OUR FAMILY

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Saturday, February 11, 2017

Anchorage, Alaska temple

2 Nephi 4:28-5:9

Nephi glories in the goodness of God. Why do you think some blessings we receive are conditional on praying and fasting and others are not?

Mosiah 9-11:17

DC 20:66-79

What are some ways that we can remember Christ everyday?

Talk: "Remembering in Whom We Have Trusted"

By: Allen D. Haynie

October 2015

GC: 'Look to the Book, Look to the Lord' by Elder Gary E. Stevenson

"In order to help the Book of Mormon become the keystone of your testimony, I offer you a challenge. I recently learned that many young people spend an average of seven hours a day looking at TV, computer, and smart pphone screens. With this in mind, would you make a small change? Will you replace some of that daily screen time - particularly that devoted to social media, the internet, gaming, or television with reading the Book of Mormon even if for only 10 minutes a day. And you can study in a way that allows you to enjoy it and understand it."

We left the house this morning for the Snowflake temple at 6:45 after our family prayer. I love these early morning trips to the temple. Today there was a beautiful full moon in the western sky, and a gorgeous pink sunrise in the eastern sky with elk running alongside the road.

Our 8 am session was nearly full. Here is our after session selfie:

It was a little windy today.

We had an early lunch at El Cupidos. I got the green chili mixed burro. It didn't even compare with the one at Burger House. We then went to Walmart for bread, envelopes, and floss. Somehow we ended up spending over $40.

Our next stop was at the post office in Show Low where we mail the Texas grandkids valentines. Finally we made it home! That last two miles is the longest and most grueling.

Amazing picture of a sunset and a rainbow!

After our nap James went out and power sprayed the cars, garage, and driveway. I sew a button on one of James's white shirts, make enchiladas using my own recipe, and begin Jmaking Valentines for my Primary kids. James loved my enchiladas. We were in bed by nine.

Fun Photos

Joshua reading the Book of Mormon in 2015.

Rowan and Evan on New Year's Day in Vernon.

Gonzo game night.

I remember these with my dad who always beat us at

Monopoly. He would outsmart us and then laugh his head off.

Very humiliating and frustrating. Not my fondest memory of him.

Three of my favorites.

I love to hear Dallin sing.

Friday, February 10, 2017

Redlands, California temple

2 Nephi 4:1-27

Lehi counsels and blesses his family. If you had to say your final goodbyes to your family which things would be the most important to mention to your loved ones?

Mosiah 7:17-8

Abinadi prophesies of the coming of Christ. Salvation liberates us.

DC 20:49-65

Why is it important that we sustain our leaders?

Talk: "Sustaining the Prophets

By: Russell M. Nelson

October 2014

GC: 'Valiant in the Testimony of Jesus' by Elder Quentin L. Cook

"Elder Neal A. Maxwell said in 1982:

'Much sifting will occur because of lapses in righteous behavior which go unrepented of. A few will give up instead of holding out to the end. A few will be deceived by defectors. Likewise, others will be offended, for sufficient unto each dispensation are the stumbling blocks thereof!'"

Two Neal A. Maxwell quotes in a row!

This first thing James does in the morning when he gets up is to make his morning drink: warm lemon water. I am usually up at least an hour or two before he is. By the time he gets up I am ready for my morning beverage: a Dr. Pepper 10 with ice.

While James was sitting at the table this morning with the blinds open he spotted an elk.

There were actually 3, two small bulls and a cow.

I had four big strawberries with my chocolate this morning. I don't feel so guilty when I have a little fiber with my chocolate.

This morning I studied the Gospel Doctrine Sunday School lesson entitled: "The First Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel."

I love depositing checks by phone. One of the things I love most about the Chase Bank app.

James and I went to town today. We had lunch at Darbi's. I was hungry for bbq so I had the pulled pork sandwich with sweet potato fries. James had a tuna salad sandwich with potato salad for his side.

Snow on the Superstition

James went to Home Depot and got my wood floor polish. He then came into Walmart and got my prescriptions while I was shopping. I got some more Valentine stuff, and a new hot glue gun. Between the two of us we spent over $200. We did self-checkout and when James scanned the rubber cement the machine ask for his age I.D. card.

We finished "The Boys in the Boat." We loved it! Thanks Jared.

I came home and made valentines to send to James, Anna, Emmy, Molly, Summer, and Tanner.

We had BLT's for dinner. James has a bad sinus infection. We did not watch any TV this evening but we did enjoy looking at the full moon.

Fun Photos

Stacy and Joshua made this candy flag for a school project.

Joshua got to see the Lego Batman movie tonight.

