Saturday, November 19th, 2022: 4:14, steak, fire, J work, me chkn tacos, Sheri, Janna, Michelle, Chelsea, stake conference, Sue Hubble's daughter, Erica Lesueur

Copenhagen, Denmark

118th operating temple

Dedicated: 23 May 2004

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Son of man

Mark 9:31

For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.

Book of Mormon

Mormon 2:1-16

"Come Follow Me"

Video "The Great Apostasy" & Obadiah

OctGenCon

"His Yoke Is Easy And His Burden Is Light"

Sister J. Anette Dennis

First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency

How many wounded individuals do we have among us? How often do we judge others based on their outward appearance and actions, or lack of action, when, if we fully understood, we would instead react with compassion and a desire to help instead of adding to their burdens with out judgment?

I was up at 4:14. I studied, I planned and I did my prayer journal. From now on the prayer journal will be first. I had scriptures and prayer with James, cooked myself a steak for breakfast. James built me a fire and then he left to work at Barbara's. 

I got a text from Sheri this morning thanking me for recommending "Teaching with Power" on YouTube. She said she is using a lot of stuff for her lesson tomorrow. Glad I could help.

I sent the picture of James I found cleaning the logs to Michelle Tesarek and this was her response: "Is that now?" STOP!!

I told her it was an older picture. She then sent me a picture of this:

This was the caption:

"James's Christmas present"

I texted Janna Grombach this morning and told her how excited I was to be her ministering sister. She responded by calling me. She was excited too and then she had a favor to ask. She & Willy are doing Secret Santa for the Todd & Jessica Crane family and she wanted to know if we would like to help. I said we most definitely would. I told her I would bring $100 in an envelope tonight to stake conference to give her. At first she said that would be great and then she texted back and said they were leaving for the valley this afternoon and would be gone for 10 days. She would catch me when she got back.

James worked, with Greg from about 9-12. When he got home from work I was in the middle of making chicken tacos. I had already made a dozen for the MacArthur's and asked if he would deliver them. Jared is working out of town a couple of weeks and Chelsea and the kids are in town. She said James could put the tacos on their kitchen counter, which he did. During stake conference this evening I got this text from Chelsea: These chicken tacos were just what we needed. They are delicious and easy for the kids to eat. Jarred said can she wait 2 weeks and bring some more, haha. We really appreciate them thanks so much! I had intended for Jarred to have some tacos so I texted her back: I will bring more! Glad you liked them!

James had a 3 o'clock stake leadership meeting this afternoon. He had wanted to go with Chuck and then I would bring Kathy for the 6 o'clock session but Chuck said he had errands to run and Kathy wasn't going. James took his truck and I would bring the car for the later meeting. 

I got a call from James at about 4:45 saying he was on his way home. I told him I was almost ready to leave. We decided to meet at the church and we could ride together, which we did.  

My friend Sue Hubble texted us on the way and ask if we were going. James answered her text and said we were almost to Show Low. I told her we would save her a place at the stake center. When we arrived, she was right behind us and we all walked in together. Several people from our ward were on the back row and we sat by them. James sat next to Rick Lauritzen, I sat next to James and Sue. 

Here are some notes that I took at the meeting:

President Beeler announced the theme of the meeting which was Covenants. Erica LeSueur spoke. She is Dr. Jeff LeSueur's wife. Jeff is Darrell LeSueur's brother. Darrell is married to Trina's sister, Tristyn. Today is Erica & Jeff's 23rd wedding anniversary. They were married in the Mesa temple. A ring is an outward expression of an inward commitment. The temple garment is the same. Temple covenants represent power, protection, perspective, and preparation. Zion must arise and put on her beautiful garments. We are His and He is ours.

President Smithson - He said that the Gillaland's were the president and matron of the Phoenix temple at one time. Karen Gillaland is my dear friend! President Smithson is a doctor. How covenants bind us to Christ. Read Moses 4-5 and Abraham 4.

He went through all of the temple covenants. Obedience, sacrifice, law of the Gospel, the law of Chastity, and the law of Consecration. 

Put to use in the Lord's service. John 14:6. Jesus Christ is the veil. Hesed - Godly love. (President Nelson's talk, The Everlasting Covenant).

President Beeler - Shared story of the first time he attended the temple before his mission. He had somewhat of a crisis of faith. Kept going and began to see Jesus Christ everywhere. 3 Nephi 11 Jesus comes to the temple at Bountiful. 3 Nephi 12:19-20 A broken heart and a contrite spirit, no anger, no lust. 3 Nephi 13:21 Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all of these things shall be added unto you. RMN - As we strive to live the higher laws of Christ our hearts and natures change. The Salt Lake Temple spires represent the Melchizedek and Aaronic priesthood. Obedience is here to protect us. (Dead chicken story).

