Tuesday, November 22, 2016

The Boston temple

Mormon 4:1-23

Why is it important not to boast in your own strength?  

* When we boast in our own strength and go forth in our own might, repenting not of the evil we have done, but persist in our wickedness, our hearts become hardened.  This leads to a lack of the Spirit, which invites anger towards others.  When we notice we have anger in our hearts, it should be an alarm to us that something is wrong.  OUr pride can convince us that we are okay, but anger is destructive.  Repentance heals ill feelings, mends broken spirits, softens hardened hearts, and repairs damaged souls.  Instead of looking for reasons to find fault in others, we need to recognize the fault within our own soul first.  Also, everything good in our lives comes from God.  We are selfish when we fail to acknowledge Him and express gratitude to Him for all of our blessings.  D&C 59:21: "And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things and obey not His commandments."

GC:     "The Great Plan of Redemption" by Linda S. Reeves

' When we have sinned, Satan often tries to convince us that the unselfish things to do is to protect others from the devastation of the knowledge of our sins, including avoiding confessing to our bishop, who can bless our lives through his priesthood keys as a common judge in Israel.  The truth, however, is that the unselfish

things to do is to confess and repent.  This is Heavenly Father's great plan of redemption.'

James left for the valley this morning.  On his way out he called me and said there was snow on all the mountains around us.  Sunrise got 8 inches of snow and will be open this weekend for skiing and snowboarding.  

Although we got no snow in Vernon it is nice to know that the first snow of the season hit the mountains.

It was 63 years ago today that President John F. Kennedy was shot and killed while visiting Dallas, Texas.

I was a sophomore in high school and was in Mr. Wiltbank's geometry class when the announcement was made over the intercom.  We all went outside and stood around the flag pole for a moment of silence.

I made rolls today using a recipe I got years ago in a Relief Society meeting from my friend Cathy A.  I usually make them crescent shaped but today I just made regular rolls.

I was very pleased with how they turned out.

I also made a stew for James. He got home around 7 this evening and brought me two burros from Burger House.  He loved the stew and I loved the burros!

Paul posted this picture today on Facebook.  

I love these boys, and the doggie too!

I heard some sad news today.  Our friend Drea from Chandler and her sister Annie who now lives in Utah lost their brother today.  He passed out at work.  Drea is the oldest of her siblings and she is younger than Sheri.  I am not sure how old her brother was, probably in his 30's.  Drea's sister Angela wrote this:

May the Lord comfort this sweet family.

We know Drea and her sister Annie personally.

On a happier note, Kacey got a surprise today.

Hopefully these were from Jared.

Joe's new band, Super Motel made their debut performance tonight in Mesa.

Joe is very talented.  He plays the guitar, sings, and

writes music.  Dallin, Michael, and Kim all said

the band was awesome!

I watched one of my favorite Christmas movies for the second time this year.  "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" starring Henry Winkler and Brooke Burns. This movie makes me laugh!  I love Uncle Ralph and the guy who plays Morgan!  Brooke Burns is great too.

James and I also read by the fire and the tree before going to bed. 

Monday, November 21, 2016

Name that temple.

Mormon 3:1-22

Mormon loved his people in spite of their actions.  What should our attitude be towards those we know who don't keep the commandments?

* When he was in the Presiding Bishopric, Bishop Glenn L. Pace admonished us to strive to emulate the love Mormon exhibited: "This prophet had Christlike love for a fallen people.  Can we be content with loving less?  We must press forward with the pure love of Christ to spread the good news of the gospel.  As we do so and fight the war of good against evil, light against darkness, and truth against falsehood, we must not neglect our responsibility of dressing the wounds of those who have fallen in battle." (Ensign, Nov. 1990, 8-9).

GC:     "Joy and Spiritual Survival" by President Russell M. Nelson

'Clearly, Lehi knew opposition, anxiety, heartache, pain, disappointment, and sorrow.  Yet he declared boldly and without reservation a principle as revealed by the Lord: "Men are,

that they might have joy."  Imagine!  Of all the words he

could have used to describe the nature and purpose of our lives here in mortality, he chose the word joy!'

