Saturday, April 15, 2017

Indianapolis, Indiana

148th operating temple

Mosiah 8

The Lord provides prophets, seers, and revelators to benefit mankind.

*What are some things that prophets, seers, and revelators make known to us?

*How has your life been blessed by modern-day prophets?

Helaman 13

Samuel the Lamanite prophesies the destruction of the Nephites unless they repent - They and their riches are cursed - They reject and stone the prophets, are encircled about by demons, and seek for happiness in doing iniquity. About 6 B.C.

DC 58:13-23

Bishops are judges in Israel; The Saints are to obey the laws of the land; 

What blessings come to us by keeping the laws of God?

General Conference

Overcoming the World

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"Overcoming the world is not one defining moment in a lifetime, but a lifetime of moments that define eternity."

James went to the temple this morning without me.  I had to stay home and make sure the ham and potatoes got cooked.  I was sad to not be able to go.  My ham wouldn't fit in the crockpot so I cooked it in the oven.  It was way overcooked and the tips were black.  The flavor was delicious but it looked like jerky.  James picked up the Chikfila tray with me.  I should have gotten a bigger one but I had no idea I was going to cremate the ham.  

Our menu: Ham, scalloped potatoes, Easter beans, rolls, and Chikfila and Stacy's chicken tenders and a veggie tray.   For dessert we had the chocolate cake from Costco, the coconut cake from Sam's Club, a fruit pizza, and donut holes from Dunkin' Donuts.

We ate first and then went outside in Sheri and Ian's back yard for the Easter egg hunt.  

Grandpa and Lola were the first to go out.

Lola and grandpa found 14 eggs,

more than anyone.

It's a big yard but there aren't alot of

hiding spots according to the hider, Ben.

Counting their candy and loot.

Over $10.

Addy and Trina chatting with the guys 

fighting for the football in the background.

Looking for the two golden $5 eggs.

We were all gathered around this bush and

Joshua was the only one to see the gold egg.

Max had already found the other one.

After the egg hunt the guys had a football toss

and then everyone got involved in a wuffle ball game.

We missed Jared and Kacey's family, Jared Ammon, Dallin,

and Joe.  

Note to self about the eggs.  Make sure you know how many eggs you hide and make it match the people hunting so everyone gets an even amount.

Yesterday Paul's niece, Devin's daughter McKenna was married in the temple.  Stacy posted this on Facebook:

Cathi and Terry and Colin went to Patrick and Heather's little boy's baptism.  His name is Hunter.  Afterwards there was a birthday party for their little girl Raelynn.

James and I drove home separately.  He got home before I did.  I went the Payson way for a change.  It was great to be home before dark.  Time to focus on my Primary lesson.

I love this picture of Central Park and

New York City

Nothing more beautiful!

I am so grateful for my Savior and His

sacrifice for all of mankind.

Friday, April 14, 2017

Idaho Falls, Idaho

8th operating temple

(recently renovated)

Mosiah 7

* In verse 33 what does Limhi exhort his people to do?

* What principles can we learn from Limhi and his people about the effect of recognizing and feeling sorrow for our sins?

Helaman 11-12

11 Nephi persuades the Lord to replace their war with a famine - Man people perish - They repent, and Nephi importunes the Lord for rain - Nephi and Lehi receive many revelations - The Gadianton robbers entrench themselves in the land. About 20-6 B.C.

12 Men are unstable and foolish and quick to do evil - The Lord chastens His people - The nothingness of men is compared with the power of God - In the day of judgment, men will gain everlasting life or everlasting damnation. About 6 B.C.

DC 58:1-12

Those who endure tribulation will be crowned with glory; The Saints are to prepare for the marriage of the Lamb and the supper of the Lord;

Why does the Lord allow tribulations to come upon His people?

* To help us develop humility and prove worthy of eternal blessings.

General Conference

The Language of the Gospel

Elder Valerie V. Cordon

"Powerful teaching is extremely important to preserve the gospel in our families, and it requires diligence and effort."

