Tuesday, August 20th, 2019

Ascuncion, Paraguay

112th operating temple

Dedicated: 19 May 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Foreordained

3 Nephi 9:15

Behold, I a Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the Father from the beginning. I am in the Father, and the Father in me; and in me hath the Father glorified  His name. 

Book of Mormon

Alma 53:1-17

New Testament "Be Perfectly Joined Together" 1 Cor 1-7

1 Corinthians 2

General Conference

Christ: The Light That Shines in Darkness

Sharon Eubank

"What is the key to reconnecting to the power of Jesus Christ when we are flickering? President Russell M. Nelson said it very simply: 'The key is to make and keep sacred covenants. ... It is not a complicated way.' Make Christ the center of your life."

I love this quote by President Dallin H. Oaks:

"The things of God ... are spiritually discerned. Gospel truth and testimony are received from the Holy Ghost through reverent personal study and quiet contemplation."

James left for the valley in Lexy this morning. He is going down to see how Armando did on the concrete pour for Chacon and to have some meetings with the job at Montessori and to finish up at Stacy's. He still has some work to do on the door to Jared Ammon's room.

I had a leisurely morning doing whatever I felt like. Here are some of the things I did: I finished the Aunt Dimity Detective book and started Aunt Dimity's Death. This is the first book in the series and I should have read it before the detective book. I listened to the book webinar done by Kathy and Kris, a couple of workhorse fireballs and great mentors!

I sold some books and figured how much money I made. I spoke with Laura on the phone and found out about her progress towards getting on a list for a lung transplant. It's always a joy to talk with Laura. I texted with my cousin Rita as she sent me a birthday wish and I told her I was heartbroken about Randy. She says she doesn't want to lose her little brother. I told her I was praying for her entire family.

I received a birthday card from Sheri, Ian, and their boys with the sweetest messages ever! I finished cleaning upstairs before Alex arrived. I did some walking and watched the Alton Brown Chopped Challenge, the first 4 rounds involving 16 contestants.

It started to rain around 3:30 and rained for over an hour. Alex got here just as it was ending. He went for a walk after unpacking and putting his things away. I walked a little outside on the front porch in perfect weather.

James got home around 9 and brought me a box of cherry Dilly bars. He also brought a box of chocolate Dilly bars too.

Alex and James talked and prepared for tomorrows early morning trip to the Black River. It's a good thing Alex is organized. He texted me a map as to where they would be tomorrow in case anything happened with the truck.

Ben's missionary letter

 Our little ASU girl!

 Charlie loves books!

Best book day so far!

 Beauty after the rain

Monday, August 19th, 2019

Campinas, Brazil

111th operating temple

Dedicated: 17 May 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Foreordained

Mosiah 3:5

For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases.

Book of Mormon

Alma 52:19-40

New Testament "Be Perfectly Joined Together" 1 Corinthians 1-7

1 Corinthians 1

General Conference

Abound with Blessings

Elder Dale G. Renlund

"When you receive any blessing from God, you can conclude that you have complied with an eternal law governing reception of that blessing. But remember that the 'irrevocably decreed' law is time insensitive, meaning blessings come on God's timetable. Even ancient prophets in search of their heavenly home 'died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off ... and were persuaded ... and embraced them.' If a desired blessing from God has not been received - yet - you do not need to go crazy, wondering wht more you need to do. Instead, heed Joseph Smith's counsel to 'cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then ... stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the arm of God revealed.' Some blessings are reserved for later, even for the most valiant of God's children."

Happy Birthday to me. I got a phone call from my brother Dennis this morning. We were talking after he wished me a happy birthday and he told me that Randy has the same typed of cancer that John McCain had, stage four brain cancer. They cannot do surgery and so he has opted to have chemo therapy. They only give him 18 months to live. Randy is the same age as Dennis. He will be 65 in November.

Aunt Gene called me today to wish me a happy 72nd birthday. I didn't have the heart to tell her I was only 71.

Part of what I wanted to do today was clean upstairs with James's help. While we were cleaning the doorbell rang. It was my friend Maxing bring me her delicious chocolate cake with cherries and whipped topping. It is divine. Thank you Maxine for remembering me.

I got lots of wishes on Facebook for my birthday and some texts from friends. One of my favorite texts was from my friend Tamara who is the Relief Society president. I'm going to share it on here so I can remember it:

Happy Birthday, Karen!

You are one of the most wonderful

people I know. I'm so fortunate

to be able to serve with you.

You have a great sense of humor

 and the greatest smile.

You also have a heart of gold,

always looking for the best in

everyone around you. I'm so glad 

we're friends I wanted to

do so much more than just this text.

Just know that I love you and 

hope you have a special day today.

Happy Birthday!

I heard from all of my kids. Jared and Kacey and Charlie Facetimed which is always fun. Darrel, Trina, and their kids called and sang happy birthday to me. Grandkids Addy, Michael, Alex, Joe, and Adam texted me along with Adam's friend Kaitlin.

Stacy said she would make me a vanilla cake when I come down. 

