Friday, October 19th, 2018

Oquirrh Mountain, Utah

130th operating temple

Dedicated: 21-23 Aug 2009

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

DC 45:52

Then shall they know that I am the Lord; for I will say unto them: These wounds are the wounds with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. I am he who was lifted up. I am Jesus that was crucified. I am the Son of God.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 8:5-25

*How can we prepare today for the Savior's Second Coming?

- Now is the time to repent and prepare. Elder Klebingat, Oct 2014 general conference, asks: "On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your spiritual confidence before God? Do you have a personal witness that your current offering as a Latter-day Saint is sufficient to inherit eternal life? Can you say within yourself that Heavenly Father is pleased with you? Six practical suggestions by Elder Klebingat: 1) Take responsibility for your own spiritual well-being. 2) Take responsibility for your own physical well-being. 3) Embrace wholehearted obedience as part of your life. 4) Become really good at repenting thoroughly and quickly. 5) Become good at forgiving. 6) Accept trials, setbacks, and surprises as part of your mortal experience and learn from them. 

Old Testament

Jeremiah 34-36

General Conference

Becoming a Shepherd

Bonnie H. Cordon

"I hope those to whom you minister will see you as a friend and realize that, in you, they have a champion and a confidant."

James was in so much pain in his upper back this morning he took a couple of Tramadol and went back to bed for awhile. 

We signed up to be FBA seller's on Amazon today. 

I made James two pbj sandwiches for his lunch before he left for the Howard's. That was his request. After work he went by to check the mail and the cheque from National Turf is here. It was too late to get it in the bank today. 

James was outside walking and I was in the family room when the doorbell rang. I actually thought it was James and he was locked out so I went to the door looking rather bedraggled. I was embarrassed to see that it was the elders. Elder Bingham said he wanted us to meet Elder Welsh. James looked just about as bad as I did. Elder Bingham did almost all of the talking. The only thing I know about Elder Welsh is that he is very tall and he is from Pennsylvania and he doesn't know Carmen. We talked about the work in the area and before they left I asked them what they wanted to eat next week when they come over for dinner. No response so it's up to me. I think I learned a lesson tonight. Even though I am home alone I need to try and make myself presentable.

Our book arbitrage training was on pricing and book condition. 

I read several chapters from my new Kate Morton book, "The Distant Hours."

"The barometer of how great and terrible the 2nd Coming will be is our relationship to the prophets." - BYU Round Table Discussion

These two!!

 Love this baby card!

 This is Lois's ceiling. Two things wrong with this picture.

A stain indicating a leak, and a popcorn ceiling!

I wish I could do the simplest of artwork.

Today's Steps:

12,102

Thursday October 18th, 2018

Draper, Utah

129th operating temple

Dedicated: 20-22 Mar 2009

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

DC 54:1

Behold, thus saith the Lord, even Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, even he who was crucified for the sins of the world -

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 7:15-8:4 & 2 Nephi 27-28

* What part does the Holy Ghost play in conversion?

-As we exercise faith, repent of our sins, and obey the commandments, we receive a witness born of the Spirit that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. We are visited "by the power and Spirit of God," (v.21) as we listen to testimonies of apostles and prophets. The Spirit testifies of truth and touches hearts that are humble and teachable. 

How can we become more deeply converted? What lack I yet? How can we be a better influence for good?

Without the Holy Spirit we will not know what is truth and it will not prick our heart to change. A mighty change of heart to completely follow the Savior and His gospel is an indication of true conversion and happens through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Old Testament

Jeremiah 31-33

General Conference

The Vision of the Redemption of the Dead

President M. Russell Ballard

"I testify that the vision President Joseph F. Smith received is true. I bear witness that every person can come to know it is true."

I looked out the window this morning from our bedroom and saw a lone elk. James couldn't get up fast enough but he missed seeing her. She must have been late for an appointment because she was gone fast.

Our book arbitrage session this morning was quite enlightening. We learned how to set filters and buy books. Neither one of us can just sit and listen for very long, we have to be walking around the table or doing something else.

James left for awhile this morning and while he was gone I made Jared's yummy cookies that he made while we were at his house. I am visiting the Grapp's this afternoon and I always take the kids cookies. Cookies and cookie dough are both tasty. 

I left the house around 12:30 even though I am not scheduled to pick up my partner Marie until 2. I went into town to wash my car. I was too embarrassed to pick her up in such a mud splattered car.

I was at Marie's a little before two. She was down the hill from her house waiting for me. When she got in she informed me that she had put diapers on all six of her dogs. I wish she would have given me a picture of that. I guess they have been using her home for a bathroom and she is tired of it. I wouldn't want to be the one to change those diapers.

I introduced Marie to the Grapp clan. They seemed to warm right up to her. Emsley had her stuffed pony I gave her for her birthday and came right over and snuggled up on my lap. Tildy wanted to play Old Maids. I had the last draw and didn't pick the Old Maid. Tildy was sad and did something that got her grounded to her room. I felt terrible. Afterwards I came home and wrote her a note that next time I would be the Old Maid. 

Marie said a prayer before we left and it was very sweet. Cammy is so excited that her brother Jared is going through the temple for the very first time. He is also being sealed to his wife and two little boys. Thomas will be his escort.

James had put my cookie dishes in the dishwasher while I was gone. I certainly appreciate his thoughtfulness.

I walked and blogged, and walked and blogged this afternoon. This evening James and I did another book arbitrage session.

Tomorrow we will be setting up our sellers account on Amazon.

She's pretty excited!

 Isn't a want really a need?

Branch's family, Daddy, Ridger,

Evelyn, and Mamma.

 So many cute card ideas on Pinterest!

Oh the memories! This was the last 

FHE we had in Chandler before moving

to Vernon.

 This is a photo I found on Instagram

The poster is Oldkyrenian. Not sure

what or where that is.

 Reminds me of a photo we had of

Stacy when she was a baby.

She looks worried.

Today's Steps:

14,019

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.