He held Robin and Batman up so they could watch it with him.

Our friend Judy from Vernon got to meet Sister

Linda Reeves, a counselor in the RS General Presidency,

at the Roots Tech conference.

State Champions!

Two coaches from Vernon and two boys on the team

from Vernon.

Two years ago at the Phoenix temple open house.

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Thursday, February 9, 2017

Adelaide, Australia temple

2 Nephi 3:6-25

Compare with Genesis 49:10,22,26.

This chapter, coupled with Joseph of Egypt's Patriarchal blessing, are great confirmations to the truth behind the Book of Mormon and the gospel we believe. What are my favorite witnesses I have found?

Mosiah 5-7:15

GC: 'A Witness of God' by Elder Neil L. Andersen

"To be a witness of God at all times and in all places reflects both how we live and how we speak. Be open about your faith in Christ. When the occasion presents itself, speak of His life, His teachings, and His incomparable gift to all mankind. Share His powerful truths from the Book of Mormon. He has given us this promise:

'Whosoever...shall confess me before men, him will I confess...before my Father...in heaven. I promise you that as you pray often and sincerely for opportunities to stand as a witness of God, those opportunities will come, and those who seek more light and knowledge will be put before you. As you respond to spiritual promptings, the Holy Ghost will carry your words to the heart of another, and one day the Savior will confess you before His Father."

DC 20:37-48

How has the priesthood bless your life?

Talk: The Ten Blessings of the Priesthood

By: Bruce R. McConkie

October 1977

1. We are members of the only true and living Church upon the face of the whole earth, and we have received the fulness of the gospel.

2. We have received the gift of the Holy Ghost, and we are entitled to receive the gifts of the Spirit - then wondrous spiritual endowments which set us apart from the world and raise us above carnal things.

3. We can be sanctified by the Spirit, have dross and evil burned out of us as though by fire, become clean and spotless, and be fit to dwell with gods and angels.

4. We can stand in the place and stead of the Lord Jesus Christ in administering salvation to the children of men.

5. We have power to become the sons of God, to be adopted into the family of the Lord Jesus Christ, to have Him as our Father to be one with Him as He is one with the Father.

6. We can enter into the patriarchal order, the order of eternal marriage, the order which enables the family unit to continue everlastingly in celestial glory.

7. We have power to govern all things, both temporal and spiritual kingdoms of the world, and the elements and storms and powers of the earth.

8. We have power, through the priesthood, to gain eternal life, the greatest of all the gifts of God.

9. We have power to make our calling and election sure, so that while we yet dwell in mortality, having overcome the world and been true and faithful in all things, we shall be sealed up unto eternal life and have the unconditional promise of eternal life in the presence of Him whose we are.

10. We have the power - and it is our privilege - so to live that becoming pure in heart, we shall see the face of God while we yet dwell as mortals in a world of sin and sorrow.

For lunch today we had pork chops, expertly cooked by James, hashbrowns, applesauce, cranberry celebration, and salad. Everything was delicious.

I finished today's blogging, which was James's birthday entry. While I was blogging my friend LeeAnn delivered some Protandim. She was one of my young women and she reminded me of the time we made cake balls at my house and how much fun it was. She said we should do it again and I agreed. When she left I gave her a heart shaped box of chocolates.

Sedona

This isn't me. It's a friend of mine who lives in Vernon.

Brian's wife Cher did several posts on Facebook about all of the water running in the area. Fool's Hollow is running over the spillway, Woodland Lake and Show Low Lake are both running very high. James took a ride down to Chocolate Lake and he said it is filling up with water. He was going to go to Buckelieu Springs but it was getting dark. James wore his jammies most of the day except when he went for this ride.

James and I watched one of my favorite Hallmark Valentine movies. It is called Smooch and is the modern day story of the frog prince. I love the part where Flynn comforts Zoe regarding her torn and discarded Valentine.

Fun Photos

Darrel got Ruby a corsage and took her to a

Daddy-Daughter dance this evening.

I love this picture.

Ruby and Grandpa snuggling at a soccer game.

Molly and Ruby

2015 Ice Cream

Joshua gets a haircut.

Alex and Shana hiking.

Monte was asked to be the head

football and track and field coach

at Show Low High School.

How exciting!

Congratulations Monte!

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Happy Birthday Stacy!

2 Nephi 2:22-3:5

1. What insights about parenting do we learn from this section?

2. What do you learn about joy in these verses?

Mosiah 3:15-4

DC 20:25-36

How do we become sanctified through the grace of God?

