Saturday, February 18, 2023: Sallie when were you born, Karen's text, Blog, Walk, Study, Read, Sauna blanket, Blog, Walk, Study, Read . . .

 

Frieberg, Germany

33rd operating temple

Dedicated: 29-30 June 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Temptations of

Deuteronomy 6:16

Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 9:31-49

Come Follow Me

Studied my lesson outline

Jesus's Name

Lawgiver

Lessons Words

Blessed, Salt, Light, Love, Perfection

Favorite Scriptures

Matthew 5:3-10, 16, 44, 48

OctGenCon

Drawing Closer To The Savior

Elder Neil L. Andersen

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Choose to Be Different from the World

President Nelson said, "Yes, you are living in the world, but you have very different standards from the world to help you avoid the stain of the world."

100 Favorite Verses - Pray Always

D&C 31:12

Pray always, lest you enter into temptation and lose your reward.

My internal alarm clock seems to be set for 5:30 instead of 4:30. I wonder what I can do about that. Maybe going to bed earlier would help!

Sallie Bettie Jenkins Strickland. When were you born: 7 Sept 1825 or in 1838, dying in 1914? I am a little frustrated because I can find no more information on this family and now I have two birth dates for Sallie Bettie. I am going to ask Ruth Wallace to help me. 

James used his sauna blanket again today. I think he likes how it makes him feel and he truly believes that it pulls the impurities out of his body and helps with inflammation. I'm going to try it one of these days. 

I stayed home today and studied for my lesson tomorrow, blogged and walked and read and ate and laughed and washed my hair and it was a good day. I even fixed dinner this evening. Freshly steamed broccoli and hamburgers served on two small slices of bread. It was just what we both needed.

I managed to get over 17,000 steps today bringing my average way over 12,000 a day. 

I told James this evening that I wanted to be in bed by 9 o'clock because I wanted to get up early to work on my lesson. He said okay and he was going to go in and do some more indexing. When 9:00 came I got in bed and turned out most of the lights. About ten minutes later the bedroom door opened and James was apologizing for being late. He forgot to set his alarm. Always.

 

Puzzle days 

Jon's family

Christina's baby

(I forgot his name)

Friday, February 17, 2023: Public Records mistake, Sauna blanket, Finished Sermon on the Mount lesson outline, Good work day for James

 

Guatemala City, Guatemala

32nd operating temple

Dedicated: 14-16 Dec 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Temptations of

Matthew 4:7

Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 9:15-30

Come Follow Me

Matthew 5:48 Does Heavenly Father really expect me to be perfect?

Jesus's Name

Lawgiver

Lesson Words/Phrases

Blessed, Salt, Light, Love, Perfect

Favorite Scriptures

Matthew 5:1-12, 16, 44, 48

OctGenCon

Are You Still Willing?

Elder Kevin W. Pearson

Of the Seventy

The covenant path is not a simple checklist; it is a process of spiritual growth and deepening commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. The central purpose of every commandment, principle, covenant, and ordinances is to build faith and trust in Christ. Our determination to center our lives on Christ, therefore, must be consistent - not conditional, situational, or superficial. We cannot afford to take vacation days or personal time off from our willingness to "stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places." Discipleship is not cheap, because the companionship of the Holy Ghost is priceless.

Courage to Proclaim The Truth

Elder Denelson Silva

Of the Seventy

As you proceed firmly in Christ and with courage not only to proclaim the truth but to live the truth, you will find comfort and peace during the turbulence that you shall encounter in these days.

100 Favorite Verses - "With All Our Might, Mind & Strength"

2 Nephi 25:29

And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him, and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out.

The first thing I do when I get up in the morning is family history. I have been searching for more information on the Jenkins family, Joe & Sallie and their daughter Sallie Bettie Jenkins Strickland. I have done searches on Family Search and on Ancestry. I decided to see if I could go to North Carolina vital records and search for Sallie Bettie's birth certificate in 1825. I wasn't taken to North Carolina Vital Records but to a public records site. I put in the information on Sallie Bettie and got a message that 8 records were found but there was a $1.00 fee for getting the results. I got out my credit card and paid what I thought was the $1.00 fee. As soon as I did this I received a message that there were no results. I was confused and didn't understand what was going on, but since I was only charged a dollar I didn't pursue it any further. Soon I got a text that said:

Hello Karen, it's Darian from Public Records, just reaching out to check if you were satisfied with your report. 

I said no, I was not satisfied because I was told there were no results after paying the fee.

Darian then asked for the Full Name, City & State, Date of Birth, and Approx age of the person I was searching.

