OUR FAMILY

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Sunday, May 13th, 2018

Oquirrh Mountain, Utah

130th operating temple

Dedicated: 21-23 Aug 2009

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, birth of

Luke 2:11

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 29:1-15

*What are the differences between the judgments of man and the judgments of God?

- 29:12 - It is better that a man be judged of God, according to Gods standards, than of man, for the judgments of God are always just, but the judgments of man are not always just. Who likes being judged by man? Joseph Smith said: "While one portion of the human race is judging and condemning the other without mercy, the great parent of the universe looks upon the whole of the human family with a fatherly care and paternal regard." We must refrain from making judgments on people because we lack the knowledge and wisdom to do so - We would even apply the wrong standards. How can we judge a situation we have never been in? How can we judge other's choices, when we don't know what options they had to choose from?

Old Testament

1 Samuel 31

31 The Philistines defeat Israel - Saul and his three sons are slain - Their bodies are retrieved by the Gileadites and burned.

General Conference

Introductory Remarks

Russell M. Nelson

"I am very grateful for each man who bears the holy priesthood. You are the hope of our Redeemer, who desires 'that every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world.' He wants all of His ordained sons to represent Him, to speak for Him, to act for Him, and to bless the lives of God's children throughout the world, to the end 'that faith also might increase in all the earth.' "

Happy Mother's Day to all

you Beautiful, Kind, and Courageous

Moms' our there!

This little boy used the money in
his piggy bank to buy his mother dinner for
Mother's Day.

The temple promotes family togetherness

Hugh Jackman and his mother

I love this picture of Ginger Zee who
does the weather on GMA.

Bishop Miller's children in their natural state.
You can't see Hyrum because he is crying and
hiding behind Cathryn. At least Uriah is happy.

Vickie with her boys, Monte and Brian.

Mary, Paul, Aaron

Peg, Denise, Rachel, Evie
Four Generations

Dianne, her mom on the right and her mother-in-law
with the crown on the left.

The Wilhelm/Crosby Family at the temple for
Trenda and Emery's wedding.

Aaron's kids and wife Kari with her daughter Anna.

Camri wither her children, Chloe, Parker, and Brookes.

The Jensen's

Ann and Mitt Romney on their wedding day
with their moms' standing beside them.

Christina posted this. Her mother-in-law, first baby,
Rebecca, on her wedding day, etc.
All three of her children as babies.

Tasha and Zachary

Scarlett our great granddaughter.
Thanks Autumn for sending this to me.

Vickie and her grandson Zachary.

The Johnson family

The DeWitt Family

My friend Hailey and her mom.

Kim and her mom

Drea waited forever to have a child.
I love these pictures. She loves being a mother.

My friend Rosa and her daughter
Sadie's little boy, Enoch.
Rosa has 10 children of her own.

The Whalen Family

Ashley with her mom on her wedding day.

Ashley with Ridger

Ashley with Evelyn

Janet's children:
Joe, Harmony, Heidi, and Hillary

Betty and Leland
Betty was my Beehive advisor and I loved her.
Leland had a business next to my dad's store
and I would go visit with him sometimes.
He was such a nice man. Now his grandson is my bishop.

Dianne with Jasmine and Seth

Raylynn mothering Bailey

Chelsea with her boys Cash and Carter

These are just some of the many mothers I know
and their families.

My favorite picture of my mom.

Stacy's favorite family photo.

After church today I was asked by a member of the bishopric to speak next Sunday on, intentional, righteous parenting. I said I thought James had spoken on that same topic a few months ago and he said, "Yes, we like to repeat topics to emphasize their importance.

It was a nice mother's day. I got a big Hershey's bar and a beautiful rose at church. James gave me a beautiful necklace and fixed me a green smoothie for dinner. All of my children contacted me and Autumn sent me a photo of Scarlett. Life is good.

James fixing my green smoothie.

I love this necklace!

More to come with this post as I find my children
with their children and write a little about
my mother, nannie, and grandma.
I have a picture of grandma and my mom
but I don't know if I can find one of nannie
except the one I have when she was five years old.

Monday, May 14, 2018

Saturday, May 12th, 2018

Draper, Utah,

129th operating temple

Dedicated: 20-22 Mar 2009

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, birth of

Luke 1:31

And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

Book of Mormon
Mosiah 28:1-20
*Why did the sons of Mosiah want to preach to the Lamanites?
- Because the thought that any soul should endure endless torment caused them to quake and tremble..they were desirous to declare salvation to every creature.
We as members of His Church are not salesmen but servants of the most high who work for peace. By inviting all to repent and come unto Christ, we are encouraging peace, hope and comfort by helping others change their hearts. We need to learn the language of the Spirit, so we can find they way to the hearts of those we are called to teach. We are His messengers.
Old Testament
1 Samuel 29-30
29 Israel and the Philistines gather for war - The Philistine princes send David away.
30 The Amalekites spoil Ziklag and the borders of Judah - David smites Amalek and regains and divides the spoil.
General Conference

What Every Aaronic Priesthood Holder Needs to Understand

Douglas D. Holmes

President Thomas S. Monson counseled us that young men need to understand "what it means to be bearers of the priesthood of God They need to be guided to a spiritual awareness of the sacredness of their ordained calling."

Today I pray that the Holy Ghost will guide us to a greater understanding of the power and sacredness of the Aaronic Priesthood and inspire us to focus more diligently on our priesthood duties. My message is for all Aaronic Priesthood holders, including those who also hold the Melchizedek Priesthood.

Russell M. Nelson: 4/05: #45. Now Is The Time to Prepare

"Now is the time to prepare to meet God. Tomorrow may be too late."

On the way to the temple this morning James and I listened to 1 Samuel 29-30. David becomes friends with the Philistines and lives with them for about 16 months. I read from the Book of Mormon and the conference talk for the day because we forgot to bring our speaker and we couldn't hear the phone very well in the car.

This is my morning schedule on the days we work in the temple. I get up at 4 and today I went to the kitchen to get some breakfast and put the stew on to warm up. I also have my prayers. James gets up around 4:45 and showers. I come back in a little after five and take over the bathroom to get ready to go.

Before we left I put the stew back in the crockpot with the crockpot turned on. We took it to the temple in the crockpot.

The men and women had separate training today. Sister Reidhead and Sister Cochran were the women's trainers. We talked about initiatory and the baptistry. Sister Reidhead said there was a temple trainer here from Salt Lake last week. He was amazed at how many family names we have to do in the credenza. He said that he has never seen so many names at any other temple. I guess we have lots of people in our temple district doing family history.

Sister Wenhardt was not here today. She is a florist and Mother's Day is her biggest day of the year.

The Wilhelm's from our ward were taking the Gentry's place today. Also, Ione Whipple worked our shift. I knew her as a youth in Show Low. I don't think she recognized me. When I knew her everyone called her "Babe." I guess maybe she didn't want to put Babe on her temple badge.

One of my former young women who is now married came to the temple today. She wasn't just any young woman, but my favorite. Trenda and her husband Emery were the witness couple in the session where I was the 1st follower. I got to help her at the veil and her grandpa, Brother Wilhelm was the receiver for her. He was so excited about this opportunity!

During break Sister Sauwen told me about a restaurant at the golf course called The Skillet. She said the food was really good and it was reasonably priced. Maybe another day. Today I am on a weight loss challenge. I want to kill my chunky monkey!

I loves the temple. I always feel so good when I am here, even though at the end of my shift I am ready to go home and take a nap.

I guess my stew was a hit because there was very little left to take home. It's a good thing I saved some for James in our frig.

After nap time I made a green smoothie for both James and I. He gulped his down and took off for the Wallace's to see about his tractor and then he went to get some gas in the car because we forgot on the way home.

I stayed home and did my 45 minute walk. Afterwards I had a Slimfast and a bell pepper for dinner.

James and I watched the finale of "When Calls the Heart." James agreed with me that it was really well done in spite of Jack dying.

Summer and Tanner were asked to clean the kitchen.

Tanner is working and Summer is dancing

around the kitchen. When she sees her mom

is making a video, she falls to the ground.

It is pretty funny!

The Navajo taco dinner fundraiser.

We didn't got but we did buy tickets and

let someone else eat our tacos.

They made $1,700.00!

This castle needs a remodel. I don't know if

anyone lives there but it looks like they are

running a herd of cattle. Or, maybe the cattle live in the castle.

Kilchurn Castle was built in the mid 1400's by Sir Colin Campbell, 1st Lord of Glenorchy.

I'm starting to collect photos of

dresses I like.

Fiji looks divine!

I really like the skirt, not sure about the top.

Dreaming about catching the birds and cats

he chases all the time. Yes that curly thing

is his tail.

