Fri 8/14/20 Happy 14th Birthday Joshua; Shayna's birthday; Games; Razr Rides; School; Tea Party; Luna Rides

 

Manaus, Brazil

138th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 June 2012

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Light of the World

DC 6:21

Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the same that came unto mine own, and mine own received me not. I am the light which shineth in darkness,and the darkness comprehendeth it not.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

 Alma 59-61

April General Conference

"Hosanna and Halleluhah - The Living Jesus Christ: The Heart of Restoration and Easter"

On Easter Sunday, April 3, 1836, in the early days of the Restoration, the living Jesus Christ appeared after the Kirtland  Temple was dedicated. Those who saw Him there testified of Him in complementary contrasts of fire and water: "His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah."

I made breakfast for James, Rowan, Ruby, and Lola. I made pancakes while Ruby cut up strawberries. I also made sausage links to go with the pancakes.

As I was listening to one of the Elder Holland talks Jared asked us to read this week, I chuckled at this statement: "The banner over hell says, 'Welcome to the Ethics of Ease.'" 

I am not sure if I can figure out how to post a video on here but I am going to try. Recently we have let Luna wander out of her corral during the day. She came over to the front porch this morning where Ruby, Lola and I were hanging out. The girls pet her, and sang to her, "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star",  and "You Are My Sunshine." We got to doing something else and Luna trotted off. A while later Lola wanted her to come back and started calling for her. I couldn't find the video of Lola calling Luna but Trina posted in on Instagram.

Here are some photos:

Ruby is a little more hesitant than Lola

Luna has her "fly" mask on

James saddled Luna this evening and the kids rode her, along with Darrel. When I say kids I mean Rowan, Ruby, and Lola. Addy thinks Luna doesn't like her and she doesn't even want to try to ride. It made me a little sad. Ruby is a little afraid because last time Luna took her under a tree and she got her face scratched, but she is determined she is going to ride and overcome her fear. 

Addy had school today so she spent most of the morning upstairs on her phone. She missed the Razr ride Darrel took the other kids on. She and Trina also ran today.

When Addy was finished with school Darrel and Trina and all of their kids went to town. They did the hike at the Show Low Bluffs and then went to Walmart. Lola didn't want to go and was crying. I told her the hike was really easy and there would be horses there. She stopped crying and decided she would go. Trina also reminded her that she needed to get refreshments for her tea party. 

I rested and walked and worked on my blog while they were gone. James was working outside and so I had the house to myself for awhile. 

Trina came home from town and made a chicken salad with grapes and chopped celery. She also got the ingredients for pumpkin bread which she wants to make tomorrow. I think she and Darrel are starting a diet on Monday and they are going to enjoy food this weekend. Darrel is making tri-tip and got all of the ingredient to marinate the meat. 

This evening most of us enjoyed being outside watching the kids and Darrel ride Luna. James was the grand finale and had to show some of his riding skills. Addy doesn't trust Luna and is afraid to ride her. James tried to talk her in to it, but she refused. 

Rowan and Darrel shot Rowan's crossbow we gave him for his birthday and lost two of the arrows and then Rowan broke the last one. Darrel ordered some more arrows online for Rowan.

This evening we all gathered around the table for Lola's tea party. We used styrofoam cups and paper towels and had mini cupcakes and Lucky Charm marshmallows and pineapple flavored water for refreshments. We all had received an invitation from Lola and we all had place cards, mini postits, taped to our cups. It was quite the affair of the day.

Darrel and Trina played Scattergories with their kids tonight. It looked like fun. 

Happy 14th Birthday Joshua

Joshua has grown up so much in the last couple of years. He is

really a great young man!

Candyland outside 

 

Kacey's post

Jared Ammon when he was two with one of

Paul's relatives. He was the sweetest little boy!

Shayna's 22nd birthday

Switzerland

My new bedroom, someday

Miss Personality: I love her so much!

West Fork of the Black River

Sunset on Show Low Lake

 

Thur 8/13/20 Road compacted; Clean for company; Darrel's family here; Inklings

Kansas City, Missouri

137th operating temple

Dedicated: 6 May 2012

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Light of the World

3 Nephi 18:24

Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up - that which ye have seen me do. Behold ye see that I have prayed unto the Father, and ye all have witnessed.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Alma 57 - Helaman recounts the taking of Antiparah and the surrender and later the defense of Cumeni-His Ammonite striplings fight valiantly; all are wounded, but none are slain - Gid reports the slaying and the escape of the Lamanite prisonsers.

Alma 58 - Helaman, Gid, and Teomner take the city of Manti by a stratagem - The Lamanites withdraw - The sons of the people of Ammon are preserved as they stand fast in defence of their liberty and faith.

