Wednesday, March 28th, 2018

Nashville, Tennessee

84th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 May 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ Authority of

Matthew 12:18

Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.

Book of Mormon

Jacob 7:21-Enos 1:10

* Why do you think it was important to, Nephi, Enos, and Mormon that these records be preserved for their brethren the Lamanites?

Talk: Holy Scriptures: The Power of God unto Our Salvation

By: Elder Robert D. Hales, October 2006, general conference.

Old Testament

Deuteronomy 22-23
22 Moses sets forth laws pertaining to lost property, wearing of proper clothes, caring for interests of others, marrying virgins, and sexual immorality.
23 Moses specifies those who may and may not enter the congregation - He sets forth laws concerning sanitation, servants, usury, and vows.
General Conference

Essential Truths: Our Need to Act

Elder Adilson de Paula Parrella

" Jesus is the promised Messiah, the Lawgiver, the Holy One of Israel, our Lord, our Savior, our Redeemer, our King, our All.

May we all continue to act upon these essential truths and knowledge, offering our obedience to God and His Beloved Son.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

I finally caught up on my blog but tomorrow I will be going to the valley and will probably get behind again. It is never ending.

"Gratitude is twin sister to humility; pride is a foe to both." - Elder James E. Talmage

James wanted to send out a family text this morning regarding general conference. He had a hard time. It took him about two hours but he didn't give up and he finally accomplished his goal.

I listened to the song, "I Heard Him Come," which was composed by Jeff Goodrich and sung by Afterglow. I also listened to Afterglow sing, "The Greatest Gift."

I worked on my personal history today using a book which gives various assignments. Today I told about my grandparents, Albert Alexander Strickland and Myrtle Mae Rutledge, my grandpa and nannie.

The high today was 54 degrees. All of the snow is gone. 

For lunch we had marinated chicken thighs, lemon pepper asparagus, and a salad. Everything was delicious.

We made a trip to town. We finished "Charity House Courtship," and started the new Sarah Eden book I bought, "Ashes on the Moor." I got all the things to put in Stacy's basket and the cellophane wrap to put around the outside. I couldn't find her favorite candy, Tofifay, so I got some Jordan Almonds at Walgreen's instead. She likes those too and so do James and I.

We came home and watched, "Royal Matchmaker," and finished our steps. I got over 17,000. James fed his bunnies. I got lemon squares at Walmart for us to try. They were just as good as the homemade. The sugar cookies with icing I bought were gross and they got thrown in the trash. 

Conference reminder by my friend Marci.

Happy 90th Birthday Aunt Gene!

Lola is number 1!

Buckelieu Springs

Rowan, Ruby, Evan, last year.

I love watching Evan climb and hike in his flip flops.

Tuesday, March 27th, 2018

Tampico, Mexico

83rd operating temple

Dedicated: 20 May 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ Authority of

Moses 6:52

And he also said unto him: If thou wilt turn unto me, and hearken unto my voice, and believe, and repent of all thy transgressions, and be baptized, even in water, in the name of mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth, which is Jesus Christ, the only name which shall be given under heaven, whereby salvation shall come unto the children of men, ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, asking all things in his name, and whatsoever ye shall ask, it shall be given you.

Book of Mormon

Jacob 7:1-20

* Sherem is the first anti-Christ in the Book of Mormon. 

*President Ezra Taft Benson shared the following three questions we can ask ourselves to avoid being deceived:

1.) What do the standard works have to say about it?

Brigham Young said the Book of Mormon was written on the tablets of his heart and no doubt helped save him from being deceived.

2.) The second guide is: what do the latter-day Presidents of the Church have to say on the subject - particularly the living President.

3.) the third and final test is the Holy Ghost - the test of the Spirit....This test can only be fully effective if one's channels of communication with God are clean and virtuous and uncluttered with sin.

Old Testament

Deuteronomy 19-21

19 Cities of refuge appointed for cases of manslaughter - Murderers shall be put to death - Two or three witnesses required in court cases - False witnesses punished.

20 Laws revealed for selection of soldiers and making of war - Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites shall be utterly destroyed.

21 How murders by unknown persons are expiated - Equity required in dealing with wives and children under plural marriage - Stubborn and rebellious sons may be put to death.

General Conference

Do We Trust Him? Hard Is Good

Elder Stanley G. Ellis

" Before this calling I was a financial consultant in Houston, Texas. Most of my work was with multimillionaires who owned their own businesses. Almost all of them had created their successful businesses from nothing through lots of hard work. The saddest thing for me was to hear some of them say that they wanted to make it easier for their children. They did not want their children to suffer as they had. In other words, they would deprive their children of the very thing that had made them successful."

I got up at 4 a.m. and looked outside. It was a winter wonderland and still snowing!  The trees are frosted and it looks like we have at least two inches. Thank you Lord.

According to President Nelson how I care for my body affects my destiny.

I read an article in the New Era today about a girl with cyctic fibrosis and how she turned her life around by exercising and eating healthy. She ended up going on a full-time mission. It was very inspirational. I need to realize that my body is a gift from the Creator. When we live with patience, faith, and gratitude, we find joy.

"Joy, it seems, Is not only happiness but the resultant feeling of the Holy Ghost manifest within us." - Barbara B. Winder, former General Relief Society President.

It snowed most of the day today but by the end of the day all of the snow was melted except on the mountains. The snow that fell today melted as soon as it touched the ground.

Brother Patrick came over today to show James some radios. These are walkie-talkie radios run off a tower. James wants some so we can communicate with other people who have them so if there is an emergency and our phones don't work, we can still communicate.

I am sure we will eventually get some but right now we just don't have the money.

At 2:30 I went to visit Sister MacArthur across the road from us. She and her husband and their two year old daughter just moved here from Fairbanks, Alaska. He is still a firefighter in Alaska and will be going back up from April until October. 

They both grew up in Show Low and when they had their baby they decided they wanted to be back down here by family. She is Sister Umphress's sister and their parents live in Linden. Her husbands parents live by Walmart.

I enjoyed my visit with her and took her a small Easter basket and shared a couple of quotes with her, one by President Nelson.

Love this little Lambie!

For dinner we had leftover spaghetti, and salad. We are trying to clean out all the leftovers in the fridge before we leave. 

After dinner James took a short nap and then left to go on a visit with Brother Greer from the stake and Brother Curtis from the ward. They visited the Gordon's, the new converts. James says they have goats and they spin yard out of the goat hair.  He really enjoyed the visit and said you can tell they love the gospel.

We  watched the final episode of season 7 of Heartland. Jack and Lisa secretly got married, Amy flew to Europe with the prince as part of his horse show. Ty and Caleb won $100,000 with their barrel racing horse. Georgie got the trick riding saddle of her dreams because she is spoiled rotten. We will not be ordering season 8. If we watch it, it will be on Amazon Prime.

Added tulips to my Easter centerpiece

I love this frosty scene

So gorgeous!

Our "snow" pit

I wish it would last.

So pretty

"Come As You Are" 
by
Greg Olsen

I wonder if our backyard could
look like this?

The White Dove of the desert

 Interesting

Monday, March 26th, 2018

Cochabamba, Bolivia

82nd operating temple

Dedicated: 30 April 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

Moses 1:32

And by the word of my power, have I created them, which is mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth.

Book of Mormon

Jacob 6:1-13

*What must we do to obtain the Lord's mercy?

Talk: "The Merciful Obtain Mercy" By: President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, April GC, 2012

Old Testament

Deuteronomy 17-18

17 Those who worship false gods shall be put to death - Priests and judges shall determine the hard cases - Kings shall not multiply horses or wives or gold - The king must study the laws of God daily.

18 How priests are supported - 

divination, spiritualism, and the like are abominations - A Prophet (Christ) shall arise like unto Moses.

