Thursday, June 1st, 2017

Paris, France

156th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 May 2017 by

Henry B. Eyring

Alma 9:19-34

*According to Alma 9:19-23, what gifts and blessings had the Nephites, (including the people of Ammonihah), experienced because they were the Lord's covenant people?

*What are some ways we can stay true to the light and knowledge we have received?

DC 84:17-28

18-25, The greater priesthood holds the key of the knowledge of God; 26-32, The lesser priesthood holds the key of the ministering of angels and of the preparatory gospel;

What authority did John the Baptist receive from the angel?

*"To overthrow the kingdom of the Jews, and to make straight the way of the Lord before the face of his people, to prepare them for the coming of the Lord, in whose hand is given all power." (verse 28).  John the Baptist was a preparer and he held the Aaronic priesthood or the preparatory priesthood.

General Conference

Trust in the Lord and Lean Not

Bonnie H. Cordon

"When we physically lean toward one side or another, we move off

center, we are out of balance, and we tip.

When we spiritually lean to our own understanding we lean away from our Savior.  If we lean, we are not centered; we are not balanced; we are not focused on Christ."

Happy Anniversary to us!
49 years and counting!

James placed a card on my study desk at Cathi and Terry's this morning.  It was the first thing I read.  I am so grateful to him.  He is my best friend, my priesthood leader, and the love of my life.  I wish everyone could be as happy as we are!

To celebrate we went to Biscuits for breakfast.  I got the same thing I got yesterday, Joe's Scramble, only this time I ate every bite.  James got the corned beef, potatoes, hashbrowns, and eggs. 

When we returned to Cathi's James put on his work clothes.  He is patching a section of drywall in Cathi and Terry's garage.  We he finishes he keeps in, takes a shower, and changes his clothes.  It is time for me to stop my gospel study and get ready to go home to Vernon.  I am sad we were not able to get our new windshield because we never heard back from our insurance company, National General.  On the way out of town we stopped at the Chandler Costco so James could get some batteries for his hearing aid.  We also got steaks, cough drops, and a few other items of groceries.  We ended up spending around $100.  Away we go!  We are still reading from "The Shack". Of course we went through Globe.

  

Our first stop on the way home was at the Burger King in Show Low for a Whopper Jr.  Next stop was the Vernon post office.  We got the book, "Joseph Smith, a Rough Stone Rolling," and two checks from Diana R.  I also got a thank you card from Rachel and a fidget spinner.  It is 65 degrees, overcast, and we get a little rain.  Perfect weather!  As I am unloading my suitcases and putting everything away a feeling of gratitude comes over me for my beautiful home and where we live.  We are truly blessed!

This evening we watch an old Taylor Cole movie on Hallmark.  James cooks steaks and I make some lemon pepper asparagus.  The perfect dinner.  These steaks are divine!

I finished reading "Dad's Who Stay and Fight" and did some other studying.  As we are sitting outside on our bedroom porch I head cows mooing.  We have not seen any cows since the 2014 fire.  James takes off on the Razr to check it out and says he saw 215 cows.  Oh dear, and this before we get our fence up.

I love James because:

He is an awesome grandpa!

He can cook!

He loves to study the gospel.

He is a hard worker.

This was a service project he did for 

Kim and Brian.

He likes to take me out to eat.

El Cupido's after the Snowflake temple

This is a chinese restaurant in Phoenix

that Kim recommended.  We took Alex, Michael,

and Kim here last year as part of our 

scripture study, lunch program.

He looks handsome in his suit 

and purple tie.

He is a wonderful father.

He helps me with projects for my 

Primary class.

Here he is making paper airplanes.

He takes me to the temple!

Happy Anniversary Honey!

I love you!

Wednesday, May 31st, 2017

Papeete, Tahiti
25th operating temple 
Dedicated 27-29 October 1983 by
Gordon B. Hinckley
Rededicated: 12 November 2006 by
L. Tom Perry
(The angel Moroni is doing a balancing act)

Alma 9:7-18

*Why do you think the Lord had higher expectations for the people of Ammonihah?

*Why is it fair for the Lord to have higher expectations for those who have received the knowledge and blessings of the gospel?

DC 84:1-16

1-5, The New Jerusalem and the temple will be built in Missouri;

6-17, The line of priesthood from Moses to Adam is given;

Why is a priesthood line different from an ancestral line?

*A Priesthood line is passed down by one having authority.  An ancestral line is one's biological family.

General Conference

Foundations of Faith

Elder Quentin L. Cook

"Ten thousand hours of practice is required to achieve the level of mastery associated with being a world-class-expert in anything."

The Gospel Doctrine Sunday School lesson this week is "Looking Forth for the Great Day of the Lord to Come."

In my ebook, "Twelve Steps Closer to Christ" I found these quotes:

"Consider prayer the central labor of your life and hold it in the center of your heart."

"To not be left alone Jesus sought a place to be alone, to pray."

"To be closer to Christ requires that we move in His direction."

I also listened to Jeffrey R. Holland read from "Christ and the New Covenant. Elder Holland says that one of the major messages of the Book of Mormon is, "Look to Christ and Live!"
 Thanks Jared, I am really enjoying my mother's day gift!

Stacy picked me up at 10:30 this morning to go to brunch at a cafe by the Fry's on the corner of Germann and Alma School called Biscuits.  I had the Joe's scramble with two biscuits and homemade strawberry jam.  It is my new favorite breakfast.  The scramble has eggs, potato chunks, bacon, spinach, tomato and is topped with parmesean cheese.  The biscuits were so moist and the strawberry jam takes like the fresh strawberry freezer jam I used to make.  It was so delicious!  Thank you Stacy. I will definitely be back!

After brunch we did a little shopping at Fry's and then went to Hancock to pick up Evan and Joshua from their last day of school.  They seemed a little sad about leaving school because they say they will miss their friends. I told them Trina and her kids were coming by later to go to Bahama Bucks and that I would pick both of them up to go with us.  If you made it to grandpa's table you were at the cool table:

A few blue lips before we left.

After Bahama Bucks took all of our money we went back to Cathi's to visit her pets and hang out in her backyard.

Of course Indy wanted his belly scratched.

Scooter was a big attraction for these three.

 At one point he was trying to eat Rowan's

blue shoes.

Cathi suggested they feed him his

favorite food, a hibiscus flower.

He swallowed it whole.

You are never too old to swing.

Later, on the way back from taking Joshua home we stopped at Sonic so I could get a corndog.  I mentioned to James that what I really wanted was some cottage cheese with tomato.  Later he went to work on his trailer and came back with cottage cheese, tomato, avocado, and cranberry celebration.  How very thoughtful of him!

I know it is true love because before he went to bed he gave me a pedicure.

Fun Photos:

On Monday Rebecca and Brent's daughter

Christina had her third baby, a little girl

they named Winter.  Here she is being held by

her three year old sister Eden.

Ander isn't quite as confident as Eden.

Congratulations!

This is Johnny.  He loves to dress

up for church.  His mom loves

his mullet, his dad hates it.

Either way, he is very handsome!

I want James to make us one of these.

He said he would, if he has time.  That's the disclaimer.

Tuesday, May 30th, 2017

Panama City, Panama

127th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 August 2008 by

Thomas S. Monson

Alma 8:18-9:6

*How did the Lord bless Alma for being obedient?

*What challenges did Alma and Amulek face as they went out to teach the people?

*How did the Lord help Alma and Amulek? (see Alma 8:30-31.)

*What are some reasons why people who have been taught the gospel might forget what they have learned or not understand what they have been taught?

DC 83:1-6

1-4, Women and children have claim upon their husbands and fathers for their support; 5-6, Widows and orphans have claim upon the Church for their support.

How can we be more aware of people who are in need of spiritual as well as temporal needs?

*Through visiting and home teaching is one way.

General Conference

That Our Light May Be a Standard for the Nations

Elder Benjamin DeHoyos

"Our days are so extraordinary that they were even shown in a vision to the prophet Isaiah; he too saw and prophesied of this day of the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ and of its purpose, saying, "And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth" (Isaiah 11:12)

I got up at my normal time of 4:45 am.  I took a shower and washed my hair and then had a couple of hours of gospel study before I had to start getting ready to go to the valley. We are going down to hear Joshua sing in his school's talent show.  We left the house at 9 am.
Our first stop was at Burger House in Miami.  Cathi wants us to pick up four burros for them.  We each also got a burro for a total of six.  Somehow they messed up our order and we got seven.  It is better to have one more than you ordered rather than one less.

We arrived at Cathi and Terry's around 12:30.  We unloaded the car, laid down for about five minutes and headed to Sam's Club to wash the car.  We didn't have time to get gas before heading for Hancock Elementary School.  We sat with Kim, Paul, Stacy, and Jared Ammon.  Dallin was here for the earlier show but we missed him.

Joshua was great and it was so nice of Michael to accompany him on the ukulele. 

"I Can Tell That We Are Gonna Be Friends"

Some of Joshua's fans

Cousins and fans

Three brothers

I love the smiles!

James and I headed back to Cathi's house for a nap.  After his nap James went to the construction yard to work on his water trailer.  He says he should be able to sell it for around $3,000, which would be great.

Some awesome blossoms

This evening James and I went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner as part of our anniversary celebration.  We both ordered crab cakes from the appetizer menu and we shared a French country salad and a piece of key lime cheesecake.  It was a perfect dinner! 

In the car on the way down this morning we read quite a bit from "The Shack."  The concept of God in this book is a little strange, but it does have a good message.  Cathi is so excited because she ordered the movie and it just came in.

I worked on my blog today trying to catch up.  I don't like it when I get behind.  I also started reading an e-book on Deseretbookshelf called, "12 Steps Closer to Christ."  

More Photos:

I love this picture of Autumn and Kacey

at Autumn's wedding.

 A boy of many talents.

You know it is close to summer when the

hummingbirds appear.

