Wednesday, July 5th, 2017

Snowflake, Arizona

108th operating temple

Dedicated: 3 Mar 2002 by

Gordon B. Hinckley

Alma 27:16-28:8

What helps you to keep your covenants?

*Partaking of the sacrament.

DC 98:1-10

1-3, The afflictions of the Saints will be for their good; 4-8, The Saints are to befriend the constitutional law of the land; 9-10, Honest, wise, and good men should be supported for secular government;

General Conference

Gathering the Family of God

President Henry B. Eyring

" I bear testimony that Elijah did come. The hearts of the children-you and me-have turned to our fathers, our ancestors. The affection you feel for your ancestors is part of the fulfillment of that prophecy. It is deeply seated in your sense of who you are."

Brian and Kim left for home this morning. We were sad to see them go.

We love you B and K!

Around 8:30 Trina, Anna, Summer and I left for Walmart. Trina and I both need to buy something for Lola's birthday and I needed to buy chicken for tomorrow night's dinner. I think Summer and Anna came for makeup. They finished way before we did and waited in the car.  I think I bought all the chicken thighs that Walmart had. I also bought Lola a Baby Alive with ponytails and blonde hair just like hers. A pink piggy stuffed animal. a purse and some jewelry and sunglasses. She loves jewelry.

I also bought a card and got some cash for Summer's birthday which is the 23rd. 

When we returned home Jared was a little stressed about Anna and Summer getting back so late because he wanted to go to Sunrise. It was awhile before we actually left.

Grandpa James said he was too busy to go so I took Joshua, Rowan, and Evan. Max and Ben and James and Adam did not want to go. I think James and Ben stayed home and worked for grandpa. 

Evan got car sick on the way so we stopped at Sonic in Springerville and got some lunch. He felt much better and was happy the rest of the way.  He, Joshua, and Rowan had a blast with all the activities at Sunrise. There was the lift ride to the top which they loved the most, the air bag jump, the rock wall, the tubing slide, and bungie jump.  It was a gorgeous day and we all enjoyed being together. Everyone was here except for grandpa and the boys who stayed home.  I wish I had taken more pictures.

This year it cost an extra $8 to jump off the top

so no one did.

Ruby looks annoyed.

Joshua on the rock wall.

Evan and Rowan.

Tanner riding the lift to the top

of the tube slide.

Darrel took Lola on the slide.

He guess he was just resting his eyes

in this picture.

Rowan on the bungie jump.

Joshua

Evan had a blast!

Love this family!

I love this family too!

Jared loves Kacey

Enjoying the Indian fry bread.

Such a beautiful day to be outside.

On the way home Evan fell asleep and Joshua and Rowan sang my favorite Primary songs to me: "Nephi's Courage", and "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus."

I took a nap when I got home. I was exhausted.  Darrel and Trina fixed white chili for dinner. It was delicious!  After dinner we celebrated Lola's birthday. Trina made a chocolate cake and we had several flavors of ice cream.

Gathering for the party

I love the look on Lola's face.

Molly is so attentive

Razr goggles.

We had family scriptures and the kids went out to play Gray Wolf. It looks like Tanner is going to play tonight.

Good news for Kyra's kids. Their Grandpa Curtis and his fiance Joie have custody of them for now along with four other kids.

This sign was outside of the court house in St. Johns.

Tuesday, July 4th, 2017

Seoul, Korea

37th operating temple

Dedicated: 14-15 Dec 1985 by

Gordon B. Hinckley

3 Nephi 23

Jesus approves the words of Isaiah; He commands the peole to search the prophets; The words of Samuel the Lamanite concerning the Resurrection are added to their records. About A.D. 34.

Alma 27:1-15

*If you were one of the Anti-Nephi-Lihies, how difficult might it be for you to keep your covenant (promise) and not go to battle to defend yourself and your loved ones?

*How do you think the Lord feels about those who keep their promises to Him?

*What did Ammon propose to do to protect the Anti-Nephi-Lehies and help them keep their covenants?

*What instruction did Ammon receive from the Lord?

