Tuesday, July 18th, 2017

Trujillo, Peru

147th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 June 2015

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Atonement

Hebrews 5:9

Jesus Christ

2Nephi 25:19; Mosiah 3:8

Alma 34:17-41

*What must we do to receive the full blessings of the Atonement?

*President Uchtdorf; "We need a strong faith in Christ to be able to repent...Faith in Christ will change our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that are not in harmony with God's will....Repentance means a change of mind and heart - we stop doing things that are wrong and we start doing things that are right."

*What happens if we do not exercise faith unto repentance?

(To be "exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice" means to suffer the full consequences for our sins and to forfeit the blessing of eternal life.)

*Why do you think prayer is an important part of exercising faith unto repentance?
*What does it mean to procrastinate?
*This life is the time for us to prepare to meet God. How would you explain this truth to someone?
*In Alma 34:31, what assurance is given to those who repent now?
*President Boyd K. Packer: "You need not know everything before the power of the Atonement will work for you. Have faith in Christ; it begins to work the day you ask!"
How does understanding this assurance help us?
DC 102:13-34
19-23, The president of the council renders the decision; 24-34, Appellate procedure is set forth.
General Conference

Prepare the Way

Bishop Gerald Causse'

" As you invite your younger brothers to 'prepare the way,' you help the recognize and honor the sacred authority they hold. By doing so, you help them prepare their own way as they prepare for the day that they receive and exercise the higher priesthood."

It says there is an 80% chance of rain today but right now there are now clouds. 

I am ready to go to town for tacos!  Instead James talks me into going to LaCasita for green chili burros. I really don't care for their tacos, but he's right, their green chili burros enchilada style are delicious!

I went to Walmart while James went to Home Depot. Afterwards we went to O'Reilly's Auto Repair to get him some brake pads for his truck. 

This afternoon James and his partner Dave go out to visit Anthony on the Nicoll ranch. While James is gone I work on my July 6th blog post which is all about our day horseback riding so it takes an extra long time because I have so many pictures to post. 

Well happy day! We did get some rain and because of the rain it cools down into the 60's and makes for a gorgeous day. James and I go out on the deck and read from "Lady Unrivaled." This is one of our favorite things to do when it rains. 

We watched several movies today. I watched more than James did. I got in a couple of extras while he was gone and I was working on my blog. "A Christmas to Remember" starring Cameron Mathison, 

"A Dream for Christmas," "My Christmas Love," and a new one starring Victor Webster and Catherine Bell, "Home on Christmas Day." 

I love Christmas in July!

Random Photos:

Two of my favorite places.

Another favorite that feels like home.

Gilbert temple

Mesa temple where it all began.

The most gorgeous temple exterior.

January 21st outside the San Antonio temple 

The Salt Lake temple at

Christmas time.

Castles of the world

Curtis and Joie's home in Flagstaff with

their 10 kids.

Coming up this weekend

Sunday, July 27, 2014

But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.

Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.

 Morning sunrise over Sierra Mentosa

James left around 5:15 for high council and told me to go out and look at the sunrise.  I am so glad he did.  After high council and then he will be speaking in the Pinedale ward at 11am with Jimmy Applegate.  He said Jimmy gave an excellent talk.

Our speakers in the Vernon ward today were Maddie Carroll, and Chris and Kaeli Nicoll.  Maddie spoke on faith and used the "For the Strength of Youth" manual.  She said we need to pray and read our scriptures daily.  We must never lose hope and always exercise faith in Jesus Christ.  Strong faith is especially important for youth in today's society.

Kaeli is our RS president.  She has been a member almost four years.  She based her talk on a talk by Sister Burton: "Wanted Hands and Heart to Hasten the Work."  How can we be better disciples of Christ.  Disciples serve others through home teaching and visiting teaching.

Chris Nicoll spoke on the Priesthood.  The priesthood is the power of God delegated to man for the salvation of the human family.  Moses 1:39 is accomplished through the priesthood.  Temple covenants, the whole armor of God, and the Holy Ghost are some of the blessing of the priesthood.

