Mon, Sep 13th, 2021: ManilaPhilippinesTemple#29:James gone to work in Phx, Birthday cakes for Tamara & Chelsea, Ben's Built bars found!

 

Manila, Philippines

29th operating temple

Dedicated: 25 Sep 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Redeemer

Job 19:25

For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

Book of Mormon

Helaman 3:19-37

D&C

Saints pgs.194-206 The Camp of Israel; RIC:The Acceptable Offering of Zion's Camp

"Come Follow Me"

DC 102-05 "After Much Tribulation Cometh the Blessings"

AprGenCon

"Bishops-Shepherds Over the Lord's Flock"

Elder Quentin L. Cook

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Now a word for you precious bishops on behalf of the leadership and members of the Church. We express our deep gratitude to you. With the adjustments that you have been requested to make in recent years, dear bishops, please know how much we love and appreciate you. Your contribution to the kingdom is almost beyond description. The Church has 30,900 bishops and branch presidents serving across the world. We honor each of you.

The Living Christ

#10

We testify that He will someday return to earth. "And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together" (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before HIm. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.

Inklings

What sign to I want to Give to God?

I studied "Come Follow Me" and indexed all before 8 a. m. James left at 4 a.m. and I said a prayer with him before he left. 

I got up a little after 5, not feeling very well. Today is my mom's birthday. She would have been 91 today. In honor of her birthday I made a birthday cake for my friend Tamara whose birthday is today. I also made a cake for my neighbor Chelsea whose birthday is tomorrow, but I will be gone tomorrow. I'm Chelsea's ministering sister. 

I got off to a slow start this morning because I was not feeling well and my left knee is swollen and hurt. I "hunkered" down in the recliner in my room and after eating something I took some Tramadol. I watched some of the 2016 Great British Baking Show and then took a nap. When I woke up, I felt much better. 

I started baking around 11. I'm using 3 of my 6" round cake pans. I decided to use a German chocolate cake mix for Tamara. The cake stuck to the side of the pan even though I greased it which left a gash in the side of two of the layers. I frosted it with the homemade frosting for a Texas sheetcake. It looked terrible so I decided to cover the entire thing with a coconut pecan dressing which is normally used for a German chocolate cake. It didn't look bad. I should have taken a picture. 

I delivered Tamara's cake to the library where she works as the town librarian. Another member of our ward was in the library, Sister Tesarek. She asked what I was doing as I brought in the cake in a box and carried a gift bag. I told her it was Tamara's birthday. She wanted to take a picture of the cake and then insisted we sing Happy Birthday, which we did. Tamara was so happy to have a cake. She said her husband, Jimmy, was gone and she was expecting any kind of celebration. I was worried about how the cake would taste with two frostings. She texted me later and said it was delicious. She opened her gift and said she loved that particular fragrance of lotion and body wash. 

I went home and frosted Chelsea's cake, a strawberry cake with strawberry frosting. I also made some baby cakes for her two girls, Peyton and Scotlyn who are 5 and 2. When I got to her house, her two girls came out to meet me. Peyton helped me carry in the baby cakes. Scotlyn came out bare footed on the cinders and stickers. She got some dry straw stuck in her foot but she never complained, she just brushed them out. Brutus, their St. Bernard, came over to say hello but never bothered us after that. I love him. He is the nicest big dog. Scotlyn and Peyton each ate one of the baby cakes I made. Chelsea tried to put the rest of them up but Scotlyn found them. After she was finished eating she came over and gave me a hug. When I left she said, "goodbye neighbor."

 Chelsea said her husband is fighting the fire at Lake Tahoe and won't be back for a few days. I also took her a gift. I haven't seen Chelsea for a few months and she is pregnant with her due date in early December. This time it's a boy. I was so glad I went, even though when I started out this morning I almost backed down. I got this text from Chelsea: LOVE my gift. You made my birthday very special, thanks so much!!

I texted Ben today and told him to check at the post office for his Built bars. Later he texted me and said, "Apparently we may have a second mailbox that has it in it. We're checking now. They were!!

Ben said this text: "The Built bars are great!!! Thank you so much!

Chelsea's cake

Peyton and Scotlyn's baby cakes

 

Sun, Sep 12th, 2021: SydneyAustraliaTemple#28:Charlie & Scarlett, meetings, Kendall Thomas passes away,

 

Sydney, Australia

28th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 Sep 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Prophecies about

D&C 90:2

Therefore, thou art blessed from henceforth that bear the keys of the kingdom given unto you; which kingdom is coming forth for the last time.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 3:1-18

D&C 

Review

"Come Follow Me"

Review

AprGenCon

"Hope in Christ"

President M. Russell Ballard

Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The gospel of Jesus Christ has the power to unite us. 

Let us call upon our members who are single to serve, lift, and teach. Disregard old notions and ideas that have sometimes unintentionally contributed to their feelings of loneliness and that they do not belong or cannot serve. 

