Saturday, February 2nd, 2019

Louisville, Kentucky

76th operating temple

Dedicated: 19 Mar 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Hebrew 5:5

So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 21:22-22:10

What does it mean that the Gentiles will nurse Israel back to health? What are some examples you have noticed?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Ideas for Family Scripture Study and FHE

Matthew 3; Matthew 3:11-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22

General Conference

Deep and Lasting Conversion to Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

Elder Quentin L. Cook

"The new home-centered and Church-supported curriculum needs to influence more powerfully family religious observance and behavior and personal religious observance and behavior. We know the spiritual impact and the deep and lasting conversion that can be achieved in the home setting. Years ago, a study established that for young men and women the influence of the Holy Ghost most often accompanies individual scripture study and prayer in the home. Our purpose is to balance the Church and the home experiences in a way that will greatly increase faith and spirituality and deepen conversion to Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

This is how my morning went: scriptures and prayers with James. Unloaded the dishwasher, took a shower, and at 9:50 left to visit Vanessa H. with Kerri. We had to wait a few minutes for Vanessa because she had gone to the church to help the Scott's and the Wood's clean the church.

We had a nice visit with Vanessa who is trying to recover from a bad marriage and a soon to be divorce. Her husband was addicted to drugs and never much of a husband or father to their 5 year old daughter Raelynn.

Raelynn lost her first tooth. She is so sweet, she offered to and gave the prayer in RS a few weeks ago. When I left today she gave me a hug.

After our visit I called James and asked if he wanted to join me on my trip to town. He said no, he was doing a deep clean of the stove and had removed several cups of grease from underneath the surface.

I shopped at Walmart for food for our company, Darrel's family, who are on their way up today. I bought food for 7-layer dip, roast, chicken tacos, and cheesecake. While checking out at Walmart I got a call from my brother Dennis inviting me to lunch at El Rancho for Harold's birthday at 2:30. I had to decline because that is about the time Darrel and Trina are arriving. 

I stopped at Dollar Tree before going home. They have lots of stickers, etc. for Valentine's day and they are all $1.

I forgot marshmallows for s'mores. I texted this message to Trina:

I got stuff for chicken tacos, a roast, stuff for 7 layer dip, strawberries, blueberries, brownie mixes, green beans, broccoli, Hershey bars and graham crackers, forgot marshmallows, Hershey kisses, conversation hearts, bisquick to make waffles, might need more milk.

All I wanted them to get was marshmallows and more milk. My text was confusing and Darrel thought I needed Hershey kisses, conversation hearts, and Bisquick. He called about the Bisquick and I told him I got that so he got Hershey kisses, conversation hearts, and milk. He forgot the marshmallows...

Ruby got carsick and came right in holding a Polar Pop cup for barf, and laid on the couch. The first thing we did was put in "Mary Poppins" for Lola. While watching someone asked where grandpa was and I said outside splitting wood. Immediately Trina, Darrel, Addy, and Rowan went out to help him. 

James split the wood, everyone else stacked it in the Razr and then came down and stacked it on our porch. 

 Trina posted this.

Thank you guys so much!!

Lola, Ruby, and I stayed inside and watched "Mary Poppins."

Trina, Darrel, and Addy came in and played a game of "Settlers."

Rowan got out the collectors "Settlers" game and played with it. After winning her game with mom and dad, she went over and played with Rowan.

Not sure what Darrel is doing here...but Addy won!

Rowan loves to make faces at the camera.

I shredded a roasted chicken and made chicken tacos. We had flour tortillas and corn tortilla shells. I steamed some broccoli and we also had fresh strawberries. Addy loves strawberries!

I started watching episode one of season 3 "Victoria" with Darrel and Trina but James wanted me to go to bed, so I left.

I was sad to see that my Hallmark new Saturday night movie, "Valentine in the Vineyard" did not record. I looked at the program guide and it is playing again on Thursday so I set it to record. All is well. 

I finished my steps in the bedroom before going to bed.

So many cute ideas for Valentines!

Cute little heart animals

 Super cute!

