Tuesday, June 6, 2023: Gilbert Temple, Checkout, Costco, Hobby Lobby, Olive Garden lunch on Sheri, Ben, Trip home, Luna, Kitties, Walk,

 

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

141st operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Mar 2013

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Trials of

John 19:15

But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.

Book of Mormon

Alma 12:1-19

Come Follow Me

John 14-15 I show my love for Jesus Christ by keeping His commandments.

Jesus' Name

True Vine

Word

Abide

Phrase

If ye keep my commandments ye shall abide in my love.

Affirmation

With faith in my Savior, Jesus Christ, I choose to abide in HIs words and follow His example. Through obedience to His commandments, I am blessed with divine guidance, eternal perspective, and the comforting assurance of His unfailing love.

AprGenCon

A Living Prophet For The Latter Days

Elder Allen D. Haynie

Of the Seventy

A perfect and loving Heavenly Father has chosen the pattern of revealing truth to His children through a prophet, someone who never sought such a sacred calling and who has no need of our help to be aware of his own imperfections. A prophet is someone God has personally prepared, called, corrected, inspired, rebuked, sanctified, and sustained. That is why we are never spiritually at risk in following prophetic counsel.

We left our hotel and picked up Kim for the 8 a.m. session at the Gilbert temple. We arrived at the temple a little after 7:30 and went right to the dressing rooms and then upstairs. We made the session, which was quite large, with five minutes to spare.

After our session we spent a few minutes in the celestial room. The room and the chandelier are so beautiful. The whole temple is gorgeous. I can't help but compare it with our little Snowflake temple. I love the Snowflake temple, it feels like home to me, but it is not this grand. We took Kim home. We were going to go to lunch with her but she said she is doing a scan this afternoon and doesn't want to eat before the scan.

We went back to the hotel and changed our clothes and began packing up to check out. James made two or three trips down to the truck. I went down with him the last time. We are meeting Sheri for lunch but not until 12:30 and it's only 11:00. We decided to do our shopping at Costco. Our list looked something like this: lemons, alkaline water, pomegranate juice, pistachios, walnuts, and prunes. We also bought dark chocolate covered pistachios and mango juice, both additions were made by James.

We still had some time to kill before lunch so we went into the Hobby Lobby behind Olive Garden. I bought a puzzle and a wall plaque marked way down that says "Together, Always and Forever." 

When we made it over to Olive Garden and signed in the woman in charge said it would be a 25 minute wait. It was 12:15. I said fine and told Sheri not to get here until 12:40. 

We were seated and had ordered our drinks when Sheri and Ben walked in. Ben looked good and I told him so. Sheri said she was paying for our lunch for Father's Day. How nice. James had the seafood pasta and I had cheese ravioli which was not nearly as good as what I had at Red Devil.  

Ben and Sheri both got soup, salad and breadsticks. We had a nice visit and I am so glad we got to spend this time with them.

Adam asked to borrow some money for a day and I told him I was at the temple the first time he tried to contact me. We talked about the temple and I told him my desire would be for all of my grandchildren to get their temple endowments. He said he was going to start going back to church and work towards that goal. I said that would be awesome. 

Stacy texted us while we were traveling home. Jared finally got in to the rehab center. Yay!! Finally! He is on his way. We will pray for him everyday as we have been and as we have always done.

We listened to "An Amiable Foe" on the way home through Payson. 

The kitties and Luna were so excited to see James.

I walked until I got 12,000 steps. 

Indian ruins near Flagstaff

James planted purple Iris bulbs

Tom and his little sister Tabby

Monday, June 5, 2023: Trip to valley, AARA, James in Glendale, Kim & Brian's car service & hospitality, Hilton, Cheesecake Factory, Safeway, Walk

Calgary, Alberta

140th operating temple

Dedicated: 28 Oct 2012

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Trials of

Luke 23:21

But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.

