Sunday, September 23rd, 2018

Winter Quarters, Nebraska

104th operating temple

Dedicated: 22 Apr 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

John 19:31

The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 8:11-28

* Why is it so imperative to have a contrite spirit when we look unto the Savior?

- So that we might live, even unto that life which is eternal. When my spirit is contrite I am teachable. I am able to change and grow. I am filled with gratitude as I realize all the savior has done for me and how dependent I am upon Him I am sad when I add to His suffering. He is my Rock and my Redeemer. Nephi's use of the story of the brazen serpent emphasizes that we should look upon the Son of God with faith and live. Through the atoning sacrifice of Christ, the poisonous venom of Satan was overcome for all who would repent.

Old Testament

Isaiah 22-24

General Conference

Christ the Lord Is Risen Today

"Everything worthy and eternal is centered in the living reality of God, our loving Eternal Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ, and His Atonement, witnessed by the Holy Ghost. This is Easter Sunday. I reverently witness and solemnly testify of the living Christ - He who died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven. He is Alpha and Omega - with us in the beginning, He is with us to the end."

I was up at 4 am and had a green smoothie and a slice of pumpkin bread. We left at 5:30 for the valley and drove straight to the Galveston building. On the way we listened to the new volume of Church History on my gospel library app.

 Their meeting starts at nine and we were a few minutes early. We sat by Cathi, Terry, Dave, and Laura on the back row.

The Primary program was focused on "I Am a Child of God." Evan was one of the narrators. Here are some of the songs and scriptures that were shared: Romans 8:15; "Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam,"

"My Life is a Gift," Abraham 3:24-25; Children talk about the Creation; "My Heavenly Father Loves Me," First Article of Faith, Jesus Christ is our Savior; Joseph Smith's First Vision, the Restoration, Sixth Article of Faith, "I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ," "The Priesthood is Restored," "We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet," 3 Nephi 20:2: "When I Am Baptized," Malachi Johns told about his baptism, families are part of Heavenly Father's plan, the family proclamation, "Families Can Be Together Forever," DC 112:10; "A Child's Prayer," Service, commandments, "If The Savior Stood Beside Me," "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus." 

It was a great program as they always are!

In Sunday School we had the same lesson as we did last week in Vernon so I worked on catching up on my Sunday journal. I studied lesson #38 "Thou Hast Done Wonderful Things" Isaiah 22; 24-26; 28-30. The purpose of this lesson is to help us come unto Christ through recognizing some of the wonderful things He has done.

Paula Casto taught the lesson in Relief Society. It was about The Worth of Souls. She had a chart listing all the wealthiest men in the world. Jeff, the creator and owner of Amazon was at the top. He is 54 years old and worth 112 billion dollars. 

How does Heavenly Father determine the worth of His children?

"The Lord uses a scale very different from the world's to measure the worth of souls." - Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Story of Lilo and Stitch. Ohana is family and means no one gets left behind or forgotten. Ohana is a human circle of complete Aloha (unconditional love). Every person we meet is a VIP of our Heavenly Father.

How can we see others as God sees them? - We need to see "more" of people in order to love them as Heavenly Father loves them - We need to see all sides, the whole picture.

Alma 26:23-26. "How the Nephites Saw the Lamanites" - 1) Unrighteous traditions, 2) stiff-necked, 3) delighted in bloodshed, 4) wanted to destroy them so the Nephites wanted to get rid of them.

"How the Sons of Mosiah saw the Lamanites" - 1) Would not take up arms against their brethren, 2) they loved God, 3) they hated sin, 4) the sons of Mosiah loved the Lamanites.

*How does the way we view others affect how we minister to them?

After Church we went to Sheri's for lunch and to change our clothes. Ian makes some really good ribs. 

After lunch we walked down to Cathi's. Sheri wanted me to take Ollie but he wouldn't go with me so she had to take him down. He loves to go to Cathi's. 

Cathi helped James and I make a card for his mom for her birthday. This is how it turned out:

James hand-drew the stems on the flowers

Cathi came to the rescue again, providing all the

materials, including the polka-dot embossing sleeve.

Cathi, Terry, Dave, and Laura, are all losing weight on the keto diet. 

James and I were both exhausted after finishing our card. We said

goodbye and left for Darrel and Trina's where James took a long nap and I played with Lola.

I unpacked the order I got from Stampin' Up. Cathi is my distributor and I had my order sent to her house. Trina had to help me figure out how to make the flower punch usable. Lola and Ruby made some flowers and we basically just made an arts and crafts mess on the kitchen table.

We had to push the button on the bottom

for this to pop up so you could get your paper in.

Lola and I drew these in my planning

notebook. She drew my heads and I drew

hers, except for the bottom row which I did.

Trina made a pumpkin cake with chocolate chips, scrambled eggs with veggies, and biscuits and bacon for dinner. Darrel got home from work just in time to help. They invited us to eat with them but I was not hungry. 

