Monday, June 20th, 2022: Errands: Thompson's, Demer's Glass, Alibertos, Walmart, Home Depot, Charlie & Scarlett, Sheri & guys arrive in Rome!

 

Brigham City, Utah

139th operating temple

Dedicated: 23 Sept 2012

By: Boyd K. Packer

Jesus Christ, Second Coming

Matthew 25:31

When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

Book of Mormon

Alma 19:12-21

19:13 - For as sure as thou livest, behold, I have seen my Redeemer; and he shall come forth, and be born of a woman, and he shall redeem all mankind who believe on his name. Now, when he had said these words, his heart was swollen within him, and he sunk again with joy; and the queen also sunk down, being overpowered by the Spirit. 

"Come Follow Me"

2 Samuel 5-7; 11-12; 1 Kings 3; 8; 11 "Thy Kingdom Shall Be Established for Ever" 2 Samuel 5-6

AprGenCon

"For God So Loved Us"

Elder Michael T. Ringwood

Of the Seventy

Brothers and sisters, we are the focus of Heavenly Father's plan and the reason for our Savior's mission. Each of us, individually, is Their work and Their glory.

Inklings

2 Timothy 3 In the last days perilous times shall come

"Steady in the Storm"

President Henry B. Eyring

James asked me to go to town with him today. I told him I was so behind on my blog that I should probably stay home and work on it. He was so convincing that I finally succumbed, thinking I could justify going if I did my grocery shopping. 

Our first stop was at our friends the Thompson's. James gave them a bid on pouring the concrete slab they need for the modular home they bought. Brother Thompson, Gary, picked up the permit and James needs to look at it to determine what exactly the county requires for the pad. 

After saying goodbye to Gary, we headed to town the back, Lakeside way. The Thompsons live just a ways down the road from the Wallace's. I saw a fire on what I thought was Marshall Mountain, where the last fire was located. We saw signs about a fire, a fire crew, and even a helicopter. I learned later that the fire started on Saturday from a lightning strike. They now have it "under control" and are watching it burn unwanted underbrush. We turned on to Penrod Rd. and headed towards Lakeside. Before we got to the highway, we stopped at Demer's Glass. A while back James accidentally broke the glass in our fireplace door. Today he is asking Demer's if they can replace it. While he's in the store I decide to walk down the road where he can pick me up when he is finished. It's a beautiful day for a walk and Lakeside is a beautiful place to walk. The traffic is heavier on this road than I would have thought. I walk for about ten minutes or 1,000 steps before James picks me up. He is surprised that the glass for the door is going to be $350. The glass will be able to withstand a temperature of 1400 degrees.

Next stop, Alibertos for lunch. I got two shredded tacos and they were delicious! James drops me off at Walmart while he goes to Home Depot. I spend $127 and wait outside for about 10 minutes waiting for James to pick me up. I get another 1,000 steps. While I was waiting I also saw my friend from the ward, Mary Gilbert more commonly known as Mikki. I have a ministering interview with her as we visit. My wait was not wasted. 

Back at home while I am resting in the bedroom James has a visit with Willie Grombach who came over to look at some welding James wants him to do. They sit on the chairs on the front porch and talk for awhile. Willie was just ordained an elder a couple of weeks ago in Elders Quorum meeting and is looking forward to going to the temple. 

Today James and I listened to "Philippa Holds Court" and I listened to Dr. Goodman on "Follow Him." I also listened to a chapter from "Saints." Dr. Goodman says we need to experience God regularly and ask Him how He feels about us. Solomon's temple dedicatory prayer is divided into seven parts. At the beginning of each part he says, "Hearken and Hear."

Sheri and the boys are in London today waiting for their flight to Rome.

I cropped this.

What happened?

This one was cropped too!

 

Sunday, June 19th, 2022: Happy Father's Day! Dr. Knippers & missionaries, Sunday School, Father's Day meal and pie, Facetime w/ J, K, Ch, ...

 

Manaus, Brazil

138th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 June 2012

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Second Coming

Matthew 16:27

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according ot his works.

Book of Mormon

Alma 18:24-19:11

19:35 - And a portion of that Spirit dwelleth in me, which giveth me knowledge, and also power according to my faith and desires which are in God.

"Come Follow Me"

Review 1 Samuel 8-10; 13; 15-18 "The Battle Is the Lord's"

I also read 1 Samuel 25 the story of Abigail.

AprGenCon

"Love, Share, Invite"

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Interestingly, it wasn't only the Apostles who took Jesus's words to share the gospel to heart. Members of the early Church, from the newest to the most seasoned, took part in the Savior's great commission, sharing the good news of the gospel with those they met and knew. The determination to share their testimony of Jesus Christ helped His newly established Church grow expansively.

We too, as Christ's disciples, are invited to heed His commission today, as if we were there on that mountain in Galilee when He first proclaimed it. This commission began again in 1830, when Joseph Smith set apart his brother Samuel as an early missionary of the church of Jesus Christ. Since that time, more than 1.5 million missionaries have traveled throughout the world teaching all nations and baptizing those who embrace the glad tidings of the restored gospel. This is our doctrine. Our fond desire.

James's Father's Day card turned out to be a Happy Birthday card. James says he is "losing it". I guess I am too. I tackily crossed out Birthday so the card now says Happy Father's Day. I wrote a sweet note which will hopefully make up for such a silly mistake.

At sacrament meeting today I noticed again that Pierce was not here. Maybe he is spending Father's Day with another one of his kids.

The high councilman who was supposed to speak to us today could not be here. Dr. Knippers, who is the doctor who did my cataract surgery, spoke to us. Before he spoke the elders, Elder McPhee and Elder Goodwin bore their testimonies. Here are some notes that I took:

Elder McPhee - The gospel can really bring peace and comfort. A change of heart is not an event; it takes faith, repentance, and spiritual work to happen. The Holy Ghost is so important. I love the gospel so very much!

Elder Goodwin - Vernon is my favorite place to serve. I am grateful for my Father in Heaven. Because of the gospel of Jesus Christ I have experienced a might change of heart. We make our life harder when we don't accept God's will.

Brother Knippers from the stake high council - Moroni 5:16 ...the Spirit of Christ is given to every man...25 years ago I served a mission in Kyiv, Ukraine. Elder Holland came to speak to the missionaries. I don't remember anything he said except, "I love you and the Savior loves you." Elder Cook in 2013 ask, "What is the source of your peace?"  Alma 17 Alma and the sons of Mosiah unite. They had fasted, prayed, and followed the promptings of the Spirit, even when it didn't make sense, and this caused them to be successful missionaries. Repentance, change and turning to the Lord can bring us peace and joy in our lives. In Mark 2 a man in Capernum was lowered through a roof to see Jesus. The Savior said to him, "Thy sins are forgiven thee." What do we want the Savior to say to us?

Brother Knippers quoted the words to the song, "There Is Peace in Christ." We become peacemakers by following our Savior Jesus Christ. A Peacemaker is one who follows the gospel and proclaims the gospel. 

"Peacemakers are not passive, they are persuasive in the Savior's way." - Elder Neil L. Andersen, April 2022

2 Nephi 25:26 - And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.

Alma 17:11 Go forth among the Lamanites and be patient in your afflictions.

Brother Knippers told about re-learning to ski, this time without the use of his legs. He continued to fall until the instructor told him to focus on where he wanted to be...at the bottom of the hill. 

We need to focus on where we want to be. We need to focus on the Temple, the temple will teach and inspire us in our lives.

Sunday School

The main focus of Sunday School today was the story of David and Goliath and how we can overcome the Goliath's in our lives. The following is taken from an Instagram post by Emily Belle Freeman:

To my Goliath.

To the battles that rage in my own life.

There are five lessons in this story that I want to remember.

1. When the lion or the bear shows up don't play dead. Don't run. Go after it. Fight. The Lord your God is with you.

2. In the moment that requires greatest courage, lean into your strength.

3. Often, what makes us battle ready is the memory of what we have previously overcome.

4. "I come to thee in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel . . . the battle is the Lord's, and He will give you into our hands."

5. Don't play small. God created the champion in you. Go, and the Lord be with thee.

Although we did not talk about her in Sunday School, I can't help but include Abigail in this set of scriptures. Her story is found in 1 Samuel 25.

The lessons of Abigail

A Type and Shadow of Christ

"On me be the sin." She took Nabal's sin on her own head, and in that act she resembled the Savior. 

"Forgive the trespass of thine handmaid."

The Lord doesn't need forgiveness at all. The act of taking others' sins upon himself did not make him sinful. Willingness to assume another's sins is actually an expression of sinlessness.

Abigail asked for forgiveness not because she needed to be forgiven but because David needed to forgive."

Abigails message was that forgiveness was for the one who was forgiving, not the one who was being forgiven.

Many people in our ward did not have

electricity this morning while getting

ready for church. I was back on by the

time they got home.

I made lunch for James and I. Shaved steak, cheese, and caramelized onions on a thin bun with mustard and tomato, baked potatoes, and asparagus. After lunch we took a nap and then I got up and made James his favorite dessert, an Eagle Brand pie. 

This evening we Facetimed with Jared. Palmer, Autumn, and Scarlett are staying at their home right now. Jared was wondering if his dad could come out and remodel their bathroom. We would love to do that, around Charlie's birthday. I hope it can happen but I am not sure. Of course Jared wished his dad a happy father's day. I think Jared had a good day too. They had ribs, homemade beans and potato salad. 

Sheri and the boys have started on their adventure to Italy. She posted that their flight from London to Rome was postponed. She was upset but Alex is there to calm her down. I am looking forward to the pictures she will be posting. 

The Church's one hundred and seventy third temple was dedicated today by Elder Neil L. Andersen.

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.