Friday, March 3, 2023: Temple sealings & endowment session, LaCasita, Go ahead on surgery except J is sick, Covid test tomorrow, M&M puzzle, Hitler tirades

Orlando, Florida

46th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Oct 1994

By: Howard W. Hunter

Jesus Christ, Testimony of

2 Nephi 16:5

Then said I: Wo is unto me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips; and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 25:1-13

Come Follow Me

Matt 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41 Jesus Christ has power to bring peace in the midst of life's storms.

Jesus's Name

Healer

Phrase

"Thy faith hath saved thee. Go in peace."

Words

Faith, Miracle, Love, Peace

Favorite Scripture

Matthew 8:13

OctGenCon

Seeing More Of Jesus Christ in Our Lives

Sister Tracy Y. Browning

Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency

Our Savior, Jesus Christ, directs our feet to meetinghouses each week to partake of HIs sacrament, to the house of the Lord to make covenants with Him, to the scriptures and teachings of prophets to learn of His words. He directs our mouths to testify of Him, our hands to lift and serve as He would lift and serve, our eyes to see the world and each other as He does - "as they really are, and . . . as they really will be." And as we allow Him to direct us in all things, we receive testimony that "all things denote there is a God," because where we look for Him we will find Him - each and every day. This I testify in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.

100 Favorite Verses - "The Light, Life and Truth of the World"

Ether 4:12 - And whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good is of me; for good cometh of none save it be of me. I am the same that leadeth men to all good; he that will not believe my words will not believe me - that I am; and he that will not believe me will not believe the Father who sent me. For behold, I am the Father, I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world.

Great are the words of Isaiah, according to Nephi. The more I read them, the more I agree.

We left for the temple around 7:30 this morning. We had an appointment to do sealings from 8:45-9:15. Brother Jim Adair was the sealer. He is a familiar face to us as he used to work quite often on our Saturday morning shift. A very kind and pleasant man as most temple workers are. The other brothers and sisters who were in this session with us: Claudia Crandall who was a worker on our Saturday morning shift, Sister Tenney, Sister Rinehart, Claire Lambson who is James's cousin Neal's wife, Kevin Judd's parents, Kevin Judd is in our ward, Brother Stevens and Brother Isaacson. First we were the witnesses for several couple sealings and a few sons to parents. Then we were called to the altar. We sealed Mary Strickland to her husband David, Samuel Strickland to his wife Mabel, and Lena Brinley to her parents. Another couple was then called to the altar. At 9:20 when there was a break we told Brother Adair we were going to the 9:30 endowment session. He said, "Oh, I didn't know" and handed me back the six couple sealings that weren't done. I realized we should have told him before we started that we were going to the 9:30 endowment session. 

During the endowment session I sat by Sister Janet Bowers, another friend from when we were temple workers. She is from east Texas and has a Texas accent although she has lived in Arizona for years. I looked over and James was sitting by Brother Bowers.

This is James's first time for the new presentation and it is my third. 

He really liked it and I enjoyed it more this time, noticing more changes than I did the other two times I went.

I drove on the way home so James could talk on the phone to Armando. He had a couple of messages from Dr. Patel so he called the hospital. He told them to try my phone if they couldn't reach him on his phone. We went to lunch at LaCasita. I had something I have not had there before, a green chili Navajo taco. It was delicious but I ate too much of the fry bread. Not too healthy. James had what he always has, a green chili mixed burro. He forgot to order it enchilada style. 

When we came out of LaCasita there was a message on my phone from the doctor, and one on James's. We called and spoke to his secretary. She said the doctors conferred and they want to do the surgery. Darn! I wish we hadn't missed those calls. I really wanted James to talk to Dr. Patel again. I forgot that my phone only accepts calls from my contacts. All other calls go directly to voice mail.

It is a beautiful sun shiny day with no wind. The high temperature was around 50. At this rate all of the snow is going to melt and we will be left with mud. We got gas and washed the car before going home although washing the car isn't going to do much good as our road is very muddy. We need to order more gravel for the road.

When we got home neither one of us had more than 3,000 steps so we did a lot of walking this evening and listening to our book which was a lot of yelling by Adolf Hitler. I don't like him and I don't like the part of the story with him in it. James says he likes it because it is history and he finds it interesting. I find it depressing and annoying.

