Wednesday, January 10, 2024: "Coming Home" PureFlix series, "The Heir of Brownlie Manor", Chuck to the dump, James PO, Garden Soup, Text from JA

 

Bentonville, Arkansas

181st operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Sep 2023

By: David A. Bednar

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 3:16-31

Come Follow Me

1 Nephi 2 I can gain and strengthen my testimony as I turn to the Lord.

October General Conference

"The Power of Jesus Christ in Our Lives Every Day" by Elder Joaquin E. Costa

I really love my electric throw and James loves his too. 

I listened to "Unshaken." Bishop Hunsaker also asked us to read a talk by Elder Holland from the October 2016 Priesthood session of conference, "Emissaries to the Church."  I started listening to this talk and I realized I remembered it. It was about home/visiting teaching, now called ministering. I stopped when Elder Holland began telling the story of the man who accidentally ran over his little boy. I just couldn't listen to that sad story again. I remembered what a great home teacher his friend was too him so I got the message. 

I started watching a series on my phone put out by PureFlix called "Going Home." It's the story of a hospice nurse who works in a hospice home called Sunset House where people go who are sick and going to die. It is sad but so good. After someone passes away that she has cared for she sits on her porch, watches the sunset, and talks to God. 

I also started listening to a book by Anita Stansfield that I read back in 2017 called "The Heir of Brownlie Manor." It seems vaguely familiar but I can't remember much about it. 

Chuck took our garbage to the dump today.  He didn't want to take any money but James insisted on giving him $5. James went to the post office and mailed the thank you card I wrote to Lois and Dawn for Christmas. He also finished a side of the stable. 

The stable that James built. He's not quite finished.

I made my recipe for Weight Watcher garden soup for dinner along with a salad. This is the soup you could eat as much of as you wanted and it was 0 points. It has carrots, onions, garlic, and cabbage in a tomato base with spices. It is delicious! James loved it too! Oh yes, it also had green beans and zucchini.

I reserved our week at Sheraton Desert Oasis. We check in on June 9th and leave on the 16th. 

James was supposed to have an elders quorum presidency meeting tonight but Chuck cancelled saying that Tom Patrick, the secretary, wasn't feeling well and neither was he. 

James and I walked and listened to "Lily of the Manor."

Today is the anniversary of Paul's dad, Gilbert's, death.

Tabby in the Rudolph house

The Mark and Raylene Luke family

When they were in our ward they had two children.

Tuesday, January 9, 2024: Up @ 4:16, CFM video about how we got the scriptures, "Unshaken", Christmas all gone, clean area by fireplace, James shovels snow, Culvers, Wlmrt, Temple recommend interview, Sheri's plumbing problems

 

Brasilia, Brazil

180th operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Sep 2023

By: Elder Neil L. Andersen

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 3:1-15

7 I will go and do the things the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the things which he commandeth them.

Come Follow Me

1 Nephi 1-5 The word of God is "of great worth" to me.

Video of the sacrifices that were made so we could have the scriptures.

October General Conference

"Preserving the Voice of the Covenant People in the Rising Generation" by Brother Jan E. Newman

Up at 4:16. 

As part of our scripture study we watched the video under the heading: The word of God is "of great worth" to me.

I would encourage all of my children to watch this video as part of their scripture study with their families. It made me appreciate all of the sacrifices that were made to bring forth the Book of Mormon and the Bible. 

I also listened to part of "Unshaken." Brother Halverson shared that one year he read the Book of Mormon completely each month, focusing on one gospel principle, such as faith. Each month he would buy a new Book of Mormon and start over with a new principle. At the end of the year she had 12 copies of the Book of Mormon each focusing on a different gospel principle. 

James and I finished taking down all of the Christmas decorations, including the two wreaths. Afterwards I cleaned the area near the fireplace including the sitting area. James went outside to shovel snow. He said that Tom loves playing in the white stuff.

James and I left for town around 4:30. The plan is to eat some dinner, do some shopping at Walmart and then go to the stake center so I can have an interview with the stake presidency to get my temple recommend signed. 

Our first stop was at Culver's where I ordered a single cheeseburger to see if it was as good as the guy who did a comparison of ten burgers at ten different fast food places said. He rated it number one. I wouldn't rate it number one, but it was good. I still like a Whataburger Jr. better. James got a fish sandwich. 

