Tue, Mar 15th, 2022: Portland Oregon Temple, book business, income taxes, Temple with Ruth and James, Eva's, Woods's, Pete the Crow stories

 

 Portland, Oregon

42nd operating temple

Dedicated: 19 Aug 1989

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Rock

Acts 4:11

This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 33:1-15

"Come Follow Me"

Genesis 45:1-8; 50:20 "God sent me before you to preserve you." 

Genesis 44-45.

OctGenCon

"Lovest Thou Me More Than These?"

President M. Russell Ballard

Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Last October, President Russell M. Nelson taught us the importance of putting Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ first in our lives. President Nelson taught us that one meaning of the word Israel is "let God prevail."

He asked each of us these questions: "Are you willing to let God prevail in your life? Are you willing to let God be the most important influence in your life? Will you allow His words, His commandments, and His covenants to influence what you do each day? Will you allow His voice to take priority over any other? Are you willing to let whatever He needs you to do take precedence over every other ambition? Are you willing to have your will swallowed up in His?" We must always remember that our true happiness depends upon our relationship with God, with Jesus Christ, and with each other.

Liahona

"You Put Your Whole Self In"

Senior Missionary Service

Our mission put a shine on our Golden Years. If you want to find lasting happiness go out and help someone along the way.

Up at 5:30 this morning. We have something everyday this week until Friday. Today we are going to the temple with Ruth Gale. James and I both felt lousy this morning and took naps before noon. I am behind on my blog and need to do two posts a day or I will never catch up. Because of technical difficulties my blog posts are taking much longer than they should. I did manage to mop the kitchen floor.

James did some indexing and worked on income taxes. He asked me if I made any money in books last year. I told him I didn't think I did but when I looked it up I had taken in over $1,660.00. I know it was a lost but I hadn't bought any books since October so the loss didn't show for this year.

We left for the temple at 2:30 for the 3:30 session. Ruth was already in the endowment room when we walked in. There were 8 sisters and 4 brothers. Something exciting happened when we walked in the temple doors that I forgot to mention. I did not have a mask on but the brother at the recommend desk said they were optional. He said this was the first session that they had received word that masks were optional. It was so refreshing to see everyone without their masks.

After our session we went outside and showed Ruth where Green's Peak was so she could get an idea where Vernon was. She said she was surprised and thought it was in the opposite direction. 

We had dinner at Eva's. Ruth had a taco salad, James had a green burro with green sauce and I had a green burro with red sauce. We saw Chuck and Pam Wood and talked with them for a few minutes and I introduced Pam to Ruth. James told Ruth stories about Pete the Crow and about have an egg farm. Ruth seemed to enjoy the stories. Right now in her ward she is teaching Primary. She also has a FHE group that meets at her house every week. We said our goodbyes and headed back to Vernon.

I watched the movie, "The Presence of Love" starring Eloise Mumford. James watched most of it with me. 

I got a new book today called, "Antifragile."

Somewhere in the White Mountains

of Arizona

Lending a helping body
 

 

Mon, Mar 14th, 2022: Frankfurt Germany Temple, Johnny Wilhelm's 10th bday, CFM at the Crane's forgiveness, Dave Miner's mother,

Frankfurt, Germany

41st operating temple

Dedicated: 28 Aug 1987

By: Ezra Taft Benson

Jesus Christ, Rock

2 Nephi 8:1

Hearken unto me, ye that follow after righteousness. Look unto the rock from whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit from whence ye are digged.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 32:1-9

"Come Follow Me"

Genesis 42-50 "God Meant It Unto Good"

OctGenCon

"Simply Beautiful - Beautifully Simple"  

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

May we keep the gospel simple as we take upon us our divinely appointed responsibilities: To live the gospel of Jesus Christ so as to be sensitive to promptings, as did Jens in Denmark. To care for those in need, as demonstrated by the members of the Cucuta stake in Colombia in providing shelter to orphaned ward members. To invite all to receive the gospel, in the way that Cleiton from the African island country of Cape Verde did with his friends and family. Finally, to unite families for eternity, as exemplified by Sister Lydia from Ukraine through her own temple ordinances, family history efforts, and service in the temple. Doing so will surely bring joy and peace.

Inklings

A Sequential House of Order

Vai Sikahema

Luke 5:1-11

A slow day for me because I had very little energy and I got very little accomplished. It was a beautiful, sunny day in the 50's but what does it matter if you don't go outside. 

I worked on my blog, fixed lunch, and napped. I was going to go to town but decided not to. Today is Johnny Wilhelm's 10th birthday. James took him a card with a little cash in it. Johnny wasn't home when James took the card but he called later and thanked both of us.

