OUR FAMILY

Thursday, June 24, 2021

Wed, June 23rd, 2021: Brisbane Australia Temple: Gospel Study, Car shroud 2 trips to town, Emily's fireside, EQ/RS plng mtg, RAIN!! Bernhardina Spellmeyer

Brisbane, Australia

115th operating temple

Dedicated: 15 June 2003

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Prophecies about

Isaiah 59:20

And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord.

Book of Mormon

Alma 20:19-30 How should I react when the outcomes of our faithfulness seem unfruitful.

D&C

68:1-12

"Come Follow Me"

68:1-8 Inspiration from the Holy Ghost reflects the will of the Lord.

AprGenCon

"Our Personal Savior"

Elder Michael John U. Teh

Of the Seventy

We need to recognize that knowing the Savior is the most important pursuit of our lives. It should take priority over anything else.

"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

"I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

Articles of Faith

#12

We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

Inklings

Numbers 35:2

Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them.

As I was reading my notes from "The Redheaded Hostess" today for D&C 68 I came across this quote from Elder Bednar regarding parents responsibility to teach their children to understand the basic principles of the gospel:

"Here is the hard doctrine. It does not say to teach our children. Teaching is an activity. It says that we should teach them to understand. Understanding is an outcome; it is a result. It is easy for us to say, "I teach my children in the home." That is not the job we have been assigned. That is not the admonition. It says that we are to teach them to understand.

I believe, brothers and sisters, that Section 68 verses 25-26 are an admonition for parents to create a home that is a house of learning wherein the Spirit of the Holy Ghost can reside. In such a home the Holy Ghost can teach the children to understand. It is not the parents who do the teaching. The parents have a role; they create, invite, and facilitate. But who ultimately is the teacher? The Spirit of the Holy Ghost. And it is teaching by the Spirit that produces understanding.

-Elder David A. Bednar, April 2021 General Conference

I also listened to CWIC and Don't Miss This. I like the question that Dave and Emily pose in Don't Miss This.

What is my errand from the Lord?

While I am inside studying the gospel James is outside working. He's fixing broken waterlines in the planter and then he worked on putting the cover shroud back under my car. He thought he got the connectors he needed yesterday but the back of the shroud has a different size than the front so he had to go back into town to get the new size. When he got into town he realized he had left his wallet at home and called me. I told him I would meet him with it but then realized the shroud under my car was loose and dragging on the ground. He asked me to bring the Razr down to the Vernon road by the red barn. I said I would do that. He told me to leave in 15 minutes. I set my timer for 12 minutes not anticipating that I would have a problem getting the Razr out of the garage. James had my car parked behind and to the side of the Razr but I could not get by. I tried several times and finally had to move the car to get out. I wasted a lot of time. When I finally got on the road James was already zipping down what I call the electrical post road. I did the hand off and turned around and went back up the hill to home.

Before James went to town I fixed him scalloped potatoes and snow peas for lunch. When I was planning menus I asked him what he wanted to eat this week and he said, scalloped potatoes. I used an old recipe I had from a friend named Trudy. I had written a note to myself which said, use this amount of potatoes, six, and double the topping of sour cream, butter, onions, and Cream of Chicken soup.

They were delicious for lunch and again for dinner when James fried them up in a skillet. The snow peas were my attempt at being healthy.

While I was fixing the potatoes, I listened to a fireside that Emily B.F. did for a stake in England. She talked about the army of Gideon defeating their enemies, 300 against 135,000. She talked about the influence of "Chosen" and her friend Dallas had an idea that he wanted to share the life of Jesus so he started the "Chosen" series which now reaches over 8 million people. She talked about Joseph Smith and how he was an obscure farm boy who has affected millions. She encouraged us to think big and not be afraid to do big things. It was so good and I am so glad I listened to it. Honestly, I love YouTube!