James broke another irrigation line last night so we won't be going to the temple this morning.  I went grocery shopping instead and to the bank to get money for the egg hunt.  I went to the Walmart on Germann and Gilbert because it is a little less hectic than the one on Arizona Avenue.  I am excited about the recipe I have for cooking a ham, I just hope my ham will fit in a crockpot.  I stopped at In 'n' Out for burgers and fries for lunch.  Cathi was excited because she got the last two green chili burros for her lunch.

Sedona

This afternoon Sheri and Kim colored eggs at Sheri's. I went down to visit and fill Easter eggs for tomorrow's hunt.  To my surprise Joe was there.  He cut his hair.  It looks great!

Joe is a handsome guy especially with

his new do.

Alex and Shana were coloring eggs, but Alex was wearing a blanket around because he has the flu.  Joshua and Rowan were there too.  Rowan colored some eggs but Joshua said he was going to color eggs at home with his mom.  Joshua got his hair cut too.

He says his mom doesn't like it but he does

because now he looks like a real Mexican.

James was not able to fix the broken water line because someone irrigated before he got the glue on and filled the hole with water.  He was digging up a tree as a favor for Sal when this last break happened.  He is so discouraged.

We went to dinner at Cafe Rio and he had a chance to relax and unwind. 

Colin, Terry's grandson, spent the night at Cathi and Terry's.  He and Cathi painted Easter eggs and he and Terry played a video game with the new wireless controller Terry got him.  James and I read from our book and went to bed early.

Fun Photos

Friends Rusty and Kendall who just got married

last week.

 I love Salt Lake in the spring time

with all the flowers.  When I was the stake Relief Society

President I went to all the Relief Society open houses in

Salt Lake, which meant I was there twice a year for 

five years.  I miss those trips.

Those were the days.

Michael in his Batman cape and mask would come

down to our house dressed just like this at 6 a.m.

Trina caught Darrel smiling!

My two homes, built by James.

My dear sweet friend Ann who passed away

last year.  She was the stake Primary President

and I was her counselor.  We were in a car accident

together in 1977.  I severed all the tendons in my

right knee.

My dream patio

I love this picture of Molly

Her eyes are sparkling!

First day of school

Junior High

Thursday, April 13, 2017

Houston, Texas
97th operating temple

Mosiah 6:1-7

Mosiah begins his reign as king.

* Why do you think it was important to record the names of all the people who had entered into the covenant?

Helaman 9-10

9 Messengers find the chief judge dead at the judgment seat - They are imprisoned and later released - By inspiration Nephi identifies Seantum as the murderer - Nephi is accepted by some as a prophet.

About 23-21 B.C.

10 The Lord gives Nephi the sealing power - He is empowered to bind and loose on earth and in heaven - He commands the people to repent or perish - The Spirit carries him from multitude to multitude. About 21-20 B.C.

DC 57:1-16

Independence, Missouri, is the place for the City of Zion and the temple; The Saints are to purchase lands and receive inheritances in that area; Sidney Gilbert is to establish a store, William W. Phelps is to be a printer, and Oliver Cowdery is to edit material for publication.

What great things have happened when people magnify their callings?

General Conference

Stand Up Inside and Be All In

Elder Gary B. Sabin

"May we recalculate our route if need be and look forward with great hope and faith.  My we 'stand up inside' by being valiant and 'all in.'"

Evan got contacts today.  He even put them in all by himself.

Such a handsome boy, with or without,

glasses.

Max had a first today too.  His first track meet.  

Go Max!! Our of 20 people he got 7th.

Pretty good for his first meet.

Happy 21st Anniversary

Cathi and Terry!

We gave them gift cards to

Outback because we know they

love steak.

James had an appointment this morning at the dentist's office to get some fillings fixed.  When he got home we went to lunch at Chili's because we had a couple of gift cards.  This was my lunch:

It was quite delicious only I would have preferred

to have the steak and shrimp without the sauce.

This afternoon while James was working at Sal's I made these little critters:

Bunny's made out of safety pops!

James is really complaining about his tooth hurting.  Cathi gave him some oil of cloves but he is still in alot of pain.  He left a message with Dr. Douglas but I told him she is not in her office on Friday.  

We went to visit our friend Zaki this afternoon.  He and his wife had twins, a boy and a girl 15 months ago and we have never seen them.

They are quite shy because they just aren't

around other people very much.

