Tuesday, July 9th, 2019

Kona, Hawaii

70th operating temple

Dedicated: 23 Jan 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

(We were in Kona in October 1998)

Jesus Christ, Family of

Acts 1:14

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

Book of Mormon

Alma 30:29-45

New Testament "What Wit Thou Have Me To Do?"

Acts 7:1-36

General Conference

The Eye of Faith

Neil L. Andersen

"President Gordon B. Hinckley introduced 'The Family: A Proclamation to the World' with this statement:'With so much of sophistry that is passed off as truth, with so much of deception concerning standards and values, with so much of allurement and enticement to take on the slow stain of the world, we have felt to warn you.'

The proclamation begins: 'All human beings - male and female - are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny.'

These are eternal truths. You and I are not an accident of nature."

I sent in the locksmith receipt to Liberty Mutual. Actually I lost the receipt but I sent in a copy of my credit card statement with the locksmith charge on it. Hopefully they will accept it and give me my $50 back.

My left eye and forehead is still swollen and red.

I got a text from Max today thanking me for the birthday card. In the card I told him I was sorry but I have had to cut down on the amount of money I send. I'm grateful that he texted me a thank you because I have felt terrible about having to do it. I wish I could do more for each family member to let them know how much they are loved and appreciated.

We sold another book today. One book at a time. 

I worked on books, walked, paid more bills and fixed myself a burger for lunch. I would have fixed one for James too but he seems to think they aren't healthy and doesn't want one. They may  not be healthy but they sure taste good.

These are today's Christmas movies:

"Christmas Magic"

"Christmas Detour"

"Christmas Journey"

The last one James and I watched together. James loved it. He said I don't usually like Candace Cameron Bure but I really liked her in this one. It's about a girl from the 40's who time travels to 2016 and is able to see the affect her life had on the future. It's a good one and one of my favorites!

 Over 110 in Phoenix.

Think snow!

Such a cute little southern belle!

 I love that you can see mama in the background.

 One of my favorites, both the movie and the guy!

 From this....

To this. What a difference

 five years make!

Working on earning money for college!

 This girl enjoys life!

Very curious!

 They should hire!

Monday, July 8th, 2019

St. Paul, Minnesota

69th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Jan 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Family of

John 19:27

Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

Book of Mormon

Alma 30:12-28

New Testament "What Wilt Thou Have Me To Do?"

Acts 6

General Conference

Seeking Knowledge by the Spirit

Mathias Held

"First, we learned that we can fully trust in a loving Heavenly Father, who is constantly trying to help us become the person He knows we can become We confirmed the profound truth of His words when He said, 'I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, ... for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more.'"

I was pretty miserable today. The infection has gone over to my left side and my left eye is almost swollen shut. While James went to the doctor, picked up prescriptions and groceries, and dropped off boxes at the UPS store, I stayed home and did what I felt like doing, watch Christmas movies. I watched today: 

"The Magic Stocking"

"The Christmas Card"

"Christmas at Grand Valley" 

and this evening with James,

"I'll Be Home for Christmas."

James brought me a package of frozen Bubba Burgers and I cooked one for lunch. He also bought me diet Dr. Pepper, caffeine free. I am sure the caffeine free was on purpose. 

Well, Ben has a new calling. The new mission president, President Hurley, called him to be the zone leader over an area with disobedient missionaries, Blackfoot. Hmm, seems like an appropriate name. Ben has only been a district leader for four weeks and now he is a zone leader. Things are moving very quickly for him. Anyway, one of the missionaries from Blackfoot ran away and Ben and the current zone leader had to go find him. The zone leader went with this missionary's companion and Ben went to find the runaway missionary. He found out the only reason he came on his mission was because his parents expected him to and his grandmother told him she would buy him a car. In spite of this the elder wants to stay on his mission. Sheri said to Ben, "Why did he come on a mission if he doesn't have a testimony?" Ben said, "Mom, some missionaries gain their testimonies on their missions. If he wants to stay I am going to help him to stay." I'm so proud of this grandson of mine.

I did manage to get another shipment of books ready today and I inventoried the next one. I also did my walking.

Happy Birthday Jared Ammon!

 We love you!

 Summer fun!

 Enjoying the 4th of July Fireworks 

in Idaho Falls with a friend.

 Scarlett: "By Mom"

 Darrel and Trina finished another home

improvement project. Good job guys!

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

Raleigh, North Carolina

68th operating temple

Dedicated: 18 Dec 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Family of

John 2:12

After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.