Book of Mormon

Alma 11:21-46

Come Follow Me

John 14-17 "Continue Ye in My Love" Introduction and "Follow Him"

Jesus' Name

True Vine

Word

Abide

Phrase

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love;

Affirmation

With faith in my Savior, Jesus Christ, I choose to abide in His words and follow His example. Through obedience to His commandments, I am blessed with divine guidance, eternal perspective, and the comforting assurance of His unfailing love.

AprGenCon

Safely Gathered Home

Elder Quentin L. Cook

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

During the Council in Heaven in the premortal existence, the plan of salvation was discussed and sustained. It included certain laws and ordinances of the priesthood instituted before the foundation of the world and predicated upon the gather. It also included the overriding principle of agency.

We were up and gone by 6:30 this morning, reading and discussing scriptures on the way. My infusion is scheduled for 10:15. We went the Payson way and there was quite a bit of traffic but we did not have to stop for any roadwork.

When we arrived in Payson we stopped for gas at the Circle K. I bought a couple of breakfast sandwiches for us to eat. James ate all of his. I ate about half of mine which wasn't very good. 

James dropped me off at AARA at 10:00. Frances came and took me back less than five minutes after I checked in. My infusion was put in at 10:10 which means I will be finished at 11:10. Amanda put in my infusion and also drew blood. At 11:00 a girl came and took me into a room to wait to see Rana, one of the PA's for Dr. Kumar. I told the girl I needed to leave at 11:15 because I had a ride coming at that time. The beeper went off on my infusion indicating that it was finished so I had it taken out. I waited in the room until 20 minutes after 11 and then I left. As I was walking out Rana came out of a room. Instead of acknowledging me, she walked away down another hallway. 

Kim and Brian were outside waiting and Kim was so sweet. She said, "We can wait longer if you need to see the doctor. I told her I didn't that it was just a formality. They took me home with them.

Brian was busy and after doing the dishes went back to the computer room. Kim fed me and made me comfortable. I had popcorn, peanut M&M's and then we watched a Christmas movie. After the first movie Kim brought me some chili and chips and we watched a Lifetime Christmas movie with Yannick Bisson in it. I love Yannick. I used to watch him in "Sue Thomas F. B. I."

I sat in the recliner with a blanket and took a nap. Kim also took a nap. When we woke up from our naps we were talking and President Eyring's name came up. I told the story from his talk about emailing a girl he didn't know to bring the Lord's love to her. Kim said, "He wrote me a letter." What?" She explained. Brian wrote to him and told him about my health struggles and he wrote me a letter. I asked her if I could read it and she brought it to me. It was the sweetest most tender letter. President Eyring mentioned his wife Kathleen and how in spite of her health issues her spirit remains strong. He mentioned he could tell how much Brian loves her. No wonder President Eyring is her favorite. He is mine too.

Brian was pretty quiet today but I found out later that he is pursuing a job in Montana where he would be managing a group of hardware stores. Yikes! I don't want Kim and Brian to move to Montana.

Brian and Kim drove me to the Hilton hotel on Frye road where we have a room. I thanked them for everything before saying goodbye.

Kim loaned me a book when I left her house. When I arrived in room 240 I sat down and began reading from the book.

James got here after six. He showered and changed his clothes and I got ready to go out. We walked to Cheesecake Factory for dinner which was about 5,000 steps. I had pasta with marinara sauce and James had herb crusted salmon. I couldn't eat all of my dinner. I left it behind because although our room has a refrigerator it does not have a microwave. We spent a few minutes in Barnes & Noble next door to Cheesecake Factory in the Chandler mall but it was almost closing time so we didn't stay long.

We walked back to the hotel and I got ready for bed. I was not feeling well. James went to Safeway to get a disposable razor and some pomegranate juice. Unbeknownst to me he also got a cantaloupe and left it in the truck. Oh yes, he got me some aspirin at my request. I am miserable and don't want to take Tramadol at night.

Oh yes, Sheri texted me and said she was speaking in their sacrament meeting on Father's Day. I told her we would be there. She said, "Thank you Mom."

