Sunday, July 8th, 2018

Boise, Idaho

27th operating temple

Dedicated: 25-30 May 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

Isaiah 42:5

Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:

Book of Mormon

Alma 30:12-28

*What did Korihor teach?

-There should be no Christ (v.12). Hope in Christ is foolish and vain (v.13). No man can know of anything to come (v.13). The prophecies of Christ are foolish traditions of your fathers (v. 14). You cannot know of things you do not see (v.15). There could be no atonement made for the sins of man (v.17). Every man fared in this life according to the management of the creature (v.17). Every man prospered according to his genius and conquered according to his strength (v.17). When a man was dead that was the end thereof (v.18).
Old Testament
2 Chronicles 7-8
7 Fire comes down from heaven and consumes the sacrifices and burnt offerings - The Lord appears to Solomon and promises to bless the people - The Israelites will prosper if they keep the commandments.
8 Solomon builds cities-He offers sacrifices according to the law of Moses - Priests and Levites are appointed to serve the Lord.
General Conference

Young Women in the Work

"In Handbook 2, we learn that the work of salvation within our wards includes 'member missionary work, convert retention, activation of less-active members, temple and family history work, and teaching the gospel.' This work is directed by our faithful bishops, who hold priesthood keys for their ward. For many years now, our presidency has been asking the question 'Which of these areas mentioned should our young women not be involved in?' The answer is that they have something to contribute in all areas of this work.' "

Happy Birthday Jared Ammon

Two Cubs fans.

The Gardners and Brother Smith from the high council were the speakers in sacrament meeting today. It was a good meeting. I loved the story Brother Smith told about his mother listening to the Spirit and going after his brother when he was camping at the lake because she had a feeling she should. She ended up swimming right up to where he and his friends were camped because she got her car stuck in the mud. 

Sister Morrison was released as the Relief Society secretary and Sister Thompson was called to fill the vacancy. 

Stacy, Paul, Joshua, and Rowan all stayed for sacrament meeting and the second hour so the boys could go to James's Primary class. His lesson was about Samson and how we need to develop spiritual strength. James said both Joshua and Rowan participated. Rowan told about Lola bumping her head while they were on a hike and how he prayed that someone would come to help and how his dad drove up right after his prayer. He said he felt liked Heavenly Father loved him and he immediately offered a prayer of thanks.

Joshua told his mom that the lesson was so good he almost cried.

Paul, Stacy, and I attended Brother Smith's Sunday School class. The lesson was on Solomon, wise man and foolish man. Brother Smith showed President Hinckley giving President Benson's conference address from April 1989, "Beware of Pride." After the talk we discussed pride. Pride is such a widespread malady I am sure most of us felt we needed to repent.

We had several new sisters in Relief Society today. Robin Doyle, Kate Hahn, and a Sister McLaws, and a visitor from Concho here with Barbara who has been attending the Concho branch but is actually a member of our ward.

 Teresa Smith taught the lesson using President Eyring's conference talk: "His Spirit to Be with You."

After the block James and I went to the Peeler's so he could help administer the sacrament for Sister Peeler. Brother J. Allen and Brother Secard were also there. I love the Peeler's so much and we pray everyday that Sister Peeler will heal so she can attend her meetings again.

Back at home Paul was cooking grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch and Stacy and the boys were packing and getting ready to go home. Rowan is supposed to be home by 4 because his family is going to The Arizona Grand Hotel for Trina's mom's birthday. I hear they have an awesome water park.

I took this picture before leaving. Why didn't I notice that Shipley was in front of Joshua's face?

This evening Tamara, the Relief Society President, and I went to visit a couple of sisters in our ward. Yesterday she and Kerri visited Sister Campbell and Kerri and I visited Sister Gardner. 

Our first visit was to the Crues family. Brother Crues visited with us as did his wife. When they said they were from Linden I asked if they knew the Maxwell's. Yes they did. Waylon had been a friend of Eric's in high school.

We had a nice visit and got to know them a little and their five year old son Jack who has three ride on tractor toys. He had to show us his driving skills before we left.

Our next stop was at Sister Skousen's. Since she was released as Primary President a few months back she had surgery on her right knee and we have not seen her in Relief Society. She said she attended once but that must have been before I was called to the presidency.  

Sister Skousen is not healing as quickly as she would like and the other day while trying to lift her leg onto the table during physical therapy she heard a snapping sound in her thigh area which has caused a great deal more pain. She had an MRI but they said it was non-conclusive so she goes in tomorrow for another one. She is worried that if she isn't able to go back to work soon she may lose her job. We told her we would pray for her. What didn't we offer a prayer before we left?

