Thursday, June 22nd, 2017

St. Louis, Missouri

50th operating temple

Dedicated: 1-5 June 1997 by:

Gordon B. Hinckley

My scriptures about the Savior:

3 Nephi 15

Jesus announces that the law of Moses is fulfilled in Him; The Nephites are the other sheep of whom He spoke in Jerusalem; Because of iniquity, the Lord's people in Jerusalem do not know of the scattered sheep of Israel. About A.D. 34.

Alma 20:1-18

*Alma 20:8-13. What feelings would you have if you were in Ammon's position and someone accused your of being a liar and a robber?

*Alma 20:14-16. What lessons can we learn from Lamoni's response to his father?

*Conclusion:

We can bear our testimonies by word and example even when others try to persuade us to do what is wrong.

DC 89:1-21

The use of wine, strong drinks, tobacco, and hot drinks is proscribed; Herbs, fruits, flesh, and grain are ordained for the use of man and of animals; Obedience to gospel law, including the Word of Wisdom, brings temporal and spiritual blessings.

What evidence is there today of "evils and designs" in the hearts of conspiring men?

*In the advertising of tobacco, tea, coffee, liquors, beer and wine. Take a cigarette instead of a sweet to reduce weight are just a few examples.

General Conference

Let the Holy Spirit Guide

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"Remember the Lord's promise:

'I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy.'

I love that assurance. Joy that fills our souls brings with it an eternal perspective in contrast to day-to-day living. That joy comes as peace amidst hardship or heartache. It provides comfort and courage, unfolds the truths of the gospel, and expands our love for the Lord and all of God's children. Although the need for such blessings s so great, in many ways the world has forgotten and forsaken them."

James went down to the pool with Max, Evan, Joshua, and Rowan just before Darrel arrived with Addy, Ruby, and Lola.  I sent Addy down with Ruby and Lola and I came shortly afterwards. 

This is where I found Lola when I arrived at the pool.

This is the hot tub. James is here with Addy and Max.

Addy is trying to coax Lola into the water.

Addy picks her up and takes her into the water.

Oh, there is Ruby with her new goggles.

Lola lasts a few minutes in the water but is scared to death

even with her floaties.

She would rather sit in the chair and watch.

Grandpa making sure she is ok.

Lola and I watched the other kids swim for awhile and then we went back to the room to watch "Moana."

She requested the peanut M&M's.

That takes care of that bag.

When everyone else gets back from the pool we load up in my car and grandpa's truck and head for Peter Piper Pizza. I made the mistake of calling James grandpa and Lola corrected me. She said:

"I call him grandpa, you call him James." 

The kids had a blast at Peter Piper. At least I think they did. We didn't even notice that Joshua wore no shoes.  Evidentally he left them at the pool and didn't bother to tell us. Stacy called me after everyone had left and asked me if I had found Joshua's shoes. I sent James to the pool and the front desk and a few minutes after he returned someone brought them to us. What kind of grandparents let their kids go out with no shoes in 120 degree weather.  Next time there will be a lineup to check for shoes!

Luckily it was not crowded and we pretty much

had the place to ourselves.

No Shoes Gonzo and friends.

Ruby with her "fake" glasses.

Proof of "no shoes."

Lola's favorite was shooting these ducks with the 

squirt gun.

She loves Max.

Back to the resort.  We just "hung out" the rest of the day until Trina picked everyone up a little before 9 p.m. She even took Max, Evan, and Joshua home. We are grateful!

Lola gets alot of attention from these boys.

The kids played "Uno" and finished watching "Moana."

Lola and I played hide and go seek in the park.

Her hair is about to come undone.

Grandpa had fidget spinner races with the boys.

The red one was the fastest.

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

St. George, Utah

1st operating temple

Dedicated: 6-8 April 1877 by:

Daniel H. Wells with Brigham Young presiding

Rededicated: 11-12 Nov 1975 by:

Spencer W. Kimball

Alma 19:22-36

*How did Abish's action show the strength of her testimony?

*Do you want to have a testimony?

*Are you willing to work for it?

*What can you do today that might have a good influence on people around you?

*By sharing our testimonies and setting righteous examples, we can help others turn to the Lord.

DC 88:127-41

127-41, The order of the School of the Prophets is set forth, including the ordinance of washing of feet.

How can we help people feel loved at Church?

General Conference

Don't Look Around, Look Up!

Elder Yoon Hwan Choi

"All of us are in the middle of an eternal family. Our role can be a turning point at which significant changes can occur in positive or negative ways. President Hinckley continued, 'Never permit yourself to become a wink link in the chain of your generations.'

Your faithfulness in the gospel will strengthen your family. How can we ensure we will be a strong link in our eternal family?"

We went out to the pool before 10 a.m. and of course the boys had to wait for the waterfall to come on. I guess that is part of the fun. Joshua kept coming over and asking me what time it was.  At 10 a.m. sharp it came on, and they were ready.

After the waterfall

Rowan looks relaxed

Hard to get them all together.

After swimming we went over to the splash grill. We all had either a burger or cheeseburger with fries and a drink except for Rowan who had chicken strips.  Then it was time to go back to our room.

They played in the room all afternoon.

First they tried the new game Addy picked out yesterday at

Walmart, Googly Eyes.

They couldn't figure it out. I guess Addy will

have to teach them.

They came over to my room and we played Tenzi's.

Those are my pink dice in the nice triangle by the empty chair

while I took this picture.

Mostly the boys just "hung out" until they got hungry and ask me if they could get NYPD pizza and garlic knots for dinner.  Of course.

I ordered and picked up and James stayed with the boys.  He arrived this afternoon and I was very happy to see him!

Popcorn and M&M's for snack and then a night swim with James being the chaperone. I stayed in the villa by myself for awhile. It was nice.

Showers and bed, not necessarily sleep when the boys get back.

Animal Photos:

I showed this picture to Rowan.

He loved it.

Elk in Show Low Park

When I showed these pictures to James he said:

"Nice bull in the front."

Tuesday, June 20th, 2017

Sacramento, California

123rd operating temple

Dedicated 3 Sept 2006 by:

Gordon B. Hinckley

3 Nephi 14

The Savior Appears to the Nephites

Jesus commands: Judge not; ask of God beware of false prophets - He promises salvation to those who do the will of the Father - Compare Matthew 7.

Alma 19:22-36

*In Alma 19:12-14 what truths had Lamoni learned during the previous two days?

*Lamoni, the queen, and Ammon were "overpowered with joy." When have you felt the influence of the Spirit in a powerful way?

(Before bearing my testimony in sacrament meeting a couple of months ago, when praying and studying the scriptures, especially when they testify of the Savior, and when I shook hands with President Kimball, and sang with a small group outside the tabernacle, "We Thnak Thee O God for a Prophet", to President McKay just to name a few.)

*When have I felt great joy? (At the birth of each of my children and grandchildren and when I was sealed in the temple to my sweetheart and seeing my children sealed to their sweethearts.)

*By sharing our testimonies and setting righteous examples, we can help others turn to the Lord.

DC 88:111-126

103-16, Angelic trumps proclaim the restoration of the gospel, the fall of Babylon, and the battle of the Great God; 117-26, Seek learning, establish a house of God (a temple), and clothe yourselves with the bond of charity;

Has there ever been a time that you wanted to "run" and share the gospel with others?

General Conference

A Sin-Resistant Generation

Joy D. Jones

"Fortifying children to become sin-resistant is a task and a blessing for parents, grandparents, family members, teachers, and leaders. We each bear responsibility to help. However, the Lord has specifically instructed parents to teach their children 'to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord.'"

James broke the auger and the Cat.  He is having such a difficult time digging the post holes for our fence because there are big rocks buried underground.  They got a little rain in Vernon today. Here in the valley it was 122 degrees.

I waited until Addy got up before going to the store. I went to Frys and got food and supplies and then stopped at Jack-in-the-Box for a breakfast Jack. I also took the girls some pancakes.  The ordered waffles and strawberries for breakfast.  They each ate a waffle and of course Ruby had to have some whipped cream with hers. Later we made strawberry shortcake. After breakfast we went swimming.

Or I should say the girls went swimming and I

sat and watched.

Ruby sits on the edge of the pool and watches Addy.

A little sister fun.

They need some pool toys and goggles

Ruby waving.

The water does look inviting.

After their morning swim they each got a smoothie and then we went back to the villa. (That is what they call them here.)  The girls got dressed and we went to Chik-fil-a for lunch. After ordering Ruby informs me she doesn't like their chicken but she eats her fries. Addy likes the chicken but not the fries. I could have ordered one meal and they could have shared it.

After Chik-fil-a we went to Walmart to find some tubes for them to play with in the water.  I ended up buying seven tubes because I knew Lola, Rowan, Max, Evan, and Joshua were all coming this week.  

The afternoon swim was much more fun with the tubes.

So much more relaxing!

This picture makes me laugh. It looks like

Ruby's feet are in Addy's tube!

So cute!

Ruby coming back from the hot tub.

We had just enough time to shower and eat some strawberry shortcake before leaving for Rowan's Cub Scout Arrow of Light Ceremony in east Mesa. I drove over 40 miles to Crismon and Guadalupe to their meetinghouse.  We got there just in time, and just a little before Trina and Darrel arrived.  

The meeting was quite long because others boys got awards and a retired Navy Aviator came and spoke. It was interesting. They saved Rowan for last. We are very proud of him for receiving the highest award you can receive in Cub Scouts.

Rowan's scout leader came over and asked me if I knew what

a great young man Rowan was. I said I did.

Darrel handing Rowan his award.

Rowan pinning on Trina

Rowan with his award and his arrow.

He wanted to bring the arrow with him to the resort but

I told him I didn't think it was a good idea.

Rowan and one of his friends

We are all very proud of him!

Addy is like Adam, she takes a book with her wherever she goes.

Lola watching Ruby lick the frosting off her cupcake.

And this is the result.

Lola planning her next move.

She had to make sure I saw her green tongue.

I said goodbye to the girls and Trina and Darrel and Rowan and I headed for Chandler to pick up Joshua, Evan, and Max.  I also stopped at Cathi's and picked up the Omaha frozen food that Jared purchased for James for Father's Day.  Lots of good stuff.  Cathi told me about Lois being sick and spending time with her in the hospital last night as she couldn't stop vomiting.  They thought she had eaten some bad potato salad but that proved to be wrong. For the rest of the week, Cathi, Dawn, and then Terry were vomiting and very sick. So sad.

Back at the resort these boys like to stick together.

This was supposed to be Evan and Joshua's bed but

they all ended up sleeping together.

Max and Evan said the resort, they call it the condo, was their favorite place in the world. Rowan and Joshua opted for the cabin.