Tuesday, January 29th, 2019

Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico

72nd operating temple

Dedicated: 27 Feb 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Luke 4:9

And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence:

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 18:21-19:6

*How does Nephi remind me of Christ? (Compare with Mark 4:34-39).

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matt.3:1-6; Mark 1:1-18; Luke 3:1-6

General Conference

Now Is the Time

Elder Jack N. Gerard

"As we seek to know the Savior, we should not overlook the fundamental truth of who we are and why we are here. Amulek reminds us that 'this life is the time ... to prepare to meet God,' the time 'which is given us to prepare for eternity' (Alma 34:32-33). As the well-known axiom reminds us, 'We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.'"

I am have a sore throat and the start of a cough today. I had to cancel my lunch date with Pam and Jennifer. I don't want to spread any germs. 

I did not accomplish much today except I read from the Book of Mormon, listened to a conference talk, and wrote a little on my blog. I laid on the recliner and watched Hallmark movies most of the day. I did walk over 12,000 steps. I am grateful to have a home where I can walk inside so I don't have to go outside in the cold.  

I ate cereal, a cupcake, two snack sized Hershey bars, a biscuit, some cooked cabbage that James made, a banana, pineapple, spinach smoothie and drank diet Dr. Pepper because it soothes my throat. 

I looked forward to and enjoyed my Daily Dose of Charlie. It's the highlight of my day.

Ione, "Babe", Whipple passed away. I worked with her a few months ago in the temple. I told her who I was because I remembered her from my growing up days in Show Low. She went to high school with my parents and she shared memories of my mom and how she used to ride with her to the dances. 

Babe is a Pearce and they are a wonderful, pioneer family from Show Low. I also know her sisters, Leone, Clea, and Vivian and her brothers Joy and Roger who all lived in the Show Low area. Their parents were some of the first settlers in Linden. Growing up Roger Pearce was a rancher in Linden and a friend of my dads. Joy had the local cement plant in Linden. They were all faithful members of the church. Clea's daughter Beverly was one of my best friends in high school. Clea's granddaughter is married to our stake president, President Beeler. 

Jani Huso Johnson was a year or so older than me.

Her mom owned the local shoe store in Show Low 

and her dad owned the Hub (Shell gas station and dry goods store where Cattlemen's Restaurant is now located) before Aunt Gene and

Uncle Clair ran it.

Making a sound opening and closing her mouth.

 Collecting ideas for Valentine's to make when Darrel's girls come

up this coming weekend.

I love pictures of the Savior with children.

 I agree Mr. Graham

This girl could be a model!

 This is Chris and his mom. Chris is a newly baptized

member of our ward who traveled to Utah to baptize his mom.

He is married to my former young woman, Mary.

Congratulations Chris's mom, and Chris!

Monday, January 28th, 2019

Ciudad Juarez, Mexico
71st operating temple
Dedicated: 26 Feb 2000
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Luke 4:3

And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 18:5-20

*Why did the Liahona stop working for Lehi's family? How can we avoid this happening in our lives?

New Testament

Bible Dictionary: Mark

General Conference

Choose You This Day

Elder Dale G. Renlund

"God's plan includes directions for us, referred to in the scriptures as commandments. These commandments are neither a whimsical set nor an arbitrary collection of imposed rules meant only to train us to be obedient. They are linked to our developing the attributes of godliness, returning to our Heavenly Father, and receiving enduring joy. Obedience to His commandments is not blind; we knowingly choose God and His pathway home. The pattern for us is the same as it was for Adam and Eve, wherein 'God gave unto them commandments, after having made known unto them the plan of redemption.' Though God wants us to be on the covenant path, He gives us the dignity of choosing."

I woke up with a sore throat and no energy. All I wanted to do this morning was lay on the couch and watch TV, which is pretty much what I did.

James wanted me to go to town with him to get his driver's license but I just didn't feel up to it. 

When James returned he said that was the worst driver's license picture he had ever seen and that he looked 100 years old. I actually feel the same way about mine.

James brought back hot and sour soup from the China Wok Buffet and it tasted so good on my sore throat. He also brought me a taco from Taco Bell. 

I was so revived after my lunch I was able to go outside and help James split and haul some wood. It felt good to be outside doing something physical in the cool air. 

I wrote Ben an email today and he wrote one back to me. Sheri shared her emails with me from Ben this week and last week. I am going to share some of what he said here:

