Saturday, June 20th, 2020

Tampico, Mexico

83rd operating temple

Dedicated: 20 May 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Lamb of God

Revelation 5:12

Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Alma 16 with James, Study Guide

April General Conference

"That They May See"
Bonnie H. Cordon
"My dear brothers and sisters, for years I've pondered the principle I learned from Elder Perry. The Lord's invitation to let our light so shine is not just about randomly waving a beam of light and making the world generally brighter. It is about focusing our light so others may see the way to Christ. It is gathering Israel on this side of the veil - helping others see the next step forward in making and keeping sacred covenants with God."

"In the Strength of the Lord"

Elder David A. Bednar

BYU Devotional

 I'm itchin' to go back to the Taylor Walmart. It was such a good shopping experience on Tuesday. James went out to work on little Cat and I finished my blog and headed for Taylor. It was after 11 so I thought I would beat the rush and get a cheeseburger at Sonic. There's no beating the rush nowadays so I had to wait in line. I ate my cheeseburger in the far ends of the Walmart parking lot. 

My shopping experience was not as good as the one on Tuesday, because it's Saturday, but it was still better than Show Low. I got two 25 ounce bottles of liquid Safeguard soap, my main reason for coming. Somehow I managed to spend over $100. I had $75 in cash and without thinking, I gave all of it to the cashier and paid for the rest with my debit card. As I was driving home I realized that I had  spent all my cash and I was going to go to the Campbell girl's carwash and bake sale and have them was my car for cash. They are trying to raise money to go to the San Diego Zoo. I wanted to support them because their mom is so amazing about loving and supporting other people. I texted Candi, the mom, and asked if I could send them money via Zelle or Venmo. She told me I was so sweet but that they would have another carwash next month. She helped me to feel better and I told her I would definitely save my cash for the big event.

James has found another problem with little Cat and will need to get the mechanic back out here next week. We both sat on the couch in the recliners and I read to him from our latest Aunt Dimity book, "Aunt Dimity and the Summer King." 

After my nap I did my gospel study. This evening I am going to work outside so I switched my gospel study to this afternoon. I finished my Book of Mormon study guide for Alma 16 and finished reading all the talks about covenants for our Lambson Study Group on Sunday. I also finished my Inklings study by studying Elder Christofferson's conference talk on the Restoration and the Resurrection. Good times.

I rearranged furniture on the patio, swept the patio, and emptied the garbage. I picked up all of the pinecones under the pine tree and put them in a container. I also picked up trash in the "back yard." I use the term yard loosely. I re-organized the furniture on the deck outside of our bedroom and brought one of the small tables over from the deck so we could sit outside in the shade if we wanted to. The only thing I didn't do was clean off the ping pong table and cover it with the cover I ordered. The weather was so beautiful and so was the sunset.

We had chili for dinner and cheese crisps and then watched a new Hallmark movie, "Love Under the Olive Tree." Cheesy

Smokey sunset

 Cuteness abounds

 Love this puzzle

Friday, June 19th, 2020

Cochabamba, Bolivia

82nd operating temple

Dedicated: 30 Apr 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Lamb of God

Revelation 5:6

And I behold, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Alma 15 with James; Sunday Journal and BM Study Guide

April General Conference

"Fulfillment of Prophecy"

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

" Joseph of Egypt prophesied that in the latter days 'a seer shall the Lord my God raise up, who shall be a choice seer unto the fruit of my loins. For he shall do the Lord's work.' Joseph Smith, the prophet of the Restoration, was that seer."

"The Power of Covenants"

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

April 2009

James left for town this morning amidst the smoke from the fire near Payson. He said it was so smoky in Show Low that he had trouble seeing. He got the part he needed for the Cat, some brake cleaner to clean the inside of his truck key box, and was going to go by Verizon to get an antennae for our router but it was closed.

I stayed home and bought books, what few there are to buy. James went out to work on the Cat but wasn't gone long before he came back in and said there was a vital screw missing. More problems and more delays. He tried the key box on the truck. It started right up and he drove it over to the driveway and parked it. He was so excited that it was working. After turning the engine off he started it up again but as soon as he let go of the key, the engine died. He was so disheartened. That's the problem he was having before.

I made tostadas for lunch with some canned Rosarita refried beans. I did have some avocados, tomatoes, and cabbage in the way of fresh ingredients and some fresh corn tortillas. They were ok by my standards but James thought they were delicious. I'm glad he liked them. 