We drove to the Walmart parking lot to eat our dinner. While we were eating James got a call from Sheri. There is a broken water pipe near their sump pump and she is asking for his advice. She said it broke a few weeks ago and Ian fixed it but now it's broken again. James said there might be a clog in the line and she should get a snake to clean the line out before fixing the pipe. She said she would call a plumber. I think she was afraid that Ian wouldn't want to deal with it. She texted back later and said that Ian fixed it. 

James helped me shop in Walmart. I sent him to the produce department. Every time I ask him to get something he says, "Do you know how much that costs?" I didn't tell him how much 4 razor blades cost for his Gillette Mach 3 razor. He would probably tell me not to get them. ($11.99)

We checked out and left Walmart around 6:30. I had sent James over to get a birthday card for Anna but he said he couldn't find one that he liked. I guess we will have to get one later.

We headed to the stake center in Lakeside. I got out and tried the front door but it was locked. James drove me down to the end door where the stake offices are. A brother one in ahead of me. If I would have gone there first I would have beat him. Darn!

I was number four on the list of temple recommend interviews. President Alder is the only member of the stake presidency here.

While I was waiting I read several articles in this month's Liahona. 

I got two compliments on my hair tonight, once in Walmart from a woman who was getting milk the same time I was, and once in the waiting area for my recommend by a Sister Johnson. It gave me a little boost in confidence that I needed.

I enjoyed my visit with President Alder. He is the age of my kids and I believe that he is a doctor. As we got to know each other I said I had grown up in Show Low, moved to the valley and lived in Chandler 40 years and then moved up here to Vernon in 2012. He said he moved here in 2012 too. He has all of the recommend questions memorized. After the interview he asked if he could say a prayer for me, just as Brother Allen had. I like this addition to the interview. 

It is such a good feeling to have a brand new temple recommend!

President Beeler, our stake president, sent out an email to the members of our ward regarding our ward conference which is coming up on January 21st. He wants the members of our ward to read the following articles before our conference:

"Sacrament Meeting and the Sacrament" President Oaks 10/2008

"Behold the Lamb of God" Elder Holland  4/2019

"Jesus Christ is the Treasure" Elder Renlund 4/2023

We have also been asked to read "Emissaries to the Church" by Elder Holland 10/2016 for this Sunday's elders quorum and Relief Society meeting.

When we got home we put the groceries away and walked about ten minutes and got ready for bed. I have 10,500 steps for the day. I walked earlier because I knew we would be getting home after 8.

 

Monday, January 8, 2024: Up @ 5:18 oops, couldn't sleep last night, 7# of new snow, James shoveling, Joe Vaal needs help, Truck & trailer stuck, Christmas away,

Saratoga Springs Utah

179th operating temple

Dedicated: 13 Aug 2023

By: Henry B. Eyring

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 2

19 - And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying: Blessed art thou, Nephi, because of thy faith, for thou hast sought me diligently, with lowliness of heart.

Come Follow Me

1 Nephi 1-5 "I Will Go and Do"

October General Conference

"Tithing: Opening the Windows of Heaven" by Elder Neil L. Andersen

Oops... I didn't get up until 5:18. I couldn't sleep last night.

I started using Emily's book, "And These Words" with my scripture study. I'm studying one word that I want to learn about. My word right now is "conversion." 

I read an article in the Liahona about "Slow Reading." 

Slow Reading allows us to notice things in the Book of Mormon that we wouldn't otherwise notice. Most important, it can help us see the Savior more frequently in this book that was written to testify of Him.

We woke up with 7 more inches of snow that we had yesterday. James started shoveling. He was expecting a call from the owner of the barbershop where he is doing the remodel regarding payment. Finally, he called and said he didn't have the money yet. James said he was going to stop the job, but he didn't. I am a little concerned. Kudos to Armando for handling this job.

One of James's main concerns today was helping Joe Vaal shovel his driveway and walkways. Joe said he gets up at 3 am and goes outside and goes to work. James and Greg Anderson, Joe's ministering brother are concerned about him doing this because he is 92 years old and has a heart condition. 

James was pulling the trailer out of the gate and he got stuck. He was on his way over to Chuck's to borrow Chucks plow that connects to his ATV. 

In the meantime James gets a call that Joe's granddaughter and some other people she recruited, are on their way to Joe's with a snow blower to clear off the snow. Thank goodness!

