Thursday, June 6th, 2019

Seoul, Korea

37th operating temple

Dedicated: 14 Dec 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

DC 93:21

And now, verily I say unto you, I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn;

Book of Mormon

Alma 12:1-19

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

John 14:15-31; John 16:5-15

April 2019 General Conference

A Home Where the Spirit of the Lord Dwells

President Henry B. Eyring
"There is the key to leading your family to rise to that spiritual place you want for them - and for you to be there with them. As you help them grow in faith that Jesus Christ is their loving Redeemer, they will feel a desire to repent. As they do, humility will begin to replace pride. As they begin to feel what the Lord has given them, they will want to share more generously. Rivalry for prominence or recognition will diminish. Hate will be driven out by love. And finally, like it did for the people converted by King Benjamin, the desire to do good will fortify them against temptation to sin. King Benjamin's people testified that the had 'no more disposition to do evil.'"

We sold a $27.00 book this morning. I also got a new DFY list yesterday and ordered all of the books from it today. 

James left early to go to the Chacon job. When he got there, he was told to leave. Mario has decided to wait to start this new house until the other house being built is finished. He said he would hire James to do the other job but he has already paid Robert, the guy working on it.

What is James supposed to do with all of the materials he bought for the job. I guess he is going to store them at Bill Valentic's yard.

I did two blog posts this morning before leaving Darrel and Trina's. James made it back in time to go with me to meet Sheri for lunch. 

We met her at Cafe Rio. We all ordered tostada's and Sheri paid for our lunch. I had the green chili pork on my tostada and a side of guacamole. It was quite delicious. Thank you Sheri. 

After saying goodbye to Sheri James and I drove to Tempe to see his mom and Dawn. Rebecca was an added bonus. I guess Thursday is art day because they were working on art projects. Here are a couple of picture they made and gave to us, along with a bookmark.

 This one is the one James picked out. Can
you see the horses face?

This one is mine

From Lois's we drove to Stacy's. James is installing a door for them and he wanted to look at where he would be working. He dropped the door off earlier today, leaving it in their garage. 

At first Stacy and the three dogs were the only ones at home. Before we left Dallin and Sarah and their dog came and then Michael came. Joshua was gone camping with the Scouts.

We did not stay too long. Stacy did give me a tour. They have all of their boys living there except Dallin. Sophie barked at James unless Stacy was holding her. It was very annoying.

Next stop was Kim's house. James wanted to pick up his phone charger. I visited with Kim a few minutes. Brian was still at work. Kim is feeling a little better but is still having more tests done.

Before going back to Darrel and Trina's we stopped at Fry's and picked up a few groceries, shakes, applesauce, snacks, and a chicken and rice bowl to share.

Trina fixed some dinner tonight that was quite tasty. I had a small bowl.

Brown rice, onions, sweet potatoes, hamburger

and brussel sprouts.

Here are some of the happenings this evening: Ruby beat me at Rummicub, James walked outside and I walked inside. It's too hot and stifling outside even after the sun goes down. Sheri brought Evan and Max over to spend the night but Evan is the only one who stayed. I went out to say hello to Max in the car and complimented him on his haircut. 

Darrel, as usual, didn't get home until after nine.

Trina and her friend took their kids to the
river today. Except for Addy who went to
Sunsplash with her friends.

 Not sure why Lola has her leg in the air.

Darrel and Trina's remodeling project.

 Never been 

I wish!

These two are so cute together!

 Only in Paris

 Celebrating 50 years of marriage.
So sad we missed their party.

 Kids and siblings, and grandkids

 Grandkids
Zach, Quentin, Harold, Vickie, Kaitlynn, Madison, Jeffrey, Colby

Wednesday, June 5th, 2019

Johannesburg, South Africa

36th operating temple

Dedicated: 24 Aug 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

DC 88:5

Which glory is that of the church of the Firstborn, even of God, the holiest of all, through Jesus Christ his Son-

Book of Mormon

Alma 11:26-46

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

John 14:1-14; John 15:1-8

General Conference

Just As He Did

W. Christopher Waddell

"It isn't necessary for someone to be suffering, like my brother, from a life-threatening disease in order to be in need of ministering service. Those needs come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and conditions. A single parent; a less-active couple; a struggling teen; an overwhelmed mother; a trial of faith; or financial, health, or marriage issues - the list is almost endless. However, like Mike, no one is too far gone, and it's never too late for the Savior's loving reach."

