Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Monday, February 5, 2024: Town to get horse feed, Bertie's, Thomas in the house more & more, Kim wins at Five Crowns, Cut a Covenant

 

Jordan River, Utah
20th operating temple
Dedicated: 16-20 Nov 1981
By: Marion G. Romney

Book of Mormon
2 Nephi 1:13-19
Come Follow Me
Free to Choose Liberty and Eternal Life, through the Great Mediator
2 Nephi 1-2 Introduction
October General Conference
"Kingdom of Glory" by President Dallin H. Oaks
Walk with Him
"Be Peaceable Followers of Christ" by Elder Quentin L. Cook
Book
"Increase in Learning" p. 153-162 Gospel doctrines are a supernal source of power and influence for good. Doctrine = Why, Principles = What, Application = How.

"Lord help me keep my appointments that Thou hast made for me." -Ann Madsen 
I got this quote from listening to Barb & Elaine on "Walk with Him."

I lacked sleep last night even though I went to bed before 9 and even took a sleeping pill. Tom missed his early morning visit into the house but he came in later when Kim opened the door. He went upstairs twice so we closed all the doors. James made him go outside anyway.

James had to go to town to get horse feed. We wanted to take Kim and Brian to lunch. They were interested in going to the Hungry Buffalo but it isn't open on Monday, neither is Charlie Clark's. 

Someone told me that Bertie's had good food. Kim was working on her puzzle and I could tell she really didn't want to go anywhere. Brian was resting on one of the couches and didn't seem interested either. I asked them if I could bring them anything but they said no. I was a little disappointed but understood they just wanted to relax. 
Kim was worried we were going to be offended but I assured her that we wouldn't be. Off to town James and I go.

Let me just say that I was not impressed with Bertie's decor and there was only one other couple eating there. I ordered brisket and James ordered a French dip. The meat of my brisket was tender but it had a funny after taste. I couldn't eat very much. James's French dip was okay but nothing to write home about. We decided we wouldn't be coming back. We paid over $42.00 for this less than stellar lunch.

When we left Bertie's we headed for the carwash. We paid $10 to get our car washed on the outside. We parked in the vacuuming area and used the free vacuum. My car is so pretty when it is clean. I wonder how long it will last.

We got gas at Circle K and then stopped at Tractor Supply for horse feed. James bought twice as much as he normally does paying over $90.

We listened to "Protecting Her Heart" by N.C. Allen on the way home. 

Thomas is coming in the house more and more. Kim and Brian love him and he loves them. 

This evening we played a game of Five Crowns. Kim won and I lost. It was not my finest moment or my finest game.

I am reading an article entitled "Cutting Covenants." Somehow Kim and I got on the subject of covenant making as found in Genesis 15 between Jehovah and Abram. I watched the "Don't Miss This" episode for Genesis 15 with Dave and Emily where they explain what is happening in verses 9-17. "And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces." In that same day the Lord made (or 'cut' in Hebrew) a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates" (Genesis 15:17-18).

The article I am reading is by Jared T. Parker who lives in Flagstaff, Arizona. Because I don't want to forget about this covenant and what it means I am going to share some of this article here:

"Various proposals have been made relative tot he animals Abram used and what they symbolized. Many have observed that the five different kinds of animals comprise all those that were later acceptable as sacrifices under the law of Moses. Some have thought that the animals were actually sacrificed (blood poured out, carcasses burned on an altar) as part of the covenant-making ritual in addition to being slaughtered and divided. Though later extrabiblical retellings of Abram's experience suggest the animals were sacrificed, there is no indication of this in the scriptural account and the normal sacrificial elements are notably absent. Lastly, most think the two birds were killed, though the text is not explicit. (The Apocalypse of Abraham suggests the birds were left alive to carry Abram to heaven (see James H. Charlesworth, ed.,The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha [New York: Doubleday, 1983], 1:696). 

