Wed, Feb 9th, 2022: Idaho Falls Idaho Temple, G.I. Doctor, empty Walmart, DMT, Charlie, Kacey, sleeping Jared, Cake

 

Idaho Falls, Idaho

8th operating temple

Dedicated: 23-25 Sep 1945

By: George Albert Smith

Jesus Christ, Resurrection

Alma 33:22

If so, wo shall come upon you; but if not so, then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, that he will come to redeem his people, and that he shall suffer and die to atone for their sins; and that he shall rise again from the dead, which shall bring to pass the resurrection, that all men shall stand before him, to be judged at the last and judgment day, according to their works.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 3:6-25

"Come Follow Me"

Abraham 2, Genesis 12; Abraham 2:10-11 Who is included in the Abrahamic Covenant

OctGenCon

"God's Love: The Most Joyous to the Soul"

Susan H. Porter

First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency

Sisters and brothers, how can we receive the transforming power of God's love? The prophet Mormon invites us to "pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ." Mormon is inviting us not only to pray that we may be filled with His love for others but to pray that we may know of God's pure love for ourselves.

Inklings

The Holy Covenants

Anthony Sweat

The law of the Gospel

The law of Chastity

James had an appointment this morning at 8 o'clock with a gastrointestinal doctor in Show Low. It is just a consultation. The doctor was surprised that he has had internal bleeding since the radiation burn. The appointment was short and James now has a colonoscopy next Wednesday. They are calling it surgery because if they find anything that needs to be taken care of, they will do it after the colonoscopy. 

I was going to go with James this morning but I woke up late and didn't want to make him late so I stayed home and mopped the kitchen floor and polished it while talking on the phone to Tamara about ministering. I also cleaned out the frig and made good use of my time.

After his appointment James went to Walmart to pick up four of my prescriptions, some laundry detergent and some dishsoap. There were a few other items he bought but those that I mentioned were the main reason he went to Walmart. Something is going on at our Walmart. Here are some pictures that James took:

We've gotten used to empty shelves 

but now we have an empty store.

Hopefully they are just re-doing the floor.

It looks like a parking lot.

 I called AARA and changed my March appointment for my infusion. Instead of March 7th, when Darrel's family is coming to visit, I rescheduled for March 21st. 

I listened to "Don't Miss This" and I am so glad I did. Emily taught me something about grace. There are two kinds of grace, the grace that heals wounds, and the grace that exalts souls. The symbol for the grace that heals wounds is the cross because this is where Jesus Christ overcame death and sin. The symbol for the kind of grace that exalts souls is the temple. The temple is where we become MORE through making covenants with the Lord. I love this! I had to text Kim to tell her about this.

I talked to Trina today. She said they loved the cake I made for her and they ate it all. I also talked to Stacy. I asked her how her birthday was. She said Sheri and Kim both came to see her and she felt loved. Paul ordered dinner for her. I also texted with Sheri. She said she might come up the weekend of her birthday. I told her how excited I was at the prospect. She will let me know as soon as she talks to Evan to see if he wants to go with Rowan.

James did lots of indexing today. He had to cancel his concrete for tomorrow because Rademeyer still does not have permits for his hangar. 

I indexed 57 names. James and I are reading, "Miss Whitaker Opens Her Heart" together now. I was reading it by myself but since I couldn't find any other books we were interested in reading I decided to read this one with James. This book is set in the 1800's in New South Wales, now known as Australia. Sarah Whitaker owns a sheep farm and her new neighbor, an American is Daniel Burton.  There are two things that Sarah hates, the aborigines and the convicts. Her father was killed by an aborigine and her aunt was killed by a convict whom was a trusted steward. Sarah and Daniel fall in love and get engaged before Daniel tells her that he is a convict exiled to New South Wales for 14 years.

I read from two of my books, "The Hidden Christ", Exploring the Abrahamic covenant, and "The Cleansing of America" chapter one.

