Wednesday, September 8, 2021

Mon, Sep 6, 2021: ApiaSamoaTemple#22: Labor Day, dinner to the Bowen's, James at LaCroix's, Bighorn sheep, We Love Vernon,

 

Apia, Samoa
22nd operating temple
Dedicated 5-6 Aug 1983
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Prophecies about
Isaiah 22:23
And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father's house.
Book of Mormon
Alma 62:19-33
D&C
Saints chptr 16 & 17, pgs 171-193
"Come Follow Me"
98-101"Be Still and Know That I Am God"
AprGenCon
"I Love To See the Temple"
President Henry B. Eyring
Second Counselor in the First Presidency
I bear solemn testimony that we are children of a loving Heavenly Father. He chose His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Savior and Redeemer. The only way to return to live with Them and with our Family is through the ordinances of the holy temple. I testify that President Russell M. Nelson holds and exercises all the keys of the priesthood that make eternal life possible for all of God's children. I so testify in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.


The Living Christ
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.

Inklings
He will be our refuge and strength, our very present help in time of trouble. - Psalm 46:3

Podcasts
Unshaken Saints - Jared Halverson

James leaves before 5 for the LaCroix job in Sun City. I left before 6 for Walmart. I am making barbeque beef for the Bowen's and I need to get the chuck roast started by 8 a. m.  I did my shopping and managed to get home before 8 to start the roast in the crockpot. the traffic was light on the way in to town and there were very few shoppers at Walmart. There were a lot of workers pushing around carts as there always are. On the way home the traffic was heavier. I started the rolls to rise and then took a break. After my break I began the Texas sheetcake like the one I made for the missionaries. 

I baked the cake in the 1/2 sheetcake pan I had made the previous one in, but this one overflowed all over the oven. I baked it five minutes longer than it called for and then took it out to cool. The frosting turned out great. When the cake had cooled a few minutes longer, I frosted the cake and set it aside. 

I watched the latest episode of Chesapeake Shores while eating my lunch of salad, cornbread and a hotdog. All of the way to town and back I listened to Brother Halverson discuss this week's "Come Follow Me", D&C 98-101. I finished while I did things here at home. I finished my blog for Saturday. 

This afternoon I shredded the beef which had shrunk quite extensively. I took a bite. It was delicious! I drained the liquid and put the barbeque sauce in with it. I put the crockpot on low and then on warm. 

I now made the homemade kid friendly macaroni and cheese. There was more of this than anything else except maybe the rolls, which I also baked this afternoon. I gave them one dozen. I cut the cake into small pieces and put everything into foil containers. At 4:40 I left for the Stanford store where I am meeting Sister Bowen and Sister Hubble. Sister Hubble made a salad and jello. I gave Sister Bowen a hug. Sean, her husband, is still in the hospital and now his brother is there too. This family has had so many trials recently, my heart goes out to them. 

I came home to clean the kitchen. I had saved myself some meat and macaroni and cheese, rolls, and cake. I had a small dinner. The meat and the macaroni and cheese were very good mixed together. 

I went outside to feed Luna before it got dark then came back in and watched the newest Hallmark movie, "High Flying Romance" starring Jessica Lowndes and Christopher Russell and then watched an older movie that I love called "Timeless Love." 

Time for bed. I miss James. He is staying at Sheri's.








I remember this!

Went to high school with Nancy
Steve is James's friend

We Love Vernon:














Tuesday, September 7, 2021

Sun, Aug 5th, 2021: AtlantaGeorgiaTemple#21:F&Tmtg& SS, RS bday cards, Maxine's recipe, Dinner after fasting, Darrels bday, Ginger, doorbell fixed

 

Atlanta, Georgia
21st operating temple
Dedicated: 1-4 June 1983
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Prophecies about
Moses 7:55
And the Lord said unto Enoch: Look, and he looked and beheld the Son of Man lifted up on the cross, after the manner of men.
Book of Mormon
Alma 62:1-18
D&C
Review
"Come Follow Me"
Sunday School lesson with Brother Scott
AprGenCon
"Room in the Inn"
Elder Gerrit W. Gong
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
 Our standing before the Lord and in His Church is not a matter of our marital status but of our becoming faithful and valiant disciples of Jesus Christ. Adults want to be seen as adults and to be responsible and contribute as adults. Disciples of Jesus Christ come from everywhere, in every shape, size, hue, and age, each with talents, righteous desires, and immense capacities to bless and serve. We seek daily to follow Jesus Christ with faith unrepentance and enduring joy.


