Wednesday, January 11, 2022: James visits Anthony, J's knee hurts, Cancer doctors numbers, Grocery shopping, Sonic, "The Undaunted"

 

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

171st operating temple

Dedicated: 8 May 2022

By: Gary E. Stevenson

Jesus Christ, taking the name of,

Ether 4:19

And blessed is he that is found faithful unto my name at the last day, for he shall be lifted up to dwell in the kingdom prepared for him from the foundation of the world. And behold it is I that hath spoken it. Amen.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 9:1-10:10

Come Follow Me

Matthew 2:1-12; Luke 2:8-38 There are many witnesses of the birth of Christ.

Jesus's Name

Son of Man - Matthew 18:11

OctGenCon

In Partnership With The Lord

Elder Ulisses Soares

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Let us consider two fundamental principles that strengthen the partnership between man and woman. The first principle is we are all alike unto God. According to gospel doctrine, the difference between woman and man does not override the eternal promises that God has for His sons and daughters. One has no greater possibilities for celestial glory than the other in the eternities. The Savior Himself invites all of us, God's children, "to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him." Therefore, in this context, we are all considered equal before Him.

100 Favorite Verses

John 8:10-11 When Jesus lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, woman, where art those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

Jesus holds out His hands to us, beckoning us to abandon sins way and follow Him.

Up at 4:30.  After James and I had scriptures and prayer together he left to go see Anthony. He wasn't feeling very good. When he woke up his knee was swollen and hurting. We still have Anthony's Christmas presents and soon it will be his birthday. He was gone for 2-3 hours. He wanted to ask Anthony to help him with his radio, which he did. 

Dr. Powell told me the cancer committee would meet on Tuesday, the 10th and look at James's report and that she would call me on Wednesday. Well, it didn't happen. Before I went grocery shopping this afternoon I looked up her office number and the other doctor's number that helped with the surgery, and gave them to James. He called but the receptionist told him that the reports from the lab have not come in yet. That is very frustrating. I wish the doctor hadn't told me she would call me if she wasn't sure.

My trip to town included getting gas at Circle K with my EasyPay card, picking up prescriptions and shopping at Walmart, and picking up a couple of Slinger sandwiches at Sonic. It was 5:30 when I got home. James was sitting in his chair at the end of the dining room table when I handed him his Slinger sandwich. I didn't ask him to carry in groceries because of his knee. When I was finished putting everything away we listened to a chapter from "The Undaunted." We are on chapter 70 our of 72 chapters. There is also a epilogue. 

I walked and blogged while James worked at his computer. When he came into the bedroom we watched another Garage Sale Mystery before going to bed. Chuck wanted to have a Elder's quorum meeting tonight but no one could come so he cancelled.

Allison, Autumn and Lacey from 

The Wedding Veil Trilogy

Summer and her cat

Vernon sunset

Alex and Shayna

Alex said: "Wherever you are I want to be."

 

Tuesday, January 10, 2022: Up @ 4:16 prepare, pray, study, love Elder Porter's quote on humility, Temple w/ Catherine & Ruth W.,

 

Pocatello, Idaho

170th operating temple

Dedicated: 7 Nov 2021

By: M. Russell Ballard

Jesus Christ, Taking the name of

3 Nephi 27:5

Have they not read the scriptures, which say ye must take upon you the name of Christ, which is my name? For by this name shall ye be called at the last day;

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 8:16-38

Come Follow Me

Luke 2:1-7 Jesus Christ was born in humble circumstances

Luke 2:8-20

Jesus's Name

The Door - John 10:9

OctGenCon

Be Perfected In Him

Elder Paul V. Johnson

Of the Presidency of the Seventy

Although Aaron could not heal himself, in order for the transplant to work he needed to be willing to do what the doctors asked - even very difficult, challenging things. Although we can't save ourselves, when we submit to the Lord's will and keep our covenants, the way is open for or redemption. Like the remarkable process of the very DNA of Aaron's blood cells changing, we can have our hearts changed, have His image in our countenances, and become new creatures in Christ.