Tanner, Autumn, Summer

Tue, Feb 8th, 2022: Mesa Az Temple, Stacy's 50th birthday, "Love and Lavendar", Books I want to read, New Sheets!, James is Chef for the day,

 

Mesa, Arizona

7th operating temple

Dedicated: 23-26 Oct 1927

By: Heber J. Grant

Jesus Christ, Resurrection

Alma 11:42

Now, there is a death which is called a temporal death; and the death of Christ shall loose the bands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from this temporal death.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 2:22-3:5

"Come Follow Me"

Abraham 1; Abraham 1:1-19 God will bless me for my faith and for my righteous desires

OctGenCon

"Faith to Act and Become"

Elder Ciro Schmeil

Of the Seventy

In 3 Nephi, the disciples mentioned to the Savior that there were disputations among the people regarding the name of the Church. In response, the Savior taught an important principle when He asked, "Have they not read the scriptures?" Studying is then another essential key to becoming a better disciple of Jesus Christ. Prayer and scripture study go hand in hand. They work together for our benefit. This is the process that the Lord has established. "Feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do."

Liahona

Covenants Connect Us with God

Making and Keeping Covenants Brings Blessings

Covenants & Ordinances

Covenants Help Us Live Righteously

Covenants We make in the Temple

We Are a Covenant People

From the Scriptures

*Mosiah 18:8-11

*Alma 24:17-19

*Abraham 2:9-11

I am so excited because James is making biscuits and venison gravy for breakfast. The house smells sooo good! It tasted just as good as it smelled!

We finished our book, "Love and Lavendar" about the arranged marriage of Duncan and Hazel. Hazel's uncle offered monetary goods if they would marry and stay together for at least one year. During that year Hazel kept thinking ahead to what her life would be like when the year was over and she could leave Duncan and pursue her dream of running her own girls school. Duncan is fairly happy with the way things are, and in spite of his inability to express emotions, he is falling in love with Hazel. Hazel and Duncan both have handicaps. Hazel's is a club foot and Duncan's is an inability to express emotion and to be flexible. He is extremely intelligent but is very rigid.  He does not like to be touched by other people but he doesn't mind being touched by Hazel, in fact, he likes it. He wonders why he feels this way and even quizzes his friend Dr. Randall.  Hazel tells him before they marry that there will be no intimate relations and Duncan agrees. 

Two nights a week Duncan chooses a topic for discussion and two nights a week Hazel does. One night they play chess, one night they play cards, and one night they do a puzzle. Duncan loves structure and he loves intellectual conversations especially about numbers, the advancement of the railroad, and science.

Before the end of the year Hazel decides she wants to leave. Duncan is troubled because she promised to stay until the end of the year. He wants her to stay but she has made up her mind. She leaves and goes to her school where she is not happy. She misses Duncan. She eventually goes back and tells him she wants to be married to him. They have a son whom they name Leon after Duncan's father. There was so much more to the story than what I have shared. It was interesting to see these two people care more for the other person than they do themselves and their upcoming goals. Josi S. Kilpack has done it again!

The weather has certainly warmed up since our snowstorm. I like the change. I'm still feeling tired and sluggish with a cough. The Actemra I am on for my arthritis compromises my immune system and it takes me forever to get well.

Not only did James make a delicious breakfast, he also made shrimp and noodles for dinner. 

I have decided that the last two hours of the day will be devoted to something that I want to do for myself. Some of my choices are: Lettering, Reading, Looking at cake recipes, or watching a movie, or working on my personal history or scrapbook. I have about 12 books lined up on my bookshelf that I want to study from: 1. "Increase in Learning" - David A. Bednar 2. "Covenant Hearts" - Bruce C. Hafen 3. "The Hidden Christ" - James Ferrell 4. "God  Will Prevail" - Kerry Muhlestein 5. "Eve and the Choice Made in Eden" - Beverly Campbell 6. "The Cleansing of America" - Cleon Skousen 7. "Written on our Hearts" - Emily Belle Freeman 8. "Grace Where You Are" - Emily Belle Freeman 9. "Grace to Become" - Emily Belle Freeman 10. "Of Journals and Blessings: An Investment with Priceless Returns" - Thomas Grapp 11. "The MindBody Tool Kit" - Kim D'Eramo 12. "You Can Heal Your Life" - Louise Hay 13. - "The Holy Covenants" - Anthony Sweat.

