Tuesday, December 17th, 2019

Regina, Saskatchewan

65th operating temple

Dedicated: 14 Nov 1999

By: Boyd K. Packer

Jesus Christ, Jehovah

DC 39:1

Hearken and listen to the voice of him who is from all eternity to all eternity, the Great I Am, even Jesus Christ -

Book of Mormon

Ether 12:1-21

New Testament

Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38

Oct 2019 General Conference

"Covenant Women in Partnership with God"

President Henry B. Eyring

"In the same way that you prepare to minister, you can and must prepare for your call to be a leader for the Lord when it comes. It will require faith in Jesus Christ, rooted in your deep love of the scriptures, to lead people and to teach His word without fear. Then you will be prepared to have the Holy Ghost as your constant companion. You will be eager to say, 'I will,' when your counselor in the Young Women presidency says, with panic in her voice, 'Sister Alvarez is sick today. Who will teach her class?'"

I was up at 5 and when I looked outside there was a herd of elk grazing in our yard. Of course I had to tell James and he immediately jumped out of bed to "check it out." 

I read in the Ensign today an article by Bishop Causse', "Follow the Path of Happiness." Here is a question I am asking myself:

How will I draw on the Savior's Power as I seek to follow His plan of Happiness?

It is 8 a.m. and it is 14 degrees. Brrr! 

James works downstairs rebuilding the broken shelves in the years supply closet. I am at the dining room table working on preparing a book shipment. I also did one blog post. At this rate it will take me until next year to catch up. 

We went into town today to send the shipment of books I prepared. We also did shopping at Walmart, Home Depot, Harbor Freight, and Ross. We stopped at the China Wok Buffet and picked up some hot and sour soup. I love this soup on a cold day.

This evening we hung the garland on the mantel and the grandkids stockings. Thank goodness for James as he did most of the hanging and he didn't fall once!

We also worked on signing Christmas cards and watched two Christmas movies: 

 Lifetime: "Always and Forever Christmas" - Marketing exec Lucy learns that she's inherited her grandfather's year round Christmas store.

Hallmark: "A Cheerful Christmas" - As a Christmas coach, Lauren provides her clients with their most magical Christmas ever.

Where is Lola?

 She climbed on the table and then heard her
favorite Christmas song, "Jingle Bells", and
started dancing.

Congratulations Evan!

 

Show Low Stake President,

and a great guy!

G-pa hanging stockings

Ready for Christmas

Monday, December 16th, 2019

Halifax, Nova Scotia

64th operating temple

Dedicated: 14 Nov 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Jehovah

DC 38:1

Thus saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, the Great I Am, Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the same which looked upon the wide expanse of eternity, and all the seraphic hosts of heaven, before the world was made;

Book of Mormon

Ether 11:1-23

New Testament

"The Living Christ: The Testimonies of the Apostles"

Oct 2019 General Conference

"Honoring His Name"

Lisa L. Harkness

"The name we were given at birth reflects our individual identity and gives us belonging within our earthly families. However, when we were 'born again' at baptism, our understanding of who we are was enlarged. 'Because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, ... for behold, ... he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him.'"

"Beloved Daughters"

Bonnie H. Cordon

"However your young women classes are organized, you young women are vital in building unity. Be a light to those around you. Be the source of love and care you are hoping to receive from others. With a prayer in your heart, continue to reach out and be that force for good. As you do so, your life will be filled with kindness. You will have a better feeling toward others and will begin to see their goodness in return."

I keep getting a network error message when I try to download the Redheaded Hostess materials for this week. I finally texted them and they said it was an internet connection on my end. I changed from the jetpack to the regular internet in the dining room and it worked fine. Darn little jetpack anyway.

Kacey texted to let me know that they got the Christmas packages we sent. Wow! that was fast and much cheaper than UPS. From now on when sending packages it's USPS.

I used the leftover meat from our Christmas party and shredded it and added some salsa and made chicken tacos for lunch. They were quite delicious.

After lunch I read to James and then I read from my Aunt Dimity book. While I was resting James moved the file cabinet out of my closet in order to better reach the furnace that needs fixing. James put the file cabinet downstairs in the years supply/Christmas closet. He pulls the motor out of the furnace and takes it to Ed Miller. Ed is going to go and purchase a replacement for us. 

The 10 Bicentennial First Vision calendars I ordered arrived today. Now I have to decide who I am going to give them to. For sure Ben is getting one. The shirts I ordered for James for Christmas are also here and the Book of Mormon study guide from the Redheaded Hostess and the verse a day Book of Mormon journal from Emily Belle Freeman is also here. I still have a Book of Mormon study guide coming from Emily.

I inventoried books for shipment but I didn't finish. I also made two loaves of banana nut bread, one for the Peeler's and one for the Goodman's. It was still warm when we wrapped it because we were running late for our FHE. 

We had the "Come Follow Me" discussion at the Peeler's this evening. It is the Christmas lesson. After the lesson I gave each family a loaf of bread and a Christmas card and Donna and Barbara a pair of warm socks.

It is cold outside, around 38 degrees but at least there is no wind. We came home and read the letter Elder Trezise sent.

Happy Birthday Ben!

