Fri, May 27th, 2022: Brisbane Australia Temple, James's bloodwork, Panda seared shrimp, cut James's hair, Jennifer Long, Puglia, Italy, West Fork Black River,

 

Brisbane, Australia

115th operating temple

Dedicated: 15 June 2003

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Second Coming

Isaiah 40:5

And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

Book of Mormon

Alma 7:1-13

"Come Follow Me"

Joshua 6-8 Obedience brings God's power into my life. Joshua 7-8.

AprGenCon

"In Awe of Christ and His Gospel"

Elder Ulisses Soares

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

When we truly are in awe of Jesus Christ and HIs gospel, we are happier, we have more enthusiasm for God's work, and we recognize the Lord's hand in all things. Our study of God's word is more meaningful; our prayers, more intentional; our worship, more reverent; our service in God's kingdom, more diligent. All these actions contribute to the Holy Spirit's influence being more frequent in our lives.

I had cake for breakfast. James had some too. He had to cancel his concrete on May 31st and isn't allowed to order more yet. It is a frustrating system the concrete company has. 

James made another trip to town today to have bloodwork done. On the way home he stopped at Panda and instead of getting orange chicken like I asked, he got wok-seared shrimp. He said they were out of orange chicken. Interesting. We mixed the shrimp with the package of Taylor Farms noodles and veggies. After eating and then nap time James went outside to work on the sprinkler system for the backyard. 

I am going to make a scrapbook of all the cakes I have made and so I began running off pictures today of the cakes I have made and of Courtney's cakes that I want to make. 

I've been a little concerned because the last couple of cakes I have made have been quite crumbly. I began doing some research to find out why. Too much flour, overbaking and overmixing are all reasons for crumbly cakes. Hmm, I could be guilty of all of these things. I must give more attention to detail. 

I cut James's hair tonight. He wants to look good for our temple shift tomorrow. We were in bed before 10.

 

Thur, May 26th, 2022: The Hague Netherlands Temple, James in Globe, green mixed burro, 54th Anniversary Cake - Lemon Velvet, baby elk,

 

The Hague, Netherlands

114th operating temple

Dedicated: 8 Sept 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Second Coming

Isaiah 40:3

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Book of Mormon

Alma 5:53-6:8

"Come Follow Me"

Joshua 3-4 I can experience God's "wonders" if I have faith in Jesus Christ. Joshua 5-6

AprGenCon

"Conversion Is Our Goal"

Mark L. Pace

General Sunday School President

"The aim of all gospel learning and teaching is to deepen

our conversion to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ."

Inklings Live!

Emily & Chase

President Oaks's talk 

Yesterday James went on a horseback ride. He mentioned to me that the reason he went was to look for cow elk who are bedded down and have given birth to babies. This is the time of year to give birth of you are a mama elk. 

James left for Globe before 6 this morning. We had family prayer before he left and I prayed for his safety. He always calls when he arrives at his destination but for some reason he did not today. I try to call him several times and to text him and when I get no answer, I become worried, imagining him in the bottom of Salt River Canyon. I finally call Brother Peeler and ask if he will call his daughter who is staying at the house where James is going, to see if he is there. A few minutes later James calls and I know he is okay. He is very apologetic and I tell him I was very worried that something had happened to him. I don't think he will forget to call me again. Oh yes, he said his phone was turned off and that's why he didn't hear my calls. He brought me home a green chili mixed burro from Irene's as a peace offering. It was different than Burger House but good.

Today I made a lemon cake, but not one of Courtney's. This cake is called a Lemon Velvet Cake and the creator is Melissa Diamon @ mycakeschool.com. The cake took me all afternoon and evening to finish. Of course I took walking and watching breaks. Why would I make a cake with no one here to eat it except James and I? I have a need to create and making these cakes has filled this need. I have never considered myself a creative person. Most of the time I make cakes for other people. I am calling this cake our 54th Anniversary Cake.

54th Anniversary Cake

 lemony delicious

James had a busy day and he is tired and "worn out" when he gets home. He does some indexing and walking while we listen to our book, "Until the Dawn", he walks and then we go to bed.

