Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Monday, September 3rd, 2018

Nashville, Tennessee
84th operating temple
Dedicated 21 May 2000
By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion
Mosiah 3:9
And lo, he cometh unto his own, that salvation might come unto the children of men even through faith on his name; and even after all this they shall consider him a man, and say that he hath a devil, and shall scourge him, and shall crucify him.
Book of Mormon
Alma 60:29-61:5
How do you "adhere to the word of God"?
- I apply Christ's Atonement daily. I would be lost and miserable without the knowledge that I can repent and become at one with God again, each day when I slip up and need His cleansing and enabling power.
Brian Horak: " It starts with a desire to do so. Everything good in the gospel starts with a desire. We can't force it. It has to come from within. From there it's all about following the teachings of Christ and doing our best each day to follow His example. I think that if we can get the small stuff down, reading our scriptures every day, praying every day, then it's easier to adhere to the word of God. But it's so easy to shirk the small stuff isn't it? My challenge to everyone here is to try and remember to do the small things. The things that are taught in Primary. These are the things that will bring us closer to our Heavenly Father, closer as a family, and ultimately to our Heavenly home."
Old Testament
Proverbs 4-5
General Conference
Even as Christ Forgives You, So Also Do Ye
Elder Larry J. Echo Hawk
"I plead for all of us this day to remember and follow the example of Jesus Christ. On the cross at Golgotha, in His anguish, He uttered these words: 'Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.'
By having a forgiving spirit and acting upon it, we can realize the promise of the Savior: 'Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.'"

FHE
The Heart of a Prophet
Elder Gary E. Stevenson
"This divinely ordained process leads to another divinely called prophet. Just as President Monson was one of the grandest inhabitants to grace this earth, so is President Nelson. He has been profoundly prepared and specifically tutored by the Lord to lead us at this time. It is a great blessing to now have dear President Russell M. Nelson as our loving and devoted prophet - the 17th President of the Church in this final dispensation."



When Adam finally got up, James said he heard them upstairs until 3 a.m., he started breakfast. He says he likes to cook but he never gets the chance at home. He made potato eggs with the left over mashed potatoes from yesterday, and sausage. While the boys were sitting at the table eating, Kaitlin put in cinnamon rolls. Next round was cinnamon rolls and left over, heated up, bacon.  

After breakfast the played a game called, "Cover You Assets." Adam assured me that I would love it. I wonder.

James took care of his babies today. In the winter it's the bunnies and in the summer it's the hummingbirds.

Focusing on the one:






After breakfast cleanup Adam had to go out and change the tire on his car. It took awhile but now they are ready to go home. They each wrote in our guest book about what a fun time they had and thanked us. Kaitlin confessed that she was doing a cartwheel upstairs, she's 26 years old mind you, she cracked the corner of the ping pong table and offered to buy us a new one. It's a pretty big crack but I don't think we are going to make her buy a new one. We need some kind of insurance called "damage done by guests."

Adam, Kaitlin, Jacob, and Kyle
"A jolly group, that like to have fun."

I made ministering calls today and delivered a check to Kerri for registering me at "Time Out for Women" which will be November 2nd-3rd in Phoenix. I have my ticket and will keep it in a safe place.



I made a salad for dinner while James went to the Howard's to pick up our awning. Tom had just gotten home from the hospital and James didn't feel comfortable asking him for a check because he had company. 

I ironed three blouses for our trip tomorrow this evening, and did a little unpacking of a box that's been in my bedroom for five years. The nice thing about waiting that long to unpack is you find hidden treasures you forgot you had and it's like getting something brand new.

 I read a story called "Scarlet" based on the
Scarlet Pimpernel and now I can read the original!

For F.H.E. we listened to Brother Stevenson's talk about the Prophet, Russell M. Nelson, and then I cut James's hair. 





 She looks like a little peanut!


 Brush fire at the Howard's
James's service project.


 Waterline dug on Saturday filled up with rain from
Sunday's rain. The Applegate's pumped some water out
and then it was the mud brigade. Of course, Ty being
the youngest gets the worse job. He is grimacing because he
keeps getting mud in his face.

 Scarlett loves to swing while waiting for 
Daddy to get home from work.


Trip to town to pick up my prescriptions and do a
little shopping. My pink water bottle is on the floor
because it keeps clanging against James's when it's in the
holder. Shoes off while I'm reading to James.
Poor Tinkerbell.







Monday, September 3, 2018

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!








Sunday, September 2, 2018

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!










Saturday, September 1, 2018

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.