Monday, July 30th, 2018

Mt. Timpanogos, Utah

49th operating temple

Dedicated: 13 Oct 1996

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

2 Nephi 9:5

Yea, I know that ye know that in the body he shall show himself unto those at Jerusalem, from whence we came; for it is expedient that it should be among them; for it behooveth the great Creator that he suffereth himself to become subject unto man in the flesh, and die for all men, that all men might become subject unto him.

Book of Mormon

Alma 42:26-43:14

*How does Almas advice to Corianton differ from his advice to his other sons Helaman and Shiblon?

- He talks about repentance and humility to Corianton.

Old Testament

Job 2-4

2 Satan obtains permission from the Lord to afflict Job physically - Job is smitten with boils - Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar come to comfort him.

3 Job curses the circumstances of his birth - He asks, Why died I not from the womb?

4 Eliphaz reproves Job, asking such questions as, Are the righteous cut off? Shall a man be more pure than his maker?

General Conference

Prepare to Meet God

Elder Quentin L. Cook

"With respect to righteousness, this life is the time for all of us to prepare to meet God. The Book of Mormon provides multiple examples of the tragic consequences when individuals or groups fail to keep the commandments of God. During my lifetime, worldly issues and concerns have moved from one extreme to another - from frivolous and trivial pursuits to serious immorality. The family proclamation to the world warns 'that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring will one day stand accountable before God."

James made potato pancakes for breakfast with the left over mashed potatoes from the Peeler's dinner. They were delicious!

I finished "A Reason for Faith" and now I am trying to finish "Finding Your Path in Lehi's Dream." Today I read chapters 13 and 14. I thought this was interesting. Possible taunts from the Great and Spacious Building:

1. There is no God.

2. There is a God, but he doesn't care what we do. (Alex said this to James).

3. God is Love, so he doesn't punish people.

4. We don't believe in organized religion.

5. You think you are better than us.

6. Why are you trying to convert people?

Brother Howard had to make another trip to the valley to pick up their flooring because it wasn't ready last week when they were down there. For this reason James worked here at home instead of the Howard's. First he went out and worked on his rabbit hutch. I am not opposed to him catching some rabbits and breeding them with domestic rabbits. I just want to make sure he knows that I am opposed to eating the rabbits. He said he knew and that we would not eat them.

Today is Harry Potter's birthday. Here is how Addy celebrated:

After lunch I finished watching "Switched for Christmas" starring Candace Cameron Bure. This evening James and I finished watching , "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, at the Altar." Norman and Rita finally get married and for a surprise ending Oliver and Shane get engaged. I like this series because it is corny and makes me laugh and it is also serious and makes me cry. To me, that's the criteria for a good movie.

James went to town today to get supplies for the Howard job and to buy two new trees with the money he got from winning the Chunky Monkey contest. He bought a Globe willow and a white ash tree. He said Home Depot didn't have any regular willow trees and that we would have to go up to Christopher's Garden. I love going there.

At 7:30 this evening James was still outside planting them.

I did some family history this evening. I discovered that one of my relatives, Edward Rutledge, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. His temple work has not been done. The reason for not being able to do his work is listed as no standardized death date. I am totally confused by this because his death date is clearly listed as 23 January 1800. I sent a message to Family Search for help.

Sometimes I feel so blessed that I don't feel worthy.

Kacey get a photo every week of this sweet girl.

Memory lane: Golden Corral date with Ruby

A familiar scene in Show Low when I

was growing up. Vickie says the horse belongs to

Pete Ellsworth, Wesley's dad.

A painting by Hayden Lambson

Ollie is obsessed with Sheri.

Sunday, July 29th, 2018

Hong Kong, China

48th operating temple

Dedicated: 26 May 1996

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

2 Nephi 2:15

And to bring about his eternal purposes in the end of man, after he had created our first parents, and the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and in fine, all things which are created, it must needs be that there was an opposition; even the forbidden fruit in opposition to the tree of life; the one being sweet and the other bitter.

Book of Mormon

Alma 42:1-15

*What can we learn from the fall?

