Tuesday, April 23, 2024: Beautiful spring morning, talks by Joy D. Jones and Michelle Craig, Brother Peralta's horse, what shall we name him?, James Dr. Memon & Kim's blessing, BDP, Wlmrt, Wendys, Tom time, J home @ 11

 

Birmingham, Alabama

98th operating temple

Dedicated: 3 Sept 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 2:1-9

Come Follow Me

Mosiah 2:10-26 When I serve others I am also serving God.

Joy D. Jones "Hear Him", 3 videos - "The Shoemaker, Faith Murray, King Benjamin

April General Conference

"Covenants and Responsibilities" by President Dallin H. Oaks

Lesson

"Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys" by Pres. Russell M. Nelson

A beautiful spring morning with the sun shinging, the birds singing, and no wind. 

This morning I listened to talks by Joy D. Jones and Michelle Craig as part of my "Come Follow Me" study. Two of my favorite speakers. 

We drove to Brother Peralta's this morning to look at his horse and we loved him so much we ended up buying him. We gave him cash on the spot for the horse, a saddle and a hackamore bridle. He will be delivered on Thursday.

Now we have to name the horse. I told James that Addy wants to call him Harry Trotter. I asked the family online if they had any ideas and they came up with several. To make a long story short I narrowed it down to Apollo or Harry Trotter. The voting was so close that I called it a tie and told everyone they could call the horse by either name, or whatever they wanted. 

On the way home from the Peralta's we had a flat tire. We were in my car. James pulled off the road on to a side road in front of the subdivision where the Giles's live, in front of someone's house. The sweet man who lived in this house saw us and came out to help. He had the nicest jack that he had James pull over in a wagon. It was big and worked so nicely. The man himself was in bad shape physically and was using oxygen. We were very grateful to him. I had kept asking James to pull over but I think he was supposed to pull over when he did so this man could help us. 

When we got home James fixed my tire, took the donut tire off the car and put the fixed tire back on. I was so grateful he had a plug to fix it and that the plug lasted. At 1:15 both of us left for our appointments. James's is in Globe with Dr. Memon, his heart doctor. Mine is in Show Low at Barnett-Delaney-Perkins when I am scheduling and signing all of the papers for the yag surgery on my right eye. 

After James's appointment he headed to the valley. He is going to go to Kim and Brian's to give Kim a blessing. I headed to Circle K to get gas and then on to Walmart to do a little shopping. On the way home I got a Biggie Bag at Wendy's. Next time I need to get something more healthy.

I had some Tom time and then took a short nap. I cleaned the floor in the kitchen, did some walking while watching "The Way Home." 

James got home around 11. He was tired and we went to bed. I couldn't sleep until around 2 a.m. 

"The highest manifestation of love is devotion to God."

-Sister Joy D. Jones

"I see people not as interruptions but as the purpose of my life."

-Sister Michelle D. Craig

My favorite bird as a child. We had so many in

our backyard in Phoenix in the spring time.

Playing with his chirping bird

He pounds him incessantly with

his back feet. It makes me laugh!

Monday, April 22, 2024: "Finding Faith", tile trail all day long, Ben getting married, spaghetti for lunch, the Shumways, Sue Hubble, WCTH, Going to see horse tomorrow

 

Houston, Texas

97th operating temple

Dedicated: 26 Aug 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 1:9-18

Come Follow Me

Mosiah 1-3 "Filled with Love Towards God and All Men"

April General Conference

"God's Intent is to Bring You Home" by Elder Patrick Kearon

Relief Society Lesson

"Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys" by President Russell M. Nelson

I listened to "Walk with Him" with Barbara and Elaine this morning as they discussed President Nelson's talk, "Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys." 

 As I was pondering on the changes I saw in this General Conference one was the choir singing "Amazing Grace." I love this hymn and I am grateful the choir has set the example for us by singing it.

 I watched an Up movie this morning while I was working at my desk. It is called, "Finding Faith." I want to share a quote from that movie, spoken by John Schneider's character. 

"We are all tested. That's what leads to our testimony."

I am still finding answers to my temple question, "What covenants did Adam and Eve make while in the Garden of Eden. So far I have come up with the covenant of obedience and sacrifice. I also know that they had the Abrahamic covenants.  Promised land (celestial kingdom), Priesthood (receive heavenly authority & power), and Posterity (obtain eternal marriage & increase). 

These are the covenants and promises of exaltation, and these covenant promises started with Adam & Eve. (see Abraham 1:3).

I asked Sheri how Ben was doing and she told me that he and Cayli are planning on getting married. November 1st is the day Cayli has dreamed about since she was a little girl as her wedding date, so that is the date. They want James to marry them and they don't want to be married in the church. Ben says he knows that the Church is true. I'm not sure what his commitment is though. I plan on writing he and Cayli a letter. Six months is time enough to get your life in order.

I made spaghetti for lunch with the pound of hamburger I had, bottled sauce, and gluten-free noodles. I must have bought those by mistake or they are Kim's. Sorry Kim for using them. The spaghetti is great and will last at least for one more meal.

