Saturday, September 15th, 2018

Caracas, Venezuela

96th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 Aug 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

John 19:6, 15

6 When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him, Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.

15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 4:18-5:4

*How does being slow to harken to the voice of the prophets effect the Nephites' lives?

- The Church began to dwindle, they had become weak, they no longer had the Spirit with them, the judgment seat was turned over to evil, they became stiff-necked and couldn't be governed by law or justice. Nephi gave up the judgment seat to preach to them because he was 'wearied by their iniquity."

Old Testament 

No reading today, start Isaiah tomorrow.

General Conference

The Powers of the Priesthood

President Dallin H. Oaks

"If fathers would magnify their priesthood in their own family, it would further the mission of the Church as much as anything else they might do. Fathers who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood should keep the commandments so they will have the power of the priesthood to give blessings to their family members. Fathers should also cultivate loving family relationships so that family members will want to ask their fathers for blessings. And parents should encourage more priesthood blessings in the family."

Happy 18th Birthday James Hayden

This picture was taken at least four years ago,

but it is one of my favorites of James!

While James and Rowan were gone elk calling I made some muffins. My banana nut muffins burned on the bottom so I cut off the tops and the middles and put them on a plate. They all disappeared. The chocolate chunk muffins were baked perfectly and they disappeared too. Darrel and Addy said they would have liked to gone calling for elk too and wished dad had told them. 

Ruby, Lola and I played a game of Life. It was pretty hilarious. Since I didn't know the rules, Ruby was in charge. If you didn't have money she just said well it costs whatever you have. All Lola cared about was filling her car with babies. Trina finished the game for me and I think Ruby ended up winning.  

The kids and I and Kim made Halloween cards. Kim brought all of her Halloween paper and decorations for making cards and combined with mine we had lots of things to choose from.

Addy's card inside

Outside back. The front is the one with the

Haunted House.

The game of Life. Lola is excited

because she just had twins!

This afternoon while Brian and Kim stayed home and went on a Razr ride we took Darrel's family to Sheep's Crossing to do some hiking.

These guys hiked while James and I 

stayed behind with Ruby and Lola

at the creek where we had lunch.

 Looking at the creek

I'm not sure why Lola looks so sad.

We spent some time looking for a bathroom for Lola. She told James if we didn't find one soon she was going to go in her pants. When we actually found a bathroom she said it was too gross and she wasn't going to go. I think she made it home before she actually went.

I got a call from the Elders in our ward just as we were driving into the garage at 4:20. They said all their appointments were gone to the Hunsaker reception and could they come over for dinner. I said that would be fine if they could wait until 5:30. Trina and I worked in the kitchen while Darrel grilled chicken outside. James helped by making the salad. Trina made some delicious cornbread and grilled asparagus. I made some blueberry muffins. We also had chocolate chip cookies and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies but they got burned. We didn't know that the oven was set for convection, which cooks much faster than the regular setting.

Lola and Ruby playing the Book of Mormon

Guess Who game while Trina and I were

fixing dinner.

We enjoyed the missionaries and they left a message about the Book of Mormon before leaving. We got a picture of Darrel and Trina's family with them because Elder Bernecker's dad and Trina's dad are good friends from high school. Just as a side note Elder Bernecker's former dance partner, Charity Anderson, is a dancer on the show "World of Dance."

Trina's mom asked for a photo to send Elder Bernecker's

dad. He's the one by Trina.

James took the 3 older kids on a Razr ride to call elk. I was so tired, I went to bed. So much for our family history FHE. I did talk to Brian about getting his four generations on Family Search and he said he would. Stressing over the missionaries coming wore me out. I'm not sure why. They are really nice and not at all intimidating.

Charlie:

 Happy

Serious 

Tyler's wedding:

Cute couple.

Friday, September 14th, 2018

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

95th operating temple

Dedicated: 30 July 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Mark 15:13

And they cried out again, Crucify him.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 4:1-17

*The Nephites were left to their own strength because of wickedness. Why is it so important for us to remain worthy to have the Holy Ghost at all times?

- I need the peace that comes from living worthy to have the Holy Ghost with me. There is happiness, freedom and peace from just living the commandments, from not being physically enslaved to poor choices. There is an actual physical comfort from having the Holy Ghost with me.

