Sunday, May 6th, 2018

Sacramento, California

123rd operating temple

Dedicated: 3 Sept 2006

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, birth of

2 Nephi 17:14

Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign - Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and shall bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 24:1-15
*How has prayer helped ease your daily burdens?
- Prayer will strengthen us to carry our burdens. In vs. 15 "The Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease." When we pray for help we will receive strength, we then find hope in Christ. By submitting cheerfully the Lord will deliver us from our burdens.
Old Testament
1 Samuel 16-17
16 The Lord chooses David of Bethlehem as king - He is anointed by Samuel - Saul chooses David as his companion and armor bearer.
17 Israel and the Philistines engage in war - Goliath of Gath, a giant, defies Israel and challenges any Israelite to personal combat - David goes against him in the name of the Lord - David slays Goliath with a sling and a stone - Israel defeats the Philistines.
General Conference

The Prophet of God

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"In sustaining President Russell M. Nelson as the Lord's prophet and as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we were part of a divinely decreed solemn assembly - solemn because the events of this past hour have been anticipated in the heavens since before the world was. The Lord Jesus Christ, who directs His work, has today through President Eyring presented His prophet, His anointed leader, to us, His covenant people, allowing us publicly to manifest our willingness to sustain him and follow his counsel."

I got up at 4:30 this morning. Today is the day we weigh and report to Trina on how we did. I lost 2.2 lbs. James lost over 4. I am still happy though. Men always lose faster than women, especially in the beginning.

I prepared a few notes on ministering from the ministering.lds.org website to take with me to young women's when I talk to them today. I also really got in to the RS lesson on revelation. There are so many good things in President Nelson's conference talk. 

We had a really good fast and testimony meeting today. One of my favorite testimonies was Brother Allen's. He said that Sister Brewer came to him last week and asked him what his favorite hymn was. She said because he has been through so much these past few weeks she wanted to do something for him. He said it was "I Stand All Amazed." This was our sacrament hymn today. Brother Allen told why it is favorite hymn. He said when he was 7 or 8 years old he was acting up. His grandfather, who was the stake president, took him by the hand and sat him down next to him on the piano bench. His grandfather began playing and singing "I Stand All Amazed." Brother Allen says he still remembers this incident every time he hears this hymn. He thanks his grandfather for taking the time to teach him and give him an opportunity to feel the Spirit.

Linda Price, a summer, part time member of our ward told about her grandson's sealing in the Salt Lake temple. President Dallin H. Oaks was the sealer and she got to give him a hug.

James got up and after bearing his testimony he began talking about me and how our 50th wedding anniversary is coming up. It was very sweet of him.

Because of James's testimony Linda Price, before Relief Society started showed me some photos of their 50th wedding anniversary celebration two years ago. 

Our  friends the Prices'

Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary!

7 Kids, 40 Grandkids, and 12 Great-Grandkids

Grandchildren, oldest to youngest

7 grandchildren missed the party because of

Missions, college and pregnancy.

Several of the people James and I have stewardship over are having problems today. Pam's husband Ricky is having hernia surgery in the morning. Sister Peeler is in the ER having tests done to see what is causing her pain. It turned out to be not too serious, but still a concern. Anthony, James's friend, has a severe toothache. James checked and he does have antibiotics. Some of the Grapp kids have pink eye and Jean Howard has flu symptons. Our ministering skills will be put to work this week.

I attended the gospel doctrine class for the first time since I was called to teach Primary 3 years ago. Brother Scott was the teacher. He is very knowledgeable but I was disappointed we didn't read any of the scriptures in the lesson except one verse.

I went in to speak to the young women about their upcoming ministering responsibilities. The only ones I knew were LeeAnn and Alice. Of course I know Hailey and Holly and Talena and Bailey but not like I know the older girls. I think it went quite well. Sister Allen only wanted me to take 5-10 minutes so I didn't say nearly as much as I had prepared.

Tamara gave the discussion on personal revelation in Relief Society and from what I heard it was very good. President Nelson's talk from conference on revelation was one of my favorites.

I forgot to mention our future missionary, Jackson Allen, was ordained an elder today after the block. I heard his mom talking about it and half the Allen family attended our ward today. He already has his mission papers in.

This is Jackson. He is quite the mountain man too.

Here he says that you need to appreciate where you are from.

