Friday, December 7th, 2018

Seattle, Washington

19th operating temple

Dedicated: 17-21 Nov 1980

By: Spencer W. Kimball

Jesus Christ, Death of

Romans 6:8
Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
Book of Mormon #1
Ether 5:1-6:ll
*The Lord Jesus Christ is the source of light for our world and for our lives. The Lord touched the stones the brother of Jared presented to Him "to give light unto men, women, and children" (6:3) as they crossed the ocean. The Lord also provides light to guide us through the darkness of mortality and toward the brightness of the celestial kingdom - our promised land. Our way is lit by the light of apostles and prophets, the standard works, and inspired leaders and teachers. We too can be a light - we can light the way for others when we hearken to the Lord's counsel and keep ourselves worthy of His Spirit. Sister Ardeth G. Kapp, former Young Women General President counseled: "You have the light within. You can shine in darkness. You can light up the world. You can help dispel darkness. You can make a difference." I was privileged to travel with Sister Kapp when I went to England. She invited my friend and I to have dinner with her and her sisters. She went out of her way to be kind to us, virtual strangers. She seemed genuinely interested in us and asked us questions about our lives. I have never met a kinder or sweeter person. She truly radiates the light of Christ!
Book of Mormon #2
Helaman 13-14
Old Testament
Nahum 1-2
General Conference

Truth and the Plan

President Dallin H. Oaks

"In the course of mortal life, we would all be soiled by sin as we yielded to the evil temptations of the adversary, and we would eventually die. We accepted those challenges in reliance upon the plan's assurance that God our Father would provide a Savior, His Only Begotten Son, who would rescue us by a universal resurrection to an embodied life after death. The Savior would also provide an atonement to pay the price for all to be cleansed from sin on the conditions He prescribed. Those conditions included faith in Christ, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and other ordinances performed by priesthood authority."

Happy Birthday Paul!

I left the hospital at 8 a.m., went to Kim's showered, and washed my hair. Tiger loves Joe's room where I am staying and comes in to visit me and tries to get in my suitcase before I shoo him out. 

Kim and I left about the same time, around 10 a.m. I have an appointment at AARA for my infusion at 10:45. I wasn't in the waiting room too long when Frances came to get me. There was a different girl doing the infusions but it's always great to see Frances. They got me all hooked up and someone came to take me to a room for an appointment with Rana, Dr. Caldron's assistant. My appointment didn't take too long and I was back in the infusion room watching a show on the Discovery channel about repossessing small airplanes. I was done by noon and on my way.  I stopped for lunch at Culver's where I got a roast beef sandwich. I listened to "The Clockmaker's Daughter" on the way back to the airport.

James calls the respiratory therapist working with him a Nazi. She got very upset with him because he took his mask off without calling someone. She says he must be on oxygen at all times!  He can't do anything, including getting up to go to the bathroom, without calling someone. The only problem is that half the time when you call it takes forever for someone to answer and respond. 

James is now on an antibiotic to fight the pneumonia, plus he is on oxygen. 

I walked to Marshall's, Fry's, and Whataburger this evening after dark. I got the cutest mugs at Marshall's for Addy and Rowan. I also got one for me and one for James to use in the hospital.

 Addy gets Mama Bear because she's purple.

 Of course Rowan gets the dog.

 This one is for me to use at the hospital.

This one is for James because he is a silver fox.

I forgot how much I love Marshall's. I found the coolest pink and gray Paris blanket and couldn't resist buying it. 

I took James a Whataburger and he had to wait to eat it after getting back from a test. He didn't even finish eating it. He has really lost his appetite. His favorite thing to eat/drink is a Slimfast shake.

After eating the Whataburger the room smelled like onions and one of the nurses made a comment. 

I like the night nurse Haley. She reminds me of my friend Ashley Umphress. 

I spent the night at the hospital. James asked for drugs at 1 a.m. and then fell back asleep. At 2:30 he still hadn't got them. I complained and they were right on it.

 There is nothing more precious than a

sleeping baby.

This baby could be a model.

