Wednesday, August 29th, 2018

Medford, Oregon

79th operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Apr 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Zechariah 12:10

And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

Book of Mormon

Alma 58:1-12

*When was a time you poured out your soul in prayer to God? How did it strengthen you?

- "I am a walking prayer. I know that without Him, enduring life's everyday challenges would be impossible. I am strengthened through the peace that speaks to my soul giving me courage to press on. The gift of the Holy Ghost brings a great inward peace that calms my soul in this troubled world of shifting values." -tami_sassy

Old Testament

Psalms 96-100

96 Sing praises unto the Lord - Declare His name among the nations - Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness - He comes to judge His people and the world.

97 The Lord reigns in millennial glory - The hills melt at His presence - Those who love the Lord hate evil.

98 Sing unto the Lord - All the ends of the earth will see His salvation - He comes to judge all men with equity and righteousness.

99 The Lord is great in Zion - Exalt the Lord and worship at His footstool, for He is holy.

100 Serve the Lord with gladness, all who are His people - Be thankful unto Him and bless His name.

General Conference

It Is All About People

Bishop Gerald Causse

"Ours is not just a Sunday church. Our worship continues each day of the week, wherever we are and in whatever we do. Our homes in particular are the 'primary sanctuaries of our faith.' It is most often in our homes that we pray, we bless, we study, we teach the word of God, and we serve with pure love. I can testify from personal experience that our homes are sacred places where the Spirit can abound - as much as, and sometimes even more than, in our formal places of worship."

James cut the mango we bought last week and served me part of it. It was absolutely delicious! I think a good mango is my favorite fruit.

I left to go grocery shopping around nine this morning, listening to my audio books on the way. I always start with "The Christ that Heals," and then "Time and Again." Well I guess I should go back a little. After James and I have scriptures, the first thing I listen to is the conference talk of day. Afterwards I listen to one of the Church magazines. Since I have listened to all three magazines as of today, I went immediately to my audio books. When I finish with a chapter from each book, I began listening to my Glenn Yarborough songs.

Once at Walmart I started out using my calculator adding up those things I was buying. This was slowing me down so I stopped. I was careful to only buy those things that were on my list, except I substituted baby back ribs for pork loin chops. I guess ribs sounded better than chops.

When I checked out I was happy with the result although I was over my budget, it was only by 74 cents! I had that much in my pocket. 

I was going to buy lunch before going home but since there was no money left in my budget for lunch, I opened the bag of Skinny Pop Popcorn I had bought and ate half the bag on the way home. 

I made the mistake of buying a Marie Callendar's coconut cream pie. It's weird how my mind works. I got a chocolate cream pie for dessert for the missionaries tomorrow. I then thought, well maybe they don't like chocloate. I remember Elder Bingham loving the lemon cookies Sister Vaught brought to Brother Moore's baptism, so I picked up a lemon meringue too, and then I saw my favorite the coconut cream. I carried those pies half way around the store before I decided I didn't want to spend $18 on pies. I put back the chocolate and the lemon put couldn't bring myself to put the coconut cream one back. I went and got a bundt cake from the bakery for the missionaries. 

James and I, using the microwave, each had a piece of pie. After James left I worked on that pie until it was half gone and I was sick of it, then I threw it away. I think I won't be buying another coconut cream pie for a long time. 

My friend and fellow RS counselor Kerri came over this afternoon. Our plan was to take her Kawasaki side by side and ride up to Green's Peak. Kerri has never been there and she was anxious to go. She had turned her machine off when she went to get me and once we were ready to go, it wouldn't start after trying it several times, so we decided to take the Razr instead. One of the reasons we weren't taking the Razr in the first place was because the two back tires need to be replaced. We have new ones ordered but they won't be here until Friday. We checked the gas gauge and we had less than half a tank and no gas in the gas cans in the garage. I texted James and he said he thought we could make it but to just watch the gauge.

