Sunday, September 2nd, 2018

Tampico, Mexico

83rd operating temple

Dedicated: 20 May 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

2 Nephi 6:9

Nevertheless, the Lord has shown unto me that they should return again. And he also has shown unto me that the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, should manifest himself unto them in the flesh; and after he should manifest himself they should scourge him and crucify him, according to the words of the angel who spake it unto me.

Book of Mormon

Alma 60:14-28

*How can we avoid idleness?

- Keep the Lord in our hearts always. Serve others and set goals.

Old Testament

Proverbs 1-3

General Conference

Am I a Child of God?

Elder Brian K. Taylor

"I love the God of my fathers, 'the Lord God Almighty,' who weeps with us in our sorrows, patiently chastens our unrighteousness, and rejoices when we seek to 'give away all our sins to know Him.' I worship Him, who is ever 'a father of the fatherless' and a companion to the companionless. Gratefully, I testify that I have come to know God, my Father, and bear witness of the perfections, attributes, and 'excellency of His character.'

That every one of us might truly understand and cherish our 'noble birthright' as a child of God in coming to know Him, 'the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom He hast sent.'"

I love this!

I wrote down the names of all the ministering companionships I have stewardship over and at Church tried to handout all their assignments. Because it is a holiday weekend lots of people were gone, and we had lots of visitors. 

Kaitlin, Adam, and Jacob attended fast and testimony meeting with us. It was a great meeting and Kaitlin mentioned that fact. I especially enjoyed Tamara's testimony about second chances, and Elder Bernecker's powerful testimony regarding faith, the Resurrection, and the fact the he knows that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are real and that they love us and speak to us.

Brother Smith taught the Sunday School lesson on the book of Hosea. Brother Smith quoted from a talk by President Henry B. Eyring called, "Covenants and Sacrifice."

"Hosea is a book bout commitments and love. 

Read Hosea 2:6-7. Here are the fierce words of the husband, spoken after his wife has betrayed him in adultery: He goes on through verse 13 to describe the punishment she deserves, and then comes a remarkable change in the verses that follow. Verses 14-15, 19-23. The husband is a metaphor for Jehovah, Jesus Christ.

The wife represents His covenant people who had gone after strange Gods. The Lord is teaching us, through this metaphor, an important principle. Even though those with whom he has covenanted may be horribly unfaithful to Him, He would not divorce them if they would only turn back to Him with full purpose of heart. This is a story about love."

Kerri lead the council meeting in Relief Society. Hailey was the only  young woman at church today so she and the young women leaders stayed in Relief Society. This is the handout Kerri gave us:

After breaking our fast James and I enjoyed Navy bean and ham soup which I had put in the crockpot before I left this morning. James said we should definitely have it again. Kaitlin and Adam also enjoyed it.

We had a big rain storm this afternoon with lightning, hail, and hard rain. Our electricity was out for over an hour. Kaitlin loved it!

I had mini Payday bars, a Hershey's bar, and several graham crackers this afternoon. I am making a new commitment to go off sugar for awhile since I can't seem to moderate myself. I crave sugar and graham crackers, popcorn, Hershey bars, and Paydays have all become binge foods.

Adam wanted my help fixing his mom's chicken for dinner. He finally had to call his mom because I couldn't remember all the spices she uses. He got low and was acting strange. I did not realize he was low but Kyle did and made him drink some Sunny Delight to elevate his blood sugar. Everyone helped out with dinner. James kept telling Kaitlin to try my mashed potatoes which were the best. 

Anyway I had a little bite of a chicken tender and some mashed potatoes and stuffing. I guess they all got their fill and I made them some chicken gravy. Jacob tried to make gravy but James gave him the AuJus packet and it just wasn't getting thick. 

After the kids cleaned the kitchen they bundled up and went for a Razr ride. They wanted to go somewhere spooky since it was dark. They decided to go to the haunted line shack.

The look like they are ready for spooky

Just found out that Jacob is good friends with Jeffrey.

I read to James from our Sunday book, "Life Everlasting," took a shower, and went to bed.

Charlie Mae sighting:

 She looks so comfy. Wish I could sleep like that.

I can hardly wait!

Scarlett's Sabbath:

 So adorable anyway!

Love that face!

Saturday, September 1st, 2018

Cochabamba, Bolivia

82nd operating temple

Dedicated: 30 Apr 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Matthew 20:19

And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to  crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.

Book of Mormon

Alma 60:1-13

*What was Moroni's purpose in writing the epistle to Pahoran?

