Saturday, August 17th, 2019

Lubbock, Texas

109th operating temple 

Dedicated: 21 April 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Foreordained

John 17:5

And now, O Father glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

Book of Mormon

Alma 51:22-37

New Testament "Overcome Evil with Good"

Romans 15-16

General Conference

Where Will This Lead

President Dallin H. Oaks

"Take the long view. What is the effect on our future of the decisions we make in the present? Remember the importance of getting an education, studying the gospel, renewing our covenants by partaking of the sacrament, and attending the temple."

I read the Ministering Principles article in the Ensign this month, "Can I Help Someone Change"? These are the bullet points in this article:

1. Don't Be Afraid to Invite Change

2. Remember It's Their Choice to Change

3. Pray for Others Ability to Change

4. Teach Them to Rely on His Power

5. Treat Them as They Can Become

6. Let Them Go at Their Own Pace

7. Don't Give Up If They Relapse into Old Ways

"We have the responsibility to see individuals not as they are but rather as they can become." -Thomas S. Monson

"Let people repent. Let people grow. Believe that people can change and improve." - Jeffrey R. Holland

James and I heard a loud crash this morning. I was in the hallway and he was leaving the bedroom. He went back to the bathroom where the noise came from to find the full length mirror which was on the back of the bathroom door shattered on the floor. I'm not sure who is going to have the seven years of bad luck. I think it may have already started.

James cleaned up the mess while I finished my blog post. He left some chards on the floor and I cleaned them up. 

We went into town today. Our first stop was the UPS Store to mail one of James's returns. Since we were in the neighborhood we stopped in for lunch at Firehouse Subs. We shared a large sandwich, chips, and a drink. 

Our next stop was at the post office in Show Low. It was closed but James dropped his return package, which already had been paid for and had the label on it, so he dropped it in the parcel box.

On the way back to Vernon we stopped at Dairy Queen to spend my $10 gift card on a box of Dilly bars. First I ordered a cherry dipped small ice cream cone to eat on the way home, and then I ordered a box of cherry Dilly bars,  but when James made a face I changed it to chocolate. I was shocked to find out that my ice cream cone cost over $3.00 and our bill was over $12. Glad I had some cash. My cherry dipped cone was good but not worth $3.19. The cones at McDonald's are under $1.00.

Back at home after my rest time I did some walking and book repricing. This evening James and I watched the new Hallmark movie.

Erin Krakow, Ryan Pavey, and the two

actors in the back were on Lori Loughlin's

cancelled show, "Garage Sale Mystery"

Tyler and Chelsie

 This one fierce lady is Jackie Arnett

The other girl is a Hunsaker whose

parents are in our ward.

 Sunflowers and Verbina everywhere right now!

Stacy said that Rowan was the "last man standing."

He beat out about 40 other competitors.

 This girl loves to flush,

she's got that part down pat.

 This was a video and she was dancing.

I guess I didn't download it right.

Friday, August 16th, 2019

Snowflake, Arizona

108th operating temple

Dedicated: 3 Mar 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Foreordained

John 1:1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Book of Mormon

Alma 51:13-21

New Testament "Overcome Evil with Good"

Romans 13-14

General Conference

The Power of Sustaining Faith

President Henry B. Eyring

"My observation is that the members of the Church across the world are generally loyal to each other and to those who preside over them. There are, however, improvements we could and must make. We could rise higher in our power to sustain each other. It will take faith and effort. Here are four suggestions I make for us to act on at this conference:

1) Identify specific actions the speakers recommend and start today to carry them out. As we do, our power to sustain them will increase.

2) Pray for them as they speak that the Holy Ghost will carry their words into the hearts of specific people we love. When we learn later that our prayer was answered, our power to sustain those leaders will increase.

3.) Pray that specific speakers will be blessed and magnified as they give their messages. When we see that they were magnified, we will grow in our faith to sustain them, and it will endure.

4.) Lesten for messages from the speakers that come as an answer to our personal prayers for help. When the answers come, and they will, we will grow in our faith to sustain all the Lord's servants."

I sold three books today and the profit from those books was $51.12. I wish I could do this every day!