It was the perfect day for a Razr ride, sunny with a high of 82. I told Kerri about Buckeliew Springs and looked down and we had already used one quarter of the gas we had according to the gauge. We made it up passed Christmas Tree Trail where we could actually see Greens Peak but we decided to go back because neither one of us wanted to chance running out of gas. 

Lots of traffic on the forest road because of archery deer season. Also there were a group training dogs to point at birds. We saw Britany Spaniels and several horses too.

Back at the house we were going to jump Kerri's Kawasaki but there were no jumper cables in my car. James said there were a set of old ones out by the woodpile which we retrieved.

Before hooking everything up Kerri tried her machine and it started! We took a little drive down to Chocolate Lake which is now totally dried up. We also went to the village and saw the Elkins huge solar panel. Kerri thought it was facing the wrong way and should be facing west but James said it faces south because that's where the sun is brightest in the winter.

I made an Olive Garden salad for dinner. James looked like he had been fighting a fire when he got home from the Howard's. I guess he was burning brush. I told him he should take a shower before he ate because he really smelled like smoke.

He had to go out after Jean got home to convince her that the fire wasn't going to start up again. She was worried and needed his reassurance.

I told Kacey and Jared I would like a photo a day of Charlie.

Here are today's photos:

 Smile or gas pain, you be the judge

 I say smile!

She wore herself out smiling!

A picture a day of Scarlett would be great too!

What do you see in this tree?

Tuesday, August 28th, 2018

Fresno, California

78th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 April 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Mosiah 14:12

Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death; and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bore the sins of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Book of Mormon

Alma 57:17-36

*How do you remain "firm and undaunted" during times of trial?

- For me to remain firm and undaunted during trials, I have to stay positive, count my blessings, and have a heart full of gratitude for blessings already received, and have faith. I have to trust His plan and remember that He knows all things. He is in charge and I can trust that whatever I am going through is for my good and that as I put my faith in Him, all will be well.

Psalms 91-95

91 A messianic psalm - The Lord will deliver the Messiah from terror, pestilence, and war - The Lord will give His angels charge over the Messiah and deliver Him and honor Him.

92 A psalm or song for the Sabbath day - Give thanks unto the Lord - His enemies will perish - The righteous will flourish - There is no unrighteousness in the Lord.

93 The Lord reigns - He is from everlasting - Holiness adorns the house of the Lord forever.

94 The Lord will judge the earth and all men - Blessed is he whom the Lord teaches and chastens - The Lord will not forsake His people, but He will cut off the wicked.

95 Let us sing unto the Lord - Let us worship and bow down before Him - Israel provoked the Lord and failed to enter into His rest.

General Conference

Behold the Man!

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"There are many in the world today who are either not aware of or do not believe in the precious gift Jesus Christ has given us. They may have heard of Jesus Christ and know of Him as a historical figure, but they do not see Him for who He truly is."

Happy Birthday Addy!

I picked up my friend Linda and we drove up the cinder hill across from the Vernon Road to Elizabeth's house. Elizabeth is a master card maker with all the bells and whistles and machinery you need to make cards. She likes to invite people who are new to have a private lesson at her house and she provides all of the materials. 

She has the most gorgeous view from outside her house. I wished I would have taken a picture. She and her husband own 100 acres. They had an electrical fire a few years back and had to re-build their house. She had a beautiful quilt on one of her bed and asked her if she made it. She said now, Pam W. made it. Pam is one of my friends. 

Elizabeth has been a teacher, she's a chef, she has a Phd in cellular biology, and she is a pilot. In spite of all her grandeur she is very down to earth and she said that after 9ll she decided that she was going to put more love into the world and do nice things for people everyday. Both Linda and I made 4 cards while we were at Elizabeth's. Judy H. another friend from church, came by and visited with us and showed us her dot journal. 

These are the cards I made. The top on the left is a birthday card,

a get well card, and the donkey card is for Darrel's birthday, and the fish one for James Hayden's. I had so much fun and was grateful to Elizabeth for inviting us over.

