Tuesday, November 22, 2022: James's truck registration, Circle K, Walmart, Dominoes, Food Processor, Veggie pizza, Christmas movies, Trenda's address

 

Aba, Nigeria

121st operating temple

Dedicated: 7 Aug 2005

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Son of man

Luke 24:7

Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

Book of Mormon

Mormon 4:1-23

"Come Follow Me"

Jonah 1-4; Micah 7:18-19 The Lord is merciful to all who turn to Him. Jonah 3-4.

OctGenCon

Put On Thy Strength, O Zion

Elder David A. Bednar

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The intended meaning or message of a parable typically is not expressed explicitly. Rather, the story only conveys divine truth to a receiver in proportion to his or her faith in God, personal spiritual preparation, and willingness to learn. Thus, an individual must exercise moral agency and actively "ask, seek, and knock" to discover the truths embedded in a parable.

Early morning prayers are the best. I also had a good blood sugar this morning so I am off to a good start. I had pie for breakfast and then worked on my blog. While I was working at my computer I got a phone call from James. He was on his way to town pulling a trailer and realized that he had no new tags on his truck. He said they expired October 15th. I went online and paid for his registration, 35 days late. Well, at least if he gets stopped when they check they will see that the fees have been paid.

Darrel texted me asking me for my sweet potato recipe. He's the second to ask. Sheri asked last week. 

I told Sheri I had made several batches of chicken tacos for people and she said I needed to make some homemade salsa to go with them. I told her it was a good idea but I didn't have a food processor yet. 

I left for Show Low to do some errands around 1:20. Before leaving I ordered a thin crust veggie pizza from Dominoes to be picked up at 3:30. My first stop was a Circle K for gas. I finally got my Easy Pay card to work which means gas is 10 cents less than the regular price for each gallon of gas. Across the street to Walmart to do my grocery shopping. 

The first thing I did at Walmart was return the $50 digital hearing aid I bought last week for James. To take its place I bought a food processor which cost $70. Now I can make salsa! I also bought another Christmas blanket, a pair of pajama pants for me and a $10 watch for me. After loading up my car I was backing out of my parking space when I saw that my gas tank lid was off. I'm glad I noticed. I would hate to have gone all the way to Vernon with it off. I picked up my pizza right at 3:30. In stead of turning left into traffic I turned right and went up Central Street to see the address on the house I lived in when I was in high school. 560 N. Central. That's the same address Trenda's mom gave me for Trenda's address. Trenda lives in my old house. It's a small world in Vernon and Show Low, Arizona.

James loved the pizza. It's been awhile since we had one and it really did taste good. I finished walking before going to bed. Of course James had to listen to a couple of chapters of our book while he walked.

Two Christmas movies today: "Christmas Lucky Charm" and "My Favorite Christmas Tree."

Beautiful Ben

Harry Potter trip to England

2005

Monday, November 21st, 2022: J alone @ Barbara's, Tacos to Virgil, New kitchen accessories, Christmas movies, DWTS, Walk, Rowan's text

 

San Antonio, Texas

120th operating temple

Dedicated: 22 May 2005

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Son of man

Luke 9:44

Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.

Book of Mormon

Mormon 3:1-22

"Come Follow Me"

Jonah; Micah "He Delighteth in Mercy" Jonah 1-2.

OctGenCon

Patterns Of Discipleship

Elder Joseph W. Sitati

Emeritus Member of the Seventy

Whenever we care to notice, we see that Heavenly Father has given us sufficient witnesses of truth to govern our lives so we will know Him and have the blessings of peace and joy.

Lasting Discipleship

President Steven J. Lund

Young Men General President

Like brightly hulled steel ships at sea, we live in a spiritually corrosive environment where the most gleaming convictions must be mindfully maintained or they can become etched, then corrode, and then crumble away.

I got up at 4:02 this morning. After prayer and some gospel study I had ham & cheese, cooked until the cheese was melted, and a piece of pumpkin pie for breakfast. James and I had scriptures and prayer together. James went in to do some indexing and then do some paperwork. I wasn't feeling well so I took some Tramadol and laid on the recliner in the bedroom and finished a Christmas movie I had started earlier. It was a Hallmark movie starring Taylor Cole and Benjamin Ayres, "A Long Lost Christmas". It reunited a brother and sister that had not seen each other for over 50 years. It was good. Hallmark, so far this year, has the best Christmas movies. I watched a couple of other movies while working on my computer, "Inventing the Christmas Prince", another good one and "Three Wisemen and a Baby." All of them have a good message. The three wisemen were Andrew Walker (my favorite), Paul Campbell and Tyler Hynes. 

I made two dozen chicken tacos today. I use a roasted chicken from Walmart. I have to heat it up, skin it and pick all of the chicken off. I use my hands and it is pretty messy, the worst part of making these tacos. Half of them go to Virgil Cooper who just got out of the hospital after heart surgery. He had another stent put in. Virgil is older than we are and he lives alone. When James delivered the tacos Virgil was very appreciative and said he had not eaten all day. 

When James got home from work later in the day he had gone to the dump and picked up the mail. I got the rest of my kitchen accessories. Here is a picture:

I re-made James's Key lime pie. I took the filling out and put it in a bowl. In another bowl I mixed a can of Eagle Brand milk with 8 oz of cream cheese. I added the juice of one lemon and then added the filling from the old Key lime pie, the one we got from the Wilhelm's which came from Village Inn. I got out a new pie crust. Poured this new filling in and put it in the refrigerator for 3 hours. I was going to put on the whipped cream I took off the old pie but it was to stiff so I just sprayed some out of a can of whipped cream I had. When James tried it he said it was ten times better than the original one and that he loved it! Mission accomplished. 

I made a salad for dinner and there were chicken tacos in the frig so I didn't worry about making anything else. Tonight is the finale for "Dancing with the Stars." At first I couldn't get on Disney+ so I got the log in from Paul. Once I had the show on I voted for Charlie ten times. The finales for this show are always drawn out and very long. Each of the four finalists did a redemption dance determined by one of the judges. A redemption dance is a dance they did earlier in the season and the judge wants to see if they can improve on it. After the redemption round every does a freestyle. Freestyle means anything goes. Some are big productions involving other dancers but Charli and Marks was just them doing all different styles of dance. They were awesome!

They also bring back all of the contestants and have them dance plus there are other special numbers. Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert  were supposed to dance but Hayley hurt her shoulder so they had to cancel. Selma Blair came back and danced a freestyle dance with Sasha and it was beautiful. She danced to Jordan Sparks song, "No Air" while Jordan was singing the song. 

When it came time to choose the winner the four couples, Charli & Mark, Gabby & Val, Witney & Wayne, and Gleb & Shangela were on the stage. In fourth place was Gleb and Shangela. Third place Witney & Wayne. That left Charli & Mark and Val & Gabby. Both couples had a perfect score for the night. Finally they announced Charli & Mark as the winners!

Everyone on the show was so happy for them!

I almost forgot that I got a text from Rowan today. He met one of Rita's grandsons who just moved here from Texas, in his finance class. His name is Degan Greenlaw. Rita told me that he has never been baptized, Emily, Rita's daughter, and Degan's mom is inactive and doing things she shouldn't be doing and Degan's dad is anti. I am wondering if I should tell Rowan or if he will find out on his own. It's a small world.

Sunday, November 20th, 2022: Stake Conference, Addy's ?, Lunch, Rest, Blog, Index-Review, Family History, Facetime J, K, Ch, 2 new temples dedicated

Manhattan, New York 

119th operating temple

Dedicated: 13 June 2004

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Son of man

Mark 10:33

Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles:

Book of Mormon

Mormon 2:17-29

Come Follow Me

Review Amos & Obadiah

OctGenCon

"Happy and Forever"

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

"Happy and forever" are not the imaginary stuff of fairy tales. True, enduring joy and eternity with those we love are the very essence of God's plan of happiness. His lovingly prepared way can make our eternal journey happy and forever.

Up at 5:30. Yes, I slept in because I went to bed so late. 

Two temples will be dedicated today, the 174th and 175th temples.

Quito, Ecuador by Elder Quentin L. Cook and Belem, Brazil by Elder Dale G. Renlund.

We had stake conference again this morning. We got there early enough to listen to the choir's prelude but not early enough to sit in the chapel. Instead of leaving at 8:45 James wasn't ready and we didn't leave until 8:55. We sat in the overflow next to Kim and Greg Anderson. James and Greg sat together and chatted about work before the meeting started. Sue Hubble sat next to me. The choir sounds beautiful. They even had a harp, a cello and several flute to accompany them. We had five members of our ward in the choir. Pierce and Susan Goodman, Jennifer Golly, Tamara Applegate, and Anne Johnson. When we first arrived Pierce and Susan were in the foyer while the choir was taking a break and I introduced myself to Susan. She has a nice smile.

Here are some of the songs the choir sang: "Come to Me", "Heavenly Father, Are You Really There?", "The King of Love, My Shepherd Is", "It Is Well with My Soul". Songs we sang with the choir: "Come Ye Thankful People Come", "Redeemer of Israel", and "How Firm a Foundation".

Here are some notes I took:

President Alder - I am a Dodger's fan. He wonders why. He remembers going to the Dodger's games with his grandfather. He remembers spreading Dodger's peanuts over his grandfather's grave. Why does he love the Dodger's. It's not the players, it's the memories and feelings of love he received attending those games with his grandfather. We might ask ourselves the question: Why am I here today and what are my feelings towards Jesus Christ and His gospel? Joseph of Egypt, Pahoran to Moroni. Does conflict with others change our faith in the Lord? 2 Ne. 26:24. Jesus sacrificed His life for all men. Why am I where I am? Jesus Christ is the reason I am where I am.

Ethan Cavey - 17 year old priest. How my relationship with the Savior has helped me to prepare to make temple covenants and prepare for a mission. After his sophomore year he decided he needed to make the Savior more a part of his life. If we are near Him and know Him it is easier to share the gospel. 

Sister Best - A fulltime missionary now serving in Lakeside. Jesus Christ changed my heart about serving in Arizona. He has the power to change us. I feel closest to God in the temple. Trials of faith prepared me for my mission. My dad died two years ago. God prepares us for our trials.

Shana Atkinson (Counselor in the Stake Primary Presidency)

Talked about a Dystopian Society. We chose God's plan. We have the power to choose. For the Strength of Youth helps youth to make inspired choices. Jesus Christ is the way to eternal joy. You are a beloved spirit child of God. Your Father in Heaven trusts you. Decisions determine destiny. Brent Nielsen was her stake president in Idaho. "Fear not". "Doubt not." "Be of good cheer." "Let not your heart be troubled."

Elle Burgess - Just returned from a mission in Colorado. Worried about where she would go. Called to Sydney, Australia but served in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It doesn't matter where you are called, you are called to the work. She loved helping people come closer to Christ. She loved the people of Colorado. D&C 80:3. The Book of Mormon is one of the most powerful tools a missionary has. Read the Book of Mormon! The Book of Mormon changes lives. Love-Share-Invite. Who needs the gospel? The Atonement of Jesus Christ can change anyone's life. Return with Honor. Bore her testimony.

President Beeler - Grateful for the choir, and the missionary stories. We want to increase Covenant Consciousness in this conference. We want to become more like Him. What have I learned that wasn't said? D&C 43:7-9. Know how to act. Doing or Becoming. Sanctified - Bind ourselves to act in all holiness. Pay attention to the Spirit. Grandfather was color blind and so am I. Purple suit story. Mark 10:17-22. Savior to the young man. Go, give all to the poor, take up your cross and follow me. The young man turned and went away.

We must take up our cross and follow Him. We need to give up worldly things and bind ourselves to Him. Transformational. Overcome and Become. Our God was a covenant making God from the very beginning of time. Prayerfully plan and align our plans with God's will. Always ask ourselves: How will this decisions affect my ability to serve God.? Testimony of his son Trenton who is serving a mission in Chile. "It was a grind and a half ( I think he means it was hard). I couldn't have done it without the Savior and His Atonement. Why can't everyone understand this. The gospel is simple and simply wonderful." We need to take a "daily walk with Jesus" to truly get to know Him. 

Goodbye to Susan. Her daughter has an appointment in the valley tomorrow with a new doctor trying some new medicine. I told her that I would pray that things would go well for her. 

I got a text from Addy during conference. 

I was talking to my non-member friend about the plan of salvation and I told her that only those who knew God and still denied Him would go to hell like the sons of perdition and she asked what it meant to know God and if since she used to believe in God but doesn't think she does anymore would she go to hell. I know knowing God in this sense doesn't meant faith but I wasn't sure how to explain. How would you explain it?

Me: I looked up what a Son of Perdition is in the guide to the scriptures and unless your friend is a follower of Satan and has turned utterly against God, she will not be going to hell. Here is part of the list I found under Sons of Perdition:

The followers of Satan who will suffer with him in eternity. Sons of perdition include (1) those who followed Satan and were cast out of heaven for rebellion during premortality and (2) those who were permitted to be born to this world with physical bodies but then served Satan and turned utterly against God. Those in this second group will be resurrected from the dead but will not be redeemed from the second (spiritual) death and cannot dwell in a kingdom of glory (DC 88:32, 35). Sons of perdition deny the HOly Spirit after receiving it, DC 76:35. Sons of perdition deny the Son after the Father has revealed Him, DC 76:43. 

I hope this helps. I would tell her she needs to learn more about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to decide how she feels about them. She is a child of God and is loved by Them.

I also wrote: What is the desire of her heart? Would she be willing to pray to know if there is a God? To see who inherits a kingdom of glory and what you have to do to qualify for one, read DC 76.

Followers of Christ who have repented will not have to suffer for their sins. Those who don't repent will have to suffer for their sins to inherit a kingdom of glory. When I think of Jesus suffering and dying for my sins I am overcome with love for Him. I just want everyone to love the gospel as much as I do! Have a great day and if you tell me your friends name I will pray for her.

Her name is Hannah.

This afternoon I blogged, indexed, and did some family history.

This evening Sandra Wilhelm and two of her younger kids, George and Nellie delivered our pies that we ordered from them. We got four pies, key lime, pumpkin, cherry, and triple berry. I ordered the key lime pie for James and he doesn't like it. I told him I would remake it tomorrow and add some Eagle Brand milk and cream cheese. He seemed excited.

This evening we FaceTimed with Jared, Kacey, and Charlie. Charlie was very friendly and showed me both of their Christmas trees, the small one in her bedroom and the family one. She said the family tree has white lights because that's what her mom likes. Jared put some colored lights outside on their house. There are white lights in with the colored lights. When he asked Charlie if she liked them she said, Yeah, all except the white ones.  Charlie also sang Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to us. She talked about spending the night at Scarlett's and how Scarlett has a Barbie doll and a Skipper doll. I told her that Skipper was Barbie's little sister.

Kacey has been called to be their ward's Young Women President. Jared, as part of his high council calling, is a counselor in the Stake Young Men's Presidency. Jared told about something their stake is doing. They discussed Alma 8:10: Nevertheless Alma labored much in the spirit, wrestling with God in mighty prayer, that he would pour out his Spirit upon the people who were in the city; that he would also grant that he might baptize them unto repentance. The entire stake is praying at 8:10 everyday to have this scripture realized in their area so they might have more baptisms. I love this idea. I know there is power in group prayers!

This evening I made my temple appointments for December and had a piece of pumpkin pie with lots of Coolwhip. It's my favorite. 

Sweet Charlie

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