Sunday, November 4th, 2018

Payson, Utah

146th operating temple

Dedicated: 7 June 2015

By: Henry B. Eyring

Jesus Christ, Davidic descent of

Jeremiah 33:15

In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.

Book of Mormon #1

3 Nephi 19:30-20:19

*What does the Savior promise those who partake of the sacrament? Why is this promise so significant?

-Elder Dallin H. Oaks said: "Attendance at church each week provides the opportunity to partake of the sacrament, as the Lord has commanded us (see DC 59:9). It we act with the right preparation and attitude; partaking of the sacrament renews the cleansing effect of our baptism and qualifies us for the promise that we will always have His Spirit to be with us. A mission of that Spirit, the Holy Ghost, is to testify of the Father and the Son and to lead us into truth, (see John 14:26; 2 Nephi 31:18). Testimony and truth, which are essential to our personal conversion, are the choice harvest of this weekly renewing of our covenants.: In the day-to-day decisions of my life and in my personal spiritual growth, I have enjoyed the fulfillment of that promise." (Ensign, May 2002 34).

Book of Mormon #2

Mosiah 27-28

Old Testament

Ezekiel 17-19

General Conference

Laying the Foundation of a Great Work

Elder Steven R. Bangerter

"As parents in ion, we have a sacred duty to awaken within our children passion and commitment to the joy, light, and truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ."

Happy Birthday Jared!

I sure do love this boy of mine. He's a great son,
husband and father. He has gone through some rough
times, and they aren't over yet, but he has a wonderful
wife and now a precious new baby to help get him
through the rough spots. 

I feel prepared to teach Relief Society and at this point I just want it to be over so I can come home and take a nap.

We were a little late coming in to sacrament meeting which never happens, but I am just not on my game. We sat by the Howard's.

Baby Branch was blessed today. The Reidhead's moved out of our ward and are staying in Snowflake with Clayton's brother until after Thanksgiving, but they were back today to bless their baby in the ward that is home to them right now.

Georgia is getting a wonderful family!

Our neighbor Chuck conducted sacrament meeting and was the first to bear his testimony. It was my favorite because it was sincere and covered the five points a testimony should cover.

Ellen got up and made the announcement that she and Dave are going to be baptized on December 8th. This is good news and I hope they can stay on the straight and narrow and make it happen. They have been taking the discussions since before we moved here which was six years ago.

I missed Sunday School. I just needed to go out to the car, offer a prayer, and prep myself for Relief Society. 

Thank goodness for Relief Society sisters who carry a lesson. I wrote on the board the four challenges President Nelson gave us and the blessings associated with those blessings. I read what Kacey sent about replacing social media with scriptures and the sisters loved it. It was spot on! Thanks Kacey!

For our action plan I challenged each of the sisters to pray and ponder about what their spiritual gifts are and what they can do to use those gifts to "change the world."

James made us venison and gravy for lunch. The best!  An afternoon in which Karen rests and gets nothing done.''

Yummmmmm

Cathi's daughter Wendy has breast cancer and so does Cathi's sister. So sad.

Aaron's first wife Michelle's, brother
he graduated with Darrel and spoke at the 
graduation.

Such a sweetie!

Saturday Night Date:

All dressed up for Shayna's mom's wedding

at the Paradise Valley Country Club.

 Jared:

Charlie:

This is the quilt that Lois made for Charlie,

the Apple of her Daddy's Eye.

Sunday, September 30th, 2018

Campinas, Brazil
111th operating temple
Dedicated: 17 May 2002
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Acts 5:30

The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 12:14-26

*What do we learn about the principle of repentance in these verses?

- Repentance leads us to Christ's grace. The Bible Dictionary says that grace is a strengthening or enabling power. Divine means of help or strength, given through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ. Through the grace of the Lord, individuals, through faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means. This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts. (p. 279-80 BMSM)
Old Testament
Isaiah 43-45
General Conference

Let Us All Press On

President Russell M. Nelson

My dear brothers and sisters, construction of these temples may not change your life, but you time in the temple surely will. In that spirit, I bless you to identify those things you can set aside so you can spend more time in the temple. I bless you with greater harmony and love in you homes and a deeper desire to care for your eternal family relationships. I bless you with increased faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and a greater ability to follow Him as His true disciples."

