Thursday, November 16, 2023: 6:30 I smell the beans! Follow Him, James in the woods, barbershop bid, Inklings, Rain forecast but only a few sprinkles, "A Not-So-Distant Love"

Curitiba, Brazil

126th operating temple

Dedicated: 1 June 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon Reading

4 Nephi 1:1-22

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

2 Nephi 28:24-25

Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion! Wo be unto him that crieth: All is well!

Come Follow Me

James 1:3-8, 21-25; 2:14-26; 4:17 Faith requires action

October General Conference

"Seeing God's Family through the Overview Lens" by Sister Tamara W. Runia

Inklings

"The Sealing Power" by Elder D. Todd Christofferson

6:30 - I smell the beans I put in the crockpot to cook last night and the smell whisks me into the kitchen. Yummm, they are very tasty!

After our prayers and scriptures James went outside to cut wood and I sat down at my computer to blog and listen to Hank and John and their guest on "Follow Him." J.B. Haws was their guest and I really liked him. Here are some notes:

The most important word in the dictionary according to Spencer W. Kimball is "Remember."

We deceive ourselves if we always think we are the victim

"Your name is safe in our house."

The Atonement cleanses us and changes us

Ezra Taft Benson said: "Righteously hang on to outlast the devil and his oppressive spirit.

Do I teach to impress or bless?

The meeting James had in Chandler on Tuesday was about doing a tenant improvement on a barbershop. The owner got taken by some guy who said he was a registered contractor but was not. His work was terrible and when the owner fired him he tore out a couple of TV's he had for his customers. This is a job that Sal found and James is working on bidding the work. I'm a little apprehensive that the owner won't be able to pay for the work if James takes the job. The other guy charged him over $65,000 and he will only recover about $25,000 of that.

James also ordered the bearings for the Razr and a new mirror for his truck. He is on a roll!

I listened to Inklings this morning. It was Rio and Katie Hughes. Here are a few notes: The talk is "The Sealing Power" by Elder D. Todd Christofferson.

Affirmation: I am connected to my roots and branches through the sealing power. Regardless of my circumstances, I live worthy of this covenant and trust in the Lord's promise of eternal connection.

* Jesus "minds the gap"

* The purpose of the gathering of Israel is to provide safety and gospel blessings to God's people.

* We need unification and to make space for hospitality.

* The gathering is in us. The light of Christ leads us.

* We need to claim who we are.

* What is one truth you know?

* Making space for people who might not feel as passionate as I feel about the gospel.

* Sometimes we learn the most from our "mess ups."

* We learn from our imperfections. We are practicing perfection.

* Be an expert at apologizing. Repair hurt.

* Offer grace to ourselves and others.

It looked like it was going to rain today and it was forecast but we only got a few drops. 

I got out the 18 blankets I bought for Christmas gifts. I have 17 more to buy. I got the blankets out on the floor so I could start matching them to family members. 

I watched two old Christmas movies today and The Golden Bachelor. I wish I had never started the Golden Bachelor. I am not a fan of the fantasy suites. Yuk to this show.

I started a new book. It's called "A Not-So-Distant Love" by Heidi Kimball. 

 

Wednesday, November 15, 2023: Word of the Day is Patience, James cuts logs, Trip to town, nap, J moved backhoe bucket!, Dinner w/ Sedigs & Grombachs @ Cattleman's

 

Rexburg, Idaho

125th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 Feb 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon Reading

3 Nephi 29:1-30:2

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

3 Nephi 14:7

Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Come Follow Me

James 1:2-4; 5:7-11 Patient endurance leads to perfection.

Teaching with Power

October General Conference

"Humble to Accept and Follow" by Elder Joni L. Koch

My word for the day is patience. I so desperately need it! 

As part of our scripture study this mornig we listened to a talk by Elder Jaggi called "Count it All Joy." I love this quote from his talk:

"When we exercise patience, our faith increases. As our faith increases, so does our joy." Elder Jaggi also said that we go to the temple to make covenants and we go home to keep covenants.

I listened to Ben Wilcox as part of my "Come Follow Me" study:

I had chow mien for breakfast. It was quite delicious. 

After scriptures and prayers James went out to find logs for siding and firewood.