Some of these books I have read before but I want to go back and study from them. I am excited about my reading plan!

James got new sheets for our bed as one of his birthday gifts from his mom. They couldn't have come at a better time as there is a big tear in our fitted sheet that we are using right now. We put the sheets on our bed this morning and were so excited to sleep on them tonight!

Happy 50th Birthday Stacy!

This picture was taken when Sheri turned 40.

7 years ago.

I can hardly wait!

My dinner

  

Mon, Feb. 7th, 2022: Cardston Alberta Temple, Valley: winshield replaced for cash, The Trumpet, Stacy, Paul, Sophie, OG, Trina's, Costco, Sheri's, Lois & Dawn, Whataburger, Vernon

 

Alberta, Cardston

6th operating temple

Dedicated: 26-29 Aug 1923

By: Heber J. Grant

Jesus Christ, Resurrection

Mosiah 16:8

But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 2:11-21

"Come Follow Me"

Genesis 12-17; Abraham 1-2 "To Be a Greater Follower of Righteousness"

OctGenCon

"With The Power Of God In Great Glory"

Elder David A. Bednar

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

We take the Savior's yoke upon us as we learn about, worthily receive, and honor sacred covenants and ordinances. We are bound securely to and with the Savior as we faithfully remember and do our best to live in accordance with the obligations we have accepted. And that bond with Him is the source of spiritual strength in every season of our lives.

Inklings

"Is There No Balm in Gilead?"

Jeremiah 8

Mark 2:1-12

We left around 7:15 this morning instead of 7. The lateness was my fault. We stopped in Payson and noticed that gas in Payson was $3.49 just like Show Low. Usually it is cheaper. I cancelled my infusion appointment because of my cough and head cold. The infusion compromises my immune system and it's already compromised enough. 

James had made an appointment to get our windshield fixed at an auto place in Tempe.  We drove straight over and the guy was waiting for us. He told us we could go inside and sit on the couch. The couch was pretty small and one person was already sitting on it, but we managed. There were some magazines on the table in front of the couch. James grabbed an issue of The Philadelphia Trumpet and so did I. It was enlightening, at least for me. The issue I read was about the downfall of the British Empire and the fall of America, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. This magazine is biblically based and this article I read was based on a book called, "The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy." 

The article traced everything back to Father Abraham and the promises made to him regarding the Abrahamic Covenant. It went right along with this week's Sunday School lesson. Here are some things I remember from the article:

The people who settled in Great Britain were from the tribe of Ephraim. The same is true of the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. They have a responsibility to carry the gospel to the people of the world. I always wondered what happened to the British Empire. In some of the proper romance books we read they talk about India being part of the British Empire and I know they held land all over the world. World War II was Great Britain's finest hour with Winston Churchill in charge. After the war was over the people decided to put the Labor Party in control and everything started going downhill from there. The focus was on social programs rather than governing the Empire. Gradually Britain pulled out of the countries they had formerly ruled and local tyrants committed genocide and took over. It's very similar to what happened in Afghanistan this past summer when the U.S. abruptly pulled out. To make a long story short, as socialism takes over people start expecting the government to take care of them, and they no longer have a desire to make something of themselves. They lose their sense of focus and purpose. Teenage suicide, out of wedlock births, abortions, drug use, and drinking are all on the rise. People no longer believe in God and don't feel responsible to Him. 

I was not able to finish the article but I came home and ordered a subscription to the magazine and I also ordered a copy of the book, all for free. I've never been interested in politics before but now I see how it relates to everything else in our lives.

