Friday, June 14th, 2019

San Diego, California

45th operating temple

Dedicated: 25 April 1993

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Examplar

DC 56:2

And he that will not take up his cross and follow me, and keep my commandments, the same shall not be saved.

Book of Mormon

Alma 16:1-21

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matt 26:47-68; Mark 14:43-65; Luke 22:47-53, 63-71; John 18:1-14, 28-40

General Conference

A Place of Belonging

Elder Carl B. Cook

"There are long shots and underdogs all around us. Perhaps we all are in one way or another. But each of us here has a quorum, a place where we can both receive strength and provide strength. The quorum is 'all for one and one for all.' It is a place where we instruct each other, serve others, and build unity and brotherhood as we serve God. It is a place where miracles happen."

For our family scripture study we read from Alma 16 and then we read our baptismal covenants in Mosiah 18:8-10 and talked about how we renew our baptismal covenants when we partake of the sacrament. We talked about the promises we make and the promise Heavenly Father makes to us. 

After scriptures and breakfast Ruby and I left for Walmart for her birthday date. Rowan stayed home with Lola and we promised Lola we would bring her a surprise. She said to me: "And don't forget my pink leggings." The day they went to Woodland Lake she had a blue dress on with pink flowers. It was a little short and I promised her I would get her some "leggings" or shorts to go underneath it.

Ruby wanted Calico Critters for her birthday. We also got muffins, ice cream, balloons, a tablecloth and paper plates. We got Rowan a root beer for babysitting.

I got Lola a wand with a long rainbow ribbon attached. She loved it and the sparkling pink shorts I got her. We set up for the party and the kids blew up the balloons. We had a good time.

 Ruby insisted on reading her card first.

It had a "quacking" duck. Ro picked it out at

the dollar store

.

 The big 10, double digits now.

Yes, Rowan is posing. I'm not sure what's 

wrong with Lola.

While I was cleaning up from the party Lola came in and said she broke grandpa's bank. I said, "Oh he is going to be sad." She took off running upstairs and I knew I had made her feel bad. She went straight to her bed and was sobbing her eyes out. Rowan asked her what was wrong and she said, "I just need to cry a little bit."

I went up and comforted her and told her I knew it was an accident and it was okay. I asked her if she would come and help me clean it up and she said. Yes. She wanted me to glue it back together but it was broken in too many small pieces. I told her I would get granpa a new bank.

This is what was left after we cleaned up

all the little pieces. Everyone helped.

There was lots of change and that's why

Lola dropped it because it was so heavy.

RIP Joe Cool.

Around 6:30 we all went on a Razr ride. It's been a long time for me and I had forgotten how much I enjoy getting out in the forest. We saw an antelope and some elk before ever climbing the hill.

We saw lots of cows and baby cows and the kids wondered why the baby cows are always by the side of the road. We saw another antelope in the woods, a couple of more elk, and a herd of five deer.

We had to turn around and come back before too long because we thought we might run out of gas. 

When we got down to our road we saw the same female antelope we saw when we left. We followed her a little ways and then I let Rowan out to look for her baby. She ran from the Crane's over to our place but he thought she may have been trying to throw us off the path of where her baby was hidden. He looked for awhile and then I picked him up. 

We had burgers and beans for dinner. I made corn again because I know Rowan loves to mix baked beans and corn together. A tomato slice for Lola and cantaloupe for Ruby to go with their burgers. Ruby said she was going to tell her dad that this was the best burger she had ever eaten.

After dinner it was time for baths and to kill a few stinking moths. There seems to be a gathering in the kids bathroom.

The Tibbetts, Marin and Jason, Ethan, Lila, Ashton, and Addy arrived around 9. Lila was tired and shy so she and Lola didn't really interact. The Rowan, Ruby, Lola and I went downstairs to watch a movie so everyone else could go to sleep.

It was Rowan's turn to pick a movie. He wanted to pick one that he thought the girls would like too. He picked "Mrs. Doubtfire" because he said Addy said it was good. I told him it was pretty good but a little sad. I had forgotten that there was also some bad language and it really wasn't appropriate for kids under 13.

My only consolation was it was done a little low and maybe the kids didn't catch all of the things they said.

The basic story is good. Here is a dad that loves his kids so much that he will do anything to be with them.

It was almost 11:30 when it was over and the kids went straight to bed.

Happy Birthday Day 

Brian and Dallin!

Lola colored hers all pink.

 Charlie found her dad's stash.

