Sunday, March 19, 2017

Curitiba, Brazil 

126th operating temple

Jacob 3:1-14

3 The pure in heart receive the pleasing word of God - Lamanite righteousness exceeds that of the Nephites - Jacob warns against fornicstion, lasciviousness, and every sin. About 544-421 B.C.

Why does Jacob choose to say 'awake' in this chapter instead of just repent or change?  What do you visualize in Jacob 3:11?

Alma 41-42

41 In the Resurrection men come forth to a state of endless happiness or endless misery - Wickedness never was happiness - Carnal men are without God in the world - Every person receives again in the Restoration the characteristics and attributes acquired in mortality. About 74 B.C.

42 Mortality is a probationary time to enable man to repent and serve God - The Fall brought temporal and spiritual death upon all mankind - Redemption comes through repentance - God Himself atones for the sins of the world - Mercy is for those who repent - All others are subject to God's justice - Mercy comes because of the Atonement - Only the truly penitent are saved.

DC 43:24-35

23-28, The Lord calls upon men by His own voice and through the forces of nature; 29-35, The Millennium and the binding of Satan will come.

How can we let the solemnities of eternity rest upon our minds so that we may always have an eternal perspective?

General Conference

Principles and Promises

President Thomas S. Monson

" May we care for our bodies and our minds by observing the principles set forth in the Word of Wisdom, a divinely provided plan.  With all my heart and soul, I testify of the glorious blessings which await us as we do."

The Perfect Path to Happiness

President Thomas S. Monson

" We are blessed to have the truth.  We have a mandate to share the truth.  Let us live the truth, that we might merit all that the Father has for us. He does nothing save it be for our benefit.  He has told us, 'This is my work and my glory - to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.'"

Sister Curtis and Brother Kearl were the speakers in sacrament meeting today.  My Primary lesson: "Important Ordinances Are Restored."  Those attending my class:  Jace, Jerom, Curtis, Lianna.

Curtis took marbles from the prize box after Primary and it made me worried because he has a little brother who is only one.  I messaged his mom and she assured me she would monitor them, which made me feel better. 

Sister Gillespie lived most of her life right here in Vernon.  Her son and daughter-in-law are in our ward.  She was blind for 20 years and still led the music.  She memorized all the hymns.

James and I had fish for lunch and then we took a nap.  We had our home teachers come this afternoon, Bishop Miller and Jace A.  We had a nice visit.  Bishop knows one of our friends from Chandler, Brother Bear.  In fact, the Bear's own property in Vernon and the bishop pastures his horse on the Bear's land.

I tried a new banana nut bread recipe today.  This one calls for chocolate.  It was quite good but the chocolate overcame the taste of the bananas.  I promised James I would make some regular banana bread with walnuts later in the week.

Someone must have liked it.

I studied and James indexed this evening.  Before going to bed we started a new book.

Fun Photos:

Kacey posted this picture.

I absolutely love it.

Molly looks so cute.

Montezuma's Castle here in Arizona

Temple girls: 

Alice, Holly, Shelly

Alex and Michael's graduation party

Alex's graduation announcement photo

Michael's graduation announcement photo

Saturday, March 18, 2017

Cordoba, Argentina

145th operating temple

Jacob 2:17-35

Jacob denounces the love of riches, pride, and unchastity - Men may seek riches to help their fellowmen - The Lord commands that no man among the Nephites may have more than one wife - The Lord delights in the chastity of women. About 544-421 B.C.

How is the love of money the root of all evil?

Alma 38-40

38 Shiblon was persecuted for righteousness' sake - Salvation is in Christ, who is the life and the light of the world - Bridle all your passions. About 74 B.C.

39 The commandments of Alma to his son Corianton. - Sexual sin is an abomination - Corianton's sins kept the Zoramites from receiving the word - Christ's redemption is retroactive in saving the faithful who preceded it.

40 Christ brings to pass the resurrection of all men - The righteous dead go to paradise and the wicked to outer darkness to await the day of their resurrection - All things will be restored to their proper and perfect frame in the Resurrection.

DC 43:13-23

8-14, The Saints are sanctified by acting in all holiness before the Lord; 15-22, Elders are sent forth to cry repentance and prepare men for the great day of the Lord; 

How am I preparing for the great day of the Lord?

General Conference

That He May Become Strong Also

President Henry B. Eyring

"All of us hope that more young men will have experiences like Wilford Woodruff, who as an Aaronic Priesthood holder taught the gospel of Jesus Christ with converting power.  I pray that we will rise to our call to lift others to prepare them for their glorious service."

James and I went to the 7:45 session at the Gilbert temple this morning.  I went through for Merinda Davis.  We took a selfie but it wasn't good, so here is a picture of the temple instead.

After the temple we made a Costco run for bread, walnuts, and chocolate chips.  We also stopped for lunch.  We a hotdogs and drinks for $3.00 total.

Deseret Book is next door so I ran in and got scriptures and journals for Jace and Jerom who are getting baptized this afternoon.

We went back to Cathi's and packed up.  We said goodbye to Cathi but Terry was gone shopping.  James had to meet the painter out at the Queen Creek job, something about a key.  Finally we are on our way home.  

Pine trees here we come!

We passed up Burger House and then waited in line at McDonald's for 10 minutes for an ice cream.  We finished our book, "The Seven Tipping Points that Changed the World" before Salt River.

These tree look beautiful lining the street in downtown Show Low.

"Popcorn popping on the apricot trees"

When we got home we unloaded the car and put things away and then it was time to get ready for Jace and Jerom's baptisms.

Jerom and Jace

Jace and Brother Wilhelm

Talon baptized Jerom

It is a happy day for these guys

Elder Watson and Elder Rich

taught Jerom

After the baptism we came home, at a little dinner, worked on our lessons and then went to bed.

Fun Photos:

FSO

Emmy's soccer team

Wyatt Earp and John McCain

Who wears the mustache better?

Friday, March 17, 2017

Copenhagen, Denmark

118th operating temple

Jacob 2:1-16

Jacob denounces the love of riches, pride, and unchastity - Men may seek riches to help their fellowmen

Why is it important to remember that all our blessings come from our Heavenly Father?

Alma 37

The plates of brass and other scriptures are preserved to bring souls to salvation - The Jaredites were destroyed because of their wickedness - Their secret oaths and covenants must be kept from the people - Counsel with the Lord in all your doings - As the Liahona guided the Nephites, so the word of Christ leads men to eternal life. About 74 B.C.

DC 43:1-12

1-7, Revelations and commandments come only through the one appointed; 8-14, The Saints are sanctified by acting in all holiness before the Lord;

How as members of the Church can we diligently sustain the Prophet and apostles everyday?

General Conference

Learn from Alma and Amulek

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Our beloved Savior knows where you are.  He knows your heart. He wants to rescue you.  He will reach out to you.  Just open your heart to Him.  It is my hope that those who have strayed from the path of  discipleship - even by only a few degrees - will contemplate the goodness and grace of God, see with their hearts, learn from Alma and Amulek, and hear the life-changing words of the Savior:

'Come, follow me.'"

James left early to check on his job.  When he came home around 8 or 9 he wanted to go to Ikea to pick up Hailey's desk.  Hailey ask me yesterday if I could pick up a desk for her at Ikea.  She emailed me the gift cards to pay for it.  As I thought about it I realized this was the best time to do it.  I hurried and showered and got ready to go.  This was the perfect time to shop at Ikea.  The doors just opened and no one here.  I went directly to a sales clerk on the main floor and ask her where I could obtain the pieces to the desk.  She wrote everything down for me and directed me where to go and even went and got me a cart.  Everything at Ikea is self-serve.  Luckily James was there with me to lift everything onto the cart.

We loaded everything into the back of James's truck and we were on our way.  

Ikea, the serve yourself, build yourself store.

Hailey, second from the left.

On the way back to Cathi and Terry's we stopped at Whataburger and used the rest of our gift card for lunch.  A Whataburger is too big for me, I should have ordered a junior.

Back home we picked up Max and Joshua and made a candy run to Walgreen's and drove out to Trina and Darrel's.  James is watching Rowan, Lola, Joshua, and Max while Trina, Ruby, Kim and I go to see Beauty and the Beast.  We met Kim outside the Regal Theater in Gilbert.  She brought out tickets.  The seats recline!  We saw Laura and Nancy Y. as we were going in.  We all loved the movie.

We missed Addy.

I think the Beast was my favorite character.

Addy and her friends got bracelets made on the

beach today.

Back at Trina's Darrel was home and he and James flew the drone in the house and Darrel broke some of the propellers and had to order some more.  James took the kids out for pizza and then to the park for fly his drone.  They only problem was he couldn't figure out how to fly it.  I guess he will have to take some more lessons from Dave.

Siphon Draw Trail

Back to Chandler we go with Max and Joshua.  Joshua is staying at Max's for awhile to play with Evan.  Evan was gone to a Cubscout Day Camp all day.  

Laura came over to plan some family things with Cathi and I.  Lois wants to take everyone to dinner and so we schedule it for April 7th when I will be down for my next infusion.  Also we schedule a planning meeting in May to plan for Lois's birthday party in October.  It's a 90th surprise party.

I went with James to Queen Creek this evening instead of working on my blog.  We stopped at El Pollo for dinner.  I got two shrimp tacos.  They were quite good.  My right arm hurts so badly that I have a hard time sleeping.

Fun Photos

Two cuties at Disneyland

Max and Addy

Dallin

Emmy and the rest of the soccer stars

Seminary graduation

Michael and his high school track coach

James studying for his lesson

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Concepcion, Chili

temple to be completed in late 2018

Jacob 1:1-19

Jacob and Joseph seek to persuade men to believe in Christ and keep his commandments - Nephi dies - Wickedness prevails among the Nephites.

Why does it seem that societies often fall as a whole?  Why is it never just a few people?

Alma 35-36

35 - The preaching of the word destroys the craft of the Zoramites - They expel the converts, who then join the people of Ammon in Jershon - Alma sorrows because of the wickedness of the people.

36 - Alma testifies to Helaman of his conversion by an angel - He suffered the pains of a damned soul; he called upon the name of Jesus, and was then born of God - Sweet joy filled his soul - He saw concourses of angels praising God - His converts have tasted and seen as he did.
DC 42:79-93
74-93, Laws governing fornication, adultery, killing, stealing, and confession of sins are set forth.
Has there been a time when I have had to reconcile with someone?  What did I learn? - Yes.  Some people don't want to reconcile, but I felt more at peace.
General Conference

There Is Power in the Book

Elder LeGrand R. Curtis

"The Book of Mormon will prepare you for the great call of diligence to labor in the vineyards of the Lord.  You will be able to discern truth from error, and you will feel the assurance of the Holy Ghost reconfirming your testimony over and over again to read the  Book of Mormon throughout your life. 

President Romney's promise:

'The spirit of contention will depart.  Parents will counsel children in greater love and wisdom.  Children will be more submissive and responsive to the counsel of their parents.  Righteousness will increase.  Faith, hope, and charity - the pure love of Christ - will abound in our homes and lives, bringing greater peace, joy, and happiness."

This was said about Lydia Knight in "The Contrite Spirit:"

"Enough grief had already touched her life that she knew how to fit joy into the corners."

I was ready to go to the valley around 11 a.m.  I stopped to get the mail.  My box was stuffed so full I could barely get it out.

All of this was shoved into my tiny little box.

After leaving the post office I picked up Amy at her house. When we left her four goats just stared at me as if to say: "Where are you taking our mommy?"  Amy says they follow her everywhere when she is outside.  From Amy's we went to the Splash and Dash in Show Low to get gas and to wash the car.  I had promised James, Cathi, and Terry burros so our next stop was in Miami at Burger House.  I had called in my order and went to the front of the line but the woman working behind the counter told me I had to go to the back of the line, which I did.  I felt bad because Claire has been waiting at the Phoenix airport since 9:30 this morning.

Devil's Bridge,  Sedona

I drove to the airport because Amy is not familiar with driving in the valley.  She is from northern California.  We picked up Claire on the northside of Terminal 4, because she flew on Southwest, somewhere between 4-4:30.  It is 97 degrees today.  Claire seemed to be in a good mood and told us about all the people she met while waiting in the airport.  Of course we got in rush hour traffic going in to Chandler.  It wasn't bad once we got on the 101 south of Baseline.  

When we got to Cathi's Claire and Amy helped me carry my suitcases in.  I introduced them to Cathi and Terry and offered each of them a glass of water.  We said our goodbyes and they left with Lexy.  Hopefully they won't have any problems.

Kacey posted this yesterday on Facebook.

I wanted to share it on here.

Cathi says she is feeling better except she does not have any energy.  She looks very pale to me.  James is very happy to see me.  I brought him the key to the medical building and now he has to go out and go to work.  He took me to get a drink at Sonic first.  He is pretty frustrated because no fully-formed company wants to do the countertop at the medical office.  

While James was gone I spent a couple of hours on my blog.  We were in bed by 10 p.m.  I got a text from Claire at 12:53 a.m. that they made it home safely.

Fun Photos:

Addy and Kayla in Rocky Point, Mexico

Stacy, pioneer woman.

Easier for men that women.

About three years ago

Carlsbad a few years ago

Dallin the year he graduated

from high school.

Adam just out of high school

Emmy and her soccer team, and

Molly