After dinner we had FHE and family scriptures and family prayer.

Trina showed a video about a Christian organization that sends Christmas boxes to children in needy countries and then she asked her kids if they would all like to send a Christmas box to a need y child? Of course they said yes. 

The boxes are the size of a shoe box. The kids weren't sure what they could send. We suggested sandals, toothbrush, toothpaste, a small toy, soap, and a pencil and some paper. Rowan was trying to fold his blanket to see if it would fit in a shoebox but it didn't.

It was an enjoyable evening spent with family.

Rowan and Ruby chopping onions for dinner

Scripture reading of Alma 3

Playful but no fights. 

 A card that Cathi's friend Kelli made for her.

Love this dot journal idea!

These two cuties!

Saturday, September 22nd, 2018

Montevideo, Uruguay

103rd operating temple

Dedicated: 18 Mar 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

John 19:10

Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have ower to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?

Book of Mormon

Helaman 7:13-8:10

*How are Moroni and Ammoron different in their motivations for war?

- In Alma 54:13 Moroni says, 'Ye have sought to murder us, and we have only sought to defend ourselves.' In Alma 54:16-17 it says Ammoron is fighting for revenge and power. Moroni is motivated by love, which is unselfish, just like our Savior, Jesus Christ. Ammoron on the other hand is motivated by power, hate, and selfishness, like Satan. We can learn from this account to let love be our motivation for all we do.

Old Testament

Isaiah 19-21

General Conference

Revelation for the Church, Revelations for Our Lives

President Russell M. Nelson

"I urge you to stretch beyond your current spiritual ability to receive personal revelation, for the Lord has promised that 'if thou shalt seek, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things - that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal.' 

Nothing opens the heavens quite like the combination of increased purity, exact obedience, earnest seeking, daily feasting on the words of Christ in the Book of Mormon, and regular time committed to temple and family history work. 

To be sure, there may be times when you feel as though the heavens are closed. But I promise that as you continue to be obedient, expressing gratitude for every blessing the Lord gives you, and as you patiently honor the Lord's timetable, you will be given the knowledge and understanding you seek. Every blessing the Lord has for you - even miracles - will follow. That is what personal revelation will do for you.

If we are to have any hope of sifting through the myriad of voices and the philosophies of men that attack truth, we must learn to receive revelation. 

Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory. But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.

I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation. 

With Moroni, I exhort you on this Easter Sabbath to 'come unto Christ, and lay hold upon every good gift,' beginning with the gift of the Holy Ghost, which gift can and will change your life.

The most important truth the Holy Ghost will ever witness to you is that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God."

We worked in the temple today. We had lots of substitutes. The Elmer's are in Hawaii celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. The Weinhardt's are in Colorado, and no one knows where the Gentry's were.

I put lots of family names on the prayer roll. My first assignment was at the top of the stairs so I had the opportunity to do the prayer roll before patrons started coming in.

Sandra W. from our ward was one of the first people I saw. I gave her a big hug. The youth from are ward are here and she came with John and her kids.

I had the same schedule as last time I was here. We had no weddings today and only one own endowment. I guess someone liked my chili because it was all gone when we left.

We work again next Saturday because it is the 5th Saturday and then the temple will be closed for two weeks. That's when we are going to Texas, when the temple is closed. The Gilbert temple will be closed for a month for some remodeling in the laundry.

As soon as I got home and changed my clothes I went in to make some pumpkin bread. Sister Dye, one of the sisters James visits fell and chipped her tail bone. James wants to go by and see her and take her some bread. I made three loaves, we took one to Sister Dye, one to the Howard's and we kept one for ourselves. It was delicious. James insisted that I put pecans in it.

I am really getting in to my book, "The Lake House." I listened tonight while I walked. We went to bed around 9:30. We are getting up early and going to the valley for Evan's Primary program.

Charming Charlie

 Dot Journal ideas

 Beautiful Germany

 Wendy Arnett's husband

Sonoita Creek

Friday, September 21st, 2018

Porto Alegre, Brazil

102nd operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Dec 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Moses 7:55

And the Lord said unto Enoch: Look, and he looked and beheld the Son of Man lifted up on the cross, after the manner of men;

Book of Mormon

Helaman 7:1-12

*How can we follow Nephi's example in the verses?

- Remember the righteousness of those who have gone before, joy in the righteousness of others, sorrow because of wickedness, be prayerful and seek guidance from Heavenly Father.

Old Testament

Isaiah 16-18

General Conference

Small and Simple Things

President Dallin H. Oaks

"It is in failing to do the small and simple things that faith wavers, miracles cease, and progress towards the Lord and His kingdom is first put on hold and then begins to unravel as seeking after the kingdom of God is replaced with more temporal pursuits and worldly ambitions."

I had a smoothie and a roll for breakfast, not totally unhealthy.

James was up at 6:10. He went straight upstairs to look and call for elk. 

