Tuesday, July 18, 2023: James leaves for the valley pour in Casa Grande and repair @ 51st Ave, I got to the temple to meet Ruth but she forgets, Rain, 45 cows

 

Laie, Hawaii

5th operating temple

Dedicated: 27-30 Nov 1919

By: Heber J. Grant

Jesus Christ, Types of, in Anticipation

Hebrews 10:10

 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Book of Mormon

Alma 34:17-41

Come Follow Me

Acts 10; 11:1-18; 15 Heavenly Father teaches me line upon line through revelation

AprGenCon

"Followers of the Prince of Peace" by Ulisses Soares

James woke me up at 3:41 for prayer before he left for the valley. I said the prayer, gave him a hug and a kiss and tried to go back to bed but was not successful. 

Today is the third Tuesday of the month which means I have a date at the temple with my friend Ruth Gale. We have a standing date for the 3:30 endowment session. 

I left home around 2:15. It was overcast and looked like it might rain in the Snowflake area. Just before getting to Taylor traffic was backed up and I realized there had been an accident up ahead. Slowly the traffic in my direction began to move but the traffic in the other direction was backed up and not moving. It looked like a truck had flipped over the guardrail and was laying upside down on the side of the road. I hope no one was hurt too badly.

When I got to the temple it was raining so I wrangled my umbrella out and finally got it open and hurried into the temple. 

The 3:30 session on Tuesday is always a small session and today was no exception. There were six sisters and five brothers. Ruth usually hurries in at the last minute but today she didn't. I guessed something happened and she wasn't able to come. After the session I texted her and she said she forgot and apologized. This isn't like Ruth. She said she wouldn't be coming in August either because she is going on an Alaskan cruise with friends. I told her I would look forward to hearing about her cruise in September. From now on I am going to text Ruth on the day of our appointment.

I was grateful that James made it home safely this afternoon. He was home taking a nap when I got back from the temple. My prayers were answered. I had to wake up James because there was a herd of cows out drinking Luna's water. He saddled up Luna and herded them away. Thank goodness for Luna since the Razr has a dead battery.

I'm so grateful for the opportunity I had to go to the temple. I did a family name, Sarah Wilson Rutledge.

Accident near Taylor

This was the most beautiful.

These photos don't do it justice.

Sunset

Monday, July 17, 2023: We both woke up feeling miserable, I never felt good all day, I gave James a massage, bees eating honey on patio, cows in Luna's water, and bat in our entryway

 

Salt Lake City, Utah

4th operating temple

Dedicated: 6-24 Apr 1893

By: Wilford Woodruff

Jesus Christ, Types of, in Anticipation

Hebrews 9:9

Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;

Book of Mormon

Alma 34:1-16

Come Follow Me

Acts 10-15 "The Word of God Grew and Multiplied"

AprGenCon

"Jesus Christ Is Relief" Camille N. Johnson

James and I both woke up hurting this morning. I gave him a massage with Deep Blue and he felt better. I was pretty miserable all day. Thank goodness I had no where I needed to be. 

James went over to Barbara's and ordered a final inspection which will happen on Wednesday. That is also the day that Barbara's son and his family will be arriving and ready to move in. Hopefully the inspection will pass. 

We have a big puddle of honey on our patio and a swarm of bees to go with it. James says they are eating the honey. The honey dripped down from the balcony below where they had their hive. It's a disgusting mess.

This evening while I was helping James set two more metal posts for the stable there was a mama cow with two calves waiting for us to leave so she could get a drink of Luna's water. James can't chase them away on the Razr because it has a dead battery. They ended up leaving but I have a feeling they are going to tell their friends and come back.

James went inside for something and saw a bat flying low in the entryway. He went and got a towel out of the laundry room and knocked the bat down then took it outside and let the kitties play with it. I wish he had not given it to the kittens. It just seems wrong.

Bats, bees, and cows. I wonder what else we will have to deal with here in the backwoods of Arizona.

 

 

Sunday, July 16, 2023: Karen Gilliland speaks in our sacrament mtg., Sunday School, Lorraine Vaught health issue, Family History To Do List, Kitties on the porch,

 

Manti, Utah

3rd operating temple

Dedicated: 21-23 May 1888

By: Lorenzo Snow

Jesus Christ, Types of, in Anticipation

Hebrews 8:5

Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

Book of Mormon

Alma 33:12-23

Come Follow Me

Sunday School

AprGenCon

"One in Christ", Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Up at 5:30 this morning. I said my prayers and finished my Come Follow Me study journal for the week. James was sitting in the rocking chair as I was at my desk. He had his phone and was talking about a post Cathi Lambson had posted. It was one where she wanted you to copy and paste and James doesn't do that so he wrote a long comment about why he doesn't have time to be on Facebook very much. 

While sitting in sacrament meeting I got a text from a family member that had read James's comment and thought it was rather condescending. I didn't answer until after our block was over. By that time Cathi had made a response to his comment and it was kind and friendly. I decided I needed to look up James's comment to make my own evaluation. He was explaining all of the items on his plate and this is why he doesn't have very much time for Facebook. Cathi knows James well enough to know that he meant no offense or was not "bragging" in any way. I texted the person back and said I wasn't going to say anything because I knew that what he was saying was coming from a place of love. He wanted Cathi to know he reads her posts but if he doesn't respond, please don't be offended. Enough said. Whew!

