Friday, Aug 5th, 2022: Luna & the cows, Thompson's, Ace, Walmart for Mason jars, Ordered canner & vacuum sealer, Wendy's solar oven, Scarlett & Charlie, Clouds

 

London, England

12th operating temple

Dedicated: 7-9 Sept 1958

By: David O. McKay

Jesus Christ, Second Coming

D&C 110:16

Therefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors.

Book of Mormon

Alma 45:15-46:10

18 And when Alma had done this he departed out of the land of Zarahemla, as if to go into the land of Melek. And it came to pass that he was never heard of more; as to his death or burial we know not of. 

"Come Follow Me"

Job 38; 40; 42 God's perspective is greater than mine. Job 38-39

AprGenCon

"A Mighty Change Of Heart: 

'I Have Nothing More To Give You'"

Elder Eduardo Gavarret

Of the Seventy

How do we know that our heart is changing?

1. When we want to please God in all things.

2. When we treat others with love, respect, and consideration.

3. When we see that the attributes of Christ are becoming part of our character.

4. When we feel the guidance of the Holy Spirit more constantly.

5. When we keep a commandment that has been difficult for us to obey and then continue to live it.

"Ladder Of Faith"

Elder Larry S. Kacher

Of the Seventy

Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught: "Only by aligning our wills with God's is full happiness to be found. Anything less results in a lesser portion."

After doing "all things that lie in our power," then it is time to "stand still . . . to see the salvation of God."

My blood sugar was 128 this morning so it's going to be another low-carb day. James makes me tea, and we have prayer before he leaves for Thompson's. 

When I looked out the window I saw Luna standing at the fence as if she were a statue staring up the hill. If she was a dog her tail would have been out straight.

Watch horse Luna, all she needs is her 

tail sticking out straight.

I figured she was looking at something but I couldn't see what it was at first. A few minutes later a herd of black cows came down the hill, lingered awhile and then headed on down the road, hurrying up as James came behind them in the truck.

As I was listening to Elder Kacher's talk today this phrase caught my attention: "Unbelief blocks our ability to see miracles." 

As I was watching some of Wendy DeWitt's food storage videos this morning I decided I needed to go shopping and buy some Mason jars. I got ready to go to town, ordered a drink from my Sonic app, and away I went. My first stop was at the post office. It was quite productive. I got some of my supplies for Charlie's cake, the Minnie ears and bow, which seem a little small, but I think I can make them work, some fondant cutouts, and some sticky stuff to connect the fondant to the cake. We also got a check from the Quintana's for the land they are buying from us in Deming. 

After picking up my Sonic drink I went down to Ace to see if they had any jars. They did. For a dozen widemouth quart jars it cost me $19.99. That seemed awfully high but I bought them anyway.

When I got to Walmart I found Mason jars in two different places. I bought seven cases, 2 half pints, 4 pints, and 1 quarts. This will get me started. I will be canning meat and vacuum canning things like nuts, oats, chocolate, crackers, etc. I may even try some jar cakes and breads. 

When I got home I ordered the pressure canner I wanted and an attachment for my FoodSaver that will can Mason jars. Yay!

Chelsea MacArthur was supposed to come over today with her girls so they could play while we talked but her grandma came into town and she was over at her mom's all day. We rescheduled for next Thursday after school. 

No rain today which was good for James. He works such long hours when he's getting ready for a concrete pour. One other item we got in the mail today. James's results from his cancer bloodwork. He is now at a 0.8, the lowest he has ever been. He is so happy. He did this without taking the pills they recommended.

I would like to share something from the chapter I read in "The Redemption of the Bride". This is from chapter 8 "Bought With A Price: The Cup":

Each week, we have the opportunity to symbolically "stand in line" to receive the sacrament or communion cup. As we do so, we might imagine holding in our hands the bitter cup we have brewed for ourselves during the week. It might be full of anxieties, fears, failures, and a sense of shame as we contemplate its ingredients. But, as we quietly wait our turn and finally reach the head of the table, we might envision the Savior there, with hands pierced and eye filled, taking each cup from each individual and drinking it down. In its place, He offers us a new cup filled with pure and living water that cleanses and nourishes the souls as we partake of it.

Show Low Walmart

Love this picture!

Taylor Chaffin

Clouds

Wendy's solar oven

Driving the herd

That's Maximus in the back and the rest

are his family.

Thursday, Aug 4th, 2022:Gathering Israel, Fasting, Sonic app, No rain, ready for inspection and concrete pour, Aunt Gene socializing, Canner, "The Redemption of the Bride"

Hamilton, New Zealand

11th operating temple

Dedicated: 20-22 Apr 1958

By: David O. McKay

Jesus Christ, Second Coming

D&C 104:59

For the purpose of building up my church and kingdom on the earth, and to prepare my people for the time when I shall dwell with them, which is nigh at hand.

Book of Mormon

Alma 45:15-46:10

15 And now it came to pass that after Alma had said these things to Helaman, he blessed him, and also his other sons' and he also blessed the earth for the righteous' sake.

"Come Follow Me"

Job 38; 40; 42 God's perspective is greater than mine. Job 38-39

AprGenCon

"Following Jesus: Being A PeaceMaker"

Elder Neil L. Andersen

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Some view the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve as having worldly motives, like political, business, and cultural leaders.

However, we come very differently to our responsibilities. We are not elected or selected from applications. Without any specific professional preparation, we are called and ordained to bear testimony of the name of Jesus Christ throughout the world until our final breath. We endeavor to bless the sick, the lonely, the down-hearted, and the poor and to strengthen the kingdom of God. We seek to know the Lord's will and to proclaim it, especially to those who seek eternal life.

Although our humble desire is for the Savior's teachings to be honored by all, the words of the Lord through His prophets are often contrary to the thinking and trends of the world. It has always been so.

I've been thinking a lot about family lately and how we can gather everyone to Israel. When I send Rowan and Joshua's birthday cards this month I will talk to them about setting a goal to go on a mission. 

When I told James about my new way of eating, eating 8 hours, fasting 16 hours, he said, "but you can't fast on fast Sunday." I said, but that's one of the reasons I'm doing this, because I want to turn a weakness into a strength" so I can fast better on fast Sundays.

My blood sugar this morning was 119. James's was 107. I need to lower my carbs even more. 

After work today James had to go into Home Depot. I ordered my half price drink on the Sonic app and I got a reward of a double toast cheeseburger half price. James ate most of it on the way home. I got less than a third but it was delicious. 

Thank goodness for James there was no rain today. He and Greg spent the day getting mud out of the trenches and re-doing some of the rebar ties that Greg did wrong. James can't get an inspection tomorrow so it's down to the wire with his inspection on Monday and his concrete pour on Tuesday. He is stressed about passing the inspection.

I texted Rita to get Aunt Gene's address today and Rita said her mom is already making friends with everyone at the center. That sounds like Aunt Gene. I'm glad she's feeling well enough to socialize. 

James says I can get the canner on Amazon for my birthday! I am very excited!

I read from "The Redemption of the Bride" the following: 

"The Wilderness experience is necessary and for our good."

How will I respond when I encounter my own wilderness trial? Have I already experienced some? My personal wilderness experiences are an invitation to know the Lord. 

First day of school 

This family lives in our ward.

Look at that downpour

The clouds here are the best!

These are mini cakes that will fit perfectly

in the fancy windowed boxes I just ordered.

 

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!