Monday, February 17th, 2020

Panama City, Panama

127th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 Aug 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Judge

Judges 11:27

 Wherefore I have not sinned against thee, but thou doest me wrong to war against me: the Lord the Judge be judge this day between the children of Israel and the children of Ammon.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

2 Nephi 11-14

11- Jacob saw his Redeemer - The law of Moses typifies Christ and proves He will come. About 559-545. B.C.

12- Isaiah sees the latter-day temple, gathering of Israel, and millennial judgment and peace - The proud and wicked will be brought low at the Second Coming - Compare Isaiah 2.

13- Judah and Jerusalem will be punished for their disobedience - The Lord pleads for and judges His people - The daughters of Zion are cursed and tormented for their worldliness - Compare Isaiah 3.

14- Zion and her daughters will be redeemed and cleansed in the millennial day - Compare Isaiah 4.

"Two Great Commandments"

President Dallin H. Oaks

"For reasons we do not understand, we have different challenges in our mortal experiences. But we do know that God will help each of us overcome these challenges if we sincerely seek His help. After suffering and repenting for violations of laws we have been taught, we are all destined for a kingdom of glory. The ultimate and final judgment will be by the Lord, who alone has the required knowledge, wisdom, and grace to judge each of us."

I was on task this morning. I did my blog and my book business before Adam and his friends were ready to leave. Kaitlin promised me she would text and let me know when they got home safely. All of the boys live at home with their moms. Kaitlin finally got her own apartment. 

Joshua, Kyle, Chris, Kaitlin, Adam

Today was a gorgeous day. Around 60 degrees, sunny, and very little wind. James and I went to town this afternoon. My prescriptions, thyroid pills and tramadol, are ready to be picked up, plus I need to do some shopping. 

James dropped me off at Walmart while he went across the street to Circle K to wash the car. Now that the mud is dried up, it should stay clean for awhile. James also got my prescriptions while I did the shopping. We met at the scan and go registers and I checked out while James unloaded the basket and bagged and put our purchases back in the basket. 

On the way home we had our treats. I got a piece of lemon cake for us to share but James wanted his raspberry sherbet bars covered in dark chocolate so I ended up eating twice as much cake as I had planned on. We drove in to CalRanch so James could get a huge bag of feed for the bunnies. He still likes feeding them.

James carried the groceries in from the car and I put everything away. I asked him where the toilet paper was. He said he would check in the car. It wasn't there so he said it must be in the house. It wasn't. I guess it got left at Walmart. I said, "$10 down the drain." I wished I hadn't said it because it made him feel so bad and then he was down on himself and I had to try and build him up. Later this evening he came in and gave me $10 in quarters to pay for his mess up. I put the quarters in a little draw string bag and put the bag in my purse.

Before going to the Goodman's for "Come Follow Me" I made six cookies with the cookie dough Kaitlin left. Three for me and three for James. I ate four and James didn't eat any. I also swept and mopped the kitchen and dining room floor. 

At six o'clock we arrived at the Goodman's where the Peeler's and the Goodman's were waiting for us. We had a good lesson discussion and decided that sometime we would like to watch "The Teaching with Power" presentation. I don't think the Peeler's have seen it. All they have to watch it on is Donna's phone and they said they couldn't turn the volume up loud enough to hear it.

Barbara served us banana/coconut cream pie. It was delicous!

When we got home I read 2 Nephi 11-14 and wrote answers in my workbook. I love studying the gospel!

Our letters from Ben today were wonderful. He is having some great experiences on his mission and is learning to listen and rely on the Spirit. He wrote a long letter to Sheri which I will post here and a short one to James and I.

 Scarlett got her Valentines!

 Pretty girls!

Kacey sent me this, a drink that uses

stevia. She says it's good. I hope I can

find it here or in the valley!

 More to study

Sunday, February 16th, 2020

Curitiba, Brazil

126th operating temple

Dedicated: 1 June 2008

by: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Judge

2 Nephi 8:5

My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arm shall judge the people. The isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.

Book of Mormon

Review 2 Nephi 6-10

"Beloved Daughters"

Bonnie H. Cordon

"Class presidencies, you have been called of God and trusted to lead a group of His daughters. 'The Lord knows you. ...He chose you.' You have been set apart by one who has priesthood authority; this means as you perform the duties of your calling, you exercise priesthood authority. You have an important work to do. Be sensitive to and act on the promptings of the Holy Ghost. As you do so, you can serve with confidence, for you do not serve alone!"