I got up at 4:16 this morning to plan, pray, and study. I ran across this quote on the humble circumstances of the Savior's birth by Elder Bruce D. Porter while studying "Come Follow Me."

"His birth, like his life, teaches us that there is nothing wrong with humble origins, with poverty, simplicity, and obscurity. There is nothing to be ashamed of in being outcast from society, in being forced to dwell apart from the world, literally or figuratively. Poverty is no disgrace, and a shelter for animals may be a temple of God's spirit as surely as any more elegant dwelling ... Christ's birth and simple upbringing are a reminder to us that we must never look down on anyone because of their origins or worldly status. If we scorn the humble, we may unwillingly scorn the chose of God's children on earth." (The King of Kings (2000), 26)

 I had time this morning for prayers and scriptures with James and to listen to some of "Don't Miss This." At 9:30 I left to pick up Catherine Halcomb and Ruth Wallace to go to the Snowflake temple.

Ruth parked her car on the 60 and 3148 so she wouldn't have to come so far to ride with us. We were in the 11:00 session along with the Thompson's, Debra Martin and Jim and Linda Diewald from our ward. There were 8 of us from Vernon. I think that's a pretty good showing. President Van Winkle of the Show Low stake and his wife were also in our session. 

It was not my best session. I was up late and then got up early so I was very sleepy. I was not alert and attentive like it asks us to be. I went through for a Miss Strickland. I wish I would have researched her first name before doing her work. 

Ruth was the first of us to go through the veil and she went immediately to the dressing room not stopping in the celestial room, so when Catherine and I went through we did the same thing. On our way home we made our usual stop at Sonic. Catherine bought my lunch and Ruth gave me $5.00 for gas. 

James was napping when I got home. I changed my clothes and went in to the family room to finish watching the new wedding veil movie with Lacey Chabert and Kevin McGarry. Afterwards I took a much needed nap and then I did some walking and had minestrone soup for dinner. I also did some blogging and watching movies while I walked. James came in and we watched a Garage Sale Mystery starring Lori Laughlin before going to bed. These are from an old series before Lori had all of her legal problems. I like her as an actress. We were in bed by 9.

Javelina's are mean little critters

Sunset

 

Monday, January 9, 2022: Trip to valley, my infusion, Jared Bowen, Chandler Eyecare, Trina's eggs, Cafe Rio Sheri pays, Home again

 

Winnipeg, Manitoba

169th operating temple

Dedicated: 31 Oct 2021

By: Gerrit W. Gong

Jesus Christ, taking the name of

Helaman 3:28

Yea, thus we see that the gate of heaven is open unto all, even to those who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 7:16-8:15

Come Follow Me

Matthew 2; Luke 2 "We Have Come to Worship Him" Luke 2:1-7

Jesus's Name

I Am - John 8:58

OctGenCon

Beauty for Ashes: The Healing Path of Forgiveness

Sister Kristin M. Yee

Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency

President Russell M. Nelson has taught that the Savior offers us the ability to forgive:

"Through His infinite Atonement, you can forgive those who have hurt you and who may never accept responsibility for their cruelty to you. It is usually easy to forgive one who sincerely and humbly seeks your forgiveness. But the Savior will grant you the ability to forgive anyone who has mistreated you in any way. Then their hurtful acts can no longer canker your soul."

100 Favorite Verses

Praise the Lord 

D&C 128:23

Let the mountains shout for joy, and all ye valleys cry aloud; and all ye seas and dry lands tell the wonders of your Eternal King! And ye rivers, and brooks, and rills, flow down with gladness. et the woods and all the trees of the field praise the Lord; and ye solid rocks weep for joy! And let the sun, moon, and the morning stars sing together, and let all the sons of God shout for joy! And let the eternal creations declare his name forever and ever! And again I say, how glorious is the voice we hear from heaven, proclaiming in our ears, glory, and salvation, and honor, and immortality, and eternal life; kingdoms, principalities and powers! (Joseph Smith)

We left for the valley at 6:45, a little late. Prayer and scriptures in the car and then we listen to "The Undaunted" until there is no internet. We made a potty stop in Globe and then drove straight to the AARA office where James dropped me off. He got a call from Jared Bowen about a job he wants him to do so he went to look at the job while I was getting my infusion. He was a little late getting back and he picked me up on Arizona Avenue heading south towards Chandler.