James and I had a meeting today with the Elder's Quorum Presidency and Relief Society Presidency to co-ordinate the lesson schedule for our Sunday meetings through the month of September. This only took a few minutes because between Chuck and myself we already had most all of the talks already scheduled. Chuck wants us to always have the same talks but the more I think about it, the more I think it might no be a bad idea to have some of our talks be different. There are two talks not included that I want to include. One is President Nelson's talk on faith and the other is Elder Stevenson's talk on kindness. Hopefully I can convince the rest of my presidency that these are talks that the sisters in our ward need to hear.

We got some actual rain tonight! It was awesome. It rained about 3 hours in the early hours of the morning. It smells so good! Hallelujah!

I think I said this was a state championship bike

race. Evidently I was wrong. It was

called, "Bike the Bluff."

Do most Americans feel this way?

I can remember the Show Low Sawmill located

where Cal-Ranch is today.

Rains clouds are coming!

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Tue, June 22, 2021: The Hague Netherlands Temple: Orson Hyde, James planting, Mouse #3, LaCasita, Wlmrt, H.D., Cal-Ranch, Suns 104 Clippers 103

The Hague, Netherlands

114th operating temple

Dedicated: 8 Sept 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Prophecies about

Mosiah 14:5

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Book of Mormon

Alma 20:1-18 How do I express love for my family members and friends of other faiths?

D&C

"Come Follow Me"

67:1-9; 68:3-6 God stands by His servants and the words they speak in His name.

AprGenCon

"God Loves His Children"

Elder Taniela B. Wakolo

Of the Seventy

He Manifests His Love to His Children By Calling Prophets

Our current world is deluged in a "war of words and tumult of opinions" (Joseph Smith - History 1:10). Paul reminds us that "there are . . . so many kinds of voices in the world" (1 Corinthians 14:10). Which of all the voices rise clearly and meaningfully above the fray" It is the voice of God's prophets, seers, and revelators.

"They Cannot Prevail; We Cannot Fall"

Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong

Of the Seventy

How can we let God prevail in our lives and not the adversary? In Doctrine and Covenants 6:34 we read, "Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail." It is a significant promise. Although earth and hell may combine against us, they cannot prevail if we choose to let God prevail by establishing our lives upon His rock.

Articles of Faith

#11

We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

Inklings

Alma 27

The Nephites give the Anti-Nephi-Lehies the land of Jershon

They are called the people of Ammon.

D&C 124:23

And it shall be for a house for boarding, a house that strangers may come from afar to lodge therein; therefore let it be a good house, worthy of all acceptation, that the weary traveler may find health and safety while he shall contemplate the word of the Lord; and the cornerstone I have appointed for Zion.

I took a little side trip from the "Come Follow Me" lesson today. Orson Hyde is one of the characters mentioned in section 68. Elder Hyde served 8 missions during his lifetime and one of these missions was to Palestine. While he was there, he had a vision of the gathering of the Jews to Palestine (Israel), which led him to climb the Mount of Olives and dedicate the land for the gathering of the Jews, the rebuilding of Jerusalem, the creation of a Jewish state, and the building of a temple. That happened in 1841.

James worked on the front planter this morning, fixing water lines, planting flowers and a small tree. This didn't stop him from bringing me breakfast and making the bed.

We caught mouse #3 under the oven, but I think our bat is back. I keep finding droppings on the table and couch by the fireplace. I wrote on my grocery list for today, Bat Bomb!

James and I left for town around 1pm. We had lunch at LaCasita. This time I had my chicken enchilada with red sauce and a side of rice and beans. James surprisingly just ordered a chicken enchilada with green sauce, no sides. He did end up eating at least half of my refried beans.

After lunch James dropped me off at Walmart while he went to Home Depot to get wood chips for the planter. He picked me up in time from Walmart to pick out a watermelon. It was overcast as we drove home. I asked James if he got the horse feed. No, he had forgotten. We had already passed Tractor Supply where he usually buys it. He drove on to Cal-Ranch. I waited in the car while he went in to get two bags of horse feed. Now we have wood chips in the back, groceries in the second seat area and horse feed. My little car can hold more than you would think.