Addy's graduation from Desert Ridge

High School

Max graduates from Chandler High School

as Sheri and Ben look on. Sheri and Alex

also graduated from Chandler High.

Ben went and graduated from Hamilton High.

Life can be a piece of cake

More cake. I wanted to show the

whipped cream, lemon curd filling.

 

Wed, May 25th, 2022: Nauvoo Illinois Temple, Mexican pizza, Miller's in Kansas, Show Low Airplane crash, Guard at School, Sunflowers, Lady Bug rocks

Nauvoo, Illinois

113th operating temple

Dedicated: 27-30 June 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Second Coming

Psalms 102:16

When the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.

Book of Mormon

Alma 5:43-52

"Come Follow Me"

Joshua 2 Both faith and works are necessary for salvation. Joshua 3-4

AprGenCon

"Valiant Discipleship in the Latter Days"

Elder Jorg Klebingat

Of the Seventy

Moral agency is God's precious gift to each of His children. We are "free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil." God won't force us to do good, and the devil can't force us to do evil. Though some may think that mortality is a contest between God and the adversary, a word from the Savior "and Satan is silenced and banished. ... It is our strength that is being tested - not God's."

Inklings

"Divine Love in The Father's Plan"

President Dallin H. Oaks

First Counselor in the First Presidency

D&C 76

Matt 22:36-40

At 5:30 the sun is up and so am I. 

My greatest accomplishment today was walking over 20,000 steps. Walking, blogging and fixing patty melts is the list of my accomplishments.

James went to town to get bloodwork done for his three month cancer checkup only to find out there was no order for him. Now he has to call East Valley Urology and request a standing order. He did bring home a Mexican pizza from Taco Bell for me. Taco Bell stopped serving Mexican pizzas a couple of years ago but on May 19th they were brought back by popular demand.  It was good, but I think I would have rather had my two crispy tacos.  I did not like the Crunch Wrap I had yesterday at all.

James worked outside today on the sprinkler system for the backyard. He also went on a horsey back ride. His life is more interesting than mine. 

Addy's graduation announcement came today. I hung it on the wall near my desk next to Max's. 

I reviewed 24 names today for indexing. I also listened to chapters 16 and 17 of Volume 3 of Saints. Listened to "Teaching with Power." After reading Joshua 14:12 Brother Wilcox said: "The hardest challenges yield the greatest blessings." Is that always true? I am not sure.

Sunflower memories from last year

 

Tue, May 24th, 2022: Ascuncion Paraguay Temple, Walmart, Grombach's, Shumway's, Ruby's 3rd birthday, James's bedmaking, Ulvade, Texas

 

Ascuncion, Paraguay

112th operating temple

Dedicated: 19 May 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Second Coming

Psalms 24:7

Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

Book of Mormon

Alma 5:26-42

"Come Follow Me"

Joshua 1:1-9 God will be with me if I am faithful to Him.

Joshua 1 & 2

AprGenCon

"The Covenant Path: The Way to Eternal Life"

Elder Adeyinka A. Ojediran

Of the Seventy

 Dear brothers and sisters, each of us is a prince or princess. We have been sent to mortality by a loving Heavenly Father to enjoy the blessing of a body that would become immortal through the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are expected to prepare to return to God's presence by proving that we will "do all things whatsoever the Lord our God shall command us" (Abraham 3:25).

I woke up at 5 but didn't feel like getting up until 5:30. The sun was already up. It shines through the window on our door if I don't pull the curtain over to the wall and lay it over the push pin in the wall.

This weeks cake is to celebrate our family birthday or more traditionally called our anniversary. I think it is going to be lemon with lemon curd and whipped cream filling. I can hardly wait until Thursday.

I went to town today with James and got all of the things I need to make my lemon cake on Thursday. I can hardly wait!

James was going in to get his bloodwork done for his 3 month cancer check. The girl at the hospital said there was no order for his bloodwork, which surprised him because he thought East Valley Urology had a standing order. He was told to go home and call E.V. U. and ask them to send a standing order. 

Before going to town I fixed lunch, leftover salad and scalloped potatoes, shrimp, and asparagus. It was yummy.

