Thur, Nov 4th, 2021: Temple #81 Reno, Nevada:Happy 45th Jared! Charlie is Batman, Scarlett, Addy and her cow pants, Ben & his fans, Steps

 

Reno, Nevada

81st operating temple

23 Apr 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Redeemer

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

3 Nephi 19:30-20:19

D&C

128:15-25 & Voices of the Restoration

"Come Follow Me"

127:5-8; 128:1-8 "Whatsoever you record on earth shall be recorded in heaven"

OctGenCon

"The Love of God"

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostes

Our Heavenly Father loves us profoundly and perfectly. In His love, He created a plan, a plan of redemption and happiness to open to us all the opportunities and joys we are willing to receive, up to and including all that He has and is. To achieve this, He was even willing to offer His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, as our Redeemer. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." His is a Father's pure love - universal to all yet personal to each.

The Living Christ

#11

We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles - that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.

Inklings

Jenny Guthrie,

"One Percent Better"
PURE TRUTH:

We are children of Heavenly Parents. We are eternal beings with divine destiny. And that influences EVERYTHING

PURE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST:

Repentance . . . . it is a process. A process of 1% gains, and is not meant for us to do on our own. Rely on Christ, on the merits and mercy of Him who is mighty to save . . . . and deliver

PURE REVELATION:

. . .this is where God speaks to you personally. I love how Elder Bednar puts it..."What are you hearing that's not being said." Or in other words, what is God telling YOU??!!

For me, an intentional effort, 1% better, focusing on GRATITUDE. The healing balm of Gratitude.

Up at 4:06.  There has been a burn going on since Monday and the smoke smells like a huge campfire. Why oh why.

James got a call from his friend Digger from high school the other day. Digger called to tell James that their mutual friend Jerald H. had passed away. James and Jerald were good friends and they were both wrestlers. James definitely wants to go to the funeral which is this Saturday. I will be helping with a funeral in our ward for the Bowen family. 

I listened to Emily on Inklings this morning. Her guest speaker was Jenny Guthrie. Emily discussed 1 Samuel 17, the story of David and Goliath and Jenny discussed "One Percent Better" by Elder Michael A. Dunn. Jenny and her husband were mission leaders so she has had a lot of experience teaching. Here is one of the quotes I liked from her talk:

"If we want to be an eternal being and return to live with Heavenly Father, how do we get there?

By making incremental changes. Small steps. We must know who we are, sons and daughters of Heavenly Parents, and where we are going."

D&C 128:19 "As the dews of Carmel, so shall the knowledge of God descend upon the Saints", using the slow, steady, yet constant dew as a metaphor for the slow steady, yet constant revelations that He will give to his people.  

Carmel is a mountain in Israel and it has dew on it 250 nights of the year which keeps it green all year long.

I made tuna sandwiches for lunch and I must say, they were quite delicious. I put celery, pickles, and green onions in the albacore tuna I used and then added mayo. It's been awhile since I've had a tuna sandwich. I forgot how much I like them. 

This evening I finished walking while James and I watched, "Crashing Through the Snow" starring Amy Acker and Warren Christie. We both liked it and look forward to watching lots more Christmas movies before the season is over. 

Happy 45th Birthday Jared!

Addy and her friends in their

cow pants

Romania above and below

Wed, Nov 3rd, 2021: Temple#80 Memphis, Tennessee: "To the Citizens of Quincy"ERS, finished puzzle & book, "One Hour Behind", Charlie, Lola, Steps

 

Memphis, Tennessee

80th operating temple

16 Apr 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Redeemer

Alma 42:15

And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 19:1-29

D&C

128:1-14

"Come Follow Me"

127:2-4; The Lord knows my joys and sorrows

OctGenCon

"The Savior's Abiding Compassion"

Elder Ulisses Soares

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The Savior acted compassionately toward all who would come unto Him - without distinction - and most especially toward those who most needed His help.

The Living Christ

#10

We testify that He will someday return to earth. "And in 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

I will allow my persistence . . .

to be met with patience.

Up at 4:21. I realized our electric bill was due, so I paid it on my phone. I began reading 1 Samuel 17, the story of David and Goliath, as part of Inklings assignment for the week. I also listened to "Follow Him." Dr. Jennifer Reeder is the guest this week. She work the book I read earlier this year, "First, the Life and Faith of Emma Smith." 