He loves the White Mountains. He is passing up wrestling

scholarships to serve a mission. He is quite the young man.

When James and I got home from church we broke our fast and had lunch. After lunch we shared a quart of Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream. It was delicious!

I took an hour and a half nap and James was down for about 3-4 hours. He needs the rest because he is going to have a brutal week out in the sun beginning tomorrow. 

It was a wonderful Sabbath day. We were in bed by 9:30 because of James's early schedule tomorrow.

Evan treats me like a baby 'cuz I'm the 

younger brother.

Paul wrote this yesterday 

on Facebook.

Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott.

Over 200 years old on the Tweed River.

If I ever go back to Europe it will be to

visit Scotland.

Baby Leo, who had open heart surgery when

he was just a few days old was blessed today

by his dad.

The Chunky Monkey Weightloss Challenge Stats:

If James loses any more weight he is

going to blow away. Boy he makes

me look like a chunky monkey.

I guess I shouldn't blame him, should I.

 Woohoo!

Saturday, May 5th, 2018

Newport Beach, California

122nd operating temple

Dedicated: 28 Aug 2005

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, birth of

Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Book of Mormon
Mosiah 23:16-39
*How do you remember to give thanks? Why is it an important thing to do?
- frankorion0711: "Sometimes when I pray I only give thanks for all the blessings and trials, or opportunities to grow, in my life. It really puts things in perspective.
Old Testament
1 Samuel 13-15
13 Saul offers a burnt offering - The Lord rejects him and chooses another captain over His people.
14 Jonathan smites the garrison of the Philistines - Saul instructs the people to eat no food until evening - Unaware of the oath, Jonathan eats, and Saul decrees his death - He is rescued by the people - Saul vexes his enemies on every hand.
15 Saul is commanded to smite and destroy the Amalekites and all that they have - He saves some animals to sacrifice - Saul is rejected as king and told that to obey is better than sacrifice - Samuel destroys Agag.
General Conference

Until Seventy Times Seven

Elder Lynn G. Robbins

"Success," it has been said, "isn't the absence of failure, but going from failure to failure without any loss of enthusiasm."

Russell M. Nelson:4/02 How Firm a Foundation:

"The foundation of one's individual faith, if anchored firmly to eternal truth, allows each of us to reach upward with an eternal perspective."

Rescuing Wayward Children: p. 239-40:

Elder Bruce C. Hafen wrote:

" A covenant marriage in the highest sense will begin as a temple marriage. When the partners are then sufficiently righteous, the marriage will be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise (DC 132:7), 

"which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true" (DC 76:53). Such a marriage will then be not only eternal in duration but also celestial in quality, for it will be a marriage that partakes of God's quality of life."

Elder Dale G. Renlund:The Melchizedek Priesthood: Chapter 4:

"The Priesthood Blesses the Priesthood Holder"

I am so grateful for my dear, sweet husband. He knew he was only going to be able to get things done for me today because tomorrow is the Sabbath and he leaves again for his job at Legacy Golf Course early Monday morning. Here is a list of the things he did this morning:

*Took the wet vacuum and blew out the dryer vent. I now have a working dryer!

*He went to the dump

*Washed the car because we are going to the temple this afternoon

*Took the shelves we got from Trina and put them upstairs where they belong. 

He is the best!

He's handsome too!

When I was at Fry's yesterday I bought a boxed meal, Jerk chicken with stewed greens,  with all the ingredients in the box. All you have to do is follow the directions for preparation and boom! your meals is ready.

The chicken was cooked perfectly but I didn't like the jerk seasoning very well. The stewed kale was good but my favorite was the mango salsa. James liked everything quite well too.

After lunch we started our fast. We are fasting for family concerns, our grandchildren who have gone away from the gospel, and what we can do to help them and their parents. We are also fasting that all of our children and their spouses will have family prayer, scripture study, and FHE. It is a good thing to be united together in fasting and prayer.

We left for Snowflake at 3:15 for the 4:30 temple session. I was fortunate to sit by a former temple matron's assistant during the session, Sister Miller. She says that all of the former temple presidency and their wives are temple workers. I knew we were in good company as temple workers!

James looks puzzled and I look like

I have a spider leg on my forehead.

We stopped at Walmart on the way home to pick up some ice cream. Tomorrow is the day we have our big treat for the week. We both love Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia so that's what I got, you know, one of those small containers. A 1/2 cup of this stuff has 260 calories!

