Monday, December 25th, 2017

Provo City Center, Utah

150th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 Mar 2016

By: Dallin H. Oaks

Jesus Christ Atonement through

2 Nephi 11:5

And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made to our fathers; yea, my soul delighteth in his grace, and in his justice, and power, and mercy in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from death.

Book of Mormon
Moroni 6-7:19
*As we celebrate the Savior's birth, what can we do to better serve Him with real intent?
Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures
DC 34:7-9
7 For behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, the time is soon at hand that I shall come in a cloud with power and great glory.
8 And it shall be a great day at the time of my coming, for all nations shall tremble.
9 But before that great day shall come, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon be turned into blood; and the stars shall refuse their shining, and some shall fall, and great destructions await the wicked.
General Conference

The Trek Continues

Elder M. Russell Ballard

"I have a deep conviction that if we lose our ties to those who have gone before us, including our pioneer forefathers and mothers, we will lose a very precious treasure. Rising generations must have the same kind of faith that the early Saints had in the Lord Jesus Christ and His gospel."

Santa was up late last night getting things ready for Christmas morning. Addy got books, Rowan a bat and baseball equipment, Ruby got a skateboard, and Lola a bicycle. Plus, there were lots of presents to open from Mom and Dad. 

Ruby with her bowl

Taken across the room with the telephoto lense on my phone.

Christmas morning chaos

Rowan with his Xbox One

Ruby got sick to her stomach last night and went to her parents room. She made sure they knew that she didn't look at the presents!

After the opening of all the gifts everyone got ready to go to Sheri's except for Trina who is staying home with Ruby. James and I packed up all of our things as we won't be returning to Darrel and Trina's. 

As soon as we got to Sheri's James started making steak and gravy and I put two tubes of biscuits in the oven. Sheri was making bacon, and eggs. Darrel brought four bottles of orange juice. I also made a dozen cinnamon rolls. 

I played outside with Lola for awhile. She was a little bit afraid of the dogs, Ollie, Shipley, and Vader. At one point Rowan was petting Shipley and Lola wanted to pet her and kiss her. I saw a sneer on Shipley's face so I told Lola that we should find Vader instead. About that time Stacy reached down to pet Shipley and Shipley snapped at her. I am so glad I steered Lola away from her.

After everyone ate Sheri started a game. James and I were not involved. We were supposed to go to his mom's house for lunch and dominoes but we were so tired we decided to drove home instead.

We left town around 12:30 and were home in Vernon by 3:30. We made no stops and there was no traffic.

These are the gifts I received for Christmas. Sherry's Berry's from James. They were waiting for me at Darrel's when we arrived Saturday. It was sweet because that was the only thing I really asked for.  From Dawn and Lois a towel and bathmat set, an embroidered table runner, electric candles, and a $50 Amazon card.

A family photo from Darrel and Trina and one from Sheri. Darrel and Trina also got me a caligraphy set that hasn't come yet, and Sheri gave me a $50 Cheesecake Factory card. It's appropriate that today I posted the dedication of the Provo City Center temple because Jared and Kacey got us a Brickem' set of this temple! I love it!

Jared and Kacey celebrated Christmas on Saturday

with Autumn, Palmer and Scarlett.

Kacey sent me these photos after they unwrapped 

their blankets.

I love these pictures!

At Sheri's house for food and games on Christmas morning.

Sheri's unwrapping game

Games outside

Christmas Greetings from Friends and Family

The Maxwell's

The Andersen's

Darrel and Trina's Family

The Lorin Hatch Family

Sunday, December 24th, 2017

Tijuana, Mexico

149th operating temple

Dedicated: 13 Dec, 2015

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ Atonement through

2 Nephi 10:25
Wherefore, may God raise you from death by the power of the resurrection, and also from everlasting death by the power of the atonement, that ye may be received into the eternal kingdom of God, that ye may praise him through grace divine. Amen.
Book of Mormon

Moroni 1-5
*When have you bee blessed because a priesthoods holder fulfilled his responsibilities?

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 33:16-18
16 And the Book of Mormon and the holy scriptures are given of me for your instruction; and the power of my Spirit quickeneth all things.
17 Wherefore, be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom - 
18 For behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, that I come quickly. Even so. Amen.
General Conference

Fear Not To Do Good

President Henry B. Eyring

"The Lord told His leaders of the Restoration, and He tells us, that when we stand with faith upon His rock, doubt and fear are diminished; the desire to do good increases. As we accept President Monson's invitation to plant in our hearts a testimony of Jesus Christ, we gain the power, the desire, and the courage to go to the rescue of others without concern for our own needs."

We attended Darrel and Trina's ward this morning, everyone except Addy, who still has a bad cough. Trina said the opening prayer. 
They are members of the Everton ward, Eastmark stake. That may change next week as their ward is being divided. It was like a stake conference clear back to the end of the overflow. It took 12 deacons over 20 minutes to pass the sacrament to everyone.

There was a musical program presented by the choir and then the Bishop Glauser spoke on giving the perfect gift. He told about his handicapped brother who has brittle bone disease and how his parents gave his brother a desk one year for Christmas which turned out to be the perfect gift for him. Trina told me that recently the bishops brother took a bad fall and broke practically every bone in his body. Two days later he passed away.

A young boy in Ruby's Primary class sang "Silent Night." He has a beautiful voice for an eight year old.

Two sisters played the violins while another sister told a story. 

Two brothers sang "O Holy Night" in French and then a sister sang "Joy to the World" in French.