Two new temples will have open houses this month. They are both the first temples in their country. 

How exciting!

James has a way to catch the bat upstairs. He found droppings in the main bath. He closed the door and tonight he is going to open the window, hoping the bat will fly out. This was also a suggestion on a YouTube video. I have an idea myself. I googled "sonic device to alleviate bats" and came up with one that Amazon sells for $50. If James's trick doesn't work, I'm ordering this device.

We had green chili stew for lunch with chips. It is so delicious!

After lunch I read a chapter from Aunt Dimity. It's getting good. They found a priest hold in the chapel at Anscombe Manor and inside the priest hole was a Hindu shrine. This story takes place in modern day England but most always delves into the past.

James worked on his truck and took it in to get the keys programmed but the programming failed. He is sending back the two items he ordered from Amazon.

I cleaned and repriced today and did some walking and blogging. 

I watched Chopped, Chop Junior, and Pioneer Woman, all shows dealing with food.  It was "Mashup" day for the Pioneer Woman. She made chicken enchilasagna and cheeseburger salad which are both recipes that I would try. 

James and I watched a rerun on the Hallmark channel, "Love Takes Flight" starring Nikki DeLoach. It is actually a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie.

We missed Tyler Hunsaker's wedding reception.

I love that this marriage was in the Snowflake temple,

the temple I have featured today on my blog.

 I love this picture of Scarlett

and Palmer!

 This quilt definitely features

the right color!

 Members of our ward

Charlie visiting at Dad's office

Thursday, August 15th, 2019

Columbia River, Washington

107th operating temple

Dedicated: 18 Nov 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Foreordained

Hosea 13:14

I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.

Book of Mormon

Alma 51:1-12

New Testament "Overcome Evil with Good"

Romans 12

General Conference

Look Unto Jesus Christ

Elder Kim B. Clark

"The promises we make to our Heavenly Father become rock-solid commitments, our deepest desires. Heavenly Father's promises to us fill us with gratitude and joy. Our covenants cease to be rules we follow and become beloved principles that inspire and guide us and rivet our focus on Jesus Christ."

I like this quote by President Nelson regarding sacrifice:

"We are still commanded to sacrifice, but not by shedding blood of animals. Our highest sense of sacrifice is achieved as we make ourselves more sacred or holy. This we do by our obedience to the commandments of God. Thus, the laws of obedience and sacrifice are indelibly intertwined ... As we comply with these and other commandments, something wonderful happens to us. We become disciplined! We become disciples! We become more sacred and holy - like our Lord!"

Chuck came over this morning and brought his battery charger and he and James hooked it up to James's truck. He also said James could borrow his truck if he needed to go to the valley. We have great neighbors!

I made a green chili stew with the leftover chicken, chili and cheese from yesterday. It turned out very delicious and we had it for dinner this evening.

We met with the banker, Mr. Warner, at 11 o'clock this morning. We went over the paper work and discussed what we still needed. He was able to get Stacy's information because she has a Chase account. The information that Jared sent is not conclusive that he is the one making the payments so he has to send bank statements with a payment history for 12 months. What a pain! Sorry Jared.

In addition to Jared's information we also need the trust agreement for the cabin and last year's tax records. Taxes and insurance will be included in our payments.

After our meeting we went to LaCasita for lunch. We both had our favorite things on the menu. A red chili chicken enchilada with rice and beans for me, and a green chili chicken enchilada with a side of beans for James. 

Today is one of the Wilhelm boys birthdays. Since James can't really visit them in their home as their ministering brother because of scheduling conflicts (according to John, the dad), we always get gifts for everyone for their birthdays. James called Andy's mom, Sandra and asked if he liked to fish. We were headed for Western Drug in Springerville where James was going to buy him some fishing lures. Sandra said, "No he does not like to fish like the rest of the family." She suggested that we get him a Dairy Queen gift card because he likes to go there for lunch with his friends. We were in Pinetop so we turned around and headed back to the Dairy Queen in Show Low. On the way we stopped at McDonald's and got ice cream cones. They are just as good and so much cheaper than Dairy Queens. James got a $10 card. One the way home we stopped at Dollar General for a birthday card. Lo and behold they sell Dairy Queen cards. We bought one for $15 to give to Andy and James said I could have the $10 one. On the way home we dropped the cards off at the Wilhelm's.

