Wednesday, May 20th, 2020

Preston, England

52nd operating temple

Dedicated: 7 June 1998

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, King

Matthew 25:34

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Mosiah 26:13-39 with James; Sunday journal; study guide, Meridian Magazine podcast with the Proctor's

Family Study Group

"Whatsoever He Saith Unto You Do It" by Whitney L. Clayton, April 2017

April General Conference

"That They May See"

Sister Bonnie L. Cordon

"By virtue of the Restoration of His gospel, we can be filled with the light of our Savior. However, that light is not meant for you and me alone. Jesus Christ has called upon us to "let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven." I have come to love the phrase "that they may see." It is an earnest invitation from the Lord to be more intentional about helping others see the path and thereby come unto Christ."

"Lest Ye Be Wearied and Faint in Your Minds"

Neal A. Maxwell

April 1991

I am a child of God, blessed, and thankful.

I dropped James off at the Howard's around 8:00 this morning and then I went grocery shopping at the Walmart in Taylor. I know, I already went shopping yesterday. I am fixing mashed potatoes for the boys tonight. I knew I had a bag of potatoes in the pantry but when I checked them they were a little mushy. So here I am, on my way to Taylor on a beautiful spring morning. 

Shopping at the Walmart in Taylor is a much nicer experience than shopping at the one in Show Low. It is not too crowded and they aren't out of everything. 

I got my 5lb bag of yellow potatoes and a few other items. More than I had planned and I spent more money than I had planned. I got myself a t-shirt, some tan pants, and a pair of shoes. I got six frozen Healthy Choice meals and some garlic bread, a couple of notebooks, some shakes and various other items I don't recall right now. My trip would have been a complete success except I forgot to check and see if they had any Citrus Sunshine tea.

James worked at the Howard's for the use of his truck this morning. He needs to pick up bathroom fixtures and make a trip to the valley. The part for his truck is still not here. He told Tom he would work for him and fill his truck up if he could take it to the valley. Of course Tom, the nice guy that he is, said yes. 

Shopping in the morning is the best time to shop around here but it kind of messes up the rest of my day. I did not work on my books today. Today is my friend Pam's birthday. I met her at the church parking lot at 2:00 this afternoon. Pam is a very careful about always wearing a mask in public so I put on the pink mask Catherine made me. We talked in the parking lot for awhile and I gave her a card and her gift, the book "Grace Where You Are" by Emily Freeman. I hope she likes it. 

I struggled to get 10,000 steps today. My feet were hurting. The boys just hung out here at home today and rode Luna this evening when James got home. The boys went fishing at Sheep's Crossing but didn't catch anything. They said it was beautiful there and they did not see anyone else. That's the advantage of going out in the middle of the week. Alex loves to play games. They played Five Crown's, Scattergories, Banana Grams, Chess, Settlers of Caitan, and they wanted to play Hearts with grandpa but I think that will have to be tomorrow night because Grandpa is tired and he is getting up early tomorrow to go to the valley. While they were outside riding the horse Alex made the comment, "let's see if we can find a rattlesnake". He picked up a board up by the hill and, lo and behold,  there was a rattlesnake within 4 inches of his hand. The snake crawled in to a hole. Alex says they are going back tomorrow to either re-locate it or get rid of it in other ways. I told him to please be careful. I want the snake gone but not at his expense. Lola and Ruby will be here this weekend and I don't want that snake around when they are here.

Luna got new shoes today. Our friend Wayne Todd came out and did the job.

I had all of my part of the dinner ready by 6:30 like James said. He didn't come in to prepare the steaks until 6:30. It didn't take long for them to cook because the boys all wanted their's medium rare. James and I both wanted medium. For ribeye steaks they weren't as tender as I had wanted but the boys thought they were great. There was one steak left and Max asked if he could have it. I told him he could. He likes to eat his steak like a sandwich in a roll. I made Rhodes rolls today. We had steak, mashed potatoes, asparagus, Bush beans, and rolls. Afterwards Alex made brownies for dessert. 

