Monday, December 9th, 2019

Bogota, Colombia

57th temple

Dedicated: 24 April 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Jehovah

Genesis 4:26

And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the Lord.

Book of Mormon

Ether 7:1-27

New Testament

Revelations 1-11; "Glory and Power, Be Unto...the Lamb for Ever";

BD: Revelation of John & Revelation 1; I/F Lesson Intro

10/19 General Conference

"Found Through the Power of the Book of Mormon"

Elder Ruben V. Alliaud

"There may be many who have been found through wonderful missionaries around the world, in every case through miraculous ways. Or maybe they have been found through friends that God has deliberately placed in their path. It might even be that they have been found by someone from this generation or through one of their ancestors. Whatever the case, in order to progress toward a true personal conversion, sooner rather than later, they all must experience and be found by the power of the truths contained in the Book of Mormon. At the same time, they must personally decide to make a serious commitment to God that they will strive to keep His commandments."

Tamara sent out an early morning (before 6), to the presidency asking if someone would be available to do a food order for her. I said I would be glad to help but I had never done a digital one before. 

She tried to email me the information but for some reason I couldn't open it. Kerri came over to help and between the two of us we figured it out. We were going to go immediately to the person who needed the order but she wasn't home and wouldn't be home until probably after 5 pm. Kerri told me she would call when she heard from the sister.

I started the book of Revelation today as part of the "Come Follow Me" Sunday School curriculum. I spent an hour studying and barely scratched the surface. 

James and I finished "Aunt Dimity Takes a Holiday" today. The next book is "Aunt Dimity Snowbound." 

We mailed Ben's Christmas package today and read the letter Sheri sent from him. 

James went to the dump today and the post office and made me tea and cleaned the mud off my shoes. He helped me put swirly ribbons at the top of the tree by bringing in the big ladder. He even "swirled" the ribbons. 

I decided that I really hate mud. I love Vernon but I hate our roads after it snows or rains. I love the snow and the rain but those roads!!

I inventoried books and went with Kerri this evening to visit a couple who need some assistance because some jobs the husband had lined up fell through. They are great people and I was glad to, in some small way, lend them some assistance.

After Kerri drove me home I hurried off to our "Come Follow Me' Group with James. This week it is at the Goodman's. Pierce Goodman is my friend Kathy Arnett's cousin. He is a retired dentist. He has a dentist office set up in one of his outbuildings and does work for people either really cheap or for nothing.

We had an interesting discussion about the book of Revelation. We used the article in the Ensign this month. I loved what it said at the end of the article ... "Jesus wins!"

I watched two Christmas movies today while sitting at the computer.

LifeTime: "Twinkle All the Way"

Sarah Drew, Ryan McKertlin, and Lesley Ann Warren.

"To pull off a Christmas themed wedding, a wedding planner joins forces with a decorator and soon falls in love."

Hallmark: "Cherished Memories: A Gift to Remember"

starring Ali Liebert, Peter Porte, and Tina Lifford. 

"An unexpected guest and a fight to save the beloved community center unites everyone for an unforgettable holiday."

 My breakfast: A cheese omelet and toast

with strawberry jam.

 Ben's Christmas package

 My tree with swirly ribbons

Charlie the Climber. She wants to see what's 

for dinner!

Another Randy story. He visited his mom every week.

Deann told me he was always the one to drive Aunt Gene

to their familes events. Aunt Gene and Randy were very close.

Sunday, December 8th, 2019

Madrid, Spain

56th temple

Dedicated: 19 March 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Jehovah

Genesis 2:4

These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,

Book of Mormon

Ether 6:12-30

New Testament

Review 1-3 John and Jude; Began reading the book of Revelations

10/19 General Conference

"Watchful unto Prayer Continually"

Elder David A. Bednar

"Nephi described how in the latter days Satan would attempt to pacify and lull the children of God into a false sense of 'carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well - and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.'

Constant vigilance is required to counteract complacency and casualness. To be vigilant, is the state or action of keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties. And keeping watch denotes that act of staying awake to guard and protect. Spiritually speaking, we need to stay awake and be alert to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and the signals that come from the Lord's watchmen on the towers."