- We have our agency but must accept the consequences of our choices. God loves us and provides a way for us to return to Him.

Old Testament

Esther 9 - Job 1

9 The Jews slay their enemies, including Haman's ten sons - The Feast of Purim is instituted to commemorate their deliverance and victory.

10 Mordecai, the Jew, stands next to Ahasuerus in power and might.

Job 1

1 Job, a just and perfect man, is blessed with great riches - Satan obtains permission from the Lord to tempt and try Job - Job's property and children are destroyed, and yet he praises and blesses the Lord.

General Conference

It Is All About People

Bishop Gerald Causse

"My dear brothers and sisters, are we active in the gospel, or are we merely busy in the Church? The key is to follow the example of the Savior in all things. If we do that, we will naturally focus on saving individuals rather than performing tasks and implementing programs."

Sister Deatherage and Sister Applegate were the speakers in sacrament meeting today. 

Sister Deatherage used two talks for her talk: "Being in the Thick of Thin Things" by Sister Michelle Craig, First Counselor in the General Young Women's Presidency. This talk was given at BYU women's conference. "As the world gets busier and noisier, it becomes critical for us to carve out time for those things that are of greatest importance." What will you take with you, what will you leave behind? Sister Craig says we take our covenants, relationships, and things that have built our character. We take those things that are of eternal importance. Do you have any personal quiet time? "Unless we make time for quiet contemplative time, the voice of the Spirit may not get through to us." What are you doing that you should not be doing? What am I not doing that I should start doing?

The next part of her talk was based on a General Conference address given by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf: "Am I Sleeping through the Restoration?" Selfishness and addictions and two road blocks to our progression and being active in the restoration.

Brother Applegate: How Can We Overcome Challenges, Weaknesses, and Sins? Brother Applegate only had about ten minutes for his talk. He spoke really fast but with enthusiasm and sincerity. He quoted Ether 12:27 - "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

This thought came to me as I was listening to Brother Applegate's talk: "If my love for the Lord is greater than my love for my weaknesses, He will help me overcome them." Brother Applegate's talk was pretty amazing!

Sister Wood gave our Sunday School lesson: O.T. #29: "He Took Up...the Mantle of Elijah" 2 Kings 2; 5-6

The purpose of the lesson was to help us understand how the authority (mantle) passes from one prophet to another, to encourage us to obey the words of the prophets, and to assure us that the power of God is greater than any other power.

The 3rd hour was under the direction of the Bishop because it is the 5th Sunday. Bishop Miller started out by asking if there were any questions or concerns. Brother DeWitt wanted to know if there was a plan in place in case of an intruder with a gun. I guess because of the incident in Fallon, Nevada this concern is on most people's minds. The handbook states that we should hide, flee, or fight back in case of an intruder. Only law enforcement officers are allowed to carry weapons. We must realize that we are under the Lord's protection when we are at Church. I am not sure this was what Brother DeWitt wanted but the bishop really has no authority in this matter.

I asked the question: Why aren't ministering brothers and sisters set apart. The bishop thought it was a very good question. My answer came from Brother Patrick and Sister Miller and lots of others in between. Brother Patrick says that ministering is not a calling it is an assignment and that we only set people apart for callings. Sister Miller said that we are under our baptismal covenant to minister and care for one another. Those answers satisfied me. 

Bishop Miller gave some wonderful counsel about ministering. He told of a time when he was living in Texas and was extremely busy including taking 24 credits in college. He was asked to home teach a very needy man and what a blessing it became in his life. He says that when you minister, you in return are ministered to. Also when we serve others we find ourselves because there is more of us to find. It was a great meeting.

At home after lunch and rest time I got a text from Stacy asking if we could change the couples retreat to September 15th. There is some confusion as to when our next deep clean of the temple is. The bulletin says Sept 12th but that is a Wednesday and deep cleans are always done on Saturday. When James got up from his nap he called Brother Patterson who is the stake cleaning coordinator. the cleaning is on September 1st so we are good with September 15th for the couples retreat. Now Kim is going to talk to Sheri and Stacy is going to talk to Trina about coming. Neither of them wanted to leave their kids at home. I told Stacy to please not pressure them to come but tell them there are things we want to do, such as have a council/counsel meeting and work on family history that will be easier if kids are not involved. Next year I would like to plan a family reunion for everyone and make it at a time that Jared and Kacey can come too.