Kim texted me while we were driving home. This is what she said:

How are you guys doing up there? You aren't in any fire danger are you? I heard that there are like 24 fires just in the Apache-Sitgreaves forest right now. They are closing the forests around the state. ( I knew Coconino was closing and I figured the rest would follow).

It looks like our wards young men/young women camp will probably be cancelled. They were supposed to go up tomorrow morning, but the forest is closed starting Thursday at 6 a.m. Saying lots of prayers for rain.

There are more than 40 fires around the state right now. The notice I saw was that there are at least 24 in Sitgreaves forest. I'm sure not all of them are huge.

Just don't go on Razr rides through the forest. Huge fines and possible jail time right now.

Maybe get a couple of rides in before Thursday morning.

They are closing Kaibab too.

I told Brian they should just go to San Diego instead and camp on the beach.

Kim said nothing about their ward coming to our place and neither did I.

After putting away the groceries James was tired and laid down on the recliner to rest. When he got up I was fixing dinner and he got ready to go out and ride Luna. I reminded him that he had told the missionaries he would meet them at Sister MacArthur's. He said he had forgotten as he went in to get ready. Sister MacArthur just lives across the road and down from us. James leaves around 6:45 and is back just a few minutes later. I asked him what happened. He said when he got to Chelsea's he called the Elders and they told him she had cancelled an hour ago because her husband got home from Alaska. He told them he wished they had called him and they apologized but sometimes an apology is too late. It's too late for him to ride Luna and he won't be able to ride her again until Friday. She needs the exercise.

I talked to Tanna today and she is onboard to have a barbecue at our house with the missionaries. They asked me if I would schedule it. I told her to talk to Travis and get back with me as to what time works for them.

While I was indexing I turned on the Sun - Clippers game in the family room and every once in awhile I would go and check the score. The Suns were always a head but only by a few points. They are playing without their point guard, Chris Paul, who has been sick. At the end of the game the Clippers were ahead 103-102. There was nine tenths of a second left. Crowder through the ball to the basket. Ayton jumped and put the ball in, Suns win! It was amazing. For some reason the refs gave the Clippers another seven tenths of a second. They made a play but the ball did not go in the basket. As I was thinking about the Suns winning all 9 games in a row in the playoffs I thought how much we need this in Arizona right now. I found this post by Arizonahighways on Instagram that says it better than I can:

Listened to another session of Dr. Kim D'Eramo. This one was called "How Embracing Illness Heals You." Here are a few notes I took:

Begin to embrace health. What we focus on expands. Fight or Flight syndrome. What you believe is what you will experience. Allow and release. Shift into a higher consciousness. Release my pain. I am open to a whole new level of freedom. Confidence, passion, awaken.

Love and nurture myself through diet. Vibrant living.

I ordered this today for our bed which is

a little hard.

I was Taylor's Primary teacher. She is an

amazing young woman!

Cowgirl Charlie!

Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Mon, June 21, 2021: Nauvoo Temple: Act in Doctrine, job prblms w/Armando, Tragic State Bike Race in Sholo, Fire update, Dr. Kim d'Eramo "Mind/Body Toolkit, James's cards from K&B

Nauvoo, Illinois

113th operating temple

Dedicated: 27-30 June 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Prophecies about

Isaiah 53:5

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Book of Mormon

Alma 19:22-36 How has Ammon's missionary experience been different than Alma's & Amulek's?

