Sunday, June 30th, 2019

Bismarck, North Dakota

61st operating temple

Dedicated: 19 Sept 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Exemplar

Moroni 7:48

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

Book of Mormon

Alma 24:19-30

New Testament "He Is Risen"

Review: Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20-21

General Conference

Build a Fortress of Spirituality and Protection

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"Brothers and sisters, we are at war with Satan for the souls of men. The battle lines were drawn in our pre-earth life. Satan and a third of our Father in Heaven's children turned away from His promises of exaltation. Since that time, the adversary's minions have been fighting the faithful who choose the Father's plan.

Satan knows his days are numbered and that time is growing shorter. As crafty and cunning as he is, he will not win. However, his battle for each one of our souls rages on.

For our safety, we must build a fortress of spirituality and protection for our very souls, a fortress that will not be penetrated by the evil one."

Closing Remarks

President Russell M. Nelson

"We hope and pray that each member's home will become a true sanctuary of faith, where the Spirit of the Lord may dwell. Despite contention all around us, one's home can become a heavenly place, where study, prayer, and faith can be merged with love. We can truly become disciples of the Lord, standing up and speaking up for Him wherever we are."

I missed church this morning because I was miserable with a sore throat, cough, and achy joints. James went without me.

When he got home he said, "that was one of the best sacrament meetings I have ever been too." Of course. 

The new couple from Maricopa, the Tesarek's spoke. They have been members for four years and they told about their conversion and joining the Church.

James and I will have an opportunity to work closely with the Tesarek's because we have been assigned to work with them on Family History.

I slept and rested most of the day and worked on my blog. This afternoon/evening we FaceTimed with Jared and Charlie. I showed Charlie my "Hello Kitty" bank and James's new "Pinkie Piggie" bank. We tried to play pattycake but weren't too successful. 

We love Jared and Kacey so much and know they are struggling right now and we pray for them and wish we could help more.

I made ministering calls this afternoon as this is the end of the second quarter. All I need to do is make contact with one of the partners in each of the ministering partnerships I have been assigned. It is sad when people don't respond to a text. Out of 13 partnerships I heard from 9. 

Some changes need to be made in my district and we need to get companions for Millie, and Barbara. I also need to get an active ministering sister for Sister Tedder. She just lost her son to an illness.

This evening I watched "The Good Witch" while James wrote a letter to Ben. I am so naughty.

"He Is Risen"

 Sunday Best

Poor Scarlett, she feels like I do today

 Our former neighbors, the Andersen's

So sad

 Babies on the loose

 Charlie's best friend

Raspberries from our bushes delivered

by James

 It doesn't take much to make a dog happy

Quilt or rug?

Saturday, June 29th, 2019

Columbus, Ohio

60th operating temple

Dedicated: 4 Sept 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Exemplar

3 Nephi 27:27

And know ye that ye shall be judges of this people, according to the judgment which I shall give unto you, which shall be just. Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.

Book of Mormon

Alma 24:7-18

New Testament "He Is Risen"

Look up "Resurrection" in the Topical Guide and in Gospel Topics.

General Conference

The Immediate Goodness of God

Elder Kyle S. McKay

"Above all, God's love is immediate. With Paul, I testify that nothing can 'separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus.' Even our sins, though they may separate us from His Spirit for a time, cannot separate us from the constancy and immediacy of His divine paternal love."

Sold "Historical Theology: An Introduction to the History of Christian Thought" for $44.97 and made $5.99.

I woke up thinking about my keys and deciding what my plan of action should be. I got up, said a prayer, and did my scripture study. I was hoping to receive some inspiration as to what I should do, but none came. I decided to call Lexus to see if I could pick up a key from them. The guy told me for my year and model the key has to be programmed by a computer and the car has to be brought in. I asked him how I was supposed to bring the car in without a key and he said, "you have it towed." I told him I couldn't afford that. He said that a locksmith can computerize my car for me and that he did have a key for a 2005 RX330. 

I looked up the number for a locksmith and they said he would be out in about 25 minutes. I asked if he could program my key for me and  the guy said yes. When I asked him how much it was going to cost he said the guy would tell me when he came out. I should have insisted upon a price right then.

Jason was the name of the guy who came out. It took him awhile to actually unlock the car and in the meantime he set off the car alarm which was a little embarrassing. Sheri and Ian drove up as he was working on my car. 

After Jason got the car open and we discovered the keys were not in it, I asked him if he could computerize the car for a new key. He did not give me a definite answer and began doing something with his phone. About that time Stacy called me and I told her what was going on. She asked me if I had called the front desk this morning. I told her no, I had told them to call me. She insisted I should call, so I hung up and called them. 

A guy named Matt answered and said yes, he did have my keys. I was a little upset and told him that they were supposed to call when they found my keys and that I had just paid $209 for a locksmith to open my car obviously for no reason. Jason, the locksmith kept telling me if I had roadside assistance that they would reimburse me. When I called the insurance company they said they would reimburse $50. Whoopee!

