Wednesday, October 10th, 2018

Aba, Nigeria

121st operating temple

Dedicated: 7 Aug 2005

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

2 Nephi 25:13

Behold, they will crucify him; and after he is laid in a sepulchre for the space of three days he shall rise from the dead, with healing in his wings; and all those who shall believe on his name shall be saved in the kingdom of God. Wherefore, my soul delighteth to prophesy concerning him, for I have seen his day, and my heart doth magnify his holy name.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 3:1-10

*Why is it so important to stand guard against the flatteries of men?

- So that we stay on the covenant path. We need to constantly repent and progress and flattery blinds us to our sins and areas we need to improve. Flattery causes us to be puffed up and vain.

Old Testament

Jeremiah 7-9

General Conference

Our Campfire of Faith

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

"For those who seek, allow, and live for it, the dawn of faith, sometimes gradually, will come or can return."

I finished reading the Old Testament commentary on Isaiah. It was very enlightening. Here are some things I wrote down:

Calamities and troubles are increasing in the earth, but there is a place of deliverance. There will be no peace until the Prince of Peace comes to bring it. The righteous have been called on to come out of Babylon, or the world, to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ as it has been restored, and find a place in the Kingdom of God.

I started reading about Jeremiah. Here are some notes I took:

As ye sow, so shall ye reap. Jeremiah labored as a prophet during four kings of Judah: Josiah, Jehoaz, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. 

James and I took a trip to town today. We stopped at the printer's so I could get the Book of Mormon reading schedules for Relief Society laminated. I only had 18 laminated and it cost me $11. I am going to take the rest of them to presidency meeting tonight and hope someone has a laminating machine.

I picked up my Tramadol and did some shopping. James went to Home Depot and Firehouse Sub. I had a nice sandwich waiting for me when I got in the car. How did I end up spending $200 at Walmart?

James went back to the Howard's to work and I worked at home. I mopped the kitchen floor, worked on my blog, and ran off all of the conference talks. This was the first day they have been available in print.

Tamara, Kerri, and I visited Donna Peeler before our presidency meeting. Donna had surgery for a compressed disk and now she is going to have surgery for the bulging disks in her back. She told us she fell the other day. This really stresses me because that's how she got the compressed disk in the first place. Tamara asked me to say a prayer before we left. I prayed for Donna's safety.

During presidency meeting this evening I found out that Kerri is adopted. I was genuinely surprised. Kerri brought her computer and typed notes and sent them to everyone after the meeting,  and she isn't even the secretary. 

No book arbitrage training tonight. We are getting ready to leave for Texas in the morning. Yahoo!

 I love these photos! 

 Darrel the hairdresser, a man of many talents.

Love the quilted look on cards

Tuesday, October 9th, 2018

San Antonio, Texas

120th operating temple

Dedicated: 22 May 2005

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

2 Nephi 10:5

But because of priestcrafts and iniquities, they at Jerusalem will stiffen their necks against him, that he be crucified.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 2:1-14

*Why do you think forgetting spiritual experiences can make us vulnerable to Satan? What can we do to ensure that we do not forget the spiritual experiences we have had?

- I record spiritual experiences I have so I will remember and not forget them Keeping a journal has blessed me many times. I sometimes go back and look at it and reflect on the good times and spiritual experiences I've had, and all that God has blessed me with. Keeping a journal/blog helps me see God's hand in my life and fills me with gratitude for the many blessings and good times the Lord has blessed me with. Losing a testimony usually happens a little bit at a time. When we don't record and remember our spiritual experiences they begin to erode. To guard against erosion, write down spiritual experiences, ponder them, thank the Lord for them, and share them when appropriate. When we take the sacrament each week we eat and drink in remembrance of the body and blood of Jesus Christ, and promise that we will always remember Him. Remembering is so important. When we feel close to Him, we act differently. When we forget we gradually withdraw ourselves from Him and His Spirit.

Old Testament

Jeremiah 4-6

General Conference

One in Christ

Elder Ulisses Soares

My beloved companions in the work of the Lord, I believe we can do much better and should do better in welcoming new friends into the Church.

James got home from working at the Howard's around noon. He came home because of the rain which makes it rather difficult to work outside. He is still arguing with National Turf about workman's comp insurance. Unbeknownst to us, Valerie from National Turf stopped payment on our $29,980 check because they think James placed a lien on Phoenix Country Club for non-payment. He did not place the lien, the lien company only sent  a letter telling Phoenix Country Club we would place a lien if we did not get paid from National Turf. Phoenix Country Club ask National Turf why they hadn't paid us. 

I paid bills, not knowing our account was going to be in the red because of National Turd, oops, I mean Turf. 

James and I continued our online training for the book traders business we joined. I watched a live webinar this morning. There is a live webinar every Tuesday and Thursday morning. 

While getting my steps today I watched DWTS. Cheryl and Juan Pablo got a perfect score on their samba. Val and Nancy McKeon are going home. Why not Grocery Store Joe and Jenna. That guy cannot dance!

 21,021 steps  

 Sweet dreams

So happy to see the Declaration again!

 Scarlett's parents: Autumn and Palmer

One of my favorites of Charlie!

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