Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Cebu City, Philippines

133rd operating temple

2 Nephi 26:31-27:11

What do you think it means the books shall be read upon the house tops?

Alma 21-22:18

21- Aaron teaches the Amalekites about Christ and His Atonement-Aaron and his brethren are imprisoned in Middoni-After their deliverance, they teach in the synagogues and make many converts-Lamoni grants religious freedom to the people in the land of Ishmael. About 90-77 B.C.

22- Aaron teaches Lamoni's father about the Creation, the Fall of Adam, and the plan of redemption through Christ-The king and all his household are converted-The division of the land between the Nephites and the Lamanites is explained.

DC 39:1-11

1-4, The Saints have power to become the sons of God; 5-6, To receive the gospel is to receive Christ; 7-14, James Covel is commanded to be baptized and labor in the Lord's vineyard;

How can we hearken unto the Lord's voice with full purpose of heart so that we may receive all the blessings He has for us?

General Conference

The Lord Jesus Christ Teaches Us To Pray

Elder Juan A. Uceda

"At the very moment we say, 'Father in Heaven,'

He hears our prayers and is sensitive to us and our needs.  And so His ears are now connected to you.  He reads our minds, and He feels our hearts.  You cannot hide anything from Him.  Now, the wonderful thing is that He will see you with eyes of love and mercy."

The Relief Society lesson for this week is from the Gordon B. Hinckley manual and is entitled, "Daughters of God."  I like this quote:

"To you women of today, who are old or young, may I suggest that you write, that you keep journals, that you express your thoughts on paper.  Writing is a great discipline.  It is a tremendous educational effort.  It will assist you in various ways, and you will bless the lives of many."

Kacey posted this today on Facebook:

We are so grateful to have Kacey and her children in our family!

James said he heard on the radio today that President Trump said Planned Parenthood can receive federal funding as long as they stop performing abortions. I hope this is true!

James went to Susan J. today to do some home repairs.  I had lunch with my friend Charlotte at Pei Wei.  I ordered the Pei Wei spicy chicken salad but I was a little disappointed in the chicken.  After lunch I went back to Charlotte's and tried to help her with her I-pad. I finally got to her emails.  She had 443 of them.  James came to pick me up so I couldn't help her for very long.  

James and I went home to Vernon this afternoon, stopping at Burger House on the way.  The weather in Vernon was gorgeous when we arrived.  It was 57 degrees and there was no wind!

We unloaded the car and unpacked our suitcases and then settled down to watch a Hallmark movie we had seen before: "With All My Heart" starring Lacey Chaubert and Brennan Elliott.  After the movie we watched the latest episode of "When Calls the Heart."

Fun Photos:

Love this photo of Emmy!

Max, Josh, Evan

Refreshments after the Phoenix

temple open house

Grandmother Lois with Lola, Ruby, Addy,

and Rowan.

My favorite Mexican food meal:

Beef taco, chicken enchilada and

refried beans.

Monday, March 6, 2017

Cardston, Alberta, Canada

6th operating temple

2 Nephi 26:12-30

How do you recognize the subtle flaxen cords around your neck before they become too strong?

Alma 19-20

19 - Lamoni receives the light of everlasting life and sees the Redeemer - His household falls into a trance, and many see angels - Ammon is preserved miraculously - He baptizes many and establishes a church among them. About 90 B.C.

20 - The Lord sends Ammon to Middoni to deliver his imprisoned brethren - Ammon and Lamoni meet Lamon's father, who is king over all the land - Ammon compels the old king to approve the release of his brethren.

DC 38:32-42

How can we become more focused on receiving the riches of eternity?

General Conference

The Soul's Sincere Desire

Carol F. McConkie

"The answers we receive in prayer may not be what we would desire.  But in times of trouble, our prayers become a lifeline of love and tender mercy.  In our pleading, we may be strengthened to go forward and fulfill all that we have been ordained to do.  To His Saints living in perilous times, the Lord says, 

'Let your hearts be comforted...; for all flesh is in mine hands;

be still and know that I am God.'"

General Conference

"A Choice Seer Will I Raise Up"

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."

Gospel Doctrine Lesson:

"The Field Is White Already to Harvest"

What we lack in life is usually not skill or testimony, but the 

desire that moves us from ease and apathy to saving action in the lives of others.

Wilford Woodruff described the power that moved him when he was called on a mission:

"The Spirit of God was upon me like fire shut up in my bones, urging me forward to fill my mission to England."

There were two elk calves feeding in our yard this morning.  James says one is scroungy enough to be coyote bait.

Since I went to sleep at 11 last night and got up at 4 this morning I had two naps before noon.  I got enough rest to give me the energy to get ready to go to the valley.  Tonight is Addy's choir concert at Highland High School in Gilbert.  We left the house the first time at 1:15, plenty of time to go by the dump and then on to James's doctor's appointment across from the hospital with Dr. Lesueur at 2:15.  First James realized he forgot his wallet but we figured we could manage without it since I have two credit cards.  Then he realized he forgot the key to the Queen Creek Pediatric office where he is going to do some work so we had to go back home.  He still made it to his doctor's appointment by 2:30.  The doctor called in two prescriptions for antibiotics for his sinus infection/allergies.  Hopefully they will help.  

After the doctor's we stopped in at Firehouse Subs for lunch, got some gas and then went the Globe way.  I read from "Seven Tipping Points."  

We made it to Highland High in plenty of time for the concert and to save places for Trina and her kids and Suzy.  Darrel had to work.

The concert was for junior high and high school kids.  I was very impressed with the junior high kids which includes Addy who is a seventh grader.

I sure do love these kiddos!

I made a date with Addy and Ruby to go to "Beauty and the Beast"on Friday, March 17th.  I called Kim and ask her to go with us.  She was excited.  Brian got us tickets at the Regal Theater in Gilbert where we will have assigned seats and won't have to wait in line.  

On the way home we stopped at Del Taco for some dinner.  When we got back to Terry and Cathi's they were asleep and so were the dogs.  Thank goodness the dog's didn't start barking.  

Fun Photos

Gilbert temple

Window Rock, Arizona

Wendy and her elk

A Harry Potter Halloween

Soccer forever!

My teenage heart throb.

Sunday, March 5, 2017

Caracas, Venezuela

96th operating temple

2 Nephi 25:27-26:11

"Beware of Pride," Ezra Taft Benson, April 1989.

What are some prideful actions I might get caught up in and not realize it's prideful?

Alma 18

King Lamoni supposes that Ammon is the Great Spirit - Ammon teaches the king about the Creation, God's dealings with men, and the redemption that comes through Christ - Lamoni believes and falls to the earth as if dead.  About 90 B.C.

DC 38:21-31 - If ye are prepared ye shall not fear.

In what ways can we magnify our callings so that we may be able to teach and watch over each other?

Article: Lessons Learned in the Journey of Life

By: Joseph B. Wirthlin

December 2000 Ensign

General Conference

O How Great the Plan of Our God!

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Think of how you felt when for the first time you believed and understood that you are truly a child of God; that Jesus Christ willingly suffered for your sins so that you may be clean again;

that priesthood power is real and can bind you to your loved ones for time and for all eternity; that there is a living prophet on the earth today.  Isn't that wonderful and amazing!"

General Conference

"Come, Follow Me" by Pracicing Christian Love and Service

By Elder Robert D. Hales

"Brothers and sisters, if we have not fully done so yet, let us turn more toward forgiveness, kindness, and love.  Let us renounce the war that so often rages in the heart of the natural man and proclaim Christ's caring love, and peace."

Today Paula J. bore her testimony in our fast and testimony meeting.  She said she just celebrated her 62nd birthday by going to the temple for the very first time to do baptisms for the dead.  You could have knocked me over with a feather.  I had no idea she had never been to the temple.  You could tell it was a wonderful experience for her and I am so grateful she shared it with her ward family.

James also bore his testimony for the first time in a long time.  He bore testimony of the importance of keeping the Sabbath day holy and of home and visiting teaching.  I am grateful for a righteous priesthood holder in my home.

The Vernon ward building

Today my Primary class consisted of: Jace, Lianna, Colter, and Curtis.  Our lesson was on the printing of the Book of Mormon.  

It was a very cold and extremely windy day today.  As I was walking out to the car from the church after our meetings I felt like I was going to blow away!

When we got home we broke our fast with the green chili burros we got at Burger House yesterday.  After lunch it was nap time, gospel study time, and then reading to James by the fire and working on my blog. While I worked on my blog James did a little indexing.

Sometimes those words are hard to see.

I like my new fruit stand

I had a hard time going to sleep tonight.  I finally got up and ate a little something and took some Tramadol around 11 p.m.

Fun Photos:

Oran and some of his siblings

Kayla, Lola, Ivy, Addy

What a great guy!

One of my favorite pictures of Darrel

A Vernon Sunset

Saturday, March 4, 2017

Campinas, Brazil

111th operating temple

2 Nephi 25:14-26

The Jews will be restored when they believe in the Messiah - He will first come six hundred years after Lehi left Jerusalem - The Nephites keep the law of Moses and believe in Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel. About 559-545 B.C.

How do you talk, rejoice, preach, and prophesy of Christ?

Alma 16:11 - Alma 17

16 - Alma and Amulek and many others preach the word - They teach that after His Resurrection Christ will appear to the Nephites. 

17 - The sons of Mosiah have the spirit of prophecy and of revelation - They go their several ways to declare the word to the Lamanites - Ammon goes to the land of Ishmael and becomes the servant of King Lamoni - Ammon saves the king's flocks and slays his enemies at the water of Sebus. 77-91 B.C.

DC 38:11-20

13-22, He has reserved a land of promise for His Saints in time and in eternity; 

How can we be strong, fear not and always remember the covenant that the Lord has made with us?

Speech: Always

By: Henry B. Eyring

January 3, 1999

General Conference 

Fourth Floor, Last Door

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Faith means that we trust not only in God's wisdom but that

we trust also in His love.  It means trusting that God

loves us perfectly, that everything He does - every blessing

He gives and every blessing He, for a time, withholds - is

for our eternal happiness.  All things will work together for good

to them that love God."

We left Cathi and Terry's at 7:21 this morning thinking that the session at the Gilbert temple started at 8 am.  I looked at the schedule one more time to be sure and realized it actually started at 7:45.  We hurried but I had not hope that we would make that session, but we did.  We also were privileged to see our friend Martin K. who is a temple worker. There were 8 brothers and 12 sisters in our session.

After session selfie.  

When we get back to Cathi's Colin is happily playing in his gorilla shirt.  He seemed to be in a good mood.  Not so much last night. 

We pack up and get ready to go home but first we took Ben to Olive Garden for lunch.  I told him if I could send him the scripture reading assignments for each day and if he would read them, we would take him to lunch once a month and discuss the Book of Mormon. Ben is a great kid and we had a wonderful visit with him.  After he graduates he plans on serving a mission and when he returns he wants to either go to ASU or BYU and study architecture.  He showed us some of the scale models he has been working on in his architecture class. After taking Ben home we start our fast.  We are fasting for Michael.  Of course we go the Globe way and stop for burros so when we complete our fast tomorrow we will have something delicious to eat.  It was hard riding with those burros in the car and not taking a bite. 

James gets tired when he is driving so I read to him for awhile from "Seven Tipping Points." After I finished reading I slept most of the rest of the way home.  We arrived at home around 4 p.m. 

Speaking of Burger House:

#2.

and #4. on the list:

I am getting hungry.

After unloading, unpacking, and putting everything away, James works on his Sunday School lesson.  I make some cutout letters that spell: The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, for an activity for my lesson tomorrow.  We were in bed by 9:30.

Here's what was happening in Mesa:

The Case family adults minus Lexy who is gone.

Sheri got Lexy's ticket.

Kim and Brian, and Aaron and Kari were there too.

I heard that Kari laughed until her jaws hurt.

Thank goodness for clean comedians like

Brian Regan and Jim Gaffigan.

Fun Photos:

Madison, Quentin, Kaytlynn, Zachary, Jeffrey, Colby

Show Low had a track meet in Chandler today and

all of the Harold and Vickie Maxwell grandkids

were there.  Monte is the head football and

track coach for Show Low.

Max with his faux hawk.

Dawn, Connie, Terry, Dave, James, Gail, Carmen, Rebecca

Joshua is always a winner!

IHOP breakfast for Evan's 8th birthday.

