OUR FAMILY

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Wednesday, October 4th, 2017

Raleigh, North Carolina

68th operating temple

Dedicated: 18 Dec. 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Appearances, Antemortal

2 Nephi 2:4

And thou hast beheld in thy youth his glory; wherefore, thou art blessed even as they unto whom he shall minister in the flesh; for the Spirit is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. And the way is prepared from the fall of man, and salvation is free.

Helaman 14:20-15:6

*How does the principle of agency play into this chapter?

*What is meant by God's divine love?

-Elder D. Todd Christofferson on the divine gift of repentance: "I gratefully acknowledge and testify that the incomprehensible suffering, death, and resurrection of our Lord 'bringeth to pass the condition of repentance' (Helaman 14:18). The divine gift of repentance is the key to happiness here and hereafter In the Savior's words and in deep humility and love, I invite all to 'repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand' (Matthew 4:17) I know that in accepting this invitation, you will find joy both now and forever" ("The Divine Gift of Repentance," Ensign, Nov. 2011, 41).

DC 14:7

And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.

General Conference

Three Sisters

By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"We are responsible for our own discipleship, and it has little - if anything - to do with they way others treat us."

James has caught 8 mice in the last 3 days, one in the pantry, the rest in the garage storage room. This is the time of year when they begin coming in from outside.

James worked on his talk all morning long. Instead of working on my talk, I blogged for Saturday, September 30th which was General Conference.

He did take a break to clean off the logs in our bedroom.

I took 5,000 steps before noon. This was my total at the end of the day.

Woohoo!

James and I went to Aliberto's for lunch. There was no electricity but they were still serving food, but no drinks. We tried to go to Walmart but it was closed because of the electricity issue so we went on to Napa Auto. They didn't have what James needed. On the way home we read from our new book, "Petticoat Spy."

We went home and took naps. I blogged most of the afternoon and at 5:30 James went out to look for elk. No elk, but he did see some mule deer.

For dinner we had more lasagna soup. Afterwards we watched the new Hallmark movie, "Harvest Love."

Castle "Green Grass"

This guy is crazy

Congratulations Michael!

October 4, 2015

October 4, 2014

Adam, Alex, Kyle

Tuesday, October 3rd, 2017

Edmonton, Alberta

67th operating temple

Dedicated 11 Dec. 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Antemortal, Appearances

John 12:41

These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

Helaman 14:1-19

*How can we always be preparing for the Second Coming of Christ?

-Repentance is of the utmost importance in preparing to meet the Savior. After we recognize our sins we must feel sorrow for them and abandon them. We need to confess our sins to the Lord, and also in some cases, to the proper Priesthood authority. We need to ask forgiveness if we have offended someone and to the best of our ability make restitution for the sin. we need to strive daily to keep the commandments and recognize our need for a Savior. We need to know the signs of His coming so that we are prepared both temporally and spiritually. We need to do all we can on a daily basis to strengthen our testimonies of Him and serve others in an effort to become more like Him.

DC Scripture Mastery

DC 10:5

Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work.

General Conference

Value Beyond Measure

Sister Joy D. Jones

A sister from India said:

"Before I had the gospel in my life I was always trying to prove to others that I was someone special But when I learned that truth, that I am a daughter of God, I didn't have to prove anything to anyone. I knew that I was special ... Don't ever think that you are nothing." President Monson said it perfectly when he quoted these words: "The worth of a soul is it's capacity to become as God."

James went out looking for elk this morning. He said he saw four cows and a bull. The bull was actually by himself. While he was gone I made some lasagna soup with Italian sausage. I turned out delicious. This recipe is definitely a keeper.

I washed the outside of some of the windows today. I have been going to do this for a long time, but just hadn't gotten around to it.

I went to town today by myself so James could stay home and work on the patio. I bought the rest of the stuff I needed for Alice's candy bouquet. Today is her 16th birthday.

The finished product.

Her mom told me that she liked Reese's and Almond Joys.