James worked on the tile downstairs all day long. He left a trail from downstairs, up the stairs, across in front of the piano, and outside where he is mixing adhesive or whatever he is mixing. It's messy outside too.

We are going to Brother Peralta's tomorrow to look at his horse. We were going this evening but it's not going to work out.

This evening I watched the latest episode of "When Calls the Heart" and texted my friend Sue Hubble to see if she wants to go to the temple this week. She excitedly said yes and we are planning on Wednesday. 

I forgot to post Charlie's Happy Sabbath picture yesterday so I had to go back and do that!

Not mixing adhesive, but cutting tile,

what a mess!

Downstairs floor

Lola

They pitched their tents toward the temple

Appaloosa

The Shumways

Sunday, April 21, 2024: "Would you like a horse?" Dave Skousen & Sister Atkinson from the stake, Jimmy's class, apple crescent rolls, Facetime Charlie, Jared, Kacey, Pres. Nelson rededicates Manti temple

 

Caracas, Venezuela

96th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 Aug 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 1:1-8

Come Follow Me

Mosiah 1-3 "Filled with Love towards God and All Men" 

Introduction and Mosiah 1:1-7 Search the scriptures diligently

April General Conference

"Trust in the Lord" by Elder Paul B. Pieper

Book

"The Savior in Kirtland"

*The Law of Witnesses

*Witnesses Build Faith in Christ

*23 Witnesses Who Saw the Savior or Heard His Voice

*Eight Witnesses Who Saw the Savior

A beautiful, warm and sunny, Sabbath day. 

When we sat down in sacrament meeting today, Brother Peralta turned around and said, "Would you like a horse"?

Funny as that sounds, we said, "Yes." I got Brother Peralta's phone number and we are going to go look at his horse. He says it's a quarter horse that is 3 years old. He paid $4,500 for him but he will take less. 

Today was high council Sunday. Brother Chris Skousen conducted the meeting and his brother, David Skousen was the high councilman who spoke. His partner was Sister Shana Atkinson, the first counselor in the stake Primary presidency. The theme was temples.

Shana Atkinson - Being a disciple of Christ. Make a sacrifice to attend the temple more often. Success brings a warm, peaceful feeling. Snowflake temple district took President Nelson's invitation to attend the temple more often to heart. The Saturday after conference attendance increased significantly. President Nelson's promises and the attributes of the temple. Sister Atkinson shared an experience where she received inspiration in the temple, picked up her son from school when a storm was coming and how it was an answer to his prayer. Be valiant in developing our testimonies of Jesus Christ.

David Skousen - Emblems of the sacrifice of our Savior. President Beeler is in tune with the Spirit of the Lord. My brother Chris is the leader in our family. The temple is a holy place, the Lord calls it His home. 350 temples announced. The temple sanctifies us. Talked about the promises President Nelson made in his conference address. Heavenly Father rejoices when we attend the temple. 

In Brother Applegate's Sunday School class we discussed Enos and the Allegory of the Olive tree.

James and I both love our Sunday afternoon naps. James was worn out today from all of the back breaking work he did in the basement getting ready to lay the tile and actually laying it. He took a long nap.

President Nelson made a surprise appearance in Manti to rededicate the Manti temple. Sister Wendy Nelson went with him.

This evening we Face Timed with Charlie, Jared, and Kacey. We always get to talk with Charlie first, which is so fun! 

Jared & Kacey will be in San Antonio this coming week, hopefully to see Molly, if she will see them. Kacey has a new calling. She will be released as the Young Women's president and will now be the Primary president.

I am so glad we got to Face Time with some of our favorite people whom we don't get to see very often!

Charlie & Lovie

I love this picture!

Tom is awake

Now he's asleep

Saturday, April 20, 2024: "The Way Home", Missed RS favorite things activity and YW/YM Fundraiser potato bar, desert auction dinner, James lays tile

 

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

95th operating temple

Dedicated: 30 July 2000

By: James E. Faust

Book of Mormon

Words of Mormon 1:9-18

Come Follow Me

Words of Mormon 1:1-8 God will work through me as I follow His guidance

April General Conference

"The Powerful, Virtuous Cycle of the Doctrine of Christ" by Elder Dale G. Renlund

Book

"The Savior in Kirtland"

Christ Teaches of His Post Mortal Life

Chapter 6 

Witnesses of the Savior

Relief Society Lesson

"Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys' by President Russell M. Nelson"

Wow! I just had a moment during The Way Home this morning. The pond took Kat to 1814 the second  time. She meets Elijah Landry who takes her to his home to feed and care for her. While she is there she sees the initials E.L. & R.L. on the side of the fireplace exactly like in present time. She also saw JK on the side of the table indicating her Jacob had been there. 