Today was high council Sunday in our stake. Brother Oldham from the high council and also the Young Men's President was one of the speakers. The other speaker was my friend Karen Gilliland. She brings such a sweet spirit to any meeting where she speaks.  She asked the question, "What keeps us going in the right direction?

The Covenant Path where we receive increased access to the power of Jesus Christ. Elder Renlund said: "As you walk the covenant path, from baptism to the temple and throughout life, I promise you power to go against the natural worldly flow." Once we have found the path we need to help others find it. The Savior will heal us from the world. Redemption is what we all need.

Brother Oldham: "Be ye doers of the word, not hearers only." How does that happen on a day to day basis? Sister Cordon's father told her: "Never miss an opportunity to testify of Christ."  President Beeler, our stake president has said: "Look for the hand of the Lord in your life, everyday." Elder Shumway, who is in Brother Oldham's ward said to him: "I see the hand of the Lord in my life everyday."

"I want to be the kind of person God knows I can be." If you don't remember anything else from this talk I hope you will remember this:

1. I need to strengthen my relationship with Christ everyday.

2. Expect and look for His hand in my life everyday.

Before the closing prayer Brother Skousen got up and asked to all leave the chapel on the south side. We wondered why. Later I found out via Facebook that it was because Lorrain Vaught had fainted. The EMT's from the fire station came and checked her out. She also received a priesthood blessing. She thanked everyone who had helped her and expressed her love for our ward.

Brother Applegate's Sunday School class was good as usual. He focused on the importance of receiving the Holy Ghost. I wanted to talk about the change in Peter and how he never took credit for anything he did but always referred to the Lord. He also brought Tabitha back to life!

I talked to Kathy Crane about her kitties. Their names are Dotty, Boots, and Blackie. She is so concerned something is going to happen to them that she keeps them in a carrier in her garage. When I told James he said, "cats need exercise and to be outside and explore." I told her that Kathy wanted her cats "fixed" but the vets are booked until December. He offered to "fix" them for her. Oh dear. I'm not sure if he was serious.

James had an interview with John Wilhelm while I waited in the "hot" car. Luckily it didn't take too long. 

We had leftovers for lunch, chicken, potatoes, and broccoli and pie for dessert. We both took naps but James's was about two hours longer than mine. 

I finished my blog, did some reading from "Rescuing Wayward Children", and then went on Family Search. I found the names of all of the initiatory ordinances we did last Thursday and ran off cards so we can now do the endowments. I also found several couple sealings. We will do an endowment session on Thursday and then do some of the couple sealings. We will keep doing this every week until we are caught up. 

Bishop Miller and his family in Kansas

These bees are trying to get back in the hive

that James closed up.

Ladder in the front

Laura turned 65 yesterday

Friends from Chandler

Reed was in James's Priest quorum and

Theola, his mom, was my friend.

Dave & Emily teaching about how revelation is received.

Charlie & Lovie

Saturday, July 15, 2023: Bees inside J's bee mask, stung multiple times, set posts for stable, trip to town & Culver's, dinner, electricity off, stable posts, honey dripping from balcony

 

Logan, Utah

2nd operating temple

17-19 May 1884

By: John Taylor

Jesus Christ, Types of, in Anticipation

Colossians 2:17

Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Book of Mormon

Alma 33:1-11

Come Follow Me

Acts 6-9

General Conference

Have I Truly Been Forgiven? Elder K. Brett Nattress

The Lord Jesus Christ Teaches Us To Minister 

James got up early this morning and put on his bee suit. He was back less than 30 minutes later saying, "Well, that was a fiasco. About 8 bees got inside my mask and all of them stung me. I was on the ladder holding the vacuum and couldn't take the mask off until I got to the top."

He came in and we had prayer and scriptures and breakfast then we went out in the back and I help him set a couple of posts for the stable. After I went in he set one by himself and said it was very difficult. I told him I would go out this evening and help him again.

One of the first things I saw on Instagram this morning was a recipe for two chicken breasts which you put in your crockpot and then add 1/3 cup Olive Garden salad dressing and 1/2 cup barbecue sauce. This reminded me that one of my goals for the day was to cook the two chicken breasts I had in the frig. I immediately went into the kitchen and put the chicken breasts into the crockpot, and added the salad dressing and the bbq sauce. I put the lid on and set the dial at low. Walla, this took less than 5 minutes and this evening/afternoon we will have a nice meal. I do love the crockpot!

When I came in from helping James set the posts I was sweating and needed a shower, so I took one. It's amazing how much better you feel after taking a shower. I worked on my blog and did some things around the house before James came in and asked me to go to town with him. So many times I say no, but this time I said that I would. 