Jan 21st: "Trials are necessary. Hardships are vital to our growth. What would we learn if life was easy? How would we become more like God if we were given everything without having to work or suffer for it? Sometimes as a missionary I wonder why it's not easier. I love the way Elder Holland put it when he said, 'I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap things. Salvation was never cheap! Why would we expect it to be easy for us, when it was never ever easy for Him?!? This is the living Son of the living God saying, 'Isn't there some other way?' If Jesus can fall on His face in the night, bleeding from every pore crying, 'Father, Abba, Papa, take this cup from me!' Then little wonder that salvation is not a cheap thing. Little wonder life isn't easy.'
That is something I've really been able to see as I have learned more about the Atonement. The Atonement is the greatest act of love there ever was or ever will be. Imagine having to suffer everything that everyone has ever had to suffer. Imagine having to feel the heartache of losing a child, the pain of losing a limb, the trauma of war, and everything else there is, over and over and over again. I am so grateful that He loves me enough to suffer for my stupidity. To feel the pain I feel because He loves me enough to just give me the chance to be exalted. The Savior didn't just suffer for those who would go to the Celestial Kingdom because He knew those were the only ones who would appreciate and take advantage of the Atonement. No. He suffered for everyone anyway. He suffered for those who would deny Him, for those who would kill Him. He even suffered for Judas who would betray Him. Because despite our many, many faults, He loves us with a perfect, unending love. I am so grateful for Him and for His sacrifice.
I am glad that Max was able to get ordained, and I am glad for everyone who was there. I know it must have been hard for dad not to participate in the ordination. I am sorry for that but I am so glad he was there to support Max.
I had a really cool spiritual experience Saturday night. I have been struggling to know how I can help you guys at home, specifically Max. I went into the chapel Saturday night and said a prayer of fasting. I fasted for around 20 hours for you guys, and that life would get better for you. I said the prayer out loud in the dark, at the front of the chapel. The Spirit was so strong. I felt it resonate through me. It was amazing. We were supposed to visit specific people that night, but I got a prompting that we should go tracting instead, so we chose a place and just wandered around knocking doors with Books of Mormon in our hands. We handed out 2 books, and found 3 people who may be interested in learning more. It was a good experience. I am so grateful for the Spirit. The promise in the last chapter of the Book of Mormon says, "And by the power of the Holy Ghost you may know the truth of all things." That is such a n amazing truth. I know that the Spirit reveals that which we don't know. It has helped me so much. Always strive to have it with you, and it will help you! I love you all so much!

From today's letter:

Wednesday night I got called to be a trainer. I'm a little nervous and a little stressed out about it. It doesn't help that I'm the only one training out of 16 missionaries who has been out under a year, and I've been out a lot under a year. On top of that, I found out I'm being transferred to a brand new area, which is a walking area, so I'm whitewash training in a new walking area. 

The letter is longer, but that's all I really wanted to share. We are so proud of Ben and so grateful to him for his obedience, his testimony and his desire to serve the people in Idaho.

This evening James and I watched the 3rd episode in the 3rd season of "Victoria."

 My friend Hailey, her mom and her aunt.

Yes, they are twins.

Sunday, January 27th, 2019

Kona, Hawaii
70th operating temple
Dedicated: 23 Jan 2000
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Matthew 27:40

And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

Book of Mormon

1Nephi 17:48-18:4

*When has the Lord asked me to do something and then given me the instructions rather than do the work for me?

*How can you build your life just like Nephi built the ship, not after the manner of men but 'after the manner which the Lord had shown unto' you?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Review John 1

General Conference

Wilt Thou Be Made Whole

Elder Matthew L. Carpenter

"When loved ones are confronted with the truth about sinfull behavior, while they may feel deeply wounded, they often want to help the sincerely repentant sinner to change and to reconcile with God. Indeed, spiritual healing accelerates when the sinner confesses and is surrounded by those who love them and help the to forsake their sins. Please remember that Jesus Christ is mighty in how He also heals the innocent victims of sin who turn to Him."

Today was our ward conference so in sacrament meeting we heard from Bishop Miller and President Beeler. The theme of the conference was ,"Stay on The Covenant Path,"  based on 2 Nephi 31:20: Wherefore ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

Bishop Miller and President Beeler are two of my favorite speakers. Bishop Miller started out by saying that the covenant path encompasses joy and the journey is part of the gift. Christ's journey is part of His gift. The Covenant Path starts with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith is the essence of the Covenant Path, a perfect brightness of hope. We must be spiritually born of God through the Atonement and our Covenants. The Atonement is retroactive. "We've never lived anywhere but Heaven." (C.S. Lewis)

Our ward choir: Kathy Crane, Alicia Hunsaker, Tamar Applegate, Katie Hahn, Lorraine Vaught, Kip and Sean Hunsaker, and Virgil Cooper, sang "More Holiness Give Me" and were led by Stefani Hunsaker and Pierce Goodman on the piano.

President Beeler said, "Your bishop and I are kindred spirits. I feel we knew each other in the premortal life and covenanted to come down and work together in building up the kingdom of God."

"I am motivated by two things, love and fear. I am here today because I love the Lord. He loves me and you, and I love you. He told the story of the lame man outside the gate of the temple in the book of Acts and how Peter and John gave him a blessing and he rose up and walked for the first time and Peter led him into the temple. We covenant to be ministers and our efforts should lead us to focus on spiritual things. We, like Peter, need to invite others to the next saving ordinance in their lives. There is no finer sermon than those who are helping others along the Covenant Path. Hold fast to the words of the prophets. Help, invite, ask, align."

