Fri, July 30th, 2021: PhiladelphiaPennTemple#152: Utah with Sheri & Ben, Horseshoe Bend, Orb, Provo, Brasa Grill, Goodbye Ben, BYU Creamery, Dr. Carpenter, Marriott Fairfield

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

152nd operating temple

Dedicated: 18 Sept 2016

By: Henry B. Eyring

Jesus Christ, Prophecies about

2 Nephi 18:14

And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling, and for a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Book of Mormon

Alma 42:26-43:14

Q: How does Alma's advice to Corianton differ from his advice to his other sons Helaman & Shiblon?

A: Alma loved all 3 of his sons, and was equally concerned for their physical and spiritual welfare. He taught them to trust God, keep the commandments, to keep praying and to be good examples. However Helaman and Shiblon understood and remembered the Father's teachings. Corianton was the wayward son. His example affected the Zoramites. Four chapters were dedicated to Alma's interview with his son Corianton. He spent a lot of time teaching him pure doctrine, in order to change a flawed belief system which led to sin. His advice was to stop finding excuses to sin, and to "deny the justice of God no more."(30) Alma's efforts to teach his son Corianton worked. In Alma 43:1-2 Mormon tells us that the sons of Alma went forth preaching the gospel, with their Father. In the end they were "all men of God."

D&C

84:77-97

"Come Follow Me"

84:62-91 The Lord will be with me when I am in His service.

AprGenCon

"The Principles of My Gospel"

Elder David A. Bednar

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

"How do we hallow the Sabbath day? In my much younger years, I studied the work of others who had compiled lists of things to do and things not to do on the Sabbath. It wasn't until later that I learned from the scriptures that my conduct and my attitude on the Sabbath constituted a sign between me and my Heavenly Father. With that understanding, I no longer needed lists of dos and don'ts. When I had to make a decision whether or not an activity was appropriate for the Sabbath, I simply asked myself, 'What sign do I want to give to God?' That question made my choices about the Sabbath day crystal clear." - President Nelson

The Family Proclamation

#6

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 hold accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

Inklings

Luke 24:5-6

And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee..

Up around 4:30 to get ready to go. James is taking me to Sheri's where I am going with Sheri and Ben to Utah. Ben has a job with a former mission companion and his employer. Sheri told him she would take him up when he was ready to go. She asked me to go with her so she wouldn't have to come home alone. I was happy to do it. We are going to Provo where Ben's friend, James, will meet him and take him to where the work will be. I think it is in Vernal.

Sheri started out playing "Follow Him" with John, Hank, and Barbara Morgan Gardner. She also played some of the book, "The Way of Kings" by Brandon Sanderson. She also played music which I didn't think I would like, but I actually did.

As we were zipping along somewhere on the reservation, a loud noise occurred and a hole was left in the windshield. No one saw this one coming. The car in front of us was too far ahead and we are still baffled by what happened. Here is the picture of the "ding" we are calling Orbit, or Orb for short.

 Our first stop was at Horseshoe Bend. Sheri paid the $10 for us to walk to the edge and look down on the water. The hike down wasn't too bad, but the hike back was pretty difficult for me in the 89 degree sun.

It's almost "other worldly" here.

Horseshoe Bend is just outside of Page. I'm not sure if it's on the Navajo reservation or not. We ran through the McDonald's drive-thru for lunch and then we were on our way. 

Sheri is a driving machine and never even seems to get tired. I took catnaps all along the way. We went through Kanab, Orderville, and Panguitch. Ben said he had a mission companion from Panguitch. We did not stop to see him. 

The first temple we saw in Utah valley was the Payson temple. I told Ben there was a temple in Vernal and he was excited. Once we got to Provo we checked into the hotel where Sheri and I will be staying, the Marriott Fairfield Inn. Sheri and I freshened up a little and then we went to the place Ben had arranged for us to meet his friend James. The place is called Brasa Mexican Grill. They say when you are having Mexican food you want to look for a dive because they have the best food. This place must have the best food ever.

Ben wanted Mexican food but how good can

Mexican food in Utah be?

Thank goodness the weather was nice

because I believe it was outdoor 

dining only.

