Monday, June 1, 2020

Sunday, May 31st, 2020

Detroit, Michigan
63rd operating temple
Dedicated: 23 Oct 1999
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, King
John 6:15
When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"
Review Mosiah 29-Alma 4 with our study group - Pierce and Barbara Goodman, Owen and Donna Peeler, Chuck and Kathy Crane, and James and I. Also listened to "Come Follow Me Weekly" podcast with Heather Weber.
Inklings
First four paragraphs of The Restoration Proclamation
Family Study Group
"Joy and Spiritual Survival" by Russell M. Nelson, October 2016
Personal Study
"Jesus Christ - Gifts and Expectations" by Ezra Taft Benson




"Finding Refuge from the Storms of Life"
Ricardo P. Gimenez

When James got up this morning, after coming over and giving me a kiss, went out to visit Luna. Her calls her "his horse."
He said when he got to the field he didn't see her so he whistled. Still nothing. He saw her standing in the pond and when she saw him she immediately got out of the water and ran at what James called "break neck speed" towards him. He gave her some oats and she was content.

Our friends came over at 10:30 this morning for the Sacrament and our "Come Follow Me" lesson. There are eight of us now since the Crane's are coming. As we all sat down at the table Kathy insisted she had to sit with Karen on her left. I guess I am not the only one who is ocd.

We sang "Lord I Would Follow Thee" and then Chuck gave the opening prayer. "Tis Sweet to Sing the Matchless Love" was the sacrament song and then Pierce and Owen blessed the sacrament and James passed it. 

We had a good lesson discussion with some diversion because of the situation in the world right now. Because of the black man in Minneapolis who was abused by a police officer and later died, riots are going on all over the country. Governor Ducey of Arizona has instated a curfew order beginning today. No one on the streets between the hours of 8p.m. and 5 a.m. This on the week we will be in the valley. Sheri says there were quiet protests in Phoenix last week and break-ins in Scottsdale. They think it is an Antifa group that was bused in. They broke in to David's Bridal and spray painted dresses. They also broke in to P.F. Chang's and stole liquor. 
Right here in Show Low people are out on the street in front of the Trump Store protecting it. There is a rumor that an Antifa group is coming to destroy it. I wasn't sure what Antifa meant so I looked it up. Here is the definition I found: A political protest movement comprising autonomous groups affiliated by their militant opposition to fascism and other forms of extreme right-wing ideology. "Saturday's rally had the support of Antifa, whose sworn enemy is the far-right." President Trump has called them a terrorist organization. Sounds a little like the Gadianton robbers.

After lunch and nap time we began getting ready for our trek to the valley. James had to make one more trip to see Luna and take her some more oats. Again she raced to him when he came within sight of her. He is going to miss her and she will miss him but she will enjoy being in such a big area and James is quite sure there is enough feed. We left around 4:30. Of course we went the Payson way because our Scottsdale turnoff is on the Beeline Highway.

When we came into Payson the traffic was backed up. What should have taken only 10 minutes took 40. It was just like a holiday weekend. Once we got out of Payson we were able to go 70 but the traffic line of red lights was as far as we could see. 

Stacy is in a great deal of pain and I had told her I would bring her some Tramadol as soon as we checked in to the resort. Because of the 8 o'clock curfew I was not able to do this. The resort looks sad. Half of it is netted off. The lobby was closed but I saw a worker going in and James was able to catch him to get our keys. We are in units 1015 and 16 on the south side next to the parking lot. It was nice to finally arrive. We are really quite comfortable here and it seems like a second home to us. Although James does protest and say we need to sell our interest in it. After unloading the car and getting settled James wrote a letter to Ben and I worked on my blog.










Charlie's Sunday best











I like Trina's backsplash










Camrie's finance






The Nelson's

 Happy Anniversary from Sheraton 
Desert Oasis 
We should have told them we prefer to
celebrate with no alcohol

Love this!








Saturday, May 30th, 2020

Columbia, South Carolina
62nd operating temple
Dedicated: 16 Oct 1999
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, King
John 1:49
Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"
Alma 4 with James, Sunday Journal, Study Guide; "Scripture Study Project" podcast
Inklings
"Restoration Proclamation" first four paragraphs
Restoration
Chapter 18 "The Missions of the Twelve"
April General Conference
"Go Forward in Faith"
President Russell M. Nelson
"Thank you for your desire to make your homes true sanctuaries of faith, where the Spirit of the Lord may dwell. Our gospel study curriculum, Come, Follow Me, will continue to bless your lives. Your consistent efforts in this endeavor - even during those moments when you feel that you are not being particularly successful - will change your life, that of your family, and the world. We will be strengthened as we become even more valiant disciples of the Lord, standing up and speaking up for Him, wherever we are."




"We Follow Jesus Christ"
Elder Quentin L. Cook
April 2010


James and the elder's quorum had a service project this morning. At first James said it was to help someone move but they were soon to find out that he only needed help getting rid of some of his "treasures." this brother couldn't bare to part with old hot water heaters, washers and dryers, so he had them hide them behind the copse of trees on his property. 

James was home before ten, went immediately out again to help Chuck and Owen put a culvert under our road in one of the low spots. 

This afternoon James took Luna over to her new home for the next week. She will be on the Elkins fenced in 100 acres with her own pond to drink from. Yes, she has overcome her fear of the big rocks around the pond. 

I made a Texas sheetcake for tomorrow's "Come Follow Me" meeting and mopped and polished the dining room and kitchen floor. 

I ran off copies of the "Come Follow Me" activites on the Redheaded Hostess website for the Grapp's. We will deliver them tomorrow on our way out of town. 

Brian texted everyone in our family study group today regarding the topic of study for the coming week. The topic is happiness, especially in times of adversity. Here are the talks we are to study:

1.) "Joy and Spiritual Survival " by Russell M. Nelson, October 2016
2.) "Choose Happiness" by Elder Larry R. Laurence, Mar 2016
3.) "Finding Joy in Life", Richard G. Scott, April 1996
4.) "The Search for Happiness" by W.E. Hansen, October 1993

After dinner James and I watched our episode of "Lark Rise to Candleford" before going to bed.

















More photos
 from The Jug




Sheraton Desert Oasis





 James found a deer antler when he was 
out and about the other day on Luna


 Sweet Scarlett