Monday, October 8th, 2018

Manhattan, New York

119th operating temple

Dedicated: 13 June 2004

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

1 Nephi 10:11

And it came to pass after my father had spoken these words he spake unto my brethren concerning the gospel which should b e preached among the Jews, and also concerning the dwindling of the Jews in unbelief. And after they had slain the Messiah, who should come, and after he had been slain he should rise from the dead, and should make himself manifest, by the Holy Ghost, unto the Gentiles.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 1:15-30

*What do you think some of the symbolism is in these verses? What happened to many of the rising generations? Is this happening today?

- DC 6:36 "Look unto me in every thought, doubt not, fear not."

I love our Savior Jesus Christ, who is the Light of the world. When He was born into the world there was no darkness for the people on the American continent. When I have had Christ in my life there definitely has been 'no darkness.' We all have to decide if we are going to believe in the Light, follow the Light, and be saved by the Light.

Old Testament

Jeremiah 1-1

General Conference

Come, Listen to a Prophet's Voice

Bishop Dean M. Davies

"As we solidify in our lives the practice of listening to and heeding the voice of the living prophets, we will reap eternal blessings."

We got more rain today so Adam and friends did not get to go horseback riding. Kathy says she has been wanting to go horseback riding for years so she was a little disappointed. Everyone just hung out at home and played games, including video games upstairs. 

I got over 20,000 steps today. I know I won't be getting many steps on Thursday or Friday when we travel to Texas so I am trying to get some extra before we leave. 

Kathy got her sheets washed and put back on the bed downstairs before she left. She also vacuumed downstairs and in the common areas. 

Our company left around 4:30 but not before taking a photo outside and everyone writing a note in the guestbook. Adam said he has come up 4x this year, once every season. I believe Kaitlin was with him every time. 

Adam really wanted to stand by Kaitlin but 

Jacob beat him out.

James and I listened to a couple of conference talks for FHE and then we did some training for our book arbitrage business. James is getting pretty excited about the possibilities of making some extra money. 

I got a call from Stacy this evening. She is super excited about starting her training at the National Laser Institute new Monday. 

Charming Charlie

Beautiful skies

Sweet little Ruby

Sunday, October 7th, 2018

Copenhagen, Denmark

118th operating temple

Dedicated: 23 May 2004

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Revelations 11:8

And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 1:1-14

* What does it mean to you to "lift up your head and be of good cheer?"

- To not despair. Literally lift up your head, look to Him and His Atonement. Be optimistic and exercise faith. I love President Hinckley's quote: "Things will  work out." We don't just endure, but enjoy life. I love President Uchtdorf's "Grateful in Any Circumstances" talk from the October 2014 general conference. I am also reminded of Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin's quote: "Come what may and love it!"

Don't give up on the Lord. Things will be right soon enough. Believe in good things to come. Focus on helping others rather than focusing on my problems helps me to be of good cheer.

Old Testament

Isaiah 64-66

General Conference

Truth and the Plan

President Dallin H. Oaks

"When we seek the truth about religion, we should use spiritual methods appropriate for the search."

James fixed me breakfast this morning before conference. I made three kinds of muffins, but no one ate them except me. James had a few of the banana nut ones.

Potatoes, eggs, onions, and green chilies

It was foggy when we got up this morning and before we knew it, it was snowing. Kathy and Kaitlyn were very excited.  It snowed for quite a while but it soon turned into rain and everything melted.

Pretty exciting for conference weekend

188th Semiannual 

Genera Conference

Sunday A.M. Session

The Vision of the Redemption of the Dead

President M. Russell Ballard

Becoming a Shepherd
Bonnie H. Cordon
The Ministry of Reconciliation
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
The Role of the Book of Mormon in Conversion
Elder Shayne M. Bowen
Wounded
Elder Neil L. Andersen
The Correct Name of the Church
President Russell M. Nelson

Sunday P.M. Session

Try, Try, Try
President Henry B. Eyring
The Father
Brother Brian K. Ashton
Taking upon Ourselves the Name of Jesus Christ
Elder Robert C. Gay
Wilt Thou Be Made Whole?
Elder Matthew . Carpenter
Choose You This Day
Elder Dale G. Renlund
Now Is the Time
Elder Jack N. Gerard
Shepherding Souls
Elder Gary E. Stevenson
Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints
President Russell M. Nelson

What a conference! Amazing! Two hour church is the biggest change coming from this conference.

 In his final talk President Nelson announced 12 new temples:

BM in 90 days

 It was a fire weekend

 Hanging out

Snow in Show Low

Hanging out at Jared and Kacey's

 Celebrating James's birthday

Artistic Anna

 Doing what she does best.

Hmmm where did these extra kids
come from?

 Adam enjoying the fire

Kathy and Kaitlin

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.