Ben and James

Sheri is really going to miss Ben.

James was late because he went to another

Brasa four minutes away.

James told us a little bit about Paul H., the guy he and Ben will be working for. He bought 12 acres of land outside Vernal and wants to make it total self-sustainable. It has a creek running through it. He told James to order 100 chickens, 100 rabbits and some horses. They will have hydro-plants fertilized by fish. Maybe Ben will learn how to live off the land and can come and teach us up here at the cabin.

After saying goodbye to Ben and James Sheri and I went to the BYU Creamery for some ice cream. As we were waiting in line Sheri said, "That is Dr. Carpenter." I looked towards the door, and sure enough, there was Dr. Carpenter. He saw Sheri and came over to talk to her. He is here to run a half marathon in American Fork canyon. His wife was with him and said she was going to cheer him on. What are the chances that Sheri would run in to her boss on a trip like this. The timing was just right. 

Earlier Sheri and I were excited to see the Provo City Center temple while we were looking for a CVS to get Ben some medicine for his runny nose. 

There are three stories to our hotel. We are on the third floor and we are the last room around the corner at the end of the hall, room 323. 

I was going to walk this evening but I was just too tired. I read to Sheri out of MindBody Toolkit about the heart having a brain and the ability to receive messages outside of the brain. 

We both read awhile, and then said our prayers and went to bed.

Near the Snowflake temple

Not my best walking day ever.

Thur, July 29th, 2021: SapporoJapanTemple#151: Index, Blog, Walk, James goes to Sun City, In n Out, Chili's, Costco, Ruby's glasses, Charlie, Vernon flood

 

Sapporo, Japan

151st operating temple

Dedicated: 21 Aug 2016

By: Russell M. Nelson

Jesus Christ, Prophecies about

Isaiah 8:14

And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Book of Mormon

Alma 42:1-25

Q: What can we learn from the Fall?

A: We have our agency but must accept the consequences of our choices. God loves us and provides a way for us to return to Him.

D&C

84:54-76

"Come Follow Me"

84:43-58 I come unto Christ as I heed HIs words and hearken to His Spirit.

AprGenCon

"The Gospel Light of Truth and Love"

Elder Alan R. Walker

Of the Seventy

"In addressing the gathering of Israel in the last days, the Lord Jehovah said, "I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts' and will be their God, and they shall be my people."

I feel eternally grateful that from my young age, the law of the Lord started to be engraved deeply in my heart through sacred ordinances in His holy house, How fundamental it is to know that He is our God, that we are His people, and that whatever circumstances surround us, if we are faithful and obey the covenants we have entered into, we can be 'encircled about eternally in the arms of his love."

The Family Proclamation

#5

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

Angels announce the resurrection of Christ - He walks on the Emmaus road - He appears with a body of flesh and bones, eats food, testifies of His divinity, and promises the Holy Ghost - He ascends into heaven.

Up around 8 a.m. I slept in. James brought me some oatmeal and a protein shake for breakfast. He also brought me the morning news: He has already walked 3,000 steps and indexed over 100 names. I feel like a slacker. 

Trina went to work today which means Darrel is in charge at home. He gets all the kids off to school and then goes to Walmart to get new tires for his pickup. They tell him they don't have his size and he has to go home and order them online. He is a little put out. I think he wanted to get the new tires today.  James and I both worked upstairs indexing, walking, and blogging, the walking and blogging was me, until about 11 when we decided to go get in the In n Out line. We asked Darrel if he wanted anything but he declined saying he really didn't like there burgers. Yeah, but what about their toasted buns? I think that's the real draw. Addy went out to lunch with her friends today. I wonder if they went to Costa Vida.

We got in the line and we were third because they had just opened. I ordered a cheeseburger and fries with a diet coke and James ordered a burger. We shared the fries and still didn't eat them all. I liked that the cheese on my cheeseburger was melted but the burger part was overcooked. I have this craving out of my system for awhile. We ate in the car on the way home. 

When Ruby and Lola get home from school Darrel takes them to Chandler Eyecare to pick up Ruby's glasses that were broke. Lola likes to go to see Sheri and to try on glasses. Sheri talked Darrel into getting two pairs of glasses in case Ruby breaks her glasses again.

