Thur, Apr 8th, 2021: Buenes Aires Argentina Temple, James's dr. appts in valley, I cancel my appts., Charlie and Khaki, "Sneetches",

 

Buenos Aires, Argentina

39th operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Jan 1986

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Power of

Matthew 10:1

And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 3:19-4:3

D&C

34 Orson Pratt's call to serve.

"Come Follow Me"

Was the mission to the Lamanites a failure?

AprGenCon

"Poor Little Ones"

Elder Jorge T. Becerra

Of the Seventy

While serving as an Area Seventy, I reserved each Tuesday night to do ministering visits with the stake presidents in my area of responsibility. I invited them to make appointments with those who were in need of an ordinance of the gospel of Jesus Christ or who were not currently keeping the covenants they had made. Through our consistent and intentional ministering, the Lord magnified our efforts and we were able to find individuals and families who were in need. These were the "poor little ones" who lived in the different stakes where we served.

Restoration Proclamation

P8

We gladly declare that the promised Restoration goes forward through continuing revelation. The earth will never again be the same, as God will "gather together in one all things in Christ" (Ephesians 1:10).

James left for the valley this morning without me. I cancelled my infusion appointment and spent the day resting at home. James had two doctor's appointments, one with Dr. Memon in Chandler, and one with a urologist in Mesa. The urologist's name is Dr. Morris and he is from St. Johns. He said he grew up with and his friends with Neal's kids. He said that James needed to have more bloodwork done and an ultrasound for his kidneys. Dr. Morris said the tests done on his prostate were not accurate because he had just recovered from an infection so he wants more tests done. More tests means more waiting to find out what's wrong.

When Stacy was here a couple of weeks ago she mentioned the book by Dr. Seuss, "Sneetches." She quoted this:

The Star-Belly Sneetches

Had bellies with stars.

The Plain-Belly Sneetches

Had none upon thars.

I ordered the book and this is what it says on the back:

This collection of stories about acceptance,

tolerance, and facing your own fears is perfect for kids growing up in today's world.

Dr. Seuss has a way of teaching lessons in a fun way. 

I had asked Darrel and Trina if we could stay with them tonight. Trina texted me and asked when we would be arriving. I told her I had a cold and had stayed home and I wasn't sure when James would be finished with his doctor's appointments. James called me after I talked to Trina and said he was coming home. I reminded him to take Addy her Book of Mormon and to let Trina know that he wouldn't be staying. James does not like to be gone from home when I am not with him. I am grateful for his love and desire to be with me. When he got home had brought me some apple juice, which I had asked for and then he made me some chicken with rice soup. He really does take good care of me.

Watched a few episodes of Beat Bobby Flay this evening.

As I was thinking about our trip to Texas I forgot to mention that Jared also made us delicious cinnamon rolls with pecans. I am so grateful for Jared and Kacey and the good people that they are. I am sorry I was in bed for two days while I was there. The one good thing that came from being in bed was those visits from Charlie. She was such a joy and a delight. Some of the things I remember about Charlie:

Saying to James:

"Where ya goin honey?"

Jared asks where she got a cracker.

She looks at James and says:

"The other one gave it to me."

"Where is Khaki and Darlin?"

To Jared:

"Jared, I go ask Mommy."

"I'm glad you came to my house."

Riding her unicorn.

"The other gramma is in the bedroom."

Sunday evening Charlie ran laps around the kitchen

through the family room and dining room, around

and around and around...

She loves quesadilla, tomatoes, strawberries and hamburgers, and

donuts with pink frostings.

Happy Birthday Rebecca!

Parley, Oliver, Peter, Ziba

Wed, Apr 7th, 2021: Lima Peru Temple, Sick with a cold, James changes oil in car, Hot and sour soup, recliner and TV

Lima, Peru

38th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 Jan 1986

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Power of

2 Nephi 19:6

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, Counselor, The Might God, the Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 3:1-18

D&C

33; RIC "Ezra Thayer: From Skeptic to Believer"

"Come Follow Me"

The Lord can help me with my family relationships.

AprGenCon

"Not As The World Giveth"

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Prior to that first Easter, as Jesus concluded the new sacramental ordinance He had administered to the Twelve, He began His majestic farewell discourse and moved toward Gethsemane, betrayal, and crucifixion. However, sensing the concern and perhaps even outright fear some of those men must have exhibited, He said this to them (and to us):

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. ...

"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. ...

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Challenging times come in this mortal world, including to the faithful, but the reassuring message of Christ is that although He, the paschal lamb, would go like "a sheep before its shearers," He would nevertheless rise, as the psalmist said, to be "our refuge and strength, our very present help in time of trouble."

Restoration Proclamation

P7

Two hundred years have now elapsed since this Restoration was initiated by God the Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Millions throughout the world have embraced a knowledge of these prophesied events.

I am sick with a cold and a cough. I had an appointment this afternoon for an MRI but I called and rescheduled for the 21st. 

James went to town to get the oil changed in the car and to pick up my Tramadol prescription. He brought me back some hot and sour soup because that's what I always want when I am sick with a cold.