We should be obedient and give service because we love Jesus Christ. What does the garment mean to me and what does it remind me of? The garment represents Jesus Christ and His ability to cover me. I've made solemn promises to God but His promises to me are so much greater! Put on the Savior (garment) every morning. The garment is a daily reminder of our covenants. We must go to the temple often to be reminded of our covenants and how we feel in the presence of the Lord.

Before going home James and I went to Sonic and got Slingers and mozarella cheese sticks. They were delicious. When we got home we both had lots of steps to take. We listened to "The Call of the Sea" and then I listened to a chapter of "In the Shadow of a Queen." We finally got out 10,000 steps before and then we went to bed.

Love this!

Trina

Emily Freeman

 

Friday, November 18th, 2022: 4:42, Syabira wins, In the Shadow of a Queen, The Royal Nanny, Love @ Thnksgvng Day Parade, Inventory, Wrpng cntr, 3 gifts, "Call of the Sea"

 

Accra, Ghana

117th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Jan 2004

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Son of man

Mark 9:12

And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.

Book of Mormon

Mormon 1:1-19

"Come Follow Me"

Obadiah 1:21 Who are the "saviours ... on mount Zion"?

Amos 8-9

OctGenCon

"Lifted Up Upon the Cross"

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

One reason we do not emphasize the cross as a symbol stems from our biblical roots. Because crucifixion was one of the Roman Empire's most agonizing forms of execution, many early followers of Jesus chose not to highlight that brutal instrument of suffering. The meaning of Christ's death was certainly central to their faith, but for some 300 years they typically sought to convey their gospel identity through other means.

I was awake at 4 a.m. Because I went to bed at 9:30 I decided to stay in bed until 4:30. It turned out to be 4:42. My internal alarm is a little slow, especially when I am tired. 

Scriptures and prayers with James before he left for Barbara's. I was not feeling very well so after eating and taking some Tramadol I went into the family room to watch the finale of "The Great British Baking Show." Sometimes it's called "The Great British Bake Off" but today it's the first one. The three finalists are Syabira, Sandro and Abdul. I want Syabira and if not her then Abdul. I'm not a fan of Sandro's. The three challenges went something like this:

Signature - A British Summer Picnic - six mini cakes, six mini pies and six finger sandwiches. Everyone did well on this challenge and they never tell who the winner is. 

The Technical - A Summer Pudding Bombe - Abdul one this challenge with Syabira coming in second. Sandro's gelatin didn't set because he didn't know to put it in boiling water. 

The Show Stopper - Make an Edible Sculpture of something representing our planet. 

After all was said and done, Syabira, my favorite, was the winner!

Syabira

Finalists:

Syabira, Abdul, and Sandro

Maxy, next to Syabira on the front row was my favorite but since she didn't make it to the finale I went with Syabira, my second favorite.

After the show I began to feel better and did some walking while listening to "In the Shadow of a Queen." While I was working on my blog, and while walking some more, I watched a new Christmas movie, "The Royal Nanny." It was quite entertaining. 

I decided to set up a gift wrapping station in our bedroom for wrapping Christmas gifts. I went outside on the deck and cleaned off the table where we have been storing our paint supplies. I washed the table off and set it up behind the recliners. After the table was set up I went downstairs to get the wrapping paper, bows, and scotch tape. While I was downstairs I set my timer for 20 minutes and worked on counting #10 food cans and moving those in the hallway back in the storage room. Everytime I went back upstairs to work on my blog I would take a couple of rolls of wrapping paper, etc. Finally I was done! Just in time to fix James some dinner. I fixed pot stickers, pot pie tots, and cabbage. After dinner I did the dishes. I finished walking and watching, "Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade". This movie was made in 2014 and it is my favorite Autumn Reeser movie. Antonio Cupo is the co-star. I love the two of them together. I have seen this movie several times and still enjoy it just as if it was the first time. 

While cleaning downstairs I found the children's book I bought when I went shopping at Harrod's in London. It was written by Sarah Ferguson the Duchess of York. She was at Harrod's that day and she signed the book for me. Karen Schneider bought one too and "Fergie" signed hers too.

Candace Cameron Bure is receiving a great deal of criticism right now for talking about GAF (Great American Family) network making "traditional marriage" movies. She gave a response on Instagram and I loved it. I hope she stands firm with what she believes and doesn't retaliate or back down. She basically told her enemies that she loved them and would never intentionally hurt anyone. She recently moved from Hallmark to GAF. She is very religious and reads from the Bible daily.

The older girls are Teagan and Makynli.

They are Autumn'a nieces.

Girls weekend

Queen Victoria loved Frogmore. The guy from my

movie today, "The Royal Nanny" supposedly

lived at Frogmore.

Sunset

We need a new way to clean logs

Thursday, November 17th, 2022: Class on Grace w/Emily, Inklings, Errands, Panda, James's mtg, "Christmas at the Golden Dragon",

 

Redlands, California

116th operating temple

14 Sept 2003

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Son of man

Luke 9:26

For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.

