Wednesday, June 28, 2023: Tom & Tabby, James works on the fence, Joe's saving bonds, killer bees, Snowflake Smokehouse Bar & Grill, Sue's birthday,

 

Kinshasa, DR of Congo

163rd operating temple

Dedicated: 14 Apr 2019

By: Dale G. Renlund

Jesus Christ, types of, in Anticipation

Leviticus 16:22

And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.

Book of Mormon

Alma 23:8-24:6

Come Follow Me

Luke 24:13-35 I can invite the Savior to "abide with me."

Jesus' Name

Redeemer

Word

All Hail

Phrase

...for He is risen

Affirmation

Through the sacred gift of Resurrection, I gratefully embrace the boundless blessings of eternal life and my divine potential. By the infinite grace of our Savior, Jesus Christ, I am bestowed with the glorious privilege of immortality. My path continues to unfold with overflowing love and endless opportunities for growth.

AprGenCon

Do You Know Why I As A Christian Believe In Christ?

Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt

Of the Seventy

I then shared with her the good news - the "good tidings of great joy ... to all people" -that "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

We have been sleeping with the windows open. Early in the morning we hear noises on the deck. Tom & Tabby. This morning James let them in our bedroom. They are so curious and they ran around sniffing things. James gets so much joy watching them. It makes me love him more.

After prayer and scriptures James went down to work on the fence. He said that elk came through last night and did some more damage. Without the electricity turned on it's pretty easy for these elk to just walk through the fence.

Yesterday when James went to visit Joe Vaal, Joe was distraught because he had tried to to cash in some savings bonds he had bought for his kids and grandkids and the bank wouldn't cash them. He says maybe they are worthless and he should just paper his walls with them like the did German money after World War II. James said he would look into it and get back with him.

James looked into it today and he found out that you cannot cash government savings bonds at a bank. He got the government website with all of the information and took it over to Joe today. Joe was so excited and appreciative. 

I looked up African bees on the internet and discovered they are the same thing as killer bees. They attack people in greater number than other bees and 1,000 people have been reported dead. James built his platform today. Now he just needs wasp spray and Pierce's bee suit.

Sheri called today and said she would like to go to a place in Snowflake she heard about for Max's birthday on Saturday. It's called The Snowflake Smokehouse Bar & Grill. She said a glasses rep told her it was the best barbecue she had ever had. I'm all for good barbecue.

Sunday we are celebrating Lola's birthday here. I am making her a red velvet cake. 

I sent $400 to Stacy as an advance for Jared Ammon to come and work for us the week of the 10th of July. He needs the money to help pay for his last month of rent in the apartment he was in.

Today is Sue Hubble's birthday. I texted to wish her a Happy Birthday. I told her I hoped she had a fun day. She said she would and that she is in Puerto Rico with her nephew. They are on a cruise. I'm assuming she had a great day.

Our greenhouse didn't last long

  

Tuesday, June 27, 2023: My message to Sheri & her response, Mary Magdalene, "Your Endowment", finished "His Lady in Hiding", Jerod Bowen $2,000, Cleaning upstairs

 

Rome, Italy

162nd operating temple

Dedicated: 10 Mar 2019

By: Russell M. Nelson

Jesus Christ, Types of, in Anticipation

Exodus 24:8

And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.

Book of Mormon

Alma 22:27-23:7

Come Follow Me

Matt 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20-21 Jesus Christ was resurrected.

Jesus' Name

Redeemer

Word

All Hail

Phrase

... for He is risen

Affirmation

Through the sacred gift of Resurrection, I gratefully embrace the boundless blessings of eternal life an my divine potential. By the infinite grace of our Savior, Jesus Christ, I am bestowed with the glorious privilege of immortality. My path continues to unfold with overflowing love and endless opportunities for growth.

AprGenCon

After the Fourth Day

Elder W. Mark Bassett

Of the Seventy

Sometimes it may seem like He doesn't come to us until the figurative fourth day, after all hope seems lost. But why so late? President Thomas S. Monson taught, "Our Heavenly Father, who gives us so much to delight in, also knows that we learn and grow and become stronger as we face and survive the trials through which we must pass."

