Wednesday, October 25th, 2017

Adelaide, Australia

89th operating temple

Dedicated: 15 June 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Appearances, Postmortal

Luke 24:39

Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 12:25-48

*How hard is it to love our enemies?

I think it requires lots of prayer, forgiveness, and humility, and the Holy Ghost filling us with pure love.

*What does it mean to you to be perfect?

President Russell M. Nelson: "We need not be dismayed if our earnest efforts toward perfection now seem so difficult and endless. Perfection is pending. It can come in full only after the Resurrection and only through the Lord. It awaits all who love Him and keep His commandments" ("Perfection Pending," Ensign, Nov. 1995, 88).

Doctrine Covenants Scripture Mastery

DC 130:22-23

22 The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.

23 A man may receive the Holy Ghost, and it may descend upon him and not tarry with him.
General Conference

Do We Trust Him? Hard Is Good

Elder Stanley G. Ellis

"The Lord does trust us in so many ways. He has given us the gospel of Jesus Christ. He entrusts us with His priesthood authority, complete with the keys for its proper use. With that power we can bless, serve, receive ordinances, and make covenants. He trusts us with His restored Church, including the holy temple. He trusts His servants with the sealing power - to bind on earth and have it bound in heaven. He even trusts us to be the earthly parents, teachers, and caregivers of His children."

Paul and Janell are here shooting. I took a walk up to the broken down CAT with James to do some "observing," while he tries to start it. It started but now he's having problems draining the old oil so he can put in some new. 

James had a shirt on today that I have not seen him wear for a long, long time. When I told him I liked it he told me the following story. "You bought me this shirt when we took Darrel to the MTC for his mission. (That was in 1998). We took Amy Bush to dinner at Tony Roma's in Provo and she told me my shirt was a "chick magnet."

This chick is attracted.

We have smoke again today! Yikes! I guess we didn't do enough complaining!

Let the complainings begin!

James went to town today because he had an appointment with Dr. Reagan who was supposed to help him with the pain in his shoulder. He was going to do some other errands including picking up rice and beans at La Casita for our dinner we are taking to the Curtis's. Luckily I texted him his driver's license and credit card and they accepted it. He did not see the doctor because he was an hour and a half behind on his appointments. He is on call at the hospital for up to 14 days. The other doctor fills in for him but that means he is double booked. 

While James was gone I made a batch of chicken enchiladas. He took awhile because I cut the meat off a roasted chicken and shredded it and then put everything else together. When James returned I asked him to deliver the dinner and while he was gone I would make him so enchiladas. I really wanted to see my friend Dianne but I was not in any condition to see anyone. The dinner consisted of chicken enchiladas, a salad, and the delicious rice and beans from LaCasita. They have the best refried beans, rivaling Paul's mom's.

While he was making the delivery I made another batch of chicken enchiladas. I could not make them for someone else and not make some for James. He loves them!

When James returned we ate our enchiladas and watched an old movie we had taped "The Apple Mortgage Cake" which is based on a true story. It is a great movie and we enjoyed watching it again.

We also watched an episode from season two of Heartland: "Miracle Girl."

I also made time to do this today:

Shayna and the guys carving pumpkins

at Kim and Brian's.

Thanks for carrying on the tradition!

Evan did his free hand!

Addy wanted to know why poodle dogs so I sent her this:

So big he can't even stand up.

Some photos Carmen took of Sarah and Sydney on

their tour of Arizona.

Fall

Golden Oldie

Tuesday, October 24th, 2017

Fukuoka, Japan

88th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 June 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Appearances, Postmortal

Luke 24:36

And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 12:1-24

*How do you make sure you aren't putting your light under a bushel?

"The Savior's message in the Sermon on the Mount is of critical importance to all of us. 'But seek ye first to build up the kingdom of God, and to establish His righteousness' (JST, Matthew 6:38).

"This message needs to penetrate into our hearts and souls. As we accept this message, we are taking our personal stand in this life." (President James E. Faust, Ensign, May 2007, 67).

President Harold B. Lee taught that the Beatitudes embody the 'constitution for a perfect life;' 'Four of them have to do with our individual selves, and four have to do with man's social relations with others.'

Elder Spencer J. Condie of the Seventy explained how the Beatitudes may be viewed as a recipe for righteousness with incremental steps, beginning with the poor in spirit who come unto Christ.' (3 Nephi 12:3). The next step in the celestial direction is to mourn, especially for our sins, for 'godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation.' (3 Nephi 12:14-16).

