Monday, August 29th, 2022: Leave Longview @ 6am Home @ 7:15pm, Stuff away, Walk, Text w/ Addy @ NAU, Farmhouse decor, Vernon flowers, Kim & Brian

 

Johannesburg, South Africa

36th operating temple

Dedicated: 24 Aug 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Seed of

Philippians 2:15

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

Book of Mormon

Alma 58:1-12

10 Therefore we did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, yea, and also give us strength that we might retain our cities, and our lands, and our possessions, for the support of our people.

"Come Follow Me"

Proverbs 1-4; 15-16; 22; 31; Ecclesiastes 1-3; "The Fear Of The Lord Is The Beginning Of Wisdom"

AprGenCon

"Come Into The Fold Of God"

Elder Randy D. Funk

To redeem means to pay off a debt or obligation or to free from what distresses or harms. No amount of personal improvement on our part can make us clean from the sins we have committed or whole from the wounds we have suffered without the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He is our Redeemer.

Because of Christ's Resurrection, all will be resurrected. After our spirits depart our mortal bodies, we will undoubtedly look forward to when we can again with a resurrected body embrace those we love. We will eagerly look forward to being among those of the First Resurrection.

We left Longview this morning at 6 a.m., Texas time. In Arizona it would be 4 a.m. We had prayer and scriptures in the car.  There was a big slow down as we came to the Dallas area so I went to sleep. I woke up when James did a hard slam on the brakes. I'm afraid I wasn't very nice to him as I was woken up from my sleep. It hurt his feelings. I forgot that he is much more sensitive than he used to be and I need to be more careful.

We stopped for a potty break at a little roadside station in what was called Eastland.  This part of Texas is pretty barren. While we were traveling we listened to "A Regrettable Proposal" and then "A Daring Proposal", the sequel. James is hellbent on getting home and hates to stop unless it is necessary.

I think the prettiest part of the trip was after leaving Rowell. Oh yes, about Roswell. I was hungry and wanted a Whataburger but it was when we were almost through town that I decided. I MapQuested it and we were led up one street and down another through neighborhoods and areas we would have never seen if we had just shot through town. Actually, it's a nicer town than I thought. This is where Tyler and MaKenzie Forrest live. MaKenzie is Bishop and Alicia Hunsaker's daughter. We ate our Whataburgers as we got out of town. 

The western part of New Mexico includes Smokey the Bear and Billy the Kid territory. It's Lincoln county with a place called Lincoln City and Capitan, where Jesus is Lord. (I saw a sign and it made me smile). So refreshing after the aliens of Roswell. There is green grass, yellow flowers and mountains in the background. It reminded me of Vernon. Between Magdalena and Quemado there is a row of huge satellites out in a big field used for astronomical (Is that right?) exploration. Maybe it was these satellites that discovered the aliens of Roswell!

When we passed through Pie Town I knew we were close to home. I remember Sister DiAnna Elmer saying that Pie Town was in their stake, the Round Valley stake I presume.  Pie Town looks like two or three buildings but maybe there are some outlying areas like Vernon.

We arrived home around 7:15 p.m. Arizona time. It felt good to finally be home. We unloaded the car and put things away. Kim and Brian left this morning and we had stew and cheddar biscuits that they left for us. Also four pieces of strawberry shortcake cake. I also had some gifts from Kim in front of my computer. 

Kim knows what I like!

James and I both walked this evening and we were able to get our 10,000 in spite of being in the car most of the day.

I texted Addy and asked her how her first day of college was. She said it was great. I asked if she had a scrapbook and she said no, so I ordered her one. Her school colors are blue and gold and so I ordered a blue one. The school mascot is the Lumberjack.

Kim & Brian's "Porch" photo in the car.

They said there were bees swarming on the porch.

The bees were gone when we got home.

Teacher's bulletin board but I want

to do something like this with the whiteboard in

our bedroom, with photos and quotes.

 

Sunday, August 28th, 2022: Happy 18th Birthday Addy! Longview 2nd ward, Jared's grilled cheese, Naps, Trip to Boorman Trail (Mormon Trail?), James's Blessing

 

Chicago, Illinois

35th operating Temple

Dedicated: 9 Aug 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Seed of,

Galatians 4:7

Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Book of Mormon

Alma 57:17-36

"Come Follow Me"

Review "Let Everything That Hath Breath Praise the Lord"

AprGenCon

"In Awe Of Christ And His Gospel"

Elder Ulisses Soares

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The Lord Himself promised that He would direct our paths if we would trust in Him with all our hearts, acknowledging Him in all our ways and not leaning on our own understanding.

I took a shower early and washed my hair then began working on my blog after my morning prayer. 

Jared took one of the purple balloons from Charlie's birthday bouquet and Charlie carried it around all morning. We all got ready and left for church at 11:15. The building is about five minutes away and Kacey likes to get there a few minutes early so she can set up her Primary class. She teaches the five and six year olds. 

