Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Cedar City, Utah temple

under construction

2 Nephi 27:12-35

How have you seen people draw near to the Lord with their lips? How have I drawn near to the Lord with my lips?

Alma 22:19-23

23- Religious freedom is proclaimed-The Lamanites in seven lands and cities are converted-They call themselves Anti-Nephi-Lehies and are freed from the curse-The Amalekites and the Amulonites reject the truth.

DC 39:12-24

15-21, The Lord's servants are to preach the gospel before the Second Coming; 22-24, Those who receive the gospel will be gathered in time and in eternity.

Why is it so important to have faith:

Talk: Choices

By: Thomas S. Monson

April 2016

General Conference

Am I Good Enough? Will I Make It?

Elder J. Devn Cornish

Alma proclaimed,

"Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness."

With repeated sinning, we distance ourselves from the Spirit,

become discouraged, and then stop repenting.

International Women's Day

One of my favorite quotes!

Twenty-four elk spent a little time in our yard today.  I saw them but I missed the two cow elk up on their hind legs pawing at each other.  James said it was hilarious.

I love their light colored bums.

I talked to Stacy today and she said that Michael is having trouble with his lungs.  I think it all is related to the fact that he had RSV as an infant.  Also, he has terrible allergies.  

I managed to blog for February 24th and 25th today.  It is taking me forever to catch up.  I hope I never get this far behind again.  It was a day of little accomplishment although I got up at 4 am.  I had to take an hour nap before noon.  I did finish my gospel study, paid some bills and took a shower.  Things I planned to do but didn't:

Fix a meal using items from our years supply, a chicken and stuffing casserole.  Clean upstairs.  I did go upstairs and discovered Sheri and Ian's toilet needed some adjusting.  After dusting the ping pong table I went downstairs to tell James about the toilet.  I never made it back upstairs.  James worked on a bid for Desert Highlands Golf Course most of the day.  

Instead of having a nice meal for dinner James had some leftover chili and refried beans with one of the biscuits I made. Whatever I get a craving for is what I end up fixing.  I wished I craved vegetables or something healthy.  

This evening we watched: "Stop the Wedding" and "The Sweet Life."

Fun Photos:

If this really true?

A few years ago I wrote the Book of Mormon out in long-hand.

I found out this week in my Primary lesson that Oliver Cowdery was ask to do the same thing by the Prophet Joseph Smith.

The only rugs I could find to protect my floor from the backdoor

to the fireplace where James brings wood in.

The Shipley intrusion

Beady eyes

She really wants to jump in the tub

with Stacy.

An Arizona legend.

My grandparents and dad had Navajo rugs

made just like this.  My dad gave one to Sheri and Ian

when they got married.

Another attempt at making the perfect hashbrowns.

A friend spotted a bald eagle in her

backyard.

Kilee at a Mutual outing at the

Wallace's.

Darrel and Jon back in the day

when they both were hunks.

Oh, yes, they still are!

Sheri and her new friend.

Max and Elder Christofferson.

Evan and Elder Christofferson

at a Stake Conference in Chandler.

President Randall Jones and

President Blackerd in the background.

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