I did my gospel study this evening but didn't quite finish. James wanted to go to bed before 10. It was 9:45 when my head hit the pillow.

Lark Rise to Candleford

 Do you think James would wear one of these?

Backsplash re-do

James and Luna on the trail of some antelope

 Who could resist that request

Tuesday, May 19th, 2020

Vernal, Utah

51st operating temple

Dedicated: 2 Nov 1997

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, King

Matthew 5:35

Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Mosiah 25:19-24-26:1-12 with James; Sunday journal, study guide;

"Teaching with Power"

Family Study Group

"The Power of Covenants"by D. Todd Christofferson, April 2009

Inklings

Strengthen my knowledge of the Restoration Proclamation

April General Conference

"Fulfillment of Prophecy"

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"By divine design, ancient prophets of God, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost, prophesied of the Restoration and what was to come in our day, the last dispensation and the fulness of times. The very work "fired the souls" of the early seers. Through generations of time, they foretold, dreamed, envisioned, and prophesied of the future of God's kingdom on earth, what Isaiah called "a marvelous work and a wonder."

S

"Dear Are the Sheep That Have Wandered"

President James E. Faust

April 2003

I am grateful, joyous in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and persistent.

James has chosen the topic of obedience for this week's family group study. Here are the talks:

1. "If Ye Love Me Keep My Commandments"

Sister Carole M. Stephens

April 2015

2. "The Power of Covenants"

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

April 2009

3. "Whatsoever He Saith unto You, Do It"

Elder Whitney L. Clayton

April 2017

4. "Love and Law"

Dallin H. Oaks

October 2009

James came in while I was still working on my blog and made the announcement that he was going to town. I wanted to go. I asked him if I had time to get ready and he said yes, if you hurry. I hurried and we left about 20 minutes later. 

James is going to Home Depot and Lowe's to look at bathtubs and sinks for the plumber at the houses he's building in Mesa. He dropped me off at Walmart and I did my weekly shopping. Why do groceries cost so much? Okay, I know I'm trying to eat better but I couldn't resist the mini raspberry cream cheese cupcakes in the bakery. They should not put the bakery right next to the produce. I was in the produce section looking for asparagus for the dinner I am planning for Alex, Joe, and Max. 

I bought six beautiful ribeye steaks. I want to fix the boys a nice meal while they are here. I know Max and Alex love steak and I hope that Joe does too. 

Why doesn't this Walmart ever have Sunshine Citrus tea. I guess I'm going to have to go to the one in Taylor. I bought James some new mousetraps because the one he is putting in my car is not working. The mouse gets the bait and never triggers the trap.

James returned and helped me checkout. I remembered to bring my cloth bags. I had two mini cupcakes on the way home and James had one. He preferred eating one of his dark chocolate raspberry sorbet bars. We read two chapters of "Aunt Dimity and the Lost Prince" while in the car. Stopped at the post office. My package today was ink for the printer.

James put away the stuff for for the freezer and frig while I went to change back in to my comfy clothes. For rest time we watched season 2 episode 9 of "Lark Rise to Candleford."

We watched another one before going to bed. We are hooked on this series.

The boys, Alex, Joe and Max arrived in the late afternoon. The first thing James did was take them out to ride Luna. He took mostly videos so these pictures may be a little blurry.

 The hat is a nice touch Joe

 Alex

Max has the best posture, said Gpa James

Alex says they are going fishing at Sheep's Crossing tomorrow since the Black River is closed. Alex said they would be getting up to leave around 5:30. Joe said, "that's when I normally go to sleep." He has insomnia.

Got a call from Sister Campbell. She has a nice crib she would like to give to Tanna. Tanna is very excited to get it. James and I will deliver it once Candi has it taken apart.

I gave James a much needed haircut tonight before going to bed.

