Tuesday, July 21st, 2020

The Hague, Netherlands

114th operating temple

Dedicated: 8 Sept 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Light of the World

2 Nephi 12:5

O house of Jacob, come ye and let us walk in the light of the Lord; yea, come, for ye have all gone astray, everyone to his wicked ways.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Alma 35:17-30; "Teaching with Power"

April General Conference

"That They May See"

Bonnie H. Cordon

You and I have enough light to share right now. We can light the next step to help someone draw nearer to Jesus Christ, and then the next step, and the next. 

Ask yourself, "Who needs the light you have to find the path they need but cannot see?"

Lambson Study Group

"The Future of the World:Preparing the World for the Savior's Second Coming"

President Russell M. Nelson

April 2020

I had planned on going to town around 9:00. When I told James he asked me if I would wait for him because he needed to go too but was waiting for Perkins Cinders to bring a load of gravel out. As soon as the gravel was poured, we left for town, around 10:00. We stopped at the post office but the mail had not been put up yet so I had no books. 

James dropped me off in front of Walmart where masks are mandatory. He went on to Home Depot where he says he doesn't have to wear a mask. 

One of the main reasons I needed to come shopping was to buy a birthday gift for Ruthie Wilhelm who turns 10 today. I asked her mom what kinds of things she liked and she said she likes pink, jewelry, nail polish, and girly things. This is my kind of shopping. I bought her a pink purse, along with one for Molly, and put nail polish, a couple of necklaces, flavored lip gloss, and scented hand lotion and a bottle of hand sanitizer inside. I hope she likes it and Molly too!

I missed Leland Grapp's second birthday last week so I bought him some small monster trucks and hand puppets. 

After he was finished at Home Depot James bought us lunch at Firehouse Subs. He got a smoked brisket and a steak and cheese. We shared half and half. They were both delicious. We stopped at the Wilhelm's on the way home to see Ruthie. She was jumping on the trampoline with her friends and younger siblings. James got out and took the pretty pink bag with her gifts in it. She took it and said thank you and then asked him if he wanted to see the snake they caught. She and Johnny brought over a bucket and sure enough there was a snake in the bottom. They said the coolest thing that happened was when they put a couple of mice in with the snake and he ate them. James showed them a picture of the snake we had found on our property and then he showed them a picture of Luna with elk surrounding her. One of Ruthie's friends, Ariana, looked at the picture and said, camels. Johnny looked at her and said disgustedly, elk. I thought camels was a funny response for a girl who lives in Vernon.

It looked like rain today but nothing. Hopefully we will get some later in the week. I took a nap after putting everything away from our shopping trip. James kept busy outside for awhile and then came in and did some office work before going out to ride Luna. I worked on books and my blog. We went to bed a little after nine because James is getting up early to leave for the valley. He did get someone to help him with the framing in Peoria but he wants to go down and make sure it is done right.

 This little girl is such a blessing!

 oops, I skipped some

 Cope's Walmart mask

 Megan and her husband were sealed in the

Rexburg, Idaho temple

 The Wilhelm's have new piglets

 Erik's family vacation route

 The Whalen family whitewater rafting

on the Snake River

"Come Follow Me"

Teaching with Power

 Whalen's vacation

 James and I are considering moving to

South Dakota

Kelly Reynolds art work

Monday, July 20th, 2020

Nauvoo, Illinois

113th operating temple

Dedicated: 27-30 June 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Light of the World

Isaiah 2:5

O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Alma 36:1-16

April General Conference

"Fulfillment of Prophecy"

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

 We live in that time prophesied; we are the people charged with ushering in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ; we are to gather God's children, those who will hear and embrace the truths, covenants, and promises of the everlasting gospel. President Nelson calls it "the greatest challenge, the greatest cause, and the greatest work on the earth today." Of that miracle I bear my witness.

I had five of the books I bought last week be cancelled, this happened yesterday so I ignored it until this morning. I finally figured out why they were cancelled. I pay for them with my Amazon Store card and the limit on that card is $1,000. I evidently went over the limit so that's why these books were cancelled. The first thing I did when I got up this morning was pay off the card and re-order the books. Some of them went up in price. I also went to settings on the Amazon Seller page and managed a backup payment in case this ever happens again.

I listened to Book of Mormon Central this morning while working on the computer. Brother John Welch was there as a guest speaker. He is actually the founder of Book of Mormon Central and the person who discovered chiasmus in the Book of Mormon while on his mission in Ravensburg, Germany in 1967. He had listened to a lecture on chiasmus in the Bible. The next morning as he was reading in Mosiah 5 he discovered it in verses 10-12. About six months later he discovered the masterpiece of chiasmus in Alma 36. I loved listening to Brother Welch and appreciated his testimony of chiasmus, a Hebrew and Near East literary style foreign to Joseph Smith, and how in Alma 36 it points to the Savior as the center point of Alma's testimony. He talked about Alma 36 being a roadmap for repentance and a change of heart. 

James went to the post office today and brought back ten new books for me. I was happy to see that none of my books are stranded and I also repriced 60 of my books in inventory.