I continue to see my timer for 20 minutes alternating between indexing, walking, and blogging. James comes back and takes a nap and then around 2:30 he leaves to go check on the LaCroix job in Sun City. He's up on the roof, which is never a good thing, especially when it's over one hundred degrees outside, and loses a lense out of his glasses. Salvador finds it for him and he tries to put it back in and it's not staying. This is a job for Super Sheri. Now Sheri has my glasses to fix and James's.

I worked for awhile this afternoon and then took a shower and got ready for the day. James got home around six p.m. and we went to the Costco on Sossaman. Afterwards we came back down Baseline to Signal Butte and went to Chili's. We both got the Caribbean salad with shrimp. It was soo good!

Trina was home when we got there and was craving chocolate. I wish we would have gotten some at Costco! Lola slept in Darrel and Trina's bed tonight. I asked Ruby about it and she said her mom said this was her last night.

Elder Holland's family reunion

Another Vernon flood

Wed, July 28th, 2021: ProvoCityCenterTemple#150: Valley, Infusion, Glasses, Pei Wei, Lois & Dawn, Penney's for clothes, D & T's, Jersey Mike's, Index, Blog, Walk

 

Provo City Center, Utah

150th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 Mar 2016

By: Dallin H. Oaks

Jesus Christ, Prophecies about

Romans 9:33

As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Book of Mormon

Alma 41:1-15

Q: Why is it requisite for all things to be restored in the last day?

A: How could the Atonement of Jesus Christ be effective if it was not requisite for all things to be restored. The plan of restoration is requisite with the justice of God. Men are judged according to their works. Wickedness never was happiness. Give mercy to receive mercy. That which you sent out shall be returned unto you. Restoration condemneth the sinner.

D&C

84:33-53

"Come Follow Me"

84:31-42 If I receive the Lord and His servants, I will receive all the Father has.

AprGenCon

"Why the Covenant Path"

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The covenants God offers to His children do more than guide us. They bind us to Him, and, bound to Him, we can overcome all things.

With the ordinances and covenants, "the power of godliness is manifest" in our lives.

Family Proclamation

#4

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 commandments 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

"The Resurrection from the dead is the reassuring personal pillar of our faith. It  adds meaning to our doctrine, motivation to our behavior, and hope for our future."

-President Dallin H. Oaks

Up at 4:33. We left for the valley at 6:45, going the Heber, Payson way because James is so considerate of my feelings and desires. We prayed before we left and then we had scriptures in the car, listening to the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants, and a section of  the "Come Follow Me" lesson. We did have to make a couple of potty stops but still arrived at AARA for my infusion at 10:05. The desert was so beautiful and green because of the rain our state has received.

Frances called me right back. We did the weigh in and she asked if I had any infections or had taken any antibiotics. No. I weigh a little less than last month, but not much. 

Susy took several vials of blood from me and then started my infusion at 10:24. I texted James so he would know to be back by 11:25. Ang, the beautiful black girl with really short hair has her hair curled. It looks cute. She says everybody likes it except her husband and she told him, "You better like it." 

This is the first time I have watched any of the Olympics. The women's cycling and men's beach volleyball were two events I watched. 

James dropped off his tan suit pants, the ones he got food on, at Monterrey Cleaners on Alma School and Germann. He also went by Chandler Eyecare so Sheri could put my lenses in another frame, which she did. The only problem is she scratched them and had to order another left lense. 

James was a little late picking me up because he had stopped to get me a drink. The first thing he asked me when I got into the truck was, "where do you want to go for lunch?" I said I wanted to go to Pei Wei. Rather than trying to look up one near us, we went to the one on S. Alma Sch. and Queen Creek. James and I both ordered noodles with beef and mushroom, and it was just as delicious as I remembered. Yummy!

James contacted his mother and we headed for Tempe to see her. She was alone when we first got there but Dawn came shortly thereafter with a few groceries. It looked like she had done her shopping at Smart and Final, a place I have only been to once.