Hawley Lake

Rowan's picture of LaVerne

Tonight's sunset was red because of smoke
from the fires around the state.

Thursday, June 13th, 2019

Toronto, Ontario

44th operating temple

Dedicated: 25 Aug 1990

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Examplar

Luke 9:23

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Book of Mormon

Alma 15:5-19

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matthew 26:31-46 Mark 14:27-42 Luke 22:39-46

General Conference

Your Priesthood Playbook

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

"You know what temptations you are most vulnerable to, and you can predict how the adversary will try to derail and dishearten you. Have you created a personal game plan and playbook so that you will know how to respond when faced with opposition?"

This was the question I asked the kids during our "Come Follow Me" scripture study this morning: "What do you do to help you think about Jesus during the sacrament?" 

We discussed how we could read the words to a sacrament hymn. The sacrament hymns start on page 169. I also told them they could look up the word sacrament in the topical guide in their hymn book if they forgot the page number. We also talked about the scriptures and the topical guide and Rowan said he has used the topical scripture guide.

I then had Rowan and Ruby read the sacrament prayers and we talked about them. We also read Luke 22:50-51 and talked about the kind of person Jesus was to heal the ear of one of his enemies.

While they were eating breakfast I read to them from the Book of Mormon and then we had family prayer. 

James left for the valley this morning so we all said goodbye to him. He is putting in a door at Stacy's house and then one at Hatch Dental in Tempe.

I went upstairs after dinner with the kids and helped them clean. We thought that Jason and his family were coming today and we wanted everything to look nice for them. Lola is very excited to meet Lila.

I needed to go to Dollar General to get some cash to mail Dallin's birthday card. The kids went with me. I told Rowan and Lola they could each pick out something for themselves and something for Ruby for her birthday. We are going to have a party for her tomorrow. Lola found a jewelry set right away that she liked and then she found a pink purse. She wanted both but I told her she had to decide. Right after she chose the purse she found a fuzzy pink diary with a key and a feather pen. This is what she ended up with. She picked a blue stuffed elephant for Ruby saying it was the "cutest thing she had ever seen." She was a little jealous it wasn't her birthday. She said she was going to invite Charlie to her birthday in July.

Rowan picked out a Just Friends Lego set for Ruby and said because it was so expensive he wasn't going to get anything for himself. He is such a thoughtful kid. I also got Ruby a Just Friends set with a girl with brown hair and glasses that I thought looked like her.

On the way home we mailed Dallin's card and picked up some books. While I was fixing lunch Rowan grabbed the paper towels and windex and went outside to clean off my windshield. I love this kid!

Lola watched "Beauty and the Beast". The other two joined in because they didn't want to scare the antelope away outside. We have LaVerne and Shirley and Elvis who has a nice set of antlers.

Finally I told the kids it was too nice a day to stay inside so they went out. They said the antelope ran away and they think they saw a baby with them but it could have been a big jack rabbit. I had to hold back a laugh.

Rowan asked James if he could borrow his rabbit squealer and he and Ruby went outside to try to call up some coyotes. Lola decided to stay with me. She played with my Hello Kitty bank and James's Snoopy bank while I worked on the computer. 

When it was dark and the kids weren't back I walked outside and shouted their names. They came in a few minutes later.

We had bean burritos for dinner and cantaloupe and corn. I was surprised that Lola doesn't like corn or cantaloupe and Ruby doesn't like corn but loves cantaloupe. I cut up a tomato for Lola to eat.

We watched the movie "Private Eyes", Ruby's choice and then I read a story to Lola while she was in bed with Ruby looking on.

Lola was a little sad that Lila and her family didn't come.

 Arizona Highways

 Danica is now a Hallmark star.

 One of James's former Teachers

 TBT: Boy these guys have changed!

 Sisterly love

Wednesday, June 12th, 2019

Las Vegas, Nevada

43rd operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Dec 1989

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Exemplar

Mark 10:21

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

Book of Mormon

Alma 14:32-15:4

New Testament "Not My Will, But Thou Wilt"

Matt 26:26-30 Mark 14:22-26 Luke 22:14-20 Gospel Topic: The Sacrament.

General Conference

Behold the Lamb of God

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"My beloved brothers and sisters, with the exciting new emphasis on increased gospel learning in the home, it is crucial for us to remember that we are still commanded to 'go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day.' In addition to making time for more home-centered gospel instruction, our modified Sunday service is also to reduce the complexity of the meeting schedule in a way that properly emphasizes the sacrament of the Lord's Supper as the sacred, acknowledged focal point of our weekly worship experience. We are to remember in as personal a way as possible that Christ died from a heart broken by shouldering entirely alone the sins and sorrows of the whole human family."

