Tue, Dec 29, 2020: Columbia River Washington Temple; Charlie, Scarlett, Shayna, Zeno, Christina's kids, Christmas movies, Hearts, Luna

 

Columbia River, Washington

107th operating temple

Dedicated: 18 Nov 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Mission of

Isaiah 53:5

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

"Come Follow Me"

DC 1 The Lord invites me to "search these commandments."

Brother Halverson

OctGenCon

'Do Justly, Love Mercy, And Walk Humbly With God'

Elder Dale G. Renlund

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

To do justly and walk humbly with God is to intentionally withdraw our hand from iniquity, walk in His statutes, and remain authentically faithful. A just person turns away from sin and toward God, makes covenants with Him, and keeps those covenants. A just person chooses to obey the commandments of God, repents when falling short, and keeps on trying.

Restoration Proclamation

P3 S2

In this visions, he learned that following the death of the original Apostles, Christ's New Testament Church was lost from the earth.

We woke up to about an inch of snow this morning. Not as much as we wanted, but we will take what we can get. Sheri went out on her morning run in spite of the snow. That girl is determined!

After her run and a shower Sheri made a big breakfast: eggs, bacon, and biscuits. I made Joshua some scrambled eggs and ham. 

James and I both used the Tens machine this morning. Sheri, Alex, Shayna and Max played a round of Hearts. Afterwards Sheri, Alex, and Shayna went to town to get some groceries while Max watched Zeno. Zeno is only six months old but he is a big dog. He does not like James and he also doesn't like me because he associates me with James. James growled at him when they first met and now Zeno is afraid of him.

Ben, Joshua, Rowan, and Evan, and Ian all stay upstairs most of the time playing video games. I did fix both Joshua and Rowan a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch. Evan didn't want one. 

I worked on my blog and listened to Brother Halverson's "Come Follow Me" broadcast. The computer started giving me some grief so I had to quit for awhile.  

James went to town today and brought me back some hot and sour soup. It's like he read my mind. I guess he knows when it's cold, I love this soup!

Rowan came in from outside and told me that Evan wanted to wash Luna off because she was covered with mud. I told Rowan that she loves to roll in the mud and the snow and that she probably wasn't finished. I also said it was too cold and we needed to wait until it warmed up a little. 

For dinner we had  steak, rolls, mashed potatoes, asparagus, Bush beans, and macaroni and cheese. What a feast!

This evening Sheri and I went in to the bedroom and watched "The Christmas Bow" and "Holly and Ivy." Holly and Ivy was one of my favorite movies this year. 

While Sheri and I were watching movies, James, Alex, Shayna, and Max were playing Hearts. James won this round.

Hearts

Monday, Dec 28, 2020: Perth Australia Temple; New microwave, KFC, Christmas movies with Sheri, Cathi w/ Ziggie & Ollie, Autumn, Palmer, Scarlett

 

Perth, Australia

106th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 May 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Mission of

Isaiah 26:19

Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

"Come Follow Me"

Doctrine and Covenants Introduction and Section 1

"Hearken O Ye People"

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 1:1-15

OctGenCon

'Ask, Seek, and Knock'

Milton Camargo

First Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency

My thoughts turned also to my righteous parents, who raised me in the principles of the gospel. I was reminded in particular of a moment when my loving mother knelt with me to pray by my bedside when I was around 10 years of age. She must have felt that if my prayers were going to reach my Father in Heaven, they would need to improve. So she said, "I will pray first, and after my prayer, you pray."  I will be forever grateful to her for teaching me to pray, for I learned that my Heavenly Father hears my prayers and answers them. That was another blessing I included in my list - the gift to be able to hear and learn the will of the Lord.

Restoration Proclamation

P3 S1

In humility, we declare that in answer to his prayer, God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph and inaugurated the "restitution of all things" (Acts 3:21) as foretold in the Bible.

I sold another CISA Manual today and mailed it along with Kim's birthday card, and a card to Jeanne Wallen. Sheri and I went in to town and while I went in to the post office she went next door to Ace Hardware to look for a clamp for a hose on the Razr. 

