Sunday, October 27th, 2019

Ogden, Utah

14th operating temple

Dedicated: 18-20 Jan 1972

By: Joseph Fielding Smith

Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd

3 Nephi 16:3
But I have received a commandment of the Father that I shall go unto them, and that they shall hear my voice, and shall be numbered among my sheep, that there may be one fold and one shepherd; therefor I go to show myself unto them.
Book of Mormon
3 Nephi 13:16-34
How can we make sure we are laying up treasures in heaven and not on earth?
New Testament: 1-2Thessalonians  Review: "Be Not Soon Shaken in Mind, or Be Troubled"

General Conference

Knowing, Loving, and Growing

Elder Hans T. Boom

"May we all come to understand our part in this great ministering work so that we will become more like Him."

I found this quote my President Ballard in a talk he gave this week:

"Our nation was founded on prayer, it was preserved by prayer, and needs prayer again. I plead with you this evening to pray for this country, for our leaders, for our people and for the families that live in this great nation founded by God. remember, this country was established and preserved by our founding fathers and mothers who repeatedly acknowledged the hand of God through prayer."

We walked into the McQueen on McQueen and Willis in Chandler at 9:45, thinking Stacy's ward met at 10:00. James went down the hall to use the restroom and the first person he saw was Kim. She told him that Stacy's ward starts at 10:30. The first thing he said to me was, "I could have slept an extra 30 minutes!"

We sat in the back of the chapel on the left side facing the pulpit. When Stacy, Paul, Joshua, and Michael came in they sat towards the front of the chapel on the other side. Once they sat down we walked over and sat behind them. It took a few minutes for them to see that it was us behind them. It was great to see Joshua passing the sacrament.

All of the talks today were are temple and family history work. The youth speaker told the story of her maternal grandmother who had polio. She said that we need to document important events to strengthen the faith of others.

The next sister said her dad passed his love of family history work down to her. She said God wants us close to Him, that's why we have temples. Clean hands and a pure heart keep us worthy of the temple. We must put off the natural man through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. There is no compulsion in the work of the Lord, only opportunity. Always stay worthy of the temple.

Stacy and a girl named Brooklyn Hawkins sang: "I Wonder When He Come Again." The girl sang soprano and Stacy sang the second part. I loved when they sang together but my favorite part was when Stacy sang by herself. I love her singing voice and so does James. So many people came up to her after sacrament meeting and complimented her on the song.

The last speaker based her talk on a talk Elder Renlund gave about temple and family history work where he listed the blessing associated with doing the work. It increases our faith, brings the Spirit of the Holy Ghost, the blessings of the Atonement, and the gift of repentance. It also increases family love and protection. She closed by saying that the temple brings peace.

The lesson in Relief Society was based on Elder Rasband's talk from the April conference, "Build a Fortress of Spirituality and Protection." It's the same lesson they are having in the Vernon ward! It was one of my favorite talks from the April conference.

A sister named Caroline Kempton was the teacher. We spoke to her husband after the meeting and asked if he knew Martin Kempton. He said no, he didn't but they were probably related because they are both from the Gila Valley.

I finally got my hug from Joshua when we said our goodbyes. We headed for Kim and Brian's because we heard they were going to see James's mom. Kim fed us while we were at her house. I had pizza and James had a shake and some toast. Brian also shared his Halloween candy with me. Kim was in charge of their ward's Halloween party and she had lots of left over candy. 

Sheri came to pick Kim up and brought me a bag of chocolate chip cookies. We took our own car over to Tempe. We got there before Sheri and Kim. Lois was using a walker which concerned me a little but she seemed to be in a good mood. Once Sheri and Kim got there Sheri asked her how she ever raised 8 children. She said they raised themselves. Then she told about milking the cow, feeding the chickens and chopping wood for the stove. I certainly don't remember my mom doing those things. I guess that was why she didn't like living in Ramah very well.

We left for home and I asked if we could go the Payson way. James complained about it, but ended up going that way. I got a call from Liz Kelly. I told her we were meeting at Laura and Dave's on the 7th at 2 pm and gave her the address. She asked how I was doing and the phone cut out. 

I slept until we stopped for gas in Payson. I read for awhile from "Aunt Dimity" on the way home. We were gone for 12 hours from home and it felt great to be back.

We got to FaceTime with Jared, Kacey and Charlie. While we were talking Charlie went and got her "scriptures" and wanted to read about Jesus so we ended our call early. We are so looking forward to them being here in November! She has changed so much since we saw her in January!

James went to bed early. I stayed up and worked on my blog and then watched two "Come Follow Me" YouTube presentations, "Teaching with Power" and "Cwic Media with Greg Matsen.

This little girl brings so much happiness

and joy!

