Tue, Aug 16th, 2022: James drywall Globe, Hailstorm cancel temple w/ Ruth, Poor Luna, Chicken croissants, Finish "Where the Crawdads Sing"

 

Nuku'alofa, Tonga

23rd operating temple

Dedicated: 9-11 Aug 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Seed of

John 1:12

But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Book of Mormon

Alma 51:13-21

14 And it came to pass that when Moroni saw this, and also saw that the Lamanites were coming into the borders of the land, he was exceedingly wroth because of the stubbornness of those people whom he had labored with so much diligence to preserve; yea, he was exceedingly wroth; his soul was filled with anger against them.

"Come Follow Me"

Psalms 49; 62:5-12 Redemption comes only through Jesus Christ.

Psalms 61-70

AprGenCon

"Your Divine Nature And Eternal Destiny"

Elder Dale G. Renlund

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Heavenly Father's prescribed path leads to the best eternal outcomes. We are free to choose, but we cannot choose the consequences of not following the revealed path. The Lord has aid, "That which breaketh a law, and abideth not by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself, . . . cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor judgment." We cannot deviate from Heavenly Father's course and then blame Him for inferior outcomes.

 James went to Globe today to meet someone who is going to do the drywall texturing for him. Greg was supposed to go with him be he forgot so James left without him. 

Today was my day to meet my friend Ruth Gale at the temple in the 3:30 afternoon session. I was planning on going and was figuring out when I would need to leave in order to do initiatory for the name I wanted to do. I heard thunder outside but didn't think too much of it instead it actually started to rain. The rain was coming down so hard I could barely hear myself think. When I took a peak outside I realized that it was hailing. When I went to the back door this is what I saw on the ground:

While the hail and rain was still pounding on the roof I called Ruth and told her I didn't think I would make it to the temple today. It was coming down so hard and fast I was worried that the wash down by the Hunsaker's would be running. She seemed to understand and told be to be safe. I felt so sorry for Luna who was trying to find shelter under a tree.

I worked around the house and then decided to make some dinner.  I bought a roasted chicken the other day and James had a chicken breast left from his lunch on Saturday. I chopped the chicken up and made a chicken salad sandwich adding almonds because I didn't have pecans. I also added mayo, celery, green onions, and grapes. Actually I added grapes to mine but left them out of James's. He doesn't like to eat fruit with meat. James came in at 4:30 while I was mixing up the chicken salad ingredients. I took a couple of croissants, cut them in two and put the chicken on one side and put the other side back on top. We both went into the bedroom and ate while we were watching the end of a movie. It was nice. I call these little tete a tete's a "date."

I finished the book, "Where the Crawdad's Sing" this morning. The ending was definitely a surprise to me and I'm not sure what I think of it. Parts of the book were risque and inappropriate and the ending kind of ruined it for me because Kya was the hero and all of a sudden I realize that she murdered Chase Andrews. Chase was a scum but I'm not sure I like the idea that she murdured him and got away with it. I won't be seeing the movie or recommending the book to anyone. I think I will be getting rid of the book even though it was a story of triumph and written well, for the most part. 

My blood sugar this morning was 105. My goal is to get it below 100.

The Chubbs family. Jeff, the dad, was

on of James's counselors when he

was the bishop of the Del Rio 2nd ward.

Pierce and his grandson. Not sure who the

other people are.

So funny!

James and his hummingbird feeders

It looks like this right now

Mon, Aug 15th, 2022: Rained out concrete cancelled, Wlmrt, Demer's, Sonic, Navapache, H.D., Rain, Tanna, Clouds,

 

Apia, Samoa

22nd operating temple

Dedicated: 5-6 Aug 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Seed of

Hosea 1:10

Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.

Book of Mormon

Alma 51:1-12

2 Nevertheless, they did not long maintain an entire peace in the land, for there began to be a contention among the people concerning the chief judge Pahoran; for behold, there were a part of the people who desired that a few particular points of the law should be altered.

"Come Follow Me"

Psalms 49-51; 61-66; 69-72; 77-78; 85-86 "I Will Declare What He Hath Done for My Soul" Psalms 51-60.

