Sunday, June 9, 2024: Goodman's report on their mission, Kim & Brian attend our ward meetings, Wendy's lesson, chicken fried steak, gravy, Trip to the valley w/ Jared Ammon, SDO check-in

 

Cordoba, Argentina

145th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 May 2015

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Book of Mormon

Alma 5:1-13

Come Follow Me

"Nourishing and Bearing Your Testimony" Elder Gary E. Stevenson

April General Conference

"A Record of What I've Both Seen and Heard" by Elder Brent N. Nielson

D&C 109: 29-32

Relief Society

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

Another temple was dedicated today. This one was in Coban, Guatemala and Elder Renlund dedicated it. 

   

Since they spoke in our stake I love Elder & Sister Renlund

so much!

It was overcast and cool this morning. The kind of a morning we like to have when Kim and Brian are visiting.

We sat in the last row of the overflow in sacrament meeting because that is where Kim and Brian like to sit. The Goodman's Pierce and Susan, are reporting on their service mission to Tonga today. Although Vance, Pierce's son, and his family usually attend the Vernon mission church, they were here today. James went over and spoke to Vance. Here are a few notes that I took in Susan and Pierce's talks:

Susan: We lived on the campus of Liahona High School, a Church owned school. The students all were uniforms. After the students graduate from the school, they serve missions. We attended a campus ward where many of the students attended. They sing in the choir and they sing loudly and beautifully. Susan told about having a family gathering in New Zealand. One night she couldn't sleep so she got up and was looking up in the sky at the stars. She had a spiritual experience where she felt her Heavenly Father's love for her. 

She talked about Elder Bednar's talk, "Be Still and Know that I Am God." She said he said 8 times in his talk: 'God is our Heavenly Father, we are His children, and Jesus Christ is our Savior.' She said she knew this was important for each of us to know because of Elder Bednar's emphasis on it. We need to have a higher and holier stillness. We must focus on the Savior unfailingly. We must make our homes and the temple a refuge from the storms of life.

Pierce: "I love the Tongan people. They are a spiritual people." We loved Tonga but we are so happy to be home here in Vernon. Elder Hartman Rector, Jr. "Redemption is the Lord's Work." Follow Christ in victory over sin and death. He is the Savior, we are the saved. Moses 1:39... this is my work and my glory ... John 14. Become like Him. Formula: 1.) Believe you can do it. Remove negative influences - become an optimist, not a pessimist. Believer vs. Doubter. Pray always. 2.) Look to the Lord for your blessings. 3.) Make sacrifices in your lives, blessings come from obedience. Go the second mile. 

4.) Expect a miracle. Pierce told of miracle after miracle while they were serving. 5.) Receive the miracle humbly. "I am persuaded this formula will work for all of us if we put it to the test."

"Come Thou Font of Every Blessing" was the closing song.

Wendy DeWitt taught Relief Society. The conference talk was Elder Kearon's, "God's Intent Is To Bring You Home." Wendy asked us to tell of a time we felt the love of the Lord in our lives.  I thought of April 2021 in Whitehouse, Texas when I was healed of my pain in my sciatic nerve. I wanted to share, but I didn't. Wendy talked about the worlds without number that the Lord had created and yet He cares for each of us. I sat by Kim and Barbara Tignor.

After church James and I came home and fixed chicken fried steak for everyone. It is the last of the meat I bought for Jared Ammon. James was my sou chef. I'm afraid I wasn't very patient with some of the mistakes he made. Kim was listening from the other room and got quite a chuckle from us. She said she wondered if we cook together very often.

After eating and cleaning the kitchen we packed up and James, Jared Ammon, and I left for the valley. Kim insisted on taking our picture before we left. Silly girl. She and Brian are taking care of the horses and Tom for a couple of days.

We left around 4 p.m. I had forgotten to get gas yesterday so we had to stop in Payson for gas. James started the pump and then left to go inside the store. When he came back he thought the gas had pumped so we left. We got a few miles down the road and got a message that our gas was very low. James said he guessed the gas shut off when he left and never pumped. We immediately turned around, went back, filled up, and saved 25 cents a gallon with my Easy Pay card.

We took Jared Ammon to Stacy & Paul's home in Chandler before stopping at the resort. James gave Stacy the tramadol and the sunscreen. They are going to the resort after we leave and she needs sunscreen if she is going to be out in the sun at the pool.