I like this quote from "Teaching in the Savior's Way:"

"When you record spiritual impressions, you show the Lord that you value His direction, and He will bless you  

with more frequent revelation."

and this one from Elder Richard G. Scott:

"Knowledge carefully recorded is knowledge available in time of need...Recording spiritual direction enhances the likelihood of receiving further light."

James is still going back and forth with Valerie at National Turf. She has been stalling for weeks now regarding payment for the job he did in July. He had to deal with her again this morning before going to work at the Howard's.

I finished reading the New Era today and started the Friend. 

Stacy and Paul went to a seminar last night on how to flip houses without having to put down any money of your own. Stacy called me today and was very excited. The program sounds awesome but we are not in a position to help right now.

I quote from Lola: "I want to be a fancy girl. I can teach you how to be fancy too grandma."

I made chili this afternoon using a recipe I found which is similar to the chili you get at Wendy's. When we were at the Reidhead's the other day Ashley said her mom, who is from Alabama, starts every recipe with chopped onions, celery, and bell pepper. That's how this recipe started. I wonder if Wendy is from the South.

Someone we know saw these bighorn sheep

going towards Springerville north of the 60.

This is not mine but is an example of how

and what to record in a dot/bullet journal.

Card idea

My friend Janet A. recommended

this book.

Finally I found something I can draw!

I'm going to copy some of these ideas

into my daily or dot journal.

Such a sweet little face!

The many adorable faces of Charlie

The late and great Pinky who was

Anthony's companion for 20 years.

Thursday, September 20th, 2018

Recife Brazil

101st operating temple

Dedicated: 15 Dec 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

1 Nephi 19:10

And the God of our fathers, who were led out of Egypt, out of bondage, and also were preserved in the wilderness by him, yea, the God of Abraham, and O f Isaac, and the God of Jacob, yieldeth himself, according to the words of the angel, as a man, into the hands of wicked men, to be lifted up, according to the words of Zenock, and to be crucified, according to the words of Neum, and to be buried in a sepulchre, according to the words of Zenos, which he spake concerning the three days of darkness, which should be a sign given of his death unto those who should inhabit the isles of the sea, more especially given unto those who are of the house of Israel.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 6:32-41

*What did the Lamanites gain by following the commandments of God?

- The Lord poured out His Spirit upon them. Lamanites to robbers: "We are going to hunt you dow and preach to you.!!" Gadianton robbers: "Nooo!! Anythig but that ! We are outta here!" Hopefully some of the Gadianton robbers were converted.

Old Testament

Isaiah 13-15

General Conference

His Spirit to be With You

President Henry B. Eyring

"Pray to know the needs and hearts of others and how to help them for the Lord. It has been my opportunity to observe the prophets of God as they pray, ask for inspiration, receive direction, and act on it. I have seen how often their prayers are about the people they love and serve. Their concern for others seems to open their hearts to receive inspiration. That can be true for you."

I actually fixed breakfast this morning and I believe James was pleasantly surprised. Scrambled eggs with tomatoes, hashbrowns, and ham. We ate breakfast together before we had scriptures and prayers. 

After prayer, James left with his cat casket on the Razr for Anthony's. He's taking the Razr because they are climbing up a mountain to bury Pinky. You can actually see the mountain from our back porch. I am now calling it "Pinky Point."

Pinky's casket.

James looks sad.

Be careful out on the highway.

Pinky Point

After digging through cinders a 3 foot hole, and putting Pinky's casket inside, James and Anthony shared feelings about Pinky and then Anthony said a prayer and the service was over.

Before leaving for the Howard's James went out to check on his bunny. Ruby thought Betty bunny needed a friend so James put another doe in with her. Betty beat her up and James had to rescue her. I think he should let Betty go free, but for some reason he wants to keep her. He raised bunnies as a child to see to the local market. He's not doing that this time.

I love listening to the scriptures, the Church magazines, and books on my phone. I am so grateful for my phone and wonder what I ever did without it.

This afternoon was spent getting in my steps, making cupcakes, and wrapping gifts for Liana and Emsley. They are coming over tonight with their brother and sister Tildy and Benson. 

The Grapp's arrived around 6:15. First they wanted to watch the Winnie the Pooh Halloween show Frankenpooh. Next we made Halloween cards, which kept everyone busy for quite some time.

Today is Liana's 10th birthday and Emsley

turned 5 on Sept 6th. 

Benson made his card for Abby, a girl in our ward, and put Love, Guess Who. Tildy made hers for her cousin Redick. I should have taken pictures of the cards.

We were watching Beauty and the Beast when mom, dad and baby Leland returned. I hope they had a good time together. We had a good time here with the kids.

I made a birthday calendar for my dot journal today including family members, and ward members we minister to. I love it!

Happy Birthday Kacey!

 Charlie's first trip to the temple

Jared's tribute

We love Kacey and we are so grateful she is a part of our family!

Autumn and Scarlett

Thanks to the Grapp kids I

got some extra steps.

Homemade card of the day