The European travelers are in Paris, France today.

Kim on the left.

Notre Dame

French Revolution

The Mona Lisa

The christening of Prince Louis

Saturday, July 7th, 2018

Mexico City, Mexico

26th operating temple

Dedicated: 2-4 Dec 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

Isaiah 41:20

That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the Lord hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.

Book of Mormon

Alma 29:8-30:11

*Whom will you serve?
-Those the Lord inspires me to serve.

Old Testament

2 Chronicles 5-6

5 The temple is finished, and the ark of the covenant is placed in the holy of holies - The glory of the Lord fills the temple.

6 Solomon blesses the congregation of Israel - He offers the dedicatory prayer for the temple - He prays for mercy and blessings for penitent Israel.

General Conference

One More Day

Elder Taylor G. Godoy

"I learned that the sacrifices our loved ones make for us refresh us like cool water in the middle of the desert. Such sacrifice brings hope and motivation. Any sacrifice we make is small compared to the sacrifice of the Son of God."

James and I got up around 7, had breakfast, and then joined other members of our ward at the church for a deep clean of the building. I don't think it's ever been done before. The RS was assigned the RS room and the kitchen. 

We had a good turn out. Here is one of the things that James did.

 The bishop asked if someone would clean up on this ledge in the

chapel and no one else wanted to do it, so of course James said he would.

Lorraine arranging chairs for tomorrow

 Wendy and Kathy cleaning the oven

When we got home Stacy, Paul and the boys were playing a game of Life.

  Paul and his dogs

Only one more week until my

family returns.

This afternoon we went to Greer and then
to Sheep's Crossing.

 Rowan got a green apple snow cone.
He couldn't finish it all.
They were out of mint chocolate chip
ice cream so Joshua didn't get anything.

Sheep's Crossing

It's beautiful here

Rowan eyeing Joshua's stick.

Vader loved the water, Shipley, not so much.

Vader really wanted to do some more
exploring on his own.

It started to rain so we left. It also rained and
hailed in Vernon! 

 A Razr ride before the rain, and one after
on Sunday.

 Beauty of nature.

They saw antelope, a fox, and a turkey.

This evening we fixed steak for dinner. I stopped and got some sirloins at the Safeway in Springerville. We also had beans, broccoli, rolls, and a wonderful cherry cobbler, with vanilla ice cream, made by James. (The cobbler, not the ice cream.) I also got Joshua some mint chocolate chip ice cream so he was happy.

Stacy, James and I watched The Father Brown Mysteries on PBS before going to bed.

Friday, July 6th, 2018

Papeete, Tahiti

25th operating temple

Dedicated: 27-29 Oct 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

Isaiah 40:28

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.

Book of Mormon

Alma 28:9-29:7

*"I ought not to harrow up in my desires the firm decree of a just God, for I know that he granteth unto men according to their desire." What does this mean?

-Just like parents with their children, God sometimes allows us to pursue unjust desires, especially if there is a lesson to be learned. In any case He almost always does not interfere with our agency. The only exception is if we ask the Lord to help us resist bad choices, or some one else close to you is asking and fasting on your behalf. (Alma for Alma the younger).

Old Testament

2 Chronicles 3-4

3 Solomon begins to build the temple - He makes the veil and the pillars, and uses much gold and many precious stones.

4 Solomon makes a basin and places it on twelve oxen - The altar, basins, pots, and various items are made.

General Conference

Meek and Lowly of Heart

Elder David A. Bednar

"Meekness is a defining attribute of the Redeemer and is distinguished by righteous responsiveness, willing submissiveness, and strong self-restraint."

James had an early meeting with Francisco this morning. He gave him a check for $4,500 for labor on the Phoenix Country Club job which lasted 2 1/2 days.

Darrel went to work this morning and Trina and Addy went to the gym. That left Rowan, Ruby, and Lola and I home together.

The kids watched Studio C while I worked on my blog. 

At 10:00 I gave them all a hug and said goodbye and left for my infusion appointment. 

My appointment was at 10:45 but they are running late and it's after 11 before I get called back. They are always late after a holiday in the middle of the week.

After my infusion I went across Baseline to Fry's to get some lunch and snacks to eat on the way home. I also got some gas and then headed for Payson.

James is ahead of me and so are Stacy, Paul, Joshua, and Rowan.

I zip right on through Payson. When I get almost to Show Low it starts raining really hard. Stacy said they came through the canyon and they got into a hard rain before getting into Show Low too.

When I get home I am crying. I finished listening to President Eyring's biography. His wife has alzheimer's and sometimes she doesn't remember who he is.