I dropped him off at Chandler Eyecare and then I went out to Darrel & Trina's to take them the 18 eggs I got from the MacArthur's. Trina was at home and while I was there Olga, the girl who comes in every two weeks and cleans came. Trina was happy to get the eggs. She actually paid me $5 which I didn't want to accept but ended up accepting. She also gave me some egg bites and an V8 energy drink and then I was on my way. Ruby was home from school, sick, but she must have been upstairs in her room because I didn't see her. 

I drove back to Chandler and waited for James and Sheri to come out so we could go to lunch. I said hi to Kylee and Nancy as they left for lunch. It's a blessing that Michael works right across the parking lot from Sheri. He came out and we talked to him for a minute and I gave him a hug. His motorcycle was parked close to Sheri's car. 

Sheri drove her car to lunch. We headed in the direction of Cafe Rio which was a surprise to me because I knew James wanted to go to Elmer's. I guess he told Sheri I wanted to go to Cafe Rio.

Not only did Sheri pay for James's new glasses but she paid for our lunch saying it was her dad's birthday present. Thank you Sheri!

I wanted to go to Costco and get some egg bites before we left town but James said Sal Jiminez had some money for him and also said he could pick some grapefruit. At Sal's James got $200. He gave $100 to me which will help with my grocery budget this week. 

James drove but I talked him into going the Payson way. We stopped in north Mesa at a Circle K for gas where we paid $3.17 with my EasyPay card. Gas in Payson was $3.59.

There was still lots of snow on the rim and in Forest Lakes. We got home around 6 p.m. The first thing James did was go out and feed Luna. After unloading the car, which there wasn't much, we walked. I walked in my new shoes.

  

Sunday, January 8, 2022: Up @ 5:09, RS talks, Dakota's death a shock, Wendy's lesson, Blog, Family History movie, Karen S. cancels our lunch date

 

Durban, South Africa

168th operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Feb 2020

By: Ronald A. Rasband

Jesus Christ, taking the name of

Mosiah 26:18

Yea, blessed is this people who are willing to bear my name; for in my name shall they be called; and they are mine.

Book of Mormon

1Nephi 7:1-15

Come Follow Me

Review: Matthew 1; Luke 1 "Be it unto Me according to Thy Word"

Jesus's Name

The Image of the Invisible God - Colossians 1:14-15

OctGenCon

Follow Jesus Christ With Footsteps Of Faith

President M. Russell Ballard

Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

During the last general conference, I spoke about how my full-time missionary service blessed me. I was blessed as I taught about our Heavenly Father's glorious plan of salvation, Joseph Smith's First Vision, and his translation of the Book of Mormon. These restored teachings and doctrine guided my footsteps of faith in teaching those who were willing to listen to the message of the Restoration of the gospel.

Up at 5:09. I shower and wash my hair and then say my prayers. Then I re-do my daily schedule. I listened to talks for today's Relief Society lesson, Elder Bednar's and Elder Pearson's. 

When James got up it was apparent he did not feel well. He did shower and get ready to go to church. We leave at 8:45. 

When we got to church I was happy to see that Kathy Crane was not on her oxygen. James made arrangements with Chuck to go home after sacrament. He didn't think he could make it through two meetings and Chuck wasn't feeling well and was going home too.