 Phoenix Temple Open House

 Such a pretty little girl

Friday, October 4th, 2019

Tucson, Arizona

157th operating temple

Dedicated: 13 Aug 2017

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd

Genesis 49:24

But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)

Book of Mormon

Helaman 14:20-15:6

New Testament: Ephesians: "For the Perfecting of the Saints"

Ephesians 5

General Conference

The Joy of the Saints

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"Joy comes from keeping Christ's commandments, from overcoming sorrow and weakness through Him, and from serving as He served."

Sold two books today. One was a merchant fulfilled Victoria Holt book, "Lord of the Far Island." I was introduced to Victoria Holt by my "Nannie." She gave me "The Mistress of Mellyn" to read when I was a teenager. I think I have read most all of her books. 

We left the house at 9:30 this morning. I was reading to James and he missed his turn off the freeway so we had to do a little back-tracking. It happens every time.

He dropped me off at 10 o'clock at AARA for my 10:45 infusion appointment. I was only there a few minutes when Frances came and got me. I lost 4 lbs since last month! 

James dropped me off early because he had an appointment at Sonoran Spine on Rio Salado Parkway. He said the woman who check him in is a 6'2" Russian named Jelena. She makes him feel like a midget.

After my infusion James picked me up and we drove to Olive Garden again for lunch. We had three gift cards and we are just about to use them all up. Today I had soup, salad, and asiago tortellini. It was delicious and the lunch portions are the perfect size. Our waitress, April, was very friendly. When I told her we had a long drive home she gave us extra mints and a glass of water and a glass of ice. James had his ASU shirt on so she struck up a conversation saying she was an ASU graduate. She practiced criminal law but didn't really like it so now she's waiting tables again, just like she did in college. It is a good job for her because she is so friendly.

We stopped at the Walmart in Show Low before going home to get bananas, herbal tea, cream, and some markers. 

On the way through Vernon we some members of the Hunsaker family walking away from the graveyard after Analee's burial. Here are some photos that I got from Instagram and Facebook:

 Kip's girls: Kaylynn, Brielle, Hailey, Makenzi, LeeAnn

Analee's favorite color was purple

 Sean's daughter Camrie and her children

A young Analee

The Analee I knew and loved.

When we got home and my stuff was all put away I grabbed a Dilly bar and watched the season finale of Chesapeake Shores. James made me some BBQ pork leftovers. It was delicious with some Sweet Baby Ray's sauce rather than the sauce it was cooked in because I thought the sauce it was cooked in was too hot. 

I walked and did some blogging while watching a movie on the Up channel. James watched it too.

 I'm going to post this on the door to my pantry to
inspire me to do this again!

The Price's just got back from their mission.
I think they went to Martin's Cove.

I taught these two in Primary. Such great kids!!

 The woman is a police officer. She shot this man's
brother and killed him. She thought he was in her
apartment but she was in the wrong apartment.
She has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Rowan was chosen from his football team to go to this
leadership conference. He said it was boring.

Saturday, April 13th, 2019

Payson, Utah

146th operating temple

Dedicated: 7 June 2015

By: Henry B. Eyring

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

John 3:35

The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 7:8-17

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matthew 17:24-27; Luke 9:57-62

General Conference

Your Priesthood Playbook

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

"Create your own playbook of how you will prove yourself as a disciple of Christ."

FYI: Max and Evan went with their ward to do baptisms for the dead this morning. Max baptized 10 people and then was baptized for 3. I'm not sure about Evan, he was asleep when we visited today.

We left a little later than we had planned, around 6 a.m. but still in plenty of time to make the funeral. I read scriptures and a conference talk but we didn't get to finish the conference talks I wanted to read because we were out of range. We finished our proper romance novel except for the epilogue. 

We arrived at Darrel's just before 9:30. He rode with us to the funeral. We met Sheri there and we all sat together. It was great to see so many good friends from Chandler. Betty Bogle was taking a leave from her mission to visit her brother who had a stroke and was able to be here for the funeral. Here are some others we saw: The Pace's, Davis's, Trudy Lamb, Dave, Laura, Sandy and Pat, the Tolman's, Paul without Stacy, the Bueler girls, all the Arnett kids, and of course Cathy. I wrote Thursday that the Arnett's had 10 kids but I had forgotten about Casey so I had to go back and correct it to 11, 5 girls and 6 boys. 

It was great hearing stories about Cliff's life. Wayne Lamb, Cliff and Cathy's son-in-law, and their bishop, conducted the funeral. Cliff's brother H.B. Arnett was the first speaker. Here are some notes from his talk: 

His children are God's eternal masterpieces, including Cliff.

The Be Attitudes describe Cliff and Cathy's lives. 

Cliff was everybody's friend. He served a mission to Argentina. He was a football star in high school. 