AprGenCon

"Covenants With God Strengthen, Protect, And Prepare Us For Eternal Glory"

Jean B. Bingham

Relief Society General President

The spiritual equipment that keeps us from being broken on the rocks of adversity is our testimony of Jesus Christ and the covenants we make. We can rely on these supports to guide and carry us to safety. As our willing partner, the Savior will not allow us to fall beyond His reach. Even in our times of suffering and sorrow, He is there to lift and encourage. His power helps us recover from the often-devastating impact of others' choices. 

James cancelled the concrete he had ordered for today. It was too wet and muddy at the Thompson's and he was afraid the concrete truck would get stuck. Also, one of the Hunsaker workers who was going to help has Covid. Bishop has a concrete order for Thursday and he can help that day. James has an order for Friday but Bishop and Sean can't help on Friday. We will see what the weather does. James stayed to help Gary with his road which was very muddy.

When James got home from the Thompson's, we went to town. It was around 10 a.m. I put in an order for us at Sonic which we picked up before doing anything else. James dropped me off at Walmart while he went to take the fireplace door in to Demer's Glass. Yes, this time he took the door in so when they make the glass for it they can actually install it. It's going to cost us $400. After Demer's James went to Navapache Electric to make sure he had everything right at the Thompson's. His last stop was Home Depot and that's where he was when I called him from Walmart to tell him I was waiting outside.

While I was waiting outside I met someone. A black lady who lit up a cigarette and was very friendly. She was telling me about her grandson turning 10 and how she was going to GameStop to buy him a birthday present. She said she was from Massachusetts but was out here visiting family. Her family owns Sal's and Teresa's Mexican Food. I told her I was going to Texas soon to celebrate my granddaughter's fourth birthday. About that time James came to pick me up. As we were leaving she told me to come by Sal's and Teresa's for taco Tuesday and for margarita's. I just smiled and told her thank you.

On the way home James and I listen to "Edward and Amelia." We stop at the Halcomb's so I can pay Catherine for the veil she got me when she was in Utah. We saw the sunflower field but I'm not taking a picture until the flowers are a little bigger. We also went to the post office and picked up a package from Amazon. Our last stop was at the Wilhelm's. Today is Andy's 18th birthday and we left him a card. He was at work. He works for a construction company in Linden.

James put the perishables away and then asked if we could finish our "Edward and Amelia" chapter. He is more in to these romances than I am!

We got lots of rain this afternoon and it looks like sogginess is beginning to set it. I work on my blog, walk, and read from "Where the Crawdad's Sing." Stacy called and asked when I was coming down again so we could go to the temple. She mentioned her robe was too big and I told her to get one of the new ones, along with a new veil. She said she would and I told her I would come down in September to go to the temple with her.

James has done over 30,000 names indexing this year.

Clouds in Show Low

Rain in Vernon

Sun, Aug 14th, 2022: Joshua's and Shayna's birthdays, Sacrament mtg, RS, "The Boulder Life", Lots of rain @ Thompson's, Charlie, Blog, J indexes,

 

Atlanta, Georgia

21st operating temple

Dedicated: 1-4 June 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Seed of

Isaiah 45:11

Thus saith the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.

Book of Mormon

Alma 50:21-40

22 And those who were faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord were delivered at all times, whilst thousands of their wicked brethren have been consigned to bondage, or to perish by the sword, or to dwindler in unbelief, and mingle with the Lamanites.

"Come Follow Me"

Review and Teaching with Power, Psalms 51-60.

AprGenCon

"Do What Mattereth Most"

Rebecca L. Craven

Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency

With the world expressing more doubt about God and confusion and pressures increasing, this is the time we must stay closest to the prophet. As he is the Lord's mouthpiece, we can trust that what he urges, counsels, and pleads with us to do are things that matter most."

James went to ward council for Chuck this morning. Chuck took Kathy to the emergency room in Springerville last night and I believe they spent the night there. James didn't have time to come home and pick me up for church so I went by myself. It's times like these that I'm glad we have two vehicles.

