Thursday, May 31st, 2018

Indianapolis, Indiana

148th operating temple

Dedicated: 23 Aug 2015

By: President Henry B. Eyring

Jesus Christ, Birth of

John 1:14

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Book of Mormon

Alma 9:7-18

*How does having the knowledge of the gospel make us more accountable for our own actions?

Talk: Light and Knowledge to the World

By: Joseph Anderson

Oct. 1972

Old Testament

1 Kings 9-10

9 The Lord again appears to Solomon - The Lord promises great blessings if the Israelites are obedient and great cursings if they forsake Him - Solomon reigns in splendor, levies tribute upon the non-Israelites, and builds a navy of ships.

10 The queen of Sheba visits Solomon - His wealth and wisdom exceed that of all the kings of the earth.

General Conference

Let Us All Press On

" I exhort you to study the messages of this conference frequently - even repeatedly - during the next six months. Conscientiously look for ways to incorporate these messages in your family home evenings, your gospel teaching, your conversations with family and friends, and even you discussions with those not of our faith. Many good people will respond to the truths taught in this conference when offered in love. And your desire to obey will be enhanced as you remember and reflect upon what you have felt these past two days."

James went on his early morning walk, went to the grocery store, then on to Chandler to the doctor, and then to pick up the boys. The girls went home with Darrel last night and now it's the boys turn to come to the condo. 

I called the Snowflake temple to put Sister Dye's name on the prayer roll. She found out this week that she has lung cancer. 

"Each time we fast, we gain a little more control over our worldly appetites and passions..." Joseph B. Wirthlin

Dale G. Renlund Melchizedek Priesthood, Chapter 18, Principle #10 A Priesthood Holder Delegates and Accepts Delegated Responsibility.

I stayed home today. After James picked up Max, Evan, Joshua, and Rowan he took them to Peter Piper Pizza for lunch. When they got here I took them swimming. While we were at the pool Michael and Alexis showed up. Connor came a little later. Michael said I could go back to the room and he would keep an eye on the boys. 

When the boys came in I fixed dinner for them. Ham and cheese sandwiches with apple slices. 

I got a text from my niece Jenifer today. Her daughter, Bettylea, is going to the tempe on Saturday and needs a family name. I gave her Mary Strickland, the one I was going to have Addy do. 

James cooking breakfast

Good eats

Famous line from the show "Chopped."

After family prayer the boys went in their room

to play video games. This is what they looked

like when I went in to say good night.

Poster for our ward activity

Can they see to drive?

That is some load!

Saturday, May 19th, 2018

Quetzaltenango, Guatemala

136th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Dec 2011

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Birth of

2 Nephi 25:19

For according to the words of the prophets, the Messiah cometh in six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem; and according to the words of the prophets, and also the word of the angel of God his name shall be Jesus Christ the Son of God.

Book of Mormon

Alma 2:19-38

* What did the Nephites do to help them gain victory over the Amlicites?

- The war chapters teach us much about how to gain victory over our enemies. What can we learn about gaining victory over our enemies? Verse 21 Alma sent spies to know of the plans and plots of the Amlicites. We have the Holy Ghost that can warn us and prepare us to be ready for Satan's attacks. We can pray mightily as in vs. 28, and be strengthened by the Lord. In verse 30 we can be men and women of God, exercising our faith that no matter what we can be instruments in the Lord's hands. The Nephites were outnumbered by the Amlicites but God was on their side, which was the reason they gained victory!

Old Testament

2 Samuel 11-12

11 David lies with Bathsheba, and she conceives - He then arranges for the death in battle of her husband, Uriah.

12 Nathan tells David the parable of the ewe lamb - The Lord gave many wives to David, who is now cursed for taking Bathsheba - David fasts and prays for his son, but the Lord takes him - Solomon is born - David conquers the royal city of the Ammonites.

General Conference

With One Accord

Reyna I. Aburto

"Like the monarch butterflies, we are on a journey back to our heavenly home, where we will reunite with our Heavenly parents. Like the butterflies, we have been given divine attributes that allow us to navigate through life, in order to 'fill the measure of our creation.' Like them, if we knot our hearts together, the Lord will protect us 'as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings' and will make us into a beautiful kaleidoscope."

James's business credit card was due today. I had to transfer more money out of our line of credit to pay it. There is only $2,000 left in our line of credit.

The first thing James did this morning when he got up was feed the hummingbirds and the bunnies. 

After reading Alma 2:19-38 on the prayers of Alma, James tells me the result of my prayers for him this past week. When I prayed that he would have enough help workers showed up that he hadn't expected. He believes very strongly in my faith and prayers now.

Adam and his friends got up rather late to make breakfast. Kaitlin is recovering from being sick so she slept in even longer, and misses the guys big breakfast. They save her some. Mmmm nothing like leftover pancakes and bacon. 

James and I left to go to town and the guys, Chris, Kyle and Jacob,  went on a Razr ride. I guess they left Kaitlin a note. 

On the way into town I read from our current book, "Stars Over Northumberland" by Anita Stansfield.

We stopped for lunch at LaCasita. James got a chicken green chili enchilada and I got a plain green chili enchilada. His was better. I will know next time. I had to try it. The waitress brought me extra lettuce. Next time I need to ask for extra lettuce and tomato.

After lunch I ran in to Walgreen's to get me an eyebrow pencil because I can't find the one I bought yesterday. (I find it later, and now I have two). 

Next stop, Cal-Ranch for bunny food. I went in and took pictures of the baby chicks.

So cute when they are little.

When we get home I sit down to work on my talk on righteous parenting. I also did my walking outside. James is so tired from the hectic week he had that he lies down to take a nap. Adam and his friends are upstairs playing video games. They took the 4G wifi upstairs.

It is a beautiful evening to walk outside. The bunnies are eating, some in the grass, others out of the containers James has out for them. Since we don't have a dog or cat I guess you could say that these bunnies are our pets. 

I love the book, "Christlike Parenting," by Glenn I. Latham. Most of my talk is based on the principles in this book. 

Oh, did I mention, Adam has a beard and mustache but even better than that, one of the guys who came up with him has long hair, and a long beard. I call this group, Kaitlin and the guys. Adam told me that Jacob was in the pirate play with him and Kaitlin. I thought to myself that he's still playing the part of the pirate.

 Hatch's continue their temple tour.

This time they are in St. Louis, Missouri.

 Introducing the Duke and Duchess

of Sussex. The Royal Wedding 

was today.

Bunnies cutting the grass.

Beautiful sunset.