Friday, March 3, 2017

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

140th operating temple

2 Nephi 25:1-13

Nephi glories in plainness - Isaiah's prophecies will be understood in the last days - The Jews will return from Babylon, crucify the Messiah, and be scattered and scourged.

How would you explain our gospel in plainness to help a child or investigator understand our beliefs?

Alma 14:13-16:11

14 - Alma and Amulek are imprisoned and smitten - The believers and their holy scriptures are burned by fire - These martyrs are received by the Lord in glory - The prison walls are rent and fall - Alma and Amulek are delivered, and their persecutors are slain.

15 - Alma and Amulek go to Sidom and establish a church - Alma heals Zeezrom, who joins the Church - Many are baptized, and the Church prospers - Alma and Almulek go to Zarahemla.

16 - The Lamanites destory the people of Ammonihah. About 81-77 B.C.

DC 38:1-10

1-6, Christ created all things; 7-8, He is in the midst of His Saints, who will soon see Him; 9-12, All flesh is corrupted before Him;

How can we take comfort in knowing that we have an advocate with the Father?  

Article: Jesus Christ: Our Savior and Redeemer

By: Ezra Taft Benson

June 1990

General Conference

Rise Up in Strength, Sisters in Zion

Bonnie L Oscarson

"We will come to understand that through the ordinances of the temple, the power of godliness is manifest in our lives and because of temple ordinances, we can be armed with God's power, and His name will be upon us, His glory round about us, and His angels have charge over us."

Contrite Spirit

Bringing to the Altar a Broken Heart and Contrite Spirit

Teaching in the Savior's Way

Create an Environment That Invites the Spirit

James fixed me a bowl of oatmeal before I left for my infusion this morning. I arrived at 10:15 for my 10:45 appointment.  I guess it doesn't do any good to get here too early.  They came and got me at 10:50.  Frances wasn't here today so maybe that's  why they were so slow.  When I told the nurse I had a tooth extracted yesterday and I was on an antibiotic she went to talk to Dr. Caldron. Dr. Caldron said no to the actemra infusion because of the antibiotic.  When I finish it in seven days I can wait 24 hours and make another appointment.  Because I already have appointments set up for the next 3 months at 30 day intervals I am just going to take my chances.  Hopefully I won't regret it.

Picacho Peak State Park where there are 5 hiking trails

I had lunch with Jean, a sister who lives in Vernon but spends much of her time in the winter in the valley because of health issues.  I am her visiting teacher and we have become good friends.  We went where we always go, First Watch.  I had the lemon ricotta pancakes and Jean had the french toast with fresh fruit.  The lesson is on the Atonement and how it helps us in our lives.  I ask Jean if thinking about the Savior and His Atonement had helped her in the healing process with all of her surgeries and health issues.  She said that it most definitely did.  Jean was in a serious car accident several years ago when the car she was in was hit head-on by a semi-truck.  A few months later she was hit while walking across a parking lot.  Her back is broken in several places.  I admire her so much because she has great faith and very seldom do I hear her complain. I always enjoy the time we spend together.

I had a nice visit with Cathi with I got home and then took a nap.  After my nap James ask me to go out to Queen Creek to the doctor's office he is remodeling because he has an appointment with the painter.  I said I would go and boy was I surprised.  Queen Creek has become quite the city instead of the little farming community I remember.  The office James is remodeling is a pediatric office and Deryl L. is one of the doctor's.  We were in Deryl's ward when he was growing up.  On the way home we stopped at Chik-fil-a for dinner. 

This evening I went down to visit with Sheri.  We ended up going to Target with Evan, Rowan, and Joshua.  Ian, Alex, Ben, Kim, and Brian all went to a concert.  While I was at Sheri's Adam came to get his car contract and title.  I signed it over to him and it is up to him to get it notorized so it will no longer be in my name.

I loaned Michael money for a dorm deposit for next semester and in the process got him to commit to read his scriptures and say his prayers everyday.  He even ask me to send him scripture reminders and assignments each day.

Back in Vernon this happened:

Lorraine is in the Vernon ward.

Fun Photos:

It's always a fun day when you get

to see Lola.

In Chandler I always said my house was an office

and a daycare.  Now my house is also a repair shop.

Last year.  That's Alex in out of the boat.

I am not sure where this is.

Trina, Sheri, Lexy