Saturday, February 9th, 2019

Tampico, Mexico

83rd operating temple

Dedicated: 20 May 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

John 1:49

Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 3:6-25

This chapter, coupled with Joseph of Egypt's Patriarchal blessing, are great confirmations to the truth behind The Book of Mormon and the gospel we believe. What are my favorite witnesses I found?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Luke 4:16-32 Jesus Christ is the prophesied Messiah

"The Law of the Fast: Elder L. Tom Perry, April 1986

Ensign

"A Personal Relationship with Our Father through Prayer"

Elder Juan A. Uceda

General Conference

Come, Listen to a Prophet's Voice

Bishop Dean M. Davies

"These are some essential building blocks of our individual faith and testimony:

1. Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.

2. The Book of Mormon is the word of God.

3. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the kingdom of God on the earth.

4. Joseph Smith is a prophet, and we have living prophets on the earth today.

James: "The elk are in the front window again, ea, the front yard. There are 8 of them."

James went to the church this morning to help the Scotts clean. They are an elderly couple with health issues and he heard they were cleaning alone. The other couple assigned is the Woods'. They are out of town. James is their ministering brother and he told them he would cover for them. He was the Scott's home teacher a year or so ago and he has a great love for them. He said Millie could barely get around because of the affects of diabetes. They were so appreciative that he was there. Because the Scotts and Woods did such a good job last week there wasn't a whole lot to do.

I stayed home because I was feeling behind and a little stressed with what I needed to accomplish today. I spent the entire morning working on two blog posts. I watched a new Hallmark Valentine movie while blogging, "Valentine in the Vineyard" starring Rachel Leigh Cook and Brendan Penny. Here is a little blurb about the movie: "A double wedding at Sorrentos Winery in the gorgeous wine country of Napa Valley." I would add: "Love conquers all."

The movie starts out playing the song, "One Fine Day". I remember this song from my high school days. I loved it by the Chiffons and played it alot on my record player. 

Nate proposes to Frankie by flying in his drone with a string hanging from the bottom and a ring box tied to the bottom of the string. They are on a cliff overlooking a lake and it is the perfect setting. James proposed to me as we sat by Fools Hollow Lake in his car on a full moon night. It was romantic too. I do wish they would change the name of the lake. I don't think I was a "fool" for accepting.

This afternoon I made sugar cookies for Valentines Day. This is my favorite cookie recipe. I love sugar cookies. This recipe makes about 32 cookies. It calls for almond extract in both the cookies and the frosting. I just made round cookies with pink frosting. Basic but delicious.

I wish I could make cookies that look like this.

I made the frosting but I did not get the frosting put on the cookies. I will have to get up early and do that tomorrow.

 Interesting quilt design

 Can't get enough of this cutie.

 Another cutie addiction.

Sheri gave me this about four years ago.

 Yet another cutie addiction.

 Sometimes Cher has the best posts.

Remembering:

 How small she was when we visited

Whitehouse in October.

Friday, February 8th, 2019

Cochabamba, Bolivia

82nd operating temple

Dedicated: 30 Apr 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

John 1:34

And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 2:22-3:5

What do I learn about joy in these verses?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Temptation; "Rise to the Stature of the Divine within You" Gordon B. Hinckley, October 1989.

General Conference

"Firm and Steadfast in the Faith of Christ"

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"The temptations and tribulations we experience, plus any testing that the Lord sees fit to impose, can lead to our full conversion and healing. But this happens if, and only if, we do not harden our hearts or stiffen our necks against Him. If we remain firm and steadfast, come what may, we achieve the conversion the Savior intended when He said to Peter, 'When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren,' a conversion so complete that it cannot be undone. The promised healing is the cleansing and sanctification of our sin-wounded souls, making us holy."

Happy Birthday Stacy!

47 years ago Stacy made me a mom.

2018

A few years ago

James: "It's 18 this morning, up from 10 yesterday. We're gettin' up there." My own personal weatherman.

I had a lunch date with my friend Pam today. She suggested that instead of eating at the hospital where all the sick people are that we go to Panda or Wendy's. I chose Panda because I have been craving orange chicken for awhile. James doesn't like Panda so I haven't had any for awhile. 

Pam's lunch looked much healthier than my orange chicken over friend rice. 

While Pam and I were lunching James was taking the car to Jiffy Lube to be serviced. They told him he was back too soon. The synthetic oil should last 7,500 miles. He got the car washed, got gas, rabbit feed, and Dr. Pepper 10. 

Pam and I really click. I was sad to miss Jenny who went home sick but Pam and I talked about President Nelson's fireside, missionaries, and other topics we probably wouldn't discuss if Jenny was with us. Pam said she wishes she had tickets to see the Nelson's. I told her I wished I had known, I probably could have gotten some for her. 

James and I listened to a talk today by President Hinckley from the 1989 women's conference. It was called, "Rise to the Stature of the Divine within You." It was so great to hear President Hinckley's voice. He counseled women in three areas: 1. Educate your hands and your minds 2. Keep marriage and motherhood in proper perspective. 3. Walk with prayer and faith, with charity and love.

By the time we got back home our car was muddy again. I guess we are just destined to have a muddy car until the weather dries out. 

I needed a rest and some Tramadol when we got home. I finally got around to blogging. I blogged for last Sunday and it took awhile. 

James is in the market to buy a scanner for our book business. He ordered one tonight. We are going to take it to the library with us and scan books which will give us their sales rank and how much they should sell for.

 Old time Chandlerites,

Cleora Ellsworth and Florence Cluff.

 Love this picture of both of them.

 So cute!

 Sandy and Teresa

Teresa and Stacy, and yes 

she has wet pants. 

 I keep finding these peg people from the Life game.

 So cute!

Thursday, February 7th, 2018

Reno, Nevada

81st operating temple

Dedicated: 23 Apr 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Luke 8:28

When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 2:11-21

What are some insights about the Plan of Salvation in this chapter?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

JST Matt 4:1 - instead of to be tempted of the devil; to be with God. (Much better!)

General Conference

Truth and the Plan

President Dallin H. Oaks

"We are a missionary people. We are sometimes asked why we send missionaries to so many nations, even among Christian populations. We receive the same question about why we give many millions of dollars of humanitarian aid to persons who are not members of our Church and why we do not like this aid to our missionary efforts. We do this because we esteem all mortals as children of God - our brothers and sisters - and we want to share our spiritual and temporal abundance with everyone."

It is 10 degrees outside. It will be sunny today and the high will be 30 degrees.

We sold book #6 today, "Homemade Flour." Another book, "Earth Science" is pending. Things are finally starting to happen.

I read an article on Meridian Magazine today about mountains, adversity, and becoming like God entitled, "When Life's Adversities Mount." The article was written by Sister Joni Hilton. I am going to use some of the information from this article in my email to Ben this week. Here is the part I want to send him:

"God allows bad things to happen to good people because earth life is where He makes us into more than we knew we could be. This wasn't supposed to be an amusement park with free-flowing ice cream; it's a learning laboratory, a place of transformation. As we draw closer to our Father in Heaven, as we involve Him in our lives and turn to Him with faith we break through the childish desire for instant gratification and self-indulgence. We find greater fulfillment in building the kingdom. We learn Godly traits as we endure setbacks and sorrows. We find deeper joy in serving and sometimes rescuing others. We overcome what looked like crushing obstacles, pressures beyond our imagination. But if we overcome, we BECOME and what we become are mountains."

James and I listened to Book Profits webinar today featuring John, Kris, Paul, and Nate of Mastermind. It was ok.

James and I made green chili venison stew today. It was delicious, especially with Sister Schuster's rolls. 

Today while working the book business I removed four books from our stranded inventory;  two Japan books, and two Abnormal Psychology books. I inventoried four more books to be merchant fulfilled. While working the business I had an old Hallmark movie on, "Cooking with Love." A good movie starring Ali Liebert and Brett Dalton. Ali plays Kelly and Brett play Chef Stephen. Kelly says to Chef Stephen: "Sometimes it's better to be kind than right."

 Do I really want to exercise?

 Ok, Here I go.

I feel so good about myself.

 Weird!

 Sweetie Pie!

 James enjoying the nice weather. 

Notice the snow in the background.

Wednesday, February 6th, 2019

Memphis, Tennessee

80th operating temple

Dedicated: 23 Apr 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Luke 4:41

And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 1:30-2:10

How do you keep a balanced perspective on your dependence on God's grace and your desire to live righteously?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Luke 4:33-44

"Trust in the Lord" Marion G. Romney; Oct 1977

General Conference

Gather Together in One All Things in Christ

Elder David A. Bednar

"Truth faith is focused in and on the Lord Jesus Christ - in Him as the divine and Only Begotten Son of the Father and on Him and the redemptive mission He fulfilled. 'For he hath answered the ends of the law, and he claimeth all those who have faith in him; and they who have faith in him will cleave unto every good thing; wherefore he advocateth the cause of the children of men.' Exercising faith in Christ is trusting and placing our confidence in Him as our Savior, on His name, and in His promises."

We got up this morning to snow and fog. We had planned on going to the temple today but after looking outside I tried to talk James into going tomorrow instead. He said he really wanted to go today because he already had his mind set. I said okay.

We brought in wet wood to dry out on the hearth. We had scriptures and prayer and I worked on my blog for awhile before going in to get ready for the temple. 

We left for the temple a little after 9 for the 10:30 session. It was slow going to Show Low and when we got there we headed straight for the carwash. The roads to Taylor and Snowflake were pretty clear, not any snow. 

It was freezing cold and windy at the temple. James made a joke. He said the pioneers upon entering Snowflake said: "We will stay here until the wind stops." That's how the town was founded by Mr. Snow and Mr. Flake.

I gave Kathy, a friend from high school, a hug upon entering. Judy, a friend from Vernon was also near the entrance. She teaches the temple prep class in our ward and she said that a member of our ward, Paula, would be going through the temple on Friday to take out her endowments. This is exciting news! Paula is an amazing person who does lots of community service and is always helping someone. I am so happy for her. Judy asked me to please let Tamara know. I said I would.

James and I sat across from each other for the first part of the endowment session. I must say that I am quite happy with the changes that were made in the endowment session athough now it is slides instead of a video.

We discussed who's names we wanted to put on the prayer roll and we divided them up. I put Harold's, Max's, and some people from the ward. James wanted to put Alex's and Sister Peeler.

So much for the car being washed. By the time we got home it was covered with mud again. 

After resting and walking I worked on my blog this evening.

James is anxious to get back to working at the temple, especially after going today and seeing that he could make it through a session.

 Our view outside this morning

This face makes me happy