Thursday, June 10, 2021: Porto Alegre Brazil Temple - James pours at Elkins', CWIC, Inklings-Temple, DG, Bday crds Ian, Brian, Dallin, "Romance in Royal Class", TV w/ J

 

Porto Alegre, Brazil

102nd operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Dec 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Prophecies about

Matthew 1:23

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Book of Mormon

Alma 13:21-14:5

D&C

63:24-37

"Come Follow Me"

63:13-23 Chastity means keeping my thoughts and actions pure.

AprGenCon

"The Personal Journey of a Child of God"

Elder Neil L. Andersen

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Some may question if life begins with the formation of an embryo, or when the heart begins to beat, or when the baby can live outside of the womb, but for us, there is no question that spirit daughters and sons of God are on their own personal journeys coming to earth to receive a body and experience mortality.

As covenant children of God, we love, honor, nurture, safeguard, and welcome those spirits who are coming from the premortal world.

Family Proclamation

P8

We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

Inklings

Ezekiel 47:9

  And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.

What did the living water do to every thing it touched?

It healed and strengthened.

I vaguely remember James coming over to my side of the bed, completely dressed at 4:15 a.m. and giving me a kiss, telling me he was going to pour concrete at the Elkins' and asking me to pray for him. I said I would. 

While blogging and indexing I listened to CWIC Come Follow Me. The only thing I learned is that faith is trust. We show our faith in the Lord by trusting him.

I also listened to Emily & Rio discuss President Eyring's conference talk, "I Love To See the Temple," and Ezekiel 47 and Haggai 1-2 which are Old Testament scriptures about the temple. Emily loves the Old Testament. Do I push people to keep going, or do I encourage them to do more? "Can you stay longer?" Exhaustion or Exhilaration. "Don't miss Jesus, He walks the halls." I loved the story when Emily was going to the Palmyra temple and the bus driver, a non-member said to her, "I have always wanted to go inside of this temple." Emily invited him in. He said he thought it wasn't that easy. She told him that all are welcome and he could come inside of the door and look around, which he did. He said he felt it was a privilege. Emily made a point of saying that "all are welcome."

I also listened to a BYU Speech by S. Michael Wilcox given in 1999 

called, "The Blessings of the House of the Lord." He talks about Ezekiel 47 and the waters flowing from under the temple. He said that every temple, or most all, have a fountain in front representing the living water. The Idaho Falls temple has water gushing from the ground and flowing into the nearby river.

When James got home today he was exhausted and went in to take a nap. He was also happy and pleased with the finished product. Those who helped: The Wilhelm boys, Curtis, Zemira, and Andy. Brother Andersen, Armondo and Joseph. Armondo brought his son Chandler who is 11, and Chandler's little brother, James couldn't remember his name. The six year old walked up to James to shake his hand. James said they were very well-mannered children.

James texted this pictures to Mr. Elkin and he is excited!

After James's nap I reminded him that he owed me 4 - $20's that he borrowed to pay the Wilhelm boys. He said he would pay me back this afternoon. I reminded him and he ask if I would take a check. I said no, the money he took was to go in Dallin's and Ruby's birthday cards. I told him they would probably give him change at Dollar General when he bought me a 12 pk of diet Dr. Pepper. The woman at the register first told him she couldn't break a $100 but then she said she would go back and get some money in the safe. He came out with my $80. Now I'm going to do a deposit transfer from his account to mine to pay back the $100 he took from my stash. Finances can be complicated. 

Here are some names I indexed today: 

Cario Bingo and Ada Bird. 

Our former stake president is the president of the

Chicago, Illinois mission.

He is such a loving, amazing person.

He called everyone in our stake on their birthday when

he was stake president.

Wednesday, June 9th, 2021: Recife Brazil Temple -Twin girls, TWP, Greg Andersen, "Cold as Ice", "Topaz & Treachery", Suns beat Nuggets gm 2, Index, Charlie Blog, Walk, Eat

 

Recife, Brazil

101st operating temple

Dedicated: 15 Dec 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Prophecies about

Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sing; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Book of Mormon

Alma 13:10-20

D&C

63:13-23

"Come Follow Me"

63:7-12 - Signs come by faith and the will of God.

