Monday, March 20, 2017

Dallas, Texas

30th operating temple

Jacob 4:1-18

All the prophets worshiped the Father in the name of Christ - Abraham's offering of Isaac was in similitude of God and His Only Begotten - Men should reconcile themselves to God through the Atonement - The Jews will reject the foundation stone. About 544-421 B.C.

When asking the Lord for something in prayer, how do you make sure to still take He counsel and not attempt to sway Him?

Alma 43

Alma and his sons preach the word - The Zoramites and other Nephite dissenters become Lamanites - The Lamanites come against the Nephites in war - Moroni arms the Nephites with defensive armor - The Lord reveals to Alma the strategy of the Lamanites - The Nephites defend their homes, liberties, families, and religion - The aries of Moroni and Lehi surround the Lamanites. About 74 B.C.

DC 44:1-6

Elders are to assemble in conference; The are to organize according to the laws of the land and to care for the poor.

How can we better listen to the Spirit so that we can help people in various circumstances?

General Conference

Joy and Spiritual Survival

President Russell M. Nelson

"He taught us how to have joy  When we choose Heavenly Father to be our God and when we can feel the Savior's Atonement working in our lives, we will be filled with joy. Every time we nurture our spouse and guide our children, every time we forgive someone or ask for forgiveness, we can feel joy."

I like a quote I read in The Contrite Spirit:

"If we keep our covenants with Him, He will keep us spiritually safe."

At 10:15 James and I left for Hailey's to deliver her desk, some cookies, and the visiting teaching message.  Hailey has a new car.  She traded in her Jeep for a Toyota 4-Runner.  

After we left Hailey's we went to Persnikkity's for lunch.  I had the green chili chicken sandwich and sweet potato fries.  James had the Phillly cheesesteak sandwich and broccoli, cheese soup.  Next stop was the Book Barn to get Jeron and Jace's names put on their scriptures.  I texted Hailey and told her they had the "Dragonwatch" book at Book Barn.  Braylin, her son, is a big Fablehaven fan.

This is the book I got for Addy.

When I was in Walmart doing a little shopping I saw my cousin Rita and her husband Bill.

Rita said her mom was doing quite well except for her back.

She is going to have a proceedure done at the Arizona Pain Center in Show Low.

This afternoon I worked on my blog and did some filing.  James and I watched the movie "Unleashing Mr. Darcy" and then had FHE.  We listened to the conference talk, "The Great Plan of Redemption" by Linda S. Reeves.  We went to bed around 8:30.

Fun Photos

The home builder built a home for

his feathered friends.

Don't you just love this face!

I wish I could remember who Emmy was doing her report on.

My favorite salad, Pei Wei's

spicy chicken.

Dallin, Joe, and Michael the photo bomber.

Harry Potter look alikes.

When it rains, the frogs come out.

2012

Our dream patio

Wupatki National Monument

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