Sun, Apr 4th, 2021 Easter Sunday: Chicago Illinois Temple, Easter with Charlie and her family, General Conference, My MIracle

 

Chicago, Illinois

35th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Aug 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son

Moses 7:62

And righteousness will I send down out of heaven; and truth will I send forth out of the earth, to bear testimony of mine Only Begotten; his resurrection from the dead; yea, and also the resurrection of all men; and righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, unto a place which I shall prepare, an Holy City, that my people may gird up their loins, and be looking forth for the time of my coming; for there shall be my tabernacle, and it shall be called Zion, a New Jerusalem.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 1:1-14

"Come Follow Me"

Easter Lesson Review

AprGenCon

"Hearts Knit Together"

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

In a secular world, bridges connecting science with gospel truths sometimes seem few and far between. Yet as Christians, followers of Jesus Christ, Latter-day Saints, the results of this scientific study may seem more intuitive than astonishing. For me, this lays another brick in the foundation of kindness as a fundamental, healing gospel principle - one that can heal hearts emotionally, spiritually, and, as demonstrated here, even physically.

Restoration Proclamation

P4

We affirm that under the direction of the Father and the Son, heavenly messengers came to instruct Joseph and re-establish the Church of Jesus Christ. The resurrected John the Baptist restored the authority to baptize by immersion for the remission of sins. Three of the original twelve Apostles - Peter, James, and John - restored the apostleship and keys of priesthood authority. Others came as well, including Elijah, who restored the authority to join families together forever in eternal relationships that transcend death.

Easter Morning

Charlie was excited this morning because she got another Easter basket! This one was from Jared and Kacey.

I got up and used the restroom and when I came back into the bedroom Charlie had come to visit. I did not want to lie down while she was in the room because normally I am in pain and it isn't pleasant. I stood by the bed and talked to Charlie and as I stood there my leg and the cramp around my sciatic nerve began to relax. The longer I stood, the better I felt. I was able to walk with very little, or no pain! I took a shower and got dressed, and did my hair and makeup for the first time since I have been here! It was wonderful to be able to join the family for General Conference. 

I am writing this entry on Friday, April 9th. I have felt no pain in my sciatic nerve since last Sunday, Easter morning. It is truly a miracle manifested through prayer and a Priesthood blessing. How grateful I am for my Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. I have never experienced anything quite like this before.  I had been so miserable that James had to help me get to the bathroom and back. Now there is no pain. James and I both exercised faith that I would be able to join with the family and enjoy the rest of my visit and that I would be well enough to travel home. My cup runneth over. My heart is full to overflowing too. The Lord does know each one of us and He hears and answers prayers!

 General Conference

Sunday Morning Session

Jesus Christ: The Caregiver of Our Soul

Ulisses Soares

The Grave Has No Victory

Reyna I. Aburto

Our Sorrow Shall Be Turned into Joy

S. Mark Palmer

Pressing Toward the Mark

Edward Dube

Remember Your Way Back Home

Jose A. Teixeira

God Loves His Children

Taniela B. Wakolo

They Cannot Prevail; We Cannot Fall

Chi Hong (Sam) Wong

Our Personal Savior

Michael John U. Teh

Christ Is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains

Russell M. Nelson

Sunday Afternoon Session

Defending Our Divinely Inspired Constitution

Dallin H. Oaks

"Behold! I Am a God of Miracles"

Ronald A. Rasband

Light Cleaveth Unto Light

Timothy J. Dyches

Why the Covenant Path

D. Todd Christofferson

The Gospel Light of Truth and Love

Alan R. Walker

"The Principles of My Gospel"

David A. Bednar

Covid-19 and Temples

Russell M. Nelson

After conference was over we had a nice dinner. Jared smoked a ham, and made rolls, Kacey made a potato salad, and Summer made green bean casserole and brownies. The food was delicious and the company was great. When dinner was over we went outside in the backyard and watched Charlie hunt for Easter eggs.

  This is one of the most memorable Easter's of my life. I am so eternally grateful for my Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, and for family.

 

Sat, Apr 3rd, 2021: Stockholm Sweden Temple, General Conference, Charlie colors eggs, Scarlett hunts eggs, Easter quotes, still in bed discouraged

 

Stockholm, Sweden

34th operating temple

Dedicated: 2 July 1985 

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son

Moses 6:62

And now, behold, I say unto you: This is the plan of salvation unto all men, through the blood of mine Only Begotten, who shall come in the meridian of time.