I finished my 10,000 steps this evening and didn't even drink any water. I did have some sugarfree Icebreakers. I couldn't survive without my Icebreakers.

James worked on loading his truck for work on Monday and I worked on studying for tomorrow's RS lesson on Revelation and what I am going to say to the Young Women about ministering. Sister Allen asked one of us to come in and explain to the girls what the Laurels and Mia Maids responsibilities will be in their ministering assignments.

Today is my brother Dennis's Birthday.

Happy birthday Dennis!

Let's do lunch.

 Looking a little tired at the state track meet

in Mesa. It was over 100 degrees.

Well, after all, he is 64!

Today is also my dear sweet friend 

Betty Bogle's birthday. Here she is with

9 of her 10 children. Her oldest, Bobby,

was killed in an airplane crash several

years ago.

Congratulations Zachary!

As a sophmore he got 3rd in state in the

shot put. Throwing a distance of 49' 8".

Royal children, Princess Charlotte kissing

her brother Prince Louis.

  

Friday, May 4th, 2018

Aba, Nigeria

121st operating temple

Dedicated: 7 Aug 2005

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, betrayal of

DC 45:53

And then shall they weep because of their iniquities; then shall they lament because they persecuted their king.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 22:10-23:15

*How is this story of Limhi's people similar to our own escape from this world into the arms of the Savior?

aliciamil4: "I can see the Savior's hand in everything, the good and the hard as He gives me the choice to choose Him or the ways of the world. He blesses me, he prepares me and he teaches me to move forward. 

Old Testament

1 Samuel 11-12

11 The Ammonites encamp against the Israelites of Jabesh-gilead - Saul rescues them and defeats the Ammonites - His kingship is renewed in Gilgal.

12 Samuel testifies of his own just dealings in Israel - He reproves the people for their ingratitude - He exhorts them to keep the commandments lest the Lord consume them and their king.

General Conference

The Heart of a Prophet

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

" As I sought guidance to know the topic the Lord would have me address today, my mind was directed to a recent conversation with the newly called First Presidency. In this discussion, one of the counselors shared words to this effect: 'I deeply hope that the membership of the Church can comprehend the magnitude of what has taken place with the calling of our new prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, and the significance and sacredness of the solemn assembly that will take place at general conference.' He further observed, 'It has been 10 years, and many, especially the youth of the Church, do not remember or have not experienced this before.'"

Russell M. Nelson-10/01: "Set in Order Thy House"

'Our family is the focus of our greatest work and joy in this life; so it will be throughout eternity.'

Rescuing Wayward Children:"Afflictions can push parents apart, when in actuality afflictions are designed to weld us together" (p. 227) "Oneness brings deliverance." Charity has 3 meanings: Love from Christ, Love for Christ, Love like Christ. (p.233)

James went on an early morning walk while I went downstairs to work on my blog. I was there when Addy got up and left, Ruby, Darrel, Rowan, and Lola. 

Trina and Darrel have a green shake for breakfast in the mornings. It's made from kale, spinach, frozen pineapple, a banana, and sometimes an orange if they have one. Trina let us taste her shake this morning and I must say, it was very tasty. She also introduced me to My Fitness Pal which she uses for her food diary. I love it!

Thanks Trina!

Trina told us a funny story about Lola this morning. She said they saw a woman with black hair and Lola said: "Is that Jo"? Trina asked her who Jo was and she said: "You know that girl who builds houses and her husbands name is Chip."

We said our goodbyes as everyone left for school or work. Ruby's class is going on a fieldtrip to the aquarium and Lola and Trina are going to meet them there. 

James and I loaded up and left for Fry's around 9:00 or so. We were looking for Grape Nut Flakes, for James. We didn't find any but we found the Larabar date balls that Trina introduced us to so we bought two flavors, brownie and salt caramel. A tasty little bite without having to count as a sweet.

James dropped me off at AARA for my infusion at 10:15. I had an appointment with Rana, Dr. Caldron's PA, and then I had my infusion. I lost about 10 lbs since last month which makes me happy and which also means I get less Actemra.

James took the car to get the new headlight put in, took our cast-offs to D.I., and got gas. For lunch we shared a salad I made up at Fry's salad bar. Since we have been on this diet we have actually craved more healthy food. 

