Saturday, February 11, 2023: Tile floors, chicken dinner, James goes to town, No Polaris parts, Cleaned upstairs, downstairs, MIchael & Fernie hear, MIchael's pasta is yummy!

 

Mexico City, Mexico

26th operating temple

Dedicated: 2-4 Dec. 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Teaching mode of

3 Nephi 11:14

 Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 4:28-5:9

Come Follow Me

John 4:5-26 "Christ offers me His living water" John 4:27-54

Jesus's Name

Rabbi/Teacher

Lesson

Transformed, Born again, everlasting life, "I am he."

Lesson Scriptures

John 3:5; John 3:16

OctGenCon

In Partnership With The Lord

Elder Ulisses Soares

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The experience of Adam and Eve, after they left the Garden of Eden, beautifully illustrates the concept of interdependence between a mother and father in nurturing and presiding over their family. As taught in the book of Moses, they worked together to till the earth by the sweat of their brow in order to provide for the physical well-being of their family; they brought children into the world; they called on the name of the Lord together and heard His voice "from the way toward the Garden of Eden"; they accepted the commandments the Lord gave them and strove together to obey them. They then "made these things known unto their sons and their daughters" and "ceased not to call upon God" together according to their needs.

100 Favorite Verses - Love Your Enemies

Matthew 5:44-45

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you .... That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.

After working in my daily journal notebook and saying my prayers I went in to clean the floor in the kitchen and dining area. James was still in bed so I wouldn't disturb him in his corner of the dining room table. 

I was still polishing the floor when James came in so I told him to go back into the bedroom and sit at my desk and finish reading Michael Vaal's book, "Find a Way Home." I set my timer for 30 minutes and went to work. I finished before the timer went off and James actually finished the book. 

James needed to go into town this morning to pick up the parts he ordered for the Razr. I told him I would love to go but because we have company coming I need to finish cleaning and get myself ready before they get here. After James left I made the chicken recipe I had picked out for this week. It is a French Onion Chicken recipe using French Onion soup, cheese and the onion rings that come in a can along with some wild rice. After the casserole was in the oven I went upstairs and did a little cleaning. It didn't need much since Darrel and Trina were here a couple of weeks ago. When I was finished upstairs I went downstairs and put the sheets on the bed and hung the towels.

James returned before Michael & Fernie arrived. He brought me a Slinger and one mozarella stick. 

When Michael and Fernie arrived they had lots of groceries to bring in. They put down their bags long enough to give us a hug.

 Michael likes to cook and he says he has some good meals planned for us. They put some of their stuff in the inside refrigerator but most of it went in the frig in the garage. I swept a trail for them so they didn't have to walk in dried up mud.

When it came time for dinner James and I ate some of the chicken I made and some green beans. I invited our guests to have some too. I think they ate a little and I know that Fernie ate some green beans,  but Michael had planned on making pasta so that's what he did. He bought a jar of pasta sauce at Safeway that was labeled "Michael's of Brooklyn." It was a good choice. He also had some Italian sausage which he cooked and cut into medallions and put in the pasta sauce. He also added some parsley because he thinks all Italian dishes should have some parsley because "it looks nice."

I had a bowl of the pasta and it was delicious and so was the sauce with the sausage. Michael was pretty happy with it and so was Fernie. Michael brought red grape bubbly Martinelli's. He says it's his favorite. 

Michael & Fernie watched part of a documentary on Disney Plus about ostriches and then went upstairs to play video games or whatever. I went into my bedroom and worked on my blog and walked while watching TV and James did some indexing. James came in later and we listened to our book, "The Descending Storm" while finishing up our walking. I got 15,000 steps which I felt good about.

Michael gave us this sign

Egg Bite & Toast for breakfast

 

 

 

Friday, February 10, 2023: I found Lela Strickland, 15 deer, 1 buck, James mails Texas pkg, Michael's text he's coming tomorrow, Arizona Farr, Temple sealings scheduled

 

Papeete, Tahiti

25th operating temple

Dedicated: 27-29 Oct 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Teaching mode of

John 21:17

He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 4:1-27

Come Follow Me

John 4:24 Is God a spirit? John 4:1-26

Jesus's Name

Rabbi/Teacher

Lesson Phrases

Born again, Everlasting life, "I am he."