One explanation of the symbolism in Genesis 15 is based on the Lord's revelation that Abram's posterity would become slaves in Egypt and later return to Canaan (see vv.13-16). In other words, Abram's experience can be seen as a type of his posterity's future. In this approach, the smoking furnace and burning lamp represent God's presence, foreshadowing the cloud and pillar of fire during the Exodus (see Exodus 13:21-22). The five different animals, comprising all the clean animals for sacrifice under the law of Moses, are seen as the whole house of Israel. Since birds of prey are seen as unclean in the law of Moses (see Leviticus 11:13-19), they represent oppressive foreign nations. Thus the "rite pictures Abram's descendants, in the form of sacrificial animals, protected by the Abrahamic promises from attacks by foreigners, the birds of prey. After Abram's death, his 'falling asleep,' the Lord (the smoking pot and torch of fire) will walk among them." This seems to be a useful approach based on the existing biblical text. 

Latter-day Saints have the benefit of modern revelation which can expand our understanding of Abram's covenant-cutting experience. The Joseph Smith Translation adds to the biblical account that the Lord revealed he would give Abram the land for an everlasting inheritance after his death by virtue of Christ's Resurrection. "And the Lord said, Though thou wast dead, yet am I not able to give it thee? And if thou shalt die, yet thou s halt possess it, for the day cometh, that the Son of Man shall live; but how can he live if he be not dead? he must first be quickened. And it came to pass, that Abram looked forth and saw the days of the Son of Man, and was glad, and his soul found rest" (JST, Genesis 15:10-12). (The wording here suggests Jesus referred to Abram's experience in Genesis 15 when he said to the Jews, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad" (John 8:56) In other words, the promise of land to Abram was not limited to Israel inheriting Canaan after the Exodus, but was also an individual promise to Abram that would be fulfilled in eternity. Furthermore, modern revelation teaches that the promise of an everlasting inheritance of land is a key part of the fulness of the gospel because it refers to inheriting the earth when it becomes a celestial kingdom (see D&C 38:17-20; 88:17-20). Thus is seems clear that Jehovah actually cut a gospel covenant with Abram.

Another way modern revelation can help us gain additional insight into Genesis 15 is to consider it a Temple text and compare it to our latter-day understanding of the plan of salvation. This can be seen by identifying parallels with Jacob's later experience at Bethel and ancient Israel's Tabernacle-Temple. First, at Bethel we understand that Jacob had a dream wherein he saw a ladder reaching to heaven, with angels ascending and descending on it, and that he received from Jehovah the same promises Abram did in Genesis 15 (see Genesis 28:12-14). The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that Jacob's ladder had "three principle rounds" representing "the telestial, the terrestrial, and the celestial glories or kingdoms," and Latter-day Saints understand modern Temples to be "all what Bethel was to Jacob." Clearly Jacob's experience at Bethel, which means "house of God" in Hebrew (see Genesis 28:19, footnote a), was a Temple experience. Second, we recognize that the ancient Tabernacle-Temple exhibited three gradations of holiness, like Jacob's ladder, which Latter-day Saints understand to represent the telestial, terrestrial, and celestial levels. Now, if we apply the Temple connotations associated with Bethel and the ancient Tabernacle-Temple to Abram's experience, we could think of the three different animals in Genesis 15, each three years old, as representing three gradations of holiness, and thereby signifying the three degrees of glory. The two birds with the ability to fly can be seen as representing angels, like those Jacob saw at Bethel (see Genesis 28:12) and the cherubim on the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies of the ancient Tabernacle-Temple (see Exodus 25:18, 22). God's passing between the animal pieces can be thought of as foreshadowing the high priest in ancient Israel and Christ, the great High Priest, who passed through the telestial, terrestrial, and celestial divisions of the ancient Tabernacle-Temple (see Hebrews 9). Putting all these ideas together, Genesis 15 could signify that by cutting covenants, God would bring Abram through the telestial, terrestrial, and celestial levels, back into his presence. Of course this approach to Genesis 15 goes well beyond the existing account, but it is consistent with what modern revelation tells us about Abram and should not seem too unusual when we remember that all things God has given to man typify Christ in some way (see 2 Nephi 11:4). In short, latter-day revelation helps us see how the covenant cutting in Genesis 15 can be viewed as a Temple text.