Paul and James help me unload the car. Once I get everything put away I sit down to relax. Joshua and Rowan are playing laser guns. Joshua is so excited to have someone to hang out with. He has really missed Evan since he has been gone to Europe.

Paul looks really good. He has lost 70 lbs. He says he has 30 more to go. So do I but I have not been doing very good the past few days.

Vader and Shipley are here too. They can't go outside unless they are on their leash. They like looking at the bunnies, especially Shipley, through the dining room window.

Paul fixes the boys burgers for dinner. After dinner the boys go into our room to watch "Private Eyes" and Stacy, Paul, and I watch "The Greatest Showman" in the family room. James keeps going back and forth but I know he favors "Private Eyes."

We went to bed around 11.

 Haboob in Chandler

Hail in Pinetop-Lakeside

Thursday, July 5th, 2018

Santiago, Chile

24th operating temple

Dedicated: 15-17 Sept 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

Psalms 33:6

By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of the by the breath of his mouth.

Book of Mormon

Alma 27:16-28:8

*What has the Lord done to help you keep your covenants?

-He has given me the gift of the Holy Ghost. He has given me scriptures. He has organized, and provided The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with weekly meetings to educate, teach, inspire and encourage me. He has given us lds.org. I'm so very grateful that the Lord is willing and able to give all these amazing gifts and very real help to everyone seeing truth and light. We are truly blessed!

Old Testament 

2 Chronicles 1-2

1 The Lord honors Solomon before all Israel - The Lord appears to him - Solomon chooses and is given wisdom - His kingdom is blessed with splendor and riches.

2 Solomon engages Huram of Tyre to supply timber for the temple - Laborers are organized to do the work.

General Conference

The Prophet of God

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"Those who know him well would speak of President Nelson facing the difficulties of life with faith and courage. When cancer took the life of his 37 year old daughter, Emily, leaving a loving husband and five small children, I heard him say, 'I was her father, a medical doctor, and an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, but I had to bow my head and acknowledge, 'Not my will but thine be done.'"

Trina went to work this morning. Darrel has a remodeling project he is doing today. James and I are taking Lola to Build-a-Bear later this morning but first we had to drop off my old phone at the UPS store and go shopping at Fry's for dinner. 

Nice work, Darrel!

James helped me with the shopping. We got skim milk for Addy because Darrel forgot, and stuff to make flank steak tacos. We went back home and Addy had gotten all the spices out for me. She was now gone to the gym with Darrel so I couldn't thank her until later.

I made the marinade, rubbed it all over the steak on both sides, and then put the steak in the crockpot. Lola waited patiently.

All the way over to San Tan Mall she talked about going to her mall. When we got to the store and she saw that it was outside she said: "This isn't my mall." I told her that I didn't think her mall had a Build-a-Bear store and that's why we couldn't got there. That seemed to satisfy her. 

Once we were inside we found three my little ponies. I thought for sure she would be excited about them. She looked at them and said: "But I want a plastic one."  We looked around for awhile and then I ordered her a plastic pony, "Serenade," off Amazon before we left the store.

I have never taken a kid shopping who couldn't find anything they wanted in a kid store. 

I told Lola we were going to lunch at Olive Garden and she said, "but I want to go to Chili's." I told her Olive Garden was just as good as Chili's. She started to get a little emotional. I think she is a little hungry. 

When we got to Olive Garden she remembered that was where I took her before and she was fine with it. She ordered mac and cheese with grapes, french fries, and a Sprite. 

She started out sitting next to James but when he wouldn't play the video game with her she moved over to my side. We played a trivia game that was alot of fun and I think James was a little jealous. 

Lola ate all of her mac and cheese and a breadstick and seemed to be much happier. 

We went home empty handed and had to explain to everyone why we didn't get a stuffed pony.

James and I were a little tired so we took a nap. 

When James got up he gave Darrel some advice about his remodeling and I started making dinner. I caught James after he was done helping Jared and asked him to shred the meat while I chopped the veggies, and got out the rest of the taco toppings.

I heated up the tortillas, both corn and flour and it was time to eat. The meat was good and everyone seemed to like it, including Ruby and Rowan. Lola didn't feel like eating. She just had a peanut butter sandwich right before dinner. 

After the sun went down we all went to the grassy area to play croquet. This is the first time Ruby has used her croquet set. It started getting dark before we could finish the game but it was fun.

When we returned home Trina was there. She went to pick up Addy soon after we got back. Trina tried the taco meat and asked me for the recipe. Addy said she was sorry she missed the tacos but would try them tomorrow.

Time for bed. 

I love this!

I know it's a day late but I couldn't pass up
posting this.

I want this is my yard!

I got this from Darrel and Trina's

finance book.