I absolutely love President Nelson's talk about joy in the Savior.  No matter what our circumstances we can have joy if our focus is on the Savior.  

It was a rainy day so we had a fire all day long.  I also had the light on the Christmas tree on.  I couldn't resist laying on the couch for awhile.

James was stuck in the house most of the day because of the rain.  He is planning a trip to the valley tomorrow and went to hook the trailer up to the truck.  Something was wrong with the connection so he needed to make a trip to town.  I was going to make rolls today for Thanksgiving but instead I went to town.  We read from "Justice of Affliction."  One of the Rogers' sons is in Jerusalem, one is in Siberia, one daughter is in jail, and the other is in danger of losing her life and has to go into hiding.  Right now the book is quite depressing. 

Today's sky

We stopped at Sonic while we were in town.  I got a drink and an American dog and James got a New York dog.  Dinner is done.

Kim took family pictures for Sheri today.  Here are the ones of her boys.

So handsome!

Ben is awesome!

Max is so grown up!

Evan is amazing!

Evan is smiling!

In memory of the Beatles!

For FHE tonight we sat by the fire and the tree and listened to Elder Meurs talk on the sacrament.  We also watched "A Very Merry Mixup" starring Alicia Witt.

I have a couple of more family pictures to post:

Emmy a few years ago before the move to Texas.

Jared, and James leading a blind lady.

Anna drew this while driving in the car.

Excited to watch this tomorrow!

Sunday, November 20, 2016

President Henry B. Eyring dedicated the Hartford,

Connecticut temple today.

Elder Holland and President Eyring

Mormon 2:17-29

What happens when the strength of the Lord is not with us and we are left unto ourselves as it says in verse 26?  

* We may not recognize and appreciate how much Heavenly Father helps us in our daily lives as we try to live faithfully.  Mormon wrote that when his people became wicked they lost the strength of the Lord that had previously protected them.  While serving as a member of the Seventy, Elder Ray H. Wood explained: "When a person violates any of God's commandments, if there is no repentance the Lord withdraws His protective and sustaining influence.  When we lose power with God, we know of a certainty that the problem lies within us and not within God. 'I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise' (D&C 82:10).  Our misdeeds bring despair.  They sadden and extinguish the 'perfect brightness of hope' offered by Christ (2 Nephi 31:20).  Without God's help, we are left to ourselves " (Ensign, May 1999, 40-41).  I am personally amazed and grateful to Mormon for his righteousness amidst such wickedness.  It must have been difficult to stand as a witness of Christ against such odds!

Jackson Allen, Denice Hall, and Brother Smithson from the high council were the speakers in sacrament meeting today.  Denice spoke on the holy ghost and it was such a good talk.  She shared stories about her mother and how she always knew where she was because she said the Holy Ghost told her. It was a good meeting and I felt the Spirit.

I gave Sadie her card and after Primary she came and gave me a hug.  I also gave Kaeli her loaf of pumpkin bread.

Curtis and Zemira were the only kids in my class today.  We had a lesson on the Jaredites and they seemed very interested and we had a great discussion.  This was the handout we did at the end of the lesson:

Also known as the Pride Cycle which was the

eventual downfall of both the Jaredite and Nephite

nations.

After our church meetings James went home teaching.  When he returned home I made him a salad and then he wanted for both of us to go take a nap.  I told him I was too stressed about getting ready for the marriage class this evening so instead of taking a nap he brought up the Christmas decorations and decorated our Christmas tree.  I was so grateful for his love and support.

In our marriage class this evening we discussed ways to manage anger.  These are our assignments for the week:

1.  Think of something we can do to draw closer to the Savior individually and as a couple.

2.  Fill out the anger log handout.

It was another wonderful Sabbath Day!

