Wednesday, December 7, 2016

I did two things to feed the hungry.  I doubled our fast offerings and then I read a talk by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "He Hath Filled the Hungry with Good Things."

Ether 5:1-6:ll

The Lord Jesus Christ is the source of light for our world and for our lives.  The Lord touched the stones the brother of Jared presented to Him "to give light unto men, women, and children" (6:3) as they crossed the ocean.  The Lord also provides light to guide us through the darkness of mortality and toward the brightness of the celestial kingdom - our promised land.  Our way is lit by the light of apostles and prophets, the standard works, and inspired leaders and teachers.  We too can be a light - we can light the way for others when we hearken to the Lord's counsel and keep ourselves worthy of His Spirit.  Sister Ardeth G. Kapp, former Young Women general president counseled: "You have the light within.  You can shine in darkness.  You can light up the world.  You can help dispel darkness.  You can make a difference."  
I was privileged to travel with Sister Kapp when I went to England in 2005.  She invited my friend and I to have dinner with her and her sisters.  She went out of her way to be kind to us, virtual strangers.  She seemed genuinely interested in us and asked us questions about our lives.  I have never met a kinder or sweeter person.  She truly radiates the light of Christ!

GC: The Lord Jesus Christ Teaches Us to Pray by Elder Juan A. Uceda

" We returned to Machu Picchu in silence.  The idea came to my mind that He had paid attention to my voice but that I had not paid any attention to His.  There was a deep pain in my heart for

disobeying His voice and at the same time a deep sense of gratitude for His mercy.  He did not exercise His justice uponn me, but in His great mercy, He had saved my life (see Alma 26:20). "

Gila Valley, Arizona temple

Today is Paul's birthday and it is also Pearl Harbor day.

Stacy and Paul have been together for almost 30 years!

The newest member of Paul's fan club.

Shipley and her ears that look like bat wings!

After scriptures and prayer James left for the valley this morning in his truck, pulling a trailer.  He is still working on cleaning out all of his stuff from the construction yard and moving in up here.  He is also getting some equipment ready to sell at an auction on Saturday.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson offered the prayer in the U.S. Senate today:

That is Joe Biden standing next to Elder Christofferson.

I went shopping today at Home Depot where I got James some gloves to wear when he is using the log splitter.  I also got some polish for the wood floor.  Next was Walmart and then Dollar Tree.

I got some lunch at Taco Bell and headed for home.  

I got a call from Stacy today telling me about her health problems.  She has been having alot of night seizures that have kept her from sleeping.  The doctor's are doing all kinds of tests and hopefully they will be able to help her.  

I was so tired after my shopping trip that I just sat down in my recliner and watched the movie "Angels in the Snow" starring Kristy Swanson.  It was one I had seen before but really liked.

This guy just flew home from completing an honorable mission in

Orlando, Florida.  James had him when he was the teacher's quorum advisor and he really gave James some grief.  Ammon is the same age as our grandson Dallin.

Dave's daughter, our niece Teresa, and her family.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Today we were ask to share a scripture on social media.  I shared the Primary scripture for the month.

I forgot about the scripture that helped me through the hardest time

in my life.  Thank goodness Dianne Heyman posted it:

 Ether 4:1-19

Moroni wrote that the brother of Jared (Moriancumr) recorded in his vision all the inhabitants of the earth from beginning to end (Ether 3:25; 2:13).  This vision reveals "all things from the foundation of the world unto the end thereof" (2 Nephi 27:10).  Moroni explained that "there never were greater things made manifest" than what the brother of Jared saw (Ether 4:4).  We know Moroni sealed a copy of this vision with the plates he delivered to Joseph Smith. (Ether 4:5; 5:1).  Moroni further informed us of the conditions the Lord indicated must exist for this sealed portion of the record to come forth.  The scriptures indicate we must repent; exercise faith in the Lord, like the brother of Jared did; and become sanctified. (Ether 4:6-7).