Fast and Testimony meeting - James passed the sacrament. Talon is back and he blessed along with Charlie G. Seems funny not to have Jackson here. He is at the MTC in the Philippines.

Chuck conducted and offered a five point testimony: Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, and today's Prophet, Russell M. Nelson.

Elder Bernecker testified that we need to be brilliant in the basics. Brother Joe W. said that the Savior's sacrifice means everything to him. James/Dad bore a five point, powerful testimony. 

Brother Burkee says that the Spirit causes people to glow. Millie S. said that when she and Brother Scott went to sacrament meeting for the first time he turned to her and said: "Millie, the people are glowing."

Brother Wallace told of having a friend here and giving him a Book of Mormon with his testimony in it. He made the comment: "Don't ever run out of your Books of Mormon.

Macy W., a young woman talked about trials, trusting Heavenly Father and her parents. She said they have very little, but really, they have everything. It was great! To me, one of the most memorable testimonies born.

We sat by the Howard's. After sacrament meeting Jean asked if she could stay with me. I was supposed to go to teacher council meeting but I went to Brother Smith's Sunday School class with her instead. We talked about Isaiah.

There is a scripture that says that the Lord never wearies of us. Brother Smith asked how we felt about that and then asked if we could do the same for those in our lives.

He then related the phrase of Joseph Smith in the 131st section of the Doctrine and Covenants: "O God where are thou?" Have we ever asked this question? How did we handle the situation? 

We discussed relying on the Spirit and turning things over to the Lord. "All things work together for good to those that love God."

In Relief Society Sister S. Wilhelm led the discussion on allowing others to minister to us. She had this quote on the board:

"The many missions we have in life cannot be embarked upon successfully without the help of others." 

This afternoon we broke our fast and had lunch. I finished off the Big Jake burro I got yesterday at El Cupido's. James had some leftover stew and a roll. Afterwards we laid down for a nap. We got up a little before and hopped in the car to meet Sheri and Max, Evan, Joshua, and Rowan in Heber. The boys are coming up here for a few days since they are on fall break.

We drove Sheri's van back to our house and she took our car home. We are going down on Thursday for appointments and will get our car back.

Since Ben is in the mission field now his P-day has changed from Tuesday to Monday so James and I emailed him before going to bed. 

We had family prayer with the boys and James told them to be in bed by 11.

 Card

Dot Journal

 A storm is definitely coming!

 They better let him have some!

I never thought Hungary was 

beautiful until now.

 Michael and Alexis went to the
Cardinals vs. Seahawks game.

So much cuteness!

So sad

While the rest of the boys were downstairs

eating grilled cheese sandwiches, Evan

was upstairs and did this.

He said he bumped his head but wouldn't

explain how.

Sunday, November 12th, 2017

Columbia River, Washington

107th operating temple

Dedicated: 18 Nov 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Ascension of

Mosiah 18:2

Yea, concerning that which was to come, and also concerning the resurrection of the dead, and the redemption of the people, which was to be brought to pass through the power, and sufferings, and death of Christ, and his resurrection and ascension into heaven.

Book of Mormon

*How can we strive to be more like Christ in our lives?

President Ezra Taft Benson said: "The entire ministry of the Master was characterized by His voluntary subordination to His Heavenly Fathers will", and in the Savior's own words, "I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me... for I do always the things that please Him" (John 8:28-29).  Christ was not only perfectly obedient, but maybe even more importantly, perfectly trusting. So if we choose, like Jesus Christ, to trust more completely, to follow more obediently, and to make doing the will of our Father the core motivation behind decision-making, focus, thoughts, actions, and if we make understanding His will our very purpose, what could the ripple effect of that be? Would we be cultivating and deepening Christlike virtues such as truth, wisdom, patience, kindness, gentleness, love, godliness, faith and self-control? Would we be more completely and exactly following the Savior's example? Would we experience deeper peace, happiness, and joy? Elder Neal A. Maxwell said: "Only by aligning our wills with God's is full happiness to be found...progression toward submission confers...an enhanced capacity for joy."

