Sunday, June 21st, 2020

Nashville, Tennessee

84th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 May 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Lamb of God

Revelation 7:14 (1 Nephi 12:11)

And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

(And the angel said unto me: Look! And I looked, and beheld three generations pass away in righteousness; and their garments were white even like unto the Lamb of God. And the angel said unto me: These are made white in the blood of the Lamb, because of their faith in him.)

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Review of Alma 13-16 "Enter into the Rest of the Lord"

April General Conference

"A Perfect Brightness of Hope"

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"We pray for those who have lost loved ones in this modern plague, as well as for those who are currently infected or at risk. We certainly pray for those who are giving such magnificent health care. When we have conquered this - and we will - may we be equally committed to freeing the world from the virus of hunger, freeing neighborhoods and nations from the virus of poverty. May we hope for schools where students are taught - not terrified they will be shot - and for the gift of personal dignity for every child of God, unmarred by any form of racial, ethnic, or religious prejudice. Undergirding all of this is our relentless hope for greater devotion to the two greatest of all commandments: to love God by keeping His counsel and to love our neighbors by showing kindness and compassion, patience and forgiveness. These two divine directives are still - and forever will be - the only real hope we have for giving our children a better world than the one they now know."

James went out to feed Luna as he does every morning only to find that cows had come in the night and eaten more than a bale of hay.

Not only that, they drank all of her water too!

 They were back in the evening when he went out so he chased them away and put the hay inside the electric fence. Two bales of hay donated to feed Kerry Dobson's cows.

Happy Father's Day to my sweetheart. He is the best husband, father, and grandpa anyone could ask for.  We have been married for 52 years and I love him more now than ever.

I got up early this morning and started a stew for our dinner. I started the meat first and it smelled so good. When James got up I had a card and a gift bag for him to open. I got him two books that are as different as they can be from each other. I ordered him something for the outside grill but it hasn't come yet.

 I started reading this one!

He would have a better chance if

he kept quiet.

We had our "Come Follow Me" meeting at the Goodman's this morning. The opening song was "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief", all seven verses. I gave the opening prayer and then we sang the sacrament song, "With Humble Hearts". James and Owen blessed and passed the sacrament.

Pierce asked us if we had seen Elder Bednar's YouTube video about Covid-19 and Religious Freedom. We had all heard of it but none of us had watched it. We took a vote and decided instead of going over the "Come Follow Me" lesson which we had all studied, we would watch the video. It was informative and eye-opening.

James wants all of the kids to watch it too. Sheri watched it this evening. 

After the video we had a discussion about it and the situation of the world right now. Pierce told a story about Danny Arnett living in Manhattan and seeing busloads of Antifa members being unloaded. We talked about being required to wear a mask if going out in public in both Maricopa county and Tucson. Elder Bednar spoke about how the government should not be allowed to have unlimited power. We are all concerned about the future but mostly for our children and grand children.

We had delicious lemon squares for our refreshments. We said our goodbyes and went home to our stew.

We both loved the stew and after lunch we laid down to take a nap. I couldn't sleep so I got up after about five minutes.

I spent most of the rest of the afternoon going over the talks for our discussion on Covenants. 

At 5:15 Jared called for our weekly Face Time talk. Charlie wasn't really in the mood for company until she got her drink and animal crackers. Jared, Kacey, and Charlie were able to attend church today. They said they had not looked forward to it but it was actually a very nice experience. The quiet atmosphere of just having 50 people in attendance helped them to feel the Spirit. 

When we were talking to Pierce today he said that the bishops and stake president had decided to skip phase one of going back to church and were waiting for phase two.

Jared, Kacey, Kim, Brian, and Sheri joined us for our discussion on covenants. Kim shared about how she had prayed for peace and felt it. My take away from the discussion was something Kim said and an experience that Kacey shared. Kim said she realized that in order to truly keep her covenants she needed to be involved more in sharing the gospel and ministering to others. Kacey shared how when she became active at the age of 23 she was still struggling with some addictions. She got her patriarchal blessing and in the blessing it said she needed to go to the temple. (Sorry Kacey, I know I'm paraphrasing). She went to the temple and no longer had the problem with the addictions. That is the power of obedience and keep covenants. Kim is going to be in charge of next week's discussion. I tried to get Stacy to join us. She promised she would next week.

I spent this evening reading from the book about the temple that I got James for Father's Day while he wrote a letter to Elder Trezise.

Fountain Hills with the Bush Fire in
the background

Goodnight everyone.

