Thursday, April 20 2017

Kona, Hawaii

70th operating temple

There were five elk in the yard this morning but James was too sick to get up and see them.  I am not sure I have ever seen him ignore seeing elk, even if they are only cows and yearlings.

Mosiah 12:1-17

Abinadi gives Noah and his people a second warning.

* Abinad's second warning (12:1-8), was much more severe than the first (11:20-25).  Why do you think this was?

* What can this teach us about heeding a prophet's warning and repentance?

3 Nephi 3:13-4:18

Some of these Book of Mormon names are confusing such as Zerahemnah and Zemnarihah.  Zerahemnah is the bad guy in Alma 44, and Zemnarihah is the bad guy in 3 Nephi 4.

There is also Giddianhi, the Gadianton leader, and Gidgiddoni the Nephite leader.  

3 Nephi 3

Giddianhi, the Gadianton leader, demands that Lachoneus and the Nephites surrender themselves and their lands - Lachoneus appoints Gidgiddoni as chief captain of the armies - The Nephites assemble in Zarahemla and Bountiful to defend themselves. About A.D. 16-18.

DC 59:1-24

The faithful Saints in Zion will be blessed; They are to love and serve the Lord and keep His commandments; By keeping the Lord''s day holy, the Saints are blessed temporally and spiritually; the righteous are promised peace in this world and eternal life in the world to come.

What does it mean to "pay thy devotions unto the most high?"

General Conference

The Power of the Book of Mormon

President Thomas S. Monson

"I implore each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day."

Since President Monson's other talk was about kindness

I decided to post this:

I called Dr. Moffat's office this morning to see if I could make an appointment for James.  The woman who answered the phone said he was only going to be in his office until 10 and then paused.  I said: "What do you suggest I do?"  She said well if you can come right now we will try to get you in.  This was at 8:25.  We hurried to get ready and we were there a little after nine.  While James was there I went to Walmart.  I did some shopping and tried to hurry back but I am afraid I kept him waiting for awhile.  He said the doctor told him that this is a very serious flu and if he isn't better in a few days he needs to go to the emergency room.  He said that they had lost a few older people.  That's nice to hear.

The doctor wrote James a prescription for tamiflu which we went to pick up after getting gas and going through the carwash and to the bank.  Finally we were able to go home.  James took a pill on the way and when he got home went straight to the recliner to take a nap.  I put the groceries away and went back to working on my notes for Saturday's presentation on personal revelation.  I think I am actually ready to begin preparing my actual outline.  I have 39 pages of notes.  I think I am doing this backwards.  I should have done the outline first.  

I got a text from my friend Pam.  She works in the medical field.  When I told her about James she told me to keep my hands washed and to make sure he doesn't get dehydrated.  I should have known these things but it's nice to be reminded.  She also gave me some advice from my talk: Words spoken clearly, correct pronunciations, appropriate pausing, principal ideas emphasized, volume, warmth and feeling, gestures and visual contact.  She sounds like a real pro doesn't she?

Yes it is.

This evening I took a break from my talk and watched the movie "Cats and Dogs" with James.  

Fun Photos:

Jillie and her family in Houston with

Elder Heyman who was a visiting authority to

their stake conference.

I wouldn't mind living here

Three years makes a lot of difference!

That's Molly in there.

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Kinshasa Democratic Republic of Congo

estimated to be complete in mid 2018

When I got up this morning there were still elk in the yard.  I could only see 8 instead of the 9 that were here last night.  James ask me if I ate one.  I said: "No, I don't have enough ketchup."

Mosiah 11:20-29

Abinadi warns the people that they will be brought into bondage if they do not repent.

* What did the Lord do to help Noah's people?

* What are the dangers of persisting in our sins and not repenting?

* Why do you think the people reacted with anger toward Abinadi, who was trying to help them?  Why do you think they defended King Noah, who was leading them toward misery?  Sin can blind us from recognizing the truth of a prophets words.

3 Nephi 2-3:12

2 Wickedness and abominations increase among the people - The Nephites and Lamanites unite to defend themselves against the Gadianton robbers - Converted Lamanites become white and are called Nephites.  About A.D. 5-16.

3 Giddianhi, the Gadianton leader, demands that Lachoneus and the Nephites surrender themselves and their lands - 

DC 58:57-65

The gospel must be preached unto every creature.

President Spencer W. Kimball: "...I feel that when we have done all in our power that the Lord will find a way to open doors.  That is my faith..."

General Conference

"Walk With Me"

President Henry B. Eyring

" Our ordination to the priesthood is an invitation from the Lord to walk with Him, to do what He does, to serve 

the way He serves."