The Living Christ
#2
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.

Inklings
"Not as the World Giveth"
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
Matt. 9:27-31
Matt. 9:32-38
Matt. 17:24-27

I am always overwhelmed when I get up and walk out on the deck and see that I am surrounded by sunflowers. They are gorgeous and I'm sad to think that they probably won't look so good, because they are already starting to drop and lose their petals, when the family comes up on the 18th.

I attended my meetings today. Pierce was sick and stayed home to get some rest. Since this is a holiday weekend we thought the chapel would be packed, but it wasn't. Before sacrament meeting was over I turned around and saw there were more people in the overflow than in the chapel and many were visitors, one of which was Brother Frey from Taylor who works with us in the temple. He said his family comes and camps at Green's Peak every year. James told him, "Welcome to Zion."

After the administration of the sacrament which was mostly done by the Melchizedek priesthood, we had only two Aaronic priesthood holders passing, Curtis and Colter. I really do miss Andy at the sacrament table, Brother Grapp opened the meeting for testimonies.

He bore his testimony. He said we are called to a high and holy calling to bear testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We need to eliminate the worldly and implement the holy. 
The next testimony was from Sister Vaught. She asked for forgiveness if she had offended anyone and then bore testimony of following the counsel of all of our Church leaders.
Sister Johnson bore testimony of the beauty in Vernon right now. She spoke of gratitude for Joseph Smith and his part in restoring the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Sister Hunsaker, the bishop's wife spoke of what it means to her to be a child of God.
Elder Wainsguard one of our missionaries from Niceville, Florida said it was a privilege to wear a name badge with Jesus Christ's name upon it. 
Tim Raymond, a visitor bore his testimony of the Savior and His Atonement and how it allows us to repent.
Lannie Gillespie bore a beautiful testimony. She always includes the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon in her testimony.
I bore my testimony. I wasn't planning on it. I said a prayer and asked if there was anything I needed to share. A few minutes later I was reminded of the book I am reading, "God Will Prevail" and the importance of the Abrahamic covenant. I said it was now known as the New and Everlasting, new because it is renewed in every dispensation, and everlasting because it has existed since the pre-mortal life. I said that at the center of the covenant is the love of God and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Because Heavenly Father loves His children so much He has provided a way for them to return and live with Him again.
Sister Applegate said her personal experiences provide a way for her to know of the goodness of God. She has two favorite conference talks from the last conference, "Infuriating Unfairness" by Elder Renlund and "Behold! I Am a God of Miracles" by Elder Ronald A. Rasband.
Brother Wright, our high councilman, (Superintendent of Blue Ridge Schools), I want to express my love for your and my love for the Savior. We are here to be strengthened by the Savior. Your bishop, Bishop Hunsaker, is an example of what it means to be a good Christian man.
Brother Applegate said he had now been a member for 27 years. He testified that our leaders would never lead us astray.
Collin DeWitt spoke of Bishop Davies funeral and a talk given there by President Nelson in which he said when Bishop Davies hurt the most was when he gave the greatest service. He then said that sacrifice sanctifies our service.
Amy Reynold said she always prays to the Lord, Please bless the children.

