Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Frankfurt, Germany

41st operating temple

Enos 1:11-27

*What do we learn about Enos from his prayer for the Lamanites?

*As we experience the blessings of Christ's Atonement, we will seek to help others to receive salvation.  "A great indicator of one's personal conversion is the desire to share the gospel with others." - President Howard W. Hunter.

*What can we learn about prayer from Enos's example? (The Lord answers our prayers according to our faith and diligence.)

Alma 55

Moroni refuses to exchange prisoners - The Lamanite guards are enticed to become drunk, and the Nephite prisoners are freed - The city of Gid is taken without bloodshed. About 63-62 B.C.

DC 49:1-14

1-7, The day and hour of Christ's coming will remain unknown until He comes; 8-14, Men must repent, believe the gospel, and obey the commandments to gain salvation; 

*What did I learn from these verses?

- Prophets receive revelation for others, Christ is coming again, we must all repent and be baptized.

General Conference

God Shall Wipe Away All Tears 

Elder Evan A. Schmutz

"I have observed in the lives and examples of others that exercising strong and abiding faith in Jesus Christ and His promises provides the sure hope of better things to come.  This sure hope steadies us, bringing the strength and power we need in order to endure.  When we can link our suffering to an assurance of purpose in our mortality and more specifically to the reward awaiting us in heavenly places, our faith in Christ increases and we receive comfort to our souls."

James has to weld his backhoe bucket attachment.  It broke while digging the trench for Salvador's sewer line.  James's friend Bill actually helped James and welded it for him.  Here at home I polished the wood floor in the family/living room.  It looks beautiful until somebody walks on it.  

I had to take a picture of this because it is

proof that it snowed yesterday.

More proof of snow on the hill in the background.

I visit taught Claire today.  Mary said she would go with me but when I texted her she was in town at a teacher conference.  This is the second time she has done this.  I know she is very busy but I wish she wouldn't say she was going if she really can't.

Apache Junction, Arizona

After visiting with Claire, who by the way is moving next month, I drove in to town to get some groceries.  I stopped on the way to Walmart at Taco Bell and got a burrito supreme.  As I was eating it in the Walmart parking lot in my car, I heard a tap on my window.  I turned around and there were my Vernon friends LeeAnn and Alicia.  LeeAnn was one of my young women.  She was so excited because she got her driver's license today.  She turns 17 on April 6th so it was a little long in coming but I was excited for her.

Monument Valley

This evening while blogging I watched an older Garage Sale Mystery I hadn't seen.  My friend Pam messaged me on Facebook and told me she had had a mild heart attack and ask me to remember me in her prayers.  I didn't tell her but I pray for her everyday anyway.  I will be sure and put her name on the temple prayer roll too. 

 A bouquet of flowers Ruby brought me from the valley.

I got several texts from the stake Relief Society president regarding ideas for my talk. She told me of some talks that might help and I told her about Elder Bednar's "Patterns of Light" videos.

Fun Photos

2012 Beach trip.  Ruby is the baby.

When Ruby was here last week I was admiring her

freckles.  She told me about this plaque.

The rest of the pictures were taken at 

Sheraton Desert Oasis in Scottsdale.

These boys love to go there.

Max, Michael, Joshua, Evan

 They love the food at the grill by the pool.

Joshua prefers hamburgers

Michael enjoying nachos.

Daniel, Michael, Connor

Playing Tenzi's

Evan's drink was a little sour.

These guys all like to sleep in the same bed,

here they are watching TV.

The whirlpool in our bedroom.

2014

Ben hooked up the video system.

Handsome kid

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Fortaleza, Brazil

to be completed in 2018


Happy 89th Birthday to my dear sweet aunt.

Aunt Gene is a social person.  She still plays bridge
every week and looks forward to visits from family and friends.

Jacob 7:21-Enos 1:10

*According to Jacob 7:23, how did Jacob's encounter with Sherem ultimately affect the multitude?
*What truths can we learn from the results of Jacob's encounter with Sherem? (1.All prophets testify of Jesus Christ 2.As we respond to questions or criticisms of our faith in ways that invite the Spirit, we can help others turn to the Lord. 3.Prophets help us recognize and overcome Satan's deceptions.
*Enos 1:1-10. What might a person mean by the phrase "my soul hungered"? (Feelings of spiritual emptiness, pain, or weakness or a desire to be filled spiritually.)
*How might the phrase "wrestle...before God" describe a person's effort to receive a remission of sins? (This wrestling indicates Enos's struggle to show Heavenly Father the sincerity of his desires and his willingness to repent by making necessary changes in his life?) Do you think wrestle is a good word to describe our efforts to repent?
*What lessons can we learn from Enos about the process of receiving forgiveness for our sins? (In addition to other truths your family may mention, be sure they understand this: As we exercise faith in Jesus Christ, our sins can be forgiven and we can be made whole.)
Alma 53-54
53 The Lamanite prisoners are used to fortify the city Bountiful - Dissensions among the Nephites give rise to Lamanite victories - Helaman takes command of the two thousand stripling sons of the people of Ammon. About 64-63 B.C.
54 Ammoron and Moroni negotiate for the exchange of prisoners - Moroni demands that the Lamanites withdraw and cease their murderous attacks - Ammoron demands that the Nephites lay down their arms and become subject to the Lamanites. About 63 B.C.
DC 46:27-48:6
47 John Whitmer is designated to keep the history of the Church and to write for the Prophet.
48:1-3, The Saints in Ohio are to share their lands with their brethren; 4-6, The Saints are to purchase lands, build a city, and follow the counsel of their presiding officers.
Has there been a time when you have gone through your journals and have found answers to your questions?
General Conference

Lest Thou Forget

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"No matter what mistakes we have made or how imperfect we feel we are, we can always bless and lift others.  Reaching out to them in Christlike service can help us feel the love of God in our hearts.

Generations are affected by the choices we make.

Never forget, question or ignore personal, sacred spiritual experiences.  The Lord's desire is to enlighten and engage us in His work."

It snowed hard for five minutes this morning and then stopped and the sun came out.  A few minutes later it was snowing again.

We also had hail, rain and thunder. I saw four deer walking through the snow up the hill in front of our house.

It is what I call a powdered sugar snow.

James left for the valley this morning and was complaining that he couldn't talk.  My advice was to turn off the radio in his truck and talk to Heavenly Father why he needs his voice today.  Later when he was driving in to Apache Junction, he called me and his voice was perfectly fine.

I am looking forward to the hummingbirds

returning.

Today in my book "The Contrite Spirit" I read about becoming Savior's on Mount Zion to our families, both the living and the dead.  The title of this chapter was Savior's On Mount Zion: Restoring the Generations. Here are a few things I underlined. 

*"If you want a happier family, create, refine and retell the story of your family's positive moments and your ability to bounce back from the difficult ones.  That act alone may increase the odds that your family will thrive for many generations to come." 

*"All of us stand as links in a great family chain, holding the hands of ancestors on one side and descendants on the other."

*Allen Bergin, a BYU psychologist did research a few years ago on the place of religious values in psychotherapy. Bergin developed the concept of the "transitional figure" to describe someone recovering from childhood trauma who is able to change the pattern in his or her family history.  Such persons use their personal link in the family's intergenerational chain to transform, rather than to pass along, the current of harm.  Instead of seeking retribution, one learns to absorb the pain, to be forgiving, to try to reconcile with forebears, and then become a generator of positive change in the next generation."

* "Those who develop the needed capacity and strength - aided by the Lord's strengthening blessings - can halt the intergenerational flow of affliction." 

* "Christ took upon Himself undeserved affliction, heaped upon Him by people who might have said they loved Him.  And in the ultimate exchange of sweet for bitter, He assumed the bitter, then offered healing even to those who had unleashed the pain He absorbed.  He repaired the breach that separates us from Him and from His Father, not just by stopping the onrolling forces of darkness but by exchanging darkness for light, good for evil - and passing onward a repeatable pattern of goodness.  For us to act in some similar way, to the extent of our limited capacity is to be a Christ figure in our own family chain.  We become a transitional point in the war between good and evil, stopping the current of evil by absorbing and even transforming it, thereby protecting the innocence and emotional and spiritual health of the next generation."

This is all so very interesting to me because I have tried to be a transitional person in my own family.  My family was not active in the Church and my parents had never been to the temple.  My dad used the Lord's name in vain and it made me cringe.  I would go to church by myself and see all the families sitting together while as a teenager, I sat by myself.  I said to myself, "Someday when I have a family, we will all go to church and sit together."  I married a worthy priesthood holder in the temple and we raised our children in the gospel.  Our sons went on missions and all of our children were married in the temple.  The gospel and my family mean everything to me.  My desire is to pass on the gospel legacy to my grandchildren.  Right now many of them are struggling and it breaks my heart.  Through faith, fasting and prayer, and setting a good example I pray that we can bring them back.

 I sure do miss this little munchkin.

Today I cleaned the wood floor in preparation for polishing it tomorrow.  I also paid bills, and did four days worth of blogging.

I watched an episode of "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" and "When Calls the Heart."  

Before going to bed James and I texted each other.

Fun Photos

Molly and Emmy enjoying the ocean.

The tooth fairy is generous.

Trina after a Razr ride.

Lola in her kitchen.

Last year at Sea World.

Dale the Quail comes to the dentist.

I love this picture of the Savior.

   

  

Monday, March 27, 2017

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

143rd operating temple

Jacob 7:1-20

Sherem denies Christ, contends with Jacob, demands a sign, and is smitten of God - All of the prophets have spoken of Christ and His Atonement - The Nephites lived out their days as wanderers, born in tribulation, and hated by the Lamanites. About 544-421 B.C.

Some thoughts on this chapter:

*"One of mortality's great tests comes when our beliefs are questioned or criticized" - Elder Robert D. Hales

* Consider how Jacob responded when Sherem challenged his beliefs. (see verses 5, 8, 10-11, 12, 13-14.

* As we rely on the Lord, we can overcome challenges to our faith.

* As true disciples seek guidance from the Spirit, they receive inspiration tailored to each encounter. And in every encounter, true disciples respond in ways that invite the Spirit of the Lord.

* What is one thing you will begin doing or continue doing to help you prepare for a time when someone challenges your faith?

Alma 52

Ammoron succeeds Amalickiah as king of the Lamanites - Moroni, Teancum, and Lehi lead the Nephites in a victorious war against the Lamanites - The city of Mulek is retaken, and Jacob the Zoramite is slain. About 66-64 B.C.

DC 46:1-26

1-2, Elders are to conduct meetings as guided by the Holy Spirit; 3-6, Truth seekers should not be excluded from sacramental services; 7-12, Ask of God and seek the gifts of the Spirit; 13-26, An enumeration of some of these gifts is given; 

How have you recognized these gifts in your life?

General Conference

The Doctrine of Christ

Brian K. Ashton

"As our constant companion, the Holy Ghost gives us additional power or strength to keep our covenants.  He also sanctifies us, which means to make us 'free fro sin, pure, clean, and holy through the atonement of Christ.  The process of sanctification not only cleanses us, but it also endows us with needed spiritual gifts or divine attributes of the Savior and changes our very nature, such 'that we have no more disposition to do evil.'

Each time we receive the Holy Ghost into our lives through faith, repentance, ordinances, Christ-like service, and other righteous endeavors, we are changed until step by step little by little we become like Christ.'"

James visited Anthony Romyak this afternoon.  Anthony lives way out in the middle of nowhere and James got lost.  He was gone 2 1/2 hours, but had a nice visit.  Anthony is a recent convert and says he knows that he joined the Church for a very important reason.  James suggested it could be family history and also mentioned getting his patriarchal blessing.  Anthony knew nothing about patriarchal blessings and seemed very excited.  What a blessing to have Anthony in our ward.

Horseshoe Bend

We finished "Witness in the Dark" and started "A Fine Gentleman," by Sarah Eden, one of our favorite LDS authors.

This is what my dining room table looks like

when I am doing my morning gospel study.

For dinner tonight James made a salad and I made a grilled tuna and cheese sandwich for him.  After dinner we had FHE.  We listened to Elder Carl B. Cook's conference address, "Serve."

Afterwards we watched an episode of "When Calls the Heart."  

James loaded up his truck for his trip to the valley tomorrow.

Fun Photos:

Grandmother Lois and Erik's son Oliver.

Another family of women at Women's Conference.

Lola, May 2016

Just up from her nap.

High School graduation

Alex and Michael

Michael

Sunday, March 26, 2017

Fort Collins, Colorado

153rd operating temple

Jacob 6:1-13

The Lord will recover Israel in the last days - The world will be burned with fire - Men must follow Christ to avoid the lake of fire and brimstone. About 544-421 B.C.

How is repentance a continuous process?  Why doesn't it end once you take the sacrament?

Alma 51

The king-men seek to change the law and set up a king - Pahoran and the freemen are supported by the voice of the people - Moroni compels the king-men to defend their country or be put to death - Amalickiah and the Lamanites capture many fortified cities - Teancum repels the Lamanite invasion and slays Amalickiah in his tent. About 67-66 B.C.

DC 45:60-75

60-62, The Prophet is instructed to begin the translation of the New Testament, through which important information will be made known; 63-75, The Saints are commanded to gather and build the New Jerusalem, to which people from all nations will come.

How can we make our homes a sanctuary for peace?

General Conference

"If Ye Had Known Me"

Elder David A. Bednar

"Serving Him requires all of our heart, might, mind and strength.  Consequently, selflessly serving others counteracts the self-centered and selfish tendencies of the natural man.  We grow to love those whom we serve.  And because serving others is serving God, we grow to love Him and our brothers and sisters more deeply.  Such love is a manifestation of the spiritual gift of charity, even the pure love of Christ."

From the women's session of General Conference

I forgot to post yesterday about James flying his drone.  He and Darrel went out in the back and it flew high and far.  Now he needs to learn how to use the camera so he can spy on the nearby wildlife.

Evan woke up sick to his stomach this morning.  Rowan said he was a little bit sick too, and Trina got no sleep because of Lola, so Trina stayed home from church with the two boys.

A couple of sickies

Today was our fast and testimony meeting.  I bore my testimony and said that all I ever needed to learn in life I learned in Primary. I know that Heavenly Father loves me, that the Savior died for my sins, that Joseph Smith is the prophet of the Restoration and that he translated the Book of Mormon.  I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God, that the Church is true, and that we have a prophet on the earth today, even Thomas S. Monson.  When I went back to my seat Ruby whispered to me, "good job."  What a sweetie!

Many of the testimonies were in regards to Ravenna Gillespie and what an influence she was here in Vernon.  

I love the statue of the Savior

My lesson in Primary today was about "The First Latter-day Missionaries"  I was impressed with the sacrifices these early missionaries made to preach the gospel and tried to impress upon the children in my class how important it is for us to make sacrifices to share the gospel.  The third hour we had teacher council meeting.  When I told my class I wouldn't be in sharing time because I was going to a meeting to help me be a better teacher.  Curtis and Lianna both said: "You are already a great teacher." That made me feel good and a little guilty because I actually ask Curtis to leave the class for awhile today because he would not stop making weird noises.

Flagstaff area

We broke our fast this afternoon and had leftover green chili pork stew, mini corndogs and pizza rolls that Darrel cooked.  Here are some things we did this afternoon:

These girls did a puzzle

Kayla, Addy, and Darrel played Tenzi's.

Trina wanted to play too but Lola insisted that she sit and

watch Toy Story 2 with her.

Addy and Grandpa "hung out"

The kids got their picture taken

Lola and I went outside and I blew bubbles while Lola chased them.  It was so much fun to here her giggle and laugh.

Evan ate crackers because of his upset stomach.  I made "brookies," chocolate chip cookies with brownie batter.  The were ok, but I think I like my regular chocolate chip cookies better.

Finally we had to say our goodbyes.

Love these people and I am so grateful 

they came to visit.

James went home teaching to the Peeler's today and we started our new book, "Witness in the Dark."  Ordinarily we wouldn't read on Sunday but we have to finish this one before Tuesday so James can return it to Cathi.  It is in modern time and takes place in Tooele, Utah.  It is about a girl who witnesses a murder and is thrown into a mine shaft.  A little mute girl saw it happen and takes care of her until she is found 7 days later.  It was a good book.

I got a call from the stake Relief Society President this evening. She would like me to speak at a stake women's conference on Saturday, April 22nd.  The topic is receiving personal revelation.  I am humbled that I would be ask to do this but now I have two talks to give this month plus three Primary lessons to prepare.  I better not waste any time getting started. 

Fun Photos:

Bishop Hall's son Kendall got 

married last night. Congratulations!

Drennan, Heather and their two girls came to 

Arizona to visit.  In this picture Heather looks like

Dianne and the little girl she is holding looks like her

as a child.

  I wrote Lola's name on a piece of paper in

sacrament meeting.  She copied it.

Genius.

Ruby's drawings during sacrament meeting

I love how she spelled grandpa.