Wednesday, December 18th, 2019

Billings, Montana

66th operating temple

Dedicated 20 Nov 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Jehovah

Exodus 6:3

And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, buy the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.

Book of Mormon

Ether 12:22-41

New Testament

Luke 2:1-20; Christmas lesson - Redheaded Hostess

Oct 2019 General Conference

"Two Great Commandments"

President Dallin H. Oaks

The work of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is ultimately concerned with preparing the children of God for the celestial kingdom, and most particularly for its highest glory, exaltation or eternal life. That highest destiny is possible only through marriage for eternity. Eternal life includes the creative powers inherent in the combination of male and female - what modern revelation describes as the 'continuation of the seeds forever and ever.'"

I was up at 4:30 this morning. I said a prayer for Armondo's wife Susan. She just had a baby. The baby can go home but Susan has to stay in the hospital because she has high blood pressure. 

As I was reading from Sheri Dew's book, "Women and the Priesthood," I came across this quote: "The way we see ourselves affects everything we do." This is an interesting statement and there is so much truth in it. If I don't feel good about myself, it's hard for me to be happy.

We had 30 or so elk in our yard again today. Why does this make us happy and why are we so annoyed by the three beef bulls that are here again today?

James drove to Reserve for an arraignment for the 3 tickets he got when he went to Deming. He plead not guilty. The judge said he would receive a letter in the mail regarding his court date.

James got the heater motor for the furnace this afternoon. He said he had to drill holes to mount it. He asked Ed if that was okay and Ed said yes. 

My ministering sisters Donna and Barbara came to visit this morning. They brought me cherry cheesecake cups and crackers with dip. Quite delicious.

I blogged today, did some repricing and asked for feedback, and watched three Christmas movies.

"Rediscovering Christmas"

"A Christmas Winter Song"

"A Storybook Christmas"

(One of my favorites!)

New motor for the furnace

Ed will come over tomorrow to see if

everything is in order.

 Navajo nation

 I wonder how good these are

 I just can't get enough

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