Tuesday, October 23rd, 2018

Kiev, Ukraine

134th operating temple

Dedicated: 29 Aug 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Deuteronomy 21:23

His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

Book of Mormon 

3 Nephi 11:18-41

*What does the Savior teach about baptism and contention? What do modern prophets say?

- There appears to have been some contention among the Nephites concerning the manner of baptism The Lord clarified how the ordinance should be performed. President Boyd K. Packer explained the significance of baptism and cautioned that we should not alter this sacred ordinance: "Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins is the first ordinance. Baptism must be by immersion, for it is symbolic of both the coming forth from temporal death, from the grave, and the cleansing required for redemption from spiritual death...Under the plan, baptism is not just for entrance into the Church of Jesus Christ. It begins a spiritual rebirth that may eventually lead back into the presence of God. If we really understood what baptism signifies, we could never consider it trivial nor alter the form of this sacred ordinance....through the sacrament we renew the covenant." 

President Henry B. Eyring helps us understand that the Spirit of God will not lead people into contention: "Where people have that Spirit with them, we may expect harmony The Spirit puts the testimony of truth in our hearts, which unifies those who share that testimony. The Spirit of God never generates contention (see 3 Nephi 11:29). It never generates the feelings of distinctions between people which lead to strife. It leads to personal peace and a feeling of union with others. (Ensign, May 1998, 67).

Old Testament

Jeremiah 46-48

General Conference

The Correct Name of the Church

President Russell M. Nelson

"Jesus Christ directed us to call the Church by His name because it is His Church, filled with His power."

James and I left the house before 8 am to take my tire and rim into Discount Tire to be fixed. After dropping the tire off James said he needed to stop by Kay's Building Supply. I stayed in the truck and told James to leave the engine running. (Sometimes he has a hard time starting it). 

It is raining hard, even some hail, thunder and lightening. James is in the store for over 15 minutes. I am in the truck thinking of all the things I need to do and trying to be patient. I have already done my Book of Mormon, Old Testament, and General Conference. I guess I will listen to something from the New Era. I listened to a talk by Elder S. Gifford Nielsen: "My Quarterback Questions." We need to Ask God, Record Impressions, and Trust God.

From my reading in "The Distant Hours" by Kate Morton. This is the character, Percy Blythe, in reference to her family home, Mildehurst Castle: "A place is more than the sum of its physical parts, it is a repository of memories, a record and retainer of all that's happened within it's boundaries."  I love this! One more:"There is something deeply disquieting about a beloved place relieved of its rightful occupants."

After leaving Kay's we went to Safeway. I wish I would have brought my umbrella. Picked up some DP10 because I can't get it at Walmart. Next was Walmart to pick up my methotrexate and then over to Mountain Thai to pick up soup for Jean, Marie and myself. 

When we drove up the owner came out to talk to us. He told us that they had no electricity. I told him we only wanted soup and he said they could handle soup so I went inside. I was writing a check, in spite of the 'No Checks' sign on the wall, because the credit card machine is obviously electric. Just as I was finished with the check the electricity came back on. I tore up the check and used my credit card. I ordered soup for Jean, Marie and myself.

On the way home James and I listened to chapter 28 of "Saints."

Marie followed us up to the Howard's. The rain is almost over and the road was not too muddy. Marie brought spaghetti and brownies for Jean for this evening.

It was the perfect day for soup. Marie and I had vegetable noodle soup and Jean had clear bean vegetable with shrimp. I bought a bottle of sweet chili for Jean and she and I poured it into our soup. Marie was afraid it would be too hot for her. 

After lunch we said goodbye to Jean who will be in the valley the rest of the week and Marie and I met James at the post office. He said our road was too muddy for Marie to drive on.

Marie was going to go to the temple with Catherine and I tomorrow but she has a cough and a possible sinus infection. 

This evening I downloaded the software for our TextbookMoney business. Now I need to review how to start using the software.

 The Happiest Place on Earth

Lola made a new friend

This independent little girl is touring

the War Veterans Museum

 So funny!

Jean wants James to make her a

table like this.

 Laying a finger a side of her cheek....

 Uh oh

 Stacy at the National Laser Institute

Journal ideas

 This two share a birthday. I told

his mom that he has a great name.

How exciting for our friend Betty!

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!