Tuesday, March 17th, 2020

 Paris, France

156th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 May 2017

By: Henry B. Eyring

Jesus Christ, Judge

Moroni 10:34

And now I bid unto all, farewell. I soon go to rest in the paradise of God, until my spirit and body shall again reunite, and I am brought forth triumphant through the air, to meet you before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge of both quick and dead. Amen.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Jacob 5:15-28

The scattering and gathering of Israel are prefigured 

October 2019 Gen Con

"Covenant Women in Partnership with God"

President Henry B. Eyring

"I testify that God the Father lives and He loves you. He will answer your prayers. His Beloved Son leads, in every detail, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President Russell M. Nelson is His living prophet. And Joseph Smith saw and spoke with God the Father and Jesus Christ in a grove of trees in Palmyra, New York. I know that is true. I also testify that Jesus Christ is your Savior; He loves you. And through His Atonement, you can be purified and lifted to the high and holy callings which will come to you. I so testify in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen."

Ensign
"Seven Sure Fire Blessings from the Children
and Youth Program"

This morning I got up and studied from Jacob 5. Yesterday with discussed the first visit of the Lord with the grandkids and tonight we will discuss the second visit which was during the meridian of time when the Savior was on the earth. I also read to them my book regarding the House of Israel so they would have a better understanding of the Abrahamic Covenant and the House of Israel.

Lola was making sure everyone had green on today. Someone, I can't remember who, said their eyes were green. She asked me if that counted and I said no. She asked grandpa and he said yes. I don't think anyone got pinched, at least if they did, I didn't hear about it. 

Joshua got up this morning and went outside for a walk. When Addy gets up she goes outside for a run. 

I made waffles and bacon for breakfast. I think everyone ate except Addy. Lola wants a tea party. I put her off until tomorrow telling her we need to go to the store first. 

James is frustrated about typing a contract. He is almost always frustrated with the computer about something and so am I. The most frustrating thing for me is my photo app and trying to download and crop photos to go on my blog. The app always, and I do mean everyday, freezes up while I am trying to add photos. That is one of the reasons I am so far behind with my posting.

James grilled steaks for dinner. I made rice, corn, and beans, and cut up strawberries and sat out blueberries. I think there was something for everyone except Evan. He didn't come down to eat.  Oh yes, we also had the rolls that Sheri sent. Steak is Max's favorite food but he needs one of his mom's rolls to go with it.

We were talking about what food Evan likes and Max said, he really likes breakfast. I said that tomorrow night I would fix breakfast for dinner so that Evan would join us.

After dinner and "Come Follow Me" grandpa built a bonfire and we all sat around it while Max sang and played the guitar. He played "The Boxer" and some other golden oldies. After I went in he played the "Sound of Silence." I am sorry I missed it.

The girls loved these pictures of Charlie!

Lola said, "It's a unicorn headband!"

I think this is a picture of the kids playing the game Jack Box. Either that or they are watching "Sponge Bob."

Dinner with everyone but Evan

Listening to Max

Ben's Letter:

Monday, March 16th, 2020

Hartford, Connecticut

155th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 Nov 2016

By: Henry B. Eyring

Jesus Christ, Judge

1 Peter 4:5

Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Jacob 5:1-14

Jacob quotes Zenos relative to the allegory of the tame and wild olive trees - They are a likeness of Israel and the Gentiles

Oct 2019 Gen Con

"Beloved Daughters"

Bonnie H. Cordon

"My dear sisters, I bear witness that these adjustments I have spoken of today are inspired direction from the Lord. As we diligently implement these adjustments, may we never lose sight of our purpose: to strengthen our resolve to follow Jesus Christ and help others come unto Him. I testify that this is His Church. How grateful I am that He allows us to be a very important part of His sacred work.  I pray that the same Spirit that has guided these adjustments will guide you as you press forward on the covenant path. I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

The Saints, Volume 2
Chapter 44
Blessed Peace

It was a quiet morning as the boys slept in. I worked on my blog and then when I got frustrated with the photo app freezing up, I began working on books. 

James left for the valley this morning. He was going to spend the night at Sheri and Ian's but decided to come home this afternoon instead. He brought me a bean and cheese from Burger House. Ian was disappointed he didn't stay. He just inherited some of his grandpa's shotguns and he wanted to show them to James. He is dying to come up and try them out. Probably next week when they were supposed to be in England. 

