Friday, March 13, 2020

Sunday, March 8th, 2020

Trujillo, Peru
147th operating temple
Dedicated: 21 June 2015
By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Judge
Jeremiah 23:5
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"
2 Nephi 31-33 Review; Begin Jacob 1-4








October 2019 GenCon
"Watchful unto Prayer Continually"
Elder David A. Bednar
"I testify that pressing forward on the covenant path provides spiritual safety and invites enduring joy into our lives. And I witness that the risen and living Savior will sustain and strengthen us in times both good and bad. Of these truths I testify in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.

"Found through the Power of the Book of Mormon"
Elder Ruben V. Alliaud
"I solemnly testify that the Book of Mormon contains the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and that the Holy Ghost will confirm the truth of it time after time to anyone who, with a sincere heart, seeks knowledge unto the salvation of their soul. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

I attended ward council this morning at 7:30 a.m. The ward council consists of Bishop Hunsaker and his counselors, Brother Goodman and Brother Grapp. Brother Umphress, the ward executive secretary. Elder Sagers and Elder Richards, the missionaries assigned to our ward, the Primary President Sister Gillespie, the Young Women's President, Sister Allen, Brother Diewald, the ward clerk, and Brother Thompson representing the Elder's Quorum and me representing the Relief Society. 

The main thing we did after going over the calendar was to go through the ward list and discuss each family or individual.

I felt like it was a good thing because I found out some things about people that I knew nothing about. Meetings are supposed to be about people and this one certainly was.

James drove the truck to the church. It was nice to be early for sacrament meeting. Yesterday I sent emails to two sets of ministering sisters. One of them was Sister Van Haren whom I was able to speak with a few minutes before sacrament meeting. She said she visited one of the sisters on her beat but one of the other never answers her texts.  She also has never visited Sister Sommers who live near her. I told her I had visited her and she was very nice and receptive. If she would set up an appointment I would go with her on a visit. She said that would be great.

The Howard's were not here today and I am wondering why. 

Yogi Vizcarra was the youth speaker today. For a new convert he did an amazing job. He was quoting scriptures and seemed so sincere. He told of Hailey H. giving him a Book of Mormon which was the start of his conversion. Someone told him at his baptism to write down everything he felt, which he did. He said if we listen to the Holy Ghost, read our scriptures, and keep the commandments and pray our lives will be so much easier. He quoted: 2 Nephi 33:10-11 and 2 Nephi 32:8-9 and said, I believe these scriptures are true. It was a great first talk for a convert.

Anne and Bishop Miller were the adult speakers. Anne's talk was based on Brother Owen's talk, "Be Faithful, Not Faithless."
She told the story of the deer that were fed hay and how they starved to death with their stomach's full. Are we the same way spiritually? Where do we find our spiritual nourishment? What can keep us from being nourished spiritually? We must have the love of Christ as our foremost goal. We cannot base our faith on false idols. Satan tells us to procrastinate spiritual nourishment. I main purpose for reading the scriptures individually and as a family is to get closer to Christ. We must have faith in the promises of the prophets.

Bishop Miller used Elder Renlund's talk, "Unwavering Commitment of Jesus Christ" as the basis for his talk. We must learn of Him and learn to follow Him. If we have pure intent, and a total commitment to Jesus Christ, everything else in our lives will fall into place. Joy from that commitment surpasses anything else. He talked about Clayton M. Christensen and what an amazing Harvard professor and missionary he was. I guess he passed away a couple of months ago. Bishop Miller said that he used to think false idols were golden calves. He realized when he was deciding rather he should go on a mission or not that hunting and the out of doors was a false idol for him. It almost kept him from going and having one of the most amazing experiences of his lifetime. What it all boils down to is putting God first in our lives and trusting in Him.

Sandra Wilhelm taught Relief Society today for Becky Skousen who was out of town celebrating her wedding anniversary with her husband. The lesson was based on two conference talks, "Covenant Daughters in Partnership with God," and "Knowing, Loving, and Growing" by Elder Boom. Both addresses talk about ministering and that is why we picked them. Sandra did a good job. Here are some of the notes I took: Covenants, ministering, helping others reach their divine potential. We need all instruments and all of God's children. What is my purpose. Which part is yours and which part is mine? (Michael McLean song). Forcing someone to do something offends their spirits. We need to minister to each other and too all in need. Strive to stay on the covenant path. Ministering is exercising divine love. And Sandra said this: "My kids don't need me to tell them where they need to improve, they need to feel of my love so they have the desire to improve." Repentance is a daily process. Am I to quick to judge and to slow to listen? Debra Brewer who spent the last year caring for her husband before he passed away: "Joy is not in how much you do but the quality of service you give." The gospel lifts our souls.
Those attending: Sandra, Kerri H., Debra B., Shaleyn S., Sue H., a new sister, Sister McClelland and her mother, Donna Lundgren, Geraldine Corona, Pam Woods, Rosie Lauritzen, Linda Diewald, Ruth Wallace, Amy G., Ellen K., Kathy C., Maxine T., Donna P., Diana C., Kristen L., Colleen K., Debbie M., Chris B., Darla R., Judy H., Catherine H., Sheba, Tamara, Stefani H., and myself.

James went out to see Anthony this afternoon with his companion Dave Westbrook. I stayed home and worked on my blog and did some family history work. 

We FaceTimed with Jared, Kacey, Charlie, and Molly. Jared has something in between rheumatoid and pustular psoriatic arthritis. He is back on methotrexate and some new medicine. Molly played the banjo and sang, "This Land is Your Land" for us. Tanner and Summer were there and Summer's dog Ollie. Charlie always gives us hugs and kisses at the end of our call. We enjoy doing this each Sabbath day.

This evening I watched Emily and Dave in "Don't Miss This" and James and I watched "Teaching with Power."

It was a wonderful Sabbath Day.


So true.

 Joshua teaching

So adorable

 Thinking about Nursery

 Why do they make me go?

I thought they loved me.

 "I'm so glad Molly is here.

 "She loves me."

 "I love Ollie!"
"She's heavy"




 Writing his weekly email to
Elder Trezise

 Sunday is a day of rest


A cute Ollie photo











Thursday, March 12, 2020

Saturday, March 7th, 2020

Payson, Utah
146th operating temple
Dedicated: 7 June 2015
By: Henry B. Eyring

Jesus Christ, Judge
Isaiah 33:22
For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; he will save us.
Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"
2 Nephi 33; "Receive the Holy Ghost" David A. Bednar, Oct 2010
Nephi's words are true - They testify of Christ - Those who believe in Christ will believe Nephi's words, which will stand as a witness before the judgment bar.







Restoration
Joseph the Seer
Gordon B. Hinckley
April 1977

The Restoration of All Things
James E. Faust
April 2006

Saints Volume 2
Chapter 37
To The Throne of Grace
Chapter 38
Mine Own Due Time and Way

Ensign
The Lord Leads His Church through Prophets and Apostles
Dallin H. Oaks

October 2019 GenCon
"Trust in the Lord"
President Dallin H. Oaks
"I testify of the truth of what I have said here and of the truths taught and to be taught in this conference. This is all made possible because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. As we know from modern revelation, He 'glorifies the Father, and saves all the works of his hands' DC 76:43; In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."


I got an email from my friend Tamara whose son's mission farewell (I know they don't call them that anymore, but for lack of a better explanation that's what I'm calling it), was supposed to be tomorrow. Here is what the email said:
"So everyone will know tomorrow, but I wanted all of you to know beforehand that Jace has to postpone his mission for 1 year. Our family is sad, but understand that in the end it will be better for him. We are spending time with Jace giving him support to help him regroup and figure out what he's going to do next. Tomorrow's going to be rough because of expectations that it is his farewell, and we've been trying to let every know."
This was my response: "Thank's for letting us know. Tell him we love him!
Tamara is our ward Relief Society president. I am a counselor and so is Kerri. Here is what Kerri said:
"Thank you for the info. May it all be for the best."

We love and support the Applegate family. They are a great family!
I told Tamara I would attend ward council for her in the morning at 7:30. Chuck has bronchitis and asked his counselor Gary to attend for him. Too bad he didn't ask James, we could have gone together!

James and I finally got the sheets put on the rest of the beds upstairs. I also did some sweeping and a little cleaning. Somehow it gets very dusty up there. James wants to get rid of the ping pong table and so do I. I was thinking about getting some more Brick'em Young temples and set them around on top of it but I haven't shared that idea with him. If he doesn't like the idea, we will probably put the table outside this summer.

I got my books cleaned and packed in the box and ready to ship this morning. James and I went into town this afternoon. I picked up a few items at Walmart while he went to UPS and who knows where else. I got some more strawberries and Coolwhip for our dessert on Monday after our "Come Follow Me" lesson.

I'm proud of myself for getting two loads of books shipped off this week.

On your daily list of things to do, do you have, 'catch a mouse.' James does. He catches rats and mice on a daily basis because he has several traps set outside, in the storage room and in the pantry. I guess we need to build a mouseleum outside.

Lots of photos today!




   









 Nannie gave me the book on the right, 
and the one on the left was one of my
mom's favorites.

 Paul says this makes him happy,
his family.





Because it's spring break people are
"out and about"










Jared, Molly, and Charlie went to the zoo
while Kacey and Tanner went to a
car show for Tanner's birthday






 Can you tell they love each other?
What kind of animals are those in
the background?