My response: I am not looking for a live person. This person was born in the 1800's and is on my family tree. If I have made a mistake thinking you might have these records, I apologize. Please disregard my complaint.

Okay, Please feel free to contact me with any further inquiries or assistance needed.

Will my credit card be charged the $1.00 fee?

I apologize for the confusion. Our records show that you enrolled in the volume discount package. This package carries a payment plan of 23 installments for $9.95. This entitles you to 25 reports per month. You were charged $9.95. We appreciate your business as a respected customer and ensuring your satisfaction is very important to us. Would you like to close your account, void and remove the remaining charges of $9.95?

Me: Yes I would. I will also dispute the first charge because what I signed up for was one report for $1! I feel like I was scammed. Will you please remove all charges except the $1 I agreed to pay?

Darian: I assure you we are a very legitimate company.

You have already been refunded the amount of $9.95 and your account was closed.

Me: Thank you. I am sorry for my mistake.

Sometimes getting information on relatives is extremely difficult. I am going to talk to my friend Ruth Wallace and see if she can help me. 

James said his ribs hurt and I think it's because he's been shoveling snow but he doesn't agree. I don't know why he doesn't agree. Anyway, he used his sauna blanket today for about 45 minutes and felt better. I told Kim about it and she said it was good for inflammation and for getting rid of impurities. 

This morning I finished blogging for Wednesday and Thursday and this afternoon I finished my lesson outline for Sunday's Gospel Doctrine lesson. I read through it a couple of times and think it's a little long and I am going to have to cut out a couple of things. 

James and I stayed inside most of the day. He went out to feed Luna in the morning and in the evening. He said it was a good day for him because he bid another job for the Jerod Bowen group and got it. He's also working on sending out statements to collect some money. 

In the book that James and I are reading Hitler gave a speech to the newly formed German Work Party. He yelled and the speech gave me the shivers. I hope our hero, Hans, who is Hitler's friend, will see that he is evil.

I am liking my new book that I am reading on my own, "Miss Newbury's List." Her list is things she wants to do before she gets married to a duke she barely knows. #1 was learning to swim. She almost drowned and was saved by her best friends cousin, Mr. Wilson. He also helped her hang one of her paintings in a public place. The third thing he did was eat sweets with her all day long until they both became sick. I think they are falling for each other. It is well written and quite entertaining.

Fieldtrip to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

and to Colossal Caves

Bald Eagles

Thursday, February 16, 2023: Cancel temple w/ Catherine, Knee is better, Inklings, Study , Blog, Walk, Sermon on the Mount

 

Taipei, Taiwan

31st operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Nov 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Temptations of

Matthew 4:1

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil,(JST: to be with God).

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 9:1-14

Come Follow Me

Matt. 5:17-48; Luke 6:27-35 The law of Christ supersedes the law of Moses.

Jesus's Name

Lawgiver

Lessons words/phrases

Blessed, Salt, Light, Love, Perfect

Favorite Scriptures

Matt 5:1-12, 16, 44, 48.

OctGenCon

Wholehearted

Sister Michelle D. Craig

First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency

As disciples of Jesus Christ, we understand that faith in Him requires action-especially in hard times.

I heard the clock chime 4 and then 6 so I must have slept a couple of hours. I went into the bedroom and got in bed and stayed until after 7.

My knee hurts a little but is so much better than it was last night. Just to make sure, I am going to stay home today. I am very tired from lack of sleep. I called Catherine and told her I wouldn't be going to the temple. She could find another ride with one of the RS sisters if she wanted. She didn't. She said she had lots to do. I'm glad we went last week so we don't feel so guilty about cancelling this week. 

Even though James left the cupboard doors under the sink open and had our space heater blowing in heat all night, the cold water pipes were frozen for a short while this morning. James is very careful because frozen water pipes can burst and he doesn't want that.

I listened to Emily and one of her friends, Vanessa this morning on Inklings. They discussed Elder Andersen's talk, "Drawing Closer to the Savior." I loved Vanessa's take on the parable of the wheat and the tares. She said she doesn't think of the tares as people but as temptations, and distractions we need to overcome. 

It was a good discussion and I felt like it changed my perspective.

Sheri Dew says the reason we have meetings or listen to talks is to change.

I worked on Sunday's lesson most of the day. I also walked over 15,000 steps which is an indication of how much better my knee is.

As part of my preparation I bought and printed Ben Wilcox's transcript for his "Teaching with Power, Come Follow Me" lesson. I didn't finish going through the lesson,  but I got a good start and I think I will not need to do a PowerPoint presentation. James is going to be my scribe and will also post pictures at my request. 

