Sunday, July 10th, 2022: New ministering assignments, Elders speak in Church, RS Natalie Robles is awesome!, Sister Wood's quiche, Facetime with Texas,

 

Cedar City, Utah

159th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 Dec 2017

By: Henry B. Eyring

Jesus Christ, Second Coming

Revelations 22:12

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Book of Mormon

Alma 30:46-60

48 Now Korihor said unto him: I do not deny the existence of a God, but I do not believe that there is a God; and I say also, that ye do not know that there is a God; and except ye show me a sign, I will not believe.

"Come Follow Me"

Review and "Don't Miss This" for next week's lesson

AprGenCon"We 

"We Each Have A Story"

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The question "Where are you from?" also invites us to discover our divine identity and spiritual purpose in life.

We each have a story.

We handed out new ministering assignments today. There were just a few changes and we added the new people who have recently moved in. 

I ran off copies of a handout for Sister Robles this morning. I enjoyed my interaction with Lorrain Vaught, the librarian. She has been known to be a little grumpy, but she was so nice today.

The elders spoke in sacrament meeting today. 

Elder Goodwin spoke on a talk given by President Monson called "Finishers Wanted." Here are some notes: In life, as in business, there has always been a need for those persons who could be called finishers. their ranks are few, their opportunities many, their contributions great. Shall I falter, or shall I finish? 

Elder Goodwin shared with us his favorite scripture, Enos 1:27-And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my Redeemer; for I know that in him I shall rest. And I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will say unto me: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father. Amen. The last sentence is the favorite part of this verse for Elder Goodwin. Back to President Monson's talk:

1. Have the capacity to visualize

2. The Lord loves effort

3. The Mark of Faith

4. The Mark of Virtue

5. The Mark of Courage

6. The Mark of Prayer.

Elder Goodwin bore his testimony of the Savior. It was beautiful.

 "I Believe In Christ" (One of my favorites!)

Elder McPhie:

Elder Holland's talk, "Are We Not All Beggars". Rich or poor, we are to "do what wee can" when others are in need. Luke 4:18- The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach to gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.

"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these ye have done it unto me." - 

Mosiah 4:19-20-Are not we all beggars.

We all need the Lord, His Atonement, forgiveness and Resurrection. If we don't help other our prayers are in vain.

Personal story of President Monson giving away his shoes and coat and flying home in his house slippers!

Amber Judd was at sacrament meeting today. Afterwards she came up to the front to give Millie Scott, who she calls gramma, a hug. I was right behind Millie and I got a hug too. I have not seen Amber at church in months. Her husband comes and brings the boys who pass the sacrament but Amber and the girls have not come for a long time. I saw one of Amber's daughters with her. The Judd's had four boys help pass the sacrament today. Now if we can only get Amber to come to Relief Society!

Sister Natalie Robales taught Relief Society today. She is new in our ward and she did tell me when I asked her to teach, that teaching Relief Society was her favorite calling. The lesson was based on President Eyring's, conference address, "Steady in the Storms." 

Natalie got a good discussion going and Tamara and I were both very pleased with the lesson. We are going to pray about her being called as one of our teachers.

President Steve Shumway and his wife Heidi are back from their three year mission as mission president and matron in the Chicago, Illinois mission. They spoke in the Aspen ward today in Lakeside and Brother Rhoton sent everyone in the stake a Zoom link. We received the link but were not able to watch because their meeting was the same time as our sacrament meeting. I do love President Shumway so much! Best stake president ever!

Written by a former missionary.

Pam Wood's made James and I a quiche and we brought it home from church and had it for lunch. It was delicious. It was her way of saying thank you for the birthday cake and gifts we gave to her.

After our rest time this afternoon, actually more towards evening, we Facetimed with Jared and Kacey. For one or the other screens kept freezing up so for awhile we just talked on the phone. We shared with them our experiences in working in the temple yesterday. They shared some experiences with us and we enjoyed each other's company. At the end we went back on screen so we could see Charlie. I so look forward to these visits!

This evening James and I went out on the front porch together to watch the sunset. It's our new tradition. I want to try to do it every night. 

Before I went to bed I texted my friend Sue Hubble who was not at church today. She said she had been babysitting her two grandkids and she was exhausted. Her daughter is going back to the valley this week for more cancer treatments. Her cancer is terminal so I'm not sure what the treatments are.

Saturday, July 9th, 2022: Temple Shift, President Seaman & Kim, Gospel symbolism, Baptistry, Sonic, "Games in a Ballroom", Scarlett & Charlie,

 

Meridian, Idaho

158th operating temple

Dedicated: 19 Nov 2017

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Second Coming

Revelations 22:7

Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Book of Mormon

Alma 30:29-45

37 And then Alma said unto Korihor: Believest thou that there is a God?

38 And he answered, Nay.

"Come Follow Me"

2 Kings 7

AprGenCon

"Lift Up Your Heart And Rejoice"

Elder Marcos A. Aidukaitis

Of the Seventy

As President Nelson said: "Anytime you do anything that helps anyone - one either side of the veil - take a step toward making covenants with God and receiving their essential baptismal and temple ordinances, you are helping to gather Israel. It is as simple as that."

