Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Billings, Montana temple

2 Nephi 8:1-25

God will gather His saints and comfort Zion.  Why do you think so many people put so much trust in the things of men instead of trying to get close to the Lord?

Mosiah 18-19

DC 24:11-19

How can we put more trust in the Lord knowing that He will give us what we need?

Talk:  "Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ"

By: Dallin H. Oaks

April 1994

GC:  'Emissaries to the Church' by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"What matters is that you love your people and are fulfilling the commandment 'to watch over the Church always.'"

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

President Ezra Taft Benson taught:

"There is a power in the Book of Mormon which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book.  You will find greater power to resist temptation.  You will find the power to avoid deception.  You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path."

James left for the valley this morning.  He has a 10 am meeting with Krissy who works with the company he is doing the tenant improvements for.  Krissy is what you would call the stylist I suppose.  He delivered my Valentines and took a new birthday card and gift card to Trina.  

I did alot of gospel study today and watched a few movies.  I always watch more movies when James is gone.  I watched: "The Locket," "Garage Sale Mystery," starring Lori Laughlin, "The Wedding March" starring Jack Wagner, and "While You Were Dating" starring Billy Baldwin  I had yogurt and strawberries for dinner.  

Well, the Arizona Trump girls made the news.  A group of them marched into Nordstrom's to close their accounts because Nordstroms dropped Ivanka Trumps clothing line.

Brennan's wife in the front, Trey's wife

in the back.

I admire them for taking action for something they feel strongly about.

Fun Photos

James and Molly at the park.

After seeing Cinderella last year. The only

granddaughter missing was Lola.

Speaking of Lola,

here she is.

Lola and Ruby finding some shade at the soccer game.

Evan and Rowan with their gramma.

Young Men's service project.

Go Ben!

Interesting trees.

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Baton Rouge, Louisiana temple

2 Nephi 6:8-7:11

How do the people of the Lord wait for Him?

The Hebrew translation of wait mean 'look to," "hope for," "anticipate," and "expect."

Mosiah 15:15-17

DC 24:1-10

How can verse 8 comfort us as we endure our afflictions?

Talk: "Finding a Safe Harbor"

By: Joseph B. Wirthlin

April 2000

GC:  'Sharing the Restored Bospel' by Elder Dallin H. Oaks

"We can pray for inspiration on what we can do in our individual circmstances to share the gospel with others.  Prayers for this kind of inspiration will be answered if accompanied by a commitment, real intent or full purpose of heart.  Pray with a commitment to act upon the inspiration you receive, promising the Lord that if He will inspire you to speak to someone about the gospel, you will do it."

Happy Valentines Day 

James wrote me a sweet, romantic letter.

A box of Prismacolor pencils!

I gave him a card and dark chocolate with hazelnuts.

I used these silly valentine faces to put on the cards I made for

the grandkids along with a sucker inside and a funny verse or joke.

I hope they liked them.

Alex, Addy, Sheri, Jared, and Kacey thanked me.

Kim got a Valentine surprise from her nieces, nephews, and brother and sisters and posted this on Facebook:

It rained/snowed today.  I put a roast in the oven for a late lunch or an early dinner.  I actually had enchiladas for an early lunch.  

We had elk in our yard again.  Three again.

They were a little shy.  Here is one.

The roast I made was delicious, so moist and tender.  I cooked it in my cast iron pot in the over at 275 degrees.  It made a wonderful Valentine's dinner.

This evening we watched "Appetite for Love" starring Andrew Walker and Taylor Cole.  Afterwards we read from "Lady of the Lakes" by the fire and then went to bed rather early.  James is leaving for the valley in the morning.

Fun Photos:

Nothing like a good nap!

I love this!

Kaeli and her Fireman

Kaeli and her cows

Brian really wants to win at Five Crowns

Monday, February 13, 2017

Atlanta, Georgia temple

2 Nephi 5:26-6:7

"Be believing, be happy, don't get discouraged.  Things will work out." - Gordon B. Hinckley

What are ways that you live after the manner of happiness?

Mosiah 13-15:14

DC 22-23:7

What verses stood out to me today?

22:1 - Baptism by authority is a new and everlasting covenant.

23 - Preach, exhort, and strengthen the Church.

23:1 - Beware of pride.

23:6 - Pray vocally, secretly, with family, among friends, and in all places.

GC:  'Be Ambitious for Christ' by Elder Kazuhiko Yamashita

"In our lives we experience trials, but if we are ambitious for Christ, we can focus on Him and feel joy even in the midst of them.  Our Redeemer is the ultimate example.  He understood His holy mission and was obedient to the will of God the Father.

What a choice blessing it is to bring His wonderful example to our remembrance each week as we partake of the sacrament."

I had a question today about dispensations.  What they were and what were the seven that we usually hear about.  I found an article by Brother Robert J. Matthews of BYU entitled "The Fulness of Times" in the December 1989 Ensign that answered most of my questions.  The seven dispensations we hear about most are:

Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Joseph Smith.  I highly recommend this article!

Yesterday when Sister Skousen and I visited the Kenyon's, Cameron's dad said, to Sister Skousen's comment that she was excited about Cameron's upcoming baptism, that the missionaries were overzealous and he felt like Cameron needed to learn more than just the basics. It was then that I invited him to Primary.  I wished I would have said, quoting Dallin H. Oaks: "Some things can only be learned by exercising faith."  