Dr. Reeder made me aware of a poem written by Eliza R. Snow regarding the rescue of the Saints by the people of Quincy, Illinois. It is called, "To The Citizens of Quincy." I could not find it in a search on Googleso I went to my Deseret Book Plus app and searched "The complete poetry of Eliza R. Snow. A book came up and I downloaded it to my app. It is an ebook so I was able to read the poem. It is rather long and I am trying to decide if I should include it in this blog post. 

To the Citizens of Quincy

Eliza R. Snow recalled that Saints exiled from Missouri "were received with generous hospitality" by the citizens of Quincy, Illinois.

Shortly after arriving there in late March or early April 1839, she wrote this poem of gratitude to the town's "Sons and Daughters of Benevolence"

Ye Sons and Daughters of Benevolence,

Whose hearts are tun'd to notes of

sympathy

Who have put forth your liberal hand to

meet

The urgent wants of the oppress'd and

poor!

Ye high-ton'd spirits; who have nobly dar'd

To stem the foaming tide of vile reproach,

And brave the pois'nous, deadly current of 

Detraction and fell hate; in rescuing

Oppressed innocence, from the hard hand

Of the Oppressor!

In return for this,

Though it perpetuates your City's name

And makes the sound of Quincy, echo

sweet

And full of moral meaning to the soul

Of ev'ry true philanthropist: you get

No regal honors. - No loud trump of fame

Will blazon forth your deeds, except to

throw

A dark'ning shade upon them; thus to aim

A cruel missile at the rescued ones.

No laurel branch nor cypress bough will

wave

In graceful dignity about your heads, to

tell,

In speechless eloquence what you have

done.

No sculptur'd marble monument, will rear

Its head, as if in bold defiance to

The stern, untiring, withering hand of 

Time,

To teach your name and deeds to passersby.

No; we have no insignia of this kind -

No medal of an earthly mould to give:

But yet, we fain would proffer you a boon

Of more congenial texture - one that's 

wrought

In the fine fibres of the human heart,

Not in that heart where selfishness, and mean,

And low, and sordid feelings sit enthron'd:

And whose dull pulses are like clods

confin'd

By the unwieldy chains of Ignorance.

For there are some, who, "privily have

crept

Among us unawares" whose hearts are

set

On gain, for filthy lucre's sake: - and while 

We say to you, BEWARE OF SUCH, lest

they

Abuse your liberality - we say,

Esteem them our MISFORTUNE, not our

FAULT;

For tares must grow among the wheat,

until

The time of harvest; therefore, the upright,

Must often suffer an unjust reproach.

Pure Gratitude, our free-will off'ring, is

The product of an elevated mind;

When the heart beats with sensibility-

Reciprocates each high-born thought, and 

stoops

Unask'd, to pay its def'rence at the shrine

-

The sacred shrine of generosity.

And SOME, yes, MANY, spirits such as

these,

We have among us; -Noble minded ones,

Who will not swerve from those

unchanging laws-

The steadfast principles of righteousness:

Whose firm integrity would yet remain

Unmov'd tho' "mountains skip like rams,

and all

The little hills like lambs."

The Gratitude

Which emanates from spirits such as these;

Is no mean offering - neither cheaply won

Ye noble, gen'rous hearted Citizens

Of Quincy!

Dr. Reeder is a cancer survivor. She had leukemia four times and has had two bone marrow transplant surgeries. She was the Relief Society President when she was taking cancer treatments. She has a picture of her presidency all in hats to honor her because she had no hair. I believe Dr. Reeder is one of my favorite guests on this podcast.

I finished the ice cream puzzle today and sent Sheri a picture. She texted me back and said, "I knew you could do it!!!"

I also finished my book, "A Heart Revealed." This is one of my all-time favorite proper romance books about a girl with alopecia. Alopecia is sudden hair loss that starts with one or more circular bald patches that may overlap. Alopecia areata occurs when the immune system attacks hair follicles, and may be brought on by severe stress.

Amber Sterlington, the belle of the ball in London,  looses all of her hair and is exiled to a small cabin in Yorkshire. Her entire life style changes and she truly finds herself. It is a story of change and redemption and unconditional love. 