I love this quote by President Nelson:

"I urge you to stretch beyond your current spiritual ability to receive personal revelation." 

He counseled us to pray. to listen, to write down our thoughts, and to take action.

After breakfast and scriptures this morning we all left for town. I am going to do some grocery shopping while James takes the kids to Woodland Lake to take some pictures on the covered bridge.

Our first stop was Wendy's for lunch. We saw Brother and Sister Elmer from Eagar at Wendy's. They are our temple coordinators and we enjoyed seeing them and introducing them to the grandkids.

After lunch I walked over to Walmart while James loaded the kids in the car to take them to Woodland Lake. Trina called while I was in the Walmart parking lot and I told her she should probably call James if she wanted to talk to the kids, which she did.

Charles Gordon from our ward checked me out at Walmart. He is quite shy and quiet, barely saying anything to me. I must say he was an efficient cashier though.

Here are the photos James took at the lake:

I wish I would have done Lola's hair better.

She says her mom is the best at doing her hair. She can do

it anyway. Sorry Trina.

On the way home I read an email from a sister in our ward who is giving away two cats to a good home. Rowan texted his mom with a picture and of course she said no.

Lola likes this one

Back at home the kids watched the movie "Rio" and ate popcorn and M&M's. Afterwards Rowan and Ruby went on a hike and Rowan found a horned toad. 

Ruby even got to hold it.

While Rowan and Ruby were hiking with granpa Lola played with the Calico Critters.

She has shoes on because she was going to go on the hike

but she changed her mind.

For dinner I fixed chicken nuggets, peas, rolls and strawberries. 

After dinner James took the kids on a long Razr ride while I had a 

Relief Society presidency meeting with Tamara, Kerri, and Maxine. We worked on our father's day gifts, candy bars with clever quotes for dad's.

One of the things reported in our meeting was the brother Joel Robertson is speaking after having a stroke. This was good news! 

Happy Birthday Ian!

 The first time in 40 years a church has been

recognized in Kuwait.

 Hush, Hush sweet Charlie

 I love this!

Tuesday, June 11th, 2019

Portland, Oregon

42nd operating temple

Dedicated: 19 Aug 1989

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Exemplar

Mark 8:34
And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Book of Mormon

Alma 14:6-22

New Testament "Not as I Will, but As Thou Wilt"

Mark 26:20-25 Mark 14:17-21 Luke 22:21-30

General Conference

Hearing His Voice

David P. Homer

"Mountain climbers commonly refer to altitudes above 8,000 meters as the 'death zone' because at those heights there is not enough oxygen to sustain life. There is a spiritual equivalent to the death zone. If we spend too much time in faithless places, seemingly well-intended voices deprive us of the spiritual oxygen we need."

Shipped the book "Room" which we sold merchant fulfilled and James picked up 12 books at the post office. We also sold a Prentice Hall Chemistry book for $27.00. 

We had breakfast and a "Come Follow Me" lesson with the kids. 

We showed a picture of and talked about "The Last Supper" and the sacrament.

We talked about always remembering the Savior and what he has done for us. 

It was all about the tea party this morning although Rowan kept checking the animal traps to see if they caught any bunnies or rats.

We got out the nice tablecloth, a beautiful table runner that Lois made on her machine which was covered with flowers and set the table with my nice china. I made pink baby cupcakes and Ruby helped me make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with the crust cut off. We had cherries and strawberries, granola bars and trail mix to put in the beautiful stacked food servers. 

We decorated our hats and wore our boas to the party. Grandpa and Rowan were the servers.

The servers joined in tasting the delicious food.

They did not want to have their picture taken though.

The pink cupcakes were a big favorite.

Ruby chose beautiful yellow flowers for her hat to match her yellow "scarf" as Lola calls them.

Grandpa took the kids on a Razr ride both this afternoon and this evening. This evening they saw 7 elk and Ruby spotted a porcupine.

The kids watched the movie "Zootopia" while gramma worked on her blog. 

After two Razr rides the kids were ready for showers and then we ate fried spaghetti for dinner. Instead of a movie this evening the kids played a game of Uno.

 Monument Valley

 Scarlett and her dad looking for airplanes

Charlie and her tongue

Ben's letter: