Saturday, February 25, 2017

Birmingham, Alabama

98th operating temple

2 Nephi 18:1-22

Christ shall be as a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense - Seek the Lord, not peeping wizards - Turn to the law and to the testimony for guidance - Compare Isaiah 8.

Alma 5:41-7:10

The Good Shepherd calleth his people - Those who do evil works are children of the devil - Alma testifies of the truth of his doctrine and commands men to repent - Names of the righteous shall be written in the book of life. 6 - The Church in Zarahemla is cleansed and set in order - Alma goes to Gideon to preach. 7 - Christ shall be born of Mary - He shall loose the bands of death and bear the sins of his people - Those who repent, are baptized, and keep the commandments shall have eternal life - Filthiness cannot inherit the kingdom of God - Humility, faith, hope, and charity are required.

DC 32:1-5

How can this section give us confidence that the Lord is always with us?

Song: "Be Still My Soul"

GC:            'The Doctrine of Christ' by Brian K. Ashton

Douglas D. Holmes, First Counselor in the YMGP, has written: 

 "The ordinances of baptism and the sacrament symbolize both the end result and process of being born again.  In baptism, we bury the old man of flesh and come forth to a newness of life.  

In the sacrament, we learn that this change is a step-by-step process, where little by little, week by week, we are transformed as we repent, covenant and through increased endowments of the Spirit, become like the Savior."

GC:                       'Serve' by Elder Carl B. Cook

"Brothers and sisters, accepting and fulfilling a calling is an act of faith.  President Monson says:

'Whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies,' and

'When we are on the Lord's errand, we are entitled to the Lord's help.'"

We attended the 8 o'clock session at the Snowflake temple this morning.  There are a few regulars in this session: Jerry Frost, and the little Filipino sister and her husband.  Also in this session Brother Peeler and Bishop Miller from our ward.  We did our regular after session selfie.

 A couple of oldies and the Angel Moroni.

I tried something at El Cupido's that I've never had before, a carna asada burrito.  I think it is my new favorite.  At Walmart we got some pork chops and walnuts, two staples at our house.  

Painting or photo?  You tell me.

After my nap this afternoon I spent some time doing my regular gospel study that I normally do in the morning.  I read from my book, "Contrite Spirit," and then from the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants.  We listened to two conference talks on the way to the temple.  While I was working on my blog James came and ask me to go with him to see if we could find where Brother Slaughter lives.  James has been called to be his visiting teacher.  He doesn't have a phone number but we do have an address for him.  

James stopped at the place with his address but they had never heard of him.  There was no other possible place around that could have been his.  It was a little like the "Twilight Zone."  Did he just disappear?  James reported it to the ward membership clerk and he said he would send his records to Salt Lake.

This is a picture of Ben helping Adam celebrate 

his birthday.

It was a cold day here in Vernon so of course James built a fire.  I am tired of the dusty footprints so this is what I have devised until I can get some more rugs:

A trail to the fireplace

In our "Lady of the Lakes" book Walter Scott and Charlotte are falling in love.  It is starting to get good.  

We had pork chops and applesauce for dinner.  The applesauce is some that I canned at the cannery in Mesa in 2001 but it is still good.  

I was too tired to study my Primary lesson this evening so I decided I would get up at 4 a.m.  

Fun Photos and Starbucks

You're too expensive anyway!

Kim and Brian went to Tucson last night to

this concert.

A younger Evan at school.

Adam helping Gpa on his shed.

Visiting Teaching goodie basket.

Jared posted this last year.

Friday, February 24, 2017

Bogota, Colombia, 
57th operating temple.

2 Nephi 16:1-17:25

Why would the Lord send a prophet to a people He knew would reject the message?

Alma 5:1-40

To gain salvation, men must repent and keep the commandments, be born again, cleanse their garments through the blood of Christ, be humble and strip themselves from pride and envy, and do the works of righteousness, whatsoever is good cometh from God, and whatsoever is evil cometh from the devil.