Elder Robert D. Hales referred to a personal experience in emphasizing the importance of being a light for others: 

"Growing up on Long Island, in New York, I understood how vital light was to those traveling in the darkness on the open sea. How dangerous is a fallen lighthouse! How devastating is a lighthouse whose light has failed! We who have the gift of the Holy Ghost must be true to it's promptings so we can be a light to others. 'Let your light so shine before men,' said the Lord, 'that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.' (Matt. 5:15-16). We never now who may be depending on us. And, as the Savior said, we 'know not but what they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal them; and ye shall be the means of bringing salvation unto them' (3 Nephi 18:32), (Ensign, May 2002, 71).

Doctrine Covenants Scripture Mastery

DC 130:20-21

20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated-

21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.

General Conference

Apart, But Still One

Elder Joni L. Koch

"In the Church, in spite of our differences, the Lord expects us to be one. He said in the Doctrine Covenants, 'Be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.' "

An update for last Friday night's football game between the Show Low Cougars and the Snowflake Lobos. Show Low won 42-8. Even though I am an alumni of Snowflake High School, I am so happy for Monte and his Cougars!!

James's friends, Paul and Janelle, who came all the way from Oregon to go hunting, are coming to site in their rifles this morning so I moved all of my study materials to the bedroom. They were here all morning and came in and visited with James for awhile. 

I left to go grocery shopping around noon.

The first thing I did when I got to town was go to Aliberto's for my tacos. It looked so crowded that I got in the drive-thru line. I ate my tacos in the Walmart parking lot and saved the rice and beans for later. 

I thought I was being frugal with my spending until I got up to the register and saw the total. Wow groceries are expensive!

I was so tired when I got home. James was tired too. He took a nap and then went out to work until dark. I sat in my recliner and watched a new movie Hallmark movie, "Darrow and Darrow." I also finished taking my steps for the day and worked on my blog.

This evening James and I watched the new episode of "Gourmet Detective: "Eat and Drink."

Feelin' guilty we weren't there.

Hilarious!

Lambsondallen

The real deal.

In our yard

Spraying off bird poop.

Reminds me of the one we saw at Chocolate Lake.

Love Jared's and Darrel's faces.

Notice Jared's Cowboy shirt. 

He always did love Texas.

2015

I thought this was Joshua and Evan until

I looked at the feet.

Rowan and Evan

Monday, October 23rd, 2017

San Jose, Costa Rica

87th operating temple

Dedicated: 4 June 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Appearances, Postmortal

Luke 24:34

Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 11:18-41

*What does the Savior teach about baptism and contention? What do modern prophets say?

-There appears to have been some contention among the Nephites concerning the manner of baptism. The Lord clarified how the ordinance should be performed. President Boyd K. Packer explained the significance of baptism and cautioned that we should not alter this sacred ordinance: "Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins is the first ordinance. Baptism must be by immersion, for it is symbolic of both the coming forth from temporal death, from the grave, and the cleansing required for redemption from spiritual death. ...Under the plan, baptism is not just for entrance into the Church of Jesus Christ. It begins a spiritual rebirth that may eventually lead back into the presence of God. If we really understood what baptism signifies, we could never consider it trivial nor alter the form of this sacred ordinance. ...Through the sacrament we renew the covenant" (Our Fathers Plan, 39-40).

President Henry B. Eyring helps us understand that the Spirit of God will not lead people into contention: "Where people have that Spirit with them, we may expect harmony. The Spirit puts the testimony of truth in our hearts, which unifies those who share that testimony. The Spirit of God never generates contention (see 3 Nephi 11:29). It never generates the feelings of distinctions between people which lead to strife. It leads to personal peace and a feeling of union with others.(Ensign, May 1998, 67).

Doctrine Covenants Scripture Mastery

DC 130:20-21

20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated -

21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.

General Conference

The Trek Continues

Elder M. Russell Ballard

"By 1869, more than 70,000 Saints had made the trek to the Salt Lake Valley. Despite t heir many differences in language, culture, and nationality they shared a testimony of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and a desire to build Zion - a place of peace, happiness, and beauty in preparation for the Second Coming of the Savior."

God's Compelling Witness: The Book of Mormon

Tad R. Callister

"The Book of Mormon is not only the keystone of our religion, but it can also become the keystone of our testimonies so that when trials or unanswered questions confront us, it can hold our testimonies securely in place. This boo is the one weight on the scales of truth that exceeds the combined weight of all the critics arguments. Why Because if it is true, then Joseph Smith was a prophet and this is the restored Church of Jesus Christ, regardless of any historical or other arguments to the contrary. For this reason, the critics are intent on disproving the Book of Mormon, but the obstacles they face are insurmountable because the book is true."