I took a trip to town around noon. James was too busy to come. On the way to town I listened to "Proposals and Poison." I used my EasyPay card at Circle K. At Walmart I picked up some groceries along with my prescriptions, a heater for the bathroom, a turkey for Thanksgiving, and some kitty supplies, including catnip, although I don't know what it does for cats, and another kitty bed. I ate Andes mints on the way home. Once I got home and put the groceries away, I took a nap and so did James. He moved the backhoe that I was complaining about and we decided that on Saturday we would haul a load of junk to the dump. 

We have a dinner engagement tonight with the Grombachs and the Sedigs. We were supposed to meet the Grombachs at the church at 5:00 and then they would ride with us to Cattleman's in Show Low where we would meet the Sedigs at 5:30. Willy texted James and asked if we could push it back 30 minutes because Janna wasn't home from the valley yet. She has been down there with her mom going to doctors appointments and attending a baby shower for Pat's great great grandchild. I guess the mom went into labor right after the shower and delivered the baby early. It weighed five lbs and is doing well. 

When we were on our way to Show Low with the Grombachs I asked Janna what the latest report on her mom was. She said it isn't good news. She has a leaky valve and she won't have surgery because it is too risky at her age. She is 85 and will be 86 in January. Dr. Memon prescribed some new medicine for her that will help her stay comfortable and he told her to walk a little bit everyday. Pat is such a sweet lady and she had great faith. She is not afraid to die.

We met the Sedigs a little before six in front of Cattleman's. We went in and got a table for six. I realized I should have made a reservation but luckily they weren't too busy. It was still a little before six so our waiter brought the twilight menu where the menu is limited but the prices are cheaper. He brought a regular menu too but we all ordered off the twilight menu. Janna got salmon, Willy prime rib, Cheryl cod fillet, Ralph the New York steak, James prime rib, and I ordered the New York strip steak. When the food came Ralph told the server it looked like he got the 5 oz steak instead of the 8 oz but the server assured him it was 8 oz. I guess it was thick because it looked small to me too. I ended up giving Ralph about half of my steak.

The women sat together and talked. Cheryl said she has lived in her new house for two months without a kitchen. They are starting to put a kitchen together but she has been cooking on a camp stove for two months. I realize how spoiled I really am. 

We stayed and visited after we were done eating. We really do like these two couples. Willy and Ralph have been best friends since high school and they do something together just about everyday.

We said goodbye to the Sedigs and drove home with the Grombachs. Willy has agreed to help James fix the Razr. James is going to order the bearings and he and Willy will fix it next week. We have such great friends!

Adam's work had a turkey drawing contest.

He asked our family group which one we liked.

This one is Adam's

I made this cake for Kim's birthday,

it is delicious!

Tuesday, November 14, 2023: James leaves for the valley @ 6. The barber is late for the meeting, woodpecker is driving me bananas, James back, Panda for dinner

 

Helsinki, Finland

124th operating temple

Dedicated: 22 Oct 2006

By: Gordon B. Hinckley 

His last

Book of Mormon Reading

3 Nephi 28:25-40

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

Jacob 4:4

For, for this intent have we written these things, that they may know that we know of Christ, and we had a hope of his glory many hundred years before his coming; and not only we ourselves had a hope of his glory, but also all the holy prophets which were before us.

Come Follow Me

Who was James? James 2

October General Conference

"Hallmarks of Happiness" by Elder Gary B. Sabin

Inklings

"The Sealing Power" by Elder D. Todd Christofferson

James left for the valley at 6 a.m., after our family prayer. He feels better this morning than he did last night when he went to bed.

As I was walking around the high table in the family room I heard a pounding upstairs. I know we have a woodpecker that tries to peck a hole in our siding but this sounded like someone tapping with a hammer. My imagination got the best of me and I was sure someone was upstairs hiding in the closet tapping away. I even went upstairs to check. Of course I found no one. It bothered me so much I went into my bedroom and locked the door. 

I listened to Tyler and Taylor this morning on Scripture Central. Here are a few notes that I took: 

Encouraged to listen to the conference address by Jeffrey R. Holland called: "The Tongue of Angels." 

All are alike unto God, He is no respecter of persons.

Know the truth before speaking.

Receive wisdom from above

Use our wealth to help build the kingdom of God

Let us endure well and be ready for the Savior when He comes.

James's meeting was supposed to be at 9 p.m. but the guy he is doing the remodeling for, a barber, did not show up and said he couldn't be there until noon. Some kind of family emergency. He had said he would be home around 2 but now it won't be until 5 or 6. 