GC:  A Choice Seer Will I Raise Up by Elder Craig C. Christensen

" We need not be timid about testifying of Joseph's mission as a prophet, seer, and revelator, for the Lord has always worked through prophets.  Because of the truths restored through Joseph Smith, we know much more about our Heavenly Father and the Savior Jesus Christ.  We know of Their divine attributes, Their relationship to each other and to us, and the great plan of redemption that allows us to return to Their presence."  

 Salt Lake temple Christmas display

James is spending alot of time upstairs going over information needed by the insurance company for the items that were stolen from the construction yard where he has been keeping his equipment.  Because the power trowel wasn't listed on his equipment inventory my hopes for getting reimbursed for it are pretty low.  One thing I will say about James is he never gives up!

I love this memory from a couple of years ago.  These girls

got up at 5 am. to come to the temple.  I am so proud of them

and I am so grateful to have been one of their leaders!

I read an interesting article in the Ensign today by Elder M. Russell Ballard called "Learn by Study and by Faith."  The talk was about teaching young people and explaining things to them that they want to know.  He suggests that we go on lds.org and study something new called Gospel Topic Essays.  I am excited to do this!

The Wave in Canyon de Chelly

Family Memories:

This is such a great picture of Molly and

look how blue Lola's eyes are.

Maybe getting Lola a stuffed monkey for Christmas wasn't a 

good idea.  It looks like she already has one.

Ending with a joke:

This was posted by one of my favorite Foodnetwork

chefs, and judges on Chopped, Alex Guarnaschelli.

Monday, December 5, 2016

I am not so sure I can heal them, but I certainly prayed for them today!

Ether 3:17-28

What blessings have you seen in your life because of your faith?

Every blessing I have in my life comes because of my faith in Jesus Christ!

GC:    O How Great the Plan of Our God by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Life changing truths are before our eyes and at our fingertips, but sometimes we sleepwalk on the path of discipleship.

Too often we let ourselves be distracted by the imperfections of our fellow member instead of following the example of our Master.

We tread a path covered with diamonds, but we can scarcely distinguish them from ordinary pebbles."

Copenhagen, Denmark temple

GC: "Come Follow Me" by Practicing Christian Love and Service by Elder Robert D. Hales

"The disciples were taught to turn from the ways of the natural man to the loving and caring ways of the Savior by replacing contention with forgiveness, kindness, and compassion.  The 'new commandment' to 'love one another' was no always easy to

keep.  When the disciples worried about associating

with sinners and certain classes of people, the Savior

taught patiently, 'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.'"

James smashed his finger in the log-splitter.  I ask him why he doesn't wear gloves and he says he doesn't have any that fit right.  I put "gloves for James" on my Christmas list, only I don't know if I will wait until Christmas to give them to him.  

Some interesting political trivia. Rex Lee's sons, Mike and Thomas, are both on the list for Trump's choices of supreme court justices.  Rex Lee is from St John's, Arizona, a former president of BYU and a former solicitor general for the United States.  I hope at least one of them makes it!

 This afternoon while I was blogging I turned on the Christmas movie, "The Road to Christmas" starring Jennifer Grey.  I always pick a movie I've seen before to watch while I am blogging.  I always get behind on my posts when I go to the valley.  Today I did last Wednesday's and Thursday's posts.  I always have to do two a day when I get behind.  

For dinner tonight we had canned chili and corn.  Afterwards we had FHE by the fire.  We listened to Sister McConkie's conference talk, The Soul's Sincere Desire.

" He suffered, bled and died to glorify His Father,

and His merciful petition on our behalf opens the way

for each of us to obtain peace in this life and everlasting

life in the world to come.  He does not want us to suffer

longer or endure more trials than needed.  He does want us

to turn to Him and allow Him to ease our burdens, to heal

our hearts, and to cleanse our souls through

purifying power."

Memories, Friends, and Families

Last year I made two new friends

Joe and his band, Supermotel

Daddy-Daughter Date

I think this was at the Hunter Hayes concert.

Our friend Brooklyn

who was in our Primary class in Chandler.

Brooklyn with her family.

