Monday, October 22nd, 2018

Cebu City, Philippines

133rd operating temple

Dedicated: 13 June 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

DC 138:35

And so it was made known among the dead, both small and great, the unrighteous as well as the faithful, that redemption had been wrought through the sacrifice of the Son of God upon the cross.

Book of Mormon #1

3 Nephi 11:1-17

*How can we keep our ears and hearts open to the whisperings of the Spirit?

-We need to provide the opportunity for the Spirit to speak to us. 

We need to slow down and not be in such a hurry to move on to the next thing, especially while praying, that we don't stop to listen. We also need to have open hearts where we can be ready to hear the Spirit's promptings and focus on what is really important. 

When we turn ourselves completely to Christ it seems we understand and witness of Him on a higher level. The people turned their eyes, ears, faces and hearts to heaven. They stretched forth their hands to Christ. They bowed in worship at His feet. They were still. The key to keeping our ears and hearts open to the whisperings of the Spirit is to "be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10).

Book of Mormon #2

Jacob 5

Old Testament

Jeremiah 43-45

General Conference

Wounded

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"In the crucible of earthly trials, patiently move forward, and the Savior's healing power will bring you light, understanding, peace, and hope."

I was up at 3 am. I could't sleep and I hated wasting time. I think it's because I took Tramadol a little later than normal yesterday. The doctor always asks me if it makes me drowsy, but it has the opposite effect on me.

The first thing I try to do when I get up is think about yesterday and repent of those things I did wrong. That's what I did today. I plan my day and try to remember to record when I felt the Spirit.

Next I get my bowl of cereal and read from the Book of Mormon while I eat. I love the challenge President Nelson gave us to read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year. Every time I read I get something new out of the experience.

Hurricane Michael wrecked so much havoc in Florida and now there is supposedly another one coming. It was supposed to rain here today but it didn't. Maybe tomorrow.

I read a great article in the New Era today called, "The Why and How of Living the Gospel" Here are some notes:
Why 
W - Worship, Worthiness, Word of God
H - Health, Hope, Happiness.
Y - Yearning, Yoked with Christ, Youth, You.
How
H - Hearken, Holy Ghost, Humility.
O - Obey, Ordinances, Offer.
W - Works, Witness, Walk with God.

I made a trip to town this morning. My first stop was Chase bank to deposit the check from National Turf. I went inside, something I don't ordinarily do. 

Next stop was Walmart. As I was waiting in line to check out I called Mountain Thai and discovered they were closed on Monday's. I told Jean and she said to get her a sandwich at Firehouse because that is where I was going anyway to get sandwiches for Anthony, James and Tom.

I delivered the sandwiches to James and went home to unload my groceries. As I was unloading I was feeling bad about not getting Jean her soup so I invited her over to watch a Hallmark movie with me. She is supposed to stay down and keep her leg elevated and I knew she could do that here in one of our recliners. 

No problems on the way over to Jean's but the last leg of the trip coming back seemed awfully rough. About a mile from home I stopped and checked my tires. Sure enough, the front one on the driver's side was flat. I made an unwise decision and drove the rest of the way home on it. I called James and told him about it and he was a little upset with me. He said if I ruined the rim it was cost $700. Yikes! I said a little prayer that I had not ruined the rim.

The rim isn't ruined but the tire sure is..

Jean and I watched "Country Wedding," one of my favorite Hallmark movies. She says she likes country movies so I gave her Season 1 and Season 2 of "Heartland" to watch. 

Tom came to pick up Jean and James and I jumped in the backseat of their truck and drove to the Elkins' to look at the gate and fence. Tom was impressed. He wants to build one like it at his place.

Tom dropped us off at the bottom of our hill and we walked up the road. He was going to take us all the way home and we said no, we wanted the steps. 

For FHE we watched President Faust's YouTube presentation, "Voice of the Spirit." Afterwards we did another training session for our book arbitrage business.

I watched part of DWTS. Tonight is Disney night, my favorite night. Disney advertised three new movies coming out this winter:
"The Nutcracker and the Four Realms," "Mary Poppins" and a new Wreck it Ralph movie. I would like to see the first two but have no interest in Wreck it Ralph.

She is one happy baby!

Prayer book, Book of Mormon, 

and journal. My three books.

I just can't get enough!

Teacup kitty

Bubbles!

Charlie got a bouncer!