Addy

 

Sunday, June 4, 2023: Happy birthday Emmy, Fast & Testimony meeting and Sunday School, J's ministering interview w/ Collin, Kitties, Burgers, "DMT", valley tomorrow

 

Brigham City, Utah

139th operating temple

Dedicated: 23 Sept 2012

By: Boyd K. Packer

Jesus Christ, Trials of

Luke 23:4

Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.

Book of Mormon

Alma 11:1-20

Come Follow Me

John 13:36-38; Luke 22:24-38 Peter will deny Christ.

DMT John 14-17 "Continue Ye In My Love"

Jesus' Name

True Vine

Word

Abide

Phrase

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, . . .

Affirmation

With faith in my Savior, Jesus Christ, I choose to abide in His words and follow His example. Through obedience to His commandments, I am blessed with divine guidance, eternal perspective, and the comforting assurance of His unfailing love.

AprGenCon

Ministering

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Everywhere I go, I gratefully learn from those who minister and care as our Savior would.

I got up at 5:30 and decided I was going to look for the blood pressure cuff. I looked over by the side of the recliner in the bedroom and there is was sitting on the end table, cord and cuff hanging down.

I guess James doesn't always put it away.

Happy 18th Birthday Emmy!

I fasted for Jared Ammon today. I have such fond memories of him as a little boy sitting at my computer playing Freddy the Fish. When Adam got diabetes Jared came to stay with us. I was putting him to bed one night and he asked me: "Gwamma, why am I bwown?"

What do you say to a little three year old when he asks you that question. I tried to explain that his dad was brown and that was probably why he was brown. I told him that Heavenly Father loves all of his children, no matter what color they are. He was the sweetest little boy and I loved him so much.

Brother Skousen conducted his first sacrament meeting since being called as a counselor in the bishopric. He almost forgot the sacrament if it hadn't been for a reminder from the bishop. Other than that, he did fine. Testimonies born:

Chris Skousen - I testify that I feel the Spirit and recognize it in my life. I have a testimony of....

Teresa Smith - Tomorrow is the 45th anniversary of my baptism. I feel the Spirit when I go to the temple. President Nelson is a Prophet of God.

Charlotte South - The Savior would have shed 1,000 drops of blood if it was just for me. 

Bridgette Jordan - I want to thank the Young Women who took my family names to the temple for baptisms. My heart is filled with gratitude.

Donna Beckham

Donna's mother, Barbara passed away recently. Donna thanked those who helped her at this difficult time. 

Georgia Jameson (YW)

So grateful for the opportunity the young women of our ward had to go to the Mesa and the Gilbert temple this past week. I know that this Church is true.

Paula Johnson

Jesus loved us enough to give His life for us. I know the Book of Mormon is true and that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love me. I am grateful for the prophet Joseph Smith and for the prophet today, Russell M. Nelson.

Alicia Hunsaker

The Mesa, Gilbert temple trip was wonderful. I am so grateful for President Nelson and I know that he is a prophet.

Lynn Wallace

I love my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I know that Joseph Smith was the prophet of the Restoration and that President Russell M. Nelson is the prophet today. I am also grateful for our bishopric.

I have lived all of my life in Buckeye until coming here.

Dennis McClellan

I testify of the power of prayer, especially in doing family history. This work is true.

Barbara Bartels Tignor

I bear testimony of the divinity of this Church. It belongs to Jesus Christ.

I made the mistake of sitting on the front row in Sunday School. I had my workbook, The New Testament Gathering Personal Insights open on my lap with my answers to each question written in the squares. Brother Applegate came over and ask if he could see it. He showed the class the workbook and said, "look at this, every question is answered." Then he asked me where I got it. I told him it was written by Shannon Foster, who is the Redheaded Hostess. She doesn't do a podcast but she does have a website. How embarrassing.

After Sunday School James left with Collin DeWitt to do an interview. He forgot to give me the keys to the car so I sat and waited for him in the foyer.

When we got home it was rest time. We got some dark clouds and thunder, but no rain. Later this evening I grilled some hamburgers for dinner. It was so nice outside. James was watering trees and his two kitties were following him around. He has been feeding them.