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Mormon 2:1-16

What is the difference between sorrowing and sorrowing unto repentance?  How can our sorrow help turn our hearts to the Lord?

* President Ezra Taft Benson explained the nature of godly sorrow so that we might understand the sorrow that leads to cleansing repentance: "Godly sorrow is a gift of the Spirit.  It is a deep realization that our actions have offended our Father and our God.  It is the sharp and keen awareness that our behavior caused the Savior, He who knew no sin, even the greatest of all, to endure agony and suffering.  Our sins caused Him to bleed  at every pore.  This very real mental and spiritual anguish is what the scriptures refer to as having a 'broken heart and a contrite spirit' (D&C 20:37). Such a spirit is the absolute prerequisite for true repentance."

GC:     'Principles and Promises' by President Thomas S. Monson

" In 1833 the Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith a plan for healthy living.  That plan is found in the 89th section of the Doctrine and Covenants and is known as the Word of Wisdom.

It gives specific direction regarding the food we eat, and it prohibits the use of substances which are harmful to our bodies."

James and I headed for the Snowflake temple this morning.  I read our scriptures and then read from "20 Temple Blessings" on the way.  I had six initiatories to do and James had two.  He also took several names down to the baptistry.  He still ended up waiting for me about forty minutes.

Sister Wilhelm worked in the initiatory and helped while I was there.  James visited with Brother Curtis and Rusty from our ward.  Rusty is a recently returned missionary from our ward and just bought an engagement ring to give to his girl friend.  I guess James and Brother Curtis gave him lots of counsel and advice.

I want James to make a couple of these for me

to put in the yard.

We stopped at the Taylor Walmart so I could pick up a card and a gift card for Sadie Westbrook whose bridal shower is today.  

We ate the rest of our hot and sour soup when we got home and then took a nap.  I read from Justice of Affliction on the way home and I am really not liking some of the story line right now.  

I watched "Moonlight and Mistletoe" starring Tom Arnold and Candace Cameron Bure while I blogged.  James came in and made an announcement: "The cows are back."  Pretty soon I heard the Razr start up and he chased them off.  

I made meatball subs for dinner even though we had no missionaries join us.  It is Sheri's recipe and is quite good.  We will be having meatballs for awhile.

Yum!

This evening before working on our lessons we watched, "One Starry Christmas."  

The rest of the evening was spent working on our lessons for tomorrow.  I am teaching about the Jaredites.

Three years ago at Disneyland with these

two cuties, Rowan and Evan.

Camping with the kids at the Grand Canyon

back in the 80's.

Friday, November 18, 2016

Manitoba, Canada temple.

I think this is an artist's rendition.  I don't think this temple

is completed yet.

Mormon 1:1-19

What does it mean to willfully rebel against God and what are the consequences? (v.16)  While serving as a member of the Seventy, Elder Dean L. Larsen explained that rebellion against God has individual roots which, if not corrected, spread with devastating consequences: "Historically, the drifting away from the course of life marked out by the Lord has occurred as individuals begin to make compromises with the Lord's standard.  This is particularly true when the transgression is willful and no repentance occurs.  Remember Mormon's description of those who turned away from the true path in his day.  They did not sin in ignorance.  They willfully rebelled against God.  It did not occur as a universal movement.  It began as individual members of the Church knowingly began to make compromises with the Lord's standards.  They sought justification for their diversions in the knowledge that others were compromising as well.  Those who willfully sin soon seek to establish a standard of their own with which they can feel more comfortable and which justifies their misconduct.  They also seek the association of those who are willing to drift with them along the path of self-delusion.  As the number of drifting individuals increases, their influence becomes more powerful.  It might be described as 'the great and spacious building syndrome.' The drifting is the more dangerous when its adherents continue to overtly identify with and participate with the group that conforms to the Lord's way.  Values and standards that were once clear become clouded and uncertain.  Conduct that would once have caused alarm now becomes somewhat commonplace."