Sunday, May 13, 2018

Friday, May 11th, 2018

Twin Falls, Idaho

128th operating temple

Dedicated: 24 Aug 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, birth of

Matthew 2:1

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 27:18-37

*How does it feel to have your soul "redeemed from the gall of bitternness and the bonds of iniquity?"

- Who among us has not felt the dark abyss, the remorse of conscience from our sins and mistakes, those awful feelings of guilt? Those feelings of pain to our spirit can be harder to bear than physical pain. I liked how Alma explained what the atonement of Christ did for him, and can do for us. Boyd K. Packer states: "The Atonement of Christ is an ever-present power to call upon in everyday life. When we are harrowed up or tormented by guilt or burdened with grief, he can heal us. If Christ hadn't made his Atonement, the penalties for mistakes would be added one on top of the other. Life would be hopeless. But he willingly sacrificed in order that we may be redeemed."

Old Testament

1 Samuel 27-28

27 David flees to Achish at Gath - He dwells among the Philistines for sixteen months.

28 Saul inquires of the witch of Endor for revelation - She foretells his death, the death of his sons, and the defeat of Israel by the Philistines.

General Conference

Family History and Temple Work - Sealing and Healing

Elder Dale G. Renlund

"As Church members, we do have a divinely appointed responsibility to seek out our ancestors and compile family histories. This is far more than an encouraged hobby, because the ordinances of salvation are necessary for all of God's children. We are to identify our own ancestors who died without receiving the ordinances of salvation. We can perform the ordinances vicariously in temples, and our ancestors may choose to accept the ordinances. We are also encouraged to help ward and stake members with the family names. It is breathtakingly amazing that, through family history and temple work, we can help to redeem the dead."

"Fruit detached from the branches cannot long survive."
-Russell M. Nelson

Rescuing Wayward Children:

"Be not afraid, only believe."

-Mark 5:36

Worth the Wrestle:

"Asking inspired questions leads to knowledge, revelation, greater faith, and peace."

Russell M. Nelson, 10/04, #44. Senior Missionaries and the Gospel

"I express gratitude for our senior missionaries. they are young in spirit, wise, and willing to work."

Dale G. Renlund Melchizedek Priesthood: Chapter 10

#2 - The Proper Expression of the Priesthood is Learned

Truman G. Madsen: The Prophet Joseph Smith: Chapter 2

Spiritual Gifts of Joseph Smith

"Don't let a doctrinal doubt drive a wedge between you and the Church."

James had three things to fix before he goes back on the job: His tractor, which is at the Wallace's and is being worked on by one of the Westbrook boys, his power steering line on the truck, and the brakes on the trailer.

This morning he thinks he found the problem with the power steering line. The hose isn't securely clamped. Brother Wallace gave him a clamp and we got some power steering fluid and now it's fixed.

This morning we went into town so James could get some supplies and I could do a little shopping at Walmart. I saw Laurann and her boys while I was shopping. I also saw my cousin Rita and spoke with her a few minutes.

When I got home from town I made a stew to take to the temple tomorrow. I also worked on my blog and did my 45 minute walking. My life is so predictable.

James made himself a green smoothie using Trina's recipe this evening. It was delicious!

We missed the YW Navajo Taco, Pie Auction dinner this evening. James just wanted to stay home and relax. We ended up keeping the lemon pie and we are each going to have a piece after we weigh in on Sunday morning.

We watched the episode of "When Calls the Heart" where Elizabeth is told that Jack is dead. Tomorrow night we will watch the finale.

Twinners

Earphones

My rose

Eden and her horse lover friends

We want some horses!

I remember how ridiculous I thought it was.

Wayne Todd and his granddaughter.

Baby Kyler looks like he's praying.

I like this idea to keep the plants away from the bunnies.

Thursday, May 10th, 2018

Panama City, Panama

127th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 Aug 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, birth of

Matthew 1:23

Behold, a virgin shall shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Book of Mormon
Mosiah 27:1-17
"Behold, the Lord hath heard the prayers of his people, and also the prayers of his servant, Alma, who is thy father;" Do you have an experience where your prayers for a friend or family member were answered.
- Just this week I was praying for James at his work. He is doing some remodeling of golf cart path at Legacy Golf Course in Phoenix. He was having trouble with equipment and with workers showing up to work. I told him I would pray every 30 minutes for him, which I did. Later he called me and said that he and Bob were able to fix the skidsteer and Joseph Valecillo and two concrete finishers were coming to help with the job. I felt like my prayers were answered and he did too because he was calling to thank me.
Old Testament
1 Samuel 25-26
25 Samuel dies - Nabal rebuffs David and refuses to give him food - Abigail intercedes, saves Nabal, and gives David a present - David is pacified, Nabal dies, and David marries Abigail.
26 David again spares Saul's life - He again refuses to stretch forth his hand against the Lord's anointed - Saul and David separate.
General Conference