James wanted me to read from "Life Everlasting," our Sunday reading book. We went out on the porch and read about the Resurrection.

I listened to the last chapter from "A Reason for Faith," Science and Religion Friends or Foes.

Sheri asked James to ordain Ben to the Melchizedek priesthood. Ben asked him to be his escort in the temple. What a wonderful month August is going to be!

James worked on our family tree that we are showing the kids at the couples retreat. Actually we have three trees. One for our council meeting and two for our family history meeting. Here are the trees:

Council Meeting

How can the image of this tree help us to raise a righteous posterity?

That will be our beginning statement and then we will go from there with a discussion on how we can help each other to raise righteous children.

How can we be more united as a family?

What are your concerns and feelings regarding this?

Family History

First we will talk about this combined tree which makes

the James Lambson and Karen Maxwell Family Tree.

We will then give each person a family tree to fill out of

their family.

We will get on family search and fill in names and talk

about the importance of establishing a strong family tree.

Can this family tree help us with raising our children?

If so, how?

Our children were represented on the tree given in the council meeting.

We will also be going to a spot on the river where we can relax, hike and have lunch together. Paul is going to cook dinner using a flat iron steak recipe that Stacy raves about. 

Before leaving for the outing on Saturday morning James and I will make biscuits, with steak and gravy. We will also have fresh fruit for those of us who are light eaters. 

After Fast and Testimony meeting on Sunday we will come home to a delicious crockpot meal and a big salad. I am not sure what the meal will be yet.

When James was working on the family tree he noticed that both of my great grandfathers on my dad's side died at the very young age of 38. 

After going to bed tonight we experienced quite a show of lightning and thunder. We also got a little of unexpected rain.

It was a wonderful Sabbath day.

 I need to visit Aunt Gene again. She is my link

to the past for the Maxwell and Robinson

families. I also need to find out who is Uncle Walter's

closest relative so I can get permission to do his and his wife's temple work

I love this family photo from 1978-79.

Saturday, July 28th, 2018

Bountiful, Utah

47th operating temple

Dedicated: 8 Jan 1995

By: Howard W. Hunter

Jesus Christ, Creator

Hebrews 11:3

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Book of Mormon

Alma 41:1-15

* Why is it requisite for all things to be restored in the last days?

- How could the Atonement of Jesus Christ be effective it it was not requisite for all things to be restored. The plan of restoration is requisite with the justice of God. Men are judged according to their works. Wickedness never was happiness. Give mercy to receive mercy. That which you send out shall be returned unto you. Restoration condemneth the sinner.

Old Testament

Esther 6-8

6 Mordecai receives great honors - Haman mourns and is counseled by his wife.

7 Esther reveals Haman's plot to destroy the Jews - He is hanged on his own gallows.

8 Mordecai is honored and placed over the house of Haman - Ahasuerus issues a decree to preserve the Jews.

General Conference

Behold the Man!

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Because of Jesus Christ, we will rise from the despair of death and embrace those we love, shedding tears of overwhelming joy and overflowing gratitude. Because of Jesus Christ, we will exist as eternal beings, worlds without end. Because of Jesus the Christ, our sins can not only be erased; they can be forgotten. We can become purified and exalted. Holy. Because of our beloved Savior, we can forever drink from the fountain of water that springs up into eternal life. We can dwell forever in the mansions of our eternal King, in unimaginable glory and perfect happiness."

We left for the temple this morning at 5:40. On the way we listened to our scriptures from the Old Testament, I read from the Book of Mormon, and we listened to Elder Uchtdorf's conference address, Behold the Man! We already had family prayer before we left the house. It's a beautiful morning and we are always anxious to get to the temple in time to get dressed and be to preparation meeting by 6:55. 

President Palmer and his wife did the training in preparation meeting. We watched three films about patrons having a good experience in the temple. 