When the boys finally got up I fixed them a big breakfast, scrambled eggs, hash browns, and turkey bacon. Max extolled the virtues of turkey bacon over regular bacon. We said we were both glad it tasted more like bacon than turkey.

After cleaning the kitchen I went back in the bedroom to work on books again. I am repricing and buying, and working on inventory and merchant fulfilled inventory.

At one o'clock the electricity went off. I was miffed. I told James who is in the valley and of course he couldn't do anything. I also texted Darrel who is on his way up here with his girls. The boys had been upstairs playing video games and they went outside. At 1:25 it came back on so I texted Joshua and told him. A minute later it was off again. I did contact Navapache because they sent me a notice that it was back on. It soon came back on and stayed.

A few minutes later Darrel, Addy, Ruby, and Lola arrived. Darrel brought food and some toilet paper. I had cleared a space for their stuff on one of the kitchen counters and they filled it up. Darrel only stayed a few minutes and then he was on his way home.

I guess my social distancing is reversed. Instead of having two people in our house we now have nine, when James gets back that is. 

Sheri sent Ben's letter and some photos he sent. I will share them later. 

James got back in time to grill some hamburgers and hot dogs for dinner. Ruby, Lola and I had gone on a walk and we met him down the road and to Lola's delight he gave us a ride back to the house/cabin.

After dinner I cleaned the kitchen and then we did "Come Follow Me" Jacob 5:1-14 the Savior's first visit to his vineyard which was during Old Testament times. We also had family prayer. 

I was so tired when we finished "Come Follow Me" that I went in and soaked in the bathtub and then went to bed. 

James stayed up a little longer walking and listening to "The Saints." He also listened to Max sing. He said he is really good. He sang, "Did You Ever See the Rain." Max is an old soul when it comes to music. He likes Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, and the Beatles. 

Sheri brought peach pie for me and

apple for James

Scarlett is beautiful!

Love that face!

 Best friends!

I don't care that this isn't cropped!

It takes forever!

Sunday, March 15th, 2020

Star Valley, Wyoming

154th operating temple

Dedicated: 30 Oct 2016

By: David A. Bednar

Jesus Christ, Judge

2 Timothy 4:1

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Review Jacob 1-4

October 2019 Gen Conf

"Honoring His Name"

Lisa L. Harkness

"The Lord has said, 'Yea, blessed is this people who are willing to bear my name; for in my name shall they be called; and they are mine.' As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, may we 'gladly take upon us the name of Christ' by honoring His name with love, devotion, and good works. I testify that He is 'the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father.' In the name of His holy child, Jesus Christ, amen."

We had sacrament and "Come Follow Me" with the Peeler's and the Goodman's at the Goodman's home this morning. It was a wonderful way to start the Sabbath day. We had peach, pineapple cobbler with ice cream for dessert.

We got home around noon. I ate some lunch and then got a text from Sheri that she would be at the Safeway in Show Low around 1:45 with the boys, Max, Evan, Joshua and Rowan. 

On my way in to Show Low Sheri texted me at 1:24 saying they were there. I told her I was on my way. When I got to the Safeway parking lot I saw Sheri's van and luckily there was an empty space right next to it. She asked if I wanted to trade cars but I really didn't so she proceeded to unload everything from her car and put it in the back of my car. She had a system so I just got out of her way.

We said our goodbyes and headed for Vernon. Max sat in the front with me and was very friendly and talkative. He seemed very excited to be here.

When we got home and unloaded the car, I had a ton of things to "put away." Sheri sent steak, pork chops, 3 frozen pizza, bread, hotdogs and buns, and tons of snacks. I emptied the ice chest and put a couple of pepperoni pizzas in the oven because the boys hadn't had any lunch. They were already upstairs setting up the video games. 

They came down and ate and I put all of the food, except for what went in the frig, out on my kitchen counters. My kitchen looks like a small grocery store. While I was doing all of this James went to the church for some ministering interviews. 

When James got home we had the sacrament with the boys because none of them had taken it and we did a "Come Follow Me" lesson with them. James and Max blessed the sacrament and Joshua and Rowan passed the sacrament. 

One of our favorite Sabbath day activities is Face-timing with Jared, Kacey, and Charlie. Jared said he got to see James for the first time in a long time. He now has dark hair and a nose ring.

I love this sunrise

Happy Sabbath from Charlie!

Umphress kids