 There is something I love about geometric shapes

Sunday, October 21, 2018

Gila Valley, Arizona

132nd operating temple

Dedicated: 23 May 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

DC 138:27

But his ministry among those who were dead was limited to the brief time intervening between the crucifixion and his resurrection;
Book of Mormon
3 Nephi 10:1-19
*How have you seen Christ work in your life like a "hen gathering her chickens under her wings" for protection?
- A hen cares for her chicks and would sacrifice her life to protect them. When danger threatens, she gathers the chicks under her wings for protection. In a similar way, the Lord loves his people, the house of Israel. He gave His life for His people and has sought to gather them together so he could protect and nourish them. resident Henry B. Eyring said: "More than once He has said that He would gather us to Him as a hen would gather her chickens under her wings. He says that we must choose to come to Him in meekness and with enough faith in Him to repent with full purpose of heart. (3 Nephi 10:6). One way to do that is to gather with the Saints in His Church. Go to your meetings, even when it seems hard. If you are determined, He will help you find the strength to do it."(Ensign, May 2004, 18).
Old Testament
Jeremiah 40-42
General Conference

The Role of the Book of Mormon in Conversion

Elder Shayne M. Bowen

"We are gathering Israel for the last time and are doing so with the Book of Mormon, one of the most powerful tools of conversion."

I woke up early but instead of going to the dining room table to study I went right to my recliner. The though of getting ready to go to stake conference made me tired. I was cheered by the Happy Sabbath photos Kacey sent of Charlie. 

I slept a little more at, and gave myself drugs and gradually began to feel better. I got ready to go and we left by 9 o'clock. The conference starts at 10. We arrived before 10 and sat about half way back in the cultural hall right by the Price's, Grapp's, and Bowen's.

James got a chance to talk to President Allen. He says although he serves in the Scottsdale mission presidency he still gets to live in Show Low. Actually he lives in Linden. James said to him, "Well it's good to see that you are still active."

The prelude music the choir sang sounded beautiful. We had four members of our ward in the choir: Sister Crane, Sister Applegate, Brother Goodman, and Brother Cooper.

Anthony came and sat with us and the Grapp's were behind us, the Bowen's and Price's in front of us. We were surrounded by friends.

Here is the letter I sent to Ben about our stake conference:

"Grandpa and I attended our stake conference yesterday and today. We had three former high school friends on the stand. One is in the Scottsdale mission presidency and the other two were husband and wife serving in the Snowflake temple presidency. Nice to know they are all still active.
Stake conference was very inspiring. We have three doctors in our stake presidency: One who restores sight, President Wright, one who improves your bite, President Beeler, and one who protects life, President Miles.
In Matthew 18:21-22 the Savior says we are to forgive 70x7 which is 490 times. What is significant about the number 490? Hebrew is an alpha numeric language, which means each number is associated with a word. 490 means to complete or as the Savior applied it, finish your forgiveness. We should never seek revenge and always forgive. (This was from President Miles's talk. He started out by telling the story of Samson and how he ruined his life because he sought revenge.)
A quote from President Nelson was given about unleashing the power of families. In order to bring our families back to the Celestial Kingdom we must develop Christ-like attributes. His grace is sufficient if we try and if we repent.

"A brother who was angry with God for 13 years found his way back to the gospel. He said as he was praying and writing in his journal, the Spirit told him to remember the Savior and what the Savior had done for him. He did and it made all the difference.
He encouraged us to watch a James E. Faust video on YouTube called "Voice of the Spirit."

"Sister Reidhead, from the temple presidency, told a story about taking apart and cleaning the chandelier in the celestial room of the Snowflake temple when she accidentally broke a piece. She said she prayed to Heavenly Father and told Him she was so very sorry but she knew she could make it right if He would help her. She said one of the brothers working in the temple thought he had seen something in the storage room that might help. He came back with the exact piece that was needed. Sister Reidhead testified that Heavenly Father knows each of us by name and He loves everyone of us.

President Reidhead ask us to help with the gathering of Israel in the temple. His wife took most of his time with her awesome story, so his message was short).

"President Beeler, our stake president, reminded us of an invitation he made to us the last week of May of this year. He called it an invitation with a promise. We were to fast on June 3rd for moisture and we were to spend more time in the temple. If we did these things the moisture would come and we would have greater spiritual blessings in our lives. In a week and a half we had broken the 70 year record for rainfall in June by 30 times. He said it was a miracle from God. Since that time the record breaking rain and snow continues.

"We must be constant about our change. Our commitment to the temple is a great example. We need to receive His image in our countenance so people will know who we believe in and what Church we belong to. God is able to show His greatest work though people."

On the way home from stake conference the skies looked like we were going to get some rain, but we never did. Sheri posted a video of it raining in Chandler. I love when the sky looks like this:

James grilled burgers with cheese, I cut up some veggies, and walla, lunch was served. Thanks Adam for leaving the burgers.