DC 31:1-13

How can verse 2 bring us comfort if we have family members who have strayed?

Talk: "Followers of Christ"

By: Dallin H. Oaks

April 2013

GC:     "If Ye Had Known Me" by Elder David A. Bednar

'Pressing forward on the strait and narrow path is what He would have us do.  Tasting the fruit of the tree and becoming deeply "converted unto the Lord are the blessings He yearns for us to receive."  Hence, He beckons us 'Come follow me.'

Both exercising faith in and following Jesus Christ are necessary preparations for serving Him.'

"Preach My Gospel" - Using the Book of Mormon in missionary work.

James requested I read a couple of chapters from "Lady of the Lakes."  I also read from "Contrite Spirit," chapter 12 regarding 

Expectations.

My Primary lesson this month is on the witnesses of the gold plates.  To me it is interesting that the Lord provided 12 witnesses of the gold plates just as he provided 12 witnesses of the Savior.

Sedona

I worked on learning how to use Hope Chest on Family Search today but as of yet I have not actually used it.  After blogging, taking a shower, and a nap I cleaned in the family/living room.  I dusted, vacuumed, including the couch, and polished part of the floor where James walks from outside to the fireplace. 

After my inside cleaning I went outside and picked up pinecones just outside the living room.  We have a pine tree that loves to drop pine cones.  

I also paid some bills while James was upstairs working on taxes.  We did two things together today.  We read 3 chapters from "Lady of the Lakes," and watched the newest episode of "Signed, Sealed, Delivered."  This episode was about the aftermath of displaced people as a result of Hurricane Katrina.  This was the best episode yet!  Norman and Rita are engaged and Shane and Oliver kissed.

Photos and Information

 Happy Birthday Karen!

She turns 70 today.

Six of my beautiful grandchildren.

James loves to study in front of the fire.

Here he is pondering a gospel topic.

Lola helped Trina decorate Addy's room.

I am a little concerned about this.

Are some of our rights being taken away?

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Bern, Switzerland Temple #9

2 Nephi 15:1-30

In a world virtually overflowing with knowledge, how is there a famine of spiritual knowledge?

Alma 3-4

Men bring their own curses upon themselves.  Alma baptizes thousands of converts.  Iniquity enters the Church, and the Church's progress is hindered.  Nephihah is appointed chief judge.  Alma, as high priest, devotes himself to the ministry.

DC 30:1-11

How can we be more diligent in turning to the Lord and not give into fear or temptation?

Talk: "Fear Not; I Am With Thee"

By: Jean A. Stevens

April 2014

GC:  'Gratitude on the Sabbath Day' by President Henry B. Eyring

"And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, 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." (Mosiah 24:13-15)

I read from "Teaching in the Savior's Way", Live the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I try to read one lesson a week from this manual and one from "Preach My Gospel" as well as the Sunday School and Relief Society lessons for the week.

My Primary lesson for the week is: "Witnesses See the Gold Plates."  I also did a little research on Family Search.  We are about to run out of names so I need to do some research to get more family names.  

My breakfast for the day. 

For lunch we had roasted veggies and they were quite delicious!

I had a healthy breakfast and lunch and then for dinner we had chili dogs.  Not very healthy, but tasty!

I know this is a little late, but I couldn't resist.

These were my handouts for visiting teaching this month.  The message was on the love of the Savior in our lives.

A heart box of chocolates under the scripture quote.

For Claire a Kombucha drink and some

organic blueberries.

Today I vacuumed all the wood shavings James brings in from the wood pile off the carpet in our bedroom.  He worked outside today and was careful not to track too many new ones in.  His allergies are really bothering him because he worked outside a couple of hours today.  

In the Superstition Mountains

This evening we read from "Lady of the Lakes" and watched "While You Were Dating."  I had already seen the movie but James hadn't.  

Fun Photos

Joshua at the Lego Expo

Jared and Emmy on their "date" reading scriptures.

2015

Three of my favorite people.

Sandra and Trenda,

a couple more of my favorites.

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