Sunday, July 15th, 2018

Stockholm, Sweden

34th operating temple

Dedicated: 2 July 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

Amos 4:13

For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The Lord, The God of hosts, is his name.

Book of Mormon

Alma 33:1-11

*Why did the Lord hear Zenos' prayer?

- Verse 11: "And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity; and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions, for in thee is my joy; for thou hast turned thy judgments away from me, because of thy Son.

Old Testament

2 Chronicles 25-27

25 Amaziah reigns, smites the Edomites, and worships false gods - A prophet foretells Amaziah's destruction - Judah is defeated by Israel, and Amaziah is slain in a conspiracy.

26 Uzziah reigns and prospers as long as he keeps the commandments - He transgresses, attempts to burn incense upon the altar, and is cursed with leprosy.

27 Jotham reigns, builds up the kingdom, and subdues the Ammonites.

General Conference

Inspired Ministering

President Henry B. Eyring

"When a teacher chooses to set the right example by being a good home teacher, greeting the members at church, preparing the sacrament, helping at home, and being a peacemaker, he's choosing to honor his priesthood and fulfill his calling. Being a good teacher doesn't only mean being responsible when we are at church or at Church activities. The Apostle Paul taught, 'Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity'(1 Timothy 4:12)." 

Emsley slept with me last night. She said she wanted to sleep close to someone. I told her she was close to Tildy and she said, "No, a grownup." So that's the story of how I got my new bed partner.

I got up around 4:15 thinking I would have a couple of hours to myself.

At 5:30 James got up to take a shower and he woke Emsley up. She came to find me and I tried to lie down by her on the couch thinking she would go back to sleep but all she could think about was taking a bubble shower. She calls a bath a shower because they don't take baths at their house. I told her we had to wait for Tildy to wake up. As soon as Tildy got up, around 6:30 they ran in the bathroom and got their clothes off. I ran the water and poured in the bubbles and left them there while I went to start breakfast. Pretty soon I hear, "Sister Lambson!" I ran in to see what was the matter. I guess the water was a little too warm. 

They decided that after church they wanted a 

bath without bubbles so they could swim better.

For breakfast James and I made bacon, scrambled eggs, toast and grape juice. They drank the grape juice but didn't eat much of anything else. I gave them a little bowl of Cheerios and they didn't even eat that. Tildy told me they only like turkey bacon. 

All ready for Church

Such pretty girls

President and Sister Brimhall of the temple presidency were the speakers today in sacrament meeting. They both shared special stories about the importance of individuals and families and temple ordinances. It was a very special meeting. Emsley slept all the way through it. That's because she got up so early.

Emsley refused to go to Primary so we sat on the couch in the back foyer and watched everyone go by with their babies. I also spoke with Sister Wilhelm who is teaching Relief Society and Tamara.

When it was time for Relief Society Emsley grabbed my purse and said, "Come on Sister Lambson, let's go." I think she likes Relief Society but she did not want to go to Sunday School.

Sandra did an awesome job teaching from Sister Aburto's conference talk, "With One Accord." 

After Relief Society James, the girls and I all went to the Peeler's to give Sister Peeler the sacrament. The girls know the Peeler's very well so they were comfortable going there. 

As soon as we got home they stripped their clothes off and jumped into the bathtub. They are so exuberant and lively, especially Tildy. She had to show me all the tricks she could do in the bathtub. 

James fixed them some chicken noodle soup for lunch so I told them they had to get out. Emsley hurt herself getting out. I finally had to say, no more bath tub for the rest of the day.

Again they ate like birds. Tildy said the noodles tasted fuzzy. They did eat some watermelon and drank some more grape juice and ate a couple of crackers. I did make Emsley a pbj.

The girls played for awhile with the Barbie's and the Calico Critters and then they wanted to watch a Sunday movie. First we watched Esther and then Ruth. When Tildy isn't watching a movie or playing with Barbie's she is jumping on the trampoline, or standing on her head, or doing summersaults. She is always crying out, "Sister Lambson, I hurt myself." I told her she just needs to sit still for awhile. We sat down and watched "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." 

At dinner time I made some macaroni and cheese but they didn't like it because they didn't like the cheese. Tildy wanted some Smores but I told her no, not if she wasn't going to eat her dinner.

We colored for awhile and I could tell Tildy was tired because she was very cross with Tildy. We sat down and watched another movie. This one is one I have wanted to watch, it's called, "The Secret of Roan Innis." It says it's about a girl searching for her baby brother on the island of seals. It was ok until a seal came out of the water, shed it's skin and became a woman. Weird! I guess this woman eventually went back to being a seal and took care of the girls brother who was lost at sea when is cradle floated away. It was a movie I had a love/hate relationship with. One good thing came of it, Tildy went to sleep.

Brother Grapp texted us. We have been waiting to hear from him all day. The baby boy is here:

So cute!

One thing I have been trying to teach the girls while they are here is

who the new prophet is. I said you can call him President Nelson or President Russell M. Nelson. They are having a hard time remembering but maybe by the time they leave tomorrow they will know. They will stay until tomorrow morning. If brother Grapp came up tonight from Payson he probably wouldn't get here until after ten. I told him tomorrow would be fine.