In regards to his marriage to Cathy:

"Not many men get to marry an angel."

The eternal fire of love burns brighter still.

Memories of Cliff by his children and grandchildren:

Other than diet Dr. Pepper and a candy bar, things were not important to him, people were. He had nicknames for almost everyone. (He called Sheri's boyfriend, Mark Brusstar, 'Old Broccoli Top.')

He loved to eat ice cream because it made life better,

friends were family, (Cliff coached Darrel every year he played baseball.)

He would rather by 5 cars for $500 a piece than one car for $2,500 because they would last longer and you didn't have to get them fixed. If they broke down you just left them by the side of the road.

He respected everyone, no matter their position. 

H.B. said that when Cliff gets to heaven he is sure he is going to ask his dad, "Where's the auction"? 

(He went to car auctions and calf auctions too)

The grandkids sang, "My Heavenly Father Loves Me". I think there were 33 grandchildren. Wendy's son Reed was the lead singer. He has a beautiful voice and was just in his high school's production of "Newsies." 

Pierce Goodman, Cathy and Cliff's cousin, (Yes, they were related) spoke next. He lives here in Vernon and is our friend. 

I have been asked to cheer up and to comfort. Mourning is a deep experience of true love. What is the purpose of life?

"This is my work and my glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." - Moses 1:39

Know this, that all are free to choose.

Peace and fullness of joy.

Our purpose is to receive exaltation and to return and live in the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Not all problems are overcome in this life. The work goes on after this life. 

Pierce quoted from a talk given by Dallin H. Oaks called, 
"Memories of My Father." 
'I remembered that my father loved me.'
Jackie, Cliff's daughter said: 
"Our dad raised kids and cattle. Boggs was the calf whisperer."
Heavenly Father loves all of His children.
Jesus Christ is our perfect example.
An eternal perspective brings peace. 
We were born to die and we die to live. 
We barely bloom on earth, we fully flower in Heaven.

Wayne Lamb was the last speaker. He told about asking Cliff for Chea's hand in marriage and then he told about going with Cliff to feed cattle and he always had to stop at the QT to get a diet Dr. Pepper and Hydrox cookies. If everyone else liked Oreo's, Cliff liked Hydrox because he wanted to be different and not follow the crowd. He would say to Wayne when he sent him in the store, "I'll split it with you." Wayne thought he meant the cost and once he reminded Cliff, I thought you said you were going to split these with me. Cliff said, "I am", and shoved the box of cookies across the seat to Wayne.

Outside after the funeral I gave Wendy a hug and then I talked to Cathy and Trudy Lamb and gave Cathy a hug. She made a comment to me of something that I wasn't aware of. She said, "Cliff was never the same after he lost his eyesight." 

Later I spoke to the Goodman's and Barbara, Pierce's wife told me one night about four years ago he saw lines before his eyes. He went to bed and when he woke up he could not see. It was because of bleeding on the brain. Cliff died of a brain anuresym.

Wayne spoke to Cathy and told her she was not alone. He said: "We love you and are grateful to you for serving your companion for over 50 years. Heavenly Father will not forget what you have done for one of His sons. You may be exhausted but you never gave up. Families are Forever. The best part of death is returning home. Cathy, you will not be left alone as you go about your Father's work."

We stopped at the Pei Wei in Queen Creek for lunch and then we took Darrel home and changed our clothes. James had to go to the Willis's and to some work. Armando was supposed to do some cleanup but his daughter is in the hospital and he has not left her side. Her name is Allison and she is nine years old. She has fluid on her lungs.

I went to Sheri's and visited with her and Max while James was working. Max was practicing his guitar. Evan was asleep on the couch. Sheri showed me the baby kitties and the mama ran away and of course Ollie chased her. We made a trip to Sonic to get drinks and then went outside in the backyard with Ollie. Ian was going to Home Depot to get some paint for their family room. I told Sheri I wanted to paint my bedroom a darker color and she said she would come up this summer and help me paint. I told her I had lots of Hallmark movies in my DVR and we could watch them while we paint. 

I made James go home the Payson way because I am sick of the Globe way. We stopped at the Culver's in Payson and got some dinner. When we got home we walked for awhile and then watched the new Hallmark move, "Bottled with Love."

I love this picture because this is how I 
remember Cathy and Cliff.

I told Addy I was getting her one.
She just laughed.

I love this picture.

Two beautiful girls!

Two Andrew Walker movies tonight.

This scene reminded James of fishing in British Columbia
with Ian.

Val and Jenna from "DWTS" got married.
Jenna is a Mormon girl from Utah and Val is a Jewish boy
from Brooklyn.

Kacey's sister Loren and her family.

 You go girl!

Oh Joshua, you are growing up.