Scriptures

John 3:5; John 3:16

OctGenCon

"Be Perfected In Him"

Elder Paul V. Johnson

Of the Presidency of the Seventy

As Moroni concluded his record, he taught, "Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, ...and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ." What a comforting and powerful truth! His grace is sufficient for me. His grace is sufficient for you. His grace is sufficient for all who "labor and are heavy laden."

100 Favorite Verses - He Was Wounded for Our Transgressions

Isaiah 53:3-5

3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

I got up at 4:37 this morning and did some family history work. Something good came of it, I found the Lela Strickland was looking for! I ran off a copy and will send it to her in the mail.

When James got up he checked outside and there was a herd of about 15 deer with one big buck. He was pretty excited.

I finished the Texas Valentines and got them all boxed up. James took them to the post office for me. He is so sweet and always willing to help me.

I got a text from Michael today reminding me that he and Fernie are coming up tomorrow. He said they would be cooking and would like us to eat with them. He also asked if there was anything he could get for me at the store. I told him I could use a 1% quart of milk. Michael is so sweet and thoughtful.

I am very concerned about Jared and prayed for him throughout the day to day. 

For lunch I cleaned all of the leftovers out of the fridge. We had enchiladas with olives and corn and some refried beans. For dinner I made each of us a baked potato. James loves baked potatoes and so do I.

This afternoon I dusted, the family room and living room and then vacuumed, cleaned and polished the floors. I forgot how beautiful they look when they are polished. 

I messaged Arizona Farr today asking if Shelly and I could come and visit her and see the baby. She said yes and that she would let me know when it was a good time. Shelly messaged her too and got the same response.

I scheduled James and I to do an endowment session at the temple on February 28th and then a session to do sealings afterwards. 

I had a good day today.

Harold's birthday a year or so ago.

Thursday, February 9, 2023: James goes to valley, I slept in, Inklings, Dickey's BBQ a disappointment, Jared's name on TPR, Texas Valentines, James home,

 

Santiago, Chile

24th operating temple

Dedicated: 15 Sept 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Teaching mode of

John 12:50

And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 3:6-25

Come Follow Me

John 3:16-17 "Heavenly Father shows His love for me through Jesus Christ." John 3:16-36

Jesus's Name

Rabbi/Teacher

Lesson Words

Born Again, everlasting life, "I am he."

Favorite Scriptures

John 3:5; John 3:16

OctGenCon

Beauty For Ashes: The Healing Path Of Forgiveness

Sister Kristin M. Yee

Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency

As my love for the Savior has grown, so has my desire to replace hurt and anger with His healing balm. It has been a process of many years, requiring courage, vulnerability, perseverance, and learning to trust in the Savior's divine power to save and heal. I still have work to do, but my heart is no longer on a warpath. I have been given "a new heart" - one that has felt the deep and abiding love of a personal Savior, who stayed beside me, who gently and patiently led me to a batter place, who wept with me, who knew my sorrow.

James left for the valley around 5:30 this morning. I got up and said prayers with him and then I went back to bed. I think I needed a little break. The last few days have finally caught up with me.

I got a message from Dickey's BBQ today saying I hadn't ordered anything from them for awhile, so I decided to order a brisket sandwich for lunch. I was surprised that it cost $14, but then thought that it was probably big with lots of meat. No so. 

Dickey's is located in Lakeside so I turned on Penrod which is supposed to be a shortcut to Lakeside. Not so. It might be shorter but it is not faster. The speed limit is 45 and there are no places to pass. 

I picked up my sandwich when I arrived at Dickey's and let me say, even though I was going to wait until I got home to eat it, I had to take a peek and a bite and I was sorely disappointed in the size of the thing and the taste.  Darrel's brisket was way better! I went home through Show Low and I believe it took me less time. With tax and tip (I left a tip because a girl carried it out to the car for me), my final cost, not including my gas, $16.63. From the time I left home until I returned again it was one hour and a half. Wow! Kind of a waste of time.