Our next stop was in Scottsdale where James is seeing an allergy specialist. I dropped him off and then went to the Fry's Marketplace on Shea Blvd. just to look around. Just to look around cost me over $150. I ended up doing much of my grocery shopping. It was so fun. Much different from Walmart.

I bought James some fried chicken from Fry's because he loves it. He was pretty excited when I picked him up. He said this doctor helped him more than any other doctor. He told him to cut way down on meat, no spicy foods, milk products, or acidic foods. No water within an hour of going to bed. He also wrote him a prescription that he said would help with acid reflex more than the prescription that he is on. 

From Scottsdale we went home through Payson. 

I got my new crockpot!

Casserole Crockpot

There was a volcanic eruption and several earthquakes on the big island of Hawaii today. The one we visited in 1998.

I had to finish my walking when I got home. Afterwards James and I watched "The Beach House."

This reminds me of the Loggerhead turtles

in the movie "The Beach House."

An 18 year old picture of the Wilhelm family.

They just had their 10th baby.

The biggest Star Wars fan I know.

Teresa prepared for a Nerf gun war with

Jack.

Addy loves pineapples!

Good advice!

Gorgeous flowers at Fry's. I especially 

like the blue ones in the back.

The bear won. Can this be true?

What exactly does that mean?

Fun memories!

I wonder who will win this fight.

Thanks Paula.

Thursday, May 3rd, 2018

San Antonio, Texas

120th operating temple

Dedicated: 22 May 2005

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, betrayal of

2 Nephi 6:9

Nevertheless, the Lord has shown unto me that they should return again. And he also has shown unto me that the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, should manifest himself unto them in the flesh; and after he should manifest himself they should scourge him and crucify him, according to the words of the angel who spake it unto me.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 21:28-22:9

*Why should we always council with the Lord, even if the answer is not what you wanted or expected?

Talk: Choose to Believe

By: L. Whitney Clayton

April 2015

stef_littlefield: "Some things can only be learned by FAITH! Proverbs 3:5-6 His ways are higher than our ways. Nephi taught us, "I will trust in Thee forever!" His wisdom is superior to our own. We were never planned to have a perfect knowledge in mortality. Forbear and wait upon the Lord. Nephi: I know God loves all of His children yet I do not know the meaning of all things."

Old Testament

Samuel 8-10

8 Samuel's sons take bribes and pervert judgment - The Israelites seek for a king to rule over them - Samuel rehearses the nature and evils of kingly rule - The Lord consents to give them a king.

9 Saul, the son of Kish, a Benjamite, is a choice and goodly person - He is sent to seek his father's donkeys - The Lord reveals to Samuel the seer that Saul is to be king - Saul goes to Samuel and is entertained by him.

10 Samuel anoints Saul to be captain over the Lord's inheritance - Samuel manifests the gift of seership - Saul prophesies among the prophets, and the Lord gives him a new heart - He is chosen king at Mizpeh.

General Conference

Even as Christ Forgives You, So Also Do Ye 

Elder Larry J. Echo Hawk

"The outreach of forgiveness caused my heart to soften and opened a pathway to healing. Over time I learned how to have a forgiving heart. Only with the help of the Prince of Peace was my painful burden lifted."

Rescuing Wayward Children:

"The more love we have to give the more power we have to save others. Charity is a principle of power that can lift and save."

H. Wallace Goddard observed that charity has three meanings:

love from Christ, love for Christ, love like Christ. The process of loving begins when we feel Jesus reaching after us (love from Christ).

Somewhere along the path the miracle of His love breaks down our resistance. As we begin to understand His goodness and redemptiveness, we are changed. We are filled with a profound awe and gratitude for Him. We experience the stirrings of hope. Without this conversion, we are nothing spiritually (1 Cor.13:2; 2 Ne. 26:30; Moro. 7:44, 46; DC 18:19). As the amazing truth of His unrelenting love pierces our hearts, we are led to the second kind of charity, love for Christ. 'We love him, because he first loved us' (1 Jn. 1:19).... As soon as we glimpse His love for us we instinctively love Him in return. We fall at His feet and bathe them with tears of gratitude. Why would He do all He has done to love and rescue my flawed soul? Why??? The answer is charity. As we feel the love from Him and for Him, we naturally love like Him. We become saviors on Mount Zion with Him." (232-33)

Russell M. Nelson: 4/01: Personal Preparation for Temple Blessings: From the Bible Dictionary - President Nelson suggested we read the following: 1) Anoint 2) Atonement 3) Christ 4) Covenant 5) Fall of Adam 6) Sacrifices 7) Temple.