We finally arrived at Sheraton Desert Oasis around 9-9:30 p.m. We checked in to rooms 2068-69 in building 7B. Yes, we had to ride that little elevator up to our room because I had forgotten to ask for a first floor room. Our home away from home. I miss my Tom.

Too much?

Even I would say so although I do

like the purple cabinets

Edinburgh, Scotland

Happy Sabbath!

Mason

Now I need a picture of Scarlett.

Saturday, June 8, 2024: Fixed big breakfast, blueberry donut bite, pepper steak in crockpot, Stacy has two bulging discs, Zemira's mission call, J works at Hipps's, "Savoring Paris" with Kim & Brian, Fires

 

Phoenix, Arizona

144th operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Nov 2014

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon

Alma 4

Come Follow Me

"Questions and Answers about Pure Testimony" Liahona

April General Conference

"Rise! He Calleth Thee" Elder Massimo De Feo

D&C 109:28

And if they shall smite this people thou wilt smite them; thou wilt fight for thy people as thou didst in the day of battle, that they may be delivered from the hands of all their enemies.

Apollo is a funny horse. Jared Ammon was putting varnish on the stable. Apollo came up behind him and nudged him. When Jared ignored him Apollo came over and started licking the varnish off the wood. Maybe he needs a salt lick.

Our bedroom is a bit of a mess right now because I am cleaning out my closet. I have so many papers I don't know what to do with. I just want to throw everything away and start over. 

 I fixed bacon, eggs, and biscuits for breakfast. I had a couple of pieces of bacon and part of a blueberry donut from the box of donuts Kim and Brian brought yesterday. 

After cleaning up breakfast dishes I talked to Stacy on the phone. She is in bed with two bulging discs in her lower back. She says she is going to have to have surgery but they don't have any insurance until July. She asked me if I could bring her some "medicine" when I come down tomorrow. I told her I would, plus sunscreen and I ordered her some Tenzi pads.

Around noon I put dinner in the crockpot. I cut up the sirloin steaks I bought and chopped an onion and some bell peppers, put together a sauce and put it all in the crockpot so we will have pepper steak for dinner.

It was overcast today and looked like we might get some rain, but we didn't. Part of the cloudy look could have been from the fires that are burning throughout the state. There is one right now burning near Cibeque called the Bear fire. It is the closest one to us. Right now it has burned 275 acres. 

James rented a saw this morning and is working at the Hipps's. While he was in town he picked up my thyroid prescription. He came home with his back really hurting from using the saw.

Our friend Collin DeWitt had an accident today. He was working on the addition to his house and lost his footing on the ladder and fell off the house. At least he landed in a spot where Wendy had cleared out the rocks so his fall wasn't as bad as it could have been. He did break his ankle. They are waiting for the swelling to go down before they do surgery. He will be laid up for about 8 weeks.

Jared Ammon spent quite a bit of time today cleaning upstairs and changing the sheets on the bed that he slept in. He is going home tomorrow with us when we go down to our timeshare.

Zemira Wilhelm got his mission call today. He is going to Newport Beach, California. I guessed New Zealand and James guessed Mexico. His brother Talon wanted him to go to Uganda because that's where he went.

James Facetimed with Charlie today. She found a feather in their yard and she wanted to ask grandpa what kind of feather it was. He took one look at it and said it was a wild turkey feather. It was quite large with a stripe across it.  Charlie seemed quite happy when she found out it was a turkey feather.

I read from my new book today called "Flat Deception." James and I are still reading "A Proper Scandal" together. 

Kim, Brian and I watched the latest summer romance movie from Hallmark. This one is called, "Savoring Paris" and stars one of our favorites, Bethany Joy Lenz. She was so cute in this movie and we loved most of her outfits. A couple were a little hideous but most were spot on. I love when Kim and Brian are here and we watch a movie together. 

Finished the puzzle Stacy started.

Addy and friends at Newport Beach

Playing Tenzi at the timeshare

Joshua, Max, Evan, Grampa

 

Friday, June 7, 2024: The older I get the slower I go, James works at Hipps', hurts his back, cabbage soup not a big hit, Kim & Brian are here, they love the tile downstairs

 

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

143rd operating temple

Dedicated: 4 May 2014

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Book of Mormon

Alma 3

Come Follow Me

Alma 4:6-20

My example and testimony can change hearts.

April General Conference

"Be Still and Know that I Am God" Elder David A. Bednar

D&C 109:27

And if any people shall rise against this people, that thine anger be kindled against them;

I have a couple of Apollo stories this morning. Jared Ammon said the other day he was outside staining the stable and Apollo came up and wanted his attention. Jared was staining the wood on the stable and Apollo came up where he had just swiped the paintbrush and licked the wood. Another time James and Jared had left a pile of tools on the ground. Apollo came up and with his nose moved the tools all over the ground. He also dumped out two buckets of nails. Such a naughty boy.

My room is filled with stuff from my closet that I need to sort through. It's funny that I'm trying to sort through my clutter and I keep getting advertisement on social media about decluttering. 

I am determined to cook most of the food in the frig before we go to the resort on Sunday. Today I used an entire head of cabbage, a couple of onions and some celery, stewed tomatoes and a pound of hamburger to make cabbage soup. To me it was meh. It needed something more and I suggested the guys add some of the tomato juice that was in the frig but James said it was fine. There was two Snapware containers left over after they were finished eating. 

Kim and Brian arrived this evening. They always bring lots of stuff and it takes awhile to unload Big Bruce the Bronco. As Kim was putting perishables in the garage frig she came in and said, why are there 20 flies in the frig in the garage? Jared Ammon went to check it out. They came to the determination that a fly flew in and had babies.

Brian brought a box of donuts from his friend's donut shop called Sesame Donuts "made to make your day." I guess today is National Donut Day. He also brought a bag of donut holes. Kim brought each of us two apple cider, cream cheese donuts. They are delicious!

They like the tile downstairs and Brian likes the TV. 

James hurt his back today saw cutting at the Hipps's. He is pretty miserable. He says he needs a different kind of saw and will have to go rent one tomorrow. 

After work and before Kim and Brian arrived James took Jared Ammon to Harris cave. They actually went inside and walked about 50 feet before coming back. It's only about 3 1/2 foot high.

I texted Stacy this evening and asked if they would like to use the timeshare Thursday - Saturday night. It was a yes and she said Joshua and Paul were very excited. It's nice to do something that makes someone else so happy.

While walking by myself I listened to "Flat Deception" and while walking with James we listened to "A Proper Scandal." 

Listened to an Instagram Live today featuring and Q&A with Elder David A. Bednar about receiving revelation. It was sooo good.

Accused 

Thursday, June 6, 2024: 80th anniversary of D-Day, Temple w/ Halcomb's, Cranes, Brother Peeler, Eva's chili relleno, pork chops and mashed potatoes, James's mtg

 

Gilbert, Arizona

142nd operating temple

Dedicated: 2 Mar 2014

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon

Alma 2:21-38

Come Follow Me

Alma 1:19-31; 4:6-15

True disciples of Jesus Christ are "humble followers of God."

April General Conference

"All Will Be Well Because of Temple Covenants" President Henry B. Eyring

Inklings

"Faithful to the End" Sister Andrea Munoz Spannaus

1 Samuel 17

deliver

"While David used only one stone to kill Goliath, he was prepared with five."

'I put my faith in Jesus Christ when I face the Goliath of mortality. I cultivate the stone of strength I need to be prepared to face those challenges with faith. I am connected to the Rock and access His strength when I am aligned with Him.'

Today I listened to Inklings with Emily and Michelle Craig. They discussed Sister Spannaus's conference address, "Faithful to the End."

I left for the temple around 9:15. Actually I drove to the Halcomb's and parked my car and drove over with them. I sat in the back while Kerri drove and Catherine sat in the passenger seat. We arrived around 10:15 for the 11 o'clock session. Kerri dropped us off by the door while she went to find a place to park. 

When we got in line for our new name, Kathy Crane came up behind us. She gave Kerri and Catherine names she had that belonged to Maxine Thompson. We all sat together in the second row of the first endowment room. The session was full so I am glad we got there early. 

After the session was over we headed for Eva's for a late lunch.

Catherine got a taco salad, Kerri got the #6 meal and I got a chili relleno. Here is a picture of my chili relleno.

I want to send a picture of this to LaCasita and

say: "This is what a chili relleno is supposed to look like!!

There were clouds today and we hoped it might rain. If it did, it was nowhere near Vernon. The high was around 90 degrees although it was overcast. 

When I got home I was exhausted. I took a nap as did Tom. James got home from town and he took a short nap too. 

He and Jared went out to work on the stable. I fixed pork chops, mashed potatoes, and broccoli for dinner. James had a meeting so he had to eat when he got home. The pork chops turned out quite delicious this time. Jared really liked them. He helped me do the dishes until I told him I could finish on my own. 