I do! I do!

I love the summer sunsets!

Monday, May 29th, 2017

Palmyra, New York

77th operating temple

Dedicated: 6 April 2000 by

Gordon B. Hinckley

I forgot to shout hooray!

Yesterday James and I finished the assignment

given by our bishop in January to read the Book of Mormon 

by the end of May!

HOORAY!

Alma 8:1-17

*What do these verses tell us about Alma's character? (see Alma 8:8-10.)

*Although Alma's prayers for the people of Ammonihah were sincere his requests were not immediately granted. (Some people in Ammonihah did repent later. See Alma 14:1.)

*President Russell M. Nelson: "I recognize that, on occasion, some of our most fervent prayers may seem to go unanswered.  We wonder, 'Why? I know that feeling! I know the fears and tears of such moments.  But I also know that our prayers are never ignored.  Our faith is never unappreciated.  I know that an all-wise Heavenly Father's perspective is much broader than is ours.  While we know of our mortal problems and pain, He knows of our immortal progress and potential."

*What can we learn about Alma from the fact that he returned speedily to Ammonihah?

*President Henry B. Eyring: "However much faith to obey God we now have, we will need to strengthen it continually and keep it refreshed constantly.  We can do that by deciding now to be more quick to obey and more determined to endure.  Learning to start early and to be steady are the keys to spiritual preparation....A loving Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son have given us all the help they can to pass the test of life before us.  But we must decide to obey and then do it.  We build the faith to pass the tests of obedience over time and through our daily choices.  We can decide now to do quickly whatever God asks of us.  And we can decide to be steady in the small tests of obedience which build the faith to carry us through the great tests, which will surely come."

DC 82:13-24

14-18, Zion must increase in beauty and holiness; 19-24, Every man should seek the interest of his neighbor.

Why should we make friends with the "mammon of unrighteousness?"

* There is a saying: "Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer."  If we are friends with our enemies we can help them understand us better.  We become more tolerant of our differences and we realize we have more in common than we thought.

General Conference

And This Is Life Eternal

Elder C. Scott Grow

"Jesus Christ taught many truths that explain Heavenly Father's plan of happiness and your place in it.  I'll focus on two of these to help you understand your identity as a child of God and know your purpose in life.  First: 'For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' (John 3:16.)

Second: 'And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.'" (John 17:3.)

James fixed me my favorite breakfast this morning, maple and brown sugar oatmeal with walnuts and blueberries.  Delicious!

Why does it always taste better when someone else makes it for you?

We said goodbye to Kim and Brian this morning.  They are heading back to the valley this morning to beat the Memorial Day traffic.

We always love when they come to visit.

Also, the food they made for us was a real bonus!

I forgot to mention the delicious honey-lime chicken

they made for us last night.

At 10am. we had a meeting at the Howard's about horseback riding for the grandkids in July.  It was just James and I and Brother and Sister Howard.  Brother Howard said because I had been such a good visiting teacher to his wife that he was not going to charge us for the horseback riding.  I was overwhelmed.  If we went anywhere else it would be at least $25 an hour per person.  He did ask us to go on social media and let people know if we have a good experience.  We met the newest addition to their family:

Maui and his mom Mirage.

He has grown so much since his birth on the 10th.

The Howard's are wonderful people.  They are about the same age as we are and have had some of the same experiences with their children and grandchildren as we have.  They showed us around their place.  James offered to help them finish a cover on the porch of one of their buildings.  Brother Scott was working on it until he left for Utah.  We had a great visit and feel like they are truly our friends.

From the Howard's we went in to town.  I wanted to get my car serviced, meaning an oil change, before going to the valley tomorrow.  James dropped me off at Panda Express while he took the car to Walmart.  He was back in just a few minutes and said they asked him why he wanted an oil change when it had been only 2,700 miles since the last one.  We also need a new windshield but James promised me he would take care of that in the valley.  

We stopped at Harbor Freight to buy a greenhouse that normally sells for 1,600 dollars that is on sale for $622.  James also had a coupon for 25% off.  He thought he had it with him but he didn't, so he will have to come back.  We probably couldn't have gotten the greenhouse in the car anyway.  We went home and had a nap and then James headed back into town in the truck with his coupon. He ended up paying $500 for it.

I stayed home and worked on my blog.

For Family Home Evening we listened to Elder Grow's conference talk.  I heard it this morning, but I wanted James to listen to it with me. Elder Grow was speaking specifically to the young adults and I thought there might be some things we would like to share with Michael and Alex. After the talk we watched the season one finale of "Victoria." Victoria has her baby and the story says she has eight more children.  We are looking forward to season two!

Fun Photos:

My husband is very talented.

Here he is making a pie.

Here he is splitting wood.

Studying for his gospel doctrine lesson.

Enjoying some time with his new friend,

Shipley.

Sweet little Addy on her baptism day.

The Three Amigos with their firstborn.

Darrel, Addy, Jon, Logan, Aaron, and Samantha.

A beautiful end to a wonderful day.