Wednesday, October 17th, 2018

Twin Falls, Idaho

128th operating temple

Dedicated: 24 Aug 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

DC 53:2

Behold, I, the Lord, who was crucified for the sins of the world, give unto you a commandment that you shall forsake the world.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 7:1-14

*Why and how is Satan trying to divide people today?

- When there is division the gospel, or any message really, cannot move forward. It stops progress. It stops every good thing. It stops love and kindness. We have been counseled that when we are not one, then we are not His. Satan knows his time is running out and that in the last days even the elect will be deceived. There is no strength in division. We become weak and find our hearts seeking other treasures than God's Kingdom.

Old Testament

Jeremiah 28-30

General Conference

Sisters' Participation in the Gathering of Israel

President Russell M. Nelson

"I'm extending a prophetic plea to you, the women of the Church, to shape the future by helping to gather scattered Israel."

I have made a commitment to get up before 5 am. Today is was 4:39. Instead of snow outside, we had fog. It finally lifted mid-morning.

Today was the end of my ten day media fast. My impressions:

I don't need social media as much as I thought I did. I used to look on Facebook and Instagram the first thing in the morning. Now, I say my prayers and plan my day instead. I do like to see what people I know are doing but there are definitely more important ways to spend my time. I wonder if President Nelson was hoping we would read more from the Book of Mormon instead of looking on social media. I have enjoyed reading the Book of Mormon from the beginning again.

I read an article in the Ensign today under the title, "What Can We Learn From the Fall of King David." Here are a couple of quotes from that article: "Idleness leads to evil." President Ezra Taft Benson said: "It is better to prepare and prevent than to repair and repent."

Elder Quentin L. Cook says that the new multi-volume history of the Church will help us keep our covenants by enlarging our memory of what the Savior has done for us.

We are still overdrawn in our business checking account. James did finally work out his differences and they mailed us another check yesterday but it probably won't be here until Friday. 

James has so many aches and pains. I feel so bad for him. My arthritis is pretty much under control right now but James struggles on an hourly basis with his leg and his back. 

No wonder his back hurts. He fixed

our leaky faucet!

I really miss Charlie and her parents. I felt really sad and depressed today about it. I always feel better when Kacey or Jared sends me a picture or a video. I hope we get to see them again before Charlie gets too much older.

I worked on my 2019 calender in my dot journal. We also did a session in our book arbitrage business on search filters.

Did I feel the Spirit today?

Max and Ollie growling at each other.

 Journal ideas

 Baby Branch is pretty darn cute!

Card idea from Stampin' Up

 A fund Harry Potter party 

Cuteness overload!

 Little Lola

 A sweet girl who loves sweets!

Tuesday, October 16th, 2018

Panama City, Panama

127th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 Aug 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

DC 76:41

That he came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness;

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 6:15-30

*Why is it so important to follow our leaders, especially in these the latter days?

- Because these "men are inspired from heaven" (vs, 20). There was a great divide, in these years just before the coming of Christ, between the righteous and the wicked, just as there is a similar divide happening today before the Second Coming of Christ. "Some were lifted up in pride and others were exceedingly humble." The parallels today are not by chance. Christ is coming again. Satan knows it so he is ramping up all his efforts again. 

The chasm between the wicked and the righteous is widening at an extremely fast pace, just as it did in this chapter. How does this happen? By allowing Satan to stir up our hearts to do iniquity. We must decide whose side we are on, the Savior's or Satan's. There will be no middle ground. By following our Church leaders we are choosing to follow the Savior.

Old Testament

Jeremiah 25-27

General Conference

Parents and Children

President Dallin H. Oaks

"Our Heavenly Father's great plan of happiness tells you who you are and the purpose of your life."

"Your prayer of faith will be key to your success." - President Henry B. Eyring

It's snowing! Not just snowing, but snowing like it's Christmas morning, big floating flakes. 

First item of business this morning was to take the rental car back to Hatch's. James left and told me to leave about 15 minutes later. He called me on the road and said it was snowing quite hard and to please be careful because he had seen four cars off the road. 

I said a prayer and drove safely thought not slowly. A car passed me soon after I turned onto the 60 and I tried to keep up.

After picking James us at Hatch's we drove through Chase and made a small deposit. We are overdrawn in the business account but I don't know what we can do about it.

James dropped me off at Walmart while he tried to make a call to National Turf. I got stuff for smoothies, salad, a frozen pizza, soupl, Slimfast, almonds, milk, butter and eggs. 

I came home and watched last night's Dancing with the Stars. Grocery store Joe has got to go. He is so clumsy. He may be the nicest bachelor in the world but he cannot dance and this is a dancing shoe. Tinashe and Brandon went home. Tinashe is one of the best dancers on the show and could have won. People need to vote for the best dancers, not someone they like! That being said I don't vote so I can't complain too much.

James and I did a book arbitrage training on sales rank history. There is a lot to learn about this business.

Well the rain this afternoon melted the snow so now we have mud. 

