Friday, January 12, 2024: Up @ 4, James checks on Joe Vaal and hears about Joe's injuries, chicken enchiladas, Alex, Nick, Bruce arrive and get stuck, Max, Michael, Joe, Carter, Numeara, get stuck too

 

McAllen Texas

183rd operating temple

Dedicated: 8 Oct 2023

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 4:20-38

Come Follow Me

1 Nephi 4:1-3; 5:1-8 Remembering the works of God can give me the faith to obey His commandments.

October General Conference

"Do You Want to Be Happy" by Elder Yoon Hwhan Choi and

"God Knows and Loves You" by Elder Alan T. Phillips

Up at 4 am for prayer and gospel study. I read this quote from the Book of Mormon Student Manual for the Religion class at BYU:

"The bedrock of character is integrity. Worthy character will strengthen my capacity to respond obediently to the direction of the Spirit...Righteous character is the foundation of spiritual strength."

After our scriptures and prayer James left to go check on Joe Vaal. 

Apparently the person who was supposed to bring the snow blower didn't come. Yesterday Joe and Greg Anderson  were shoveling snow when Joe fell and hit his head. Greg said he was  bleeding out of his ear. I guess nothing serious  but the doctor said he broke two ribs. 

Joe said he had been through two wars and that a couple of broken ribs wasn't going to stop him. I told James that Joe was a lot like him.

I used the chicken I took out of the freezer that was seasoned with Mexican seasoning today and made chicken enchiladas. I used Lois's recipe for the sauce and instead of using Velveeta cheese I used sharp cheddar that was shredded. Instead of stewed tomatoes for the sauce I used Rotel. This made the enchiladas a little hotter than I would have liked, but not too hot that we couldn't eat them. James had them for lunch. 

Alex and his friend Nick and Nick's huge reddish color Golden Retriever arrived this afternoon. They got stuck on our hill in Nick's little SUV and James had to go pull them out. 

Bruce is a very gentle dog but he is the size of a small pony. James, Alex, and Nick went outside to target practice and left Bruce in the house. I was in my bedroom working on my computer when I heard howling and barking. Bruce wanted to go outside. I opened the blinds on the window in the dining room so Bruce could see the guys outside. He calmed down a little.

When Nick and Alex came in they played a game of chess. Alex asked if when they were finished we wanted to play Five Crowns. We said we would and went into the bedroom to walk and listen to our book. 

We played Five Crowns and James got off to a terrible start getting over 100 points right away. Alex had six points for several rounds and ended up winning. James lost, Nick came in second and I was third. 

Max, Michael, Joe, and Carter are on their way but probably won't get here until I am in bed. I went to bed at 8:30. They came around 9 and got stuck on the hill. James asked Alex to take the truck and go help them get out. They are in Sheri's Atlas and there is no place to attach a tow rope. Alex said he would drive the truck close so they could unload their stuff and put it in the truck and they would worry about getting the car out tomorrow. He said he would back up the car to the bottom of the hill where it would be out of the way. When Alex got in the truck Max started backing up the car and got it stuck even worse in a bank of snow. Alex said he wasn't sure why Max did that and I didn't ask. I'm sure Max feels embarrassed about what he did.

I forgot to mention that Michael brought his dog Numara. She looks like some kind of a husky but is small. She started barking when she saw Bruce. Someone else started playing the guitar while James and I were in bed. James asked me for earplugs, which don't help much.

Numara (not sure about the spelling)

Charlie with Tanner

Snow on the cactus in Sedona

Thursday, January 11, 2024: More Snow!, Scott Tibbetts 100th day, Christina and Gpa Stricklands bday,Inklings, Amy Reynolds, Whole wheat pancakes, five initiatories to do, my life story, J builds fires and shovels snow,

Moses Lake Washington

182nd operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Sep 2023

By: Quentin L. Cook

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 4:1-19

6 - I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.

Come Follow Me

 1 Nephi 3-4 God will prepare a way for me to do His will.

October General Conference

"Promptings of the Spirit" by Elder Gary E. Stevenson

Inklings

"Eternal Truth" by Elder John C. Pingree, Jr.

Up at 4:30. We have more snow. 

Today is Scott Tibbett's 100th day since his transplant and he is doing well. It is also his sister Christina's birthday and also my grandpa Al Strickland's birthday in heaven. 

As I was listening to Inklings today I realized how much I loved the talk Emily was discussing, "Eternal Truth" by Elder John C. Pingree, Jr. It made me think of my friend Amy Reynolds and her daughter Clare who says she doesn't go to Church because there have been too many changes. Policies change, but doctrine doesn't. Procedures change but doctrine doesn't. Amy said she would read the talk and get back to me. 

Emily was on Inklings by herself today and that's okay because I love listening to her. Here are some notes from Emily:

Both truth and love are essential for our spiritual development.

I am forever grateful for others who patiently taught me eternal truth with love. 

What are things that I know are true?

Righteous Desires - Faith - Obedience

The Holy Ghost is one of my dearest friends - Emily

We need the Spirit in great abundance in order to teach others.

RMN 2015 talk to women - Know the doctrine of Christ to teach truth with love.

God is the source of eternal truth.

Notes from Elder Pingree's talk:

Truth is critical for us to establish and strengthen our relationship with God, find peace and joy, and reach our divine potential.

*What is truth, and why is it important?

*How do we find truth?

* When we find truth, how can we share it?

The Lord has taught us in scripture that "truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come" (D&C 93:24)

Truth is absolute, fixed, and immutable. It "was not created or made". In other words, truth is eternal.

Truth helps us avoid deception, discern good from evil, receive protection, and find comfort and healing. Truth can also guide our actions, make us free, sanctify us, and lead us to eternal life.

First, God is the source of eternal truth.

Second, the Holy Ghost testifies of all truth.

Third, prophets receive truth from God and share that truth with us.

Finally, you and I play a crucial role in this process. God expects us to seek, recognize, and act on truth. Our ability to receive and apply truth is dependent on the strength of our relationship with the Father and the Son, our responsiveness to the influence of the Holy Ghost, and our alignment with latter-day prophets. 

Satan works to keep us from truth.

I realized that I had almost the entire talk underlined so I am going to stop here and say refer back to this talk. It is amazing!

I made some whole wheat pancakes for lunch. We had them with butter, syrup and fresh blueberries. Oh yes, I put chopped walnuts in them for James. He says he is never going to IHOP again.

I love this quote from Elder Stevenson's conference address: 

"If you want to feel the Spirit, be in places where the Spirit can dwell. Stand in Holy places with Holy people."

I found five female family names that need their initiatory done. I have an appointment to go next Tuesday to an endowment session with Ruth Gale. I think I will go an hour early and do these initiatories. James and I also need to do couple sealings.

James keeps busy here in Vernon. There is always plenty for him to do like build fires, shovel snow and work on maintenance and improvement projects. He loves it here and doesn't mind all of the work.

I listened to both "The Heir of Brownlie Manor" and "Lily of the Manor" while walking today. I listened to "Unshaken" and watched an episode of "Going Home" while working on my computer.

Fire and Snow

 

 

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!