Sunday, December 4, 2016

I am so grateful for the Sabbath day when we worship our Heavenly Father and partake of the sacrament and ponder about the Savior and His great atoning sacrifice.  Today was fast and testimony meeting.  I bore my testimony.  Our new stake president, President Shumway and his counselor, President Bealer both visited our sacrament meeting.  They both bore their testimonies and I felt the Spirit so strongly.  They are truly men of God.

There are only five or six temple that decorate for Christmas.

The Mesa temple is one of them, and of course,

the Salt Lake temple.

Ether 3:1-16

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has said, in regards to the brother of Jared seeing the spiritual, premortal Jesus Christ: "Perhaps Christ was saying to the brother of Jared, 'Never have I shown myself unto man in this manner, without my volition, driven solely by the faith of the beholder.' As a rule, prophets are invited into the presence of the Lord, are bidden to enter His presence by Him and only with His sanction.  The brother of Jared, on the other hand, seems to have thrust himself through the veil, not as an unwelcome guest but perhaps technically as an uninvited one.  Said Jehovah: 'Never has man come before me with such exceeding faith as thou hast; for were it not so ye could not have seen my finger....Never has man believed in me as thou hast.' Obviously the Lord himself was linking unprecedented faith with this unprecedented vision.  If the vision itself was not unique, then it had to be the faith and how the vision was obtained that was unparalleled.  The only way that faith could be so remarkable was its ability to take the prophet, uninvited, where others had been able to go only with God's bidding" (Christ and the New Covenant, 21-23).

GC:   Fourth Floor, Last Door by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

" Just because we can't hear something doesn't mean

there is nothing to hear.  Two people ca listen to the same

message or read the same scripture, and one might

feel the witness of the Spirit while the other doesn't."

I had Denice Hall's Primary class today along with Kacey, Zemira, and Curtis.  Denice's class included: Tana, Madison, Talena, and Carly a girl I have never seen before.

We talked about having faith in Jesus Christ.  We watched part of the video "Finding Faith in Jesus Christ," but because I did not have a speaker we couldn't hear very well.  I also had pictures on the board of different people in the Book of Mormon who had demonstrated faith and we discussed them.  I ask the class how they strengthen their faith and what it means to have faith.  It was a good class.

Curtis had a tablet and he played with it during singing time.  Colter said something to his mom who was leading the music, but I didn't make him stop because at least he was sitting still and keeping quiet.

Seven Falls in Bear Canyon

James and I went home for a short while after the block.  I got online and paid our tithing for November.  We had tithing settlement at 1:30.  I love our bishop.  He is only 32 years old but he is full of wisdom, good counsel and advice.  I had a private chat with him after James went out of the room.  He told me he was grateful for my Christlike example.  I am grateful for his.

After tithing settlement we broke our fast.  James cooked me some pork chops.  They were delicious!

I have some memories on this date that I want to include:

A couple of years ago when they came up for

Christmas.

I think they did a great job!

Ruby Tuesday

Since she didn't get to help with the cookies, Lola

wants to help with the puzzle.

Tonight our family met at Sheri's for the annual gingerbread house

contest.  I think hands down, Kim and Brian won this year.

Kim and Brian's house.

Other houses, I am not sure whose.

This is the house James and I were going to make.

Oh well, maybe next year.

Sheri hung out with Lola while everyone else was working

on their houses.

James and I stayed home and watched the

First Presidency Christmas Devotional.