I listened to a weightloss program this morning called The Fat Belly Detox diet. I like that name. It sounds promising. I learned that visceral fat is the fat that attaches itself to your organs and is the most dangerous kind of fat. Also, eating 3 meals a days is better than 6 small meals because every time you eat your body releases insulin and insulin is a fat storing hormone. Instead of ordering this diet I just made my Miracle Herbal Tea and will be drinking it this evening and afternoon.

Trina sent a video of Addy after she opened her Harry Potter Clue game where she was saying how much she wanted this game every time she saw it at Barnes and Noble. Trina said she loved all of the gifts but the purse was her favorite.

Baby Charlie came home from the hospital today. Here are some photos before she left and then in her going home outfit.

Sleep while you can

Dad's get tired too.

Dad, Charlie, and Mom

Going home!

James and I watched the last Garage Sale Mystery this evening. I actually guess who the murderer was!

This was the day, August 28th, that MLK
gave his famous speech.

Monday, August 27th, 2018

Palmyra, New York

77th operating temple

Dedicated: 6 April 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Isaiah 53:12
Therefore will i divide hi a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Book of Mormon

Alma 57:1-16
*How do you fortify yourself against the attacks of the adversary?
- Prayer, scripture study, listening to conference talks, partaking of the sacrament, and attending the temple, just to name a few.

Old Testament

Psalms 86-90
86 David implores God for mercy and is saved from the lowest hell - The Lord is good and generous in mercy - All nations will worship before Him.
87 The Lord loves the gates of Zion, and He Himself will establish Zion.
88 A prayer of one who feels forsaken and who asks whether the Lord's loving kindness will be declared in the grave.
89 A messianic psalm - A song setting forth the mercy, greatness, justice, and righteousness of the Holy One of Israel - The Lord will establish David's seed and throne forever - God's Firstborn will be made higher than the kings of the earth.
90 A prayer of Moses, the man of God - God is from everlasting to everlasting - Man's days last but seventy years - Moses implores the Lord to give mercy and blessings to His people. 

General Conference

"Be With and Strengthen Them"

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"Brothers and sisters, we have a heaven-sent opportunity as an entire Church to demonstrate 'pure religion...undefiled before God' - 'to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light' and to 'comfort those that stand in need of comfort,' to minister to the widows and the fatherless, the married and the single, the strong and the distraught, the downtrodden and the robust, the happy and the sad - in short, all of us, every one of us, because we all need
to feel the warm hand of friendship and hear the firm declaration of faith."

FHE

Ministering as the Savior Does

Sister Jean B. Bingham

"No matter our age, when we consider how to minister most effectively, we ask, 'What does she, or he, need?' Coupling that question with a sincere desire to serve, we are then led by the Spirit to do what would lift and strengthen the individual."

I am reading several books right now. One with James, "The Secret Keeper," by Kate Morton. Another that has stories from the Old Testament, "How Often Would I Have Gathered You." I am also reading two audio books, one on Deseretbookshelf, "The Christ that Heals," by Terryl and Fiona Givens. Sister Givens narrates in a lovely British accent. Interesting to know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is more similar to the ancient Christian Church than it is to the Catholic or any protestants churches today.

The last book I am listening to on Audible. It is for the Vernon Book Club and is called, "Time and Again," by Jack Finney.

The exciting news of the day is that Kacey is being induced. After several hours, I am sure of great discomfort, Charlie Mae Lambson was born at 3:43 p.m., east Texas time.

 Charlie weighed 6 lbs. 15 oz. and 
is 20 inches long. 
Perfect size!

Jared says she likes to stretch one leg.

I can hardly wait to meet her!
October seems so far away!

Anything else that happened today pales in comparison to the great event of Charlie's birth. We are so grateful for her in our family!

James has caught four squirrels in his live trap the past few days. He jumps on the Razr and drives five or six miles away and then releases them. 

I cleaned out the frig, and cleaned in the kitchen, dining room, family and living room, hall bath, laundry room, and entry today. This included polishing the wood floor. 

This afternoon I worked upstairs and got all my card making supplies, meager as they are, organized and put in my carrier.