I listened to Talking Scripture today where they told a story about Elder Uchtdorf that I had never heard before. It was about an ugly iron bicycle he had as a young boy that was difficult to pedal. Later in life when he was having a physical examination before going in to the military, the doctor asked him how he had overcome the lung disease he had. Dieter did not know what the doctor was talking about. He had a lung disease he knew nothing about and the only way he figured he could have overcome it was by riding his bicycle all over the city where he lived. The bicycle had helped him to overcome a lung disease that would have kept him from becoming an airplane pilot. 

James spent the day working on our income taxes. This evening we attended "Come Follow Me" at the Crane's. The Crane's, the Peeler's, Pierce, who came late, were the others who were there. Barbara Bartels had a friend in town so she wasn't with us. Owen, Chuck, and Kathy, and James all told stories about people they had forgiven in their lives. James actually told one about me. We had cake for refreshments. James walked home. We both walked over but I didn't want to walk home so the Peeler's gave me a ride. 

Dave Miner's mother passed away today after a long battle with cancer. Dave was one of James's counselor's when he was the bishop.

 

 

 

Sun, Mar 13th, 2022: Denver Colorado Temple, Westbrooks, Relief Society, Grombach's, Charlie , Scarlett

   

Denver, Colorado

40th operating temple

Dedicated: 24 Oct 1986

By: Ezra Taft Benson

Jesus Christ, Rock

Isaiah 51:1

Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 31: 1-21

"Come Follow Me"

Genesis 42-43; Review for the week

OctGenCon

"Favored Of The Lord In All My Days"

Elder Moises Villanueva

Of the Seventy

Jesus Christ showed us that during times of trial and adversity, we can recognize the difficulties of others. Moved with compassion, we can reach out and lift them. And as we do so, we are also lifted by our Christlike service. President Gordon B. Hinckley stated: "The best antidote I know for worry is work. The best medicine for despair is service. The best cure for weariness is the challenge of helping someone who is even more tired."

Liahona

"Karla Knapp Oswald, Idaho, USA"

"Seeing the Face of God in Our Enemies"

This morning before church James was indexing. I went in and said to him: " Today we have a lesson entitled, "A House of Sequential Order." Don't you think it would be a good idea if we prayed and read our scriptures before we did anything else? A few minutes later he came in for prayer and scriptures.

Rosa and Dave Westbrook were the speakers in sacrament meeting today. Rosa is from Mexico and it is difficult to understand her although she does bring a sweet spirit with her. She talked about the conference address "Faith to Act and Become." Here are some notes on took:

"Through prayer, scripture study, and action, we can unlock the blessings of heaven and become better followers of our Savior Jesus Christ. Ask you Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ for help. We need to ask in faith to know the will of the Lord and accept that the Lord knows what is better for us. Acting is another essential key to becoming a better disciple of Jesus Christ. "I was led by the Spirit, not knowing before hand the things which I should do."

Study is important. Jesus said to his disciples regarding the name of the Church: "Have they not read the scriptures?" "Feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do."

Dave Westbrook - I learn something from everybody that comes to this pulpit. Rosa's a great example to me about fulfilling callings. President Nelson's closing remarks at the last general conference was entitled, "Make Time for the Lord." There is a lot of deception in the world today. D&C 89 The Lord says, "I have warned and forewarned you." We must rely on the Spirit to know the truth. Brother Westbrook shared stories if when he served in the war in Vietnam. He spoke of the fiery darts of the adversary and how he literally knew what these were in the war. We must have a plan when temptation comes. Peace comes through Jesus Christ, as President Nelson says. There are 11,000 Church members in Ukraine and 23,000 in Russia who are huddling together in faith with their food storage. 

Before Relief Society started Sister Barbara Sayer got up and began crying saying that she was Ukranian. Kathy Crane got up and stood by her. When she was finished Tina Allen got up to teach the lesson, "A House of Sequential Order." As I sat in the front row by Catherine Halcomb and Susan Hubble I looked out the window and saw a horse rolling in the dirt and it reminded me of Luna. 

After Relief Society we had a meeting with the activities committee. Our Relief Society birthday party will be on March 26th. Cheryl Sedig is the head of committee and Jana Grombach is a committee member. They seem to have everything in control. I signed up to make a cake for the meeting. 

At home James made us some lunch. I wasn't feeling very well, I have a scratchy throat and cough. I took a nap and then got up and made some chocolate chip cookies. 

The Grombach's came over at 4 p.m. for the first Temple prep lesson. The lesson is on the Plan of Salvation and we had a great discussion. The lesson lasted about two hours because there were lots of discussion. Willie has only been a member a little less than a year. He is a big guy with a beard but he has a sweetness and humility about him. He is so interested in learning about the gospel. Janna grew up in the gospel but was inactive for years. They have both been married before but feel like they were meant to be together.

I watched "When Calls the Heart" this evening while James was indexing. I am such a rebel.

Charlie looks so grown up!