I got 12,000 steps before he got home. He walked, holding my phone and got 10,000 more. While I was walking I listened to "Proposals and Poison" Rachelle J. Christensen's third wedding planner book.

James brought home Panda bowls with teriyaki chicken and chow mien for dinner. We both ate about half of our bowl and then put the rest in the frig for tomorrow. 

I ordered these cute gingerbread house containers from a shop on Amazon called Karentology. How could I resist?

Love!

I received the Christmas Carols puzzle I ordered. I thought it was going to be exactly like Kim's. The picture is the same but the size is different. Mine is bigger with bigger pieces. The bonus is it does have a picture of the puzzle on a sheet of paper and Kim's doesn't. Kim knows I like the small pieces better and she offered to trade with me. That is very sweet of her but I know she also likes the smaller pieces better. We shall see what happens. In the meantime I'm doing this puzzle.

It was Whitney Houston night on "DWTS." Billy Porter was the guest judge. They called him the male Whitney Houston. Not a chance. I thought he was a little creepy. Xochitl (Pronounced Soshie)

and Val got the first perfect score of the season! They are my favorite couple. She is only 17 but is such a good dancer. I must say though that my all time favorite couple has to be Meryl Davis and Maks C.

I have been watching YouTube videos of them.

Millie and Jerry Scott

Charlie

12,000 of these are mine

Xochitl & Val

Peta & Barry William went home tonight

 

Monday, November 13, 2023: J breaks my star dish, Lynne H. Wilson CFM, Lambson family email, lots of smoke, pickup mail, D's reel elk in yards

Sacramento, California

123rd operating temple

Dedicated: 3 Sep 2006

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon Reading

3 Nephi 28:1-24

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

3 Nephi 11:29-30

For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another. Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away.

Come Follow Me

James "Be Ye Doers of the Word, and Not Hearers Only"

James 1 and lesson introduction

October General Conference

"How Great Will Be Your Joy" by Elder Ronald A. Rasband

I have a crystal star-shaped dish I keep on my desk by my computer. I use it to put my pistachios in when I am eating pistachios.  I had taken it into the kitchen to wash it and it was sitting on the edge of the island. I was going to bring it back this morning when I went in for my breakfast but my hands were full so I left it on the edge of the counter where I leave things that need to go into the bedroom.

An hour or so later I'm sitting at my computer and I hear a loud crash! I hurriedly trot down the hall to the kitchen and see James standing at the edge of the counter. He was walking by and without looking swung his arm out and knocked my dish off onto the floor where it shattered into a hundred pieces. I was sad but I didn't get mad. I just got out the broom and began sweeping up the pieces. I am writing this on Saturday and I can say that I have been finding pieces all week that I missed. It's only a thing and it doesn't matter most because it doesn't last the longest.

I listened to Dr. Lynne Hilton Wilson today on Scripture Central.

She is covering the book of James which is the course of study this week for Come Follow Me.  Here is one of her visuals:

I sent the Lambson family information I received from Laurie Thomas to James and all of his brothers and sisters. I blogged two days and walked 12,000 of my own steps. I also watched three Christmas movies, one being a repeat of one I had already watched, with James. He and I watched, "Mystery at Mistletoe Manor." 

James spent a good part of the day up on the hill gathering and cutting wood. There was lots of smoke today from the latest burn and he went to bed coughing and sneezing. He is getting up early tomorrow to go to the valley.

The other two movies I watched were, "Heidelberg Holiday" and "A Christmas Blessing." They were both good but I think I liked the second one better. It was a GAF movie starring Lori Laughlin. It was about serving those who are less fortunate.

Sheri's appointment to have her IUD removed is not until December 5th. She has all the signs of it being imbedded in her uterine wall.

I picked up the mail today. The puzzle I ordered for my friend Tamara came, my magnesium citrate, and our printer ink.

Darrel sent me a reel of a block of houses in Colorado with elk lying all over the lawns. It looked like there was at least 50 or 60.

We hate these burns!

Memory: Ruby at Disneyland

A young Barbara and M. Russell Ballard

 

Sunday, November 12, 2023: 4:30 up to finish lesson, Children's Sacrament Meeting Program, Kim & Brian attend our ward, Goodbye to Kim & Brian, scriptures by the fire

Newport Beach, California

122 operating temple

Dedicated: 28 Aug 2005

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon Reading

3 Nephi 27:13-33

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

Alma 7:24

And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works.