The Living Christ

#9

We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth - "built upon the foundation of . . . apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone" (Ephesians 220).

Inklings

"The Principles of My Gospel"

Elder David A. Bednar

Mark 7:31-37

Mark 8:22-26

D&C 123

The Snyder's, Cody and LeeAnn were the speakers in sacrament meeting today. LeeAnn spoke on a talk given by Rosemary Wixom in 2016, "The Divine Nature Within You." Every breath we take, we strive to follow Him. How can I develop the divine nature within me? God knows our potential. The divine nature within us ignites our desire to reach out to others and prompts us to act and serve. 

Colter, LeeAnn's little brother, was the youth speaker. He talked about things that make us happy. Good music, the Outdoors, Sleep, Prayer, Family and Friends, Healthy eating, and Scripture Study.

Cody was the last speaker. He spoke on a talk given by President Monson, "Be an Example and a Light." Let your light so shine...

Be thou an example of the believers. Don't take the name of the Lord in vain. Stay out of the gutter with your language. Charity is the pure love of Christ. Strive to have the Spirit with you through kindness, gratitude, and goodwill. John 15:12-13. Faith and doubt cannot exist at the same time. Search diligently, pray always, be believing, and all things shall work together for your good. Be Pure - In order to have the Holy Ghost we must  be pure in thought and deed. Psalm 27 - The Lord is my light... Jesus Christ is our greatest example of love and hope. He is our light and example. He lived a perfect life, developing all of the divine attributes. Let us develop the light within us to shine for others.

I took Ginger a set of paperback scriptures to have and she was so grateful. She sent me this text: I just wanted to say Thank you again soo much for bringing me the set of books today to church!! I have been looing and reading from them all afternoon and I can tell they will really help me out in my studies as I draw closer and learn about our Savior. I appreciate you soo much Karen! I absolutely love them! Thank you for your sweet kindness of thinking about me! Love you, Ginger.

Ginger is one of the sweetest, kindest people I have ever met.

When I got home from church today I was looking at Facebook and saw that Kendall Thomas passed away. He was a member of our ward when James was the bishop. My heart goes out to his wife Kristy and his children. I believe he had Covid or pneumonia as a result of Covid.

James has more aches and pains because of working this week.  He laid down to take a nap as soon as we got home.

We both did some indexing and I did some blogging. We did not have our "Come Follow Me" group meeting because Barbara was afraid of Covid and it was scheduled to be at her house.

James made me some delicious freshly squeezed orange juice today.  We also ate leftover rolls, cake, salad, and hotdogs. 

Tamara, Linda D., Kerri, and I are concerned about Barbara S. living alone. Tamara is going to see if hospice can help out.

Who is bishop going to call as our RS teacher. We have asked for a certain sister and he said she didn't return his calls but now he is saying he is considering her for another position. He needs to pray about it first. Tamara and I decided on a second choice, just in case.

By the way, Rosie L. did a great job teaching Relief Society today. She is a retired school teacher and knows how to get the sisters involved.

I love the Sabbath day. I love partaking of the sacrament, seeing my friends, and having gospel discussions. I love having James home all day and how relaxed he is on the Sabbath. 

 

Sat, Sep 11th, 2021: BoiseIdahoTemple#27:Dinner for the missionaries, James makes it home, Charlie, Kacey, New Orleans destruction,

 

Boise, Idaho

27th operating temple

Dedicated: 25-30 May 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Prophecies about

D&C 84:28

 For he was baptized while he was yet in his childhood, and was ordained by the angel of God at the time he was eight days old unto this power, to overthrow the kingdom of the Jews, and to make straight the way of the Lord before the face of his people, to prepare them for the coming of the Lord, in whose hand is given all power.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 2:1-14

D&C

101:63-101

"Come Follow Me"

FSS & FHE

AprGenCon

"Ye Shall Be Free"

Elder Thierry K. Mutombo

Of the Seventy

I testify of Him who died, was buried, and rose again the third day and ascended into heaven so that you and I receive the blessings of immortality and exaltation. He is "the light, . . . the life, and the truth" (Ether 4:12). He is the antidote and remedy to the confusion of the world. He is the standard of excellence for exaltation, even Jesus Christ.

The Living Christ

#8

"That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God" (D&C 76:22-24).

Inklings

"Let's try to practice peace in a personal way, applying the grace and healing balm of the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ to ourselves and our families and all those we can reach around us."

-Jeffrey R. Holland

James asked me to pray for him this morning. He left Sheri's around 4 and she did see him last night or this morning. She thought maybe he hadn't stayed but I told her he was probably just on the way to work and that he had spent the night there last night. She texted him and I was right. I'm grateful she is concerned about him.

James said he would try to be home by 3 but he didn't make it until 5. It's okay because it was almost 7 by the time the missionaries got here. 

