Wed, Dec 29th, 2021: Quetzaltenango, Guatemala Temple, Sheri babysits Charlie & Scarlett, I help, Opening gifts, Playing in the snow, Razr rides, good food, Brian & Kim here, Five Crowns, Snowmen

Quetzaltenango, Guatemala

136th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Dec 2011

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Relationships with the Father

JS-M 1:1

For I say unto you, that ye shall not see me henceforth and know that I am he of whom it is written by the prophets, until ye shall say: Blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord, in the clouds of heaven, and all the holy angels with him. Then understood his disciples that he should come again on the earth, after that he was glorified and crowned on the right hand of God.

Book of Mormon

Moroni 9:1-19

"Come Follow Me"

Moses 1:1-26

I can resist Satan's influence 

 OctGenCon

"Miracles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ"

Elder Carlos G. Revillo Jr.

Of the Seventy

Beyond the many, many thousands of faithful Latter-day Saints, the miracle of the gospel has brought positive changes to the country and its people. I am a living witness of this. I was six years old when my parents joined the Church in the southern island of Mindanao. At that time, there was only one mission in the entire country and no stakes. I am eternally grateful for my parents' courage and commitment to follow the Savior. I honor them and all the pioneers of the Church in the Philippines. They paved the way for the succeeding generations to be blessed.

"Look Down the Road"

Elder Alvin F. Meredith III

Of the Seventy

On one occasion in the Savior's life, He desired to be alone, so "he went up into a mountain apart to pray." He sent His disciples away with instructions to cross the sea. In the dark of the night, the ship that carried the disciples came upon a ferocious storm. Jesus went to their rescue but in an unconventional way. The scripture account reads, "In the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea." When they saw Him, they began to fear, for they thought that the figure that approached them was some sort of ghost or phantom. Jesus, sensing their trepidation and wanting to put their minds and hearts at ease, called to them, "Be of good cheer; it is i; be not afraid."

Snow! Molly, Ben, and Sheri are out running. 

For breakfast we had pancakes, bacon, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

Sheri and I both start a batch of rolls.

Jared, Kacey, and Autumn go into town to do a little shopping at Walmart. Sheri and I babysit Scarlett and Charlie. Molly is here too.

Here are some of the things that Sheri did with the girls. She played upstairs with them until Cackie threw dishes off the table. Cackie is Charlie's imaginary friend. They played on the little trampoline and then decided they wanted to make cookies. The consensus was chocolate chip cookies because that was everyone's favorite. 

Sheri really bonded with Scarlett.

Scarlett loved her. Charlie already loved her.

Making cookies

Sheri went over to work on the big ice cream puzzle. Charlie and Scarlett decided they wanted to do the donut puzzle but when I got it out and started it they lost interest very quickly. I tried to get them to do the little Dora puzzle but they didn't want to. I put the donut puzzle away and then went over and got out the Calico Critters. They liked those for quite awhile. Especially when I went over and got the metal Christmas house I have to use for their house. 

After Calico Critters I went in to the bedroom to work on my blog and Scarlett and Charlie followed me in. I put Peppa Pig on the TV and got out the coloring books.

When Jared returned he went outside with the girls where they played in the snow. Scarlett and Charlie planned to hit Jared with some snowballs. He also took them and Molly on a Razr ride.

  Brian and Kim came up today to join the fun. As soon as they got here, or shortly afterwards, Brian went into the kitchen and began making a big pot of pasta fagoli soup. He even made two different kinds of pasta to go in it, one was gluten free for Kim. It smelled and tasted so good and was perfect for a snowy day meal.

This evening for dinner we had Sheri's ham which she had cooked in the crockpot. I made both mashed potatoes and scalloped potatoes. The mashed potatoes were for Rowan and Joshua and the scalloped potatoes for Jared and James. Of course anyone else could have whichever they wanted. I tried a new scalloped potato recipe and it was delicious! We also had broccoli and rolls. For dessert Kim made pumpkin delight. 

After dinner Ben, Autumn, Jared, Kacey, Sheri and I played a game of Five Crowns. It was Autumn's first time playing and she almost won. Jared won by four points in the last round. 

Jared is sleeping on the couch tonight because he snores. The boys stayed up late either watching The Office or a movie. So Jared went to sleep late. 

Kim bonded with Molly. She watched Heartland with her, and did some other things with her. Molly doesn't have anyone to hang out with until Ruby gets here so it was nice that Kim spent some time with her.

