Thursday, June 21st, 2018

Los Angeles, California

10th operating temple

Dedicated: 11-14 Mar 1956

By: David O. McKay

Jesus Christ, Condescension of

Ether 3:9

And the Lord said unto him: Because of thy faith thou hast seen that I shall take upon me flesh and blood; and never has man come before me with such exceeding faith as thou hast; for were it not so ye could not have seen my finger. Sawest thou more than this?

Book of Mormon

Alma 19:22-36

*How has Ammon's missionary experience been different thann Alma and Amulek's?

- In verse 22 Ammon is saved from being slain by the sword. The Lord promised his father, Mosiah, that he would be safe and protected.

Old Testament

1 Chronicles 3-4

3 David's sons are named - The successors of Solomon to Jeconiah and beyond are listed.

4 The families and descendants of Judah, Simeon, and others are chronicled - Various princes in their families are named.

General Conference

Small and Simple Things

President Dallin H. Oaks

"We are taught many small and simple things inn the gospel of Jesus Christ. We need to be reminded that in total and over a significant period of time, these seemingly small things bring to pass great things. There have been many talks on this subject by General Authorities and by other respected teachers. The subject is so important that I feel to speak of it again."

Russell M. Nelson 4/18 #71. Introductory Remarks

"We announce a significant restructuring of our Melchizedek Priesthood quorums to accomplish the work of the Lord more effectively."

Ensign: "A Righteous Fathers Influence," "Creating a Culture of Inclusion."

James and I went to the Howard's this morning after gospel study time to see their new filly. She was born Tuesday night.

Sleepy

Backside

White mouth 

Love the tail and ears

Loves her mama

Always hungry

On the way to the Howard's James "re-located" a pesky squirrel from our yard.

When we returned home James went upstairs to work on his talk while I went to the recliner for a rest. 

It was 95 degrees today and 109 in the valley. Summer is officially here.

The storms in southeast Texas right now remind me of my friend Kay's book.

I went grocery shopping this afternoon. When I returned home James had a smoothie waiting for me. We always have a green smoothie for dinner.

After putting away the groceries I did my walk and then took a bath. I made some phone calls/texts to sisters in Primary and YW telling them about the ward activity on Saturday evening.

James and I worked at the dining room table this evening. He on his talk and me on planning and then reading. I sure do love my grape flavored water enhancer!  James wants some pudding and I forgot to get some. Sorry honey.

Old and creepy

Near Flagstaff

Beautiful

Wednesday, June 20th, 2018

Bern, Switzerland

9th operating temple

Dedicated: 11-15 Sept 1955

By: David O. McKay

Jesus Christ, Condescension of

Alma 19:13

For as sure as thou livest, behold, I have seen my Redeemer; and he shall come forth, and be born of a woman, and he shall redeem all mankind who believe on his name. Now, when he had said these words, his heart was swollen within him, and he sunk again with joy; and the queen also sunk down, being overpowered by the Spirit.

Book of Mormon

Alma 19:12-21

*Why do you think Abish waited to make her conversion known to the Lamanites?
-In Matt 7:6 the Savior taught "neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." Abish was waiting for the right time to share her testimony. She was waiting until the Lord prompted her. There has to be people ready to listen to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Old Testament
1 Chronicles 1-2
1 The genealogies and family ties from Adam to Abraham are given - The posterity of Abraham is listed.
2 The descendants of Israel, Judah, Jesse, Caleb, and others are listed.
General Conference

His Spirit to Be With You

President Henry B. Eyring

"My hope today is to increase your desire and your ability to receive the Holy Ghost. Remember, He is the third member of the Godhead. The Father and the Son are resurrected beings. The Holy Ghost is a person of spirit. (See DC 130:22.) It is your choice whether to receive Him and welcome Him into your heart and mind."

Russell M. Nelson 10/17 #70 The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like Without It?

"In a most miraculous and singular way, the Book of Mormon teaches us of Jesus Christ and His gospel."

Ensign: "The Savior Heals Our Hurts" and "Place Your Trust in Him." 

I got up at 5, my regular time, for the first time in a few days. 

I asked Sheri if Ben had sent in his mission papers yet and she said President Johansen sent them in last night. I think they are sent electronically.

Here are some of the guesses as to where he is going: 

Grandma: Scotland/England or the Philippines.