Tomorrow morning I am going with my friend Linda to her friend and fellow card maker's house, Elizabeth, to make cards.

After listening to Sister Bingham's talk for FHE James and I watched the third episode of "Garage Sale Mystery," starring Lori Laughlin on the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries channel.

I am intrigued by the embossing on this card and want to learn

how to do it.

Hayden's family got together and threw him a surprise

party for his 70th birthday. Look at all those kids!

Sunday, August 26th, 2018

Louisville, Kentucky

76th operating temple

Dedicated: 19 Mar 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Psalms 22:16

For dogs have compassed me the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

Book of Mormon

Alma 56:41-57

*Will ye go to battle for what ye believe in?

- Am I prepared to die? What in my life is worth dying for? My family, my friends, and my faith in God. As I trust in the Lord and strive to do His will, the Lord has promised me in the scriptures that He will deliver me. So, knowing I will be delivered by and to Him, I am not afraid to die.

Old Testament

Psalms 81-85

81 Israel is commanded to sing praises to God - If the Israelites had walked in the Lord's ways, they would have triumphed over their enemies.

82 Thus says the Lord, Ye are gods and children of the Most High.

83 God is asked to confound the enemies of His people - Jehovah is the Most High over all the earth.

84 The righteous cry unto the living God - It is better to be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord than to dwell in the tents of wickedness - No good thing is withheld from those who walk uprightly.

85 The Lord speaks peace to His people - Truth will spring out of the earth (the Book of Mormon), and righteousness will look down from heaven.

General Conference

Ministering

President Russell M. Nelson

"Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Sister Jean B. Bingham, General President of the Relief Society, will explain how assigned brethren of the priesthood and assigned sisters of the Relief Society and Young Women will now function in serving and watching over members of the Church throughout the world."

James and I got to sacrament meeting a little early and saved an entire row behind the Wilhelm's for Sheri, Ian and the boys. I was so glad that Ian came even though they all left after sacrament meeting and were gone home before we got home from the block.

Andy W. was the youth speaker in sacrament meeting. He spoke about his experiences on trek. It was short. Next was Sister Hunter. She spoke about the temple and her experiences as the temple prep teacher for the members of our ward getting ready to go to the temple. She told about going through with Anthony last week. She said that he said to her in the Celestial Room, "Wow!"

Brother Howard's name was on the program but obviously he could not speak because he is in the hospital. Brother K. Hunsaker spoke on intentional and righteous parenting. That topic sounds familiar. That's what I spoke on when I spoke in sacrament meeting on May 19th, 2018.  He did a good job.

Before Sunday School began I asked Sister Johnson if she would be in charge of getting photos, birthdays, and favorites of the young women to put on the wall in the back of the Relief Society room. She said she would be glad to. She also gave me a birthday card. She wrote a note on the inside that said: "Dear Karen, You are such a great example to me of faithfulness, humility and obedience. You are always striving to do what the Lord wants you to do. I want to be just like you when I grow up!" This really touched me because I look up to Paula so much. She is the president of the Vernon Park, distributes food from the Vernon Food Bank, and is a member of the Vernon Women's Club. She is constantly giving service. I told her that I felt the same way about her!

For Sunday School I attended the teacher council meeting taught by our Sunday School President, Brother Allen. We talked about closed and open ended questions. I couldn't find that particular topic in our manual so I turned to the lesson on Asking Inspired Questions. There are three headings in this lesson about the kinds of questions a teacher should ask. 1.) Ask Questions That Help Learners Gain Basic Knowledge of Eternal Truths - "What did the Savior do for us in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46).

2.) Ask Questions That Touch The Heart and Mind - Becuase responses to these questions often rely on the feelings and experiences of the leaarners, the questions usually do not have just one correct answer. "How do you think the Apostles might have felt as they walked to the Garden of Gethsemane with the Savior?"

3.) Ask Questions That Invite Learners To Act - "What will you do differently because of what you learned today?"

