Saturday, October 13th, 2018

Helsinki, Finland

124th operating temple

Dedicated: 22 Oct 2006

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

DC 20:23

He was crucified, died, and rose again the third day;

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 4:15-33

What do these verses teach about the importance of being prepared at all times, spiritually, physically, and provisionally?

- The Nephites knew that Zemnarihah and his men couldn't make it for long because they weren't prepared. Sometimes the battle is just being able to outlast the enemy. The Nephites had prepared temporally and provisionally and relied on the Lord spiritually to endure and outlast their enemy. 

Old Testament

Jeremiah 16-18

General Conference

For Him

Joy D. Jones

"Knowing the who and the why in serving others helps us understand that the highest manifestation of love is devotion to God."

Overcast and rainy this morning as we relax in Jared and Kacey's home. James kept trying to go out and walk and came in wet twice.

I had planned on getting up early to study but it was 8:00 when I went in to take a shower. Around 8:30 I asked Jared if he didn't think Trina and Darrel should be here. He said, "They came in about 30 minutes ago and they are sleeping in Summer's room."

I knew I had heard someone talking earlier but I did not recognize Trina's voice.

Charlie had an unfortunate incident in her diaper before we left for Scarlett's party in Longview. Jared and Kacey rightfully call it a "blowout."  It took the two of them to clean her up, give her a bath, and change her outfit. 

 Outfit #1

 Right before the "blowout"

 I feel so much better after that "blowout"

Kacey drove their minivan, I sat shotgun, Charlie and Jared in the second row and James and Summer in the back. I told Summer I would ride in the back on the way home. 
The trip was beautifully green with lots of trees. Charlie slept all the way. Kacey was glad because she says Charlie hates riding in the car. 

We were at ramada #4 at Kidview Park. Tanner was the first to greet us and helped Autumn decorate as did Jared. I pointed out to Jared that he had a poop stain on his shirt. After I did it I wished I hadn't because it stressed him out so much. 

We had pizza, cake and drink at the party and we sang happy birthday to Scarlett. She loved her cake!

So fun!

 Writing a message to Scarlett for her to open

on her 18th birthday.

 Kacey's ex-sister-in-law

Kacey realized she had all of her kids together

and took advantage of the opportunity to

take a family photo.

Charlie woke up on the way home and cried so hard she made herself sick. It was so sad. She also strained a blood vessel near her eye. 

 Charlie loves Trina!

Watching old home movies my mom

took when I was young, and some James took

when our kids were young.

Happy Birthday Kevin.

Kevin and Teresa a few years ago.

After a huge rainstorm and tornado warning

we all went out for dinner at Stanley's

BBQ. Kacey was sad because they were

out of ribs. "What BBQ place runs out

of ribs?"

Friday, October 12th, 2018

Sacramento, California

123rd operating temple

Dedicated: 3 September 2006

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

DC 6:37

Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Amen.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 4:1-14

*How can I prepare to meet my challenges and adversities with the "Strength of the Lord"?

- Through faith, repentance, prayer and gospel study and hard work. Being gathered together in righteousness with others. Being prepared to fight against Satan.

Old Testament

Jeremiah 13-15

General Conference

Believe, Love, Do

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"We achieve the abundant life by becoming true disciples of Jesus Christ - by following in His ways and engaging in His work."

James forgot his meds and I forgot my bra on this trip. I brought my ah-bra but I don't usually wear that in public except when I am traveling. James called CVS and Dr. Moffat and made arrangements to pick up his blood pressure meds. 

Just down the street from CVS was a Walmart where I went shopping. I got what I needed and almost bought a $12 dot journal but I abstained. I don't need another one. 

Snyder is a town of about 11,000 people and is still in the desolate part of Texas. The password for the internet at our hotel was "gocowboys." The Texas accent is alive and well here as demonstrated by my cashier, Ramona, at Walmart. 

As we left Snyder and it's windmills on the hill, it was overcast and cool. We get on the I-20 and pass the exit for Stink Creek. We see signs for Abilene which is "the storybook capital of Texas." As we pass the Taylor county line the scenery is changing from brown to green. There are fields of cotton and maize but there are no mountains. We head for Ft. Worth instead of Abilene. There are rolling hills and big walnut? trees. There seems to be a college in every one of these small towns. The speed limit is 75 most of the time on the freeways. It begins raining and we see a sign: Pecans for sale. Maybe those were pecan trees, not walnut.

