Friday, May 3rd, 2019

Manti, Utah

3rd operating temple

Dedicated: 21-23 May 1888

By: Lorenzo Snow

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Romans 8:32

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 21:28-22:9

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

John 10:1-21

General Conference

Answers to Prayer

Brook P. Hales

"One aspect of perfect love is our Heavenly Father's involvement in the details of our lives, even when we may not be aware of it or understand it. We seek the Father's divine guidance and help through heartfelt, earnest prayer. When we honor our covenants and strive to be more like our savior, we are entitled to a constant stream of divine guidance through the influence and inspiration of the Holy Ghost."

I spent the morning studying, walking, and getting ready to go to my infusion. We left around 10:25 and I got there a little before 11, the appointed time. James dropped me off and went to see the Willis's. 

The infusion room has been remodeled and I hardly recognized it. The familiar things were Frances, Angie, my chair, pillow, and the infusion tube and stand. I watched Jenna and Laura Bush on Hooda and Jenna on TV. Laura was on with Jenna for mother's day. 

James was still at the Willis's when my infusion was over so I walked about a mile or so down to Wendy's to wait for him. I ordered myself a diet drink and a vanilla frosty. When did vanilla frostys come about. I thought you could only get chocolate. 

We are celebrating Mother's Day for me today. James took me to lunch at Olive Garden and then over to Deseret Book to get President Nelson's life story as written by Sheri Dew. It's called "Insights":

From Deseret Book James took me to Kim's house to relax with her while he went to his appointment in Scottsdale with Dr. Weiner the ears, nose, and throat specialist. Kim and I watched a Lifetime Christmas movie while James was gone on his wild goose chase. He ended up going to the old address and missed his appointment. It wasn't really his fault because he Googled the address and the old address came up. He rescheduled for later in the month. 

When James returned he worked in the laundry room for awhile before we left. 

Brian was in and out while we were there. He had pulled pork in the smoker all night and is taking it to Skousen Park for their father and sons outing. It sure smelled good!

When we got back to Darrel and Trina's they had already left for L.A. Trina is going to the garment district to look for fabric. Rowan was gone to see the movie "Avengers" with friends. The girls were all home. When I asked what they wanted for dinner Lola said, "Peter Piper Pizza." It took a minute for us to talk grandpa into it but he would do almost anything for Lola, Ruby, and Addy, so off we went. (Thanks Trina for leaving us $40.)

Peter Piper was packed with people! We didn't care, we went anyway. We ordered a large cheese pizza for the kids, a medium California veggie for grampa and gramma and a large cinnamon pizza for dessert.

Lola says cinnamon pizza is her favorite

Three years ago at Peter Piper Pizza

When we got home we told the girls to brush their teeth and get their pajamas on. We had family prayer with grampa saying the prayer. Addy complimented him on what a nice prayer it was, and then the girls watched TV while James and I went for a walk. 

Rowan didn't get home until around 11. We were already in bed and James had locked the front door, forgetting about Rowan. Addy opened it for him. James stuck his head out and apologized.

I was up at 1 pm to use the restroom and the TV was still on. Ruby and Rowan were asleep on the couch when I went in to turn the TV off.

Cathryn and Chloe, best friends

and going to be baptized on the same day.

  

Thursday, May 2nd, 2019

Logan, Utah

2nd operating temple

Dedicated: 17-19 May 1884

By: John Taylor

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Romans 8:29

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 21:9-27

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

John 9

General Conference

Careful versus Casual

Becky Craven

"Fortunately for us, we are on a track, a covenant path we committed to when we were baptized as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Although we may encounter occasional obstacles along the way, this path will keep us moving toward our prized eternal destination if we stay firmly on it."

We sold a book called, "Damascus Countdown" today. It must have been one we got at the library.

The Halcomb's left for the valley this morning before we did. I got a text from Kerri about an accident at the Y that stopped traffic in both directions. We had planned on leaving at 8 because my appointment at Chandler Eyecare is at noon. We did leave at 8 and on our way to the Y Kerri told us that traffic was beginning to move. There were two trucks involved in the accident and four people were hurt. The helicopter from the hospital came in and picked someone up along with two ambulances. This is what the traffic looked like when we arrived on the scene.

I'm not sure why but there were several yellow

dump trucks at the scene.

This traffic slowed us down for awhile but I was still able to make it on time to my appointment. We even stopped at Burger House for burros. I got the Tony's Special breakfast burrito. It is delicious!

