Thursday, February 14th, 2019

Fukuoka, Japan

88th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 June 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Matthew 16:16

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 6:8-7:11

*How do the people of the Lord wait for Him?

- We wait for the Lord patiently. We quietly and obediently do what is asked of us by becoming strong in our testimonies of Jesus Christ. We listen to His teachings and develop an individual plan that will carry us through life. The plan will see us through trials, tribulations and also the best of times.

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

John 2:1-11 The power of Jesus Christ can change me

"Spiritual Eclipse" by Elder Gary E. Stevens, October 2017

General Conference

"For Him"

Sister Joy D. Jones

" The first of the Ten Commandments reiterates this divine wisdom: 'I am the Lord thy God. ...Thou shalt have no other gods before me.' The placement of this commandment helps us understand that if we place Him as our main priority, everything else will ultimately fall into place - even our service to others. When He takes the preeminent position in our lives by our deliberate choice, the He is able to bless our actions to our good and to the good of others."

Things Newlyweds Can Teach Oldie Weds

" Surprises show you are thinking of each other even when you aren't together and keep the sparks flying even when you're on a tight budget or have a busy schedule."

"Spontaneity and surprises seek to communicate about and fill each others needs, express gratitude and love daily, establish habits that connect. Gospel habits are vital but so are other traditions that create a couple culture. We go on a date once a week, time together away from other responsibilities. Each night we list 3-5 things together we are grateful for from the day. We also have a 3 year journal with a question for everyday and a spot for each of us to answer. After we turn the lights out, we talk about our highs and lows from the day. Accept imperfection."

- by Michaela Proctor Hutchins

Happy Valentine's Day, Honey

 Behind this card there is a bag of almond M&M's,

a jar of Trail mix with cranberries, almonds, and pecan,

and Hershey dark chocolate with almonds.

James ordered me a necklace and wrote me a letter.

The necklace had to be engraved and did not

come yet. Here is a photo.

James made me breakfast and do sweet things for me throughout the day. He also drove with me when I delivered my Valentine's to the Halcomb's and the Grapp's. We also brought birthday gifts to Benson, today is his birthday, and Tildy, who had a birthday in January. I got James a Rubik's cube and gave Tildy one of my collectible dolls, "Little Miss Muffet", along with her tuffet and a bowl of curds and whey.

Here are the Valentine's I made for the kids along with sugar cookies and suckers.

Pretty basic but fun for me to make

Boxes of cookies and birthday presents

This evening we delivered these cookies

to the Wilhelm's. They were at the temple

with their kids so we took them to 

Mel and Ruth's.

This evening after delivering the cookies to the Wilhelm's we watched the newest Hallmark Movies & Mysteries movie, "Emma Fielding: More Bitter Than Death." I guess who the killer and bad guy was about half way through the movie. I still liked this movie though and so did James. We prefer the romantic movies but this one was pretty good.

 Happy 107th birthday Arizona

 Palmer & Autumn

Sweet Scarlett

 The best Valentine ever!

 Kacey's cute dates

Wednesday, February 13th, 2019

San Jose, Costa Rica

87th operating temple

Dedicated: 4 June 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Alma 36:18

Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 5:26-6:7

"Be believing, be happy, don't get discouraged. Things will work out." - Gordon B. Hinckley

*What are ways that you live after the manner of happiness?

- "Living after the manner of happiness means to see the good. There is a lot in this world that is hard or bad. Focus on the good. Choose joy. Choose happiness. Choose to stay on the covenant path. Find the blessing in the trial." - jlandersen78, Instagram

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

John 2:11; 3:7; 4:14

"Receiving and Retaining a Might Change" Wilford W. Anderson, Ensign, April 2012

Ensign

"Overcoming the Plague of Addiction" Kevin S. Theriot

General Conference

Believe, Love, Do

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"The scriptures reveal that the more we love God and His children, the happier we become. The love God speaks of is the kind that enters our hearts when we awake in the morning, stays with us throughout the day, and swells in our hearts as we give voice to our prayers of gratitude at evening's end. It is this endless compassion that allows us to more clearly see others for who they are. Through the lens of pure love, we see immortal beings of infinite potential and worth and beloved sons and daughters of Almighty God."

"When we understand our baptismal covenant and the gift of the Holy Ghost, it will change our lives and will establish our total allegiance to the kingdom of God. When temptations come our way, if we will listen, the Holy Ghost will remind us that we have promised to remember our Savior and obey the commandments of God..." Robert D. Hales

Cloudy days make me and Kim happy!

We sold our first merchant fulfilled book today, "American Jubilee." This was one of my books. We made about $3.00. Woohoo.

We got the scanner James ordered and now he is trying to figure out how to use it. I am afraid the scanner won round one. 