- To get more assistance for his armies. Moroni is assuming Pahoran and the government don't have a good reason why they haven't sent help. However, Moroni didn't know the whole story. This teaches us the importance of not assuming things we don't know and not jumping to conclusions. Moroni was an incredible man but even he was not perfect. Team work and good communication is so important.

Old Testament

Psalms 126-150

General Conference

Precious Gifts from God

President M. Russell Ballard

"The power of the Sabbath day is to experience in church and at home the delight, the joy, and the warmth of feeling the Spirit of the Lord without any kind of distraction. The blessing of receiving the sacrament in sacrament meeting must never become routine or just something we do. It is only 70 minutes in a whole week when we can pause and find more peace, joy, and happiness in our lives.
Partaking of the sacrament and renewing our covenants is a sign by us to the Lord that we do always remember Him. His Atonement is a gracious gift from God.
The Lord Jesus Christ is our most precious of all gifts from God. Jesus said, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

Rain and even some hail according to Adam early this morning. We love the rain but hope the Howard's are able to have their open house at Wolf Mountain Ranch.

I read to James this morning from "The Secret Keeper" before he left to work at the Howard's. I did my blog page for yesterday, walked and stuffed myself before starting my fast. 

We are fasting that we will get paid for the job that James finished at the Phonecian Golf Course on July 4th. They keep stalling and it makes me nervous that they don't have the money to pay us. I am also fasting for greater self-control, especially regarding my diet.

Adam and his friends got all bundled up and took off for Green's Peak in the late morning. They took food, etc. for a picnic. They returned just as we were leaving for the Howard's around 2:15. 

What a gorgeous day to be outside. It was 70 degrees with no wind. Here are some photos I took at the Howard's.

The Miller Family Band
Bishop, Uriah, Ed

Two dads and a kid

 The horses loved the music

Pepper and one of his girlfriends

I think the other girlfriend is jealous

 A real cowgirl with butterfly boots

Tildy has been known to ride bareback with no bridle

before.

James put these kids on Pepper and took their

pictures and sent the pictures to their moms.

Free hotdogs, hamburgers, drinks, and chips

Elder Bingham and Andyn

 Elder Bernecker, Tildy, 
Andyn, Elder Bingham

 The elders with Tildy, Emsley, 
Andyn, and Cathryn.

James and I saw these two horses on the way back
to our car and we loved them both!

We left the Howard's early so we could go home and get ready to go clean the temple.

The Vernon ward is so amazing! We are assigned to clean the temple with the Show Low Creek ward. Each ward is supposed to have around 15 people. Our ward had 20 and the Show Low ward had 5. These are the ward members who showed up to help: 

The Price's, Smith's, Woodruff's, Kerri, Tamara, Brothers Goodman, Grapp, Gordon, Scott, Cooper, the Westbrooks', Anthony, the Bishop and Anne, and President Grapp and James and I. Hey, that makes 21!

Charlie photo of the day.
Nothing more precious than a sleeping baby.

Scarlett photo of the day.
She has the most beautiful eyes!

Friday, August 31st, 2018

Reno, Nevada

81st operating temple

Dedicated: 23 Apr 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Zechariah 13:6

And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in tine hands: then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.

Book of Mormon

Alma 58:30-59:13

* How can we overcome doubt?

- President Uchtdorf counseled us to "doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith," and cautioned us to "never allow doubt to hold us prisoner and keep us from the divine love, peace, and gifts that come through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ."

Old Testament

Psalms 106-125

General Conference

Let Us All Press On

President Russell M. Nelson

"Eventual exaltation requires our complete fidelity now to covenants we make and ordinances we receive in the house of the Lord. As this time, we have 159 functioning temples, and more are under construction. We want to bring temples closer to the expanding membership of the Church. So we are now pleased to announce plans to construct seven more temples. Those temples will be located in the following locations: Salta, Argentina; Bengaluru, India; Managua, Nicaragua; Cagayan de Oro, Philippines; Layton, Utah; Richmond, Virginia; and a major city yet to be determined in Russia."

My friend Jean called me yesterday and asked if I could bring her and Tom home from the hospital today. I said of course I could. 

She called this morning around 9 and said he wouldn't get to come home today, maybe tomorrow. She was going to call me back and let me know when I could pick her up but she never did. I guess she decided to stay with Tom all day. 

James went to town this morning for parts to put the light fixtures up in the bunkhouse over at the Howard's. I think he dreads putting the fixtures up. They are Mason jars and doesn't he doesn't like them. I really like them. 

I enjoyed staying home and getting ready for Adam and his friends who are coming this afternoon/evening. I did my steps, read, worked on my blog, made sure the rooms upstairs had fresh towels, and decided I needed popcorn and chocolate together. I am struggling to control my eating. The weather was so nice that I did much of my walking outside.

