Sat, Apr 9th, 2022: Edmonton Alberta Temple, Temple shift, Cody & LeeAnn Snyder's endowment session, Trapper's for lunch, study lesson, walk

 

Edmonton, Alberta

67th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Dec 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Savior

Luke 2:11

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 4:4-15

"Come Follow Me"

Exodus 17, Exodus 17:1-7 Jesus Christ is my spiritual rock and living water.

AprGenCon

"Lift Up Your Heart and Rejoice"

Elder Marcos A. Aidukaitis

Of the Seventy

We were born at this time for a divine purpose, the gathering of Israel. 

Liahona

Standing as Witnesses of His Deliverance

We left for the temple at 5:30 this morning. Before leaving we had our family prayer and on the way we listened to scriptures. When we arrived at the temple the weather was so nice, no wind. I wonder how long it will last. 

James and I were assigned as greeters for people who arrive at the temple around 7. We missed our preparation meeting which we always look forward to. President and Sister Toronto are presiding today. They live in Lakeside and are in our stake. 

I was assigned at the top of the stairs to act as a greeter for people coming up to go to initiatory, do an endowment session or sealings. 

Since it's a job where you are sitting a good part of the time you have time to study your scriptures, which I did. I kept reading 2 Nephi 9:6-12 about the Savior atoning for our sins and what would happen if he had not. We would become angels to a devil. 

I was also in initiatory four times. This gives me plenty of opportunity to learn what I need to learn. On my schedule there was something called CU.  I had no idea what that was. When I asked Sister Hamblin she said it was clean up.  Clean up is usually done by the assistant coordinator but Sister Reidhead needed help today. Sister Hamblin showed me where the trash bags were and showed me which garbages should be emptied. It took about 10 minutes. 

I visited with my friend Elwanda Reidhead and she told me about her son-in-law who recently joined the Church after 19 years. It was a great story. The Gentry's were here for the first time in several months. Jeanie Gentry still has problems with her eyes and will probably have to have surgery. I missed my friend Nancy Farr. I guess she was visiting family in Utah. Sister Hamblin and her husband are going through the 1:30 session with their nephew and his wife. Afterwards they are being sealed. 

James and I both left around 12:30 and needed to be back somewhere between 2:15-2:30. We decided to go get something to eat. We went to Trapper Hatch's in Taylor. They are famous for their pies. To be honest, we were a little disappointed. The food was average and the prices were a little high. I got a piece of German chocolate pie and it was good, but the crust was overdone. I don't think we will be going back for awhile. 

We made it back to the temple in time for the 3:00 session. I was the first person in the endowment room. Stefani Hunsaker and Donna Peeler sat by me. They are my ministering sisters and I reminded them of the fact. Donna was surprised, she said she didn't know.

LeeAnn Hunsaker Snyder is going through for her endowments and of course she was in the front row surrounded by her mom Alicia and her sister Brielle. 

I gave LeeAnn, one of my former young women, and her husband Cody a big hug and congratulated them. They are going to be sealed in Gilbert on April 30th at 8 am. We are so happy for them. James is their ministering brother.

The report on Lois is that she is a little better but won't be going home anytime soon. 

Tonight I walked and worked on my lesson which I will give tomorrow.

My friend made this, she is

pretty awesome!

Fri, Apr 8th, 2022: Billings Montana Temple, German Chocolate cake delivered to Ginger in Alpine, 100 elk, Sonic, walk, blog, lesson, bed early

 

Billings, Montana

66th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 Nov 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Savior

Luke 1:47

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 3:19-4:3 What can I do to more fully yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit?

"Come Follow Me"

Exodus 16 I should seek daily spiritual nourishment.

AprGenCon

"He Is Risen With Healing In His Wings" 

Elder Patrick Kearon

Of the Presidency of the Seventy

Jesus has overcome the abuses of this world to give you power to not only survive but one day, through Him, to overcome and even conquer.

Liahona

CFM Shareable Scriptures

Well, that German chocolate cake that fell apart yesterday was the best I have ever had! James agreed. I need to figure out why it fell apart so I can make it for Owen Peeler's birthday which is on May 8th. 

We got word that James's mom is in the hospital in Chandler. Her heart rate has been really high, 165. They finally got it down to 75 but there are other problems. She has shortness of breath and her legs are really swollen. We will be praying for her throughout the day.