Haley, Alicia, and Bishop Hunsaker were the speakers in sacrament meeting. Before they spoke the bishop read in the names of a new couple in our ward, Loren and Kristy Ellsworth. Loren lived in Vernon before. Tamara says she remembers riding the school bus to Springerville with him. I talked to Kristy and she said they have been living in Pima Valley the last decade or so, but now they are back. Another good solid couple in our ward.

Haley, who is 18 and just graduated from high school,  spoke on decision making, agency, and following the Spirit. We have the power to choose, but we must listen to the right voices. Prayer and scripture study are vital to the decision making process. Haley talked about the decision she had earlier in her life to change schools. Her mom told her to read the scriptures. She doesn't remember the reference and I don't know it either, but she read about a plant being transplanted to another garden where it flourished and it helped other plants flourish too. Haley took this as her answer to change schools. She said she wants to be a good influence on others and she helps her nieces and nephews make good choices. She said that the choices she makes need to help make her a better person. 

I had an opportunity to talk to Haley after church. I told her I enjoyed her talk and ask her what she was doing right now. She is working at the Vernon Fire Department doing deskwork but she plans on moving to Hawaii in January. She is very excited about this move. She says she has friends who live there and has been offered a job as a dental assistant. Haley is a cute girl and I enjoyed talking to her. I ask her if she was going to learn how to surf, and snorkel and she said yes!

Alicia began her talk by quoting one of James's favorite scriptures, Alma 34:32 - For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.  The things we do on a daily basis need to help us prepared to meet God. 2 Nephi 2:26-28: And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given.

27 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.

28 And now, my sons, I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life, according to the will of his Holy Spirit;

You are a child of God, use your agency to do His will. Keep your covenants through taking the sacrament and attending the temple. 

Brother Steven Owen in October 2017, said: "The moment we set foot on the path of repentance, we invite the Savior's redeeming power into our lives.

Bishop Hunsaker talked about being faithful to our covenants. He started out by asking us to reflect on the question, "What do my covenants mean to me?" We should think about our covenants everyday. The Celestial Kingdom will be far more beautiful than we can even imagine. If we knew what is was like we would do everything to get there. We would not dilly dally. President Spencer W. Kimball said that we need to do the right things to earn our exaltation. Casual prayer is not enough, a few scriptures here and there are not enough. Elder Bednar says we need to be steadfast and yolked with Christ. Covenant commitments create a connection to the Lord. Every desire, thought and action should be unto the Lord.

Sister Rosen played a special musical number, "Come, Come Ye Saints," on the piano. It was good but I'm still waiting for Sister Golly to sing again.

Natalie Robles gave a lesson in Relief Society based on Elder Cook's conference talk, "Conversion to the Will of the Lord", and Elder Stevenson's talk, "Love, Share, Invite." The focus of course was missionary work. We had a great discussion and I felt like Natalie did a good job leading us. 

After Relief Society Kerri, Tamara, and I went into the Bishop's office with Natalie and her family for her setting apart. Pierce was not here today. Aubrey's son had his mission farewell and so they were all in Tucson. Bishop, Brother Allen, and Jacob Robles were in the circle when bishop set Natalie apart. Their kids, Logan, Ethan, Makenzie, and Eli were also in the room. We are so glad to have Natalie as a Relief Society teacher.

After the setting apart, the bishop ask Brother Robles if he needed a job. He said no, he didn't. Bishop ask what his job was. He said they have a YouTube channel about homesteading their place. It's called "The Boulder Life." I went home and looked it up while James was making lunch.

We watched part of the first episode and I watched a couple of more later during rest time. 

I read from my two books, "Where the Crawdad's Sing", and "The Redemption of the Bride." It rained hard here and at the Thompson's. James was disappointed about the Thompson's because he wants to pour concrete tomorrow morning. 

James made shrimp for dinner again. I had four.

Our old friend Brutus, who is no

longer with us.

Sweet Charlie!