Book of Mormon

Words of Mormon 1:1-18

"Come Follow Me"

Easter lesson

AprGenCon

"Teaching in the Savior's Way"

Brother Jan E. Newman

Second Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency

The introduction to Come, Follow Me gives a vision of what Christlike teaching can accomplish. "The aim of all gospel learning and teaching," it says, "is to deepen our conversion to Jesus Christ and help us become more like Him. ... The kind of gospel learning that strengthens our faith and leads to the miracle of conversion doesn't happen all at once. It extends beyond the classroom into an individual's heart and home."

The scriptures indicate that the Savior's ministry in ancient America was so impactful and widespread that "the people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another."

How can our teaching have a similar effect on those we love? How can we teach more like the Savior and help others become more deeply converted?

Restoration Proclamation

P3

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. In this vision, he learned that following the death of the original Apostles, Christ's New Testament Church was lost from the earth. Joseph would be instrumental in its return.

I am struggling to exercise faith in the blessing I received last night. I know I will not receive a witness until after the trial of my faith. 

James is taking such good care of me. He feeds me, helps me get to the bathroom, and loves me no matter what. He brought me a Whataburger Junior and Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream.  Jared called a couple of his doctor friends to get help for me and at one point I was ready to go to the ER, but didn't. James and I said silent prayers today that I would be able to get out of bed. I was able to listen to several talks from conference. Charlie came in and visited and this morning James gave her the Easter basket we brought her. She loved the hopping bunny and squealed with delight the first time he hopped. 

James made a delicious breakfast casserole with hashbrowns, smoked meats, and eggs. Kacey says Charlie loves it when Jared is home and she wants him to do everything with her and for her. 

Tanner washed his truck today and then worked for a neighbor this afternoon. He wanted to buy Charlie some ice cream from the ice cream truck but the truck left before he found Charlie.

Here is what the lineup for General Conference looked like today:

Saturday Morning Session

Welcome Message

President Russell M. Nelson

God Among Us

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Essential Conversations

Joy D. Jones

(She was released as Primary General President today)

Teaching in the Savior's Way

Brother Jan E. Newman

Hearts Knit Together

Gary E. Stevenson

Room in the Inn

Gerrit W. Gong

I Love to See the Temple

President Henry B. Eyring

Saturday Afternoon Session

Sustaining of General Authorities, 

Area Seventies, and General Officers

President Dallin H. Oaks

Church Auditing Department

Report, 2020

Jared B. Larson

Not as the World Giveth

Jeffrey R. Holland

Poor Little Ones

Jorge T. Becerra

Infuriating Unfairness

Dale G. Renlund

The Personal Journey of a Child of God

Neil L. Andersen

Ye Shall Be Free

Thierry K. Mutombo

Hope in Christ

M. Russell Ballard

Priesthood Session

Bishops - Shepherds over the Lord's Flock

Quentin L. Cook

You Can Gather Israel!

Ahmad S. Corbitt

This Is Our Time!

S. Gifford Nielsen

Bless in His Name

Henry B. Eyring

What Has Our Savior Done For Us?

Dallin H. Oaks

What We Are Learning and Will Never Forget

Russell M. Nelson

I have been here two days and spent both of those days in bed. James and I are praying fervently that I will be able to get out of bed and will be able to sit in the car for the ride home.

Fri, Apr 2nd, 2021: Frieberg GermanyTemple, Charlie's first swim lesson, She entertains me in bed, smoked chicken dinner, donuts, The Crucifixion

 

Freiberg, Germany

33rd operating temple

Dedicated: 29-30 June 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son

Moses 6:59

That by reason of transgression cometh the fall, which fall bringeth death, and inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit, which I have made, and so became of dust a living soul, even so ye must be born again into the kingdom of heaven, of water, and of the Spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten; that ye might be sanctified from all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory;

Book of Mormon

Omni 1:12-30

D&C

88:14-17; 138:17, 50

"Come Follow Me"

"The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles"

AprGenCon

"Essential Conversations"

Sister Joy D. Jones

Recently Released Primary General President

There is a uniquely special time in children's lives when they are protected from Satan's influence. It is a time when they are innocent and sin free. It is a sacred time for parent and child. Children are to be taught, by word and example, before and after they have "arrived unto the years of accountability before God."

