Saturday, October 28th, 2017

Merida, Mexico

92nd operating temple

Dedicated: 8 July 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Appearances, Postmortal

John 20:20

And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 14:1-27

What fundamental truths do we learn from Christ's teachings in these verses? How will you incorporate these important teachings into your life?

"Stop judging, extend love. Follow the Savior's example. Verse 7 - Pray for others and for answers. Verse 12 - Live the Golden Rule. Beware of false prophets. Build our foundation upon the rock of Christ and when the storm comes we will stand strong."

Doctrine Covenants Scripture Study

JS-H 1:15-20

General Conference

Loved One Another as He Has Loved Us

Elder Jose L. Alonso

"By serving and forgiving others with real love, we can be healed and receive the strength to overcome our ow challenges."

I read this quote by President Benson today:

"The Book of Mormon is the instrument that God designed to 'sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out His elect' ... The Book of Mormon shall so affect men that the whole earth and all its' peoples will have been influenced and governed by it." (Ensign, Oct. 2005, 60-62)

 It was one year ago today that these two couples got engaged:

Married January 21, 2017

Married October 31, 2016

Collin with his new aunt to be,  and

uncle Nathan.

I stayed at home all day today and worked on my blog, made cookies, and studied and watched Christmas movies. James worked on the patio. He also went to watch Zemira and Andy wrestle at a tournament in Show Low. He just missed Zemira win the championship but saw Andy who also won the championship in his weight. These guys are amazing!

Sheri and her office crew entered a race today. 

Joshua in his Halloween costume.

I love this Halloween picture from a couple

of years ago.

Trenda and Emery

A hunter and his deer

So cute!

Wanlass family going to the temple together.

Fall

Sadie and Aaron celebrated Halloween

by having a baby. Congratulations!

Enoch is going home after being

in the hospital for a few days

with breathing problems.

Ethan just turned 8. When he was in our

ward he was the sweetest boy in Primary!

These photos were in my 2015

picture file. This one is James.

Anna

Emmy

Molly

2015 picking pinions

It's always nice to end with a beautiful sunset.

Friday, October 27th, 2017

Suva, Fiji

91st operating temple

Dedicated: 18 June 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Appearances, Postmortal

John 20:19

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 13:16-34

*How can we make sure we are laying up treasures in heaven?

"By living true to the gospel and following the commandments we can be assured that the kingdom of God will be opened to us." -Alex

"By putting the things of eternal importance first in our lives. Make service and scriptures and prayer and family the most important" -Kim

"I think it has to do with the desires of our hearts. Are we striving every day to be better and to do His will? We have to start with the desire." -Sheri

Doctrine Covenants Scripture Mastery

DC 137:7-10

7 Thus came the voice of the Lord unto me, saying: All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God;

8 Also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom;

9 For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.

10 And I also beheld that all children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven.

General Conference

Seek Ye Out of the Best Books

Elder Ian S. Ardern

"As we study from the best books, we protect ourselves against the menacing jaws of those that seek to gnaw at our spiritual roots."

James made me some oryx for breakfast. It was delicious. Paul shot an oryx in New Mexico and gave us some of the meat.

This is an oryx. Weird.

I left the house at 8:30 this morning to pick up Shelly A. We are going to the temple together. I was Shelly's Mia Maid advisor a few years ago and now she is getting ready to go on a mission. She has been called to the Baltimore, Maryland mission and is leaving on November 15th. Her farewell is on Sunday. She went through the temple for her own endowments last Friday. Today she is going with me to do initiatories and then do a session. 

The two of us did two initiatories and then we each did an endowment all for my ancestors. I had the temple do four other initiatories making 8 in all. Incidentally, I got these names on the name "Take a Name" which Shelly's dad told us about. Shelly is an amazing girl! She has also been called to work in the temple for the two weeks before she leaves on her mission.

An old woman and a young chick.

Shelly introduced me to El Cupido's a few years ago so it was only fitting that we go there for lunch after our time at the temple. We both had the Big Jake burro. I had a soda and Shelly had an horchata to drink. I tried it, not bad.

Shelly told me her dogs left home and they haven't seen them for almost 24 hours.

It was almost 3 pm when I returned home. I had to do 7,000 more steps before bedtime but I made it.

The Hallmark Christmas movies start today! I started watching this evening while I blogged. James sat right across from me at the table reading a Brad Wilcox book. Now that's romance!

We finished our book, "Miss Leslie's Secret." We also watched Heartland, "Man's Best Friend." It was a good episode. Jack's best friend was his old truck. It kept breaking down on him but he had a hard time letting go. That's how I am going to be with Lexy.