We got a new windshield and a check for $140. We found the first Chase bank to cash the check. When James came out with the cash he gave me $80 and he kept $60. I reminded him we needed to pay tithing on this money and he agreed.

James said since we were in Tempe we should go see his mom but I told him I wanted to deliver the cakes before it got too late so we headed for Stacy's. Stacy and Paul were both home. Paul came down to quiet Sophie and to give me a hug. I asked him how his knee was doing and he showed me his range of motion, which was quite good. Stacy says he is going to have the other knee done in March. This wearing down of the body is serious business.

Stacy will be 50 tomorrow. I gave her the almond cake I made for her and she seemed excited. She loves almond flavor. She cut me a piece and I really liked it too. We visited a few minutes and she said please text her the next time we come down so she can take us to lunch for James's birthday. We said we would. As we were visiting we Stacy she shared something with us about Joshua. She said he has turned over a new leaf in that he is very kind to her. The other day Adam was low and yelled at her and Joshua stepped in and said, "You don't yell at mom." I love it!

On our way our to Trina's to give her, her cake we stopped at Olive Garden for lunch using the gift card Darrel and Trina gave us for Christmas. I got chicken gnocchi soup with salad and breadsticks. James got chicken marguerita with salad and breadsticks. I ate a salad and two breadsticks and then was too full to finish my soup. 

When we got to Darrel and Trina's Addy was the only one home and she was only there for five minutes because she had to go to track practice. James was so tired he laid down on the couch and took a nap. Soon Trina got home and I gave her the cake I made for her and the gift and card. She seemed very grateful. She gave James a bag of dark chocolate covered almonds and then gift cards to her new favorite restaurant Flower Child. I'm excited because I always like to try new places to eat. Trina had to go to pick up Ruby and then Lola so we waited for her to get back so we could see them. After giving Ruby and Lola a hug and thanking Trina, we were on our way. I love Trina because she always says when we leave, "let me know when you get home."

We stopped at Costco and got garbage bags, and walnuts and pomegranate juice. I also bought some Old Testament study guides with part of my money that James gave me. James also got his hearing aid fixed. Next we stopped at Sheri's to leave her pie. I was hoping she would be home but we missed her by about 30 minutes. James left the pie and gift with Ian and Ben with a promise that they wouldn't cut the pie until Sheri got home. Sheri texted me on the way home and said the pie was delicious.

After Sheri's it was back to Tempe to see Lois and Dawn. 

I stayed in the car because I still have a cough. James went in with a mask on at Dawn's request. He was only there for a very short time. Just enough time for a short visit and to pick up his birthday gifts. Dawn came out and I got to visit with her for a minute but she did not get too close nor did she take her mask off. 

I thought we were leaving to go home but James wanted to go all the way back across the valley to get oranges. We went down the very slowest road he could pick, Broadway. When we got to Broadway and Lindsay there was a Whataburger and I asked him to stop so we could get dinner. I'm not sure why but my Whataburger tasted delicious and truly hit the spot. I figured James would continue on toward the orange orchard but he didn't. He decided we would go home instead. It was after six and almost dark. 

We listened to our book, "Love and Lavendar" most of the way home. It is such a good study of relationships and how to overlook someone else's flaws. Very heartwarming.

Oh something else we got at Costco was pistachios. James says the two nuts that are good for you are walnuts and pistachios. He eats the walnuts and I eat the pistachios. 

I enjoyed today but I am glad to be home. I only got 5,000 steps but I didn't even care, it just felt so good to be home. 