Today's preparation meeting at the beginning of our temple shift was the best one that I have ever attended because of the things that President Seaman shared. He told about a young girl with downs syndrome who came in to do baptisms with her father. When she got into the water, she was so small that it came clear up to her chest. President Seaman said he felt something, there was a reverence in the room and when he looked up there was a throng of people from beyond the veil looking on. Those being baptized had a special joy on their faces. He said he realized that he felt close to heaven and it was because of the purity and cleanliness of this young girl.  

President Seaman asked us what the arch represents and then asked if we remembered the new logo that President Nelson introduced with the living Christ and His arms outstretched. An arch is also in the picture and it looks as if Christ is coming out of the arch. The arch represents the empty tomb. He said in many churches built in the last 20 years there is an arch at the front of the chapel.

He then asked us if we had noticed the squares with the circles within throughout the temple. He pointed out the decorative trim around the doors in the room where we were, the endowment room. 

He said the square represents the earth, such as is mentioned regarding taking the gospel to the four corners of the earth. The never-ending circle within the square represents eternity or heaven. The temple is the place where heaven meets earth. As I worked in the baptistry today I noticed the windows in the chapel near the baptistry,  three squares with circles within, the circles made of beautiful cut glass. They could also represent the three degrees of glory. I love gospel symbolism. 

President Seaman also said that our little temple does 6,000 baptisms a month and he is amazed by that number. 

Those attending our preparation meeting this morning:

President and Kim Seaman, Steve and Mindy Hamblin, the Curetons, the Elmers, Sister Owens, Sister Richardson, Sister Bigler, Brother Webb and Sister Flake who are young return missionaries who hold hands during the meeting. The older Hamblins, James and I, the Reidheads, Brother Farr, Brother and Sister DeSpain, Brother Bushman, Five Neffs, Brother and Sister Wilkins, the Gentry's, and a brand new young brother, Brother Neat. 

I worked in the baptistry the entire shift. James is the assistant baptistry coordinator so it was nice to be working near him. We were quite busy today. Our first group was a group of young men and women who were from Mesa, staying in Heber for a family reunion. 

The next group was 16 young women from St. Johns. I visited with one of the young women leaders as I was assigned to stay in the dressing room. She was very friendly and we had a nice visit. It's one of the places in the temple where you can actually talk out loud. Their ward attended girls camp at the Wallace's which is called Diamond W Ranch. I told this sister that the Wallace's were in our ward and we had ward parties at their place.

The last group were four Navajo sisters from the reservation. They wore masks until Sister Neff, the sister baptistry director, told them it wasn't necessary. James was in charge of confirmations and really enjoyed these sisters. He said one of them told a story about being in the temple with her daughter and they both heard a choir singing while no one else did.

I was finished a little after noon and went outside to wait for James. I forgot to get the car key so I just enjoyed being outside. It had rained and was nice, no wind. I looked out over the ledge towards Vernon and this is what I saw:

Before going to the lookout I had to take a

picture of the flowers.

Rain just east of Greens Peak.

Rain clouds starting to form.

Rain coming together

Rain in Vernon!

Yay!

Too tired to go to a restaurant so we went to Sonic and listened to our book on the way home. We got into rain between Show Low and Vernon and sure enough it had rained in Vernon earlier. The air is so fresh and clean after a rain.

Rest, a Christmas movie, "My Grownup Christmas List" starring Kevin McGarry and Kayla Wallace. Also watched a movie I had seen before but one that I really enjoy, "Christmas Town" starring Candace Cameron Bure. 

James and I listened to a couple of more chapters from "Games in a Ballroom" while we walked. I finally got my 10,000 steps.

Best Friends

Love this!

Friday, July 8th, 2022: Thompson's, Truck oil change, shopping, errands, steak dinner, James rides Luna, Charlie & Scarlett,

 

Tucson, Arizona

157th operating temple

Dedicated: 13 Aug 2017

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Second Coming

Revelations 2:16

Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

Book of Mormon

Alma 30:12-28

19 Now this man went over to the land of Jershon also, to preach these things among the people of Ammon, who were once the people of the Lamanites.

20 But behold they were more wise than many of the Nephites; for they took him, and bound him, and carried him before Ammon, who was a high priest over that people. 

"Come Follow Me"

2 Kings 6:8-23 They that be with us are more than they that be with them. Kings 6

 

AprGenCon

"He Is Risen With Healing In His Wings: We Can Be More Than Conquerors"

Elder Patrick Kearon

Of the Presidency of the Seventy

To Those Who Are Surviving

. . . I want to speak directly to those who feel as though there is no way out of their own survival story because of the trauma inflicted by the cruel actions of others. If this is your survival story, we weep with you. We yearn for you to overcome the confusion, shame, and fear, and we long for you, through Jesus Christ, to conquer.