I got up early to walk and work on my blog and do some Relief Society work. I was ready to leave for the valley a little after 9. James is taking a load of materials down in his truck to the Chacon job so he will be about an hour behind me. My first stop was at the Vernon post office. I bought some stamps and then asked Debbie, the post mistress if she would hold my mail. I had to sign a card giving her permission. I picked up four books and was on my way to Show Low. When I got to Show Low my first stop was the UPS store to mail my books. I borrowed a dolly to bring the heavy box weighing 35 lbs. in. 

From the UPS store I went to Walmart to pick up three prescriptions. To my surprise all three were ready, including the Tramadol. After stopping to get gas I was ready to leave town, going through Linden, Pinedale, Heber, and Payson.

I arrived in Chandler at Dr. Douglas's office a few minutes early for my appointment. I talked to Chris, the office manager about dental insurance. I had called Physicians' Mutual before leaving home and they were too high and they don't cover crowns until after you have been on the program for a year. Instead of costing $820 like I thought, my crown will cost $1,800 because it is over an implant. Christ gave me a number to call for reduced rates. I paid them $349 for a 5 year plan which offers 33% off most procedures. That brought the cost down to somewhere between $1,500 and 1,600 dollars. $1,100 went on my Care Credit card which means same as cash for a year and I will pay the balance of $547 when I come in the end of the month for my cleaning and to have the crown mounted. Dental work is so expensive!

All they did today was make impressions of my teeth which will be taken to the lab where they will make the crown. There was no shots, or drilling. Dr. Douglas did something really nice for me. She fixed my two chipped teeth. One was right in the front and made me very self -conscious. Thank you Dr. D!

I met James at the Chandler mall where we ate at The Cheesecake Factory. He was pretty upset when he got there saying that he could not get in to start excavation on the house he is building until this guy named Robert finishes another house that Chacon is building.

We have a gift card that Kim and Brian gave me for Mother's day. I ordered the French Country Salad with grilled asparagus, mixed greens, fresh beets, goat cheese, candied pecans and vinaigrette. It was delicious. I also ordered the crab bites.  James had his favorite, the chicken pot pie. We both enjoyed our meal and afterwards we ordered a piece of cheesecake to share. We ordered the Ghirardelli cherry chocolate cheesecake and it was very good. It was cherry cheesecake with chocolate cake. I thought the cheesecake was a little too soft, I like mine very firm and James didn't like the cake. But let's just say, we did not leave any on the plate.

 What was left of my salad

Hawaii and Alaska side by side

After we ate James went over to the Willis's to pick up a ladder and I headed for Darrel and Trina's. Trina had taken Lola and Ruby to their dance dress rehearsal, and Addy was gone to the lake with friends, but Rowan was home. Rowan helped me carry my bags in after which I laid down to take a nap. Soon James showed up. He played a game with Rowan and then joined me for a nap.

When Trina got home I got up and visited with her for awhile and walked around the house. James was very tired and went to bed early.

Hiking on Horton Creek

They actually did this on Monday

She had a busy day!

Monte had hair!

Tuesday, June 4th, 2019

Chicago, Illinois

35th operating temple

Dedicated: 9-13 Aug 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

DC 76:54

They are they who are the church of the Firstborn.

Book of Mormon

Alma 11:1-25

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

John 13:34-38; John 15:9-17

General Conference

Missionary Work: Sharing What Is in Your Heart

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Members of the Church of Jesus Christ - both in past times as well as in ours - have enthusiastically and joyfully shared the gospel with friends and acquaintances. Their hearts are aflame with the testimony of Jesus Christ, and they sincerely want others to experience the same joy they have found in the Savior's gospel."

We sold the book, "Beginning and Beyond" for $48.99.

My friend Pam, who works at the hospital,  texted the following to me this morning:

Pam: Police are everywhere!

Me: He's here? Yikes! I'm going to the temple!

Pam: Yes. It's crazy. Cops are in riot gear with rifles.

Me: Where do they think he is? What did he do?

Pam: I pulled over and at least 6 cars zipped by. Pulling cars over near the doghouse subdivision. He killed his dad and one other.

