Mon, Apr 12th, 2021: Las Vegas Temple, James bloodwork and sonogram, Prescribed burns stink, Charlie enjoys spring, Forrester's, Menus and finances, steps

 

Las Vegas, Nevada

43rd operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Dec 1989

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Power of

Luke 5:24

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 7:8-17

D&C

38:1-15

"Come Follow Me"  

DC 37-40 "If Ye Are Not One Ye Are Not Mine"

AprGenCon

'Hope in Christ'

President M. Russell Ballard

Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Brothers and sisters, at this Easter time we focus on the glorious Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We remember His loving invitation to "come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

"For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

The Savior's invitation to come unto Him is an invitation to all not only to come unto Him but also to belong to His Church.

The Living Christ

P3

He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary's cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.

The smoke and fumes from the prescribed burn are overwhelming this morning. When I got up and walked down the hallway to the kitchen it smelled like we had a campfire in our house. 

James went to town to have blood tests done and a sonogram to check his kidneys. We are anxious to get these results to know how serious his problem is.

For the first time in a long time I had 6,000 steps by noon today. I am determined to get "back on track" as far as my walking is concerned.

I ran off three new recipes to try this week. I also worked on my budget and updating my checkbook. I also listened to Book of Mormon Central, Unshaken Saints, and Follow Him. It was a good day for gospel study. I also cleaned out the refrigerator in preparation for buying groceries tomorrow.

I had leftover chili and cornbread for lunch since James did not bring back tacos from town. James is pretty miserable because of the smoke. He tried to work outside but it was difficult.

Stacy called this afternoon to tell me about Joshua. She and Paul both stayed home from church yesterday and watched on YouTube. It was there fast and testimony meeting and they were surprised when Joshua got up to bear his testimony. He said he was there by himself and he hoped his parents were watching at home. She said he seemed so at ease sharing his testimony. He said his family and the gospel were the two most important things in his life. What else is there? He talked about loving his family in spite of their shortcomings. Stacy said it was a heartfelt testimony and he did not seem a bit nervous.

This evening we watched the new Crossword Puzzle Mystery starring Lacey Chabert and Brennan Elliott.

The Forrester's

 

 

Sun, Apr 11th, 2021: Portland Oregon Temple, DeWitt's report on Fiji, "CFM" at Peeler's, Scarlett Jane, Charlie Mae, Valoise and Jesse Gale, Dennis, Harold, Karen

 

Portland, Oregon

42nd operating temple

Dedicated: 19 Aug 1989

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Power of

Matthew 28:18

And Jesus came and spake unto the, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 5:1-15

D&C

Review 30-36

Come Follow Me

Review "You Are Called to Preach My Gospel" at the Peeler's.

AprGenCon

"Ye Shall Be Free"

Elder Thierry K. Mutombo

Of the Seventy

God the Father and Jesus Christ visited the young Joseph Smith to bring to the light what was hidden so we may receive the "knowledge of things as they are, ... as they were, and as they will be" (Doctrine and Covenants 93:24).

The Living Christ

P2

He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He "went about doing good" (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.

I have had one week with no sciatic pain. It truly is a miracle and I thank my Heavenly Father daily!

The DeWitt's reported on their mission to Fiji in Church today. This is their third mission and they returned home last March during the pandemic. They also served mission to the Dominican Republic and Taipei, Taiwan. The mission in Taiwan was at the temple. 

Wendy talked about the many different people that come to the Fiji temple and the different languages spoken. She said an especially humble people came from Papa New Guinea. 38% of the people in Fiji immigrated from India. Prices there are extremely high. A box of Cheerios costs $14. 8 oz of sour cream is $9.00. 

Collin showed us the "lava-lava" skirt he was required to wear as a missionary. He took 14 pairs of socks with him and never wore them because the natives wear sandals. He said that he learned four different things on the four missions he has served. As a young missionary he served in Mexico and he learned obedience. In the Dominican Republic he focused on the Atonement. In Taiwan he learned to become culturally acceptable and in Fiji he learned about sacrifice from the humble people that came to serve in the temple. 

He said that: "Sacrifice makes service next to godliness."

Collin was called and set apart as our Family History Leader. We are very excited to be able to work with him in this calling!

After church and partaking of the sacrament James and I came home to snack and nap. We napped way tooo long. We got home before 11 and I didn't get up from my nap until 4 and neither did James. I made some cornbread and heated up the chili in the frig and called it dinner.

At six o'clock we went to the Peeler's for our weekly "Come Follow Me" discussion. The Crane's are still recovering from the flu they got in the valley so they were not there. Pierce is gone to Missouri attending what Barbara called a "Gardening Bootcamp." 

We had a good discussion and Owen said something that really resonated with me.  He said that the day of the Lamanites is here and that soon there would be more members of the Church in Central and South America than there is in the United States and Canada. He said he wishes our borders were open because these Lamanites will help to build the New Jerusalem as they are a big part of the house of Joseph. 

Owen had a blessing that healed just as I did. He has heart problems and had felt miserable before a blessing. He went to the doctor and the doctor could find no problem with his heart. This happened Easter weekend just as it did for me.

James and I came home and watched the latest episode of "When Calls the Heart."

Stake Indexing Totals

Vernon is the ward with 80,611!

The Sabbath with Scarlett Jane

Dennis, Karen, Harold

Little Purple Pansies touched with yellow gold

Valoise and Jesse. Love them both!