Old Testament

Song of Solomon

General Conference

Inspired Ministering

President Henry B. Eyring

"It seems to me that we receive the Holy Spirit best when we are focused on serving others. That is why we have the priesthood responsibility to serve for the Savior. When we are engaged in service to others,we think less about ourselves, and the Holy Ghost can more readily come to us and help us in our lifelong quest to have the gift of charity bestowed upon us."

James left at six this morning to go elk calling. I stayed home to study and do my morning chores and blog. I listened to Song of Solomon even though President Kimball said we don't really consider it inspired scripture. Here's a verse that made me laugh. "Thy belly is like a field of wheat." I think these are Solomon's love notes to his wives. 

I finished reading this month's Ensign and "The Christ Who Heals" today. I washed two windows, cleaned upstairs and changed the remainder of the beds that were used the last time we had company. 

This afternoon James and I made a trip to town. He had to get something for a piece of equipment and I wanted to get some Halloween stickers from Dollar Tree and hamburger soup ingredients at Walmart. We got gas and read from "The Secret Keeper." A big surprise chapter and we are beginning, finally, to really love this book. 

We weren't back very long before Kim and Brian arrived, and a few minutes later Darrel, Trina, Addy, Rowan, Ruby and Lola arrived, and the fun began!

My Little Ponies made their entrance and Lola asked me to play with her but then she asked if we could watch the movie "Brave." We went into the bedroom and Darrel had to help me set up the dvd player. We finally got it going. Soon Trina joined us and Ruby and Rowan went in and out several times as did James.

Rowan and James are planning on going out to call for elk around 5:30 in the morning so they went to bed pretty early.

My first Victoria Holt book, given to me 

by my "Nannie."

 Card of the day

Sweet baby Charlie enjoying her "bouncer"

while Mom does the dishes.

 Love this!

Happy 50th Anniversary to the Arnett's

 Sure do love these faces!

Ruby, Kimmy, and Addy in a 

rousing game of Uno.

 Scarlett is so adorable!

 I love this story

Thursday, September 13th, 2018

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

94th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 July 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Mark 9:31

For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 3:19-37

*What do these verses tell us about the power of prayer? How can you apply these principles to your own life?

- Verse 35 is the key to becoming a true follower of Christ. They fasted and prayed oft and increased in humility and were firmer in the faith of Christ. They became sanctified because they yielded their hearts unto God.

Old Testament

Ecclesiastes 7-12

General Conference

Behold! A Royal Army

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"Today we all stand as witnesses of the Lord revealing His will through His prophet, President Russell M. Nelson. I testify that he is God's prophet here on earth. I bear my witness of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our great Redeemer and Savior. This is His work, and this is His will, to which I bear solemn testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

There is one lonely cupcake left from Tamara's birthday celebration. Guess who ate it.

Ecclesiastes, the Preacher:

"Wisdom gives life to them that have it"

"Anger resteth in the bosom of fools"

"Wisdom is better than strength"

I listened to three articles from the Ensign this morning while doing my chores. One was about President Eyring written by Elder Holland. Another was entitled, "An Ensign to the Nations," and the third was about motherhood and how all women and mothers in some way.

I have decided to give away all of my Victoria Holt books except for "Mistress of Mellyn," which is the one that Nannie first gave to me. I had 26 of her books. James and I read all of them together. We decided that she is a good author but some of the things she writes are a little inappropriate. Goodbye Victoria.

My office buddies. Out with some of the books to

make room for my crafts.

I met my ministering sister companion and we visited Kerri and Catherine Halcomb today. It took awhile for us to actually get together. I waited for her at the Bannon Springs facility and she was looking for me further out on the road the the Bannon Springs sign. I did not have Marie's cell phone number and she forgot to bring mine so we were stuck. I looked on LDS Tools and the directions to Marie's address are incorrect. I remembered her saying that Sister Tice was her neighbor, so I looked up the directions to her home and was able to find Marie. Sometimes ministering is a real adventure!

Marie and Catherine really hit it off. Marie has six dogs which are like her children. I found out she had one son who was killed 17 years ago in a motorcycle race. When Catherine and I talked about our children and grandchildren she said, "I will never have any." 