Our next stop was Walmart. My main goal was to buy a new microwave. Our old one has a hole in the metal plate on the inside which causes it to spark when we try to heat anything up. Sheri went to buy groceries while I went to look a microwaves. I picked one out and texted Sheri to come over to help me put it in my basket. While I was waiting, I went over to look at gloves. It's supposed to snow tomorrow and we need more gloves in our winter box. I ran in to my friend, Kerri who was shopping for her dogs. I bought four pairs of gloves and then Kerri came over with me to look at the microwaves. Sheri came over about this time and I introduced her to Kerri. Sheri easily put the microwave into my basket. 

James had given me a $150 Visa card for Christmas. The microwave was $99.00. With the four pair of gloves and some shampoo and hand sanitizer I bought, I spent $149.18. Perfect. 

James was sad that I was using my card to buy a new microwave. He wanted me to buy something more personal but I am totally happy with this new microwave. 

We had to go to Safeway after Walmart because Walmart was out of Rhodes rolls and Sheri insists that Max has to have them to eat with his steak. Luckily Safeway had some. After Safeway we went back to KFC for chicken. I bought a two piece box for Joshua and James and Sheri bought a bucket for everyone else to share. Joshua says he likes legs and thighs and wanted french fries for his side. James wanted the same pieces of chicken as Joshua but wanted coleslaw for his side. They both got drinks, Joshua a Pepsi and James a diet Pepsi.

We got a gift from Autumn, Palmer, and Scarlett today. Scarlett sent lots of pictures she had colored. Autumn sent some bottled fruit and a book called, "Write and Share or Contemplate and Keep. Letters to You. There are different sections in the book such as, The art and joy of letter writing, writing letter to the people who raised me, writing letter to the loves of my life, to my children, to my friends, to people who inspire me, and to my future self. I am excited to use this book and maybe even include my letters on my blog.

Alex, Shayna, Max, and Zeno arrived today. For dinner Sheri and I made hot dogs and hamburgers. James worked outside today and got cold. He came in and sat by the heater in our bedroom trying to get warm. 

Someone gave us a half dozen tamales for Christmas. They were very good but I couldn't remember who gave them to us. After asking just about everyone the mystery was finally solved, it was Stacy. 

I listened to "Otherwise Engaged" while walking and finished reading "Banana Split" to James. The next book in the series is called "Tres Leche." James played Hearts with Shayna, Max, and Alex. Shayna won! 

Sheri and I watched these movies today:

"Sweet Holiday"

"Time for Us to Go Home for Christmas"

"Unlocking Christmas" 

and 

"Christmas in Vienna"

Sheri fell asleep during the last one and says she will finish watching it tomorrow.

Cathi with her friends, Ziggie and Ollie

Great idea Christy!

Do I feel this way? I still

support Trump

Ruby's jeans jacket

Sun, Dec 27, 2020: Guadalajara Mexico Temple; Sunday mtgs and the sacrament; Stacy, Paul, Joshua go home; Scarlett, Charlie, BettyLea; Trezises' here, Christmas movies

 

Guadalajara, Mexico

105th operating temple

Dedicated: 29 Apr 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Mission of

Isaiah 25:8

He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it.

"Come Follow Me"

Review Christmas lesson

OctGenCon

'Highly Favored Of The Lord'

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The prophet Nephi began engraving the small plates when he was a grown man. As he looked back on his life and ministry, he offered an important reflection in the very first verse of the Book of Mormon. This verse frames an important principle for us to consider in our time. Following his familiar words, "I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents . . .," he writes, "and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days."

Restoration Proclamation

P2 S2

He had questions regarding the salvation of his soul and trusted that God would direct him.

I am so miserable when I first wake up in the morning because of the cramp in my behind. It takes me several hours after I get up before I feel like doing much of anything.

We stayed home this morning and listened to church on Zoom. Jimmy Applegate was the first and only speaker. He spoke on the healing power of Christ and on the importance of repentance. It was a wonderful talk. We lost the video portion of the broadcast but we did have audio, although it was not top quality. Stacy, Paul, and Joshua watched their church on YouTube. When both broadcasts were finished we sat at the dining room table and Stacy, Paul, and Joshua sang  "The Nativity Song." It was beautiful. They harmonize so well together. James and Paul administered the sacrament and Joshua passed it to us. 

