Friday, March 1st, 2019

Montevideo, Uruguay

103rd operating temple

Dedicated: 18 Mar 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

DC 68:6

Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 23:1-22

*While we might be living in "Zion" do you still stream content from "Babylon," shop from their clothing line, or weave their teachings into "Zion's" gospel? How else might we have a foot in "Babylon"?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matt 7:7-20; I should judge righteously

"The Righteous Judge" Elder Lynn G. Robbins, 10/16

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 did an early morning walk in Darrel's backyard. While I was walking I listened to conference talks. I especially loved the one by Elder Lynn G. Robbins, "The Righteous Judge." Here are a couple of quotes from that talk under the subheading 'The Parent as a Righteous Judge.' 

"To effectively teach a child is the very essence of good parenting, and to lovingly discipline is the very essence of being a righteous judge." 

"President Joseph F. Smith taught, 'If children are defiant and difficult to control, be patient with them until you can conquer by love, ... and you can then mold their characters as you please."

"It is insightful that in teaching how to discipline, the prophets seem to always refer to Christlike attributes."

George Albert Smith taught that "unkind things are not usually said under the inspiration of the Lord. The Spirit of the Lord is a spirit of kindness; it is a spirit of patience; it is a spirit of charity and love and forbearance and long suffering. ...

"... But if we have the spirit of fault finding ... in a destructive manner, that never comes as a result of the companionship of the Spirit of our Heavenly Father and is always harmful.

" ... Kindness is the power that God has given us to unlock hard hearts and subdue stubborn souls."

Ruby was telling me about a book that she read called, "Hollis Woods." The only thing Hollis ever really wanted was a family of her own. She went from foster family to foster family and was finally adopted. I asked Ruby if she liked the book and she said yes.

James helped Rowan roll up his sleeping bag and other supplies for his camp out tonight. It was fun watching them.

Rowan still has bed head.

We said goodbye to Trina, Lola, Rowan and Ruby when they left this morning for school and the gym. Darrel was already gone to work and Addy to school. 

Leaving for school and the gym

My infusion was scheduled for 10:30 so we got ready to go and left a little before 10 just as Trina came in holding Lola. I guess Lola got sick in the car. Trina laid Lola down on the couch. When grandpa said, "I'm sorry that you are sick." Lola said, "I will feel better if you give me a kiss grandpa." Such a sweetie.

A fancy sick girl

My infusion was pretty routine. I did have an appointment with Edith who is one of Dr. Caldron's P.A. She insisted that I had to have a chest x-ray if I wanted Medicare to continue to pay for my infusions so I scheduled one for next month right before my infusion on April 5th.

When James came to pick me up he was worried about his tractor not being where he parked it. Thank goodness he called Armando and he had it. 

We headed east on the 202 for the Firebird's near San Tan mall in Gilbert where I am meeting my friend Karen S. for lunch. 

Karen and I have lunch twice a year to celebrate our birthdays. Her birthday is in February and mine is in August so it works out well. I bought her lunch, the Colorado salad and gave her a book, "My Grandfather's Blessing." I had my usual, the coconut shrimp with habanero slaw. The shrimp was cooked perfectly. 

Karen and I visited about family, family history, health, and various other things. Karen is my family research mentor. She is the best family history consultant I know. Karen has had chemo-therapy for kidney cancer and never lost her hair. Now she is on immuno-therapy. Karen says she has her hair done once a week because her right shoulder is frozen. Her hip also bothers her and she was at physical therapy before she came to lunch.

I asked James to take me to Swig's to get a sugar cookie, which he did. He got one too but was wishing it didn't have frosting.

Lola was asleep on the couch with her head laying on Trina's lap. She was dressed in her best dress with several necklaces on because she wanted to look "fancy" even if she was sick. She had asked Trina the other day if "fancy" people fart. Trina said they did but they call it toot or fluff. The conversations you can have with a four year old.

While James was taking a short nap I had a conversation with Trina I wish I could take back. I told her I was ready to die except that I couldn't leave James. I told her so much of life is spent on doing trivial things that don't really matter and the struggle was endless. 
When I got home I got a text from Trina saying if life was too hard in Vernon we could come and live with them. So sweet and thoughtful. 