James spent about two hours shoveling snow out of the driveway and off the back sidewalks. He said it only got up to 20 degrees today and at that rate the snow would never melt. If he leaves the snow on the driveway it turns to ice and then is impossible to get off. I am afraid he is going to have a severe backache tomorrow.

James fixed me a cup of Pero with chocolate and he also fixed dinner so I could keep working. We had shrimp and leftover green beans from last Saturday.

Kim and I texted a little about Sunday's lesson. She says she is technically challenged and won't be using PowerPoint. 

As I was walking I read from my new book, "Miss Newbury's List." I love the British girl who is narrating. She is my favorite.

James and I walked and listened to "The Shadow Falls." Kirby Heybourn is the narrator and he is good! If he does all of the voices he is amazing!

Lovie & Charlie

Lola

FHE in Chandler.

Joshua, Alex, Ruby, Evan

Trina's post.

My comment: "I had a dress like this to celebrate the

100th anniversary of the organization

of the Primary and

James had a jacket that very same color"!

 

Wednesday, February 15, 2023: 12" of snow, snowed in until Bishop blades our driveway, Michael & Fernie leave, we go to town, Wlmrt, Sonic,

 

Dallas, Texas

30th operating temple

Dedicated: 19 Oct 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Teaching mode of

Matthew 13:54

And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 8:1-25

Come Follow Me

Matt. 5:13 "Ye are the salt of the earth" 

Jesus's Name

Lawgiver

Lesson Words/Phrases

Blessed, Salt, Light, Love

Favorite Scriptures

Matthew 5:1-12;  5:16; 5:44; 5:48

OctGenCon

Our Earthly Stewardship

Bishop Gerald Causse'

Presiding Bishop

Second principle: As stewards of God's creations, we have a duty to honor and care for them.

As God's children, we have received the charge to be stewards, caretakers, and guardians of His divine creations. The Lord said that He made "every man accountable, as a steward over earthly blessings, which I have made and prepared for my creatures."

100 Favorite Verses - "An Abundant Life"

John 10:10

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

12-14 inches of snow this morning. The world looks beautiful, especially the trees!

Fernie doesn't seem to mind that her car is covered with snow. I think she wishes she could stay.

Fernie's car 

James scraped the snow off for her.

  Bishop Hunsaker came and bladed our driveway and road so we could get out. After what happened with Pierce on Monday, getting the truck out of the mud, and now today the bishop blading our road, Michael said: "Wow, you guys really do live the law of consecration!

Michael and Fernie watched the second Harry Potter movie, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" before getting ready to leave for home. 

Charlie asked today if she could bring the Book of Mormon in the car with her. Kacey said yes, she could. Kacey made a video of Charlie reading from the Book of Mormon. I tried to download it here. It looks like it downloads but then it won't play. I tried several times and I am so sad that I can't make it work because this is something that I want to remember forever. It is on my phone. This is what Charlie said:

"On Valentine's Day they gived, and shared, and loved and repented and told the truth and had so much fun." Those words she used are scripture words and look how many ands she used, just like the Book of Mormon! Wow! I am so impressed with this little four year old girl. I wish I could hear her prayers!

In the early afternoon Michael and Fernie were ready to leave for home. We were ready to go into town and followed right behind them.

We enjoyed having Michael & Fernie vist

and hope they come back soon!

That snow on top flew off as soon

as we got on the road.

We took the truck to town because the driveway still needs to be shoveled in order to get the car out. I reminded James I was going to the temple tomorrow and he said, "What time?" I am leaving at 9:30.

The highway is cleared and after following Michael & Fernie for awhile James passed them and honked loud and clear. They turn in at Maverick and we continue on to Walmart. James drops me off at the front door while he goes to get a parking space. Later he finds me and helps me do my shopping. These are my three meals for this week: 1 - Cashew chicken 2 - Tacos and 3 - Butternut squash risotto.

While still in Walmart so I can use their wifi I text in our order to Sonic. Two Slingers and a small order of mozarella sticks which are on sale for $1.49. Yummy! 

We finished volume2 of Fire & Steel, The Storm Descends, and start volume 3, The Shadow Falls. Hans is friends with Adolph Hitler and we see how Adolph develops his political views. It is interesting but I hope Hans doesn't follow him into World War II. Right now it is only 1919. There are a total of six books in this series.

I also finished my book, "The Best Intentions" and started a new book, "Miss Newbury's List." 

After putting the groceries away it was time for a break. I watched one of my favorite Up channel movies, "Can't Buy Me Love." After rest time I got up and came over to the computer to work on my blog and to listen to Tyler and Taylor on Scripture Central again. I like their stepping stone approach to the Beatitudes. After finishing taking notes on Tyler and Taylor I started listening to Lynne Wilson who is also on Scripture Central. I have printed out most of her PowerPoint and am deciding which slides I want to use. 