Tildy woke up from her late nap and reminded us we needed to have scriptures when we said our family prayer. We did.

Emsley slept with me again. I think James is jealous.

I got a text from my friend Hailey. I visit taught her until she moved with her family to Deming, New Mexico. She wanted to thank me for all I did for their family while they lived in our ward. She said she found the set of scriptures I gave to Taylor with her name on them. She said Taylor was baptized this past Saturday which made me so happy because they had not been active for quite sometime when they left for New Mexico. I think they really like it where they are.

 I love this family!

Taylor looks so grown up.

She is nine.

Hailey also sent me this brownie recipe:

Back in France:

 In front of the Louvre

So sweet

Sheri says these two are the best dog

sitters in the world!

Thanks Michael and Cathi!

Ollie loves Cathi and Michael too!

The Tomlinson's are sending their

second missionary out while the

first one is still gone.

They have 5 boys. Such an

amazing family! Love those smiles!

Prince Louis christening

Saturday, July 14th, 2018

Frieberg, Germany
33rd operating temple
Dedicated: 29-30 June 1985
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

Jeremiah 51:15

He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.

Book of Mormon

Alma 32:21-43

*How do we plant spiritual "seeds?"

- The word seed is mentioned 15 times in Alma 32:28-36..., a reminder that the gospel can remain a "seed" for a long time before it becomes a tree, and then the size of the tree is very small and fragile. Seeds can be planted by "kind deeds or acts" which grow over time, causing a desire to investigate the gospel and join the Church. Seeds can be planted by sharing gospel truths. Once the seed has been planted then we can nourish it with patience. Helping others and ourselves to grow in the gospel takes time to experiment with the word, with prayer and to exercise our agency. If planting seeds is difficult for us, perhaps we could be the one that nourishes, and helps others to grow in the gospel, and strengthen their faith.

Old Testament

2 Chronicles 22-24

22 Ahaziah reigns in wickedness and is slain by Jehu; his mother, Athaliah, reigns in his stead.

23 Jehoiada the priest makes Joash king - Athaliah is slain =- Worship of the Lord is restored, and the priest of Baal is slain.

General Conference

Behold! A Royal Army

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"What a joy it will be for all Melchizedek Priesthood holders to have the blessing of teaching, learning, and serving shoulder to shoulder with all the members in their ward. Wherever you are and whatever your circumstances may be, we invite you prayerfully, faithfully, and joyfully to accept new opportunities to lead or to be led and to serve unitedly as a body of priesthood brethren."

I got a new schedule at the temple today. Sister Cochran is the co-ordinator replacing Sister Wenhardt and Sister Humphrey is the assistant. 

President and Sister Reidhead did the training in our preparation meeting. The emphasis was on correctness and kindness. 

My first assignment was to be a patron in initiatory. Out of the five names I have I was able to do one during this 30 minute rotation. The temple started out busy and it was busy all day.

Next I went downstairs to be greeter 2, which is really the easiest. I help new people who need directions. Today there were quite a few. We had people come up from the valley either because of the weather or the closing of the Mesa temple. James was at the recommend desk so I got to visit with him a little. We are both looking for a couple to take our place next week. We traded with the Nelson's and now because of Ruthie's baptism we need someone to work for us on the 21st.

I had the locker room next. It was quiet because it was in between sessions. After locker room I had my break. I sat with Sister Cochran and Sister Bradshaw. I am working with Sister Bradshaw on the live sealing right after break. 

As I went downstairs to wait for the couple to come in I was visiting with Sister Bowers who was waiting for the sister own endowment to come in. I told her about our dilemma next week. She said she would be glad to work for me but that James needed to talk to her husband. Yes!  I knew Sister Bowers was one of my favorites!

When the bride and groom  come in Sister Bradshaw and I take them upstairs to the record office where they go over all the paperwork. I go back downstairs because one of my jobs is to welcome all the guests and have them take their shoes off and wait in the chapel. One of the first guests to come in is the brides sister. She needs her mom's car keys. I told her I would go up and talk to her mother and asked one of the ordinance workers to direct the guests. 

The brides mother was in a meeting with the recorder. We waited a few minutes and then Sister Bradshaw went and knocked on the door. We got the keys and I took them downstairs, and then went back to directing traffic. 

At ten minutes until 11 I escorted the guests upstairs to the sealing room. There were 62 of them so it was pretty crowded. I forgot to tell one important detail so let me digress for a minute.

The brides last name was Flake and her first name was Shiann.

Barry Flake, an old friend from high school was one of the guests. He is Shiann's grandfather. Barry is one of my heroes. He is the one that pulled my mom's stuck station wagon out of the mud at White Mountain Lake, formerly known as Dag's Reservoir.

After all the guests were seated I went to the recorders office to get all of the paperwork, including the marriage license. I took the papers down to the sealing room and had the two witnesses sign, then I left them on the table for the sealer, President Miller. 