Stacy had surgery on her foot today and Paul is

taking care of her. She calls him her nurse.

Summer with her dance team 

Kacey posted this on Facebook.

Kendall got married in April and now she 

shooting a deer with Rusty and his brother.

The herd is back.

If the cows were this cute 

we would let them stay.

Memories:

Ruby and Lady

Rowan and Indy. He says he wants a dog

just like Indy.

A full load.

2014

Visit to the Phoenix temple open house.

Phoenix temple

Frost's afterwards

Rowan is not a fan.

Thursday, October 26th, 2017

Melbourne, Australia

90th operating temple

Dedicated: 16 June 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Appearances, Postmortal

John 20:14

And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 13:1-25

*Why is it so important to forgive our fellow man?

"Forgiving ourselves and others is not easy. In fact, for most of us it requires a major change in our attitude and way of thinking - even a change of heart. But there is good news. This 'mighty change' of heart is exactly what the gospel of Jesus Christ is designed to bring into our lives. How is it done? Through the love of God. When are hearts are filled with the love of God, something good and pure happens to us. The more we allow the love of God to govern our minds and emotions - the more we allow our love for our Heavenly Father to swell within our hearts - the easier it is to love others with the pure love of Christ. As we open our hearts to the glowing dawn of the love of God, the darkness and cold of animosity and envy will eventually fade. As always, Christ is our exemplar. In His teachings as in His life, He showed us the way. He forgave the wicked, the vulgar, and those who sought to hurt and do harm to Him. Jesus said it is easy to love those who love us; even the wicked can do that. But Jesus Christ taught a higher law. His words echo through the centuries and are meant for us today. They are meant for all who desire to be His disciples. They are meant for you and me. 'Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.' When our hearts are filled with the love of God, we become 'kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, even as God for Christ's sake forgave us. The pure love of Christ can remove the scales of resentment and wrath from our eyes, allowing us to see others the way our Heavenly Father sees us: as flawed and imperfect mortals who have potential and worth far beyond our capacity to imagine. Because God loves us so much, we too must love and forgive each other."

Doctrine Covenants Scripture Mastery

DC 131:1-4
1 In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees;
2 And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage;
3 And if he does not, he cannot obtain it.
4 He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom; he cannot have an increase.
General Conference

Essential Truths - Our Need to Act

Elder Adilson de Paula Parrella

"The elders started to teach our family. I vividly remember our feelings of happiness and excitement every time they came to our home. They told us that a young man had gone to a grove to ask God which church was true and that he saw God and Jesus Christ. The elders showed us an illustration of that vision, and when I saw it, I knew that Joseph Smith had indeed seen God the Father and Jesus Christ. The missionaries said that because of this vision, the true Church of Jesus Christ was again upon the earth."

For the first time since last January the Cat tractor parked on the hill is gone, moved out of view. I am so happy!

James has been trapping rats and mice like crazy lately. He has a new name, Trapper Jim:

Some are cuter than others.

James's band was featured on Good Morning Arizona this morning.

I listened to the song they sang, it was good.

James made a trip to town again today to pick up prescriptions and to get grape juice and Sprite to make a drink for our dinner guests, Paul and Janelle. 

We spent the afternoon getting ready for dinner. James was a huge help! 

James is putting ice in everyone's glasses.

He looks like a pro doesn't he.

Paul and Janelle arrived around 5 p.m. Janelle had made a delicious homemade coconut cream pie while staying in a travel trailer. It is my favorite pie!

For dinner we had roast beef, gravy, mashed potatoes, corn, rolls, and a salad. Everything tasted good and Paul and Janelle were good company. I enjoyed getting to know them better.

They told a funny story about hunting in Montana during a blizzard where they separated and Janelle shot a deer and waited for Paul to come and help but he didn't know where she was. He lit a huge bonfire for her to see. Eventually they found each other and were dragging Janelle's kill with the antlers still on through the snow.

Eventually they found a cabin and the owner took them back to their truck. I told them if they have any more stories like this one they should write a book.

Janelle's going on a mule deer hunt tomorrow and her guide called with the time and location. He is meeting her at 3:15 a.m. Because they had to get up so early they left early. 

James and I cleaned the kitchen with him doing all the dishes. Afterwards we watched an episode of Heartland called "Little Secrets."

Sadie 

"You want me to do what?"

Fall in Arizona

In spite of my busy day, or maybe because of...

Zemira the amazing wrestler.

3 wins 0 losses,  with one of them a pin.

The 2016 version of Zemira

Evan

Stacy's 2nd birthday

I hope I never see this much smoke so close to

our house again!