Mon, Nov 8th, 2021:Temple #85 Villahermosa, Mexico, Radiation & oil change, Costco, AARA, Kim's, OG, Home, Addy & Kayla, Charlie & Summer

 

Villahermosa, Mexico

85th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 May 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Redeemer

3 Nephi 11:11

And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 23:1-14

D&C

Saints chapter 38-39

"Come Follow Me"

D&C 129-132 "When We Obtain Any Blessing from God, It Is By Obedience"

OctGenCon

"Faith To Act and Become"

Elder Ciro Schmeil

Of the Seventy

"Elder Schmeil, you are called for what you can become." I walked away from that experience pondering about what the Lord wants me to become. As I thought about this, I realized that He wants me to become a better husband, father, and son and a better servant. I then realized that all of this could be accomplished as I worked to become a better disciple of the Savior Jesus Christ.

Proclamation

#3

Proclamation of the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles,"

issued on October 21, 1865, in Salt Lake City - This proclamation was sent to Church members to correct certain theories about the nature of God and established the order that new doctrine is to be announced only by the First Presidency.

Inklings

Some miracles happen within the walls of our home. Behind closed doors. The moments where He meets us where we are as we are.

The pouring out. The pouring in. His touch on the heart and it's reflection in a life. This is Grace.

Up at 4:38. Today is my infusion. I have it once a month and have to travel to the valley to get it. Up until this morning I wasn't sure if James was going to go with me. 

We left for James's radiation treatments a little before 7. I dropped him off at the cancer center at 7:30 then drove directly over to Walmart's automotive center and was first in line to get my oil changed. A few minutes later there were four cars behind me so I'm glad I got there when I did. The doors opened at 8. I wanted the same oil I used last time which is $32.88. They were out and had to get oil off the shelf in the store and because it wasn't "in bulk" they charged more. I wound up paying $61.58. I'm just glad to have it done. 

James and I shopped while we were waiting. I bought 3 Christmas presents. When we were finished we went across the street to Circle K to get gas and to wash the car. On the way out of town we stopped at Burger King where we both got a Whopper Junior. James cannot eat before his treatments so he was hungry. As we drove past the old K-Mart I noticed they are remodeling the entrance way which means someone must have rented the building. I wonder who it is!

I'm so grateful that James is going with me and that he doesn't murmur too much about going the Payson way. We finished our scripture reading and then started listening to "My Fair Gentleman." I fell asleep for about an hour and a half. James had to catch me up on the story. 

It was around noon when we arrived in the valley and my appointment at the AARA isn't until 1:30 so we decided to go across the street to Costco and do a little shopping. The first thing I did was go to the back of the store to get a package of toilet paper. The limit is one and it was almost gone. I also got a case of water. Sister Crane is buying plates, napkins, and cups for the ward at Sam's Club and I am getting bowls, spoons, and forks. I also bought 7 Christmas presents. James got some green olives and pot pies. I bought a box of pumpkin bread mix, and that was it. After checking out James drove across the street for my appointment. I was early but that's okay because they normally take me back early as they did today. I have lost four lbs. since last month. Frances started my infusion and did a great job. I barely felt a little prick. 

While sitting and relaxing I watched The Drew Barrymore Show with Michelle Pfeiffer as a guest. She has her own perfume company named after her kids, Henry and Rose. The name of the company is Henry Rose. She gave Drew a set of her latest fragrances.

One of the men patients at the infusion center was very talkative. First he said he could eat tacos everyday but when asked what kind of tortillas he liked he couldn't tell us. He didn't know the difference. What?  He also talked about his mom's $3,000 cat, a main coon, that weighs 25 lbs. I can't imagine having a cat that big in my house. 

I was done in an hour and we were on our way to our next destination, Kim's. Kim is going through her year's supply and has lots of cans from the cannery that have expired. We took them from her. We got sugar, refried beans, apple chips, and potatoes. I turned down the carrots and flour. I have some flour and it has a metallic taste to it. The carrots are meh. I wasn't sure we could get it all in the car, but we did. Kim carried out the cases for her dad, although he carried them in and downstairs when we got home. 

When we left Kim's we drove to the Olive Garden near the 101. It was between 2 and 3, but we were hungry. I ordered soup, salad and breadsticks. I had the zuppa toscana soup, one bowl and then I decided I wanted cheesecake instead of more soup. James says those little machines on the table with the pictures of the desserts are evil.

Olive Garden cheesecake with strawberry sauce is the best! James ordered the chicken marsala. Because it was so slow in coming the waitress told him there would be no charge. I told her that wasn't necessary but she insisted. The chicken marsala was not up to par. The sauce was minimal and James said it didn't taste right. He had two pieces of chicken. The first one was fine but the second was so tough he could hardly cut through it and it did not taste good. When he told the waitress I guess she told the manager because the manager came over and gave us a $15 gift card. Even though the food wasn't up to par we certainly got good service and will come back again.

Back in the car, "My Fair Gentleman" and on to Payson. Again, I fell asleep. I'm so glad I didn't have to drive down by myself! We stopped in Payson for gas because it was $3.25 at Speedway. The only problem was, none of the pumps had any gas. We drove on to Show Low and got gas at Speedway for $3.39. 

We finished our book and we both really liked it. Nancy Campbell Allen is a good writer. 

It was somewhere between 7 and 7:30 when we got home. After unloading the car and putting most things away, I stacked the blankets on one of the couches and will take them downstairs tomorrow, I walked and James and I watched our Christmas movie, "The Spruces and the Pines" on GAC. We were in bed by 10:06.

These photos of Charlie, Summer and the cat were taken

Sunday evening at Jared & Kacey's when Summer 

came over for dinner

Cake by Courtney

Addy & Kayla

Sun, Oct 7th, 2021: Temple#84 Nashville, Tennessee:Gospel study, Testimony meeting, Sunday School, Guillan Barre, Charlie, Scarlett, Ben & Ziggie

Nashville, Tennessee

84th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 May 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Redeemer

3 Nephi 9:17

And as many as have received me, to them have I given to become the sons of God; and even so will I to as many as shall believe on my name, for behold, by me redemption cometh, and in me is the law of Moses fulfilled.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 22:1-17

D&C

Review 125-28 & "Teaching with Power"

"Come Follow Me"

Review "A Voice of Gladness for the Living and the Dead"

OctGenCon

"With the Power of God in Great Glory"

Elder David A. Bednar

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and the great tool of conversion in the latter days. Our purpose in sharing the gospel is to invite all to come unto Jesus Christ, receive the blessings of the restored gospel, and endure to the end through faith in the Savior. Helping individuals to experience the mighty change of heart and bind themselves to the Lord through sacred covenants and ordinances are the fundamental objectives of preaching the gospel.

Proclamation #2

Proclamation of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Issued on April 6, 1845, in New York City, New York and

October 22, 1845, in Liverpool, England

Issued by the Twelve, since the martyrdom dissolved the First Presidency, the proclamation was printed and distributed on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. It proclaimed that God had spoken from the heavens and restored the gospel of Jesus Christ to earth and included a voice of warning as well as an invitation.

(This proclamation was 16 pages long)

Inklings

"With the Power of God in Great Glory"

David A. Bednar

Alma 7:11-13

2 Kings 4:1-7

 Up at 4:28. I wanted to fast but pain caused me to eat a little so I could take my pain pills. James fasted. We are fasting and praying for his speedy recovery and no long term effects from his internal "burning."

Brother Applegate, our Sunday School teacher for the day sent out some questions for us to answer for today's lesson. This is what I spent the morning doing, finding answers to those questions. 

Here are the questions and my answers:

1. We cannot be saved unless our ancestors receive the ordinances of salvation? 

-We cannot force our ancestors to receive the ordinances of salvation but we must give them the opportunity by doing their temple work. 

D&C 128:15

2. D&C 128:18 - What is wrong with this verse?

- A welding link is necessary or the whole earth will be wasted at His coming. It mentions baptism for the dead as that welding link but there is much more. There are washings and anointings, the endowment, and sealings of spouses to each other and children to parents and parents to children. 

3. D&C 124:28 - What is the FULNESS of the PRIESTHOOD?

- In response to this question I listened to a forty plus minutes podcast from the Joseph Smith Papers, #4 - The Fulness of the Priesthood. I learned that the fulness of the priesthood is revealed in the ordinances of the temple. This was mentioned in the last two minutes of this podcast.