April General Conference

"A Good Foundation Against the Time to Come"

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

On one of her social media posts, she wrote that someone had asked her, "How do you still have faith with all the heartache that surrounds you?" She replied firmly with these words: "Because faith is what gets me through these dark times. Having faith doesn't mean nothing bad is going to happen. Having faith allows me to believe that there will be light again. And that light will be even brighter because I have walked through the dark. As much darkness as I have witnessed over the years, I have witnessed far more light. I have seen miracles. I have felt angels. I have known that my Heavenly Father was carrying me. None of that would have been experienced if life was easy. The future of this life may be unknown, but my faith is not. If I choose to not have faith then I choose to only walk in darkness. Because without faith, darkness is all that is left."

Inklings

Blog and books in the morning. Air-fried zucchini and beans for lunch. James and Chuck are compacting the road after the rain. This is the first time a compacter has been available probably because the road paving project is finished. 

This afternoon I got ready for company by cleaning the upstairs. James put up my new whiteboard in our bedroom. I'm excited to give it a try. Just as I was finishing cleaning upstairs Sheri called to talk. I was just getting ready to go in and take a shower. Darrel and Trina had just gone through Show Low. I was in the shower when Darrel and Trina arrived. Trina asked if we were home and I had to tell her where I was. Usually I am there to greet them at the front door. 

I never made it downstairs to put the clean sheets on the bed in Kim and Brian's room. Trina said they would be happy to do it. Well, at least she knows the sheets are clean.

Lola wanted to plan a tea party and was going to use Rowan's birthday card for the invitations so I got her some of my cards to use. Rowan opened his gift, a cross bow, and he seemed to really like it. He gave me a big hug. 

Ruby and I started doing the balloon puzzle but didn't even finish the edge pieces before it was time to go to bed. Addy has online school in the morning, so I guess 10:00 was bedtime.

Trina says it looks like Downton Abbey

This is what happens when you forget to check

and see how many steps you have before going to bed.

Wed 8/12/20; Walmart; Home Depot; O'Reilly's transmission fluid; Blessings; Rain; Gospel Study

 

Quetzeltenango, Guatemala

136th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Dec 2011

By: Dieter F, Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Light of the World

3 Nephi 18:24

Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up - that which ye have seen me do. Behold ye see that I have prayed unto the Father, and ye all have witnessed.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Alma 56 - Helaman sends an epistle to Moroni

April General Conference

"The Power of the Book of Mormon in Conversion"

Elder Benjamin M. Z. Tai

By consistently applying the doctrine of Christ in our lives, we will overcome inertia that impedes change and fear that foils action. We will receive personal revelation, for the Holy Ghost "will show unto you all things what ye should do," and "the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do."

Lots of "Come Follow Me" study today. I listened to Book of Mormon Central, "Teaching with Power", and "Don't Miss This." These power point pages are from "Teaching with Power":

James did not sleep well last night and when Anthony did not show up to work on the fence, he didn't go out either. This afternoon we went into town to do some shopping. James needed to get some transmission fluid for his truck, we needed more flowers for the back patio, and since I'm feeding the missionaries on Saturday, I needed to do some grocery shopping. I wore my mask into the store but immediately took it off after entering. I got the ingredients for two baked ziti's. Darrel and Trina and their family are coming up tomorrow. I also got frozen burgers, and stuff to make enchiladas. I also have chicken thighs in the freezer at home so I have ingredients for several meals. The shelves at Walmart are still pretty bare and some things they just don't have. 

James came in time to help me check out at the scan and go. I don't like doing it by myself. He bought some flowers for me at Home Depot but could not find transmission fluid at Home Depot or Walmart so we had to stop at O'Reilly's before leaving for home.

It was 84 degrees when we left Show Low. The new pavement is so nice. They finished it to the St. Johns Y. Up ahead of us we could see a big rainstorm. James said it looked like we could be getting some rain at home. I said we were probably on the edge. When we got into Vernon it was raining and the temperature was 68. It rained all the way through Vernon and on to our home and looked like it had rained earlier also. We were so happy! Luna was waiting for us on the hill and came down to visit while we unloaded the car.

Later this evening it rained hard for quite some time. I'm not sure how widespread this rain was, but it was wonderful here at our place. We have been praying for it.

I listened to Candace Owens interview Tim Ballard and then Ben Carson today. She is a young black woman who now supports Trump and conservative values. She went to Oxford some time ago and debated that Trump should not be impeached. Her defense of him was awesome even for someone like me who is not a huge Trump fan. I am beginning to really like Candace Owens and wish she would run for political office.

Here is her bio according to Wikipedia:

Candace Amber Owens Farmer (born April 29, 1989) is an American conservative author, commentator, and political activist. Initially critical of President Donald Trump and the Republican Party Owens has become known for her increasingly pro-Trump activism as a black woman, in addition to her criticism of Black Lives Matter and the Democratic Party. she worked for the conservative advocacy group Turning Point USA between 2017 and 2019 as its communications director. 

BTW, I love Tim Ballard and Ben Carson. They are two amazing men doing amazing things for our country and the world!