Thursday, November 15th, 2018

Tucson, Arizona

157th operating temple

Dedicated: Aug 13, 2017

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Davidic Descent of

DC 113:1-2

Who is the Stem of Jesse spoken of in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th verses of the 11th chapter of Isaiah?

Verily thus saith the Lord: It is Christ.

Book of Mormon #1

3 Nephi 29-30

Make a list of some of the Savior's characteristics you consider to be most important. Take a personal inventory of your own life with regard to these characteristics and formulate a plan to better fulfill His mandate to be "even as I am." (3 Nephi 27:27). 

Some Christlike attributes I would like to develop: Charity, courage, patience and discernment.

Book of Mormon #2

Alma 22-24

Old Testament

Daniel 1-2

General Conference

Women and Gospel Learning in the Home

President Henry B. Eyring

"You might ask, 'How does that make faithful sisters a primary force to help the Lord pour out knowledge on His Saints?' The Lord gives the answer in 'The Family: A Proclamation to the World.' You remember the words, but you may see new meaning and recognize that the Lord foresaw these exciting changes, which are now occurring. In the proclamation, He gave sisters charge to be the principal gospel educators in the family in these words: 'Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children.' This includes the nurture of gospel truth and knowledge."

James moved to the recliner during the night because he was in so much pain. I wake up at 3 a.m. and can't go back to sleep so I got up and said my prayers and began my gospel study. 

Nice to be up early. There were ten elk in the yard this morning. 

I had cookies and hot and sour soup for breakfast. We bought a quart of soup yesterday when we went to the China Buffet for lunch.

Here are some things I read this morning while I was studying:

"In spite of adversity Jeremiah was like an iron pillar."  "We should have the standard works on our hearts and in our souls." - BRM

I cut James's toenails and wrapped his ribs this morning in an ace bandage. 

I watched part of the "Nutcracker Christmas" this morning before deciding I needed a nap before going to work at the temple. 

We had lunch around 11. James cooked us some venison. Mine was very tender! James had his with eggs.

We picked up our neighbor, Kathy at 12:30. She works this shift at the temple every week. Our prayer meeting at 2 p.m. was presided over by President and Tricia Reidhead. I love how he calls his wife "his sweetheart."  Our instruction today was about the prayer circle. 

My first assignment was in the kitchen with Kathy. This shift makes food assignments and they have a menu. Today the menu was a baked potato bar. We brought bacon bits, two small bags cost $12. 

After working in the kitchen I was a greeter and then worked in initiatory. After initiatory I didn't even look at my schedule because I thought I had break. I was sitting at a table with Brother Van Deren eating when Sister Martineau came down and said I was supposed to be in charge of assigning lockers in the locker room. How embarrassing! I put my food in the frig and hurried upstairs. I guess it was meant to be because Ruth Gale, a dear friend from Chandler, came in. We hugged and exchanged phone numbers, something I have wanted to do with Ruth for a long time. 

After locker room I went back to the kitchen and finished my lunch. I visited and got to know Sister Martineau who is originally a single mom from Idaho. She has a son serving in the Idaho, Pocatello mission.

My other assignments were in the celestial room and then doing sealings. Brother Flake and Brother Owens were the sealers. Brother Owens is from Show Low and has known the Maxwell's for years. He said he used to go out to my dad's ranch with his boys to shoot coyotes. 

I met a sister who graduated with Dennis. I graduated with her brother George and she told me he died of colon cancer in 1994. How sad. George was an amazing guy, very smart and very spiritual. 

We got off an hour early thanks to Kathy and James. Kathy insisted James needed to leave early because of his injury. She arranged it and we left around 7 instead of 8. I think Kathy leaves early every week.

When we got home we walked and finished watching "Nutcracker Christmas." We slept on the recliners for James.

 Scarlett showing off her Christmas tree!

Joshua is in the front on the right.

 Did someone say carseat?

 Daddy seat instead!

Monday, November 12th, 2018

Star Valley, Wyoming

154th operating temple

Dedicated: 30 Oct 2016

By: David A. Bednar

Jesus Christ, Davidic Descent of

Acts 13:23

Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Savior, Jesus:

Book of Mormon #1

3 Nephi 27:13-33

*How can we strive to be more like Christ?

- President Ezra Taft Benson said: "The entire ministry of the Master was characterized by His voluntary subordination to His Heavenly Father's 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 become more like the Savior? 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 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.'"

Book of Mormon #2

Alma 15-17

Old Testament

Ezekiel 41-43

General Conference

Believe, Love, Do

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"We achieve that abundant life not by focusing on our own needs or on our own achievements but by becoming true disciples of Jesus Christ - by following in His ways and engaging in His work. We find the abundant life by forgetting ourselves and engaging in the great cause of Christ."

For Him

Joy D. Jones

"We realized that we were sincerely striving to serve this family and to serve our bishop, but we had to ask ourselves if we were really serving out of love for the Lord. King Benjamin made clear this distinction when he stated, 'Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God.'"

In site of the cold weather, the high was 33 today, I am feeling so much better than I did last week and the week before. 

I stayed inside and was nice and cozy because James built a big and and kept the house warm all day.

James moved his office upstairs this morning instead of at the end of the dining room table. He's making phone calls about this job in Mesa that he is supposed to do next week, or the week after.

James came down to fry up some venison for lunch. He gave me the steaks and he took the heart and the liver! I made a salad.

While I was walking this afternoon James left for the Howard's.

Besides walking I also made Trina's Levian Bakery cookies, and worked on our book biz. I learned how to change our shipments  from merchant fulfilled to Fulfilled by Amazon. This is supposed to be better but I'm not sure why because it is quite costly.

Oh my gosh! These cookies are delicious! I need to get them out of my sight!

This batch was the best.

While talking on the phone with Sister Howard about our lunch date tomorrow she told me that James fell off a ladder today, hit Tom and they both went tumbling to the ground. James hit a rock. 

Funny, when he came in earlier he never mentioned falling off a ladder. When I asked him about it, he admitted he wasn't going to tell me and then proceeded to tell me he thinks he cracked some ribs. I think I might have noticed that he was in such great pain.

I heard from Stacy today and from Sister Price reminding me about card making class tomorrow. I said if she was here I was going but I had to leave early for a lunch date. 

Along with Ben's email and his answer, I texted Max today and shared with him Alma 36:3 -"And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day." Max texted me back and said, "Thank you, that was awesome." I talked with Ben a little bit about Max and how he is feeling and told him I thought Max needed to have his faith strengthened and would he, Ben, please help. He said he did and wondered why his family was going through such trials. He shared with Max one of his favorite scriptures, Helaman 5:12 - "And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which e are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."

Every week when I email Ben I am going to also send something uplifting to Max.

Tanner is in the hospital with mesenteric adenitis, inflammation of the lymph nodes located in your mesentery. The mesentery is the membrane that attaches your intestines to the inside wall of your abdomen. Lymph nodes are collections of tissue that filter bacteria, viruses, and waste substances from the bloodstream. We said a special prayer for Tanner this evening. 

Hate to see this guy down. He is always

so full of life and energy.

For FHE we listened to Sister Jones's conference talk, "For Him," one of my favorites. I love Sister Jones! 

Afterwards we watched a new Hallmark movie, "A Veteran's Christmas." Fitting for veterans day.

This shirt is one that I got Scarlett for

her birthday. She looks so cute!

 So excited for Kris and Kristine. They are such a

sweet couple!

I have to have my Charlie fix everyday!

 Enough cuteness....I've got to take a nap.

Future athletes of America
Lola and Ruby