OUR FAMILY

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Monday, April 15th, 2019

Indianapolis, Indiana

148th operating temple

Dedicated: 23 Aug 2015

By: Henry B. Eyring

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

John 9:35

Jesus herd that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 8:1-21

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matthew 21:12-16; Mark 11:15-19; Luke 19:45-48

General Conference

Look Unto Jesus Christ

Elder Kim B. Clark

"If we look to Jesus Christ, He will help us live our covenants and magnify our calling as elders in Israel."

Well, I lost the first half of my post and so this is a do-over.

Allison Perez's surgery went well. She is 9 years old and have to have surgery on her lungs.

My nephew Monte is in the hospital having surgery tomorrow in Mesa. He has diverticulitis and has not been able to eat or drink for two months now. He has been fed through an I.V. the past couple of months. He is the head football coach at Show Low High School and also the track coach. Harold, my brother, is going to the track meets and coaching for Monte while he is in the hospital.

Today is tax day and James worked most of the day on taxes. He didn't finish and our accountant filed for an extension.

I worked on getting another shipment of books ready to mail. Of course Amazon divided a shipment that I got all in one box. This takes longer and costs more. It ended up being two boxes and one envelope. James will take them with him and mail them at the UPS store in Chandler tomorrow.

I worked on stripping polish from the floor again today. Just a little each day and I should be done by the end of the month.

I got a call from my neighbor Kathy today. She had baked her famous cinnamon bread and along with an Easter card went to deliver to a sister she ministers to, Joyce. She was so frustrated when she called me and said she did not want to be Joyce's ministering sister anymore. She says Joyce never answers her calls or her knocks when she goes to visit. She sad she heard dogs barking very loudly today and one of the windows was broken out. She said she was animal friendly but not with those kinds of animals. I told her not to worry that we would take care of Joyce and she said, "Good luck."

I wrote to Ben this morning and got an answer in return. Sheri also sent me her email from Ben and that is what I am sharing here.

The Hallmark Autumn Moon is HUGE!

I really like this Christmas movie

Another temple dedicated!

What a pretty picture!

These are the Butler brothers, David, Gary, and Greg.

This picture was taken in the 1960's.

Gary joined the Marines. He and Greg both worked in my dad's store. David was the quiet, spiritual one.

Lucretia and her great-granddaughter.

Reading time turns in to sleep time.

How sad!

I love this girl. A couple of years ago in Primary Lannie asked

what it meant to be reverent. Abbey raised her hand and said:

"It means to be respectful and quiet."

Charlie annoying Scarlett

I think these pictures are hilarious and that

Scarlett was pretty darn patient!

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Sunday, April 14th, 2019

Trujillo, Peru

147th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 June 2015

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

John 5:26

For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 7:18-33

New Testament

Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-38

General Conference

A Place of Belonging

Carl B. Cook

"The Lord would have you establish a strong quorum. As He gathers His children, they need a place to belong and grow."

Armando's daughter Allison who is 9 years old, has pneumonia. Her lungs are filled with fluid and there seems to be a mass on her right lung. She is not responding well to medication so they are doing surgery. James is fasting for her.

I got up today with every intention of going to stake conference but I just did not feel well or have the energy. James went by himself.

I stayed home and slept and, I will admit it, watched a Hallmark movie. When James came home he shared his notes with me. I did listen to a couple of conference talks and read my scriptures. I think I just needed some down time.

Two books sold today, although we don't do business on Sunday we can't stop people from buying our books on Sunday. One was an old Victoria Holt book, "On The Night of the Seventh Moon," and "Make a Mix Cookery." I used Make a Mix when I used to make chimichangas. They have a great chimi mix.

Here are some of James's notes:

Prelude Music: "Lead Kindly Light"

Elder David J. Harris, Area 70 presiding

Opening Hymn: "High on a Mountain Top"

Charlie Gordon from our ward was voted to receive the Melchizedek priesthood.

Choir: "This Is the Christ"

President Beeler - Our trials affect how we relate to and understand the suffering of others. They teach us compassion, to mourn with those who mourn, and comfort those in need of comfort. Our personal ministry is to do those things for others that only we can do. Heavenly Father does not exclude us from suffering but gives us the peace and comfort and direction to overcome and to reach out to others.