Clouds and rain's a coming

Shayna's birthday

6 yr. old Joshua

16 yr. old Joshua

Such a cutie and a sweetie!

The Robles' family a couple of years ago

Sat, August 13th, 2022: Broken glass, Marty Robbins, Trip to town for tacos and Tramadol, Clouds, Hallmark movie, Heather Slade's funeral

 

Jordan River, Utah

20th operating temple

Dedicated: 16-20 Nov 1981

By: Marion G. Romney

Jesus Christ, Seed of

Psalms 82:6

I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.

Book of Mormon

Alma 50:1-20

19 And thus we see how merciful and just are all the dealings of the Lord, to the fulfilling of all his words unto the children of men; yea, we can behold that his words are verified, even at this time, which he spake unto Lehi, saying:

20 Blessed art thou and thy children; and they shall be blessed, inasmuch as they shall keep my commandments they shall prosper in the land. But remember, inasmuch as they will not keep my commandments they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord.

"Come Follow Me"

Psalms 24; 26-27 Entering the Lord's presence requires purity.

Psalms 41-50.

AprGenCon

Introductory Message

President Dallin H. Oaks

First Counselor in the First Presidency

The doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone, so that is our principal motive and extent of dissemination. we honor the daughters of God in this special session by concentrating on their concerns and those of their organizations.

"Lessons At The Well"

Susan H. Porter

First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency

"Out of Small Things Proceedeth That Which Is Great"

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jersus taught His disciples, "Ye are the salt of the earth" and "Ye are the light of the world." Later He compared the growth of the kingdom of heaven to leaven, "which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened."

Salt, Leaven, Light. Even in very small amounts, each affects everything around it. The Savior invites us to use His power to be as salt, leaven, and light.

If we had not been released, we would be working at the temple this morning. I miss my friends at the temple and the peaceful feeling I have when I am there.

The saga of the fireplace glass continues. I held the glass while James sanded it down. I was praying the entire time that it wouldn't break or crack. The hard part came when James tried to install the insulation rope with the glass. I thought he had it tightened down so I went back to the bedroom and my computer. All of a sudden I heard James shouting, "Oh, No!" Sure enough, when I went back in he had broken the glass. This is the third glass he has broken. He was heart broken. I tried to calm him down and I think it helped for him to know that I wasn't upset.

 I listened to some old Marty Robbins songs today while I was working on my blog. James was gone to pickup the Cat from the Klug's and take it to the Thompson's. I happened to look at the window as I was making a trip to the kitchen and saw some cows out in the front. Just as James drove up I was driving the cows. I didn't want them to, but they went up the hill. I really don't care where they go as long as I don't have to look at them anymore. They left three cow pies by the front of our house, and chewed all the grass by the garage and left huge cow tracks. Grrrr.

Just as it started to rain James and I left for town. We stopped at Sonic and then went to Safeway to pick up the walnuts that James left there. Someone had turned them in. As we left Safeway it was raining hard. James brought the car to the front of the store to pick me up so I didn't have to run through the rain. 

It wasn't raining at Walmart when we went out to pick up my Tramadol but by the time we got to Goodwill it was raining hard.

All of the items I had to donate were in plastic garbage bags. James just handed them to the guy at the door and we left.

Today was Heather Slade's funeral. It was at the downtown chapel in Show Low where my mom's funeral was held and where I attended church as a youth. I didn't go to the funeral but Tamara did. Here is a picture of Heather's daughters:

Heather's angels

Heather's obituary

I watched two movies today, one I have seen before and the last one was a new one. The first was "Moonlight in Vermont" starring Lacey Chabert and Carlo Marks. Lacey play a hot shot real estate agent in New York whose boyfriend breaks up with her because she is so busy she doesn't have time for him. Lacey is talking to her best friend about her recent breakup:

"Every relationship I'm in just falls apart. What if I'm alone permanently. What if I'm like that little half duplex that just sits on the market forever."

A line from the second movie, "Romance in Style":

"Unfurrow your brow and cut to the chase."

I'm dying to use this line on someone!

Clouds

All of these clouds were seen today