Saturday, December 3, 2016

Ether 2:13-25

The Lord wants us to grow and learn as we make our own decisions.  He also wants us to take our conclusions to Him frequently for His confirmation.  When the brother of Jared asked the Lord about the matter of light for the vessels, the Lord answered with a question of His own: "What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels?"  According to President Harold B. Lee, the Lord's question was similar to saying the following: 'Well, have you any good ideas?  What would you suggest that we should do in order to have light?'  Then the Lord went away and left him alone.  It was as though the Lord were saying to him, 'Look, I gave you a mind to think with and I gave you agency to use it.  Now you do all you can to help yourself with this problem; and then, after you've done all you can, I'll step in to help you.'"  After considering the possibilities, the brother of Jared demonstrated his great faith by asking the Lord to touch 16 stones and supply lights.  The Lord answered this plea and not only provided light for the vessels but gave this faithful man a vision unlike any other.  President Lee concluded: "This is the principle in action.  If you want the blessing, don't just kneel down and pray about it.  Prepare yourselves in every conceivable way you can in order to make yourselves worthy to receive the blessing you seek" (Stand Ye in Holy Places (1974), 243-44).

GC:    Rise Up in Strength, Sisters in Zion by Bonnie L. Oscarson

" If current trends are an indication, we need to be prepared for the storms that lie ahead.  It would be easy to throw our hands up in despair but as covenant people we need never despair.  As Elder Gary E. Stevenson has said, "Heavenly Father's generous compensation for living in perilous times is that we also live in the fulness of times."  I love the comfort of that statement."

Jared and Kacey are in San Diego this weekend for 

a convention for Jared's work.  

James went to the Gilbert temple this morning without me.  I forgot my temple clothes.  I really can't believe I did!  He did 5-6 initiatories while I stayed at Cathi's and read my scriptures and read a conference talk.  Oh yes, and I also ate the last piece of cheesecake for breakfast.  James was home a little after 8 and wanted to go to breakfast at IHop.  How could I say no even though I had just consumed over 600 calories.  

I had decided I was just going to have hash browns but I ended up getting an egg and a couple of pieces of bacon too.  Their hash browns were mushy, not nearly as good as the ones I make at home in my new oil-free skillet.  James had a piece of sausage with a chunk out of it and I complained about it.  Our waitress immediately brought two more pieces of sausage.   Because I appreciated her doing this and because I was trying to think of what to do in the way of service today to 'light the world', I left her a $10 tip and a note thanking her for her good service and wishing her a Merry Christmas.

When I got back to Cathi's, Cathi was waiting for me.  We had a date to go to Deseret Book, my favorite store.  What a fun time with one of my favorite people.

More pictures from San Diego:

Kacey's first time in San Diego

I bet the water is cold!

Toes in the sand.

One of the traditions in the city of Chandler on the first Saturday in December is the lighting of the tumbleweed Christmas tree.

When completed the tree is 35 feet tall.

James had a flat tire on the trailer he is bringing back to Vernon.  He took it in to Discount to get it fixed.  I began packing up but didn't actually pack my car until we got back from our family lunch at Serrano's.  This is a tradition that Kim and Brian started.  Serrano's on the first Saturday of December and then go look at Christmas lights.  Of course we did not stick around for the Christmas lights but went home after picking up James's tire.  He went through Globe and I went through Payson.

Candid shots at Serranos.

It takes James awhile to decide what he wants to eat.

There was quite a large group of us:
Sheri, Ian, Alex, Ben, Max, Evan, Kim, Brian, 
Joe, Amanda, Adam, Michael, Joshua,
James and me. 

I tried to get a shot from each corner of the table.

Amanda and Joe came in late and sat right 
across from me.

Of course we missed Jared and his family and Darrel and his family.  They were both off doing fun things today though:

The cutest Rudolph's I've ever seen!

When the elf ask Darrel what he does for a living

he said: "I sell drugs." I'm glad he didn't get arrested!

After a session in the temple.

After packing up and getting ready to go home I stopped at Charlotte's to bring her the conference Ensign and to help her set up the Gospel Library on her Ipad.  To my surprise she wasn't home.  I tried to call her later, but there was no answer.  I hope she is all right.

One more family outing I forgot to mention.  Sheri took her boys, along with Alex and Shana to the hot air balloon festival at the San Tan Village Mall.

Cute picture!

I got home about 30 minutes after James did.  It was around 7:30.  I unloaded and put everything away.  We forgot it was fast Sunday.  We usually like to start our fast around noon on Saturday, but tonight it was more like 8 pm.  We went to bed early.