James made me potatoes, eggs and toast for breakfast and of course he made me my birthday cake yesterday. He cleaned upstairs and took me to lunch at Persnikkity's. I had the orange salad and he had the Philly cheesesteak sandwich. They were both delicious. Afterwards we went to Dollar General and got $1 birthday cards and a gift for George Wilhelm. Then it was on to Springerville to Western Drug. I was disappointed  that they were out of the "Bear Cheeks" pajama pants with the flap in the back. We did get a new Five Crowns game and a kerosene lantern. 

I wanted to go home on the 260 through Pinetop and Lakeside then stopping at Walmart. It's a beautiful drive and I really enjoyed it. James drove in spite of the fact that he got very little sleep last night and he was tired. 

We stopped at Walmart and went in different directions so we could finish faster. James got the produce and steak while I got most everything else. 

I forgot to mention that we stopped at the Sonic in Springerville during happy hour and I got a larger half priced cherry limeade.

This evening I Facetimed with Charlie. She gave me a kiss and she does the 'stink eye' on request.

I finished my steps while James took a nap and then did some chores he had to do. Denise, my sister-in-law called me to wish me a happy birthday. Her daughter Rachel's birthday is today too.

I put two potatoes in the oven for baked potatoes and James grilled steaks and steamed some fresh broccoli. We had steak, potato, broccoli and croissants for dinner. Delicious.

To top off my day we watched the latest episode of Aurora Teagarden. It was a wonderful day!

 Motel in Holbrook off Route 66 a few

decades ago.

 Sheri and Ian had a leak on Sunday.

Thank goodness David is their neighbor.

 Howard's Ranch

 My orange chicken salad was delicious!

 James's sandwich was amazing!

Western Drug

 I love this so much!

 My friend Holly gave this to me.

My birthday surprise was the letter 

from Sister Bingham.

 As I was eating my two cake dessert with

whipped cream when Darrel's family called and

sang Happy Birthday to me.

 Ollie needs a bunny

Sunday, August 18th, 2019

Monterrey, Mexico

110th operating temple

Dedicated: 28 Apr 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Foreordained
John 17:24
Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
Book of Mormon
Alma 52:1-18
New Testament "Overcome Evil with Good" 
Review of Romans 7-16 and Sunday School lesson

General Conference

We Can Do Better and Be Better

President Russell M. Nelson

"Your body is your personal temple, created to house your eternal spirit. Your care of that temple is important."

Happy Sabbath! We were actually early for church today so James had a chance to set up his classroom. 

Layne H. was the youth speaker and he did a great job. He spoke about the blessings he has received because of the "Come Follow Me" program. Here are some notes I took:

Study, pray, share the gospel. Stay worthy to receive the inspiration of the Holy Ghost Realize the love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. John 1:4-5: "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not." Layne told us to keep our "eye on the ball." He is a baseball player so he couldn't resist using a baseball phrase.

Brother Wright, the high councilman assigned to our ward, was the next speaker. He talked about the holiness of the sacrament and quoted several times from Elder Holland's latest conference talk.

Brother Wright just returned from a 2,900 mile trip across the United States. He was in Boston where his daughter just had a baby. He said he was not able to take the sacrament last Sunday. He was in Indiana and could not find the church. He said he noticed the difference of not taking the sacrament. He talked about how Christ is the center of the gospel and that He should be the center of our lives. How do we make the gospel a part of everything we do? The service we give should be motivated by our love for the Savior. Jesus never leaves our side. We are never alone. Lives are rectified at the sacrament table. "Do Not Leave the Path." The world tries to draw us away. Our lives must be centered on Jesus Christ. Go forth in the strength of the Lord. The Lord is very much in control.

Brother Wright was finished a little early so Bishop Miller made a plea for seminary and the importance of it. He said it is worth any sacrifice for our youth to attend seminary.

Brother Smith taught Sunday School. He is a very knowledgeable gospel scholar. He encouraged us to be able to explain our testimonies. Why do we have a testimony of tithing, etc. His last statement was very important. He made it in the form of a challenge: "Please, this week, remember Jesus Christ and what He has done for you."

After lunch this afternoon James went into the bedroom to take a nap. I tried to sleep but couldn't so I read from the Ensign and then worked on my blog.

When James got up from his nap he began working on Brother Anderson's family search account. One of the things he wanted to find was Brother Anderson's paternal grandmother's last name. We know she married his grandpa Anderson and that her first name was Bernice. We looked at the 1940 census in Denver, Colorado and they were already married at that time. We looked for marriage records in Denver county and boingo! We found it. They were married in Littleton, Colorado on March 13, 1938 and her maiden name was Bernice Tartaglio. James was so excited for this bit of success and so was Brother Anderson.

I called my friend Jean this evening to find out why she wasn't at church and to tell her I missed her. I told her she needed to come so I didn't have to sit by myself in Sunday School. She agreed and hopefully will be there next week.

I confess that we watched the season finale of "The Good Witch."

We found out this afternoon who will be coming to our Regional Conference on September 14th: President Oak and his wife, Elder Wilford Andersen, and Elder Heyman. Funny because I just listened to a conference talk by Elder Anderson. I guess he has a house in Hidden Meadows near Green's Peak. Pretty exciting!

James called to make an appointment with the Woods' next Sunday for himself and his partner Brother Westbrook and Sister Wood ended up inviting him, Dave and their wives to dinner. How nice.

Scarlett loves kitties but maybe she is not
sure if this one is friendly.

 Looks like she's feeling a little better