DC 97:11-28

10-17, A house is to be built in Zion in which the pure in heart will see God; 18-21, Zion is the pure in heart; 22-28, Zion will escape the Lord's scourge if she is faithful.

Josh and Adam arrived this morning.  We were happy to see them.  Joshua was so funny when we introduced him to Kacey. He said: "Oh Kacey, I've heard so much about you. You must be a really nice person."  When I told Stacy she said, "Oh, he's met her before."

I sent out Rowan's song, "Innocent Lives" to all the family today with a promise that I wouldn't tell them that he wrote it. I thought it was appropriate as we celebrate Independence Day.

"Innocent Lives"

Innocent lives were taken in Valley Forge.

Their guns were like spells ready to seal their death.

Please oh please, let no more

innocent lives be taken today.

The marching bands will play at the death of our veterans today.

We will honor the death or our heroes  today.

Please oh please, let no more

innocent lives be taken today.

Hope! We must have hope that we'll win this treacherous game.

It's a sad fate to have but it has a great reward.

Think about the lives you save as a veteran to your country.

Bombings are fatal, shootings are horrible.

Please, oh please, let no more 

innocent lives be taken today.

I was touched by the depth of feeling portrayed by one so young in these verses. This young man has a feeling of gratitude for the sacrifices made by others for him and pleads with us to stop the killing of the innocent.

I love his plea for no more innocent lives to be taken. I know that will happen when our Savior returns again and I look forward to that day. I also look forward to the day when our family can be together forever!

Please remember the sacrifices made for us to live in this great country, the Promised Land. And please remember the promise from the Book of Mormon: "If ye keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land."

May our family always prosper both temporally and spiritually is my prayer. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Last night we had a combined family scripture study and then Jared shared this amazing story that Elder Holland recently told at a new mission presidents' seminar and training. 

(Elder Holland share 'the missionary speech of all time'...

deseretnews.com)

We had a Top Shot and Sling Shot competition today. Evan won the sling shot and Tanner won the top shot.

I think making that face was the

secret to his success.

Two posers and a bomber

The sling shot competition attracted everyone.

Addy taking aim.

Loading the muzzle loader

Sharp shooter Tanner

Kacey hit an exploding target

The prize for the best shooters: candy. Tanner chose Reeses and Evan sour patch.

Thank goodness that the Razr is still drivable. I think Emmy and Addy rode it the most.  

Today is Lola's third birthday but since we are celebrating tomorrow when she gets here I am only posting one picture.

Celebrating her birthday and the 4th of July

Today for lunch I made cheese crisps, cheese and turkey sandwiches, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches all for Darrel and Trina's kids and Sheri and Ian's.  

This evening Kacey, Jared, Anna, Summer, Molly, and Ruby all went to the fireworks show at the Show Low High School. I had volunteered to take whoever wanted to go. No one else wanted to go except Addy and since Emmy did not want to go, she stayed home with her.  Here are some of the things we did this evening:

Joshua, Evan, and Rowan wrote more songs.  James took the three of them on a Razr ride and Evan said it was the best ever. They saw turkey and elk and he took them on top of Negra Knoll.  

We played Five Crowns and the kids enjoyed playing outside in the good weather. After dark most of the kids went outside to play Germans and Gray Wolf. Don't ask me how to play because I am not sure. Tanner didn't want to play. He stayed inside and helped me do the dishes and then I put "Dennis the Menace Christmas" on for him to watch.

More Photos:

Ruby giving grandpa a hug.

Emmy and Addy teaching Kim how

to play the game of Life.

Jared taking a mid-morning nap.

Molly and Ruby playing Uno.

James playing the piano.

James showing Tanner pictures of his

trip to the Northwest Territories.

Jared let Summer and Anna practice

their makeup skills on his face.

I love this!

Huntleigh and a friend at the 

Show Low parade.

Eden, Winter, Ander

Natalie and Guy

Lola arrived around 9 pm and we celebrate

her birthday with just this one gift:

"Bobolina."

We started out playing Five Crowns

and ended up watching videos

on Adam's phone.

Ben acting like a robot.

I think this is Adam getting the ball caught

in the tree.