I sold three books today. The sales total was: $139.63. The revenue was $99.01 (the price minus Amazon fees and the money Amazon will send me). The profit was $36.54.

I had a fradulent charge on my credit card from a company I have bought with before, which means they have my credit card information. The bank will cancel this card and send me new ones. The name of the company is National Sewing Circle and the charge was for $104 through James's Paypal account. He promises me he did not make the charge. I thought maybe he had ordered something for me for my birthday but that was not the case. I have no idea what the charge was for.

I repriced books this evening and finished my walking while watching Chopped and Chopped Junior. 

James got his truck running! 

We had dark clouds around us and reports of rain but no rain. It looked so promising too. The purple verbina is back in bloom and there are sunflowers everywhere! Beautiful!

 I posted these pictures when I advertised our

cemetery plots on Facebook Marketplace.

 Such a cutie who loves to

wear hats!

 Love this!

 Charlie entering the "black hole"

 Old fashioned patchwork quilt

Wednesday, August 14th, 2019

Perth, Australia

106th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 May 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Foreordained

Isaiah 26:19

Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sin, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

Book of Mormon

Alma 50:21-40

New Testament "Overcome Evil with Good"

Romans 11

General Conference

The Quorum: A Place of Belonging

Carl B. Cook

"Even though these young men were just learning about the gospel and didn't feel they knew much, Brother Junior told them to share one or two things they did know with the people they visited. These young priesthood holders taught, prayed, and helped watch over the Church. They fulfilled their priesthood responsibilities and experienced the joy of serving."

Happy 13th Birthday Joshua!

Joshua loves the gospel and bears his testimony
almost every fast Sunday.

Those eyes and cheeks!

Holly, Skittle, and Joshua

My personal favorite

James just came in and said to me: "Well, I'm glad that our English friends aren't here." When I asked him why, he said: "Because I just killed a rattlesnake by the raspberry bushes." 

Yikes!

James also caught two rats, two mice, and a squirrel. All of them went to their heavenly home except for the squirrel who was transported to another area.

I finally made the Pioneer Woman's recipe for green chile chicken with cheese today. I marinated the chicken for about five hours and then grilled it in a pan with the green chilies I roasted and peeled the other day and a big slab of Monterrey Jack cheese. It was quite tasty. James loved it and ended up having three pieces before the day was over.

I have a funny memory of Max when he was here with his cousins from England. While we were playing Five Crowns with Sam he kept saying, "Ok, mate, or sorry mate", in an English accent. 

James's truck is giving him alot of grief lately. He can't seem to get the battery charged with it hooked up to the battery on my car. Tomorrow he's going to ask Chuck if he can use his battery charger.

While I was walking today I watched Chopped Junior. All of the participants were 9 year olds and had to use stools to stand at the counter.

I also listened to the Proctor's "Come Follow Me" podcast today while I was walking. Some good information on how to recognize the Spirit.

Tomorrow we have a meeting with the banker about the financing on our house. James asked me to get payment histories from Stacy and Jared regarding the loans we co-signed for them. The bank wants to make sure they are making the payments and we aren't.

This evening I went to a ward Elder's Quorum/Relief Society quarterly meeting at the Vernon chapel with Tamara, Kerri, Brother Grapp, Brother S. Hunsaker, and Brother Curtis. We met in the family history room because there is a table in that room. We talked about coordinating ministering assignments and Tamara had a list of sisters she wanted to discuss. I felt like Tamara ran the meeting and I am grateful to her for doing that. 

When I got home and was driving Lexy into the garage I saw a little mouse between the garbage containers. I told James so he could be sure and set a trap.

I read to James from "Insights" and "Aunt Dimity" before going to bed.

Sorry, I couldn't leave out these pictures
of Joshua

Off the 404/64 forest roads

James is interested in  finding this cave.

She is cute and fancy

Best friends share

They just moved last year.