Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Columbus, Ohio

60th operating temple

2 Nephi 33:1-15

Nephi's words are true - They testify of Christ - Those who believe in Christ will believe Nephi's words - They shall stand as a witness before the judgment bar.

When has the Lord asked you to do something and you follow through simply for the sake of obedience?

Alma 34

Amulek testifies that the word is in Christ unto salvation - Unless an atonement is made, all mankind must perish - The whole law of Moses points toward the sacrifice of the Son of God - The eternal plan of redemption is based on faith and repentance - Pray for temporal and spiritual blessings - This life is the time for men to prepare to meet God - Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.

DC 42:66-78

61-69, Site of the New Jerusalem and the mysteries of the kingdom shall be revealed; 70-73, Consecrated properties are to be used to support Church officers;

How can daily repentance bring us closer to Christ?

- "No matter what your current status, the very moment you voluntarily chose honest, joyful, daily repentance by striving to simply do and be your very best, the Savior's Atonement envelops and follows you, as it were, whenever you go. Living in this manner, you can truly 'always retain a remission of your sins' and thus be fully clean and acceptable before God all the time." - Elder Jorg Klebingat, October 2014.

DCSM, page 386 - overcoming Sin and Obtaining Forgiveness

"When we think of the great sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ and the suffering He endured for us, we would be ingrates if we did not appreciate it so far as our power made it possible.  He suffered and died for us, yet if we do not repent, all His anguish and pain on our account are futile." (Spencer W. Kimball, "The Miracle of Forgiveness," p. 145.)

General Conference

Emissaries for the Church

Jeffrey R. Holland

"We are asking you as home teachers to be God's emissaries to His children to love and care and pray for the people you are assigned, as we love and care and pray for you."

This morning I worked on perfecting my hashbrowns in my cast iron skillet.  I still have a ways to go.

I found out today that Cathi has been very ill and even in the hospital.  They finally diagnosed her with cellulitis and got her on a powerful antibiotic.  James says she is pretty lethargic and has not energy.  She called and I told her about my experience with cellullitis in my face.  Hers is in her neck and shoulder.  

My friend Claire has been in Washington state visiting her daughter Marlie who is living with her dad.  She was going to bring her back here but her ex-husband made sure Marlie was not available.  Finally on Monday Claire went to Marlie's school and got to see her.  After counseling with her mom Claire decided to let Marlie stay until school is out and then will bring her back here to live with her.  Claire will be back in Phoenix tomorrow and needs a ride to Vernon.  I told her mom, Amy, I was going down tomorrow and she could bring my car back because I could come back with James in his truck.  Amy said Claire doesn't feel comfortable driving someone else's car but could she, Amy, go down with me tomorrow and bring Claire back.  I told her that was a great idea and I would pick her up around noon tomorrow.

Havasupai

I am reading a book called "The Contrite Spirit."  In this book the story of Lydia Knight, wife of Newell Knight, is told.  Newell died as they were getting ready to leave Nauvoo leaving her with 7 children.  I read a section called The Ravens Will Feed You.  Lydia experienced deprivation I can't even imagine but through it all she remained faithful and was willling to give all she had for the cause of Zion.  She is one of my new heroines. 

Spring Break Roadtrip to Boyce Thompson Arboretum

Lola went around sampling the herbs and then told Trina:

"I had a salad for lunch."

 Lola is doing her own thing.

James lost his phone today at the Sam's Club gas pumps.  Someone from the Mattress Pro store which is next door, found it.  James was so grateful he said he would by a mattress, or rather a box springs from him. 

The dog groomer came to Cathi's today to groom Indy and Lady.  James opened the door and was a little shocked.  Heather, the name of the groomer, had a low-cut tank top on with two skeletons with large teeth tatooed on her chest.  James was a little embarrassed and went in the bedroom.  They funny thing is that she is LDS and was just called as a young women's leader in her ward.

It was an absolutely gorgeous day here in Vernon.  Thank goodness the smoke is all gone and there is no wind.  James gave me a list of things to bring with me tomorrow that he forgot: His breathing machine, his phone charger, a key to the doctor's office he is working on, and his watch.

After paying bills, blogging and studying I watched a Hallmark movied called: "Perfect on Paper."

I read about baptism and confirmation in the Preach My Gospel manual.  

Jared texted me to tell me that I am going to be a great-grandmother.  Autumn is expecting a baby.  Congratulations are in order.  Jared, this also means you are going to be a grandpa.

He and Kacey are leaving for San Antonio today.  They are taking his kids to Six Flags on Friday.

Fun Photos:

Ronald and Veleda on their wedding day almost 68 years ago.

Veleda was my mom's best friend and Ronald played football with my dad.

The Trezise men and boys

This was when J.D. was still alive.

James's birdhouse

Jared playing a game with Molly while

Emmy and James look on.

Stop in Greer for ice cream.

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Columbia, South Carolina,

62nd operating temple

2 Nephi 32:1-9

Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost - Men must pray and gain knowledge for themselves from the Holy Ghost. About 559-545 B.C.

How do you feast upon the words of Christ?

Alma 32:13-33

Faith is a hope in that which is not seen which is true - Alma testifies that angels minister to men, women, and children - Alma compares the word unto a seed - It must be planted and nourished - Then it grows into a tree from which the frut of eternal life is picked. About 74 B.C.

DC 42:53-65

53-60, The scriptures govern the Church and are to be proclaimed to the world; 61-69, The site of the New Jerusalem and the mysteries of the kingdom will be revealed;

How can we always strive to be obedient so that we may always be ready for the Lord to teach us?

General Conference

Sharing the Restored Gospel

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

"As Elder Ballard has taught, 'A most significant evidence of our conversion and of how we feel about the gospel in our own lives is our willingness to share it with others.'"

I had lunch with my friend Pam today at The House.  We both had chili.  We talked for quite awhile after we were finished eating.  Pan and her husband were active members of our ward but something happened and now they don't come anymore.  She told me a little bit of what happened and I am so very sorry.  I wanted to say: "Don't let someone else keep you from your eternal salvation."

I invited Pam and Rick to watch conference with us.  She needed to know that no one else would be there and I assured her that they wouldn't.

I went to Walmart to pickup my Methotrexate and to get an ice cream cone at McDonald's.  James had to call and have the prescription transferred from Chandler.  For some reason Dr. Caldron's office keeps sending it down there. 

 Peralta Trail in the Superstition Mountains

James is pretty much my hero.  In the past six months he has caught about 40 mice in our garage.  Since he has been setting traps out there we haven't had any mice in our house.  

I worked on my blog a couple of hours this afternoon and James loaded up his tractor on the trailer in preparation for going to the valley tomorrow.

Buckelieu Springs

I missed going to the Relief Society activity this evening.  Kathy Crane brought by the most wonderful banana cream dessert afterwards.  It was delicious but I am sure very caloric.  James went to the door in his pajamas because he looks better in his than I do in mine.  We were watching the Hallmark movie, "Call to Duty."  When James opened the door to let Kathy in, we began to realize how terrible today's prescribed burn was.  The house filled with a smoky smell.  Later when he went outside for something he came right back in because the smoke was so bad. It should be against the law to put people's health in danger.  Around here the slogan seems to be: "Save the Trees, Kill the People."

While Sheri was running up here, these two

were running in the valley.

Fun Photos:

 Erik's family in the

Valley of the Goblins in Utah

Looks like a fun place

This formation reminds me of a dinosaur.

Camping in a yurt.

The slides I ordered for the microscope

Quite bizarre

Tricia posted this

James in Greer last May

Ruby

I love the glow in the dark bow

Molly and her sparkler

Getting ready for fireworks

Monday, March 13, 2017

Columbia River, Washington

107th operating temple

2 Nephi 31:1-21

Nephi tells why Christ was baptized - Men must follow Christ, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end to be saved - Repentance and baptism are the gate to the strait and narrow path - Eternal life comes to those who keep the commandments after baptism. About 559-545 B.C.

Since we're saved by Christ's grace, why does it matter that we follow His example and endure to the end?

Alma 31-32:14

31- Alma heads a mission to reclaim the apostate Zoramites - The Zoramites deny Christ, believe in a false concept of election, and worship with set prayers - The missionaries are filled with the Holy Spirit - Their afflictions are swallowed up in the joy of Christ. About 74 B.C.

32- Alma teaches the poor whose afflictions had humbled them -

DC 42:40-52

40-42, Pride and idleness are condemned; 43-52, The sick are to be healed through administrations and by faith;

Has there been a time when you sought a blessing for something specific, but had a different outcome?

General Conference

For Our Spiritual Development and Learning

Elder Mark E. Bassett

"As we acknowledge that we are the workmanship of a wise and devoted Father in Heaven, 'O then' why not allow Him to guide our spiritual development and learning 'according to His will and pleasure' rather than our own?"

Be Ambitious for Christ

Elder Kazuhiko Yamashita

"My dear brothers and sisters, we are ambitious for Christ when we serve faithfully, accept humbly, endure nobly, pray fervently, and partake worthily.  May we be ambitious for Christ as we accept ur difficulties and trials with patience and faith and find joy in our covenant path."

Before the Trezise's left for home today we fixed a brunch for them.  Blueberry muffins and banana nut muffins because Rowan doesn't like blueberry.  Freshly squeezed orange juice, homemade hashbrowns, scrambled eggs and bacon.  After breakfast Sheri, James and I watched, "The Love Letter."  Of course James and I have seen it but Sheri hasn't.  

Ian took the boys back up to the Falls.  When everyone was ready to go we went outside to take a picture.

This was the best picture we took.
We had so much fun with this family and will look forward to their next visit.

Ian made a design for our front planter:

I like it.

Ian took a picture of our dead tree and enhanced it:

After our company left, we took a nap and then James went to Stanford to get some diesel.  He came home and worked outside for awhile and then came in to prepare a FHE lesson for the Wilhelm's.  Brother Wilhelm ask him to do this as his home teaching assignment.  He is preparing a lesson on Talents and How We Can Serve Other People with our Talents.

My Arizona picture for the day

This evening I caught up on my gospel study, did some laundry, and baked cookies for the Wilhelm's. For FHE James and I caught up on our Book of Mormon reading.  I finished the cookies just in time, right before James had to leave.

Kacey is in San Antonio with Jared tonight.  Her kids are in Hallsville with their dad.  She and Jared are going to San Antonio on Wednesday to be with Jared's kids.

Fun Photos:

 I gave this handout to my Primary class yesterday.

I want them to learn how to bear a proper testimony.

Two years ago today I took these girls to see the movie

"Cinderella."

Lola, Molly, Emmy

Such a cutie

Such a handsome boy

Future missionaries

Sweet Ruby

Learning to drive, Grandpa style.

Sunday, March 12, 2017

Colonia Juarez Chihuahua

55th operating temple

2 Nephi 30:1-18

Converted Gentiles will be numbered with the covenant people - Many Lamanites and Jews will believe the word and become delightsome - Israel will be restored and the wicked destroyed. About 559-545 B.C.

Alma 30

Korihor, the anit-Christ ridicules Christ, the Atonement, and the spirit of prophecy - He teaches that there is no God, no fall of man, no penalty for sin, and no Christ - Alma testifies that Christ will come and that all things denote there is a God - Korihor demands a sign and is struck dumb - The devil had appeared to Korihor as an angel and taught him what to say - Korihor is trodden down and dies.  About 76-74 B.C.

DC 42:30-39

30-39, Laws governing the consecration of properties are set forth;

How has paying tithing blessed my life?

General Conference

Abide in My Love

D. Todd Christofferson

"And he went a little further and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.  Then, as I imagine, the distress grew even more severe, He pleaded a second time for relief and, finally, perhaps at the peak of His suffering, a third time. He endured the agony until justice was satisfied to the very last drop.  This He did to redeem you and me."

Sheri, Ben, Max, Evan, and Rowan came to sacrament meeting and sat with us.  Jackson Allen, Tom Howard and Sean Bowman were the speakers in sacrament meeting.  James helped pass the sacrament.  Sheri and the boys all left after sacrament meeting.  

My lesson in Primary was on the organization of the Church.  These are the children in my class today: Colter, Curtis, Jace, Lianna, Sister Kuffer the new teacher for the class just older than mine, Talena, Zemira, Norma, a visitor, and Braxton who has never attended before.  Braxton kept asking if he could go home but he ended up staying the entire three hours.  

My friend Diana was released today as the Young Women's President.  She was a great president but she has been in about three years so it was time.  Sister Allen was called as the new president.

Sheri finished the puzzle today:

I love it.

For lunch we fired up the grill and James cooked some hotdogs and hamburgers.  The hamburgers were delicious!

After lunch James, Sheri, Max and I played Five Crowns.  We also watched some Hallmark movies: The Lost Valentine, The Locket, and Love and Duty.  We had pork chops and applesauce for dinner.  Yummy.  

Sheri walked to Chocolate Lake this afternoon:

This is the best Chocolate Lake has looked in years!

This is a picture of Sheri and the boys reading scriptures this evening:

Ian came in and surprised us with this outfit:

He would fit right in living in Vernon.

Fun Photos:

Ruby when she was three.

I love this picture!

Evan looks like he's asleep but believe me

this kid can eat.

My favorite Lola picture.

Which do you prefer:

Big Horn sheep as seen by Kim and Brian

on Christmas Tree Trail.

Angie when she came to visit last year.

Big Buck

Angie is my favorite.

The Falls from the top.

Hailey and Huntleigh at a family reunion

in Van Horn, Texas.