Friday, October 12th, 2018

Sacramento, California

123rd operating temple

Dedicated: 3 September 2006

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

DC 6:37

Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Amen.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 4:1-14

*How can I prepare to meet my challenges and adversities with the "Strength of the Lord"?

- Through faith, repentance, prayer and gospel study and hard work. Being gathered together in righteousness with others. Being prepared to fight against Satan.

Old Testament

Jeremiah 13-15

General Conference

Believe, Love, Do

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"We achieve the abundant life by becoming true disciples of Jesus Christ - by following in His ways and engaging in His work."

James forgot his meds and I forgot my bra on this trip. I brought my ah-bra but I don't usually wear that in public except when I am traveling. James called CVS and Dr. Moffat and made arrangements to pick up his blood pressure meds. 

Just down the street from CVS was a Walmart where I went shopping. I got what I needed and almost bought a $12 dot journal but I abstained. I don't need another one. 

Snyder is a town of about 11,000 people and is still in the desolate part of Texas. The password for the internet at our hotel was "gocowboys." The Texas accent is alive and well here as demonstrated by my cashier, Ramona, at Walmart. 

As we left Snyder and it's windmills on the hill, it was overcast and cool. We get on the I-20 and pass the exit for Stink Creek. We see signs for Abilene which is "the storybook capital of Texas." As we pass the Taylor county line the scenery is changing from brown to green. There are fields of cotton and maize but there are no mountains. We head for Ft. Worth instead of Abilene. There are rolling hills and big walnut? trees. There seems to be a college in every one of these small towns. The speed limit is 75 most of the time on the freeways. It begins raining and we see a sign: Pecans for sale. Maybe those were pecan trees, not walnut.

Going through the rush hour traffic of Ft. Worth and Dallas really slowed us down. Once we get east of Dallas we take the 49 toll road to Tyler and Whitehouse, 2 1/2 hours away. 

We are finally at Kacey and Jared's! I see a car from Arkansas parked in front and I think it is Autumn's and Palmer's. I am right. We are happy to meet them and Scarlett. 

Beautiful scenery in east Texas

Soon Summer was home. She was wearing scrubs because she works at Jared's office. She is a senior this year and looking forward to graduating on June 1st, the same day that James graduates in San Antonio.

Autumn, Palmer, and Scarlett left to stay at Autumn's dad's in Longview/Hallsville. He has a big house and once Trina and Darrel get here, Kacey and Jared's will be pretty full. We said goodbye and look forward to seeing them tomorrow at Scarlett's 1st birthday party.

Soon Jared was home and we all sat down to a nice meal, Kacey's delicious meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans and Sister Schubert's rolls. I think Charlie stayed asleep until it was time for Kacey to eat. Charlie is so much cuter in person if that is possible!

We enjoyed visiting this evening and going for a walk with Kacey around the block several times while Jared and Charlie watched TV. 

We slept in Tanner's room and the bed was very comfortable. 

We look forward to seeing Darrel and Trina tomorrow. Trina texted me to see if it was cold. They are flying tonight and will arrive in Dallas at 5 am, where they will rent a car and drive to Whitehouse.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Phoenix temple.

Christlike attribute:

"Diligence"

 I work effectively, even when I'm not under

pressure or supervised."

D&C 58:26-27

I focus my efforts on the

most important things.

Matthew 23:23

I was up at 4 am to study.  I missed going to the temple with the youth this morning.  They met at the church at 5:30am.  

At 8am I started pumpkin bread for James's home teaching families: John & Sandra Wilhelm, Owen & Donna Peeler, Sean & Stefani Hunsaker, and John & Lorraine Vaught.  I didn't have enough eggs for four loaves so James had to make a trip to the Stanford store for some eggs.  We have a bit of a misunderstanding and don't speak for awhile.  Finally I tell him what he has done to hurt my feelings and he is very sweet the rest of the day.

After making four loaves of pumpkin bread I ask myself the question: "Why is there that big dent in the middle of each loaf of bread?".  I start to Google this question but realize it's getting late and I will have to find my answer another time.  I start getting ready for my week long trip to the valley.

I have some empty storage boxes upstairs that I break down to take with us.  Part of my plan is to finish emptying the cupboards downstairs in Chandler and bring stuff home or give it or throw it away. I call and tell Sheri I won't be making it to the Trunk or Treat.  She is sad but understands and sends me some pictures.

All four of her boys are in this picture and

one extra guy.

 Joshua and Evan.  Star Wars buddies.

Trina and Darrel's ward also had their trunk or treat tonight.

 Lola was an ASU cheerleader

 Elsa, Hermoine, and Harry join Lola.

We arrived at the house in Chandler after dark, around 6:30.  We unloaded the truck and then went grocery shopping at Fry's.  It's still 87 degrees outside!  

We visited with Joshua, Michael and Stacy and Paul a little while before going downstairs to go to bed.  We had to move Adam's bird Lukesy out of the basement.  

James still has laringitis and now he can't hear.  He pokes around in his ear with pens and other sharp objects and now it is infected.  He's never been able to hear very well out of his other ear which is cauliflowered from his years of wrestling.