Saturday, September 16th, 2017

St. Louis, Missouri

50th operating temple

Dedicated: 1 June 1997

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Atonement

Moses 5:7

And then the angel spake, saying: This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth.

Jesus Christ, Antemortal appearance of

Genesis 32:30

And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

JST, Exodus 33:20,23

20 And he said unto Moses, Thou canst not see my face at this time, lest mine anger be kindled against thee also, and I destroy thee, and thy people; for there shall no man among them see me at this time, and live, for they are exceeding sinful. And no sinful man hath at any time, neither shall there be any sinful man at any time, that shall see my face and live.

23 And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts, but my faces shall not be seen, as at other times; for I am angry with my people Israel.

Helaman 5:5-27

*I call this my WOW! chapter because so many amazing things happened as a result of the preaching of Nephi and Lehi.

As you read Helaman 5:5-12, look for the word remember.

How can remembering the righteous examples of others help you choose to "do that which is good?"

What do you do to remember the Atonement of Jesus Christ?

*If we build our foundation on Jesus Christ, Satan will have no power over us.

*President Spencer W. Kimball said: "When you look in the dictionary for the most important word, do you know what it is? It could be remember. Because all of you have made covenants - you know what to do and you know how to do it - our greatest need is to remember."

General Conference

Kindness, Charity, and Love

President Thomas S. Monson

"Let us examine our lives and determine to follow the Savior's example by being kind, loving and charitable. And as we do so, we will be in a better position to call down the power of heaven for ourselves, for our families, and for our fellow travelers in this sometimes difficult journey back to our heavenly home."

James and I went out on the deck because it was a gorgeous day, and I gave him a haircut. It looks good from the front, but there are a couple of nicks in the back. Oops! I will do better next time.

James has so many frustrations right now. He can't fix one of the doors on the greenhouse and he just found out that Owen won't be coming up this weekend to help him fix his two pieces of diesel equipment that are broke down. That is frustrating for me too because I am tired of looking at them. Oh yes, there is another rats next in the Cat. 

He was feeling sad so I suggested that we make a trip to the dump and I would read to him. Neither one of us had any cash so we robbed his Snoopy bank. Later on in the day he thanked me and said it was just the distraction he needed.

I made ham and scalloped potatoes for dinner which also helped cheer him up. I also made chocolate chip cookies, the ones for Primary with no nuts, the ones for us with nuts.

I polished the family room and living room wood floor. It looks beautiful!

Worked on our lessons and then we went to bed.

Photos:

Peggy Butler passed away a week ago. 

Her funeral was today. My mom said she was

the best customer we ever had.

Saved by the nub

I love this picture!

They don't stay still for very long

Bishop Miller's mother, daughter Andyn,

and son Uriah. 2015

Before Lola

Arizona desert sunset

Friday, September 15th, 2017

Mount Timpanogos, Utah

49th operating temple

Dedicated: 13 October 1996

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Appearances, Antemortal

Abraham 2:6-11

Helaman 4:18-5:4

How does being slow to hearken to the voice of the prophet's effect the Nephites' lives?

kdeford1:"The Church began to dwindle, they had become weak, they no longer had the Spirit with them, the judgment seat was turned over to evil, they became stiff-necked and couldn't be governed by law or justice. Nephi gave up the judgment seat to preach to them because he was 'wearied by their iniquity.'"

DC 133:34-51

What is the significance of Christ coming in red?

"Like him that treadeth in the wine-vat."(DC 133:48), and 'his voice shall be heard: I have trodden in the wine-press alone.' (DC 133:50). He comes to take vengeance on the ungodly. (Isaiah 64:1-6).

General Conference

Return and Receive

Elder M. Russell Ballard

"I like to read and ponder the words found in the fifth chapter of Alma, wherein Alma asks: 'Have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received His image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?' Alma's questions are a reminder of what our goals and plans ought to include in order to return and receive."

Happy Birthday James Hayden!

This looks like a nice suit but it is really 

silk pajamas. This photo was taken last year on his birthday.

James and I left for the valley around 8:45 this morning. We stopped in Show Low at the post office to buy some stamps and to mail Kacey's birthday card. I read from our book "Borrowed Light" as we were driving. 