#20

 Ward Christmas Party

 Bryce and Lexy's girls

Sunday, December 15th, 2019

Detroit, Michigan

63rd operating temple

Dedicated: 23 Oct 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Jehovah

DC 29:1

Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, the Great I Am, whose arm of mercy hath atoned for your sins;

Book of Mormon

Ether 10:17-34

New Testament

Review Revelation 1-11; Begin Christmas Lesson

Oct 2019 General Conference

"Thru Cloud and Sunshine, Lord, Abide with Me"

Reyna I. Aburto

"My dear sisters, it is normal to feel sad or worried once in a while. Sadness and anxiety are natural human emotions. However, if we are constantly sad and if our pain blocks our ability to feel the love of our Heavenly Father and His Son and the influence of the Holy Ghost, then we may be suffering from depression, anxiety, or another emotional condition."

We had three beef bulls in our yard this morning. Too bad they weren't bull elk maybe James would have been more welcoming.

Very windy today. Sacrament meeting is packed. The first thing that I noticed was that all of Kip and Alicia Hunsaker's kids and grandkids were in attendance. I whispered to James, "Kip Hunsaker is going to be the new bishop." I told Jean Howard who was sitting next to me and her comment was, "I think it's going to be brother Grapp."

I was right. Kip Hunsaker is the new bishop.  President Beeler started out by saying that today is a special day. It is an opportunity for people to express gratitude to Bishop Miller and to raise their hands in support of the new bishop. He said the reason the bishop sits on the stand is not to put himself above others but to be a watchman on the tower and to look out at his congregation and think, "Who needs me today?"  

There are certain responsibilities a bishop cannot delegate. One is his responsibility to the youth. When it comes to the calling of a bishop, the Lord speaks. The Lord has made His will known regarding the bishop of the Vernon ward. His name has been on the desk of President Russell M. Nelson.

Bishop Miller's release is bittersweet because he has served so diligently. 

Anne Miller said a few words about peace and gratitude.
Bishop Miller testified that as a bishop, the Lord carries you. He said he has a friend that told him that the older he gets the more Christlike he wants to become. It becomes the most important thing in life. Bishop Miller said that has been true for him also.

Alicia Hunsaker said she supports her husband as the bishop with all of her heart.

Bishop Hunsaker said he asked the question when he was called: "Why me?"  He thanked Bishop Miller and said he has loved serving in Primary. He thought he would die there. He asked us to be patient with him and give him a little time to "get into the groove."

Our closing song was "Nearer My God to Thee." It is Bishop Miller's favorite hymn. He sings it to his children every night before they go to bed.

Pam Wood taught Sunday School. I sat by Chris Brady and Katie Hahn.  

I gave a pumpkin roll to the Howard's and the Wood's along with a Christmas card from us. 

We FaceTimed with Jared, Kacey, and Charlie. Charlie was excited to see "papa."

James and I both sent email messages to our missionary, Elder Trezise.

 President Trump meets with Church Leaders

Sunday best

Saturday, December 14th, 2019

Columbia, South Carolina

62nd operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Oct 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Jehovah

John 8:58

Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Book of Mormon

Ether 10:1-16

New Testament

Revelation 10-11; Finish New Testament Student Manual and The Redheaded Hostess

Oct 2019 General Conference

"Standing By Our Promises and Covenants"

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"To "go and do" means rising above the ways of the world, receiving and acting on personal revelation, living righteously with hope and faith in the future, making and keeping covenants to follow  Jesus Christ, and thereby increasing our love for Him, the Savior of the world."

Today is our day to work at the temple. President and Sister Palmer were presiding. In preparation meeting President Palmer reminded us of our temple theme, "More Holiness Give Me." He added, "More Jesus Like Thee."  I gave the opening prayer and in the prayer I asked that the patrons who attend the temple today would "feel Thy love today. Later in the day Brother Elmer came up to me and said how much my prayer meant to him because he had been thinking all week that he wished the temple patrons could feel the love of the Lord in their lives. He really is such a nice guy.

My schedule went something like this today: Locker room, Celestial room, break, 9:30 session as 1st follower, and Mindy Hamblin as the 2nd follower. James and Brother Reidhead were the brothers for this session. Brother Reidhead led the prayer circle and James  led the session. The own endowee, Alyse DeWitt got her robe twisted and I had to help her, also one sister forgot the new name. I helped one sister at the veil who had a difficult time speaking and did not know any of the things to say. It was an interesting session.

The last thing of the day for me was being the greeter behind the recommend desk. No one was coming so I left about ten minutes early. I'm still feeling a little guilty about that. 

Brother and Sister Gentry left early. They have kids to visit in northern California. One of the granddaughters is returning and reporting on her mission. Brother and Sister Gentry have six children and none of them live in Arizona. Three live in northern California, one in Provo, one in Boston and one in Atlanta. They do lots of traveling throughout the year to visit their children and grandkids.

Sister Elmer told me about a cousin Christmas party she has every year for her grandkids. Sister Farr has three single boys, a girl who is married and lives in St. Johns and has one little girl and an older boy who lives in Utah with five boys. His wife has cancer so they won't be coming for Christmas.

Instead of bringing rolls today I brought a pumpkin roll and it was delicious. There was none left to bring home.

It was cold and windy today. When we got home we had chili for lunch. Ed Miller came by to look at our furnace. James wants to get it fixed before our company comes after Christmas.

I walked and worked on "Come Follow Me." This evening we watched, "A Christmas Love Story," and "Holiday Date." 

Anthony says the wind is howling at his place. I got a text from Tamara. Bishop Miller says that Brother Brewer passed away and Anne is going over to see Debra.

The only thing that could make this picture better is if the

pit was filled with presents like it used to be on Christmas Eve.