This evening I paid for a room at the Hilton in Chandler for tomorrow night. It's close to the mall where the Cheesecake Factory is located. I also arranged for Kim & Brian to pick me up after my infusion and then I will wait for James to get back from Glendale at their house.

I worked on my blog this evening but I am so slow. I also listened to next week's "Don't Miss This", featuring John 14-17.

Sheri's homemade pizza

Mr. & Mrs. Wanlass

Jerusalem

Charlie girl

Charlie & Lovie

Rocky Road cake

Saturday, June 3, 2023: James home @ 6pm, Dinner, Shower, Nap, "The Dancing Detective", Addy wants me to write a letter to her to open in 10 yrs,

Manaus, Brazil

138th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 June 2012

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Trials of

Luke 22:71

And they said, What need we any further witness? For we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.

Book of Mormon

Alma 10:17-32

Come Follow Me

John 13:34-35 My love for others is a sign that I am a true disciple of Jesus Christ.

Jesus' Name

Servant/Deliverer

Word

Anoint

Phrase

My blood, shed for many, for the remission of sins.

Affirmation

I embrace the opportunity to renew my covenants and draw closer to my Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ. With a humble heart, I commit to always remember Him and strive to emulate His example of compassion, forgiveness, and selflessness.

AprGenCon

Just Keep Going - with Faith

Elder Carl. B. Cook

Of the Presidency of the Seventy

The God of heaven and earth will help us overcome discouragement and whatever obstacles we encounter if we look to Him, follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost, and just keep going - with faith.

Up at 5:16. I tried to get James to come home last night but I guess he didn't because my bed is empty. I miss him.

I took my thyroid pill, said my prayers, and then went in to make myself some lemon water which I drank while still in the kitchen. I then went in and brushed my teeth. Next I read from the Book of Mormon and then did my Come Follow Me study which takes about 45 minutes to an hour. Next is breakfast so I can take my pain pills.

After breakfast I didn't feel very well so I laid down on the recliner for about an hour. Mornings used to be my most productive time but not lately. 

When I got up from my nap I did my 20 minute rotation, deskwork, walk, puzzle, chore.

James called at 2:30 and said he was on his way home. He got here around six. We had bean burros and beets for dinner and then he took a shower while I finished cleaning the kitchen. 

We did a little walking. We changed our book for "Forever and Forever" because James said we already read it, although I don't remember and will read it on my own, to "The Amiable Foe" by Jennie Goutet. After our walk we each did our own thing for awhile. I showered and worked on my Love Stamp puzzle sorting pieces while James worked at his desk (dining room table).

Around 8 p.m. we watched a movie together since we missed watching one on our anniversary. It's the same one I watched last night, "The Dancing Detective" starring Lacey Chabert and Will Kemp. 

I got a text from Addy this evening. She said that she and Kayla are doing a time capsule to be opened in ten years and asked me to write her a note or letter. I said I would be happy to. How fun. This will be easy to do for Addy, sweet girl that she is.

 

Friday, June 2, 2023: Up @ 5:16 all by myself, Love stamps puzzle, James home around 6, "An Amiable Foe," "The Dancing Detective", text frm Addy

Kansas City, Missouri

137th operating temple

Dedicated: 6 May 2012

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Trials of

Luke 22:67

Art thou the Christ? Tell us. And he said unto the, if I tell you, ye will no believe:

Book of Mormon

Alma 10:1-16

Come Follow Me

John 13:1-17 The Savior is our example of humbly serving others.

Jesus' Name

Servant/Deliverer

Word

Anoint

Phrase

My blood, shed for many, for the remission of sins

Affirmation

I embrace the opportunity to renew my covenants and draw closer to my Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ. With a humble heart, I commit to always remember Him and strive to emulate His example of compassion, forgiveness, and selflessness.