Restoration Proclamation

P2

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

I spent the day in bed. My sciatic nerve is so cramped that it is hard to move. I am barely able to get up and go to the bathroom. Charlie is having her first swim lesson today and I wanted to go but was not able to. I'm grateful that Kacey took this picture.

I love the look on Charlie's face in this picture.

Kacey and Jared said she loved the first part of the lesson

but was ready to go home when it was time to put her face

down in the water.

When Charlie got home she came in to my room and told me about swimming. She seemed happy and excited. Charlie and I spent quite a bit of time together today and maybe that's because I was a captive audience for her. Perhaps I should look at my cramped sciatic nerve as a blessing because I feel like I really bonded with Charlie today.

We sang songs, "Five Little Monkeys". I sang and Charlie jumped. We hid Easter eggs, and read books. She kept me entertained. At one

point James walked in and Charlie said, " Hi honey." When James left she said, "Where are you goin' honey?"

While Charlie was gone I listened to my book, "Georgana's Secrets," and then "Redefining the Debutante."

I had talked to Charlie yesterday about getting donuts for breakfast. James and Jared went and got us donuts for breakfast. Charlie wanted a pink one. 

Jared did not have to go in to work today but he is on call. He and Kacey fixed us a wonderful dinner. Tanner gave Jared a smoker for Christmas. Someone had given the smoker to Tanner's dad but he did not know how to use it and so Tanner gave it to Jared. Jared smoked some chicken with barbeque sauce for dinner. Charlie didn't like it because she said it burned her. Kacey made a dish with squash, zucchini, tomatoes and cheese and also a salad. I had to eat in bed and was not very hungry but the food was delicious. 

I was so miserable this evening I asked James and Jared if they would give me a blessing, which they did, with James acting as the voice. Thank goodness the bed we are using is comfortable and I was able to sleep quite well.

Joshua's basket

 

Thur, April 1st, 2021: Guatemala City Temple, Bluebonnets, Buccee's, Whitehouse, Texas, Jared and Kacey's,

 

Guatemala City, Guatemala

32nd operating temple

Dedicated: 14-16 Dec 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son

Moses 6:57

Wherefore teach it unto your children, that all men, everywhere, must repent, or they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God, for no unclean thing can dwell there, or dwell in his presence; for, in the language of Adam, Man of Holiness is his name, and the name of his Only Begotten is the Son of Man, even Jesus Christ, a righteous Judge, who shall come in the meridian of time.

Book of Mormon

Omni 1:1-11

D&C

18:10-13; 19:16-19; 45:3-5; 76:69-70

"Come Follow Me"

Jesus Christ accomplished a "perfect atonement."

AprGenCon

'Welcome Message'

President Russell M. Nelson

President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

My dear brothers and sisters, the strength of the Church lies in the efforts and ever-growing testimonies of its members. Testimonies are best cultivated in the home. During this past year, many of you have dramatically increased the study of the gospel in your homes. I thank you, and your children will thank you.

'God Among Us'

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

While the world was drowning in cynicism, bitterness, hatred, and fear, the example and teachings of these young people filled me with hope. The gospel message they offered transcended politics, history, grudges, grievances, and personal agendas. It gave divine answers to important questions we had during these difficult times.

The message was that God lived and cared about us, even in these hours of turmoil, confusion, and chaos. That He actually appeared in our time to restore truth and light - His gospel and His Church. That He speaks to prophets again; that God is among us, and is personally involved in our lives and actively guiding His children.

Restoration Proclamation

P1

We solemnly proclaim that God loves HIs children in every nation of the world. God the Father has given us the divine birth, the incomparable life, and the infinite atoning sacrifice of His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. By the power of the Father, Jesus rose again and gained the victory over death. He is our Savior, our Exemplar, and our Redeemer.

Before leaving Snyder we went back to the Whataburger on College Avenue to grab a junior burger. Lots of Whataburgers and lots of Dairy Queens but Kacey says they don't have cherry Dilly bars. How can they be considered full-fledged Dairy Queens?

We listened to scriptures in the car and then I read to James from our ebook and shared the audio book I am reading. 

After the Fort Worth/Dallas area it begins to get green and there are lots of big trees. We see a couple of Amish buggies, and Jared tells us to look for Blue Bonnet flowers. There are not too many that are open yet.

This part of Texas is beautiful except there are no mountains. There are some big homes with huge grassy lawns and red brick fences. James says this is called Texas Hill Country but I don't see any hills. 