The closing hymn was "Away in a Manger."

After the service was over we went home, had some lunch and then took naps. After naptime we all went to see Lois and Dawn, everyone, including Addy. 

Later this evening James, Addy, Ruby, Lola and I went to the Wallen's to take Jared's kids their gifts. Jeanne and Mike were very friendly and so were the kids. We gave them their gifts and Molly opened hers. James and Anna were excited to tell James that they are planning on working in Washington next summer with their new found grandpa.

Darrel made a ham for dinner. It was good. I played Headbanz with Lola and Ruby.

Lola kept telling everyone what they were.

This evening the kids opened their jammies and their blankets.

 They already have on their new jammies.

Harry Potter for Addy

Ruby

Lola

For some reason I did not get a photo of Rowan in his new pj's.

All the kids with their blankets

Darrel and Trina with their new blankets

Ruby with her new pillow. 

She is not feeling very well.

That's Lola and baby Jesus there with her.

Visiting Santa

Star Wars Trivia at the Gonzales's

What a great photo of a great family!

The Barney's got matching jammies

Pam's dad had to have emergency surgery on

his neck today. This is what she said in a text 

to me yesterday: "My dad actually broke his neck, he has been getting worse since the fall in October. They said it was a pinched nerve and would heal but it hasn't. My sister brought him to the ER to work up for a possible stroke. The MRI revealed two fractures and a hematoma. A neurologist from Barrows will take him to surgery first thing in the morning.

I got this text this morning:

"The surgery has gone over by two hours so far, they're going slow and it's worse than what the surgeon expected, they are transfusing blood. They look concerned...I'm totally not freaking out, I'm totally not freaking out,...

And the final text:

"Omg. Six hours. They dug 7" to get to the spine. Four units of blood, two rods and screws. His spine was severely compressed. It is going to be a long recovery, very painful recovery. 

Saturday, December 23rd, 2017

Indianapolis, Indiana

148th operating temple

Dedicated: 23 Aug 2015

By: Henry B. Eyring

Jesus Christ Atonement through

2 Nephi 9:7

Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement - save it should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption. Wherefore, the first judgment which came upon man must needs have remained to an endless duration. And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more. 

Book of Mormon

Ether 15:18-34

*How has the Spirit of the Lord ceased to strive with men today?

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 33:11-12

11 Yea, repent and be baptized, everyone of you, for a remission of your sins; yea, be baptized even by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost.

12 Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and remember that they shall have faith in me or they can in nowise be saved;

General Conference

Lord, Wilt Thou Cause That My Eyes May Be Opened

Elder W. Craig Zurick

"The wise counsel which I thought was so important for him to hear was not at all relevant to his needs. What he needed most was for me to look beyon my hasty assessment and allow the Spirit to help me understand what was really on this elder's mind. He needed me to see him correctly and offer a reason to hope. 'For man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.' (Samuel 16:7)."

This morning's sunrise was gorgeous!

We left home this morning for the valley around 10 a.m., only an hour later than we had planned. We made deliveries on the way our of town. Our first stop was at the Hunsaker's to drop off Colter's gift. Makenzi was visiting and she came over and gave me a big hug. Next stop was Jace's and then Rosa's to pick up a dozen tamales.

All loaded up and ready to go. It's a good thing

I took most of the gifts down last time.

Then on to the Nicoll's and the Howard's. We went in and spoke with Tom and Jean Howard for a few minutes. They offered to let us stay in the house in Chandler whenever we go down until it sells. 

Our last delivery was at the Umphress's where we left Gracie's package with Bailey. We didn't have to go to the Grapps because Liana came by last night and gave us a card and photo so I gave her gift to her then.

 We got gas in Show Low and then drove to Globe where we stopped at McDonald's and the Burger House.

We got six mixed green burros and six green. Two for James and I, four for Cathi and Terry, and two for Dave and Laura. We also brought a loaf of bread for Cathi and Terry, and Dave and Laura.

In Chandler we went straight to Stacy's and dropped off presents because she was getting ready to leave. Next we went to Cathi and Terry's and then Walgreen's and the Fry's on Ocotillo and Gilbert Rd.

The Fry's was a madhouse and they were running out of groceries fast. Stacy went about an hour after we did and she said they were out of eggs and sausage. 

Finally we made it to Darrel and Trina's. James carried in our stuff and I went to Walmart with Darrel and Addy while James stayed home with Lola and Ruby. Trina is still at work and Rowan went to see Star Wars with Sheri's family.

We found a unicorn sweatshirt at Walmart. Addy loved it so I got it for the White elephant game. She ended up with it.

Sheri went by to pick up the Chikfila tray I supposedly ordered and they had to record of my order. She had to wait while they fixed another one. Sheri told the manager I was old and forgetful, which is about right.

James started out the meeting by quoting from "The Living Christ," and bearing his testimony. Stacy also shared a story about the shepherds on the night of Christ's birth. It was a nice start.

Ruby was number one in the white elephant game and therefore ended up with the best gift, a body pillow that Kim brought. I didn't get any photos tonight but there is a couple on Christmas Eve.

I got a walking stick that Kaitlin's dad made but I ended up giving it to Max because he got the Elvis movie I wrapped. He was pretty excited to have the stick. Besides our family, Lexis, Conner, and Kaitlin were here.

Conner, Michael, Brian, and Sheri

Stacy, Kim, and Darrel

Conner opening a gift

Rowan's gift

It just fits, as a body suit!

Alexis baked Paul a cake

The Tayler Lautner poster was inside!