4. What do the following verses in D&C 124 have in common, and what do we make of this?

Verse 8, 16, 17, 24(x2), 44, 45, 46, 47, 68, 69(2x), 70, 71, 74, 83, 86(2x0, 87, 89, 90, 100, 103, 104, 108, 110, 115, 122, and 141

- I read all of these verses and took notes on each verse. I do not know what Brother Applegate if looking for. This section is about building the Nauvoo House as a place for visitors to stay and also building the Nauvoo temple. I need to do more studying of these verses to determine what exactly Brother A is looking for. The first few verses are talking about a proclamation the Lord wants to make to the world regarding the restoration of the gospel and an invitation for people to learn more about it, perhaps by visiting Nauvoo. Here are some phrases that are repeated throughout these verses:

* He shall be mine if he do this 

* Labor with might

* Hearken to voice of God and His servants

* Build house

* Stock for self and future generations

* Only in that house

* Do my will

* Hearken to my voice

I also listened to "Teaching with Power".  Brother Wilcox went over section 127 and discussed Joseph Smith's attitude towards adversity. 

Here is a list he made:

Fast and Testimony meeting was a little different today. It started out normal. Bishop Hunsaker was conducting and he talked about going to the Mesa temple open house this weekend with his family and then testified of the importance of temple ordinances. He said he felt the presence of his mom and dad in the temple. 

Sister Vaught was next. She said she realized that she had never read all of the scriptures clear through and she felt like in order to increase her spiritual foundation she needed to set a goal to read from the scriptures everyday, which she now is doing. She said she wanted to increase her testimony so she could more readily share it with others.

Sister Hubble testified of the importance of staying connected to family members. She then went through a list of things that she was grateful for.

Sister Hahn attended a funeral for a friend who did not have faith in the Lord. Her other friends who were not "friends of faith" were so distraught at his death and thought they would never see him again. She was grateful for her knowledge of the gospel and was able to bear testimony of the Savior to her friends.

Sister Sayer took a trip down memory lane. She talked about when she was a baby and some of the health issues she had. She also mentioned that she has had two husbands that she is grateful for. Brother Peeler finally walked up to her and said something to her and then she finished and he escorted her back to her seat.

A young woman, Macy, said she had gotten out of the habit of reading her scriptures and questioned her testimony during the time when we were not attending church. She says she is now reading her scriptures and her testimony is very strong.

Elder Cluff, one of our missionaries is being transferred and he expressed his love for our ward. He said that this ward has Christlike love.

Elder Wangard also bore his testimony. He is staying in our ward. He said this ward is truly like a loving family. 

Brother McClellan last week before going to the valley for the winter. They are flying south like geese. They have friends they are fellowshipping and had them over with the missionaries last week.

Wendy DeWitt - Wendy told about a time that Sister Sayer had told her about a beautiful heavenly being she had seen and she then realized it was herself. Wendy testified that we are spiritual beings and said she was grateful for the joy the gospel brings.

I was disappointed that no one actually testified of the Savior. 

Brother Applegate taught Sunday School. The lesson was mainly on the restoration of temple ordinances to Joseph Smith in Nauvoo and it was wonderful. At one point Brother Applegate asked me if I wanted to come up and teach with him. I guess it was because I answered so many questions. I would love to teach gospel doctrine but doubt that I will be called to do so.

Stacy called this afternoon and said that Hawley, the girl who is paralyzed after taking her Covid booster has a disease of the nervous system. It is the same disease Jenifer, my niece, was diagnosed with over 15 years ago. I don't know how to spell it so I'm waiting for Dennis to text it to me. The disease is Guillan barre. I guess people with this autoimmune disease are prone to have a reaction to the Covid vaccine. Hawley did not know she had the disease. 

Since Jenifer has Guillan barre I wanted Dennis to know that some people are having a reaction to the vaccine so he could tell Jenifer. I called and talked to both Dennis and Denise. They said Jenifer had the first shot but had not had the booster yet and they would definitely talk to her.

Gail called and talked to James today. Ryan needs back surgery and Gail wants to know if James can recommend his back surgeon. He did recommend Dr. Crandall, but I don't think he is taking new patients. Gail's family is coming down November 20th.

I visited the Halcomb's this afternoon and took each of them a General Conference journal. Catherine was excited and Kerri was appreciative.

I did a ministering interview with Sister Skousen today. She is doing great with her new partner.

This evening James and I watched a Christmas movie starring Jordin Sparks, a former winner of American Idol and who lived in Arizona for awhile when her dad played football for the Cardinals. I like the movie. Jordin is a pretty good actress and she also sang "O Holy Night" my favorite Christmas song.

We went to bed at 9:45.

