Thursday, May 7th, 2020

Buenos Aires, Argentina

39th operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Jan 1986

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, King

Isaiah 6:5

Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Mosiah 14: With James; Sunday journal; Study guide; Sunday on Monday podcast

April General Conference

"Prayers of Faith"

Henry B. Eyring

"President Nelson invited us to make a personal plan to prepare ourselves for this historic conference, which commemoration he said would be 'a hinge point in the history of the Church, and your part is vital.' Like me, perhaps you heard his message and asked yourself, 'In what way is my part vital?' Perhaps you read and prayed about the events of the Restoration. Perhaps, more than ever before, you read the accounts of those few times when God the Father introduced His Beloved Son. Perhaps you read of the instances when the Savior spoke to the children of our Heavenly Father. I know I did all of those things and more. I felt filled with joy at the prospect of being invited to participate in this celebration of the ongoing Restoration.

"Is Faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ Written in Our Hearts"?

Linda K. Burton

October 2012

"Gratitude"

Stephen E. Snow

October 2001

James left a little before six this morning to meet with Richard the road guy. He paid him some money and they talked about him doing the next section. After meeting with Richard he went on to the Howard's to work. 

My book balance this morning was $703.31, the amount Amazon owes me!

I went to Taylor with James this afternoon because I could tell he really wanted me to go. He is going to see a guy about fixing the cracked block of the Razr. The guy can't fix it so now we will have to buy one. James says it will probably cost around $900 to order one. We want to get the Razr fixed before the summer. I am dying to go for a ride on the mountain. The Halcomb's said there is still snow up high.

James dropped me off at Walmart while he went to see the guy he came to see. When he was finished he joined me and picked out a Mother's Day card for his mom. As soon as we got home he took a few minutes to sign the card. I will sign it, put in an Amazon gift card and send it off tomorrow.

After our shopping spree we went over to Taco Bell across the street and we each ordered two tacos. It cost us $7.00 because we donated to feeding children, can't remember the exact name of the organization. Our tacos were lacking, lacking very much meat that is. James warned me that this Taco Bell wasn't up to par and he was right. We should have ordered something to eat at Sonic when we ordered our cherry limeades during Happy Hour.

On the way home we got some money out at the bank so we could pay Richard $400 more dollars. He has done half the job and we are paying him half the pay. James paid him $400 this morning so that makes a total of $800. Richard started grading the last stretch of road and made a big pile of dirt which was difficult to drive in. I wonder how long it will take him to finish this road since he only works about two hours a day. He is old, in his seventies or eighties and he said he runs out of steam. Tell me about it.

James went on a Luna ride while I studied the gospel. This evening we watched season 1 episode 8 of "Lark Rise to Candleford."

A violent storm hits Lark Rise and Candleford. The arrival of a radical new teacher causes divisions in the two communities. Dorcas has a new admirer, the new teacher, James Delafield. Alf tries to impress Laura, who seems increasingly smitten with Philip.

Quotes

Dorcas:

"Laura, will you tell Zillah Mr. Delafield and I will take tea in the parlor with Banbury cake."

Dorcas: "I do like to think well of myself, it is my one weakness."

Mr. Delafield to the men of Lark Rise in the Wagon and Horses Inn:

"Poverty is no disgrace. It is a great inconvenience though."

 Happy Birthday Autumn!

 This was a video to music and Charlie

was definitely squatting and joining in

the fun. These two are so cute together!

Congratulations Eden!

 Trina's Weekly Fieldtrip.

Gisela swimming and cliff jumping

 Listening to and singing a Beatles song

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

Lima, Peru

38th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 Jan 1986

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, King

Psalms 149:2

Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Mosiah 13; Sunday journal, Study guide, "Don't Miss This" and "Teaching with Power"

April General Conference

"Deep in Our Heart"

Douglas D. Holmes

"Sisters and brothers, what a wonderful time we live in. As we celebrate the beginning of the Restoration, it is also appropriate to celebrate the ongoing Restoration that we are witnessing. I rejoice with you to live in this day. The Lord continues to put in place, through His prophets, all that is needed to help us prepare to receive Him."

"Stand Tall and Stand Together"

Sheri L. Dew

October 2000

"O Remember, Remember"

Henry B. Eyring

October 2007

President Eyring asks himself this question at the end of each day as he writes in his journal: "How have I seen the hand of the Lord in my life today?"

