Monday, February 13, 2023: 5 podcasts later,Pierce's army truck to the rescue, lunch @ Licano's, snow & sunshine, Walmart, Fernie&Michael ride Luna the naughty horse, Michael's dinner

Sydney, Australia

28th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 Sep 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Teaching mode of

3 Nephi 17:3

Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the father, in my name, that ye may understand, and prepare your minds for the morrow, and I come unto you again.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 5:26-6:7

Come Follow Me

Matthew 5; Luke 6 "Blessed Are Ye"

Jesus's Name

Lawgiver

Lesson Words/Phrases

Blessed, Light, Salt, Love, 

Favorite Scripture

Matthew 5:48

OctGenCon

Building A Life Resistant To The Adversary

Elder Jorge F. Zeballos

Of the Seventy

The Savior Himself, at the beginning of His ministry, "was left to be tempted of the devil." But Jesus emerged successful from that great trial How did having an attitude of anti-Satan or anti-temptation serve Him? What made Jesus emerge triumphant from these most difficult moments was His spiritual preparation, which permitted Him to be in a condition to resist the temptations of the adversary.

100 Favorite Verses - Peace Be Unto Thy Soul

D&C 121:7-8

My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thin afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.

"The school of adversity refines and sanctifies us, lifting us toward a level of Christlike compassion and mercy. We cannot fully share His joy without experiencing some of His sorrows.

Five podcasts/videos later, I have a lot of ideas on how and what to teach from Matthew 5. Now I have to get it organized and prepared. Kerri is coming over this weekend to help me to do a PowerPoint. 

It was windy, cold, and snowy today but we also had sunshine. It went from snowing to sunshine several.

James called Pierce this morning and told him his truck was stuck up on the road to Green's Peak and asked him if they could use his army truck to get it out. Pierce said: "I live for opportunities like these."

Pierce, James, and Michael drove up the hill and got the truck out, no problem. That army truck is such a life saver and so is it's owner. Thank you Pierce. Michael was very impressed!

James took all of us to lunch at Licano's. He wanted to go to LaCasita but I reminded him that they were closed on Monday. 

I had a ground beef taco and a chicken enchilada and both were very good. It was not snowing when we went into the restaurant but it had been snowing. When we came out it was very cold but still not snowing. We went through the drive line at the Show Low post office to mail Stacy Lela Strickland's name.

 James dropped the three of us off at Walmart while he went to Tractor Supply to get some horse feed. We bought snacks, including graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate to make Smores tomorrow for Valentine's day. Most all of the Valentine stuff in Walmart was gone except for fresh flowers. There were people putting up the Easter displays. They had a ton of fresh flowers, including roses.

James is going to be gone to the valley tomorrow to check on his jobs so I am a little bit sad. 

When we got home it was snowing in Vernon but a few minutes later the sun was shining. It was a crazy day weather wise.

Fernie and Michael decided they wanted to ride Luna. I didn't actually see them ride her but James said Luna kept going under trees when Fernie was riding her. She does that if she thinks the rider is inexperienced trying to brush them off. She is a stinker. Michael said she tried to do that with him but he wouldn't allow it.

When I woke up from my nap this afternoon I thought there was a spider crawling on me but I could find no sign of him. James said it was just a dream and he is probably right.

Michael made another delicious dinner tonight. That is one of the reasons that James wanted to take them out to lunch this afternoon because they have been fixing us such good meals at home. Tonight it was pork chops, new potatoes, squash and zucchini. It was great. I told Michael that Grampa and I would clean the kitchen, which we did. Afterwards we walked and listened to our book before going to bed. James is getting up early to leave for the valley so we were in bed before 10.

Paul and his sister Nicole

This is so sad.

I laughed so much when I read this

because it is so true!

 

Sunday, February 12, 2023: Michael & Fernie sacrament mtg, Wendy's lesson, my new calling, Michael's roast, stuck in the mud, late dinner

 

Boise, Idaho

27th operating temple

Dedicated: 25-30 May 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Teaching mode of

3 Nephi 11:32

And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me; and I bear record of the Father, and the father beareth record of me, and the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me; and I bear record that the Father commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent and believe in me.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 5:10-25

Come Follow Me

Review & "Don't Miss This"

Jesus's Name

Rabbi/Teacher

Lesson Phrases

Transformed, Born Again, Everlasting Life, "I am He."

Favorite Scriptures

John 3:5; John 3:16

OctGenCon

And They Sought To See Jesus Who He Was

Elder James W. McConkie III

Of the Seventy

With that telling of Mark 2 in mind, several important truths become clear about Jesus as the Christ. First, when we try to help someone we love come unto Christ, we can do so with confidence that He has the capacity to lift the burden of sin and to forgive. Second, when we bring physical, emotional, or other illnesses to Christ, we can do so knowing He has the power to heal and comfort. Third, when we make effort like the four to bring others to Christ, we can do so with certainty that He sees our true intentions and will appropriately honor them.

100 Favorite Verses - "Lift Up Your Heads and Rejoice"

Mosiah 7:19

Therefore, lift up your heads, and rejoice, and put your trust in God, in that God who was the God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob; and also, that God who brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, and caused that they should walk through the Red Sea on dry ground, and fed them with manna that they might not perish in the wilderness; and many more things did he do for them.

Happy 40th Birthday Trina!

