Thursday, November 24, 2016

Mormon 5:13-6:5

What does it mean to you to be "in the hands of God?" (v.23).

* Elder W. Craig Zwick of the Seventy explained some blessings suggested by being in God's hands: "To be in the hands of God would suggest that we are not only under His watchful care but also that we are guarded and protected by His wondrous power.  Throughout the scriptures, reference is made to the hand of the Lord.  His divine assistance is evidenced over and over again.  His powerful hands created worlds, and yet they were gentle enough to bless the little children ... Every one of us needs to know that we can go on in the strength of the Lord.  We can put our hand in His, and we will feel His sustaining presence lift us to heights unattainable alone. How do we learn to extend our hand an connect to the comfort provided by the Lord?  Hear are four keys: Lean, Listen, Seek the Spirit, Pray always. The Lord will supply sustenance and support if we are willing to open the door and receive His hand of divine assistance.  Imagine the wounds in His hands.  His weathered hands, His hands of torn flesh and physical sacrifice giving our own hands greater power and direction.  It is the wounded Christ who leads us through our moments of difficulty.  It is He who bears us up when we need direction, or even more courage to continue.  If we will keep the commandments of God and walk hand in hand with Him, we will go forward with faith, and never feel alone."

A beautiful start to the day.

GC:     "The Blessings of Worship" by Bishop Dean M. Davies

'Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.  And behold, I am the light and the life of the

world." (3 Nephi 11:10-11).

"And when they had all gone forth and had witnessed for themselves, they did cry out with one accord, saying:

Hossanna! Blessed be the name of the 

Most High God!" 

(3 Nephi 11:14, 16-17).

After reading Bishop Davies talk I realize that daily worship is critical to my spiritual well-being.  

Today is the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving.  How appropriate.

Also, Donald Trump posted a Thanksgiving message on Facebook asking the American people to set aside their differences and come together to make America great.

James helped me get things ready for our Thanksgiving guests.  I put the turkey in the roaster oven and it was done in 2 hours instead of 3.  Kim and Brian got here before noon and we were ready to eat by one.  James's friend Virgil who he home teaches joined us for dinner.

Happy Thanksgiving

Before we began eating James ask everyone to tell what they were

most thankful for.  I said I was thankful for my family and the gospel.  James said he was thankful for me.

I am also thankful for good food!

Sheri started her day out at the Turkey Trot was

Connor and Michael:

Gotta make room for the turkey.

Jared went to Arkansas to have Thanksgiving dinner with Kacey's family.  I told him to send some pictures.  He said he doesn't like pictures and would avoid them at all costs.  I told him that Kacey could take his picture when he took his food coma nap.  This is the first picture Kacey sent:

Food coma nap

Cute couple

This is what I feel like after Thanksgiving dinner.

I call this one Watcher in the Woods.

I love this picture.

This is a good one too.

I have not had this many pictures of Jared since

he was a kid.

Jared, Kacey, Tanner, Autumn, and Summer.

Here are some Thanksgivings memories from years past:

Two years ago

Two years ago James and Alex joined us for Christmas with Kim, Brian and Joe.  Jared and Anna were here for a few minutes but had to leave to rescue Tricia who had a roll over accident with Molly and Emmy.  Luckily no one was hurt.

Two years ago.

In 2012 Alex caught the biggest rainbow trout ever!

2014 Evan loves pumpkin pie!

Last year at Sheri's house.

Fun outside

Addy, Lola, Molly

Darrel, Emmy, Rowan, Evan, Trina, Addy

We spent the afternoon and evening just hanging out at home watching Christmas movies and the Disney Christmas Special.

We watched "Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade," and "Love Always, Santa."

James built a fire, decorated the mantle, hung the 

stockings and turned on the tree lights for atmosphere.

Sedona

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Houston temple.

Mormon 5:1-12

What lessons can we learn and apply to our lives from the writings of Mormon?  Why do you think he documented all of the wars and sorrows of the Nephites for us to read?

* We can learn from Mormon's writings that wickedness never was happiness!w  Mormon's accounts of events during his days has been full of sorrow and despair and unfortunately, because of their wickedness, life did not improve for the Nephites.  Mormon takes time in this chapter to explain what he thinks we should learn from this tragic account.  The Book of Mormon came forth in our day to persuade us that Jesus is the Christ.  Mormon sorrowed that his people did not repent so they could be clasped in the arms of Jesus.  Mormon increasingly looked beyond the tragedy before him to a people he hoped would profit from their mistakes.

GC:     "To Whom Shall We Go?" by Elder M. Russell Ballard

'Our precious relationships with families, friends, the Lord and His restored Church are among the things that matter most in life.

Because these relationships are so important, they should

be cherished, protected and nurtured."

I can do this!

I made a trip to town by myself this morning.  I picked up James's three month supply of Nefediprin and then went on to Walmart to do more shopping for Thanksgiving.  I also stopped at the post office to mail a temple name to Jared, and some bills.  The last stop was at the gas station to get gas and wash the mud off of my car.

I carried in and put away all the groceries.  James was grouting the stone outside and couldn't stop to help me.  When he finished he came in and ask me to read him a chapter from "The Justice of Alliction."  Afterwards James went back to work and I sat down on the couch to "rest" and watch the last part of the "DWTS" finale.  I knew Laurie had won, but I wanted to see it anyway.

Laurie and Val

I worked on my blog, watched "A Princess for Christmas," and ate my bean burro from Burger House.  

Monument Valley

James came in and made a fire and I read from "Justice of Affiction."  After reading we watched a new Christmas movie starring Daniel Lissing called "December Bride."  Daniel plays Mountie Jack in "When Calls the Heart."