Happy Sabbath with Charlie Mae!

 

Sat, Apr 10th, 2021: Frankfurt Germany Temple, Kacey get the vaccine, Scarlett, Charlie, James's new toolbox, HMM, Quesalupa

 

Frankfurt, Germany

41st operating temple

Dedicated: 28 Aug 1987

By: Ezra Taft Benson

Jesus Christ, Power of

JS-Matthew 1:36

And, as I said before, after the tribulation of those days, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken, then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven, and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn; and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory;

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 4:16-30

D&C

Voices of the Restoration, "CFM" pgs 63-65

"Come Follow Me"

Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Family Home Evening

AprGenCon

"The Personal Journey of a Child of God"

Elder Neil L. Andersen

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

 We rejoice in the glorious Resurrection of our Savior. Because of Him, our loved ones and friends continue their eternal journey. As President Joseph F. Smith explained: "We can not forget them; we do not cease to love them. ... They have advanced; we are advancing; we are growing as they have grown." President Russell M. Nelson said, "Our tears of sorrow ... turn to tears of anticipation."

The Living Christ

P1

As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.

James feeds Luna and then he comes in and brings me oatmeal and fruit. He really knows how to take care of his girls.

I was blogging this morning when James came in and asked me if I would go to town with him. I could think of a dozen reasons why I should stay home but I told him I would go with him and it made him so happy, it was totally worth it!

We stopped at Taco Bell for lunch. We each had the quesalupa which we have seen advertised on TV. I got the steak and James got the chicken. It's shaped like a big taco but instead of a corn or flour tortilla it's flatbread. They were okay but honestly, I will just as soon have a taco and they are a lot cheaper. James had to run in to Harbor Freight while I stayed in the truck and enjoyed my lunch.

James has been talking about getting a toolbox for the back of his truck for quite awhile now. He decided that today was the day he was actually going to do it. He almost talked himself out of it but I encouraged him to go ahead and do it. He needs a place to put his tools.

We stopped at Tractor Supply and again I stayed in the truck. About 15 minutes later I look up and here comes James carrying this big toolbox that is built for the back of a truck on his shoulder. The doctor told him that if he ever wants his ribs to heal he needs to stop doing heavy lifting. I don't know how to stop him. He still thinks he's Superman!

When we got home from town we both took a nap. It was a beautiful day outside with the high around 70. It looks like Spring is really here. James was talking to Chuck today and ask how their trip to the valley was for Easter. He said the family they stayed with, probably Jeff their son, had the flu and their daughter and her family didn't want to come over for Easter dinner because of it. Now Kathy is sick with the flu so the trip really wasn't very much fun. James told Chuck about my experience of being in bed for two days and then getting a blessing and feeling no pain in my back or leg. It's what old people do, we talk about our ailments!

Sheri texted to check on us today. I told her I was feeling better and that dad had to have more tests done for his prostate and kidneys. It was nice of her to check on us. 

Today I only walked about 4,000 steps. It's going to take me awhile to get back into the swing of things.

This evening James and I watched the newest Spring Fling Hallmark movie, "As Luck Would Have It" which was filmed entirely in Ireland. It is so beautiful there. I would love to go someday. Maybe in the next life.

Trina and fellow hikers

Fri, Apr 9th, 2021: #40 Denver Colorado Temple, James works outside, no sciatic nerve pain!, Addy and Kayla, Whitehouse/Tyler Texas is beautiful!

 

Denver, Colorado

40th operating temple

Dedicated: 24 Oct 1986

By: Ezra Taft Benson

Jesus Christ, Power of

Matthew 24:30

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 4:4-15

D&C

35 and 36

"Come Follow Me"

If I build my life on the Savior's gospel I will not fall.

AprGenCon

 "Infuriating Unfairness"

Elder Dale G. Renlund

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Our decisions can yield long-term advantages or disadvantages. As the Lord revealed, "If a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come." When others receive benefits because of their diligent choices, we cannot rightly conclude that we have been treated unfairly when we have had the same opportunity.

Restoration Procamation

P9

With reverence and gratitude, we as His Apostles invite all to know - as we do - that the heavens are open. We affirm that God is making known His will for His beloved sons and daughters. We testify that those who prayerfully study the message of the Restoration and act in faith will be blessed to gain their own witness of its divinity and of its purpose to prepare the world for the promised Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

A beautiful day to work outside. James poured concrete for fenceposts. He also cleaned out the dirt in the garage and washed the Razr. He felt good when he came in this evening saying he had accomplished all of his goals.

This morning he fixed me oatmeal and cantaloupe and watermelon for breakfast. He was on a roll. I am still struggling to catch up even though the pain in my sciatic nerve is gone. This truly is a miracle to me especially after it hurting so badly I had to spend two days in bed.

I was in the mood so I made cookies instead of dinner. Or, I guess you could say, I made cookies for dinner. 

I am so impressed with the early members of the Church in this week's "Come Follow Me" lesson. These men traveled thousands of miles in the snow to preach the gospel they had just received. They had little or no training or experience. They put their trust in God who said he would go with them. The mission to the Lamanites was not a waste even though not one American Indian was baptized. Over 100 people in Kirtland joined the Church as a result of this mission.

Among those converts were future influential Church leaders, including Sidney Rigdon, and Kirtland later became an important gathering place for the Church.

Texas beauty

Cousin therapy