Monday, January 6th, 2020

Dedicated: 21 May 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Jehovah

Isaiah 45:21

Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time: Who hath told it from that time: Have not I the Lord" And there is no God else beside me; A just God and a Savior; there is none beside me.

Book of Mormon

"Come Follow Me" 1 Nephi 1

Oct 2019 General Conference

"Unwavering Commitment to Jesus Christ:

Elder Dale G. Renlund

"Being converted unto the Lord means leaving one course of action, directed by an old belief system, and adopting a new one based on faith in Heavenly Father's plan and in Jesus Christ and His Atonement. This change is more than an intellectual acceptance of gospel teachings. It shapes our identity, transforms our understanding of life's meaning, and leads to unchanging fidelity to God. Personal desires that are contrary to being anchored to the Savior and to following the covenant path fade away and are replaced by a determination to submit to the will of Heavenly Father."

"Trust in the Lord"

President Dallin H. Oaks

"Resurrection for all in the spirit world is assured by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:22), though it occurs at different times for different groups. Until that appointed time, what the scriptures tell us about activity in the spirit world principally concerns the work of salvation. Little else is revealed. The gospel is preached to the ignorant, the unrepentant, and the rebellious so they can be freed from their bondage and go forward to the blessings a loving Heavenly Father has in store for them."

My Thoughts and Actions

Can I experience peace and happiness through healthy eating?

Joseph did not let his questions paralyze his faith.

I spent three hours this morning blogging Christmas Day. Then I went for my infusion at the Arizona Arthritis and Rheumatology Associates.

The Door

My infusion is based on my weight. So I always have to weigh. I feel the after Christmas blues coming on as I look at the scale.

The same time I am having my infusion James is at the Sonoran Spine Center for his checkup. Because of the aching in James's upper back and ribs the physician ordered an MRI. 

After our appointments James picked me up and we headed across Baseline to Ironwood behind the Home Depot on Baseline and Country Club to a little place called Crackers where Laura and Cathi were waiting for us for lunch. 

Years ago, before Chandler was inundated with restaurants I used to come to Crackers with Cid Elmer. They are open for breakfast and lunch and specialize in sandwiches, soups and salads. I had a chicken salad, Laura had chili, Cathi had artichoke spinach soup with half a roast beef sandwich, James had vegetable beef soup with half a tuna melt sandwich. Everything was delicious. James should have gotten a whole sandwich because evidentally a half one didn't fill him up. He finished off my salad for me.

It was great to reconnect with two of our favorite people. We said our goodbyes and headed for James's mom's house in Tempe.

Lois was there waiting for us. She had candy and nuts on the counter and of course I had to grab a handful. We are here to pick up the massager that Dawn bought for us. I made out a check for $219 and gave it to Lois. When visited a few minutes and then had to be on our way because James has a meeting with Armando at the jobsite in Mesa.

On our way over Armando called to say he wasn't going to make it. James was a little disappointed. The meeting was regarding work that was done that the engineer did not approve. It is a frustrating situation. It involves how much dirt was taken out of a retention basin. First, the engineer never staked it, second when we followed his stakes he said we were too deep. This problem has gone on for weeks and is impeding progress.

We had some time to kill. We are supposed to pick up Joshua from the Circle K on Queen Creek and McQueen at 3:20. I suggested we go to Deseret Book so I could use my gift card that Sheri got me for Christmas. We did and I did. I bought the next volume in The Joseph Smith Papers and a Book of Mormon Study Guide that EmilyBelle Freeman recommended. I also bought a cherry drink that tasted like medicine.

Next stop, Circle K. When Joshua wasn't there by 3:20, honestly, I thought someone was dropping him off, I looked at my phone and I had received a text from him. He asked if I could pick him up at the school because the sidewalks are closed. I then realized he was walking, which under normal circumstances would have been fine because it's just a little over a mile. But these were not normal circumstances. All along Queen Creek Rd there is construction and all of the sidewalk is closed, just like Joshua said. 

We drove down Queen Creek to Gilbert Rd and took a right and went about a quarter of a mile to Joshua's school. There he was waiting for us. We took him home and I offered to stop at Circle K for a treat but Joshua declined because he wanted to "get right home and start his homework." What kid passes up a treat for homework.?

Stacy started cosmetology school today and that's why she needed help with Joshua. I guess Kim will probably wind up helping. 

Finally, back to Darrel and Trina's and my comfy clothes. Ruby, Addy, and Trina are at home. We have a little discussion about war and Trump ordering a terrorist to be assassinated. Ruby is studying some of the things that happened in WW11.  We also talked about the Second Coming of the Savior and walking to Jackson county Missouri. Trina said she didn't want to walk to Missouri because it was cold. 

Trina made tacos for dinner and then took Ruby and Lola to tumbling. I talked a little bit with Addy about being the Laurel class president of 14 girls. She is thinking about who she is going to chose for counselors. 

Rowan walked to Safeway with friends where they are each buying individual cakes to eat. Rowan said he got red velvet. I said that was just chocolate with red food coloring. While Rowan was eating cake, Addy went on a run.

James walked to Safeway to get tea and other essentials. I wasn't feeling up to it after our tiring day. I stayed home and did the dishes for Trina and made myself a rootbeer float. And I wonder why I can't lose weight. I love food, especially sugar, too much.

James went to bed but I needed to stay up and finish my steps. When I came in the bedroom James was playing Tabernacle Choir songs on his phone. So sweet.

 The watch James gave me for Christmas

Ben's Letter

Tuesday, May 8th, 2018

Rexburg, Idaho

125th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 Feb 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, birth of

Matthew 2:1

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 25:15-26:13

How do you gain understanding in times of doubt or struggles?

- sue_heugly: "Believing and having faith certainly isn't the popular thing in society, but is there anything noble about being cynical and skeptical? Anyone can do that. How many expect God to prove the truth to them? President Uchtdorf said that belief is available to everyone. There is no magic to belief. All we need to do is desire it. Belief is a choice. And once we choose it, the Lord does the rest. He can open our hearts, minds and eyes to thing that only bring joy and understanding." 

The Savior said, "Be not afraid, only believe." That says it all.

Old Testament

1 Samuel 21-22

21 David gets help from Ahimelech the priest - He eats the shewbread - He goes to Gath, where he pretends madness.

22 David gains followers - He goes from one place to another, fleeing from Saul - Saul slays the priests who showed kindness to David.

General Conference

Young Women in the Work

Bonnie L. Oscarson

"As I talk about the young women of the Church, who are equally needed and essential in accomplishing the work of the Lord in their families ad in His Church."

 Rescuing Wayward Children:

"The restored gospel provides us power that we can draw upon to fulfill our divine parent charge."

President James E. Faust acknowledge that,

"Satan's pervasive snares are increasing, and raising children is becoming harder," but the Brethren have also made it clear that the Lord has restored priesthood keys that are available to each worthy parent - keys to gather together the family for the purpose of administering the gospel blessings, and keys to have those blessings sealed upon their heads for time and eternity. (See Bruce R. McConkie, A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, 539).

Russell M. Nelson, 4/03 #41. Sweet Power of Prayer

"We should pray in accord with the will of our Heavenly Father. He wants to test us, to strengthen us, and to help us achieve our full potential."

Mosiah 26:1-4 The Rising Generation

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency emphasized the need to teach the youth of the Church to believe in God:

" No charge in the kingdom is more important than to build faith in youth. Each child in each generation chooses faith or disbelief. Faith is not an inheritance; it is a choice. Those who believed King Benjamin learned that. Many of their children chose later not to believe. The scriptures give as a reason, 'for they would not call upon the Lord their God' (Mosiah 26:4)."

James asked me to pray for him today. I said that I would do better than that, I would pray for him every 30 minutes. When Terry had his heart attack and we didn't know if he was going to make it, I talked to my friend Carol Ray and told her about the situation. She said her Aunt Brooke Peterson, (Elder H. Burke Peterson's wife), told her when there is a critical need that praying every thirty minutes is a good idea. That way the thoughts and intents of your heart are in tune with the Lord to a greater degree.

After praying for a couple of hours, he called me and said: "You aren't going to believe what happened. Joseph Vallecillo, one of my best workers, showed up, and I got two concrete finishers from Labor Force." Prayer really does work.

Dale G. Renlund:The Melchizedek Priesthood, Chapter 7

"The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood"

I went outside and fed the bunnies today. I didn't really need to water them because their water containers were full, except for the one by the woodpile. 

I listened to a talk today by President Nelson that was given in 1993 at the Parliament of the World's Religions. It was soooo good and I filed it under "missionary work" in my gospel file. He explains the basic tenets of the gospel so well. The name of the talk is:

Combating Spiritual Drift - Our Global Pandemic

"It is ironic that as affluence and physical comforts increase, spiritual strength declines. Human nature cannot be change by reforming public policy."