Ruby and Molly enjoying some

refreshment before the fireworks start.

Still waiting for the show.

Kacey said Ruby loved the show!

Monday, July 3rd, 2017

Seattle, Washington
19th operating temple
Dedicated: 17-21 Nov 1980 by
Spencer W. Kimball

3 Nehpi 22

In the last days, Zion and her stakes will be established, and Israel will be gathered in mercy and tenderness; They will triumph; Compare Isaiah 54. About A.D. 34.

Alma 26:17-37

*Read Alma 26:23-29. What are some of the obstacles Ammon and his brothers faced in their service to the Lord and the Lamanites?

*According to Alma 26:27, 30, what motivated Ammon and his fellow missionaries to continue to serve?

*Read Alma 26:31-34 looking for some of the results of the labors of the sons of Mosiah.

*After reading Alma 26:35-37 can you think of any reasons why you have to rejoice in the goodness of God?

DC 97:1-10
1-2, Many of the Saints in Zion (Jackson County, Missouri) are blessed fro their faithfulness; 3-5, Parley P. Pratt is commended for his labors in the school in Zion; 6-9, Those who observe their covenants are accepted by the Lord;
General Conference

Certain Women

Linda K. Burton

"The multi-generational certain women I met in Hong Kong and Taiwan continue to bless the lives of their families, Church members, and communities by remaining centered in the Savior and willingly sacrificing to keep covenants. Similar certain women are found throughout the Church."

My Peace I Leave With You

President Henry B. Eyring

" Your power to do good will depend, to a great degree, on the unity and love that exist among you. This is another gift of peace that comes through the Holy Ghost"

Cinnamon rolls for breakfast and bacon. I accidentally cooked Kim and Brian's thick bacon instead of ours. I discovered it after only four pieces were gone. Kim got rather upset. I felt bad. I certainly didn't do it on purpose. I hate thick bacon.

Kacey, Jared, James, Anna, Summer, and Molly all go to Walmart to get groceries. James and I go separately. Tanner and Emmy stay home and work. James and I stopped at the hospital to pick up the "horsey" I am giving Lola for her birthday. We tried it out in the car and it made us laugh. I was going to go in Walmart and get some things but it look way too busy. Kacey said it was insane.  We were also going to go to LaCasita for lunch before we realized that they are closed on Monday's.  We went to Sonic and so did Kacey and Jared. We both got ice. 

We stopped at the Vernon post office on the way home and Addy texted me and said she saw us there. She just arrived with Sheri, Ben, Max, Evan, Rowan and Ruby. They were all at the cabin when we returned.

I played Five Crowns with Max, Sheri, and Ben. Max ended up winning as he said he would. After the game Sheri made chocolate chip cookies and then told us she was heading home. She had considered staying the night but decided against it.

Addy and Emmy went on a Razr ride with Tanner and while Addy was driving under the direction of Tanner turned a corner and ripped the canvas top.  I told her it was ok and not to be concerned.

Sheri had given me some cash for her boys so I decided to go to Dollar General and get some things. James, Anna, and Summer went with me. As we were leaving the cabin Jared had just returned from the pit and was going back again with Emmy, Addy, and Tanner. We had already talked about not allowing anyone without a driver's license to drive the Razr except for around our place or down to Chocolate Lake or the Boy Scout village.  

While shopping I got a call from Jared. He had allowed Addy to drive down the pit and she rolled the Razr. Luckily no one was seriously hurt but Addy was pretty shook up. Just as soon as I hung up the phone with Jared Trina texted me and ask if Addy was there. I had to call and tell her what happened. Addy called her and ask her to come and get her because she wanted to go home.  When we got home we talked to Addy and calmed her down. She had a headache as did Tanner and Jared had a huge sore on his arm.

I made taco soup for diner. After dinner Evan and Rowan sang me some songs they had wrote, and then Evan Facetimed Sheri.

Evan also played the ukulele

Rowan wrote a serious song about

war and soldiers called "Innocent  Lives."

Family Scripture Study

Beautiful Vernon sunset

I am a little upset  because alot of those new ping pong balls are lying smashed all over the floor.