Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Saturday, March 23, 2024: Tom sticks w/ me, loves the treats I have, Applegate mtg, J goes to town, washes my car, Taco Supreme & Waffle cone, Vernon Egg Hunt, finished, "In the Shadow of a Queen"

 

Edmonton, Alberta
67th operating temple
Dedicated: 11 Dec 1999
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon
2 Nephi 33:7-15
Come Follow Me
2 Nephi 33 The Book of Mormon persuades us all to believe in Christ.
October General Conference
"Our Constant Companion" by President Henry B. Eyring

Tom stuck with me most of the day. I let him in around six o'clock this morning. He slept with me on the family room recliner. When I moved to the bedroom to sit at my desk, he came with me. He loves the treats I have in my bottom desk drawer. We finished off the bag today so he is going to be without until at least Monday. 

James had a meeting with the Applegate's this morning about their house plans. They are going to have to get either an architect or a structural engineer to re-draw them. So far the architect costs too much and the engineer said no, the plan is impossible. James says he can draw them but an engineer will have to put is stamp on them.

After the meeting with the Applegate's James went into town. He called to see if I wanted to go with him but I said no, I wanted to work on my Relief Society lesson. 

James was gone quite a long time, about three hours. He said he was looking for marble for his Mom's new shower enclosure. He filled my car with gas and washed it. He brought me back a soft taco supreme from Taco Bell and a vanilla waffle cone from Culver's. 

The high today was 58 but it was very windy. There was an Easter egg hunt at the Vernon park today.

James and I finished our book, "In the Shadow of a Queen", and started "An Inconvenient Letter." Kim bought this book for Sheri and put it in her gift bag. 
Marin Tibbetts, Jason's wife, designed the Woodland Creatures coloring book. 


James let Tom outside for the night. He's a feral house cat, a little bit wild and a little bit tame.



Francis Scott Key Bridge in
Baltimore collapses













Monday, April 1, 2024

Friday, March 22, 2024: Sheri's surgery, Kate Middleton has cancer, Chandler Rotary Track Meet - Ruby & Joshua, "Visions of Glory", finished "Your Endowment", Tom

 

Billings, Montana
66th operating temple
Dedicated: 20 Nov 1999
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon
2 Nephi 33:1-6
Come Follow Me
2 Nephi 32; 33:2 Through the words of Crist and the Holy Ghost, God will show me what to do.
October General Conference
"More Than a Hero" by Bishop W. Christopher Waddell

Sheri's surgery is scheduled for 7:30 this morning. I talked to her just before, and I also said a prayer for her.

At 10:00 I had not heard anything regarding Sheri's surgery, so I texted Ben. Ben says she is okay but very sleepy. Sheri said the nurse told her she has to pee before she can go home. The doctor then came in and said she could go home anyway. She was happy. 

Kate Middleton made an announcement today. She had abdominal surgery in January and has not been seen publicly since. There are lots of rumors circling around. Kate says she has cancer and is healing from her surgery and will be starting treatments. The announcement will help stop the rumors that are circulating. Kate is 42 years old.

My book, "Visions of Glory" by John Pontius came today. This book is one man's, Spencer's, astonishing account of the last days. 

I am very excited to read it, along with the other ten books I ave on my desk. I finished "Your Endowment." 

Tom went outside this evening and we never saw him again this evening. We called and called for him but he never came. I'm worried about coyotes and wolves. Yikes!

As part of "Come Follow Him" we listened to a talk by Elder David A. Bednar, "Receive the Holy Ghost." This talk was given in 2010 and is sooo good.



Arizona Wilderness



Owen and Paul Peeler


Exotic Bird #2





Thursday, March 21, 2024: Inklings w Emily, Wendy's chili, "Walk with Him", "In the Shadow of a Queen", "Be Peaceable Followers of Christ", "Love is Spoken Here"

 

Regina, Saskatchewan
65th operating temple
Dedicated: 14 Nov 1999
By: Boyd K. Packer

Book of Mormon
2 Nephi 32:5-9
Come Follow Me
2 Nephi 31:15-20 "He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved."
October General Conference
"The Prodigal and the Road that Leads Home" by Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Inklings
"Love Is Spoken Here" by Elder Gerrit W. Gong
Relief Society
"Be Peaceable Followers of Christ" by Elder Quentin L. Cook

I listened to Inklings this morning with Emily Belle Freeman. It was so good. Here are a few notes I took:
1.) Our language of love for God should be a language of reverence
 Africa flooded with people in their finest walking to church
We should partake of the sacrament with warmth and reverence
Prayer is the language of love, reverence, respect, and warmth
2.) Language of Service and Sacrifice
David A. Bednar to newlyweds - Always hold a calling in the Church
Complete submission to the Father allows us to feel forgiveness, mercy, grace, and charity.
What am I willing to give up for my relationship with Christ?
D&C 25 - Lay aside something everyday to replace with something better.
"Perfect love casteth out all fear."
1 John 4:16-19
We love Him because He first loved us.
3.) The Language of Covenant Belonging.
We belong because we are His. Also, it is how we take care of each other.
Covenant power is the power to overcome: sin, death, afflictions...
 God's power comes to us in the temple. It increases our capacity, empowers us, completes us. We are endowed with power. We walk out of the temple with greater knowledge, power, and strength. We walk out better than we came in. God's power is a transforming power.
The Holy Ghost is the messenger of grace. We qualify because of our covenant relationship with Christ. Our covenants increase our ability to access the power of the Holy Ghost.
Russell M. Nelson talk on the promises regarding D&C 25.
D&C 25 - Emily studies one verse everyday and ponders upon it.