Whew! That was a long quote!


Martha Stewart uses this and that's 
why she looks so young! (jk)

Buddies forever

Kilee Hunsaker Faucetts baby:
Born: 2/2/24 @ 6:42 p.m.
Kynslee Eileen Faucett
7 lbs 5 oz & 19.5 inches long
She is pure heaven according to her
grandmother Hunsaker (Stefani)


Cleaning himself before his loooong nap








  



Monday, February 12, 2024

Sunday, February 4, 2024:"Fasting can heal our families" (RWC), J bares his testimony, Kim's comments in Gospel Doctrine class, Stew & Pumpkin Delight,

 

Seattle, Washington
19th operating temple
Dedicated: 17-21 Nov 1980
By: Spencer W. Kimball

Book of Mormon
2 Nephi 1:1-12
15 - But behold, the Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love.
Come Follow Me
"Free to Choose Liberty and Eternal Life, through the Great Mediator" 2 Nephi 1-2
October General Conference
"The Sealing Power" by Elder D. Todd Christofferson
Book
"Rescuing Wayward Children"

Today is fast Sunday. Fasting is difficult for me but I am determined I am going to fast according to the Lord's will. 

I love the book, "Rescuing Wayward Children" by Larry Barkdull.
I read p. 130 today on fasting:
"Fasting  can heal our families." Our willingness to sanctify ourselves through fasting and prayer in behalf of our children and our continuing to love and reach out to them serve to repair relationships. Through fasting and prayer we sanctify ourselves to become, according to Isaiah, "the repairer of the breach." (Isa. 58:12). That is, fasting and prayer empower us to repair anything that has torn the relationship apart. Through fasting and other sacrifices, we are ultimately able to make the sacrifice of all things for our Heavenly Father.

Reading this gave me the momentum I needed to fast this morning. James and I always fast for our grandchildren. Today we are specifically fasting for Rowan, Joshua, and Evan. We are fasting and praying that they will have the DESIRE to serve missions. We know this will take a change of heart on their part from seeking worldly things to desiring to do the Lord's will. I am fasting and I think James is too, that these boys will read the Book of Mormon and realize how much they need the Savior in their lives. I did a true fast for two meals today, but not 24 hours. I am getting there!

James bore his testimony today in sacrament meeting. He started out by saying, "I am here today to stand as a witness of Jesus Christ."
He went on to say how grateful he is for priesthood blessings and told about the blessings he received when he had cancer. It was a sweet testimony and I was grateful Kim and Brian were here to hear it. 

Kim and Brian came to Sunday School with us. Brother Applegate gave a great lesson on 1 Nephi and the differences between Nephi and Laman and Lemuel. Kim made a couple of comments about testimony and conversion and the scattering and gathering of Israel, and how Nephi worried about his brothers,  that were so great. I am so grateful for her testimony.

I introduced Kim to Catherine Halcomb and she gave Catherine a hug. It was sweet. The Scott's are still sick. I am worried about them.

When we got home from church I could smell Brian's stew. It smelled so delicious! James and I went into the bedroom to take naps so we wouldn't be tempted to eat. While we were sleeping Kim made a pumpkin delight dessert for James for his birthday. It is one of his favorite desserts. I broke my fast with a prayer at 4 p.m. Brian's stew was delicious and so was Kim's pumpkin delight with Coolwhip.

I began listening to Follow Him this evening. Lili DeHoyos Anderson is the guest and she is pretty amazing. 

I also listened to Elder Christofferson's talk, "The Sealing Power." I am leading the discussion in Relief Society on February 25th with this talk as the center of the discussion.

I wished my brother Harold a Happy Birthday! He is a year and a half younger than I am.

It was a wonderful Sabbath day!




Sweet Charlie

King Thomas on his throne







Saturday, February 3, 2024: electric blanket is the bomb, elk, Tom time, choose to find joy each day, Kim & Brian here, 2 Hallmark movies, Thomas visits & watches TV he likes Brian


Tokyo, Japan
18th operating temple
Dedicated: 27-29 Oct 1980
By: Spencer W. Kimball

Book of Mormon 
1 Nephi 22
2 - And I, Nephi, said unto them: Behold they were manifest unto the prophet by the voice of the Spirit; for by the Spirit are all things made known unto the prophets, which shall come upon the children of men according to the flesh.
Come Follow Me
"Remember Thy Suffering Saints, O Our God" Anthony D. Perkins
October General Conference
"For the Sake of Your Posterity" - Elder Godoy
Liahona
"The Lasting Joy of Gospel Living" D. Todd Christofferson
RS - "The Sealing Power" by D. Todd Christofferson
Book - Teaching with Power by the Callisters - p.54 Doctrine Invites the Holy Ghost and Doctrine Counters Falsehoods

I got up at 4:08 this morning.  I used my electric blanket last night and I actually think it helped with my joint pain. I got up this morning feeling better. 

We had, according to James, about 100 elk migrate across our property this morning. James just caught the "tail end" of them.



We now look forward to our Tom Time in the morning. He comes in and we scratch his back and his belly and it makes him happy. He brings us happiness too. He usually goes back outside with James when he goes out to feed Luna. 

I have made it a point to find joy in each day. It really is the little things that make a difference. 

Kim & Brian arrived this afternoon before one. We are always so happy to see them. Kim brought her new puzzle that Brian gave her for her birthday. She finished it before she left on Monday. Here is a picture:


I made my garden vegetable soup for dinner. Kim and Brian brought Sonic for their dinner. I told them they were welcome to have some but I don't think they did. 

Kim did some walking around the house and so did James and I. 

This evening we watched two Hallmark movies. When I say we, I mean all four of us. James and I had already seen "Gilded Newport Mysteries" last night but Kim and Brian hadn't seen it so we watched it again. Brian missed most of it because he was in the kitchen cutting up meat for a stew he is fixing tomorrow. Kim is so funny to watch a mystery with. She asks so many questions. She knew I had seen the program before and she wanted me to tell her what I knew but I told her I didn't want to ruin it for her. She made some pretty good guesses and wasn't too surprised at the end.

For the month of February which they are calling Loveuary, Hallmark has several Jane Austen themed movies. Tonight's movie is called, "Paging Mr. Darcy." Will Kemp was Mr. Darcy and Mallory Jansen was the female lead. I love both of them. I liked this movie better than "Gilded Newport Mysteries." Thomas was in the house while we were watching TV and was quite fascinated with it.

Trina texted me this evening to see how we were doing. I told her we were fine and thanked her for checking on us.

Brian cleaned the kitchen after cutting up his stew meat, including doing all of our dishes. Thank you Brian.

Although we have no snow left in Vernon right now Kim says there was lots of snow on the Rim and they stopped and took some pictures.







I think Kim's pictures are Arizona Highway worthy. They are so beautiful.

James is still working on our income taxes. He has to go through all of the credit card statements and the bank statements for both accounts. It is tedious and time consuming.

James and I walked and listened to "Protecting Her Heart." I also listened to "The Girl in the Coppergate Tower."

Tom loves Brian









Saturday, February 10, 2024

Friday, February 2, 2024: It snowed off and on all day, Pride & Prejudic on BBC, Kim & Brian coming tomorrow, "Gilded Newport Mysteries, Polie Lambson passes away,

 

Sao Paulo, Brazil
17th operating temple
Dedicated: 30 Oct-2 Nov 1978
By: Spencer W. Kimball

Book of Mormon
1 Nephi 22
2 - And I, Nephi, said unto them: Behold they were manifest unto the prophet by the voice of the Spirit; for by the Spirit are all things made known unto the prophets, which shall come upon the children of men according to the flesh.
Come Follow Me
1 Nephi 19:22-24; 20-22 I can "liken all scriptures" to myself.
October General Conference
Sir, We Would Like to See Jesus"
Your Endowment
A "new name", even Jesus Christ.

I felt so lousy this morning that I took a chance and swallowed a couple of Naprosyn. Hopefully it won't make my face swell. 
It snowed off and on all day, 
I watched "Pride & Prejudice" on BBC as a series. I am really enjoying it. 

Kim texted and said they wouldn't be coming up until tomorrow. Brian has a signing this evening and they don't want to come up after dark.

I made egg salad for sandwiches for lunch at James's request. They were very tasty. 

James and I watched a new murder mystery tonight on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. It was called" Gilded Newport Mysteries - Murder at the Breakers." We liked it as murder mysteries go. They are not my favorite.

James texted his cousin Lee today to see how he and his wife Polie were doing. Lee texted back "I lost Polie last July."  James expressed his condolences and Lee went on to say that he is 92 and using a cane because of a lack of balance. Lee lives in Ramah and now James wants to go visit him. Lee worked for James many years.

I read this quote from one of the books I am reading, "Unlocking the Powers of Faith": "Worrying is a form of atheism." I heard Joy D. Jones say this when she was on "Follow Him." James is having a hard time wrapping his head around this statement.

James and I started a new book this evening by N.C. Allen called, "The Lady in the Coppergate Tower." James didn't like it so I chose another book by N.C. Allen for us to read and I will read this one.
The new book is called "Protecting Her Heart." The first book was a bit removed from reality with vampires, automatons and resurrectionists. 

I read an article by the General Sunday School Presidency in the Liahona today. In this article they mentioned two things President Nelson wants gospel teachers to do: 1.) Get the scriptures deeper into the hearts and souls of the Saints. 2.) Improve gospel teaching. The teacher should think what they can do to inspire the learners in their class to more diligently study personally. Teacher and learner must both have the Spirit. 



Charlie's playground

Moon over Montoso


This guy sleeps a lot in the daytime
 






Friday, February 9, 2024

Thursday, February 1, 2024: Temple initiatories this afternoon w/ James, Annell Smith Bryant, Taco Bell, FaceTime w/ Charlie & Jared & Tom joins in

 

Washington D.C.
16th operating temple
Dedicated 19-22 Nov 1974
By: Spencer W. Kimball

Book of Mormon
1 Nephi 20
18 - O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments - then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.
Come Follow Me
1 Nephi 17:1-6, 17-22 My trials can be a blessing
October General Conference
"Abide the Day in Christ" by Amy A. Wright
Inklings
"Do You Want to Be Happy" by Elder Choi; Moses 1; Matthew 11:28-30; "I accepted the call anyway"
Relief Society
"The Sealing Power" by Elder D. Todd Christofferson
Unlocking the Powers of Faith by Garth Allred
p. 29 Virtue & Charity - keys to knowledge and power.
"Focus you thoughts and draw upon heavenly powers."

 I got up at 5, went to get something to eat so I could take my Tramadol, and then went back to sleep until 7. Morning stiffness and pain is the worst!

It was kind of a slow day except that James and I went to the temple this afternoon and we each did 5 family names in initiatory.
One of the sisters working in initiatory was a friend from high school. She was actually a little younger than me and in my ward when I lived in Show Low. She lived in Linden and she still does. Her name is now Annell Smith Bryant, she married Jimmy Dean Bryant (He goes by Dean now). They were both in my ward a couple of years younger that I was. 

