Tue, Mar 30, 2021: Dallas Texas Temple, Sheri's text about Max, Delivering Easter baskets, Stake meeting in Lakeside with James,

 

Dallas, Texas

30th operating temple

Dedicated: 19 Oct 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son

Moses 5:7

And then the angel spake, saying: This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth.

Book of Mormon

Jaron 1:1-15

D&C

29:26-27; 42:45-46; 63:49; 88:14-17, 27-31; 93:33-34

"Come Follow Me"

Jesus Christ lives.

OctGenCon

'Enduring Power'

Elder Kelly R. Johnson

Of the Seventy

During the time we have not been able to attend the temple, have we each relied upon the covenants we made in the temple to set a clear, unchanging course of direction in our lives? These covenants, if kept, give us vision and expectations regarding the future and a clear determination to qualify to receive all that the Lord has promised through our faithfulness.

I invite you to seek the power God wants to give you. I testify that as we seek for this power, we will be blessed with a greater understanding of the love our Heavenly Father has for us.

Restoration Proclamation

P5 S3

It teaches of life's purpose and explains the doctrine of Christ, which is central to that purpose.

The Living Christ

P3 S1

He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice.

There was a mama elk and baby by Luna's corral this morning. I wonder if they were looking for water. This probably means that the fence is down somewhere.

I got a text from Sheri this morning about Max. He got kicked out of his AP history class and his diabetes is out of control, and he destroyed his phone. She says she lays up all night worrying and doesn't know what to do anymore. Why is being a parent so difficult? Sometimes it's hard to turn things over to the Lord when you see your children making such horrible mistakes. You want them to stop right now!  Why have our grandkids had such a difficult time growing up? I pray for the older ones to have an experience that will put them back on the gospel path and I pray that the younger ones will have a desire to stay faithful. We have been asked to gather scattered Israel and prepare for the Second Coming of the Savior and yet our family is in a crisis.

My goal this morning was to finish the Easter baskets I made for Cammy, Tanna, and Catherine and Kerri. James when to town. As soon as he got back he helped me deliver my baskets. He is such a sweetie! Tanna was home and outside so I stepped out of the car to say hello. She has gone back to work and I suppose the babies daddy is taking care of him while she is gone. I went in to say hello to Catherine, she insisted. Kerri wasn't home. Catherine was excited to tell me the news that Kerri has an offer on her house in Ajo. 

At the Grapp's we both went in. Benson had to tell us that he is playing Little League ball and he took James back to his bedroom to show him everything he built with the Lego set we got him. James was impressed! We love the Grapp's and their kids! Cammy and Thomas told me about a mouse infestation they had and how they had to take everything out of the years supply room. They are at war with the mice and eventually the Grapp's will win!

James and I attended a stake meeting for Elders Quorum Presidencies and Relief Society Presidencies at the stake center in Lakeside. I wouldn't help but compare the logistics of this meeting with the stake Relief Society meeting we had a few weeks ago. That meeting was in the chapel and we were spread out all over the chapel and the leaders on the stand were every other chair and almost everyone had a mask on. This meeting tonight were all crowded into the Primary room sitting around the stake presidency who did not have masks. Maybe two people or three people wore masks. I guess a new directive has come out since that last meeting. 

At this meeting this evening we were instructed by our stake presidency, President Beeler, President Alder, and President Smithson. We talked about priesthood keys and priesthood authority and how women are equal partners with men in the priesthood. It was a good meeting. Everyone in our ward was in attendance except Chuck Crane, and Brother Patrick.

I love the look on this baby hippos face!

 

 

Mon, Mar 29, 2021: Manila Philippines Temple, Jean's Memorial Service, Dickie's, Charlie, Scarlett, Trenda's baby blessed,

 

Manila, Philippines

29th operating temple

Dedicated: 25 Sept 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son

Moses 4:3

Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down;

Book of Mormon

Enos 1:11-27

D&C

29:5; 38:7; 62:1; 76:11-14, 20-24, 110:1-10

"Come Follow Me"

Easter "I Am He Who Liveth, I Am He Who Was Slain"

OctGenCon

'Do Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly with God'

Elder Dale G. Renlund

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

We can assess our own progress. We can know "that the course of life that we are pursuing is according to God's will" when we do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. We assimilate the attributes of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ into our character, and we love one another.

'Doors of Death'

Russell M. Nelson

April 1992

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.

The Living Christ

P2 S8

He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead.

Two elk calves were out grazing next to Luna's corral this morning. When James went out to feed Luna they acted like they didn't even notice him. 

I got a message from Dave's first wife Sandy on messenger asking me to call her, which I did this morning. Sandy and I were next door neighbors for years and we raised our kids together. She was a good friend. It was enjoyable talking to her. She told me about her life and her kids and I shared some things with her. She and her sister Cindy are coming to Show Low sometime in April and would like to get together for lunch. She also asked me to invite Vickie too. I told her I would love to see her and we said our goodbyes.

