Saturday, July 18th, 2020

Campinas, Brazil 

111th operating temple

Dedicated: 17 May 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Lamb of God

DC 133:56

And the graves of the saints shall be opened; and they shall come forth and stand on the right hand of the Lamb, when he shall stand upon Mount Zion, and upon the holy city, the New Jerusalem; and they shall sing the song of the Lamb, day and night forever and ever.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Alma 35

April General Conference

"The Melchizedek Priesthood And The Keys"

President Dallin H. Oaks

The most familiar example of the function of keys is in the performance of priesthood ordinances. An ordinance is a solemn act signifying the making of covenants and the promises of blessings. In the Church all ordinances are performed under the authorization of the priesthood leader who holds the keys for that ordinance.

Alma 34:33 ... if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed. This is a scary thought and should give me reason to take heed and repent of all my sins and shortcomings before it is too late. 

I got up this morning and made enchiladas using the recipe I came up with myself. There was some sauce left so I made a small batch for James and I. We had them for lunch and they were delicious, I think this is my favorite thing to eat, at least right now it is.

The larger batch of enchiladas was for the Brady luncheon after brother Brady's graveside service at the Vernon cemetery. Brother Brady was 78 years old. I did not know him but I know his brother Mike who lives across the street. His wife Cindy is a non-member. She was interested in joining the Church at one time but Arden, her husband wasn't ready. The Brady family are some of the early settlers here in Vernon. Brother Brady was a Marine and a cowboy. He casket was carried from the home on a horse-drawn wagon with guards on each side. Brother Brady has a sister named Karen. She has rheumatoid arthritis and is married to one of my old boyfriends, Blake Sherwood. Blake gave the eulogy and dedicated the grave.

Tamara asked us to meet at the Brady home at 10 o'clock to help organize the food the Relief Society sisters would be bringing. When I arrived with my enchiladas and Sister Crane's Cafe Rio chicken burros Tamara, Kerri, and Rosie were already there. Tamara is the Relief Society President, Kerri is the other counselor and Rosie is the assistant compassionate service leader. Sister Crane is the compassionate service leader but she is in the valley with her husband Chuck who had heart surgery yesterday. 

The Relief Society sisters really came through for us and so did Brother Peeler who made a big pot of beans. We had 8 Mexican casserole, salads, cornbread, and cakes. Plenty of food for the expected 50 people. The tables for eating were set up outside in the yard. It was a beautiful day to be outside. We set the food up outside on table that were provided by the family. Kerri, Rosie and I left just as the guests were arriving. The family said they would do the serving. Tamara stayed so she could speak with Cindy, Brother Brady's wife. Afterwards she went to the Curtis's where the Elder's Quorum was helping them move. She did a ministering interview with Diana. Diana is in my district so she was actually doing my job. 

James was at the Curtis's this morning helping them move. He said they had 14 elder's show up, most of them over 60 along with the Wilhelm boys and the Judd kids. 

It was a nice day and I spent it inside working on my blog, taking a nap, and walking. James had to chase away cows and fill up Luna's watering trough two times because they drank all of her water. 

I finished my Book of Mormon study guide for this week's lesson. I finished the audio book I was listening to, "Rakes and Roses" and started a new one called, "Lakeshire Park."

Joe with the two dwarfs, Wrinkled

and Droopy

 The Brady home

 I asked James to build us one of these

for our next cousins reunion

Sweet 

Scary

 Before Neosporin or Bactine there

was this stuff...Scary!

Case Cousins

They have such fun grandparents

Friday, July 17th, 2020

Monterrey, Mexico

110th operating temple

Dedicated: 28 Apr 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Lamb of God

DC 109:79

And also this church, to put upon it thy name. And help us by the power of thy Spirit, that we may mingle our voices with those bright, shining seraphs around thy throne, with acclamations of praise, singing Hosanna to God and the Lamb!

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Alma 34:28-41

April General Conference

"He Goes Before Us"

President Henry B. Eyring

It seems that the Kirtland Temple was important to the Lord's step-by-step plan for at least two reasons: First, Moses waited until the temple was completed to restore the keys of the gathering of Israel. And second, President Joseph Fielding Smith taught that "the Lord commanded the Saints to build a temple, the Kirtland temple, in which he could reveal the keys of authority and where the apostles could be endowed and prepared to prune his vineyard for the last time." Although the temple endowment as we know it today wasn't administered in the Kirtland Temple, in fulfillment of prophecy, preparatory temple ordinances began to be introduced there, along with an outpouring of spiritual manifestations which armed those called on missions with the promised endowment of "power from on high" that led to a great gathering through missionary service.

  James left early this morning for the valley. He is concerned about Sal's crew starting the covering for the patio in Peoria. He also needs to get a check from Mario and pay Alberto. 

Sheri went out on her run this morning and of course left the dogs at home. Ziggie went up to be with Ian and Ollie laid on the couch in "his spot." He is finally to the point where he doesn't bark at me when I come out of my bedroom. He stills barks at the fans in the bedroom so I keep my door closed. I helped Sheri fix breakfast, I put my frozen hashbrown patties in the oven, turning them halfway at ten minutes. By the time they were done breakfast was just about over. I tried to get Evan to try some but he said he wasn't hungry. Sheri had one and she really liked them commenting on how crispy they were. I think Ian had one and so did I. I put the rest in the refrigerator. 

After breakfast everyone packed up to leave. I will miss them and will be home alone for the rest of the day. Of course we had to take pictures on the front porch.

For lunch Joe had left a pasta salad in the frig. I sat down to eat it in front of the TV but I couldn't get the satellite to come on. The lights on the front of it were on but there was no signal. I called Sheri and one of the boys said the input needed to be on HDMI 1. Still nothing. Finally I asked if I needed to plug something in and one of them said they had plugged the HDMI cord into the satellite. I went over to check and nada. I found the right HDMI cord, there were two, and it was the second one, and I plugged it in. Like magic, the satellite came on. I had asked the boys to please put everything back in order after playing their video games, but boys will be boys and they are forgetful.

It rained hard here for about 15 or 20 minutes this afternoon. I loved it! Luna loved it to, I guess, because she took a roll in the mud. She was pawing the ground when I went out to feed her at noon.

We have a funeral luncheon in our ward tomorrow and I signed up to make enchiladas. I was checking to make sure I had all of the ingredients when I realized the small tortillas I bought were flour instead of corn. I called James and asked if he would pick up some yellow corn tortillas before coming home tonight. He said he would. I'm so grateful because I certainly did not want to go into town just for tortillas. 

Dr. Memon did the heart procedure on Chuck today. He said it was pretty complicated but Chuck came through the procedure with flying colors. Kathy said the doctor recommended to her that he get a pacemaker. James had a meeting with Dr. Memon about the medical mall he wants James to build. James also went over to the job in Peoria where they are building a covering for the patio. He is afraid the guys don't quite understand how to frame the covering.

I checked on my 25 stranded books and opened my case to ask if there was anything I could do. The person who responded said my books were rated used-good in manage inventory but only "used" on the stranded inventory page. He said 

this may be due to the listing condition still not synchronized on our warehouse. With this, kindly wait for the units to be received and complete the shipment process for the conditions to be synchronized." I hate waiting!

This evening I actually studied the "Come Follow Me" lesson for the week. It has been awhile. James got home around 9:15. He said he got behind a line of cars that were going very slow.

 The plums are for the Goodman's. I didn't want

James to forget them again.

I told Sheri I didn't have any pictures of Joe

so she sent me these

Thursday, July 16th, 2020

Lubbock, Texas
109th operating temple
Dedicated: 21 Apr 2002
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Lamb of God

DC 88:106

And again, another angel shall sound his trump, which is the seventh angel, saying: It is finished; it is finished! The Lamb of God hath overcome and trodden the wine-press alone, even the wine-press of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Alma 34:1-27

April General Conference

"United in Accomplishing God's Work"

Sister Jean B. Bingham

 Satan incites comparison as a tool to create feelings of being superior or inferior, hiding the eternal truth that men's and women's innate differences are God given and equally valued. He has attempted to demean women's contributions both to the family and in civil society, thereby decreasing their uplifting influence for good. His goal has been to foster a power struggle rather than a celebration of the unique contributions of men and women that complement one another and contribute to unity.

James and I had scriptures and prayer in the bedroom before most anyone else was up. Of course Sheri was up and out on her run. When she returned she said she saw an elk without antlers.

Waffles, eggs and bacon for breakfast. The Hearts game began right after breakfast. James was busy so Sheri filled in for him. After the round of Hearts some of us packed up and went to Fool's Hollow Lake. James stayed home and so did Evan and Joshua. So it was Sheri, me, Ian, Max, Alex, Joe, and Rowan who all piled into Sheri's van. It cost us $10 to get in to Fool's Hollow. It would have been $7 but we had so many people they charged us extra. Oh yes, we also had Ziggie and Ollie.

Ian and Alex fished, and Rowan and Max swam. Sheri, Joe, and I enjoyed the nice weather as did Ziggie and Ollie. Quite a few people had kayak's and other small boats. We didn't stay long, an hour or so. I think Alex was bored because he wasn't catching any fish. A stop at Circle K and we were on our way home. 

Ian cooked burgers and hot dogs for lunch when we got home. 

I went back to ordering my books. I was determined to get all 60 books for July before the end of the day, which I did.

Ben called this afternoon and both James and I got to talk with him as did Sheri and Alex. He seemed in good spirits, looking a little reddish because he went out on a run this morning. Sheri is planning the trip to go pick Ben up in September and has already rented a house in Idaho Falls. Alex and Joe say they are going and so might Ian and Max and James. Sheri doesn't think Evan will want to go so I said he could stay here with me.

We sat out on the deck while we were talking to Ben enjoying the nice weather. Although we did not get much rain here, we did get some. 

Kathy Crane brought over her Cafe Rio chicken burros for me to take to the funeral on Saturday. I also spoke with my friend Diana Curtis. She and her husband Blaine are moving back to the valley and she called to thank James for inviting them over to have dinner and play games on Saturday but she said they would not be able to make it because of the move and all they have to do to get ready for the closing on Tuesday. I told her that James would be over on Saturday morning to help move along with the rest of the elder's quorum. I told her I would be helping at the Brady funeral. We said our goodbyes and reminisced about when we served in Young Women's together. We also said we would keep in touch. I hope we do.

Alex and Joe played Hearts with Max and James before leaving for home. Alex just had to win one, and he did. We took photos before they left. Sheri took one of us with Joe but I didn't get a copy. 

Evan, Joshua and Rowan rode Luna this afternoon. James took some movies, which I will try to use a photos here.

Fool's Hollow Lake

 They swam across to the other side

 A bit of Chandler history

 Sheri on her morning run

Fool's Hollow