Sunday, September 15th, 2024: Horses don't showup for brkfst, Johnson & Johnson, Judy Hunter, Shanna Penrod, Teacher Training mtg, Tithing Declaration, Rain, "Teaching with Power", DFU dedicates Pittsburgh temple

 

Hong Kong, China

48th operating temple

Dedicated: 26 May 1996

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 1

Come Follow Me

"Teaching with Power"

April General Conference

"Faithful to the End" Sister Andrea Munoz Spannaus

"Fruit that Remains" Elder Matthew L. Carpenter

The horses didn't show up for breakfast this morning. They still weren't here when we left for Church. 

Judy Hunter and Shanna Penrod were the main speakers in Sacrament meeting today. Nathan Crane was the youth speaker.

Judy Hunter - Judy began her talk by quoting the words from the Primary song, "The Chapel Doors". Her topic is Reverence. "Be Still and Know That I Am God." - David A. Bednar. Inner stillness of the soul. Three sacred places: 1.) Temple 2.) Chapel 3.) Home. Today I am going to focus on the chapel. Sit quietly and prepare for Sacrament meeting. The chapel is an ordinance room. The Sacrament is an ordinance, a very sacred ordinance. " Behold, the Lamb of God" - JRH, 2019. The Sacrament is the acknowledged focal point of our weekly worship. Does my behavior in the chapel invite the Holy Spirit? Reverence invites revelation (Boyd K. Packer). Use our chapel voice - slightly above a whisper. We need to be an example. Let God prevail in our lives in the chapel.

Shanna Penrod - Patrick Kearon, "God's Intent is to Bring You Home." The Father's plan is designed to bring all of us home to Him. The Plan of Salvation made possible because of His Only Begotten Son. We need to have a testimony of Jesus and offer our whole souls to Him. We need to be transformed with a mighty change of heart. We need to evict the natural man within us. Jesus's will is the Father's will. Infinite (near and intimate). He will find His lost sheep. He refuses no one. Come to Him with a broken heart and contrite spirit. Holy saving intent of His Atoning sacrifice.

Both of these talks were really good. We really needed the one on reverence. 

James and I both attended the Teacher Training class during Sunday School taught by the Sunday School President, John Wilhelm. 

Others who attended: Susan Goodman and her sister who is handicapped, Sandra Wilhelm, Chris & Becky Skousen, Natalie Robles, Rosie Lauritzen and Brother Golly. 

We did a Personal Teach Evaluation and then discussed some of the items mentioned on the evaluation. It was a good class.

We went home, had some lunch and a short rest and then went back to the church for Tithing Declaration with Bishop Hunsaker. Our records matched up perfectly.

We got rain this afternoon and through the night. It was great. The horses finally came back this evening. James penned Apollo up in the stable. 

As I worked on my blog this evening I listened to Ben Wilcox on "Teaching with Power" discuss 3 Nephi 1-7.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf dedicated the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania temple today. It is the 196th temple. 

Notes & Quotes

 "Dear friends, Christ is eager to accompany us on the journey of our lives. I promise you, as you hold on to the iron rod, you will walk hand in hand with Jesus Christ. He will be guiding you, and He will be teaching you. By His hand, you will be able to bring down every Goliath that appears in your life."

- Sister Andrea Munoz Spannaus

' Faithful To The End'

"I testify that God has restored the authority to bind on earth and in heaven. That authority is found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is held by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve and is exercised under the direction of President Russell M. Nelson. Those who enter into the new and everlasting covenant of marriage and keep that covenant can become perfected and eventually receive the fulness of the glory of the Father, regardless of circumstances beyond their control."

- Elder Matthew L. Carpenter

'Fruit That Remains'

Saturday night was Homecoming

Ruby and her friend

Purple wildflowers

Florence & Greg Hatch served a mission

in Fiji. They are going back this December.

Charlie lost a tooth!

One of our former sister missionaries is getting married.

Elder Uchtdorf dedicates the

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania temple

It is the 196th dedicated temple

Saturday, September 14th, 2024: Up @ 3, James leaves before 4, concrete pour Hatch job, concrete not pumpable, replaced, Hom @ 1:45, town, Apollo out, "The Nobleman's Daughter"

 

Bountiful, Utah

47th operating temple

Dedicated: 8 Jan 1995

By: Howard W. Hunter

Book of Mormon

Helaman 16

Come Follow Me

Helaman 16

Prophets point me to Jesus Christ.

April General Conference

"Miracles, Angels, and Priesthood Power" Elder Shayne M. Bowen

"Foreordained to Serve" Elder Steven R. Bangerter

I couldn't sleep after 3am. I have a feeling I'm going to be taking several naps today. 

