Sunday, December 3rd, 2017

Twin Falls, Idaho
128th operating temple
Dedicated: 24 Aug 2008
By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ Atonement through

Romans 3:25

Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

Book of Mormon

Ether 2:13-25

The Lord wants us to grow and learn as we make our own decisions. He also wants us to take our conclusions to Him frequently for His confirmation. When the brother of Jared asked the Lord about the matter of light for the vessels, the Lord answered with a question of His own: "What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels?" According to President Harold B.Lee, the Lord's question was similar to saying the following: 'Well, have you any good ideas? What would you suggest that we should do in order to have light?' Then the Lord went away and left him alone. It was as though the Lord were saying to him, 'Look, I gave you a mind to think with, and I gave you agency to use it. Now you do all you can to help yourself with this problem; and then, after you've done all you can, I'll step in to help you.' After considering the possibilities, the brother of Jared demonstrated his great faith by asking the Lord to touch 16 stones and supply lights. The Lord answered this plea and not only provided light for the vessels but gave this faithful man a vision unlike any other. President Harold B. Lee concluded: "This is the principle in action. If you want the blessing, don't just kneel down and pray about it. Prepare yourselves in every conceivable way you can in order to make yourselves worthy to receive the blessing you seek" (Stand Ye in Holy Places, 1974, 243-44).

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 18:44

And by your hands I will work a marvelous work among the children of men, unto the convincing of many of their sins, that they may come unto repentance, and that they may come unto the kingdom of my Father.

General Conference

Value Beyond Measure

Joy D. Jones

" Let me point out the need to differentiate between two critical words - worth and worthiness. They are not the same. Spiritual worth means to value ourselves the way Heavenly Father values us, not as the world values us. Our worth was determined before we ever came to this earth. God's love is infinite and it will endure forever. On the other hand, worthiness is achieved through obedience. If we sin we are less worthy, but we are never worth less!"

This was not your typical Sabbath day for me. I did not study my Primary lesson and I did not attend my meetings. Sister Kuffer taught my class and used my handouts that I sent with James. 

Today was our fast and testimony meeting and I was not able to fast. James didn't fast either because he forgot. 

I stayed home and slept and watched Christmas movies. The right side of my throat is really sore and it is hard to swallow. Drinking hot liquids and carbonated liquids feels good. 

James went to tithing settlement by himself. This evening we forgot about the 1st Presidency Christmas Devotional, which was pretty sad. 

I really do not like missing my Sunday meetings. Being sick on the Sabbath day is the worst!

So beautiful

The Church has installed vending machines

in Salt Lake City where people can donate items

to the needy.

They look thirsty

Proof that I was down most of the day

Saturday, December 2nd, 2017

Panama City, Panama

127th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 Aug 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ Atonement through

Acts 13:38

Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins.

Book of Mormon

Ether 2:1-12

Ether 2:8-11 states what Moroni called "the everlasting decree of God" concerning this land of promise. Stated three or four times, this decree is that 'whatsoever nation shall possess this land shall serve God, or they shall be swept off'. President Gordon B. Hinckley taught that obedience is essential if the promised land is to keep its promised blessings: "Great are the promises concerning this land of America. We are told unequivocally that it is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ (Ether 2:12). This is the crux of the entire matter - obedience to the commandments of God." 

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 18:34-36

34 These words are not of men nor of man, but of me; wherefore, you shall testify they are of me and not of man;

35 For it is my voice which speaketh them unto you; for they are given by my Spirit unto you, and by my power you can read them one to another; and save it were by my power you could not have them;

36 Wherefore, you can testify that you have heard my voice, and know my words.

General Conference

Abiding in God and Repairing the Breach

Neill F. Marriott

" Sisters, what matters to you? What is lasting to you? A matter of lasting value to the Father is that we learn of Him, humble ourselves, and grow in obedience to Him through earthly experiences. He wants us to change our selfishness into service, our fears into faith."

I was down and out for the count today. I sat in my recliner all day and watched movies with my throat on fire. I was miserable and warned James to stay away. Of course he didn't. We were thinking about going to the valley to join the kids at Serrano's but now that I am sick it didn't happen.

I sure do loves these faces!

Evan showing off his broken toe

You can do some serious Christmas movies watching when you are zapped out on the couch. Here is the list: "Love for Christmas," "Moonlight and Mistletoe," "I'll Be Home for Christmas," "Under the Mistletoe," "The Road to Christmas," "A Very Merry Toy Store," and "Christmas in Evergreen."  We also watched an episode of Heartland, "Graduation."

Chandler High School won the state football championship tonight against Perry, 49-42. Go Wolves!!

Chandler celebrating after their win.