Catherine used to be a dog groomer and raised Siberian huskies. Marie said her dogs needed to be groomed so Catherine is going to come over and show Marie how to groom her six schnauzers.

Catherine is a seamstress and is doing alterations for Brother Hunsaker's suit. His son Tyler is getting married on Saturday.

We got to meet Catherine and Kerri's dogs, Shelly and Star. Shelly is a "blue" Great Dane. Actually she is gray, and Star is a Red Tick Hound. Shelly is beautiful, Star not so much but they are both gentle once you get to know them. I told Kerri all I ever heard was them barking and then being shooed outside and I would like to meet them so she brought them in. Kerri has applied, as a retired federal agent, to go to the Carolina's and help with the hurricane. If called, she will make $500 a day.

 The top picture is what Catherine calls her

Church Wall. The bottom is her 16 great

grandchildren.

Today would have been my mother's 88th birthday. I have a photo of her on my desk and I think of her and her goodness to me in my life everyday. I am so grateful to be her daughter. Sheri remembered it was her birthday and sent me a message. It made me feel good that she remembered her grandma.

James went to town this afternoon and got three new tires put on his truck and two new ones for the Razr. He brought back a drink for me and my first Quilter's magazine which I received in the mail. Even if I never make anything I love looking at all the projects I could make if I were more talented. 

I put clean sheets on two beds upstairs in readiness for our company this weekend. James and I read from "The Secret Keeper" which we are really beginning to like. I also did some Old Testament reading, and worked on my 2019 dot journal before it was time to retire to our comfy bed.

I asked for a photo of Summer and Charlie together.

Kacey said that this is how they bond. Cute.

I have this leaf punch!

You can see her personality shine through

in this photo. I love you Scarlett!

 My kind of castle

The name of this photo is: "Owie"

Wednesday, September 12th, 2018

Veracruz, Mexico

93rd operating temple

Dedicated: 9 July 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Mark 9:12

And he answered and told the, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 3:1-18

*How did the Nephites persevere despite their difficulties?

- Verse 3 - There were many contentions and dissensions so they departed and went to another land. (1) Walk away from contention.

Verse 7 - They went to work. They became expert in making cement and provided homes for their families (2) Go to work. Verse 9 - They were concerned about the future of others, so they were united about not cutting down trees until they grew tall. (3) Concern for others and the future Verse 13-16 - Record keeping was important. (4) Keep individual and family records.

Old Testament

Ecclesiastes 1-6

General Conference

The Elders Quorum

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"The First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the Presidency of the Seventy have considered these adjustments over an extended period of time. With much prayer, careful study of the scriptural foundations of priesthood quorums, and confirmation that this is the Lord's will, we are moving forward with unanimity in what is in reality one more step in the unfolding of the Restoration. The Lord's direction is manifest, and I rejoice in it, as I bear witness of Him, His priesthood, and your ordinations in that priesthood, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

Some of my favorite verses from what I read in Ecclesiastes today:

"Let not thy mouth cause thy flesh to sin."

"All is vanity."

First thing when he got up around 6:30, James stood out on the porch and the balcony upstairs and bugled for elk. I asked if he saw or heard any. He said yes, on the hill across the road he saw a bull herding a herd of cows. Oh the joys of living in the country. I asked him why the elk no longer travel through our property. He said because they used to go down to the water and now that the spring is dried up they no longer go that way.

A little breeze blowing through the open window as I do some ironing feels so good!

James filed a lien against National Turd (oops I mean Turf) today.

This is an email Ben sent to Sheri and she sent to me:

I sent this to Sheri because I know she is struggling. 

"Sometimes we wonder if we can go on, but we can't stop. We move forward by relying on our Savior more than we did before, and eventually we realize the miracles that have surrounded us all along."

Listened to Chapter 11 from "The Healing Christ." It is called, The Judging Christ.

" We do not earn heaven, we co-create Heaven here on earth."

"The Lord's judgment is centered in love" 

I love this chapter! Judgement day is a day of mercy when all will be made right!

Finished my Debbie Gibson movie and read from the new LDS Living magazine. I read, "When Desire Drowns Out Revelation," and "Faith to Find Annie." Annie is Piano Guy John Schmidt's daughter who died in a hiking accident in Oregon.

From the Old Testament student manual regarding the book of Hosea: "The modern world entices people as it did in the day of Hosea to worship at the shrine of pleasure." So true. We are basically a hedonistic society. This is no way to prepare for the Second Coming. This is why missionary work is so important, so that people's hearts are turned from pleasure seeking to commandment keeping.

I made cupcakes for Tamara's birthday which is tomorrow. I also gave her one of my daisy cards and had Kerri and Maxine sign it. I tried to make a caligraphy copy of Phillipians 4:13 but it didn't turn out so I gave her a quote about ministering that I had framed. It was actually given to me by my friend Hailey. I have enjoyed it for several years and now I am passing it on. 

After our RS presidency meeting tonight we gave Tamara her gifts. 

Paula J. is our assistant secretary and she attended our meeting this evening. Paula does so much community service. She is president of the Vernon Park, runs the Vernon Food Bank, and is historian for the Vernon Fire Department. She shared an experience she had with a destitute man here in Vernon. He has no electricity, no water, and he can't hear. She took him a case of water and some food. She said he can talk perfectly but she had to write things down for him to read because he cannot hear. Trash was piled inside and outside his home because he has no transportation. She felt so compelled to help him more but wasn't sure how. She asked us if she should tell the bishop and we said yes, she should. He may have resources that we don't know about. 

When I got home James was reading from the Lambson Family History book. He wants to share some things with the kids this weekend about his family. I think I am going to share what I learned about William Bailey Maxwell. I also found my grandpa's sister, Ella Lee's life story and I can share some things from that. I actually knew Ella. We read a chapter from "The Secret Keeper" before going to bed.

Practicing her leg lifts

 Card for the day

Such a sweet photo!

Tuesday, September 11th, 2018

Merida, Mexico

92nd operating temple

Dedicated: 8 July 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Mark 16:6

And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 2:1-14

*How do you avoid being deceived by the flattery of men?

-Through the inspiration of the Spirit. We must stay spiritually centered and remember what really matters. See Elder Lynn G. Robbins, "Which Way Do You Face," October 2014 General Conference.

Old Testament

Proverbs 27-31

General Conference

Introductory Remarks

President Russell M. Nelson

"These adjustments are inspired of the Lord. As we implement them, we will be even more effective than we have ever been previously. We are engaged in the work of Almighty God. Jesus is the Christ! We are His humble servants! God bless you, brethren, as we learn of and do our duty."

Our friend Bill from Chandler sold Rockin' R Ranch for 2.6 million

recently. I guess he can afford to loan us $16,000 to pay off our creditors from the Phoenician Golf Course job. We still have not been paid and I think they are stalling. James is about ready to file a lien.

We have two heroes gone from the American public eye. One was a real prisoner of war hero, John McCain, and one was a hero of the big screen decades ago, Burt Reynolds, most famous for the movies, "Smoky and the Bandit." 

As I was listening to Proverbs today I wrote down some of my favorites: 

"When the wicked rule, the people perish."

"Where there is no vision, the people perish."

"A virtuous woman is more precious than rubies."

I also read chapter ten from "The Christ that Heals," before going to my card class. 

These were the people in the class today besides myself:

Linda, Elizabeth, Judy (a new one), Marsha, Lorraine, Pam, Rosie, Diana, Pebble, and Deana. Diana started out by showing us some ideas on how to decorate our envelopes.

We did seven cards today, three Halloween by Lorraine, Diana, and Pam. A birthday by Pebble, a Ladybug card by Deana, a beautiful fall card by Elizabeth, and my Burlap Daisy. Here is a photo:

Elizabeth developed her own technique for the fall leaves.

I read a chapter from "Time and Again," watched part of the Debbie Gibson movie and walked and walked and walked. I sat all morning so I had to walk this afternoon and evening. 

I also read to James a chapter from "The Secret Keeper," and worked on my 2019 dot journal. I am putting in a calendar for each month and week of the year. It will take some time before I get to the fun part of the journal.

An idea I might use

James worked outside until after dark on the tree he is going to use for the Howard's counter top.

Scarlett looks like she is at the spa!

The last one of Charlie is her Daddy's favorite.