Ian's mom with her American grandchildren

This picture was taken from a video of Charlie

running, and running, and running

The color is especially nice

 

Sun, Feb 6th, 2022: Laie Hawaii Temple, James ER, Zoom for Church, frost cakes, make pie, Facetime with Jared, Kacey, Charlie,

 

Laie, Hawaii

5th operating temple

Dedicated: 27-30 Nov 1919

By: Heber J. Grant

Jesus Christ, Resurrection

Mosiah 16:7

And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands of death that the grave should have no victory, and that death should have no sting, there could have been no resurrection.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 1:30-2:10

"Come Follow Me"

Review Genesis 6-11, Moses 8 Noah Found Grace in the Eyes of the Lord"

OctGenCon

"The Need for a Church"

President Dallin H. Oaks

First Counselor in the First Presidency

Members who forgo Church attendance and rely only on individual spirituality separate themselves from these gospel essentials: the power and blessings of the priesthood, the fulness of restored doctrine, and the motivations and opportunities to apply that doctrine. They forfeit their opportunity to qualify to perpetuate their family for eternity.

The Hidden Christ

The Parallel Creation

James's foot and toe were causing him so much pain, he got up early and announced that he was going to the emergency room at the hospital.

I did not go to church while James was gone because I still have a cough. I did watch the Zoom broadcast for our fast and testimony meeting. The following people bore their testimonies:

Cope Reynolds, Tamara Applegate, Lorraine Vaught, Alicia Hunsaker, Tina Allen, Steve Allen, and Owen Peeler. It was a good meeting. Brother Umphress was released as the ward executive secretary and Brother Lauritzen was called as the new one.

When James got back from the hospital after being gone for 2 or 3 hours he was still in a lot of pain and went straight to bed. He slept several hours. While he slept I did things I don't normally do on Sunday. I frosted two cakes, Trina's and Stacy's. They are definitely not works of art. Right now I am focusing on the baking and taste aspects. I know how much batter to put in the pan and how long to bake, and I know the cakes and the frosting taste good. Decorating will come with time.

When James finally got up I fixed him potstickers and mushrooms for dinner. I also made two triple berry pies this evening. We ate the first one and the second one is for Sheri's birthday. 

The highlight of the day for me was Facetiming with Jared, Kacey, and Charlie. Some of the highlights for me. Kacey going on a 40 day diet to cut down on sugar. I wish I had that desire and discipline. Jared telling us about his calling and how much he is learning about the gospel and how the Church is run. He actually did a training for James and I regarding our callings and having the family history meeting. Can a divorced man become a bishop? I don't know but I think Jared would make a great one. Charlie showed us her rocket ship, her space gun and Krong. She loves rockets, cars, and guns.

James says, "Well, you did name her Charlie." The Sabbath is always better when we get to interact with family.

I could not sleep tonight. I finally went to the recliner. We are leaving for the valley before 7 in the morning.

I love this!

Dennis, front row with something

glowing on his arm, 1966

Noah and his wife

Joshua at the sacrament table.

(Paul, no photos are to be taken in the chapel)

Definitely me

Sweet Charlie

Sheri's triple berry pie

Stacy's almond cake with

almond frosting

Trina's dark chocolate cake

with fudge frosting

Sat, Feb 5th, 2022: Salt Lake City Temple, Gospel Study, Blog, Walk, Movies, Cakes, Pot Stickers, Indexing, Cutting wood, Hurt foot, Plants, Presents

 

Salt Lake City, Utah

4th operating temple

Dedicated: 6-24 Apr 1893

By: Wilford Woodruff

Jesus Christ, Resurrection

2 Nephi 26:1

And after Christ shall have risen from the dead he shall show himself unto you, my children, and my beloved brethren; and the words which he shall speak unto you shall be the law which ye shall do.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 1:13-32

"Come Follow Me"

Genesis 10 & 11 and Family Scripture Study

OctGenCon

"Becoming More In Christ: The Parable Of The Slope"

Elder Clark G. Gilbert

Of the Seventy

Focus on where you are headed and not where you began. It would be wrong to ignore your circumstances - they are real and need to be addressed. But overfocusing on a difficult starting point can cause it to define you and even constrain your ability to choose.

Second, involve the Lord in the process of lifting your slope.