I was so happy to see my friend Ginger here. Her husband was with her and they sat by the missionaries. Ginger's husband left after sacrament meeting but Ginger came to Sunday School. Brother Scott was the Sunday School teacher. He did a good job but the only problem is he asked a lot of questions and he cannot hear when people answer the questions. James shared his favorite scripture with the class, D&C 93:1 - Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am;
This is one of my all-time favorite scriptures too. I also like 95:11 - Verily I say unto you, it is my will that you should build a house. If you keep my commandments you shall have power to build it. 97:8 - Verily I say unto you, all among them who know their hearts are honest, and are broken, and their spirits contrite, and are willing to observe their covenants by sacrifice - yea, every sacrifice which I, the Lord, shall command - they are accepted of me. I also love 97:18-28 which is Zion's promise. I'm not going to share it here because it is long but it would be worth reading again.

Kerri came by this afternoon for me to sign the Relief Society birthday cards. I told her she didn't need to wait that I would deliver them to Maxine and then Maxine could deliver to Paula. Paula was asking about them today during Sunday School. 

Before Kerri got here I checked to see if the doorbell was working. It was not. James got up from his nap and went to work. He took the cover off the button you push and there were spider webs going back and forth which cut off the connection. He cleared them away and walla, now the doorbell works. I knew I had not heard it ring for quite some time. I'm so glad to have a husband who can fix things!

When James and I took the birthday cards to Maxine she gave me the recipe for her most delicious zucchini pina colada bread with walnuts. On the way home we took more sunflower pictures. 

For dinner or breakfast because it's at the end of our fast, we had cornbread, preservative free hotdogs, chili beans, and James's squash stirfry. It was very tasty! 

Stacy called. She and Brian had a bit of a conflict over the family hike on the 18th. I was discouraged when we finished the call. James said we need to pray for family unity because that certainly was an indication of a Zion family. I agreed. We are also going to completely re-do our will.

Happy Birthday Darrel!
I turned 73 this year and Darrel turned 43. I had him on Labor Day but he was the easiest birth I had and I did not have to experience any labor. Darrel is a wonderful son, husband, and father.
I love you Darrel!


Where are Rowan and Addy?

Still beautiful



Aaron's 43rd birthday was yesterday

The star of "Journey of the Heart"


Miss Charlie on the Sabbath





Scarlett






 
 












 

Monday, September 6, 2021

Sat, Aug 4th, 2021:JordanRiverUtahTemple#20: Taxes, blogging, oil changed in truck, Walmart shopping, Addy, Woodland Lake, Jon's fish, Bradley, "Journey of the Heart"

 

Jordan River, Utah
20th operating temple
Dedicated: 16-20 Nov 1981
By: Marion G. Romney

Jesus Christ, Prophecies about
Moses 6:57
Wherefore teach it unto your children, that all men, everywhere, must repent, or they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God, for no unclean thing can dwell there, or dwell in his presence; for, in the language of Adam, Man of Holiness is his name, and the name of his Only Begotten is the Son of Man, even Jesus Christ, a righteous Judge, who shall come in the meridian of time.
Book of Mormon
Alma 61:6-21
D&C
97:18-28 The Promise of Zion
"Come Follow Me"
How have making and keeping temple covenants brought "power from on high" into my life?
What do we learn about chastening from this lesson?
According to verse 97:8 how can we be "accepted of" the Lord?
AprGenCon
"Hearts Knit Together"
Elder Gary E. Stevenson
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
As we look through a gospel lens, we recognize that we too are under the watchcare of a compassionate caregiver, who extends Himself in kindness and a nurturing spirit. The Good Shepherd knows each one of us by name and has a personal interest in us. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself said: "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep. . . . And I will lay down my life for the sheep."


The Living Christ
 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.

I slept on the recliner in the bedroom last night. It was the best nights sleep I've had in awhile. I made James some oatmeal and then shared my most delicious Arizona burro which has onions, potatoes, salsa, and steak. James said, "I should have gotten myself one of these. It's almost as good as Tony's breakfast burro at Burger House." I told you honey!

I worked on my blog while James worked on a tax project for the account. This project takes him back to 2014. He was upset because my check ledger didn't go back that far. I told him all records were online on the bank site. 

We took the truck into town this afternoon to have the oil changed. The town of Show Low is overflowing with people. We got the oil changed at Walmart where I did some grocery shopping and picked up a prescription. While I'm shopping James goes over to Home Depot to get some nails to take back with him to the valley on Monday. He is going to frame the LaCroix job himself because the framer he hired never showed up. 

