Monday, February 3rd, 2020

Nauvoo, Illinois

113th operating temple

Dedicated: 27-30 June 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Judge

Genesis 18:25

That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

2 Nephi 1-5 "We Lived after the Manner of Happiness"

2 Nephi 1

Lehi prophesies of a land of liberty - His seed will be scattered and smitten if they reject the Holy One of Israel - He exhorts his sons to put on the armor of righteousness, About 588-570 B.C.

"Be Faithful, Not Faithless

Brother Stephen W. Owen

"Yes, you face challenges. But so does every generation. These are our days, and we need to be faithful, not faithless. I testify that the Lord knows about our challenges, and through the leadership of President Nelson, He is preparing us to meet them. I believe that the prophet's recent call for a home-centered church, supported by what we do in our buildings, is designed to help us survive - even thrive - in this day of spiritual malnutrition."

"The Joy of the Saints"

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Oct 2019

"Even when we are found faithfully keeping the commandments, there are trials and tragedies that could interrupt our joy. But as we strive to overcome these challenges with the Savior's help, it preserves both the joy we feel now and the joy we anticipate. Christ reassured His disciples, 'In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.' It is in turning to Him, obeying Him, binding ourselves to Him that trial and sorrow are turned to joy."

Kim has a meter to check blood sugar. I checked mine about two hours after eating breakfast and it was at 136. Kim said that is within range. What a relief.

I was up early and finished my study of 2 Nephi 1. I also worked on my blog before it was time to get ready for my infusion. James dropped me off at AARA around 10:20. I waited about 15 minutes before Frances called me back. I am not bending my knee but when I look around and see the condition of some of the other patients, I'm not going to complain. Ange administered the infusion poking me half way down my left arm instead of opposite the elbow. It's fine except I will probably have a bruise.

The hour went by and I was on my way. James wasn't outside to pick me up so I began walking over to Freddie's across the street. I went down to the crosswalk by Popeye's and then walked back up to Freddie's where James was waiting for me. 

I forgot our new gift cards to Olive Garden but I had two old ones in my purse that still had a total of $25 on them so we headed to the Olive Garden on Chandler Blvd and the 101. 

I ordered something I've never had before, Frittata Ziti. It was ok. I didn't know that frittata means fried. James got something much healthier. We ordered pasta bowls to take home to Kim and Brian.

I had an appointment at Dr. Shah's at 1:30 to check my extraction and implant. I'm glad I went because the nurse reminded me of what I need to be doing to care for my implant. She said if I don't care for it I could experience bone loss and I would lose my implant. I needed that reminder.

James has a meeting with Alicia Delacruz around 4:00 but he took me home to Kim's before the meeting. My knee was really hurting. I took some tramadol and finished this morning's second blog post. Kim was home and we had a nice visit. She made a gospel restoration timeline and she said I could use it. I want to make my own to use when we give the lesson on the Restoration in Relief Society.

I found some other things to add to the timeline in reading 

"Church History in the Fullness of Times"

I took some Tramadol and Kim and I sat down to visit and then to watch a couple of Hallmark movies. We watched one I hadn't seen yet, " A Valentine's Match" starring Bethany Joy Lenz and Luke Mcfarlane. We also watched one of my favorite new winter movies this year, "Hearts in Winter" starring Jill Wagner and Victor Webster.

Brian came through and told us the latest Ganem Jewelers gossip and about Austin, George Ganem's son-in-law starting his own line of biker jewelry called "American Sons." I guess Curt and Jason aren't too happy about it.

Kim gave me so Deep Blue to rub on my knee and then wrapped it for me and I just laid on the loveseat where Brian usually sits and watched TV. Hopefully my knee will be better tomorrow.

James said his meeting went well and Alicia will be sending us some money next week as will Diana Rico.

The news of the day was Ben's letter and the miracle that occurred when a group of missionaries Ben was with were in a van in a roundabout. I will post the letter and then the email Elder Legas sent out who was driving the van when the miracle occurred.

Betty and 3 of her 4 boys

 This is what happens when the SuperBowl is

on Groundhog day.

Halftime show

Chiefs beat the 49ers 31-20

 The picture in the room where we stayed.

The light was on in the room.

Anthony said the winds were 70 mph today.

Someone's metal building which they were getting

ready to put up, blew away.

They had no insurance.

Kim, Sheri, Michael, Joe, and Brian 

are very excited!

Sunday, February 2nd, 2020

Asuncion, Paraguay

112th operating temple

Dedicated: 19 May 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Jehovah

DC 93:8

Therefor, in the beginning the Word was, for he was the Word, even the messenger of salvation -

Book of Mormon, "Come Follow Me"

Review 1 Nephi 16-22

"Come Follow Me" discussion at Kim and Brian's

"True Disciples of the Savior"

Elder Terence M. Vinson

October 2019

There is no treasure, nor any hobby, nor any status, nor any social media, nor any video games, nor any sport, nor any association with a celebrity, nor anything on earth this is more precious than eternal life. So the Lord's counsel to every person is 'consider your ways.'"

Woke up in the middle of the night again and had to take some Tramadol and lie on the recliner again. This time I didn't get up until past six. 

I worked on my blog before going to church. I am determined to get caught up!

I love sitting by our friends the Howard's during sacrament meeting. Today was fast and testimony meeting. Brother Grapp conducted the meeting and bore his testimony. 

He mentioned the shiny tie he was wearing saying that his kids got it for him for his birthday. They told him they wanted it to match his "shiny" head. (He's bald).

Brother Grapp spoke about the temple. He said that Liana has been to the temple twice in January to do baptisms and what a wonderful blessing it was to her. Liana is 11.

I loved Sister Chandler's testimony. She said they joined the Church six years ago and because of the influence of the gospel in their lives, they are different people. 

Brother Bowen testified to the power of the Book of Mormon. 

A new sister in the ward, Sister Franklin said she was grateful to be in a ward where the Spirit was so strong. 

Sister S. Smith testified of the Savior's love and His Atonement.

Brother Andersen encouraged us to share the restored gospel with others. How appropriate since he is a ward missionary.

Brother Forrester and Sister Applegate testified of the power of the priesthood and expressed gratitude for it. Sister Applegate said that Jace was able to give his sister, Jordyn, a blessing this week. Jace is preparing to leave on his mission in March.

Newly baptized member "Yogi" bore his testimony that he knew the Church was true.

It was a good meeting and I felt the Spirit.

Sister Judy Hunter taught Sunday School. We talked about the Liahona and how small things can bring great things to pass. Sister Hunter said the computer was a small thing and because of the computer family history has been made so much easier. 

This is the first time James has been able to attend gospel doctrine since he was called to teach Primary. I think he really enjoyed it.

We went home and broke our fast and had lunch and then we got ready to leave for the valley. We left somewhere between 2:30 and 3. We arrived at Kim and Brian's around 6:20 and our "Come Follow Me" group starts at 6:30. Stacy, Joshua and Adam arrived shortly after we did. Kim and Brian had "puppy chow" and rice krispy treats set out for us. Kim's rice krispy treats are the best. She uses an upgraded recipe and they are yummy. Actually she made up the upgraded recipe. I'm wondering if Adam was thinking we were going to have dinner. 

We started out with a discussion about this week's lesson and then we watched part of "Teaching with Power." People like to comment so that wasn't working too well. It is a good resource for preparing for the lesson but not so much for discussing the lesson. Everyone participated in some degree. At 7:30 the Trezise's, Sheri and Evan, and also Adam left. Adam said he had to leave because he hadn't eaten. The rest of us stayed and Stacy shared some things from school about the girls in her class and how vulgar they were and her reaction to them. She said she needed to be stronger about letting them know what she stands for and believes. I asked Joshua how he handles vulgar language, etc. at school and he says he asks them to stop and not talk like that when he's around. I'm grateful that he is strong enough to take that stance.

The evening ended with Stacy telling us a disturbing story about the former Primary president in Nichol's ward who now lives in Idaho. Her name is Laurie Vallow and she is on the run with her husband right now. Her kids have not been seen since September and her former husband is dead. She feels she is on a mission from God and her "calling and election has been made sure." She is definitely under the power of Satan.

Joe came over this evening to bring Kim's car back. It was nice to see him. He and James had a nice visit.

 Sabbath Day Sweeties

Charlie loves her visit to nursery

She ate more than anyone at

snack time. I think she looked around

and saw she was the smallest and

decided she better catch up.

Charlie will be 18 months the

end of February

 Tyler, Chelsea, and Kimber

 Sweet faces I love

Saturday, February 1st, 2020

Campinas, Brazil

111th operating temple

Dedicated: 17 May 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Jehovah

DC 36:1

Thus saith the Lord God, the Mighty One of Israel: Behold, I say unto you, my servant Edward, that you are blessed, and your sins are forgiven you, and you are called to preach my gospel as with the voice of a trump;

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

1 Nephi 22

Israel will be scattered upon all the face of the earth - The Gentiles will nurse and nourish Israel with the gospel in the last days - Israel will be gathered and saved, and the wicked will burn as stubble - The kingdom of the devil will be destroyed, and Satan will be bound. About 588-570 B.C.

"The Message, the Meaning, and the Multitude"

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

October 2019

"When one goes to the holy temple for the first time, he or she may be somewhat awestruck by that experience. Our job is to ensure that the sacred symbols and revealed rituals, the ceremonial clothing and visual presentations, never distract from but rather point toward the Savior, whom we are there to worship. The temple is His house, and He should be uppermost in our minds and hearts - the majestic doctrine of Christ pervading our very being just as it pervades the temple ordinances - from the time we read the inscription over the front door to the very last moment we spend in the building. Amid all the wonder we encounter, we are to see, above all else, the meaning of Jesus in the temple."

I woke up at 1:45 this morning with a throbbing knee. It hurt so badly that I had to get up, get something to eat, and lay on the recliner in the family room to go back to sleep. I got up for good at 4:30. 

We are still praying for baby Savannah, Laura, Elder Sagers and Elder Richards and Mateo whom they are teaching and Sister Brady that she will read the Book of Mormon. Of course we always pray for our family and our missionary, Elder Trezise.

We both realized this morning that we forgot to tell the elders about Tanna. James said he would the next time he sees them. They will not be in our ward on Sunday, they will be in Show Low.

My main goal for today was to work on getting my book shipment ready. I had 13 books to add to my inventory and get ready to ship. I am ashamed to say that it took me all day and into the night to do this. Of course I did have some interruptions.

This morning Mr. Elkins came by for a visit.  He and his wife are the ones who bought the property on the other side of us and built a nice fence for us. He still lives in the valley but comes up from time to time. He had been out riding his horse this morning and still had his cowboy gear on, hat, vest, chaps, etc. He is a very nice man and I think he wanted to see our house. He loved it. James gave him the grand tour. He said he would not be ready to build his home for another couple of years. I hope he considers letting James do it.

For lunch I made a burger and heated up chicken, rice, and corn for James. We must clean out the food in our refrigerator. After lunch we made a trip to Dollar General to buy the birthday cards for February. Since we are going to the valley tomorrow I also bought gift cards for Stacy, Trina and Sheri. I forgot cash for the dump so I had to go back inside and buy some bread and peanut butter so I could use my debit card to get cash. We stopped by the dump on the way home and the post office. James says there is a pink card in our box but of course no one works at the post office on Saturday so we will have to pick it up on Tuesday when we get home from the valley. 

When we returned home we started our fast for Laura and Savannah. I went to work to finish my inventory list and James helped me get old stickers off the books and clean them up. When I went in to print the labels for the back of the books I realized that there was no ink in the printer. It was almost nine o'clock at night. I have to get these books sent off. I told James I was going to Walmart. He said, "Not without me you aren't." He is so sweet. He drove and of course I read Aunt Dimity to him. We almost bought a new printer but at the last minute decided to wait. 

By the time I got home, got the labels printed, and printed the outside labels, it was almost midnight. Wouldn't you know that Amazon would divide this shipment up and have me send it three different places. When we were all finished, (James packed the books in the boxes), I had four boxes to mail at the UPS store. One was my return of the book with the broken binding.

James worked on the driveway for awhile today but he's still not done. This mud is serious and tenacious.

Autumn posted:

Bishop Hunsaker and his family

Paul posted: