Monday, July 24th, 2017

Vernal, Utah 

51st operating temple

Dedicated: 2-4 Nov 1997 by

Gordon B. Hinckley

Atonement

1 John 2:2

Jesus Christ, Advocate

DC 59:5

Wherefore, I give unto them a commandment, saying thus: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt serve him.

Alma 38:1-15

*What can we learn fro Alma 38:2-3 about the effect that righteous children can have on their parents, and I might add, their grandparents?

*How has obedience to the commandments of God helped you?

*Alma and Shiblon both experienced the Savior's deliverance.

*What was Shiblon delivered from? (Alma 38:4-5)

*What was Alma delivered from? (Alma 38:6-8)

*What can we learn from their experiences?

*Why is it important for us to know that Jesus Christ is the only "way or means whereby we can be saved?"

*Examine Alma's counsel in Alma 38:10-12. Chose one that you would lie to improve in.

DC 104:31-50

19-46, The stewardships and blessings of various brethren are designated; 47-53, The united order in Kirtland and the order in Zion are to operate separately;

Why were the United Orders of Kirtland and Zion dissolved?

*The people, many of the, couldn't abide the law.

General Conference

Whatsoever He Saith Unto You, Do It

Elder L. Whitney Clayton

" Some rewards of obedience do come quickly; others come only after we are tested. God will always bless us for our steadfast obedience to His gospel and loyalty to His Church, but He rarely shows us His timetable for doing so in advance. He doesn't show us the whole picture from the outset. That is where faith, hope, and trusting in the Lord come in. God asks us to bear with Him - to trust Him and to follow Him. He pleads with us to 'dispute not because ye see not.' He cautions us that we shouldn't expect easy answers or quick fixes from heaven."

James had a chiropractic appointment before 9 this morning. Before he left we read scriptures, said family prayer, and went outside and read from our book on the deck. 

I have an visiting teaching appointment with Hailey and her kids at noon at Pizza Factory. She calls and asks me if we can postpone until Thursday. Her kids are doing a tie-dying class and will be finished by noon. That's fine with me.

When James gets home he wants me to read another chapter from "A Lady Unrivaled" outside on the deck. It rained hard off and on throughout the afternoon and evening.  We went in to Pizza Hut to get pizza and desserts to take to the Howard's. It was raining like crazy when James went in to Pizza Hut. 

When we got to the Howard's James went out with Brother Howard to talk about putting the roof on their bunkhouse. They are having an open house on August 5th. I visit with Sister Howard inside and give her the visiting teaching message. We love the Howards!

Home and because James has been helping me the last couple of hours I read to him again. He can't decide if he's going to leave for the valley tonight or in the morning. He decides on the morning. He has some more remodeling to do at the medical office on McKellips. 

For F.H.E. we listen to Elder L. Whitney Clayton's talk, "Whatsoever He Saith Unto You, Do It." Afterwards we watch "Christmas Incorporated."

Random Photos:

Happy Pioneer Day

True Grit.

What an amazing example they were.

I know I posted this picture earlier but

since today is pioneer day I wanted to post it again.

She was an avid genealogist before the internet!

1st day of 5th grade for this boy.

Joshua starts 5th grade today too.

8th grade for Max.

Ben is a mighty Senior!

I'm just so amazed by this family.

Curtis and Joie are my new heroes.

A blast from the past and one

of my favorite photos of Michael.

He would come down to our house at 6 a.m.

in this outfit.

Sunday, July 23rd, 2017

Veracruz, Mexico

93rd operating temple

Dedicated: 9 July 2000 by:

Thomas S. Monson

Alma 37:26-47

*What things does Alma ask Helaman to teach the people?

*Why are these things important?

DC 104:16-30

17-18, Gospel law governs the care of the poor; 

How can we be sure that we are being wise stewards?

*If we are caring for the things the Lord has given us and if we are helping the poor and needy. If we are magnifying our callings and being kind to others.

General Conference

Let the Holy Spirit Guide

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

" If we are casual or complacent in our worship, drawn off and desensitized by worldly pursuits, we find ourselves diminished in our ability to feel. Nephi said to Laman and Lemuel, 'Ye have heard his voice from time to time; and he hath spoken unto you in a still small voice, but ye were past feeling, that ye could not feel the words.' We must recognize the Spirit when it comes."

Dustin Curtis passed away this morning in the Curtis home. The stake presidency had visited him earlier in the week and he was ordained an elder. In sacrament meeting today we gave him our sustaining vote.

Our new convert, Anthony, bore his testimony in sacrament meeting today. He is nervous in front of crowds but he did an awesome job. He has a wonderful testimony of the Book of Mormon.

I had the 10-11 year old class along with my Primary class today and a few visitors. Colter, Curtis, Liana, and Gracie were here from my class, Kacey and Zemira from the older class, and three visitors Xander Webb (Analee's grandson), and David and Kaylin brothers.

Our lesson was on the Saints being Expelled from the state of Missouri.

James had a visitor from Scotland today in his Sunday School class.  She is friends with Chris N. sister who served her mission in Scotland. She came up to him after the lesson and in her best Scottish brogue told him how much she enjoyed the lesson.

During sharing time today we had teacher's council meeting led by Mel W. We discussed how we, as gospel teacher's, can support learning in the home. Those attending: Bishop and Anne, Judy H., Teresa and Wes S., Jimmy A., Darla F., Virgil C., Rosa W., Sean H., and James and I. It started raining during our meeting and Judy, who lives across the street went home to close the windows in her house. 

Jean H., a sister I visit teach, split open her leg this afternoon at home after church. She had to have lots of stitches. 

James drove Colter and I to Wyatt M.'s house to bring him a birthday gift and an invitation to attend Primary. He wasn't home but Colter hung the gift on their door. Colter is friends with Wyatt.

We also stopped by the Wilhelm's to drop off birthday gifts for Ruthie, Zemira, and Johnny.

I put this testimony inside the scriptures I 

gave Wyatt.

James made meatloaf, potato patties for lunch. Quite tasty. Afterwards we took a nap. 

At 3:30 we had an appointment with the bishop. He asked us if we would be temple workers. Of course we said yes.

When we got home I blogged for July 10th and 11th. Yes, I am still behind.

Random Photos:

Mary, one of my former young women,

got married last night. I totally missed it because

I thought it was next week. Thank goodness her

mom posted photos on Facebook.

Mary and Christopher

Siblings: Glenzo, Mary, Talena

Cutting the cake

Sheri posted this series of photos today.

After church fight for the front seat.

When you are the youngest, you don't have

much of a chance.

You have to admire Evan's grit.

Ah, the taste of victory.

Love this picture.

Sweet family 3 years ago

I love the Vernon skies this

time of year.

Saturday, July 22nd, 2017

Vancouver, British Columbia

131st operating temple

Dedicated: 2 May 2010 by:

Thomas S. Monson

Atonement 

1 John 1:7

Jesus Christ

Ether 3:14-20

Alma 37:11-25

*How do you stay diligent in keeping God's commandments?

Commandments, like everything else God gives us, are for our benefit. It's easier to be diligent when you see the commandments as loving gifts to guide us to where and how God lives.

DC 104:1-15

1-10, Saints who transgress against the united order will be cursed; 11-16, The Lord provides for His Saints in His own way;

What is the United Order?

*To enter the united order required that a man enter into a solemn covenant to accept the law of consecration. The law of consecration is the law of the celestial kingdom. Consecration and stewardship. Everything we have belongs to the Lord.

General Conference

Don't Look Around, Look Up!

Elder Yoon Hwan Choi

" Dear brothers and sisters, it is not easy for us to recognize the love of Heavenly Father when we look around with our temporal eyes, because we see inconvenience, loss, burdens, or loneliness first. On the other hand, we can see the blessings beyond when we look up. The Lord has revealed, 'When we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.' To al those who embark in any service of God, know that you are a solid connection for powerful blessings to those before you and to generations after you."

James went over this morning to visit our new neighbor, Dave E. 

He is going to do some construction work for Dave. Right now Dave is focusing on building a pond so it will be awhile before he is ready for any other construction.

I made cookies this morning and James made hasbrowns and eggs. The hashbrowns were yummy and so were the cookies. I'm not sure about the eggs because I didn't have any. The cookies are for my visiting teaching partner Mary and her family. Her kids have the chicken pox. 

I picked up Pam G. for lunch and we went together to drop off the cookies at Mary's. As I was carrying the cookies in the front door I tripped and fell and the cookies went flying. Mary's husband hurried and picked them up and both he and Pam acted like they hadn't seen a thing. Talk about embarrassing!

Pam and I chatted with Mary and her husband for awhile and then we headed for Persnikkity's in Show Low for our monthly visiting teaching chat and our favorite salads.  Pam and I have such a great time together!  I really do love her! She gave me a beautiful scarf as a gift just because she said it reminded her of me. So sweet!

This turns out to be another gorgeous day with overcast skies and just enough rain to cool everything down. 

I made James a meatloaf with baked potatoes and green beans for dinner. He loves meatloaf!  After dinner we worked on our lessons and watched "The Perfect Christmas."

Random Photos:

   Dallin and Kevin

Blonde beach babes.

Curtis and Joie were at Huntington Beach

today too!

 This happened at the Taylor Rodeo.

Dan B. proposed to Karin G.

She said yes!

Karin is our friend from Chandler. Her husband passed away a yer

or so ago from brain cancer. She is an amazing person. I think

she and Dan met because they are both members of the

Mormon Millenial Choir in the valley.

This is Braylin. I think the pigs name is Roger.

Braylin is handicapped but he doesn't let that

stop him from enjoying life. He has a very

positive attitude and I have never ever heard

him complain or feel sorry for himself.

Braylin and Ronald. Ronald didn't feel

like doing anything today so he should stood there.

Braylin got third place overall.

I couldn't resist posting this Instagram photo.

This is what I imagine the ugly duckling

looked like.

2013

We always love it when friends come to

visit. The St.Onge family from Chandler.

James was their bishop.

Friday, July 21, 2017

Twin Falls, Idaho

128th operating temple

Dedicated: 24th Aug 2008 by

Thomas S. Monson

Atonement

1 Peter 3:18

Jesus Christ

Ether 2:12

Alma 36:25-37:10
*Can you think of some small and simple things that have made a big impact in your life?
*How has God delivered you from your trials?
God delivers me from my trials everyday. When I turn to Him and follow His ways my anxieties, doubts, and fears disappear. God is love, peace, and hope. God is everything good in my life. When I stop focusing on worldly things and focus on God, my life is happy.
DC 103:29-40
29-40, Various brethren are called to organize Zion's Camp and go to Zion; they are promised victory if they are faithful.
Why is it hard sometimes to do the Lord's will?
*Because often the Lord's plans are not what we believe to be our plans. To do the Lord's will, we have to exercise faith, knowing that He knows what is best. Often taking the first step is hard. Often times we are prideful or stubborn and just don't want to. Sometimes it takes us out of our comfort zone. Each day I pray for His help and the strength and courage to do it.
General Conference

The Power of the Book of Mormon

President Thomas S. Monson

" If you are not reading the Book of Mormon each day, please do so. If you will read it prayerfully and with a sincere desire to know the truth, the Holy Ghost will manifests its truth to you. If it is true - and I solemnly testify that it is - then Joseph Smith was a prophet who saw God the Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ."

A Sin-Resistant Generation

Sister Joy D. Jones

"We must understand our - and their - divine identity and purpose before we can help our children see who they are and why they are here. We must help them know without question that they are sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father and that He has divine expectations of them. Second, understanding the doctrine of repentance is essential for becoming resistant to sin. Being sin-resistant doesn't mean being sinless, but it does imply being continually repentant, vigilant, and valiant. Perhaps being sin-resistant comes as a blessing from repeatedly resisting sin. As James said, 'Resist the devil, and he will flee you.'"

I decided to go to the temple this morning to do initiatories. I left around 9 a.m. My first stop was at the Vernon post office where I mailed the package to Texas with Emmy and Anna's things that they left here.  The post office girls, Debbie and her friend told me my box was too big and they could save me money by repackaging my stuff. Long story short, we repacked and saved me $14. I would never have gotten that service at a city post office. I also saw my neighbor Chuck and Owen before leaving the post office. 

My next stop was the Book Barn where Brother Rhoton put names on scriptures for Wyatt and Marlie in my Primary class.  I got a necklace for Ruthie W. because today is her birthday and James is her home teacher. I had to get gas and my car washed before going to the temple. By the time I got to Snowflake I was hungry and stopped at El Cupido's for a bacon breakfast burrito. 

At the temple I did initiatories for three Ballentine relatives and a Rachel Allman Spoon.  I had a nice visit with one of the temple workers. Her husband was good friends with James in high school. Also, Blaine C. was the greeter when I came in. He is in our ward in Vernon. 

The rain arrives in Vernon around 2:45 this afternoon. I open the dining room windows and it feels like heaven. 

James got home from the valley around 4 p.m. He brings me two burros, a bean and cheese and a green chili. We go out on the porch and read from "A Lady Unrivaled."

Today's Christmas movies:

"Christmas Land" and "Sleigh Bells Ring."

Random Photos:

A younger Addy with grandpa at Big Lake.

One of my favorite photos.

The sky and clouds were beautiful today.

Temple parking lot.

You can see lots of clouds here.

No selfie today.

Yikes!

My friend Betty B. in Chandler.

Thank goodness she's not allergic.

Jackson the mountain man.

James's grandmother, Annie Laurie

Mangum. My great-grandmother Lydia Ellen

Mangum was her sister.

Thursday, July 20th, 2017

Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico
75th operating temple
Dedicated: 12 Mar 2000 by:
James E. Faust

Atonement

1 Peter 2:21

Jesus Christ

3 Nephi 28

Alma 36:1-24

*What impresses you about Alma's testimony in Alma 36:1-5?

*How long was Alma "racked with eternal torment while harrowed up by the memory of his sins?"

*What can Alma's experience teach us about sin?

*According to Alma 36:17, what did he remember?

*If we exercise faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, then He will deliver us from the pain of our sins and fill us with joy.

*President Uchtdorf: "Satan will try to make us believe that our sins are not forgiven because we can remember them. Satan is a liar; he tries to blur our vision and lead us away from the path of repentance and forgiveness. God did not promise that we would not remember our sins. Remembering will help us avoid making the same mistakes again. But if we stay true and faithful, the memory of our sins will be softened over time. This will be part of the needed healing and sanctification process. Alma testified that after he cried out to Jesus for mercy, he could still remember his sins, but the memory of his sins no longer distressed and tortured him, because he knew he had been forgiven. It is our responsibility to avoid anything that would bring back old sinful memories. When we continue to have a 'broken heart and a contrite spirit,' we may trust that God will 'remember our sins no more.'"

DC 103:14-28

11-20, The redemption of Zion will come by power, and the Lord will go before His people; 21-28, The Saints are to gather in Zion, and those who lay down their lives will find them again;

How can we not pollute our inheritances?

*In verse 19 it tells us to not let our hearts be faint (weak). We must not let our hearts fail us! Our faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to the commandments and covenants we have made makes our hearts strong! So don't "pollute our inheritance" through sin - repent and look to God and live!

General Conference

"Walk With Me"

President Henry B. Eyring

" Ordination to the priesthood is an invitation from the Lord to walk with Him. And what does it mean to walk with the Lord? It means to do what He does, to serve the way He serves. He sacrificed His own comforts to bless those in need, so that's what we try to do. He seemed to take particular notice of people who were overlooked and even shunned by society, so we should try to do that too. He testified boldly yet lovingly of the true doctrine He received from His Father, even if it was unpopular, and so must we. He said to all, 'Come unto me' (Matt. 11:28), and we say to all, 'Come unto Him.' As priesthood holders, we are His representatives. We act not for ourselves but for Him. We speak not our words, but His. The people we serve come to know Him better because of our service."

We had a solid rain this morning before sunrise. 

James and I have prayer before he leaves for the valley to start his job. He is doing more remodeling at the medical building on McKellips Rd. that he did a couple of months ago. He leaves at 5:30 and after he leaves I say another prayer for his safety.

I guess the news of the day is that senator John McCain has brain cancer. Here is a picture of him in 1973 when he returned from being a prisoner of war in Vietnam.

By 6:30 the sun is shining and it stopped raining. I prefer rain in the day time.  

I am not feeling well this morning so I am going to watch a Hallmark Christmas movie, "Every Christmas Has a Story."

Sheri and Shayna picked up Alex in Los Angeles today. He just got back from his trip to Europe and he looks pretty pleased to be home.

 Why the happy face?

I needed to go into town to do some shopping at Walmart. Normally I would go in the afternoon but I decided to leave at 10:30 to hopefully beat the rain. My first stop was at Aliberto's for lunch. I had the #2 plate which includes two shredded beef tacos with rice and beans. Next time I think I will skip the rice and beans. While I am at Walmart I can hear the rain coming down hard on the Walmart roof. It stopped before I was finished so I didn't get wet. On my way home I ate a chocolate pudding filled donut. Yum! It rains hard until I get home and the sky looks like this:

We live on the edge.

I watched a few more Christmas movies today. You might even say I O.D. I watched: "Christmas Cookies" with Wes Brown and Jill Wagner. "A Wish for Christmas" starring Lacey Chabert and Paul Greene. This house was in the movie.

Beautiful!

I also watched, "Looks Like Christmas" starring Anne Heche and Dylan Neal, and "Hearts of Christmas."" I was in bed before midnight.

Today was a pretty exciting day for both Anna and Addy. Anna got her learner's permit and Addy got to go to Harry Potter World.

It seems impossible, but it's true.

A dream come true!

I love this picture taken near Sedona.

Christmas in July