Me: So where are the police? Vernon or Show Low? ( I wasn't sure where the doghouse subdivision was). 

Pam: Show Low. You know the doghouse thrift shop area. 

Me: Not sure where that is, is it on the 260 or the Deuce?

Pam: It was going down about 6:45 this morning, on the 260. Tons of police, helicopter. I didn't know what the heck was happening, but when I saw the tactical gear and rifles I figured it was not safe. Went straight to the hospital instead of shopping. LOL. Even the ER parking lot looked like it had activity. I don't know much more yet. so scary.

Me: I hope they catch him. You are safe in the hospital with the security. Keep your office door locked just in case. I'm saying a prayer.

These are photos from Pam's office. She has it decorated for Jen's birthday. Jen is her best friend and co-worker. 

Later in the day I received the following message from Pam:

Pam: The brother of the shooter posted a video asking everybody to stop saying mean things about his baby brother. The baby brother is mentally ill. He said that he and his dad are recovering and they want everyone to stop saying horrible things. It's heartbreaking. I loved his message. 

Me: Wow. So, they never caught him?

Pam: They did, and I was surprised at my reaction when I saw the picture. It was so sad. I said to Jenny his expression was remorse, sadness and trauma. He's not okay. Poor kid.

Me: Oh, that is sad.

Pam: He's 29 but I can call him a kid because I'm old.

As I told Pam earlier I had planned on going to the temple today with James and our 85 year old friend Catherine. Catherine wants to do her sister-in-law's initiatory and endowment. This is her beloved husband Clyde's sister and she knows that doing his sisters work is going to make him so happy.

We picked up Catherine around 9:15. I drove, Catherine was in the front passenger seat, and James was in the back. Catherine loves to talk and she is hard of hearing. I am afraid we left James pretty much out of the conversation all of the way to Show Low. 

We got to the temple around 10 am for the 11 o'clock session in order to have plenty of time to do the initiatory work. Initiatory was busy but our friend Donna L. was the initiatory director and she worked it out so that we could both do our names before the session. I got one more name done by a sister who didn't have a name. 

The session was packed with extra chairs set up in the aisle for both the sisters and brothers.  Catherine and I were seated in the corner of the last row. I got a little claustrophobic when we were putting on our ordinance clothing.

When we got to the celestial room Catherine was so happy. She said to me, "Oh this was such a wonderful family day. The new name was my mother's name and Pierce from our ward, who's niece is married to my grandson, took me through the veil. I know my husband is so happy right now that his sister's work is done."

With those good feelings we left the temple and headed for Eva's Mexican restaurant in Snowflake for a late lunch/ early dinner. 

I had a chicken enchilada with green sauce and rice and beans. James had a chili relleno with green sauce and rice and beans, and Catherine had a taco salad. When we got ready to leave Catherine insisted that she was paying. She said she "owed" us. I said that she owed us nothing but I allowed her to pay and I left the tip. Thank you Catherine.

The ride home was beautiful. We were surrounded by clouds and in some areas they were rain clouds. It was overcast in Vernon but we never got any rain to speak of.

We stopped at the post office and picked up about 8 books. My goal this evening is to get all the FBA books we have ready for shipping.

James was so happy to see that the iris's he planted last year, along with the flowers, had bloomed.

Clouds and flowers, two of my favorites!

My evening was spent getting my steps and preparing book shipments. I shipped 13 books, 12 to California and 1 to Washington state.

Happy Birthday Emmy!

Emmy turns 14 today.

This photo was taken in 2017 and all of the kids have grown

since then. We also have Charlie added to the group.

I'm not sure where James was, he should be in this photo too.

James washed the car and cleaned out the garage
and driveway before we went to the temple.

 Bettylea is named after my mother whose name
was Bettylea Strickland Maxwell.
She is the second oldest of my niece's Jenifer. Jenifer is my brother
Dennis's only girl.

Dennis and Denise in Texas.

They went to Bettylea's graduation.

Dennis says the Doobie Brother's had a song about

China Grove. I wouldn't know.

Barbara was one of the first sisters I visited as a visiting teacher when I moved to Chandler in 1971. Kathy Jones, the bishop's wife,
was my companion.

Our bishop and his wife on vacation. Not sure why the
word whiskey is on his shirt.

Buns of Cinnamon for the win