General Conference

God's Compelling Witness: The Book of Mormon

Brother Tad R. Callister

" I bear my solemn testimony that the Book of Mormon was translated by the gift and power of God. It is God's compelling witness of the divinity of Jesus Christ, the prophetic calling of Joseph Smith, and the absolute truth of this Church. May it become the keystone of our testimonies, so it may be said of us, as it was of the converted Lamanites, they 'never did fall away' (Alma 23:6). In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

Apart But Still One

Elder Joni L. Koch

"Just moments before His excruciating experiences in Gethsemane, when Jesus was praying to the Father for His Apostles and all of us, the Saints, He said, 'That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee.'"

James left at 5:30 a.m. to clean the baptismal font at the Snowflake temple. It is a priesthood responsibility. Charlie Gordon went but Brother Hatch said he couldn't come in because temple workers must have a complete recommend and he only has a limited use.

Brother Diewald had to take him home so that just left Brother Curtis, James, and Brother Lundgren who visits our ward but now lives in Snowflake. Brother Curtis, the high priest group leader, is very frustrated because they cannot get the members of their quorum to volunteer to serve. 

Yesterday was Palm Sunday and this is the Holy Week, Christ's last week before his Crucifixion and Resurrection. I am going to send out a text to all the kids each day this week. This was today's:

"The events of the Savior's life leading up to His Crucifixion and Resurrection can teach us a lot about His love for us. Each day during the week before Easter, think about how the following events in Jesus's life can help you in your life. As you do so your understanding and love for the Savior will increase."

1. Anointing at Bethany (Matthew 26:1-13)

"When Jesus was having a meal with friends, Mary poured expensive ointment on His head. Some complained about the expense, but Jesus said, 'Why trouble ye this woman For she hath wrought a good work upon me. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.'"

*What gifts can you give Jesus?

*Do you know someone who is struggling? How can you be an instrument in God''s hands to help them lift their burden?

This afternoon James took Sister Dye some wood. I guess she was in the hospital yesterday. She is in very poor health. 

No chance of snow in the near future was the forecast this morning. Now there is up to a 40% chance by 4 a.m. tomorrow. Woohoo!

No TV for us this evening. James worked on the Deming accounts and I worked on my blog. For FHE we listened to Elder Koch''s conference address, "Apart, But Still One."

We also walked and read from "Charity House Courtship." 

Today I got on familysearch and discovered that someone had posted a history of Walter Robinson and Lena Ellen Miles as narrated by Aunt Garnet, grandma Maxwell's sister. It is 10 pages long and I am very grateful to have it.

I finished watching the two seasons of "Little Men." Now I am looking for something else on Amazon Prime.

Grand Canyon

Sasha and Emma from "DWTS" tied the knot.

A lot changes in three years.

Cute Wilhelm kids.

How would you like to work in 

the nursery?

Sunday, March 25th, 2018

Reno, Nevada

81st operating temple

Dedicated: 23 April 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ Authority of

DC 132:59

Verily, if a man be called of my Father, as was Aaron, by mine own voice, and by the voice of him that sent me, and I have endowed him with the keys of the power of this priesthood, if he do anything in my name, and according to my law and by my word, he will not commit sin, and I will justify him.

Book of Mormon

Jacob 5:70-77

*Preparation for the second Coming of Jesus Christ.

*Elder Dean L. Larsen, while serving as a member of the Seventy, declared that each of us is part of this final effort to prepare the world for the coming of Jesus Christ: "Now is the period during which the Lord and his servants will make the final great effort to take the message of truth to all the peoples of the earth and to reclaim the descendants of ancient Israel who have lost their true identity. You have come to the earth when the foundation has been laid for this great work. The gospel has been restored for the last time. The stage is set for the final dramatic scenes to be enacted. You will be the principal players. You are among the last laborers in the vineyard. This is the service for which you are chosen."

Old Testament

Deuteronomy 15-16

15 Every seven years, all debts are to be released - The people are admonished to care for the poor - Hebrew servants are to be released and given gifts during the seventh year - The firstling males of herds and flocks are the Lord's.

16 Israel is to keep the Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles - All males are to appear annually before the Lord at these three feasts - Judges are not to make dishonest judgments nor take gifts.

Old Testament Favorite Scriptures

Leviticus 19:18

Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the Lord.