Jared told us we needed to have a real Texas experience by stopping at Buccee's between Dallas and Tyler, which we did. It is a pretty amazing place and the gas was cheaper than anywhere else at $2.38 a gallon.

Buccee's is a huge rest stop, gas station and

convenience store, with super clean restrooms!

James says these little enclosures outside of 

Buccee's are for deer hunters to sit in. 

We got some warm candied pecans and some great barbeque sandwiches while at Buccee's. My pulled pork sandwich was so moist and delicious and James loved his brisket sandwich too!

I didn't get to look around much because James was anxious to get to

Jared and Kacey's. Jared told us about the 49 Toll road that cuts about 20 minutes off the drive so that's the way we went. When we arrived at Jared's Summer and Charlie answered the door. When I asked Charlie where her mom was she said, "She's been in her room all day." I think what she meant was Kacey was in her room right now. Tanner was there too and I think he was in a bit of hot water for missing some classes today. Jared got home from work shortly after we arrived. I felt pretty good this evening and spent some time playing with Charlie in her room. We were still full from our Buccee's stop so no need to have any dinner. Charlie seemed so happy to see us! She told me, "I'm glad you came to my house."

A quokka, looks a little Buccee.

My girls!

 

 

Wed, Mar 31, 2021: Taipei Taiwan Temple, Mom's passing 22 years ago, New Mexico and west Texas are barren and brown, paint ponies, Snyder, Texas, Days Inn, Charlie and Scarlett

Taipei, Taiwan

31st operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Nov 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son

Moses 5:57

For they would not hearken unto his voice, nor believe on his Only Begotten Son, even him whom he declared should come in the meridian of time, who was prepared from before the foundation of the world.

Book of Mormon

Omni 1:1-11

D&C

18:10-13; 19:16-19; 45:3-5; 76:69-70

"Come Follow Me"

Because of Jesus Christ I will be resurrected.

OctGenCon

'Waiting on the Lord'

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

As we now hear our beloved prophet close this conference, may we remember, as Russell Nelson has demonstrated all of his life, that those who "wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength and shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; . . . they shall walk and not faint." I pray that "by and by"- soon or late - those blessings will come to every one of you who seeks relief from your sorrow and freedom from your grief. I bear witness of God's love and of the Restoration of His glorious gospel, which is, in one way or another, the answer to every issue we face in life. In the redeeming name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen."

'A New Normal'

President Russell M. Nelson

President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

May we go forward together to fulfill our divine mandate-that of preparing ourselves and the world for the Second Coming of the LOrd. I so pray, with my expression of love for you, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Restoration Proclamation

P5 S4

As a companion scripture to the Bible, the Book of Mormon testifies that all human beings are sons and daughters of a loving Father in Heaven, that He has a divine plan for our lives, and that His Son, Jesus Christ, speaks today as well as in days of old.

The Living Christ

P3 S2

He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary's cross.

Today marks the 22nd anniversary of my mother's death. Stacy always remembers and sends me a text and sometimes flowers and a card. I miss my mom everyday. Her death comes at the same time that we celebrate Easter and the Resurrection. For that I am grateful. Because of Him I will see her again.

We left Vernon around 10 a.m. headed for Texas, but first comes dry and barren New Mexico. Pietown, something I used to be excited about, is just a spot on the road. They even had to cancel their pie festival because of Covid. 

We stopped at the Arby's in Socorro to get lunch but I didn't even get out of the car. These little towns are so dry and desolate looking it almost feels like we are in old Mexico. We crossed the Rio Grande river and it looked so muddy, but at least there was water running in it.

Sheri called me to tell me the latest Max episode. She went home for lunch and Max was there. His blood sugar was high so she got into an argument with him. She called the doctor and the doctor said to call the police, which she did. Sheri was upset because she called Ian and he got upset with her for calling him at work. Thank goodness Alex was there and helped her. He talked to Max for over an hour and Sheri was most grateful. 

The western part of Texas we went through is pretty barren like New Mexico. We saw a few oil riggs and some longhorn cattle and five paint ponies. By the time our trip is over we will have seen 10. We are partial to paint ponies.

We spent the night at the Days Inn, room 110 in Snyder, Texas. As soon as we checked in, which was a little before 10 pm, we went out to find a Whataburger. What did we ever do before we had smart phones where we could Google whatever we wanted? James and I both got Whataburger Jrs. and called them our dinner. 

James indexed and walked and we read scriptures together and then I worked on my blog. 

The first building we attended church in

when we first moved to Chandler.