I texted Sheri this morning and said: "Xander may feel like the Church let him down but the Savior will never let him down. He needs to know that. Sheri: "I don't think he is in a place to hear that.

Me: That is so sad.

I read this in my "Don't Miss This" devotional book for Romans 11:4. This is Ezra Taft Benson:

"Every previous gospel dispensation has drifted into apostasy, but ours will not. . . . God has saved for the final inning some of his strongest children, who will help bear off the kingdom triumphantly. And that is where you come in, for you are the generation that must be prepared to meet your God....Make no mistake about it - you are a marked generation. There has never been more expected of the faithful in such a short period of time as there is of us....Each day we personally make many decisions that show where our support will go". ("Stalwart and Brave We Stand," Ensign, November 1989).

As I was studying the Come Follow Me lesson today I came across this statement: Mary Magdalene is the only person mentioned in each of the four Gospels as a witness to the Crucifixion, burial and empty tomb.

James talked to Jerod Bowen this morning telling him that Franc is fighting with him over $2,000. Jerod said: "I don't want to fight with my former bishop over $2,000. He sent the money via Venmo.

James then talked to Samantha and she and Franc agreed to pay the rest of the money they owe if James will sign the final lien waiver, which he did. I don't know if Franc and Samantha are aware that James spoke with Jerod and Jerod gave him $2,000. Oh yes, Jerod said that not only is Franc a member of the Church he is a counselor in his wards bishopric. Jerod then said, "Go figure." 

One of the things Franc kept emphasizing to James is that they are losing money daily. Jerod verified that fact saying because of their construction loan they are losing about $2,100 a day that the building doesn't close on the sale. Jerod then went on to say, "Go figure."

In reading "Our Endowment" today I learned that at the time of Christ, the Levites (the family group in charge of temple administration) set up night watches to make sure nobody entered the temple unworthily:

At night guards were placed in twenty-four stations about the gates and courts. Of these, twenty-one were occupied by Levites alone; the other innermost three jointly by priests and Levites. Each guard consisted of ten men; so that in all two hundred and forty Levites and thirty priests were on duty every night. During the night the captain of the Temple made his rounds. On his approach the guards had to rise and salute him in a particular manner. Any guard found asleep when on duty was beaten, or his garments were set on fire-a punishment, as we know, actually awarded.

As you might have guessed, the protections against someone entering the temple unworthily are a little bit different today.

James and I finished "His Lady in Hiding" and started "The Wrong Train to Paris." So far James doesn't like the new book. I told him to give it time. 

James and I watched Murder 101 starring Dick and Barry Van Dyke. I worked on my Broadway Hits puzzle and did some cleaning upstairs. Sheri is coming on Friday.

Hope Pierce & Susan are safe

on this little islan

Sheri posted this. I'm not sure what or whose it is.

I want to go hiking here. It's not too far away.

 

Monday, June 26, 2023: He is Risen!, James's stressful day w/ Samantha & Franc, kitties entertain us, new puzzle Broadway musicals, Eggs from Cranes,

 

Barranquilla, Columbia

161st operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Dec 2018

By: Dallin H. Oaks

Jesus Christ, Types of, in Anticipation

1 Corinthians 10:4

And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

Book of Mormon

Alma 22:15-26

Come Follow Me

Matt 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20-21 "He Is Risen"

Jesus' Name

Redeemer

Word

All Hail

Phrase

...for He is Risen

Affirmation

Through the sacred gift of Resurrection, I gratefully embrace the boundless blessings of eternal life and my divine potential. By the infinite grace of our Savior, Jesus Christ, I am bestowed with the glorious privilege of immortality. My path continues to unfold with overflowing love and endless opportunities for growth.

AprGenCon

The Imperfect Harvest

Elder Vern P. Stanfill

Of the Seventy

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught:

"I believe the Savior Jesus Christ would want you to see, feel, and know that He is your strength. That with His help, there are no limits to what you can accomplish. That your potential is limitless. He would want you to see yourself the way He sees you. And that is very different from the way the world sees you. . . .

