Tuesday, June 18th, 2019

Mount Timpanogos, Utah

49th operating temple

Dedicated: 13 Oct 1996

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Examplar

John 21:22

Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

Book of Mormon

Alma 18:8-23
New Testament "Come Follow Me"
 Matt 27:15-26; Mark 15:6-15; Luke 23:16-25; John 19:12-16

General Conference

We Can Do Better and Be Better

President Russell M. Nelson

"Brethren, we need to do better and be better because we are in a battle. The battle with sin is real. The adversary is quadrupling his efforts to disrupt testimonies and impede the work of the Lord. He is arming his minions with potent weapons to keep us from partaking of the joy and love of the Lord."

We sold two books this morning.

Jams left for the valley after scriptures and prayers. He did not finish putting in the sliding door at Hatch's Dentistry. Greg called him and said the door was put in backwards so he's going down to work on it tonight and tomorrow night and will hopefully come home on Thursday.

My shipments, 36 books, in two boxes and three packages are ready to be shipped. Since I am trying to be more conservative and save on gas, I decided to wait until Thursday when I am going in to town to have lunch with my friend Pam to mail these books. 

I listened to the book webinar this morning and I was inspired to buy more books. Everyone says that this business is all about having lots of inventory. As a result of this I ended up buying 20 books today, some from my new DFY list and others from alerts.

I got a call from a sister in our ward today, Amy Reynolds. She said that I had signed up to help Sister French get to work and she was wondering if I could take her tomorrow. She said I left a bogus phone number on the signup list. I asked her what the number was. She said 480-963-7444. That is our old landline number in Chandler and we haven't had it for several years now. Take about a brain freeze.

Sheri and Kim's families, along with their guest Michael, are in San Diego this week. Sheri says it's their "Happy Place." I am happy to say that right here at my home in Vernon, Arizona is my happy place.

BTW, Bubba Burgers are the best!

Happy Birthday Ruby!

I love this girl so much!

Lola calls her a "farm" girl because she likes animals and sometimes she wears bib overalls. In my book,

farm girls are pretty wonderful. I told Ruby she would fit right in

here in Vernon where we have lots of farm girls.

Our girl learned how to do pat-a-cake.

 A happy place in the "happy place."

 Woodbury fire near the Superstition Mountain

This one is for Lola

Monday, June 17th, 2019

Hong Kong, China

48th operating temple

Dedicated: 26 May 1996

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Examplar

John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Book of Mormon

Alma 17:32-18:7

New Testament "It is finished"

Matt 27:1-14; Mark 15:1-5; Luke 23:1-15; John 19:1-11

General Conference

Where Will This Lead?

President Dallin H. Oaks

"we make countless choices in life, some large and some seemingly small. Looking back, we can see what a great difference some of our choices made in our lives. We make better choices and decisions if we look at the alternatives and ponder where they will lead. As we do, we will be following President Russell M. Nelson's counsel to begin with the end in mind. For us, the end is always on the covenant path through the temple to eternal life, the greatest of all the gifts of God."

Another quote from Elder Cook's talk:

"Recognize His love,

Receive His love in humility,

Convey His love."

The house seems so quiet with just James and I here. But in another way it seems right to be here in this beautiful home with the one I love most in the world and the one who built this beautiful home for me.

We had two positive things happen today in the way of finances. First, our stocks finally came through into our personal account. This means we can pay our propane bill and the accountant's bill.

We also got Harold and Dennis to agree to sign over the Green Acre cemetery plots to us. Vickie said she could verify that we bought the lots and gave mom $2,000 for them.

This afternoon around 3 or so we left the house. I had been asked by Tamara to find a new sister in our ward, Connie Walker. I had the address but that doesn't really mean much in Vernon. We were looking for County Road 3312. It showed that it went through to Highway 60 but no such luck. We finally found Connie and I introduced myself. She seems like a very nice sister. She said she would probably  be moving into Show Low in a couple of months if she can get out of her lease. She wants to be closer to her daughter who provides transportation for her. 

I was grateful to be able to report to Tamara that I met Connie and got her phone number and found out a little bit about her.

We stopped at Taco Bell for some dinner. James thought we had until 5:30 to see Harold. When we got to Harold and Vickie's house Vickie informed us that Harold had to be at the weight room at 5:30 and he left about five minutes before we got there. Vickie was able to sign for Harold. Next stop, next door to see Dennis. 

Peg, Denise's mom, was visiting from Tennessee, and Denise's daughter, Rachel and granddaughter Evie were also there. It was good to see all of them. I love Denise's mom Peg. She and I were "roomies" when we went to New York with Dennis and Denise. She helped me do my hair when I fell and hurt my arm. Such a nice lady.

We visited a little while and then we were on our way. Sorry we missed Harold but grateful that Vickie was able to sign for him. 

When we got home we watched "The Good Witch" Honeymoon episode and a new Hallmark Movies & Mysteries show, "Picture Perfect Mysteries" starring Alexa and Carlos Penavega.

We got no letters from Ben today because he is gone to Yellowstone.

This girl is on the go!

 Scarlett, Evie, and Lola
modeling leotards and tights.

 James took this picture of these two rats that Rowan
caught. Every day Rowan was here he would check
the cages to see if he caught anything. 