Looking at the tree and presents

Rachel, Denise, and Dennis make a snowman

with Evie.

Jared helped the girls make this snowman.

I love how the bushes and branches behind

the snowman look like his hair.

 

Tue, Dec 28th, 2021: San Salvador, El Salvador Temple, snow&sunshine, roast dinner, wrapgiftswSheri, Razr rides, clean upstairs, Jared's family arrives

 

San Salvador, El Salvador

135th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 Aug 2011

By: Henry B. Eyring

Jesus Christ, Relationships with the Father

D&C 93:21

 And now, verily I say unto you, I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn;

Book of Mormon

Moroni 8:1-30

"Come Follow Me"

Moses 1 "As a child of God, I have a divine destiny"

OctGenCon

"One Percent Better"

Elder Michael A. Dunn

Of the Seventy

Instead of trying to perfect everything, what if we tackled just one thing?

For example, what if in your new wide-angle awareness, you discover you have neglected a daily reading of the Book of Mormon? Well, instead of desperately plowing through all 531 pages in one night, what if we committed instead to read just 1 percent of it - that's just five pages a day - or another manageable goal for your situation? Could aggregating small but steady marginal gains in our lives finally be the way to victory over even the most pesky of our personal shortcomings? Can this bite-sized approach to tackling our blemishes really work?

Well, acclaimed author James Clear says this strategy puts the math squarely in our favor. He maintains that "habits are the 'compound interest of self-improvement.' If you can get just one percent better at something each day, by the end of a year . . . you will be 37 times better."

"Facing Our Spiritual Hurricanes By Believing In Christ"

Elder Sean Douglas

Of the Seventy

"When the focus of our lives is on . . . Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening - or not happening - in our lives."

Just as natural laws govern physical hurricanes, divine laws govern how to feel joy during our spiritual hurricanes. The joy or misery we feel as we brave the storms of life is tied to the laws that God had set President Nelson has shared, "They're called commandments, but they are just as true as the law of lift, the law of gravity, and the law that governs the heartbeat."

President Nelson continued, "It becomes a rather simple formula: If you want to be happy, keep the commandments."

A dusting of snow and very cold. We actually had both snow and sunshine today.  When I walked out of the bedroom and started down the hall to get my breakfast this morning, I noticed Ben at the high table near the entry. I asked what he was doing and he said he was working on his goals for the new year. I hope he is including some spiritual goals, but I didn't ask.

 Later I put the roast on and started the rolls. I also made Joshua his blueberry muffins. I bought some blueberry muffins at the store yesterday and Rowan and I have been eating them. They are delicious!

Sheri came in the bedroom with me to help me wrap the Texas blankets. She wrapped and I put tags and bows on the ones that will be opened here. I only put tags on the ones actually going to Texas. By the way, Sheri loves her blanket! While we were busy wrapping and tagging, we watched a movie. When the rolls were done, mine and Sheri's, we had to sample them. They were yummy!

The boys went for walks and Razr rides. Evan and Rowan built a castle. I believe I posted the picture yesterday. Ben asked Sheri to make a big breakfast, which she did, and then he started a water fast. What is a water fast? It's where all you drink or eat is water for 24 hours. Evan loves the cold and I think Joshua does too. They both like to be outside. 

Sheri helped me clean upstairs and get ready for Jared's crew who are coming in late tonight. Originally he had said the 29th but I guess they decided not to stop at a hotel for the night. Sheri vacuumed and changed sheets upstairs, and moved the old TV out of Darrel and Trina's room. She put it in the corner of their balcony. 

James scrubbed the bath tubs and I cleaned the rest of the bathrooms. Autumn and Scarlett are going to stay in my office and Jared, Kacey, Molly, and Charlie will be staying in Darrel & Trina's room. Rowan has been staying in his parents room and Joshua has been in my office. I had to ask them to move. They can either sleep in James's office or on the couch somewhere. Evan doesn't like the new bed in his families room. He set up the roll away out in the common area. I saw him going upstairs with Sheri's blanket. When I told her she seemed upset but later she told me he said it was the only blanket long enough for him. I highly doubt that but it's not really my business.

Brian and Kim were coming today but they decided to wait until tomorrow which means Sheri gets to sleep downstairs another night which makes her happy!

