OUR FAMILY

Thursday, March 2, 2017

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Barranquilla, Colombia Temple

2 Nephi 13:6-14:6

Ezra Taft Benson explained that verse 12 is about Satan targeting the family. How do you see this verse coming to pass?

Alma 1:13-2

DC 29:34-50

Why is opposition so important to God's plan? (see verse 39)

Talk: Opposition in All Things

By: Dallin H. Oaks

April 2016

GC: 'The Righteous Judge' by Elder Lynn G. Robbins

"To effectively teach a child is the very essence of good parenting, and to lovingly discipline is the very essence of being a righteous judge. President George Albert Smith taught:

'Unkind things are not usually said under the inspiration of the Lord. The spirit of the Lord is a spirit of kindness; it is a spirit of patience; it is a spirit of charity and love and forbearance and long suffering...Kindness is the power that God has given us to unlock hard hearts and subdue stubborn souls.'"

Thinking back to those feelings I had when Ruby was here in October I believe these words of Elder Robbins apply: "Those parents had been granted the extraordinary gift of a glimpse into eternity and of beholding the true identity and premortal stature of their children." Elder Robbins was speaking of the children in 3 Nephi who spake many marvelous things unto their parents.

Cibecue Creek

I baked some chocolate chip cookies today. James go involved and made a couple of his on "concoctions." I put fresh cookies in the Valentine bags I took to Hailey's kids today. James drove me to Hailey's house. She lives way out on a cattle ranch. The lesson was on the Lord's love and I told Hailey about Jared meeting Kacey and our car being fixed while in San Antonio as proof to me of the Lord's love for me and my family.

Hailey and her daughter Huntleigh.

After Hailey's we went home and had some lunch and after a short rest I went out to visit Claire as her visiting teacher. My partner Mary had an appointment in town with her sick baby and was not able to go with me.

Claire is picking up her 8 year old daughter Marlie in Washington where she has been living with her father and bringing her back to Arizona. I was excited because Marlie would be in my Primary class but then Claire told me she was planning on moving to Show Low.

James went outside a couple of hours this afternoon and worked on chopping some more wood. This evening we watched the first new episode of the "When Calls the Heart" season.

Fun Photos

Kacey's daughter Summer, on the left, and her friend Cali made the dance team at their school. How exciting!

Congratulations Summer!

Anna and a friend.

Michael and Holly

Good job Joshua!

Two years ago when we did James's dad's temple work.

Not a good idea.

Tuesday,February 21, 2017

Ascuncion, Paraguay temple

2 Nephi 12-13:5

What are things I tend to idolize in our exciting day? What kind of idols did Isaiah see in verses 7 and 8?

Mosiah 29 - Alma 1:13

DC 29:23-33

What is meant by the first shall be last and the last shall be first?

v.32 - First spiritual, secondly temporal, which is the beginning of my work; and again, first temporal, and secondly spiritual, which is the last of my work.

GC: 'The Blessings of Worship' by Bishop Dean M. Davies

"When we worship God, we approach Him with reverent love, humility, and adoration. We acknowledge and accept Him as our sovereign King, the Creator of the universe, our beloved and infinitely loving Father. We respect and revere Him. We submit ourselves to Him. We lift our hearts in mighty prayer cherish His word, rejoice in His grace, and commit to follow Him with dedicated loyalty. Worshiping God is such an essential element in the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ that if we fail to receive Him in our hearts, we will seek for Him in vain in our councils, churches and temples."

I read an article to day by one of my favorite authors, Larry Barkdull. It was called: "Miracles Reveal the Character of God."

I also started reading "Isaiah for Airheads" by John Bytheway to help me get through the Isaiah chapters in 2 Nephi. James and I left for town around 10, he in his truck and me in Lexy. We dropped Lexy off at Discount Tire to get the tire fixed and to have the tires balanced. We went to Mountain Thai for lunch. The only thing we liked were the eggrolls. A friend had recommended it so we were very disappointed. The food that we left mostly on our plate ended up costing us $36. Not good.