After lunch and naptime James and I went to the post office and then on to Dollar General for some snacks. Dollar General was packed and the line took forever. It's not a place you want to be stuck in for very long. I got a little close to the guy in front of me and he reminded me what the blue tape on the floor was for. I can't get use to the fact that when out in public people are afraid of one another. It was finally my turn at the checkout counter. Believe me when I was finished I was so grateful to walk through those doors into the great outdoors for some fresh air.

James got a Father's Day card from Sheri's family with a gift card to Olive Garden. I think the card made James feel good. He has been helping Sheri deal with her air conditioning problem which has created a closeness between them. Sheri loves and appreciates her dad.

I added Elder Christofferson's talk, "The Power of Covenants" to our list of talks for this week because it was so good. Kacey reminded us that we had studied the talk the week that James was in charge when we studied Obedience. I think it's worth studying again this time focusing on Covenants.

I made whole grain blueberry protein packed scones with fresh blueberries for dinner. I know it doesn't sound like much of a dinner, but they are most filling. We also had some delicious corn to go with them. We like to eat light in the evenings.

After gospel study and James's work, before bed, we played a game of Five Crowns. I had mentioned to James that we never have fun anymore so it was his idea to play even though it was 10 o'clock when we started. It was a low scoring game. I had 30 points and he had 51. We needed this relaxing diversion.

 Tucson or near Payson fire

 Scone recipe on the back

New tablecloth which I love

 Chea's grandbabies

 Sheri's babies

Thursday, June 18th, 2020

Reno, Nevada

81st operating temple

Dedicated: 23 Apr 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Lamb of God

1 Peter 1:19

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Alma 14:14-29; Sunday Journal

April General Conference

"Opening the Heavens for Help"

President Russell M. Nelson

"To help us remember Him and to identify The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the Lord's Church, we are pleased to introduce a symbol that will signify the central place of Jesus Christ in His Church. This symbol includes the name of the Church contained within a cornerstone. Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone."

Inklings

Inklings Institute with Emily and Rio

JSH 1:29-46

James was up early this morning to prepare his monthly income tax report. I went over to turn on the water and there was barely a trickle coming out. James went out to check the well. The pump which provides pressure was running but the well was dry so he turned the water on to fill up the tank. Within 30 minutes or so there was enough water in the well so he could turn the pressure tank back on. What would I do without my handyman husband?

The diesel mechanics came out to install the parts James picked up last week for little Cat. James could do it himself but he doesn't have the right tools. They hadn't been working very long when it was apparent that another part was needed. James went in and ordered it but won't pick it up the part until tomorrow. He paid the mechanics $600 and still does not have a fixed machine. 

Erik told James that he saw a video where someone took apart a key box that was not working and cleaned the inside with brake cleaner. James took apart his key box and called around but no one had any brake cleaner. He only needs about a teaspoon full. 

Project number 3: The water valve for the planter. The one James installed was defective. Luckily he found another one out in the shed, installed it, and it is working fine. Upkeep is a major way of life around here.

I spent most of the day trying to buy books. I am discouraged that most books are either priced too high or they are gated, which means I cannot sell them. 

Today was Ruby's 11th birthday. If I post an over-abundance of Ruby pictures it's only because Trina posted them on Instagram so I have access to them. Ruby is such a sweet girl. She is sensitive, very patient with Lola, and loves animals and never wants to hurt them or their feelings. She loves to roller blade, swim, skateboard, and hike with her family. 

Happy Birthday Ruby!

At our timeshare

Addy made Ruby a cake and Lola helped with the decorating and celebrating.

James took a Luna ride this afternoon. They came upon a small herd of cows. One of the cows spooked and ran and it scared Luna. She turned and ran full speed in the opposite direction to the total surprise of James. He pulled back on the reigns but she had the bit in her teeth instead of her jaw and she just kept running. Finally after about 150 yards he turned her head and she was forced to stop. Maybe we should have named our horse "Scaredy Cat."

As part of my gospel study this evening I watched Emily and Rio on IGTV in what they are calling Inklings Institute. This week we are studying JSH 1:29-46 and Elder Christofferson's talk "Sharing the Message of the Restoration and the Resurrection."

Love this picture of Charlie!

Charlie gets glasses and Evan got braces this week. Sheri says he hates them and was looking online for invisible ones. Adolescence is such an awkward time.

No word on how Elder Holland is doing.
We are all anxious to hear.