Fri, Aug 20th, 2021: Laie Hawaii Temple #5: Snooze, Temple Visitors Center, Walmart, Target with Kim, Sheri, Charlie, Joe's Farm Grill, Charlie, Scarlett

 

Laie, Hawaii

5th operating temple

Dedicated: 27-30 Nov 1919

By: Heber J. Grant

Jesus Christ, Prophecies about

3 Nephi 9:16

I came unto my own, and my own received me not. And the scriptures concerning my coming are fulfilled.

Book of Mormon

Alma 53:1-17

D&C

91

"Come Follow Me"

FSS & FHE

AprGenCon

"The Grave Has No Victory"

Sister Reyna I. Aburto

Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency

"...For sorrowing loved ones left behind ... the sting of death is soothed by a steadfast faith in Christ, a perfect brightness of hope, a love of God and of all men, and a deep desire to serve them. That faith, that hope, that love will qualify us to come unto God's holy presence and, with our eternal companions and families, dwell with Him forever."

Ten Virtues

#5

Learning

No matter how old we become, we can acquire knowledge and use it. We can gather wisdom and profit from it. We can grow and progress and improve, and, in the process, strengthen the lives of those within our circle of influence.

We left for the valley around 11 this morning. Sheri went out to breakfast with Jared, Kacey, and Charlie. They all went to Snooze. Afterwards they met Kim and Brian at the new Mesa Temple Visitors Center. 

We stopped at the Wilhelm's to give Andy and George their birthday cards and gifts. Andy is moving to Washington to finish his senior year and to work with his brother Talon at his uncle's ranch. I will miss Andy because he is the only priest we have that is consistently there to bless the sacrament. 

In town we stopped at the Splash and Dash to get gas and a carwash. Dr. Moffat called James and told him we needed to be under quarantine because we tested positive for Covid. James finally helped him to understand that the information he received was a re-test and that because we have not had a fever for ten days and our symptoms are gone that we were no longer contagious. He then asked why we got re-tested. James told him that he thought we were supposed to but obviously it was not needed. 

We stopped at Burger King and got Whopper Jr.'s and an order of fries. We didn't stop again until we got to Sheri's in Chandler. Charlie was with Sheri. Sheri needed to do her grocery shopping at Walmart. Charlie didn't want to go so she stayed home with James. Sheri bought some cake pans to make Charlie's cake. I bought some pink ice cream for her and Sheri bought two other kinds of ice cream. I also bought James some fudgesicles and some Slimfast shakes. 

After Sheri was finished putting her groceries away Sheri, Charlie and I got in Sheri's car and we went over to pick up Kim. We are taking Charlie shopping at Target for her birthday. Kim and Brian already bought her some Bubble Guppies online so Kim didn't really need to shop. She bought some Target gift cards that someone at work gave Brian but Brian never goes to Target. When I checked out she gave me a $25 one. Thanks Kim and Brian!

I noticed when we went past the old Hamilton house that it was torn down. I knew it was because Jana posted it on Facebook or Instagram. I used to always look for it when I was down that way so it was sad to actually see that it wasn't there.

Charlie was a dream to shop with. She is a joy to be around. I got her a doctor's jacket and the doctor's bag with all of the medical instruments to go with it. Sheri got her a little computer. 

When we got home it was time to get ready to go to dinner at Joe's Farm Grill at Jared's request. Sheri couldn't talk Evan into going. He said he got freaked out the last time he was there because of the bathrooms. Sheri reminded him he was about six years old then but she still couldn't talk him into coming. Trina said Rowan gave her the same reason. 

Sheri told us we could sit down and she would order our food for us so James and I took Charlie and went outside to sit on one of the picnic tables. It was warm, but not nearly as warm as I thought it would be. Around 100 degrees instead of 115.

When our food arrived Sheri told us that Brian paid for it. I think he paid for Jared and Kacey's and Sheri's too. So nice. I got a grilled chicken caesar salad and an order of fried zucchini. James got grilled shrimp. Not only was it a little warm eating outside, although we were in the shade, the flies were bad. 

I asked Joshua what he ordered and he said lamb. I didn't even know he had ever had lamb but he said he went to a Brazilian restaurant with his dad and that's where he first had it and decided that he loved it. We had a pretty good turn out this evening: James and I, Jared, Kacey, Charlie, Sheri, Stacy, Paul, Joshua, Kim, Brian, Trina, Addy, and Ruby. In spite of the weather and flies it was fun for all of us to be together. BTW, I see why Rowan and Evan don't like the bathrooms!