My knee really hurts but I manage to get my 12,000 steps. I go to bed in my bed but then move to the bedroom recliner and then in to the family room recliner where sleep eludes me for a couple of hours.

Loose pig at Timber Knoll

and the 60

Memory: Addy, Rowan, and Ruby playing in

Dawn's school room.

I believe this would work with adults too!

My purple polka dot kitchen accessories

 

Tuesday, February 14, 2023: James leaves for valley, Happy V-Day, Kacey's message, Molly's donation, HP movies, chocolate cake, Five Crowns, Smores & steak, Flowers & love notes,

Manilla, Philippines

29th operating temple

Dedicated: 25 Sep 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Teaching mode of

3 Nephi 23:11

And Jesus said unto them: How be it that ye have not written this things, that many saints did arise and appear unto many and did minister unto them?

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 6:8-7:11

Come Follow Me

Matthew 5:1-12; Luke 6:20-26, 46-49 Lasting happiness comes from living the way Jesus Christ taught.

Jesus's Name

Lawgiver

Favorite Scriptures

Matt 5:16; Matt 5:44; Matt 5:48

OctGenCon

The Doctrine Of Belonging

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The final and most important element of the doctrine of belonging is the central role of Jesus Christ. We don't join the Church for fellowship alone, important as that is. We join for redemption through the love and grace of Jesus Christ. We join to secure the ordinances of salvation and exaltation for ourselves and those we love on both sides of the veil. We join to participate in a great project to establish Zion in preparation for the Lord's return.

100 Favorite Verses - "Believe In The Lord Your God"

2 Chronicles 20:15, 20

Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. . . . Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so hall ye prosper.

"When we trust in the Lord, we need not fear the multitudes that surround us.

Up at 4:52 to see James off to the valley. I am sad he has to go on Valentines Day. 

Our winter storm continues with wind and snow. 

Michael asked me if I had the Harry Potter movies and of course I do. He opened the first one and the disc was gone. I just made sure I had all the movies, how did this happen? I check Prime video and saw you could rent or buy the movies so I rented the first one for Michael and Fergie to watch. Fergie has never seen them so it was important for her to start at the beginning. I also ordered the movie so I would have it in my collection. 

As I was going about my morning routine, working 20 minutes the walking I grew tired and hungry.  I made myself a bean burro then went back to my room, sat back in the recliner with my heart blanket, turned on a movie, and fell asleep. I woke up thinking I heard someone knocking at the door. I jumped up and went into the entryway. I called to Michael and Fernie who were upstairs and asked if they heard someone knocking. Fernie said, "No, I think it was just the wind." Probably true. Yesterday it was a spider, today it was a knock. I wonder what will wake me up tomorrow.

I worked on the lesson I am giving Sunday by running off PowerPoint pages that I got from several "Come Follow Me" presentations. Most are from Lynne Hilton Wilson's presentation but there are some from Ben Wilcox too. I am going to lay these out and figure out how to use them in my lesson. I also want to use the stairway of attributes Tyler and Taylor used to represent the Beatitudes. I have lots of ideas I just need to get them organized. Kerri is coming over to help me do a PowerPoint on Friday or Saturday.

Molly texted me today and asked me to donate to her school's athletics program, which I did, and she promptly thanked me.

James called me around 4:30 asking if I had sent money to Rudy for the drywall work he finished. I said no, but I would and then I asked him where he was. He said between Show Low and Vernon. I was surprised because he said he probably wouldn't be home until late. 

He was home around 5:00. He brought me two bouquets of flowers and wrote me the sweetest love note, I am so blessed to have such a wonderful eternal companion!

Earlier this afternoon I made the chocolate sheetcake Courtney had us make as part of her Cake Camp. It is very moist and delicious. Last time it fell in the middle so this time I added a little more flour. It turned out really well. I had not butter to make frosting but Michael had some cream so I borrowed a cup and made some chocolate ganache. I used semi-sweet chocolate chips. It made a beautiful, shiny frosting that was not too sweet like most frosting is. We all liked it! 

Michael made steak, asparagus, and mashed potatoes for our Valentine's dinner. Everything was delicious!

We had the choice of Welch's sparkling red

grape juice or Martinelli's sparkling

apple juice to go with our meal.

After dinner James made a fire while I cleaned the kitchen then the four of us played Five Crowns. Fernie had never played before so we had to teach her as we played. I won, which doesn't happen very often. 

It was a great Valentine's Day! It was snowing like crazy when we went to bed.

Scarlett's artwork

Shaun & Anna