Stacy and Paul left in the early afternoon, leaving Joshua here. Stacy wanted to stay until she finished her puzzle but Paul was anxious to get home. After they were gone I made Joshua and myself a grilled cheese sandwich. 

At 3:00 James and I had a stake indexing meeting with our stake leaders the Merrill's via Zoom. We have been challenged to get 17 indexers from our ward and have each of them index 309 names a month. James and I are to be the examples, along with Brother Peeler. The Trezises' arrived right after our meeting was over. In this first car there is Sheri, Ian, Ben, Max, Evan, and Rowan. Tomorrow Alex, Shayna, and Max will arrive, along with Zeno, Alex and Shayna's dog.

Sheri and I watched three movies this evening:

"Snowed Inn"

"Love, Lights, and Hanukah"

"Christmas with the Darlings"

Sheri's favorite was "Christmas with the Darlings."

The Merrill's, stake indexing leaders

The last time I saw BettyLea she had white/blonde hair.

 

Sat, Dec 26, 2020: Winter Quarters Nebraska Temple; Stacy, Paul, Joshua go to Pizza Factory, James, Stacy, Joshua Razr ride deer, elk; Venison gravy for dinner, Evie and Rachel

 

Winter Quarters, Nebraska

104th operating temple

Dedicated: 22 Apr 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Mission of

Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

OctGenCon

'Let Patience Have Her Perfect Work, And Count It All Joy!'

Elder Jeremy R. Jaggi

Of the Seventy

We have faith in Jesus Christ; we know we will join Chad again, but losing his physical presence hurts! Many have lost loved ones. It is hard to be patient and wait for the time we will rejoin them.

The year after he died, we felt like a dark cloud overshadowed us.

We sought refuge in studying our scriptures, praying with more fervency, and attending the temple more frequently. The lines from this hymn capture our feelings at the time: "The day dawn is breaking, the world is awaking, the clouds of night's darkness are fleeing away." 

Restoration Proclamation

P2 S1

Two hundred years ago, on a beautiful spring morning in 1820, young Joseph Smith, seeking to know which church to join, went into the woods to pray near his home in upstate New York, USA.

I was miserable this morning with a cramp in my rear. Stacy talked to me about using the Tens machine Trina got me and how the electrical impulses would help me with the pain in my backside. 

As I was sitting at my desk working on my blog, I listened to Mike Wallen's funeral on Zoom. All of his kids spoke and Tricia and Anna sang, "Nearer My God to Thee." The grandkids all sang "Families Can Be Together Forever" and James played the piano.

The funeral was a nice tribute to a man who dedicated his life to church and family.

We got news today that our friend Cope has Covid and is in the hospital. I texted his wife, Amy, and she said he was doing better and she was bringing him home from the hospital today. 

Paul, Stacy, and Joshua drove in to town today for lunch at Pizza Factory. When they returned Paul wanted to watch the Cardinals vs. Giants game but didn't think he could get it on our TV. I found in on Prime video and he watched the last part of the game which wasn't good for the Cardinals. Stacy was working on her puzzle and went back to watching TV when the game was over. Later Paul went in to town to watch the Dolphins game. He was gone for a long time and missed James's dinner of venison gravy and biscuits. 

Also, Joshua and Stacy wanted to go on a Razr ride and Paul didn't want to go so James took them. They saw a herd of deer twice and also a herd of elk. Stacy said it was the highlight of her trip. I'm so glad that James took the time to take her and Joshua.

Stacy does not like Hallmark or Lifetime Christmas movies and I really don't like the kinds of shows she likes so she watched TV in the family room and I watched in the bedroom while I walked. 

Joshua doesn't want to watch any TV, he just wants to stay upstairs and play video games, just like Rowan did.

I had originally planned on taking gifts to my brothers and their wives but I was just too exhausted. This pain in my backside is zapping my energy.

This won't happen now that we have new cinders.

Scarlett with her blanket

Denise's daughter Rachel and grand-

daughter Evie in the house that Dennis built.