James left before 4am for the valley. They are pouring concrete on the Hatch Dental remodel job at 5am.   On his way through Salt River Canyon he got a call from Armando telling him that the concrete wasn't pumpable. James's heart sank. He failed to tell the concrete company that the concrete was to be pumped and evidentally the pumping company didn't call them either. James said a prayer and by the time he got to Tempe it seemed that the problem had been solved by the concrete company. (James got a call on Monday saying they couldn't place the first order of concrete that they replaced with pumpable concrete, so James was going to have to pay for both loads. The extra charge is $2,300.)

Greg Hatch is the owner of Hatch Dental and was at the pour and knew about the problem but didn't care because everything turned out okay. (He doesn't know that James had to pay for both loads).

James got home from the valley at 1:45 and laid down for a nap.  Tom and I joined him. When James got up he asked me to go to tow with him to get some diesel. He thought he had taken the can with him to the valley but it laid at the end of the driveway until he returned home.

We tried Stanford which is about 13 miles away instead of 20 but they were out of diesel, so we drove in to the Speedway at the top of the hill going into Show Low across from the Maverick. No other stops were made, no food or fluff, just diesel and back home.

James let Apollo out of the stable. He had been in there since last night. I fed he and Luna this morning and refused to let him out. I told James if he was gone that Apollo had to be penned up. He let both horses out tonight. I warned him that Apollo would trample the lawn, which he did. 

We are both reading "The Nobleman's Daughter" but I am about five chapters ahead of James.

Tom loves his "treats." He gets one a day at night. 

Notes & Quotes

"President Russell M. Nelson has taught us to seek and expect miracles. I testify that because the priesthood has been restored, the power and authority of God are upon the earth. Through callings and councils, men and women, young and old, can participate in priesthood work. It is a work of miracles, attended by angels. It is the work of heaven, and it blesses all God's children."

- Elder Shayne M. Bowen

'Miracles, Angels, And Priesthood Power'

"Before you were born, God appointed each of you to fulfill specific missions during your mortal life upon the earth. If you remain worthy, the blessings of that premortal decree will enable you to have all kinds of opportunities in this life, including opportunities to serve in the Church and to participate in the most important work happening on the earth today: the gathering of Israel. Those premortal promises and blessings are called your foreordination. 'The doctrine of foreordination applies to all members of the Church."

- Elder Steven R. Bangerter

'Foreordained to Serve'

Is this livable?

Another blue/white room

Cat and Mouse

Friday, September 13th, 2024: Happy 94th birthday Mom in Heaven, 5am Pumpkin bread, MacArthur's leaving an hour early, James hurries Chelsea's gift & bread over to them, Luna gets locked up,

 

Orlando, Florida

46th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Oct 1994

By: Howard W. Hunter

Book of Mormon

Helaman 15

Come Follow Me

Helaman 14; 16:13-23 God sent signs and wonders to testify of the Savior's birth and death. 

Helaman 15:3 Chastening from the Lord is a sign of His love.

April General Conference

"Be One with Christ" Elder Quentin L. Cook

I got up at 5am and began making three loaves of pumpkin bread. Two of them had pecans in them and one didn't. I also had a gift for Chelsea and a card. At about 7:25 as the bread was cooling I got a text from Chelsea saying they were leaving early. I was still in my pajamas and bedhead. I got out two pieces of foil and James wrapped one of the loaves made with pecans and I wrapped the plain one. I texted Chelsea and asked her to please wait for James as he was coming to deliver her gift. She said they were waiting at the end of the driveway. James said they were excited about the pumpkin bread, especially the girls. Later I got a thank you from Chelsea:

"Thank you so much for the soap, lotion, nice card and the bread. We have been eating the bread this whole trip. Pumpkin bread is the girls favorite. Thank you!"

The horses were gone this morning. James went out to find them and this time he locked up Luna. I really do think that Apollo is the one who needs to be locked up. 

I got a text from Tamara Applegate thanking me for the birthday card I sent her. It went like this:

"Received my birthday card from you. Shelly has been getting the mail and she left it on my desk this morning. Thank you so much!!

Since it's Friday the 13th I'm going to go see Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and then going to a paint class. We are painting "Mystical Mountain & Waterfall. I'm so excited!"

Today would have been my mom's 94th birthday. Happy Birthday in Heaven, Mom.

James passed all of his inspections on the Hatch job, which means he will be pouring concrete tomorrow morning at 5am. This means he will be going to the valley early tomorrow morning.