President Miles, one of the counselors in the stake presidency who is an opthamologist, taught the adults during the second hour. We talked about what a covenant is, a two way promise between us and the Lord. An ordinance is an act performed by the authority of the priesthood. Do all ordinances have covenants attached to them? Here are some that do: Baptism, confirmation, priesthood, endowment and sealing. President Miles said he couldn't think of any covenants attached to consecrating oil or giving a priesthood blessing. Brother Curtis reminded us that faith is a covenant attached to all ordinances. I was so glad he said that because it just felt right!

This is the Covenant Path: Baptism, Confirmation, Priesthood ordination, Endowment, Sealing and Enduring to the End. We endure by partaking of the sacrament each week. All of our covenants can be sanctified by the Holy Spirit of Promise which qualifies us for Eternal Life with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. We were all given this handout: 

It's a frig magnet but since my refrigerator is not magnetized I put in on my whiteboard in the kitchen.

We spent a nice quiet day at home studying the gospel and relaxing. We read together Matthew 3; Mark 1; and Luke 3 for this coming week's "Come Follow Me" discussion. 

James wrote an email letter to Ben while I worked on my blog. I normally write my letter to him on Monday morning. 

Max blessed the sacrament for the first time today!

Sheri got tickets to go to see President and Sister Nelson, and President and Sister Oaks on February 10th for Ian, herself, Max, Evan and James and I. We are very excited!

So sad to wake up to on a Sunday morning.

Such a little princess!

Kacey's niece has a dog that is hypoallergenic
and does not shed so her dad let's her bring him in the house.

Love these two!

 Five months old today!

Yes, she's watching a video on TV

 Scarlett waiting for her dad to get home from work.

Saturday, January 26th, 2019

St. Paul, Minnesota

69th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Jan 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Matthew 26:63

But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 17:31-47

What message do you think Nephi wanted Laman and Lemuel to get out of verses 17:36-43?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

John 1:43-51

General Conference

Taking Upon Ourselves the Name of Christ

Elder Robert C. Gay

"To take upon ourselves the name of Christ, we must not only see as God sees, but we must do His work and serve as He served. We live the two great commandments, submit to God's will, gather Israel, and let our light 'shine before men.' We receive and live the covenants and ordinances of His restored Church. As we do this, God endows us with power to bless ourselves, our families, and the lives of others. Ask yourself, 'Do I know anyone who does not need the powers of heaven in their lives?'"

It was so quiet and lonely in our house this morning. We really miss Jared, Kacey, and Charlie being gone. We enjoyed their visit this week so much! We are already making plans as to when we will see them again. At first we said Charlie's first birthday at the end of next August. Then we realized that was seven months away. Then we decided we would like to go out to Summer's and James's high school graduations on May 31st and June 1st. We are starting to save our money right now!

Kim, Brian, Sheri, and Ian took Jared and Kacey to the Thirsty Lion in Tempe before their flight back to Dallas. 

Sorry Sheri and Ian your faces barely made

the photo.

After lunch it was off to the airport and the flight back to Dallas and then the two hour car ride back to Whitehouse. I think it was past midnight when they finally made it home.

She was a pure joy on this trip!

James and I mailed another book box today and I bought some veggies at Walmart while James did some shopping at Home Depot. The weather was pretty nice today with the high around 45, lots of sun, and no wind.

Somehow I managed to get in my steps and watch an old Hallmark movie today. At 5:30 we left our house to clean the temple. At the church we picked up Anthony and then over to Sister Hunter's. 

When we got to the temple the parking lot was nearly full, including a Budget truck driving around and a police car parked in front. Later we found out the Budget truck had new pictures to put in the temple and the police car was there because some cars in the parking lot, all left unlocked, had items stolen from them. No one could leave the temple until the investigation was complete.

Again we are cleaning with the Show Low Creek ward. Each ward had 17 people, enough to hand out all of the cards. We had asked our people to be there at 6:30, which meant they were all waiting there for almost an hour before we actually started cleaning. Some were a little frustrated. These are the people who attended from our ward. By the way, James had 11 people cancel today so many of these were called at the last minute.

Sam Gordon, Kerri Halcomb, the Skousen's, the Diewald's, the Wallace's, Anthony, Brother Cooper, Brother Scott, Brother Goodman, the Applegate's, us, and Sister Hunter. 

I helped Sister Hunter dust the ground level, and James cleaned in the baptistry which meant he did a lot of bending and twisting.

I enjoyed working with Sister Hunter and visiting with her to and from the temple. We sat in the front seat with me driving because James's license expired. Judy loves to go to the Rootstech conference in Salt Lake and is planning on going again at the end of February. Here she is a couple of years ago.

Judy got to meet Sister Linda Reeves of the

General Relief Society Presidency when she

came and sat down by her. At first Judy did

not know who she was but Sister Reeves 

introduced herself.

We were home before 9:30 and I finished my Hallmark movie, and finished my steps.

This little girl's name is Bostyn. She was baptized today in Show Low. The woman on the left is her grandma Allen and she is in our ward. Bostyn's dress was made by Sister Halcomb in our ward. She is Bostyn's great grandmother and one of the sisters I minister to.

This sweet little girl slept from Dallas, clear through the

night until 8 a.m. the next morning.

 Girl Scout cookie season and I'm trying to

stay away from them.

Game night at Sheri's last night.