AprGenCon

"Never Give Up An Opportunity To Testify of Christ"

President Bonnie H. Cordon

Young Women General President

When Christ physically visited the Nephites at their temple, His invitation was not to stand at a distance and look upon Him, but to touch Him, to feel for themselves the reality of the Savior of humankind. How can we draw close enough to gain a personal witness of Jesus Christ? 

James left early this morning for Glendale. We had prayer before he left and then I went back to bed. When I got up I realized I forgot to write about something that happened on Saturday and Sunday so I am going to include it here.

James was asked by the missionaries on Saturday afternoon if he would go with them to visit Joe Vaal. Of course he said yes. He went and when he got there the missionaries were leaving. They said that Joe was too busy to visit with them. He was working in his back yard on his garden. James decided to go back and say hi. He said he visited for quite awhile with Joe. Joe was wanting to plant beets but said they were sold out everywhere he went. James told him he had a package of seeds at home and would bring them over later, which we did. Joe was so grateful and thankful that James would come all this way just to bring him a package of beet seeds. He lives over 10 miles away.

Saturday after Barbara and Terry's wedding I went to Dollar General to looks for things to make their cake look nice. While I was standing in line to check out I saw a package of beet seeds and I bought them thinking James would want them to replace the ones he gave to Joe. When he saw the package he got so excited and said, "Oh we can take these to Joe too!"

Needless to say that Sunday afternoon we made another trip over to Joe's to take him another package of beet seeds. Maybe he will share his harvest with us. Joe's backyard is amazing with grow boxes filled with plants. His place is well cared for even though he is 90 years old and his feet are crippled.

I drove up to the auto center at exactly 9 a.m. this morning to get new tires. There was a long line of cars waiting to have their oil changed and the little man helping them motioned to me to roll my window down and told me to go to lane 4. A few minutes later he came over to help me. What a nice, pleasant man, probably my age. 

Anyway I left the car and he said he would text me when it was finished. After I left I realized he probably had James's number, not mine. So I alerted James. 

I finished my shopping just about the same time that the car was ready. That's why I like coming to Walmart, I can kill two birds with one stone. 

Before going home I went to Dairy Queen to get a cherry Dilly bar. I asked if I could buy a box and they didn't have any. Disappointment #1. I asked for a cherry dipped cone and was told they no longer make them. Disappointment #2. Okay, could I have a small chocolate dipped cone. Yes, that will be $4.31. Yikes! For an ice cream cone? Oh my, Disappointment #3. At least the ice cream was enjoyable.

I went to get gas at Circle K using my Easypay card which gives me a ten cent per gallon discount. Woopee that makes up for that expensive ice cream cone. (Not)

When I got home and put groceries away I put on an episode of Aurora Teagarden while I had my rest time. I also started a new puzzle, the Love Stamp puzzle. 

Stacy and Paul went to take Jared Ammon to check in at the recovery center only to find out that there were no beds available. They have to come back on Monday. A bit of a setback.

James called around 2:30. He said he was on his way home. He had a blowout on the freeway. He hit a piece of metal off of another vehicle. I wonder if he was following too close. This is his third blowout on the freeway coming home from Glendale. 

When he opened his door to get out to get the jack he noticed he was over the white line and people were honking at him. He couldn't figure out how to unlock the rack that the spare was in. Suddenly he noticed  a truck pulling a trailer pull over in front of him and two hispanic men jump out of the truck. One of them had a big jack and began jacking up the front of the truck. The other one came back and showed James the key inside of his fob to unlock the rack for the spare. Within a few minutes the tire was changed. James asked if he could pay them and one of them said, "We didn't do this for money." He thanked them and they were on their way. I am grateful for good Samaritans in real life and so is James.

I watched "The Dancing Detective" starring Lacey Chabert and Will Kemp on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries this evening. Quite entertaining. This is the third Hallmark movie they have made together and I have loved every one of them.

We got some rain, lightning and thunder this evening.

Bishop & Cheryl Horne's granddaughter

James thinks it's Andrew's daughter

Did she climb that post by herself?

This picture doesn't do it justice

Asa River