Sunday, October 13th, 2019

Lisbon, Portugal

166th operating temple

Dedicated: 15 Sep 2019

By: Neil L. Andersen

Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd

3 Nephi 15:21

And verily I say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said: Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 4:15-33

New Testament: Ephesians: CWIC chapters 4-6

General Conference

Consistent and Resilient Trust
Elder L. Todd Budge
Trusting in the Lord includes trusting in His timing and requires patience and endurance that outlast the storms of life."

DC 93:39 - And that wicked one cometh and taketh away light and truth, through disobedience, from the children of men, and because of the tradition of their fathers.

I read this scripture today as I was reading from "Rescuing Wayward Children" in regards to children leaving the gospel path. Our goal should be to reintroduce basic gospel concepts to these children with the hope they will one day remember and respond.

I finished the Attributes of Christ questionnaire from Preach My Gospel. James finished his too. We are putting them in a file and in six months, after the next General Conference, we will answer the questions again and then compare our answers. 

We left for church at 8:50 and Adam and his friends were right behind us. We all sat together in the back of the chapel. 

Today was our fast and testimony meeting. Bishop Miller conducted the meeting so he bore his testimony first. He spoke about the stake choir and how wonderful they sounded at stake conference and praised those from our ward who were in the choir. He spoke of how blessed we have been the past month starting with the visit of President Oaks and two seventies, stake conference, and General Conference. He said that a disciple of Christ is a learner of Christ. He testified that personal revelation will be needed to get us through the coming days.

Lorraine Vaught said she was grateful for the Savior and the peace he provides.

Lucretia Barton told about having 10 minutes notice to escape the fire in Paradise, California and how she had to leave all of her belongings behind. 

Jimmy Applegate testified that it has been a great month of conferences and how impressed he is with the youth. He had a meeting with the youth where they spoke about what they loved about General Conference.

Alicia Hunsaker said she was so grateful that families can be together forever and thanked everyone that helped with Analee's funeral. 

Marci Westbrook bore testimony of the power of prayer. Her son was in an accident Thursday night and basically walked away unharmed. She said she was glad they had had family prayer that morning. She is also grateful for guardian angels.

Sean Bowen bore testimony of the Book of Mormon.

I bore testimony of the importance of the "Come Follow Me" program and that the only way to be truly happy in this life is by living the gospel.

Kathy Crane spoke of the importance of families and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Corina Westbrook bore testimony that we have a living prophet.

The last hour was spent watching the video of the new children and youth program. It is all about goal setting in four areas: physical, spiritual, social, and intellectual.

When we got home Adam was vacuuming and Kaitlyn was sweeping the kitchen floor. James and I broke our fast and we all raided the refrigerator for lunch before saying our goodbyes.

Adam, Kaitlyn, Chris

Adam said he would let me know when they got home. I gave them all a hug and they were on their way. James had an earache so he was laying down. He used a bobby pin to clean out his ear and made it sore.

We FaceTimed with Jared, Kacey, and Charlie this afternoon. We look forward to this all week kind of like Sheri looks forward to Skyping with Ben all week. 

This evening we listened to Dave and Emily discuss Philippians and Colossians, which is this week's "Come Follow Me" scriptures.

Adorable girl, adorable dress

Father, Daughter, Nicole and Kyle Tolman
ran a half marathon yesterday.

Saturday, October 12th, 2019

Port-a-Prince, Haiti
165th operating temple
Dedicated: 1 Sep 2019
By: David A. Bednar

Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd

John 10:16

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 4:1-14

New Testament: CWIC YouTube Ephesians 1-3

General Conference

Come, Follow Me - the Lord's Counterstrategy and Proactive Plan

Mark L. Pace, Sunday School General President

The Lord prepares His people against the attacks of the adversary. Come, Follow Me is the Lord's counterstrategy and proactive plan."