Kim is going to go to James's surgery with me on Monday. She is worried about them doing an extensive surgery causing James to have to use a bag. I am worried about that too. She says we are going to ask to speak to the doctor before the surgery and then one of us is going to record the conversation and the doctor saying, "There will be no need to use a bag." She doesn't trust James to make sure and neither do I because of what happened with his prostate cancer and them not using the spacer jell and James getting a radiation burn.

James has not felt well. He thought maybe he was getting the flu or had Covid again. He took a Tramadol and got in his sauna blanket for about 45 minutes, took a shower, and felt much better. He is still going tomorrow to be tested for Covid.

Anna's cat

This is a guard for washing the

babies hair.

Cotswold

Strawberry Inn

Tucson temple

Saguaro National Park

This puzzle came today

 

 

 

Thursday, March 2, 2023: 2-3" of new snow, FH-Thomas & Catherine Parker, J's contract, Trip to Town, Gdwll, Wlmart groc & tires, Sonic, J's truck, Finish "The Shadow Falls" start "The Proud Shall Stumble"

 

San Diego, California

45th operating temple

Dedicated: 25 April 1993

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Testimony of

Isaiah 6:5

Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 24:1-32

Come Follow Me

Matt. 8:18-22; Mark 3:31-35 Being a disciple of Jesus Christ means that I put Him first in my life.

Jesus's Name

Healer

Phrase

"Thy faith hath saved thee."

Words

Faith, Miracle, Love

Favorite Scripture

Matthew 8:13

OctGenCon

Jesus Christ Is The Strength Of Youth

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Important temporal and spiritual choices should not only be based on personal preference or what is convenient or popular. The Lord is not saying, "Do whatever you want."

He is saying, "Let God prevail."

He is saying, "Come follow me."

He is saying, "Live in a holier, higher, more mature way."

He is saying, "Keep my commandments."

Jesus Christ is our perfect example, and we strive with all the energy of our soul to follow Him. 

100 Favorite Scriptures - "Become as little children"

Matthew 18:3-4

3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Two-Three inches of new snow on the ground and on the patio furniture. 

I did a little family history this morning. I am now looking for a couple of Nannie's relatives, Thomas Isaiah Parker and Catherine Parker. I don't know Catherine's maiden name. They have a daughter named Artalessa who is married to an Epley. 

James worked on getting a contract ready for the 51st avenue medical building remodel this morning. He sent it off and then we went in to town with the donut tire on our car and no spare. Our first stop was at Goodwill to make a donation and then on to Walmart. James dropped me off at the front door while he went around to the automotive department to get the tire fixed. I told him I was going to be awhile and if he got the tire fixed quickly to check in with me and then go and do his other errands.

I had only been shopping for a few minutes when James called and asked me if I was ready to go. I just laughed and said, "You've got to be kidding." He was. He said that we needed two new tire and it was going to take awhile. Okay, that's fine because I have plenty of shopping to do. James came in to check on me once and asked if I got his flax seed crackers. I told him I had three boxes of crackers for him. He took one of the boxes back and said the other two were fine. I check out in the self-checkout which takes me a very long time, and then go outside to wait for James to pick me up. I realized I hadn't paid for the computer paper I had in my basket so I went back inside and paid for it. I had called James several times and he didn't answer so this time when it went to voicemail I left a message. He called me back and said they put one tire on but forgot to put the other one on and were now working on someone else's car and he was still waiting. I told him I wasn't going to wait outside in the cold, I was coming back to automotive and wait with him. I didn't even get to sit down when the guy was done with our car and James checked out. We took the basket of groceries outside and loaded up the car and left. We need to get the car washed but it won't do any good because our roads are so muddy. 

James stopped at the hospital outpatient pavillion and went in to get the test scores for his psa bloodwork. His cancer count is down to .7 which is the lowest it had ever been. This is the prostate cancer count.

James was starving and I was quite hungry too, so we went to Sonic and got lunch, two Slingers and mozzarella sticks. We then went over to Southwest Transmission where James's truck is parked. He wants to take his toolbox home but he did some measuring and realized it was four inches to long to fit in the car. I am a little bit glad because I didn't want the toolbox on top of my groceries.

As we were driving up our road parallel to the field where Luna is, she saw us and began kicking up her hills and racing us to the house. Sometimes she can be so endearing even though she is a spoiled little spitfire!

