Friday, September 29th, 2017

Detroit, Michigan
63rd operating temple
Dedicated: 23 Oct 1999
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Apperances, Antemortal

Isaiah 6:1

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

Helaman 12:1-13

*How will you be blessed if you put your trust in the Lord?

-Karen: "I can live with peace knowing He has a plan for me. I can remember past blessings. He will prosper me, but when He does, I must not forget Him. As I follow the commandments I am blessed. Obedience is the key! I must have strength to press forward."

-James: "That is exactly right. If we put our trust in the Lord, then we are blessed with a greater desire to keep the commandments and repent of sins and mistakes. Then the blessings begin to flow. Our faith increases. As our faith increases our ability to feel the Savior's words when we read or hear them increases. We begin to recognize His tender mercies in our lives. We more readily feel of His Spirit and begin to develop an eternal perspective which gives us hope and comfort during trials and tribulation (pain, discouragement and heartache), that comes to each of us. We develop the ability to feel happiness and joy even while we are suffering, which dispells discouragement. Things of little or of no eternal value begin to fall out of our lives. We learn and live what is really important."

General Conference

That Our Light May Be A Standard For the Nations

Elder Benjamin DeHoyos

" Learning to teach as the Savior taught is another way we can rise and shine. 'The goal of every gospel teacher - every parent, every formally called teacher, every home teacher and visiting teacher, and every follower of Christ - is to teach the pure doctrine of the gospel, by the Spirit, . . . to help God's children build their faith in the Savior and become more like Him. The key to teaching as the Savior taught is to live as the Savior lived." (Teaching in the Savior's Way, 4.) As we all teach and learn in His way and become more like Him, our light shines brighter and cannot be hid and becomes a standard to those who are looking for the Savior's light."

James spent 2 1/2 hours this morning sending out texts inviting several of our grandchildren to watch General Conference. He sent a message to: Jared Ammon, Dallin, Michael, Alex, Joe, Ben, James Hayden, Anna, and Emmy. He later sent one to Adam. He heard back from Michael, Alex, Joe, Ben, Anna, and Adam.

He said he felt inspired to do this.

I spent most of the day working on my blog. I blogged for last Saturday which included working at the temple, getting involved in a fender bender, eating at LaCasita, making cookies and watching the women's session of General Conference. I also read a couple of chapters of "Mind Games" to James. Our friend Stephanie has a real knack for writing murder mysteries. 

James worked on forming for the new patio he is building. He quit at 5 p.m. to go out elk bugling. He saw four bulls but none of them answered him. They are just starting to bugle. I made chicken enchiladas while he was gone. Oh my they are delicious!

Happy 22nd Anniversary Kim and Brian

Last year. We have not had a fire yet this year.

I am anxiously awaiting.

James's sister Carmen posted this on Facebook today.

This is Raman Lake where James grew up. He tells many a

story about this lake. This is where he watched his

dog drowned. That is why he has a hard time wanting a dog.

My nephew Tyler, who lives in Colordado,  

posted this picture.

A goat pajama party.

lambsondallen

I love this!

James's cousin Jeany and her daughter Laynette

were visiting in the house when they looked up

and saw this mountain lion looking through

their screen door. Scary!

Puppy daddy.

A unique village in Japan

Love those brown eyes!

Oh yes I can!

I posted this for Kim and Brian.

One of their favorite things to do when they are

in San Diego is to watch the sunset over the ocean.

Thursday, September 28th, 2017

Columbia, South Carolina

62nd operating temple

Dedicated:16 October 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Helaman 11:21-38

*It can be very easy to forget Heavenly father and fall into wicked ways. What are some safe guards to help us from doing the same thing?

- Seek to surround yourself with righteous people. Those who will uplift you and make you better. Avoid those who will lead you into temptation and sin. Avoid contention. Seek to have the Spirit with you at all times. Always have a prayer in your heart. Focus on true doctrine and the Plan of Salvation. All men must come unto the Savior, gain faith, repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure in faith. True doctrine understood changes attitudes and behavior. Understand the power of covenants. Look forward to taking the sacrament and worshiping in the temple. Prepare to receive personal revelation through prayer, scripture study, and listening to the prophets, apostles, and other church leaders. Be humble and teachable, not prideful. Love God more than man. Put Him first in your life. Keep the commandments. Prayer and scripture study everyday so we don't forget Heavenly Father and Jesus. They are the givers of all our blessings. Daily repentance. Be truly converted through gospel living because conversion leads to commitment. Love one another.

General Conference

And This Is Life Eternal

Elder C. Scott Grow

"The Savior tells us that the very best way to know God is to become like Him. Starting on the road to becoming like Him, we repent and receive His forgiveness, and He cleanses our souls. Every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am (DC 93:1). I witnessed Elder Neil L. Maxwell's increased spiritual refinement through his ongoing suffering and his continued service as he strove to become like the Savior."

I made banana nut bread this morning, one for the Chaffin's and one for us. I visited Hailey, Braylin, Huntleigh and their ten puppies today.

 I loved the runt the best, I think that's

him in the middle.

I brought a pepperoni pizza from the Stanford store and we enjoyed lunch together. They are moving and this is probably the last time I will see them. I wish Taylor would have been there too. Hailey has all of their stuff in storage and they will be moving in a week or two. I was sad because I thought I would be able to visit one more time. They will be staying in Grant's, New Mexico with grandma and grandpa. Eventually they want to end up in Deming. Their ranch here is "off the grid" and I'm sure that is a selling factor. I am going to miss this family so much. 

Hailey gave me a new recipe to try, baked burrito casserole. 

After saying my goodbye's I drove in to Show Low to do my shopping. My first stop was CVS for James's prednisone prescription, then on to Walmart. I spent $70 for ink for my computer. Yikes!

After bringing in and putting the groceries away James and I took a break and read from "Mind Games." I blogged while James went on a Razr ride. He saw a huge elk on Nigra Knoll. This evening we watched an old Hallmark movie, "Royal Winter."

Marissa was one of the young women in our ward when

James was the bishop. Her family are some of our dear friends

and she is an amazing woman. She will be a wonderful mother.

Paul getting kisses from his dogs. Shipley is getting angry with

Vader for interferring.

Miss Lola making Playdoh tacos. Someday she might

have a taco truck.

Stephanie, who wrote this post is our friend and also the author of "Mind Games."  She really should be a comedian.

Ferrengenous Hawk

Ruby is the cutest

Holly

Wednesday, September 27th, 2017

Bismarck, North Dakota

61st operating temple

Dedicated: 19 Sept 1999 

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Helaman11:1-20

*In these verses the Nephites did begin "to remember the Lord their God." What blessings have you seen come in to your life when you choose to remember Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? How do you feel when you ponder what the Savior has done for you?

- James: "When I choose to remember by praying and attending my meetings in an attitude of gratitude and worship, I am reminded of the power of the Atonement which has helped me overcome so much of the natural man; which has changed my heart and helped me to overcome bad habits and redirected my focus from the world to things of eternity. Over time I have learned that it is not about me. I have a long way to go, but I have learned that the Atonement is about changing our lives and our focus."

-Karen: "I feel like going to church is like going to the hospital. We are all hurting or sick in some way. I feel healed as I partake of the sacrament and become one with the Savior. I know that as I repent and re-commit to keep the commandments the Savior forgives me and accepts of my offering and I feel of His love for me. I have the strength to face the challenges ahead of me for another week. During the week when I feel myself losing it, I offer a prayer to calm me down. I ask for peace, comfort, strength and love and to have the Spirit to be with me. I need Him every hour. I also try to repent immediately or at night during my prayers."

General Conference

How Does the Holy Ghost Help You?

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

" The each, Fernando's family, testify that the Spirit, the Holy Ghost, bore witness of the truthfulness of the gospel, leading them to a desire to be baptized and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

I helped James send his accident photos via the internet this morning. 

While James worked outside on the patio, I stayed inside and ordered a book about Mother Teresa for Dawn for her birthday. 

I also watched last night's DWTS, which was latin night. Witney and Frankie were at the top of the liter board with 25 points. I was pretty upset that Alan and Debbie Gibson went home. Alan just makes pro and he's gone the second week. Debbie was better than Terrel Owens, Derek Fisher, or Nick Lachey. She has had lyme disease so she was dancing with pain, but did not complain and was doing a good job.

I started rolls early in the day to go with the minestrone soup I made this evening. James was going to go home teaching this evening and his partner was not able to go with him so I said I would go. We visited the Peeler's and took them some soup and rolls. Afterwards we went by the Scott's to pick up our dishes from last night. Brother and Sister Scott said they both loved the steak, gravy and potatoes we brought.

We got a teeny, tiny bit of rain today. It smells so fresh and clean outside. I really do love this time of year when the temperatures start to cool down. 

We read from "Mind Games" and watched an old Autumn Reeser movie, "I Do, I Do, I Do."  

James wrote a scathing letter to Habor Freight regarding his lousy greenhouse.

The wreath I bought at Hobby Lobby

yesterday.

Visit Arizona

Rowan got to get out of school early

to go to the D-Backs game.

They came behind to win.

James using the internet to change the oil and

other fluids in the Razr.

Paragon falcon on our backporch.

Shellie is one of the only girls I know who would

pick up a snake and hold it.

2015

Dallin doing what he does best.

Tuesday, September 26th, 2017

Columbus, Ohio

60th operating temple

Dedicated: 4 Sept 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Helaman 10:1-19

*How did Nephi qualify for the great power? Can we have this same power? How are you an everyday missionary?