I used Courtney's recipe which is a dark chocolate recipe. She doesn't use the Baker's Sweet German Chocolate like sugarand sparrow does. Their recipe tastes more like a German chocolate cake. I used sugarandsparrows pecan, coconut, caramel recipe which is to die for. T heir chocolate buttercream recipes were very similar but I ended up using Courtney's because it was a recipe that made more frosting. I finished the cake before noon and thank goodness it came out of the pans beautifully and I left it to cool.

James created a lot of sawdust today sanding and filling logs. I got upset because there seemed to be a fog in the house. We sat down and talked and I believe we came to an understanding that I did not want him to fill the cracks in the log. 

I frosted the cake and put the filling between the three layers and on top. Here is what the cake looked like. 

I wish you could see the coconut pecan

mixture on top.

I put the cake in my cake carrier and held it in my lap and off we went to Alpine. The sun was shining through the window and I noticed that the frosting on the cake that was facing the sun began to melt. James said, "take the dome off it's making it to warm having a greenhouse effect." I took the dome off and then James said, "put the air conditioner on high", which I did. 

Ginger kept texting telling me about the elk they were seeing that had gone right through their yard.  We followed the directions that Ginger sent me and just at the end of town there was a field to the right with about a hundred elk in it. I told James that Ginger's turnoff must be close because those were probably the elk that went through her yard. The next turnoff we came to had what Ginger had told me was an antique tractor up on a pole. It wasn't really a tractor but it was an antique looking piece of equipment. We drove up to their home which is surrounded by huge pine trees. It is so peaceful and quiet and James brought his camera so he could take some pictures of the elk. Ginger's husband, Greg, had told him there were some bulls so he was anxious to find them. 

Greg took the cake inside and then came back out to visit. We did all of our visiting outside which was fine with me because it was so beautiful. Ginger and I walked down by the fence where the elk were and took some pictures. When we got back she showed me a completely round hole that a woodpecker had pecked in their house. She said she wants to get one of those fake owls to put up to scare him off. I told her about our woodpecker and how we needed to get one too. Our woodpecker thinks our concrete siding is wood and is constantly trying to peck a hole in it. 

 Ginger tells me that her daughter Crystal lives in her old house in Vernon and she is going to have a baby any day. Her husband works as a correctional officer in Winslow and their last name is Abbott.

I asked if they would be interested in the Church and she said she didn't think so.

After giving Ginger a hug and the framed copy of Luke 1:37, for with God nothing shall be impossible, and a birthday card made by Lois, we said goodbye and we headed home. James had to stop and take a few pictures of the elk. 

We stopped in Eagar at Sonic and we each got a burger for our dinner. We got them with mustard instead of mayo and they were very good with tomato, lettuce, pickles, and onions and ketchup.

We listened to our book "The Girl at the Gate" while we were in the car, on the way over and on the way back.

I came home to a messy kitchen. I cleaned the kitchen, walked 7,000 steps and worked on my blog and worked on my lesson before going to bed. While I was walking I listened to Emily Belle Freeman's book, "Grace to Become." I love the book, especially chapter 10 about Emily's grandparents.

We went to bed at nine because we are getting up early to serve in the temple tomorrow.

Kim finished her 1500 piece puzzle!

It looks like this field is greener than the 

ones around it.

The pump in this field is proof that

water is being pumped onto the field

for the elk.

On the way home from Alpine we stopped in

Nutrioso to take a picture of the house

where my grandpa was born and where

he grew up.

Thur, Apr 7th, 2022: Regina Saskatchewan Temple, RSL "Love of God", Unshaken, James Dentis Goodman, solar generator, Inklings new study "Spiritual Momentum", Emilys book, Cake falls apart but delicious!

 

Regina, Saskatchewan

65th operating temple

Dedicated: 14 Nov 1999

By: Boyd K. Packer

Jesus Christ, Savior

Matthew 1:21

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 3:1-18

"Come Follow Me"

Exodus 15 & Exodus 15:23-27; 16:1-15; 17:1-7 I can trust the Lord, even during difficult times.

AprGenCon

"Fear Not: Believe Only!"

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Begin your search for happiness by embracing the bounty we have already received from the giver of every good gift.

Liahona

"Are We Limiting God in Our Lives?"

"Martyrs Who Kept the Faith"

"In A Holy Place"

Inklings

April 2022-Sept 2022

"Spiritual Momentum"

I spent an hour or so preparing for this week's Relief Society lesson, which I am teaching. It's a good topic, the love of God. James is still filling cracks in the logs. I'm not sure how many more he is planning on filling and I'm not sure how much more I can stand of sanding and sawdust.