I listened to Barbara Morgan Gardner and Elaine Dalton this morning discussing Elder Soares talk, "Brothers and Sisters in Christ." Barbara told a story that shows how kind and unselfish some people are capable of being.  Barbara said at a very busy time in her life when she was working on her Masters in Logan and driving to Provo to teach seminary she was driving to Provo one day to teach seminary and she was so tired she stopped to rest at a rest stop. It was cold outside so she left the heater on in her car. When she woke up her car was dead. She wasn't sure what she was going to do. She said about that time a car drove up, same make and model as hers. 

A man got out and asked if he could help her. She asked if he had jumper cable. He said no, he didn't. She explained that she was on her way to Provo to teach a class and really needed her car. Barbara went in to use the facilities. When she came back out her car was running. She asked what he had done and he told her she needed to go so she would make it in time to teach her class. She thanked him and as she left she looked in her rearview mirror and saw him standing by the side of the car. Later she learned that he had taken the battery out of his car and put it in hers.

We had lots of snow on our front porch from this storm. 

Cat tracks

He hurt his back and thumbs, but like Joe, he just keeps going.

I put all of the Christmas boxes away downstairs. James takes the lights off the tree and I wind them and put tape around them and put them in a box. 

When it was time for us to walk we listened to "A Hopeful Christmas." I also listened to "Lily of the Manor." 

The sun today did not melt very much snow. 

Derek Hough won his 4th Emmy on Sunday. This one was for the song "Higher" sung by Michael Buble. Derek choreographed a group dance for the song and it was performed on "Dancing with the Stars' when Michael Buble was a guest.

 

James made this Nutella fudge.

It has both walnuts and pistachios in it.

It is delicious!

 

Sunday, January 7, 2024: Study fasting, 8:30 temple recommend appt. w/ Brother Allen, Aaronic Priesthood advancements, Fast & Testimony mtg, Take Catherine home, SNOW, SNOW and more SNOW, Fredwood wet, BM testimony

Helena, Montana

178th operating temple

Dedicated: 18 June 2023

By: Gary E. Stevenson

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 1 - Tender mercies

But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chose, because of their faith to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.

Come Follow Me

Fasting and Prayer

We access Christ's Atonement through the Holy Ghost.

October General Conference

"Kingdoms of Glory" by President Dallin H. Oaks

I studied about fasting and prayer today during my gospel study time and felt so much better about fasting and its power. It gave me the little boost I needed to get through these final hours of my fast. I am better but still not perfect.

James and I had prayer and scripture study before we left. We left early because I have an appointment at 8:30 with Brother Allen to get my temple recommend renewed. 

It was nice getting to the church early because we got to park right in front of the door. Axle Golly, one of the young men in our ward and his younger brother Gage opened the doors for me. I thanked them for their kindness.

Brother Allen took me into one of the classrooms for my interview.  I asked him if he had a successful hunt. He said yes, he got a javelina. I asked him if he was going to eat it. He said they take it and have it made into sausage to cover up most of the gamey taste.

Before the interview started he offered a prayer in my behalf, which was so sweet. Everything is done digitally. The questions are online and so is my recommend. After our interview he said my recommend would be online for the stake to see.

Brother Skousen asked if we would give the prayers in sacrament meeting. I said I would give the opening, which I did. 

Brother Skousen conducted the meeting. The first item of business was to vote on the Aaronic Priesthood advancements. 

Axle Golly and Johnny Wilhelm will be ordained Deacons. Nathan Crane is advancing to the office of a Teacher. Colter Hunsaker and Cole Flake will be ordained Priests. 

Lannie Gillespie was called as a Sunday School teacher for the 16-18 year olds. Those are some lucky kids. 

Testimonies

Chris Skousen - Inspired program for youth. BM podcast. Heavenly Father blesses us everyday.

Lorraine Vaught - Thankful for Jesus Christ's sacrifice for me and for priesthood blessings.

George Wilhelm - young boy, President Nelson, family, Church is true.

Brother Peralta - Become as little children. We must love and forgive. I know our Savior lives and loves us.

Jacob - Miller's grandson; I love Jesus.

Chimi Tesarek  - I love my Savior.

Bishop Wes Miller - Visiting from Kansas. This is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Life is hard. Joy is found in overcoming. Repent and continue striving.