AprGenCon

"Infuriating Unfairness"

Elder Dale G. Renlund

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Different types of unfairness can merge, creating a tsunami of overwhelming unfairness. For instance, the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affects those who already are subject to multifactorial, underlying disadvantages. My heart aches for those who face such unfairness, but I declare with all my aching heart that Jesus Christ both understands unfairness and has the power to provide a remedy. Nothing compares to the unfairness He endured.

It was not fair that He experienced all the pains and afflictions of mankind. It was not fair that He suffered for my sins and mistakes and for yours. But He chose to do so because of His love for us and for Heavenly Father. He understands perfectly what we are experiencing.

Family Proclamation

P7

The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities,  fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

Inklings

Haggai 1-2

Up at 5:16.

"Teaching with Power" D&C 63-The Grid Game

James is frustrated because he has no power. He had to fix the generator. The first time he leaves for work he comes back showing me that he had his house shoes on. Brother Andersen from our ward came over today to help James get ready for tomorrow's pour.  James ask if I would fix lunch for them. Earlier he had said that Armondo and Joseph would not be coming here but would be staying with Owen. I decided making soup and sandwiches for lunch would be easier than what I had been planning for them. When he asked if I could fix grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup, I said yes.

Brother Andersen is our ward mission leader. He bore his testimony on Sunday and invited all of us to become a part of the ward's missionary efforts. He loves the gospel and his exuberance for it is contagious. Brother Andersen is a former Navy Seal. He was inactive for years. A few years ago he married the love of his life and became active again in the church. He is a convert and sometimes that shines through in some of his mannerisms and what he says. I love him and so does James. He loves James and said it was a privilege to be working with him and soaking in some of his spirit. James said he is such a hard worker! I'm not surprised. 

This afternoon I took a long nap and had a vivid dream. When I woke up I was so groggy. I had to walk to get my blood pumping again.  I did a lot of indexing today. It became my "project" for the day. Today I usually do Relief Society work or visits and index more on Sunday. I guess this week I will do Relief Society work on Sunday. June is the last month in the second quarter of the year and I need to make calls to the ministering sisters in my district.

I finished Stephanie's book, "Cold as Ice" and started and finished a book by Lynn Gardner called, "Topaz and Treachery." There are no more Regency Romances on Deseret Book Plus that are audio that I can listen to when I am walking. I started another book by Lynn Gardner, "Rubies and Rebels." James and I are on book 3 of "A Banner is Unfurled." This book takes place during the Restoration of the gospel and is like "The Work and The Glory" in that it is historical fiction.

James hurried home this evening and showered and hurried out again to go to his elder's quorum presidency meeting. When he got home he had something to eat and announced that he was going to bed.

I was watching the end of the Suns-Nuggets game 2 of the conference semifinals. The Suns won, 123-98. Now it's on to Denver to play the next game. I am learning the names of our best players, well at least their last names: Booker, Paul, Ayton, Alexander, and Crowder, just to name a few. I am beginning to love this team!

Just found out that one of my favorite former Suns players, Steve Nash, is the coach for the Brooklyn Nets.

There are 8 teams left in the playoffs:

The Suns and the Nuggets, the Clippers and the Jazz in the Western Conference, and the Nets and the Bucks, the 76ers and the Hawks in the Eastern Conference.

I bought two of these myself.

Kim gave me the last one along with two purple pens as part

of my Mother's Day gift.

Sleeping Charlie

I read from Isaiah as I was studying 

Bro. Rasband's talk on miracles today.

The Savior's birth was a miracle.

 

 

Tuesday, June 8th, 2021: 100th Temple Boston, Massachusetts - 'Follow Him', Walmart to get groceries and bday cards, Jared's accidental FaceTime, "Cold as Ice", Armondo here tomorrow, Alibertos

 

Boston, Massachusetts

100th operating temple

Dedicated: 1 Oct 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Prophecies about

Psalms 132:17

There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.

Book of Mormon

Alma 12:28-13:9

D&C

63:1-12

"Come Follow Me"

63:1-6, 32-37 : The Lord's anger is kindled against the wicked and rebellious.

AprGenCon

"Poor Little Ones"

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.

Family Proclamation

P6

Husband and Wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives - mothers and fathers - will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

Inklings

Ezekiel 47

"Follow Him" - Please Lord, cleanse my soul.

