Sunday, March 1st, 2020

Calgary, Alberta

140th operating temple

Dedicated: 28 Oct 2012

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Judge

Isaiah 3:14

The Lord will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Review 2 Nephi 26-30

Saints, Volume 2

Chapter 31

The Shattered Threads of Life

Oct 2019 GC

The Message, the Meaning, the Multitude

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"As we minister to one another, or refine our Sabbath experience, or embrace a new program for children and youth, we will miss the real reason for these revelatory adjustments if we see them as disparate, unrelated elements rather than as an interrelated effort to help us build more firmly on the Rock of our Salvation."

We are fasting today for our grandchildren. It seems that several of them are struggling right now. We know the gospel could help them if they would only turn to their Savior and put their faith in Him.

We had elk in our field today. I always love it when they come to visit.

I usually blog in the mornings but today I focused on "Come Follow Me" and what we will be teaching this evening with our family. It's hard because we don't know how many of them will be there. I told James I felt like talking to Lola and just letting everyone else listen in. 

I felt compelled to bear my testimony today in our fast and testimony meeting. I bore testimony that I knew that the Lord wants all of His children to come unto Him. This is part of the "Come Follow Me" lesson for this week. I shared my feelings of being in the sealing room with Brother Adair and how the Lord provides the temple to help bring His children unto Him. I am not sure how my testimony was received but I knew I had to share it.

Pam Wood gave the lesson in Sunday School. It was great attending with James. We read scriptures about the Savior and then about Satan to compare. The Lord does nothing except it benefits His children. The Satan does nothing but try to trick and deceive, discourage, or distract us. 

I asked Sheri if we could postpone our lesson tonight until 6:30. She said yes as long as we start on time. I promised her we would.

We ate some lunch and then I rested for a few minutes before getting things together and ready to go. We left a little after 2:30.

It was almost three by the time we left the post office. James left a note for the postmistress about how we would be gone and wouldn't be picking up our mail until Wednesday. With all of the books I have been ordering I thought they might want to put them in a locker.

With not stops we arrived at Darrel's a little before six. We weren't sure we were in the right place because there was a black Chevy truck parked in the driveway. I guess Darrel's transmission went out on his car and he bought a truck. 

Darrel said they had just finished eating dinner and would we like some. We did. There was bbq chicken, coleslaw, corn, beans, and rolls. Thank you Darrel. We appreciate you.

Sheri and Evan arrived shortly after we got there. They were a little early. When it got to be 6:30 Sheri reminded me it was time to start, which we did. A few minutes after we started Kim and Brian arrived with a plate of brownies. They go nicely with the cookies Addy made.

I guess Paul's sister Tara is in town with her baby and she is staying with Stacy and Paul. That's why Stacy said they didn't come.

Max had homework and was grouchy so Sheri left him at home. I am glad she brought Evan.

We had a good discussion. Kim always read conference talks that go with the lesson and she shared her favorite quote about the Book of Mormon by Ezra Taft Benson, one of her favorite prophets. She shared several other quotes and Sheri shared a story from the comefollowmedaily site. It was really good. I was impressed with how much Addy knows about the Book of Mormon and the great answers she gave to several questions. Darrel says she read with him pretty much on a daily basis. I said, "Maybe she's going to save you Darrel."

Evan knew all of the answers to the crossword puzzle I gave out. You had to look up scriptures to answer the questions. Lola enjoyed coloring the "Jesus wants everyone to come unto Him" pictures. 

Ruby looks so cute in her braces. She is sad though because she can't eat popcorn, which is one of her favorite snacks.

Sheri left right at 6:30. She gets up at 4 to start her day so she likes to go to bed around 8 or 8:30. Kim stayed and visited with Addy, Rowan, and Ruby while I colored with Lola. Darrel and Brian had a nice visit. James started writing his letter to Ben.

It was a nice evening spent with family.

Sunday with Scarlett

Congratulations!

The Sabbath with Charlie:

Arizona Highways magazine

Teresa and Sandy

Our friend Sherry in the dark hair.

