Tuesday, November 10, 2020: Guayquil Ecuador temple; 36 degrees high; Trump Supreme Court; Book shpmnt rdy; Grinch cookies; Renoir sky, rainbow; Lola; Evan, Ro; Bennett Chipman

Guayquil, Ecuador

58th operating temple

Dedicated: 1 Aug 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Messiah

DC 75:1

Verily, verily, I say unto you, I who speak even by the voice of my Spirit, even Alpha and Omega, your Lord and your God-

Book of Mormon

Ether 2

Oct General Conference

'There Was Bread'

Bishop W. Christopher Waddell

First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric

I am eternally grateful for a living prophet and for the direction we receive from prophets, seers, and revelators, especially during these times of challenge. 

From the beginning of time, the Lord has provided direction to help His people prepare spiritually and temporally against the calamities and trials that He knows will come as part of this mortal experience.

Restoration Proclamation

P6 S1

We declare that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, organized on April 6, 1830, is Christ's New Testament Church restored.

As part of my scripture study this morning I listened to Dave and Emily on "Don't Miss This." Here are some notes I took:

Revelation requires a response. "If you can't see the hand of the Lord, look for his fingerprints." Was the miracle the light or the Lord? He knew - nothing doubting - what do I know?

This week's "Come Follow Me" is about prayer, faith, and revelation. I love learning from the scriptures and listening to other people's ideas!

The high today was supposed to be 27 but it actually got up to 36.  Lots of sun and no wind. It really was a beautiful day. The ground stayed frozen so it wasn't a good day for digging post holes.

Trina texted me today about Thanksgiving. She said they would not be coming up until Thanksgiving day. She said she wouldn't be able to prepare food but she could send money and would help in the kitchen when she got here. She said if we wanted to start eating without them that would be fine. Darrel said we like to eat early. I told her we would do not such thing and please do not send money. 

If we eat late, we eat late. We are just grateful they are coming.

We were asked to say a prayer today for President Trump who will be appearing before the Supreme Court regarding election fraud. 

Here are some things I enjoyed doing today: Reading to James from "Blackberry Crumble", watching Christmas movies: "Joy at Christmas," "Storybook Christmas" (this one is on Lifetime and is one of my favorites), and from the BYU channel based on Jason Wright's book, "The Christmas Jars". This last one is a new favorite. James had never seen it and he really enjoyed it. I told him we should start our own Christmas Jar.

Something did not smell good in the frig when I opened it this morning. I decided to start going through the leftovers and either get rid of them or eat them. Here are some of the things we ate today as leftovers: Hashbrown quiche, stew, beans and corn. Here are some things I threw out: broccoli, and chili. By the end of the day the frig smell was back to normal. 

My main focus today was getting my books ready to ship, which I did. James is going to the valley tomorrow and he will be taking this box of books with him to mail. I have one more small shipment and that's it. Now I just need to worry about selling as many as I can. This is the worst time of year for textbooks, but January when the new semester starts, things should pick up.

James carried 3 - 50lb bags of horse feed from his truck to the shed. What would I do without him? Although I have also proven useful. He couldn't get on Chase online so I helped him. 

 Luna was at the front porch this morning so James tried to figure out where she was getting out and tried to fix it knowing that he will be gone tomorrow. Luna hasn't been out for a while. When she does get out she always comes back at meal time. 

Jared sent a thank you for his birthday card. I guess he just opened it.

Such great boys!

Rainbow on Highway 60

 

Monday, November 9, 2020; Bogota Columbia Temple; Snow; Christmas decorating begins reluctantly; Charlie's leaves; Joshua; Steps;

 

Bogota, Columbia

57th operating temple

Dedicated: 24 April 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Messiah

DC 45:7

For verily I say unto you that I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the light and the life of the world - a light that shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not.

Book of Mormon

Ether 1

Oct General Conference

'All Nations, Kindreds, and Tongues'

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

Kindness opened understanding. It was not the way the family hoped or expected their prayers to be answered. However, they express gratitude for what they learned through hard experiences and unexpected answers to heartfelt prayers. Truly, for those with faithful hearts and eyes to see, the Lord's tender mercies are manifest amidst life's challenges. Faithfully met challenges and sacrifice do bring the blessings of heaven. 

Restoration Proclamation

P5 S2

Pages of this sacred text include an account of the personal ministry of Jesus Christ among people in the Western Hemisphere soon after His Resurrection.

Two coyotes killed a bunny close to us today. James was so upset he shot one of the coyotes but the other one got away. As much of a big game hunter he is, he has a tender heart for our bunnies.

It was windy, cold, and snowy today. I stayed inside. 

James and I had a difference of opinion today about putting the tree up. Just about the time I decided it wasn't worth the arguing, he brought it up from downstairs. I had just texted Kim and Brian and asked if they would help me put up the tree when they got here and they were more than happy to do it. They have a special way of doing the lights. James set the tree up in the corner and it will just stand there with no decorations or lights until Kim and Brian get here. James did put the wreath up on the rafters and the one on the front porch. I'm out of the mood for decorating right now. Hopefully I will get my Christmas spirit back if I watch enough Christmas movies.

James gets a little grumpy when he can't go outside to work and today is one of those days. It wasn't his best day ever.

I made a hashbrown quiche from my new recipe book today. It tasted fine except the hashbrown crust was not crispy, in fact it was a bit soggy. Also, instead of using hamburger I used some Italian sausage I had.

I started getting my books inventoried and ready for shipment today. I also walked over 13,000 steps and did two blog posts. I listened to Brother Halverson's "Come Follow Me" lesson. 