Although I have frosted sugar cookies in the freezer I decided to make some more for tomorrow, Valentine's Day. While the cookies were setting up in the refrigerator, I made some Valentines.

These are for the Catherine, Kerri, Cammy,

Thomas and the Wilhelm's.

I still have to make some for the four Grapp kids.

While I baked cookies this evening James went to the church to take Sister Wilson a copy of the "Come Follow Me" manual. Her daughter is supposed to be in James's Primary class but she doesn't come very often.

Somehow I walked over 15,000 steps today. James is still working on the scanner. Now he says we need an app that comes with a monthly fee. 

I called my ministering companion, Marie Robertson, to see if she would be able to go on visits with me tomorrow. She had walking pneumonia in January and is still not feeling well. I wished her a happy Valentine's day and tole her I would do the visits myself.

I set up something with Catherine and Cammy. Jean is out of town closing on the house they bought in the valley.

While working today I had an old Hallmark movie on, "Sand, Sun, and Romance" starring Tricia Helfer and Paul Campbell.

Another happily ever after

 Just a girl and her giraffe

 Stacy said they ate this much 3x over.

Joshua is going to name his kids Peter and Piper.

 Our friends Chuck and Pam are always on

an adventure.

After seeing the dentist it is treat time.

Tuesday, February 12th, 2019

Montreal, Quebec

86th operating temple

Dedicated: 4 June 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Alma 11:32

And Zeezrom said again: Shall he save his people in their sins? And Amulek answered and said unto him: I say unto you he shall not, for it is impossible for him to deny his word.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 5:10-25

*Why is it important to me to have the light of the gospel in my life?

My husband gets cranky when I leave lights on because the electric bill gets expensive. Well, I don't like the dark. I like to see, and look where I'm going! There is another darkness that surrounds us. The influence of Satan and his evil influence in the world which we live. The gospel ight is available but it comes at a cost as well. Vs 10 And we did observe to keep all commandments and statutes, and the Lord was with us. That's what I want. I want to see things the way the Lord sees them. I want the Spirit go guide me in all things. Being cut off from the Lord would be spiritual darkness, and I don't like that idea. 

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

John 2-4 "Ye Must Be Born Again"

Family Scripture Study and FHE section with the Peeler's

GC: "Tomorrow the Lord Will Do Wonders Among You" Jeffrey R Holland; 4/16

General Conference 

All Must Take Upon Them the Name Given of the Father

Paul B. Pieper

"The word take can also mean to align oneself with a name or a cause. Most of us have had the experience of taking on responsibililty at work or taking up a cause or a movement. When we take upon ourselves the name of Christ, we take upon us the responsibilities of a true disciple, we advocate His cause, and we 'stand as witnesses of Him at all times and in all things, and in all places that we may be in.' President Nelson has called upon 'every young woman and every young man.. to enlist in the youth battalion of the Lord to help gather Israel.And all of us are grateful to take up the prophetic call to profess the name of His restored Church as revealed by the Savior Himself: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

Happy 36th Birthday Trina!

Darrel is right Trina, you are

one of the great ones!

Here are a few notes I took from this week's "Come Follow Me" lesson, John 2-4:

Those who harvest souls gain eternal life. "to be born again requires both our own effort and 'divine power,' and for most of us, this happens over time rather than all at once."

"The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of transformation. It takes us as men and women of the earth and refines us into men and woe for the eternities." - Joseph B. Wirthlin

We tuned in to the book webinar this morning. Afterwards we made a trip to town. We are doing our Valentines lunch date today. We went to LaCasita because we both love their food. I had the chicken enchilada with red sauce and rice and beans. James had the green chili chicken enchilada with a side of refried beans. Here is what my plate looked like:

I mixed the rice and beans together so it

looks a little messy.

Since I did not get any homemade Valentine's made and I did not give the kids any cookies, I decided I wanted to give them each a Hallmark popup Valentine. I got one for: Stacy's family, Kim's family, Sheri's family, Jared's family, and Jared's kids, and Palmer and Autumn. I sent Ben a heart target with small bean bags to throw at the heart. Closest to the middle gets the highest score. All of this really was last minute. I also got some bags of candy to send to each family. Oh yes, I also got a popup card for James.

Here are what a couple of the cards looked like:

 This one was romantic and the one

I gave to James

 This one went to Kim and Brian

Not sure, but I think this one went to

Stacy and Paul.

Lady and the Tramp eating spaghetti to Jared's kids, the Eiffel Tower to Sheri and Ian, A dog and kitty with hearts to Palmer, Autumn, and Scarlett, and an enchanted scene to Jared and Kacey.