Friday, December 1st, 2017

Curitiba, Brazil

126th operating temple

Dedicated: 1 June 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ Atonement through

John 17:19

And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

Book of Mormon

Ether 1:1-43

The Lord explained to the brother of Jared that blessings had come to his people as a result of prayers offered over a long time. President Spencer W. Kimball taught that we must put great effort into our prayers and that we must pray frequently: "Do you get answers to your prayers? If not, perhaps you did not pay the price. Do you offer a few trite words and worn-out phrases, or do you talk intimately to the Lord? Do you pray occasionally when you should be praying regularly, often, constantly? Do you offer pennies to pay heavy debts when you should give dollars to erase that obligation? When you pray, do you just speak, or do you also listen? Your Savior said, 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.' (Rev. 3:20). Should we ever fail to get an answer to our prayers, we must look into our own lives for a reason."

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 18:18-19

18 Ask the Father in my name in faith, believing that you shall receive, and you shall have the Holy Ghost, which manifesteth all things which are expedient unto the children of men.

19 And if you have not faith, hope, and charity, you can do nothing.

General Conference

Turn On Your Light

Sharon Eubank

"Innovation and creation are spiritual gifts. When we keep our covenants, it may make us different from others in our culture and society, but it gives us access to inspiration so we can think of different solutions, different approaches, different applications. We aren't always going to fit in with the world, but being different in positive ways can be a lifeline to others who are struggling."

Kathy Crane asked me earlier this week if I would go to the church this morning and help decorate for Christmas. Even though I have a cough and sore throat I am going. I cancelled on her the last time she asked me to do something. 

I was assigned along with Sister Patrick and Sister Miller to decorate the north foyer. Kathy, Sister Singleton, Sister Wallace and a sister I didn't know decorated the other foyer. We finished around 11:30. I told Kathy I would buy a tree skirt for the tree we decorated rather than using the batting that was used before.

I went home to find James and Anthony working on the patio. I heated them up some chili for lunch, got myself some lunch and went into the bedroom to watch a movie. 

This afternoon after James was finished working we made a trip to town to get some hot and sour soup from China Wok. We also went to Walmart to pick up prescriptions and some groceries. When I am sick hot and sour soup is the thing that I want most. It felt so good on my throat.

Today's Christmas movies: "Naughty and Nice," and a "Christmas Kiss." We also watched an episode of Heartland.

A Christmas Castle

Starts Today!

Rats chewed the wires in three vehicles

and it is very costly to fix them. That's

what happened to James CAT too.

I guess yesterday makes up for today.

Thursday, November 30th, 2017

Rexburg, Idaho
125th operating temple
Dedicated: 10 Feb 2008
By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ Atonement through

John 17:4

I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

Book of Mormon

Mormon 9:22-37

Mormon knew that Moroni faced overwhelming challenges due to the wickedness of the Nephites. Nevertheless, Mormon also knew that Moroni could endure with the assistance of divine grace. The book 'True to the Faith' explains that grace provides strength to persevere in the daily struggles of life: "The word grace, as used in the scriptures, refers primarily to the divine help and strength we receive through the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. In addition to needing grace for your ultimate salvation, you need this enabling power every day of your life. As you draw near to your Heavenly Father in diligence, humility and meekness, He will uplift and strengthen you through His grace."

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 18:15-16

15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

16 And now, if you joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!

General Conference

The Voice of the Lord

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"In the commotion and confusion of our modern world, trusting and believing in the words of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve is vital to our spiritual growth and endurance. We came having prayed and prepared. For many of us, there are pressing worries and earnest questions. We want to renew our faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ, and to strengthen our ability to resist temptation and avoid distractions. We come to be taught from on high."

Not much happened today. I seem to be in a rut. I haven't even started decorating for Christmas. I am feeling under the weather. I have a cough and a mean sore throat. I stayed home and studied, worked on my blog and watched Christmas movies and walked. James worked outside and then this evening he went to a high priest group leadership meeting at the church. Here are the Christmas movies that I watched:

"Switched for Christmas," a new one starring Candace Cameron-Bure, "A Gift Wrapped Christmas," "Wish Upon a Christmas," which is number 100 for me this year!  "Christmas in the City," "3 Holiday Tails," and "Christmas Angel."

When James got home we watched an episode from season 4 of Heartland.

Vernon sunrise

Jared's date with Anna to the Hunter Hayes

Concert.

Lola when she went through her phase

of being in love with Evan.

My favorite Ruby photo. This girl would

not stop until every potato was peeled.

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Helsinki, Finland

124th operating temple

Dedicated: 22 Oct 2006

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Atonement through

John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Book of Mormon

Mormon 9:1-21

What experiences have I had that confirm that God is still a God of miracles?