Sunday, June 16th, 2019

Bountiful, Utah

47th operating temple

Dedicated: 8 Jan 1995

By: Howard W. Hunter

Jesus Christ, Examplar

John 13:15

For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

Book of Mormon

Alma 17:18-39

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Review: Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, John 18

General Conference

The Power of Sustaining Faith

President Henry B. Eyring

"Try to remember and frame the answers you will give when the Lord interviews you, knowing that someday He will. You could prepare by asking yourself questions like the following:

1. Have I thought or spoken of human weakness in the people I have pledged to sustain?

2. Have I looked for evidence that the Lord is leading them?

3. Have I conscientiously and loyally followed their leadership?

4. Have I spoken about the evidence I can see that they are God's servants? 

5. Do I pray for them regularly by name and with feelings of love?"

Marin and Jason and the kids went to church with us. There were lots of visitors. The chapel was full so the overflow was open.

Heidi Johnson was the youth speaker speaking on families and family history. It was short but I was happy that Heidi was at church and was willing to speak.

Lannie Gillespie spoke about not judging. She totally used the scriptures and of course gave an excellent talk.

Brother Steve Badger from the high council was the final speaker. 

Brother Badger started out by saying "Happy Father's Day" and gave this quote: "Noble fatherhood gives us a glimpse of the divine." Here are some notes I took:

Brother Callister's talk on the Atonment. The Atonement gives us hope. The Atonement of Jesus Christ  is not only infinite in scope but also individual in reach and helps us overcome the following obstacles: 1. Physical death 2. Spiritual death 3. Our afflictions and infirmities 4. Our weaknesses and imperfections. 

Last week was President Shumway's farewell. He and his family are going to Chicago, Illinois where he will serve as a mission president. I have to leave early as I am helping the missionaries in the Aspen ward today. Thank you for your faithfulness here in the Vernon ward.

Brother Judd taught Sunday School and Marin, Jason, Addy, and Ashton sat by me. The room was packed. We had a good discussion on the sacrament.

When we got home the kids ate sandwiches and watermelon. James and I also ate some watermelon. The one I picked out was pretty good.

The Tibbett's packed up and left for a family picnic as part of their family get together as a result of the wedding.

Ethan, Marin and Ashton, Jason, Lila

Addy was asleep in the car. She is 10 months old.

This is a wonderful family. Jason just got his Masters in sustainability and he told James he could help him design and implement any plans he might have for our yard.

Marin is sweet and kind and loving. They are both quiet and I would be surprised if they ever raised their voices to their children.

We could learn from them. They are also very reasonable in what they eat and what they feed their children. We enjoyed their visit.

I forgot to mention how much I enjoyed having Rowan, Ruby, and Lola here. Rowan and Ruby are so very helpful and thoughtful. Lola is Lola. She said to Ruby on the way to Heber yesterday: "Ruby, you have less teeth than anyone else in our family." 

For Father's Day dinner we had steak, asparagus, and baked potatoes. Afterwards we took long naps and when I woke up I felt like I was in a food coma. We also had watermelon, and our favorite Ben & Jerry's ice cream brownie chocolate fudge, and cherry garcia. I gave James a card, a package of combs, the bank, and his own deodorant since he's been using mine.

We had a relaxing evening. James worked on family history, wrote a letter to Ben, and I worked on my blog before we watched "The Good Witch" together.

Happy Father's Day

We have some great fathers in our family!

 She makes the cutest faces!

 Clouds

Saturday, June 15th, 2019

Orlando, Florida

46th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Oct 1994

By: Howard W. Hunter

Jesus Christ, Examplar

John 10:27

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Book of Mormon

Alma 17:1-17

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matthew 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:31-38, 54-62; John 18:15-27

General Conference

Look Unto Jesus Christ

Kim B. Clark

"When the Lord calls the elders in Israel to 'look unto me in every thought' and 'behold the wounds' in His resurrected body, it is a call to turn away from sin and the world and to turn to Him and love and obey Him. It is a call to teach His doctrine and do His work in His way. It is, therefore, a call to trust Him completely, surrender our will and yield our hearts to Him, and through His redeeming power become like Him."

There is another quote in Elder Bednar's talk that I want to share because I love it so much:

"Knowing that the gospel is true is the essence of a testimony.

Consistently being true to the gospel is the essence of conversion."

I slept in until after 7 this morning. Jason and his family were already gone. I guess the temple sealing was quite early. 

I studied this morning and worked on my blog until it was time to wake up the kids a little before 9.

While the kids were packing and getting ready to go I fixed some breakfast. I made baby chocolate cupcakes because I told Ruby I would. I also cut up some nectarines and we had some left over cantaloupe. 

We packed up and left around 10. We are scheduled to meet Darrel in Heber at 11. I wanted to leave at 9:45 but it just didn't happen. 

As we were driving out we saw LaVerne and lo and behold, her baby, which Rowan immediately named Vernon. Here is a blurry picture that Rowan took:

So cute!

We made it to Heber before Darrel did. We only had to wait a few minutes before he was there in his little black car. Ruby was disappointed it wasn't Big Bertha.

 Waiting for Dad

Ruby doing the floss.

She really can do hard things.

After saying goodbye to Darrel and the kids I headed for the Walmart in Show Low to get a bank for James to replace the one that Lola broke. This is the only one they had besides a Hawaiian girl that I didn't think he would like.

Not Joe Cool big "Big Piggy" will hold

lots of money.

I was pretty exhausted when I got home so I sat down and watched the first two episodes of the new season of "The Good Witch."

Marriage and this week the Honeymoon.

I worked on my new books, putting them in inventory and in between this and walking I watched the new Hallmark movie,

"Love, Take Two."

Jason and Marin got home just as this movie ended. After carrying sleeping kids upstairs they came down and visited with me a few minutes. 

We said good night and as I was in the bedroom getting ready for bed, James came home. Happy Day!

This girl loves to explore!

Can you find Trina and Addy?