Friday, March 17, 2023: Up @ 4:30, Jacob knows the thoughts of his people, 3 Big Sins, trip to town, James picked out a truck, American Fidelity,

 

Columbus, Ohio

60th operating temple

Dedicated: 4 Sep 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Testimony of

John 1:7

The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

Book of Mormon

Jacob 2:1-16

Come Follow Me

"Follow Him"; Shannon Foster's scripture book

 Jesus' Name

Lord of the Sabbath

Scripture

Matthew 11:29 - Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

OctGenCon

Drawing Closer To The Savior

Elder Neil L. Andersen

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

We are all "children of the covenant" stretching across the earth in nations and cultures on every continent, numbering in the millions, as we await the glorious return of our Lord and Savior. Shining as a light to those around us, we consciously shape our desires, thoughts, choices, and actions. Seeking with all our heart to know and love the Savior, we separate ourselves from the world through covenants with God, being distinct, uncommon, and special, as we honor Him and His teachings without isolating ourselves from others who believe differently.

100 Favorite Verses - "Choose the Right"

D&C 88:121

Therefore, cease from all your light speeches, from all laughter, from all your lustful desires, from all your pride and light-mindedness, and from all your wicked doings.

"The path of least resistance can so easily become the freeway of spiritual destruction."

Up at 4:30. I finally did it!

As I was reading from the Book of Mormon this morning I realized that Jacob, the prophet, could read the thoughts of his people. Maybe it was because of the sins they were committing. Jacob tells his people of three sins that they are committing: 1) Materialism, 2) Sexual immorality and 3) Pride. 

I finished listening to "Follow Him" with John Hilton III. It was really good. I started listening  to "Teaching with Power" but didn't finish. 

James and I went to town yet again today. I am doing my grocery shopping and James went to look for a truck. James found a truck at Horne's if they can bring the price down $4,000. He took me by to see it. It's a silver color, not the red or white that I liked but it is beautiful. It's a 2021 model with only 10,000 miles. 

James helped me check out at Walmart and he got gas in my car for me. We listened to our book on the way to and from town. We go back and forth from Germany and Utah. Right now the story is in Germany.

It snowed this afternoon, just enough to turn the trees and everything on the ground white. It was beautiful. James still didn't get his check in the mail from work. He wanted to use it for a down payment on his truck. He is also waiting for his money for the truck. 

Stacy is trying to sell my life insurance policy but she needs some more information and asked me to call them. By the time I called they were gone for the day so I will have to try again on Monday. 

James is meeting with the Applegate's tomorrow about building a house. They are coming here. Also, he got a call from the elders asking if he would speak at Joe Vaal's baptism on Sunday. Joe wants him to speak on the Holy Ghost. What an honor.

Kacey

Allie & Peter Ray

Bridal party in this beautiful kitchen

Today's snow

Thursday, March 16, 2023: Inklings, Follow Him, Blog catchup, J & Collin bless Crane's, Trip to Town - Truck title, look @ trucks, Vacuum, Walk

 

Spokane, Washington

59th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 Aug 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Testimony of

John 1:34

And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

Book of Mormon

Jacob 1:1-19

Come Follow Me

Matthew 12:34-37; Luke 11:33-44 "My words and actions reflect what is in my heart.

Jesus' Name

Lord of the Sabbath

Scripture

Matt 11:29 - Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

OctGenCon

Are You Still Willing?

Elder Kevin W. Pearson

Of the Seventy

The most powerful spiritual influence in the life of a child is the righteous example of loving parents and grandparents who faithfully keep their own sacred covenants. Intentional parents teach their children faith in the Lord Jesus Christ so that they too "may know to wehat source they may look for a remission of their sins." Casual and inconsistent covenant keeping leads to spiritual casualty. The spiritual damage is often greatest on our children and grandchildren. Parents and grandparents, are we still willing?