Owen Peeler - I have an exploding testimony. God lives. Heavenly Father is the architect and Jesus Christ is the engineer.  The Holy Ghost, Joseph Smith, our Prophet today.

Cope Reynolds - My testimony of Jesus Christ's gospel has become stronger since I married Amy and became a member of this ward. Some of the best women of the Church are in this ward.

Natalie Robles - I have a testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. I am excited to study the Book of Mormon this year. I testify of Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Tamara Applegate - Light always overcomes dark. David A. Bednar, "Patterns of Light." The gospel of Jesus Christ is true.

After James said the closing prayer in sacrament meeting and we got up to leave I looked across the aisle to my friend Catherine Halcomb and she was saying something to me. I went closer so I could hear her. She is not feeling well. She thinks she has a low blood sugar. She is a diabetic and is on insulin. I helped her out to the foyer and sat her down. She wants to go home. Kerri is our ward techie and is setting up in the gospel doctrine classroom. James told her about her mom and she came running out with a Jolly Rancher piece of candy to give to her mom. I told her Catherine wanted to go home and that I would take her so she could do what she needed to do. 

Some people, the Johnson's and Lorraine Vaught decided it was time to go home because of the snow.

It is snowing now, but I am parked right in front and it was easy for Catherine to get into my car. We drove up the road to the top of 3144 where Catherine lives. I parked as close to the ramp leading up to her door as I could. I told her I would come in and be with her but she said no, that wasn't necessary. She walked up the ramp and into the house. I said a prayer that she would be all right and drove back down the hill to the church. 

I went in to Jimmy Applegate's Gospel Doctrine house and sat on the front row by James. My takeaway from the class today was Amy Reynold's plea in behalf of her daughter Clare who left the Church because she said there are too many changes.  Amy wants to know why there are changes. Brother Applegate was leading a discussion about the Introduction to the Book of Mormon and the changes made since the original manuscript. He gave some good explanations but I don't think Amy was completely satisfied. I wanted to help her. I know her daughter Clare. I was her visiting teacher for several years and I visited her every month, even after she moved to Show Low. 

Amy is a sweetheart and I want to help her too. This is what I went away with after class.

 We broke our fast when we got home and then James fixed us some lunch. BLT's, a side of ham, and a delicious potato patty made out of the leftover mashed potatoes that Michael left.

We took naps with our electric blankets as it was snowing outside. 

Stacy told me that Jared Ammon was broken hearted when he found out about Tabby. He was sad that we didn't tell him. I apologized to him. She left a week or two after he went back to the valley. He said that maybe she was looking for him. I agreed. 

James is concerned about our woodpile being covered with snow so after building a fire with wood that was inside,  he takes the air compressor out to blow off the woodpile.

It worked well until the hose, which was frozen,

broke.

I was so concerned about how cold it was. I gave James a blanket to put in Tom's sleeping house. He said Luna has icicles on her from rolling in the snow. I said there was a thick wool blanket downstairs we could put on her. James said she didn't need it. She would be fine in the stable. Okay James, but Kim isn't going to be happy. She has been texting me.

I shared my testimony of the Book of Mormon to my family online this evening. I encouraged them all to do "Come Follow Me' with their families this year.

Christina's kids

Sabbath Day Charlie

Trina & Darrel but not sure where or when

Tom loves the snow.

James has a video of him hopping

through it. I wish I could download

videos on here.

 

Saturday, January 6, 2024: Clean the church building & help take down Christmas trees, RSActivity, Culver's waffle cone & salad, HD, Meeting w/ Applegates, fasting for grandkids

Richmond, Virginia

177th operating temple

Dedicated: 7 May 2023

By: Dallin H. Oaks

Book of Mormon

Brief Explanation

Come Follow Me

"The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon" by Elder Ulisses Soares, April 2020 General Conference

October General Conference

"Love Thy Neighbor" by Elder Ian S. Arden

I woke up at 3:48 but didn't actually get up until 4:25. These early morning hours are sacred time. It's my time to pray, study, plan and prepare and hopefully receive some personal revelation.

At 7:25 James and I left for the church. The first two weeks of the year we are always assigned to cleaning duty. We work with Tina & Steve Allen and this year Ken & Anne Johnson. Nicolette Gardner is also assigned be she is totally inactive now. 

We met Tina Allen who has a key and unlocked the door. Her husband Steve is the first counselor in the bishopric. He won't be here today to help because he is gone hunting with their son Rusty.