I was so tired when I got home and then I realized that I had forgotten to take my Tramadol today. I took a couple and after eating my sandwich I took a little nap. When I got up I felt so much better and had so much more energy.

Kacey texted today to tell us about Jared. He is having back problems and hasn't been able to work. I put his name on the Snowflake temple prayer roll. I wanted to put his name on all of the temple prayer rolls in Arizona but I don't know how.

James called and ask me to Venmo Armando $800. I guess he is doing the work on the medical buildings. He also said he would be coming home this evening. I just assumed he would bring us some burros from Burger House but when he got home he was empty handed. He said he came home the Payson way because he was in north Scottsdale. 

I listened to next week's "Follow Him" podcast. It was very good and I am going to go to the show notes and take some notes for my lesson. 

James and I walked and listened to our book. James also started reading Joe Vaal's brother's book, "Find a Way Home."

 

Wednesday, February 8, 2023: Stacy's 51st bday, Temple endowment session changes, Stacy & Paul go too,

Nuku' alofa, Tonga

23rd operating temple

Dedicated: 9-11 Aug 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Teachig mode of

John 8:6

This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 2:22-3:5

Come Follow Me

John 3:1-21 I must be born again to enter the kingdom of God.

Jesus's Name

Rabbi/Teacher

Lesson Words

Born again, everlasting life, "I am he."

Favorite Scriptures

John 3:5; John 3:16

OctGenCon

Follow Jesus Christ With Footsteps Of Faith

APresident M. Russell Ballard

Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Dear young men and young women, your footsteps of faith will help you to follow the Lord's invitation to serve missions - to be modern-day pioneers - by opening the way for God's children to find and stay on the covenant path leading back to His glorious presence.

100 Favorite Scriptures - Now Is The Time

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.

Happy Birthday Stacy! She and Paul went to the temple to celebrate and so do I. They went to the Gilbert temple and I went to the Snowflake temple with Catherine Halcomb and Ruth Wallace. Sue Hubble was going to go with us but her recommend had expired.

I dropped off Catherine and Ruth at the front of the temple while I went and parked the car. As I came in the temple I showed my recommend and was just turning to go into the elevator when Judy Hunter who works this shift motioned me over. She asked me if I was going to an endowment session and when I said yes she said, "There are big changes and you are going to like them."  I thanked her and continued onto the elevator.

As Ruth, Catherine and I were waiting for the session to start we all noticed that there was no sister in the witness couple seat. President Perkins presided at this session. He pushed the button to start the audio-visual and then sat down. Yes, changes have been made. No witness couple and more pictures of the Savior and several other changes. It mentions at the beginning that there are five covenants we make and then listed those covenants. It seems as if this would be so good for young people or anyone going through the temple for the first time. The session was as long or longer than before. Ruth provided all of us with our names for this session. The last name is Vornkahl/Fornkahl and they all lived in the 1600's. The name started out to be Vornkahl but when they came to America they changed it to Fornkahl.

On the way home we stopped at Sonic. Ruth gave me $15. I protested but she insisted. $5 was for her lunch and the other ten was for my lunch and gas. Ruth is an amazing, quiet person who does family history research every morning. She has researched over 20,000 names.

When I got home James was just getting ready to lie down for a nap. I joined him but couldn't stop talking about the changes at the temple. He said to me, "I think you are too excited to take a nap." He was right but I soon settled down.

This afternoon I made Rollo pretzels with pecans like Kathy Crane's. I made four dozen and put them in little Chinese takeout boxes that had love printed all over them in black and red. James will take them with him to the valley tomorrow to hand out to each of our kids families. 

This evening I watched the new Nikki DeLoach and Andrew Walker mystery movie on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel. They are two of my favorites.  I also listened to our book with James while walking. 