One of the greatest miracles I have seen is the transformation of peoples lives as they accept and live the gospel of Jesus Christ. I was privileged to be a ward missionary when both Laura and Cathi accepted the gospel. There is no greater joy in this life than to see someone accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and to align their lives in accordance with His teachings. It is truly a miracle. One of the reasons I love the Book of Mormon is because it teaches so clearly the steps we must take to return to the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. Jesus Christ and His Atonement are our greatest miracles. I am thankful for my mom and Nannie who accepted the gospel. I am thankful for Laura, Cathi, Brian, and Ian in our family today for accepting the gospel. The Plan of Salvation is a miracle which brings families together for eternity.

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 18:10

Be thou humble and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand and give thee answers to thy prayers.

General Conference

Love One Another as He has Loved Us

Elder Jose L. Alonso

"Love is a feeling of deep devotion, concern, and affection. The greatest example of God's love for His children is found in the infinite Atonement of Jesus Christ. For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Love for God and fellowman is a characteristic of disciples of Jesus Christ."

Matt Lauer was fired this morning from The Today Show after

20 years.

This is what Matt's cohost said about his firing: "How do you reconcile your love for someone with the revelation that they have behaved badly?"

I found this quote today while reading from "Rescuing Wayward Children." "Our children have no immediate comprehension that they have descended into a fallen world. Unless they are taught differently and gain a testimony of their real identity and heritage, they will grow up believing that this mortal life is all there is, and worse, that this life is normal." 

I found this memory with Molly when she was three. She just fixed my hair and said: "Now your hair is pretty grandma, but you're not." Little children tell it like it is.

James went to help Brother Butler to move this morning. He is going to be running the self-storage unit for another brother in our ward. He moved from a 5th wheel to a nice double wide mobile home. James was only gone for an hour. This evening he went to a ward woodcutting project with the young men at the Hunsaker's. Here are a couple of photos:

I got a text from a sister I use to visit teach, Claire. It was so nice to hear from her. She is spending Christmas with her daughter Marlie who was in my Primary class. 

James and I watched one of the best Christmas movies yet. It's a new one, "A Joyous Christmas." 

Natalie and Kaeli left me a surprise on my porch this evening...a snowman to hang on the tree and a bottle of pears. Kaeli said Natalie wanted to do something nice for me. Kaeli is my visiting teacher and Natalie is her 4 year old daughter.

The first ornament on our tree

They look yummy

Winter Hoose is six months old

Talon and Curtis 

This is a classic!

Curtis is going to be 10 in a couple of days.

He is Curious George in this photo.

Tuesday, November 28th, 2017

Sacramento, California
123rd operating temple
Dedicated: 3 Sept 2006
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Atonement through

3 Nephi 27:15

And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto e, that they may be judged according to their works.

Book of Mormon

Mormon 8:26-41

Generations are affected by the choices you make. Your decisions today determine your destiny. In a day when some people might be inclined to abandon faith in the face of great difficulties, Moroni's words teach us to see miracles and revelations as evidence that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Although the spiritual and social conditions in the world may be in a state of constant change and decline, God's covenant people can have full confidence that He is eternally the same. 

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 15:6

And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen.

General Conference

Seek Ye Out of the Best Books

Elder Ian S. Arden

"Zeezrom's actions and words were a snare of the adversary, which he...laid to catch the people, that he might bring them into subjection unto him, that he might encircle them about with his chains" (Alma 12:6). Those same snares exist today, and unless we are spiritually vigilant and build a sure foundation on our Redeemer, we may find ourselves bound with Satan's chains and being led carefully down the forbidden paths spoken of in the Book of Mormon."

We read this from "Life Everlasting" today: "We will, when we are in the Spirit World be able to move quickly to anywhere we want to go in time or space. We will be able to see with our entire bodies, we will be able to learn many things at once and we will have an increased ability to remember what we learn." Wow!

James made a trip to town today to get another hose for the tractor. 

He bought me tacos but he forgot to pick them up. He also took my debit card so he could get cash back to go to the dump tomorrow but he forgot to use it and used the credit card instead. I got an unexpected phone call while James was gone. When President Shumway's name showed up on my phone I thought he was going to ask me to speak in the upcoming conference. I was relieved that he only wanted to talk with me and then wanted me to speak with Elder Heyman.  Elder Heyman said he hoped he would be able to see us at the conference. I asked him if Dianne was coming and he said she would not be. It was such a great surprise!

When James returned home I made him some lunch with the Thanksgiving leftovers. I worked on my steps, blogged, talked to Stacy on the phone and watched Christmas movies this afternoon while James worked outside. He also washed the windows by the Christmas tree both inside and out for me. He also made the bed this morning.

What a guy!

The Heyman's