Brother Shelton and I waited in the hall for late guests. We had one. Brother Shelton told me I looked tired and could go sit in the celestial room across the hall and he would watch the door, which I did. After the sealing was over I went downstairs and when the guests were through putting the footlets in the designated drawer, I got a laundry basket and took them to the laundry room. My duties for this assignment are officially over. I saw the bride and groom when they left and I saw Sister Bradshaw give them a hug.

My next assignment was as an initiatory worker. I got there a little early and was able to do one more of my names, name #3 as one more of the names was done after the one I did this morning. 

While I was working Sister Jones came through with both of the my names that were left. Walla! All five names are done. 

My last assignment was in the Celestial room. There were also 2 other sisters with this assignment. There never needs to be more than two, but I stayed anyway until the sister on the next shift came in.

As luck would have it James worked with Brother Bowers and spoke with him about working next Saturday and he said that he would. What a great blessing to work with such great people!

We did not stop at Walmart or anywhere else on the way home, we went straight home. We ate and took a nap and then I got a call from Sister Grapp. She is going into the hospital in Payson to be induced and was wondering of Thomas could bring Tildy and Emsley over this evening. I said of course!

It rained pretty hard this afternoon but by the time Brother Grapp got here with Tildy and Emsley it had stopped. Tildy is six and Emsley is four. They have come to our house enough that they were excited to be here. The first thing they did was run upstairs and get the Barbie's. They brought them back downstairs and asked if they could watch a movie. They picked out the Chipmunk stranded on a desert island movie. Tildy got bored with it after awhile and asked if we could make some smores. I said it would have to be inside because it was too wet outside to start a fire. We cooked our marshmallows over the burners on the stove.

These little girls are very independent and

full of adventure!

Just before his family returned today,
he looks like hes waiting.

I love this photo!

 Other worldly

Bunny Miner lost her dad after a surgery

 My knee stopped hurting about half way

through the temple today.

Friday, July 13th, 2018

Guatemala City, Guatemala
32nd operating temple
Dedicated: 14-16 Dec 1984
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

Isaiah 65:17

For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

Book of Mormon

Alma 32:1-20

*How does one worship God?

- Obedience is the highest form of worship. A correct understanding of the nature of God and the Godhead is required for proper worship to occur.

Old Testament

2 Chronicles 19-21

19 Jehoshaphat is rebuked for helping ungodly Ahab - He helps the people return to the Lord, sets up judges, and administers justice.

20 The Ammonites and others attack Judah - Jehoshaphat and all the people fast and pray - Jahaziel prophesies the deliverance of Judah - Judah's attackers war among and destroy themselves.

21 Jehoram slays his brothers, marries Ahab's daughter, and reigns in wickedness - Elijah prophesies a plague upon the people and the death of Jehoram - The Philistines and others war against Judah - Jehoram dies of sore diseases.

General Conference

The Elders Quorum

By Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"What are the purposes of the adjustments to Melchizedek Priesthood quorums? Having one Melchizedek Priesthood quorum in a ward unifies priesthood holders to accomplish all aspects of the work of salvation, including the temple and family history work previously coordinated by the high priests groups. It allows quorum members of all ages and backgrounds to benefit from the perspective and experience of one another and of those in different stages of life. It also provides additional opportunities for experienced priesthood holders to mentor others, including prospective elders, new members, young adults, and those returning to Church activity. I cannot adequately express how excited I am to contemplate the increasingly vital role that elders quorums will play in the future. The wisdom, experience, capacity, and strength that will be found in these quorums portend a new day and a new standard of priesthood service across the Church."

I read an article entitled "Answers to 35 Questions about Religious Freedom" in Meridian magazine. I am going to make a copy and keep it in my files. There are groups actively working to banish religion in any form from the public square and we need to be aware of what our rights are.

James bought a Colorado Golden melon last night at Walmart and he cut it up this morning and gave me some of it. I thought it was a little bland. I like cantaloupe much better. James really liked it.

Sheri is frustrated in New York. Actually they are staying at an airbnb in Union City, New Jersey. She wants to go exploring in the city but Ian and Ben are too tired. She finally gets Max and Evan to come with her to Central Park. Ian doesn't want them to spend any money so they can't go to the Museum of Natural History.

Here are some of the photos she took:

Raccoon checking out New York

I am definitely having problems walking today. I can't bend my right knee. I know it may be from the fall I took last night but I checked out my calendar and the week after my infusion last month I had the same problem. I hope this isn't a pattern.

James put some heat on it for me and rubbed my feet. Hopefully I will be ok for the temple tomorrow. Sitting on the couch with my knee up reminds me of how the Spirit and body work together. If the body doesn't work the way it's supposed to the Spirit is affected.

At 6:40 p.m. the rain is here and it's a downpour!

James and I finished "Riders on the Orphan Train" this evening and started a new book on Deseretbook Plus called "Abby's Crossing."

I also spoke to Jared on the phone. He says they would like to come out for Thanksgiving which makes me really happy!

Photos from Texas:

Tanner caught a fish

Molly

 Kacey looking beautiful!

Back in Vernon:

Building a rabbit hutch.

I love these summer storms!

Ian's photos of churches around the world:

Recognize any of these.

I saw Notre Dame and I am wondering if this

last one is St. Patrick's in New York.