Sunday, January 14th, 2018

Hamilton, New Zealand

11th operating temple

Dedicated: 20-22 Apr 1958

By: David O. McKay

Jesus Christ Atonement through

DC 138:2

And reflecting upon the great atoning sacrifice that was made by the Son of God, for the redemption of the world;

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 11:31-12:10

*What are the mists of darkness you encounter in your life?

*How can you overcome them?

Old Testament

Genesis 31-34

31 The Lord commands Jacob to return to Canaan, and Jacob departs secretly - Laban pursues him; they resolve their differences and make a covenant of peace - Laban blesses his descendants, and he and Jacob part company.

32 Jacob sees angels - He asks God to preserve him from Esau, for whom he prepares presents - He wrestles all night with a messenger of God - Jacob's name is changed to Israel - He sees God face to face.

33 Jacob and Esau meet and are reconciled - Esau receives Jacob's presents - Jacob settles in Canaan, where he builds an altar.

34  Shechem defiles Dinah - The Hivites seek to arrange marriages with Jacob's family - Many, having been circumcised, are slain bu Simeon and Levi - Jacob reproves his son.

Old Testament Scripture Mastery

Deuteronomy 7:3-4

3 Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.

4 For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the Lord be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.

General Conference

The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like Without It

President Russell M. Nelson

"The Book of Mormon both illuminates the teachings of the Master and exposes the tactics of the adversary. The Book of Mormon teaches true doctrine to dispel false religious traditions - such as the erroneous practice of performing infant baptisms. The Book of Mormon gives purpose to life by urging us to ponder the potential of eternal life and 'never-ending happiness.' The Book of Mormon shatters the false beliefs that happiness can be found in wickedness and that individual goodness is all the is required to return to the presence of God. It abolishes forever the false concepts that revelation ended with the Bible and that the heavens are sealed today."

I did this morning what I do early every Sunday morning, finish preparing for my Primary lesson. James helped me make smiley and frowny faces for an activity. 

It was 8:43 when we left. We haven't left this late since I started teaching Primary!

Tyler H. returned from his mission yesterday. His sister Holly was the youth speaker in sacrament meeting today. I suppose we will hear from Tyler next week.

Tina Allen, the Young Women's President was the next speaker. She spoke about the Mutual them as found in DC 19:23:

Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me.

They have shortened the theme to "Peace in Christ." 

John Wilhelm, the Young Men's President was the next speaker. 

I had three girls, Andyn, Gracie, and Liana in my Primary class today and no boys. As much as I love my boys, the class was much more quiet and peaceful with just the girls. We had a good discussion about agency.

After sharing time, Becky Skousen, the Primary President, told me I was the best Primary teacher ever. She made me feel good.

I am still trying to eat low-carb. James fixes lunch. He made cheeseburgers with cheese, onion, green chili and tomatoes with no bun. They were great. My knee is still hurting so I let him do the cooking.

James went home teaching most of the afternoon. I rested.

For dinner I made some bacon and cooked some spinach in the grease. I added some vinegar and it was delicious. 

While James scanned photos and sent them to Stacy, I watched the new Hallmark move, "Frozen in Love."  

This past week my right knee hurt worse than I can ever remember it hurting before. I think it's a combination of me not having my infusion and trying to walk at least 10,000 steps a day.  No more walking for awhile.

Welcome Home!

The resurrected Christ

Sheri and Ian's new couch.

Soccer game throwback photo

The DeWitt's in front of the Taipei, Taiwan

temple where they are serving a mission.

Photo memories

Four Brothers

Four Brothers again

Saturday, January 13th, 2018

Los Angeles, California

10th operating temple

Dedicated: 11-14 Mar 1956

By: David O'McKay

Jesus Christ Atonement through

DC 76:69

These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 11:12-30

*Who do I know that needs to read the Book of Mormon?

*Why didn't the angel just tell Nephi the meaning of the vision?

Old Testament

Genesis 29-31

29 Jacob meets Rachel at the well - He serves Laban seven years for her - Laban gives to Jacob first Leah then Rachel in marriage - Jacob serves another seven years - Leah bears Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah.

30 Jacob marries Bilhah, and she bears Dan and Naphtali - He marries Zilpah, and she bears Gad and Asher - Leah bears Issachar and Zebulun and a daughter, Dinah - Then Rachel conceives and bears Joseph - Jacob works for Laban for wages of cattle and sheep.

31 The Lord commands Jacob to return to Canaan, and Jacob departs secretly - Laban pursues him; they resolve their differences and make a covenant of peace - Laban blesses his descendants, and he and Jacob part company.