I left to go shopping this morning around 10. I also had to pick up my hydrochlorothiazide so of course I went to Walmart. I'm a little crazy to go on Saturday morning but I kept putting it off until I could put if off no longer. I got some baking supplies because I am making cakes for two sisters in our ward on Monday. For dinner tonight I got some dinner rolls, frozen corn, and another chuck roast. After I was done shopping I was going to go to Aliberto's and get a Arizona burro but decided I didn't want to spend the money. 

Back at home I put the chuck roast in the small oven at 325. Hopefully it will be done about the same time as the one in the crockpot. I did not get a dessert at the store so I made a cake with a lemon cake mix I had in the pantry. I made a cheesecake frosting for the cake, adding some lemon juice which made the frosting a little thin, so I put it in the freezer for awhile. 

James made the salad, put water and ice in the glasses, and replaced some lightbulbs. 

Elder Cluff and Elder Wangsgard got here around 6:50. They had a zone conference and interviews in Lakeside plus they got lost and had to call me for directions. 

The elders loved our house. Elder Wangsgard said he had thought about being a real estate photographer so he is especially interested in homes. I said the blessing on the food. We had shredded roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, salad, and rolls. Elder Cluff especially liked the roast beef and went back for seconds. 

Elder Wangsgard is from Niceville, Florida which is near Destin on the Emerald coast. I told him I had been there. The elders told us about a zone challenge they had today, which they won. They told us about teaching Ginger and her husband and a new member Ken Johnson from Chandler. We gave them lots of food to take home. 

James and I clean the kitchen together and then for our Saturday night date we watched, "Roadhouse Romance" on the Hallmark channel. Tyler Hynes and Lauren Alayna were the stars. Lauren was on American Idol and sang a few songs in this movie which I really enjoyed. 

Elder Wangsgard and Elder Cluff. I forgot to take a picture last 

night so James took this one during Elder's quorum. I asked him

why he didn't ask them to take off their masks. He said he was sorry and he would get another picture next week.

Jared took these photos during the service project

in New Orleans.

Fri, Sep 10th, 2021: MexicoCityMexicoTemple#26:Collin, Pres. Nelson, Charlie, James & Luna, Johnson's, James in Phx,

 

Mexico City, Mexico

26th operating temple

Dedicated: 2-4 Dec 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Prophecies about

Ephesians 2:20

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Book of Mormon

Helaman 1:18-34

D&C

101:1-62

"Come Follow Me"

101:43-65 Following Gods counsel helps keep me safe.

AprGenCon

"Infuriating Unfairness"

Elder Dale G. Renlund

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Do not let unfairness harden you or corrode your faith in God. Instead, ask God for help. Increase your appreciation for and reliance on the Savior. Rather than becoming bitter, let Him help you become better. Allow Him to help you persevere, to let your afflictions be "swallowed up in the joy of Christ." Join Him in His mission "to heal the brokenhearted," strive to mitigate unfairness, and become a stonecathcer.

The Living Christ

#7

Of Him the Prophet also declared: "And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of Him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of Him: That He lives!

"For we saw Him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that He is the Only Begotten of the Father-

Inklings

I am practicing personal peace and calling upon the powers of heaven through principles of patience, gentleness, and love unfeigned.

I got up at 5:25 this morning.  I sent a text to Paul and Sheri regarding our family hike on the 18th. I was pleased with the outcome. James and I had prayer. We read from the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants but didn't read a section from the "Come Follow Me" lesson because James needed to leave for his appointment.  This appointment is with the radiation doctor. His actual radiation doesn't start until the 20th. He does have another appointment on the 15th but I'm not sure what it is for. 

James was going to go the Payson way because it is shorter to the job in Phoenix but the marque in Show Low said it was closed. I couldn't figure out why so I checked online. There is a wildfire between Christopher Creek and Forest Lakes due to a prescribed burn that got out of control. How sad.

It's 113 in Phoenix today. I reminded James to wear his hat. He forgot his sunscreen so his hat is very important. Last week when he came home his face was very brown because he forgot his hat.

Yesterday our friend Collin was inducted into the Arizona Fire Service Hall of Fame. Congratulations Collin. I will post some picture at the end of this post.

Most of my day was spent in front of the computer. I blogged for yesterday and then indexed 500 names. When I wasn't in front of the computer I was resting or walking. I managed to get over 10,000 steps. I'm trying to get back in my groove. I watched the 2017 season of "The Great British Baking Show" while I was resting. Sophie was the winner. She is my all-time favorite baker, so far, on any of the seasons I've watched. I have about four more seasons to watch. I like Sophie because she is soo good but also because she keeps calm and she never uses alcohol when she bakes. I know the alcohol burns out when it is cooked but for some reason I admire her for not using it.

James called me at 8:40 this evening. He said he had a headache and was going to bed. I went to bed a little after 10. James fed Luna this morning so I wanted have to feed her this evening.

Yesterday was President Nelson's 97th birthday. I forgot to post a picture of him so I will be posting one today.

My favorite scripture for this week's "Come Follow Me" lesson is found in D&C 101:16-"Be still and know that I am God."