Courage To Proclaim The Truth

Elder Denelson Silva

Of the Seventy

The challenges of life can knock us down, but know that when we exercise faith in Jesus Christ, "our afflictions shall be but a small moment" (D&C 121:7) in the grand scope of eternity. Please do not create a deadline for the end of your difficulties and challenges. Trust in Heavenly Father and do not give up, for if we do give up, we will never know how the end of our journey would have been in the kingdom of God.

100 Favorite Verses - "A Sure Foundation"

Helaman 5:12

And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

Up at 5 this morning. It was cold and rainy today, half the sky was cloud and the other half the sun was shining. It reminds me of what Pierce said once: "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes and it will change."

I spent the morning studying the gospel and working on my blog. I did two blog posts and watched Emily and her friend from high school and college on Inklings. The talk we are discussing is "The Virtue of the Word" by Elder Eddy. It was a great discussion about scripture and prayer to get closer to God.

For lunch I made green chili meat and beans which we ate with corn tortilla chips. After lunch I was in the bedroom when James came in and said he was leaving. When I asked him where he was going, he said to the Crane's. Chuck had called and asked if he would come over and help Collin to give them each a blessing. 

James put on a white shirt and tie, Sunday pants and shoes. I told him I didn't think Collin would be dressed up but he said that didn't matter, that this is what he was taught, when you perform a priesthood ordinance you dress appropriately. 

Stacy is trying to sell my life insurance policy. I took pictures of the policy and sent them to her. I told James that whatever we get from the policy, if we sell it, he can have to put towards his truck. 

James ask me to go into town with him this afternoon. He picked up the title to his truck at Desert Title and sent it to the insurance company so he can get his check from them to buy another truck.

While we were in town we looked at a couple of trucks. One was white and the other was red, the only two colors of cars/trucks that I like. Both were too much but maybe with the life insurance policy money we could afford them. We shall see.

This evening I walked and watched Reba and then James came in and we listened to Hitler in our book. He's the devil.

Jaclyn Smith and her son Gaston, his partner,

and friends

Wednesday, March 15, 2023: RS Temple Day, 16 members of our ward at the temple!, Tender moment w/ the Barbara's, James's stress w/ computer

 

Guaquil, Ecuador

58th operating temple

Dedicated: 1 Aug 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Testimony of

D&C 75:20

And in whatsoever house ye enter, and they receive you not, ye shall depart speedily from that house, and shake off the dust of your feet as a testimony against them.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 33:1-15

Come Follow Me

Matthew 12:1-13 "Do well on the sabbath days."

Jesus' Name

Lord of the Sabbath

Scripture

Matthew 11:29 - Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

OctGenCon

Wholehearted

Sister Michelle D. Craig

First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency

 When hard times come, I try to remember that I chose to follow Christ before I came to earth and that challenges to my faith, my health, and my endurance are all part of the reason I'm here. And I certainly should never think that today's trial calls into question God's love for me or let it turn my faith in Him into doubt. Trials do not mean that the plan is failing; they are part of the plan meant to help me seek God. I become more like Him when I endure patiently, and hopefully, like Him, when in agony, I pray more earnestly.

100 Favorite Verses - "He Is Risen"

Luke 24:5-6

5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

I got up at 5:20 this morning thinking, today is the day I go to the temple with my friends in the Vernon ward. It was something for me to look forward to.

I am a little concerned about my cough, but I am going to exercise my faith and press forward. 

I left our house at 9:30 this morning to pick up Catherine and Ruth. As I passed the church I saw two cars there, Barbara Bartels and Barbara Sayers. I picked up Catherine and we were on our way down the 60 when I suddenly realized I had passed the Crossroads, 3148, where Ruth was waiting for us to pick her up. I immediately turned around and came back. Just as I drove up Ruth was calling me. She saw me and ended the call. I apologized when she got in.

It rained off and on all the way to Snowflake. I dropped Ruth and Catherine off at the door while I found a parking space. The wind was blowing hard, but that goodness no rain as I hurried up the sidewalk leading to the temple doors. Inside I shared the elevator with a brother who was a temple worker.

I saw Natalie Robles in the dressing room and she asked if she could have a ride home with us. I told her yes that we had one seat left in our car and she was welcome to have it.

We had 16 members of the Vernon ward in the temple today. There were 8 sisters and 3 brothers in our session: Barbara B., Barbara S., Kristine Hipps, Tamara Applegate, Linda Diewald, Catherine Halcomb, Ruth Wallace, and myself. Jimmie Applegate, Jim Diewald, and Brother Hipps. Natalie Robles did initiatory and Rick and Rosie Lauritzen, Theresa Hine, and Kristy Ellsworth did baptisms. 

Two other of my dear friends were in our session, Kim Seaman and Karen Gilliland. Two friends from high school, Charles Patterson and Darlene Palmer. Wow, this was a great day at the temple. 

There was a tender moment during our session that absolutely touched my heart. I was finished putting my ordinance clothes on and I turned around to see the two Barbara's. Barbara Sayer has had two strokes and has difficulty walking and with her coordination.  Barbara Bartels was dressing Barbara Sayer in her ordinance clothes and she had not even started dressing herself. It was just the sweetest thing. Barbara B. is an 88 year old temple worker who comes here often. Barbara S. hasn't been in a long time but she has a sweet friend who wants her to feel warm and comfortable so she will come back again. This was the highlight of my day. Barbara Bartels is one of my spiritual heroes!

One the way home we all voted to go to Sonic instead of meeting at a restaurant. We each got our Slinger sandwich and away we went. The closer we got to Vernon the more it rained. We dropped Natalie off at Dollar General where her husband picked her up, then it was Ruth and then Catherine. 

When I got home the first thing James asked me was, "Did you get the mail." No I did not. I was just to anxious to get home after being gone for five hours. He went into to Vernon to get the mail because he is expecting a check, which he didn't get. 

James had some frustrations with the computer this evening. I tried to help but he just kept getting more frustrated. I'm afraid I didn't react very well and as a result we went to bed without a kiss goodnight. I got my feelings hurt because I thought he was upset with me. He says he wasn't upset with me but just angry at the situation. Big misunderstanding. I just remember our commitment to have no contention in our home and it breaks my heart when something like this happens.  

Scarlett at a kite flying contest

Pi Day

What's your favorite?

Charlie flying her kite

Sheri & Ben waiting for pizza
 

Tuesday, March 14, 2023: Elder Corbridge's talk, "The Way", Errand for Kathy, J takes Virgil to Stake Center & shopping, "Follow Him w/ John Hilton III

 

Bogota, Columbia

57th operating temple

Dedicated: 24 April 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Testimony of

Luke 9:5

And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 32:1-9

"Come Follow Me"

Matt. 11:28-30 Jesus Christ will give me rest as I rely on Him. 

"Bear Up Their Burdens with Ease" - David A. Bednar

"Come Unto Christ-Living as Latter-day Saints" - John A. McCune

"The Way" - Elder E. Corbridge

Jesus' Name

Lord of the Sabbath

Scripture

Matthew 11:29 - Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and y shall find rest unto your souls.

OctGenCon

Our Earthly Stewardship

Bishop Gerald Causse

Presiding Bishop

As disciples of Christ, we have a solemn duty to work tirelessly for peace and harmony among all nations of the earth. We must do our very best to protect and bring solace and relief to the weak, the needy, and all those who suffer or who are oppressed. Above all, the greatest gift of love we can offer our fellow men is to share with them the joy of the gospel and invite them to come unto their Savior through sacred covenants and ordinances. 

100 Favorite Verses - "The Savior's Intimate Atonement"

D&C 18:11

Ask the Father in my name in faith, believing that you shall receive, and you shall have the Holy Ghost, which manifesteth all things which are expedient unto the children of men.

