Friday, December 13th, 2019

Bismarch, North Dakota

61st operating temple

Dedicated: 19 Sept 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Jehovah

Exodus 3:14

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

Book of Mormon

Ether 9:23-35

New Testament

Revelation 8-9; Redheaded Hostess; New Testament Student Manual

Oct 2019 General Conference

"After the Trial of Our Faith"

Elder Jorge M. Alvarado

"Ultimately, everything God invites and commands us to do is an expression of His love for us and His desire to give us the blessings

reserved for the faithful. We cannot assume that our children will learn to love the gospel on their own; it is our responsibility to teach them. As we help our children learn how to use their agency wisely, our example can inspire them to make their own righteous choices. Their faithful living will in turn help their children to know the truth of the gospel for themselves." 

There are lots of charts in the New Testament Student Manual to explain all of the happenings in the first part of the book of Revelation. 

Typed a contract for Diana Rico to buy Alicia Dela Cruz's property. She sent money today for her property. 

I finished wrapping the Tex-Arkana gifts but it was afternoon and I was too tired to go to town. I rested instead. Tonight is our ward Christmas party at the church and I knew that I would be helping setup and cleanup. I'm glad I made my chili yesterday. 

Tamara asked the presidency if we could be at the church at 4:00 to help get the dinner setup. I didn't make it until 4:45. The party starts at 6 and there is lots of prep work to be done. I am wondering why the Relief Society had food and decorations. I guess it doesn't matter because Kathy would have been there helping no matter 

to wash. 

We had over 200 people attend. The Primary children did a short program about Christmas around the world. After the tables were put away they played music and people danced, especially the young people. Santa came but I never got to see him because I was slaving away in the kitchen. 

The Deacon's quorum and Brother Applegate won the chili contest and Sister Lynda Van Haren won the dessert contest. Four of the elders were the judges. 

There are some perks to helping in the kitchen after the party. I got to take home left over chili and beans. 

We came home and watched "Dollywood at Christmas."

Tonight the kids and grandkids did gingerbread houses at Stacy's. 

Darrel's family wasn't there because it was Addy's Christmas choir concert.

 Dancing at the ward party

Celebrating at Marshall, Texas

Shayna and Alex's snowman pool

 Alexis and Michael

Jared Ammon and Joe

 Joe and Kim

Kaitlin and Adam

Stacy and Paul's house

Evan's

Kim and Joe's

Kaitlin and Adam's

 Alexis and Michael's

Shayna and Alex's

Thursday, December 12th, 2019

Columbus, Ohio

60th operating temple

Dedicated: 4 Sept 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Jehovah

Exodus 3:6

Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.

Book of Mormon

Ether 9:1-22

New Testament

Revelation 6-7; finish SS and "Don't Miss This", begin Redheaded Hostess and New Testament Student Manual

 

Octo 2019 General Conference

"Consistent and Resilient Trust"

Elder L. Todd Budge

"Have you ever poured out your soul to God? When striving to live as the Lord commands and righteous expectations are not met, have you ever wondered if you must go through this life in darkness?"

 It took forever for me to blog December 3rd but I finally finished. I had salad for lunch and then sat down to relax and read from "Aunt Dimity Goes West" before taking a short nap. 

I set up a gift wrapping station at the end of the dining room table. I had to make several trips upstairs to get blankets and several trips downstairs to get wrapping paper and tape and ribbon and tags. 

Once I was setup I turned on "Mistletoe and Menorah's" to watch while wrapping. Last night the ending was cut off so I retaped it along with the next show on the guide so I could watch the ending. James worked outside sanding and staining his office balcony. 

It was a beautiful day, sunny with no wind, although our driveway is covered with huge clumps of mud. 

We had chili with biscuits for dinner. We should have had it for lunch instead. Heavy meals should be eaten earlier in the day. 

I wrapped 7 of 12 gifts. I will finish tomorrow morning. 

Hallmark Christmas movie: "Time For You to Come Home for Christmas" starring Alison Sweeney and Lucas Bryant.

 Channy and her daughter Shani

 A young Betty and Bob Bogle

 George and Cooper 

Vernon School Kindergarten Christmas Party

Cooper Umphress

 Christmas at our house

Love these pages from my New Testament Student Manual

Wednesday, December 11th, 2019

Spokane, Washington

59th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 Aug 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Jehovah

Genesis 28:13

And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to they seed;

Book of Mormon

Ether 8:18-26

New Testament

Revelation 4-5; SS Lesson; "DMT" with Emily and Dave's handout

 10/19 General Conference

"Come Follow Me - the Lord's Counter-Strategy and Proactive Plan"

Brother Mark L. Pace

"As Latter-day Saints, we seek a firm and sure foundation in our lives - a spiritual foundation needed for our journey through mortality and back to our heavenly home. That foundation is established on the bedrock of our conversion to the Lord Jesus Christ."

I read the following quote in this month's Ensign in the article on the Book of Revelation: "This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ. His sacrifice, patience, and love for each of us are revealed. We are all lambs seeking our Shepherd."

James is a little upset that Anthony called the Grapp's about getting a new heater. He was going to go into town tomorrow and pick one up for him. Anthony called this morning with another problem though. He was having pains in his chest and stomach and had to go to the emergency room. He called Brother Goodman and asked if he would take him in to the hospital, which Brother Goodman did. James said we would pick him up. 

This morning I blogged, and got a shipment of books ready to mail. A little before noon I left for a luncheon I was invited to at Catherine Halcomb's. She is putting this luncheon on for the sisters she ministers to. Since Lynda and I are her ministering sisters she also invited us. Lynda did not make it back from Texas in time to attend. She was busy in the valley picking up things at Sam's and Walmart for people. She picked up four pumpkin rolls for me. 

Catherine calls her house "The Christmas House." She has lots of decorations. I was the second one to arrive, Ruth Wilhelm was already there. Kerri, Catherine's daughter went to pick up two of the other sisters that were invited, Ellen Kostusiak and Lucretia Barton. Lucretia is Catherine's partner. The last sister Nadine Singleton, just found out her sister, Lorraine is dying of kidney cancer. Lorraine used to be in our ward and was my visiting teaching companion for awhile. She went to live with her daughter in California a few years ago. Nadine either went to see Lorraine or just did not feel like socializing because she didn't come.

Before we ate lunch Catherine gave each of us a white stocking with a poem inside about the Savior.

After receiving our stockings we all sat down to the meal that Catherine had prepared for us. We had homemade chicken noodle soup, chili with crackers and cheese, rolls, orange slices, a veggie tray and for dessert cherry cobbler with whipped cream. It was a very nice meal and so thoughtful of Catherine for doing this. She is 85 years old. 

The Halcomb stockings: 

Catherine, Kerri, the dogs,

Shelly and Star and the cats,

Inkus and Dinkus.

After the meal and visiting with the sisters for awhile I excused myself. I told them that James was waiting for me and we were going to pick up our new computers at Walmart.

James met me at the church and we drove into town together in my car. We picked up our computers and I did some shopping. When we were leaving the Walmart parking lot James said Anthony called and he needed a ride home from the hospital. Perfect timing. Anthony was outside in the parking lot waiting for us when we drove up to the hospital. He asked us if we would take him to the Grapp's to pick up his new heater and some gas, which we did. While at the Grapp's I got to see Liana's new Australian shepherd pup.

 His name is Bandit

Now the entire family can go to rodeos

in the same vehicle.

I took James and Anthony to the church where James's truck was parked and James took Anthony home with his new heater and the gas that Cammy bought for him.

When I got home after putting the groceries away, I began setting up my new computer. I chose Google Chrome as my browser and downloaded it and the extensions I need for my book business. 

When James got home I fixed us each a cheese crisp for dinner.

I left a little before seven to go help decorate at the church for the Christmas party on Friday night. President Grapp, Brother Finnell and Brother Woodruff were setting up tables and chairs. Kathy Crane, Lynda Finnell, Tamara, Kerri, Maxine were the decorating crew. Amy Reynolds came a little later. Lynda gave me my pumpkin rolls and I paid her for them and thanked her for picking them up for me. 

Most of the decorations are pretty old and the oil cloth tablecloths barely cover the round tables. We made center pieces and even decorated the bookshelves where the hymnbooks are stored. I was pretty tired and was the first to leave. Kathy Crane really takes charge of these activities. She is a hard worker.

The young women were having an activity at the church and I saw someone I have not seen for probably over a year, Jennifer Deatherage. She and her husband have both had health issues and as a result become totally inactive and really not responsive to people who have tried to reach out to them. She gave me a big hug. I asked her if she was coming to the ward party on Friday and she said, "Yes, and to church on Sunday." I told her that was wonderful!

Brother Brewer has been in the hospital and was not expected to live but his wife ended up bringing him home. Hospice will be caring for him.

We watched a Lifetime movie when I got home, "Mistletoe and Menorahs." It is one of my favorite new movies for this year.

These two love each other!

 James took these pictures of the moon

One of the things I love about living here.

Tuesday, December 10th, 2019

Guayquil, Ecuador

58th operating temple

Dedicated: 1 Aug 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Jehovah

Genesis 22:14

And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.

Book of Mormon

Ether 8:1-17

New Testament

Revelation 2-3; I/F and SS lessons; Ensign article on Revelation

10/19 General Conference

"Witnesses, Aaronic Priesthood Quorums, and Young Women Classes"

President Russell M. Nelson

"Earlier this week, announcements were made to members of the Church about changes in policy regarding who may serve as witnesses to baptism and sealing ordinances. I would like to highlight one of these points:

1. A proxy baptism for a deceased person may be witnessed by anyone holding a current temple recommend, including a limited-use recommend."

"Adjustments to Strengthen Youth"

Elder Quentin L, Cook

"To help our youth navigate the maze of choices available to them, the Church has prepared three profound and comprehensive initiatives. First, curriculum has been strengthened and expanded to the home. Second, a children and youth program that includes exciting activities and personal development was presented just last Sunday by President Nelson, President Ballard, and the General Officers. A third initiative is organizational changes to make youth a more significant focus of our bishops and other leaders. This focus must be spiritually powerful and help our youth become the youth battalion President Nelson has asked them to become."

I prayed this morning that the Lord with help me with my diet.

I listened to several "Come Follow Me" podcasts today and the book webinar this morning with Kris and Kathy. Friday is the Live Event for Book Arbitrage in Nashville. Of course, I'm not going. 

I ordered two helps for next year's study of the Book of Mormon. One was the study journal for Dave and Emily's lesson and the other is for the Redheaded Hostess study. I'm going to be prepared and I'm very excited to be totally studying the Book of Mormon next year. This year it's been the New Testament for "Come Follow Me" and the Book of Mormon because we read the Book of Mormon every year.

I got a text from Walmart today. Our new computers are ready to pick up. We won't be going until tomorrow to get them. I'm very excited!

Anthony's heater went out tonight. He does not have electricity so James took him a propane heater. The heater is so big and puts out so much heat that Anthony was afraid to use it. He said he tried to use it and his ceiling started melting. He said that Cammy Grapp ordered him one at Walmart and she will go tomorrow to pick it up for him. 

I watched two Christmas movies today, "Grounded for Christmas", and "A Homecoming for the Holidays."

 Beautiful sunrise

 I love the lights reflected in the window

Sounds yummy!

 I love this family tradition