Saturday, July 23rd, 2022: Temple Shift, Grombach sealing, Pioneer Days in Snowflake, Kim & Brian gone, back to town, antelope,

 

Yigo, Guam

172nd operating temple

Dedicated: 22 May 2022

By: David A. Bednar

Jesus Christ, Second Coming

D&C 133:2

The Lord who shall suddenly come to his temple; the Lord who shall come down upon the world with a curse to judgment; yea, upon all the nations that forget God, and upon all the ungodly among you.

Book of Mormon

Alma 37:26-47

9 Yea, I say unto you, were it not for these things that these records do contain, which are on these plates, Ammon and his brethren could not have convinced so many thousands of the Lamanites of the incorrect tradition of their fathers; yea, these records and their words brought them unto repentance; that is, that brought them to the knowledge of the Lord their God, and to rejoice in Jesus Christ their Redeemer.

10 And who knoweth but what they will be the means of bringing many thousands of them, yea, and also many thousands of our stiffnecked brethren, the Nephites, who are now hardening their hearts in sin and iniquities, to the knowledge of their Redeemer?

"Come Follow Me"

Review and Book of Mormon Central

AprGenCon

"Teaching Self-Reliance To Children And Youth"

Elder Hugo E. Martinez

Of the Seventy

How can we teach the doctrine and principles of self-reliance to our children and youth? One important way is to regularly apply the principles of the Children and Youth program. Parents and children learn the gospel of Jesus Christ, participate in service and activities, and work together in four areas of personal development that are unique for each child. It is no longer the same prescribed program for all.

Today is our last day as temple workers. It is bittersweet. I will miss the people I work with, and listening to President Seaman share spiritual experiences in our preparation meeting.

The Frie's did not show up to work in the baptistry so although they weren't scheduled to preside or work, President Seaman came in and became the baptismal coordinator. He also came upstairs and joined in a prayer circle when there were not enough patrons in the session. I stood beside him in that prayer circle. 

Kim Seaman helped in initiatory, did a session, and helped wherever she was needed. We had lots of substitutes today because of the Pioneer celebration. 

The highlight of the day was Willie and Janna's sealing with President Toronto officiating. It was so wonderful. After Willie and Janna were sealed his parents were sealed and then he and his sister were sealed to their parents. I have never seen this done in a live sealing before but Sister Toronto says it happens quite often. 

Those who attended the sealing that I knew:

Pat Tedder and Ralph Sedig were the witnesses. Pierce sat by an "old friend" a woman. Sean, Stefani, Bishop, and Alicia Hunsaker, Cody and LeeAnn Snyder, Jon and Linda Finnell, Michelle Tesarek, Becky Skousen, Ralph and Cheryl Sedig, Al and Sally Sedig, Greg and Kim Anderson, Pete and Chris Whipple. Willie's sister, niece and her husband and daughter. There were others whom I did not know.

As I hugged Janna she said, "None of this could have happened without you guys." 

I saw another member of our ward in the temple today, Katie Hahn.

My last assignment was the Celestial room. I will always remember this. Workers I am going to miss: Elmers, both Hamblin couples, Dean and Elwanda Reidhead, Scott and Jeanie Gentry. They were not here today as Jeanie is recovering from eye surgery. The Farr's, Cureton's, Wilkins, Heidi Howcroft, and Darolyn DeWitt. I will miss seeing Sister Flake and Brother Webb, our returned missionaries holding hands. Hopefully we will use the time we would be working in the temple to do family history research. I want my friend Maxine to come over and show me how she gets so many names.

I had some dizziness today, probably from taking 3 Tramadol's and not eating enough. We stopped at Sonic on the way home where I got a drink and a chicken slider. After eating I immediately felt better. 

There was rain all throughout the area today. Ours didn't come until after dark. Kim and Brian left earlier today and took a picture on the front porch for me. 

Our electricity went off this afternoon so we headed back to town. James had to pick up a toilet to take to the Peeler's on Monday. While he was in Lowe's I walked around the parking lot. When I said goodbye to Kim Seaman today she told me she had always loved me and that she loved Dennis too. They had their 50th high school reunion last night and she visited with him a few minutes. She said he had a great wife and I agreed. I called Dennis and Denise and Denise said she works with the Seaman's daughter Kirsten at the hospital. That is so weird that Kim has a daughter named Kirsten. I had a little girl in my class when I taught school named Kirsten and that was almost Stacy's name. I was afraid if I named her Kirsten people would call her Kursten.

Back at home James's truck was dead. He charged it and asked if I wanted to go for a ride on the mountain to charge it. I'm glad I went because we saw these cute guys:

Antelope are my favorite. They are so curious and you can

almost always get a good picture.

Friday, July 22nd, 2022: Endowment session with Grombach's, Darrel picks up Rowan, Kim's puzzle, Brian's biscuits and sausage gravy,

 

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

171st operating temple

Dedicated: 8 May 2022

By: Gary E. Stevenson

Jesus Christ, Second Coming

D&C 36:8

I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God; wherefore, gird up your loins and I will suddenly come to my temple. Even so. Amen.

Book of Mormon

Alma 37:11-25

11 Now these mysteries are not yet fully made known unto me; therefore I shall forbear.

12 And it may suffice if I only say they are preserved for a wise purpose, which purpose is known unto God; for he doth counsel in wisdom over all his works, and his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round. 

"Come Follow Me"

Ezra 7 Nehemiah 8 "I am blessed when I study the scriptures."

Nehemiah 4-5

AprGenCon

"To Heal The World"

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

 The Prophet Joseph Smith stated:

"I am bold to declare before Heaven that I am just as ready to die in defending the rights of a Presbyterian, a Baptist, or a good man of any other denomination; for the same principle which would trample upon the rights of the ... Saints would trample upon the rights of the Roman Catholics, or of any other denomination who may be unpopular and too weak to defend themselves.

"It is a love of liberty that inspires my soul - civil and religious liberty to the whole of the human race."

James and Rowan went to Thompson's this morning to work. James came back before 8 but he left Rowan there. We are going to the temple with the Grombach's today who are receiving their endowments in the 9:30 session. Greg Anderson will bring Rowan back here where Darrel is coming to pick him up. James left Rowan a check for $350. 

The 9:30 session was almost full. There were several ward members besides us there: Bishop, Alicia, and Stefani Hunsaker, Pat (Janna's mom), Gary and Maxine Thompson, Chris and Becky Skousen, Ralph and Cheryl Sedig, Al and Sally Sedig, and Michelle Tesarek.

An old friend from high school, Pete Whipple and his wife Chris were there. Pete is Janna's uncle.

We gave both Willie and Janna a hug in the celestial room and they were so grateful to us for teaching them about the temple. Willie had tears in his eyes. They are such an awesome couple.

We stopped at Sonic on the way home and when we got home Brian had made sausage gravy and biscuits. I had to have some...delicious.

James and I took a couple of pieces of cake over to the Thompson's. I had made this cake for Maxine's birthday, but the curd had not turned out so that's why I took them a piece.

Kim finished her puzzle today. Well actually it's my puzzle but she is the first one to put it together so she has somewhat of a claim on it.

I loved this puzzle so much I told Kim to leave it on the table under the flower centerpiece.

We enjoyed the sunset on the front porch with Kim and Brian, although the sunset was not photo worthy. Earlier we enjoyed watching a couple of squirrels on the grass in the backyard. Kim and Brian brought Harkins popcorn, the already popped in a bag, and it is the best!  

Christmas movie, "May Your Days Be Merry". Quote: "Don't borrow trouble from tomorrow. Each day has trouble enough of its' own."

Catherine Halcomb sent me the address for the Grapp's in Ohio. Now I need to decide if I am going to send the letter I wrote to Thomas.

Is this true Kacey?

Citrus Honey

Thursday, July 21st, 2022: Thompson's Greg Anderson, Rowan, and James, Orange Almond Poppyseed cake with Kim, Spaghetti for Ro and Ruby, Charlie

 

Pocatello, Idaho

170th operating temple

Dedicated: 7 Nov 2021

By: M. Russell Ballard

Jesus Christ, Second Coming

D&C 35:27

Fear not, little flock, the kingdom is yours until I come. Behold, I come quickly. Even so. Amen.

Book of Mormon

Alma 36:25-37:10

25 Yea, and now behold, O my son, the Lord doth give me exceedingly great joy in the fruit of my labors;

26 For because of the word which he has imparted unto me, behold, many have been born of God, and have tasted as I have tasted, and have seen eye to eye as I have seen; therefore they do know of these things of which I have spoken, as I do know; and the knowledge which I have is of God.

"Come Follow Me"

Ezra 4-6; Nehemiah 2; 4; 6. "I can help the work of God advance despite opposition." Nehemiah 1-2

AprGenCon

"For God So Loved Us"

Elder Michael T. Ringwood

Of the Seventy

Many years later, Judah and his brothers needed to take their youngest brother, Benjamin, to Egypt. Initially their father resisted. But Judah made a promise to Jacob - he would bring Benjamin home.