Adam, Kaitlin, Kyle, and Jacob took forever to get here because of the Labor Day weekend traffic. They went straight to Walmart to do their shopping so it was after six when they got here. Everyone is sleeping upstairs so the downstairs is empty.

I tried to take a bath this afternoon but the pilot light was out on the hot water heater and we had no hot water on this side of the house. When James got home he fixed it. He was covered with soot from burning brush at the Howard's. 

Charlie met Tanner today. Kacey has stayed true to her promise to send me a photo a day. I love it! Sometimes there is more than one, like today.

 Congrats Tanner on your new sister!

 She could be a baby model!

So bright eyed and alert!

Charlie's niece Scarlett as a newborn.

Congratulations Clayton and Ashley!

 Sometimes I like old-fashioned

Rowan, Lola, and Grampa last year.

Thursday, August 30th, 2018

Memphis, Tennessee

80th operating temple

Dedicated: 23 Apr 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

John 19:37

And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

Book of Mormon

Alma 58:13-29

*What was Helaman's strategy to regain possession of the city of Manti?

- To outlast and outsmart the enemy. He had his men continue when he knew the enemy would be resting and he knew the city was left with few guards and would be easily overtaken. Sometimes we are required to outlast and outsmart our enemy. With the help of the Lord this is possible.

Old Testament

Psalms 101-105

101 David sings of mercy and justice - He will forsake the company of evildoers.

102 The psalmist offers a prayer of the afflicted - Zion will be built up when the Lord appears in His glory - Though the heaven and earth perish, the Lord who created them will endure forever.

103 David exhorts the Saints to bless the Lord for His mercy - The Lord is merciful unto those who keep His commandments.

104 The Lord is clothed with honor and majesty - He makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flaming fire - Through His providence He sustains all forms of life - His glory endures forever.

105 Make the Lord's doings known among all men - Show His covenant with Abraham and His dealings with Israel - Touch not His anointed, and do His prophets no harm - Israel is to observe His laws.

General Conference

Prepare to Meet God

Elder Quentin L. Cook

"The scriptures give guidance for our most important relationships. The Savior taught that the first commandments was to 'love the Lord thy God.' And the second is to 'love thy neighbor as thyself.'

The Savior additionally explained that everyone is our neighbor. The Book of Mormon makes it clear that there must be no -ites, tribes, or classes. We must be united and equal before God."

One other thing that I am reading that I forgot to mention is the BYU Old Testament Student Manual. Lots of explanations and information!

The Elkins', our new neighbors, purchased 244 acres next to us for $100,000. That is a steal. The land was in liquidation. Not only is it the land but there is a big well and James says the well by itself is worth $100,000. What a blessing for them. 

I worked upstairs and downstairs today, changing sheets and bringing in clean towels for Adam and his friends who are coming for a visit tomorrow.

James finally got Salvador's workmen's comp information and emailed it to National Turf. They should pay us for work completed on July 4th. I am so frustrated with this company!

Here is Charlie Mae's photo of the day as sent by her mother Kacey:

I can't even tell you how much I love

this picture. She is precious!

We are feeding the missionaries this afternoon. We are having Mississippi Crockpot roast, creamy mashed potatoes, corn, salad and garlic knots. For dessert we are having bundt cake from Walmart, 4 different flavors. No, I didn't buy four cakes, it was like a sampler cake with 4 different flavors. Those mentioned were triple chocolate fudge, Louisiana Crunch, Sock It To Me, and Vanilla Bean. We had fun, as we were eating our dessert with Elder Bingham and Elder Bernecker, figuring out which one was Louisiana Crunch, and which one was Sock It To Me.

Right before the missionaries arrived we had a wind storm and a cloud burst. The wind blew our shade awning up against the house. As soon as the rain stopped James went out to fix it. He also finished up the final preparations for the meal so I could go in and take a bath and get ready for Elder Bingham and Elder Bernecker.

I had started to rice to potatoes but just wasn't strong enough so he did it for me. 

After dinner and Elder Bernecker had shared a couple of scriptures, the elders left. They were looking forward to sports night at the church. They are also teaching two men, one is a fireman.

James made a deal with me. He said if I would go with him to the Howard's he would do the dishes. Sounded like a good deal to me. Jean was still at the hospital with Tom when we arrived. Hunter drove up and she went with us down to the bunkhouse to answer some questions James had about the light fixtures.

I helped James just a little with the kitchen. There was a lot of cleanup and dishes. When he was finished I read a chapter to him from "The Secret Keeper." I was going to do some planning and reading but I was just too tired. We both finished our "steps" and then went to bed before 9:30!

What a library!