We stopped in Miami at Burger House and got each of us  a green chili burro and a mixed burro for James. We didn't get any for Cathi or Terry because we thought they were gone to a family history conference in Salt Lake. We felt bad when we found out they got home last night. Cathi just said: "There is always next time."

I dropped James off at Cathi and Terry's where he borrowed Terry's truck to do the little bit of cleanup he has left at Bill's. I went on to Mesa to have my Actemra infusion. 

I like coming in the afternoon for an infusion, it is not nearly as busy as the mornings. Frances called me back and Barb set me up, two of my favorite people here. Barb says her "real job" is taking care of her one and only grandchild Tommy. 

Although by appointment was for 1:15 and it usually takes an hour, I was done by 2 p.m. because they started me early. I headed back for Chandler to say hi and goodbye to Cathi and Terry and the dogs and to pick up James. 

We stopped at the Target on Gilbert and Germann to get a Target card for Autumn for her baby. As we head out of town we forgot to get gas at Sam's Club so we stop at the Circle K on Val Vista and Pecos and then turn back around and get on the freeway. 

James loves me to read to him while he is driving, he says it makes time go by so much faster. I would tend to agree. We stopped in Globe for a potty break and to get some water and then before you know it we were in Show Low stopping at Arby's for dinner. James loves their turkey Reubens.  

When I got home I put my stuff away, blogged for awhile, and then James and I set down to watch an episode of Heartland: "Ghost Horse."

Favorite Photos:

President Eyring in Florida

One of the things we love about the San Antonio temple

are the stained glass windows. This is the Paris temple

which also has stained glass.

I just want to kiss those faces!

Arizona scenery

Vernon scenery

Cathedral in Barcelona, Spain

Somewhere in Africa there are at least two

white giraffes.

Where's the Fun Dip?

Lola 2015

Huntleigh with her pig.

Fires are still raging.

Thursday, September 14th, 2017

Hong Kong, China

48th operating temple

Dedicated: 26 May 1996

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Atonement

DC 76:69

These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood.

Jesus Christ, Appearance, Antemortal

Genesis 18:1

And the lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;

Helaman 4:1-17

Pride and wickedness separate us from the Spirit of the Lord and leave us to our own strength.

The Nephites were left to their own strength because of wickedness. Why is it so important for us to remain worthy to have the Holy Ghost at all times?

*kdeford1: "I need the peace that comes from living worthy to have the Holy Ghost with me. There is happiness, freedom and peace from just living the commandments - from not being physically enslaved to poor choices. There is an actual physical comfort that I feel when the Holy Ghost is with me."

DC 133:16-33

What stood out to me in these verses?

16 The Lord calleth upon all men to repent.

17 Prepare ye the way for the Lord for His hour is coming.

18 The Lamb will be on Mt. Zion with 144,000 Father's name on their forehead.

19 Prepare...go ye out to meet Him.

21 His voice shall be heard among all people.

23 Command the islands (earth) to be one land.

25 He will stand in the midst and rule over all flesh.

26 They in the north countries will come.

27 Highway cast up (see Isaiah 11:16).

28 Enemies shall become a prey unto them.

General Conference

Overcoming the World

Elder Neil L. Andersen

Overcoming the world means turning ourselves outward, remembering the second commandment: 'He that is greatest among you shall be your servant.' The happiness of our spouse is more important than our own pleasure. Helping our children to love God and keep His commandments is a primary priority. We willingly share our material blessings through tithing, fast offerings, and giving to those in need."

This morning, starting at 12 a.m. James had blood drawn, a CT scan, an EKG, and a stress test done. Finally around noon he was released to go home.

I was coming in to see him, so we met at LaCasita and had lunch.

Here is what mine looked like:

 That ought to do his heart some good!

When we got home we had a visit from Bishop Miller who just happens to be our home teacher. He came by to give James a blessing. Bishop blessed James with health, help with his personal problems, and that through him his family would be strengthened. It was a great blessing and I know it helped James to feel better, if not physically then spiritually.

We got a wee bit of rain today. Not enough to make much of a difference. The thing that worries me is that there is not any forecast in the next 15 days. 

