Saturday, June 18th, 2022: Ruby's 13th Bday, Cookies in bags w/Tamara, Kerri, Rosie, RAIN!!,

 

Kansas City, Missouri

137th operating temple

Dedicated: 6 May 2012

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Second Coming

D&C 128:24 

Behold, the great day of the Lord is at hand; and who can abide the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap; and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi,and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Let us, therefore, as a church and a people, and as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness; and let us present in his holy temple, when it is finished, a book containing the records of our dead, which shall be worthy of all acceptation.

Book of Mormon

Alma 18:8-23

22 - Now Ammon being wise, yet harmless, he said unto Lamoni: Wilt thou hearken unto my words, if I tell thee by what power I do these things? And this is the thing that I desire of thee.

"Come Follow Me"

1 Samuel 17 With the help of the Lord, I can overcome any challenge. 1 Samuel 18

AprGenCon

"Christ Heals That Which Is Broken"

Amy A. Wright

Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency

Because of Christ, our decision to "go forth and change" can also allow us to "go forth and heal," for He is the source of healing all that is broken in our lives. As the great Mediator and Advocate with the Father, Christ sanctifies and restores broken relationships - most important, our relationship with God.

Happy Birthday Dear Ruby! Ruby got to go to the beach for her birthday.

An official teenager,

the sweetest one ever!

I got up this morning and frosted 36 sugar cookies. Afterwards I took a shower and got ready for company. Kerri showed up before 10 and Tamara and Rosie shortly after. This is the first time that Rosie has been to our house and she said she loved it. We are all gathered here to bag our cookies and put a quote about Fathers on them. Kerri brought the quote but she only had 40 runoff so I had to run off 80 more on our printer. Rosie brought snickerdoodle cookies and Tamara brought chocolate chip. Rosie's cookies and mine were large and Tamara's were smaller so we put two of hers in a bag. We were finished around noon. 

From top to bottom: snickerdoodle,

sugar cookie, Rosie's sugar free, and a

chocolate chip that I sampled.

James and I went in to town. He needed to get a part for the lawn pump. We got sandwiches at Firehouse Sub and while James was in Home Depot I ate half of mine. We were going to drive up to either the West Fork or the East Fork of the Black River but the longer I sat in the car and watched the traffic go by and the dark clouds roll in, the more I just wanted to go home and pray for rain to come our way.

James was okay with my decision and we said we would go on our little excursion sometime during the week when there would not be so many people. On the way home we listened to our new book, "Philippa Holds Court." We really like this author, Jenny Goutet, and also the narrator who, although she is a woman, does the men's voices so well.

We stopped at the post office where James had a Father's Day card from the Trezise's. Evan said he had been practicing and was ready to take Grampa on in boxing or wrestling match, I'm not sure which.

Rain! We had a beautiful rain and we went outside on the deck and enjoyed the fresh air and the smell of rain. It was wonderful! Heavenly Father really does answer prayers! The temperatures are in the lower 60's and upper 50's.

Other things I did today: Worked on my blog, napped, walked and watched the newest Hallmark movies with James, "Moriah's Lighthouse" starring Luke McFarlane and a new French girl with long curly red hair. It was a good one!

East or West Fork of the

Black River

This is what Ruby's S'mores cake should

have looked like.
 

Friday, June 17th, 2022: James in Globe, Sugar cookies and burgers, Sheri & Gilbert Temple, Trina's call name, 1954 swimwear,

 

Quetzeltenango, Guatemala

136th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Dec 2011

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Second Coming

3 Nephi 24:2

But who may abide the day of his coming, and who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap.

Book of Mormon

Alma 18:1-11

vs. 10 - ...Surely there has not been any servant among all my servants that has been so faithful as this man; for even he doth remember all my commandments to execute them.

"Come Follow Me"

1 Samuel 16:7 The Lord looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel 17

AprGenCon

"Our Relationship with God"

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

God will indeed honor His covenants and promises to each of us. We need not worry about that. The atoning power of Jesus Christ - who descended below all things and then ascended on high and who possesses all power in heaven and in earth - ensures that God can and will fulfill His promises. It is essential that we honor and obey His laws, but not every blessing predicated on obedience to law is shaped, designed, and timed according to our expectations. We do our best but must leave to Him the management of blessings, both temporal and spiritual.

 James left for Globe much earlier than yesterday which was to his liking. He said since the Peeler's are paying for his gas he wants to put in a full day. 

I had a sugar cookie and milk for breakfast which was to my liking. I am a little sad because I lost one of my earrings. Thank goodness I have another pair that are very similar. 

I watched "Book of Mormon Central" while blogging and listened to "Unshaken" while walking.

When James got home from Globe he was starving because he didn't have any lunch. The first thing he saw were very large sugar cookies, so he grabbed a couple.  Later I made him a hamburger like the one I had for lunch.

A burger with all the "fixin's" and a very

thin bun.