D&C

Saints chp. 13 pgs 140-45

"Come Follow Me"

DC 67-70 "Worth . . . the Riches of the Whole Earth"

AprGenCon

"Pressing Toward the Mark"

Elder Edward Dube

Of the Seventy

In 2012, as I walked for the first time into the general conference leadership meeting, I could not help feeling overwhelmed and inadequate. In my mind there was a voice persistently repeating, "You do not belong here! A serious mistake had been made!" Just as I was walking trying to find a place to sit, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland spotted me. He came to me and said, "Edward, it is good to see you here," and he tenderly patted my face. I felt like a baby! His love and embrace warmed me up and helped me to feel the spirit of belonging, the spirit of brotherhood.

"Remember Your Way Back Home"

Elder Jose A. Teixeira

Of the Presidency of the Seventy

We Can Remember That We Are Children of God

We have a divine heritage. Knowing that we are children of God and that He wants us to return to His presence is one of the first steps on the journey back to our heavenly home.

Remind yourself of this heritage.

Articles of Faith

#10

We believe in the literal gathering f Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

Inklings

"I celebrate God-given differences and refuse to let them become man-made divisions. Where there is compassion and inclusion, there is unity and Christlike love."

-Elder Gary E. Stevenson

Molly had a wonderful time at Jared's wards girls camp. They stayed in a nice cabin, zip-lined, went canoeing, and rode horses and Molly loved it. Kacey said: "Molly had an amazing time at camp. She bore her testimony twice at testimony meeting. All the leaders loved her and were so impressed with her. She shared with her leaders that she wants to go to church but her mom hates the church and she is afraid to ask to go. The YW president of our ward contacted the bishop and also the YW president of her ward in San Antonio and they are working together to try to get her to activities. I don't know how far they will get because when her mom finds out, she is going to be angry. It's all so sad. But it's helpful to hear about this side of Molly. She is so torn about what her heart feels and what she is told at home about the Gospel. She was able to let her guard down at camp and really share what's in her heart about wanting to be a part of the Gospel.

Jared just found out they removed their names for the records of the Church. Kids included. I didn't think that was allowed without Jared's consent. Hopefully it was a mistake to remove records of children under the age of 18 and Molly will not have to be baptized again. The bishop of Molly's ward is checking to see what the policy is.

We are all praying for Molly.

I listened to a Come Follow Me podcast this morning called "Act in Doctrine" with Susan Tanner, Mary Ann Richardson, and Stephanie Dibbs Sorenson. These were the Doctrinal Takeaways:

1. See the world through Spiritual Eyes.

2. Parents have a sacred obligation to raise children in righteousness.

3. The Lord makes us temporal and spiritual stewards, and we are accountable to Him.

Armando is making some decisions regarding the Lake Park Village job, that are very frustrating to James. He keeps changing the schedule and not doing things he is supposed to do. James thinks he has some other jobs going and he is distracted. The next pour is on Thursday and James will be going down to make sure everything is done as it should be.

A real tragedy occurred in Show Low yesterday during a state championship bicycle race. I read about it from someone involved in the race and will post the article here.

I can't imagine anyone purposefully doing this.

I got a text from Kacey today with a picture of a set of my earplugs asking me if these were mine. I responded they were and said she could throw them away. Kacey just wanted to know if Charlie was correct. She was helping Kacey clean out the room we stayed in and when Kacey found the ear plugs Charlie said, "Those are Grandma's." Charlie was right. I think we talked about them when I was there. She asked me what they were and why I wore them and I told her that I wore them because grandpa snores when he's asleep and I can't hear him when I wear my earplugs.

Our friend Paula sent out this update regarding the fires in Arizona:

The Coconino National Forest near Flagstaff closed yesterday.

That means everyone will be coming to the White Mountains.

I wonder how long before our forests close. Brian's group is coming up on Wednesday. Hopefully they will be able to camp near Green's Peak.

This evening after indexing and while practicing my caligraphy, I listened to a talk by Dr. Kim D'Eramo. I ordered her book, The Mind/Body Toolkit. She believes we can heal many of our problems by using certain techniques. Kim listens to her and she is the one that introduced me and got me interested.