James and I had lunch together. Ham and Swiss cheese sandwich and Dill Pickle potato chips.

Tom came in the bedroom while I was making the bed. I had just smoothed out the top sheet and was getting ready to put the coverlet on when he jumped up on the bed. I got his red blanket and spread it out for him. He was asleep in less than five minutes.

James and I left for the Snowflake temple a little before 2. James dropped off a check to Paul Peeler then we went on to the Tignor's to pick them up. Virgil isn't going this time so we can ride with the Tignor's. Barbara took a few minutes to come out of the house because she couldn't find her phone. 

On the way out of town Greg Hatch called and was talking to James over the speaker in the car. We stopped at the post office so I could mail Kacey's and Rosie Lauritzen's birthday cards. 

We arrived at the temple a little before 3. Our session is at 3:30. Barbara took a few minutes to look for her recommend before she announced that she couldn't find it. It takes a few minutes for the worker to call upstairs and make sure she is on the recommend list. I am glad we got here a little early. 

The 3:30 session is full, which is unusual. I guess it's because after tomorrow the temple will be closed for two weeks. I forgot out temple names so James and I had to take a shared temple name. 

I was a little sleepy during the session. It was about 20-30 minutes shorter than it used to be. Abigail Jameson, a young woman from our ward who just turned 19 was working the veil. She is planning on going on a mission and is waiting for her call. 

After the temple we had dinner at Eva's. James paid the bill, including the tip. Sitting at the table next to us was my friend Susan Hubble and her two grandchildren Kaylynn who is 7 and Sky who is 5. The girls mother and Sue's daughter passed away several months ago with a brain tumor. Sue helps out with the girls as much as she can. We were so happy to see each other we hugged and began talking. I stopped and shared Sue with the Tignor's and James. 

I ordered a chili relleno with chicken which was a mistake. I did not like it with chicken. James helped me to finish eating it. Barbara got taquitos, T-Bo a green chili cheeseburger with no bread and James got a chicken enchilada. 

I gave Sue another hug before we left. We got home right around 7. It always takes five hours when we stop for dinner. 

When we got home I noticed the bedroom door was closed. James must have done that when he went back for Tramadol. I fed him and gave him us daily treat. Tom follows me everywhere when he finally gives up on me giving him another treat.

Since James is going to be gone tomorrow he shows me how to feed the horses. He asks if he can take Apollo out of his stable and I told him no, not if he is going to be gone tomorrow.

We were in bed by 9.

Notes & Quotes

"The scriptures attest that all accountable persons are required to repent of sins and keep His commandments. The Lord makes it clear tat all have moral agency and "are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, . . . and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life." To receive the blessings of the Savior's Atonement, we must affirmatively exercise our moral agency to choose Christ and obey His commandments.

- Elder Quentin L. Cook

'Be One with Christ'

What is the red beard made out of?

Coming into Payson

The elk are beginning to bugle!

Love that bicycle path and

love these two!!

The book we are reading

Greg Hatch retires!

Kim's cupcakes

Cathi's Church granddaughter

Thursday, September 12th, 2024: Horses are AWOL, scripture books & Inklings, James works on fence, Dr. Moffat, Walmart, Circle K, Tractr Sply, Taco Bell, Apollo gets "locked" up

 

San Diego, California

45th operating temple

Dedicated: 25 April 1993

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Helaman 14:16-31

Come Follow Me

God invites me to repent.

Two videos about repentance.

April General Conference

"In Support of the Rising Generation" Brother Michael T. Nelson

Inklings

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

The horses left during the night. They came back once and left again while James was working on the fence. He went to find them and locked Apollo in his stable. Luna won't leave without him. 

I spent the morning working on my scripture books and listening to Inklings. I also did some walking. After lunch I took a nap and started watching "The Chicken Sisters", a new series on Hallmark Plus. Lea Thompson and Wendy Malik are in it. It's a little crude in the language but so far not too bad. It hasn't gone "overboard", yet. If it does I won't have a problem dumping it into my don't watch file. It's about two families in a small southern town called Merinac,  who own fried chicken restaurants. They compete with each other. One owner says she has the best food and the other says she has the nicest restaurant.

James and I left for town at 1:45 this afternoon. I have a doctor's appointment with Dr. Moffat about my blood pressure. James went to Walmart to see if his prescriptions were ready to be picked up. He thought he had them all transferred from CVS but there was some kind of a problem because CVS filled the prescription so Walmart couldn't. They finally got it figured it out. 