Because of the rain and mud we decided we would go to church in the truck. James wasn't sure the car would make it back up the hill when we were coming home. I took my blue umbrella. 

Sue Hubble was confirmed today by one of the missionaries and her son who baptized her was in the circle. She has been waiting a long time to join the Church but her husband did not approve. He passed away a few months ago and that's when she decided to take the discussions. 

Brother Wright, the high councilman over our ward released the two counselors in the stake presidency, President Wright, and President Miles. He had us sustain two new counselors, Brother Alder, and Brother Smithson. He also told us that we would be getting a new bishop next week. He praised Bishop Miller for the service he has given.

 Makenzi Forrester - "Honoring His Name" by Lisa Harkness. Keeping covenants, partaking of the sacrament are two ways we can honor his name. With covenant identity and belonging we are 

called by the name of Jesus Christ. Through the covenant of baptism, we promise to always remember Him, keep His commandments, and serve others. We renew this covenant when we partake of the sacrament. We are 'the children of Christ.' We must witness of Christ through our words and actions.

Tyler Forrester - "Watchful Unto Prayer Continually" by Elder Bednar. Constant vigilance is required to counteract complacency and casualness. Alma 34:39 - Yea, and I also exhort you, my brethren, that ye be watchful unto prayer continually, that ye may not be led away by the temptations of the devil, that he may not overpower you, that ye may not become his subjects at the last day; for behold, he rewardeth you no good thing.

Diana Curtis was the teacher in Relief Society. The lesson was based on President Nelson's conference address: "Spiritual Treasures", one of my favorites. Marie Campbell tells about some of her frustrations and the sisters encourage her. I think she felt better by the end of the lesson. Millie and Diana both said this scripture helps them when they are stressed: "Be still and know that I am God."

Are roads truly are a "muddy mess." We got home, had some lunch and rest. I paid tithing online and we went back to tithing settlement at 2:45. We spoke with the Judd's and the Grapp's. Brother Diewald was there to assist us. As we went in to see Bishop Miller we realized this was the last time we would have tithing settlement with him. We expressed our gratitude to him for what a wonderful bishop he has been. It was bittersweet.

I used a towel to get in and out of the truck to protect my legs from the mud on the running board. 

As I was blogging this evening James's computer was making me crazy. I can hardly wait for my new one to get here on Tuesday. 

We watched the First Presidency Christmas Devotional on BYU-TV this evening. Sister Jones, Brother Kearon, and President Oaks were the speakers.

We also FaceTimed with Kacey, Jared, and Charlie. Kacey told me about the meeting she went to today for all of the ministering sisters during Relief Society. Our ward needs to do something like this.

I can't find my book on "Revelation". I've looked every where I can think of. It may still be packed away in a box.

Charlie on the Sabbath

 Scarlett too!

"TBT: Andyn and Sophie Miller

Saturday, December 7th, 2019

Colonia Juarez, Chihuahua

55th temple

Dedicated: 6 Mar 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Head of Church

Moroni 7:3

Wherefore, I would speak unto you that are of the church, that are the peaceable followers of Christ, and that have obtained a sufficient hope by which ye can enter into the rest of the Lord, from this time henceforth until ye shall rest with him in heaven.

Book of Mormon

Ether 5:1-6:11

New Testament 

Jude; Redheaded Hostess study sheets; "Teaching with Power" YouTube;

10/19 General Conference

"Trust in the Lord"

President Dallin H. Oaks

"The work of salvation in the spirit world consists of freeing spirits from what the scriptures frequently describe as 'bondage.' All in the spirit world are under some form of bondage. President Joseph F. Smith's great revelation, canonized in section 138 of the Doctrine and Covenants, states that the righteous dead, who were in a state of 'peace' as they anticipated the Resurrection, 'had looked upon the long absence of their spirits from their bodies as a bondage.'"

These are the things I had to do this morning before attending Randy's funeral in Show Low. Bake cookies and drop them off at the church for Sue Hubble's baptism, wrap Curtis Wilhelm's birthday gift, a blanket with a tiger on it, and finish getting my book shipment ready. It's a good thing the funeral was at 11 and not 9. 

We left for the funeral at 10 am. We dropped off cookies at the church and the blanket at the Wilhelm's. When we got to the Show Low Stake Center it was filling up quickly. They had lots of rows saved in the chapel for the family and chairs were set up to the back of the cultural hall. The family was still having their meeting in the Relief Society room. 

James met up with a friend from high school, Marion Hatch. Marion's wife Deanne was one of my good friends from high school so I asked where she was sitting so I could go and say hi.

Deanne is actually Randy and Rita's cousin on their dad's side. Her mom was Uncle Clair's sister. We had a nice chat and then I said we should probably find a place to sit. I did not see Harold, Vickie, Dennis and Denise. 

James and I walked back to the Relief Society room. The family was still inside and the door was closed. We met up with Brian, Cher, Jeffrey, and Colby. We all walked down the hall and sat in the foyer waiting for the family to come down the hall. We also picked up a program with Randy's picture on the front. 

When the family came down the hall it was like an army of all shapes and sizes of people. I picked out Aunt Gene who was being helped by Gary, her oldest son. I walked over and gave her a hug and a kiss. We saw Rita and Bill and Rita thanked us for coming. She had three of her sons with her, including Ricky and his wife.

We followed the family into the chapel and sat on the back row. It worked out perfectly. As we were sitting, Cher said, "There is Harold and Vickie." They were two rows behind us.

All eight of Randy's children were on the program to speak.

 What a legacy!

Here are some things I learned about Randy during the funeral:

Scatter Sunshine was his favorite hymn.

He loved the color yellow because it was so cheerful.

His first job was killing flies in a barber when he was under 10 years old. A penny for every fly he killed.

He loved having Ruby Stock for a Primary teacher. She gave the kids candy bars and this is where Randy learned the Articles of Faith.

He was baptized when he was 11 by Chet Adams. Chet was the dad of my good friend Beverly. 

He and Dennis road one of my dad's horses into our store.

(One of his favorite memories when he got together with Dennis.)

He sends daily group texts to his family. Here are some of the things he is famous for saying: 

"Have a good day!"

"Wear your smile!"

"Be a good example!"

Randy hated to lose. He had the "Tenney Temper."

To save his wife from having to cook all day he started taking the family to the buffet at the casino in Honda for Thanksgiving. The kids nicknamed him Frank and changed the name of Thanksgiving to Franksgiving.

One Thanksgiving when Karen was in college Randy went with Dennis, Uncle Marlin and Aunt Betty to the valley to have Thanksgiving. The family went to Roy Rogers Buffet and when Randy began piling food on the tray Dennis told him he needed to get a plate. Randy said, "Why? I can get more food on here."

When Randy was bishop he called every single person in his ward on their birthday to wish them a Happy Birthday.

Led his family in scriptures and prayer everyday.

Couched Little League for 35 years and had four championship seasons. 

In August his boys took him to the Little League World Series in

Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Taylor said his dad was a firm believer in the Atonement of

Jesus Christ and the power of Repentance.

He called his wife Deb his angel.

If you look at the program each one of the talks his children gave had a title.

Kami - Dad's Early Years

Kory - Their Love Story

Karlee - His Favorite Things

Kira - His Selfless Service

Jerem - His Temper Passion

Jordan - His Funny Quirks

Jeff - The Coach

Taylor - He Taught Us 

Instead of sending flowers the family asked that donations in Randy's name be made to the general mission fund of the Church.

The services last for two hours. We did not go to the cemetery or stay for the luncheon. We talked to Harold and Vickie afterwards but didn't see Dennis and Denise. They did stay for the funeral and now I wish we would have. James was in a hurry to go pick up his truck. 

We mailed my book shipment, had lunch at Panda, did a little shopping at Walmart, and picked up James's truck. 

This evening James and I watched a new Hallmark movie, "Sense, Sensibility and Snowmen" starring Erin Krakow and Luke McFarlane.

Happy Birthday Paul!

 Helping mom at the Peppermint Lane

Boutique

 Dallin performs at the Crescent Ballroom