For dinner Sheri grilled steaks and cooked asparagus. Along with her rolls this made a nice meal for her boys. We also had roast beef, gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, and rolls. Sheri loved my mashed potatoes and so do Joshua and Rowan.

Sheri went to bed early but the rest of us were up when Jared and family drove in at 10:12. James had a fire going. Some were tired, like Molly but some were hungry like Autumn, Kacey, and Scarlett. Charlie had been asleep and wasn't in a good mood.  James took Scarlett by the hand and showed her the fire. I showed her the sleeping bag I got her and let her take it out from under the tree. When Charlie saw what Scarlett got she came over and smiled at me so I gave her the sleeping bag I got her. I am so glad that Molly was able to come and the Autumn and Scarlett came. Everyone went to bed and as I looked outside it was snowing.

  

 

Mon, Dec 27th, 2021: Kyiv Ukraine Temple,

 

Kyiv, Ukraine

134th operating temple

Dedicated: 29 Aug 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Relationships with the Father

D&C 93:4

The Father because he gave me of his fulness, and the Son because I was in the world and made flesh my tabernacle, and dwelt among the sons of men.

Book of Mormon

Moroni 7:35-48

"Come Follow Me"

Moses 1; Abraham 3 

"This Is My Work and My Glory"

OctGenCon

"Giving Holiness To The Lord"

Bishop L. Todd Budge

Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric

As we observed with concern the early economic effects of the COVID-19 crisis across the world, we could have easily expected a decline in the monetary contributions which the Saints were able to give. After all, our own members were not immune to the setbacks from the pandemic. Imagine our feelings when we observed just the opposite! Humanitarian donations in 2020 turned out to be the highest ever - and are trending even higher this year. As a result of your generosity, the Church has been able to realize its most extensive response since the inception of the Humanitarian Fund, with over 1,500 COVID relief projects in more than 150 countries. These donations, which you have given so selflessly to the Lord, have been converted to life-sustaining food, oxygen, medical supplies, and vaccinations for those who might otherwise have gone without.

"Remember Thy Suffering Saints, O Our God"

Elder Anthony D. Perkins

Of the Seventy

The Lord tole His covenant people, "I have refined thee. . . ; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction." Whatever the cause of your sufferings, your loving Heavenly Father can direct them to refine your soul. Refined souls can bear others' burdens with true empathy and compassion. Refined souls who have come "out of great tribulation" are prepared to joyfully live in God's presence forever, and "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."

Liahona

Three Lessons from the D&C

Began reading the book, "Balcony People" by Joyce Landorf. 

Why is affirmation such a need in our lives?Must we be complimented on everything we say or do?

"Of Journals and Blessings" Brother Grapp discussed the importance of humor in our lives. 

"The Holy Covenants" Through our covenants we have the power to become the elect of God.

Moses 1:2-4 How familiar His face us to us. "Nothing is going to startle us more when we pass through the veil to the other side than to realize how well we know our Father and how familiar His face is to us." -Ezra Taft Benson

James and I fixed breakfast for Joshua and Rowan. James fixed scrambled eggs and I made the almond poppy seed muffins that Stacy sent. After breakfast we had prayer, read from the Book of Mormon, and studied part of the "Come Follow Me" lesson before letting the boys go on a Razr ride. After the boys left I decided it was a good opportunity for me to go upstairs and clean. 

First I  did Sheri's room and bathroom because she will be here this afternoon. The boys picked up all of their stuff off the floor in Darrel & Trina's room where Rowan was staying and my office where Joshua was staying. James comes up to clean his office. He had papers, etc. all over the bed. I told him he needed to change his office into a bedroom. James also vacuumed all of the bugs out of the window sills. We also cleaned the common area.

Sheri, Ben, Max, and Evan got here around 2. Alex is not coming. He and Shayna, Michael, Joe, Nick, and his fiance all went to Shayna's stepdads cabin near Flagstaff. 

Sheri and I went to Walmart. It was cold because it was windy and the wind cut right through you. I got food for the rest of the week. I'm actually going to fix meals this week! 

For dinner Joshua and Rowan had grilled cheese sandwiches, blackberries, and Rowan had a pomegranate. Joshua and Rowan both love fruit whereas Evan won't touch it. Sheri brought a chicken strip meal from Jack in the Box for Ben. She bought herself and me tacos. 

We got a Christmas card from the Lemmerman's and Ruth Gale today. Ruth wants to schedule a time once a month to go to the temple and out to eat. I'm excited!