Happy Anniversay to

these two:

21 years and counting

I have to post this picture of Camelback Mountain because I know it is one of Sheri's favorite hikes.

In my book "The Contrite Spirit" I read about Jesus being in the temple when he was 12.  In Luke 2:46 it says: And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

"They found him in the temple."

I got dressed today to go into Vernon to pick up the mail.  James is expecting a check and I wanted to see if it was there.  It was!  I came home and was going to deposit it using my phone when I realized I could only deposit up to $10,000.  This check was for over $12,000.  Darn!  Oh well.  I am not going back into town.  I guess it will have to wait.

I looked outside this afternoon and there were 6 antelope in the yard.  I am so excited!  I love antelope!  They are my favorite, much cuter than elk.

They are so curious!

Wish Rowan was here to see them.

James surprised me and come home today.  I was happy to see him but he did scare the antelope away.  He is very sick with the flu, laringytis and bronchitis.  He pulled home his Cat with no brakes on the trailer.  How stressful when you are sick, or any other time for that matter.

I was wishing Rowan was here to see the antelope because they are his favorite but maybe he has a new favorite.  Addy sent me these pictures:

This animal is called a Sugar Glider according

to Addy.

James says it's a flying squirrel

I think he's getting ready to fly!

Changed his mind

Look at that tail!

Addy says someone in their ward

raises them.

I have 32 type written pages on personal revelation.  I needed a break this evening so James and I watched the latest Hailey Dean mystery on Hallmark movies and mysteries channel.  

James went to bed before I did.  I did not give him a kiss because I can't afford to get sick!

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Kansas City, Missouri

137th operating temple

Mosiah 11:1-19

King Noah leads his people into wickedness.

* Why are righteous people willing to follow counsel even when it requires a difficult change in their lives?

* Why do you think the people were willing to support Noah in his wickedness?

* What can we do when people all around us are living unrighteously?

3 Nephi 1

Nephi, the son of Helaman, departs out of the land, and his son Nephi keeps the records - Though signs and wonders abound, the wicked plan to slay the righteous - The night of Christ's birth arrives - The sign is given, and a new star arises - Lyings and deceivings increase, and the Gadianton robbers slaughter many. About A.D. 1-4.

DC 58:44-56

The Saints are to purchase their inheritance and gather in Missouri;

* Why is God's house a house of order?

General Conference

The Greatest Among You

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"God's greatest reward goes to those who serve without 

expectation of reward."

I found this quote in the book I am reading, "The Contrite Spirit:"

"The temple can bring to us a sanctifying growth - 

but only as we move from being acquainted with the temple, to having experience with the temple, to knowing true worship

in the temple, not as spectators, but as participants in the process of giving our hearts to God, which is how sanctification comes."

- Elder Marion D. Hanks

I read two chapters from our book to James before he left for the valley this morning. He didn't want to leave too early otherwise he wouldn't be able to pick up green chili burros for Cathi and Terry.

I wonder if we will see anymore snow this year.

Anna is selling homemade Mother's day cards on Facebook.  I ordered one from her for Lois.  Tricia told me thank you.

I had an appointment with Hailey today for visiting teaching.  I called and change it to next week so I would have more time to work on my talk for Saturday.  I worked on it for four hours today.

I also read the 8th lesson in the Gordon B. Hinckley manual, "We Look to Christ."  It was a good one!  I spent two hours working on my blog.  

Sisters, LeeAnn and Makenzi
Two of my young women

Our new General Relief Society President, Sister Bingham spoke at the U.N. this past week.  The neatest thing about the clip I watched was what one of the other women on the U.N. panel who complimented the LDS church on the amount of aid they have given in the past.  

The man sitting next to Sister Bingham,

Anwar Kman is a Muslim.  At one point

in the discussion he said: "What would

Jesus do?"

James called me this afternoon and said he thinks he has the flu.  I texted Kim and ask her to make him a flu bomb using her DoTerra oils, etc.  Not only did she make it but she delivered it to James.  

He was able to finish repairing broken water lines around 9 p.m.

Jared texted me a link to the Purple Store.  How exciting!  I picked out some earrings and a purple cocoa mug. 

Every city should have one!

Can't you just see me wearing these earring and sipping

cocoa from this cup!

As is my habit, I open the blinds and look outside several times a day to see if there are any animals in the yard.  Imagine my surprise when I did so this evening and saw 9 elk!

There are only 7 in this picture.

Two of them were a little camera shy.

Fun Photos:

I think she could be a model.

Some of my favorites from DWTS

Rashad Jennings and Emma Slater

They only scored 32.

I thought they deserved better.