Before Relief Society began I asked Sister Moore if she would be a ministering sister. She said she would love to, but she did not want to drive because of her eyes. 

Sister Curtis gave the lesson in Relief Society entitled: "True Ministers Focus on the Needs of Others." As always, she did a great job and used several of the examples of ministering that Sister Bingham gave in her conference address. We have a new sister in our ward, another one from the Concho branch. Barbara was not there today. I am afraid that although she lives in our ward she wants to continue to attend the Concho branch. She told someone at the temple that she likes Concho better than Vernon.

We had orange meatballs and salad for lunch. James took a nap while I did my weekly planning and we both ran off ancestors names we got from the app "Take a Name." I think I have enough ordinances to last me at least a month or two.

James talked to Sister Peeler. She had low sodium they are trying to treat. She is no longer in the rehab center but back in the hospital. She is getting quite discouraged because it just seems she has one setback after another.

I love this field of sunflowers somewhere in France!

I am obsessed with homemade cards!

 Wouldn't this make a nice summer home!

My sweet friend Amaron turned 9!

Saturday, August 25th, 2018

Tuxtla, Gutierrez, Mexico

75th operating temple

Dedicated: 12 Mar 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Mark 15:34

And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Book of Mormon

Alma 56:18-40

*When have I had to stand up for something I believe in?

- When my friend Wendy told me I couldn't pray or meditate for 28 days if I wanted to be a life coach for the company she was working for, and I was to tell my clients the same thing. I asked for a refund saying that this was something I could not do.

Old Testament

Psalms 76-80

76 God is known in Judah and dwells in Zion - He will save the meek of the earth.

77 The righteous cry unto the Lord - They remember the wonders of old, how He redeemed the sons of Jacob and led Israel like a flock.

78 The Israelites are to teach the Lord's law to their children - Disobedient Israel provoked the Lord in the wilderness - The Egyptian plagues are recounted - The Lord chooses and blesses Judah and David.

79 The heathen nations destroy Jerusalem and defile the temple - Israel pleads for forgiveness and deliverance

80 Israel pleads with the Shepherd of Israel for deliverance, for salvation, and for His face to shine upon them.

General Conference

Prophets Speak by the Power of the Holy Ghost

Elder Ulisses Soares

"Brothers and sisters, from the bottom of my heart, I testify that the prophets speak by the power of the Holy Spirit. They testify of Christ and His divine mission on earth. They represent the mind and heart of the Lord and are called to represent Him and teach us what we must do to return to live in the presence of God and His Son, Jesus Christ. We are blessed as we exercise our faith and follow their teachings. By following them, our lives are happier and less complicated, our difficulties and problems are easier to bear, and we create a spiritual armor around us that will protect us from the attacks of the enemy in our day."

We left the house at 5:45 for our shifts at the Snowflake temple.

It rained most of the way. 

The Reidhead's were our leaders today. In our preparation meeting we saw a film about the initiatory ordinances. 

My first assignment was to be the greeter at the top of the stairs. I get to greet everyone coming up the stairs. Next I was downstairs as greeter 2. My friend Debbie was a greeter with me. I told her my daughter Sheri and grandson Ben were coming to do a session. At 8:30 I had to leave to work in the initiatory, and so did Debbie. We were in the elevator and Debbie realized she had left a clipboard and went back down while I went on to the initiatory to tell the sister in charge that Debbie would be a little late. 

When Debbie arrived she said, "You should have come back with me. Your daughter and grandson came in." I was so excited that they were actually here!

Sheri came in and did 3 names in initiatory while I was there. It made me happy!  

Sheri and Ben attended the 9:30 session. James was the follower for the brothers. As I was going to my next assignment I passed the endowment room where Sister Reidhead was standing at the door counting the sisters. I explained to her that my daughter and grandson were in the session and would she trade schedules with me. She was glad to. That's how I became the second follower in Ben and Sheri's session.

After the session I had the celestial room and I hurried in hoping Sheri and Ben would be there but they were already gone. I didn't see them again until we got home.