Ben and his girl

The many faces of

Charlie

The Hunsaker family which includes

our bishop

 

 

Sat, Oct 6th, 2021: Temple#83 Tampico, Mexico: Bowen Memorial, Dump, Green Chili Pork Stew, Evan's 15th Birthday, "Next Stop, Christmas"

Tampico, Mexico

83rd operating temple

Dedicated: 20 May 2000

Jesus Christ, Redeemer

Helaman 14:17

But behold, the resurrection of Christ redeemeth mankind, yea, even all mankind, and bringeth them back into the presence of the Lord.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 21:1-29

D&C

Saints chapter 37

"Come Follow Me"

Videos on family history work, FSS & FHE

OctGenCon

"The Need for a Church"

President Dallin H. Oaks

First Counselor in the First Presidency

Today, my message concerns such good and religious-minded people who have stopped attending or participating in their churches. When I say "churches," I include synagogues, mosques, or other religious organizations. We are concerned that attendance in all of these is down significantly, nationwide. If we cease valuing our churches for any reason, we threaten our personal spiritual life, and significant numbers separating themselves from God reduce His blessings to our nations.

 

 Six Church Proclamations

1. "Proclamation of the First Presidency to the Saints Scattered Abroad"

Issued on January 15, 1841, in Nauvoo, Illinois - Signed by Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon and Hyrum Smith, the proclamation details the progress of the Church despite hardships and persecutions.

Relief Society Lesson

The Savior's Abiding Compassion

Elder Ulisses Soares

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

Up at 4:30. My blood glucose level was 105, within range for early morning before I eat.  Prayed for Hawley Lott, Nikki's friend who was paralyzed from the shoulders down after receiving her Covid booster shot. Stacy is keeping me updated.

Studied Proverbs 15:1- "A soft answer turneth away wrath"

This is part of my self-mastery study. I am trying to better myself in three areas: 1) My eating habits, 2) My spending habits, and 3) Controlling my temper, yes I have one.

This thought comes from today's study of The MindBody Toolkit: Every thought I have is a chemical reaction in my body. 

From "God Will Prevail": Adam and Even preached the gospel to their children. Some of them didn't listen (imagine that!), and committed grievous sins.

James was going to go to Jerald Hatch's funeral in Taylor but he was just too miserable so he stayed home. He did go to the dump this afternoon for which I am most grateful.

I went to the Vernon ward building to attend the memorial service for Terry and Chris Bowen. I did not know either of these men personally, but I am going to help with the luncheon and to support Sean and Heather. 

Brother Peeler conducted the service and was also the main speaker.  Brother Goodman was supposed to but he is under Covid quarantine. Here is a list of ward members who attended. There was a mother and two children sitting by me that I did not know. Everyone else was from our ward. The service was held in the Relief Society room:

The Peelers, Sister Vaught and Sister Van Haren who did the music, the older Wilhelms along with Ruthie, the McCamys, the Lauritzens,  

the Klugs, Brother Cooper, the Diewalds, the Scotts, Judds, and Millers,  the Cranes, and Tamara, and I. Three people representing the VFW came and did a tribute and prayer and then gave Sean a flag. His dad was a veteran. Everyone except Tamara, Kathy and I, went outside for a 21 gun salute. 

Brother Bowen gave a short history of his dad and his brother. Heather sang, "God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again." Her voice was very soft and several people hummed along with her which I thought was supportive and kind.

Sister Crane had tablecloths and centerpieces on six or seven tables in the cultural hall. She had assigned four sisters to bring casseroles, and there were several salads and rolls. For dessert she had asked for cookies. I only took a picture of the dessert table. Very few people stayed for the luncheon so there was plenty of food. Two chicken casseroles, a potato and ham casserole, and a bean and corn soup. 

Tamara, the Cranes and I all sat at the same table. Afterwards while the men put up the tables and set the chairs up for Sunday School, the women worked in the kitchen dividing up the food, folding tablecloths, and doing dishes. Sister Peeler and I did the dishes while Kathy and Tamara divided up the food. We have a sister whose husband died a couple of days ago so we sent some food to her. We also sent some to the Goodman's and the rest went home with the Bowen's. 

I had left this morning at 9:45 and got home a little after one. James was in bed. I rested for awhile and then got up to do some walking and finish my blog. This evening James and I made a green chili pork stew and watched a Christmas movie: "Next Stop, Christmas" with Christopher Lloyd and Lea Thompson. 

It was around 10:00 when we went to bed.

Happy 15th Birthday Evan!