James ran out of bags of cement and needed to go to town to get some more. He needs to get some more bags of cement. While he went into Lowe's I waited in the truck. He found a shady spot for me so it wasn't too hot. He was gone less than 10 minutes and we were on our way. We stopped at Culver's for lunch. I was going to get the strawberry salad until I realized it has blue cheese in it. I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich instead. James got a cod fillet sandwich. The chicken was cold on my sandwich and I just couldn't eat it. I was going to take it home and heat it up but there was something about that chicken patty that I didn't like. I ended up eating the bread and throwing the chicken away. What a waste. I should have had James go to Karl's Jr. for a grilled Santa Fe chicken sandwich.

We listened to our book, "A Gentleman's Deception" in the truck and then finished it this evening while we were walking. 

I baked a couple of potatoes and steamed some fresh broccoli to go with our chicken for dinner. James said it was the best meal he has had in awhile. I agreed. After dinner he went out to work and I told him to let me know when he needed my help.  Just then the electricity went off. It was 5:57 according to my phone. I went in the bedroom and sat in my recliner and watched a Christmas movie on my phone. James finally called me to help him. We set one post and then I went back inside. It was much cooler outside this evening that it was this morning. 

James came in, got dressed in his bee suit in the dark and went out to the hive in the front. He worked probably 30 minutes or so and he said he thinks he vacuumed up at least 100 bees. Not many when there are thousands. At 7:25 the electricity came back on. Thank goodness!

This is the Gorilla Cart James got me for 

Mother's day last year. I'm glad he is making

good use of it.

Friday, July 14, 2023: 7am oil changed, credit card fraud again 3x, James bees in front more aggressive, Christmas stamps puzzle, new Sarah Eden book, steps, blog caught up, Christmas movies

 

St. George, Utah

1st operating temple

Dedicated: 6 Apr 1877

By: Daniel H. Wells

Jesus Christ, Types of, in Anticipation

2 Corinthians 3:14

But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in Christ.

Book of Mormon

Alma 32:21-43

Come Follow Me

Acts 9 When I submit to the Lord's will, I can become an instrument in his hands.

Jesus's Name

Light of the world

Word

Holy Ghost

Phrase

But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus Christ standing on the right hand of God.

Affirmation

I firmly believe that I am never left to face my challenges alone. through the power of the Holy Ghost, I receive constant companionship, guidance and comfort from my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ. With the Holy Ghost as my constant guide, I find solace in the knowledge that I am encompassed by divine love and never alone in my mortal journey.

AprGenCon

Christlike Poise

Elder Mark A. Bragg

Of the Seventy

Let's consider elements of Christlike poise. To begin, knowing who we are and being true to our divine identity brings calm. Christlike poise requires that we avoid comparing ourselves to others or pretending to be someone we're not. Joseph Smith taught, "If men do not comprehend the character of god, they do not comprehend themselves." It is just not possible to have divine poise without knowing that we are divine sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father.

Focus on Jesus Christ

Brother Milton Camargo

First Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency

Covenant keeping leads us to seek after whatever invites the influence of the Spirit and reject whatever drives it away - "for we know that if we can be worthy of the presence of the Holy Ghost, we can also be worthy to live in the presence of Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ." 

I left the house this morning at 6:20 headed for Walmart to get my car serviced with an oil change. I arrived a little before seven and I was the first one in line. Two other people drove up behind me. 

I went inside Walmart while my car was being taken care of. I bought an eyebrow pencil, some brown sugar, and three boxes of cereal. After getting my groceries I got some breakfast at Karl's Jr. As I was eating my bacon, egg, cheese biscuit I received a text that my car was ready. I wrapped up my biscuit and was on my way. I wish I had focused on the girl who checked me out a little more.

When I got home I sat down at my computer and decided to write down my expenses at Walmart. When I opened up my bank account to my credit card expenditures, there was a charge for Walmart.com for over $300. My oil change was on there and the groceries I bought and then the Walmart.com charge. I think the girl who checked me out may have used my card. 

When I called to report the fraud I spoke to Jet. There were two other charges attempted on the card that I hadn't seen. This is the third time this has happened to me since June 24th.  Twice on my Chase card and once on my Citicard. There has got to be a safer way.

James began vacuuming the bees in the front of the house on Sheri and Ian's balcony. He got stung several times saying that these bees were more aggressive than the ones in the back.

After talking with Stacy for over an hour about her kids and their choices and attitudes I am a little discouraged. Stacy blames their worldliness on social media. I am back to reading my book, "Rescuing Wayward Children." I began reading where I left off months ago. The topic, the power of fasting and prayer. I needed to hear the power of fasting part and how fasting is a commandment.

The United States is having a heat wave across the south and we are a part of it I suppose. It is 90 degrees here and people are complaining.  

My new puzzle is a Re-Marks brand and is called Special Delivery. It has Christmas postage stamps from around the world. I'm doing it has part of Christmas in July. 

What value is my life if my posterity don't accept the gospel and pass it down to the next generation? Only Heavenly Father knows. Thank goodness for Autumn.

Ian's grandma and her twin brother.

Max lookalikes, when Max

was a baby and a small child.

Small house.

Case Beach Week