I got a notice that someone returned the Miller-Levine Biology book I sold. It's one of my favorite books with a big huge parrot on the front and I sold it for over $60. Boohoo! I still made it in the 5-figure club!

Finally!

I texted Sheri and Stacy about Brother Pace's talk and encouraged them to study with Evan and Joshua even if no one else in their family participated. I invited them to read the talk and feel the power of this program as we prepare for the Savior's Second Coming.

Adam, Chris, and Kaitlyn wanted to go see autumn leaves this afternoon. Adam took his car and followed us in our car. We went to Alpine because that used to be a good area to see leaves but because of the Wallow fire there were no colored leaves. I did show the kids the house in Nutrioso that my grandpa was born in. There were people there so we couldn't take a picture but I wanted Adam to see where his great grandpa was from.

 We turned on the Big Lake road just outside of Alpine and drove to Big Lake. The road was paved the entire way. It's a nice drive but there were few colored leaves. Most of them have not turned yet. 

We drove back out to the 260 after we passed Big Lake and turned toward's the Green's Peak turnoff. When we got to the mountain we stopped and asked if Adam and friends if they wanted to get in with us and drive to the top. Adam's car is so low he didn't think he could make it to the top. It was windy on top. The views were beautiful, as usual, but still, not a lot of color.

Smoke from a burn

What we wanted to see:

 Utah

Last year near Green's Peak

Somewhere in Arizona

Straight from a Hallmark movie

James and I started our fast at noon. We are fasting for the spiritual welfare of our grandchildren.

James didn't feel well after our drive so he came in and went to bed. Adam, Chris, and Kaitlyn made a hashbrown casserole for dinner. It smelled so good. I had to go to my bedroom so I wouldn't be tempted to eat. 

I worked on the computer and then turned on the TV to watch the newest autumn Hallmark movie. While I was watching the movie I colored a picture in my "adult" coloring book. It was nice to sit and relax.

I always Google to see where the movies are 

filmed. This one was filmed in Provo, Utah.

The back of our house is prettier than the front.

 I'm not sure what happened to Julianne Hough's
two Cavalier spaniels, Lexy and Harley, but
the both passed away on September 28th.

These photos are adorable! I think Kacey should be
a professional photographer!

Friday, October 11th, 2019

Fortaleza, Brazil

164th operating temple

Dedicated: 2 June 2019

By: Ulisses Soares

Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd

John 10:14

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 3:11-26

New Testament: Ephesians: "For the Perfecting of the Saints"

General Conference

Adjustments to Strengthen Youth

Elder Quentin L. Cook

"More young men and young women will rise to the challenge and stay on the covenant path because of this laser-like focus on our youth."

We said goodbye to Alex, Max, and Joshua this morning as they left for home. I helped them pack up all of the food that Sheri left for them. I even taped up the cereal boxes so they wouldn't spill in the back of Alex's car.

Alex says they are going the Globe way so they

can stop at Burger House.

I boxed up and labeled 11 books to ship today while James went over to the Kostusiaks to help build a ramp for Dave. He came home a little after noon and we headed for town.  

While James was taking the box of books into the UPS store I walked over to Walmart to do some shopping. James's next stop was Sonoram lab to get his bloodwork done for his surgery. He picked me up at Walmart and we went to LaCasita for lunch. 

On the way home I finished reading "Aunt Dimity's Good Deed" to James. While we were gone Adam, Chris, and Kaitlyn went for a hike to the cinder pit at Elk Hill. 

I watched TV in my bedroom while working on the computer. Stacy had me watch a business presentation about selling books. It turns out it was the guy who own Book Profits, the business I am in. His name is Luke Sample and he is a good salesman but his presentation was not exactly typical. He was showing how you could buy a book for $10 and then resell it for $400. I have yet to see that happen.

I like the pink curls!

This is how my refrigerator has looked this week.
At least I won't run out of sour cream.

Ollie stayed at Cathi's while his family
was in Vernon. He loves it over there!