's presence, and keeps his own vows.

62 David praises God as his defense, his rock, and his salvation - The Lord judges men according to their works.

63 David thirsts for God, whom he praises with joyful lips.

64 David prays for safety - The righteous will be glad in heart.

65 David speaks of the blessedness of God's chosen - The Lord sends rain and good things upon the earth.

General Conference

Small and Simple Things

President Dallin H. Oaks

"Another source of spiritual uplift and growth is an ongoing practice of repenting, even of seemingly small transgressions. Our own inspired self-evaluations can help us see how we have fallen short and how we can do better. Such repentance should precede our weekly partaking of the sacrament."

Another rainy day. The Howard's are worried about their open house on Saturday. 

James and I went to town together today. I shopped at Walmart and picked up prescriptions and he shopped at Home Depot. After shopping we drove to Mountain Thai for lunch. For some reason this place is never crowded. I ordered the vegetable noodle soup with more veggies instead of meat. James had the pork special. While I was waiting for my food to come I stepped over to the counter and picked up a bottle of sweet chili and said I wanted to purchase it. The man told me to take the bottle over to my table and they would add it on to our order, which I did.

I also ordered some mango and sticky rice. My bowl of soup was not as big as the one I had with Jean the other day but it was every bit as good as soon as I poured enough sweet chili in the broth. James's food must have been good because he ate it all as I ate all of my soup. 

Each of us got a half a mango to eat with our sticky rice. I didn't think James would like the sticky rice because it is very sweet with the coconut milk poured over it, but he made the comment: "Mangoes and coconut go really well together."

I would say lunch was a success. We drove home and as I put the groceries away, James got ready to go to the temple. One of the brothers he ministers to, Anthony, is going through the temple today for the first time. He asked James last night if he would be his escort, and of course James said yes. They are attending the 4 o'clock session after doing initiatory. I told James to try his best to be back by 6:45 because I had a presidency meeting at the church at 7. He thought it would be no problem.

While he was gone I walked, worked on my blog and prepared for presidency meeting. James called around 6:30 or so and said he would meet me at the church and we could switch vehicles. I went out and jumped into the truck. When I turned the ignition on the brake light was flashing so I thought I needed to press the emergency brake down. That's not what I needed to do but I couldn't get the handler back up so I drove with the emergency brake on. Luckily I didn't drive far, just to the 3160 where James met me and we switched vehicles.

I always enjoy presidency meetings with Tamara, Kerri, and Maxine. I brought the cards I volunteered to bring for Donna, Judy, Linda and Kambri. Donna's is a get well card, Judy a sympathy card for her sister who is dying of cancer, and Linda and Kambri's are sympathy cards because each one of them had a brother pass away. We signed the cards while we were finalizing all of the ministering sister assignments. I now have a new partner. Ruth W. was going to be my partner but now it is the new sister from Texas, Marie R. The one that has six dogs. 

Towards the end of the meeting Maxine told about the 200 names she had in our stake file at the temple for baptisms were all done last Saturday. She was elated. I asked her how much time she spends a week on family history research and she said 50-60 hours. No wonder she has so many names!

I love this picture of Scarlett!!

A familiar site around here right now.

Darrel and Trina's new house.

Makes me like him more as a person

than as an actor.

My card assignment

I did not bring these cards but I want to 

make them:

Sunday, August 20th, 2017

Nuku'alofa, Tonga

23rd operating temple

Dedicated: 9-11 Aug 1983 By: Russell M. Nelson

Alma 53:1-17

How can we build a "fortified city" to protect us?

*President Henry B. Eyring said: "As the forces around us increase in intensity, whatever spiritual strength was once sufficient will not be enough. And whatever growth in spiritual strength we once thought was possible, greater growth will be made available to us. Both the need for spiritual strength and the opportunity to acquire it will increase at rates which we underestimate at our peril." 

How do we build fortifications? 

By keeping our covenants. They are the way to access the power God has promised to send us.