Book of Mormon

4 Nephi 1:23-49

"Come Follow Me"

Amos 8:11-12 The word of the Lord can satisfy spiritual hunger and thirst. Amos 6-7.

OctGenCon

"Drawing Closer to the Savior"

Elder Neil L. Andersen

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The Savior commended His valiant disciples: "Blessed are you eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear." May this blessing be ours as we listen closely to the words of the Lord through His prophets and others in this conference.

Up at 4:08. One of the first things I did was update my Iphone to ios16.1.1. After planning my day, I said my morning prayers and wrote them in my prayer journal. 

Every third Wednesday evening of the month, as part of our Inklings study, Emily does a class on Grace. Last night was the night for November. Since I forgot to listen last night I listened this morning. Here are some notes that I took. Emily's book "Grace Where You are: was the source of most of these notes:

What is my definition of Grace? Divine help through the Atonement of Jesus Christ to overcome.

See Bible Dictionary

Hesed - Kindness that prompts action.

Saving Grace - Exalting, Hesed. Heals wounds, brings strength, rescues, delivers, and saves. 

(Story of Emily's son Joshua who got diabetes when he was 3.)

2 Nephi 25:23 - We are saved by Grace after all we can do. What is all we can do? Believe in Christ!!

Charis - Greek - His touch on our hearts, a reflection in our lives, most likely in our weakness.

John 8 - Woman taken in adultery. Jesus met the woman where she was, as she was as he stopped in front of her. What was "all she could do?" Believe in Him.

Acts 9:1-15 Paul on the road to Damascus. Jesus asked Paul to believe in Him.

Mark 9 - If you can believe. Lord I believe, help thou mine unbelief.

Believe in Christ!

Charles Blondin crossing Niagra Falls.

Jesus meets us where we are but He has no intention of leaving us there.

Faith requires action and trust. Belief requires me to engage and give.

Western Wall at Jerusalem.

What does it look like to believe in Christ?

I read the section in "For the Strength of Youth", Love God, love your neighbor. I read this first paragraph and shared it in our family group text:

To help you make good choices, God gives commandments. He does this because He loves you. And the reason to obey God's commandments is because you love Him. Love is at the hart of God's commandments.

Before James left for work this morning he was complaining about sores on his fingers. I asked why he didn't wear his new gloves while he worked and he said they were too bulky. I went into my bedroom closet and got the other pair of gloves I bought him for Christmas. These are Isotoner, lined with fur. He loved them and wore them to work all day.

James came home for lunch. I had already cooked some eggrolls and he was happy with that. After lunch James said he didn't have time for a nap so he went back to work. I got ready to go to town. My first stop was at the Vernon post office where I mailed a sunflower birthday card to Michelle. I also picked up some packages. One had the grill top for our rocket stove and the other two were more of my purple with white polka dot kitchen accessories. On to town where I dropped off three boxes full of donations at Goodwill. Walmart here I come. 

Wow! The price of food and other necessities is staggering right now. I spent a third of my monthly budget in one week. This is not good.

I did buy James a cheap hearing aid and I am totally out of makeup and I bought a Finishing Touch Flawless facial hair remover for myself. I also bought a couple of Christmas blankets. Things do add up. Next time I will use a calculator as I go along. 

Even though the high today was only 45 it was a beautiful day with lots of sunshine and no wind. I enjoyed the weather while I loaded my car in the Walmart parking lot. 

Before going home I went through the Panda drive-thru and got each of us a bowl of chow mien, mine with orange chicken and James's with mushroom chicken. 

When I got home it was 5:00 and James was already showered and getting ready for his meeting. His meeting is at six. I sat down with him and we had dinner together before he left. He brought in the groceries for me and I put them away. I had thought I had a turkey in the big freezer left over from last year but apparently we already ate it so I bought an 18 lb. turkey. Don't ask me why I got such a big one. Lot of turkey tacos after Thanksgiving. I also bought two chickens so I could make chicken tacos for the MacArthur's. 

James's meeting was almost three hours long. It was almost 9:00 when he returned home. Under the bishop's supervision, they redid all of the ministering assignments. In other ministering new, Virgil Cooper had a stint put in today. It was in a rather obscure place so a specialist in the valley performed the surgery. I wonder if it was Dr. Memon, James's cardiologist. The procedure went well and Jerry Scott is with him and will bring him home tomorrow.

I was exhausted when I got the groceries put away. I sat down in front of the TV in my bedroom and finished my Christmas movie for the day, "The Picture of Christmas." 

James wanted to listen to a chapter from "The Call of the Sea" while he walked. As a result, it was almost 9:30 when we went to bed.

Love my new teapot!

My breakfast. Ready to study Grace only

that's the wrong book.

I wonder if Trina went on a hike today.

Today was Scarlett's Thanksgiving Program

Christmas caroling at Grandmothers 2021

Razr ridin'