We went back and picked up Lexy and I did some shopping at Walmart. I stopped to get gas and James was there filling up the truck.

We had hotdogs for dinner, read from "Lady of the Lakes," and watched a Hallmark movie, "Love at a Glance." The high was around 60 degrees today.

Fun Photos

Lola and her Colorado cousin Reia.

Kim and Jim

Trina and Sheri

Joshua, Evan, Max

Trina's birthday 2015

Princess Ruby

Joshua in the bed grandpa made for him.

Enjoying a flavor break while fixing up our house

on 108th Way to sell.

Alice, LeeAnn, Jordyn, Kelly

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Monday, February 20, 2017

Apia, Samoa temple

2 Nephi 10:18-11:8
These verses show, quite simply, that we only have two sides to choose between: the Lord's side, or the Devil's. Why then is it so difficult for us to make the right choices when we're presented with what the devil wants?
Mosiah 27:23-29:14
DC:29:12-22
How can we better prepare and not be afraid to endure to the end?
GC: 'The Great Plan of Redemption' by Linda S. Reeves

"Elder Jeffrey R. Holland declared:

'Hoever late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made..., or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ's Atonement shines.'"

GC: 'To Whom Shall We Go?' by Elder M. Russell Ballard

"Where will you go to be taught about a Savior who is your best friend, who not only suffered for your sins but who also suffered pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind so that His bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities, including, I believe, the infirmity of loss of faith?"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHERI!

The many faces of Sheri:

At Home

At Work

At lunch with family

On a school field trip

On a hike with friends

She has a lot of friends

more friends

On the phone

With Lola

She loves her boys!

They love her too!

I know I kind of over did it with all the Sheri pictures but I seem to have a lot of them.

James chopped some wood today and then went to the post office to see if my mail order prescriptions had come. We forgot that today was a holiday and the post office was closed.

I did a lot of cleaning today and also fixed dinner. I was on a roll! We had toastadas with flour tortillas and leftover stew.

After dinner we had FHE. We listened to Bishop Davies conference talk: "The Blessings of Worship."

We read from our book, "Lady of the Lakes" and then watched a Hallmark movie, "Love Blossoms," starring Victor Webster, my favorite male Hallmark actor!

Fun Photos

This picture has an eerie, surreal look.

I love the many faces of Arizona.

Lola and Ivy doing a little sunbathing.

Watch out world, here they come!

Sunday, February 19, 2017

Albequerque, New Mexico temple

2 Nephi 9:50-10:17

What are things I prioritize that won't "satisfy?" How does 9:51 affect where I spend my time, money, and work?

Mosiah 26-27:22

DC: 29:1-11

What stood out to me in today's reading? I like verse one:

"Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, the Great I AM, whose arm of mercy hath atoned for your sins;"

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

"And what was the joy that was set before Him?

Surely it included the joy of cleansing, healing, and strengthening us; the joy of paying for the sins of all who would repent; the joy of making t possible for you and me to return home - clean and worthy - to live with our Heavenly Parents and families. If we focus on the joy that will come to us, or to those we love, what can we endure that presently seems overwhelming, painful, scary, unfair or simply impossible?"

GC: 'The Sacrament Can Help Us Become Holy' by Elder Peter F. Meurs

"What will I do this week to better prepare for the sacrament?

Could I contribute more to the reverence and revelation that can accompany the beginning of sacrament meeting?

What doctrine was taught in the sacrament hymn?

What did I hear and feel as I listened to the sacrament prayers?

What did I think about as the sacrament was passed?"

We saw a coyote on the way to church. James was a little more excited than I was. I would much rather seek elk or antelope or even a bunny.

Today was high council Sunday. Brother Green from the high council was our main speaker. He talked about the Book of Mormon and his own conversion to the gospel when he was 19 from Catholicism to Mormonism.

My lesson in Primary was on the restoration of the Priesthood. The kids, Jace, Colter, and Curtis were pretty good in class but not so good in singing and sharing time so none of them got to go to the treasure box.