  

I met Rusty while serving in the youth program in the Vernon ward.

Such a polite, kind, and fun young man. He always held the door for me or offered to carry things for me.

The Allen's are a wonderful family.

James always wants to clean the chapel. It took him twice as long to do the chapel as it did for Tina and I to do our chores. Tina emptied garbages, cleaned windows, and did spot vacuuming throughout the building. I cleaned the bathrooms. I know, I know, I'm slow. Tina and I visited a few minutes before she left. She offered me a donut which she was offered by Teresa Heinz who is in charge of the RS sewing activity this morning. I declined and boy am I glad I did. I told her I had already eaten, which I had. Tina said she only ate half of her longboy but it made her lightheaded and woozie. She was going to go home and make some scrambled eggs to counteract all of the carbs. 

It was great to see young women participating in the RS basic sewing class. I saw Lily Flake and the Jameson girls. Some of the sewing experts from our ward were there to help; Catherine Halcomb and Pam Wood. Pam Wood is known for her gorgeous quilts. Here is her latest project.

Because this is all hand-stitched Pam says

it will take her 3-5 months to finish, working

on it sporadically.

 I offered to help James but it's really a one person job. He is determined to get every piece of lint off those brocade benches.

As I was waiting for James, our Relief Society president, Cheryl Sedig came in to the foyer and mentioned that she needed to take down the Christmas trees. There is one in each foyer. I told her I would help her. Brother Lauritzen, who was at the church to provide security for the Relief Society activity offered to go to the storage room on the other side of the parking lot and get the required boxes to put the trees and decorations away. He is our executive secretary so he has a key.

I started taking down the ornaments in the south foyer. Soon James was finished in the chapel and he helped too. He "stuffed" the Christmas trees back in their boxes and taped them up using scotch tape and caution tape because that's all we had. 

When everything was out of the south foyer I vacuumed up debris from the tree and moved the furniture back in its proper place.

Cheryl and James were already in the north foyer finishing up. I came over and vacuumed that foyer too. Cheryl was very appreciative for our help as she was going to do it on her own. We were happy to help.

It was late morning when we left the church. James had promised me lunch in town after our cleaning. He also needed to go to Home Depot to exchange some screws. While waiting for James outside of Home Depot I finished up a Christmas movie I had been watching on my phone.

We went to Culver's for lunch. Neither of us wanted to go inside so we went through the Drive-thru. I ordered a vanilla waffle cone and a chicken cashew salad. I had to eat the cone first because it was melting. James ordered a chicken sandwich. James ate his chicken sandwich and finished up my salad when we got home. 

After my nap I decided to start making reservations for our Disneyland trip with Ruby and Lola on the 22nd of this month. 

I made a reservation at Embassy Suites on Harbor. Afterwards I realized I had made a one room instead of the standard two room suite reservation. I asked for an upgrade and they said they would give it upon availability. This is hanging over my head. One of the things we like about ES is their two room suites.

Next I went on the Disneyland site to buy tickets. I got all the way to checkout when there was a credit card offer for a premium Disney card where they would deduct $300 from your bill for the first three month usage. I applied and am waiting to hear back before I order tickets. 

While I was working in the bedroom on my computer, Jimmy & Tamara Applegate came over to meet with James about the building of their new home. They met for over an hour at the dining room table. I gave them each a glass of water and Tamara a pen, pencil and pad of paper so she could take notes. Ty is working in Tucson as an apprentice to an electrician. He wants a job where he has to use his brain not just his brawn. He will be a good influence on his brother Jace who also lives in Tucson.

This evening James and I worked on taking down the Christmas decor. The hardest job is getting all of the strands of lights off the tree. Also, it came with lights which are clipped on and no longer work. You have to work around them when taking off the other lights. So many strings of lights. Kim loves lights. We did not finish.

Walking stories, "Lily of the Manor" for me and "A Hopeful Christmas" for James and I. 

I started watching a new Hallmark movie, "Love on the Right Course" starring Ashley Newborough and Marc Rosner. 

We are fasting for our adult grandchildren who no longer attend their meetings or partake in the gospel.

RS Activity

I want a wagon like this. Kerri says

she has one she will sell to me for $10.

I told her it was worth more than that.

Waiting for more people

Pam's quilts

Brian Maxwell

Jared Ammon posted these pictures. He was so sad to

here that Tabby ran away.