We had stir fry for lunch using the noodles left over from our Panda bowls. I also added green onions, red bell pepper, celery, and mushrooms along with a bag of cabbage salad. It was delicious.

James is trying to get paid for the DaCroix job. Hopefully by the end of the week or early next week.

The weather has been so wonderful, perfect for working outside. James works for awhile and then comes in for awhile because he has no stamina or energy. We both started new books today. The one I started with James is called "My Fair Gentleman" by Nancy Campbell Allen. My book is "Lady Helen Finds Her Song" by Jennifer Moore. 

James felt so badly today that he took two Tramadol, something he very rarely does. Kacey texted to see how he was doing and told me about the problems she is having with her kids. Parenting can be hard. I am so grateful we have the Savior to help us through our difficult times.

We watched a movie tonight while walking. The movie, "One Hour Behind" was on GAC and starred Emily Rose and Barry Watson. It was filmed in Provo and Salt Lake City. James and I both really liked it. 

I got the conference notebooks I ordered, four of them. One for myself, one for Kim, Ginger, and Catherine. 

  

Tue, Nov 2nd, 2021: Temple#79 Medford, Oregon, Cammy's birthday cake and Donna's birthday cake, Charlie, Scarlett, Steps

 

Medford, Oregon

79th operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Apr 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Redeemer

Alma 11:40

And he shall come into the world to redeem his people; and he shall take upon him the transgressions of those who believe on his name; and these are they that shall have eternal life, and salvation cometh to none else.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 18:15-39

D&C

127; RIC: Letters on Baptism for the dead

"Come Follow Me"

126; The Lord wants me to care for my family

OctGenCon

"Come Unto Christ and Don't Come Alone"

Sister Bonnie H. Cordon

Young Women General President

Have you ever had that searching feeling, wondering if Heavenly Father knows who you are and if He needs you? My dear youth, and to all, I testify the answer is yes! The Lord has a plan for you. He has prepared you for this day, right now, to be a strength and force for good in His mighty work. We need you! It simply will not be as grand without you!

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 2:20).

Inklings

An Invitation For This Week

"I invite you to examine your life and see what's stagnated or slowed you on the covenant pathway. Seek modest but makeable fixes in your life that might result in the sweet joy of being just a little better."

Listen to Brooke Snows podcast episode Floors and Ceilings and determine your floors - your foundation - to become just one percent better and create that spiritual momentum in your life.

James saw the doctor when he went for his radiation treatment this morning. She said he looked drawn and dehydrated. He told her about his problem and she suggested that he quit treatments until next Monday and see if that helps him get better. She was also supposed to call in a prescription for pain, but she must have forgotten. I think James felt better when he left because he felt validated and listened to.

As I was listening to my book, "A Heart Revealed" Amber Sterlington, who is the main character, says this:

"Every happy memory is that much more light I shall take with me."  

My mission for today was making and baking two birthday cakes, a carrot cake for Cammy's birthday, and a Texas sheetcake for Donna. 

I got myself together and into the kitchen at 10:00 a.m. I was finally ready to deliver by 4 p.m. I was so happy with the carrot cake I made. I made a small amount in a small pan to taste and it was delicious! The frosting was divine! I made a small pan of Texas sheetcake for James and I to taste and it was delicious too!

Cammy ask me for the recipe

James and I had a nice visit with Donna when we delivered her cake but again, I forgot to take a picture of her. Cammy's favorite cake is carrot cake and she ask me for the recipe for this cake. I felt grateful that my gift to her was appreciated and accepted. 

I wanted to go into town to get a hamburger and fries, or Panda. James didn't want to go, but he did it for me. We went to Panda and we also filled up with gas, again. This time it is $3.39 a gallon. 

When we get home James does the dishes and cleans up the kitchen. What a relief since I really did not feel like being in the kitchen one more minute.

James and I walk together in the bedroom, yes it's crowded and sometimes we get in each other's way, but it brings a feeling of togetherness. We finished our book, "An Unlikely Match." 

I also walk around the table in the entry and work a little on the puzzle. I managed to get my 10,000 steps but not my 12,000.

 

Rachel's daughter Evie

Advent calendar

Brooke White

Emmett

Scarlett