Sunday, March 24, 2024: Up @ 4:30 to prepare, Water in basement, J helps me setup RS rm, Umphress's speak in sacrament mtg, my lesson, snow, Call Barbara & Kristin, "The Way Home", "Visions of Glory", Red Cliff temple dedication

 

Raleigh, North Carolina

68th operating temple

Dedicated: 18 Dec 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Easter: 2 Nephi 9:6-15

Come Follow Me

"He Shall Rise ... with Healing in His Wings" Easter

October General Conference

"Jesus Christ is the Treasure" by Elder Dale G. Renlund

I got up at 4:30 this morning to finish the preparations for my Relief Society lesson, "Be Peaceable Followers of Christ."

There is a winter wonderland outside. We were supposed to leave at 8:15 but James wasn't ready. In his favor he did get up at 4:45 to flip the breaker back on that I overloaded by turning on the space heater in our bedroom. James had left two heaters on downstairs. The basement leaked and he is trying to dry out the carpet. He normally unplugs the heaters at night but I guess he forgot last night. 

James helped me set up the Relief Society room for my lesson. I should have taken a picture. We were finished in time to make it a few minutes early to sacrament meeting. 

 Bridgette Jordan who has been in the valley the last few weeks, was here today and sat by us. The entire Umphress family spoke today in sacrament meeting beginning with 8 year old Cooper and ending with Brother Umphress. The topic was the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

Cooper - Jesus died for us. This makes me happy and sad.

Abbey - The Resurrection gives me hope. Quoted from Brother Mark Palmer's talk in April 2021.

Gracie - John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Jesus Christ, because of His Atonement, knows our trials.

Bailey - Elder Faust's talk on the Atonement and a reconciliation of man with his God.

Ashley - "None were with Him" by Jeffrey R. Holland. 

Goodness in Him allowed His faith to triumph over darkness and despair. Henry B. Eyring - "He suffered what we suffered so He would know how to comfort us."

Dallin H. Oaks - "What Has the Savior Done for Me"?

Jesus ascended to the Father in the Resurrection. The Resurrection changes our view of mortal life. Hard things of life can be overcome through the Atonement and the Resurrection.

Aaron - Luke 22:39 - And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.

As the Savior prayed He was strengthened by an angel.

Rosie Lauritzen wrote on the board again for me this week. We discussed what we thought were some characteristics of peaceable followers of Christ. I had 9 quotes posted on the white board and handed out 9 papers  to the sisters to read those quotes. I asked questions and we discussed each quote. At the end of the lesson I turned the white board around and on the back I had written the statement "Peaceable followers of Christ __________ and then listed all of the statements from the lesson which finished this sentence. 

I shared Elder Cook's testimony and added mine to it before sitting down. 

I felt good about the lesson. We had lots of discussion. I am grateful for the sisters in the Vernon ward. These are some of the sisters that shared their thoughts: Judy Hunter, Jennifer Golly, Millie Scott, Lorraine Vaught, Rosie Lauritzen, Kerri Halcomb and Paula Johnson.

Rick and Rosie Lauritzen helped me take down my visual aids. James has a meeting so I went out to the car to wait for him. It was snowing again. 

James and I had chili and cheese crisps for lunch and then it was rest time. I texted two sisters that weren't at the meeting today. Cheryl Sedig the Relief Society President had asked us to look around and see who wasn't there and check on them. I texted Barbara Tignor who was sick and Kristine Hipps who was out of town attending a baby shower for her granddaughter.

While Judy Hunter was in Relief Society a huge leak from under her sink was flooding her house. She had quite a mess when she got home. Her ministering brothers, Curt Gillespie and his companion worked all afternoon trying to dry the flooring and getting things out of the water. Luckily Judy has a house here in Vernon that is a summer home for relatives that she can stay in.

James and I watched "The Way Home". Tom was sitting on my lap.

We both also read from "Visions of Glory."

President Eyring dedicated the Red Cliff temple in St. George, Utah today.

Red Cliff, Utah 

189the operating temple

Dedicated: 24 Mar 2024

By: Henry B. Eyring

Sweet Charlie and Sweet Scarlett

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

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