"He gives power to the weary; and to those who feel powerless, He increases strength."

I was up at 5 o'clock this morning. A good way to start my day. I am so grateful for prayer, the Book of Mormon and Come Follow Me and General Conference talks. I listened to Dave & Emily on "Don't Miss This" today. I liked this quote by Emily: "The place of deepest asking is where the believing begins."

James had a stressful day dealing with Samantha and Franc from Jerod Bowen's company. He spent an hour on the phone with Samantha trying to help her to understand the latest charges on the job. James's figures didn't coincide with Franc's. Franc got on the phone and began ranting and raving and threatening to sue. James just said, "Franc, goodbye." 

James contacted Jerod, who was out of town and said he would call him in the morning when he returned. 

Terry Tignor is supposed to be interviewed by the stake president tomorrow evening to receive the Melchizedek priesthood. Before he goes to the interview he has to have a Covid test since he has been sick.

The kitties continue to entertain us with their cuteness. James gets such a kick out of them and so do I.

I got a message from Springbok puzzles today. They are going to send me a new puzzle to replace the one with the missing piece. This makes me very happy. The puzzle I am working on right now, Broadway Musicals, is a Springbok.

We bought 18 eggs from the Crane's for $5 and then Chuck turned around and went to the dump for us and wouldn't accept any money.

James spoke with Mel Wilhelm about our bees. Mel asked him if the bees dived bombed him and James said yes. Mel then said that the bees have been Africanized which means that they are dangerous and will attack humans. I guess we have no choice but to destroy them.

The problem is our ladder won't reach the log where they are so James is going to have to build a platform to reach them. I suggested he hire someone to come in and get rid of them but he insists that he can do it himself.

Sheri texted tonight and asked us to pray for Alex. She calls him Xander. She said that Shayna dropped him off and said, "I can't help him." He pretty much had a meltdown and just poured it all out to Sheri. She is very worried about him and says he is suicidal. Not good news.

Hallmark movie #30

Not resurrect, bring back to life.

Sunday, June 25, 2023: Lesson prep, Sacrament mtg, Sue no here, Relief Society, "Your Endowment", More names for the temple, George Washington Strickland

 

Concepion, Chile

160th operating temple

Dedicated: 28 Oct 2018

By: Russell M. Nelson

Jesus Christ, Types of, in Anticipation

Exodus 17:6

Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Book of Mormon

Alma 22:1-14

Come Follow Me

 Don't Miss This; Matt 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20-21 "He Is Risen"

Jesus' Name

Redeemer

Word

All Hail

Pause

He is risen

Affirmation

Through the sacred gift of Resurrection. I grateful embrace the boundless blessings of eternal life and my divine potential. By the infinite grace of our Savior, Jesus Christ, I am bestowed with the glorious privilege of immortality. My path continues to unfold with overflowing love and endless opportunities for growth.

AprGenCon

Hosanna To The Most High God

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The Lord knows firsthand that mortality is hard. His wounds remind us that He "descended below...all" that He might succor us when we suffer and be our example to "hold on thy way," His way, that "God shall be with us forever and ever."

I got up at 4:30 to finish preparing for my lesson. We left around 8:30 for the church. James has a ministering interview and I went in to set up the Relief Society room. Kerri was setting up the microphones. I finished and went down to the chapel to sit by James in our regular spot. Before I got there Bridget Jordan asked to sit in our row. Sue Hubble, who normally sits by us, was not here today.

Lannie Gillespie who has been the Primary presidency for several years, was released today along with her counselors and secretary.

Our new Primary president is Alisha Gassaway and her counselors are Sister Beals and Sister Jameson and her secretary is Lynn Wallace who is one of the speakers today. 

 

Tyler Finnegan was the youth speaker today.  His stepdad, Jeff McCamy was one of the adult speakers. Lynn Wallace, Ralph Sedig's sister, was the other speaker.

Tyler spoke on turning to the Savior when you feel lonely. 

Lynn based her talk on a talk given by Dallin H. Oaks, in October 2020, "Love Your Enemies." Knowing that we are all children of God gives us a vision of the worth of others and the ability to rise above prejudice. We must exercise the pure love of Christ. At the end of her talk she sang, "As I Have Loved You." She has a nice singing voice.