James and I attended the services for my dear friend Jean Howard today at the Owens Livingston Funeral Home in Show Low. Jean looked beautiful in her casket with her temple robes on. She looked so peaceful. I know she is in a happier place with Tom and the two boys she lost, and that she is pain free. I will miss her so very much.

Friends and family members were invited to come up and share stories about Jean. I was the first to get up. I talked about how we loved to go to lunch together and how I loved and respected her so much because of all the pain she had been through and how she never complained. She was truly one of my very best Vernon friends.

James also got up and shared a memory. He told about going to the temple with Jean and Tom a couple of times to do family names. He said that Tom was the best friend he had in Vernon.

I am going to miss her so much!

We did not go to the cemetery afterwards. We were tired and hungry and went to the Dickie's in Lakeside for some bbq. James got the brisket and I got a baked potato the size of a football with pulled pork and onion rings on top. I couldn't even eat half of it.

James got his new computer screen in the mail today and was so excited to get it installed on his computer. He was proud of himself for saving $250. The sad thing is, now he can't find his mouse!

We got our stimulus check automatically deposited into our account today. It was a nice surprise to have an extra $2,800.

I walked this afternoon and listened to my audio book "Georgana's Secret." 

For FHE with read from the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and part of the Easter lesson in the "Come Follow Me" manual. Afterwards we watched another episode of the British murder mystery, "Death in Paradise."

Memory of when we went to Texas for 

Charlie's baby blessing

I'm wondering if my grandpa Strickland

built either of these bridges

Emery blessed baby Emmett today

The last day I got 10,000 steps or more

for over a week.

Sun, Mar 28, 2021: Sydney Australia Temple, Palm Sunday the Triumphal Entry, Charlie, Scarlett, Stacy here and leaves, Razr, meetings, wildlife, venison gravy

 

Sydney, Australia

28th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 Sept 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son

Moses 2:27

And I, God, created man in mine own image, in the image of mine Only Begotten created I him; male and female created I them.

Book of Mormon

Jacob 7:21-Enos 1:10

D&C

Review Section 29

"Come Follow Me"

Review "Jesus Christ Will Gather His People"

OctGenCon

'Ask, Seek, and Knock'

Brother Milton Camargo

First Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency

The Lord promises, "He that seeketh, findeth." Seeking implies mental and spiritual effort - pondering, testing, trying, and studying. We seek because we trust the Lord's promises, "For he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6). When we seek, we are humbly acknowledging that we still have much to learn, and the Lord will expand our understanding, preparing us to receive more.

'Preparation for the Second Coming'

President Dallin H. Oaks

April 2004

Restoration Proclamation

P5 S1

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.

The Living Christ

P2 S7

He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead.

James went to our ward meeting this morning and I stayed home with Stacy and watched the McQueen 2nd Ward on YouTube. It's almost like being there. I wish they could learn how to do YouTube in our ward.

First there was a youth speaker, Will Butcher. A scary name, but a good speaker. The crux of his message was: "Living a Christ-like life is the key to joy."

The next speaker was Nate Hawkins, a former member of their bishopric, who is now on the high council. He mentioned seeing the Butcher family at "Lamb of God" last night. He highly recommends going to see "Lamb of God."

Brother Hawkins talk was about Centering our lives around Christ and sharing our knowledge and testimony of Christ with others. He asked us to pond the question, "Have you had any special moments with Christ"? Are we listening to Christ's voice? It is the most prominent voice we hear? In Lehi's dream as recorded in 1Nephi 8, it says many went off on strange roads. Brother Hawkins thinks this means they lost their focus on Christ and other things became more important. They became distracted and stopped centering their lives on Christ. How can we keep from doing this?

Brother Hawkins said he had two favorite conference talks, both given by President Nelson. One was the "Hear Him" talk and the other was from this last conference, "Let God Prevail." Am I letting God prevail in my life and do I hear Him?

James said he got permission from Bishop Hunsaker to minister the sacrament to us here at home. I am so grateful for a worthy husband who honors his priesthood. 

After the sacrament Stacy went downstairs to rest and James and I each chose our particular resting spots and took our naps. 

James began fixing "dinner" around 1:45. Stacy wants to eat at 2:30 and then head for home sometime after 4. I made some Bisquick biscuits and James made his venison gravy. We had a delicious early dinner.

Stacy wanted to go on a Razr ride before leaving. James was still resting so I took her. She is very good at spotting wildlife. We had just gotten to the top of the hill on Forest Rd. 61 when she spotted three deer under a tree. We drove on a little ways further and then we noticed we were low on gas so we turned around. The three deer we saw earlier ran right in front of us. Stacy also saw an elk that was way across the flat at the top of the hill. She tried to get a picture but he was too far away. On the way home she saw the antelope in the field off the 60 across from the Vernon post office.

This evening James attended the "Come Follow Me" discussion at the Crane's. I was just too tired and pained to go. The Goodman's were not there either. Kathy sent home some strawberry shortcake for me and a loaf of her famous cinnamon bread.

James and I watched the newest episode of "When Calls the Heart." It was a little disappointing, at least that's what we thought.

Today is Palm Sunday

Mary has lost four people close to her in the

last year.