Wednesday, June 14th, 2017

Redlands, California

116th operating temple

Dedicated: 14 September 2003 by

Gordon B. Hinckley

Alma 6:1-21

* How did Alma's prophetic guidance help the Nephites?

* As we seek and follow guidance from the Lord's prophets, the Lord strengthens and protects us. We will develop a shield of faith to withstand all the fiery darts of the adversary.

DC 88:36-50

36-41, All kingdoms are governed by law; 42-45, God has given a law unto all things; 46-50, Man will comprehend even God;

What should be the only reason we obey the law?

* The best reason of all is illustrated by the person who feels the desire to do right because he wants to add glory to his Father in heaven. - Elder Robert L. Simpson (DCSM, p. 200).

General Conference

Overcoming the World

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"Those who overcome the world develop an all-encompassing love for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His divine birth His perfect life, His infinite Atonement at Gethsemane and Golgotha assured the Resurrection of each of us. And with our sincere repentance, He alone is able to cleanse us from our sins, allowing us to return to the presence of God. 'We love Him, because He first loved us.'

Jesus said, 'Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.' Later he added, 'I will that ye should overcome the world.'"

Happy Birthday Brian and Dallin!

Of course Brian is celebrating his birthday

at the beach in San Diego.

Last year Dallin celebrated his

birthday at the cabin.

James went out to work this morning.  He struck out two times.  He had a dead battery on the Cat and he tried to use the truck battery but it wouldn't fit.  He also tried to use the tractor battery but it was dead too.

The baby bluebirds from the birdhouse were practicing their flying today.  They got as far as the railing on the deck.  

I had my Primary class party today.  James was such a help!  First he went into town and picked up the pizza and ice.  He helped with the games and then took the boys home on the Razr.  Here are some pictures from the party:

Colter, Bailey, Gracie, Zemira, Curtis, Frankie, Jace.

(Liana is by Gracie but you can't see her in this picture.)

 Liana is the third girl down the left side of the table.

Playing pin the tail on the donkey, the

game Liana brought.

Jace and Gracie

Curtis

Cup stacking contest. Some of the boys went upstairs to

play ping pong.

Zemira was really into it.

Ice cream sundaes after the pizza and games.

Jace making himself a fort.

We also played Tenzi's.

We tried to deliver Braxton his scriptures, fidget spinner, and cookies but he wasn't home.  We will try again on Sunday.

I needed a nap when everyone went home before cleaning up the mess. 

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Recife, Brazil

101st operating temple

Dedicated: 15 December 2000 by

Gordon B. Hinckley

Alma 15:5-29

* Why do you think Zeezrom's guilt led him to suffer both spiritually and physically?

* Whose help did Zeezrom seek?

Why do you think he sent for Alma and Amulek?

* Why do you think Zeezrom needed to exercise faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement to be healed?

* What evidence do you see that Zeezrom repented and received the Lord's mercy?

* Through our faith in Jesus Christ we can be heaed and strengthened.

DC 88:25-35

32-35, Those who will to abide in sin remain filthy still;

How does the earth abide a Celestial law?

* "There are combustible elements in abundance and heat enough to consume man worlds like ours, whenever the torch is applied. Here we are told, that the earth will abide 'the power by which it is quickened; it will abide the fire and come out of the flames, quickened and purified, like gold out of the refiner's fire, or a beautiful vessel of potters' clay out of the fiery furnace (v.26). In this sanctified state it will be the residence of celestial beings, resurrected and inhabiting the same bodies that they had here, quickened by celestial glory (v.28). For each individual will receive the glory by which he is quickened. (vv. 29-31).

General Conference

The Language of the Gospel

Valeri V. Cordon

" Powerful teaching is extremely important to preserve the gospel in our families, and it requires diligent effort. when will daily scripture study and family prayer happen? It will happen when parents take the scriptures in hand and, with love, invite the family to gather together to study. It is difficult to see this study happening in any other way. Don't wait until it's too late!"

When James got up this morning he said he saw a coyote out in the field with the cows. I begged him to do something about it. I am not a big cow fan but I couldn't stand the thought of that coyote attacking one of the calves.  I saw him get his rifle and head upstairs.  In a few minutes he was back and said the coyote had gone. Thank goodness. Lucky for Mr. Coyote that he ran away.

When James went outside to work he put a jacket on because it felt cold to him. It is 60 degrees outside.  

Another trip into town today.  The first place we went today was to Aliberto's for our tacos.  Afterwards it was Walmart again. Walmart was crowded with people and the shelves were bare.

This is what happens in the summer time.