Read from "The Forgotten Garden" and "The Saints."

 My tree

 A frozen world

Rental car

 Adorable

Love!

Frozen flowers

 Love these two.

 My kind of artwork

 Hikers. The Wind Tunnerl at

Superstition Mountains.

Monday, October 15th, 2018

Curitiba, Brazil
126th operating temple
Dedicated: 1 June 2008
By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

DC 35:2

I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was crucified for the sins of the world, even as many as will believe on my name, that they may become the sons of God, even one in me as I am one in the Father, as the Father is one in me, that we may be one.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 5:16-6:14

*How do these verses exemplify the pride cycle? How can we avoid falling into the pride cycle?

-We can avoid falling into the pride cycle by being truly converted to the faith, and by being "firm, steadfast, and immovable, willing with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord." (v.14)

Are our minds and hearts anxiously engaged in good things? Do we just go through the motions or are we truly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ? Is the seed of faith planted in our souls?

When our hearts are no longer set upon the things of this world, we will no longer aspire to the honors of men or seek only to gratify our pride. Instead we take on the Christlike qualities Jesus taught and become His disciples. Missionaries are able to set aside the things of this world and focus totally on serving the Lord and His children. Because of this they experience great power and joy, and their hearts are changed and they have no more disposition to do evil but to do good continually as long as they are obedient.

I love all of you so much and see the power you have to do good as you turn your hearts over to the Lord. I ask myself each day in my morning prayers for the Lord to lead me to someone who needs my help.

Old Testament

Jeremiah 22-24

General Conference

The Joy of Unselfish Service

Cristina B. Franco

"We have promised our Father in Heaven that we will serve Him and others with love and do His will in all things."

Women and Gospel Learning in the Home

President Henry B. Eyring

"The Savior is your perfect example of how you will play a major part in His move to place greater emphasis on gospel learning in the home."

We left Jared and Kacey's around 5 am Texas time, 3 am Arizona time. We took the toll road and as we neared the Dallas/Ft. Worth area a digital sign said you might want to take a detour because of an accident we did. We took the detour and ended up going right up through the middle of the city. We never had to stop, but this way did some longer if there had not been an accident. James said it was like driving through Phoenix for three hours. The rain is really coming down as it has been most of the time.

We saw a semi-truck jack-knifed in the wrong direction. Traffic going the other direction was backed up for miles. The speed limit here is 70 mph. Most of the time on the freeway it is 75 mph. 

We stopped for gas and some refreshment and it was raining very hard!

Some notes from my book, "The Forgotten Garden":

"A person need rescue themselves."

"A rat, I saw a rat, large as a dog with beady black eyes and sharp teeth. I'm not made for such horrors." (Mrs. Sturgent, the do-gooder, come to take Eliza to the workhouse.)

Some observations about Texas: There are lots of Sonics, Whataburgers, and Dairy Queens. Nearly every town has a water tower. At one point when we saw oil rigs, we could smell the oil.

We stopped at the little town of Post to use the restroom at a McDonald's. We got there just as a bus was unloading and I was able to beat those "older" women to the restroom. I was going to say "Old ladies" but how would that sound? Would I want someone to refer to me in that way?

Another line from "The Forgotten Garden":

"Tiny white cottages clung like barnacles to the rocky cove."

Some of the things we did on this trip: Read from the Book of Mormon and the Old Testament and President Eyring's conference talk, "Women and Gospel Learning in the Home." I read to James from "Saints" and I listened to "The Forgotten Garden." While James drove like a machine or a robot, I slept. How unfair. I offered to drive but he turned me down.

Did you know that there is a UFO museum in Roswell, New Mexico.

We arrived home around 5:45 Arizona time and it was raining. It rained on us most of the way home. It was good to be home.

Some things I learned about Jared's and Kacey's kids on this trip:

-James wants to be a chef.

-Anna wants to go to art school in North Carolina after she graduates.

-Summer is interest in fashion design.

-Tanner loves trucks and he loves taking things apart to see how they work. Putting things back together again is one of his talents.

Darrel and Trina went to Waco to see Joanna and Chip and to shop at the Silo. I guess it was a little too cold for Trina.

Such a cute little face!

Nothing sweeter than a sleeping baby

I think Scarlett likes to shop with her mom.

Just a little too organized for me.

Sunday, October 14th, 2018

Rexburg, Idaho

125th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 Feb 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

DC 21:9

For, behold, I will bless all those who labor in my vineyard with a mighty blessing, and they shall believe on his words, which are given him through me by the Comforter, which manifesteth that Jesus was crucified by sinful men for the sins of the world, yea, for the remission of sins unto the contrite heart.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 5:1-19

*What do these verses teach us about forgiveness?
- Forgiveness can be a healing balm for the person who has been offended. Usually those who have gone through the most in regards to trials are also those who have developed empathy and are good listeners and have developed Christlike love. 
When we forgive the person who did us wrong we will find liberty in letting go of the resentment which if not dealt with can turn into contention. Forgiveness is never easy but in the long run will bring peace and contentment.
Old Testament
Jeremiah 19-21
General Conference

Divine Discontent

Michelle D. Craig

"Divine discontent can move us to act in faith, follow the Savior's invitations to do good, and give our lives humbly to Him."