Charlie and her purple balloon

Her favorite colors are pink and purple.

Happy Sabbath with Charlie

The bag she is holding has her 

flowered Book of Mormon in it.

The bag was part of Autumn's gift.

Such a sweet girl and she

can balance on one leg.

I went in to Relief Society when we went into the church, Charlie and Kacey went to Primary, and James and Jared went into priesthood. Because of scheduling problems classes are first. 

As I was sitting in Relief Society listening to a lesson based on Elder Gong's conference talk, "We Each Have a Story", Kacey came up behind me and asked if I could help in Primary. Of course I can. The other teacher for Charlie's class wasn't here, I went up to the front of the Primary room during singing time and sat next to Charlie. The music leader was practicing the song, "I Feel My Savior's Love" with the children. Charlie had her Book of Mormon out and open and was running her index finger along the rows of words as if she were reading. It was so cute and reminded me of what Stacy used to do when she was a toddler. Stacy would make a noise, 'ahhhh, and then would stop and say, "What's that."? 

The sister who was teaching the lesson said she lived in Scottsdale for five years. Another sister told me she was born in Ray, and one other had lived in Mesa. It's a small world and it seems several people here in Texas have ties to Arizona.

Charlie's lesson was on light. Not more than 5 or 10 minutes into the lesson the other teacher came in. I wanted to stay with Charlie but I thought the teacher's would wonder why I didn't leave, since there were only 3 children and it was obvious they didn't need my help.

I went back to Relief Society and heard the remainder of the lesson.  The sister giving the lesson focused on telling stories rather than family history as Rosie did when we had this lesson in our ward. It was good, but not a lot of discussion.

All of us came back together to sit in the Longview 2nd ward sacrament meeting together. One of the sisters came over and gave Charlie a package of Smarties candies. She turned to me and said, "That cake you made was so cute." Thank you. One other sister made a comment about the cake. Kacey's friends on Facebook of Instagram.

Brother Beach conducted the meeting. He is a former bodyguard to the General Authorities, especially close to Elder Rasband and Elder Soares. His daughter was the youth speaker. The theme of the meeting was gratitude. 

Rylie Burhans - We need to show gratitude for things in any circumstance. (See Elder Uchtdorf's April 2014 GC address, "Grateful in Any Circumstances"). "Have we not reason to be filled with gratitude, regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves?" Stress from trials can be relieved through gratitude. We can choose to be grateful, no matter what. Gratitude is a catalyst to all Christlike attributes. A thankful heart is the parent of all virtues. Write 3 things I am grateful for everyday. 

"Father Thy Children To Thee Now Raise"

Bryce Burhans Gratitude and Thanksgiving by Marion G. Romney.

"An ungrateful man is like a hog under a tree eating acorns, but never looking up to see where they come from." 

Alma 34:38 - That ye contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you.

Acknowledge Heavenly Fathers hand in all things. John Hilton and Anthony Sweat, "The Gratitude Challenge."

"Count Your Many Blessings

When we got home we were all hungry. Jared made everyone grilled cheese sandwiches with special orders taken. After eating it was quiet time for some and nap time for others. 

After naps and quiet time I woke up and smelled some delicious smells coming from the kitchen. Kacey was making spaghetti sauce and a salad and Jared was making garlic bread. This is Charlie's special birthday dinner that she requested. It was delicious!

After dinner Charlie and Jared went outside and threw water balloons. They were supposed to be a part of Charlie's birthday party but everyone forgot about them yesterday. Charlie had fun just throwing them in the street. After they were finished, we all got in Jared & Kacey's van and went to Boorman's Trail. When Jared asked me if I wanted to go to Boorman's Trail earlier, I thought he said Mormon Trail and thought to myself, is this a part of Church history I am not familiar with?

Water Balloons

The trail was beautiful with tall trees and greenery everywhere. It was humid and a little warm, but I was glad to get out and enjoy nature. Charlie loved it. We saw some deer and when James went over to get a closer look and to take a picture, Charlie followed him.

Boorman Trail

Charlie taking a break

After our walk we went back to the house and Jared gave James a wonderful blessing. James hurt his back while working at Thompson's a couple of weeks ago, and it's been bothering him ever since. Jared's blessing was thoughtful and detailed and a great comfort to both James and I. I am so grateful for worthy priesthood holders in our family.

Since we are leaving early in the morning we said our goodbyes tonight. Charlie thanked me again for the birthday cake and said she liked eating the pink dots and the M&M's. This made me laugh.

I am going to miss her. 

James packed most everything in the car tonight.

Happy 18th Birthday

Addy!

Addy moved into a dorm on the

NAU campus yesterday.

Going to Flagstaff to see Addy

stopping at Lava Flow Trail

Charlie helped Kacey antique this chair.

When they were finished Charlie said:

"This thing is ugly."