James's aches this morning as he wakes up: neuropathy in one foot, internal pain, congestion, and his back.

James and I went to town this morning to get the oil changed in the truck. We left a little after 7 because we weren't exactly sure when Walmart's Auto Center opened. We stopped on the way to town at the Thompson's where James has had water running on the area where he is pouring the pad for their new home. He wanted to check the moisture level and to tell Gary to keep it watered. They have not gotten any rain in their area. The live about 8 miles from us.

James drops me off in front of Walmart while he takes the truck around to the auto center. Walmart always says they have no more bulk oil and they have to take oil off the grocery shelf and then they charge $20 more than the listed price for an oil change. They did it again today and James was pretty upset, but what could he do?

I got two t-shirts for a total of $4 today. I got some mascara and everything I bought after that was unnecessary snacks. James walked to Home Depot to get some drywall mud for the Peeler's. In Walmart he picks out a watermelon, and some pomegranate juice. After Walmart James had to go to Lowe's to take back something and I waited in the car. I guess there was quite a line because I waited a good 20 minutes.

On the way to the Show Low post office to mail Palmer's birthday card and one other bill, James stopped at Circle K to get me a drink. 

He came back with a XXtra large. It was so big it took two hands to lift it out of the carrier. He is always trying to impress me. Such a sweetie.

We had an early dinner, or a late lunch. James grilled the steaks I got. I made some baked potatoes and corn and heated up the baked beans I made yesterday and walla, a nice dinner. It was delicious.

James went on a Luna ride this afternoon/evening. I think it is one of the ways he relaxes, and looks for elk. 

Some other things I did today, worked on my "Don't Miss This" workout where I listed the heroes for this week's lesson. Here are the heroes: Elisha, the "pour out woman", the "great" woman, and the "Little Maid" and the servant. As I have studied this lesson I think I could explain the story behind each of these heroes. I learned that "out of small things proceedeth that which is great". It's one of my "take aways" from this lesson.

I watched a few Christmas movies while walking and blogging, "Nantucket Noel", "A Christmas Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Colorado" and my favorite, "The Christmas Waltz" starring Lacey Chabert and Will Kemp who are so great together. I loved watching them dance!

James has a "quail" top knot

Time for a haircut

Tonight's sunset from our chairs on

the front porch

Courtney's daughter Avery's

4th birthday cake

My friend Sherry Cosper Byars who still

has it!

I'm going to have James make

a bat box!

Best Friends!

Thursday, July 7th, 2022:Inklings, Don't Miss This, James home early from Globe, Fireplace glass, Charlie & Scarlett, Mike Tomlinson turns 50,

 

Paris, France

156th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 May 2017

By: Henry B. Eyring

Jesus Christ, Second Coming

Revelations 2:5

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Book of Mormon

Alma 29:8-30:11

29:9 I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.

"Come Follow Me"

2 Kings 5 If I am humble and obedient Heavenly Father can heal me. 2 Kings 5

AprGenCon

"Fear Not: Believe Only!"

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

In our present day, tremendously difficult issues face any disciple of Jesus Christ. The leaders of this Church are giving their lives to seeking the Lord's guidance in the resolution of these challenges. If some are not resolved to the satisfaction of everyone, perhaps they constitute part of the cross Jesus said we would have to take up in order to follow Him. It is precisely because there would be dark days and difficult issues that God promised He would, out of a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, guide prophets, give an iron rod, open a narrow gate leading to a strait path, and above all grant us the power to finish the course.

James left for Globe yet again. This time he honks as he passes my window. I guess it was his way of saying goodbye. He said to me "back to the salt mines." I said, "It's a good thing that you like salt."

Did I tell the sad story about our fireplace glass. The new glass cost $350 and when James tried to put it in, it broke. He says it was not the right size and it should not have broke because it was tempered glass. He says he's going to talk to Pierre, the owner of Demer's glass and also our neighbor.

I listened to Emily and her daughter Grace on Inklings Live this morning. Here are some notes that I took:

How do I cast Satan out of my life?

Increase my capacity and my greater understanding.

Confidence comes from doing things you told yourself you would do. 

What great things does the Lord want me to accomplish?

A double dose of Emily today as I finished up "Don't Miss This" and read from my "Don't Miss This in the Old Testament" Devotional book. In 2 Kings 5 I read about the story of Naaman who had leprosy and was told by the Prophet Elijah to wash seven times in the Jordan River. This scripture in Alma 37:6 applies: ...by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.

While working and walking in my bedroom I watched some Christmas movies, including: "A Lot Like Christmas" starring Maggie Lawson & Christopher Russell, "A Christmas Gift for Daisy" starring Jill Wagner & Nick Bateman.

I never did get around to making my cookies and cream cake but I did make cornbread and Pioneer Woman baked beans for dinner. It was a delicious yet simple dinner. James says he likes my calico beans better but these are so much easier to make.

Best Friends  

The best Young Men's President ever while

James was the bishop.