I decided I am going to work family history research into my daily schedule. I think it's going to be the first thing I do in the mornings.

Happy Birthday Stacy

 

 

Tuesday, February 7, 2023: 8:30 appt at Grombach's, Kathy too, Grizz & Belle, Kathy's treats, Town, Sonic, Walmart, Home, Nap, MacArthur's, Dinner, walk, movie, book

 

Apia, Samoa

22nd operating temple

Dedicated: 5-6 Aug 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Teaching mode of

John 7:16

Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 2:11-21

Come Follow Me

John 2:1-11 Jesus Christ's miracles "manifested forth His glory."

John 2:12-25

Jesus's Name

Rabbi/Teacher

Lesson Phrases

"Born again", everlasting life, "I am he."

Favorite Scriptures

John 3:5; John 3:16

OctGenCon

What Is True?

President Russell M. Nelson

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

Dear brothers and sisters, God is the source of all truth. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints embraces all truth that God conveys to His children, whether learned in a scientific laboratory or received by direct revelation from Him.

100 Favorite Verses - Endure to the End

D&C 14:7

And, If you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.

I wanted to sleep in this morning but I have an appointment at 8:30 and I needed to get ready for that appointment.  My appointment is a ministering visit with Janna Grombach before she leaves to go camping on the desert for two weeks. My partner Kathy Crane went with me, and so did James. He drove us because he said he knew where the Grombach's live. 

When we arrived at the Grombach's, Janna came out on the porch and invited us in. Kathy and I both had a valentine for her and I had one for Willie. (A bag of Dorito chips). 

Willie is doing some work on the house, new siding and trim outside and has done a lot inside too. They have a great view of Green's Peak from the porch and from their bay window. Kathy could hear the dogs whining in the other room and said it would be fine if they let them out. I said it was fine with me as long as they didn't jump on me. Janna assured me that they wouldn't. 

We never sat down for a visit because this was just supposed to be a quick drop off as they were scheduled to leave around 9 a.m. Janna showed us a picture of all of their kids and we talked about their dog Belle who is a golden lab and a diver. They said in Buckeye they had a ten foot diving pool and she would dive clear to the bottom. She once rescued Tyler, Janna's nephew, when he was four. I really liked Belle. The other dog is huge, and his name is Grizz.  He is a Rotweiller. Here is a picture of Grizz and Willie:

Willie and Grizz

Kathy gave us a bag of treats, pretzels with a melted Rollo and a pecan half on top, and white chocolate partially dipped Oreos. James and I both loved the pretzels. Kathy said how easy they were so when I went to town today I got the stuff to make them. James is going to the valley tomorrow and he can take them down to the kids.

This afternoon Kathy and I visited the MacArthur's. When we first arrived Chelsea was the only one home. Jarred had taken the younger kids to go pick up Peyton from school. He must have taken the long way home because we had a nice visit before they arrived. Peyton was the first to come in. She went straight over to her mother and gave her a hug. She had a flyer about a movie and dinner night the school was having and she showed it to me. I gave her, her birthday present. She will be 7 on Friday. I looked over at the table and Scotty was eating her Dig n Dips candy powder. Peyton opened her bag and began scrapping off the black from her unicorn valentine.

Chelsea's big concern right now is Jarred leaving on March 11th for Alaska where is a a hot shot fire jumper. He usually doesn't leave until June.

Another concern is training their dog, Ernie. He is very rowdy and likes to jump on people and also jump into their cars. She says they have been trying to train him but Chelsea says she can't help but compare him to their former dog, Brutus, who was a perfect gentleman.

It was almost 5:00 when I got home from Chelsea's, time to fix dinner. I made potstickers in the air fryer and sauteed mushrooms, onions, and spinach for a side dish. James was happy.

Today I started to listen to Robert Millett on "Follow Him" for this week's lesson but then decided since I am teaching the following week, I should listen to that lesson, which I did. Dr. Lincoln Blumell was the guest and he was great. I am teaching Matthew 5 and am very excited about it! Kim is teaching that week too so we are going to compare notes.

New pillows