Teaching in the Home - A Joyful and Sacred Responsibility

Devin G. Durrant

"As parents, we introduce our children to Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. We help our children say their first prayer. We offer guidance and support as they enter the covenant path through baptism. We teach te to obey God's commandments. We educate them about His plan for His children, and we help them recognize the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. We tell them stories of ancient prophets and encourage them to follow living ones. We pray for their triumphs and ache with them during their trials. We testify to our children of temple blessings, and we strive to prepare them well to serve full-time missions. We offer loving counsel as our children become parents themselves. But - even then - we never stop being their parents. We never stop being their teachers. We are never released from these eternal callings."

Rescuing Wayward Children,p.255, Gordon B. Hinckley:

"I leave my blessing upon you. May there be .. a sense of security and peace and love among your children, precious children every one of them, even those who may have strayed. I hope you don't lose patience with them; I hope you go on praying for them, and I don't hesitate to promise that if you do, the Lord will touch their hearts and bring them back to you with love and respect and appreciation."

Meridian Magazine,May 9, 2018, A Yearning Goodbye to the Boy Scouts by Maurine Proctor

As the LDS Church announces a new worldwide initiative for all LDS youth, it is not just Boy Scouts that is severed, but also Young Women's Personal Progress, Activity Days, Faith in God and Duty to God programs.

The LDS Church only gave clues to what lies ahead: "For years, Church leaders have been preparing a new initiative to teach and provide leadership and development opportunities to all children and youth, to support families and to strengthen youth everywhere as they develop faith in the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This new approach is intended to help all girls and boys, young women and young men discover their eternal identity, build character and resilience, develop life skills and fulfill their divine roles as daughters and sons of God."

Worth the Wrestle, Sheri Dew, p. 12

" Asking inspired questions leads to knowledge. It leads to revelation. It leads to greater faith. And it leads to peace. Not asking questions on the other hand, closes off revelation, growth, learning, progression, and the ministering of the Holy Ghost."

Roots and Branches, Russell M. Nelson, 4/04, #43:

"Simpy summarized, life's greatest blessings will come to us if our love of Jesus Christ is rooted deeply in our hearts."

Melchizedek Priesthood, Dale G. Renlund, Chapter 9: Principle #1 - Governed by Righteousness

The Prophet Joseph Smith by Truman G. Madsen: Chapter 1:

The First Vision and It's Aftermath

Today was a day of service for me. I made chocolate chip muffins, rolls and chicken noodle soup. I left the house shortly after 3 and delivered a basket of muffins and rolls to my friend Jean. I was supposed to help her write a letter to her grandson Dustin but she said she wasn't quite ready. She said she didn't want to tell me she wasn't ready because she was afraid I wouldn't come over. I told her I would have come anyway.

After we had only been visiting for a few minutes, the Brady's came to the door with their granddaughter Carmalynn. They were here to see Tom, Jean's husband. They sat and visited with us while they waited for Tom to come up from the barn.

One of my old boyfriends is married to Brother Brady's sister so we talked about that for awhile. We talked about The Maxwell House and how it was the only nice restaurant in Show Low for a long time. The last thing Brother Brady said before I left was that Show Low is the meth capital of the nation. What? It's not big enough. I wonder where he got this information.

This is my friend Jean hold a picture of her

daughter Deana who is hold a picture of her

daughter Dakota, who is holding a picture

of her daughter Berlin.

I told Jean that I work in the temple every other Saturday and she said she would like to go to the temple again sometime. This is great!

My next stop was at Laurann's house. She has three sick kids so I brought them some homemade chicken noodle soup, rolls, and muffins. Both Amaron and Charlie, Laurann's son and husband said it was the best chicken noodle soup they had ever had. I am so glad they liked it. I always worry when I make things for other people.

Amaron with his new mustache.

On my way home I left a basket of rolls and muffins at the Peeler's. Sister Peeler has experienced alot of back pain lately and Tamara asked me to check on her. I tried calling both phone numbers and got no response so I went by to see if they were home. They weren't so I left the covered basket by the front door.