I had a nice chat with Dr. Moffat. He gave me all of the side effects for Nifedipine and talked me in to going with the prescription he uses for his high blood pressure, Losartan. He said it would take a couple of weeks for it to begin working and I could take 1/2 a Nifedipine if needed. James got it filled the same time he did his. 

I walked from the Changepoint doctor's office down to the Speedway gas station where James picked me up. He had gone to Circle K and bought me a Polar Pop. He also returned something at Tractor Supply. 

While James was picking up prescriptions at Walmart I was doing a little shopping. I bought some pecans for my pumpkin bread. 

While James was going through the Taco Bell drive-thru I went over to Dollar Tree to pick up some birthday cards. They have plenty of Hallmark cards and they are only $1a piece. I bought several. I also bought ten pair of black men's socks for only $5. James and I actually turned out loving them!

Tom was inside the house when we left and outside when we got back. What? How did that happen. I guess one of the doors was left open. We need to be more careful. 

James had a presidency meeting tonight. It was actually a planning meeting with other members of the ward. We have two ward activities coming up in October. The ward campout and the chili cookoff. 

I am glad I called Chelsea MacArthur. I was going to go see her on Saturday, her birthday, but she is not going to be home. They sell beef from her sisters ranch in Utah and they are going up to pick up 8,000 lbs. They are leaving tomorrow morning at 8:30 so we made an appointment at 8:00. That means I am getting up at 5:00 to make pumpkin bread.

Notes & Quotes

"The youth today are among Heavenly Father's most noble spirits. They were among the stalwart defenders of truth and agency in the premortal world. They were born in these days to gather Israel through their powerful witness of the Lord Jesus Christ. He knows each one of them and knows their great potential. He is patient as they grow. He will redeem and protect them. He will heal and guide them. He will inspire them. We, their parents and leaders, have been prepared to support them. We have the Savior's Church to assist us as we raise the next generation."

 

No kids to take pictures of, so,

it's my kitty you are going to see.

Catherine Halcomb's gift to me

Such a sweet sleeper

Another fire

Snowflake Temple

Wednesday, September 11th, 2024: Banana nut bread for James, James's computer woes, Catherine's gift, Wlmrt, Tractor Sply, $4.50 fries @ Carl's Jr., Jesse Pronger's mission call

 

Toronto, Ontario

44th operating temple

Dedicated: 25 Aug 1990

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Helaman 14:1-15

Come Follow Me

Helaman 13-15

God invites me to repent.

"We Can Do Better and Be Better" President Russell M. Nelson

April General Conference

"All Things For Our Good" Elder Gerrit W. Gong

It's 7am and James and I are still in bed. We finally feel guilty enough to get up. Tom has been sleeping in too. 

I made banana nut bread for James this morning. He allowed me to have piece and I must say, it was quite delicious. 

James is struggling with his computer. He has a critical situation at Hatch's that needs to be resolved before they pour concrete on Saturday. Hopefully things will work out and his emails will go through. 

I got a call this afternoon from my friend Catherine Halcomb. She asked if I would drop by her house sometime today. I told her I would. 

James and I went to town, stopping by the post office first and then on to Catherine's. She had a plastic trick or treat Jack-o-lantern filled with candy for us. She said it was to thank me for all that I do for her and for being a friend. I gave her a hug. One of her dogs is as big as a small horse. On to town.

James dropped me off at Walmart while he went to get material for the fence at Tractor Supply. The main thing I am shopping for is ingredients for pumpkin bread. Chelsea MacArthur's birthday is on Saturday and I am making it for her. When I finished shopping I stopped at Carl's Jr. to get some medium fries. I almost cancelled when the clerk said, "That will be $4.50." When did French fries become so expensive. I looked online to see how much medium fries at McDonald's are... $1.79. It that's true I am never buying anything at Carl's Jr. again!

Jesse Pronger got her mission call today. She opened it at the park this evening with family and friends. She is going to the Missouri, Independence mission. How exciting. Jesse is Zemira Wilhelm's girlfriend. He got his mission call a couple of months ago. He is going to the California, Newport Beach mission.

Notes & Quotes

"We increase faith and trust in the Lord that all things can work together for our good as we gain eternal perspective; understand our trials may be "but for a small moment"; recognize affliction can be consecrated for our gain; acknowledge accidents, untimely death, debilitating illness, an d disease are part of mortality; and trust loving Heavenly Father does not give trials to punish or judge. He would not give a stone to someone asking for bread nor a serpent to one asking for a fish."

- Elder Gerrit W. Gong

'All Things For Our Good'

Our friends the Skousen's

Brother Skousen is in the bishopric and

Becky is the YW's President

Our guard cat

Apollo

Tom the Bomb