Dr. Lynne Hilton Wilson

James working at Elkins' with the water trailer and generator. Both broke down today.

I went to town this afternoon to do my grocery shopping at Walmart and to buy birthday cards for June. I already have a card for Ruby so I only had to get cards for Ian, Brian, and Dallin. I used my debit card to pay for my groceries so I could get cash back for birthday cards.

Before going home I went through the drive-thru at Aliberto's.

I ordered three burritos, an Arizona for me, a carne asada, and a bean and cheese. James doesn't like to eat meat at night but I forgot he also doesn't like to eat cheese at night. He did eat the bean and cheese though.

Jared accidentally FaceTime me today. They were all outside, him, Kacey, and Charlie, playing in the water from the hose and the rain. 

He said a tornado had touched down a few minutes ago nearby. I told him we had fires here and we were praying for rain. Jared says he is on call the week we have our hike planned. He is going to try to trade with someone. I hope he can, otherwise we may have to try to change our date again.

I am reading another murder mystery by my friend, Stephanie McConkie Black. This one is called "Cold as Ice." The annoying, complaining woman who is murdered is named Karen. Is Stephanie playing in to pop culture? When I looked Karen up on Google this is what it says: Karen is a pejorative term for a woman seeming to be entitled or demanding beyond the scope of what is normal. (Describes Stephanie's character to a T) The term also refers to memes depicting White women who use their privilege to demand their own way. Depictions also may include demanding to "speak to the manager", being racist or sporting a particular bob cut hairstyle. The term has been criticized for being sexist, ageist, misogynistic, or seeking to control female behavior. As of 2020, the term was increasingly being used in media and on social media as a general-purpose term for middle class White women, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests. The term has also been applied to male behavior. The Guardian called 2020 "the year of Karen." Maybe Stephanie forgot that we were friends, else why would she use my name for such an unlikable character.

James asked if we could offer dinner to Armondo, his son, and Joseph who are coming up tomorrow to help pour concrete on Thursday. I told him I would fix them dinner and they could stay here if they needed to.

Stefani and Alicia are identical twins

Stefani is Camrie's mom

Camrie reveals she and Darren are

having twin girls!

Monday, June 7th, 2021: Santo Domingo Temple - Pierce fixes my cavity, Pay bills and update chkbks, James @ Elkins, Family Hike Sept 18th, Suns beat Nuggets 122-105

 

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

99th operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Sept 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Prophecies about

Jacob 4:15

And now I, Jacob, am led on by the Spirit unto prophesying; for I perceive by the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that by the stumbling of the Jews they will reject the stone upon which they might build and have safe foundation.

Book of Mormon

Alma 12: 20-27

D&C

RIC Ezra Booth & Isaac Morley

"Come Follow Me"

"That Which Cometh From Above is Sacred"

AprGenCon

"Not as the World Giveth"

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostle

Challenging times come in the 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 times of trouble."

Family Proclamation

P5

We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.

Inklings

"I Love to See the Temple"

President Henry B. Eyring

"It is in the temple that we can receive the assurance of loving family connections that will continue after death and last for eternity."

An announcement was made in the Church News today regarding General Conference. There will no longer be a Saturday night session. It used to be the priesthood session. Recently it has alternated between priesthood in April and general women's session in October. 

Pierce filled my tooth and "built it up" for $20. I am very grateful to him. 

James went to town with the truck and trailer to pick up some wire mesh for Elkins'. He said he would also pick up my tramadol but didn't want to pick up lunch because of the trailer. When I got home from the Goodman's I fixed myself some macaroni and cheese and had a slice of cornbread. Later when James got here he brought me a steak and shrimp bowl with noodles from Panda. I ate the steak and shrimp and put the noodles in the frig and fed them to James for dinner along with some sweet peas.

This afternoon while James was working at Elkins' I paid bills, including tithing for May, blogged, indexed, and walked. One of the names I indexed worked at "The Little Sisters of the Poor." Hmm, I'm not completely sure what this is. Any guesses?

Jared and Kacey asked when our family hike at Green's Peak was going to be. I told them we would decide this week. James wanted to schedule August 21st but Darrel works that weekend and August is very busy for Jared & Kacey. We came up with September 18th which works for Darrel and Kacey says works for them, unless Jared is on call. 