 Saguaro cactus are so photogenic.

James dropped me off at Walmart today while he went to Discount Tire to see if they could balance our tires so we don't get the vibrating when we go over 65.  They were too busy but James made an appointment for next week on the 21st to take it in.  He ate at KFC while I did my shopping at Walmart.  

When James came to pick me up at Walmart he said I could buy the Prisma colored pencils I have been eyeing.  I also got some Abreva for my coldsore which is $17 for a tiny tube.  I ended up spending another $200.  Yikes!  The main reason I came to town was to get ingredients for fixing chili, a cheesecake and a chocolate pie for tonight's dinner with my brothers and their wives.  

Darrel posted this on Trina's birthday and I forgot it yesterday.

I couldn't go without posting it today.

I had a short nap when we returned from town and then went to work fixing the chili and setting the table.  Nothing fancy:

My glass dishes I bought at the Dollar Tree.

Vickie was supposed to bring some cornbread but when Denise tasted it for her she said it was not good.  Vickie agreed and so she threw it out in our front yard for the birds.  We had chips instead.

Denise loved the chili and said it was great.  We ate most all of it.

Afterwards we played a game of Five Crowns.  If you can't tell by the look on her face, Vickie was the winner!

This tree was a conversation piece.  Vickie thinks I need

to put some flowers, or decorations on it for whatever the holiday is.  For February, hearts, and for March, shamrocks, April, Easter eggs.  I kind of like the idea but I am afraid to try.  What it really needs is some more family photos!  Maybe for Mother's Day.

After everyone left James started doing the dishes.  I helped.  It was a fun evening and we should have company more often.

A happy night in the Gonzales family and their extended family too.

Fun Photos

Emmy and her soccer team.  They got 2nd in last

weekends tournament.

Alex helps Rowan catch a fish at 

Power Ranch.  This was a

few years ago.

Sunday, February 12, 2016

Happy Birthday Trina!

I sure do love these two,

and these six!

Runners Lexy and Trina

I sent Trina's birthday card and Cheesecake gift card on the 6th and she still hasn't received it.  James took her a new card and gift card on his last trip down.  

Arequipa, Peru temple

2 Nephi 5:10-25

Why is it important to me to have the light of the gospel in my life?

Mosiah 11:19-12

DC 20:80-21:12

Which prophets have made an impression on you?  Share one of your favorite talks with us.

*President Ezra Taft Benson: "Floor the Earth with the Book of Mormon"

*President Gordon B. Hinckley: "Six B's for Youth, 2001.

GC:  'Abide in My Love' by Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"Beyond rendering the penitent person guiltless and spotless with the promise of being 'lifted up at the last day,' there is a second vital aspect of abiding in the love of God.  Abiding in His love will enable us to realize our full potential, to become even as He is.

As President Dieter F. Uchtdorf stated: 

'The grace of God does not merely restore us to our previous innocent state...His aim is much higher.  He wants His sons and daughters to become like Him.  To abide in God's love in this sense means to submit full to His will."

GC:   'Our Spiritual Development and Learning' by Elder W. Mark Bassett

President Uchtdorf:

"When missionaries have faith in Jesus Christ, they will trust the Lord to follow His commandments - even when they do not completely understand the reasons for them.  Their faith will be manifest through diligence and through work."

James got up earlier than he had planned and helped me finish my Valentines for my class.  Without him I would not have finished.

He left in the truck and I left in Lexy because after the block I am visiting the kids in my class who did not attend with the Primary president.  

My lesson today was on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and the translation of the gold plates and the gifts of the Holy Ghost. Those attending in my class today: Jace, Colter, and Curtis. During the lesson today Jace said he called Glenzo the "n" word because he was angry with him.  Glenzo is an Apache indian from Whiteriver and the "n" word is: A Navajo. 

Tana Westbrook, Analee Hunsaker, and Owen Peeler were the speakers in sacrament meeting.

Deborah Brewer, a fairly new convert was called as the ward sacrament meeting chorister today.  Denice Hall is the new Primary chorister.  She is also still teaching her class.

Jesus loves little children

Becky and I visited Braxton who is supposed to be in my class.  We visited with Cameron's dad and Becky expressed her excitement that the missionaries had said Cameron was going to be baptized soon.  Cameron's dad seemed to have some doubts which gave us reason for concern.  I told him I would love to have him in my Primary class where he could learn more about the gospel.  We went to Wyatt's house but were afraid to get out because of the barking dogs.  I told her I would come back later with James. One of the kids in my class, Dallas, has moved so I crossed him off my list.  

A typical "Haboob" in the valley during the monsoon season.

James had heated up some enchiladas for me for lunch.  They tasted so good.  I watched "A Dash for Love" during my rest time while James went home teaching to the Peeler's with his new partner, Brother Westbrook.

Fun Photos:

Love the 80's hairdos on the girls and the matching dresses

that Lois made them.  Oh yes, and Jared's toothless grin.

Cute picture of Aaron and Kari's family.

Evan's baptism.

Emmy is a soccer player and a very clever girl.

Molly loves to help her dad bake cookies.