My first assignment was locker room at 730. Sisters started pouring in for the 8 a.m. session. We willed up the ten lockers quickly and I started over. Some lockers had three people assigned. 

After locker room I went downstairs to be greeter 2. There are three greeters, one stands and asks the people as they come in if they are going to a session. Two helps new people and runs errands as needed and three is for the baptistry. The baptistry greeter wasn't there so I showed people to the chapel and told the baptistry director. 

Sister Johnson, the wife of one of the sealers asked me if I wanted to do sealings with my husband who was already in the sealing room. I said yes and she said she would take my next assignment at the sealers desk downstairs. 

When I got to the sealing room, Brother Flake was the sealer and the other sealer, Brother Johnson, was a witness. James and I were able to do sealings for some of my Strickland and Rutledge relatives. I thanked Sister Johnson when I saw her again.

I was only there for 30 minutes and then I had to go back down to the sealing desk under the stairs just off the entry to the temple.

Sister Higgins, a sweet hispanic sister who works on our shift asked me if I would help her organize her stack of sealing cards.  That is part of my job and I said I would be happy to help her. There were some cards already done, some that needed more information, and there were 3 couples to be sealed, 16 sons to parents, and 18 daughters to parents. She is going to take them up and do them at 10. I told her everything she needed to do. Glad I could be of service to her.  Oh yes, something interesting about her cards. The submitters name was Beatrice Lambson. I pointed that out to her and I assume it was her name because she said, oh yes, that was a long time ago.  I need to find out who she was married to.

During my break I visited with Sister Flake whose husband is the sealer. I told her what a good sealer I thought he was and she said yes, she agreed. She told me what a blessing it has been to him in his life. He says, "can you imagine me, an old cowboy, being a sealer in the temple." She said it is very easy for him to memorize things. He loves to recite poetry and he entertained family members at her family reunion with both inspirational poems and cowboy poems. Sister Flake is from Alpine and I told her my grandpa was born in Nutrioso. It's a small world. She told me about her dad dying from an infection in his leg, the same kind Joseph Smith had. He would not let the doctor amputate and he ended up dying of the infection. I feel like I made a new friend in her.

This afternoon I worked in the Celestial room and saw Sandy's sister Connie again. I guess she and her husband were the witness couple in the session that James was the follower in. 

I got off an hour early today because there was nothing for me to do. I went downstairs and waited in the car for James.

Before going home we went in to Show Low and got orange chicken, beef and broccoli, rice and noddles at Panda Express, enough to feed four people. We also stopped by and picked up two Oreo Blizzards at Dairy Queen. We are feeding the missionaries.

We got home and while I rested James had an unexpected visit from Brother Valentic who is up here from Chandler. He is in Sheri's ward and when James told him that Ben had received his mission call he was very happy. He said, "You know, I watch him bless the sacrament and he has a glow about him." Brother Valentic use to have Alex as a home teaching companion and really likes him too. He hopes because of Ben's example he might want to serve a mission. 

Elder Bernecker and Elder Bingham were right on time. We enjoyed our dinner and then visiting afterwards. Elder Bingham is from Idaho and I asked him how cold it gets in Idaho Falls. He said it can get 40 below. Sheri took Ben shopping today and he said he didn't need a hat or a scarf. He may change his mind when he gets there.

The elders' left before 7. James went out to work on his rabbit hutch and walk, and finish a sling he is making for his David and Goliath Primary lesson. I cleaned the kitchen, walked, and finished a Christmas movie I started yesterday.

I love that smile!

 How fun!

Beautiful!

Friday, July 27th, 2018

Orlando, Florida

46th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Oct 1994

By: Howard W. Hunter

Jesus Christ, Creator

Hebrew 1:10

And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

Book of Mormon

Alma 40:15-26

*What happens between death and the Resurrection?

- vs. 21...there is a space between death and the resurrection of the body, and a state of the soul in happiness or in misery until the time which is appointed of God that the dead shall come forth, and be reunited, body and spirit.