The Suns are in the second round of the NBA playoffs. Tonight was their first game with the Denver Nuggets. It was played in Phoenix so we had home court advantage. The game was pretty close in the first half with the Nuggets  ahead most of the time. The halftime score was 58 Nuggets and 57 Suns. The Suns went on a 16-0 run in the third quarter. The final score was 122 Suns and 105 Nuggets. It was a good game. On another note, I don't like the Suns new uniforms. They are not purple for one thing, but are black with red and yellow. On the front of their shirts it does not say Suns or Phoenix,  but The Valley. Why? It says The Valley in the middle of their court too. Weird. I don't know the story or reason behind this, but I need an explanation. I like the old uniforms as worn here by Steve Nash.

Steve Nash

Chris Paul in the new uniform

I don't like it and I don't get it.

The fires in the state continue but the smoke is not quite as bad here. James wore a mask all day and it was pretty dirty when he got home. I'm just grateful that he wore one.

Did I see the hand of the Lord in my life today? When I look at my blessings I realize I see His hand everyday!

As Brother Westbrook reminded us in his testimony, yesterday was the 77th anniversary of D-Day. 

On June 6, 1944 the Allied Forces of Britain, America, Canada, and France attacked German forces on the coast of Normandy, France. With a huge force of over 150,000 soldiers, the Allies attacked and gained a victory that became the turning point for World War II in Europe.

When I asked Laura to take the missionary discussion, I invited her to go with me to Sonic to get a cherry limeade. The rest is history.

This looks delicious to me!

I keep thinking I want to put Darrel's hammock up,

but maybe not.

 

 

Sunday, June 6th, 2021: Birmingham Alabama Temple - Fast & Testimony mtg, SS, Appt w/ Pierce, Brownies and Turtles from Pam, Blog, Index, Anthony gone, "Witnesses"

Birmingham, Alabama

98th operating temple

Dedicated: 3 Sept 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Prophecies about

Matthew 21:42

Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?

Book of Mormon

Alma 12:1-19

D&C

Review 60-62

"Come Follow Me"

Review "All Flesh is in Mine Hand"

AprGenCon

"I Love To See the Temple"

President Henry B. Eyring

Second Counselor in the First Presidency

I know that temples of the Lord are holy places. My purpose today in speaking of temples is to increase your desire and mine to be worthy and ready for the increased opportunities for temple experiences that are coming for us.

Family Proclamation

P4

The First Commandment that God gave to Adam and Even pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

Inklings

"President Russell M. Nelson made clear for us that we can "see" the Savior in the temple in the sense that He becomes no longer unknown to us." - Henry B. Eyring, "I Love To See the Temple"

Today was fast Sunday and James and I totally forgot. Brother Goodman reminded us when he conducted our fast and testimony meeting. 

Before leaving for church this morning we got our Happy Sabbath photos from Charlie. This is such a nice way to start the Sabbath day.

We sat by the Goodman's at church. Barbara during church and then Pierce during the second hour. Pierce is going to refill my tooth tomorrow morning at 10. 

I introduced myself to the couple sitting in front of us in the chapel. I asked if they were new or visiting? They said neither, they had been inactive but were coming back. Their names: Kiristin and Kris Lee. Kris grew up in St. Johns and knows the Lambson's. They seemed like a nice couple, both are 59.

Brother Scott taught Sunday School and did a good job. I'm not sure where Brother Applegate was today. James had a family history meeting with Collin after Sunday School. I waited in the car for about 30 minutes. When we got home we found walnut brownies and pretzel turtles left there by our friend Pam. They were delicious and just the snack we needed after lunch. After lunch we had a nap.

James and his partner Dave W. went out to see Anthony this afternoon. James couldn't get Anthony on the telephone. Anthony was not there so James said it was a wasted trip. I told him I did not think it was. James said Anthony may have gone to Oklahoma with Forrest.

We had smoke from the Whiteriver fire today. They are evacuating Miami which means there are two fires in the state right now. Paul sent out an email asking us to pray for rain. We definitely will.

The new movie, "Witnesses" is in theaters now.

Witnesses of the Book of Mormon

Paul said someone he knows saw it and that it was very accurate.

Miami fire

Baby Llama