Old Testament Scripture Mastery

Exodus 33:11

And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.

General Conference

The Heart of the Widow

Elder O. Vincent Haleck

" Knowing each family and their circumstances, I felt a deep and abiding sense of awe, respect, and humility. These were, in every way, modern-day widow's mites given freely from their "want," with a joy in the promised blessing of the construction of a holy temple of the Lord in Samoa. These families had consecrated all that they could to the Lord, with the faith that they would not be left wanting."

Our first time back working at the temple since November. Brother Coltrin is back too. He has been out for awhile with a broken hip. He says his time wasn't wasted because he gave away 8 Books of Mormon to various caregivers. 

President Reidhead and his wife trained from the handbook during preparation meeting. I am glad to see Shaylyn Smith is working on our shift. She leaves for her mission to Indiana on February 7th. 

My first assignment of the day is to be 2nd follower in the 8 a.m. session. I stand at the door and count the sisters as they come in and check the cards to make sure all previous ordinances have been done and that they have a check mark by the endowment slot.

My friend Debbie from Chandler was supposed to be the 1st follower but she isn't here today so Leslie Johnson, whose husband is a sealer and a former counselor in the temple presidency, was my partner. 

I did fine at the veil, Leslie Wenhardt told me so. 

During break I get to visit with Sister Brimhall who is one of my favorite people that we work with. Her husband used to work for James and his dad did alot of construction work for my grandpa Arlee. The Brimhall's are leaving to serve a spanish speaking mission in Kansas. This is there last time serving in the temple. I am really going to miss Sister Brimhall.

Also during break Sister Larsen told about growing up in Europe after the war. She said it cost $5 to buy one egg. 

My next assignment was to be first greeter in the entry foyer. There are many people here for the Penengill and Singleton wedding. The Singleton is Sister Singleton's daughter. Sister Singleton says her daughter is over six feet tall. I did not get to see her.

Next I went to the celestial room. No one was there except one other worker and I fell asleep. 

I spent the rest of the time in initiatory with Sister Bower, Sister McCleary, and Sister Shelton. Sister Shelton was doing names. Clea Adams was also doing names. Clea is the mom of my friend from high school, Beverly.  I don't think she recognized me.

I had another break upstairs and visited with Sister Wenhardt and she told me about her trip recently to New York City.

On the way home James stopped at Sonic and I ordered a green chili cheeseburger and a drink. I ate the cheeseburger without the bun and it was delicious.  

At home I took a nap and then worked on my Primary lesson about the Savior and agency.  

James fixed us pork chops and cauliflower for dinner. He also scans some more pictures so he can send them to Stacy.

Christmas 1976

Pinewood Derby

Celestial Family

Family Pumpkin Carving

1990-91

Not sure what award Jared got.

I had to put this in.

Ian, Sheri, James, Darrel

Adam, Dallin, Joe, Grandma, Michael, Ben,

Alex, Jared Ammon, Grandpa

Grandpa and Joe

James at Harold and Vickie's

Oran, James, James Hayden and Jared.

Four generations

Grandpa James and Baby James

Grandpa and James in Pinedale

Friday, January 12th, 2018

Bern, Switzerland

9th operating temple

Dedicated: 11-15 Sept 1955

By: David O. McKay

Jesus Christ Atonement through

DC 74:7

But little children are holy, being sanctified through the atonement of Jesus Christ; and this is what the scriptures mean.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 10:11-11:11

*What do I think it means to "diligently seek?"

*How has the gift of the Holy Ghost blessed my life?

Old Testament

Genesis 26-28

26 The Lord promises Isaac posterity as the stars of heaven in number - In his seed, all nations will be blessed - The Lord prospers Isaac, temporally and spiritually, for Abraham's sake - Isaac offers sacrifices - Esau marries Hittite wives to the sorrow of his parents.

27 Rebekah guides Jacob in seeking blessings - Jacob is blessed to have dominion and rule over peoples and nations - Esau hates Jacob and plans to say him - Rebekah fears that Jacob may marry one of the daughters of Heth.

28 Isaac forbids Jacob to marry a Canaanite - He blesses Jacob and his seed with the blessings of Abraham - Esau marries a daughter of Ishmael - Jacob sees in vision a ladder reaching up into heaven - The Lord promises him seed as the dust of the earth in number - The Lord also promises Jacob that in him and in his seed all the families of the earth will be blessed - Jacob covenants to pay tithes.

Old Testament Scripture Mastery

Exodus 20:17

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's.