I also cancelled my appointment with Chandler Eyecare tomorrow afternoon. I was still pretty miserable when we went to bed this evening but James is positive that I am going to be better in the morning and able to go to the valley with him.

I felt pretty useless today spending most of my time on the recliner in front of the TV. I have spent way too many days in bed lately. I wish Charlie was here to keep me company.

Our new neighbors!

 

  

Tue, Apr 6th, 2021: Seoul Korea Temple, Roswell to Vernon, Barrenness abounds, Billy the Kid and Smoky the Bear, Luna and Home Sweet Home

 

Seoul, Korea

37th operating temple

Dedicated: 14 Dec 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Power 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.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 2:28-41

D&C

31; RIC "The Faith and Fall of Thomas B. Marsh"

"Come Follow Me"

I am called to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

AprGenCon

"I Love To See The Temple"

President Henry B. Eyring

Second Counselor in the First Presidency

On the outside of our temples, we place the words "Holiness to the Lord." I know for myself that those words are true. The temple is a holy place where revelation comes to us easily if our hearts are open to it and we are worthy of it.

Restoration Proclamation

P6

We declare that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, organized on April 6, 1830, is Christ's New Testament Church restored. This Church is anchored in the perfect life of its chief cornerstone, Jesus Christ, and in His infinite Atonement and literal Resurrection. Jesus Christ has once again called Apostles and has given them priesthood authority. He invites all of us to come unto Him and His Church, to receive the Holy Ghost, the ordinances of salvation, and to gain enduring joy.

Breakfast, shower, and go. On the way out of town we pass a grove of pecan trees, these trees are barren looking with no leaves. At one point there are about 8 vultures circling. I looked out in the field to see what I could see, and there lay one lonely antelope, alive and well, with not a care in the world written on his face. 

Here are some signs along the way of this barren drive from Roswell to Vernon:

Smoky the Bear Blvd.

Lincoln - Billy the Kid Monument

(Why a monument to a killer?)

Scenic route signs - Black lava rock, which in my opinion is not scenic!

We cross the Rio Grande which is a very

muddy river

We stopped in Socorro again at the Arby's. We certainly are predictable. From Socorro to Magdalena to Datil to Quemado to Dusty. Not much to see in any of these places. Somewhere along the way we also went through Pie Town. 

I am getting a sore throat and a cold but my sciatic nerve has not bothered me once. 

The first thing that James does when we get home is to go feed Luna. While we were gone Chuck, Kim and Brian who stayed for the weekend, and Owen Peeler fed her. I think James was excited to see her and she was happy to see him. Home Sweet Home!

Is this really true? Does anyone know?

 

Mon, Apr 5th, 2021: Johannesburg South Africa Temple, Goodbyes, Homeward bound, No sciatic pain, Roswell, New Mexico, Scarlett,

 

Johannesburg, South Africa

36th operating temple

Dedicated: 24 Aug 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Power of

Genesis 17:1

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 2:9-27

D&C

30&32; RIC "A Mission to the Lamanites."

"Come Follow Me"

DC 30-36 "You Are Called to Preach My Gospel"

AprGenCon

"Room in the Inn"

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Though we should help each other, too often we pass to the other side of the road, for whatever reason.

However, with compassion, the Good Samaritan stops and binds our wounds with wine and oil. Symbols of the sacrament and other ordinances, the wine and oil point us to the spiritual healing in Jesus Christ. ... The Good Samaritan, a symbol of our Savior, promises to return, this time in majesty and glory.

In this Easter season, Jesus Christ invites us to become, like Him, a good Samaritan, to make HIs Inn (His Church) a refuge for all from life's bruises and storms. We prepare for His promised Second Coming as each day we do unto "the least of these" as we would unto Him. 

As we come with the Good Samaritan to the Inn, we learn five things about Jesus Christ and ourselves.

Restoration Proclamation

P5

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

We said our goodbyes to Jared last night. He left at 7:30 this morning for work. 7:30 in Texas is 5:30 in Arizona. James washes the sheets on our bed before we leave. Charlie is in a bit of a grumpy mood this morning. Kacey said she gets this way when Jared isn't home and it looks like they are going to have a "normal" day. 

We left around 10:30 Texas time. We were both hungry so of course we went to Whataburger. I noticed that in about 5 miles or less we past four donut shops: Speedy Donut, Donut Paace, Whitehouse Donuts, and Shipley Donuts. There are also several churches, lots of grass and trees. 

As we leave town and head out on the freeway here are some of the billboards I saw:

Keep Religious Freedom Stop Socialism and Communism

Kolaches: Cheaper by the Dozen

Car Wreck Cowboy

We stopped at Buccee's for gas. The gas here is $2.38, so much cheaper than anywhere else. I stayed in the car. James went in and got another brisket sandwich. 

James decided not to stop in Snyder but to go on to Roswell, New Mexico which gets us a little further down the road.  Here are some signs as we enter Roswell, the alien capital of the world:

Fat's Burritos

Chuy's Burritos

Jack and Jill Donuts

We stayed at the Comfort Inn in Roswell. Room 110, the exact room number we had in Snyder at the Days Inn. This room is much nicer than the one in Snyder. After getting settled in James went to Subway to get us some dinner.

She misses her gramma