Refreshment table at Bowen's

Memorial Service

Fri, Nov 5th, 2021: Temple #82 Cochabamba Bolivia, James's pain, trip to town, Walking, blogging, "The Gingerbread Miracle", Road to Romania

Cochabamba, Bolivia

82nd operating temple

Dedicated: 30 Apr 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Redeemer

Helaman 14:16

Yea, behold, this death bringeth to pass the resurrection, and redeemeth all mankind from the first death - that spiritual death; for all mankind, by the fall of Adam being cut off from the presence of the Lord, are considered as dead, both as to thing temporal and to things spiritual.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 20:20-46

D&C

Saints chapter 36

"Come Follow Me"

128:5-25 The salvation of my ancestors is essential to my salvation

OctGenCon

"Becoming More in Christ: The Parable of the Slope"

Elder Clark G. Gilbert

Of the Seventy

Despite multiple efforts, I was repeatedly denied admission to my school's advanced academic program. My teachers finally suggested I should just stick to the standard classroom. Over time, I developed compensating study habits. But it wasn't until my mission to Japan that I felt my intellectual and spiritual possibilities begin to emerge. I continued to work hard. But for the first time in my life, I systematically involved the Lord in my development, and it made all the difference.

"A Faithful Search Rewarded"

Elder Patricio M. Giuffra

Of the Seventy

Beginning in 1846, thousands of pioneer men, women, and children headed westward to Zion. Their great faith stirred their boundless courage. For some, that trip was never finished as they died along the way. Others, facing great adversity, pressed forward in faith.

Because of them, generations later, my family enjoyed the blessings of the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Living Christ

Signers of the Living Christ 2000

Gordon B. Hinckley

Thomas S. Monson

James E. Faust

Boyd K. Packer

L. Tom Perry

David B. Haight

Neal A. Maxwell

Russell M. Nelson

Dallin H. Oaks

M. Russell Ballard

Joseph B. Wirthlin

Richard G. Scott

Robert D. Hales

Jeffrey R. Holland

Henry B. Eyring

Relief Society Lesson

"The Savior's Abiding Compassion

By Elder Ulisses Soares

"The expression of compassion for others is the essence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ"

I was up at 4:08 this morning. The word of the week for this week's "Come Follow Me" lesson is Gladness. The name of the lesson is: "A Voice of Gladness for the Living and the Dead." In D&C 128:19 we read " Now, what do we hear in the gospel which we have received? A voice of gladness! A voice of mercy from heaven; and a voice of truth out of the earth; glad tidings for the dead; a voice of gladness for the living and the dead; glad tidings of great joy. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that bring glad tidings of good things, and that say unto Zion: Behold, thy God reigneth!

vs. 20 - And again, what do we hear? Glad tidings from Cumorah!

vs. 22 - Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. vs. 23 - And ye rivers, and brooks, and rills, flow down with gladness.

James is still so miserable. When he first went to the doctor in Mesa he told James that they would need to do a procedure to put gel in to protect other organs. When James mentioned this to the people at the cancer center they said the gel procedure would not be necessary because they are so accurate. James was doubtful but allowed them to proceed. About a week ago James had severe pain and burning. The pain has become almost unbearable. When he went in to the cancer center on Tuesday he saw the doctor and she told him he looked much worse than he had last week when she saw him. He explained what had happened and mentioned again the gel procedure. The doctor was concerned and said she was going to cancel the treatments until next Monday. Meanwhile she would prescribe something for the pain, which she never did. I am quite upset and feel like we have grounds for a lawsuit although that is not the path I would normally take. I feel like the techs were neglectful and much of this could have been avoided. We will see what happens as the final decision lies with James.

We went into town this morning to get the oil changed in our car. We got there before 8:00 when they open but there were three cars ahead of us and James did not want to wait. We decided we would come back on Monday. We did a couple of errands, including getting horse feed and a snack for us, or what the Hobbits would call, second breakfast. We went to Burger King and we each got a Whopper Junior and a small order of fries to share. It hit the spot. 

When we got to Vernon we stopped at the library. Tamara has the birthday cards for this month for me to sign. While I was there I committed to help at the Bowen Memorial tomorrow morning. I told her James was going to a funeral in Taylor at that time for a good friend in high school, Jerald Hatch.

Rest and recuperation at home. This afternoon I walk, blog, and learn how to use the blood glucose monitor I bought to use with my phone. I listened to my book, "Lady Helen Finds Her Song."

Our Christmas movie tonight: "The Gingerbread Miracle" starring Merritt Patterson.