I listened to "Teaching with Power" today as a supplement to the "Come Follow Me" lesson. Brother Wilcox took a more personal approach and said that we need to learn to listen to the Abinadi's in our life and to ignore the Noah's. He said he was thinking of young people and how impressionable they are.

I am happy to say that my book balance today is $677.36, the highest it has ever been. I have sold 78 books in the last 30 days.

James received this text from our friend Pierce this morning. 

"Good morning! You cannot imagine my shock when I saw what you had done in the light! I would never have believed that it was possible, especially with the cute little skid steer! You are truly a magician! Thank you! Thank you!"

This text made James happy. It is nice to be appreciated. We are trading dental work with Brother Goodman for this work. James went over this morning to finish up and to bring his Cat home.

The guy who was supposed to be grading our road was a no-show today. He and James had a discussion and he will be back tomorrow. 

 I talked with my friend Jean today. She is not feeling well. She had just gotten up from a nap and was still extremely tired. She also has many of the same symptoms Kathy Crane had and will be going in for a colonoscopy soon. I am worried about her and all of her health issues. She wants me to come over and have lunch with her the next time James comes over. I told her I would.

Kathy's surgery went very well today and she is at home recovering.

James went to the Halcomb's today and pulled up stumps and dug fence posts. Kerri was very happy. He did not charge her anything.

This evening we watched "Lark Rise to Candleford" season 1, episode 7.

"The residents rally around Susan Braby when they realize her husband Sam has hit her - until she has him arrested. Matthew is commissioned to make new gates for the manor. Lady Adelaide is concerned Sir Timothy is spending too much time with Dorcas. Laura brings Philip home for tea."

Quotes:

Thomas to Sam:

"By your fruits ye shall know them. In't that right Sam?"

Philip: "I want to know why you are being so cagey"?

Laura: "I ain't bein' cagey."

 Both lost their spouses in the last few years

I am so happy for them!

 We have some green

 I want one!

 Our friends the Andersen's found this lizard

 I don't know what to believe or think

anymore.

  

Tuesday, May 5th, 2020

Seoul, Korea

37th operating temple

Dedicated: 14 Dec 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, King

Psalms 95:3

For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Mosiah 12; Sunday journal; study guide

April General Conference

"Spiritually Defining Moments"

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"Eighteen years after the First Vision, the Prophet Joseph Smith wrote an extensive account of his experience. He had faced opposition, persecution, harassment, threats, and brutal attacks. Yet he continued to boldly testify of his First Vision. 'I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true. ... I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it.'"

"Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ"

Dallin H. Oaks

April 1994

"Grateful in Any Circumstances

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

April 2014

"Live by covenants, not convenience."

 My leg is still hurting this morning, behind my knee. The thought occurred to me that it could be a blood clot from sitting so long yesterday. James was so worried he wanted me to text Trina at 6 a.m. and see what she thought. Of course I did not do that. James had me take an aspirin and another pill that is supposed to help thin blood. Honestly, within a couple of hours, the pain was gone. 

Today is what I call a "Recovery" day. I worked on my blog and listened to Kris and Kathy on the book webinar, and rested. James was gone most of the day working at the Goodman's back filling the trenches to their amazing greenhouse. He wore the Star Wars mask Catherine H. made him but by noon it was so dirty he brought it home for me to wash. For lunch I made him a tuna melt sandwich and some tomato basil soup.

Today is my brother Dennis's 66th birthday. I called to wish him a happy birthday and asked what he was doing to celebrate. He said that he and Denise were in the valley waiting outside of Chili's trying to figure out how to order their food. Someone came out to take their order so our call was cut short. I love my brother Dennis, he is a great guy and lots of fun to be around.

I went with James over to the Halcomb's this afternoon to see about some stumps Kerri wants removed and some post holes she would like for him to dig. While Kerri showed James what needed to be done, I stayed inside and visited with Catherine. Catherine always has some interesting story to tell and today it was about being on the foster care board in California. She said being a foster parent is the best way to adopt a child. Her granddaughter wants to adopt but the $40,000 fee is too costly. Three of Catherine's children are adopted and all she paid for  two of them was the cost of the birth certificate. The other was through LDS Social Services and they had to pay $300.