I remember years ago when Monte was going to school in Tucson and had become active in the Church.  We went down the Sunday when he was ordained an elder.  Afterwards I wanted to take everyone to lunch, justifying in my mind, that 'just this once it would be okay to go to a restaurant on the Sabbath.'  James refused and I will be forever grateful of his example of faith and obedience.  "Out of small things proceedeth that which is great."

GC:     'That He May Become Strong Also' by President Henry B. Eyring

" Now I have been some fifty four years a member of the Twelve Apostles.  I have traveled with that and other quorums now for sixty years; and I want to say to this assembly that I was just as much sustained by the power of God while holding the office of a Teacher, and especially while officiating in the vineyard as a Priest, as I ever was as an Apostle.  There is no difference in this

as long as we do our duty."

No antelope came to visit today.  We did see some yesterday in the field out by Highway 60 when we were going to Snowflake.  Today the three cows came back that trampled our grass and plants.  They are the bane of James's existence.  ________cows!

There was no wind today but the high was around 45.  This didn't stop James from working outside.

Replacing cracked stone.

While working on my blog I watched, "Mistletoe over Manhattan."

I love the Mrs. Santa Claus in this movie.  I always watch it every year.

We made a trip to town today to get the ingredients for meatball subs which we are feeding the missionaries tomorrow night.  Also I bought a turkey.  They were on sale.  It is a Butterball and weighs about 14-15 lbs.  I also bought a dutch apple pie since I didn't make James an apple pie from the Honey Crisp apples we got.

We had lunch at the China Buffet and took home two quarts of hot and sour soup.  I could live on that stuff!

As soon as I got home and was putting the groceries away I got a call from the missionaries.  They will not be able to make it to our dinner appointment tomorrow night because of a baptism.  Well I guess James and I will have to eat meatball subs by ourselves!

Anna hosted friends at her house for a

"friendsgiving dinner."

I love it!

I love living in Vernon.  I think it is beautiful and I love experiencing the four seasons.  I love the people in our ward and the peace and quiet.  Sometimes I wish it looked a little more like this:

Don't get me wrong!  I am extremely happy!

Ruby is excited about being a cheerleader and wanted to show everyone her outfit.

Love it!

I watched "I'm Not ready for Christmas" starring Alicia Witt, and "Trading Christmas" starring Faith Ford while working on my Primary lesson.

I love this picture of Jared and as a bonus

Kim is in the background along with Ryan and Cheryl.

Thursday, November 17, 2016

The sky is at it's best just before the sun comes up.

I love this picture!

4 Nephi 1:23-49

What are the characteristics of a true believer in Christ?

*Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926-2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles says: "True believers are settled in their views of Christ.  Despite their weaknesses, their spirituality is centered on the Savior.  True believers gladly perform their duties in the kingdom.  They include partaking worthily of the sacrament, rendering Christian service, studying the scriptures, praying, fasting, receiving ordinances, attending to family duties, paying tithes and offerings.... True believers are humble.  They are not easily offended.  They do not resist counsel.  True believers are willing to do what Christ wants.  Are we willing to let the Lord lead us into further developmental experiences?  Or do we shrink back?  The things which enlarge the soul inevitably involve stretching.  True believers truly pray.  Their prayers are sincere and heartfelt.  True believers have both right conduct and right reasons for that conduct.  They are so secure in their relationship with the Lord that their goodness would continue even if nobody were watching.  True believers rejoice in the success of others.  They don't regard colleagues as competitors.  True believers remember that forgetting is part of forgiving.  They follow the Lord's example: 'I will remember their sins no more' (D&C 58:42).  True believers are innocent as to sin, but not naive.  They are kind, but candid.  They love other people.  True believers are happy.  They are serious about how they live life, but are also of good cheer." (True Believers, New Era, Apr. 1994, 20-24; BMSM, 346).