Annell recognized me and gave me a hug. She was so spiritual in high school and I get the feeling she still is. Her dad, Ted Smith, was on the high counsel and was always so upbeat, happy, and inspirational in his testimony. The Smith's had 10 children and lived in a tiny little farm house. They farmed their acreage and managed to get buy. When I think of all the good families in Show Low, this is one of the best.  We saw Dean Bryant as we left. 

I put all of my children's names and their spouses names on the prayer roll at the Snowflake temple. 

We stopped at the Taco Bell in Taylor for dinner. There was a slight drizzle and we could see rainstorms all around us. At Taco Bell I had a soft super taco and a strawberry freeze. James had a burrito supreme and a crispy taco and a strawberry lemonade.

We went into Walmart when we got to Show Low to get a refund for the four items we left behind when we were shopping on Sunday.  They took the total off my card at the customer service desk. When I was finished getting the refund, James and I went shopping. The total for the four items we had as $11.67. We spent over $50 so obviously we bought a few extra items, including two packages of rechargeable batteries. 

On the way home, or just as we got home and were still in the car, Jared and Charlie called. At first I couldn't see their faces but the closer we got to the house the better the reception was. Tom jumped into the car while I was on the phone and Charlie thought he was so funny!

James and I finished our book, "Lies Jane Austen Told Me."


Tom comes in the house for his morning rub.












Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Wednesday, January 31, 2024: Up @ 4:06, Atmospheric River, Pineapple Express, Stefani H. visits, Kilee's baby due in a week, Sean has Parkinson's, Valentine treat, bed by 8:25

 

Provo, Utah
15th operating temple
Dedicated: 9 Feb 1972
By: Joseph Fielding Smith

Book of Mormon
1 Nephi 19
Come Follow Me
1 Nephi 16:10-16, 23-31; 18:11-22 God guides me through small and simple means.
October General Conference
"In The Path of Their Duty" by Elder David A. Bednar
Rescuing Wayward Children
Chapter 3 - A New Residence: The Lone and Dreary World

I was up at 4:06 this morning. There is an atmospheric river coming to California. They are calling it the Pineapple Express because it originated in Hawaii. An atmospheric river means an over abundance of rain or other moisture.

James asked if we could have scriptures and it wasn't even 6 a.m. I normally like to do my personal study until at least six and then I am open to family prayer and scripture. So be it, I succumbed.

Barbara is not coming to the temple. She had difficulty trying to make an appointment. I told her she could do half of my 5 names but she was already set on going to town with T-Bo.

Stefani Hunsaker, my ministering sister, texted me this morning asking if she could come for a visit today. I had planned on going to the temple this afternoon but I postponed until tomorrow.

Stefani came around 11:30. Donna Peeler is her companion and of course she wasn't able to come. Stefani says Donna is doing a little better. 

Stefani brough a Valentine box full of snickerdoodle cookies and candy.

Happy Valentine's Day

Stefani needed to come early because her daughter Kilee is due next week to have her first baby and Stefani will be going to stay with her. She is having a girl. Kilee is one of my former Young Women and I am very excited for her. She has waited a long time for this baby.

We were talking about health issues and my problems with my arthritis at Disneyland. I said that everyone has some trial they have to deal with. Stefani agreed and said her husband Sean was just diagnosed with Parkinson's. Sean and Kip, our bishop, run a construction company and they are always out in the field working.

Stefani said she and Sean would be going to Hawaii for the first time in the next month or so and seem pretty excited about it.

I made Wendy's chili for lunch and dinner today. It is my absolute favorite chili. It makes quite a big batch so we will be having it for awhile. I also made a batch of cornbread. Yum!

I took a nap and watched a movie before starting my afternoon activities. I walked and listened to audio books.

James and I were in bed by 8:25.

Grapp kids memories



Benson Grapp's baptism

Memory: Adam and friends


Brian & Kim's wedding photo