Grandpa: Borneo, Mongolia or the big island of Hawaii. He remembers going to church there and how wonderful the people were.

Brian: North Carolina so he can convert the Avett Brothers.

We actually probably have relatives in North Carolina. That's where my grandpa Strickland was from. Brian also guessed Virginia.

Michael: Bulgaria or Korea

Kim: New Zealand

Adam: California or Washington

Stacy: Georgia

Anyone else want to guess?

James sent his old phone back to Verizon today. He got his mailing label in the mail but I did not get mine. Trying to get this mailing label is like pulling teeth. I tried several times to get it online and James called Verizon and they said he had to get it online. He finally went to the Verizon store and used their phone to order another one. 

James also went to the dump and did some other errands in town while I stayed home and worked on stripping the polish off the wood floor. Another task that is as hard as pulling teeth. That polish does not want to come off. Sometimes I have to scrape it off because the remover doesn't get it all. Not a fun task. I also ordered some more finish so when I get the old polish off, I can put a new satin finish back on.

James and I watched one of the Hailey Dean mysteries this evening. It was a good one. She finally found out who killed her fiance. His best friend was the mastermind behind it. The killer was supposed to have killed her. I don't usually like murder mysteries but I like these. The stories are written by the reporter, Nancy Grace and she appears in all of the episodes as a TV news commentator.

I want these purple flowers all over my yard.

So funny!

I hope this means he can feed himself now.

I want one of these for our family!

Rain and lightning over the 

Grand Canyon.

Relief Society 4th Sunday lessons

Tuesday, June 19th, 2018

Idaho Falls, Idaho

8th operating temple

Dedicated: 23-25 Sept 1945

By: George Albert Smith

 Jesus Christ, Condescension of

Alma 7:13

Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

Book of Mormon

Alma 19:1-11

*How do common beliefs help us share the gospel?

Old Testament

2 Kings 25

Nebuchadnezzar again besieges Jerusalem - Zedekiah is captured, Jerusalem and the temple are destroyed, and most of the people of Judah are carried into Babylon - Gedaliah, left to govern the remnant, is slain - The remnant flee to Egypt - Jehoiachin is shown favor in Babylon.

General Conference

He That Shall Endure unto the End, the Same Shall Be Saved

Elder Claudio D. Zivic

"I have heard many justifications from those who have stopped participating actively in the Church and have lost the correct vision of the purpose of our journey on this earth. I exhort them to reflect and to return, because I believe that no one will be able to make excuses before our Lord, Jesus Christ."

Rowan caught another bunny and a rat last night.

So cute

Even this guy looks kinda cute.

He let the bunny out here in the yard and later James took the rat 

off somewhere and let him go.

Ben had his mission interview with the stake president in Chandler last night. We are so excited!

James had a doctors appointment this morning. We gathered everyone together and had family prayer before he left.

James got up at 2 am to use the bathroom and heard the water running upstairs. We have a toilet that has a handle that needs to be pushed up after use and sometimes the kids forget. The kids were all still up playing games. When he asked them about it this morning they said they didn't got to bed until around 4 am. 

Ruby and were playing the match game when Lola, Addy, and Kayla came over. I heard the toilet running again and went upstairs to fix it. Ruby came running upstairs crying and when I tried to comfort her she told me Addy had done something but I couldn't really understand what. She went in and laid down on the bed. I told Addy she should go apologize, which she did. I think Ruby is just emotional from being so tired.

Darrel and Trina clean the cabin and start washing sheets and towels while the kids play games. Darrel took Kreed and Rowan on a Razr ride because the girls got to go to the pit with grandpa yesterday and now it's the boys turn.

Kayla, Addy and I were playing Five Crowns when I got a phone call from Debbie at the post office. She said she had some people there who wanted to come out and visit with us. When I asked who it was she said, the Bear's. They are old friends from Chandler who have a place on Rainbow Lake and some land in Vernon. It is actually the land where Bishop Miller keeps his horse. I gave them directions on how to get here.

In the meantime, Darrel and family are ready to go so I went out and took some pictures on the front porch.

A nice looking group

Thanks for wanting to have your birthday at the

cabin Ruby!

Dog pile on Kayla!

James is still at the doctor's and also had to wait on my car. He took it to Walmart to have the oil changed. 

After waiting quite awhile I call Brother Bear to see where they are. I can tell they are lost and don't know which way to go, so I hop on the Razr and go to the rescue. They are past the Hunsaker turnoff and the wash but did not know where to go next because Brother Bear forgot to write down N3466. 