At 11:00 this morning James had an appointment with our dentist, Pierce. He was gone longer than I was, two hours but I think he and Pierce spent a good deal of that time visiting. It only cost James $50 and Pierce told him his teeth were in great shape. He had to have a couple of cavities refilled that had fallen out.

When James first got home he told me that Pierce had convinced him he needed to save up for a solar generator. He said Pierce has everything, including his house on solar. Pierce is definitely preparing for the hard times, or should I say harder times.

I had James's lunch ready for him when he got home. A pot pie and some brussel sprouts.

This afternoon I discovered that Emily's new book, "Grace to Become" is now on Deseret Book Plus. I downloaded it and began listening to it and loved it. I think part of it will help me with my lesson on Sunday. I also listened to the first Inklings Live for the new semester. Here are some notes I took: Read your scriptures, pray and serve everyday and you will never leave religion. The Sabbath is a sanctuary. Christ came down to lift us up. Believing enables becoming. The Lord Promises, provides and prevails.

 I made the Sugarandsparrow German chocolate cake. It crumbled as it came out of the pan and then crumbled more when I tried to get it off the cooling racks. At first I thought I could fix it but that last crumble was quite unfixable. I determined I would fix another cake in the morning using Courtney's German chocolate cake recipe. I don't have all of the ingredients to make the Sugarandsparrow cake. It calls for 3 ounces of German chocolate baking chocolate and I only have 1 ounce left. 

More flowers for Sheri

The Easter Pageant

  

      

Wed, Apr 6th, 2022: Halifax Nova Scotia Temple, RS lesson, Town w/ Catherine, James, Dr. Hall's, Walgreens, Walmart, HD, CVS, Sonic, foam, caulking, and a big mess!

 

Halifax, Nova Scotia

64th operating temple

Dedicated: 14 Nov 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Savior

Joel 2:32

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 2:28-41

"Come Follow Me"

Exodus 14. Exodus 15:22-27 The Lord can make bitter things sweet.

AprGenCon

"Steady in the Storms"

President Henry B. Eyring

Second Counselor in the First Presidency

When the storms in life come, you can be steady because you are standing on the rock of your faith in Jesus Christ.

Liahona

"Where I Found Solace"

"We Are Here For You"

I got up this morning at 4:30 to study the RS lesson. This is something nice that James does for me. He brings me in a shake from the garage refrigerator and opens it and even breaks the seal because he knows I have a hard time doing that. Thank you Honey!

James was filling log cracks and I was vacuuming in our bedroom when I dropped the vacuum and the wires came loose in the handle and the vacuum wouldn't work. James came in and fixed it for me, which is no small task. I am grateful that I married someone who can fix things! 

At 10:00 we left to pick up Catherine on our way to town. James has an appointment with Dr. Hall to get his ingrown toenail fixed. 

After dropping James off at Dr. Hall's Catherine and I went into Walgreen's so I could get some more Cadbury mini eggs. I found enough, I think, to fill up my clear jar in the kitchen.

I dropped Catherine off at the front door of Walmart and she was off and running. I parked the car and went inside to the produce department where I saw Brother Peeler and Donna. I thanked Brother Peeler for the delicious burros he bought. I gave Donna a hug.

When I was almost finished shopping James called and said he was finished and was going to walk over to Home Depot. I'm surprised he feels like walking over getting his toe done. When Catherine and I are finished shopping we pick James up at Home Depot. James has to pick up a prescription at CVS so we headed across town. I dropped James off at CVS and Catherine and I went to Sonic to pick up lunch. Catherine ordered an All-American hotdog, I got a corndog and James got a burger with mustard instead of mayo. CVS told James it would take them 30 minutes to get his prescription ready so we ate our lunch in the CVS parking lot. 

On our way home Catherine had some letters to mail and wanted to stop at the Vernon post office which we did. She got a package and some mail and we got some mail.

After the groceries were put away James and I took naps. James slept for quite awhile. He said he was sleeping off the drugs they gave him when they did his toe. BTW James was able to reorder concrete for the Rademeyer job and just happened to get it on the 25th the day of my infusion. 

I managed to finish listening to all of General Conference and I'm ready to start again. 