This is the first time I've been in the remodeled Chandler Eyecare office. Sheri, Shayna, and Nancy were all there. It seemed funny not seeing Dianne. Dr. Vanover did my exam and determined that I will be needing cataract surgery within the next year or so. Because of that, even though my prescription had changed a little, I decided not to get it filled because it will change again once I get the surgery. I was not charged for the exam and I believe that was because of Dr. Vanover. 

Sheri had a meeting during the lunch hour so we weren't able to go to lunch. James picked me up and we walked around the Chandler mall for awhile. He went to a meeting and left me there. I got something to eat at Wildflower and did some shopping at Macy's. 

James took me to my appointment at Dr. Shah's, the oral surgeon. I was early and they took me right back. I was only there for a total of 15 minutes. They took an x-ray and then Dr. Shah pounded on my implant and said, 'You are ready for a crown.' Now I have to call Dr. Douglas's office and make an appointment for a crown.

Back to the mall while James had another meeting. I would have gone to Kim's but she was at the doctor's. Something is wrong with her. Her triglycerides have shot up over 2200 in the last week. She feels terrible and the doctor can't seem to figure out what is wrong. She said pancreatitis but Kim doesn't have all the symptoms. 

James took me to Kim's while he had a 5:30 meeting with Dr. Memon at a restaurant. Kim and I watched a movie and were starting to watch another one when James returned. 

James and I were almost in an accident coming off the 24 freeway on to Ellsworth Rd. going to Darrel and Trina's. We were first in line and when the light turned green we made the turn and all of a sudden we heard metal on metal and a car spun out beside us, barely missing my side. We stopped to make sure everyone was okay. A car heading north on Ellsworth ran the red light and hit a car who hit another car who almost hit us. We were a little shaky when we got to Darrel and Trina's. 

I brought Rowan his new glasses from Chandler Eyecare and Ruby some frames to look at.

These are the frames that Ruby picked.

They are pink on the sides.

Juicy Couture.

And yes, that's Addy watching cartoons in the background. Rowan

says she loves "My Little Ponies." I asked here if that was true and she said: "I find them quite fascinating."

Lola went for a walk with us this evening. Her mom told her she could go twice around the green belt. She rode her scooter so we never had to wait for her.

I am very worried about Kim. Hopefully the doctor will be able to determine what is wrong. In the meantime she put her on a statin medicine which Kim isn't too happy about.

 They are putting in a new store at the Chandler mall

called the Crayola Experience.

 Harold putting on his "game face"for the

stake track meet in Mesa this weekend.

Now that's a cute baby face!

I love this photo. Stacy says it's her favorite.

 Stacy started working at Transforming Image

yesterday.

Wednesday, May 1st, 2019

St. George, Utah

1st operating temple

Dedicated: 6-8 April, 1877

By: Daniel H. Wells

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Romans 8:3

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 20:12-21:8

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

John 8:31-59

General Conference

How Can I Understand

Ulisses Soares

"The question asked by this Ethiopian man is a reminder of the divine mandate we all have to seek to learn and to teach one another the gospel of Jesus Christ. In fact, in the context of learning and teaching the gospel, we are sometimes like the Ethiopian - we need the help of a faithful and inspired teacher; and we are sometimes like Philip - we need to teach and strengthen others in their conversion."

I got a call from Marie R. my ministering companion this morning. I was hoping she was going to ask when we could do some visits but that wasn't the case. She was in the hospital in the valley having a procedure done and needed Paula J.'s number because Paula is babysitting her dogs. 

I left the house around 9:30 this morning. My first stop was at my friend Maxine's. Today is her birthday. She is 73 and is our Relief Society secretary. I brought her a card signed by Tamara and Kerri, the other members of our RS presidency. I also brought her some chocolate chip cookies, a Gerber daisy plant and a 12-pack of diet Coke. She told me one time that her children would remember her because she loved doing family history and temple work and she loved diet Coke. She said the gifts were perfect. I wanted to bring her flowers because when she was a little girl, on her birthday, she would hand out flowers to the women in her neighborhood.

After leaving Maxine's I headed for my brother Dennis's house in Linden. Dennis texted me the other day and said he was putting new flooring in one of the bedrooms and had taken all the books off the bookshelf. He knows we are selling books on Amazon and wanted to know if I wanted to come over and look at the books he has. I said yes I could come Wednesday morning. 

