OUR FAMILY

Thursday, December 6, 2018

Thursday, November 29th, 2018

Hamilton, New Zealand

11th operating temple

Dedicated: 20-22 April 1958

By: David O. McKay

Jesus Christ, Death of

Matthew 20:18

Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,
Book of Mormon #1
Mormon 9:1-21
*What experiences have I had that confirm that God is still a God of miracles?
- One of the greatest miracles I have seen is the transformation of people's lives as they accept and live the gospel of Jesus Christ. I was privileged to be a ward missionary when both Laura and Cathi accepted the gospel. There is no greater joy in this life than to see someone accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and to align their lives in accordance with His teachings. It is truly a miracle. One of the reasons I love the Book of Mormon is because it teaches so clearly the steps we must take to return to the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. Jesus Christ and His Atonement is our greatest miracle. I am thankful for my mom and Nannie who accepted the gospel. I am thankful for Laura, Cathi, Brian and Ian in our family today for accepting the gospel. I am grateful for five faithful children who try each day to live the gospel. The Plan of Salvation is a miracle which bring families together for eternity.
Book of Mormon #2
Alma 56-57
Old Testament
Amos 5-6
General Conference

Shepherding Souls

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

"President Nelson has explained:

'A hallmark of the Lord's true and living Church will always be an organized, directed effort to minister to individual children of God and their families. Because it is His Church, we as His servants will minister to the one, just as He did. We will minister in His name, with His power and authority, and with His loving-kindness."

The Book of Mormon helps us live the Plan of Salvation. I don't remember where I got this quote from or who said it but it was in my notebook so I am sharing it here because I believe it to be true.

James was determined he was going to do some weed-eating for me today even though the string he has is too big and every 20 seconds he has to stop to fix it. I have been asking him to do it for a long time. He didn't get all of it done but I was appreciative for what he did.

Today is my niece Jenifer's birthday. I texted her to wish her a happy birthday and we corresponded back and forth for a few minutes. She told me about her daughter Bettylea being down in front when President Nelson came to San Antonio and all of them going to see him so I told her about Summer and Jared, Kacey, Tanner, and Charlie traveling 14 hours to see President Nelson and Elder Bednar.

I texted Tamara, our Relief Society president, today to share with her some ideas of communicating with the youth that the bishop had asked us for. Here were the ideas that I shared:

* Ask them for their input.

* Let them know you value and respect their opinions.

* Never talk down to them.

* Let them know and feel of your love.

* Don't assume that they are the problem.

Accept responsibility and ask them what you can do to help them feel more comfortable in sharing things with you.

* Come up with a pan together.

* Treat them how you would want to be treated and encourage their input and ideas.

* If they do something to disappoint you tell them how you feel and express your love.

* Guide them in a way that they never want to disappoint you because they know how much you love them.

* Don't be afraid to take action when needed but do it in a loving way.

I had some other suggestions but that's enough for now. I realize that I'm not "in the trenches" and that some of these suggestions are rather idealistic.

It's after 6 this evening and I'm just now starting to wrap presents. Why does it always take me so long to do things. I can never do as much as I think I can. I wrapped 3 out of 12 presents before going to bed.

These are the Arkansas packages

The weather is supposed to turn cold and snowy tonight. James said the sky looked clear when we went to bed.

Oh Rowan!

Now that's a cute girl!

Love this!

Can't believe how much he's changed!

This girl makes the cutest faces!

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Wednesday, November 28th, 2018

Los Angeles, California

10th operating temple

Dedicated: 11-14 Mar 1956

By: David O. McKay

Jesus Christ, Death of

Matthew 16:4

A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

Book of Mormon #1

Mormon 8:26-41

*Generations are affected by the choices you make. Your decisions today determine your destiny. In a day when some people might be inclined to abandon faith in the face of great difficulties, Moroni's words teach us to see miracles and revelations as evidence That God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Although the spiritual and social conditions in the world may be in a state of constant change and decline, God's covenant people can have full confidence that He is eternally the same.