Although it rained in Snowflake, it looked like it had rained alot more in Vernon. I had a text on my phone from Deana, the Howard's daughter, that the Wolf Mountain open house had been postponed until next because of the weather and I am sure also because Brother Howard is in the hospital.

I forgot to mention something that happened last night while the kids were outside at the firepit making smores. Sheri had seen a rat go into the cabinets by the grill on the patio. Rowan and Max scared him out and were trying to kill him. Grandpa got in on the action and there were actually two rats. Both of them met their demise. Rowan and Max were chanting, kill, kill, kill. Although I don't like rats I was sad to hear that they were so blood thirsty.

I know, it's gross!

I'm glad I was in the house during the killings.

James wins the good husband award this afternoon/evening. We forgot to get gas on the way home from the temple so he went back to get some at Stanford and of course they were out and he had to drive all the way to Show Low. The gauge said he could go 7 miles but he actually went 9. He also washed the car and made a cobbler for dessert after dinner. Oh yes, he also cooked us steaks for dinner.

I made a salad and some rolls to go with Sheri and Ian's burgers and beans.

It was a beautiful evening so I did my walking outside.

Friday, August 24th, 2018

Oaxaca, Mexico

74th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Mar 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Psalms 22:1

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why are thou so far from helped me, and from the words of my roaring?

Book of Mormon

Alma 56:1-17

*How does Helaman show courage and faith in these verses?

- Helaman shows great courage and faith when he encourages the people of Ammon who had buried their weapons of war and covenanted not to fight to be loyal to their covenants. There is great power and strength in covenant keeping.

Old Testament

Psalms 71-75

71 David praises God with thanksgiving - Who is like unto the Lord!

72 David speaks of Solomon, who is made a typed of the Messiah - He will have dominion - His name will endure forever - All nations will call him blessed - The whole earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord.

73 God is good to Israel - The wicked and ungodly prosper in this world - They will be consumed with terrors hereafter - Those who trust in the Lord will be received up unto glory.

74 O God, remember Thy chosen congregation - The wicked destroy the sanctuary and burn the synagogues - O God, remember them for their deeds, and save Thy people.

75 The righteous praise and thank the God of Jacob - They will be exalted - God is the judge, and the wicked will be condemned.

General Conference

Christ the Lord Is Risen Today

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

"Dear brothers and sisters, we belong to each other. We can be knit together in unity and in love in all things and in all places. As the Lord Jesus Christ invites each of us, wherever we are, whatever our circumstances, please come and see."

How can I encourage Cammy to read her scriptures? 

Hurricane Lane is wrecking havoc on Hawaii where Trina's sister lives.

After Sheri and Max went on their run this morning the three of us went into Walmart and KFC. I figured my budget for September before leaving and bought a suitcase for $39 because the zipper in mine is broken. 

At KFC I ordered the three piece chicken meal and paid Sheri. When James came home he ate the chicken and coleslaw. I ate the biscuit and some of the mashed potatoes and gravy. 

Sheri, Ben and I played a game of Five Crowns and Sheri won. We got a kick out of watching Ollie look out the window. He knows there are bunnies out there.

Sheri, Ollie and I went for a walk while the boys went for a ride on the Razr. It looked like rain so I stuck my umbrella in my pocket.

Sheri, Ollie, and I watched the newest Hallmark movie, "Pearl in Paradise." 

Brother Howard was taken to the hospital in an ambulance today. He is having problems with his heart and his lungs are filling up with fluid. I think he has physically been trying to do too much to prepare for their open house. 

This evening Sheri fixed her family and Rowan steaks for dinner with corn and beans. James and I had green smoothies. I baked some rolls this evening but they are to take to the temple tomorrow. 

I downloaded the audible book and ordered the book club book of the month, "Time and Again," so I can listen to it instead of having to read it. I read half of the first chapter today.

A young man in our ward posted these photos.

Not sure where they were taken.

Sheri saw this castle when she was in Scotland.

What Sky Harbor used to look like

Tonight's sunset as taken by Sheri