Dale G. Renlund: Melchizedek Priesthood - Chapter 3 - Priesthood Keys and the Holy Apostleship.

Ezra Taft Benson:4/88: "The Great Commandment" - I love this talk. It's in this talk that President Benson says: "If we put God first in our lives everything else will fall into place or fall out of our lives."

Ezra Taft Benson: 4/88: "Come Unto Christ and Be Perfected in Him." (The talk above was the first talk of this general conference and this one was the last. This one was read by President Hinckley).

At 9 a.m. James and I left for the valley. I had cut up veggies and put them in bags for us to munch on on the way down. James brought pistachios and walnuts. I ended up eating all of the pistachios. 

Arizona teachers aren't going back to work until tomorrow. Noah Korvalis is probably not happy. He is the one at the head of this teacher walkout. He is 23 years old, a die-hard liberal, and Stacy says he is a communist. I don't know about that one. 

Sheri texted me as we were going down the freeway and said she couldn't do lunch because she is home in bed with vertigo. I texted Kim and invited her to go to Olive Garden with James and I. We have a couple of gift cards that we got with our credit card Ultimate Rewards.

I had minestrone soup, salad, and breadsticks for lunch. James had stuffed chicken marsala. I can't remember what Kim had but she had her calories all figured out before she got there. She is doing the Isagenix diet and has lost 10-12 lbs. 

After lunch we went to Darrel and Trina's to find no one home. Trina forgot we were coming and Darrel was at work. We texted Trina and she said the back door was open so James went around. 

We laid down to take a nap on Rowan's bed which is very comfortable. We had planned on taking Addy to the temple to do a baptism but it was after six o'clock when she got home. I rescheduled with her for May 29th, which is Tuesday of the week we will be down here in the condo. 

I had saved up my sweet calories for a sugar cookie from Swig so we loaded up Addy, Ruby, and Lola and headed out. Addy and Ruby both wanted lemonade because they had made cookies at Bryce's house but Lola wanted a chocolate cookie. I asked her if she meant chocolate chip and she said, "No, chocolate." They call their chocolate cookies dirtballs so I ordered a dirtball, a sugar cookie, and a coconut cookie. The coconut was for James. 

This place originated in Utah and Utah and

Arizona are the only place you can find them.

After Swig n' Sweets James said he had to go to Bob's house in Chandler to give him a credit card to get some things for the job. 

On our way Sheri texted and asked if Dad could come and give her a blessing. Of course we can. When we got to Sheri's she had no oil so James had to go down to Cathi and Terry's and borrow some. 

After the blessing Ruby and Lola went outside on the trampoline. They are afraid of Ollie. While Addy and I were sitting on the back porch Ollie came up and nipped at Addy on the leg. She almost cried and it left a bruise. I know he is a puppy but I wish he wouldn't nip at people. Ian showed us his log cabin birdhouse, new hummingbird blown glass feeder, and the new swing he put up next to the bird house.

Birdbath, Birdhouse and Birdfeeder

Swing

Going for a walk to see Cathi. Ollie leads

the way. He loves Cathi.

Lola had my phone for awhile in the car. She said she wanted to

take a selfie, which she did. She actually took several selfies.

Is that chocolate on her face?

Trying to keep it interesting

I think Molly did some selfies on 

my phone once. 

Cutie pie

Addy gets in on the action.

While we were in the neighborhood we stopped at the Jiminez's and picked up some lemons and $200. The $200 is payment for James hooking him up to the city sewer.

When we got back to Darrel and Trina's no one was home except

Rowan. We gave him his chocolate chip cookie and he said that his mom was gone to pick up Chik-fil-a. She also got a new bedspread for Rowan's bed. We are sleeping in style.

Trina and Lola took James and I for a walk to see a house that had to be moved in their subdivision. It was built too close to the property line. Someone has already bought the house. Would you buy a house that was moved off the property and then back on? I would be afraid of cracks, etc.

Not the house for me

Today was National Day of Prayer

Sister B with Pres. T

From his talk on Revelation