We said goodbye and left just as Trina's dad was getting there to watch Lola while she went to pick up the other kids. It was nice to see him again. 

We got home safe and sound. After putting things away and walking we finished off the evening by watching an episode of "Victoria." There is only one more episode left this season.

 Cutie Pie

 Jared and Emmy reading scriptures

 Ordered this book for 99 cents only to

find out it was digital. I cancelled.

Lots of good quotes in this movie.

Here are a couple:

"A man who loves his job never works 

a day in his life." -Confucius

"Nothing great is ever achieved without enthusiasm."

-R.W. Emerson

 Snow on Four Peaks

Thursday, February 28th, 2019

Porto Alegre, Brazil

102nd operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Dec 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

DC 45:52

Then shall they know that I am the Lord; for I will say unto them: These wounds are the wounds with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. I am he who was lifted up. I am Jesus that was crucified. I am the Son of  God.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 21:1-22:6

* Ensigns are referred to often in scripture. What could an ensign symbolize for us?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matthew 6:1-13; Why don't we recite the Lord's prayer?

"Lessons from the Lord's Prayer," Russell M. Nelson,  4/2009

General Conference

Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints

President Russell M. Nelson

"Now let's turn to the topic of temples. We know that our time in the temple is crucial to our salvation and exaltation and to that of our families. After we receive our own temple ordinances and make sacred covenants with God, each one of us needs the ongoing spiritual strengthening and tutoring that is possible only in the house of the Lord. And our ancestors need us to serve as proxy for them. Consider the great mercy and fairness of God, who, before the foundation of the world, provided a way to give temple blessings to those who died without a knowledge of the gospel. These sacred temple rites are ancient. To me that antiquity is thrilling and another evidence of their authenticity."

We sold another book. The Anatomy and Physiology book I got at the Vernon library for ten cents. It sold for $40.50, the fees were around $15.00 so we made about $25.00. This was the first day it was on the market. We need more books like this!

I walked 3,000 steps this morning before leaving for the valley at 7:15. 

We had prayer and we were on our way. We stopped in Show Low for gas and to go through the car wash. We also made a stop in Globe and then went straight to Dr. Douglas's in Chandler. James missed the exit to get on the 202. When I asked him why he said it was because I was on the phone with Stacy and he was distracted. Stacy had called to tell me that she has a job interview at a spa to do cool sculpting. She is very excited. 

Because we were still on the 60 we went to Arizona Avenue to get off and followed Arizona Avenue all the way down to Chandler Blvd. and over to Hartford where Dr. Douglas's office is. I made it there a little after 11. My appointment was at 11. I am just here to get my teeth cleaned but will need to come back to get two more teeth taken care of. 

Shelly is their new hygienest and she is who I saw today. Jackie was there and came over and said hi. I liked Shelly. 

After my appointment James and I went to Goodwill and picked up a few books. James then took me to Kim's and dropped me off. Kim and I are going to lunch and James has a meeting about the Chacon job. We decided to go to Olive Garden for lunch. 

I had a nice visit with Kim. We talked about Joseph and his future in the music industry. He has taught himself music theory and is so good on the guitar. Music is the one thing in life that he is passionate about. Joe is also writing some songs.

After lunch we went to Hobby Lobby where I bought some gift bags and tissue paper. When we got back to Kim's Brian was there for lunch. We felt bad that we didn't bring him anything.

James picked me up and we headed to Darrel and Trina's. James went straight upstairs to take a nap. I tried to take one but couldn't so I went back downstairs and played a game of Rummy with Ruby. She beat me but not by too far. 

While James was still resting I started looking up bookstores on my phone. I found one over on Power and Southern called Half Price Books. When James got up we headed over. It didn't take me long to realize that half price books are too expensive. 

James was hungry and since we have a $50 gift card to Cheesecake Factory we headed over to Superstition Springs mall for dinner.

We ordered crab cake appetizers, I ordered a chicken taquito appetizer for my meal (Not hungry) and James ordered the pot pie off the skinnylicious menu. I looked down at my watch and it was 6:30 and we still did not have our food. Addy's concert starts at 7. 

I told the waiter and he figured our bill and soon our food was here. I ate half of mine and got a box for the rest. James finished his and said it was delicious. 

