Monday, December 2nd, 2019

St. Louis, Missouri

50th operating temple

Dedicated: 1 June 1997

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Head of Church

1 Nephi 14:12

And it came to pass that I beheld the church of the Lamb of God, and its numbers were few, because of the wickedness and abominations of the whore who sat upon many waters; nevertheless, I beheld that the church of the Lamb, who were the saints of God, were also upon all the face of the earth; and their dominions upon the face of the earth were small, because of the wickedness of the great whore whom I saw.

Book of Mormon

Ether 2:1-12

New Testament

1 John 1-2; Finish reading and studying with New Testament Student Manual, Intro to I/F and SS: "God Is Love"

10/19 General Conference

"True Disciples of the Savior"

Elder Terence M. Vinson

"Giving our all doesn't mean that we will be continually enveloped in blessings or always have success. But it does mean that we will have joy. Joy is not fleeting pleasure or even temporary happiness. Joy is enduring and is founded on our efforts being accepted by the Lord."

RWC: "Inasmuch as we succeed in securing eternal glory, and stand as saviors, and as kings and priests to our God, we will save our posterity."

I read from "Women and the Priesthood" by Sheri Dew this morning. I also discovered that I already have the book on my bookshelf upstairs. Kacey, if you would like a copy, please let me know.

As I am sitting at the dining room table working at the computer, I hear Orson, the woodpecker, or as some people think, the ghost, outside pecking away.

The Churches initiative, "Light the World" started yesterday. Since I forgot to post yesterday's, I will post it today, along with today's.

Company worthy dinner: Green chili stew with Dennis's spanish rice. mmmmm

We made a trip to town today. Two new tires for me and because of warranties they only cost us $68.00. James left his truck at Discount Tire and they will put a new tire on, which they had to order, and we will pick it up on Friday on our way home from the valley.

We went to Walmart to get bananas and spinach so we could make smoothies. James makes me one for dinner plus some chamomile tea. We watched two Christmas movies today; 

Lifetime: "A Sweet Christmas Romance" and

Hallmark: "Christmas in Rome"

I only did one blog post today instead of two. At this rate I will never catch up. I spilled water on my computer and then melted some of the keys with the blow dryer so I am having to share James's computer with him which makes things a little interesting. I ordered two new computers, one for him and one for me.

We waited for our creditor checks from Amrock all day. We went online and saw that they were on the UPS truck going out this morning. We kept checking the front porch but no enveloped from UPS. As we were going to bed around 10 pm I noticed an envelope stuck behind the wrought iron on the front door. Our checks are here!

 The Trezise family gathered at Sheri and Ian's 

for Thanksgiving

 Trina and her girls making Christmas chains

at Aunt Sheri's house

Another Serrano's picture

 I love how Scarlett is just ignoring her.

Saturday, November 30th, 2019

Hong Kong, China
48th operating temple
Dedicated: 26 May 1996
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Head of Church

Romans 16:16

Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

Book of Mormon

Mormon 9:22-37

New Testament

2 Peter 2-3; FSS and FHE and additional resources and videos

10/19 General Conference

"Fruit"

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"What does the tree in the Tree of Life vision with its most precious fruit symbolize? It represent 'the love of God' and proclaims our Heavenly Father's marvelous plan of redemption. 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.'"

Closing Remarks

President Russell M. Nelson

"We know the restored gospel of Jesus Christ will bring hope and joy to people who will hear and heed His doctrine. We also know that each home can become a true sanctuary of faith, where peace, love, and the Spirit of the Lord may dwell."

I woke up at 5:08 this morning. I had almond cake with caramel rum sauce for breakfast. I read an article in the Ensign while I was eating by sister Cristina B. Franco, "Be of Good Cheer." I also had some camomile tea. What a way to start the day!

One of the first things I saw on Instagram was Allison Hoker and her husband Twitch dancing. The caption read, "Cause everyday is a celebration."

The snow levels increased overnight. In other weather related news three tornadoes touched down in the Phoenix metropolitan area, one near Darrel and Trina. They gathered all of the children into the master bedroom with them. Luckily nothing came of it.

Our friends Tom and Jean Howard are snowed in. Tom called James and asked if he could come and help them get out, which he did.

I listened to several BYU-Idaho devotionals today, including one by the school president, President Henry J. Eyring, President Henry B. Eyring's son. One of the things I remember about his talk is that he writes in his journal every night before he goes to bed. I love these devotionals and could listen to them all day!

The sun began to shine today and of course the snow began to melt. When James got home from the Howard's he realized he needed to shovel snow out of our drive way or we would not be going to church in our car tomorrow. He shoveled lots of snow today, not only the driveway. He shoveled it off the front porch off the sidewalk in the back and off the patio. He got a good workout.

We watched a Lifetime movie this evening called, "Staging Christmas." We also watched a Hallmark movie, "Check Inn to Christmas", starring Rachel Boston and Wes Brown.

We started our fast earlier but we said another

prayer and included the Rawlings' family

in our fast.

 Family meal at Serranos to start the Christmas season