Monday, March 4th, 2019

Perth, Australia

106th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 May 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

John 20:31

But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 25:14-26

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Mattew 8:1-17; 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12 "Thy Faith Hath Made Thee Whole"

"Healing the Sick" Dallin H. Oaks

General Conference

Laying the Foundation of a Great Work

Elder Steven R. Bangerter

"I believe that it is less a question of whether our children are 'getting it' in the midst of our teaching, such as while striving to read the scriptures or to have family home evening or to attend Mutual and other Church meetings. It is less a question of whether in those moments they are understanding the importance of those activities and more a question of whether we, as parents, are exercising faith enough to follow the Lord's counsel to diligently live, teach, exhort, and set forth expectations that are inspired by the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is an effort driven by our faith - our belief that one day the seeds sown in their youth will take root and begin to sprout and grow."

Be Not Troubled

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"Be not troubled." No matter how much wickedness and chaos fill the earth, we are promised by our daily faithfulness in Jesus Christ the 'peace of God, which passeth all understanding.' And when Christ comes in all power and glory, evil, rebellion, and injustice will end." 

Ensign "Your Adventure Through Mortality," Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Come Follow Me."

Brother Howard had lunch with President Shumway today and found out that he is going to be a mission president in Chicago. He leaves with his family in June. He will be a wonderful mission president but we will miss him here in Arizona.

Tom told President Shumway about taking family names and going to the temple. President Shumway told him he needed to continue doing that. Tom asked James to help him find his family names. 

James called the realtor in Deming, the name Hailey gave us. She doesn't want to sell our lots because she says there isn't much commission involved. They don't have water so they are only worth about $10,000 a piece. We have two of them. I guess we are going to have to go down and put for sale signs on them and try to sell them ourselves.

I had to pay some Lambson Construction bills out of our personal account today: Verizon, the line of credit, and Desert Ready Mix. 

We did sell a book today, "Freedom at Midnight," one of the library books we bought for ten cents

I lost half the blog post I did so I got discouraged and quit. I will have to come back to it another time. 

This afternoon James and I did errands in town. I shopped at Walmart while he went to Home Depot to find lightbulbs for the front porch. I got the stuff I need to take dinner to the Campbell's tomorrow night. I also got Tanner's birthday card and mailed it along with my bill from Sallie Mae and the one for Desert Ready Mix. 

We listened. to "Healing Hearts" on the way home. Scarlet fever has broken out in Savage Wells. 23 of the children have it and the doctor is out of town so of course Miriam takes charge.

Today is Ben's email day. I always look forward to hearing from him. 

I finished walking when I got back from town and while I was walking I watched "The Shoe Addict's Christmas."

The Bowen's gave James's name to the Judd's as someone who could build their house.

Sheri's post 

 Last one in the trilogy and the best.

Maybe it's because I guessed 

whodunit.

 Scarlett's sad because it's Monday

and Charlie is sad because she

got her shots today.

Sunday, March 3rd, 2019

Guadalajara, Mexico

29 Apr 2001

105th operating temple

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Mark 1:1

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 25:1-13
*How would you explain our gospel in plainness to help a child or investigtor understand our beliefs?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matthew 6-7 Review

"If Ye Had Know Me", David A. Bednar, 10/16

General Conference

Lift Up Your Head and Rejoice

M. Joseph Brough

"As we face hard things in the Lord's way, may we lift up our heads and rejoice."

"There is Sunshine in My Soul Today." 

I love this quote from Elder Robbins: " There is only one way to judge righteous judgment as Jesus Christ does, and that is to be as He is."

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

Many of the testimonies today in our fast and testimony meeting were regarding the Book of Mormon. I read today in an article in the New Era a story about a time when President Nelson was a doctor and one of the nurses he worked with asked him what made him different than the other doctors. He didn't get angry, or use bad language and he was always kind. This was his reply: "Because I know the Book of Mormon is true." He gave this nurse a copy of the Book of Mormon with his testimony. Years later while visiting a stake conference in Tennessee as a General Authority, he met this woman again. As a result of her conversion she shared with him the 80 people had joined the Church. Wow!

