Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Saturday, October 6th, 2018

Accra, Ghana
117th operating temple
Dedicated: 11 Jan 2004
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion
Hebrew 6:6
If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 
Book of Mormon
Helaman 16:19-25
*Why is it dangerous to depend on your own strength and on your own wisdom?
- Michael: "Man is foolish and when we choose to depend on our own thoughts before the scriptures we often find 'reasons' to exempt ourselves from commandments. It's like a slow but dangerous road to becoming an apostate."
-Sheri: "It is justification for unrighteous behavior."
Old Testament
Isaiah 61-63
General Conference
Gather Together in One All Things in Christ
Elder David A. Bednar
"The power of the Savior's gospel to transform and bless us flows from discerning and applying the interrelatedness of its doctrine, principles, and practices."






James and I were the only ones up around 8 this morning and he was outside getting ready to mow the lawn. I was sitting at my desk in the bedroom when I heard a loud thump coming from upstairs. A few minutes later I heard a loud groan/moan. I suddenly realized that it was Adam and that he was probably low. I ran outside and told James to please check on him and to take some orange juice with him. 
A few minutes later James came into the bedroom and said, "You were right, he was low." It is a scary thing when your 28 year old grandson doesn't take care of his diabetes. What would have happened if I had not heard him? No one else was even awake in the house. I don't even want to think about it.

Kathy, Kaitlin, Adam, Tanner, James and I all watched the 188th semi-annual general conference today from the comfort of our home. Everyone else watched in the family room, and I watched in the bedroom because I could sit at my desk and take notes. It went something like this:

188th Semi-Annual General Conference
Saturday A.M. Session

1. President Russell M. Nelson
2. Elder Quentin L. Cook
3. Brother M. Joseph Brough
4. Elder Steven R. Bangerter
5. Elder Ronald A. Rasband
6. Elder David A. Bednar
7. President Dallin H. Oaks

Saturday P.M. Session
8. Elder D. Todd Christofferson
9. Brother Dean M. Davies
10. Elder Ulisses E. Soares
11. Elder Gerrit W. Gong
12. Elder Paul B. Pieper
13. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

General Women's Session
14. Sister Joy D. Jones
15. Sister Michelle Craig
16. Cristina B. Franco
17. President Henry B. Eyring
18. President Dallin H. Oaks
19. President Russell M. Nelson


For the women's session I left to go to the church a little after 4. At 4:15 we had a dinner of soup and rolls. I had some of Sister Scott's clam chowder. It was delicious. I went to get a roll and mine were all gone. 

I am excited about the four challenges that President Nelson gave the women. The hardest for me will be the fast from social media because I always check Facebook and Instagram throughout the day. Re-reading the Book of Mormon will be a pleasure and I already have a 90-day bookmark for the Book of Mormon.

Going to the temple regularly is already part of my schedule. 
Studying the purpose of Relief Society and the Relief Society Declaration will be easy. The declaration came out when I was the Stake Relief Society president in Chandler.

Kaitlyn and Kathy watched the women's session at home. It sounds like the guys may have watched it too. Kathy also made taco soup for everyone. It was delicious, a lot like the one I make. 

James and I talked with Kathy several hours this evening. She told us her story of lyme disease and how she believes that it is a result of biological warfare by the U.S. It's a long and interesting story and I can't even attempt to tell it here. She also had TMJ and has had many surgeries. Her health has been deteriorating since she had a car accident in 2011. She is also going through a divorce and is struggling financially. I have always known Kathy to be a very upbeat person and for her to have so many trials is sad. She said that it has been her and the Lord for a long time. She and Kaitlyn live together and she says if it wasn't for Kaitlyn she probably would have attempted suicide. 
James and I came away with the feeling that we want to help her if we can. Kathy says she has never told anyone her story except for our mutual friends Karen and Lance. She says she feels like we are kindred spirits. 



 Happy 1st Birthday Scarlett!



Charlie meets Molly



Kaitlyn's apology basket for cracking
our ping pong table.



Conference Quotes, etc.

























Sunday, October 7, 2018

Friday, October 5th, 2018

Redlands, California
116th operating temple
Dedicated: 14 Sept 2003
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion
Galatians 6:14
But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
Book of Mormon
Helaman 15:7-16:18
*How can faith and repentance bring about a change of heart?
- When we experience a change of heart we are filled with the Savior's love. The Savior's power comes from His love. Would we suffer less if we loved the Savior more? We cannot pray away another's agency. One more thought today. It doesn't matter who is right, contention is of the devil. President Benson says we can stand "firm and steadfast" in the faith as we learn the doctrines taught in the Book of Mormon.
Old Testament
Isaiah 57-59
General Conference

Be Not Troubled
Elder Ronald A. Rasband
"Take heart, brothers and sisters. Yes, we live in perilous times, but as we stay on the covenant path, we need not fear."





We left Darrel and Trina's around 9:15 this morning as Ruby and Lola stood in the doorway waving goodbye to us. Those little girls are so sweet!

I signed in at AARA and sat down by John Trezise in the waiting room. I was surprised to see him. I didn't know he came here. We had a nice little chat before he was called back. 

My infusion, 600 mg of Actemra, went off without a hitch and I was done in an hour. James picked me up and we headed for Texas Roadhouse to use the gift card Cathi and Terry gave us for our anniversary.