James and I watched two Christmas movies. The first, "The Christmas Bow" is a new one. This one is about a violinist who injures her hand. The actress playing the part is an actual world-famous violinist. It was very good. The next movie, "Christmas at the Plaza" is one from last year that is a favorite.

This evening's "Come Follow Me" lesson was supposed to be at the Crane's but it was cancelled. James went upstairs to work and I watched "DWTS." I do not like Tyra Banks as the host. She is a bit over the top. I wasn't a fan of the theme tonight, Icon night. I did like Justina's and Kaitlyn's dances. A.J. and Cheryl went home but I thought it should have been Danielle and Nelly.

We heard some extremely sad news today. Bennett Chipman, a young man who is the same age as Ben and a return missionary was killed in a car accident coming back from a visit to his grandmother's in San Diego. There were six people in the car. This happened last night. Here is what Sheri texted me: 

I guess Bennett and a group of friends had driven to California to see his grandma. They were driving back and it was raining. Bennett was driving. There were six people in the car. One was ejected and died at the scene. Two others were life flighted to a hospital in Palm Springs, the closest hospital. They were originally told Bennett would be ok. He died on the operating table. The other one is still in critical condition. Hillary didn't know if another car was involved. Bennett's brother Kellen is going through the temple tomorrow He was called on a mission to Germany and was supposed to start online MTC tomorrow The Chipman's didn't make it before he passed.

The Chipman's have lived in Chandler for many years and have raised their children here. They were in our ward when their children were small and James was the bishop. They are now in Erik and Amelia's ward. They are a wonderful family.

I love this memory when Joshua and Paul

helped James cut wood and stack it.

Look at those gorgeous Texas trees!

I love how excited she is!!

Congratulations!

(Brennan's daughters)

Sunday, November 8, 2020: Madrid Sprain Temple; Vernon ward Tamara Applegate; Family Gospel Study; Sabbath Sunshine - Charlie; Christmas movies

Madrid, Spain

56th operating temple

Dedicated: 19 March 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Messiah

DC 38:1

Thus saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, the Great I Am, Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the same which looked upon the wide expanse of eternity, and all the seraphic hosts of heaven, before the world was made;

Book of Mormon

Review Mormon 7-9

October General Conference

'Finding Joy in Christ'

Steven J. Lund, YMGP

Every time a deacon holds a sacrament tray, we are reminded of the sacred story of the Last Supper, of Gethsemane, of Calvary, and of the garden tomb. When the Savior said to His Apostles, "This do in remembrance of me," He was also speaking through the ages to each of us. He was speaking of the unending miracle that He would provide as future deacons, teachers, and priests would present His emblems and invite His children to accept His atoning gift.

Restoration Proclamation

We further witness that Joseph Smith was given the gift and power of God to translate an ancient record: the Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

James left early again today to usher at church. I got there a few minutes early and entered the cultural hall overflow. The first person I saw was Wendy DeWitt. She said hello and I said hello and I was a little intimidated. I know I shouldn't be, it's not her fault, it's my insecurities. 

I handed a bag of rolls to Maxine. She had asked if she could help me the next time I made rolls. They would love to have some. She lives in a travel trailer and has no oven. I was glad to give her a dozen of the rolls I made this week. She is such a sweetie!

Ginger and I sat up front next to the Halcomb's. James chose to stay in the back in case late comers came in and they couldn't find themselves a seat.

Tamara A. was the speaker today. She was assigned to share the message from Elder Bednar's conference address, 'We Will Prove Them Herewith.'  It was a good talk because Tamara shared some personal examples along with lots of good quotes from the talk. Here are some of my favorite quotes from Elder Bednar's talk:

Now is the time to prepare and prove ourselves willing and able to do all things whatsoever the Lord our God shall command us.

Tests in the school of mortality are a vital element of our eternal progression. Interestingly, however, the word test is not found even one time in the scriptural text of the standard works in English. Rather, words such as prove, examine, and try are used to describe various patterns of demonstrating appropriately our spiritual knowledge about, understanding of, and devotion to our Heavenly Father's eternal plan of happiness and our capacity to seek for the blessings of the Savior's Atonement.

Two basic principles can guide and strengthen us as we face proving and trying circumstances in our lives, whatever they may be: (1) the principle of preparation and (2) the principle of pressing forward with a steadfastness in Christ.

We also are promised, that "if ye are prepared ye shall not fear."

Effective and timely preparation precedes successful proving.

What have we learned during these recent months of lifestyle adjustments and restrictions? What do we need to improve in our lives spiritually, physically, socially, emotionally, and intellectually?

Now is the time to prepare and prove ourselves willing and able to do all things whatsoever the Lord our God shall command us.

After Tamara's talk there was a closing prayer and then a sacrament song and the blessing and passing and partaking of the sacrament. The main reason we all come to this meeting on the Sabbath day.

Back at home we had a light lunch. Our dessert was a small piece of cheesecake topped with cranberry celebration. It was delicious!

Before taking naps we watched the movie, "The Christmas Ring." Hallmark Christmas movies just seem to be getting better and better.

James agrees.

This afternoon James did some indexing and I worked on my blog. Someday I will be all caught up!

At six we had our Lambson Family study group on Zoom. We had a great discussion of Mormon 7-9. Jared and Kacey left a little early. They were dealing with some family issues. Afterwards I texted Sheri and told her that I missed seeing her face on Sunday evenings. I also mentioned Ben and she said he would participate if she did. I encouraged her to think seriously about joining us again.

This evening we watched, "Christmas with the Darlings." Another movie centered around family and giving service. A good way to end our Sabbath.

Sabbath Sunshine

Lola looks so grown up!

I love Juniper's smile

Sheri's tree