I was shocked when Pierce announced memorial services for Dakotah Nickolaus who is Deana McNeil's daughter and Tom and Jean Howard's granddaughter. Tom just dies a year ago and Jean in March. This is quite a blow for Deana. Dakotah was 29 and leaves behind 3 young children. It is so sad. Deana called Millie Scott and told her that Dakotah died in her husband's arms. She also said that Dakotah had something wrong with her heart and she was not supposed to have any chidren. Her service is next Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Show Low downtown chapel, my chapel where I attended as a teenager.

Zemira Wilhelm was the youth speaker today. Four ways Jesus Christ strengthens us: 1) Through prayer, 2) Keeping the commandments, 3) Be content, and learn from trials, 4) Repent and Come Unto Him.

Becky Skousen was the next speaker. "Jesus Christ is the Strength of Youth" by Dieter F. Uchtdorf. If the Savior were here his message to you would be: He loves you, it would flow from His presence. Fear not, doubt not. Be of good cheer. Let not your heart be troubled. He would ask you to repent. Repentance is part of the plan of happiness. He would remind you to remember your covenants. Jesus Christ is our strength. You are a child of God. He wants you to inherit all he has. At the heart of the Plan of Salvation is the ability to choose. Choose eternal life. Heavenly Father will help you, but never force you. "For the Strength of Youth" is a guide for making choices. It will point you to Christ. "When your greatest desire is to let God prevail in your life, ... many decisions become easier..." Russell M. Nelson

Chris Skousen Kevin S. Hamilton, April 2022 General Conference, "Making Weak Things Become Strong." As we humble ourselves and exercise faith in Jesus Christ, the grace of Christ and His infinite atoning sacrifice make it possible to change. When Jesus asks us to repent, He is inviting us to change. The Lord operates through conditions: "If you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life." Faith unlocks repentance. Weak things can become strong. Ether 12:27. Requirements of change: 1) Humble ourselves, 2) Have faith in Jesus Christ, 3) Through His grace He can make weak things become strong. Examples of change: Saul, Alma, Alma the Younger, Moses. As we humble ourselves and exercise faith in Jesus Christ, the grace of Christ and His infinite atoning sacrifice make it possible to change.

Our Relief Society lesson was taught by Wendy DeWitt. Sister Sedig, the Relief Society president was not here today. She is at her son's wedding in the valley. 

I saw a different side of Sister DeWitt than I have ever seen before. She has always been a good teacher but she was more sharing of her personal feelings. She talked about what a privilege it was to live in Vernon and to be a part of such a wonderful ward. She talked about how the women of our ward are especially kind and thoughtful. It was so nice to see the side of her, a more vulnerable side.

We talked about the parable of The Royal Wedding Feast and how we can become chosen. We talked about the condition of the world today. I told about what I had read about the Fall of the Roman Empire and the first thing that caused it was the breakdown of the family.

Many are called but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen? Because they have set their hearts upon the things of the world. I gave this answer and Wendy said, "You are so smart." That just isn't like the Wendy I know but I appreciated it.

While James was waiting for Chuck to go home after sacrament meeting he was outside with his hands on the railing and leaning over as if he were ill or in pain. He was in pain. Sister Amy Reynolds and Barbara Bartels saw him through the window and wanted to know what was wrong with him. I told them about his procedure and how he was feeling a great deal of pain. They were very concerned.

When I got home from church James had made me a potato patty. I ate it with some avocado, cottage cheese and some almonds. I tried to take a nap. James is successful in taking a nap. I love my drink, a mango peach Body Armor Lyte with my pineapple Crush powder with Stevia and water. 

This evening while working on my blog I got a text from my friend Karen Schneider. She is having to cancel our lunch date tomorrow because she is having water pressure issues and little running water in her kitchen. She is calling a plumber for tomorrow and will have to stay home. We re-scheduled for February 6th, the date of my next infusion,.

James and I listened to a chapter from "The Undaunted" and watched a Hallmark movie, "Family History Mystery." 