We attended the Whitehouse ward, Tyler, Texas stake, sacrament meeting this morning with Bishop Anderson presiding. The building is located in Bullard, Texas.

Jared gave Charlie a name and a blessing. The following were in the circle: James, Darrel, Albert, and Palmer. 

Jared blessed  Charlie Mae Lambson that she would have a desire for knowledge, a testimony and a love of the Savior, that she would be an example to her family and bring them closer together. He blessed her that she would be strong in the gospel and seek an education and that she would be married in the temple.  He blessed her that she would stay close to her mother and follow her counsel. He blessed her to know that the Savior watches over her and loves her. It was a beautiful blessing and I am so grateful we were able to be here.

There were three speakers in the meeting today. An Aaronic Priesthood youth Madden, Sister Sluder, and Brother Wiseman. 

Madden spoke about the Holy Ghost and although he spoke very fast, he was prepared and did a good job. He ended with this scripture: Moroni 10:7 - And ye may know that he is, by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore I would exhort you that ye deny not the power of God; for he worketh by power, according to the faith of the children of men, the same today and tomorrow, and forever.

Sister Sluder asked us to think of one person who had influenced our life for good. Sister Kempton came to my mind. Can one person really make a difference? I would say yes and could give many examples, Kacey being one. 
Are we an example of the believers? "That thy light may be a standard to the world. Member's examples are the greatest missionaries to the world. 
Do we have His image in our countenance? If we do, people won't need to ask who we believe in or what church we belong to. 

Brother Wiseman quoted from the Proclamation to the World
to stress the point of how we need each other. He shared the story of how he and his wife met and his conversion and baptism. He quoted the Savior from the book of John: "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

After sacrament meeting Kacey had all the family gather in the foyer and her friend took a picture.

 Kacey had more family, most of them coming

from Arkansas,  but Jared's family came further.

Charlie's blessing dress:

Charlie Mae Lambson

Darrel and Trina left after sacrament meeting. They had an assignment to put the ham in the oven. Jared and Kacey taught and fed with Jared's cookies, their Sunday School class of 17 year olds. 

I took Charlie with us to Sunday School where we learned about the teachings of Isaiah. She slept the entire time. 

We sat by an older brother named Bruce Bennett. When he found out we were from Arizona he said he had an old college roommate from Show Low. His name was Jeff Frost. Did we know him? 

Yes, we did. He used to work in my dad's store and his parents, Aut and Jayne were good friends with my grandparents. It's a small world!

After Sunday School Kacey came and got Charlie and she and Jared went home. I think James and I were the only family members who stayed for the entire block. Sister Wood, the Relief Society President, introduced herself to me and then she introduced me in Relief Society. The lesson was from a talk in 2016 by Elder Kevin Duncan on forgiveness.

The family gathered at Jared and Kacey's for lunch. There was ham, baked beans, Kacey's homemade potato salad, salad and rolls. Everything was delicious. For dessert we had brownies by Trina, cookies by Jared, and ice cream by Darrel. We enjoyed visiting with Autumn and her family, and Loren, Kacey's sister, and her husband Albert and their kids Michael, Macey, and McCoy. Michael brought his girlfriend but I can't remember her name.

Since Autumn and Palmer have over a three hour drive back to Arkansas they were the first to leave. Loren and Albert live in the same town as Autumn and Palmer, Benton, and they left before 5.

Jared and Kacey took us to a park for an afternoon walk. The park was beautiful. We did see lots of large daddy long leg like spiders and painted rocks with scriptures on them. I can't remember the name of the park but it is in Tyler. We drove past some gorgeous homes with big beautiful lawns and trees. This really is a beautiful area. The temperature today was 90 degrees and the humidity was 71%. James, Darrel, Trina and I aren't used to the humidity.

This evening we watched more of our home movies.  

Jared and Darrel both have rheumatoid arthritis. Jared was between medications when he moved here and tried to find a doctor. He said there were some days he was pretty miserable. I am so sorry that my boys are afflicted with this disease. 

We said our goodbyes before going to bed as we are getting up at 5am Texas time, which is 3 am Arizona time, to leave for home. National Turf put a stop payment on their check and we need to find out why. We are overdrawn in the Lambson Construction account. 

Charlie was definitely the center of attention today.

Visiting with family

Albert says he is coming to Arizona

to hunt elk. 

 When Charlie has a tummy ache

this is how Jared holds her.

 Path we followed at the park.

 Jared bought Kacey this rug for her

birthday and it is so soft!

 Trina being silly. Darrel even held the

baby but I didn't get a picture. 

 While everyone else was eating, Trina

was holding Charlie.