"Covenant Women in Partnership with God"

President Henry B. Eyring

"Becoming a covenant woman in partnership with God is how great and good daughters of God have always mothered, led, and ministered, serving in whatever way and place He has prepared for them. I promise that you will find joy in your journey to your heavenly home as you return to Him as a covenant-keeping daughter of God."

I read an article in Meridian Magazine this morning called, "Co-workers with Angels: Angelic Involvement in the Lives of Missionaries." There were several examples given and then this quote by Joseph Smith:

In a letter to the elders of the Church in 1835 Joseph Smith taught:

"And now, I ask, how righteousness and truth are going to sweep the earth as with a flood. I will answer. Men and angels are to be co-workers in bringing to pass this great work."

I was reminded of Ben's story of how they were saved from being hit by a truck and how the driver, Elder Legas, attributed it to angels.

All of our guests attended sacrament meeting today but left right afterwards. James was a little miffed because they didn't stay. Kaitlyn told me it was because Kyle felt uncomfortable. 

Kaitlyn did say how much she enjoyed Brother Reagan's talk. Brother Reagan was our high council speaker today. He spoke about being wary of the adversary. He also talked about casual versus careful. Brother Reagan is a surgeon and served his mission in Moscow, Russia. Humility is the way we allow the Atonement of Jesus Christ to affect us. He quoted from Lehi's Dream and the temptations of Satan. He talked about Brother Packer's 1976 talk, the year Brother Reagan was born, called "Spiritual Crocodiles." In this talk Brother Packer lists three warnings about the enemy, Satan. 1. Beware of evils beguiling disguises. 2. Stay awake and be alert. 3. Understand the intent of the enemy. He quoted some scriptures regarding spiritual safety: Alma 7:11-12, DC 30:31.

It was nice to have James sitting by me during Sunday School. Brother Judd was the teacher and did a wonderful job of leading a discussion of 2 Nephi 6-10. Brother Peeler made the comment that if everyone would read 2 Nephi 9 our chapels would be bursting at the seams with new members. Brother Goodman said it was sad to him that a person could go their entire lives without even knowing about Jesus Christ and how much we depend on Him for our salvation. 

We had planned to have a family history training meeting for our youth consultants today at our house at 3:00. The meeting got cancelled because both of the youth consultants, Kyah and Ty are out of town. Kyah promised me she would get with Ty and decided on another time.

We came home and had left over meatloaf and green beans for lunch. James also had his fish taco from last nights dinner. Afterwards we went into the bedroom to take our naps. James on the bed and me on the recliner. For some reason I don't like to sleep on the bed during the day.

I worked on my family history for a couple of hours today and then as part of my calling with family history in the ward I divided the ward list into three sections for James, Brother Peeler, and I to call ward members regarding family history.

We FaceTimed with Jared, Kacey, and Charlie. James played "Barbara Ann" one of her favorite songs. Jared told us about Anna getting her second tatoo for her birthday. He said all of their children are making bad choices right now. Kacey had just returned from a trip to Arkansas and was exhausted. Autumn was busy with school work so Kacey watched the girls. Neither one of them felt well so they did not get along. Also Charlie cried the entire way home. Charlie gave us hugs and kisses at the end and said "Ooohie. I'm not sure what it means but I guesses she says it when she gives hugs and kisses.

This evening I began studying for this coming week's "Come Follow Me" lesson. I listened to Dave and Emily's "Don't Miss This" and Brian Wilcox's "The Power of Teaching." They were both good. I also went through the Individual/Family lesson and wrote in my Sunday Journal.

James and I both wrote a letter to Ben and then James wrote one to Elder Wilhelm from our ward who is serving in Uganda. Elder Wilhelm told the funniest story last week. He was at the church and a Ugandan woman came up and took his hand and began praying for the missionaries. When she was finished she slapped him up one side and down the other and then a couple of times on the face. She then said, "Now you are protected by the blood of Jesus and no harm will come to you."

I'm glad Ben's in Idaho.

When it was time to say our family prayer this evening I wanted to invite Adam, Joshua and friends to join us. James said they were all asleep except Chris and Kyle. I asked how he knew and he said he could only hear them Chris and Kyle talking upstairs. I said, "Just because someone isn't talking you think they are asleep?" End of conversation. I suggested we get them together before they leave tomorrow and pray with them for a safe drive home. He agreed.

