Monday, June 3rd, 2019

Stockholm, Sweden

34th operating temple

Dedicated: 2-4 July 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Alma 34:5

And we have beheld that the great question which is in your minds is whether the word be in the Son of God, or whether there shall be no Christ.

Book of Mormon

Alma 10:17-32

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

John 13:1-33

General Conference

Answers to Prayer

Elder Brooke P. Hales

"The Father is aware of us, knows our needs, and will help us perfectly. Sometimes that help is given in the very moment or at least soon after we ask for divine help. Sometimes our most earnest and worthy desires are not answered in the way we hope, but we find that God has greater blessings in store. And sometimes our righteous desires are not granted in this life."

In Elder Christofferson's talk he asks the question, "What does abiding in God's love mean"? The answer he gives is: "It means to submit to His will." He says that divine love can transform a willing soul. Are we content with where we are or do we see our divine potential? His arm of mercy is extended towards us as we repent and strive to keep His commandments.

I got a late start this morning. I could not go to sleep last night. I left my bed because I couldn't get comfortable and then I had the same problem on the couch. I went back and forth several times before taking some Nyquil and finally settling down on the couch.

James headed out this morning on the Razr to take some photos of the verbina on the hillside coming in to Vernon. It is all over our yard and other areas of Vernon but it looks especially beautiful on this hillside. One of our friends who has lived in Vernon for years says she has never seen any thing like this and she knows it is because all of the moisture we have received. I firmly believe that moisture was a result of several stakes in the area fasting and praying for it.

So pretty!

James did several errands today. He went to the dump and picked up books at the post office, hauled two rats away that he caught,  and then drove out on the Razr to see Anthony. I, of course, stayed at home doing my "thing." One of my things was to listen to a video by Wendy Nelson as she told of the experience she had in receiving an answer from the Lord when she sought solitude in fasting and prayer regarding whether she should marry Russell M. Nelson. She said on the second day at 3:45 she received her answer in three different ways. She did not share what those ways were but of course we know what the answer was. She says she knows that the Lord brought them together.

 Food for thought

 This is where the Talbot's will be serving.

Ben's letter

Lovely Laura

Sunday, June 2nd, 2019

Frieberg, Germany

33rd operating temple

Dedicated: 29-30 June 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Alma 34:2

My brethren, I think that it is impossible that ye should be ignorant of the things which have been spoken concerning the coming of Christ, who is taught by us to be the Son of God; yea, I know that these things were taught unto you bountifully before your dissension from among us.

Book of Mormon

Alma 10:1-16

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

JS-Matthew; Matthew 25; Mark 12-13; Luke 21

General Conference

Careful vs Casual

Becky Craven

"Being careful in living the gospel does not necessarily mean being formal or stuffy. What it does mean is being appropriate in our thoughts and behavior as disciples of Jesus Christ. As we ponder the difference between careful and casual in our gospel living, here are some thought to consider:

Are we careful in our Sabbath-day worship and in our preparation to partake of the sacrament each week?

Could we be more careful in our prayers and scripture study or be more actively engaged in "Come, Follow Me"?

Are we careful in our temple worship, and do we carefully and deliberately live the covenants we made both at baptism and in the temple?

Are we careful in how we minister to others and in how we fulfill our callings in the Church, or are we indifferent or casual in our call to serve?"

I read an amazing talk this morning that really helped me with my fast today. "Fasting with Power" by Elder Shayne M. Bowen, April 2009 Ensign. The first thing that caught my eye in this talk was the statement: "A person can overcome any addiction or bad habit through living the law of the fast."
The entire article is wonderful to read if you are someone who struggles with fasting like I do.

This morning I also found an idea on Pinterest for us to use as our Father's Day gifts this year in the ward.

Simple and fun

Bishop Miller and his family are vacationing in California this week. Brother Thompson conducted our fast and testimony meeting. James bore his testimony and in addition to what he said on Facebook he gave me another tribute. It was a little embarrassing, but very sweet.

Brother Wright bore his testimony and it was one of my favorites. Also a fairly new member Brother Morrison bore his testimony. It was sweet and simple. His twins came up to see him while he was waiting on the stand and when he got up to go to the pulpit Lannie and John got up and each took a twin and delivered them back to their mom and brother.

Brother Judd taught Sunday School and started to introduce next week's lesson amidst protests so he went back to this week's lesson, "The Son of Man Shall Come." The class go into quite a discussion about being prepared, the monetary system, food storage, etc. My friend Tamara and I were a little disappointed that no other topics were discussed. One of the things I appreciated from this lesson was the reference from Gospel Topics on the Second Coming. Here is a list that I found regarding the prophesied events and signs:

1. Apostasy from gospel truth.

2. The Restoration of the gospel, including the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ.

3. The restoration of priesthood keys.

4. The coming forth of the Book of Mormon.

5. The preaching of the gospel throughout the world.

6. A time of wickedness, war, and turmoil.

7. Signs in heaven and on the earth.

The righteous need not fear the Second Coming or the signs that precede it. The Savior's words to His Apostles apply to all who prepare for His coming and who look forward to it with joy: "Be not troubled, for, when all these things shall come to pass, ye may know that the promises which have been made unto you shall be fulfilled." (DC 45:35).

We had a family history consultant meeting immediately after the block. James, Brother Curtis, Sister Thompson, Sister Klug, and I attended.

Brother Curtis says the bishop is concerned about the consultants getting into the homes of the members. It is a challenge getting people interested in doing the work. On another note Brother Curtis and indexed and reviewed over 185,000 names. He says it is his hobby and he loves doing it.

James and I went home and took naps. After napping we broke our fast and had some dinner. James had bought steaks when he went shopping Friday and he grilled them outside. I made the potatoes and the veggies.

 I was able to fast for 24 hours, something that is difficult for me to do but I was determined after reading Elder Bowen's talk. Here is an excerpt from his talk:

After dinner we went a little overboard with dessert. We had ice cream with roasted pecans and caramel sauce. Quite delicious. 

James took a long nap while I worked on my blog and then we both wrote letters to Ben and watched the finale of "When Calls the Heart."

 Nothing like a sleeping baby

What Charlie does while Kacey and Jared

are teaching Sunday School

 Macy and Scarlett

Which do you prefer, desert,

or

mountains? 

 Hunsaker's had a baby blessing in the valley

James said his missed Colter in his class.

I think Kip is giving Alicia bunny ears or horns.

 Celebrating on their mission in 

Martin's Cove, Wyoming

Hunks of "When Calls the Heart"

Saturday, June 1st, 2019

Guatemala City, Guatemala

32nd operating temple

Dedicated: 14-16 Dec 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Alma 13:16

Book of Mormon

Alma 9:19-34

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

JS-Matthew 1:22-55; Luke 21:25-38; Gospel Topic: The Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

General Conference

How Can I Understand?

"Our purpose as we seek to learn and to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ must be to increase faith in God and in His divine plan of happiness and in Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice and to achieve lasting conversion. Such increased faith and conversion will help us make a genuine spiritual transformation in us - in other words, transforming us into a new creature, as taught by the Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Corinthians. This transformation will bring us a more happy, productive, and healthy life and help us to maintain an eternal perspective."

Happy 51st Wedding Anniversary to us!

Just a couple of kids

James made me breakfast this morning: sausage, an omelet, hashbrowns, toast with cherry jam, and orange juice. Best of all he cleaned the kitchen afterwards!

Before the sausage and toast came

He posted on Facebook about our anniversary and is trying so hard to make it special. He asked me what I wanted to do. I told him I just wanted to stay home this morning and then go to the 1:00 temple session, have lunch at Charlie Clark's, and then go on a ride up in the mountains. He was okay with that and went in to take a nap while I did some walking and working on my blog and books.

When we were getting ready to leave for the temple I asked James to get my bag while I got a drink, he said he would. I got my drink and went to the car and when he came out he was carrying a bag and I thought it was mine. When we got to the temple and I asked for my bag from the back seat he said, it's not here. I guess that was his bag he was carrying to the car. I reminded him I had asked him to get my bag. It was too late for me to go in and try to find a dress, etc., so we just left. He felt terrible, but I did not get upset with him. I told him it was okay and that we would go Tuesday. I did not want to destroy all of the good feelings we have had by getting angry. I guess it was partly my fault too, I should have made sure my bag was in the backseat before we left.

We drove from Snowflake to Pinetop to Charlie Clark's and got there around 2 p.m. I ordered a steak and a baked potato and James got the salmon salad. We sat out on the patio in plastic chairs. Everyone says this is the best place to get a steak in the White Mountains but I have never been here and it's been here forever.

My steak was delicious and James's salmon was good. We were disappointed that they didn't serve any bread with our meal but maybe that's because we were still on the lunch menu. We shared deep dish peach pie with ice cream for dessert. 

Pretty tasty

After lunch we drove up to Paradise Creek. James wanted to find the tree where he carved our initials about 55 years ago. We didn't find the tree but we saw some beautiful country.

 Now where was that tree...

It's out there somewhere

This evening we started our fast and watched the newest Hallmark movie.

Lots of good Elvis songs in this one!

It was a wonderful day to spend with my best friend and sweetheart.

I love these sheep!

Meanwhile, back in Texas: