Wednesday, August 3rd, 2022: James & Greg go to Globe, High blood sugar-change my eating, Chandler mall shooter caught, Food Storage videos

 

Los Angeles, California

10th operating temple

Dedicated: 11-14 Mar 1956

By: David O. McKay

Jesus Christ, Second Coming

D&C 101:32

Yea, verily I say unto you, in that day when the Lord shall come, he shall reveal all things-

Book of Mormon

Alma 44:1-15

4 Now ye see that this is the true faith of God; yea, ye see that God will support, and keep, and preserve us, so long as we are faithful unto him, and unto our faith, and our religion; and never will the Lord suffer that we shall be destroyed except we should fall into transgressions and deny our faith.

"Come Follow Me"

Job 19 Jesus Christ is my Redeemer. Job 19

AprGenCon

"But We Heeded Them Not"

Elder David A. Bednar

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

 Entering into sacred covenants and worthily receiving priesthood ordinances yoke us with and bind us to the Lord Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. this simply means that we trust in the Savior as our Advocate and Mediator and rely on His merits, mercy, and grace during the journey of life. As we are steadfast in coming unto Christ and are yoked with Him, we receive the cleansing, healing, and strengthening blessings of His infinite and eternal Atonement.

James had a partner when he went to Globe today. Greg went with him. It rained on them all the way from Salt River into Globe. James said there were rivers of water running down the hilly streets. The rain made working conditions very humid. I'm sure James was grateful to have someone to work with.

I had a blood sugar of 140 this morning, a little high. Maybe it was all that ice cream I ate yesterday. I need to monitor my blood sugar everyday and change my diet accordingly. Today will be a very low carb day. This blood sugar was taken after 14 1/2 hours of fasting. I took it again at the end of 16 hours and it was 122, almost in range. I ate less today than I have in a long time.

I had a pretty typical day. I blog 20 minutes, walk 10 minutes, to do list 20 minutes, and then back to walking 10 minutes. This is what I do in a typical hour.

I read the first paragraph of the Living Christ and wrote down the first letter of each word so I could practice memorizing. 

I listened to Elder Bednar's conference talk, Charlie Bird's book, and Wendy DeWitt's food storage video. I also read from "The Redemption of the Bride." and "Where the Crawdad's Sing." 

I love this phrase from reading in Ezekiel 11 in "The Redemption of the Bride": The Lord will be our "little sanctuary."

Oh yes, on Teaching with Power today Brother Wilcox said, "I think Job is a real person, but there is a great deal of literary license.

When James got home today he had to chase cows out of Luna's drink water. There were over twenty heifers, babies, and one bull.

Today I vacuumed, dusted and cleaned in our bedroom and bathroom, vacuumed and dusted in the living-family room and began polishing the wood floor.

Trina texted today and said they caught the guy who fired the shots at the mall on Monday. He showed up at the mall wearing the same hat he had on when he was shooting. Of course, he was arrested. Duh.

Addy has to go back to work tomorrow. I was worried she wouldn't want to go but she said she would be fine.

I texted my friend Sue Hubble today to see how she was doing. She hasn't been to church in a couple of weeks and I wanted to see if she was still in Wisconsin, which she was. Her brother has not had his surgery yet and that's why she went to Wisconsin.

No rain today. We had thunder, but no rain.

Jorge was in our ward in Chandler. I served with him when we were both family history consultants. He is a great guy and extremely intelligent. He speaks five languages. They loved it when he went with the youth to do baptisms at the temple because he could pronounce most every name.

I never had my kids watch his show.

Now I wish I had.

We love Bob & Betty

and their 10 children!

 

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2022: James @ Thompson's, My errand day, Antelope, sunflowers, green hills, Food Storage - Wendy DeWitt, James remembers the Jarvis girls

 

Bern, Switzerland

9th operating temple

Dedicated: 11-15 Sept 1955

By: David O. McKay

Jesus Christ, Second Coming

D&C 88:99

And after this another angel shall sound, which is the second trump; and then cometh the redemption of those who are Christ's at his coming; who have received their part in that prison which is prepared for them, that they might receive the gospel, and be judged according to men in the flesh.

Book of Mormon

Alma 43:41-54

45 Nevertheless, the Nephites were inspired by a better cause, for they were not fighting for monarchy nor power but they were fighting for their homes and their liberties, their wives and their children, and their all, yea, for their rites of worship and their church.

"Come Follow Me"

 Job 1-3; 12-13 My trust in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ can help me remain faithful in all circumstances. Job 12-14

AprGenCon

"We Are The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints"

Reyna I. Aburto

Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency

Our purpose in His kingdom should be to bring each other to Christ. As we read in the scriptures, the Savior extended this invitation to the Nephites:

"Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are . . . afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy.

". . . I see that your faith is sufficient that I should heal you."

After prayer and scripture study this morning, James went to work at the Thompson's. He came home for lunch and a nap and then went back to work. A few hours later he came home looking drenched. It rained hard there but we had no rain here. He had Gary's coat on, which was huge on him. 

James went in to town this morning and had his bloodwork done for his three month cancer check. We should get the results mailed to us in a few days. 

I went to town this morning too, but not with James. I downloaded the Sonic app on my phone and ordered a drink from it. Drinks ordered from the app are always 1/2 price.  I picked up my drink and then headed to the post office to mail Molly's birthday card. On to Circle K for gas and to wash my car and then across the street to Walmart.

Driving between Show Low and Vernon I had some beautiful views. The clouds in the blue sky, sunflowers and green hill, and a herd of about 20 antelope in the Vernon field along the highway. I am grateful for the beauty that surrounds me here.

James voted today at the library where Paula Johnson was working at the poles. She gives so much community service! I already voted via mail. 

I got a new book while I was shopping today. It's a Reese Whitherspoon Book Club book and they've even made a movie out of it, "Where the Crawdad's Sing." I'm anxious to read it and see if I think it's one that James would enjoy. 

Tamara, our Relief Society President, texted the presidency with some sad news today. Heather Hansen, daughter of Connie Bell who is a member of our ward passed away at the age of 44. Heather used to be in our ward although she was not active. I knew her daughter Arizona as she would come to Young Women from time to time. Arizona had reached out on Facebook the other day saying her mom was sick and asking people to pray for her. She doesn't know yet that her mother is gone. They are trying to find her. Heather had heart problems. They put in stents. There were COVID complications also.

So sad.

Heather with her five girls

Arizona says her mom is her best friend.

Arizona just did a gender reveal on Facebook.

She's having a boy.

 The first Tuesday of the month is normally when Catherine and I go to the temple. She didn't want to go on election day so we postponed until tomorrow. I went online this afternoon to schedule myself in the 11 o'clock session tomorrow morning only to find that they only had one session for tomorrow and that was at 6:30 p.m. Maybe this was because of the Primary election and vote counting, I'm not sure. Anyway I told Catherine and we signed up for next Tuesday in the 11 o'clock session. 

This evening James and I walked together and listened to our book, "Edward and Amelia." I also watched Wendy DeWitt on YouTube and decided I want a pressure canner for my birthday. I found one on Amazon but it costs over $400. Hopefully I can find something cheaper.

I got a text from Stacy this evening. She was waiting to get her temple recommend and met someone who used to live in Snowflake when we were in high school. She asked me if I remembered Ina and Kathy Jarvis. I told her I didn't but when I mentioned it to James he said he knew them very well in high school. I guess Kathy was Tom Meeks' girlfriend. Tom was James' best friend. She told Stacy she got in trouble for riding on a motorcycle with one of the Lambson boys and James said that was him. He said that Janis, Kathy's older sister was the first person he met in Snowflake and she was so very nice and that all of the girls were pretty. I vaguely remember them. Anyway, it was fun for James to take a little trip down memory lane.

Charlie's birthday party

Tanna Conrad

I love this!

Monday, August 1st, 2022: James works at Thompson's, I make him beans, We sign Molly's card, Addy's crisis at the Chandler Mall

 

Idaho Falls, Idaho

8th operating temple

Dedicated: 23-25 Sept 1945

By: George Albert Smith

Jesus Christ, Second Coming

D&C 88:95

And there shall be silence in heaven for the space of half an hour; and immediately after shall the curtain of heaven be unfolded, as a scroll is unfolded after it is rolled up, and the face of the Lord shall be unveiled;

Book of Mormon

Alma 43:27-40

38 While on the other hand, there was now and then a man fell among the Nephites, by their swords and the loss of blood, they being shielded from the more vital parts of the body, or the more vital parts of the body being shielded from the strokes of the Lamanites, by their breastplates, and their armshields, and their head-plates; and thus the Nephites did carry on the work of death among the Lamanites. 

"Come Follow Me"

Job 1-3; 12-14; 19; 21-24; 38-40; 42 "Yet Will I Trust In Him."

Job 1-3

AprGenCon

"Preaching The Gospel Of Peace"

President Russell M. Nelson

President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Today I reaffirm strongly that the Lord has asked every worthy, able yong man to prepare for and serve a mission. For Latter-day Saint you men, missionary service is a priesthood responsibility. You young men have been reserved for this time when the promised gathering of Israel is taking place. As you serve missions, you play a pivotal role in this unprecedented event!

"Missionary Service Blessed My Life Forever"

President M. Russell Ballard

Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

 Commit to yourselves and to your Heavenly Father that you will serve a mission and that from this time forward you will strive to keep your hearts, hands, and minds clean and worthy. I invite you to gain a solid testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

James left early this morning. He stopped at Thompson's and got Greg Anderson started and then he went on to Globe to work at the Peeler's. 

I got Molly's birthday card out for James to sign when he got home. I will mail it tomorrow when I go to town. 

This afternoon I made some calico beans. Some people call them Easter beans or in Lois's recipe book she calls them Karen's baked beans. These beans are James's favorite, even though they are sweet.

I polished the kitchen, dining room, and hallway floors today. James actually thanked me and said they looked great. How nice.

Today is the last day of Christmas in July on Hallmark so I tried to finish up my Christmas movies and erase them from my recorder. The last Christmas movie I watched was, "Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater" starring Ashley Williams and Niall Matter. Even though I had seen this movie before it was pleasantly enjoyable and better than I had remembered. 

I paid my big bills today, both are due on the first. I'm always grateful when I have money left over after paying my mortgage and my credit card. 

This evening as I was sitting on the front porch watching the sunset I got a call from Darrel. He said, almost in tears, "There is an active shooter at the Chandler Mall where Addy is working." He said, "I don't know why I am calling you, but I just wanted to." I am so glad he thought to call me so I can pray for Addy. He said they wanted her to go to Sheri's but she got lost and ended up at the Circle K on Frye and Arizona Avenue. I talked to Sheri and she said that was a good place for her because there are always police close by. Brian called Darrel and asked if he wanted him to go pick her up because that is very close to their house. While Brian was on the phone Darrel had reached Addy and Brian could hear her crying in the background. This was such a traumatic experience for Addy and I'm sure it was such a relief for her to see her dad, who loves her so much.

Kim sent me something from Facebook that let us know what was going on as we couldn't find anything on the news. 

Addy had been in the back room of the place where she worked. When she walked out into the store she saw people in the mall running. She was told there was an active shooter so she called her parents. They told her to get out and that's when she left, not knowing all of the shooting was going on in the parking lot. The guy fired 30 shots into the air with an assault rifle. He aimed at one person who he didn't shoot, but robbed. Addy had no way of knowing where the shooter was or what she should do, so she called someone she loved and trusted, her parents. Those who loved her and didn't know the exact situation she was in, put their trust and faith in a loving Heavenly Father, and prayed to him. We are so grateful that Addy, and no one else was hurt in this incident.

Oh yes, here is the sunset I was waiting for:

Sunday, July 31st, 2022: South's speak in sacrament mtg, Jennifer Golly's voice, Kerri's pp on missionary work, Sunday afternoons, indexing, family history

Mesa, Arizona

7th operating temple

Dedicated: 23-26 Oct 1927

By: Heber J. Grant

Jesus Christ, Second Coming

D&C 76:63

These are they whom he shall bring with him, when he shall come in the clouds of heaven to reign on the earth over his people.

Book of Mormon

Alma 43:15-26

23 But it came to pass, as soon as they had departed into the wilderness Moroni sent spies into the wilderness to watch their camp; and Moroni, also, knowing of the prophecies of Alma, sent certain men unto him, desiring him that he should inquire of the Lord whither the armies of the Nephites should go to defend themselves against the Lamanites.

"Come Follow Me"

Review book of Esther and "Thoughts to Keep in Mind" Old Testament Poetry and Wisdom Literature

Inklings

Amy Wright, "Christ Heals That Which Is Broken" & Acts 3:1-11

AprGenCon

"Our Heartfelt All"

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

If we want to find balance in life, and if we want the Savior to lift us heavenward, then our commitment to Him and His gospel can't be casual or occasional. Like the widow at Jerusalem, we must offer Him our whole souls. Our offering may be small, but it must come from our heart and soul.

"Now Is the Time"

President Russell M. Nelson

President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The adversary never sleeps. There will always be opposition to the truth. I repeat my urging from this morning to do those things that will increase your positive spiritual momentum, that lift Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf was talking about, that will keep you moving forward through whatever challenges and opportunities come.

What a spiritual feast was set before us today in sacrament meeting. Georgia Jameson was the youth speaker, and the South's, Charlotte and Joe, were the main speakers. The real highlight of the meeting, at least for me, and I think James would agree, was the vocal solo by our ward choir director and music leader, Jennifer Golly. I knew she was a singer but I had never heard her sing, until today. Oh my goodness. Such a beautiful, smooth voice that you just want to listen to forever. She sang a song that I am not familiar with, but will go on my favorite playlist, "I Still Believe." This song is about Jesus and how even though we don't see Him we can experience Him and His miracles.  Wow! I want to go to the first Jennifer Golly concert. Such talent, such effortless vocals that warm and soothe the heart. 

Oh yes, one other exciting thing in our meeting today. Sister Natalie Robles was called and sustained as a Relief Society teacher. Now we have two teacher and no more calling subs for me. I am excited to be working with Natalie and I gave her a lesson schedule and told her she would be teaching on August 14th.

Back to today's speakers. Sister South comes from a family of 16 children and her roots are strong. Her talk was based on "A Mighty Change of Heart", by Elder Eduardo Gavarret, which was given in the last General Conference. How do you know you are pleasing God? When you always have faith in Christ. Charlotte told the story of her uncle. He was in the military during World War II. As a soldier he wrote down the names of all the soldiers he knew who died fighting for their country. Later, he did their temple work, the reason he wrote down their names. He became a prisoner of war to the Japanese where he was tortured and endured deprivation. After the war he served 11 missions, most of them in Japan. He was crippled but he and his companion were able to save 17 people in a Tsunami. Although he wasn't married he became a temporary mission president in Japan for 7 yrs. The Japanese government would not allow anymore LDS people into the country at this time. He learned to love the Japanese people whom he served. Find things that will keep you strong. Stay close to Christ so that you don't do anything wrong.

Brother South's talk was based on Elder Andersen's talk, "Following Jesus: Being a Peacemaker." Peacemakers are not passive; they are persuasive in the Savior's way. We are all God's children and we need to remember that. Here are the other headings in Elder Andersen's talk: The Importance of Agency, The Lord's Leaders, Caring for All, The Times Not to Respond, Blessing the Lives of Others, Love One Another, and Peacemakers are Called the Children of God. Here is a scripture that applies:

D&C 58:1-2

Hearken. O ye elders of my church, and give ear to my word, and learn of me what I will concerning you, and also concerning this land unto which I have sent you.

For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death; and he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven.

5th week second hour: 

 Kerri Halcomb prepared a power point presentation about missionary work and temples. It was really great. As she took us through the powerpoint she asked us questions and she got lots of response. Here are some notes I took.

There are 173 completed temples in the world and including those under construction and announced there are 282.

President Nelson's conference open address where he asked every able young man to serve a mission. It is a priesthood responsibility. 

All missionaries teach and testify of the Savior. Comments from the crowd:

Michelle Tesarek: "We were those people on the other side of the door." I am so proud of Restin (her 13 year old son) who invited his grandma to church and explained to her how we were Christians. She did not have a dress to wear and he said, "It doesn't matter, Heavenly Father doesn't care, he just wants you to come, which she did."

Chris Skousen: Becky talks to our 15 year old grandson who just started high school all the time about serving a mission. This week he invited his non-member friend to attend seminary with him and the friend said yes. We are so proud of him!

Jimmie Applegate: Our son Ty, who is now serving a mission in Florida decided to serve a mission when he began associating with the full-time missionaries in our ward.

President M. Russell Ballard from his conference talk: My mission prepared me for a lifetime of service in the Lord's Church. I came to know the Lord so much better.

Elder Stevenson: We are like sprinters at the starting block. We need to love, share, and invite.

Elder Cook: By doing missionary work we have the opportunity to help others bind themselves and their families to Christ.

Questions:

* How can we normally and naturally involve others in my Christ-centered life?

* How can our ward create an environment where it is easy to love, share, and invite?

Thoughts:

* By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.

* Just sow the seed.

*Brother Andersen - "I want to make every moment count in my service to the Lord. I want to share the Good News."

I met two new sisters today. They are a mother and a daughter. Katie Pearson and Cyndell Nelson. They are from St. George. I welcomed them into the ward. 

We went home and had lunch. I had beef gravy and mashed potatoes. James mad some potato patties and I had a small one. After eating it was definitely time for a nap. 

After rest time James and I went outside on the deck just to relax and read. We got no rain today and according to the new forecast we won't get any until Thursday. This is what James has been praying for so he can finish at Thompson's and get ready for concrete. The weather was beautiful today even without the rain.

Sheri made an almond creme cake today and she said it was delicious. I got the recipe from her and want to make it very soon.

This evening while working on my blog I watched Emily & Dave on "Don't Miss This."

Our first tea party.

Sheri's cake

My Grandparents

Charlie