Old Testament

Esther 3-5

3 Mordecai, the Jew, refuses to bow to Haman - Haman arranges a decree to kill all the Jews in the kingdom.

4 Mordecai and the Jews mourn and fast because of the king's decree - Esther, at the peril of her life, prepares to go in unto the king.

5 The king receives Esther - She invites him and Haman to a banquet - Haman plans to have Mordecai hanged.

General Conference

Ministering as the Savior Does

Jean B. Bingham

"Another blessing of these inspired announcements is the opportunity for young women ages 14 to 18 to participate in ministering as companions to Relief Society sisters, just as young men their age serve as ministering companions to Melchizedek Priesthood brethren. Youth can share their unique gifts and grow spiritually as they serve alongside adults in the work of salvation. Involving youth in ministering assignments can also increase the reach of Relief Society and elders quorums' caring for others by increasing the number of members who participate."

James left this morning for the Howard's with dusters, a mop bucket and a mop, and a bottle of lavender scented Fabuloso.

Before he left we read from the Old Testament and the Book of Mormon and a chapter from our book, Abby's Crossing. 

Jared texted me this morning with a dilemma regarding Rutledge brothers born in 1775 and 1777. It looks like they were both married to the same woman. I got on Ancestry and started to do some research when I discovered someone who has the same family tree only her tree is private and not to be shared. I emailed her and explained our dilemma and what Rutledge we were related to and ask if she would be willing to share her research. I am still waiting to hear from her.

I talked to Kim about her helping me make my birthday cake on the 18th of August. She said she would love to so I sent her the link with the recipe of the cake Jared made. I am excited!

I forgot to mention yesterday something that Brother Peeler said about why they decided to move to this area. When he was the director of the canneries and storehouses in the southwest region he visited Snowflake quite a bit. He said he loved the people he met and their desire to serve the needs of the people in this area. I said that is one of the things I love about living here, the goodness of the people and their willingness to serve.

James came home at lunch time for the day. After eating and taking a nap we decided to take a ride up to Paradise Creek to see if that's where we want to go for our couples retreat. 

We went on the back road to McNary and came out on Highway 260 where we turned left. We had not gone too far when I saw something by the side of the road I have never seen before, six large bull elk with racks standing at attention. I was dumbfounded and speechless at first unable to believe that what I saw was real. By the time I told James and he saw them he did not have time to stop. We went down the road a little ways and turned around to go back. Two other vehicles had stopped and the elk were running through the trees back into the woods.

If there were six of these and they were all 

standing in a row with their heads up, that would be the

scene that I saw. Incredible!

Well if we don't do anything else on this drive, that scene made it worth coming. I have never seen that many bull elk all together. James said that this time of the year they are in bachelor herds. 

As we drove down the highway towards the Horseshoe Cienega turnoff the low tire light came on. Horseshoe Cienega is the way to Paradise Creek. We went down the road a little ways and discovered that the asphalt has not been maintained and it was full of potholes. We decided not to go any further but to drive in to Eagar and get some air in our tire. It's a good thing we did because the tire only had 5 lbs. of air. Before we left home I heard James using the air compressor in the garage and I thought he was putting air in my tires. Come to find out, he was putting air in the tires of his truck.

On our way back down the 260 we turned in to check out Southfork. It is not how I remembered it being years ago and is not somewhere we want to take the kids. Now James tells me that you have to have a permit to go to Paradise Creek and may Three Forks would be better. He says Three Forks is further and we don't have time to go there today so we go back to Eagar and Springerville to stop at Safeway and get ingredients for smoothies.

We got rained on and there were rain clouds around Vernon but no rain. On our next outing we will be going to Three Forks where we camped with Harold and Vickie when Kim was a baby.

Washed my temple dress and watched a Christmas movie before going to bed.

I love, love love this picture of Scarlett!!

The prettiest thing in the Springerville Safeway.

 Leaving the store

Cutest carry out available.

My sweet friend and former neighbor who I made strawberry freezer jam with and who always beat me in raquetball passed away this week:

Thursday, July 26th, 2018

San Diego, California

45th operating temple

Dedicated: 25 April 1993

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

Hebrews 1:2

Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Book of Mormon

Alma 40:1-14

*What happens to our spirits after we die? 