I got the movie Moana today, some ink cartridges, and supplies for my Primary party tomorrow.  It seems like I spend more on non-food items than I do on food.

When we get home James works outside until his equipment breaks down again. He doesn't finish setting posts.  He is quite discouraged. 

More pictures from San Diego.

Josh and Evan

Too bad Rowan couldn't be there too.

Max gets in on the action.

And one from San Antonio:

These two went to the temple today 

to do baptisms.

One from Mesa:

Lola couldn't decide which outfit to wear to

Costco.

Which one do you like best?

Dinner at our house,

Cookies and Cabbage.

Another beautiful San Diego sunset.

Monday, June 12th, 2017

Raleigh, North Carolina
68th operating temple
Dedicated: 18-19 December 1999 by
Gordon B. Hinckley

Alma 14:23-15:4

* When have you seen people suffer trials even though they were striving to be righteous?

* Why were Alma and Amulek able to receive strength from the Lord? (see Alma 14:26, 28.)

* If we call on the

Lord in faith, He will strengthen us in our afflictions and deliver us in His way and in His own time.

* How can suffering trials bring us closer to the Lord?

DC 88:14-24

14-16, The Resurrection comes through the Redemption, 17-31, Obedience to celestial, terrestrial, or telestial law prepares men for those respective kingdoms and glories; 

How can the spirit and the body constitute the soul of man?

* "It has been declared in the solemn word of revelation, that the spirit and the body constitute the soul of man; and, therefore, we should look upon this body as something that shall endure in the resurrected state, beyond the grave, something to be kept pure and holy." - James E. Talmage, DCSM, DC 88:15, The Soul of Man, p. 198).

General Conference

Songs Sung and Unsung

Jeffrey R. Holland

Believe in yourself, and believe in Him. Don't demean your worth or denigrate your contribution. Above all, don't abandon your role in the chorus. Why? Because you are unique; you are irreplaceable. The loss of even one voice diminishes every other singer in this great mortal choir of ours including the loss of those who feel they are on the margins of society or the margins of the Church.

Stand Up Inside and Be All In

Elder Gary B. Sabin

We are, in effect, refusing to unroll our spiritual sleeping bags when we don't take the time to sincerely pray, study, and earnestly live the gospel each day; not only will the fire go out, but we will be unprotected and grow spiritually cold.

James dug 15 holes for posts today with the auger. He cleaned our the dirt with a shovel and set the posts with cement.  I am impressed! 

The next time he came in to give me a report he said: "I hit sold rock and broke a blot and sprang a hydraulic leak and then hit my head on the auger. I need a throw away towel.  He passed through again to get a measuring tape and to wash his hands.  He smells like a diesel truck.   

I decided to count how many emails I got today.  It was over 200 when I stopped counting.

Jared sent us a link to a talk by Jeffrey R. Holland today. The talk is, "Bound by Loving Ties."  Jeffrey R. Holland is one of my favorite speakers.  James ask me to read to him so I stopped what I was doing and read to him from "The Lost Heiress."  

Later I was working on my blog when James asked me to go to town with him, which I did, in spite of the fact that it was not on my list of things to do today.  We went through Sonic for my corn dog, on to Cal-Ranch where I bought a light-up fidget spinner, and then to Walmart and Home Depot.  I did not get to finish my shopping at Walmart before James was ready to go. I guess I will have to finish another day. 

 Saving this one for Kacey W.

When we got back home, some of the cows were back.  I chase them away while James puts the fence back up.  They were back before too long.  

I guess they think they belong here.

For F.H.E. we read lesson #13 in the Gordon B. Hinckley manual, "Peace and Contentment Through Spiritual Self-Reliance."  Afterwards we watched the latest episode of "The Good Witch."

The Vernon postmistress posted these pictures.

She lives in Clay Springs and took this picture on the way

to work one morning.

Here are some photos the kids sent from San Diego:

 Suited up to go look for whales.

Off they go!

Sun-bathing sea lions.

Notice the smile on Stacy's face. This was before she

dropped her phone into the ocean.

Celebrating Ian's birthday at Olive Garden.

Evan taking his time eating a breadstick

while Ben looks on.

Looks like he is in a food coma by the

time he got to dessert.

I guess Kim and Sheri are taking the photos.

When you have talented kids you have

entertainment wherever you go.

Nothing like a sunset over the ocean for

the end to a perfect day.

Carol D. and her husband Roger got asked to tell their

story at the Chandler West stake trek. She was fortunate to

have family in the group.

I think Brennan looks like his dad, Mario, in

this photo.

Mario and Carol and their boys.