John 12:32

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

I woke up at 4:41 and said, "I will sleep until five." The next time I woke up it was 6:09. I need to get up when I wake up!

I think I found the conference address that I want to base my talk on Easter Sunday. It is from the October 2008 General Conference and is called, "The Way" by Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge. It is a powerful testimony of Jesus' words and a powerful testimony of Jesus as the only Way to return to the Father. It brought tears to my eyes and a chill down my back. I listened to it more than once.

I also began studying Sister Michelle D. Craig's talk from this last conference, "Wholeheartedness", as it is one of the talks our Relief Society discussion on March 26th will be based on. 

James took a nap in his sauna blanket today and when he got out he was soaked! He took a shower and felt so much better than before!

Since I didn't see my friend Sue Hubble at church on Sunday I texted her today to remind her of our trip to the temple tomorrow. She texted me back with the following message:

Oh my, I sure am glad you texted me. I ended up coming to New Mexico to visit sisters and I brough the two granddaughters. We also went to Truth or Consequences to see my husbands siblings. So no, I won't make it.

I talked to Catherine yesterday at Walmart and told her I would be going unless she heard from me, and Ruth called me today to make sure I was going. I'm going even though I still have a cough. I'm going to take lots of cough drops with me and exercise some faith. I remember President Monson saying, "When you are on the Lord's errand you will receive the Lord's blessing."

I texted my friend Kathy Crane who has Covid and asked her if she needed anything in town.  I thought James was going in to get screws and I was either going to go with him or ask him to do a little shopping for the Crane's. Kathy asked for corn tortillas and two dozen eggs from the MacArthur's. I called Chelsea and arranged for the eggs later on this afternoon when she gets home and I asked James if he was going to town. He said no. I said what about the screws. He said Rowan knew where the old ones were and he texted Rowan and got the information and he now has screws. I told him my dilemma and that I was going to go to Dollar General first to see if they have any corn tortillas. He said he needed to stay home and work because he is going to town this evening to take Virgil Cooper to get his temple recommend signed by a member of the stake presidency. 

I stopped at the post office and mailed Kaitlyn Judd's wedding card and then on to Dollar General. They had absolutely no tortillas but I did find a drink, some ice cream and a centerpiece for James's bedroom desk. Don't judge.

They had a big package of corn tortillas at Safeway, no smaller ones so that's what I got. I also found my favorite bodywash that they don't have at Walmart anymore, Softsoap Honeysuckle and Orange Burst. I love that it smells just like fresh orange blossoms!

Of course I had to make a Sonic run, two slingers, small mozarella sticks, and a medium diet Dr. Pepper.

I get back home around 5 and James doesn't have to leave to pick up Virgil until 6. James goes over to Chelsea's and gets the eggs, and deliver eggs, corn tortillas, and empty food containers to the Crane's. Kathy asks how much she owes us and James says there is no charge. Thanks Honey for making this delivery.

While James was gone with Virgil I called him and told him he should invite Virgil out to dinner with him. He said that Virgil wanted to go shopping at Walmart after his interview so that was probably what they would do. 

James said Virgil bought pomegranate juice because the doctor told him it was good for his heart and his arteries. James drinks it every morning. I tried it and I don't see how he does it, it was nasty tasting to me. I don't understand because pomegranates are so good. Anyway James buys the cheapest brand he can get. He happened to be running low and bought a bottle. He said Virgil bought the expensive Pom brand, the one in the "sexy" bottle. Hmm, I never thought of a bottle being "sexy", but okay, I know which one you mean.

I finished my book, "Timeless Waltz" and start a new one, "Secret of the Sonnets" by Samantha Hastings.

James and I listen and walk this evening. We are almost finished with volume 4 of Fire & Steel. The story is about the crash of the stock market in 1929.

Carol Ray's grandson is getting married

My two great friends Carol and Sue!

Asa River Hoose