The first thing I noticed when I drove up to Dennis's was Nannie's old green Chevy truck. I had to take a picture. It looks like Dennis has had the truck re-painted and he said he took it out for a spin the other day. This is a little scary because Dennis is legally blind and should not be driving.

I love this truck and the memories it brings

Dennis had books everywhere but none of them would sell very well on Amazon. I did enjoy my time with him and his two dogs, Maisy and Jewel. Jewel is a basset hound and Dennis says if you have anything to eat in your purse she will sniff it out. She looked at me and with a disgusted look, just walked away. Sorry Jewel, no goodies in my purse.

When I left Dennis's I headed back in to Show Low and stopped at Safeway with the purpose of getting some Dr. Pepper 10. They did not have any. I got some shredded rotiserie chicken and an egg salad croissant. The croissant was for lunch and the chicken is to put in the chicken noodle soup I am making for the Grapp's dinner this evening. I also got myself a Payday candy bar. On to Walmart.

I got everything I needed for the Grapp's dinner at Walmart. I also got a Mother's Day card and a petunia plant for Lois for mother's day. We are going to the valley tomorrow and won't be down the following week on mother's day. 

When I got home I put together the chicken noodle soup and let it simmer for awhile while I made a salad with berries. It was a very similar dinner as the one I took to the Howard's last night except that the soup is chicken noodle instead of chicken and rice. 

James helped me take everything over around 5:30. Liana told me that's when there dad gets home and that's when they usually have dinner. 

Here is the text I got from Cammy later, after dinner: 

"Your meal was the best meal we have ever had brought in. You and your husband way out did yourselves. Thanks so much for helping to lighten my load tonight. It couldn't have come at a better time. Thomas has meetings, Liana activity days. With me not feeling up to it, not having to make dinner was a real blessing. Thanks again."

We sold two more books today.

 There is just something about old vehicles.

This is the car from "When Calls the Heart."

 Elder Rasband and his wife are Angels

She's always happy to take a bath.

 Scarlett in front of her new house.

Congratulations to the Child family!

I love these pictures!

 Since I didn't get to see the falls run this year I

posted this picture from a couple of years ago.

 So excited for Cathryn's baptism!

Cathryn is our bishop's daughter.

Tuesday, April 30th, 2019

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

163rd operating temple

Dedicated: 14 April 2019

By: Dale G. Renlund

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship
Acts 13:33
God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
Book of Mormon
Mosiah 19:25-20:11
New Testament "Come Follow Me"
John 8:1-30

General Conference

Build a Fortress of Spirituality and Protection

Ronald A. Rasband

"When we live the gospel of Jesus Christ, when we draw upon the Saviors's Atonement and press forward with faith, we are fortified against the adversary."

Closing Remarks

President Russell M. Nelson

"May we dedicate and rededicate our lives to serving God and His children - on both sides of the veil."

I woke up feeling tired and had a hard time getting things done this morning. I did start a loaf of bread and made some cookies to take to the Grapp kids. 

I did manage to make James one of his favorite meals for lunch. I made a meatloaf with baked potatoes and green beans. He loved it! I must admit that meatloaf was pretty tasty. 

I did some visiting this afternoon. I was going to visit with Cammy but she wasn't feeling well. I dropped some chocolate chip cookies by to the kids and told Cammy I would bring her dinner tomorrow. I need to go to the store again if I am going to make chicken noodle soup, which is what I have planned. 

After dropping the cookies off at the Grapp's I stopped in at the Halcomb's to visit with Catherine. Kerri was there too. They are concerned about our friend Millie and her attitude and well-being. I told them I would make an appointment and visit her. I also told the that Millie was lucky to have both of them in her life.

We sold the book, "Fundamentals of Differential Equations" today. Didn't make a lot.

I read this quote today during my gospel study: "I always thought my objective was to be righteous. Sadly, I have never been able to do it. Now I see my objective is to follow the Only One who is righteous...my job is to become humble. His commitment is to perfect the humble."

This evening was spent at home. James is trying to get bids on a couple of jobs and it is taking people forever to get back to him.

 Rome, Italy temple

 James enjoying his lunch

 Interesting quilt design

 Cute Charlie in a swing

 My favorite quote from this movie:

"Are you gratefully humble or

grumbly hateful"?

 Scarlett enjoying the view