 Niagara Falls is frozen

Friday, February 1st, 2019

Tuxtla, Gutuirrez, Mexico

75th operating temple

Dedicated: 12 Mar 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Matthew 14:33

Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

Book of Mormon

1Nephi 21:1-21

When have you had the chance to be an everyday missionary?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Jesus Christ was baptized to "fulfill all righteousness"

General Conference

Opening Remarks

President Russell M. Nelson

"This morning we will announce a new balance and connection between gospel instruction in the home and in the Church. We are each responsible for our individual spiritual growth. And scriptures make it clear that parents have the primary responsibility to teach the doctrine to their children. It is the responsibility of the Church to assist each member in the divinely defined goal of increasing his or her gospel knowledge."

I got up at five o'clock this morning excited to write down some goals for our book business. I am determined that we are going to make it work!

I had my personal prayers and studied the "Come Follow Me" lesson segment on the baptism of Jesus. 

I had a shake and a cinnamon roll for breakfast and before we left for the valley James gave me a diet Dr. Pepper. We left at 6:45 after having our family prayer. 

There was some rain in Globe. We arrived at the Arizona Arithritis and Rheumatology Associates at 10 and my appointment is at 10:30. I had to wait a little while before Frances called me back. 

It's Frances and Angie today like it has been the last several times I have been there. 

Angie had a hard time finding the vein in my left arm this time. When she did she took four viles of blood before putting in the Actemra infusion. 

The infusion takes about an hour. When the timer went off and Angie came over to take out the tube she said, "Oh, you have a tire." I looked at my arm and it was swollen around the infusion site. She told me to keep the tape on until about 2 or 3 this afternoon. She also said that next time we are going to have to choose another vein. 

James was outside walking when I was finished. We got in the car and he took me directly to Dr. Shah's on Ray between Dobson and Price. The doctor looked at my implant and said the tissue looked pink and healthy and that he would see me back at my next appointment around the first of May. He also told me to keep the incision site clean by using the mouth rinse 2x a week. When he left the nurse told me not to use it everyday. It is great at killing bacteria but it also turns your teeth brown. Well I certainly don't need my teeth to be brown!

James went to Kim and Brian's before they left for the Guster concert in California. They had a birthday card for him and a $40 Amazon card. Thanks Kim and Brian. Be safe on your trip.

I texted Stacy to see if we could come by and drop off Joshua's charger that he left at the cabin. She said she was upstairs and in a lot of pain. I told her we would just drop it off and that I was sorry she was in so much pain.

Our next stop was Hobby Lobby to look for stuff for Valentine cards. James loves this store too. While I was looking at the card stuff he found a quilling kit he bought for me. Quilling is the art of taking ribbon and wrapping it tight around a quilling pen to make designs. The set he got came with directions on how to make quilling flowers.

On to Joe's BBQ in Gilbert for lunch. James has been wanting to use the gift card he got for his birthday and today is the day. 

I ordered sliced brisket because I remember how moist and delicious the sliced brisket was that Brian got for me at Dickie's. I also ordered coleslaw and macaroni and cheese. 

James ordered chopped brisket, scalloped potatoes and beans. His lunch, every dish, was better than mine. The sliced brisket was dry and tough, the coleslaw had to much mayo, and the macaroni and cheese was just average. 

The chopped brisket was moist, and the beans and potatoes were delicious. James had to finish my brisket for me.

We stopped at a Shell station with a McDonald's in Apache Junction. While I used the restroom James bought us ice cream. A cone for me and a cup for him. His cost 3x more than mine and that upset him.

We made it home with no incidents. I slept part of the way and read to James part of the way. It's always good to be home.

I had quite a bit of walking to do this evening since I was in the car or a doctor's office most of the day.

Way to go Alice!

Ideas for Valentines for Darrel's kids

 I told Darrel and he said he would never have to do this.

 So cute!

Best friends...Happy Birthday Drea and Adrienne

Such a sweetie!

Thursday, January 31st, 2019

Oaxaca, Mexico

74th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Mar 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship, If thou be the Son of God

Helaman 16:18

Some things they may have guessed right, among so many; but behold, we know that all these great and marvelous works cannot come to pass, of which has been spoken.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 20:1-22

*How have I been refined by the Lord and what have I gained from the experience?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matthew 3:7-12; Luke 3:7-18; BD: Pharisees, Sadducees, Repentance

*What does it mean to bring forth "fruits meet for repentance"? How were the Pharisees and Sadducees ill prepared for repentance? How were they a hinderance to the coming forth of the gospel of Jesus Christ?

- "People are sometimes symbolized by trees that produce either good or bad fruit. "Meet for" means necessary. So are we producing good fruit and are we repenting and bringing the necessary offerings to be forgiven? We demonstrate true repentance to the Lord as we change our desires and actions to follow His teachings. Personal repentance is part of taking up the cross daily. It makes us holy. Repentance is a rescuing doctrine that helps us turn away from evil and turn towards God. May we be found worthy of the blessings of repentance by discarding the bad fruit thru a reckoning of the natural self." (Sue_heugly on Instagram)

General Conference

Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints

"During this conference we have strengthened our resolve to execute the essential effort to honor the Lord Jesus Christ every time we refer to His Church. I promise you that our rigorous attention to use the correct name of the Savior's Church and its members will lead to increased faith and access to greater spiritual power for members of His Church."

I felt much better today and enjoyed the book webinar today featuring Kris and Kathy. I would like to be able to afford to get Kathy as a mentor. 

For lunch I made green beans with fingerling red potatoes, bacon, onion, and garlic. We both loved them except next time I will not use bacon grease to cook them in, only butter.

Stacy had surgery today to remove a 4 cm cyst from her uterus. Hopefully this will be the last time. I texted Paul and he said she came home, ate some Cream of Wheat and then fell asleep. 

James was working on our book business and he got discouraged and depressed and walked away. He took a nap and afterwards felt much better.

I was going over my credit card statement because the payment is due tomorrow. There was a recurring monthly charge from Apple for $42.00. We called and found that I had accidentally ordered monthly exercise plan from Pacer. The woman on the phone showed me where to look on my phone and how to cancel. I am so glad we called!

Kerri texted me this evening and said her mom had something for us. When we arrived at their house, Catherine was happy to see us. She had made cinnamon rolls for James because he recently had surgery.

We sure do love Catherine and Kerri!

After leaving the Halcomb's we went into town to get gas, James's shakes, and my diet Dr Pepper. We also filled the car with gas because we are leaving for the valley early in the morning.

It was a big month for Charlie. She met family in Arkansas at Kacey's mom's 70th birthday party and in Arizona, including her great-grandmother, Lois.

 This is what Charlie thought of today's walk. 

Wednesday, January 30th, 2019

Albuquerque, New Mexico

73rd operating temple

Dedicated: 5 Mar 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship
Luke 22:70
Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.
Book of Mormon
1 Nephi 19:7-24
*Have there been times in my life when I chose not to retaliate after a wrong was done to me? How did I feel?
New Testament "Come Follow Me"
BD: John the Baptist
General Conference

Shepherding Souls

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

"The prophet Nephi likewise taught that Jesus 'shall feed his sheep, and in him they shall find pasture.' I find abiding peace in knowing that 'the Lord is my shepherd' and that each of us is known by Him and under His care. When we confront life's wind and rainstorms, sickness, injuries and drought, the Lord - our Shepherd - will minister to us. He will restore our souls."

Slept in until after 7 and then I had chicken noodle soup for breakfast. It was delicious!  

I'm getting better but did not feel well enough to go to presidency meeting tonight. Tamara said we would either Skype or Facetime.

I learned something today I should have known before. Abortion clinics are in the business of making money and part of that business is selling fetal tissue. Wickedness abounds in the hearts of these people. How can people be so heartless and cruel to an innocent child? It sickens me. They are treating unborn children as if they are not a living entity and have no rights. How long will the Lord allow this to happen in the Promised Land?

James is really trying to understand this book business and how to buy, sell and profit from it. We have spent so much money and have sold five books. 

For lunch today we had a California Kitchen frozen pizza while studying the "Come Follow Me" lesson.

Tonight I put on makeup and did my hair, well at least I combed it. I set up my phone and computer at the table and got out my Relief Society notebook. Kerri couldn't figure out how to do Facetime, she doesn't have an i-phone is the problem, and my Skype account is connected to Microsoft and my Microsoft account is not active, so we just did a conference call on the phone.

At first I was a little annoyed that Tamara was insisting I be a part of the meeting but now I see she was inspired. Our meeting was all about ministering and changes that need to be made. I was able to participate and learned how to do some things on lds.org on the ministering page. It was a good meeting and I was grateful to Tamara for including me.

The question isn't do I like him as a person. 

The question is, is he good for our country?

 Love B. Kaufaman's photos

Rowan competing with the big boys!