General Conference

The Trek Continues

Elder M. Russell Ballard
" I testify that 'the trek continues,' and I invite you to stay on the gospel path as you continue pressing forward by reaching out to all of God's children in love and compassion, that we may unitedly make our hearts pure and our hands clean to receive the 'multiplicity of blessings' awaiting all who truly love our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, for which I humbly pray in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen."

James helped me set up my room. We put photos of 11 temples around the room for the children to identify. He listed the scriptures on the chalkboard and I posted the photo of Rebekah at the well fetching water for Abraham's servant. 

The table in the back was left for the handouts, the cards for each lesson, a 3-D temple, and the monthly handout. 

The younger sister  Halcomb and Brother Halls from the high council were the speakers today in sacrament meeting. 

Sister Halcomb spoke on a 2002 April General Conference talk by President Henry B. Eyring, "Rise to Your Calling." Pray to know the Lord's will when you are called. There is no small calling. You are called by revelation and the Holy Ghost will testify of this to you.

The Hunsaker twin sisters sang, "I Know that My Redeemer Lives." They harmonize very well.

Brother Halls - The prophets connect heaven to earth. The Holy Ghost confirms truth. Great things happen by small means. The weak shall teach the strong. The weak shall do great things and perform miracles. President Shumway loves the Lord and he has loved the people he has served. He will be released at stake conference in April. President Shumway seeks the will of the Lord.

The ward choir sang "Jesus the Very Thought of Thee."

Jace, Colter, Amaron, Andyn, Liana, and Gracie were all in class today. Most of my temple pictures had fallen to the ground. The children helped me put them back up. 

The purpose of the lesson today was to teach the children that the same eternal blessings promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob can be theirs if they make and honor temple marriage covenants. 

Jace and Colter were quite disruptive and I am afraid I did not handle it very well. I must be better prepared with a more positive solution. 

The temple game went well. They each had to identify one to two temples. Most everyone liked the San Diego temple the best.

We also played the match game with the children writing on two cards what they will do to serve others. It was fun.

During singing/sharing time I went to the teachers council meeting.

Sister Skousen was released as the Primary president today and Sister Gillespie was sustained. Sister Hunsaker is a counselor and Sister Umphress the other. Sister Deatherage will be the secretary. We still don't have a new Relief Society president.

Here are some notes I took in the teacher council meeting, third hour: "Every thing bears record of the Savior." - Sister Hunter.

"Teach until the light comes on." - Brother Scott

Spiritual preparation is vital. Pray by name for each person in your class. Rely on the Spirit. "Answer questions when they are asked." - Sister Tice. "If we have the Spirit we won't offend people." - Brother M. Wilhelm. "Cater to the Spirit in the room rather than trying to finish the lesson. If you touch my heart, you touch my spirit." - Brother Miller.

The Goodman's were called as temple workers today. They will be working the 1st and 3rd Saturday afternoons.

Kim and Brian were just about ready to leave for home when we returned. I thought they were going to eat with us, but they already ate. I guess they want to get an early start getting home. We ate their leftover lunch. Brats and green beans.

Brian cut up some veggies 

for the trip home.

Our chicken is still marinating and we will be eating it by ourselves at another time. 

As I took a nap James went home teaching with Brother Westbrook. They visited Anthony and the Peeler's. 

We had scriptures when James returned. 

I sent a note to the family reminding them of the picnic next Saturday.

My friend Pam sent this to me.

I love it!

My evening snack.

Sheri's Saturday Facebook post.

Joshua's Easter eggs.

Chandler High egg

Saturday, March 24th, 2018

Memphis, Tennessee

80th operating temple

Dedicated: 23 April 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ Authority of

DC 124:123

Verily I say unto you, I now give unto you the officers belonging to my Priesthood, that ye may hold the keys thereof, even the Priesthood which is after the order of Melchizedek, which is after the order of mine Only Begotten Son.

Book of Mormon

Jacob 5:49-69

Share thoughts regarding these verses.