We said goodbye to everyone and headed back to stay at Sheri's house. James and I got ready and went to bed. Sheri and Ian stayed up to watch a show. Sheri has my phone and is trying to delete the 46,500 photos on it.

I saw Max once today. He "lives" downstairs now and doesn't come up very often.

At Joe's

One of the cowboys from our ward,

J. Westbrook

New Visitor's Center

Visitor's Center

 

Thur, Aug 19th, 2021: SLC, Utah Temple #4: M7 73rd birthday, LaCasita, Strawberry cheesecake, movie, Jared, Kacey, Charlie in AZ, Scarlett in Idaho,

 

Salt Lake City, Utah

4th operating temple

Dedicated: 6-24 Apr 1893

By: Wilford Woodruff

Jesus Christ, Prophecies about

Helaman 14:2

And behold, he said unto them: Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name.

Book of Mormon

Alma 53:1-17

D&C

90:19-37

"Come Follow Me"

Who was Vienna Jacques?

AprGenCon

"Jesus Christ: The Caregiver of Our Soul"

Ulisses Soares

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Salvation could not come to the world without the mediation of Jesus Christ.

God ... prepared a sacrifice in the gift of His own Son, who should be sent in due time to ... open a door through which man ight enter into the Lord's presence."

Ten Virtures

#4

Civility

Civility carries with it the essence of courtesy, politeness, and consideration of others. All of the education and accomplishments in the world will not count for much unless they are accompanied by marks of gentility, of respect for others, of going the extra mile.

I got so many birthday wishes today via Facebook, texts, etc. It is nice to feel loved. Those wishes mean so much!

Of course, next to Heavenly Father and Jesus, the greatest source of my happiness is my sweetheart. He really made my day. He fixed me the most delicious glass of freshly squeezed orange juice and wrote me a sweet letter of love. 

We went to town around noon. We listened to our scriptures in the car and then listened to our book.  James had to stop to leave a hose to be fixed at one of the industrial places when you come into town. 

Next stop, La Casita for lunch. They usually say, sit wherever you want but the girl today is someone we've never had. She took us to the back room where there was only one other couple. It felt a little like we were being quarantined but I'm sure she meant nothing by it. It was more quiet back there anyway. 

I ordered what I normally order - a chicken enchilada with red sauce and a side of rice and beans. I tried to take a picture but the storage is full on my phone. James had a green chili mixed burro enchilada style. I think this is the first real meal we have had since August 3rd and it was delicious on all accounts. I couldn't eat all of mine and had to take half of it home.

Our next stop was Tractor Supply where James went in and got some feed for Luna. When we come to down, even if it's to celebrate a birthday, we try to get as many errands done as possible. 

I had told James I wanted to go to Safeway to get a dessert. It has been my experience that they have good desserts. We went back and looked at all the sweets they had. I chose a piece of cheesecake with strawberries. James wanted to try a piece of lemon cake with raspberry filling so we got that too. My cheesecake was delicious! I ate part of it on the way home.

On the way home we had to stop and pick up the hose James left and then he had to go to Cat to get hydraulic fluid. Finally we were able to start home. 

I watched a movie on Netflix, "The Prince and I." Barbara G. delivered me a gift and a card and I thanked her. 

Tamara asked me to check the proposed changes to our ministering districts, which I did. We have three new ministering sisters. Sister Brown is my new companion. I am grateful to have a companion. 

I finished my lunch for dinner. It was a nice birthday and I feel so blessed. 

  

Sunflowers all the way down our lane

For this reason we are coming to see family in

the valley. We are no longer contagious!

They are coming!

Four Peaks

Elk 2018

Scarlett

Scarlett

 

 

Wed, Aug 18th, 2021: Manti, Utah Temple #3:Rain, Covid positive but not contagious!, Jared's family coming! Still lazy, movies, etc.

3

Manti, Utah

3rd operating temple

Dedicated: 21-23 May 1888

By: Lorenzo Snow

Jesus Christ, Prophecies about

Helaman 8:22

Our father Lehi was driven out of Jerusalem because he testified of these things. Nephi also testified of these things, and also almost all of our fathers, even down to this time; yea, they have testified of the coming of Christ, and have looked forward, and have rejoiced in his day which is to come.

Book of Mormon

Alma 52:1-18

D&C

90:1-18

 "Come Follow Me"

The First Presidency holds the "keys of the kingdom"

AprGenCon

"What We Are Learning and Will Never Forget"

President Russell M. Nelson

President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We live in a time prophesied long ago, when "all things shall be in commotion; and surely, men's hearts shall fail them; for fear shall come upon all people." That was true before the pandemic, and it will be true after. Commotion in the world will continue to increase. In contrast, the voice of the Lord is not "a voice of a great tumultuous noise, but ... it is a still voice of perfect mildness, like a whisper, and it pierces even to the very soul." In order to hear this still voice, you too must be still!