I went home and had a Slimfast, a bell pepper and half a cucumber for dinner. While I was walking to my music, Sheri called and I talked to her for awhile. Evan, Joshua, and Addy all had concerts tonight.

Addy looks so pretty and so grown up for

her choir concert.

She said her favorite song was Ubi

Caritas which means, where there is love

and light, God is there.

Joshua playing the cornet.

Evan had a speaking part at his concert.

He also plays the viola.

My friend Braylin is growing up!

I'm so glad when Daddy gets home!

Castles of Scotland, Eileandonan Castle, or

"Lady of the Night"

I want one of these!

Imagine having to buy a shoe for that foot.

Saturday, May 12, 2018

Wednesday, May 9th, 2018

Curitiba, Brazil

126th operating temple

Dedicated: 1 June 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, birth of

Micah 5:2

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judan, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose going forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 26:14-39

*Who are the Lord's sheep?

- sue_heugly: "The gospel of Jesus Christ is about people. It doesn't matter if you're a child, youth or an adult. We all need to feel loved, and we all need a leader to follow. Jesus liked to call us his sheep, and he was the shepherd. Everyone is part of his flock, wit him knowing each one of us personally. As a shepherd he goes after us one by one if we get lost."

Old Testament

1 Samuel 23-24

23 David smites the Philistines and saves Keilah - He continues to flee from Saul - Jonathan comforts him in Ziph.

24 David finds Saul in a cave and spares his life - Saul confesses that David is more righteous than he - David swears that he will not cut off the seed of Saul.

General Conference

Saving Ordinances Will Bring Us Marvelous Light

Elder Taniela B. Wakolo

"The Lord told Abraham that through his seed and through the priesthood, all the families of the earth would be blessed 'with the blessings of the Gospel,...even of life eternal' (Abraham 2:ll; see also verses 2-10).

These promised blessings of the gospel and the priesthood were restored to the earth, and then, in 1842, the Prophet Joseph Smith administered the endowment to a limited number of men and women. Mercy Fielding Thompson was one of them. The Prophet said to her, 'This endowment will bring you out of darkness into marvelous light."

Rescuing Wayward Children

As our children mature, we hope that their motivation for obeying the laws of family and of God will migrate from duty to understanding and finally to love.

Russell M. Nelson:10/03 #42: Personal Priesthood Responsibility

"When ordained to an office in the priesthood, you are granted authority. But power comes from exercising that authority in righteousness."

Dale G. Renlund The Melchizedek Priesthood

Chapter 8 Commandments of the Melchizedek Priesthood Covenant

James is pouring concrete this morning at 6 a.m. and I am praying for him.

I left at 9 a.m. to pick up my friend Catherine. She's 84 years old and she asked me if I could take her to the temple. Of course I said yes. We are going to the 10:30 session. Catherine has never been to the Snowflake temple before. She worked in the Mesa temple for 12 years though.

Catherine is quite the seamstress. Not only did she make her temple dress but she also made her apron which was hand-stitched around every leaf. She said that her husband who passed away 8 years ago, had one just like it. I was impressed.

Catherine did one of my family names so I felt like she was serving me as much as I was serving her.

Catherine is a delight, except that

she is hard of hearing. He deceased

husband was the football coach both

at Westwood High and Mountain View, at

different times, of course.

Oh yes, she, her husband and their

four children used to raise Siberian Huskies

for dogsled racing. It started when they lived in Denver.

She and her husband had four children, two boys and two girls: Kelly, Kerri, Kathy, and Kenny.

I was trying to take a selfie and one of the missionary elders who was in our session came over and offered to take a picture for us.

We had at least 20 missionaries who serve in Snowflake in our session.

I put some of our family names on the temple prayer roll, including Laura.

I got home, changed my clothes and began my 45 minute walk to the soundtrack from "The Greatest Showman." I walk around the dining room table and the kitchen island with the blinds open. Five bunnies were munching on the grass.

This is what I had for dinner: Asparagus, frozen blueberries, popcorn and sugar free chocolate pudding with whipped cream.

It was 85 degrees today. I had to turn on the air conditioner.

I talked to Laurann today about Amaron coming over tomorrow after school. She says he has a counseling session at the park until 4:30 and that I could pick him up afterwards.

I got a little inspiration while I was in the temple. I came up for a name for our ward activity, "A Celebration of Family." I later shortened it to "Celebrating Family" which everyone liked.