Going through the rush hour traffic of Ft. Worth and Dallas really slowed us down. Once we get east of Dallas we take the 49 toll road to Tyler and Whitehouse, 2 1/2 hours away. 

We are finally at Kacey and Jared's! I see a car from Arkansas parked in front and I think it is Autumn's and Palmer's. I am right. We are happy to meet them and Scarlett. 

Beautiful scenery in east Texas

Soon Summer was home. She was wearing scrubs because she works at Jared's office. She is a senior this year and looking forward to graduating on June 1st, the same day that James graduates in San Antonio.

Autumn, Palmer, and Scarlett left to stay at Autumn's dad's in Longview/Hallsville. He has a big house and once Trina and Darrel get here, Kacey and Jared's will be pretty full. We said goodbye and look forward to seeing them tomorrow at Scarlett's 1st birthday party.

Soon Jared was home and we all sat down to a nice meal, Kacey's delicious meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans and Sister Schubert's rolls. I think Charlie stayed asleep until it was time for Kacey to eat. Charlie is so much cuter in person if that is possible!

We enjoyed visiting this evening and going for a walk with Kacey around the block several times while Jared and Charlie watched TV. 

We slept in Tanner's room and the bed was very comfortable. 

We look forward to seeing Darrel and Trina tomorrow. Trina texted me to see if it was cold. They are flying tonight and will arrive in Dallas at 5 am, where they will rent a car and drive to Whitehouse.

Thursday, October 11th, 2018

Newport Beach, California
122nd operating temple
Dedicated: 28 Aug 2005
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Mosiah 14:5

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 3:11-26

*Why did Lachoneus admonish his people to pray? After they prayed what did they do to fortify their lands and possessions?

- He wanted them to repent and be right before the Lord so they could receive His blessings. They gathered together with food and weapons.

Old Testament

Jeremiah 10-12

General Conference

All Must Take upon Them the Name Given of the Father

Elder Paul B. Pieper

The Savior's name has singular and essential power. It is the only name by which salvation is possible.

I love this quote about the Holy Ghost from President Henry B. Eyring: "If you have felt the influence of the Holy Ghost during this day...you may take it as evidence that the Atonement is working in your life." (CES Fireside, Sept 10, 2006).

This quote by Elder Uchtdorf also gives me food for thought:

"The more you trust and rely upon the Spirit, the greater your capacity to create."

This morning was spent getting ready for our trip to Whitehouse, Texas. We had to make a trip into Show Low to pick up our rental car, a white Toyota Corolla. We will get better gas mileage in this car and save Lexy from the wear and tear of traveling. I waited while James picked up the car because he took my driver's license in. 

As I was driving home, after only going three or four miles, I realized I had no gas. When I stopped to turn around James stopped too. He asked what was wrong. When I told him he asked if I wanted him to come with me, of course not, go home and get ready to go.

I filled up Lexy with gas and went through the carwash. We left the house a little after 10:30. We stopped at the post office and asked them to hold our mail. We left the post office at 11:00. Texas, here we come!

The rest of Arizona, New Mexico, and west Texas are pretty desolate. James did see a jaguarundi before we left Arizona.

Is that really a word and is there really an animal?? James says it is and there is. He says it is black and looks like a huge house cat. I wouldn't know, I didn't see it. 

We stopped for gas and lunch at Arby's in Socorro, New Mexico. I forgot, I really don't like Arby's. Their onion rings are very greasy.

After about 10 hours of traveling and losing two hours because of the time difference, we stopped in Snyder, Texas at the Baymont Inn for the night. This is a major truck stop as indicated by the 10 or more semi-trucks parked out in front. I don't care as long as my room is clean and quiet, which it was. We stayed in room 308.

During our driving today we read through "Saints" chapter 15. 

Since we didn't get many steps today James went down to the exercise room to walk. I stayed in our room and walked until I got over 10,000 steps. It was late when we went to bed.

Charlie is such an angel!

I think I could do this one!

 So cute!

My friend Catherine and her friend

Harriet from Oklahoma.

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!