Emma Straine: 18 years old. Talked about President Nelson's admonition to be members of the Youth Battallion:

1. Fast for 7 days from social media.

2. Make a sacrifice of your time and give it to the Lord.

3. Make a life with your feet on the Covenant Path.

4. Pray daily for missionary opportunities.

5. Be a light to the world.

Frank Russell - New convert of one year. My conversion began from the natural man to start to become a saint, when the elders first began to teach. Going to the temple for baptisms has been very enjoyable. Testified of the truth of the Book of Mormon and prophets. The worth of souls is great in the sight of God.

Paula Johnson - Asked to give a report of her first visit to the temple. The temple is for imperfect people who are striving for perfection. Grateful for all those who helped get her there.

"How Firm a Foundation"

Sister Palmer - Gratitude for temple workers and patrons. The L.A. temple has 200 seats in their endowment rooms compared to 40 in the Snowflake.
President Palmer - In 4th Nephi for almost 200 years the saints lived in righteousness after the Savior's visit.
The importance of the Sacrament. The Savior in the Book of Mormon instituted the Sacrament. He invited the people to go home and invite others and to study and pray. We are invited to be in the temple often.
Choir: "Nearer My God to Thee"
Elder David Harris: Spoke of Richard G. Scott attended their stake conference while he was serving as a stake president. Elder Scott called their 18 year old daughter out of the audience. He asked her alot of questions about their family and their faithfulness: Are you having family home evening? Are you having family prayer and family scripture study? Last question was, who is in charge in your home. Her answer was: "Well my dad thinks he is, but really it's my mom."
Review President Beeler's admonitions and direction. Then he reviewed the Prophet's request during general conference including "You Need to Repent."
A simple invitation to attend a church meeting to his great grandmother in Scandinavia in the 1800's has resulted in so many faithful members of the Church with temple ordinances.
The Good Samaritan. Around us today are people who are hurting. People who have been beaten up, abandoned, stripped of self-respect and self-confidence. When we see a need we need to be a good Samaritan and render help and comfort. (See Mosiah 2:41). We have more opportunity than ever before.

In the late afternoon I did some walking and worked on my blog. James wrote an email to Ben. I will do mine in the morning.

This is the day President Eyring was called

as an apostle. Robert D. Hales is embracing him

while Jeffrey R. Holland looks on.

I like this "grass" better than that green

stuff outside.

Sunday Best

Sunday, April 14, 2019

Saturday, April 13th, 2019

Payson, Utah

146th operating temple

Dedicated: 7 June 2015

By: Henry B. Eyring

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

John 3:35

The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 7:8-17

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matthew 17:24-27; Luke 9:57-62

General Conference

Your Priesthood Playbook

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

"Create your own playbook of how you will prove yourself as a disciple of Christ."

FYI: Max and Evan went with their ward to do baptisms for the dead this morning. Max baptized 10 people and then was baptized for 3. I'm not sure about Evan, he was asleep when we visited today.

We left a little later than we had planned, around 6 a.m. but still in plenty of time to make the funeral. I read scriptures and a conference talk but we didn't get to finish the conference talks I wanted to read because we were out of range. We finished our proper romance novel except for the epilogue.

We arrived at Darrel's just before 9:30. He rode with us to the funeral. We met Sheri there and we all sat together. It was great to see so many good friends from Chandler. Betty Bogle was taking a leave from her mission to visit her brother who had a stroke and was able to be here for the funeral. Here are some others we saw: The Pace's, Davis's, Trudy Lamb, Dave, Laura, Sandy and Pat, the Tolman's, Paul without Stacy, the Bueler girls, all the Arnett kids, and of course Cathy. I wrote Thursday that the Arnett's had 10 kids but I had forgotten about Casey so I had to go back and correct it to 11, 5 girls and 6 boys.

It was great hearing stories about Cliff's life. Wayne Lamb, Cliff and Cathy's son-in-law, and their bishop, conducted the funeral. Cliff's brother H.B. Arnett was the first speaker. Here are some notes from his talk:

His children are God's eternal masterpieces, including Cliff.

The Be Attitudes describe Cliff and Cathy's lives.

Cliff was everybody's friend. He served a mission to Argentina. He was a football star in high school.

