Sunday, July 2, 2023: Vernon ward fast & testimony mtg, Fast & Pray for: Jared, Jared Ammon, Alex, D's fmly goes to Greer, I make Lola's cake, Lola's "party", Lego puzzle

 

Arequipa, Peru

167th operating temple

Dedicated: 15 Dec 2019

By: Ulisses Soares

Jesus Christ, Types of, in Anticipation

John 3:14

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

Book of Mormon

Alma 26:1-16

Come Follow Me

New Week: Acts 1-5 "Ye Shall Be Witnesses Unto Me" and Brother Applegate's Sunday School lesson

AprGenCon

Never Give Up An Opportunity To Testify Of Christ

President Bonnie H. Cordon

Young Women General President

I have attended the temple many times, but when I worship in the house of the Lord, it changes me. Sometimes while fasting, I find myself simply going hungry, but other times, I feast on the Spirit with purpose. I sometimes have mumbled prayers that are repetitive and routine, but I have also come eager to receive counsel from the Lord through prayer.

I was hurting this morning so I ate something and made the mistake of taking three Tramadol. James and I said a fast prayer before we left for sacrament meeting praying for Jared, Jared Ammon, and Alex. We got to the church before Darrel and his family and we picked a row in the back overflow to sit. We took up an entire row. 

We had lots of visitors today, including the row in front of us.

Brother Skousen conducted the meeting. The opening hymn was "The Battle Hymn of a Republic." In the way of stake business we voted on Terry Tignor and Ken Johnson receiving the Melchizedek priesthood. We know Terry was ordained after sacrament meeting by his friend Cope Reynolds. Not sure about Ken Johnson but we assume he was ordained too. Terry's goal is to have his temple recommend before Cope and Amy Reynold's sealing on July 15th. 

These are the people who bore their testimonies:

Chris Skousen talked about family and his mother's recent funeral. Families are the eternal order of heaven. 

Tamara Applegate talked about her mother who has been dead for 30 years. Death is part of the plan. We are tied to Jesus Christ.

Cope Reynolds talked about the Book of Mormon and how it helped in Terry Tignor's conversion.

Joshua Harris It has been five years since I have born my testimony. He talked about his patriarchal blessing, Parker's upcoming baptism and the comfort of the Spirit which he has felt many times. 

Brother Harris's testimony touched me the most because he seemed so humble and sincere. I texted him after church and told him so.

Marcy Westbrook. I've been in Primary for 18 years and was just recently released. She is grateful for the power of the priesthood and the recent priesthood blessing he received.

Greg Andersen Told a story that happened to him 34 years ago as a Navy diver where his life was unexplainably saved. "I believe in the power of prayer. I am here because the Lord healed me.

Michelle Tesarek "Do this life with purpose, putting Jesus at the center.

Several children bore their testimonies including Parker Harris, Joshua's daughter and Georgia Jameson one of the young women in our ward. 

The closing hymn was "The Star Spangled Banner." Darrel whispered something to Trina and she whispered back. When the song was over the woman in front of them turned around and chastised them for talking during the national anthem. I felt so bad. Thank goodness she wasn't a member of our ward. 

Darrel said they weren't staying for the second hour because they had been offended. He was joking, but they didn't stay. 

During Sunday School I started getting dizzy and nauseous. I had to get up and leave a little early, just before class ended. I went home because James said he had a meeting with someone. Barbara and Terry brought him home. 

After lunch and putting a roast in the crockpot Trina, Darrel and all of the kids went to Greer. James and I took a nap. I got up early from my nap and baked a cake for Lola's birthday. We are celebrating tonight. She asked for a red velvet cake. I came up with the cream cheese frosting. 

I didn't put enough red food coloring in the cake so it was an off red color but who cares, you only catch a glimpse of it before you take a bite. Lola decorated the cake:

Happy 9th Birthday Lola!

Grandpa & Lola memories

Scott Tibbetts

Sweet Scarlett

Charmer Charlie

Charlie and Molly

Saturday, July 1, 2023: Assist James in beehive sealup, Clean J's office, Sue Thomas on big screen, Finish Broadway Musicals puzzle, Darrel's fmly here, Bee vacuuming, Domino Diva

 

Lisbon, Portugal

166th operating temple

Dedicated: 15 Sep 2019

By: Neil L. Andersen

Jesus Christ, Types of, in Anticipation

Numbers 21:9

And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

Book of Mormon

Alma 25:1-17

Come Follow Me

John 21:1-17 The Savior invites me to feed His sheep.