When James got home he had dinner and told me that was the best dinner he had had in a long time! Thank you dear.  I asked why his meeting was so long. He said because they met with the Relief Society presidency. He was very impressed with Cheryl and Natalie and Collin in their meeting tonight. Trying to solve the big concern of the bishop for having regular teacher council meetings and parent council meetings. I read to him my favorite story from General Conference regarding intentional parenting. It's from Brother Pace's talk. He is the General Sunday School President. Here it is:

'In Lehi's vision of the tree of life, Lehi taught us the importance of personal experience with the love of God. After he partook of the fruit, Lehi saw his wife, Sariah, and his sons Nephi and Sam a little way off. "They stood as if they knew not whither they should go. "... I beckoned unto them,: Lehi said, "and I also did say unto them with a loud voice that they should come unto me, and partake of the fruit, which was desirable above all other fruit. "And ... they did come unto me and partake of the fruit."  I love Lehi's example of intentional parenting. Sariah, Nephi, and Sam were living good, righteous lives. But the Lord had something better, something sweeter for them. They didn't know where to find it, but Lehi did. So he called to them "with a loud voice" to come to the tree of life and partake of the fruit for themselves. His direction was clear. There could be no misunderstanding.

(Now, this is the part that I like:)

Brother Pace says: "I am the product of a similar kind of intentional parenting. When I was a young boy, maybe 11 or 12 years old, my mother asked me, "Mark, do you know for yourself, by the Holy Ghost, that the gospel is true?"

Her question surprised me. I had always tried to be a 'good boy,' and I thought that was enough. But my mother, like Lehi, knew that something more was needed. I needed to act and know for myself.

I replied that I had not yet had that experience. Ad she didn't seem surprised at all by my answer.

She then said something I have never forgotten. I remember her words to this day: 'Heavenly Father wants you to know for yourself. But you must put in the effort. You need to read the Book of Mormon and pray to know by the Holy Ghost. Heavenly Father will answer your prayers."

Well, I had never read the Book of Mormon before. I didn't think I was old enough to do that. But my mother knew better.

Her question ignited in me a desire to know for myself.

So, each night, in the bedroom I shared with two of my brothers, I turned on the light above my bed and read a chapter in the Book of Mormon. Then, turning off the light, I slipped out of my bed onto my knees and prayed. I prayed more sincerely and with greater desire than I ever had before. I asked Heavenly Father to please let me know of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.

From the time I started reading the Book of Mormon, I felt that Heavenly Father was aware of my efforts. And I felt that I mattered to Him. As I read and prayed, comfortable, peaceful feelings rested upon me. Chapter by chapter, the light of faith was growing brighter inside my soul. In time, I realized that these feelings were confirmations of truth from the Holy Ghost. I came to now for myself that the Book of Mormon is true and that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. How grateful I am for my mother's inspired invitation. 

This experience reading the Book of Mormon as a boy started a pattern of scripture study that continues to bless me to this day. I still read the Book of Mormon and kneel in prayer. And the Holy Ghost confirms its truths over and over again."

I wish all of my children would give their children, my grandchildren, this challenge. Is it too late since most of them are adults?

Tom slept inside this afternoon and outside when we went to bed. His schedule has changed a bit.

Soleil Hoose

Emmy

Wednesday, June 5, 2024: James leaves for valley, I leave for Walmart, James's most unfortunate day, tickets & warnings, Burger House mixed green burros, 110 in Valley

 

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

141st operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Mar 2013

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Book of Mormon

Alma 2:1-20

Come Follow Me

Alma 1

The word of God can help me recognize false doctrine.

April General Conference

"Integrity: A Christlike Attribute" Elder Jack N. Gerard

D&C 109:26

That no combination of wickedness shall have power to rise up and prevail over Thy people upon whom Thy name shall be put in this house; 

James left at 5:15 this morning. He is going to meet with Armando and Daryl Johnson about the paint job at the barbershop. Daryl is not happy with it and Armando is trying he best to please him but needs some support from James. He is also going to his mom's to put in her shower door. 

I got up shortly after he left and got ready to go to town to do my grocery shopping. I arrived at Walmart around 7:30 just as Judy Hunter was pushing her loaded grocery cart out the door. She probably got here when I intended to. 

Early mornings are the best time to shop at this Walmart. It's more quiet and the shelves are usually stocked. Except for the steaks. There were very few to choose from so I ended up getting cube steaks and some sirloins for my pepper steak.

On the way to town and back home I listened to "Unshaken Saints" and was able to finish before the day was over. Brother Halverson is keeping it shorter than he used to. 