December 7, 2013

My Young Women:

LeeAnn, Trenda, Kilee, Maddie, Heaven, Jordyn,

Hope, Alice, Shelly.

Thursday, December 6th, 2018

Tokyo, Japan

18th operating temple

Dedicated: 27-29 Oct 1980

By: Spencer W. Kimball

Jesus Christ, Death of

Romans 6:4

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Book of Mormon #1

Ether 4:1-19

*Moroni wrote that the brother of Jared recorded in his vision all the inhabitants of the earth from beginning to end (Ether 3:25; 2:13). This vision reveals "all things from the foundation of the world unto the end thereof" (2 Nephi 27:10). Moroni explained that "there never were greater things made manifest" than what the brother of Jared saw (Ether 4:4). We know Moroni sealed a copy of this vision with the plates he delivered to Joseph Smith. (Ether 4:5; 5:1). Moroni further informed us of the conditions the Lord indicated must exist for this sealed portion of the record to come forth. The scriptures indicate we must repent; exercise faith in the Lord, like the brother of Jared did; and become sanctified. (Ether 4:6-7).

Book of Mormon #2

Helaman 10-12

Old Testament

Micah 5-7

General Conference

Gather Together in One All Things in Christ

Elder David A. Bednar

"Much like the braided strands of a rope produce a powerful and durable tool, all of these interrelated actions are part of a unified effort to better align the focus, resources, and work of the Savior's restored Church with its fundamental mission: to assist God in His work to bring to pass the salvation and exaltation of His children Please do not focus primarily upon the logistical aspects of what ha s been announced. We must not allow procedural details to obscure the overarching spiritual reasons these changes now are being made."

I ordered James a chicken quesadilla for lunch along with cottage cheese, fruit, and a berry cobbler. He was so groggy that he fell asleep eating and spilled cobbler all over the sheet in the chair.

Stacy and Joshua came by this afternoon. Even though he wasn't feeling too well he faked a smile.

James is running a fever and his oxygen level has gone down into the 80's so they put him on oxygen and began doing tests...MRI...CTScan. He has aspirational pneumonia.

While he was getting his MRI I went over to Fry's across the street to get some cranberry celebration. I also found this new kind of ice cream ....it's called Mochi.

 I tried the strawberry and butter pecan.

At first I loved the ice cream and did not like the dough.

But gradually I took a liking to the dough.

 You can buy them like this

or

like this:

After trying several flavors the strawberry remains at the
top of the list.

Another night at the hospital. Since James is on oxygen and a little unstable I wanted to stay and make sure he was okay. I watched Hallmark reruns this evening while James slept. 

The night nurse, Toni, started James on antibiotics. I got calls, texts from a whole list of people: Harold, Dennis, Pam, Cathi, Laura, Lois, Tamara, Kerri, Maxine, Kacey, and Trina. 

Although I didn't get a picture of them Sheri, Max, and Evan came by to visit this evening. James was struggling to breathe and Sheri was very worried. I walked her back to her car and she cried. 

Kim and Brian went to see David Archuletta this evening in Mesa. Kim said he was amazing!  He talked about his testimony and an experience receiving inspiration to write a song.

All of the above memories are from 2012

I love this girl!

Wednesday, December 5th, 2018

Sao Paulo, Brazil

17th operating temple

Dedicated: 30 Oct - 2 Nov 1978

By: Spencer W. Kimball

Jesus Christ, Death of

Romans 5:10

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Book of Mormon #1

Ether 3:17-28

*What blessings have I seen in my life because of my faith?

- Every blessing I have in my life comes because of my faith in Jesus Christ.

Book of Mormon #2

Helaman 7-9

Old Testament

Micah 3-4

General Conference

Be Not Troubled

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"We may or may not have chariots of fire sent to dispel our fears and conquer our demons, but the lesson is clear. The Lord is with us, mindful of us and blessing us in ways only He can do. Prayer can call down the strength and the revelation that we need to center our thoughts on Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice. The Lord knew that at times we would feel fear. I have been there and so have you, which is why the scriptures are replete with the Lord's counsel: 'Be of good cheer, and do not fear.'

'Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.'

I got to Kim's at 7:30 this morning. I was back at the hospital by 12:30. While I was gone James got nauseous and was very uncomfortable. I am grateful for a sweet nurse named Anna who took care of him. Ana is a tiny Arabic woman who wears a scarf around her head and has the most wonderful way of radiating love.
When she learned that James had three separated ribs she could not understand why the doctor would do surgery. We believe it was because of the pain from those ribs that caused James to get pneumonia. Because of the pain associated with these ribs James was not using the full capacity of his lungs and they began to fill with fluid. 

James had been on a clear liquid diet after surgery. When I went to order him something to eat they still had him on clear liquids. I had to go speak with Ana and she changed his chart. For dinner he had salmon with potatoes and asparagus and bananas foster brule for desert. The desert sounds fancy but it didn't look very fancy. James says it was good though. I had pork chops with poblano chili sauce. It was very good. I had to make a trip to the cafeteria to get James some packets of salt. 

James is in a lot of pain. They are giving him 10mg of oxycodone every four hours and a drip of morphine. Once he got to sleep this afternoon I took a walk across the street to Barnes and Nobles. It is an absolutely perfect day with lots of sunshine and the high around 70-75. 

While at Barnes and Nobles I found a multi-colored llama Beanie Baby. I looked at the tag to see her name. Lola. How could I not get her.  

Lola says she wants soft, cuddly and cute things for Christmas.

I think this one fits the bill, although it was certainly spur of the moment...not something I planned to do. 

Buying a llama named Lola is not the reason I came to Barnes & Nobles. I am making a gift basket for Cathi's daughter Wendy who had a radical masectomy on Monday. Cathi told me she like magazines with decorating ideas, so I came here to buy a magazine for Wendy. Years ago I used to subscribe to a Victorian magazine. I wish I would have kept them because Wendy loves Victorian and that magazine is no longer in print. I did find and buy a Southern Living. Magazines cost what books used to cost. This one was $12.99. Yikes!  

Buying Lola the llama caused a bit of a problem for me. I now think I have to buy something for Ruby, Rowan, and Addy. I found a cute Beanie Baby for Ruby.

Her name is Kookoo

Now what do I get for Addy and Rowan. I am so ridiculous! I don't want to get them Beanie Babies and I don't find anything else in this store. Another store another day.

James had more visitors today. Michael and Paul came by to give him a blessing. Since Darrel already gave him a blessing of healing, this one would be a blessing of comfort. I was so proud of Michael for showing up in a white shirt and tie.

Paul posted this.

Michael changed his clothes after the blessing because

he and Paul are going to a concert. Michael bought the

tickets for his dad for his birthday.

Before leaving Michael said to me: "Now grandma, you know I am closer than anyone else to this hospital so if you need anything please call me."  I sure do love this boy...young man.

James kept complaining about being cold this evening. These hospital blankets and thin and threadbare.  Kim had asked me if there was anything they could bring us and I said, a blanket. A little while later these two showed up with two of the warmest, softest blankets you could imagine. 

Thank you Kim and Brian

We sat and watched James sleep and had a nice visit. I left soon after they did to sleep at their house tonight since I got very little sleep in the hospital last night.

These babies are the best dose of medicine

anyone could have:

 Harrison Fjord is Dallin's band

Happy Birthday to my Nannie, Myrtle Mae Rutledge Strickland.
She was born on December 5, 1905.

Tuesday, December 4th, 2018

Washington D.C.