Love to watch Allison and Twitch dance!

Love

Sheri sent me this. She said this is the only
site that Harry and Megan follow on
Instagram. I guess this story went 
worldwide.

Psych!

Sheri and her dogs.
Ziggie thinks she's human walking
on two legs.

 2012 Last FHE at 108th Way

Charlie goes to church...are reads the program

Wore my Valentine gift to church today with
my red sweater. I love!!

Saturday, February 15th, 2020

Rexburg, Idaho

125th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 Feb 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Judge

Hebrews 10:30

For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

2 Nephi 10

Jacob explains that the Jews will crucify their God - They will be scattered until they begin to believe in Him - America will be a land of liberty where no king will rule - Reconcile yourselves to God and gain salvation through His grace. About 559-545 B.C.

"Honoring His Name"

Lisa L. Harkness

"Our covenant remembering quiets worldly worries, turns self-doubt into courage, and gives hope in times of trial."

I read an article today in the Ensign by Elder Randall K. Bennett, "He Can Turn Weakness to Strength." I highly recommend it. In the article are suggestions President Nelson gave on drawing the power of Jesus Christ into our lives:

1. "Begin by learning about Him....The more we know about the Savior's ministry and mission - the more we understand His doctrine and what He did for us - the more we know that He can provide the power that we need for our lives."

2. "Choose to have faith in Him and follow Him.....Faith that motivates us to action gives us more access to His power."

3. "Reach up to Him in faith....When the Savior knows you truly want to reach up to Him - when He can feel that the greatest desire of your heart is to draw His power into you life - you will be led by the Holy Ghost to know exactly what you should do."

As is my custom I took some tea to James around 7 am to wake him up. Today it was peppermint. 

We still had not heard if Mario accepted James's new contract price. James called him and he said he had not even seen the new price. Hopefully he will look at it and get back to us soon.

I spent the morning working on the Wilhelm's Valentines which includes a flipbook of The House of Israel. 

First I made the Rice Krispy treats. I let them cool and then James cut them for me. In the meantime I was in the bedroom running off and cutting the House of Israel book and coloring their LOVE Valentine card. 

I wrote names on the Valentine bags to put the Rice Krispy treats in and James put them in the bag and then we put them in a Valentine bucket along with the Valentine message. All this and Valentine's day is over. I told James to tell Sandra that the House of Israel flipbook goes along with what we are studying in the Book of Mormon. He took the stuff, along with a load to the dump, and the rest of Darrel's family's Valentine and headed for Vernon.

Adam and Chris cooked pancakes, sausage and bacon for breakfast. I think everyone ate except maybe Kaitlyn who is still sleeping. I was happy to see that Joshua came!

I bought three books today to make a total of 15 for the week, which is my goal. I repriced an inventory sheet and that was it today for the book business. 

I walked around the bedroom since my house is full of people and read to James from "Aunt Dimity Goes West." I also read "Live Up to Our Privileges" and "Aunt Dimity Slays the Dragon."

I worked on my "Come Follow Me" studies and at 4:00 took a shower and got ready to go to town. We are having dinner this evening at Licano's with Harold and Vickie. 

We arrived before Harold and Vickie and got a table and devoured most of the chips. We had a nice visit with them although we are all a little hard of hearing and with the background noise in the restaurant we all had to repeat ourselves quite often.

Vickie told about an accident their son Brian had. He was working on the second story of a house carrying a piece of plywood when the wind caught it and Brian fell to the ground. He landed on his feet and broke his left foot. He had to have a plate put in his foot. Someone he works with had a similar accident and broke his foot and it got infected and had to be amputated. Brian is being very careful that doesn't happen to him.

Back at home the kids were playing games at the dining room table and eating pizza. Joshua asked to borrow my tablet.

I walked in the bedroom and worked on 2 Nephi 9. I was too tired to finish 2 Nephi 10 and will finish in the morning. 

 Found these on the family tree app

on my phone

 While we were at Licano's Vickie got this 

photo of Dennis's family at Jaci's (his exwife)

celebrating Kyle's daughter Masyn's birthday.

Masyn is the one with the blue top next to Jaci.

Ollie and Ziggie