In regards to his marriage to Cathy:

"Not many men get to marry an angel."

The eternal fire of love burns brighter still.

Memories of Cliff by his children and grandchildren:

Other than diet Dr. Pepper and a candy bar, things were not important to him, people were. He had nicknames for almost everyone. (He called Sheri's boyfriend, Mark Brusstar, 'Old Broccoli Top.')

He loved to eat ice cream because it made life better,

friends were family, (Cliff coached Darrel every year he played baseball.)

He would rather by 5 cars for $500 a piece than one car for $2,500 because they would last longer and you didn't have to get them fixed. If they broke down you just left them by the side of the road.

He respected everyone, no matter their position.

H.B. said that when Cliff gets to heaven he is sure he is going to ask his dad, "Where's the auction"?

(He went to car auctions and calf auctions too)

The grandkids sang, "My Heavenly Father Loves Me". I think there were 33 grandchildren. Wendy's son Reed was the lead singer. He has a beautiful voice and was just in his high school's production of "Newsies."

Pierce Goodman, Cathy and Cliff's cousin, (Yes, they were related) spoke next. He lives here in Vernon and is our friend.

I have been asked to cheer up and to comfort. Mourning is a deep experience of true love. What is the purpose of life?

"This is my work and my glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." - Moses 1:39

Know this, that all are free to choose.

Peace and fullness of joy.

Our purpose is to receive exaltation and to return and live in the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Not all problems are overcome in this life. The work goes on after this life.

Pierce quoted from a talk given by Dallin H. Oaks called,
"Memories of My Father."
'I remembered that my father loved me.'
Jackie, Cliff's daughter said:
"Our dad raised kids and cattle. Boggs was the calf whisperer."
Heavenly Father loves all of His children.
Jesus Christ is our perfect example.
An eternal perspective brings peace.
We were born to die and we die to live.
We barely bloom on earth, we fully flower in Heaven.

Wayne Lamb was the last speaker. He told about asking Cliff for Chea's hand in marriage and then he told about going with Cliff to feed cattle and he always had to stop at the QT to get a diet Dr. Pepper and Hydrox cookies. If everyone else liked Oreo's, Cliff liked Hydrox because he wanted to be different and not follow the crowd. He would say to Wayne when he sent him in the store, "I'll split it with you." Wayne thought he meant the cost and once he reminded Cliff, I thought you said you were going to split these with me. Cliff said, "I am", and shoved the box of cookies across the seat to Wayne.

Outside after the funeral I gave Wendy a hug and then I talked to Cathy and Trudy Lamb and gave Cathy a hug. She made a comment to me of something that I wasn't aware of. She said, "Cliff was never the same after he lost his eyesight."

Later I spoke to the Goodman's and Barbara, Pierce's wife told me one night about four years ago he saw lines before his eyes. He went to bed and when he woke up he could not see. It was because of bleeding on the brain. Cliff died of a brain anuresym.

Wayne spoke to Cathy and told her she was not alone. He said: "We love you and are grateful to you for serving your companion for over 50 years. Heavenly Father will not forget what you have done for one of His sons. You may be exhausted but you never gave up. Families are Forever. The best part of death is returning home. Cathy, you will not be left alone as you go about your Father's work."

We stopped at the Pei Wei in Queen Creek for lunch and then we took Darrel home and changed our clothes. James had to go to the Willis's and to some work. Armando was supposed to do some cleanup but his daughter is in the hospital and he has not left her side. Her name is Allison and she is nine years old. She has fluid on her lungs.

I went to Sheri's and visited with her and Max while James was working. Max was practicing his guitar. Evan was asleep on the couch. Sheri showed me the baby kitties and the mama ran away and of course Ollie chased her. We made a trip to Sonic to get drinks and then went outside in the backyard with Ollie. Ian was going to Home Depot to get some paint for their family room. I told Sheri I wanted to paint my bedroom a darker color and she said she would come up this summer and help me paint. I told her I had lots of Hallmark movies in my DVR and we could watch them while we paint.

I made James go home the Payson way because I am sick of the Globe way. We stopped at the Culver's in Payson and got some dinner. When we got home we walked for awhile and then watched the new Hallmark move, "Bottled with Love."