Friday, November 30th, 2018

London, England

12th operating temple

Dedicated: 7-9 Sept 1958

By: David O. McKay

Jesus Christ, Death of

Matthew 26:66

What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.

Book of Mormon #1

Mormon 9:22-37

*Mormon knew that Moroni faced overwhelming challenges due to the wickedness of the Nephites. Nevertheless, Mormon also knew that Moroni could endure with the assistance of divine grace. The book 'True to the Faith' explains that grace provides strength to persevere in the daily struggles of life: 'The word grace, as used in the scriptures, refers primarily to the divine help and strength we receive through the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. In addition to needing grace for your ultimate salvation, you need this enabling power every day of your life. As you draw near to your Heavenly Father in diligence, humility, and meekness, He will uplift and strengthen you through His grace.'
Book of Mormon #2
Alma 58-60
Old Testament
Amos 7-9
General Conference

Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints

President Russell M. Nelson

"This has been an inspirational and historic conference. We look to the future with enthusiasm. We have been motivated to do better and to be better. The marvelous messages delivered from this pulpit...and the music have been sublime! I urge you to study these messages, commencing this week. They express the mind and the will of the Lord for His people, today."

I had an interesting gospel study session this morning studying the visions of Amos as found in Amos 7-9. I wrote them down along with their meanings as described in the Old Testament Student Manual, in my gospel study journal under Amos, and prophets.
He saw the second coming of the Savior.

At 9:00 this morning I went to the church and helped decorate for Christmas. Kathy Crane is always in charge of this activity. Kerri, Amy, and Barbara Goodman and Kathy and Chuck Crane were also there. We were finished in a couple of hours because there was only one tree to put up instead of two. The other one is being used at the Christmas party next Friday and the Primary will put it up. Amy and Kerri and I decorated the Relief Society room. We need six candles and a nativity set and I said I would bring both on Sunday.

We had snow today and it was "snowy" when I drove into town after decorating. I bought several more blankets at Walmart and some more needed items. I stopped at the Dollar Store and picked up some candles and some frames for the RS Christmas gift to the sisters. We want to give them a framed copy of the RS Declaration and the Purpose. I also stopped at the China Wok Buffet and got two quarts of Hot and Sour soup. So yummy on a cold and snowy day. 

James and Anthony picked up log railings in Springerville for the Howard's, in the snow storm. They also delivered them to the Howard's house, which means they had to load and unload them.  
James was exhausted by the end of the day and his back hurt more than usual. Hopefully his back surgery will keep him from abusing his back at least for awhile.

We had a fire this evening, and watched Christmas movies while I wrapped Christmas presents.

Love these babies...Charlie is actually

Scarlett's aunt!

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, 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

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!