I had a lunch date with Hailey, one of the sisters I visit teach today at 11 at Licano's. She texted me around 6:15 and said she couldn't make it. I ended up meeting her at the Dollar General parking lot around 8:40. I had to hurry to get the cake made and Taylor's candy bouquet put together. Hailey says they will probably be moving this week. I am going to miss this family.

 Taylor's bouquet

I made Hailey a chocolate bundt cake. It looked like a huge chocolate donut. She loved it and asked for the recipe.

I was so tired after meeting with Hailey I came home and took a short nap. Afterwards I made lunch for James who is pouring the next batch of concrete for the new patio. I made chicken breasts coated in Ritz cracker crumbs. It was quite tasty. I got the recipe from the Mormon Cookbook I have. I also made Rice-a-roni and green beans.

I got a visit from my visiting teacher Kaeli and her daughter Natalie. They gave me this:

Natalie told me there was candy inside, so I gave her 

a sucker.

Shelly, who leaves for her mission in less than a month called me today. We are going to the temple together on Friday. She got her own endowments last Friday and wants to go as many times as she can before she leaves on November 15th. 

Another one of my young women, Alice, who just turned 16 went down to Hatch and bought herself a car and paid cash for it. It is a 2012 Chrysler 200. Now that is impressive!

BTW: Alice is Trenda's younger sister.

Definitely over-achievers.

James working on the patio:

Such a hard worker!

He's a one man show!

Mixing it by hand.

I did not get much accomplished today. I'm not sure if it's because I didn't get a good night's sleep or because I am not getting enough thyroid. Still no Naturethroid. I am still on the Levothyroxin.

For F.H.E. we worked on our journals and listened to Brother Callister's talk on the Book of Mormon.

Today was Kyra Lambson's birthday. Her kids, etc. wrote notes to her in heaven and sent them up via helium balloons.

James went home teaching to the Peeler's with his partner Brother Westbrook today. The Westbrook's leave tomorrow for Idaho. Their daughter Sadie lives there and is expecting her first baby any day now. They will be gone for two weeks.

DWTS - Let's go to the movies. Lindsey and Mark danced an Argentine tango to a sci-fi theme. Mark is the perfect mad scientist. It was the best!

Baby javelina

castle

Los Angeles temple

Addy 2014

Rowan 2014

Ruby

2014

Ro's baptism 2014

Sunday, October 22nd, 2017

Montreal, Quebec

86th operating temple

Dedicated: 4 June 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Appearances, Postmortal

Luke 24:15

And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 11:1-17

*How was the voice the Nephites heard similar to the proptings we receive from the Holy Ghost? (The Holy Ghost often speaks to us through our feelings.)

*Why is it important to pay attention to the inspiration we receive from the Lord through the Holy Ghost?

-President Boyd K. Packer: "The Spirit does not get our attention by shouting. It never shakes us with a heavy hand. The Spirit whispers. It caresses so gently, indeed, that if we are preoccupied, we can't feel it at all. Occasionally, the Spirit will press just firmly enough for us to pay attention; but from my experience, most of the time, if we do not heed the gentle feeling, if we do not listen to those feelings, the Spirit will withdraw and wait until we come seeking and listening, in our manner and our expression" ("How Does the Spirit Speak to Us," New Era, Feb. 2010, 3).

Doctrine Covenants Scripture Mastery

DC 130:20-21

20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated -

21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.

Relief Society Scripture

DC 29:5

Lift up your hearts and be glad, for I am in your midst, and am your advocate with the Father; and it is his good will to give you the kingdom.

Why can I rejoice in the Savior as my advocate

General Conference

Fear Not to Do Good

President Henry B. Eyring

"Last April, President Monson gave a message that stirred hearts across the world, including mine. He spoke of the power of the Book of Mormon. He urged us to study, ponder, and apply its teachings. He promised that if we dedicated time each day to studying and pondering and kept the commandments the Book of Mormon contains, we would have a vital testimony of its truth, and the resultant testimony of the living Christ would see us through to safety in times of trouble. Those of us who took his inspired counsel to heart have heard the Spirit more distinctly. We have found a greater power to resist temptation and have felt greater faith in a resurrected Jesus Christ, in His gospel, and in His living Church.

Another amazing session of stake conference. The choir sounded beautiful. There were five members of our ward who sang in the choir. 

