Sunday, April 16, 2017

Happy Easter!

Johannesburg, South Africa

36th operating temple

Mosiah 9:1-13

Zeniff leads a group of Nephites to return to the land of Nephi.

*What did Zeniff fail to see because of his overzealous desire to obtain the land of Nephi?

*What are the dangers of being overly eager when making decisions?

*What are the dangers of making decisions without counseling with the Lord?

Helaman 14

Samuel predicts light during the night and a new star at Christ's birth - Christ redeems men from temporal and spiritual death - The signs of His death include three days of darkness, the rending of the rocks, and great upheavals of nature.  About 6 B.C.

DC 58:24-33

Men should use their agency to do good; The Lord commands and revokes;

Why does the Lord want us to be more pro-active about serving others?

General Conference

Return and Receive

Elder M. Russell Ballard

"To return to God's presence and to receive the eternal blessings that come from making and keeping covenants are the most important goals we can set."

Kindness, Charity, and Love

President Thomas S. Monson

"Let us examine our lives and determine to follow the Savior's example by being kind, loving, and charitable."

Happy Birthday Alex

Happy 19th Alex!

Hiking with his mom

Sacrament meeting was the bomb today.  We had three testimonies, some special musical numbers, and  the featured speaker was Brother Grapp.  He is amazing and conveys the Spirit better than anyone I know.  He is just so full of love and happiness and joy and he radiates it. It was wonderful to have him speak on Easter Sunday.  

I gave a lesson in Primary on the resurrection today.  I had ten kids in my class: Jace, Khalie, Colter, Lianna, Curtis, Zemira, Ashton, Talena and two guests, the DeWitt grandchildren, Daisy and Jenna. Oh yes, the DeWitt's are back from their mission to the Dominican Republic. 

We had cupcakes in sharing time to celebrate Easter.

I think the kids enjoyed being outside.

It was a nice break.

Easter is my favorite holiday.  I am so grateful for the Savior.  These pictures about Easter tell it best.

The Resurrected Christ appears to Mary

I love this picture

I want to do one of these posters next year.

"Nothing great is ever achieved without enthusiasm."

It was a wonderful Easter day for me.  We came home and had ham, scalloped potatoes, croissants and a salad for lunch.  Then we took a nap and got up and studied the gospel.  James did some indexing and I wrote in my blog.  Happy Sabbath!  Gratitude fills my heart on this Easter day.

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.