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 6:5-7

5 Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you.

6 Now, as you have asked, behold, I say unto you, keep my commandments, and seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion.

7 Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich.

General Conference

By Divine Design

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"Our lives are like a chessboard, and the Lord moves us from one place to another - if we are responsive to spiritual promptings.

Looking back, we can see His hand in our lives."

Neither one of us had to prepare a lesson today. We left for church around 8:45. I did not feel well but I made myself go. It was fast and testimony meeting and Shelly bore her testimony for the last time in sacrament meeting before leaving for her mission. Her family is taking her to Utah to the MTC on Tuesday. 

The bishop was out of town today and Anne was home with two sick babies. The bishop's parents brought the older children so they would be here for the Primary program practice. 

I loved Brother Secard's testimony. He got up as he normally does and as he was talking he tried to explain that he had an illness but he couldn't remember the name of it. He said: "You know, it's the one where you can't remember anything." 

My friend Rosa who is also a Primary teacher told me we were supposed to teach today but she didn't come prepared because she thought we were practicing for the program both hours. I told her I wasn't prepared either and I went to talk to Sister Skousen, the Primary president. She said originally we were not going to teach but they decided two hours was too long to practice so she had Sister Thompson the secretary, call every one. I told her I did not get a call and neither did Rosa. She said it was okay that the presidency would cover the teaching hour, which they did along with the music director. Sister Thompson came to me and apologized and told me she sent out an email on Thursday. I told her I didn't get it but then I realized that every day I delete over 200 emails and maybe I accidentally deleted it. Sure enough, I found it in my deleted files. I was a little embarrassed. Oh well, I guess I need to be more careful in the future.

One exciting thing happened today. Braxton, one of the boys in my class who very rarely comes, came to Primary today and participated in the program!

I was so tired and sleepy I just kept watching the clock and almost decided to leave early during the practice since I was just sitting there anyway. I knew if I went home though I would just have to come back and pick up James so I stayed.

As soon as we got home we broke our fast and I sat down to watch a Christmas movie while eating a peanut butter sandwich and drinking a glass of milk. 

James grilled some steaks and cooked some corn for our real lunch. It was delicious. I was still tired and had a headache and just camped in front of the TV watching Hallmark Christmas movies. 

I watched: "The Sweetest Christmas" starring Lacey Chabert, and Lea Coco. "A Cookie Cutter Christmas" starring Erin Krakow, and David Haydn-Jones, and Alan Thicke. "A Song for Christmas" starring Rebecca Tobin, Kevin McGarry, and Kendra Leigh Thomas. And last but not least, "Enchanted Christmas" starring Carlos and Alexa PenaVega.  Afterwards I vowed there would be no more TV watching on Sunday. It just wasn't right because it kept James from indexing and me from working on family history.

I gave Pam and Ricky conference Ensigns yesterday on the way home from the temple. Pam texted me and said she had finished reading the entire Ensign! Wow! Pretty amazing!

More photos from last night's

Patriotic Program in Chandler

Sister Bear, Sister Barney (from Snowflake), 

Sister Lamb, and Sister Davis.

Brian L., friends with James

The Montgomery's, who happen to have a

summer place in Vernon.

Pres. A. Farnsworth with his daughter and son-in-law.

Sister Kempton and Sister Layton

my counselor and secretary when I was the Primary

President in Chandler 2nd ward.

Fall photo of the day

Kilee, one of my young women

This is about what I look like first thing in the morning.

The Whalen family

The Whalen family Christmas tree

Northern Lights and a glowing igloo

Sooo cute!

My kids cousins and their kids

The Living Christ