 Worked in my dad's store

Monday, May 18th, 2020

St. Louis, Missouri

50th operating temple

Dedicated: 1 June 1997

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, King

Matthew 2:2

Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Mosiah 25:1-18 - James, Sunday journal, Study Guide, "Don't Miss This" podcast with Emily and Dave

Lambson Study Group

"If Ye Love Me Keep My Commandments" Carole M. Stephens, April 2015

Inklings

Nourish the body, D&C 89:14; Oats; German Pancakes

Restoration

Chapter 16 of Church History in the Fulness of Times

April General Conference

"Open the Heavens for Help"

President Russell M. Nelson

"From that small group assembled on April 6, 1830, has come a global organization of more than 16 million members. The good this Church accomplishes around the world to alleviate human suffering and provide uplift for humankind is widely known. But its prime purpose is to help men, women, and children follow the Lord Jesus Christ, keep His commandments, and qualify for the greatest of all blessings - that of eternal life with God and their loved ones."

"Repentance and Conversion"

Russell M. Nelson

April 2007

I am kind, loving, and faithful. Something I am grateful for: My computer worked well without any glitches. A grandson serving a mission and his mother who gives him excellent advice. I am also grateful for a husband who is so helpful at home. He doesn't mind fixing himself something to eat and he makes us tea three times a day. Citrus Sunshine in the morning, Peach after lunch, and Chamomile in the evening while we are watching our show. Thank you honey. 

James's morning routine when he gets up. Walks over and gives me a kiss. Starts our Citrus Sunshine tea. Goes out to feed Luna who whinnies when she sees him and checks his mousetraps. 

I forgot to mention something that happened yesterday. I got a call from a sister in our ward who delivers meals for the Salvation Army. She said she had some extra meals today and was at Camrie's, which is close by,  and would we like a couple. I said that was very kind of her to think of us and yes we would love a couple of meals. Candi's daughter Marie delivered the meals. When I thanked her she asked if we would like to be on the list to receive them every week. I told her I felt guilty doing that because we really weren't in need but if they had extra meals we would be take them. Candi has very little knowledge of the doctrines of the gospel. She is the one who will not let her daughter do baptism's for the dead because she doesn't think people should be forced to be baptized. Candi does know how to serve. She delivers Salvation Army meals every Sunday. She helped to make over 400 masks to deliver to the hospital in Whiteriver. She feeds the missionaries and the firemen on a regular basis. We are grateful to have her in our ward.

Sheri called this morning after she spoke with Ben. She said she has been concerned about his attitude lately. He loves missionary work and is totally involved in contacting and teaching. The problem is he has been critical of the AP's and his mission president, saying things like, it would work better if they did things this way. Sheri told him she was concerned about this attitude and told him the importance of supporting his leaders and not being critical of them. She asked him to think back to when he was an AP and how it felt to be criticized or have someone ignore your counsel. I told Sheri she should be a counselor. Her advice was excellent and she was truly inspired. She agreed that she was inspired as to what to say and the ideas just flowed. Later she got a message from Ben which said: "Thanks mom, I needed to hear that." I love Ben because he is so tender hearted and teachable!

When James went to check the mail today he brought me back a package. I always love receiving packages! This one was the other butter dish I ordered. Now I have an ivory colored one and a black one. James and I eat a lot of toast with butter and sometimes jam. Here is our "toast center."

The napkins are to keep from getting crumbs on the counter.

The black butter dish has its' own knife. 

This morning I did my blog and worked on my book business. I actually ordered one book. I have not ordered any for about a month. But the 60 books I ordered in the month before really paid off.

This afternoon I paid Lambson Construction bills and paid off my credit card. Paying off the credit card felt good. On Saturday I paid off the business credit card. It is nice to have the money to pay your bills and have some left over. 

While James was going for his Luna ride I studied the gospel and took a shower. We watched "Lark Rise to Candleford" before going to bed.

Laura's Prologue:

"A broken heart feels to its' young barer uniquely painful. The sight of another's happiness only makes it worse. But eventually comes the knowledge that our own experiences, seldom unique, everyone's happiness is fragile. All expectations can be dashed."

 Jared's sticky buns

 Good job Scarlett!

 A boy and his dog

 $2,013 in sales in one month!

 This is what the Lamb family looked like in the 70's.