During Sunday School we were discussing foundations and I got to read Helaman 5:12 -And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.
Sister Woods' went around the room and asked everyone what foundation they were built upon. I thought to myself that Christ is our foundation but I didn't say anything. People were saying things like prayer, love, forgiveness, etc. The bishop got up and said he did not think those things were our foundation. He said our foundation is built upon apostles and prophets and Jesus Christ being our chief cornerstone. The attributes we mentioned earlier are the walls. Interesting. Nice to have our bishop in class to set us straight.

When I got home from church this afternoon I called Marie Robertson to check on her. She said she was doing okay and had plenty of food. She told me this was the first time in 24 years that she had felt real affection from her husband, that it had been a hard marriage but as a result of his actions recently she knew that he loved her.

I read an article today in the Ensign by Elder Godoy about the saints in Venezuela. The name of the article is, "Sources of Peace and Power." Here is a quote from that talk: How can the members in Venezuela, who face great challenges, still be cheerful, strong and at peace? I believe what is happening with many of them is that they are becoming more dependent on God. As a consequence, they are receiving strength from the source of all strength. They recognize the blessings they receive from Heavenly Father, they rely on the power of Jesus Christ and His Atonement, and they are comforted, supported, and strengthened by the Holy Ghost. As a result, their burdens become lighter, their sorrow is relieved, and they find peace in the midst of their trials."

We had a family history training meeting this afternoon with Brother Ranstrom. We still have not learned anything on the computer. Our homework is to ask someone in the ward to allow us to help them on family search. I am asking Sister Halcomb and James is asking Tom.

We watched the next episode of "When Calls the Heart" this evening.

Sunday morning photo session

 I love this face!

 Fools Hollow Lake

Saturday, March 2nd, 2018

Winter Quarters, Nebraska

104th operating temple

Dedicated: 22 Apr 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Matthew 28:19

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 24:1-32

*Babylon will be destroyed. What kinds of rest do you think Israel will experience in the Millennium?

-A respite from the temptations of the devil.

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matthew 6:25-34; I come to know Jesus Christ by doing His will.

"Developing Good Judgment and Not Judging Others" George A. Schwitzer, April 2010

General Conference

Deep and Lasting Conversion to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ

Elder Quentin L. Cook

"What do these adjustments mean for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? We are confident that members will be blessed in extraordinary ways. Sunday can be a day of gospel learning and teaching at church and in the home. As individuals and families engage in family councils, family history, ministering, service, personal worship, and joyful family time, the Sabbath day will truly be a delight."

Patricia Heaton from "The Middle" and "Everybody Loves Raymond" spoke at the Rootstech conference in Salt Lake City today. She is all about family. She grew up in Cleveland, Ohio to a very Catholic family. Her grandmother had 15 children and was Catholic mother of the year one year and received a medal from the Pope. That medal is now a cherished family heirloom. 

Thursday night there was a training session as part of Rootstech for family history leaders and consultants. James and I listened to it. There was a lot of talk about the family search phone app, family tree. It is amazing all of the knowledge and information we have at our finger tips in our phones. James calls them our Urim and Thummim's. 

James and I also listened to the CEO of Ancestry tell of all the advances that Ancestry has made. I also listened to Elder and Sister Bednar speak. Elder Bednar told a neat story about some of his ancestors. 

I went to the dump this afternoon with James. It was very windy. I was hoping we could skip the wind this year. We listened to our book, "Healing Hearts" on the way over to the dump and back. 

We started our fast this afternoon. We are fasting that Stacy will get the job that she interviewed for yesterday, if it be the will of the Lord.  James said in the prayer, "that she will have the righteous desires of her heart."

This evening after finishing my walking I watched "Victoria" with James. There is only one more episode for this season.

 

 Charlie loves books!

Scrunching up her nose

Such a silly girl!

 Mentos gum is my favorite.
Good but this one loses it's flavor too soon.

Sandra Wilhelm's birthday today.
She loves grapefruit.

Alice is graduating from high school
and fire science school.

This Saturday's new Hallmark movie

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