I couldn't find pictures of them all online and I didn't think to take pictures before I mailed them.

We mailed them on the way home at the post office. The ones with candy cost 4x as much so not everyone got candy. I love Valentines and Valentine's Day. 

We listened to our book, "Miss Snow" on the way home. We are really getting in to it, especially James.  We also listened to Elder Pieper's conference address and part of Elder Holland's from 2016.

When we got home I alternated walking and resting. At 7 pm we went to the Peeler's for our "Come Follow Me" listen. Brother Peeler led the discussion. It was great.

James made us smoothies this evening. I blogged, and walked, and watched old Hallmark movies before going to bed.

Monday, February 11th, 2019

Villahermosa, Mexico

85th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 May 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Galatians 2:20

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 4:28-5:9

* Why do you think some blessings we receive are conditional on praying and fasting and others are not?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

John 2:1-11 The power of Jesus Christ can change me.

"Ye Must Be Born Again" Elder David A. Bednar, 4/07

General Conference

Our Campfire of Faith

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

"Our campfire of faith encourages us to establish regular patterns of righteous living that deepen faith and spirituality.These holy habits, righteous routines, or prayerful patterns may include prayer; scripture study; fasting; remembering our Savior and covenants through the ordinance of the sacrament; sharing gospel blessings through missionary, temple and family history, and other service; keeping a thoughtful personal journal; and so on."

I have asked several of my family and friends how they liked the fireside last night. Everyone I spoke to said that Sister Nelson's talk was their favorite. I believe she knows how to connect with people. She was a marriage counselor for years before she was married. She also spoke on a topic that was interesting to everyone. She has a very pleasant voice to listen to. I truly do love her. I remember how she made me felt when I met her. She asked me, "How are you, what is your name, where are you from? Tell me about yourself." It made me feel like she really cared and I actually think she does.

I was laying in bed at Darrel and Trina's this morning when I got a text from Karen S. She has to cancel our lunch date today because she has a man coming to repair her hot water heater. We rescheduled for March 1st, the next time I am down here for an infusion. 

I got up and went downstairs to get cookies and cards ready for Darrel and Trina's family. I decided not to give the sugar cookies to anyone else. Lola helped me put the cookies in heart bags, and choose Mickey and Minnie Valentines and suckers for everyone in her family. She stayed at the house with me while Trina took Rowan and Ruby to school. James went out for a walk.

I made this fox and was going to use it for a Valentine but I ended up not using it. I asked Lola if she had heard the song, "What Does the Fox Say?" She had not so James played it for her on his phone. She loved it!

We wanted to go over and see the progress on the new house but Trina had an appointment with a dermatologist and couldn't go with us and we didn't want to go buy ourselves. 

We left the house around 9:30 and headed for the nearest Verizon store. There was one on Baseline and Signal Butte in the Walmart shopping center. Before the fireside last night James looked down at his phone and it said he had "no contacts." I thought he would be in the store for awhile so I decided to walk across the parking lot to the Hallmark Store. I just arrived and took some pictures when James texted and said he was done. A woman working there checked his setting and his icloud storage was turned off. She turned it back on and all of his contacts re-appeared.

Here are the pictures I took in the store:

 Lola loves pink and she loves unicorns

 Ruby loves unicorns and koala bears.

She also likes pink.

 Addy hates flamingoes but I

had to take a picture.

Love these Valentines for girls

I texted these photos to Trina. When she received them she asked me where I was. When I told her I asked if she was going to show them to her girls. She said no. I just laughed.

After leaving the Hallmark and Verizon stores we headed for the Chacon tire business in Mesa. James stopped by and told Mario Chacon who does not speak english that the permits for the job should be available on Wednesday. 

Our next stop was the Chili's on Baseline and Stapley for lunch. We have three gifts cards, one with $15, $30, and $50. Darrel and Trina gave us the $50 one for James's birthday. We spent around $38 so we still have the $50.

I love the Caribbean salad with shrimp and James loves their salmon. We also ordered unlimited chips and salsa, another favorite.

 Carribean shrimp salad

Salmon with broccoli and rice

We got gas and went through a carwash before heading home. 

We stopped in Globe to put air in our tire and for me to get a drink.

I waited until we got home this evening to email Ben because I had left the information I wanted to send him at home. I think I was too late because I never heard back from him.

Sheri sent me the email he sent her today about how he got his testimony of the Book of Mormon. It is personal and I can't share it on here until I check with Ben which won't be until next Monday.

I finished my steps and James and I watched the latest Hallmark movie, "The Story of Us" starring Maggie Lawson and Sam Page.

 Stacy needs this

 Dalllin's dog. She heard Sarah say

it's time for a bath.

 Is there anything more precious

than a sleeping baby?