It's a good thing that Trina's parents saved us seats because we were about five minutes late to the concert and the auditorium was packed. I don't think it's a good idea for them to do the junior high and high school concerts together. 

The concert was two hours long and Addy was toward's the end. These are the songs her group sang: 

Lift Thine Eyes to the Mountains

Oceans and Stars

Morokeni (Greeting Song)

Little David, Play on Your Harp

(This was the finale song and everyone

participated.)

Before the concert was over, but towards the end, a young man was walking up the aisle with 3 roses tied together. He stopped on our row and handed them to me. Now I have flowers to give to Addy. 

After the concert was over I had to use the little girls room. I gave the flowers to James and told him to give them to Addy. Ruby came up to me later and said: "You can imagine how special Addy felt when she found out where the flowers came from." I said, "Who told her?" Ruby just looked sheepish. Who knew she was so sarcastic.

Lola stayed home with Rowan so she missed the 7th and 8th grade boys sing "A Million Dreams" from "The Greatest Showman." She loves that song.

Trina's mom was a little irritated the the concert was so long. Trina wondered why they sang so many love songs. I do agree with it being too long and think they should separate the junior high and high school. I thought the singing was good but it would have been nice to have had more songs we knew.

Lola went for a five minute walk with us when we got back to the house. That's all she needed and she was happy. I knew if she didn't get to go she would be upset.

Moonlight in the Spring Concert

 Addy is fourth from the right with the

longer sleeves.

The finale. 

 Ruby doing her reading and snacking

after the concert.

 The flash was too strong I guess

 The temple is the connection between

heaven and earth.

All of the lakes in the White Mountains

are full. Last year at this time this lake

was completely dried up. 

Praying and fasting for moisture works!

 Getting ready to crawl!

It's harder to get steps when you

are not home.

Wednesday, February 27th, 2019

Recife, Brazil

101st operating temple

Dedicated: 15 Dec 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

DC 11:28

Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the life and the light of the world.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 20:12-34
How does learning of Christ's Second Coming affect how you live you life? 
New Testament "Come Follow Me"
Matt 6:25-34; What does it mean to use "vain repetitions" in prayer? "Priesthood and Personal Prayer" Henry B. Eyring 4/15

General Conference

Now Is The Time

Elder Jack N. Gerard

"President Joseph F. Smith proclaimed,'The greatest achievement mankind can make in this world is to familiarize themselves with divine truth, so thoroughly, so perfectly, that the example or conduct of no creature living in the world can ever turn them away from the knowledge that they have obtained."

"Shepherding Souls"

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

"As children of a loving Heavenly Father and as sheep in His flock, we enjoy the blessing of being individually ministered to by Jesus Christ. Simultaneously, we have a responsibility to provide ministering assistance to others around us as shepherds ourselves. We heed the words of the Lord to 'serve me and go forth in my name, and...gather together my sheep."

We sold another book, "The Love Dare." Woohoo!

This morning I did Monday's blog post, paid bills, and worked on a revised budget to include property taxes for the Deming property. 

I walked 10,000 steps and got ready for the temple. 

James went out and sprayed off the car for our trip to the temple with the Howard's. 

We left our house a little after 2 and met the Howard's at the church because Tom says their road is bad. I don't think it could be any worse than ours except there is a steep hill.

We stopped at the post office to check once more if James got the two books he ordered for trades. Nope. They were supposed to be here by the 23rd.

We got to the temple about 3:15 and ended up waiting in the foyer because the afternoon shift was having prayer meeting. We finally got in at 3:30 for the 4:00 session. 

I helped Jean zip up her dress and put her shoes on. She had to borrow a slip and a sash from the temple.  We got our names and sat in our seats. Jean says to me, "I forgot the new name already, is it _______, I nodded yes." It has been a while since she's been at the temple.

Jean did all right during the session. James said that Tom had some difficulty dressing and the guy helping him wasn't much help.

We all sat in the celestial room for a few minutes and then we left. On the way out I said hello to Marylou DeWitt. She was one of my mutual advisors  when I was growing up in Show Low. I also got a hug from Sister Bowers who works with me in the temple. She said they had been on a leave of absence and weren't sure if they were coming back. I told her it wouldn't be the same without her.