I thought this was a cool picture.

Darrel says in is only in one of these photos.

Lola loves Sheri

Sheri loves Lola

Saturday, February 29th, 2020

Brigham City, Utah

139th operating temple

Dedicated: 23 Sept 2012

By: Boyd K. Packer

Jesus Christ, Judge

2 Nephi 12:4

And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plow-shares, and their spears into pruning-hooks - nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

2 Nephi 30

Converted Gentiles will be numbered with the covenant people - Many Lamanites and Jews will believe the word and become delightsome - Israel will be restored and the wicked destroyed.

Fruit
Elder Neil L. Andersen
"If you have been without the fruit of the tree for some time, please know that the Savior's arms are always outstretched to you. He lovingly beckons, 'Repent and come unto me.' His fruit is plentiful and always in season. It cannot be purchased with money, and no one who honestly desires it is denied."

Closing Remarks
President Russell M. Nelson
"You may wish to begin your preparation for April General Conference by reading afresh Joseph Smith's account of the First Vision as recorded in the Pearl of Great Price. Our course of study for next year in 'Come, Follow Me' is the Book of Mormon. You may wish to ponder important questions such as, 'How would my life be different if my knowledge gained from the Book of Mormon were suddenly taken away?" or 'How have the events that followed the First Vision made a difference for me and my loved ones?' Also, with the Book of Mormon videos now becoming available, you may wish to incorporate them in your individual and family study."

Today we worked at the temple. It's the 5th Saturday and it is our shifts turn to work. The Reidhead's presided. Brothers and Sisters met separately in preparation meeting. Sister Elmer and Sister Reidhead taught the women. Sister Reidhead made a sad announcement. She said Brother John McCleve, who was one of the engineers here at the temple, was hit while riding his bicycle and killed. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene. Here is what I read about it in the White Mountain Independent:

Sister Reidhead was broken hearted. She said she had worked with Brother McCleve here at the temple for years. He knew more about the workings of the temple that anyone else and he will be sorely missed. 

After the preparation meeting I had the opportunity to be a witness for sealings. Brother Adair and Brother Yates were the sealers. I sat next to Brother Adair who was performing the sealings of relatives of the Merrill's, a young couple who come in almost every Saturday to do temple work. She is 8 months pregnant and had to stop before all of their names were completed. 

The next couple was the Miller's. They seemed to know Brother Adair, the sealer, and the sister said: "Patriarch Adair, we wanted you to know that our son who received his patriarchal blessing from you has received his mission call. He will be going to Lima, Peru. Brother Adair asked, "Did he receive the gift of tongues?" Sister Miller, "Yes." Brother Adair, "Oh, good." He is such a kind and considerate man. I just love him.

Sister Miller said they had a son who went to the Ukraine in Russia. They also have a son serving in Slovenia right now. She said he is in the Adriatic North Mission. There are five countries in the mission and they speak 10 different languages, so when you get transferred you are most likely going to learn a new language. They do not do transfers as often as most other missions.

I also presented at veil two for all three sessions during our shift. I was responsible to take all of the names to the office. I am wondering if they got tired of seeing me there. 

I also worked in initiatory twice today and was reminded of the great blessings that are received there. What a privilege it is to help bestow those blessings on others. Sister Elmer reminded us today that we need to speak slowly and distinctly when giving these blessings. Those deceased sisters receiving the blessings will only hear them once. Don't let them become so repetitious that you don't focus on what you are bestowing and the great meaning therein.

During break James and I got to visit with Brother Hancock again. He is such a fun person to talk to. He told us about his recent trip to Houston to learn about reverse osmosis water systems. He talked a little bit about how his wife and he got together. She had a dream about him and also she met a sealer in the temple while doing sealings whose name was L.J. Hancock, which is his name. I got some of the rest of the story when I went upstairs and talked to cute Sister Hancock. She was holding a baby. One of her friends is being sealed to her husband and then having their baby sealed to them. I told her she was going to get baby fever if she held that baby very long. She said, "Oh I've had baby fever since the day I got married."
She told me about the dream she had when she was younger about whom she would marry and when she met L.J. Hancock the sealer, she knew who she was supposed to marry, Levi Joseph Hancock whom she was dating at the time.  They seem perfect for each other and are so cute together.

After our shift was over James and I got dressed in our ceremonial clothes and went up to do some sealings for my family. We did six couple sealings and six sons to parents. Brother Brewer was the sealer. I just love temple sealers. They are so amazing and always so kind and considerate. He stopped so I could get up and stretch my knees a couple of times. I guess James thought he had to make an excuse for me so he told everyone I had rheumatoid arthritis. 

We were going to stop at Walmart on the way home but we were just too tired. We went to McDonald's and got chicken nuggets to share. We go there because James loves their hot mustard sauce and I like the honey mustard sauce. The sauce was fine but the nuggets were not that great. We vowed we would never order chicken nuggets again.

At home I rested, walked, and worked on "Come Follow Me" for tomorrow night. 

 I love the desert this time of year

 storing up for the winter...since it's

almost over, just one cheek.

 One of Satan's tactics

 Come Follow Me

 Great news!

Ziggie loves Evan

 Autumn lost her phone. In all of the mayhem,

and while calling Apple, Scarlett ended up in

the trash can. 

Autumn did say that Scarlett was saved her

and helped her to focus on what was really

important in life.

Friday, February 28th, 2020

Manaus, Brazil

138th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 June 2012

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Judge

2 Nephi 12:4

And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plow-shares, and their spears into pruning-hooks-nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

2 Nephi 29

Many Gentiles will reject the Book of Mormon - They will say, We need no more Bible - The Lord speaks to many nations - He will judge the world out of the books which will be written. 

Saints Volume 2

Chapter 28 - Until the Coming of the Son of Man
Chapter 29 - To Die in the Harness

 Take Up Our Cross

Elder Ulisses Soares

"My dear friends, we must remember that taking our cross upon ourselves includes being humble and trusting in God and in His infinite wisdom We must acknowledge that He is aware of each of us and of our needs. It is also necessary to accept the fact that the Lord's timing is different than ours. Sometimes we seek for a blessing and set a time limit for the Lord to fulfill it. We cannot condition our faithfulness to Him by imposing upon Him a deadline for the answers to desires."

To help his disciples to understand that devotion to His work includes submission and suffering, the Savior emphatically declared:

"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lost his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

I was listening to Elder Soares talk and when I heard "To help his disciples to understand that devotion to His work includes submission and suffering" it really struck me. I thought of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the suffering he endure for the gospel. I thought to myself, what have I suffered for the Lord to show Him that I love Him and want to obey Him? I have made sacrifices in order to be obedient but I don't consider that as suffering. Am I doing enough?

I am starting another blog. This one is to record my life history. It is called karenmaxwelllambson.blogspot.com. At least once a week I will be sharing a story from my past. I have been wanting to write my life story but it always feels so overwhelming. If I can do it a story at a time, line upon line, so to speak, maybe I can get started.

Another day spent at home blogging, working on books, walking, eating, and studying the gospel. Tomorrow we are scheduled to work at the temple. I do not have rolls to fix so I made some brownies instead. 

My books are all inventoried and ready to ship. James helped me clean them up. I noticed one that I bought is an Indian edition. It looks just like the English edition but I am afraid to send it in because we are not supposed to sell Indian editions. I guess I will  get on the book arbitrage Facebook group and see if I can get some direction. In the mean time I may wait until next week to send in this shipment of books.

I made green chili stew today. I was going to take it to the temple tomorrow but decided not to. James and I will eat it on Sunday and then probably a few days next week when we get back from the valley. 

Spent the evening studying JS-H 1:14-26 and 2 Nephi 29.

 Morning sunrise

 Trina and Tristan in Hawaii

Alex's drawing

 Dallen Lambson's latest creation

Tonight's Sunset