Jesus' Name

Redeemer

Word

All hail

Phrase

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 Greatest Easter Story Ever Told

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The Prophet Joseph Smith described the Book of Mormon as "the most correct of any book," and beginning with 3 Nephi 11, it tells the magnificent story of the resurrected Christ's visit to the Nephites, the Savior's Easter ministry. These Easter scriptures bear record of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Happy 20th Birthday Max!

James is up in the air in the bee suit again. He wants to try and seal up the log so bees can't go in or out, meanwhile they buzzed around his head frustrated that they couldn't sting. While James was taking care of the bees I was in his office checking on him every once in awhile and cleaning his office, which I am glad I did because that's where Trina and Darrel ended up staying. 

Darrel and Trina didn't leave home until 11:55. James and I had some down time so we watched a couple of episodes of Sue Thomas on the family room TV. James won't watch on my phone like I do.

After our TV we had lunch and then while James was napping  I took a shower and got cleaned up and then finished my Broadway Musical puzzle.

I've seen six of these mucisals"

Mary Poppins, Lion King, Les Miserables, Beauty and the Beast,

The Phantom of the Opera, and Wicked. (The one between Mary Poppins and Matilda is Rent).

At 2:30 our company arrived. After they unloaded and settled down a little I showed the girls my new puzzles. Addy started doing the mini Lego figure puzzle and Lola did the 100 piece solar system puzzle and the dog school bus puzzle. Ruby helped with both. Addy worked on the puzzle and finished Sunday evening. Here is the finished product:

Love this puzzle!

Rowan took his sisters on a Razr ride. When they returned I asked Addy how it was and she said, "dusty." 

The kids love the kitties, especially Lola, Rowan, and Ruby. Ruby is so allergic so she isn't getting as close as Lola. Rowan and Addy are allergic too but not as bad as Ruby who has breathing problems anyway. 

Trina and Darrel made a trip to Dollar General for some milk. Addy and I told them to bring us a surprise. Trina said they had tons of snacks already. We said it didn't have to be something to eat. This is what they brought back:

We named him Gil

This is Pearl

Pearl greets Gil

It was love at first sight.

We have a mama elk who drinks from Luna's watering trough. She has a baby up on the hill and comes down in the evenings to drink.

Darrel and Trina bought half of a beef. They brought some of it with them and Darrel cooked us burgers for dinner. 

James vacuumed bees again tonight. We have a bit of a wasp problem too, I hope he's getting rid of them too.

We tried to talk Darrel into a fireworks show with the fireworks he brought up a couple of years ago and never used but he said the fire danger was too high. I think he just didn't want to do it. Rowan was disappointed.

Addy, Trina, Ruby, Lola and I played three or four rounds of dominoes. This was Lola's first time and we now call her the Domino Diva. She beat the rest of us soundly. I found out that Rowan won't play games unless it's Scattergories. Trina had a blanket around her the entire game. I guess our house is a little too cold for her. Sorry Trina, I will turn up the thermostat.

Memory: Rockband with Michael & Alex

Back planting area and Hallmark moon

That looks like Darrel's truck

Friday, June 30, 2023: Happy Anniversary Stacy & Paul 34 years, James & the Sting, LaCasita, Walmart, Home Depot, new plants, Sue Thomas FBI, Broadway Musical puzzle

 

Port-Au-Prince, Haiti

165th operating temple

Dedicated: 1 Sep 2019

By: David A. Bednar

Jesus Christ, Types of, in Anticipation

John 19:33

But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:

Book of Mormon

Alma 24:19-30

Come Follow Me

John 20:19-29 "Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."

Jesus' Name

Redeemer

Word

All Hail

Phrase

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 Answer Is Always Jesus Christ

President Russell M. Nelson

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

I invite you to study again the account of the Savior's appearance to the Nephites in the Americas, as recorded in 3 Nephi. Not long before that appearance, His voice was heard among the people, including these words of supplication:

"Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?

"...Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive."