I finally made a big pot of Wendy's chili. When I say Wendy's, I mean the restaurant Wendy's. James and I had it for lunch along with a cheese crisp. It was delicious!

I listened to Barbara and Elaine on "Walk with Him." They were discussing Elder Cook's talk, "Be Peaceable Followers of Christ." 
I chose this particular episode because this is the talk my Relief Society lesson this week is based on. They helped to focus my thinking and I got some good ideas from them.

James is still walking some of my steps for me. We do it while listening to a book. The book we are listening to right now is, "In the Shadow of a Queen." We are almost finished with this book at which time we will go on to another one. This book is mainly about Louise, Queen Victoria's daughter. Right now she is "vetting" various suitors to find someone to marry. I should say her mother is doing the vetting. I knew right away who she was going to marry which tells me I have read this book before. Louise marries John Campbell, a Scotsman, who is not a royal. It is a marriage of love, not convenience. 

I wanted to know what Queen Victoria's last name was so I Googled it. This is what I read:
Queen Victoria's last name was Victoria. Her full name at birth was Alexandrina Victoria, her last name being the same as her mother's.
Her first name was given to her in honor of her godfather, Emperor Alexander of Russia. Victoria is the great-great grandmother of Queen Elizabeth the 2nd. Now all the Royals on the throne go by the last name of Windsor, i.e., Charles Windsor, William and Kate Windsor.

He is so adorable when he sleeps


This is me

Havasu Falls

This is so me






Exotic Bird

Phoenix Temple Open House
about nine years ago






Wednesday, March 20, 2024: Worked on RS lesson "Be Peaceable Followers of Christ", Dave Elkins wolf picture, "In the Shadow of a Queen",

 

Halifax, Nova Scotia
64th operating temple
Dedicated: 14 Nov 1999
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

 Book of Mormon
2 Nephi 32:1-4
Come Follow Me
2 Nephi 31:4-13 Jesus Christ set the perfect example of obedience when He was baptized.
October General Conference
"Be Peaceable Followers of Christ" by Elder Quentin L. Cook

Up at 6:15.
I spent most of the day working on my Relief Society lesson. I have way too much information. The lesson is "Be Peaceable Followers of Christ" by Elder Quentin L. Cook. I am struggling a little to know what direction to go with this lesson.

Dave Elkins, our neighbor who lives in the valley but has the piece of land next to us has a wildlife camera to record the animals that come to get a drink out of his pond. This is a picture he got of a wolf:

James says this is a small wolf.
He's big enough to be scary.

Now I am really going to worry when Tom is outside. Coyotes are bad enough but a wolf is so much bigger. Yikes!

Since we spent all of the rest of this weeks grocery money at Costco I'm avoiding going in to town. I was going to make chili today but postponed for another day. James says we have plenty to eat and I was really in to working on my lesson. 

James helped me with my steps again. We listened to "In the Shadow of a Queen." James says he is finally getting in to the story. 

Something I read or heard today:
Exact Obedience = Complete Submissiveness

Gail with his twin granddaughters








 




Sunday, March 31, 2024

Tuesday, March 19, 2024: Miserable morning made better by Tom & James, Snow, wind, rain, sunshine, wind, James's dinner, "In the Shadow of a Queen", Wonder Woman apron and Kirtland book

Detroit, Michigan
63rd operating temple
Dedicated: 23 Oct 1999
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon
2 Nephi 31:15-21
Come Follow Me
2 Nephi 31 Jesus Christ and His doctrine are the only way to eternal life.
October General Conference
"Bearing Witness of Jesus Christ in Word and Actions" by Elder Adilson De Paula Parrella

The morning was pretty miserable for me, only made better by James and Tom. 

James and I talked about Armando and all he has been doing for Lambson Construction.  If it wasn't for Armando James would have to spend much more time in the valley running jobs. He definitely needs a raise.

We had snow, wind and some rain and sunshine. Every time I opened the door to see if Tom wanted to go out he just sat there and looked outside. It was too wet and cold. He slept inside tonight. 

I felt better this afternoon and managed to post two blogposts, but didn't do much of anything else. James is still helping me with my steps as my left knee is still giving me grief.

James made us some dinner. Steamed broccoli, cabbage, carrots, and ham. Quite tasty and very healthy.

We read from our book, "In the Shadow of a Queen." 

We are still waiting for the last toy I ordered for Tom. I did get my "Weem" gummies which are supposed to keep me from losing so much hair. I also got the Wonder Woman apron I ordered and one of the Kirtland books I ordered.

A few years back Lola was my sou chef.
We made Easter beans.