Ten Virtues

#3

Morality

Both experience and divine wisdom dictate that moral virtue and cleanliness pave the way that leads to strength of character, peace of mind and heart, and happiness in life.

It rained most of the day today. 

Today is the day we decided we would go in and be retested for Covid. We arrived at the hospital emergency room around 11:00 and our Covid tests were complete by 11:21.  The attendant told us to call in about 90 minutes which would be around 1 p.m. 

 We went across the street to Aliberto's and got me an Arizona  burrito. While I was waiting for my burro to cool down so I could eat it, James put on a mask and went inside Walmart to get some fruit.  He said he would stay 6 feet away from everyone. When he came back out he said he stayed away from everyone except one person who walked right up to him. Our neighbor Kathy. She let him go in front of her in line.

James wanted a steak and shrimp bowl from Panda but when he ordered they said they no longer make it. He was sad. I ordered the new almond chicken in a bowl with chow mein noodles knowing I would share it with him later.

We also stopped at Culver's. I got a strawberry sundae and James got a northern cod sandwich. You would think it was my birthday instead of the day before. It rained on us all the way home which made for a most beautiful ride. We went past the main sunflower field in Vernon. It is covered in sunflowers but James says in a week or so the blossoms will be even bigger.

James called the hospital and they said both of our tests were positive. We were devastated until we talked to Kim and she sent us this:

Since we don't have fevers and most of our symptoms are gone, I guess it is okay for us to be around people. Thank goodness! This means Jared, Kacey, and Charlie can come!

Charlie said a prayer the other day that we would get well so we could come to her house. We are grateful she is going to be coming to Arizona so we can see her!

We watched two Netflix movies this evening. The Chirstmas Prince and the sequel, the Royal Baby. About what you would expect but still entertaining.

Tonight the Elder's Quorum and RS had a combined meeting to plan the fifth Sunday. The bishop wants us to talk about ministering. We also made new ministering assignments. James and I did not attend.

Kacey's Texas sky

Sunset

Luna's getting fat

Cambodia temple image

Tue, Aug 17th, 2021: Logan Utah Temple #2: Rain, Blue Ridge troubles, Scarlett, Read "Chances Are", Covid continues

 

Logan, Utah

2nd operating temple

Dedicated: 17-19 May 1884

By: John Taylor

Jesus Christ, Prophecies about

Helaman 5:9

O remember, remember, my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world.

Book of Mormon

Alma 51:22-37

D&C

89

"Come Follow Me"

The Word of Wisdom is a "principle with a promise."

AprGenCon

"What Has Our Savior Done for Us?"

President Dallin H. Oaks

First Counselor in the First Presidency

What else has our Savior, Jesus Christ, done for us? Through the teachings of HIs prophets and through His personal ministry, Jesus taught us the plan of salvation. This plan includes the Creation, the purpose of life, the necessity of opposition, and the gift of agency. He also taught us the commandments and covenants we must obey and the ordinances we must experience to take us back to our heavenly parents.

Ten Virtues

#2

Honesty

Men and women of integrity understand intrinsically that theirs is the precious right to hold their heads in the sunlight of truth, unashamed before anyone.

Another day with Covid. Lots of naps and laziness.

Sister Wilhelm picked up my thyroid prescription today. She is such a sweetie!

I got a birthday card from Dennis and Denise and one from Dave and Laura. It's nice to be remembered on ones birthday.

James has been eating alot of tilapia and I have been eating hamburgers and corn on the cob. I guess you could say our appetites are returning.

We listened to our book, "Chances Are" for about 6-7 hours today.

I also watched a little TV. I tried to watch "The Middle" and "Reba" but they are both just so silly. I listened to "Act in Doctrine" and "Don't Miss This" as part of my "Come Follow Me" study. I'm just having a hard time focusing.

Something very sad happened in our community over the weekend.

A 17 year old girl lured a 19 year old young man to Show Low Lake where two boys who attend Blue Ridge High School beat him up. Blue Ridge has had to close the school because of protests by parents and others in the community. The superintendent of Blue Ridge Schools is a member of our high council. He is the one assigned to the Vernon ward. His name is Brother Wright and my heart goes out to him right now.

It seems like these boys, who are athletes, would have been disciplined by now. I don't have all of the facts but I know Brother Wright to be a fine upstanding man.