In Sunday School we discussed Solomon who was a man of wisdom and a man of foolishness.  Part of the lesson was Solomon's building and dedicating the temple in Jerusalem.  Here is a quote from the lesson:

"In the peace of these lovely temples, sometimes we find solutions to the serious problems of life.  Under the influence of the Spirit, sometimes pure knowledge flows to us there.  Temples are places of personal revelation.  When I have been weighed down by a problem or a difficulty, I have gone to the House of the Lord with a prayer in my heart for answers.  These answers have come in clear and unmistakable ways."

-President Ezra Taft Benson

Here is one of my very favorite temples:

Gilbert, Arizona

Today in Young Women's Trenda Wilhelm was set apart as the Laurel class president by Bishop Miller.  Trenda has been gone for the past two months and we are so grateful to have her back home.

Sister Ruth Wilhelm, or nana as she is known by Trenda and Alice, gave our lesson today on why we need the Holy Ghost.  These are the young women who attended: Hope and Heaven Lootans.  Heaven brought her American Girl who looked like her and was dressed like her.  They funny thing is Heaven had on 5 inch heels.

Shelly and Jordyn Applegate, Alice and Trenda Wilhelm, Maddie Carroll, and Kelly Reynolds were also in attendance.  We had three visitors: Karly Reynolds, Noelia Muniz who is Hope's friend, and Shaylyn who is Tina and Steve Allen's niece from Boise, Idaho. 

When I got home from church I was glad I had put a roast in the crockpot.  It was a tasty lunch and when James got home he was starving too.  After lunch we had a nap.  I had a meeting to attend at 2:30 and I woke up from my nap at 2:16.  I had to hurry to get to the meeting less than five minutes late.  The meeting was with the RS presidency, Kaeli Nicoll, Ann Miller, and Tamara Applegate and the RS activities director Wendy DeWitt.  We discussed the upcoming activity on August 23rd which is a clothing exchange.  The young women have been asked to help setup and then run the dressing rooms.  They will have first choice of the clothing available.

 When our meeting was over a storm had blown in and it was raining when we left and rained for several hours afterwards.  James took a picture of our thermostat outside which was at 60 degrees and sent it to Brian in Chandler.  When he saw it he said: "You are killing me!"

I read to James and then he left for the valley.  Usually he doesn't leave until Monday but since he has a pour at 6am he had to leave this evening.  It was a lonely Sunday evening for me.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Happy 86th birthday to James's mom Lois.  I call her Super Mom because she really is. 

 Lois with her great grandson Jackson Allen.

I found out today that I forgot to pay one of the concrete invoices for the Desert Highland job which was done in July.  Today I had to write a check to Ft. McDowell Material for $3,227.48.  I don't know how I missed this invoice.

We decided today that we would take the investors offer on the house.  During the 10 day inspection period allowed the buyer we will continue to try to sell.

This morning I read Crossfire Trail and from 1st Nephi with James.  For lunch we had homemade chili and cornbread. 

James had his boot off most of the day and his foot wasn't as swollen tonight.

I had a meeting with Diana Curtis this evening at 5.  She has been called to head up indexing with the young women.  She wants me to be her assistant.  We will serve for 5 months and will have 5 indexers who will serve for 45 days.  We are going to call four young women and James. 

During presidency meeting I was assigned to be in charge of the steak dinner for our Young Women in Excellence on November 13th.  We are planning on 50 people.  Yikes!!

We welcomed Alice Wilhelm into Young Women's  I gave the girls their handouts to encourage them to watch General Conference.

On the back of a Red Vines package.

I picked up Maddie for Young Women's.  She made brownies to share with the other girls.  The Young Women had scheduled to play volleyball tonight.  

The Young Men joined us.

I chased cows for the first time in weeks today.  

Here are some pictures I took off Facebook.

Kreed and Ruby digging for worms.

The Salt Lake Temple

The Arizona Temple