President Bealer was the first speaker. He thanked everyone for the prayers offered in behalf of his wife. I assume she has some type of cancer, but he didn't really say. He said that their burdens have been made light through the Atonement and the angels in the White Mountain stake. Jesus Christ should be our great visual, mental-image. We need to learn of Him and His saving truths found in the Book of Mormon. Just as the children of Israel were provided sustenance everyday, we need to feed our spirits on a daily basis. "Feast on that which perisheth not." We need to come to an understanding of Christ's mission through reading the Book of Mormon. There are precious veins deposited throughout the Book of Mormon of repentance, grace, mercy, justice, and agency. It is amazing to me how we can so easily access precious ancient records through the Gospel app on our phones. Power flows into our lives as we study the Book of Mormon. "I have read the Book of Mormon everyday for 30 years. Nothing has impacted my life more." God will speak to you in your trials. 

In the temple President Bealer was reading from the Book of Mormon while waiting for his wife. He felt a strong impression that there would be tough days ahead. Soon after than experience his wife received her diagnosis. "We learn more and become more through each reading of the Book of Mormon. I promise as you read you will have a great understanding of your purpose, you will have great strength, and a greater relationship with Jesus Christ."

President David and Dianne Scott  - Served a mission to the Philippines together. Lives are changed when we smile. Dianne - "I have not heard a better choir." Boyd K. Packer story about a family interested in joining the Church until they heard about the law of tithing and decided it was just too much to ask. Pearl of Great Price. Others are attracted by our high standards. This family ended up joining the Church and being faithful. Our covenants and temple ordinances teach us how to act and deal with the challenges of life. As we honor our covenants our faith will be strengthened. Let the Holy Ghost be our guide.

President Scott - Bear witness of Jesus Christ and his house, the temple. I bear witness that this is the only true Church upon the face of the earth. This is the plan of Happiness. New genealogical site, woodenvillage.org. "The Lord is aware of each of us as we keep our covenants."

Randy Myer - new convert. Baptized March 25, 2017. "I made it home. We have the real deal. Learn how to approach God with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. James 1:5 - I asked, and I received. I am reading the Book of Mormon for the third time. It has changed my life. I will stay on the path, holding to the iron rod until I reach the Tree of Life. The Atonement reconciles us to God. Repent, be baptized and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. The missionaries saved my life and brought me eternal life. Invite someone to Church."

Becky Adams - Bringing young children to the Lord and why it is important. "Children are an heritage of the Lord. The first five years of a child's life are critical." Remembers her dad's testimony and how she felt when she was very young. President Boyd K. Packer says that our children are being raised in enemy territory. They need to have a rock solid testimony of the Savior. One thing is needful for our children to know... that our Savior lives!

Christy Miles

Our sufferings polish us. Give me this mountain, give me these challenges. Things we can do to learn to trust in the Lord (Proverbs 3:5-6). 1.) Personal Prayer. 2.) Temple - go to the temple, be temple minded, find strength and refuge. Our ways and thoughts become His.  3.) Book of Mormon - everyday, an anchor in my life. The testimony of others will carry you only so far.

President Shumway  - Knowledge empowers progression unto salvation.  Learning and acting to become like God. Everything we do is bringing us closer or further away from God. Understanding = motivation. The power is in us to choose good or evil. The Lord does not always tell us what the right answer is. We make the best decision and consecrate it unto the Lord. Knowledge is a gift of the Spirit. Triple S's:

1.) Scriptures - We come to now God. Study, faith, learning, acting. The Book of Mormon as a course of instruction. 

2.) Snowflake temple - Instructions from the Lord. Searching for family names. Thanksgiving.

3.) Sabbath/Sacrament - Bread of Life. Men bring upon themselves their own condemnation. Heed direction and we will be saved and redeemed. Obedience always brings blessings. Knowledge is key to progression. Gaining knowledge of Him accelerates our progression in every endeavor. Learn of Christ.

One of the best stake conferences I can remember attending.

After conference was over we had an appointment with Brother Greer and Brother Hall of the high council. James has a new calling. He was called to be a counselor to Brother Curtis who is the new high priest group leader in our ward. Sean H. is the other counselor. Two spiritual giants.

We came home and after lunch and resting I blogged and indexed. James did some indexing too. 

Molly had a great time at Kacey and Jared's this weekend. She had so much fun she didn't want to go home.

She made a picture for her teacher Mrs. Ellison.

 Not sure if they are painting rocks or cookies.

It was Molly's idea to put the candle in the middle

of the painted rocks for the "Halloween" effect.

Nice Jared!

Darrel and Trina made it home from their trip back East. It sounds like they had a great time.

Looking for witches in Salem.

More photos of the Saturday hike at Oak Creek Canyon.

Rachel, Sheri and her babies.

Blue Ridge homecoming. Lane H. (our ward)

and his date.

James and I watched the newest Hallmark movie, "Harvest Wedding," starring two of our favorite Hallmark stars, Jill Wagner and Victor Webster.

We are beginning to smell smoke again. Not good! Otherwise it was a great Sabbath day!