General Conference

By Divine Design

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"What should you be looking for in your own life? What are God's miracles that remind you that He is close, saying, "I am right here"? Think of those times, some daily, when the Lord has acted in your life - and then acted again. Treasure them as moments the Lord has shown confidence in you and in your choices. But allow Him to make more of you than you can make of yourself on your own. Treasure His involvement. Sometimes we consider changes in our plans as missteps on our journey. Think of them more as first steps to being "on the Lord's errand."

Another quote from Elder Rasband:

"The Lord does not do things by coincidence but by divine design."

I can't bend my knee this morning and it hurts. Nevertheless I helped James and Chuck clean the church. We have to do it today because tomorrow we work in the temple. On the way home we checked the mail...nothing...Diane Rico said she would send us a check for December's payment, but we haven't seen it.

For lunch James grilled steaks and I made lemon pepper asparagus in the oven. Everything tasted so good and we must have been hungry because we ate it all. 

I watched President Monson's funeral this afternoon. I wonder if his favorite color was purple. The tabernacle choir had purple robes and ties, and so did some of the speakers. I really enjoyed his daughter's, Ann Dibb's, talk.

I spent most of the day looking for photos of James in the photo albums in the family room. James scanned some of them into the computer and sent them to Stacy, two at a time. There were 70 of them so it took awhile. Stacy is making a power point for James's birthday party. 

Here are some of the photos I found in an album Dawn gave me for Christmas a few years ago. 

I think he looks like James Hayden

in this picture.

David is the tall one.

In spite of my knee I pushed myself and walked over 11,000 steps today. 

This evening our episode of Heartland was called, "The Road Ahead."

More old photos:

Jared and James

Family Letter 1978 or 1979

James and Rocky

Joel Heaton, Jared, James

San Antonio temple

Tanner and James

The shootout last summer

Tanner won.

Thursday, January 11th, 2018

Idaho Falls, Idaho

8th operating temple

Dedicated: 23-25 Sept 1945

By: George Albert Smith

Jesus Christ Atonement through

DC 45:4

Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified;

Book of Mormon

1Nephi 9:1-10:10

*Have you ever felt like you were doing something the Lord asked you to do"for a wise purpose in Him, which purpose you knew not?"

Old Testament

Genesis 24-25

24 Abraham commands that Isaac shall not marry a Canaanite - The Lord guides Abraham's servant in choosing Rebekah as a wife for Isaac - Rebekah is blessed to be the mother of thousands of millions - She marries Isaac.

25 Abraham marries, has descendants, dies, and is buried in the cave of Machpelah - His descendants through Ishmael are listed - Rebekah conceives, and Jacob and Esau struggle in her womb - The Lord reveals their destiny to Rebekah - Esau sells his birthright for a mess of pottage.

Old Testament Scripture Mastery

Exodus 20:13-16

13 Thou shalt not kill.

14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.

15 Thou shalt not steal.

16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

General Conference

The Eternal Everyday

Elder Quentin L. Cook

"Sometimes humility is accepting callings when we do not feel adequate. Sometimes humility is serving faithfully when we feel capable of a more high-profile assignment. Humble leaders have verbally and by example established that it is not where we serve but how we faithfully serve. Sometimes humility is overcoming hurt feelings when we feel that leaders or others have mistreated us."

Some notes on my studies today: What are the significant events to show the God of Abraham becoming the God of Isaac and Jacob?

*Isaac and Jacob were foreordained Personal worthiness justifies their callings in the covenant life. A covenant involves faithfulness, as well as bloodline. (2 Nephi 30:2).

James read this to me today and it made me so sad. "Capetown, Africa is having their worst drought in 100 years. Nearly 4 million people are about to run out of water." We should have included them in our fast.

There is also another tragedy in California. There were fires, then rain, and now mudslides. Will it never end?

We had a wonderful breakfast this morning of scrambled eggs with tomatoes, spinach and cheese, and avocado on the side.

Yummy!

I vacuumed and dusted today and then began looking for photos to send Stacy for James's party on Saturday.

I made an unexpected trip to town today with James. He went to pickup his MRI results. I went to Walmart to get shakes, ink for the printer, a white board, onions, and lettuce. I ended up spending another $85 on top of what I spent yesterday. This is why I shouldn't make extra trips to town.

James went to Home Depot to get a new light fixture for a fan, and ended up buying a new fan.

We read from "Journey's End." 

This evening we watched Heartland - "Great Expectations." James built a fire. 

Taking a break while working on the broken light

fixtures on the fan.

 Study time

Our friend Talon

You've got a friend in me.