Super moon tight rope walking.

I love these pictures:

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

The Boston temple

Mormon 4:1-23

Why is it important not to boast in your own strength?  

* When we boast in our own strength and go forth in our own might, repenting not of the evil we have done, but persist in our wickedness, our hearts become hardened.  This leads to a lack of the Spirit, which invites anger towards others.  When we notice we have anger in our hearts, it should be an alarm to us that something is wrong.  OUr pride can convince us that we are okay, but anger is destructive.  Repentance heals ill feelings, mends broken spirits, softens hardened hearts, and repairs damaged souls.  Instead of looking for reasons to find fault in others, we need to recognize the fault within our own soul first.  Also, everything good in our lives comes from God.  We are selfish when we fail to acknowledge Him and express gratitude to Him for all of our blessings.  D&C 59:21: "And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things and obey not His commandments."

GC:     "The Great Plan of Redemption" by Linda S. Reeves

' When we have sinned, Satan often tries to convince us that the unselfish things to do is to protect others from the devastation of the knowledge of our sins, including avoiding confessing to our bishop, who can bless our lives through his priesthood keys as a common judge in Israel.  The truth, however, is that the unselfish

things to do is to confess and repent.  This is Heavenly Father's great plan of redemption.'

James left for the valley this morning.  On his way out he called me and said there was snow on all the mountains around us.  Sunrise got 8 inches of snow and will be open this weekend for skiing and snowboarding.  

Although we got no snow in Vernon it is nice to know that the first snow of the season hit the mountains.

It was 63 years ago today that President John F. Kennedy was shot and killed while visiting Dallas, Texas.

I was a sophomore in high school and was in Mr. Wiltbank's geometry class when the announcement was made over the intercom.  We all went outside and stood around the flag pole for a moment of silence.

I made rolls today using a recipe I got years ago in a Relief Society meeting from my friend Cathy A.  I usually make them crescent shaped but today I just made regular rolls.

I was very pleased with how they turned out.

I also made a stew for James. He got home around 7 this evening and brought me two burros from Burger House.  He loved the stew and I loved the burros!

Paul posted this picture today on Facebook.  

I love these boys, and the doggie too!

I heard some sad news today.  Our friend Drea from Chandler and her sister Annie who now lives in Utah lost their brother today.  He passed out at work.  Drea is the oldest of her siblings and she is younger than Sheri.  I am not sure how old her brother was, probably in his 30's.  Drea's sister Angela wrote this:

May the Lord comfort this sweet family.

We know Drea and her sister Annie personally.

On a happier note, Kacey got a surprise today.

Hopefully these were from Jared.

Joe's new band, Super Motel made their debut performance tonight in Mesa.

Joe is very talented.  He plays the guitar, sings, and

writes music.  Dallin, Michael, and Kim all said

the band was awesome!

I watched one of my favorite Christmas movies for the second time this year.  "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" starring Henry Winkler and Brooke Burns. This movie makes me laugh!  I love Uncle Ralph and the guy who plays Morgan!  Brooke Burns is great too.

James and I also read by the fire and the tree before going to bed. 

Monday, November 21, 2016

Name that temple.

Mormon 3:1-22

Mormon loved his people in spite of their actions.  What should our attitude be towards those we know who don't keep the commandments?

* When he was in the Presiding Bishopric, Bishop Glenn L. Pace admonished us to strive to emulate the love Mormon exhibited: "This prophet had Christlike love for a fallen people.  Can we be content with loving less?  We must press forward with the pure love of Christ to spread the good news of the gospel.  As we do so and fight the war of good against evil, light against darkness, and truth against falsehood, we must not neglect our responsibility of dressing the wounds of those who have fallen in battle." (Ensign, Nov. 1990, 8-9).

GC:     "Joy and Spiritual Survival" by President Russell M. Nelson

'Clearly, Lehi knew opposition, anxiety, heartache, pain, disappointment, and sorrow.  Yet he declared boldly and without reservation a principle as revealed by the Lord: "Men are,

that they might have joy."  Imagine!  Of all the words he

could have used to describe the nature and purpose of our lives here in mortality, he chose the word joy!'

I absolutely love President Nelson's talk about joy in the Savior.  No matter what our circumstances we can have joy if our focus is on the Savior.  

It was a rainy day so we had a fire all day long.  I also had the light on the Christmas tree on.  I couldn't resist laying on the couch for awhile.

James was stuck in the house most of the day because of the rain.  He is planning a trip to the valley tomorrow and went to hook the trailer up to the truck.  Something was wrong with the connection so he needed to make a trip to town.  I was going to make rolls today for Thanksgiving but instead I went to town.  We read from "Justice of Affliction."  One of the Rogers' sons is in Jerusalem, one is in Siberia, one daughter is in jail, and the other is in danger of losing her life and has to go into hiding.  Right now the book is quite depressing. 

Today's sky

We stopped at Sonic while we were in town.  I got a drink and an American dog and James got a New York dog.  Dinner is done.

Kim took family pictures for Sheri today.  Here are the ones of her boys.

So handsome!

Ben is awesome!

Max is so grown up!

Evan is amazing!

Evan is smiling!

In memory of the Beatles!

For FHE tonight we sat by the fire and the tree and listened to Elder Meurs talk on the sacrament.  We also watched "A Very Merry Mixup" starring Alicia Witt.

I have a couple of more family pictures to post:

Emmy a few years ago before the move to Texas.

Jared, and James leading a blind lady.

Anna drew this while driving in the car.

Excited to watch this tomorrow!