James went for a Luna ride this evening while I did my gospel study. On the way home from the Halcomb's we stopped to talk to Chuck Crane. They think they finally found out what is causing Cathy's pain, it is her gall bladder. She is having surgery tomorrow.
Thank goodness! Hopefully this will do the trick. She has been through so many tests, and pain since the beginning of the year.

After James's ride he came back and grilled a couple of steaks for dinner. I put together a salad and warmed up some Busch beans and that was dinner. 

After dinner we watched a couple of episodes from season 1 of "Lark Rise to Candleford."

 Such beauties: Scarlett, Ivy, Lola

 I love the expression on her face

 Such wisdom

Great idea, if I was more organic

 James called me out to look at the moon

 May is concert month

Monday, May 4th, 2020

Johannesburg, South Africa

36th operating temple

Dedicated: 24 Aug 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, King

Psalms 89:18

For the Lord is our defense; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

"A Light That Can Never Be Darkened"; Mosiah 11; Sunday journal; Study Guide

April General Conference

"An Especially Noble Calling"

Sister Joy D. Jones

"I'm grateful to focus my remarks today on women's continuing roles in the Restoration. It is clear that throughout history women have held a distinctive place in our Heavenly Father's plan. President Russell M. Nelson taught, 'It would be impossible to measure the influence that . . . women have, not only on families but also on the Lord's Church, as wives, mothers, and grandmothers; as sisters and aunts; as teachers and leaders; and especially as exemplars and devout defenders of the faith.'"

"The Great Plan"

President Dallin H. Oaks

April 2020

"The Divine Gift of Gratitude"

President Thomas S. Monson

October 2010

We left for the valley around 7 o'clock this morning. James borrowed Tom Howard's truck so he could bring back the Cat that is on the job in Mesa. It is a Chevy and it rides just as rough as James's Dodge.

 My appointment is at 11:00 at the AARA. We got into town around 10 and James went by to check on his job on Bellview St. in Mesa. Afterwards we went to Mesa Blueprint to pick up some blueprints. We then drove over to Country Club and Baseline where my appointment is. James dropped me off and went on his way. I guess the wrong blueprints were sent to Mesa Blueprint and he had to go pick up the right ones after calling Rick Crandall to tell him the wrong ones were sent.

The AARA is so quiet with only patients who are receiving infusions waiting in the office. The doctors are still not seeing any patients. Tiffany insert the needle in my arm instead of Ang who had such difficulty last month. Tiffany's needle went right in. 

My infusions lasts an hour and when I was finished I texted James. He was waiting to meet with Mario's nephew but said he would come and pick me up if I wanted. I told him no, I would walk across the street to Costco and he could pick me up there when he was ready. 

It's a good thing I brought my mask to wear otherwise I would not have gotten in to Costco. These are some of the things I bought: 

steak for mother's day, rotissere checken already shredded and vacuum packed into a plastic bag. I bought the chicken so I could make tacos and enchiladas. A bag of granola, a new pair of pajamas for myself, and two big water guns for Zemira Wilhelm's birthday.

On the way out I bought a hot dog and a drink for lunch. I waited outside and was going to eat my hotdog but I felt uncomfortable, so I didn't. I shared it with James instead. 

The next matter of business was to go to Bill Valentic's construction yard and get the trailer. After hitching up the trailer we went back to the jobsite and James loaded up the Cat. We then were ready to go home. 

We stopped at the Circle K in Superior for a potty break and to put air in a tire. I bought a ham and cheese sandwich for us to share but it was disgusting so we didn't eat it. 

James stopped at his favorite gas station in Globe to get some diesel for the truck and the Cat. He had me go in to Subway and get him a sandwich. I got a 12" instead of a 6" that he asked for and I ate the other half. They were out of roast beef so I got steak on toasted wheat with tomato, banana peppers and mustard for him and mayo for me. He asked where the onions were and I said he didn't ask which I thought was strange.

We stopped at the post office in Vernon and picked up the mail. We were home before 6:30. I tried to walk but my left leg hurt too much so I couldn't do much. We watched Season 1 Episode 5 of "Lark Rise to Candleford." The arrival of a new post office inspector causes problems for Dorcas. Robert has been carving a decorative angel on the schoolhouse for which he is not getting paid. Laura loses an important parcel.

Dorcas says this to the rude post office inspector, Mr. Rushton:

"Any man who puffs himself up by the ruination of others is not welcome in my parlor. Now, if you will excuse us."

Ben's Letter:

Cathy Arnett and some of her daughters