Their rolls are delicious served with honey butter. James thought they were too sweet so I had to eat most of them. Oh dear, not a good way to start. I had a delicious filet steak medium with baked potato with butter and sour cream and green beans. It was a super delicious meal. James had chicken but I can guarantee it was not as good as my steak. Thank you Cathi and Terry.

We are now on our way home through Globe and Salt River canyon. I always want to go through Payson but James talks me into going this way by saying it's shorter so I cave.  Actually it doesn't bother me nearly as much as it used to. This time I slept through the canyon.

We got our check from National Turf. James went back into town to deposit it and picked up some lumber for the Howard's job. 
I stayed home, put things away, washed sheets, and cleaned. 

When James got home he helped me put sheets on the two beds upstairs. He also replaced light bulbs, and fixed the curtains in my office. 

We went to bed at 10 or so and Adam and friends were not here. They came in after 11. We heard them even though they were very quiet.





It doesn't get any cuter than this.


Just as cute.




 Journal ideas


Feb 1966, My brother Dennis
is in the front, two stripes on his shirt.





My beautiful roses.





Thursday, October 4th, 2018

Brisbane, Australia
115th operating temple
Dedicated: 15 June 2003
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion
2 Corinthians 13:4
For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.
Book of Mormon
Helaman 14:20-15:6
* How does the principle of agency play into this chapter?
- We can choose our actions but not the consequences. What is God's divine love? The Lord loves all people but cannot tolerate sin. Athought Helaman 15:4 states that the Lord hated the Lamanites  because their deeds have been evil continually," Samuel is an example of the many Lamanites who were taught the gospel message and gained God's favor once they were converted.
President Russell M. Nelson addressed the subject of God's love for those who sin: "Does this mean the Lord doesn't love the sinner? Of course not. He hates the sin but loves the sinner. Divine love is infinite and universal. The Savior loves both saints and sinners. The Apostle John affirmed, 'We love Him, because He first loved us.' (1 John 4:19). And Nephi, upon seeing in vision the Lord's mortal ministry, declared: '...Yea, they spit upon Him, and He suffereth it, because of His loving kindness and His long-suffering towards the children of men (1 Nephi 19:9). We know the expansiveness of the Redeemer's love because He died that all who die might live again." ("Divine Love," Ensign, Feb. 2003, 24).
Old Testament
Isaiah 54-56
General Conference
Laying the Foundation of a Great Work
Elder Steven R. Bangerter
"Lessons taught through the traditions we establish in our homes, though small and simple, are increasingly important in today's world."




We left for the valley at 6:30, about 30 minutes later than planned but I was still able to make it on time to my appointment at Dr. Douglas's in Chandler. Dr. Douglas is my dentist. 

I had x-rays and my teeth cleaned. Bad news. I need two new crowns. Cavities developing under the old ones. This is going to be very costly, $820 a piece. I guess I need dental insurance. 

While I was at the dentist James took the boys to breakfast at IHOP. They all ordered pancakes. Rowan of course ordered the chocolate pancakes. 

After taking the Chandler boys home, Max, Evan, and Joshua, James and Rowan came back and picked me up. We went across the street to Chandler Eyecare and traded cars, getting our Lexy back. 

We then took Rowan home. We beat Darrel home and had to wait for him to get back from the gym to open the door for us. 

We unpacked the car, and left to go to Sears to get the oil in Lexy changed. We went to the Sears by the Chandler mall and James dropped me off at the Carter store which sells baby clothes. Everything in the store was 50% off! 
After dropping the car off James joined me and we walked to Olive Garden across Chandler Blvd. Luckily it was not sweltering hot, it was only in the upper 80's but we were still warm when we reached the restaurant. 

The reason for Olive Garden other than it's one of my favorites, was that we have a gift card. I soon discovered that I had left the gift card in my other purse so we had to put the charge on our credit card.

Because I forgot to put my earrings in this morning I walked over to Claire's at the mall and bought a pair of earrings so my ears don't close up. James went to Sears, picked up the car, and then picked me up at the mall. I had him drop me off at the Carter store again so I could get some things for Scarlett.

Our next stop was Costco so James could get batteries for his hearing aid. He also got a watermelon to make up for the fact that they didn't have Alpine Valley bread. 

Met Stacy at the scrubs store. She starts at the National Laser Institute on the 15th.

Back at home Darrel was taking the kids to the park. Lola wanted me to go but I told her I had to go take a nap. It was just Darrel, Rowan, and Lola who went. Ruby was at a friends and Addy is at school. She is the only one who isn't out for fall break.

After our naps it was time to go visit Dawn and Lois for their birthdays. We stopped at Fry's on the way to get gas. I also got a plant to give to them. We had to wait until this evening to visit so we could see Dawn too. 

We took them the small desk, the cupboard with drawers, a basket with candles, body wash, and other good smelling things. I told them they could decide who gets what. We also gave them their two handmade cards. We had a nice visit. I showed them the patchwork table runner I bought so Lois showed me a quilt she was making and the bedspread she made for Dawn:

Designs are made on Lois's machine.
Each one is different.


We didn't take any photos but thank 
goodness Teresa did.


 Our friends Janet and Clint



 Looks like quite a fortress



Is there anything more precious?



I sure do love these boys!


He is always there for us.


Paul has lost 90 lbs!



Where's your credit card Mom?


Serving from the Vernon ward


Love Trenda and Emery!


 O be wise, what can I say more?






 Card craze