In Egypt, Judah's promise was put to the test. Young Benjamin was wrongly accused of a crime. Judah, true to his promise, offered to be jailed in Benjamin's place. "For," he said, "how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me?"
Judah was determined to keep his promise and return Benjamin safely. Do you ever feel about others the way Judah felt toward Benjamin?

James and Rowan left to work at Thompson's early this morning. Back at home Kim and I started our cake around 11 a.m. We had finished the batter and put it in the oven and were working on the curd when we realized that the curd needed to be in the refrigerator for 4 hours. We wish we had made the curd yesterday or at least made it first today. Oh well, I guess we are in no hurry. 

Brian made chicken fettucini alfredo this afternoon. Brian and Kim eat one big meal a day, around 2 p.m. Brian makes homemade alfredo sauce and it is delicious! I ate with them. James wasn't here so he missed out.

Kim and I finished our cake in the late afternoon, just before I started dinner. 

When the cake was finished we had some orange curd left over. It was soo good, I used it as additional frosting on my piece. Delicious!

James took Ruthie Wilhelm her birthday gift this evening when he was told she would be home. No one was home so he left it on the porch. Hopefully Ruthie will get it. Today is her 12th birthday.

Happy Birthday Ruthie!

James had told me he would get the oil changed in my car today but it turns out he was too busy working at Thompson's. I was a little disappointed. Now he will have to do it tomorrow after we go to the temple.  

I asked Rowan earlier if he would like spaghetti for dinner and he said yes, so I made him some. He filled his entire plate. I did not take a picture of him eating his spaghetti but I have one of Ruby eating spaghetti here a few years ago.

One of my favorites!

I was tired by the time this day came to an end. James and I walked and listened to our book, but I was lucky to get my 10,000 steps.

Wednesday, July 20th, 2022: Ro works at Thompson's, James Globe Dr. Memon, K&B here, Clean the temple w/24 other people from our ward

 

Winnipeg, Manitoba

169th operating temple

Dedicated: 31 Oct 2021

By: Gerrit W. Gong

Jesus Christ, Second Coming

D&C 34:6

To lift up your voice as with the sound of a trump, both long and loud, and cry repentance unto a crooked and perverse generation, preparing the way of the Lord for his second coming.

Book of Mormon

Alma 36:1-24

3 And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.

"Come Follow Me"

3:8-13; 6:16-22 Temples can bring me joy. Ezra 6-7

AprGenCon

"Love, Share, Invite"

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The first thing we can do in missionary work is love as Christ loved.

Our hearts are heavy with the human suffering and tensions that we see throughout the world during these tumultuous times. However, we can be also inspired by the outpouring of compassion and humanitarianism that has been demonstrated by people everywhere through their efforts to reach out to the marginalized - those displaced from their homes, separated from their families, or experiencing other forms of sorrow and despair.

James and Rowan left for the Thompson's this morning. Later, James comes home, takes a nap, and then leaves to see Dr. Memon in Globe where the doctor praises him for how good he is doing. He tells him to keep doing whatever it is he is doing to take care of his health.

Kim and Brian were here when Rowan got home from work.  They had an extra cheeseburger and they gave it to him before he goes upstairs to hibernate. I cooked and pizza and made cookies for him because I knew we would be gone tonight to clean the temple. 

James went grocery shopping for me on the way home from the doctors. Kim wants to make the Orange Almond Poppyseed cake of Courtney's and I needed him to get some oranges. 

James and I left a little before six to pick up Tamara Applegate at the church. We are giving her a ride to the temple which our ward is assigned to clean tonight. 

The service missionaries in charge of the cleaning are amazed at how many people we had there to clean. There were 26 of us. Here is hte list:

Richard & Cress Miller, Barbara Bartels, Pierce Goodman, Rick and Rosie Lauritzen, Greg and Kim Anderson, Wes and Teresa Smith, Cody and LeeAnn Snyder, Fred and Barbara Klug, Bishop, and Alicia Hunsaker and a friend, Todd and Jessica Crane, Tamara Applegate, Lorraine Vaught, Virgil Cooper, Cheryl and Ralph Sedig, and James and I.  Whew! What a turnout! I love our ward!

President Seaman was there and I shook his hand and gave Kim a hug.

When we returned home Kim and Brian were in the family room watching TV. There was no sign of Rowan so we had family prayer without him. Today was Chandler's first day of school. Joshua and Evan are the only ones left in Chandler schools. They go to Chandler High and they both are sophomores. They have several classes together, including seminary.

I barely got 10,000 steps today.