DC 121:21-33

Does God punish later generations for the sins of their parents?

*We are punished for our sins not what our parents do, but sometimes the choices/actions of our parents can cause pain and lead later generations to suffer and be led in the wrong direction. Elder Richard G. Scott said: "Every individual born on earth is given a detecting capability, a divinely appointed gift to distinguish truth from error. We call it our conscience. God calls it the Spirit of Christ. When we properly use the gift, we are naturally drawn to truth and repelled from error."

General Conference

The Power of the Book of Mormon

President Thomas S. Monson

"Because the Book of Mormon is true, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's Church on the earth, and the holy priesthood of God has been restored for the benefit and blessing of His children."

A Sin-Resistant Generation

Sister Joy D. Jones

"Our children don spiritual armor as they establish patterns of personal daily discipleship. Perhaps we underestimate the abilities of children to grasp the concept of daily discipleship. President Henry B. Eyring counseled us to 'start early and be steady.' So a third key to helping children become sin-resistant is to begin at very early ages to lovingly infuse them with basic gospel doctrines and principles - from the scriptures, the Articles of Faith, the For the Strength of Youth booklet, Primary songs, hymns, and our own personal testimonies - that will lead children to the Savior."

We had a pretty amazing sacrament meeting today. Madison Deatherage was the youth speaker. The other speakers were Sister Gillespie, and Brother Miles from the high council. Sister Gillespie's talk was pretty amazing and Brother Miles's was great too. 

Sister Gillespie's talk was based on Elder Holland's conference talk, "Songs Sung and Unsung." Here is a quote:

"Among the realities we face as children of God living in a fallen world is that some days are difficult, days when our faith and our fortitude are tested. When we can't sing, we need to stand close to the Savior, He will hear the songs we cannot sing."

A quote from Brother Miles's talk:

"We must know God in order to become like Him."

I got to see Trenda and Emery today. They were here to hear Sister Gillespie speak. She is Trenda's aunt. Trenda and Emery live in Flagstaff where he goes to school to become a civil engineer and Trenda is working.

Today my Primary class consisted of: Jace, Colter, Curtis, Gracie, and Liana. Sister Kuffer was here to teach her class. Our lesson today was on Adam-ondi-Ahman, the Second Coming and the Millennium.

Sharing time was about keeping the Sabbath day holy. Sister Husaker asked Bailey if it was okay to shop on Sunday. Bailey said: "Well if you need nail polish or stuff like that you shouldn't shop, but if you are out of eggs, or milk or bread I think it would be ok. Oh dear. We had just talked about not shopping on the Sabbath but evidently more teaching needs to take place.

I had my Panda chicken, noodles and rice for lunch and I shared with James. Afterwards I had a piece of my french vanilla birthday cake. 

James and I started a new book today. It's called "Lily of the Manor."

 This book is about a wealthy widow who has

adopted 11 orphans and is in need of hiring

a school teacher for them. I think I am going to

really like it.

James said that the Scott's are back but Millie has damaged both of her arms and a foot because of falls. Also, Donna Peeler is still sick. 

James had a High Priest Group meeting at the stake center at six this evening. He went with Brother Peeler and our neighbor Chuck. After the High Priest meeting there was a stake priesthood meeting for all Melchizedek priesthood holders, so it was after nine before James got home. 

Jared called me this evening and I went out on the front porch to talk to him. I realized right away that there was a herd of elk and I spooked them. They ran around to the side yard. It was so dark, I couldn't really tell where they went after that.

I watched two new Hallmark movies while James was gone, "Eat, Play, Love," and "Home in Mitford." I should have been working on my blog or doing some other Sabbath day activity. Shame on me.

Photos:

Trenda and Emery

I just can't help it.

I love Trenda!

Elk in our yard, but not the ones I saw tonight.

It was too dark to get a picture of them.

Vernon Sunflowers

Lambson Sunflowers