16th operating temple

Dedicated: 19-22 Nov 1974

By: Spencer W. Kimball

Jesus Christ, Death of

Acts 2:24

Book of Mormon #1

Ether 3:1-16

* Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has said, in regards to the brother of Jared seeing the spiritual, premortal Jesus Christ: "Perhaps Christ was sying to the brother of Jared, 'Never have I shown myself unto man in this manner, without my volition, driven solely by the faith of the beholder.' As a rule, prophets are invited into the presence of the Lord, are bidden to enter his presence by him and only with his sanction. The brother of Jared, on the other hand, seems to have thrust himself through the veil, not as an unwelcome guest but perhaps technically as an uninvited one. Said Jehovah: 'Never has man come before me with such exceeding faith as thou hast; for were it not so ye could not have seen my finger...Never has man believed in me as thou hast.' Obviously the Lord himself was linking unprecedented faith with this unprecedented vision. If the vision itself was not unique, then it had to be the faith and how the vision was obtained that was unparalleled. The only way that faith could be so remarkable was its ability to take the prophet, uninvited, where others had been able to go only with God's bidding."
Book of Mormon #2
Helaman 5-6
Old Testament
Micah 1-2
General Conference

Laying the Foundation of a Great Work

Elder Steven R. Bangerter

"Lessons taught through the traditions we establish in our homes, though small and simple, are increasingly important in today's world. What are the small and simple things that, when established, will perform a great work in the lives of our children?"

I was up early enough to see Trina before she left for work but not Addy before she left for school. Addy leaves at 5:30. 
Darrel took Rowan and Ruby to school and then he and Lola went to the gym. 

James is so worried about his job because the City of Mesa is so difficult to work with. He hopes that they get permits today but I'm not so sure. We left Darrel and Trina's at 9:30 and dropped off my things at Kim's before she left for work. Tiger, their big cat, checks out my stuff. 

Our next stop was the UPS store at the Andersen Fiesta shopping center on Chandler Blvd and Dobson. We sent the Christmas stockings to Texas and Ben's Christmas package to Idaho. It feels good to have everything mailed early. 

On to Kyrene and Warner to a landscaping job that Armando is working on to give him a check for supervising James's job while he is in the hospital. From here we got on the 101 North and headed for Shea Blvd. to the Honor Health hospital which is about 30 miles away. 

The doctor told James to use the valet parking, put they were full so we had to find our own parking space behind the hospital in a medical center. As a result it was a little after 11 when James checked in. He was supposed to be there at 11. Admissions took awhile and then we were escorted to the 2nd floor where they do surgery. I was invited to go back in preop to say goodbye to James. As they wheeled him back to surgery I said goodbye and went back out to the waiting room where Stacy was waiting for me. 
A Mr. Lopez began talking to us and we pretty much got his life story. He was a nice man but soon we excused ourselves and went down to the cafeteria. I had a green chili burro and Stacy had a pulled pork sandwich. The dining area was closed because of a recent fire so we went outside on the patio to eat. 

When we went back upstairs we sat in a different waiting area to avoid Mr. Lopez so we could talk. Stacy told me about laser technology and Joshua and Evan running for mayor of Biz Town along with six other kids. Stacy said Joshua had a meltdown because he doesn't think he's popular and he won't win anyway so he should just give up.  Paul suggested that they use famous quotes used by Presidents of the United States in his speech. One of the quotes they used was "Ask not what Biz Town can do for you but what you can do for Biz Town." At the end he said that if he was elected he would recommend a 30 second dance every 30 minutes and then he proceeded to do a little dance. He won by a landslide and as a result made Evan feel sad. When Evan found out that Paul wrote Josh's speech he didn't feel so bad.

Jared Ammon is home and he brought a 3 1/2 chihuahua with him. Stacy says he spends most of the day on the couch watching sports.

The surgery started around 1:15 and Stacy stayed for about 3 hours. As she left Kim was coming, I'm surprised they didn't see each other. 

Dr. Crandall, the surgeon came out and told Kim and I that the surgery went very well and that James would be in recovery for a couple of hours. It was actually 3. Kim had to leave. 

I waited for James upstairs in room 5306 and was there when he arrived and I stayed all night. He was very groggy. 
Darrel came by this evening at sat with us for awhile. It's a 35 mile drive from where he lives. Thank you Darrel.

 Love the Reidhead's new house in Georgia!

So many beautiful pictures of the 

Idaho Falls temple.

 Love this quilt!

 Peek-a-boo!

So many cute faces!