Lois has the same problem that James and I have, she is a little forgetful. Since she is in her 90's I'm going to cut her some slack but I have to tell this little story about her. She had made some beans but thought they were a little watery. She realized she had only added a half cup of beans to the water instead of a cup and a half. She also made some cornbread. When she first took it out of the oven, it wasn't quite done so she put it back in, and then forgot about it. Now it is overdone. 

I guess Connie and Cal and Tim and Matthew and a couple of their girls came for a visit. Lois said they only stayed five days and she seemed to have enjoyed their visit. 

Lois and Dawn always have some kind of a creative project going. Today they had Christmas cards laid out all over the table. Lois was showing me the cards she had made when I came across a birthday card to Sarah that she had signed. She said, "Oh no, that's Sarah's birthday card. I wonder what card I sent to her." It's tough getting old.

Before leaving Lois gave me my birthday present. As her gifts always are, it was wrapped beautifully. 

Lois couldn't remember if she had put a card inside my package.

She told me that when I unwrapped it to let her know if it had a card.

I told her I would.

Dawn shared some delicious Bing cherries with us that she had gotten for ninety seven cents a lb. at Fry's. We didn't stay too long because we wanted to go shopping to get James a new suit. 

We drove to the Penney's on Gilbert and Germann. While James looked at suits I looked at women's clothes and picked out a red blouse and a dress with a yellow jacket. James tried his clothes on, I did not. We opened a J.C. Penney's account so we could save an additional 35%. Our total went from $440 to $293. 

We immediately went back to Chandler so James took take his suit to the cleaners on Alma Sch. and Queen Creek where they do alterations. While James was inside the cleaners I texted Trina and told her we would be there soon. She said that was great. She asked if I minded that the Laurel's were coming over this evening. I said, of course not!

When we got to Darrel & Trina's,  James carried in all the suitcases, etc., and then laid down on Rowan's bed to take a nap. I tried, but couldn't. We set up our computers in the great room upstairs, right next to each other. I did some indexing and then worked on my blog. I also did some walking, in a big circle around the room. 

Kid report: Addy is not in school yet but the other kids are. Her favorite place to eat is Costa Vida or Cafe Rio. She loves their sweet pork. Lola lost a front tooth. She was a little disappointed that the tooth fairy only gave her $3. Rowan is at football practice and Ruby is going to try out for soccer. Trina likes to keep her kids busy and active. Addy will probably do cross country again. 

Just as we were leaving to go get something to eat, the Laurel's began to arrive. Darrel got home in time to take Ruby to get the paperwork to try out for soccer. Rowan went to church to play basketball tonight. 

We wanted to go to In n Out Burger but the line was like a serpentine wrapping around the parking lot. I don't want a burger that bad so we went to Jersey Mike's on Baseline and Signal Butte. I got the #2 and so did James. He also got a mushroom sub. He thought he had ordered a mini but it was a regular. He only ate half his #2 and took the rest home to eat tomorrow.

We went to Fry's and the first thing I noticed was that the Bing cherries were now $2.97. I guess the sale is over.   James got some oatmeal, raspberries, and chocolate shakes. I got some shampoo and some other beauty products. 

When we got home the Laurel's were still at the house, playing a game with their phones on the TV. We put our stuff away and went upstairs. After the girls left Trina had a presidency meeting. Darrel put Lola to bed. She is used to sleeping in Darrel & Trina's bedroom but he is trying to train her to sleep upstairs. She didn't want in her room so he took a blanket and put her on Ruby's floor. I peeked my head in to check on her and she was crying. She said she didn't want to sleep there but her dad wouldn't let her to go downstairs in his room. I showed some sympathy and then left her alone. When I went back later she was asleep. 

James went to bed before I did. I blogged, indexed, and walked until I got my steps. Rowan is sleeping on the couch downstairs. He played his guitar on the stairs for awhile before going to bed.

Pam's son. She went to the valley to make him a 

cake and be with him on his birthday.

Vernon flood

I like this

Yay!