Come Follow Me

Review Hebrews

October General Conference

"Do You Want to Be Happy" Elder Yoon Hwan Choi

"God Knows and Love You" Elder Alan T. Phillips

I got up at 4:30 this morning to finish my lesson prep. I asked James if we could leave at 8:20 and he said yes. When 8:20 came around he was just starting to get ready. He got ready in less than 5 minutes but forgot his Sunday briefcase and journal. I was driving away and he ran out to get in the car.

We sat in the very back row in the overflow for sacrament meeting because that's where Kim and Brian sit. Also on this row sits our ward security the Tignors and the Reynolds.

Greg Anderson was released as the ward mission leader today. He was called as an advisor in the Teacher's quorum.

Today was our Primary Children's Program. It went something like this: Two children come up and talk about Jesus. Carmalynn said, "All things were made by Him." "Jesus made the world for me."

All of the children sang: "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus." 

A boy talked about the baptism of Jesus and another talked about the Holy Ghost. The entire Primary then sang the song, "Baptism."

Makenzi Robles talked about how Jesus told his disciples "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men." A couple of other children spoke and then the children sang, "I Will Walk with Jesus."

Three or four more speakers and then the song, "Jesus Walked Upon the Water, He is a God of Miracles."

Johnny Wilhelm talked about the sacrament. One of the girls said, "I can do hard things because Jesus helps me."

The children sang "Gethsemane." It was so beautiful. This children's choir is amazing!

Richard and Cress Miller's grandson, Jacob Barrett quote a paragraph from "The Living Christ." We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary."

Song: "Faith"

More children speaking and then a small group of singers with Brother Beals playing the guitar. 

Something about answered prayers, He is there to answer my prayer and the song, "I Will Find My Own Sacred Grove." 

Jesus is the living Christ. Song: "I Will Plead with My Father on My Knees" and "We are as the Army of Helaman" with the young men joining in.

With Jesus as our guide . . .

Closing Song: "I Know that My Redeemer Lives."

Bishop Hunsaker gave the closing remarks and Bridgett Jordan gave the closing prayer. 

I hurried off to Relief Society to hand out the five lesson quotes. It is so great to have Kim here!

I should have taken a picture of my setup but since I didn't I am going to share here:

Abide the Day in Christ

1. Simplify

2. Focus

3. Share Jesus' light

4. Seek revelation

Promises of Christ's Power about Our Heartaches

1. We will learn from them

2. We will overcome them

3. We will have immeasurable joy in the next life

4. Tears will dry up

5. Broken hearts will mend

6. The lost shall be found

7. Concerns shall be resolved

8. Families will be restored

9. All the Father hath will be ours.

Parable of the Ten Virgins

10 Virgins - Members of the Church

Bridegroom - Jesus Christ

Vessels - used for storing extra oil

Lamps - allowed people to carry light with them

Oil - Faith, testimony, taking the Holy Ghost to be our guide

Wedding - the Second Coming

Nourish daily, drop by drop.

Jeremiah 31:16-17

I thought the lesson went quite well. As I was taking down my visual aids Millie Scott came over and said, "You are a born teacher." Thanks Millie, I love you!

James had a couple of interviews after church so I went back to the house with Kim and Brian. Climbing into the back of Brian's "Bruce" the Bronco was not an easy task, but I managed even in my Sunday dress.

I warmed up the pork green chili and made James and I each a burro. Kim loved it so much she ask me for my recipe. I gave it to her telling the things I did a little differently. After lunch Kim and Brian packed up and left. Kim wanted to stay until Thanksgiving but she decided to go home with Brian. They will be back the day after Thanksgiving.

Love these two so much!!

I was exhausted so after Kim left I crashed on the recliner in the family room. I've grown accustomed to sitting there for our nightly Christmas movies. I slept for quite a long time and then finished watching "Christmas Wedding." I also watched "Christmas Island" starring Andrew Walker.  

James and I read scriptures by the fire this evening. It was cozy.

Elder Stevenson dedicated the Okinawa temple today. It is the Church's 186th temple.

Later tonight Elder M. Russell Ballard passed away with his loved one gathered around him. He is back with his beloved wife Barbara.

Saying goodbye to Tom & Tab

Okinawa, Japan