Book of Mormon #2

Alma 53-55

Old Testament

Amos 3-4

General Conference

Now Is The Time

Elder Jack N. Gerard

"We live in a world of information overload, dominated by ever-increasing distractions that make it more and more difficult to sort through the commotion of this life and focus on things of eternal worth. Our daily lives are bombarded with attention-grabbing headlines, served up by rapidly changing technologies.

Unless we take the time to reflect, we may not realize the impact of this fast-paced environment on our daily lives and the choices we make. We may find our lives consumed with bursts of information packaged in memes, videos, and glaring headlines. Although interesting and entertaining, most of these have little to do with our eternal progress, and yet they shape the way we view our mortal experience."

I love this!

The following quote was taken from the Old Testament Student Manual, volume 2, p. 92: Amos 4:1-3 - The Evils of Israel's Women: "The quality of life in any community is largely what it's women make it. If they are cruel and covetous, their children will likely be the same. The women of Samaria were like cows which fed upon the rich pastures east of the Sea of Galilee, caring for little but eating and drinking. Their sin consisted of urging their husbands to bring them food bought with money squeezed from the poor." I thought this was an interesting observation, especially the part about some women being as cows, and how influential women are.

James spent most of the morning working upstairs trying to deal with the city of Mesa. They are driving him crazy. One person will tell him that plans are ready and another will say they aren't. He is trying to get the job started before his surgery. Armando is going to be in charge.

We put the ribbons on the tree today and the tree skirt on, so it's officially done. I love it, it's my favorite Christmas tree ever.

I decorated the front porch but the poinsettias kept blowing over so I put them in the entry. I put the big nativity on the entry table so the important things are done.

Just before Relief Society presidency meeting I saw on Facebook that our former bishop, Bishop Hall had an anuerism between his spleen and his diaphram. The surgery is life-threatening so during our meeting tonight we said a prayer for him.

Bishop Hall was our bishop when we moved to Vernon. Later I learned that he was the grandson of my bishop when I was a teenager growing up in Show Low.

These are the Christmas movies I had on today:

"Naughty or Nice," "Christmas at the Palace," and our new favorite, "Every Other Holiday."

One thing more for today. James has a competition going with someone on Pacer, our walking app, called PacerGal1966.

If she has 24,000 steps, he will get 26,000 and then she goes up to 27,000 and he does 28,000. She usually quits and he wins but if she is ahead he insists on walking some more. So funny.

I love that she loves to learn

Charlie loves this giraffee

All of the Hunsaker's together

Sunday, December 2, 2018

Tuesday, November 27th, 2018

Bern, Switzerland

9th operating temple

Dedicated: 11-15 Sept 1955

By: David O. McKay

Jesus Christ, Death of

Matthew 12:40

For an Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Book of Mormon #1

Mormon 8:12-25

*How can Moroni's words in verse 22 strengthen us as we labor in the Lord's cause?

- We know that no matter what happens the Lord is in charge and His eternal purposes will be accomplished.

Book of Mormon #2

Alma 51-52

Old Testament

Amos 1-2

General Conference

Wilt Thou Be Made Whole

Elder Matthew L. Carpenter

"Through His ministry, Christ taught that He had power over the physical body. We cannot control the timing of when Christ's healing of our physical ailments will occur. Healing occurs according to His will and wisdom. In the scriptures, some suffered for decades; others, their entire mortal lives. Mortal infirmities can refine us and deepen our reliance upon God. But when we allow Christ to be involved. He will always strengthen us spiritually so we can have greater capacity to endure our burdens."

Choose You This Day

Elder Dale G. Renlund

"Christ's advocacy is, at least in part, to remind us that He has paid for our sins and that no one is excluded from the reach of God's mercy. For those who believe in Jesus Christ, repent, are baptized, and endure to the end - a process that leads to reconciliation - the Savior forgives, heals, and advocates. He is our helper, consoler, and intercessor - attesting to and vouching for our reconciliation with God."

Because I am reading the book of Amos I have been reading about Amos in the Old Testament student manual.
"Amos was a shepherd from a city called Tekoa now a hilltop of ancient ruins 6 miles south of Bethlehem."

We had a book trades live help session this morning. James listened to it while I prepared two more books to ship.

Heidi Grows Up and a book about Herbs did not want to go. I guess they will be in the next shipment.

James and I made a trip to town. James dropped me off at Walmart while he mailed the packages, which did not cost anything because of the Amazon packing label, and then he went to Home Depot to look for metal shelves. We are putting the shelves in the garage to organize our books on. No metal shelves at Home Depot, he had to go to Lowe's.

I bought a star for the tree at Walmart. Although it does not light up, it actually looks kind of old fashioned....I really like it. I also bought a live poinsettia for the front porch and some other miscellaneous items.

I had James park the car outside the garage so I could clean the garage and make a place for the shelves. It took me less than an hour to make a place and James less than 30 minutes to put the shelves together.

Here are the Christmas movies I watched, or at least listened to today: "Christmas on Chestnut Street" - sappy; "A Gift Wrapped Christmas" - personal shopper falls for single dad and son. I liked this one. "Hope at Christmas," a good one starring Ryan Pavey.

Can you stand the cuteness?

Love those chocolate eyes!

Cousin Randy had a birthday.

Love this story!

This is a great story too!

Saturday, December 1, 2018

Monday, November 26th, 2018

Idaho Falls, Idaho

8th operating temple

Dedicated: 23-25 Sept 1945

By: George Albert Smith

Jesus Christ, Death of

Hosea 13:14

I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.

Book of Mormon #1

Mormon 7:1-8:11

Why am I grateful for the Book of Mormon?

- I feel the Spirit when I read the Book of Mormon, and my life is so happy and blessed when I apply its' teachings. The truths contained in it will answer my questions about the time I live in.The Book of Mormon is essential to the gospel of Jesus Christ. It testifies of the Bible and they come together to testify that Jesus is the Christ.

It is my peace, and my comfort. It is a sign that the Lord has begun to gather Israel. It brings me closer to Jesus Christ. "Whoso treasureth up my word shall not be deceived."

Book of Mormon #2

Alma 49-50

Old Testament

Joel 1-3

General Conference

Taking Upon Ourselves the Name of Jesus Christ

Elder Robert C. Gay

"First, to take upon ourselves the name of Christ means we faithfully strive to see as God sees. How does God see? Joseph Smith said, 'While one portion of the human race is judging and condemning the other without mercy, the Great Parent of the universe looks upon the whole of the human family with a fatherly care and paternal regard,'' for 'His love is unfathomable.'"

Mango is so delicious! I think it is my new favorite fruit. I don't like peeling them and cutting them up but I don't have to when James is here. Thanks honey for putting them in my shopping cart, providing the money to pay for them, cutting them up and serving them to me.

While I worked on my blog I watched a new Hallmark movie called, "The Shoe Addicts Christmas," starring Candace Cameron-Bure and Jean Smart. I love Jean Smart from my days of watching "Designing Women." Jean plays an angel named Charlie who comes to help Candace. Luke McFarlane is Candace's love interest.

I really liked this movie although I am not a huge fan of Candace.

I also watched "Christmas Harmony," "A Christmas Reunion," and "Christmas in Mississippi." Wes Brown is in the last one and I love him. Okay, enough of the Christmas movies!

I had a major breakthrough today with out new book business...I figured out how to create a shipment and I actually got a box of books boxed and ready to ship. It only took me five hours.

Today is our day to email Ben and to receive emails from him. I like this scripture that he sent to Sheri:

DC 58:2-4

2 - For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death; and he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven.

3 - Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.

4 - For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.

We are all so worried about Max and his diabetes and how he is coping and this scripture gave some comfort.

James put the big wreath up on the log near the ceiling in front of the fireplace. We still need a star for the tree though. Target has some great ones. I should have gotten one when I was there at the beginning of the month.