I may be seeing this on Friday

Tue, July 27th, 2021: Tijuana Mexico Temple#149: My all over the place trip to town, Baked Ziti for the missionaries, Ruby, HP's Bday, Rain, Walk, Index, Blog

 

Tijuana, Mexico

149th operating temple

Dedicated: 13 Dec 2015

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Prophecies about

Acts 3:24

Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.

Book of Mormon

Alma 40:15-26

D&C

84:18-32

"Come Follow Me"

84:1-5, 17-28 "I have access to God's priesthood power and blessings. 

AprGenCon

"Light Cleaveth Unto Light" 

Elder Timothy J. Dyches

Of the Seventy

As we intensify our faith in Christ, we receive light in intensifying measure until it dispels all darkness that might gather around us. "That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

The Family Proclamation

#3

In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enable family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

Inklings

"Love is the motivation for it all, and it was so from the very beginning."

-Dallin H. Oaks

"The temple is the object of every activity, every lesson, every progressive step in the Church . . . Ordinances of the temple are absolutely crucial. We cannot return to God's glory without them."

-President Russell M. Nelson

Up at 5:06. I studied this morning and worked on indexing. At 11:15 I left for town. James said he couldn't go with me because he had so much to do but he did ask me to do a couple of errands for me. I am under a little bit of stress because I need to get the supplies to fix dinner for the missionaries in our ward, go home and make the dinner for them, and then have it delivered all before 5. 

May first stop after getting into town was at CVS for James's prescription. It wasn't ready and the girl said it wouldn't be ready for

another hour and a half, so I left. My next stop was the print shop to re-scan and email to James a revised photo of the patio roof he is building in Sun City. It cost $5, their minimum price. It should have cost less than a dollar if you ask me.

On to Walmart. The first thing I was going to do was pick up my prescription but I forgot and never got back to it. I picked up the things I needed to fix dinner for the missionaries and made my exit.  

By the time I stopped and got gas and washed my car, it had been almost an hour and a half so I headed back to CVS. As I was sitting in the drive-thru line I realized I had forgotten to pick up my prescription at Walmart and since it is clear across town, I wasn't about to go back. I was in a hurry to get home and get the missionaries dinner prepared and delivered. I thought in my mind that James and I could come back later and pick up both prescriptions, which we did. 

NO rain in Show Low but a dark could hung over Vernon. I am thinking to myself that it was probably a mistake to wash my car. 

When I get to Vernon I stop at the post office to pick up the mail and fill out a form giving permission for them to hold my mail until Monday. The cloud is looking more and more ominous but I have one more stop to make at the Wilhelm's. I owe Sandra $10 and I drop it off giving it to Curtis. When I ask him to please give the money to his mom he says, "Maybe." I know he will. I run back to my car because now it is raining and it is raining hard. I mistakenly mention to James that I washed the car and he asks me why. I say, "because it wasn't raining in Show Low." I forgot to mention that one of my stops was at Panda Express for shrimp and steak bowls with chow mein noodles. I eat before I begin making the missionaries baked ziti. 

I get the baked ziti in the oven and while it is baking I watch most of the Good Witch finale. It is actually the last episode ever of Good Witch because the show has been cancelled. It's okay, it wasn't really my favorite anyway.

I put the caesars salad in a throw away container, and after cooking the garlic bread I do the same with it. The baked ziti was made in a throw away. I put the food, along with some cookies and juice in the back of the car and James delivers it to the missionaries. I got a text late saying they loved the meal. I'm glad. The missionaries in our ward right now are Elder Boehme from Canada and Elder Day from St. George, Utah. 

James and I take our trip to town to pick up prescriptions. We finish our book, "Promise of Spring."

Back at home I index and walk. So far I have indexed 3,950 names this month. 

My study of Making of America

The Israelites practiced People's Law

Before Jethro spoke to Moses

The sweetest girl on the planet bar none!

I love Ruby soooo much!

Beautiful but I could never eat one. Too much

frosting and too beautiful to destroy.

Christina's kids:

Eden and Ander

Elder Dale G. Renlund meets the actor playing

the Savior in the Church's Book of Mormon videos

Happy Birthday Harry Potter!

This is the type of writing I try to practice everyday.

I want to fill a book with quotes using this writing.

Somewhere in Arizona

 another one hour and a half.