Kat also meets his son William who has a son name Jacob, after his brother. Elijah explains that Jacob is gone to upper Canada delivering a ship for the war effort. They found Jacob some 20 odd years before. Katherine reminds Elijah she is there looking for someone, her brother Jacob. Elijah says: "We knew someone would come for him eventually."  "If you are his sister, you are family too."

(I loved this!). 

What leads Katherine to 1814? Why did she jump in the pond?

A painting she finds at the Goodwin's family estate sale of herself in period clothing from 1814 labeled, "My Katherine." The pond takes her there.

James was a busy guy today. Not only did he work on the messy tile job downstairs, he took a big load of our garbage and the Crane's to the dump. This evening he went to the church where they were having the YW/YM potato bar dinner and dessert auction.  He brought back two potatoes from the potato bar, with some toppings. The potatoes were HUGE and I could only eat half of mine. It made for a nice meal with butter, sour cream, green onions, cheese and pulled pork. 

We walked this evening and listened to "Trespassers". I think our friend Stephanie has a great imagination. I also watched an episode of "The Way Home."

"Charity is the fruit of unity. This means that the consequence of being united under the guidance of the Holy Ghost is charitable behavior." - Dale G. Renlund

Lovie

Elliot's from "The Way Home"

Joshua & Alayna

Love!

Sleeping Tom

Friday, April 19, 2024: Up before 5, getting back on my schedule, sort of, Blog, Tile, Sleep, Kim's eye problem, Temple endowment session, W&Z Asian Bistro, "Trespassers"

 

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

94th operating temple

Dedicated: 16 July 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Words of Mormon 1:1-8

Come Follow Me

Omni 1:25-26 "Come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel."

April General Conference

"Pray, He is There" by Sister Susan H. Porter

Book

"The Savior in Kirtland" 

p. 115 - The Savior Teaches His Mission of Redemption

I was up before five this morning. I am trying to get back on my schedule. I'm not quite there yet. Today was a beautiful day weather wise. Spring is definitely here. I like spring, except for the wind.

This morning while I am working on my blog James is downstairs laying tile. Tom is asleep on one of the high chairs. Life is good.

I was talking to Sheri today and she told me about Kim's recent health issue. It seems she has a swollen optic nerve. Doctor Vanover is sending her to a specialist. Kim has been talking to Jared and he said he had a swollen optic nerve when they diagnosed him with RA.

Kim is pretty stressed. I guess Brian texted James and asked if he could come and give Kim a blessing when he is down there next week. Brian didn't tell James what the problem was and James didn't ask. 

James and I went to the temple this afternoon. I had scheduled us for the 3:30 endowment session which is normally not very busy. When we arrived at the temple the parking lot was full. James dropped me off in front of the temple and we noticed a wedding party waiting outside. Maybe Friday isn't a good day to come. Anyway James dropped me off while he went to find a parking spot. 

After showing my recommend at the front desk, I turned the corner to get on the elevator I came face to face with the bride and groom. We hesitated a moment and then the bride, who was gorgeous by the way, directed the groom around to the door going outside. 

James and I sat across from each other in the second row. The session was about half full and of course when they needed another couple in the prayer circle, James nodded at me to go up.

After the session in the celestial room, I asked James a question. I asked him what covenants Adam & Eve made in the garden of Eden. 

He hesitated. I said I knew they were told about the Savior and the Father's plan of salvation but I don't remember the covenants in the Garden of Eden. I told him I was going to ponder and research this for sure because this is something we should know. We need to pay better attention.

It was around 5:30 when we left the temple. We wanted to go to Ava's for dinner but the parking lot was filled. We drove to the Asian bistro and sushi bar across from Walmart. I ordered the sweet & sour chicken with a side of lo mien noodles and James ordered scallops with snow peas. Here is what our plates looked like:

Weirdest looking sweet & sour chicken I've

ever seen, but it was delicious.

James absolutely loves scallops but he said these were undercooked.

I asked our waitress if they could cook them a little more and she looked at me funny and said, "Well he's touched them so we can't take them back." Such a weird comment. How would he know they were undercooked if he didn't touch them. A few minutes later an older woman came over and explained that they cook the scallops with a timer and so they should be done. We told her it was fine and we just decided we would take them home and cook them. I told James I would share my chicken with him. He ate a few pieces. When we left we asked for two to go boxes.

Tom was happy to see us when we got home. He meows at me and I saw what? He looks at me and flops down on the floor all sprawled out so I will rub his back and scratch his belly.

I sat down on the recliner with the blanket and played with him and his new snake toy for awhile. He is intense when he is in attack mode.

He stayed outside all night. James says it's because there is so much light from the moon. It will be full in a few days.

I forgot to mention that on the way home from the temple Stacy texted and said they had done the sealings I sent to them and that it was a great experience. I am very grateful.

Thank you for doing family sealings!

Walked and listened to "Trespassers." The book is called Trespassers because these people have the ability to trespass into your heart and mind. Freaky. Where did you get this idea Stephanie?

James tile job

Wild mustangs in the Salt River

A little bit obsessed with this show

Somebody sure has a lot of desert sunsets