This afternoon I did my weekly shopping. My first stop was at the J.C. Penney's store to get some thigh high hose. (TMI) This is my first time in the store and I was pretty impressed. They were having a big sale and I bought a blouse that does not quite fit me yet, but it will in a month or so. I ran into our RS Pres, Tamara. We chatted for awhile and when I told her this was my first time in the store, she made the comment that she comes in all the time.

Leaving Penney's I went to Walgreen's to get Amazon gift cards for Lois and Autumn. Lois for mother's day and Autumn for her birthday. As soon as I got to Walmart I walked over to the mailbox and mailed both cards. It makes me a little nervous to send giftcards in the mail. Hopefully they will arrive at their desired destinations intact.

When I got into Walmart I realized I had left my revised list in the car. I still had the list on my phone and I did manage to get most of the things on my list. I also caluculated my expenses, only spending $101. That is a new record low for me. James would be so proud!

Well, it's for real. Mountie Jack on "When Calls the Heart" is officially dead. Daniel Lissing, the guy who plays Jack, had his contract come up for review and he did not want to renew because of personal reasons. Maybe his wife didn't like him being married to Elizabeth on the show. Anyway now Elizabeth is a widow like many/most of the women in Hope Valley. They offer her some very good advice and the last thing we learn is that she is expecting a baby. Now we have something to look forward to in the next season.

James finally called me around 10 p.m. when he got home from work. Kim and Brian were having game night. Kaitlin gave him a big hug and he got to see Joe, Ben, and Adam.

Brian gave me these roses for 
Mother's Day three years ago
in Chandler.

I made chicken tacos for 

Taco Tuesday

I bet this guys 100. I wonder if he

lives in Japan.

Kason, Kaitlin, Joe, Adam, Ben
during game night at Kim's.

Fish taco Tuesday

Gorgeous!

At the aquarium last Friday

I think Lola's in heaven!

January 1968, Credence Clearwater Revival
eating lunch at a Taco Bell in Burbank.

I wonder if a cat would do this?

Friday, November 3rd, 2017

Birmingham, Alabama

98th operating temple

Dedicated: 3 Sept 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Ascension of

John 14:12

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 19:1-29

*What can you do to feel closer to the Savior?

How hard do I labor to put myself in places where Jesus can show himself to me? How hard do I pray? What efforts do I put into attending the temple? What sacrifices do I make to have F.H.E., scripture study, family prayer? How often am I pondering and seeking the Spirit? How often and well do I serve? What am I doing with my time? What sacrifices am I making? Do I 'labor exceedingly that I might be in the place where Jesus can show himself to me? When we put forth effort, and we are doing the things that our Savior has asked, He will certainly 'bless us and His countenance will smile upon us, and shine upon us.' We will witness the Savior in our life. He will come to us as we come to Him!"

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 1:31

For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance;

General Conference

A Yearning for Home

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"I believe that every man, woman, and child has felt the call of heaven at some point in his or her life. Deep within us is a longing to somehow reach past the veil and embrace Heavenly Parents we once knew and cherished. Some might suppress this yearning and deaden their souls to its call. But those who do not quench this light within themselves can embark on an incredible journey - a wondrous migration toward heavenly climes."

Paul said he was coming over early this morning so I made two loaves of banana nut bread to give him. He left happy and reminded James to be sure and come fishing in Oregon next summer.

Kip and Colter, Colter is Kip's 9 year old son, delivered James's sand this morning and thank goodness I had a plate of chocolate chip cookies to give them. Colter knocked on the door and when I handed him the plate he had a huge grin on his face. He is in my Primary class so we are good friends already.

James went to town to get prices for the pavers he needs for the patio. He also brought me back two tacos from Aliberto's. No wonder I love him so much! He also washed my car this afternoon.

I am barely getting in my 10,000 steps and James is getting 15,000 a day. He works outside and checks his traps up on the hill and is just naturally more active than I am. 

This evening we watched Heartland, "Growing Pains."

GRRR We have smoke outside again!

James changing a lightbulb.

Mr. Handyman

I'm slow.

Memories:

Little Lola

The Three Musketeers

Evan's birthday date.

Joshua with glasses?

Pet Store 

The night Joshua finds Shipley.

Food Court fun

So fun!

Where's Emmy?

Oh yes!

Complete Rainbow

Cubs are Number 1

Love these two!