I gave them the grand tour except for the basement. They were amazed at the logs and the high ceilings. They just kept going on and on. I went outside to show them the fire pit and we were on the porch talking when James came out. They visited awhile longer and Sandy told me they have 33 grandchildren and 66 great grandchildren. She said that in their family they have an 18 piece string orchestra and when they play on their ramada at their place in Lakeside, people in boats on the lake come over to listen. They also allow their families wards to have their girls camps at their place, but first they have to go up early and get rid of the 200 geese that live in their yard when they aren't there. 
 I am so glad they came to see us today. They are wonderful people that we have known since 1971 when we moved to Chandler.

James brought lunch from LaCasita for he and I. We both had a green chili enchilada with chicken. Thanks honey!

I took it easy today and watched the latest Hallmark wedding movie. I also worked on my blog.

For FHE we listened to Elder Zivic's talk on enduring to the end and worked on "Putting Our Things in Order" for Kim and Brian who will be our will executors.

James took this photo a few years back. 

I love it!

The choices the sisters in the Galveston 3rd ward,

Chandler West Stake were given for their first

Sunday Council meetings.

Laura sent this to me. No wonder she feels

like she is in therapy.

Such a cool photo. It reminds me of Lion King.

Couch we got from the Howard's. 

It is so comfy!

Monday, June 18th, 2018

Mesa, Arizona
7th operating temple
Dedicated: 23-26 Oct 1927
By: Heber J. Grant

Jesus Christ, Condescension of

2 Nephi 4:26

O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?

Book of Mormon

Alma 18:12-43

*What did Ammon desire of King Lamoni?

- Ammon wanted King Lamoni to listen to the gospel message he came to share and to take advantage of Christ's Atonement. It is important that our daily activities don't distract us from listening to the Spirit. Brad Wilcox: "Following the Spirit allows me to be at peace."

Old Testament

2 Kings 23-24

23 Josiah reads the book of the covenant to the people - They covenant to keep the commandments - Josiah overturns the worship of false gods, removes the sodomites, and puts down idolatry - Idolatrous priests are slain - Judah holds a solemn Passover - Egypt subjects the land of Judah.

24 Jerusalem is besieged and taken by Nebuchadnezzar - Many of the people of Judah are carried captive into Babylon - Zedekiah becomes king in Jerusalem - He rebels against Babylon.

General Conference

Pure Love: The True Sign of Every True Disciple of Jesus Christ

Elder Massimo De Feo

"True disciples love to serve. They know that serving is an expression of true love and a covenant they made at baptism. Regardless of their callings in the Church or their role in the community, they feel an increasing desire to love and serve the Lord and one another."

Happy Birthday Ruby

Wearing her bunny earrings

and butterfly necklace.

Gift Table

She took the time to read her cards.

Lots of neat gifts, from a Mermaid tail
and costume that she can swim in, to
a crouqet set.

 Ruby is 9!

After Ruby's birthday celebration, Darrel, Trina and the kids climbed in the car and headed for the Petrified Forest and the Painted Desert. 

Lola refused to get out of the car.

I'm not sure where Ruby is.

Hiking around looking for the forest. 

Trina says it should be called the

Petrified Desert.

There's Ruby, and Kreed too.

I told Darrel that Lola reminded me of him. I remember a few

time when we went on vacation that he refused to get out of the

car and once he stayed in the hotel while we took a trip down the

Rogue River in Oregon.

I like this photo of Darrel

James and Darrel went to the Howard's to pick up the couch that

they are giving us. Trina and I and the kids were not far behind. The kids wanted to see the horses again and they were hoping maybe they could ride them but no such luck. Tom was just leaving as we were driving up. 

Mirage is in labor but still wanted people to pet her. These kids love these horses and dogs. Next time they come up we will go riding for sure.

Ian and Brian both have June birthdays
Out celebrating!

 Jared & Kacey officially moved to
Tyler, Texas on Saturday.

Woohoo!

Woohoo again!

This photo was taken in March when
there was still snow on the ground.

 "Nothing I enjoy more than a
juicy stick!"

Kreed, Lola, and Rowan

Rowan caught a bunny but I think

he wants out!

The fire restrictions didn't stop Darrel

from grilling some delicious 

carne asada on our gas grill.