- If we have been baptized and have repented of our sins, and considered righteous, we are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise (40:12). A place called spirit prison is reserved for 'those who have died in their sins, without a knowledge of the truth, or in transgression, having rejected the prophets (DC 138:32).

Old Testament

Nehemiah 13-Esther 2

13 The Ammonites and Moabites are denied a place in the congregation of God - Tobiah is ejected from his dwelling place in the temple - Nehemiah corrects abuses and reinstitutes Sabbath observance - Some Jews are rebuked for marrying non-Israelite women and defiling the priesthood.

Esther 1 Ahasuerus of Persia and Media makes roayl feasts - Vashti disobeys the king and is deposed as queen.

2 Ahasuerus seeks a new queen - Mordecai presents Esther - Esther pleases the king and is chosen as queen - Mordecai exposes a plot against the king.

General Conference

"Be With and Strengthen Them"

"Because this report is different from anything you have submitted in the past, let me stress that we at Church headquarters don't need to know how or where or when you make contact with your people; we just need to know and care that you do make it and that you bless them in every way you can."

I read from my Patriarchal Blessing this morning and this is what stuck out to me: "Your home will be a sacred place and love and understanding will abound there and the Spirit of the Lord will be with you in your household and your children will grow up in the fear and admonition of God." I have seen this come to pass and I am so grateful for righteous children.

More about my new Old Testament hero, Nehemiah:

"Here was a man who left a position of great wealth and influence and out of love for God and his people dedicated his life to righteous purposes. Surely Nehemiah will be counted as one of God's chosen servants." (OTSM)

James pointed out to me 15 elk crossing our property this morning.

They were mostly yearlings and two year olds with a few cows, and a couple of spikes. The interesting thing is that there were no babies. 

Where are the babies?

I read from "A Reason for Faith" the chapter on Finding Lehi in American Through DNA Analysis. Basically it says that it is impossible. I also read the chapter 'Latter-day Saint Women in the Twenty-First Century.'

I also read from Brother Bytheway's book, "Finding Your Path in Lehi's Dream." I read about the Rod of Iron and how important it is in order to stay on the path leading to the Tree of Life.

Most of the day was spent preparing for tonight's dinner with the Peeler's. I started a roast about 6:30 this morning, and then the rolls around 8 a.m. After baking the rolls I baked a Dutch apple pie and while the pie was baking I began peeling potatoes. After the potatoes were boiled, riced, and cream and butter added, I put them in the crockpot on warm. 

James came in and said, "what's for lunch?" I said that I didn't know but I knew what was for dinner. He had some roast, declaring it delicious and some mashed potatoes with the same comment.

Also included in our dinner: mixed veggies, Olive Garden salad (soggy because I put in too much dressing), and gravy.

It looked like it was going to rain when the Peeler's arrived right on time at 5:30, but it didn't. It was great to see Donna up and walking. As she sat at the table we  gave her two cushions, one for her back and one for her seat. 

Donna commented how tender the roast was. I noticed that she eats very little. Because she has been having problems with her stomach I gave her some of my Miracle Tea to try. She seemed appreciative.

Dessert was a little disappointing. The pie was good but my delicious Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla ice cream was melted and refroze and full of ice chips. It got left in the sink and was slushy ice. So disappointing.

After dinner we sat and talked until after 7:30. Brother Peeler use to work for the Church and he told us some stories about managing all the canneries and storehouses in the southwest. He had to fire someone for rustling cattle on one of the Church ranches. The guy's uncle, who was a Regional Representative, was upset and made the comment: "I'm going to call Tom." (President Monson). This was President Monson's response: "The decision has been made and you must live with it."

It was an enjoyable evening. Donna loves to watch Hallmark movies as much as I do and right now is watching the Christmas movies. She use to sew and quilt and has quite a stash of fabric. She has a great sense of humor and is someone I value as a friend.

After the Peeler's left I told James he could go out and walk while I cleaned the kitchen because I already had all my steps. He put all the food in plastic containers and put it away before going outside.

After I finished in the kitchen I sat down to finish my Christmas movie. James sat down with me and afterwards we went to bed.

Way to go Scarlett!

I love these photos of the Wilhelm kids

at the lake. 

Michael would come to our house in this

getup early in the mornings. If you could see

his feet, they are bare.

Me too!

No wonder the Chinese don't like the Japanese.

So sad.

Wednesday, July 25th, 2018

Toronto, Ontario

44th operating temple

Dedicated: 25 Aug 1990

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

Colossians 3:10

And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Book of Mormon

Alma 39:1-19

*What does it mean to "cross' yourself in something? 

- Webster says to erase, to cancel, to counter-act, to stop.

I like Kim's answer better: "When I hear the word 'cross' it makes me think of the Savior - specifically when he had to carry His own cross to the place where He would be crucified. I'm sure it was heavy. He was tired, He was thirsty. I'm sure it was an unpleasant task. But He did it. He did it because it was the right thing to do. He did it because His Father in Heaven asked Him to. He submitted Himself to the hard task because He saw the bigger plan and He knew it was necessary. 

I think to 'cross' yourself in something is to put in the work. Do what you know you need to do, even if it is hard or unpleasant. Yes, that includes resisting temptation and keeping the commandments. But I think it also includes bearing our burdens and weaknesses without giving up - enduring to the end. We are often given trials in life that weigh us down. We are given commandments that may be hard to keep or follow through on. But if we 'cross' ourselves, we do what is hard and we don't give up because we see the bigger picture and we understand that hard trials and commandments are good for us and help us grow. As we carry our crosses we become stronger and more importantly we become more like our Savior. Do the work! It is worth it."

Old Testament

Nehemiah 10-12

10 The people covenant not to marry outside of Israel - They also covenant to honor the Sabbath, to pay tithes, and to keep the commandments.

11 The people and their overseers are elected by lot to dwell in Jerusalem and the other cities.

12 The priests and Levites who came up from Babylon are named - The walls of Jerusalem are dedicated - The offices of priests and Levites are appointed in the temple.

General Conference

Ministering

President Russell M. Nelson

"Effective ministering efforts are enabled by the innate gifts of the sisters and by the incomparable power of the priesthood. We all need such protection from the cunning wiles of the adversary."

James worked on sales taxes this morning before leaving for the Howard's. I said a prayer for him that he would be able to withstand the pain in his back. 

My project for this week has been gathering framed family photos to may a "wall of fame" in the hallway. I finally have them all laid out upstairs on the ping pong table. I actually found the photo of Nannie when she was five years old that I looked for last month to display at our family history night at the Church. Here it is:

Myrtle Mae Rutledge

1910 - 5 years old

There is a story behind this photo. "Nannie" said she was riding in a wagon to the photographers and her hat kept flying off and they would have to stop and pick it up. After the photograph was taken and they were on their way home, she took the hat and threw it into the air and never saw it again.

I was very close to my Nannie. We had so much fun going to her house when she lived in Lakeside on the Rim Road. I have so many fond memories of her. I was her escort when she went through the temple. 

James's grandmother:

Annie Laurie Mangum Lambson

Her sister, Lydia Ellen Mangum Maxwell

was my great-grandmother.

I wrote a note to Brother and Sister Bowers this morning thanking them for serving in the temple last Saturday for us so we could attend Ruthie's baptism.  One of the perks of working in the temple is getting to know great people.

Started reading a book by John Bytheway: "Finding Your Path in Lehi's Dream." Also read about plural marriage and the influence of the masons during the early days of the church in "A Reason for Faith."

Fixed the rest of the chicken tacos for James for lunch. He loves them!

I have started drinking the herbal tea I ordered that is supposed to help with digestion. I only have a two week supply and I am giving half to Sister Peeler, so I ordered another month's supply. 

Went with James this evening to Taylor to pick up a faulty part for the tractor which he needs to replace before the guy can fix the tractor. He is giving the tractor to Brother Howard to pay him for the Cat he ruined.

He wants to make sure Sheri doesn't leave

again for three weeks.

Kacey and Jared take their evening

walk down this path. Gorgeous!