-My answer: The answer to the first question in found in verses 4 and 5. The last sentence in verse four says: 'Thou has not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments. The blessing is promised in verse five. Can we have this same power? If we are willing to put forth the effort to love and serve our fellowman as Nephi did, yes, if it is the Lord's will. I think apostles and prophets and worthy missionaries who are doing the Lord's work full time can certainly have great power as they serve and bless the lives of others. How am I an everyday missionary? By trying to live the gospel and serving. When I serve I don't want it to feel lie a burden or an interruption but like I am doing the Lord's will. When I serve I feel the Spirit. When I feel the Spirit it fills me with great power to love and care for others. As we live the gospel, people will notice. They will judge our religion based on our actions. 

James: "When I serve and feel I have blessed someone elses life, I feel that the Savior approves of my service because I have done what he would have done and I feel His love. I feel 'wrapped in the arms of my Savior's love.' I feel like rejoicing because He approves of my service.

General Conference

To the Friends and Investigators of the Church

Elder Joaquin E. Costa

"I testify to you that if you pay the price of revelation, humble yourself, read, pray, and repent, the heavens will open and you will know, as I know, that Jesus is the Christ. He is my Savior, and He is yours."

Then Jesus Beholding Him Loved Him

Elder S. Mark Palmer

"Love should never be withdrawn when a child, friend, or family member fails to live up to our expectations. Anytime you feel you are being asked to do something hard - give up a poor habit or an addiction, put aside worldly pursuits, sacrifice a favorite activity because it is the Sabbath, forgive someone who has wronged you - think of the Lord beholding you, loving you, and inviting you to let it go and follow Him. And thank Him for loving you enough to invite you to do more."

We were supposed to leave for the valley by 7:30 but it was 8:00 before we pulled out of the driveway. I am supposed to pick my friend Jean up for lunch in Chandler at 11:30 but I think it will be closer to noon.

We stopped in Show Low for gas and to wash the car. Our next stop was in Miami at Burger House where we ordered several burros for Cathi and Terry and a couple for ourselves. 

Cathi and Terry surprised us by being home when we arrived. I guess the church is being cleaned and so they are working at home. 

James stayed there and will borrow Terry's truck to go to his doctors appointment and I left to pick up Jean. I had told her earlier that I was going to be a little late. Jean's house here in Chandler is up for sale. I had forgotten which one it was but when I saw the for sale sign and the vehicle from Tate's in Show Low I knew.

Jean had on a sweater and complained about being cold when we were in "Fresh Start." I wish we would have asked to sit on the patio. I had a Belgian waffle with fruit and Jean had a salad. We talked a little about her grandson Dustin who is now living with them since they bailed him out of jail. Jean seemed tired so we didn't stay long. After we said our goodbye's and I gave her the visiting teaching handout I drove her home. When I left I was thinking about how I could help her and I decided I need to ask her to be a part of our Book of Mormon reading group. I guess that is what I will do next month. She can't come back to Vernon because she has to stay with Dustin and the courts won't let him come to Show Low.

I went to Hobby Lobby and spent my 40% off coupon and then some. I bought some wooden pumpkins, a wreath, and some supplies to make Alice W. a sweet sixteen candy bouquet. 

I got back to Cathi and Terry's before James was finished with his doctor's appointment. Cathi and I had a visit. I guess her brother-in-law Paul is not doing very well. He has cancer. I have been praying for him. 

James's appointment was with a rheumatologist. He ordered bloodwork which James had done at the Sonoran lab where we used to go. The bloodwork will determine what he has that is causing his laryngitis. The doctor also wrote him a prescription for prednisone.

As soon as James walked in the door he was ready to head home. I wanted Chik-fil-a on the way home and told James there was one on Power Rd. I was reading and he missed the turnoff. We ended up going to the one at Superstition Springs mall. When James makes a mistake he does everything he can to make it right. I do appreciate that about him. 

We stopped at Fry's in Globe for bananas. I am making banana nut bread for Hailey, one of the other sisters I visit teach. James also got some cranberry celebration. We also stopped at the Safeway in Show Low because I didn't think he got enough bananas.

We got home around 7:30. We stopped at the post office and my box of Doctrine and Covenant Stories that I ordered for my Primary class arrived. We changed clothes and got into our relax mode.

We watched the last episode of Heartland, called "Showdown." It was a stressful one because Tim got shot in the chest. It was the last show of the season. Our new dvd won't be here until next Monday so we have to wait that long for the next episode.

We also watched one of the new Hallmark movies, "Falling for Vermont."

The girl winds up in a town in Vermont with

amnesia and falls for the local doctor.

Typical Hallmark plot.

I am attracted to cute puppies.

Here's another one.

I love fall.

I love my hardworking hubby!

Oh, it's Holly

9/26/15

The soccer stars!

9/26/15

Darrel's car after his crash

9/26/14