Friday, December 6th, 2019

Anchorage, Alaska

54th temple

Dedicated: 9 Jan 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Head of Church

4 Nephi 1, 29

And it came to pass that the thirty and fourth year passed away, and also the thirty and fifth, and behold the disciples of Jesus had formed a church of Christ in all the lands round about. And as many as did come unto them, and did truly repent of their sins, were baptized in the name of Jesus; and they did also receive the Holy Ghost.

And again, there was another church which denied the Christ; and they did persecute the true church of Christ, because of their humility and their belief in Christ; and they did despise them because of the many miracles which were wrought among them.

Book of Mormon

Ether 4:1-19

New Testament

2-3 John; Redheaded Hostess study sheets

Oct 2019 General Conference

"Unwavering Commitment to Jesus Christ"

Elder Dale G. Renlund

"The Book of Mormon people known as the Anti-Nephi-Lehies 'laid down the weapons of their rebelliion,' burying them 'deep in the earth' as 'a testimony to God ... that they never would use their weapons again.' In doing so, they promised to follow God's teachings and never go back on their commitment. This action was the beginning of being 'converted unto the Lord' and never falling away."

In Sister Craig's conference talk she said we need to make a regular appointment with the Lord. My appointment is every morning from 5-7:20. I love having this quiet time with the Lord. James joins me the last 20 minutes as we read our scriptures together. I also read two conference talks during the day and listen to at least one spiritual podcast. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ!

I got to say hello to Trina before work and thank her for allowing us to stay with them. She thanked me for helping her and doing the dishes on Wednesday.

I told Ruby to give me a hug before she left for school. She didn't remind Darrel until they were already on their way to the bus stop so I did not get to see her before school. Darrel went to the gym and he returned just as we were leaving around 9:36 so we waved goodbye to him. 

James dropped me off at the Arizona Arthritis and Rheumatology office around 10:15. They have a new kiosk in the corner where you check in. Since I am seeing Dr. Kumar today I had to fill out lots of paperwork asking me questions about my arthritis and the pain associated with it. Dr. Kumar is a woman and a very young one at that. I liked her though. Frances got me started with my infusion as soon as Dr. Kumar  brought me in to the infusion center. As hour later I was finished. 

James was waiting for me outside, he was walking, when I was finished. We drove north on Arizona Avenue which changes to Country Club at Baseline and we had lunch at Culver's on Country Club and Baseline. I ordered a cheeseburger with sweet potato fries and a strawberry sundae. James had a fish sandwich and we both had water to drink. He made this comment to me when I couldn't finish my cheeseburger: "I used to be the cleanup guy, but not anymore."

We went the Payson way because I wanted James to show me where Punkin Center is. It's near where the Rawling's were washed away in Tonto Creek. It is way down in a valley. I've seen it before but didn't know what it was called. 

We stopped at Basha's in Payson. By the way, I love seeing Trey doing their commercials on TV. I bought chocolate chips and two moi ice cream bites. Ice cream wrapped in some kind of dough.

We arrived at Discount Tire in Show Low at 3:30. James's truck has been there all week and they still did not have the tire put on. James was a little peeved. One of the attendants came out to the car and apologized and offered him something for free and told him it would be ready first thing in the morning. James told him we had a funeral and wouldn't be there until early afternoon.

We stopped to get ice at the Speedway station on the hill. I was tempted but, "no more diet soda for me."

We stopped at the Vernon post office before it closed. I had received six books and one return from Amazon. 

We were surprised to see that all of the snow had melted in the few days that we were gone. There is still mud though.

I finished my steps, printed labels for my book order, fixed a small pizza for dinner and watched two Christmas movies. 

LifeTime: "You Light Up My Christmas" starring Kim Fields from "Facts of Life."

Hallmark: "Christmas Town" starring Candace Cameron Bure

I sent this picture to Trina. I thought it might save

her a trip to Los Angeles.

 It looks like Scarlett too.

That word that got cutoff his internal.

Thursday, December 5th, 2019

Monticello, Utah

53rd temple

Dedicated: 26 July 1998

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Head of Church

Alma 1:19

But it came to pass that whosoever did not belong to the church of God began to persecute those that did belong to the church of God, and had taken upon them the name of Christ.

Book of Mormon

Ether 3:17-28

New Testament

1John 5; Redheaded Hostess

Oct 2019 General Conference

"Spiritual Capacity

Michelle Craig

"Be Intentional about Creating Time and Space to Hear God's Voice"

James had a meeting at Montessori School this morning with the owner and the architect. Darrel went to work, the kids are at school, and Trina went to the gym. She also has to work at the boutique for four hours today. I have an appointment at 11 to get my teeth cleaned at Dr. Douglas's in Chandler. 

James comes home before 11:00 in a panic. He thinks we have a major oil leak in the car. He goes to get two quarts of oil and puts it in the car. We drive to Dr. Douglas's where he lets me off and then he goes to have Erik check the car out. Shelly cleans my teeth and does my yearly x-rays. I have four cavities in my front teeth so I have to come back in January. When will this end? When all of my teeth are gone I guess.