James is worried about the job in Peoria. On Saturday the framer didn't show up because his wife had a baby. James called another framer but he wanted twice as much to do it as James had budgeted. The only solution he could think of was to go down himself and do the job along with help from Sal. He plans on leaving tomorrow afternoon. 

This evening James and I watched the movie, "The Fighting Preacher." This is the story of Willard and Rebecca Bean who were called on a mission to the Joseph Smith farm in Palmyra township, New York. This was in 1915. Brother Bean was a retired boxer. The people were so unkind to the Bean's simply because they were Mormons. By the end of their mission, 24 years later, the longest in Church history, the Bean's were the most well-liked people in the community and people were upset that they were leaving. Some of the acting is a little unprofessional but the message is so inspirational!

Follow the Prophet

If he says to look at a serpent on a stick,

do it.

If he says to wear a mask,

do it.

My books

Sunday, July 19th, 2020

Ascuncion, Paraguay

112th operating temple

Dedicated: 19 May 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Light of the World

Isaiah 2:5

O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Alma 36:1-16

April General Conference

"Opening the Heavens for Help"

President Russell M. Nelson

Symbolically, Jesus Christ is standing under an arch. The arch reminds us of the resurrected Savior emerging from the tomb on the third day following His Crucifixion. This symbol should feel familiar to many, as we have long identified the restored gospel with the living, resurrected Christ. The symbol will now be used as a visual identifier for official literature, news, and events of the Church. It will remind all that this is the Savior's Church and that all we do as members of His Church centers on Jesus Christ and His gospel. 

I spent the morning working on finishing up the "Come Follow Me" lesson in my Sunday journal. I wanted to have this finished before we went to the Crane's at 10:30 for our group study of Alma 32-35. I love these chapters. I love how Alma lays out to the Zoramites the need for faith and how faith can grow within our hearts as we learn about the Savior and His Atonement. Amulek testifies of the Savior and our need for His Atonement after Alma has laid the foundation of faith. I love the idea that we can pray and worship God anywhere, anytime and that we should always have a prayer in our hearts. My testimony of the truthfulness of these principles was strengthened as I studied these chapters. 

As we met at the Crane's there were six of us, the Crane's, the Goodman's, and James and I. Brother Peeler took Brother Kostusiak to the valley to be stitched up again. He and Chuck are the ministering brothers and they take turn making trips to the valley with them. Donna's son came to visit so she stayed home with him. 

I learned today that the Goodman's bought Brother Kostusiak a new chair so it will be easier for him to get up and down without putting pressure on his chest where the stitches are. Another example of service which they so readily give.

During our lesson discussion Kathy and Chuck learned that being "poor in spirit" is a good thing as it signifies humility and our dependence upon God. We watched Amulek's speech to the Zoramites which was so good. We also watched Alma's. 

There were no refreshments because we were asked to fast for moisture by our stake president, President Beeler. 

We were so happy to have Barbara back with us. She has been recovering from her shoulder surgery the past several weeks. She still had her arm in a sling. Kathy let me borrow their movie, "The Fighting Preacher."

This afternoon I read all of the talks we are studying this week for our Lambson Study Group. Here is the list:

"What Lack I Yet?"

Elder Larry R. Lawrence

October 2015 GenCon

"Faith Is Not by Chance, but by Choice"

Elder Neil L. Andersen

October 2015 GenCon

"Seek Learning by Faith"

Elder David A. Bednar

Feb. 3, 2006

After my study we did FaceTime with Jared, Kacey, Charlie, and Tanner. Some things we discussed: Tanner wants to be a mechanic. Summer is staying alone in a hotel room because she does have symptoms of Covid-19 even though she tested negative. Charlie likes to hide and has picked out a couple of favorite spots in the house. She also thinks if she covers her eyes, you can't see her because she can't see you. 

Jared initiates our Zoom meetings. Sheri did not attend today. Max and Evan were over at Shayna's watching their new puppy so they got a late start having their church meeting which coincided with our meeting. At the end when we were saying our goodbyes, Charlie wanted to know where Sheri was.

Stacy participated today having read the talks ahead of time and sharing some of her favorite quotes. It was so nice to have her and I enjoyed her input. Kacey did not get to participate much because of Charlie but Jared did share a story about how she exercised faith by stepping into the unknown when she left her husband without knowing where she would live and if she would get a job. Things did work out to her advantage. I'm not sure I would have had the faith she had but I am so proud of her for doing what she felt was right.

Kim and Brian participated. One thing I remember Kim saying was that she learned the importance of the learner participating actively in the learning process. She said she wishes she would have allowed Joe to do this more when he was growing up. 

This is one of the quotes that Stacy shared from Elder Andersen's talk: "How we live our lives either diminishes or enhances our faith."

This evening James and I both wrote letters to our missionary, Elder Trezise. I am determined to write to him at least once or twice a month. He only has a little over a month before he finishes his mission. 

I also worked on my blog this evening. We went to bed before I posted pictures because the computer was too slow. We were going to watch "The Fighting Preacher" but there just wasn't time. 

It was a wonderful Sabbath Day!

I love this picture taken back in April

 Scarlett has such a great smile!

 Twin Falls, Idaho temple

Charlie's Sabbath joy

 Dad and Charlie doing their thing

I love this quote and I love Sister Hinckley