Charlie chose this pose

Such a sweetheart

Tonight there was a YA fireside

featuring the Holland's

First President and the Quorum

of the Twelve Apostles

Saturday, January 7, 2022: Leave D&T's, Fry's, HD, JBox, Sheri's, Ian helps install new dishwasher, Winco, Kohls, new shoes, Payson, Luna, knee hurts, 10,000

 

Arequipa, Peru

167th operating temple

Dedicated: 15 Dec 2019

By: Ulisses Soares

Jesus Christ, Taking the name of

And now there were seven churches in the land of Zarahemla. And it came to pass that whosoever were desirous to take upon them the name of Christ, or of God, they did join the churches of God;

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 5:7-6:6

Come Follow Me

Luke 1:46-55 Mary testified of Jesus Christ's mission. 

Luke 1:57-80

Jesus's Name

The Bright and Morning Star - Revelations 22:16

OctGenCon

What Is True?

President Russell M. Nelson

President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Many on earth today "are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it." Some would have us believe that truth is relative - that each person should determine for himself or herself what is true. Such a belief is but wishful thinking for those who mistakenly think they will not also be accountable to God.

100 Favorite Verses

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

"He that is righteous is favored of God." 1 Nephi 17:35

Darrel and Trina both left for work this morning. The kids were all still in bed when we left. We stopped at Fry's to get some pomegranate juice and then went on to Home Depot where James returned a part. While James was in Home Depot I went thru Jack-in-the-Box and got us each a cup of ice and a Breakfast Jack.

From Home Depot we went to Sheri's. I dropped James off so he could install the new dishwasher, with Ian's help. I wanted to get a pair of walking shoes with good arches so I headed for Kohl's, across the street. It was 9:10 and Kohl's doesn't open until 10 so I went to Winco which is next door.

I was impressed with how clean and organized Winco was. Also they have things here that we don't have in Show Low. I bought a couple of things and went back to my car. It was 9:45. I listened to a conference talk and then it was almost 10:00 and I drove a little closer and parked and walked into Kohl's. 

Not only did I find some running shoes, although they were Nike's and I had wanted Skechers. These shoes are pink and they are a size 9, the first time I have worn a size 9.

I didn't do it on purpose, but they look a lot

like Trina's shoes.

I also bought two tops at Kohl's and a shirt for James. I bought another top for me at Fry's on Thursday so I'm coming home with a new look.

As I was checking out James called and said he was finished and ready to go. I told him I would be there in less than 10 minutes, which I was. Ian was so happy! He kept saying, thank you so much! Sheri was even happier and said she was going to buy new glasses for her dad when he came in for his eye appointment on Monday.

I'm driving because James isn't supposed to drive until it has been 24 hours since his surgery. Of course I choose the Payson way to go home. We stop at Bashas's in Payson and I get another drink, I have been drinking Body Armor lyte. I also got James a new comb since I seem to have lost his other one. While James checks out I go over to Starbucks and get two egg white bites with peppers and cheese, one for me and one for James. They come in a set of two so it was just one order but it cost $4.95. I can't do this very often. James really liked the egg bite and of course, so do I.

The first thing James does when we get home is go feed Luna since she wasn't fed at all yesterday. My knee is really hurting so I go in and sit in my recliner in the bedroom while James brings everything from the car in. 

James talked to his mom and found out that Laura went home because they have no empty beds in St. Joe. James's doctor told us the same thing. Lois said Laura is not doing that well and David us so worried. He says they have to reschedule her transplant and she has moved down on the list. Her lungs are only at 30% right now.

We had soup and dark chocolate Cellos for dinner. I also had my rice and beans left over from my lunch with Kerri on Wednesday.

We watch a movie and read from "The Undaunted." I barely got 10,000 steps. We were in bed by 9:40.

James's new shirt. It's a small.

Ben's tiny hands

My drinks

First full moon of the new year

Flooding wrecks havoc in

Santa Cruz, California

Kailee's daughter, Wendy's granddaughter, 

and Dave's great granddaughter.

Now that's a chicken coop