James picks me up. Erik said we do not have a leak. The oil on the ground must have belonged to someone else. 

We had lunch with Stacy at the Garcia's on Queen Creek and Arizona Avenue. James orders a sampler plate but he doesn't eat very much because he's having a hard time swallowing. I ordered a sour cream enchilada. 

After lunch I went shopping at Dollar Tree in the same shopping center and Ross. I got birthday cards for December at Dollar Tree and more blankets at Ross. Their blankets are wonderful and at a great price. 

We take Paul's birthday card and drop it off at Stacy's house. Stacy shows me the centerpiece she designed for their ward Christmas party. It is supposed to be something depicting some of their Christmas traditions. She had a nativity, lights, and a pretty box full of sugar cookies. I loved it!

We were going to go to the temple this afternoon but James was sick and I didn't want to go by myself. He went back to Darrel's and took a nap. I watched "The Christmas Prince III" with Addy. Addy sits on the couch with her laptop and does homework while watching TV. 

Trina went out and bought everyone Firehouse subs. Thanks Trina! James and I went to Safeway and got some herbal tea, stevia, and honey. James says tea is the only thing that sounds good to him.

I inventory all the books I brought with me. There were around 12. I will go home to print the labels and we will ship them from home.

I listened to a podcast called, "This Is The Gospel." The feature this week is "Angels Among us." I walked with James. Trina and Ruby asked me to play Cover Your Assets with them but I ended up drawing with Lola instead. 

I still can't download pictures so I couldn't blog. I got a notice from Walmart that my new computer, which was supposed to be here tomorrow is delayed until next Tuesday.

 Shouldn't he be more white?

 Christmas house in Darrel and Trina's

neighborhood

 Mark Lamb and his wife

 Bruce R. McConkie's granddaughter,

the murder mystery writer and a former member of

our ward in Chandler.

 Love this. It reminds me of my dad's ranch.

Virginia is a former member of our ward in Vernon.

Wednesday. December 4th, 2019

Preston, England

52nd operating temple

Dedicated: 7 June 1998

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Head of Church

Mosiah 18:17
And they were called the church of God, or the church of Christ, from that time forward. And it came to pass that whosoever was baptized by the power and authority of God was added to his church.
Book of Mormon
Ether 3:1-16
New Testament
1John 4; Sunday School Outline "God Is Love."

Oct 2019 General Conference

"The Joy of the Saints"

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"We live in a hedonistic age when many question the importance of the Lord's commandments or simply ignore them. Not infrequently, people who flout divine directives such as the law of chastity, the standard of honesty, and the holiness of the Sabbath seem to prosper and enjoy the good things of life, at times even more so than those who are striving to be obedient. Some begin to wonder if the effort and sacrifices are worth it.

Just wait, said the Lord, until 'that day when I make up my jewels."

RWC: "Children who have received baptism and then abandon the gospel are tethered to Christ by a cord that cannot be broken." (p. 79)

We are still at Darrel and Trina's and I am using James's computer. 

James left this morning to go to Chacon's on Bellview in Mesa. He took pictures of the landscaping and drainage for the owner. A certification from the architect that it was done correctly was needed. Armando did the job and he had to make some corrections. 

He got me a breakfast croissant at Burger King and brought it back to me before he left.

I helped Trina this morning. She needed to mark the tags on some of her leos with her code number. I worked on doing that while Trina went over to set up at the boutique. 

James came home for lunch and we walked to Safeway. We went to their salad bar and ate outside on the porch. It was beautiful weather. The only problem was the very loud music that was being piped outside. 

I paid off Jared Ammon's Discover Student loan and should be getting a $217.00 refund in the mail. 

I was having problems downloading photos onto James's computer so I took a nap. 

Trina made hot chocolate for Mutual. She, Addy, and Rowan all left. Trina is going to read to the young women from a book called, "Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect." Trina says that Ruby and Lola stay home alone every week. James and I went to Jersey Mike's for dinner. We stopped at Safeway on the way home because James wanted a "treat." His favorite treat, raspberry chocolate ice cream bars were out so he got chocolate Klondike bars instead. I got a package of Halo chocolate salted caramel cookies. 

Ruby gave us the code to the garage door opener which worked fine, but then the door to the house was locked. We knocked and soon Lola came to open it for us. 

While I was walking outside Rowan and Addy walked home from Mutual. ( I know the name Mutual has been retired but it's just so easy to use).They said there mom was staying for a presidency meeting. 

After I was finished walking I went in and cleaned Trina's kitchen and did the dishes. I think she was grateful because it was almost 10 pm when she got home. 

We got a fraud alert on the credit card James used at Burger King this morning. Someone tried to order some kind of online game with it. The card was deactivated and we will be getting a new one in the mail soon.

Willa

 Our Safeway lunch

Home Alone

I love the look of wonder on her face

 Lola's gingerbread boy