Later Alice told me she is allergic to coconut so she gave the Almond Joy's to her mom. Maybe that we Sandra's plan all along.

Happy Sweet Sixteen Alice!

(Alice is on the left)

We called to see if anyone was going to be home. Sandra said she was there but when we went to deliver no one answered the door so we left it in the car.

Today was my first day of doing the 10,000 steps program with my app, Pacer. I did really well with no pains in my knees.

Tonight was Guilty Pleasures night on "DWTS." Lindsey Stirling said her guilty pleasure, is she had one, would be staying in her pajamas all day.

Their dance was the best!!

We also watched an episode of Heartland, "True Enough."

Other Random Photos:

Our friends Dianne and C.T. took this picture as they are

visiting San Antonio where C.T. used to live.

This baby red fox reminds me of the Trezise's new dog

Oliver.

lambsondallen posted this on Instagram

I am doing this challenge, one scripture reference

at a time so it will take awhile to complete.

Spider Rock at Canyon de Chelly

October 3, 2016

Addy's Fall Concert

Squirrel's at play in our grass.

Hailey and Huntleigh

Elk in our yard.

We haven't seen any since James put our fence up this year.

October 3, 2015

A game of chess

James getting ready to watch conference.

Soccer buddies.

Stroller buddies.

October 3, 2014

Fishing for the big ones

Nice one Grandpa!

Monday, October 2nd, 2017

Billings, Montana

66th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 Nov 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Appearances, Antemortal

Amos 9:1

I saw the Lord standing upon the altar: and he said Smite the lintel of the door, that the posts may shake: and cut them in the head, all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword: he that fleeth of them shall not flee away, and he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered.

Helaman 13:21-39

*Why do you feel it is important to listen to the prophets of God?

-Elder M. Russell Ballard has said: "If we bring the teachings of the prophets and apostles into our homes our relationships with family members will improve and so will our relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. As we draw close to the Lord we will be able to feel the Spirit and He will teach us and prompt us to know what to do to follow the counsel given that our testimonies might be strengthened and that we might have peace and joy" (Ensign, May 2001, 67).

DC 8:2-3

2 Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.

3 Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground.

General Conference

Abiding in God and Repairing the Breach

Sister Neill F. Marriott

We need to continually deepen our knowledge of and obedience to Heavenly Father. Our relationship with Him is eternal. We are His beloved children, and that will not change. How are we going to whole heartedly accept His invitation to draw near to Him and thus enjoy the blessings He longs to give us in this life and in the world to come. Do we trust Him enough to abide in Him and walk with Him?

I read an article in the New Era this morning by Elder David A Bednar called, "A Christlike Character." Here are some notes from that article:

"There could have been no Atonement without the character of Christ." - Neal A. Maxwell

"Character is demonstrated by looking and reaching outward when the natural and instinctive response is to be self-absorbed and turn inward."

"Jesus, who suffered the most, has the most compassion for all of us who suffer so much less. Indeed, the depth of suffering and compassion is intimately linked to the depth of love felt by the ministering one."

The hurrier I go, the behinder I get. James and I did finish "Mind Games" today. Our friend Stephanie is a pretty good writer.

I made one of my new recipes for dinner: foil steak and potatoes, and asparagus. I will not make this meal again. Too much work, and not the right way to cook a delicious ribeye steak.

I also made rolls and banana nut bread.

It was windy today, which is never pleasant when James goes outside to work.

I am patiently waiting for the conference talks to be downloaded onto lds.org.

I worked on Alice's candy bouquet while James went to the dump, Empire Cat, Home Depot, Aliberto's and Verizon. He brought me back a tace! Bless him!

I worked on my blog for the 27th and 28th of September.

Carmen is here for her mom's 90th birthday. Her daughters Sarah and Sydney came with her. She was very sad that Lois's party was cancelled and that we were not coming down. So is Gail.

For F.H.E. we read from Preach My Gospel. Afterwards we watched "Chesapeake Shores."