We had lunch at Taco Bell. This outing wore me out. I was tired and sore when we got back home. James helped me put the groceries away. I then take a nap and finish my blog while watching "The Great British Baking Show." 

James was stressed about having to go through 72 months of bank statements, since 2014. I told him not to worry about it I would do it for him on Monday. He was excited!

Today I also listened to the Talking Scripture podcast on D&C 94-97. They talked about the rebuke from the Lord of the Saints in Kirkland for not building a temple when they were first asked. I was impressed that as soon as this revelation was received Hyrum Smith immediately grabbed his scythe and began clearing the field. "We are preparing to build a house for the Lord," he said, "and I am determined to be the first at the work."


We watched the latest Hallmark romcom movie tonight called, "Journey of My Heart." This movie was filmed in Alaska and the scenery was gorgeous. There were many bald eagles and a huge bear. I loved the male lead played by Darien Martin. It was very enjoyable.

We are fasting for James's health and especially his cancer.

Addy with her cousins
Tanna's son Bradley


Jonathan

Woodland Lake, Lakeside, Az






Sunday, September 5, 2021

Fri, Sep 3rd, 2021: SeattleWashingtonTemple#19:James caught in a traffic jam, Bro. Bowen's dad and pneumonia, Sis MIller sick, TGBBS,

 

Seattle, Washington
19th operating temple
Dedicated: 17-21 Nov 1980
By: Spencer W. Kimball

Jesus Christ, Prophecies about
D&C 138:42
And Isaiah, who declared by prophecy that the Redeemer was anointed to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that were bound, were also there.
Book of Mormon
Alma 60:29-61:5
D&C
97:1-17
"Come Follow Me"
97:18-28 Zion is "the pure in heart"
AprGenCon
"Teaching in the Savior's Way"
Brother Jan E. Newman
Second Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency
My dear friends in Christ, the responsibility rests squarely upon each of us to follow the example of the Master and teach like Him. His way is the true way! As we follow Him "when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have the hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure." 


Restoration Proclamation
#9
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.

We had prayer together before James left for the valley at 4:37 a. m. 
I got reports this morning on Sean Bowen and my friend Debbie who is Sister Bowen's ministering sister. Debbie has had Covid and now she is in the hospital with a high blood sugar. Not only is Sean in the hospital again with Covid related pneumonia and an ulcer, but his father, who was recovering in a care facility from cancer and Covid, passed away today. I think Heather is a bit overwhelmed and distraught. She needs help making decisions and handling her three young children. Thank goodness her mother is coming to be with her from California.  Tamara went to see Heather and helped her talk things through. Alicia, the bishops wife, is going to go with Heather to the funeral home to make arrangements for the funeral. I told Sister Crane, our compassionate service leader, that I would take a meal in on Monday. The ministering brothers are arranging to get Sean an oxygen tank for when he gets home.

While I was blogging August 30-31 today I watched "The Great British Baking Show." I finished season 2019 and started 2018.

James is on his way home from the valley. I called to see if he was going to stop at Burger House but he said he didn't go that way. His phone said that from west Phoenix it would be faster to go the Payson way. His phone didn't know this was a holiday weekend and the traffic would be horrendous. James and I seemed to have forgotten this too. I've been caught in that traffic before and it's bumper to bumper from Mesa to Payson.

 He said he also got behind a wreck. He was stopped for quite awhile and then for an hour or so he went about 8 miles per hour. Now he is stopped again. He left the job around 4:30 and got home at 9:53. He did stop in Show Low at Aliberto's to get me an Arizona burrito. I ate about a third of it before going to bed and saved the rest for tomorrow. 

Today's MindBody Toolkit, chapter 8. "Love Yourself"
"I finally realized that being grateful to my body was key to giving more love to myself." - Oprah Winfrey



Cute picture of Paul and Nicole


Scarlett and a friend



Sheri took Addy balloons at work for her birthday

Will you snuggle me, please, please, please!