I listened to a couple of chapters from Saints and a couple of All In interviews, one with David Butler and one with Elder Gerald Lund.

 I also listened to a chapter from my book, "Oil in Our Lamps." Here is a quote from that book: 

Let us drink from the Goblet of Gratitude

rather than from the

Bottle of Bitterness

This sounds like a quote from Elder Uchtdorf, but I'm not sure, I'm only sure that I've heard it before.

Luna got in the yard today. I guess James is not putting the chain on the gate tight enough. When he yelled at her to "get out" it startled her and she went clomping through the mud, making huge and deep footprints for James to cover up. They have a love, love not so much, relationship.

 A national tragedy today in Ulvade, Texas. 19 children at Robb Elementary School and 2 teachers were killed by an 18 year old shooter. I am feeling both heartbreak and anger. Here is a statement made by Elder Bednar:

"Sadly, the news of our day is filled with heartache - including the tragic events and the loss of life most recently in Texas. We mourn with those who mourn and pray for all those impacted by this senseless act of violence. My prayer and my blessing is that we will be guided, comforted, and helped in our important work, and that victims, families, and nations might be granted the peace that surpasses all understanding - the peace that comes from Jesus Christ."

I think schools need to build fences and hire guards and arm teachers. I don't think banning guns will work because a criminal will always find a way to get a gun.

President Shumway is the President of the

Chicago, Illinois mission and he is our

former stake president who called everyone

in the stake on their birthdays.

This is how James makes the bed:

His side

My side

Mon, May 23rd, 2022: Campinas Brazil Temple, sugar cookies for breakfast, WCTH finale, CFM at Crane's, Amazon order here!, "Rip in Time,"

 

 Campinas, Brazil

111th operating temple 

Dedicated: 17 May 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Second Coming

Job 19:25

For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

Book of Mormon

Alma 5:1-25

"Come Follow Me"

Joshua 1-8; 23-24 "Be strong and of a good courage"

TTKIM Historical Books in the Old Testament.

AprGenCon

"Divine Love in the Father's Plan"

President Dallin H. Oaks

First Counselor in the First Presidency

 The gospel plan shows our Heavenly Father's love for all His children. to understand this, we must seek to understand His plan and His commandments. He loves His children so much that He gave His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Savior and Redeemer, to suffer and die for us. In the restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have a unique understanding of our Heavenly Father's plan. This gives us a different way of viewing the purpose of mortal life, the divine judgment that follows it, and the ultimate glorious destiny of all of God's children.

Sugar cookies are my favorite. I had a few today in spite of my good intentions to stop. 

I made patty melts for lunch for James and I. They were good.

After lunch I watched the "When Calls the Heart" season 9 finale.

So good. Rosemary is finally having a baby and Lucas asks Elizabeth to marry him. Hopefully there will be a season 10.

Barbara Bartels called me asking for help. She is flying out on Thursday via Boutique Airlines to Phoenix International. From Phoenix she is flying to Chicago, Illinois. From Chicago she is going to Nauvoo. Her granddaughter will pick her up. She is being sealed to her deceased husband in the Nauvoo temple. Here is her concern. 

She was talking to Catherine Halcomb and Catherine told her that Boutique Airlines is known for cancelling flights at the last minute. 

Barbara is calling me asking me what she should do. I told her to call the airlines and ask what are the chances of them cancelling and then we will go from there. I am seriously thinking about going down on Thursday for Addy and Max's graduation and I could take Barbara to the airport. She said none of her friends will drive in the airport of it came to that. I can get Barbara down to the valley but how will she get back?

We had "Come Follow Me" at the Crane's this evening. We talked about expecting miracles and Joshua 2:5 - And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you. As we were talking about miracles I said I thought the entire gospel of Jesus Christ was based on miracles. The fact that we can take the sacrament and have our sins be forgiven as we repent is a miracle to me.

Kathy served a yellow cake with lime frosting for dessert. It was good. James "ran" home and I drove the car. 

I got my Amazon order today. Puzzles for the condo and graduation gifts. 

Willy and Janna Grombach on

their Alaskan cruise.