Jared, Kacey, Charlie, Autumn, and Scarlett are coming late tomorrow night. We will be ready and look forward to them being here!

This evening Sheri and I watched "A 5th Avenue Christmas" and "8 Gifts of Hanukkah", two of my favorites.

 

I wish my doodles looked like this

Sheri got the white "cup" the big one,

at the family Christmas party.

It's just like Trina's and Sheri loves it.

Sun, Dec 26th, 2021: Cebu City, Philippines Temple,

 

Cebu City, Philippines

133rd operating temple

Dedicated: 13 June 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Relationships with the Father

D&C 88:75

That I may testify unto your Father, and your God, and my God, that you are clean from the blood of this wicked generation; that I may fulfil this promise, this great and last promise, which I have made unto you, when I will.

Book of Mormon

Moroni 7:20-34

"Come Follow Me"

Review "The Living Christ" and "He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world"

OctGenCon

"Trust Again"

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Trust becomes real when we do hard things with faith. Service and sacrifice increase capacity and refine hearts. Trust in God and each other brings heaven's blessings.

So tired, but I'm up around 5. It is so windy outside. I could hear the wind as I was lying in bed deciding if I was going to get up. In spite of the wind I am going to church today. 

Joshua and Rowan were both prepared to go to church with us. We sat by Catherine H. and Barbara B., the boys and James on one side and me on the other. 

Lorrain Vaught loaned me two books today. They are written by a Christian woman named Joyce Landorf. The first one is called "Balcony People." The other two books are "Silent September" and "Monday Through Saturday" both written by Joyce Landorf.

At our last Relief Society lesson Lorraine talked about "Balcony People," people who accept you and cheer you on. I told her I would be interested in reading the book, and this week she shows up with these three books, wrapped in bubble wrap. I am anxious to read the first one and see where it leads me. 

The bishopric spoke today in sacrament meeting, which was the only meeting held today. Pierce was the first speaker and we all agreed he was our favorite. Here are a few notes I took:

Christmas evokes happiness. Share happiness with others through kindness and acts of service. John . . . peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth...Moroni 10:32 - Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

Give to the lonely, worn down, and weary. True happiness comes by making others happy. Story about boys trying to break into his father's store...

Grateful for service to him after Barbara's passing.

Steve Allen - Events happening at the birth of Christ. 

Jesus saved us from spiritual death...(the electricity went off for a few minutes in the Vernon building) ... John not named after his father Zacharius. All the world was taxed. Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem, their ancestral home. After 40 days Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple. Simeon and Anna both recognized Jesus as the Messiah. 

I have a firm testimony of Jesus Christ.

Bishop Hunsaker -  Schnepf Farms, What are people looking for in the Christmas season? What is the world looking for? Spend time finding the Savior. Carry the Spirit of Christ throughout our lives. "He is still found by those who seek Him." (Bishop read this from the card sent to him by the RS presidency). 

President Benson, "Thos who give of themselves, give all."

Give Him our whole heart as we willingly repent.

Fully give ourselves to the Savior.

As I was going to give Cindy Brown her Christmas gift I passed Barbara Sayer and she thanked me for the calendar we gave her. It was one of the "Lead Kindly Light" calendars. 

Brother Miller gave me back the pot I took soup to them in Tuesday evening. He said thank you, it was delicious. 

James and the boys went out to see Anthony this afternoon. While they were gone I wrapped Pam's puzzle and calendar and re-wrapped Candace's calendar that got a little roughed up riding to the valley and back. 

James and I left around 4 p.m. to make some deliveries. First we went to the DeWitt's, then to Pam's, and then Tanna's. Collin thanked me for the calendar with pictures of the Savior each month. Pam was so excited. First, she said the packages were too beautiful to open. Then she said she loved puzzles and trailers, and the calendar was beautiful! It's so fun to give to people who are appreciative. Tanna sent a picture of Bradley with the blanket we gave him, a Spiderman blanket. She thanked me for the calendar because she said she needed one. 

For dinner this evening James made ham sandwiches and I made spaghetti for Joshua and Rowan. Stacy sent the spaghetti ingredients up with us along with three frozen pizzas, soup, and snacks. 

I watched a Christmas movie with James and then we started a new book, "An Accidental Romance." We had prayers with the boys.

Charlie has earrings!

Ben

Sheep feet courtesy of Pam