Fourth Visit: 52-72 - Today

52-56 - Zenos describes Israel's Final Gathering

57-59 - The good to overcome evil

60-72 - The vineyard nourished for the last time.

Old Testament

Deuteronomy 13-14

13 The Lord tests His people to see if they will worship false gods - Prophets, dreamers, relatives, or friends who advocate worship of false gods will be put to death - Idolatrous cities will be destroyed.

14 The Israelites are children of the Lord Jehovah - Unclean beasts, fish, and fowl are not to be eaten - The Israelites are to tithe all the increase of their seed annually. 

General Conference

"Fear Not To Do Good"

President Henry B. Eyring

"The best days are ahead for the kingdom of God on the earth.

Opposition will strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ, as it has since the days of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Faith always defeats fear. Standing together produces unity. And your prayers for those in need are heard and answered by a loving God. He neither slumbers nor does He sleep."

We left at 5:40 this morning for the temple. It was a beautiful morning. When we got to the temple there was no wind. Brother Bowers carried the rolls in for me. 

I have some new assignments on my schedule today. Greeter at the top of the stairs, kitchen, and giving out the new name. President and Sister Brimhall conducted the preparation meeting today. The subject was the officiator in the endowment session. 

They also handed out a paper regarding proper temple attire. 

My first assignment was top of the stairs greeter. The Brimhall's joined me. Next I worked in initiatory and then I had a break with Sister Lundgren, Sister Humphreys, and Sister Gentry, and Sister Johnson. 

After my break I went to the celestial room. I had several minutes by myself before the 8 o'clock session came in. I offered a prayer for our family. After the celestial room I went back to initiatory and was able to do the two names I didn't get done on Thursday. 

Sister Cochran told me I could take the paper in with me when I gave the new name. I don't think I will have a problem, but just in case. 

I had only given out a couple of names when Sister Cochran said she was going to take over for me. There were no couples in this session and they needed James and I to be the witness couple. I hurried downstairs to get my packet and took my names from initiatory to the office to have them recorded. I ended up doing the name: Ada Bell. I am not sure which of our family lines she is from.

Because the temple will be closed for 2 weeks after today we thought we would be busy, but that was not the case. 

Something special happened in the prayer circle. A man with a disfigured face came up. He did not have a partner. A young sister came up to be his partner and afterwards she shook his hand and thanked him. He had the biggest smile on his face afterwards.

On the way home we stopped at Walmart for more green chili salsa and Rotelle for the chili we are making for tonight's ward chili cookoff.

I bought some lamb's, golden eggs, and tulips.

Here are the lambs. Kim wants the black sheep.

James cut up the meat for the pork stew and browned it in a skillet before putting it in the cast iron cooking pot. I added the other ingredients and let it simmer. An hour or so later we all tasted it. It has some kick, and we loved it!  

I hurt my knee today working at the temple. It may have been the stairs or kneeling at the altar, but I am limping. I didn't want to go to the ward party so I told James I would take him so he could hold the food. He was in a hurry and took the pot of chili out to the car. He dropped it and half of it fell out on the garage floor. He felt so bad I couldn't say anything.

I put the store bought chocolate cake on my fancy cake plate and James held it while the pot of chili, or what was left of it, sat on the back seat. When we got to the church everyone was bringing in their crockpots full of chili and again I felt bad for James. He also forgot to warm it up when he got there. Bishop and Chuck were the judges. The Grapp's got first place and Kip got second. James said he liked Brother Kustusiak's elk chili but still liked ours the best.

I had a nice visit with Kim and Brian while James was gone. Brian told about his conversion and setting a goal in 2016 to read from the Book of Mormon everyday. That year the Bronco's, his favorite team, went to the super bowl and he didn't even feel like watching it. He attributes that to reading the Book of Mormon.

My goal was to get over 5,000 steps today and I accomplished that goal.

Teri was my secretary when I was the

stake Relief Society president.

Tanner bonding with Scarlett

Two weeks in a row for Curtis, Johnny, 

and Zemira.

They hiked Picachio Peak today.

The Grand Canyon

Desert storm