Normani and Val doing the pasa doble

while Donny Osmond sings

"Let's Get Down to Business"

39 was their score, the top one of the night.

Heather and Allen danced to a 

song from "Frozen"

Simone and Sasha dance to

Moana and scored 38.

Simone is amazing!

Ericka Jane went home!

Monday, April 17, 2017

Jordan River temple,

20th operating temple

(Now being renovated)

Mosiah 9:14-10:22

The Lamanites attempt to bring Zeniff's people into bondage.

* What similarities and differences do you see between how Zeniff's people and the Lamanites approached their battles?

* What truths can we learn from this comparison?

* Why did the Lamanites hate the Nephites so intensely?

* Whom does it hurt when we are angry or refuse to forgive?

* How can a person's anger affect his or her family, now and in the future?

Elder Donald L. Hallstrom of the Seventy said: "If you feel you have been wronger - by anyone (a family member, a friend, another member of the Church, a Church leader, a business associate) or by anything (the death of a loved one, health problems, a financial reversal, abuse, addictions) - deal with the matter directly and with all the strength you have...And, without delay, turn to the Lord.  Exercise all of the faith you have in Him.  Let Him share your burden.  Allow His grace to lighten your load... Never let an earthly circumstance disable you spiritually" ("turn to the Lord," Ensign, May 2010, 80).

Helaman 15-16

15 The Lord chastened the Nephites because He loved them - Converted Lamanites are firm and steadfast in the faith - The Lord will be merciful unto the Lamanites in the latter days. About 6 B.C.

16 The Nephites who believe Samuel are baptized by Nephi - Samuel cannot be slain with the arrows and stones of the unrepentant Nephites - Some harden their hearts, and others see angels - The unbelievers say it is not reasonable to believe in Christ and His coming in Jerusalem. About 6-1 B.C.

DC 58:34-43

To repent, men must confess and forsake their sins;

* What verse stood out to me today?  

- 42 Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.

- 43 By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins - behold, he will confess them and forsake them.

General Conference

Called to the Work

Elder David A. Bednar

"An assignment to labor in a specific place is essential and important but secondary to a call to the work."

Prepare the Way

Bishop Gerald Causse

"Even though they are vested with different missions and

authority, the Aaronic Priesthood and the 

Melchizedek Priesthood are inseparable partners

in the work of salvation."

James left to go on a Razr ride this morning at 7:15.  I encouraged him to go and to have a little fun thinking he would be back in an hour or so.  I soon realized that he broke two of our rules.  First, he did not take his phone, and second, he left in such a hurry that he failed to tell me where he was going.  When he wasn't back by 9 a.m. I said a prayer and decided I needed to go out looking for him.  I wasn't sure which way he would go so I headed up forest road 404 and made the loop turning down Christmas Tree Trail and then back down the 61.  The only animal I saw was a turkey.  This is a 30 mile loop and it took me an hour.  I got back home at 10 a.m., and there was still no James.  Now I was really worried.  I texted the kids and told them to say a prayer that I would be able to find dad.  On my way out I called my neighbor Kathy and as I was talking to her on the phone, James came zipping up the road from the direction of Chocolate Lake.  I was so relieved that I couldn't even get mad at him.  Of course I had to remind him of the two rules he had broken.  If something would have happened to him I would have never found him because he went up Mount Montoso looking for elk antlers.  Someone closed a gate on him and he had to take a round about way home, which is why it took him so long.

When I am stressed or nervous I eat.  I did plenty of eating today.

James was gone again this afternoon from 2:30-4:30 visiting Anthony with his home teaching companion Dave.  We were able to watch this weeks episode of "When Calls the Heart."  Afterwards James left to have FHE with the Wilhelm's.  The lesson was on missionary work and James's companion Dave told about his mission to Scotland.  

James is going to be gone for the next couple of days to the valley so I would have liked to spent more time with him today but I am grateful to have a husband who fulfills his priesthood assignments.

I was able to spend three hours working on my talk for Saturday on receiving personal revelation.  I also watched Dancing with the Stars Disney Night.

My favorites from tonight: Rashad and Emma, Normani and Val, and Simone and Sasha.

Fun Photos:

Congratulations to one of my young women,

Makenzi who went to the temple and got

engaged all in the same night.

The Reidhead's,

one of the cute families in our ward.

They met are their missions.

Another one of my young women, Shelly,

turned 19 today.  Here she is with her

cousin Ruthie.

It's always fun to go for ice cream,

except it does get a little cold.

Christmas with the Gonzo boys, minus

Joshua,  a few years ago.

Such a cute picture!

Anna and her new friend

First day of school.

The first time we met Kacey,

last July.

Snowflake temple

We look old.

Temple trip with the young women.