On the way home I realized I had forgotten soy sauce and Cuties. What will I do without my cuties. I do have some strawberries but I really do love Cuties.

Jared Ammon helped me put the groceries away. James called and gave me a report on his trip to the valley. He got stopped because he was speeding, going 53 in a 35 zone. He also has no brake lights on his trailer, his registration on his truck is expired and he has no proof of insurance. Anything else? Oh yes, he got stopped on the way home for a broken windshield. The results? Two tickets, one for the trailer lights and one for no registration, and three warnings. I can't believe he didn't get a ticket for speeding. Two more miles per hour and it would have been criminal. That's what the officer said.

So far I know of three temple dedications this month. Elder Gong dedicated the Taylorsville, Utah temple last Sunday and on the 16th Elder Bednar will dedicate the Layton, Utah temple and Elder Christofferson will dedicate the Salta, Argentina temple. 

James brought us dinner from Burger House. One green chili mixed burro for me, and two for Jared Ammon. James ate his on the way home. As soon as he got home he went outside to work on the stable. This man never stops.

Tonight as we were getting ready to go to bed I noticed a big dirt spot at the bottom of James's side of the bed. When I pointed it out to James he went in and got a wet rag to wipe it off, trying to blame it on Tom. I told him yes, it could be Tom, but if it wasn't, it was certainly him. 

Yesterday Paul sent out a message about two missionaries in North Dakota being killed in a car accident. His sister Marsan and her husband live there and he is the branch president in the ward where they were serving. I will got back and post pictures of the missionaries on yesterday's post.

Also, Stacy said this about helping to clean the Gilbert temple last night: Last night Paul and I had the privilege of cleaning the temple from 8:30 until 11:45. I was given the task of vacuuming and dusting the celestial room and the veil rooms. It was all lit up and so beautiful and I was in there by myself for nearly 2 hours. It was an experience I will never forget. They are so meticulous about vacuuming the white carpets. I was given a 10 minute tutorial on the procedure, the direction to vacuum and how not to leave lines. 

Paul said:

It was WORK. Every inch of that temple was dusted, vacuumed or mopped. Even the trim at the ceilings. I was thinking as I mopped behind a potted plant in a spot no one would ever look why it was important to clean there, I kept thinking what if the Savior came to inspect his house, he would know.

Dennis's grandchildren:

Sunrise

 

Tuesday, June 4, 2024: Happy 19th Birthday Emmy, Nyquil oversleep, 15,000 steps, chicken stuffing casserole, Taylorsville temple dedicated Sunday, J, JA trip to town, work on stable tack room floor

  

Calgary, Alberta

140th operating temple

Dedicated: 28 Oct 2012

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon

Alma 1

Come Follow Me

Mosiah 29:26-27; Alma 2:1-7

I can be a positive influence in my community.

April General Conference

"Covenant Confidence Through Jesus Christ" Elder Ulisses Soares

D&C 109:25

That no weapon formed against them shall prosper; that he who diggeth a pit for them shall fall into the same himself;

  I should not have taken that NyQuil last night. I overslept because of it and this got me off to a bad start. 

James came in and we had prayers and scriptures. Afterwards I took a shower. 

I walked 15,000 steps today. I also cleaned out the refrigerator and made a chicken and stuffing casserole with some leftover chicken.

I was going to go shopping this afternoon but decided against it. I thought we were out of eggs and James and Jared were in town so I called and asked if he could pick up a dozen. I had tried to buy some from Kathy Crane but she told me she was still waiting for "her ladies to lay." Later Chuck called and said they had a dozen but James had already brought home 18 eggs from Walmart.

James went into town to get more lumber for the floor of the tack room which is part of the stable. He also stopped at Epic Motorsport and got some supplies for the Razr. The Razr is still at Willy's but will hopefully be fixed soon. 

I love doing my walking during the day out on the deck. It is shady and today there was a nice breeze. I think my walking is helping me to feel better.

James and I started a new book today. It's called "A Proper Scandal". The author is Esther Hatch. The chapters are very long.

I missed the fact that Elder Gong dedicated the Taylorsville, Utah on Sunday. I'm going back to my Sunday post and posting pictures.

Happy 19th Birthday to Emmy Lambson, Jared's second daughter.

Last year at her high school graduation.

James's flowers

A message from Paul: This was sent to our family chat from my sister in North Dakota, my BIL is a branch president there: 

Please stop and say a prayer for the families of the missionaries in our branch. They were both just killed in a car accident.