Sheri's boss is on the back row on the right side

  

Tue, Apr 5th, 2022: Detroit Michigan Temple, YW 2014, Charlie, James goes to Globe w/ Owen Peeler, 19,000 steps, General Conference

 

Detroit, Michigan

63rd operating temple

Dedicated: 23 Oct 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Savior

Isaiah 45:15

Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 2:9-27

"Come Follow Me"

Exodus 14. God has the power to deliver me.

 AprGenCon

A Mighty Change of Heart: "I Have Nothing More to Give You

Elder Eduardo Gavarret

Of the Seventy

This change of heart is not an event; it takes faith, repentance, and constant spiritual work to happen.

"Ladder of Faith"

Elder Larry S. Kacher

Of the Seventy

Unbelief blocks our ability to see miracles, whereas a mindset of faith in the Savior unlocks the powers of heaven.

Liahona

"The Answer in the Garden"

"Never Alone"

Up at 5:30 this morning. For breakfast I made Kodiak cakes for James and I. We added nuts along with the chocolate chips that were already in the mix. James left to go to Globe with Brother Peeler around 7:45 this morning. I spent a lot of time walking and listening to the new General Conference talks. The wind is howling outside!

 James was back before 2 this afternoon. Owen has a house in Globe where his daughter lives. He wants James to do some remodeling and that was the reason for the trip. They went to Burger House for lunch and brought me back two burros, one mixed green chili and one green chili. Owen bought them and I was very appreciative.

This afternoon around 2pm I picked up Catherine Halcomb and we went to the post office to get our mail. Kerri is gone to the valley for a biopsy on her kidney. She will have some other tests done at the Mayo Clinic and will be gone for a few days. On my way to take Catherine home I told her James had an appointment tomorrow to get his ingrown toenail fixed and I would be going to town with him to do my grocery shopping. She very excitedly asked if she could go with us. I told her that would be fine and we would pick her up at 10:15. She said she would be ready. 

I walked over 19,000 steps today. I started at 6 am and walked fifteen hundred steps every hour. It feels good!

I am teaching Relief Society on Sunday. The lesson is based on Sister Porter's and Elder Christofferson's talks from October conference about the Love of God. I'm excited but nervous because it's been awhile since I taught.

If you have been reading this blog for any length of time you know that James loves to index and spends a lot of time doing it. Becuase I have been behind on my blog my indexing and family history have fallen by the wayside. I hope to get caught up in a few days. 

James also loves to listen to audio books while he walks which we did today. He also spent time caulking cracks in the logs. He says bugs can live there and bats may even hide there. I told him we were having a professional exterminator come to spray our house in a few weeks.

My young women: Kelly, Alice, Shelly, Coti, Trenda, Kyah, LeeAnn, Madison

Mon, Apr 4th, 2022: Columbia South Carolina Temple, Pierce works a miracle with my front teeth, Uchtdorf's, James fixing china cabinet

 

Columbia, South Carolina

62nd operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Oct 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Savior

D&C 76:1

Hear, O ye heavens, and give ear, O earth, and rejoice ye inhabitants thereof, for the Lord is God, and beside him there is no Savior.

Book Mormon

Mosiah 1:15-2:8

"Come Follow Me"

Exodus 14-17 "Stand Still, and See the Salvation of the Lord"

AprGenCon

"Following Jesus: Being a Peacemaker"

Elder Neil A. Andersen

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Peacemakers are not passive; they are persuasive in the Savior's way.

Liahona

"The Sacrament: A Way to Remember the Savior"

Dublin, Republic of Ireland

I made Kodiak cakes for our second breakfast this morning. We added walnuts and almonds along with the chocolate chips already in the mix. They were delicious!

I listened to part of "Follow Him" and during nap time I watched "Always Amore" starring Autumn Reeser and Tyler Hynes. 

I used my floor cleaning machine, which I forgot I had, on the kitchen floor today. The amount of dirt I got off the floor was amazing. 

James and I finished reading "The Valet's Secret" and started reading together "The Girl at the Gate." 

Pierce fixed my front teeth today, the ones that were chipped and had cavities. They look better than my original. He is so amazing and charges so much less than any other dentist. I went home so happy!

James got $1,300 today from a guy who needed a general contractor. James didn't have to do anything except provide his contractor's license.

I got a text from Cammy Grapp today. This is what it said: 

I was thinking about you today! Hope you are well. I am blessed to have you in my life. Thanks for loving our family.

Receiving this text meant so much to me. I really do love the Grapp family!

James fixing the china cabinet he broke

8 years ago.