Jeff McCamy was assigned to speak on Elder Meurs talk, "He Could Heal Me." He began by telling how his dad and stepmom were addicted to drugs. He told how he was the passenger in a car when his dad was driving. Jeff noticed his door was not completely shut and he told his dad. His dad acted as if he was going to slow down and then when Jeff opened the door he sped up and turned a corner and Jeff fell out of the car. His dad kept going and Jeff was left lying in the street. This just about broke my heart. He was quite young when this happened. He was emotional as he spoke and it was hard to hear him. He said that a few years later his dad quit drugs and began going to church. Brother McCamy made the point that people can change and we are required to forgive. The Savior's healing and redeeming power applies to accidental mistakes, poor decisions, challenges and trials of every kind - as well as our sins. 

My visual aids that I get from Love, Pray, Teach were very effective for this lesson. I pay $8 a month and this month they were worth it. I wish I would have taken a picture. 

The lesson went well and I felt good about it. One of my favorite parts was explaining what "enmity" the Lord places between Satan and humanity. It is something that everyone is born with and it is called the Light of Christ. I also talked about sacrifice and sacred and how when we sacrifice for the Lord it helps to sanctify us and help us to become more sacred. 

Paula Johnson came up after the lesson and spoke with me. She said she likes my lessons because she always learns something. I was grateful for her comments. 

This afternoon I ran off the lesson and visual aids for my next lesson which is Elder Christofferson's, "One in Christ." I'm getting an early start. 

This afternoon I worked on my blog, read from "Your Endowment" and "Shadows of Swanford Abbey." It's a mystery and I just couldn't resist. 

I did some family history research and ran off some names for us to take to the temple. My grandpa Strickland's grandpa was named George Washington Strickland.

Happy Sabbath from Charlie!

7 Things the Savior said from the cross:

 

Saturday, June 24, 2023: Left side of face still swollen,someone used by Credit card @ a liquor store, finished umbrella puzzla, RS shooting activity, "Jesus Christ is the Strength of Parents", James & decking, Knee hurts,

 

Cedar City, Utah

159th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 Dec 2017

By: Henry B. Eyring

Jesus Christ, Types of, in Anticipation

John 6:51

I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

Book of Mormon

Alma 21:1-23

Come Follow Me

Review

AprGenCon

Remember What Matters Most

President M. Russell Ballard

Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Another thing that matters most is following the promptings of the Spirit in our most important relationships and in our efforts to love our neighbors as ourselves, including in our private and public ministries. I learned this lesson early in my life while serving as a bishop. 

The left side of my face is still a little bit swollen and my eye itches so I put some eye drops in.

My eye was better and I was able to finish the umbrella puzzle.

This was a fun puzzle to do

This morning Cope Reynolds is teaching a gun safety class to the Relief Society sisters. They are going out to the pit and target practicing. I have no interest in learning how to shoot a gun although I am sure there are many sisters in our ward who will be attending this class. 

James worked outside today taking screws out of the deck in preparation for putting down new planks. We have a bee problem and he got stung several times. James is going to talk to Mel Wilhelm, a member of our ward who has bees, tomorrow at church.

As I was walking this evening I realized that my right knee really hurts. I am a mess and I am teaching Relief Society tomorrow. Am I ready?

I was looking at my credit card charges this morning and realized there was a charge yesterday that was not mine. It was for $59 at a liquor store in Concord, California. I told the bank and they cancelled my card. I won't be charged but it is such an inconvenience to have to get a new credit card.  

Worked on the lesson for tomorrow taken from Elder Uchtdorf's talk, "Jesus Christ is the Strength of Youth." Here is a breakdown:

1. Your Sacrifice is Truly Sacred.

2. Parents Have a Sacred Duty.

3. He Magnifies Love - Teach truth and build faith

4. He Magnifies Small & Simple Efforts

5. He Gives Revelation

6. A Mighty Change of Heart - Alma 5:13

7. Jesus Christ Offers Support through His Church.

8. Never Give Up on the Miracle.