"A Faithful Search Rewarded"

Elder Patricio M. Giuffra

Of the Seventy

It has been almost 45 years since my mother and I first learned the joy and power of having faith in Christ. During these blessed years, we have known, as President Russell M. Nelson declared: 

"Everything good in life, every potential blessing of eternal significance, begins with faith. Allowing God to prevail in our lives begins with faith that He is willing to guide us. True repentance begins with faith that Jesus Christ has the power to cleanse, heal, and strengthen us."

Liahona

"Becoming a Covenant Person Among a Covenant People"

Elder Neil L. Andersen

We are transformed when we accept and keep the covenants that God offers to each of His children.

*The Lord's Promise to Gather His People

*An Invitation Declined

*A Strong Testimony, a Vibrant Faith

*Moving Forward on the Covenant Path

*Children of the Covenant

"As the Lord's servant, I promise that His grace and goodness will redeem us as we keep our faith in Him and do our very best to keep our covenants with Him."

One of the first things I did this morning was wish Betty Trezise a Happy Birthday. Betty is Ian's mom. I also spoke with Sheri via text telling her about my week and about her dad dropping a log on his foot. I am grateful for the ability to communicate so easily with loved ones. I asked Sheri if it would be okay for me to bring her birthday pie down when I come this Monday since I won't be down there on her birthday. She said that would be fine.

After James and I have our family prayer and study from the Book of Mormon and the "Come Follow Me" lesson, he usually goes in to the computer on the dining room table and does some indexing. Since the beginning of January he has indexed around 3,000 names. I am so proud of him and his dedication.

A sunny day but still a little chilly, at least that's what James says. I never went outside to find out.

I'm always hopeful that I will get back on my schedule so I can get more things done. Well, it did not happen today. I fixed a salad, two rolls, and some shrimp for lunch. James said it was the perfect lunch.

After lunch we re-watched "The Wedding Veil, part 1", starring Lacey Chabert and Kevin McGarry. Next week part 2 is coming out with Autumn Reeser as the main character. I am looking forward to that one.

James and I both had a rest time and then walked together while listening to "Love and Lavendar". James's foot still hurts so he takes Tramadol and gets a false sense of it's better and then does too much. He was on it a lot today cutting some pieces of wood, and working on the dining room table. All of this for his job. By the end of the day he could hardly walk and when we went to bed he had a hard time sleeping because of the pain. I wish he would have gone to the hospital yesterday when we were in town but he talked himself out of it.

I watched an older movie this afternoon called "The Road to Christmas" which featured Marie Osmond in a supporting role. I play this game where for 20 minutes I do an activity and then the next 20 minutes I do something else. I played this game this afternoon. When I needed a break I sat down for 20 minutes and watched this movie. I also baked Trina's birthday cake and made dinner and cleaned the kitchen. I used a box mix for Trina's cake, dark chocolate fudge and enhanced it so it would be more like homemade. The texture was so thick and creamy before I baked it. Because it was so rich and creamy I was able to get four layers instead of 3. I frosted the last layer with fudgy frosting for James and I. I also added nuts. 

I made pot stickers for dinner. They were tasty. I froze the three remaining layers of Trina's cake and cleaned up the kitchen including mopping the floor. 

James and I walked one more round around the high table while reading a chapter and then we settled down to watch a movie. By this time James was complaining about his foot and toe. 

I had recorded an older Christmas movie but a favorite called, "Christmas Angel." Kim likes it so well that she bought it. It was made in 2009 and was filmed in Salt Lake City, Orem, Provo, and Pleasant Grove, Utah. Spanky's Diner, which is featured quite a bit in the movie is an actual diner in Pleasant Grove. We both really enjoyed the message of this movie, about looking around for others who may need a helping hand and then giving that helping hand. 

We did not get in bed until 11pm. We really do need to get back on our schedule.

Things we bought on Wednesday:

new pots for our plants, birthday gifts