This is what I told them.

We had weird weather today. It would snow for awhile and then the sun came out. Once the sun was shining out the back window and it was snowing out the front. Honestly, it changed that quick!

James went home teaching to the Wilhelm's and took a plate of cookies for them. I stayed home and did my scripture study. When he returned we read from "Lady of the Lakes".

According to James we don't need to buy any groceries this week. He says we have plenty of food downstairs in our years supply. We will see how this goes.

We have decided not to watch television on Sundays and I have enjoyed our quiet Sunday evenings just studying the gospel or relaxing.

Fun Photos

This brings back memories from my childhood. I was a big Annette fan. I watched her on The Mickey Mouse Club and then watched all the beach movies as a teenager. I had this album and every other album she ever made. Wow! Am I that old?

Ruby got an award at school last year and won a free dinner at BJ's.

We all went with her to celebrate.

Where are Trina and Lola you ask?

Playing peek-a-boo outside.

Rowan was our after dinner entertainment.

Grandpa loves it when he doesn't have to eat breakfast

alone!

In celebration of Dr. Seuss Day.

These two aren't quite as cute.

Monday, February 27, 2017

Saturday, February 18, 2017

Accra, Ghana temple

2 Nephi 9:31-49

S.M.I.L.E. "To be spiritually-minded is life eternal.""

What does it mean to be spiritually minded?

Mosiah 24-25

DC 28:1-16

What are some things we can do to keep the Comforter with us so that we are not deceived?

Talk: "A Comforter, a Guide, a Testifier"

By: Margaret D. Nadauld

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

"John later said that as he finished his prayer, he felt a great surge of strength. He began climbing once again and fairly flew up the rope. When he reached the deck, his breathing was normal and not the least bit labored. The blessings of added health and stamina promised in the Word of Wisdom had been his. He gave thanks to his Heavenly Father, and throughout the remainder of his life, for the answer to his desperate prayer for help."

GC: 'The Perfect Path to Happiness' by President Thomas S. Monson

"Essential to the plan is our Savior, Jesus Christ. Without His atoning sacrifice, all would be lost. It is not enough, however, merely to believe in Him and His mission. We need to work and learn, search and pray, repent and improve. We need to know God's laws and live them. We need to receive His saving ordinances. Only by so doing will we obtain true, eternal happiness."

We saw elk again this morning on our way to the 8am Snowflake temple session. As is our habit, after our session we went to El Cupidos and then on to Walmart. I also went to Safeway to get a drink for one of the sisters I visit teach. It is a Kombucha drink and after reading the label I found out that Kombucha is fermented tea and may contain alcohol. That will be the last time I buy that drink.

This sister is very health conscious and is also a vegan. I wonder if she knows her "health drink" may have alcohol in it. She does not come to church and I felt a little guilty giving it to her but I did because I had already talked to her mother about it and I didn't want to make a big issue of it.

No selfie today. I had a cold sore on my lip.

One the way to Vernon we saw a small group of Arizona Rangers marching. They are marching 14 miles to honor the original 12 Arizona Rangers in the Arizona territory.

It was a nice day for a hike

James got his truck out of the mud today but his tractor is still sitting half way up the hill. He can't get it started. He took his truck and picked up his home teaching companion and they went out to visit Brother Romyak, a new convert. He lives way out near the Nicol's ranch. He has no running water, heat, or electricity. A real pioneer. Eventually he wants to move a little closer to town.

In reading Mosiah 24 this afternoon as part of my gospel study I was amazed again how the burdens of Almas people were made light. The Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

In D&C 28 Hiram Page has a false seer stone and is claiming to receive revelation for the Church. Joseph Smith explains that only the prophet can receive revelation for the entire Church. Hiram repents and becomes one of the eight witnesses of the gold plates.

We had the same dinner as last night, sweet potatoes, cottage cheese and a salad. I made chocolate chip cookies for my class to replace the ones from last week that were a little hard. I studied my lesson on the priesthood and read three chapters from "Lady of the Lakes" to James.

Fun Photos