* We came to earth to master the traits of godliness while under intense pressure - the pressure that is required to produce those very traits within us. His grace allows us to be purified and sanctified by that pressure without being crushed by it.

Article: "Justification and Sanctification by Elder D. Todd Christofferson

June 2001 Ensign

GC: 'Am I Good Enough? Will I Make It?' by Elder J. Devn Cornish

"Really trying means doing the best we can, recognizing where we need to improve, and then trying again. By repeatedly doing this, we come closer and closer to the Lord, we feel His Spirit more and more, and we receive more of His grace, or help. The great news is that if we have sincerely repented, our former sins will not keep us from being exalted. Moroni tells us of the transgressors in his day.
'But as oft as they repented and sought forgiveness, with real intent, they were forgiven."

James made this comment to me this morning: "Dr. Memon is sending me his plans today. It is a $1.5 million job.

I cleaned the wood floor while James brings in wood. I am not sure our timing was very good. I also had to vacuum the family room couch.

James ask me to put Kristy Thomas's name on the temple prayer roll, which I did.

Phoenix temple

(I actually put her name on the Gilbert prayer roll).

I couldn't import pictures from my phone to the computer like I normally do because the import command was not coming up. I prayed and tried several times but it didn't work until I went over to my bed and knelt in prayer and poured my heart out to the Lord of my need to download these pictures. I explained that this was for my journal, a history of my family and this particular entry was a record of Jared and Kacey's eternal sealing. I got up, went back to the computer and was able to download the photos. Thank you Heavenly Father. Another tender mercy.

James went on a Razr ride this afternoon since the weather was so nice. I worked on making Valentines. Here are a few I did:

I am making one of these along with an original verse for each of my grandkids.

I read to James from "Boys in the Boat." The boys are in Germany and the Olympic games are beginning. The book stresses the superficial grandeur of Nazi Germany. We also watched a Valentine's movie called, "Dogs in Love."

Stacy and Paul used the gift card we got them for Cheesecake Factory. This is a picture of a meal Paul fixed Stacy a couple of years ago. He invited James and I to eat with them.

Pork chops with apples, mashed potatoes, and asparagus.

It was delicious.

Fun Photos

This picture was taken at Joshua's baptism in

August 2014.

My buddy Braylin

Mikey getting his Eagle and Janny his mom looking on.

Janny his good friends with Stacy and Sheri.

Today is her birthday too.

James enjoying the warm Vernon weather.

Monday, February 20, 2017

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

I love this view

2 Nephi 2:11-21

What are some insights learned about the Plan of Salvation in this chapter?

Mosiah 2:18-3:13

DC:20:13-24

What can we do to help us give "no heed" to temptation?

Talk: "Shunning Temptation: A Key to Receiving Revelation"

By: Ian S. Arden

February 2004 Ensign

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

'Because Joseph was a prophet, we have the blessings and

ordinances of the temple that bind us to God, make us His people, and manifest to us "the power of godliness," making it possible one day to "see the face of God, even the Father, and live."

Because Joseph was a prophet, we know that marriage and family are an essential part of God's plan for our happiness. We know that through temple ordinances and covenants, our cherished family relationships can endure eternally.'

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

"Do you prepare yourself to make important decisions by praying to your Heavenly Father? Do you prepare yourself for a moment of prayer?"

Seven Lessons Learned from the Savior:

1. Satan is the source of temptation - 2 Nephi 2:27, Matthew 4:10

2. The Savior immediately dismissed temptation.

3. Jesus took strength from the scriptures as a means of shunning temptation.

4. From the Joseph Smith Translation, we know that Jesus did not go into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil as portrayed in the King James version, for the righteous seek no temptation. Rather,

"Jesus was led up of the Spirit, into the wilderness to be with God."

(JST. Matt 4:1) When we are trying to lose weight, we stay away from the bakery.

5. Satan tempts us at our weakest point.

6. Obedience.

7. Christ was tempted three times in quick succession. Satan does not give up.

Aba, Nigeria temple

I had hot and sour soup and a sandwich for lunch. I cleaned our bedroom and bathroom today which included changing the sheets, and washing towels and rugs.

I blogged for January 18th and 19th.

I made chicken rice soup and Red Lobster biscuits for dinner this evening. I also paid bills, and emptied one storage box.

The Church's Pathway Program has gone global and the President of BYU-Idaho, President Tanner is taking it over. Henry J. Eyring is the new president of BYU-Idaho. He has to be President Eyring's son because he looks just like him. At one time President Eyring was president of Rick's College, which was renamed BYU-Idaho

After FHE James and I watched a Hallmark movie called "Makeover." We were in bed by 9.

Fun Photos