Friday, April 17th, 2020

Seattle, Washington

19th operating temple

Dedicated:17-21 Nov 1980

By: Spencer W. Kimball

Jesus Christ, Judge

Omni 1:7

Wherefore, the Lord did visit them in great judgment; nevertheless, he did spare the righteous that they should not perish, but did deliver them out of the hands of their enemies.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Mosiah 3:1-12; Sunday journal

April General Conference

"He Goes Before Us"

President Henry B. Eyring

"The Lord is leading the Restoration of His gospel and His Church. He knows the future perfectly. He invites you to the work."

The link the accountant sent is the same one that I had already been on to get our stimulus checks. He was no help. James tried to call him back to find out what address was used when we paid our 2018 taxes but again he didn't answer the phone. Anthony says we should get the stimulus money with our social security money but the accountant says no. Stacy says Adam already got his money but they have not. We really could use an extra $2,400 right now.

After our morning prayer and scriptures James left to go to the Howard's. He mentioned that he needed to go to town to get more horse feed. I was surprised because it has been only six days since we went and got two bags. We did some figuring and it seems that Luna is going to cost us $30 a week just for feed. I guess it's kind of like having another kid. She also needs shoes because James has been taking her over some pretty rocky territory on his nightly rides.

I listened to part of "The Lamb of God" this morning while doing my work. I also listened to the "Sunday on Monday Come Follow Me" podcast. The sister who hosts the podcast seems to think that the gathering in Mosiah 1-3 could have been The Feast of the Tabernacles held in the fall after the harvest was in,  as in Old Testament times. 

Trina texted me today to ask if we were okay. She asked if we needed money. I told her we were fine but if she was giving away free money I would take some. I didn't actually say that but I almost did.  

We went to town this afternoon and spent more money. I returned "Western Civilization" and will get a full refund. I also went to Walmart to pick up my Tramadol prescription and did a little shopping. James went to Home Depot and then we went to O'Reilly's Auto to get oil so James can change the oil in Lexy. Our last stop was Cal Ranch. I insisted on going in to get some steps. I'm glad I did because I got to see the baby chicks. 

I hate the fact that James's truck isn't reliable so he used my car for everything. He hauls his tools around in it, and horse feed or whatever else. Poor Lexy has lost her dignity over the years living here in Vernon. 

Luna's elk friends came by for a visit this evening before she and James went on their evening trot. She really doesn't seem affected by them one way or another. 

Spent the evening studying the gospel.

Contratulations!

 Scarlett came for a visit

  

Friday, February 28th, 2020

Manaus, Brazil

138th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 June 2012

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Judge

2 Nephi 12:4

And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plow-shares, and their spears into pruning-hooks-nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

2 Nephi 29

Many Gentiles will reject the Book of Mormon - They will say, We need no more Bible - The Lord speaks to many nations - He will judge the world out of the books which will be written. 

Saints Volume 2

Chapter 28 - Until the Coming of the Son of Man
Chapter 29 - To Die in the Harness

 Take Up Our Cross

Elder Ulisses Soares

"My dear friends, we must remember that taking our cross upon ourselves includes being humble and trusting in God and in His infinite wisdom We must acknowledge that He is aware of each of us and of our needs. It is also necessary to accept the fact that the Lord's timing is different than ours. Sometimes we seek for a blessing and set a time limit for the Lord to fulfill it. We cannot condition our faithfulness to Him by imposing upon Him a deadline for the answers to desires."

To help his disciples to understand that devotion to His work includes submission and suffering, the Savior emphatically declared:

"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lost his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

I was listening to Elder Soares talk and when I heard "To help his disciples to understand that devotion to His work includes submission and suffering" it really struck me. I thought of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the suffering he endure for the gospel. I thought to myself, what have I suffered for the Lord to show Him that I love Him and want to obey Him? I have made sacrifices in order to be obedient but I don't consider that as suffering. Am I doing enough?

I am starting another blog. This one is to record my life history. It is called karenmaxwelllambson.blogspot.com. At least once a week I will be sharing a story from my past. I have been wanting to write my life story but it always feels so overwhelming. If I can do it a story at a time, line upon line, so to speak, maybe I can get started.

Another day spent at home blogging, working on books, walking, eating, and studying the gospel. Tomorrow we are scheduled to work at the temple. I do not have rolls to fix so I made some brownies instead. 

My books are all inventoried and ready to ship. James helped me clean them up. I noticed one that I bought is an Indian edition. It looks just like the English edition but I am afraid to send it in because we are not supposed to sell Indian editions. I guess I will  get on the book arbitrage Facebook group and see if I can get some direction. In the mean time I may wait until next week to send in this shipment of books.

I made green chili stew today. I was going to take it to the temple tomorrow but decided not to. James and I will eat it on Sunday and then probably a few days next week when we get back from the valley. 

Spent the evening studying JS-H 1:14-26 and 2 Nephi 29.

 Morning sunrise

 Trina and Tristan in Hawaii

Alex's drawing

 Dallen Lambson's latest creation

Tonight's Sunset