Happy 34th Anniversary Stacy & Paul

Something I failed to mention when the missionaries came for dinner. I asked them if either of them had served in Scottsdale and they said they were no longer a part of the Scottsdale mission because it had been dissolved. We are now in the Flagstaff mission.

I have been binge watching "Sue Thomas F.B.I." I forgot how much I like this series. I am almost through season 1. I try to watch on my phone while I am working on the computer or doing my puzzle or before I take my nap.

James and I went to town today. We had a late lunch at LaCasita and then went our separate ways, me to Walmart and him to Home Depot and Lowes. 

Walmart was insanely busy and I was ready to go when James said he had finished his errands. I was so happy to get out of Walmart.

We mailed Max's birthday card this morning and picked up cards at Walmart for Lola's and Jared Ammon's birthdays. 

James bought some new plants for the patio, two hydrangea plants and some petunias. They never got planted. James went bee hunting instead. 

James said he got over 200 bees,

an educated guess.

Thursday, June 29, 2023: Day started @ 5:15, Sue Thomas F.B.I., Hook & Ladder, Trezise's not coming, Bee removal equip., Clean upstrs, Applegates, Max's card sent

 

Fortaleza, Brazil

164th operating temple

Dedicated: 2 June 2019

By: Ulisses Soares

Jesus Christ, Types of, in Anticipation

Numbers 9:12

They shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break any bone of it: according to all the ordinances of the passover they shall keep it.

Book of Mormon

Alma 24:7-18

Come Follow Me

Luke 24:36-43; John 20 Resurrection is the reuniting of the spirit with the body.

Inklings

Patriarchal Blessings

Word

Blessing/barak

Phrase

I knew that Heavenly Father knew me, inside and out.

Inklings Affirmation

I am known and loved deeply by my Heavenly Parents, who wish to be personally involved in my life. I receive comfort and confidence through the gifts they offer to help me better understand who I am, where I came from, and the inspired direction for where I am going.

AprGenCon

"Abide In Me, And I In You; Therefore Walk With Me"

Elder David A. Bednar

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The Lord Jesus Christ extends to each of us the invitation to abide in Him. But how do we actually learn and come to abide in Him?

The word abide denotes remaining fixed or stable and enduring without yielding. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland explained that "abiding" as an action means "to stay - but to stay forever. That is the call of the gospel message to ... everyone ... in the world. Come, but come to remain. Come with conviction and endurance. Come permanently, for your sake and the sake of all the generations who much follow you." Thus, we abide in Christ as we are firm and steadfast in our devotion to the Redeemer and His holy purposes, in times both good and bad.

My day began at 5:15 this morning. It was a busy day but less busy that I had thought it would be. Sheri called and said that they wouldn't be coming. Max wanted to stay home for his birthday and since Alex is staying at their house she felt like they should stay home. I think Rowan will be disappointed. 

Inklings today was a discussion of patriarchal blessings with Rio and another Emily, can't think of her last name. It was good but I miss Emily Belle Freeman.

I texted Donna Peeler today and told her I had been thinking about her and was wondering how she was doing. She said she is doing good and was blessed and she thanked me for my thoughts and kindness. I told her I hoped her treatments would go well for her. She said, me too, haven't heard back from the doctor yet. Waiting for doctors can be so frustrating!

I have been watching Sue Thomas F.B.I. (Eye). I forgot how much I liked this show. It's an oldie but goodie.

James went to town for something and brought me back a medium Hook & Ladder from Firehouse Subs. Delicious. On the way home he picked up bee suit, smoker, and vacuum from Joshua Harris' house. The equipment belongs to Pierce but Joshua has some bees so he has been using it. Oh yes, James also mailed Max's birthday card.

I cleaned upstairs this afternoon and James helped me put sheets on the bed downstairs. We are getting ready for company, Darrel & Trina's family, and Jimmy & Tamara Applegate are coming over this evening to talk about their house plans and James wants to take them on a tour of our house. They arrived just as we were finishing downstairs. 

I love the Applegate's house plan. It has a turret and circular staircase. All of the bedrooms, except theirs, are downstairs in the basement. Upstairs is a game room. I hope they can follow through and build this house. It has been a dream of theirs for a long time.

While Jimmy and James were talking at the dining room table Tamara and I were working on my Broadway Musicals puzzle. We had a nice visit. They stayed for a couple of hours. 

Ideas for Lola's birthday

cake