I am still having trouble with the photo app on my computer. James thinks it's because I have so many photos. He could be right. I need to begin erasing some of the screenshots. At one time I had 48,000 photos on my phone. I am now down to 22,000. I guess I need to do the same thing on my computer. Blog catchup is going very slowly. I can't seem to post two posts a day, the way I normally do when I am catching up. 

I plan on frosting all of my cookies early tomorrow morning. Listened to "Saints" chapter 32.

Flagstaff, Arizona

Morning Hair

Goat Tower

"Bean"

Biscoff Cake

Thur, June 16th, 2022: James works in Globe, Mail Ruby's card and Andy's, "CFM" study, Sugar cookies, "Flower Girl", Mark Butler, Sandy Bear both pass away

 

San Salvador, El Salvador

135th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 Aug 2011

By: Henry B. Eyring

Jesus Christ, Second Coming

Malachi 3:2

But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap;

Book of Mormon

Alma 17:18-39

"Come Follow Me"

1 Samuel 13:5-14; 15 "To obey is better than sacrifice" 1 Samuel 16

AprGenCon

"Your Divine Nature and Eternal Destiny"

Elder Dale G. Renlund

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The second truth is that we have heavenly parents, a father and a mother. The doctrine of a Heavenly Mother comes by revelation and is a distinctive belief among Latter-day Saints. President Dallin H. Oaks explained the importance of this truth: "Our theology begins with heavenly parents. Our highest aspiration is to be like them."

James left for Globe around 7, after family prayer. His alarm didn't go off at 5. My hit and miss sleep pattern left me a bit groggy this morning. 

The most important thing I need to do today is to mail Ruby's birthday card. Her birthday is Saturday.  

I listened to Tyler and Taylor on "Book of Mormon Central" today. I have really enjoyed them lately. Here are some notes I took:

1 Samuel is about Kingship. Samuel sets his two sons up as judges and the people reject them. They are unrighteous. The people want the world's model of a king, not the Lord's. The Lord tells Samuel the people have rejected Him, not Samuel. This is a turning point in the whole biblical narrative moving forward for generations to come. There is much tragedy connected to unrighteous kings and most of Israel's kings are unrighteous. This is an important book if you want to see how humans have struggled throughout the ages to choose the right king. The "right" king is Jesus Christ. He is King of Kings. 

I also listened to Inklings today. Emily had Courtney Rich, as in "Cake by Courtney" on today. It was really good. 

I also listened to part of Jared Halverson's "Unshaken Saints." It's over four hours long so I won't finish today. 

I made 30 sugar cookies today and I need 35 so I will have to make another batch tomorrow. James stopped at Home Depot and Walmart before coming home this evening. 

After working on my blog and walking this evening I watched a movie, "Flower Girl." It's an old one I have seen before but I still really enjoyed it. 

Mark Butler lived across the street

from me when I was growing 

up in Show Low

I wonder if they would come

and do our yard.

Wed, June 15th, 2022: Town w/ James for a taco and shopping, "Color My World with Love", "Philippa Holds Court", Deep Blue, Letter to Thomas Grapp

 

Kyiv, Ukraine

134th operating temple

Dedicated: 29 Aug 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Second Coming

D&C 133:20

When the Lamb shall stand upon Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand, having his Father's name written on their foreheads.

Book of Mormon

Alma 17:1-17

"Come Follow Me"

1 Samuel 9:15-17; 10:1-12; 16:1-13 God calls people by prophecy to serve in His kingdom. 1 Samuel 13 & 15

AprGenCon

"Covenants with God Strengthen, Protect, and Prepare Us for Eternal Glory"

Jean B. Bingham

Relief Society General President

Life's experiences can range from humorous to heart-wrenching, from grim to glorious. Each experience helps us understand more about our Father's encompassing love and our capacity to change through the Savior's gift of grace. Keeping our covenants allows the Savior's power to cleanse us as we learn through experience - whether it is a minor misjudgment or a major failing. Our Redeemer is there to catch us when we fall if we turn to Him.

I finally settled to sleep around 2:41 am. listening to "Don't Miss This." I woke up on the family room recliner and crawled into bed next to my sweetheart. I slept in until after 8 a.m. because I couldn't sleep anymore. I woke up thinking of the Grapp's and sat down at the computer and wrote a letter to Thomas Grapp. I finished and will now review it and then determine how to send it. 

James and I went to town today. We had lunch at Aliberto's. I love their shredded beef tacos. James said their refried beans were not as good as La Casita's. I said there tacos were 100x better. When we want refried beans or enchiladas or a green chili burro, we will go to LaCasita. We used the last of our debit gift cards on lunch today.

James drove over to Home Depot and parked and I walked to Walmart. James is buying a pressure tank for the sprinkler system. My main goal was to buy a birthday card for Ruby, a graduation card for Andy Wilhelm, a sympathy card for Becky Skousen, and a Father's Day card for James. I also looked for magnesium citrate but Walmart is out so I went home and ordered on Amazon along with some lens cleaner and some black dress socks for James which I also could not find at Walmart. 

Today I watched a movie on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel. The movie is called "Color My World with Love." It is about the relationship of two young people who have downs syndrome and the affect it has on the ones who love them. It was really good and I want James to watch this one. The young man in the story works at a t-shirt shop and he wears a t-shirt that says: "The Homie with an Extra Chromie." 

I told Brian I needed some Deep Blue cream and asked if he would order me some and I would Venmo him the money. He said no he was going to pay for it. I am grateful for his generosity but I certainly did not expect it in this situation.

Today I communicated with the following people: Alicia Hunsaker - I told her how much I enjoyed having Haley in Relief Society. Catherine Halcomb - I missed her at church on Sunday. Ruby, Kim, Brian, and Stacy. James and I finished "The Sport of Matchmaking".

We started another book, "Philippa Holds Court." This second book is by the same author and should have been read before "The Sport of Matchmaking." 

I listened to Elder Uchtdorf's talk

on the newly revised "Teaching

in The Savior's Way"

Tue, June 14th, 2022: Mesa Temple w/ Sheri, Ben, Evan, Joshua, James, IHOP, Erik, Globe, Armando, Trip home, Brian & Dallin's bday

 

Cebu City, Philippines

133rd operating temple

Dedicated: 13 June 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Second Coming

Zechariah 14:4

And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

Book of Mormon

Alma 16:1-21

"Come Follow Me"

1 Samuel 8 Jesus Christ is my King. Samuel 10.

AprGenCon

"Do What Mattereth Most"

Rebecca L. Craven

Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency

 I had a sweet experience with a darling young woman who asked a very sincere question: "Sister Craven, how do you know that anything about the Church is true? Because I feel nothing."

Before jumping to an answer, I first asked her some questions. "Tell me about your personal scripture study. "She replied, "I don't read the scriptures." I asked, "What about with your family? Do you study Come, Follow Me together?" She said, "No." I asked about her prayers: "What do you feel when you pray?" Her answer: "I don't pray." My response to her was simple:

"If you want to know anything, you will have to do something."

We got up at 2:45 this morning and left an hour later for the valley. Sheri scheduled baptism at the Mesa temple for Joshua, Evan, and Rowan with Ben doing the baptisms, at 7:30. 

When we got close to Rowan's Darrel texted and said he wouldn't be going because now he says he does not have a recommend. Before he said he lost it and he would just have to call his bishop from the temple. We will miss Rowan and I am sure Evan and Josh will be disappointed. 

We arrived at the temple before our appointment time of 7:30. We had a few minutes to enjoy the weather this early in the morning and the peace and beauty of the temple grounds. Sheri and the boys arrived about 10 minutes later.

The temple workers were so nice and welcoming. I gave each boy 10 baptisms to do. Only one was my family member. The other were Maxine Thompson's names. 

Ben baptized both Joshua and Evan. Afterwards He confirmed Evan and James confirmed Joshua. James also confirmed Ben as Maxine had 11 names that needed confirmation. They had already been baptized. 

After we were finished, I suggested we go to breakfast and asked if anyone had any ideas. Evan said IHOP. Sheri asked Siri where the nearest IHOP was and she said Dobson and University. About 3-4 miles away. Sheri and I had the lemon blueberry crepes, James had the breakfast sampler, Joshua had chicken and waffles, Ben had french toast. Evan had pancakes and hashbrowns. I used by debit gift card to pay for breakfast. I used the entire $100, but it was worth it! I am so grateful to these boys for meeting us at the temple. This will be the highlight of my week and James's too. 

Lots of goodness at this table, good food,

good people!

 After our goodbye hugs James and I headed for Chandler to see Erik. The check engine light keeps coming on in my car and James is concerned. Erik was working at Chandler Radiator so that's where we went. It's right next to the old Val's Service Center. Erik check our engine with some computerized tool he had and said we had no worries. It was something to do with the exhaust but was not a problem. It's great to have a mechanic in the family.

James needed to go by Darrel's to give him something regarding getting registered for a hunt. James tried to register him, Darrel, and Rowan but we had not internet this weekend so Darrel is doing it. Today is the last day. While James ran in to drop off I stayed in the car and saw Addy dashing off to the dentist. Darrel was at the dentist with Ruby who has to have two of her baby teeth pulled. Rowan was at home with Lola so James gave the information to him.

We went on to Globe to buy gas where the price is $4.69 instead of the $5.69 in the valley. I left James at the Peeler's house while I went back to Fry's to do some shopping. James wanted some cranberry celebration and chicken tenders but they had no tenders so I bought him a couple of pieces of roasted chicken. I also got him some pomegranate juice and myself some coconut shrimp along with a few other items. 

When I got back to pick up James he said Armando was on his way to pick up some checks that James had forgotten to drop off to him when we were in the valley. While we were waiting for Armando in the Fry's parking lot we went next door to get a Sonic drink with lots of ice. I love their ice.

When Armando comes James gives him his checks and they spend a few minutes talking about Boy Joye's pour from yesterday. I guess there was some kind of a problem and Armando needed to discuss it with James. 

It was early evening when we got home. It is always great to be home even if you've only been gone a short time.

Dallin right after he graduated 

from high school. He is now 27.