GC:     "Learn from Alma and Amulek by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

'Alma the Youngers life changed when an angel of the Lord appeared to him and spoke with a voice of thunder.  For three days and three nights, Alma "was racked with eternal torment,... even with the pains of a damned soul."  And then, somehow, 

a faint memory brought light to the darkness of his mind -

an eternal truth, taught by his father: that Jesus Christ would come "to atone for the sins of the world."  Alma had long ago

rejected such concepts, but now his "mind caught hold upon 

this thought," and he humbly, earnestly placed his

trust in Christ's atoning power.'

The antelope are back!  James was going to go outside to work but he didn't want to scare them away.  We read by the fire and now he is working on sales taxes.  

They are so curious!

Soon the antelope wandered off and James went out to chop and stack wood.  He loves our fireplace because it saves us money on gas.  He loves working outside.

While he was working outside I was inside making rolls and potato soup.  The soup reminded me of the potato soup I use to get at Tony Roma's in Provo.  While I was working and writing on my blog, I watched one of my favorite Christmas movies, "Hitched for the Holidays" starring Joey Lawrence.  

Tricia posted this on Facebook.

This afternoon James and I drove to Snowflake to watch the Show Low Junior High wrestling team face the Snowflake Junior High wrestling team.  I use to work at this junior high when I was in high school.  That was many years ago.  There are three boys from Vernon on Show Low's team: Zemira, Andy, and Ty.  They all three pinned their opponents.  James thought that out of all the wrestlers, Zemira has the most natural ability.  He has not lost any of his matches but will not be able to go to state because he is too young.  He is in the 5th grade and is 10 years old.  

After the matches were over, Show Low won by the way, we stopped at Taco Bell for a little dinner.  

Chea posted this.  

I love this family!

This evening Kim and I decided who was bringing what to our Thanksgiving dinner.  I am going to buy the turkey tomorrow and leave it in the refrigerator.  

This evening James and I read by the fire and watched "A Crown for Christmas" starring Danica Kellor.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Snowflake temple

4 Nephi 1:1-22

What is the key to avoiding contention?  President Russell M. Nelson described the source of the great peace that was described in 4 Nephi: "Personal peace is reached when one, in humble submissiveness, truly loves God.  Heed carefully this scripture: 'There was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people' (4 Nephi 1:15).  Love of God should be our aim.  It is the first commandment - the foundation of faith.  As we develop love of God and Christ, love of family and neighbor will naturally follow.  Then will we eagerly emulate Jesus.  He healed.  He comforted.  He taught, 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God' (Matthew 5:9; 3 Nephi 12:9).  Shun contention.  Seek godliness.  Be enlightened by eternal truth.  Be like-minded with the Lord in love and united with Him in faith.  Then shall 'the peace of God, which passet all understanding' (Philliapians 4:7), be yours, to bless you and your posterity through generations yet to come."

GC:     "There is Power in the Book" by Elder LeGrand R. Curtis, Jr.

And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a

remission of their sins.

- 2 Nephi 25:26

I made pumpkin bread this morning using a different recipe than I did last time.  It turned out great!  

I made three loaves, one for Hailey, and Kaeli,

and one for us.

A message from President Nelson's talk,

one of my favorites.

Kaeli and I had a nice long visit with Hailey today.  While Kaeli was visiting with Hailey and sharing the message with her, I was playing with Huntleigh.

She kept calling me Nana.

We had some visitors at our place today.  These are my favorite!

So cute!

Kim, Brian and Joe decorated their tree together.

Some of my favorites!

Aunt Gene is feeling and looking much better.  I love this picture of Rita and her two girls and Aunt Gene.

Emily, Rita, Gina

Aunt Gene

I tried a new pork chop recipe tonight.  Let me introduce to you

lemon thyme pork chops:

That dipping gravy was addictive.

We have a member of our ward, Sister Hunter who is in the hospital.  She has pneumonia because of the presribed burns in the Vernon area.  We are praying for her and hope she will get well soon!

We watched "The Twelfth Day of Christmas."