Book of Mormon

Alma 29:8-30:11

New Testament "Ye Shall Be Witnesses Unto Me"

Review: Acts 1-5

General Conference

The True, Pure, and Simple Gospel of Jesus Christ

President Russell M. Ballard

"The first principles of the gospel are faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. His brother Hyrum taught: 'Preach them over and over again: you will find that day after day new ideas and additional light concerning them will be revealed to you. You can enlarge upon them...to comprehend them clearly. You will then be able to make them more plainly understood by those you teach.'"

We missed church today. James was too sick to even get out of bed until the afternoon. My face is worse than yesterday and now I am beginning to think I should have gone to the ER. 

I did all of my studying today for "Come Follow Me" and my reading of the conference talks and Book of Mormon. I learned alot by using the New Testament Student Manual about the first five books of Acts. 

Kacey and Jared wanted to FaceTime this afternoon. I told them about my face and how bad it was and that I didn't want to scare Charlie. Jared called me and said he could call me in a prescription, which he did. It was after 5:30 before we thought about picking it up tonight and the pharmacy closes at 6. James will pick it up when he goes to his doctor's appointment tomorrow. 

We read our scriptures together and then watched "The Good Witch" before going to bed. 

I did make some ministering decisions with the rest of the Relief Society Presidency today. I don't like to miss my meetings and now I have missed two weeks in a row. I can't remember ever doing that before. 

James has a horrible cough and I have a scary face. It's so sad.

It did rain today and that made us happy.

 I love this sweet face!

The adventures of Alex and Shayna continue

 Beautiful Scarlett!

Saturday, July 6th, 2019

Edmonton, Alberta

67th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Dec 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Family of

Mark 6:33

And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.

Book of Mormon

Alma 28:9-29:7

New Testament "Ye Shall Be Witnesses unto Me"

Acts 4:31-37; 5:1-11

General Conference

A Home Where the Spirit of the Lord Dwells

President Henry B. Eyring

"Your faith in the Savior has grown as you followed President Russell M. Nelson's suggestion to reread the Book of Mormon. You marked passages and words that referred to the Savior. Your faith in Jesus Christ grew. But like a new plant, such faith in Jesus Christ will wither unless you find continued resolve to ponder and pray to increase it.

Your example of growing in faith may not be followed by all members of your family now. But take heart from the experience of Alma the Younger. In his painful need for repentance and forgiveness, he remembered his father's faith in Jesus Christ. Your children may remember your faith in the Savior at a moment when they desperately need repentance."

It is a cloudy, beautiful morning! We even had a little rain.

I have more swelling around my right eye and eyelid. James wants me to go to the ER but I begged him to let me wait until Monday, hoping it will be better by then. 

He makes me put hot compresses on the swelling throughout the day because he says it helps kill bacteria. I think he's worried about me dying or else he can't stand looking at my swollen face.

I read from the New Testament Student Manual for Acts 1-5. It helps me understand things better and there are always lots of quotes by General Authorities. 

James is so miserable. He not only has a bronchial infection and a cough, he also has laryngitis. I called his teaching companion Brother Westbrook and asked if he would give the lesson tomorrow as James would not be there. He was more than happy to do it.

I had planned on going to town today to mail my book boxes. I told James we better call and make sure the UPS store was open before we went because they have been known to randomly close on Saturdays. It was 1:53 when I called to ask how late they were open today. The girl said until 2. I said, aren't you normally open until 4. She said yes but their software isn't working right so they are closing early. Grrr. I guess my boxes won't get mailed until Monday. Maybe by then I will have two more ready.

We decided to go into town anyway. I was craving a hamburger and an ice cream cone from McDonald's and James needed to pick upa prescription from CVS. 

I ordered a quarter pounder with cheese and paid $6 for it. It was overcooked and dry. The only saving grace was the ice cream cone.

I came home and after resting awhile I inventoried my next box of books. Not much accomplished today. 

This evening we watched the newest Hallmark movie, "Love Unleashed," starring Jen Lilley and Christopher Russell. In this movie Jen fosters puppies in need of a home. In real life she fosters children who need a home.

I was still walking until 10:20 tonight in order to get my 10,000.

James and I are reading a new book together called, "Love Unscripted." 

James said a fast prayer that we would have better health. I am not sure that I can fast when I am sick.

I tried to look my best but it looks like I 

have a black eye.

One of my friends took this picture from

the highway coming home from Springerville.

 This is a Jared face for sure. He 

looked just like this at that age!

 She's got something on her mind.

She is such a dolly!

 I love this sweet family!

 One of my most favorite young women!

 No wonder he seems so young!