Tom invited us to stop at Eva's where he would buy us dinner. Eva's is the Mexican restaurant to go to in Snowflake. I had what I normally get, a chicken enchilada with red sauce and rice and beans. The enchilada was delicious but the beans were not as good as LaCasita's. Tom and James both had green chili burros. James said his wasn't as good as LaCasita's, but it was good. Jean was the only one ordering light. She had two shrimp tacos.

I am so glad we had this time in the temple with the Howard's. They have not been for several years. Jean was able to do her mom's name and Tom did Jean's grandfather, her mom's dad. 

I walked when I got home. I wanted to get 20,000 steps but stopped at 17 and watched an episode of "Victoria" with James.

A sister in our ward, Sister Campbell, found out that she has a rare form of breast cancer and will be starting treatments soon. So sad.

Baby Charlie is 6 months old today!

Charlie's favorite book is about a giraffee

 Kim will like this.

 Adam's baptism 21 years ago.

Tuesday, February 26th, 2019

Boston, Massachusetts
100th operating temple
Dedicated: 1 Oct 2000
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

DC 10:57

Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I came unto mine own, and mine own received me not.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 19:1-20:11

*How do you combat the four evils Isaiah denounces -- pride, errant leaders, wickedness, and neglecting the poor and needy?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matthew 6:14-24

"The Lord Jesus Christ Teaches Us To Pray" Juan A. Uceda 10/16

General Conference

Wilt Thou Be Made Whole

Elder Matthew L. Carpenter

President Boyd K. Packer stated: "Our spirits are damaged when we make mistakes and commit sins. But unlike the case of our mortal bodies, when the repentance process is complete, no scars remain because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The promised is: 'Behold, he who had repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more' DC 58:42"

Choose You This Day

Elder Dale G. Renlund

"We need to choose whom we will serve. The magnitude of our eternal happiness depends on choosing the living God and joining Him in His work. As we strive to 'do the next bit' on our own, we practice using our agency correctly. As two former Relief Society General Presidents said, we should not be 'babies that need petting and correction all the time. No, God wants us to become mature adults and govern ourselves."

Kathy Crane and I visited with the Robertson's this morning. Kathy was kind enough to offer to drive her four-wheel drive Suburban because the roads are still wet and muddy. 

Sister Robertson has been in the hospital. She had a bad case of pancreaitis and is at home recovering. Her husband Joel has been with her but he needs to go back to his job in Houston so Kathy and I are representing the Relief Society to see what we can do to help.

We had a nice visit and then I asked Marie what we could do to help. Would she like someone to come and stay with her? No. Would she like us to bring in food? Maybe a couple of times a week. Kathy offered to bring some chicken noodle soup and some Cafe Rio chicken and pork she already had made up because she had company this week. That sounded good and since she was bringing it tonight Joel would still be there to enjoy it.

Marie will be staying alone after Joel leaves except for her six dogs that keep her company. She is 75 years old. 

As we were leaving Joel showed us a picture of the actor Ed Asner. I guess he is a friend. He wrote Marie a nice letter when her son passed away. Joel also showed us the letter. 

I came home and made some ground beef tacos and a salad for lunch. After lunch it was rest time and a Hallmark movie. I walked and paid bills this afternoon and made a no-bake cheesecake. 

I made, or I should say warmed up,  some Sister Schuster rolls for Kathy to take over to the Robertson's this evening. When Kathy came to pick them up she had Cafe Rio burros for us and part of an apple pie. Thank you kind neighbor.

James and I watched an episode of "Victoria" this evening. I did not like this one. It featured the cholera epidemic and one of the main characters Nancy Skerret Francatelli died. It was too sad. This is why I like Hallmark movies, none of the main characters ever die and there is always a happy ending.

I inventoried several books this evening. The best was the Book of Mormon Reader. If it sells we will make $35.

James got us new car insurance today. National General was raising our policy by $50 a month because of a claim James had when he ran into a fence. We now have Liberty Mutual for both our house and my car.

Happy Birthday Adam and Joe!

 Those were the days!

Hallmark Movie

All dressed up for our 50th

This girl is sooo much fun!