I sent the email Kim sent me about the doctor she loves to Sister Miller, the bishop's wife. She seemed excited and wanted Kim's number so she could talk to her. I hope this doctor can help Anne.

I made cookies today so James can take some to the Howard's tomorrow. I spoke to Jean and told her I would bring her lunch tomorrow, noddle soup from Mountain Thai to go with the cookies.

I texted Trina and asked her what she was doing, I was eating cookie dough. She laughed and said that they asked in Relief Society today what everyone's favorite meal was and she said, "cookie dough."

She posted a picture of Oliver on Instagram and said he was splooting. I asked her what splooting was. The explanation was much better than I had thought. Splooting means a dog has his legs spread out as he lays on his stomach. 

I did two blog posts, and James and I listened to chapter 27 in "Saints."

 So adorable!

 Charlie is rockin' this outfit!

 I love this story!

 Horne's home in Pinetop

 Talon on the left is going to Uganda

Saturday, October 20, 2018

Vancouver, British Columbia

131st operating temple

Dedicated: 2 May 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

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 #1

3 Nephi 9:1-22

*What do you think it means to offer a sacrifice of 'a broken heart and a contrite spirit:' What blessings does the Savior promise to those who come unto Him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit?

- Elder D. Todd Christofferson:

"You can offer the Lord the gift of your broken, or repentant, heart and your contrite, or obedient, spirit. In reality, it is the gift of yourself - what you are and what you are becoming. Is there something in you or in your life that is impure or unworthy? When you get rid of it, that is a gift to the Savior. Is there a good habit or quality that is lacking in your life? When you adopt it and make it part of your character, you are giving a gift to the Lord." (Ensign, May 2004, 12).

Book of Mormon #2

2 Nephi 32-Jacob 1

Old Testament

Jeremiah 37-39

General Conference

The Ministry of Reconciliation

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"I testify of the tranquility to the soul that reconciliation with God and each other will bring if we are meek and courageous enough to pursue it."

I felt the Spirit this morning while reading from 3 Nephi 9, especially when the Savior said, return unto me, repent, and be converted that I may heal you. There are some granchildren in our family that need to do this, and I thought of them. 

In Jeremiah we read of the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians and how the people basically ignored Jeremiah. In 3 Nephi 9 we read about the destruction of the Nephite cities before the Savior's coming because they ignored and even murdered the prophets. If we want to prepare for the Lord's Second Coming, we must listen to the prophets!

I read an article today in the New Era by Elder Bednar called, "Learning in the Lord's Way." He says that preparation bring revelation. Another thing he said that I liked: "Interact to edify, and invite to act."

A couple of lines from my book, "The Distant Hours" by Kate Morton: "She's saucy, my Aunt Rita." Aunt Rita: "My fingers have turned into thumbs."

This morning I made biscuits and James dropped them off at the breakfast at the park to kickoff the Vernon community food drive. I have to tell a funny story about our friend Anthony. He showed up at the breakfast thinking it was a ward activity. He sat down by an older gentleman who, unbeknownst to Anthony, happened to be a preacher from another church. Anthony asked him what ward he was in, and the preacher, acting rather offended, said: "I don't belong to your church." Anthony said, "Oh, that's okay, we are all brothers in Christ." The man then said, "We don't believe in the same Christ" to which Anthony said: "Oh, I didn't know there was more than one." I love that response!

James worked awhile at Howard's and then this afternoon he took me to my 4 pm leadership meeting in Lakeside at the stake center. While I was in the meeting, James went to Grumpy Jack's BBQ and got me dinner. I asked for a pulled pork sandwich and either potato salad or beans. He brought both. After the meeting I ate in the car and then we went into wait for the adult session of stake conference which started at 7 p.m. We sat by the Scott's from our ward. Kerri and her mom sat on the other side. 

It was fun to see our old friend from high school Wendell Allen on the stand. He is a counselor in the Scottsdale Mission Presidency. He spoke for a few minutes and I really enjoyed what he had to say. He talked about how the Nephites failed to care for the poor and needy and that it led to their downfall. They became prideful and contentious. He then asked how we are preparing for the Second Coming of the Savior. 

President Beeler, our stake president, in closing the meeting said: 

"God gathers His children so they can be Eternal families. We need to focus on people, one by one. Don't get so bogged down in means that you don't see the end. We are on the crest. Keep your eye on the Prophet."

Got a McDonald's ice cream on the way home. It was quite tasty and hit the spot!

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