I felt pretty deflated by this experience. I wondered why I didn't feel prompted to call the front desk before Stacy suggested it. This would have saved me $209. Did I do something to cause myself to be unworthy of the inspiration I sought? It bothered me the rest of the day and it still bothers me. I feel unworthy and need to know why I wasn't prompted.

Sheri and I went to get food for the boys while they were all down swimming with Ian. We went to NYPD pizza and then Walmart to get drinks. She got a 12 pack of diet A&W Rootbeer and so did I. We also got 3 Caramello bars.

Back at the room the boys had pizza and Sheri and I shared a salad. We each had two garlic knots. I think the boys may be getting a little tired of pizza but they didn't complain.

Sheri and I watched "Summer Villa" while the boys and Ian just hung out. After the movie was over Sheri, Ian, Max, and Evan all went home. Joshua stayed here because he is spending another night tonight with Stacy and Paul. Stacy works at Raintree and the 101 which is less than five miles away and will come over after work. Tomorrow is Stacy and Paul's 30th wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary!

Sheri had helped me pack my car so I left for home a little after they did. I had already gotten air in my tires earlier this morning. 

I stopped at Culver's in Payson for a cod sandwich and I took James home 3 pieces of fish, coleslaw and green beans for his dinner. It was after 7 when I got home. I was exhausted. After everything was brought in James and I ended the day by watching the latest Hallmark movie, "Sister of the Bride." I have a sore throat and a cough and fall asleep during the movie.

The only picture I got of the boys in

the pool and Sheri took this one. 

Sleeping Beauty

 Lovely Lola

 Scarlett's popsicle hit the spot

Tyler Elmer was Jared's good friend
in high school.

Trip to Utah:

The Salt Lake temple

Friday, June 28th, 2019

Spokane, Washington

59th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 Aug 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Exemplar

3 Nephi 27:21

Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do;

Book of Mormon

Alma 23:8-24:6

New Testament "He Is Risen"

Matt 28:16-20 Mark 16:15-20 Luke 24:49-53 John 21:15-17

General Conference

Prepared to Obtain Every Needful Thing

Elder David A. Bednar

"The overarching purpose of Heavenly Father's plan is for His children to become more like Him. Accordingly, He provides us with essential opportunities to grow and progress. Our commitment to learn and live according to truth is increasingly important in a world that is 'in commotion' and is ever more confused and wicked. We cannot expect simply to attend Church meetings and participate in programs and thereby receive all of the spiritual edification and protection that will enable us 'to withstand in the evil day.'"

Sold another merchant fulfilled book but it doesn't have to be shipped until July 2nd and I will be home by then. 

James left for home this morning. When he got to Vernon and got his computer set up I walked him through the steps to print the shipping label for the book we sold that was supposed to ship by yesterday. It took awhile to accomplish this goal but we did it. 

When James went to the post office to mail the book he also picked up the mail. I received 39 books. He sent this picture:

I have a lot of work to do when I get home!

I took the boys to Peter Piper Pizza for lunch. We all had the lunch buffet and I also bought them drinks. They ate to their hearts content and then we went back to the resort. 

Later this afternoon I asked the boys what they wanted for dinner. Evan suggested to Max fried chicken from Fry's and Max agreed. Joshua didn't disagree or have any other ideas. I asked them if there was anything else I could get them. Max said bagels and cream cheese, Evan wanted gummy bears, and Joshua asked for baked Lay potato chips. 

As I got ready to go I went to get my keys out of my purse and they weren't there. I went outside to the car and looked. It was locked but I could see that the keys were not in the ignition or the seat. 

I figured I must have dropped them when walking back to the room after going to Peter Piper. I looked, no keys. I got the boys together and we said a prayer. I looked everywhere I could think of in both rooms. I called the front desk and asked them if anyone had turned keys in. The girl said no but she would call housekeeping and call me back. She didn't call back so I went to the front desk. I talked to Kaitlyn and gave her my phone number and told her they were my car keys and it was very important that I find them. She said she would call me if anyone found them. 

By this time it was time for the boys to eat. Yesterday Max got a low blood sugar before dinner and Sheri had to text me. I didn't want that to happen again. I gave each of the boys $21 and we all went down to the Splash Grill to get some dinner. We all got cheeseburgers and fries but came back to the room to eat them because of the flies and heat. Oh yes, Max also got a pretzel and had to have another dollar to pay for his food.

I was pretty down the rest of the evening because I never got a call from the front desk. I said several prayers and when I went to bed I said another prayer that someone would turn my keys in.

Oh yes, I called Stacy, Sheri, and James and asked all of them to pray for me too.

 Exhausted from all that reading

This looks a little like an Amish quilt.

They only use solid colors and always

use black as an accent color.

 Can't believe it's been that long!

Love these Lovebirds!

 Sunsets

 The 60 and 61 Y

 Snowflake

 Show Low

 north of Scottsdale