Zakia, the little girl

Zachariah, the little boy

I don't think Zakia like me very well.

Our friends from Chandler, Mike and Adrienne just became

grandparents on April 8th.

Meet baby Elliott

As part of my gospel study today I read about the last week of the Savior's life.  Here is a picture of His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem painted by LDS artist Minerva Teichart.

We are friends with Minerva's granddaughter

Trudy.

According to Brother Eric D. Huntsman the final week of the Savior's life went something like this:

1.  The Anointing at Bethany by Mary.

2.  The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.

3.  The Cleansing of the Temple and the Cursing of the Fig Tree.

4.  Teaching in the Temple.

5.  The Olivet Discourse.

6.  The Last Supper.

7.  Gethsemane

8.  The Death of the Lamb of God.

9.  The Empty Tomb and the Risen Lord.

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Hong Kong, China

48th operating temple

Mosiah 5:5-15

* How do you think making and keeping covenants helps us continue in the process of experiencing a change of heart?

* What name did King Benjamin give his people?

* When do we take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ?

James: "When we are baptized and strive to keep the commandments."

Kacey: "I don't always get to read all the responses or add my thought but tonight I have a quick minute so I'll share.  Today's question made me think of a talk by Sister Bonnie D. Parking that I read a while back.  She said, ' Making covenants is the expression of a willing heart; keeping covenants, the expression of a faithful heart...The spiritual integrity to keep our covenants comes from consistency in scripture study, prayer, service, and sacrifice.'

Consistency in doing these things is the process that changes our hearts.  It strengthens our faith and helps us to be armed with the power and protection promised to us as we keep keeping our covenants.  I'm certainly grateful for this knowledge, especially while in the trenches of sore trials." 

Helaman 8

Corrupt judges seek to incite the people against Nephi - Abraham, Moses, Zenos, Zenock, Ezias, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lehi, and Hephi all testified of Christ - By inspiration Nephi announces the murder of the chief judge. About 23-21 B.C.

DC 56:11-20

Seek wisdom, cry repentance, trust in the Spirit; Keep the commandments, and study the Lord's word;

Why does the Lord want us to be self-reliant?

General Conference

Songs Sung and Unsung

Jeffrey R. Holland

"I plead with each one of us to stay permanently

and faithfully in the choir."

James and I left for the valley a little after 8 a.m.  I had wanted to leave at noon and James had wanted to leave at 4 a.m., so we compromised.  He is anxious to get down and see how is job is going.  I read a couple of chapters from our new book, the Innkeeper of Ivy Hill and slept.  Soon we were in Miami and picked up our order of burros.  There is nothing quite like a fresh green chili burro from Burger House.  Divine!

We went by to check on the job and nothing has been done since James left.  He was a little upset.  When we arrived at Cathi and Terry's they were gone to the R.O.C.  We made ourselves at home and I finished my gospel study, and then took a nap.  A long one.

Here is what I found out about the Second Coming in the enrichment section of the Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual:

"The Savior's Four Appearances

1.  His first appearance will be at the city of the New Jerusalem.  The Lord shall suddenly come to His temple." (DC 133:2.)

2.  Next will be the appearance at Adam-Ondi-Ahman to a solemn assembly to those who have held priesthood keys and others who are specially invited.

3.  The appearance at the Mount of Olives to the Jews while they are beseiged by many nations.  At the close of Armageddon, the Jews will flee for safety to the Mount of Olives.  There the Savior will make His appearance.

4.  The Second Coming: The appearance to the whole world.  Joseph Smith said: "Then will appear one grand sign of the Son of Man in heaven.  The world will say it is a planet or comet.  But the Son of Man will come as the sign of the coming of the Son of Man, which will be as the light of the morning cometh out of the east. (Teachings, p. 287.)

Following the sign there will be silence in heaven for the space of half as hour, and immediately after shall the curtain of heaven be unfolded" and the Lord will make His glorious appearance. (DC 88:95.)  

So great will be the glory and power of His coming that the earth will tremble, the sun shall hide it's face in shame, the mountains will melt and flow down, and the waters of the sea will boil (see DC 133:40-42, 49; 101:25.)  All that is corruptible shall be consumed and destroyed by the brightness of His glorious presence (see DC 5:19; 101:24-24.)  The Lord will wear red apparel, signifying His great sacrifice and also His judgments upon the wicked (DC 133:48-51.)

The Lord's people will receive the reward for their faithfulness and endurance (see DC 54:10; 133:52-53.)  Both the righteous living and the celestial dead will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air to be rewarded according to their deeds while the wicked are destroyed and cast into outer darkness (see DC 88:96-97; 101:89-91.)  This will be the "great and dreadful day of the Lord." (DC 110:14-16.)

This water will be boiling when the

Savior comes.

Up from my nap to go shopping to find the items to make these cute little bunnies for our party on Saturday.

I found the Safe-T-Pops at Sweetie's.  I bought a box of 100. The ribbon and pom pom's for the tails were at Walmart.  The only difference is my tails will be different colors because they did not have a bag of just white pom poms.  I did not want to go to Michael's or Hobby Lobby this evening.  I also made a stop at Carl's Jr. for the Santa Fe chicken sandwiches which have chicken, green chili, and cheese.  I took one home for James too.

Spent the evening reading and working on my blog.

Fun Photos:

 Trina posted this picture of Ruby today,

with every other tooth missing.

She is still beautiful!

Last year on his birthday Dallin came

for a visit.  He likes this sign right

outside of Vernon.

First day of school 

Ruby and her baby sister

Joshua loves Lola and it looks

like the feeling is mutual.

My girl Trenda

My favorite picture of "us"

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico

72nd operating temple

Happy Anniversary to my brother Dennis and

his wife Denise.  They have been married 19 years.

This picture was taken on their 8th anniversary as they

rafted down the Salt River with Harold, Vickie, Dennis's son

Eric, and Denise's daughter Rachel.  At one point Rachel

and Vickie fell overboard.

Mosiah 5:1-4

King Benjamin's people describe the mighty change they have experienced through the Spirit.

* In what ways do we choose to be changed when we choose to follow Jesus Christ?

Elder David A. Bednar: "The essence of the gtospel of Jesus Christ entails a fundamental and permanent change in our very nature made possible through our reliance upon the 'merits and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah' (2 Nephi 2:8). As we choose to follow the Master, we choose to be changed - to be spiritually reborn."

* Why do you think we need the Atonement of Jesus Christ in order to truly change?

Gospel Truth: As we exercise faith in Jesus Christ and receive the Holy Spirit we can experience a mighty change of heart.

Helaman 7

Nephi is rejected in the north and returns to Zarahemla - He prays upon his garden tower and then calls upon the people to repent or perish. About 23-21 B.C.

DC 56:1-10

The Saints must take up their cross and follow the Lord to gain salvation; The Lord commands and revokes, and the disobedient are cast off;

* Under what circumstances does the Lord revoke that which He has commanded?

- When we prove unworthy, as Ezra Thayre did.

General Conference

Becoming a Disciple of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Elder Robert D. Hales

"The constellation of characteristics that result from faith in Christ are all necessary to our standing strong in these last days."

I studied the Gordon B. Hinckley lesson for this week, "The Whisperings of the Spirit."  It was a good one and I can use some of the information there in my presentation on receiving personal revelation.

James flew his drone again today.  He still hasn't figured out how to take pictures, but I am confident he will.  He is a pretty capable guy.  He fixed me this delicious pork chop for dinner.

Not really picture worthy, but oh well.

We had some good discussion on our family scripture thread today.  Brian bore his testimony regarding the Atonement.  James made some awesome comments and Jared joined in too.  I bore my testimony to Jared Ammon on a post he made.  I am not sure he appreciated it because he took it off his feed.

I love this picture of Lake Powell

We read a couple of chapters from our new book today.  James says he likes the last one better, but I told him he needed to give this one a chance.  He agreed.  

Great picture of a baby seal

I am excited because Sheri is doing the Easter beans for our Saturday potluck.  That means I will just be doing the ham and scalloped potatoes!

Fun Photos:

Sheri and Evan taking a stroll in the creek at Greer.

Baby Ruby

Evan trying to pick up Ruby

And she's up!

Grandpa with Ruby and Molly

Adorable!

Rowan, Joshua, Emmy, and Addy!