Michael and Fernie came to church with us. They were a little late because Michael got up late. We left and told Fernie we would sit in the back so they could come and sit with us without disturbing the meeting. We actually sat in the overflow by the Gillespie's and the Price's. I talked to Linda Price and told her about Michael and that Fernie was Catholic. She said that John was inactive when they started going together and she was a Catholic. What a coincidence.

Gracie Umphress was the youth speaker today. She spoke on the section in the For the Strength of Youth guide called "Walk in God's Light." The scripture that goes with this section is Galatians 5:25 - If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

We need to make time for the Lord every day. Making good choices improves our ability to feel the Spirit. 

 Sister Isabel Beals was the next speaker. The Beals' are a new younger couple in our ward with five children from 9 years old to 4 months. Sister Beals said she has always wanted to live on a farm with lots of animals. She grew up in Snowflake and went to college at Eastern Arizona where she met her husband. She spoke on Sister Browning's talk, "Seeing More of Jesus Christ in our Lives." We put on our spiritual glasses when we have daily scripture study, prayer, attend church meetings and go to the temple. Nothing invites the Spirit more than fixing your focus on Jesus Christ. The Savior invites us to see our lives through Him in order to see more of Him in our lives. Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount, speaking of the law of Moses, declared, "Think not that I am come to destroy the low or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill." After Christ's Atonement the gospel went from the ordinance of sacrifice to the ordinance of the sacrament.

Brother Jordan Beals spoke at Elder Bednar's talk, "Put On Thy Strength, O Zion." Ask, seek, and knock to discover the truths embedded in a parable. "The Royal Marriage Feast" is found in Matthew 22. Many are called but few are chosen. "I joyfully declare my witness of the divinity and living reality of God, our Eternal Father, and of HIs Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. I testify that Jesus Christ, is our Savior and Redeemer and that He lives. And I also witness that the Father and the Son appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, thus initiating the Restoration of the Savior's gospel in the latter days. May each of us seek for and be blessed with eyes to see and ears to hear, I pray in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen." God's call and our response determines if we are chosen.

Michael and Fernie went home after sacrament meeting. Michael said he was going to cook a roast for dinner. Today we had Elder's Quorum and Relief Society. Wendy DeWitt taught our Relief Society class. She didn't have time because there were lots of announcements and then we had a council about ministering. It was after 10:30 when she started. Wendy gave all of us a pig sticker to keep saying that we need to remember who we are, children of God, and we are meant for bigger and better things. The lesson was supposed to be based on Elder McConkie's talk, "And They Sought to See Jesus, Who He was", and Elder Andersen's talk, "Drawing Closer to the Savior."

What lack I yet was a question that Wendy said we should ask ourselves.

 

I sat by Catherine Halcomb and Sue Hubble and we talked about going to the temple on Thursday with the Relief Society sisters. Sue still has to get her recommend signed by the stake. Sue's son and daughter-in-law attended our ward today and James said Scott, Sue's son, thanked the elders quorum for building the ramp for his sister.

After our meetings were over James said that Chuck wanted to talk with him so he went back into the cultural hall. He gave me the keys to the car and I went out and sat in the car. Pierce Goodman, who is a member of the bishopric came over to my car window and I opened the door. He said he wasn't sure if he should do this without James being here but he called me to teach Relief Society. He ask me if that was something I thought I could do. I told him I was subbing for Brother Applegate in Sunday School next week and I was scared to death, but I could teach Relief Society without being scared.

Michael and Fernie were in the kitchen getting the roast ready to put in the crockpot for about 8 hours.

Our chefs at work

I had some of the pasta that Michael made last night for lunch today and then James and I both went in to take a nap. James used his sauna blanket and afterwards had to take another shower.

 When I got up from my nap and went into the kitchen Michael and Fernie were watching TV. I asked them what they were watching and they said "Princess Bride" because Fernie has never seen it. After awhile they took a break and wanted to take a ride up to Green's Peak. We don't have any gas for the Razr so they took James's truck. 

The thought went through my mind, isn't he afraid that they will get stuck. An hour or so later, James got a call. They are stuck. He called Chuck and for some reason Chuck thought they were on the Razr so he and James took his ATV, the Pioneer, up to help. It couldn't pull the truck out so they brought Fernie home and then went back in Chuck's truck. The truck couldn't get James's truck out either so they came home thinking they would go back in the morning because it was dark and it's difficult to work in the dark. 

Back at home I realized that the roast was not getting done in the crockpot so I put it in my cast iron pot and cooked it on the stovetop. I also threw in the carrots to cook with the roast and made some mashed potatoes. It was nine o'clock before the roast was done and we all sat down to eat. James didn't want to eat that late so he ate leftover chicken for dinner.

I love the Valentine's gift Michael got for Fernie and I am going to get one to give to Dawn. It's a Lego set of love birds. It's the cutest Lego set I have ever seen.

Michael asked me if I liked to paint. I told him I recently helped paint my bedroom and then he showed me some flowers that Fernie painted and I realized he wasn't talking about the kind of painting that I was. She is really quite an artist!

We watched the last five minutes of the Superbowl when we heard it was tied 35 to 35. Kansas City kicked a field goal to make it 38-35 with 8 seconds left on the clock to pretty much secure the win. I am glad that Kansas City won. Michael played his ukulele a little tonight and sang before going to bed.

 

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."