For our RS activity

Sat, Mar 12th, 2022: Buenos Aires Argentina Temple, Temple shift, Seaman's, done by noon, BK, Gas, dump, Tanna cancels, Butterfly movie, steps

 

Buenos Aires, Argentina

39th operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Jan 1986

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Rock

Isaiah 17:10

Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength, therefore shalt thou plant pleasant plants, and shalt set it with strange slips:

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 30:1-18

"Come Follow Me"

Review Genesis 41:37-57; 37-41 "The Lord was with Joseph"

OctGenCon

"Preparing For The Second Coming of Christ"

Elder Christoffel Golden

Of the Seventy

 In our preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, I provide a vital, comforting note for the faithful taken from the Old Testament prophet Amos: "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, until he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."

 In this spirit, today's prophet of the Lord to the world, President Russell M. Nelson, has given us this recent inspiring counsel: "The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of repentance. Because of the Savior's Atonement, His gospel provides an invitation to keep changing, growing, and becoming more pure. It is a gospel of hope, of healing, and of progress. Thus, the gospel is a message of joy! Our spirits rejoice with every small step forward we take."

Liahona

"Let's Visit the Temple"

"I Choose To Hear Him"

"Our Spirits United in Song"

We left the house at 5:30 this morning to go to the temple. Our shift starts at 6:30. The Seaman's are presiding today which always makes me happy since I love Kim Seaman. We were still required to wear masks today.

 There was a young girl by the last name of Palmer who went through and received her own endowments today. I happened to be assigned to the Celestial room when she came through the veil. It was wonderful to see her family and friends greet her. One of her sisters came clear from Minnesota to be with her. Her mother was by her side. As the sisters and friends showed support for this young sister they gave her long hugs. The family, most of them anyway, stayed in the Celestial room for a long time. I imagine that we will feel as this family did when we go through the veil to the other side. We will be gathered with loved ones again.

I was assigned to initiatory four times today. Well actually three, but Sister Hamblin asked me to go in another time to cover for someone. I like doing initiatory and hearing the blessing promised to the faithful.

James and I were both done by noon. On the way home we stopped at Burger King and got Whoppers instead of Whopper Jr.'s. They were too big and we won't do that again. We also got gas at Circle K. Instead of paying $4.19 a gallon we paid $4.13 because of our EasyPay card.

While I was taking a nap James took our garbage and the Crane's to the dump. The missionaries had wanted to teach Tanna tonight at our house but she cancelled on them because she said she wasn't feeling well. 

This evening while walking I watched a movie starring Kevin McGarry and Kayla Wallace called "Feeling Butterflies." Kevin and Kayla are dating each other and they are both in "When Calls the Heart." The movie was light-hearted and had a good message. 

Camrie's

Twins holding twins

The Griffin twins were blessed today

Brooks was baptized by his Uncle Tyler

Fri, Mar 11th, 2022: Lima Peru Temple, 3" of snow, CFM stories of afflictions, sunny all day, Charlie @ museum, taxes, wash temple clothes, Happy Bday Catherine

 

Lima, Peru

38th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 Jan 1986

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Rock

Isaiah 8:14

And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 29:1-14

"Come Follow Me"

Genesis 41:1-36 FSS "Refiner's Fire" and "After the Storm" videos

OctGenCon

"The Things of My Soul"

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Be joyful and cheerful. 

"Be of good cheer, and do not fear," the Lord has said. Why?

How, when challenges face us at every turn? Because of the promise made by Jesus Christ: "I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you."

President Nelson describes the restored gospel as "a message of joy!" And he explains, "The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives."

Liahona

Saints Vol. 3

Relief Society President

Toshiko Yanagida

I was up at 5:51 this morning. It was 13 degrees and we had 3 inches of snow outside. James went out and shoveled snow.

Today during scripture study we watched two videos which were in the family study section. One was called "The Refiner's Fire is Real" and the other, I'm not sure of the title but it was about the devastation left behind in Moore, Oklahoma after a tornado. Watching these two videos really put things in perspective for me. The first video is about a woman who loses her husband and several of her children to cancer. She now helps others going through similar trials. 

The second is about a woman living in Moore, Oklahoma. She and her husband had three children and then adopted four more of her sisters children who were in a bad situation. Soon after this the husband abandons the family. The woman is now left with 7 children on her own. A tornado hits there town and destroys her home. The incredible faith and fortitude of these two women and their dependence on the Savior carries them through these tragedies.

I feel so blessed right now.

James is still working on income taxes and every so often he takes a break and we walk while listening to our book, "Beyond the Lavender Fields." 

I washed our temple clothes this afternoon in preparation for working in the temple tomorrow. 

For dinner we had potstickers and salad. I finished the movie "A Summer Romance." I also did 12,000 steps.

Today is my friend Catherine's 88th birthday. Happy Birthday Catherine.