We are having the MacArthur's over for dinner on Saturday and I bought a lot of food. It is going to be a fiesta feast of Mexican food.

Chicken enchiladas with white sauce, meat mix for burros, refried beans and Chili's conqueso dip with chips, and strawberry brownies and maybe some Rice Krispy treats. I'm also thinking about making some pork green chili. 

We finished the book, "As the Shadow Falls" and started the next volume in the series, "The Proud Shall Stumble." Some of the history associated with this story is the terrible depression in Germany after World War I and the devaluation of the Marc. In 1923 the exchange rate was $1 for 4.2 trillion marcs. You couldn't get enough marcs to buy a loaf of bread. You had to use a wheelbarrow to carry your money around. 

I paid tithing today and it always feels so good to do that. I also indexed 50 reviews.

Different floor arrangement but this is 

what our kitchen looked like growing up in Phoenix.

Sister Hughes is a former member of the

General Relief Society Presidency

I can hardly wait!

So adorable!

Based on their October 2022 talks!

Wednesday, Mar 1, 2023: Thomas & Catherine Parker, James Payson way big snowstorm & blowout, Home w/green chili mixed burro

 

Toronto, Ontario

44th operating temple

Dedicated: 25 Aug 1990

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Testimony of

Psalms 19:7

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 23:1-22

Come Follow Me

Mark 2:15-17; Luke 7:36-50 Jesus Christ came not to condemn sinners but to heal them.

Jesus's Name

Healer

Phrase

"Thy Faith hath save thee."

Words

Faith, Miracle, Love

Favorite Scripture

Matthew 8:13

OctGenCon

Helping The Poor And Distressed

President Dallin H. Oaks

First Counselor in the First Presidency

All of the humanitarian efforts of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints seek to follow the example of a righteous people described in the Book of Mormon: 

"And thus, in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, ... and they ... were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church."

100 Favorite Verses - "His Ways Our Higher Than Ours"

Isaiah 55:8-9

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are you ways my ways, saith the LORD.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than you ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

James left for the valley around 5:15 this morning after we had family prayer together. He went the Payson way and traveled in a snowstorm until he got to Payson.  As he left Payson and before he got to the valley, he had a blowout. He rode with the donut on the rest of the day and all the way home. He came home through Globe and stopped at the Peeler's to do a little job for them. He also brought me a mixed green burro from Burger House. Yummy!

I had a good day starting at 4:30 a.m. I stayed on my schedule all day and accomplished most all of my goals. It felt good to finally be here.

James came home in a snow storm. We walked and listened to our book and then we both did some indexing. This morning I did a little family history. My new search is for Thomas Isaiah Parker and his wife Catherine. This is from Nannie's line. I do know they had a daughter named Artaleesa and I have most of her information.

Darrel and Trina are coming up next weekend. I told them I would watch Lola if they wanted to go snowboarding. Trina seemed excited.

I ordered some puzzles today and sent one to Sheri that shows all of the planets in our solar system. She seemed excited to get it. I used the rewards money I got from my credit card.

I was finished eating for the day by 6 p.m. This means I can't eat again until 7 a.m. if I am going to fast for 13 hours. 

I listened to a talk by Elder Uchtdorf this morning as part of my "Come Follow Me" lesson.  The name of the talk is "The Gift of Grace." There is a quote in this talk that I love.

"Salvation cannot be bought with the currency of obedience.

It was purchased with the blood of Jesus Christ."

Another thing I learned this morning was something regarding the story of the woman with the alabastar box washing Jesus's feet with her tears and drying them with her hair. I always thought it was strange that this woman off the street would just come into Simon's house without being invited. Jesus was at a feast and this is what the New Testament Student Manual said:

"The woman was allowed to enter Simon's because of social customs that allowed people in need to visit banquets and receive leftover food."

This evening I read two chapters from Michael Vaal's book, "Find A Way Home. The two chapters I read were chapter 6 Roadside Strafing and chapter 7 Starvation.

The Vaal boys mother was incredible and had such courage and faith. It is really quite an amazing story and I am so impressed with Maria Vaal.

I want to make cookies that look like this!

I want to make a cake that looks like this.

This is so precious to me!

Luke & Asha, Ryan's kids, 

Asha gets her mission call.

Ryker Matthews,

Tanna's baby

Tanna & Travis's accident

How did this happen?

Tuesday, February 28, 2023: Pack of coyotes, herd of elk, James bloodwork & horse feed, Woman w/ Alabaster jar Mary Magdalene?, Cancel & reschedule eye appt

 

Las Vegas, Nevada

43rd operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Dec 1989

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Testimony of

Job 19:25

For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 21:1-22:6

Come Follow Me

Matthew 8; Mark 2-3; Luke 7 The Savior can heal infirmities and sicknesses.

Jesus's Name

Healer

Phrase

"Thy faith hath saved thee."

Words

Faith, Miracle, Love

Favorite Scripture

Matthew 8:13

OctGenCon

Be True To God And His Work

Elder Quentin L. Cook

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Bridle is an interesting word. When we ride a horse, we use the bridle to guide it. A good synonym might be to direct, control, or restrain. The Old Testament tells us we shouted for joy when we learned we would have physical bodies. The body is not evil-it is beautiful and essential-but some passions, if not used properly  and appropriately bridled, can separate us from God and His work and adversely impact our testimony.

Focus On The Temple

President Russell M, Nelson

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

We are also planning to build multiple temples in selected large metropolitan areas where travel time to an existing temple is a major challenge. Therefore, I am pleased to announce four additional locations near Mexico City where new temples will be built in Cuernavaca, Pachuca, Toluca, and Tula.

100 Favorite Verses - All Things Were Created For Our Benefit

D&C 59:18-20

18 Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart;

19 Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul

20 And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man; for unto the end were they made to be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion.

A pack, four, of coyotes crossed our field this morning. James also sees a herd of elk so he goes upstairs for a better view.

After his wildlife experience James announced that he was going to town to get horse feed and to have his bloodwork done. I was in the shower and asked him to give me five minutes so we could have family prayer. After prayer we said goodbye and James left.

We were supposed to go to the temple this morning but I cancelled and rescheduled for Friday.  

James has a meeting in the valley tomorrow and is trying to figure out how he is going to get there. I have an appointment to have my eye checked after my Yag procedure tomorrow afternoon. I started feeling like I should do something so I called Barnett-Delaney-Perkins and rescheduled for March 13th. Now James can use the car. He was relieved. 

I spent quite a bit of time studying the Book of Mormon today. We are in the Isaiah chapters and I am using Brother Kerry Muhlstein's "Learning to Love Isaiah" commentary along with Brother David Ridges "Isaiah Made Easier." In our "Come Follow Me" discussion the other night at the Goodman's I said I thought that the woman with the alabastar box who had washed the Savior's feet was Mary Magdalene but I wasn't sure and that I would do some research to find out. 

I Googled and it seems there is a large consensus that believe it was Mary Magdalene. None of them are our Church references. I went to the New Testament Student Manual and looked in the index and found this on page 156:

"Mary Magdalene, the woman to whom the resurrected Savior first appeared (see John 20:10-18), was one of the women who accompanied Jesus. Luke recorded that the Savior had cast seven devils out of her (Luke 8:2). Mary Magdalene should not be confused with the sinful woman mentioned in Luke 7:36-50 or with Mary of Bethany (Luke 10:38-42; John 11:1). Mary Magdalene held an honored place in the kingdom - implied in John 20:10-18 and other passages."

I was wrong and will make sure that I tell the Goodman's. 

We ate dinner around 4:30 each having a baked potato. We like to eat a little early because we fast for 13 hours before eating again. Kacey read a book recording this study:

In 2016, The Journal of the American Medical Association released an observational study that looked at more than 2,000 women between the ages of 27 and 70 who had undergone conventional breast cancer treatment, After analyzing this large group of women for four years, researchers determined that when women fasted 13 hours or more a day, they had a 64 percent less chance of recurrence of breast cancer. This is largely because fasting created a significant decrease in hemoglobin A1c, an indicator of blood glucose levels, and C-reactive protein, an indicator of inflammation, Very few drugs can offer that kind of result. This is how miraculous the body can be when fasting.

Dr. Patel has still not called James so he called him. He is out of the office this week but his secretary said she would contact him and let him know that James wanted to talk to him.

Laura is home!

Puzzle

Happy Birthday

So cute!

My scriptures and my study helps.

I use all of these books in my scripture study.