I downloaded all my photos to my photo stick today, something I do at least once a month. There were 185 new photos. I also cleaned the wood floor in the family/living room, now I need to polish it. I guess I will have to wait until Saturday because tomorrow we will be gone to the valley.

We watched two Heartland episodes tonight:

"Rising From the Ashes," and "Coming Together."

Favorite Photos:

Last year's purchase, a log-splitter

Throwback Thursday to 1978

Rio Verde, Arizona

Somebody needs a bigger tree

Speaking of trees, I want this one

in my yard!

I call them mini-donks

Throwback Thursday:

Molly wants to be a cheerleader

Anna

Emmy: She looks so small!

Max and Emmy

One of my all-time favorite Evan photos!

Wednesday, September 13th, 2017

Bountiful, Utah

47th operating temple

8 Jan 1995 by Howard W. Hunter

Atonement

DC 74:7

But little children are holy, being sanctified through the atonement of Jesus Christ; and this is what the scriptures mean.

Jesus Christ, Appearances, Antemortal

Genesis 17:1

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

Helaman 6:32-41

What do these verses tell us about the power of prayer? How can I apply these principles to my own life?

*To me, verse 35 is the key to becoming a true follower of Christ.

'They fasted and prayed oft and increased in humility and were firmer in the faith of Christ. They became sanctified because they yielded their hearts unto God.'
DC 133:1-15
How am I preparing for the Second Coming?
Have I prepared room for Him in my heart? I need to learn all I can about Him through the scriptures and conference talks. I must try to become like Him. I need to communicate with Heavenly Father through prayer. I need to be worthy to have the Spirit be with me at all times because the Spirit testifies of the Savior and helps me to love other people as the Savior loves them. I must repent of my sins and be ready to enter into His presence. Obedience, humility, preparation, restoration, sanctification, gathering are all keywords.
General Conference

The Language of the Gospel

Elder Valeri V. Cordon

"No achievement in this life, important as it may be, will be relevant if we lose the language of the gospel in our families."

Happy Birthday Mom!

My guardian angel

Lakeside Cemetery

James had a 10:30 doctor's appointment with Dr. Moffat. He went by himself. After awhile I got a call saying that the doctor wanted him to go to the emergency room so they could check for a blood clot in his lungs. James told Dr. Moffat that we had just returned from a 2,000 mile car drive and that he had pains in his chest. That's all the doctor needed to hear to have him admitted into the emergency room.

I got ready and got into town as quickly as I could, driving the truck. I think James was happy to see me although he told me I didn't have to come. How could I not? I read to him from our new book, "Borrowed Light" which Cathi gave to us.

This is about a Mormon girl who lives in Salt Lake City in the early 1900's who just graduated from Miss Farmer's cooking school in Boston. She is engaged but not in love so she breaks it off and answers an add in the newspaper for a cook at a remote Wyoming ranch.  I was able to read several chapters before going home this evening.

They did  a test to check for a blood clot and it came back negative. Because James has what they call heart disease, the doctor on call, Dr. Johnson, wants him to stay overnight so they can do a stress test on him tomorrow. They also did 4 EKG's, 3 CT scans, one MRI and an Xray.  

I stayed with him until they moved him in a room with a more comfortable bed and he ordered and ate dinner. Oh yes, his oxygen rate kept falling below 90 so they also gave him oxygen. The reason he went to Dr. Moffat in the first place was because he has been having trouble breathing, especially at night. That problem has not even been addressed. I have a feeling he will be going back to Dr. Moffat soon.

Looking tired. They don't let you rest in the hospital.

The first thing I noticed when I returned home was the clean garage and it reminded me of how lucky I am to be married to such a wonderful man.

This picture doesn't do it justice. Believe me

when I say it has never been this clean!

No Heartland tonight. That wouldn't be fair. I watched an old

Hallmark movie before going to bed.

Random Favorite Photos:

It's vacation time for some people

The Gonzales' are at Disneyland

I love the look on Joshua's face and how
his fists are clenched like he's ready
to fight Darth Vader.

The Elmer's are fishing in
Alaska

Strike a pose

I never would have imagined!

Pet Piggie

Look at that tower. This one has got to
belong to Rapunzel.

Twins or Thief?
Does that mountain in the background look familiar?

Saguaro Sunset