Thursday, February 16, 2017

Bismarck, North Dakota temple

2 Nephi 9:1-14

What is my favorite title for Jesus Christ, and why?

Mosiah 20-21

DC 25:1-16

How does it make you feel that the Lord knows your name and you are His?

Talk: He Knows You By Name

By: Elaine S. Dalton

April 2005

GC:'Learn from Alma and Amulek' by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"There is service that no one else can give in quite the same way.  The Lord has trusted you with His holy priesthood, which hold the divine potential to bless and lift others.  Listen with your heart and follow the promptings of the Spirit."

I read a couple of quotes by Elder Neal A. Maxwell today that I want to share:

"So often our sisters comfort others when their own needs are greater than those being comforted.  That quality is like the generosity of Jesus on the cross.  

Empathy during agony is a portion of divinity!"

"Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses?"

I promise that I could study the gospel all day and never get bored.  I found these quotes while reading from "Teaching in the Savior's Way."

"The Lord promises that if we treasure up in our minds continually the words of life... it shall be given us in the very hour what we should say and how we should teach." (DC 84:88)

Under the heading Seek Revelation Daily:

Elder Richard G. Scott:

"Knowledge crefully recorded is knowledge available in time of need, and enhances the likelihood of receiving more light."

Horseshoe Bend

James got home today around 3 p.m. with burros from Burger House. We read a couple of chapters from "The Lady of the Lakes," after he builds a fire.  We also watched "Candles on Bay Street" and "The Locket."  

Blue and Gold Banquet decorated by Kim and attended by Stacy and Joshua.

Oh yes, Kim also made these cute invitations.

She's a one woman show!

Joshua's Lego Batman cake

Mario and his mother.

Fun Photos

Brennan and Taylor

We've known Brennan forever and Taylor was in our

Primary class.

Another Daddy-Daughter Date.

I know the quality is terrible but I

love this picture of Joe.  It brings back great memories!

Last game of the season for these two.

Notice photo bomber Ruby.

I think this is the day we went to the temple to do 

J.D.'s baptism and confirmation.

Hiking with their mom.

I am looking forward to this day!

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Billings, Montana temple

2 Nephi 8:1-25

God will gather His saints and comfort Zion.  Why do you think so many people put so much trust in the things of men instead of trying to get close to the Lord?

Mosiah 18-19

DC 24:11-19

How can we put more trust in the Lord knowing that He will give us what we need?

Talk:  "Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ"

By: Dallin H. Oaks

April 1994

GC:  'Emissaries to the Church' by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"What matters is that you love your people and are fulfilling the commandment 'to watch over the Church always.'"

GC:  'There is Power in the Book' by Elder LeGrand R. Curtis, Jr.

President Ezra Taft Benson taught:

"There is a power in the Book of Mormon which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book.  You will find greater power to resist temptation.  You will find the power to avoid deception.  You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path."

James left for the valley this morning.  He has a 10 am meeting with Krissy who works with the company he is doing the tenant improvements for.  Krissy is what you would call the stylist I suppose.  He delivered my Valentines and took a new birthday card and gift card to Trina.  

I did alot of gospel study today and watched a few movies.  I always watch more movies when James is gone.  I watched: "The Locket," "Garage Sale Mystery," starring Lori Laughlin, "The Wedding March" starring Jack Wagner, and "While You Were Dating" starring Billy Baldwin  I had yogurt and strawberries for dinner.  

Well, the Arizona Trump girls made the news.  A group of them marched into Nordstrom's to close their accounts because Nordstroms dropped Ivanka Trumps clothing line.

Brennan's wife in the front, Trey's wife

in the back.

I admire them for taking action for something they feel strongly about.

Fun Photos

James and Molly at the park.

After seeing Cinderella last year. The only

granddaughter missing was Lola.

Speaking of Lola,

here she is.

Lola and Ruby finding some shade at the soccer game.

Evan and Rowan with their gramma.

Young Men's service project.

Go Ben!

Interesting trees.

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Baton Rouge, Louisiana temple

2 Nephi 6:8-7:11

How do the people of the Lord wait for Him?

The Hebrew translation of wait mean 'look to," "hope for," "anticipate," and "expect."

Mosiah 15:15-17

DC 24:1-10

How can verse 8 comfort us as we endure our afflictions?

Talk: "Finding a Safe Harbor"

By: Joseph B. Wirthlin

April 2000

GC:  'Sharing the Restored Bospel' by Elder Dallin H. Oaks

"We can pray for inspiration on what we can do in our individual circmstances to share the gospel with others.  Prayers for this kind of inspiration will be answered if accompanied by a commitment, real intent or full purpose of heart.  Pray with a commitment to act upon the inspiration you receive, promising the Lord that if He will inspire you to speak to someone about the gospel, you will do it."

Happy Valentines Day 

James wrote me a sweet, romantic letter.

A box of Prismacolor pencils!

I gave him a card and dark chocolate with hazelnuts.

I used these silly valentine faces to put on the cards I made for

the grandkids along with a sucker inside and a funny verse or joke.

I hope they liked them.

Alex, Addy, Sheri, Jared, and Kacey thanked me.

Kim got a Valentine surprise from her nieces, nephews, and brother and sisters and posted this on Facebook:

It rained/snowed today.  I put a roast in the oven for a late lunch or an early dinner.  I actually had enchiladas for an early lunch.  

We had elk in our yard again.  Three again.

They were a little shy.  Here is one.

The roast I made was delicious, so moist and tender.  I cooked it in my cast iron pot in the over at 275 degrees.  It made a wonderful Valentine's dinner.

This evening we watched "Appetite for Love" starring Andrew Walker and Taylor Cole.  Afterwards we read from "Lady of the Lakes" by the fire and then went to bed rather early.  James is leaving for the valley in the morning.

Fun Photos:

Nothing like a good nap!

I love this!

Kaeli and her Fireman

Kaeli and her cows

Brian really wants to win at Five Crowns

Monday, February 13, 2017

Atlanta, Georgia temple

2 Nephi 5:26-6:7

"Be believing, be happy, don't get discouraged.  Things will work out." - Gordon B. Hinckley

What are ways that you live after the manner of happiness?

Mosiah 13-15:14

DC 22-23:7

What verses stood out to me today?

22:1 - Baptism by authority is a new and everlasting covenant.

23 - Preach, exhort, and strengthen the Church.

23:1 - Beware of pride.

23:6 - Pray vocally, secretly, with family, among friends, and in all places.

GC:  'Be Ambitious for Christ' by Elder Kazuhiko Yamashita

"In our lives we experience trials, but if we are ambitious for Christ, we can focus on Him and feel joy even in the midst of them.  Our Redeemer is the ultimate example.  He understood His holy mission and was obedient to the will of God the Father.

What a choice blessing it is to bring His wonderful example to our remembrance each week as we partake of the sacrament."

I had a question today about dispensations.  What they were and what were the seven that we usually hear about.  I found an article by Brother Robert J. Matthews of BYU entitled "The Fulness of Times" in the December 1989 Ensign that answered most of my questions.  The seven dispensations we hear about most are:

Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Joseph Smith.  I highly recommend this article!

Yesterday when Sister Skousen and I visited the Kenyon's, Cameron's dad said, to Sister Skousen's comment that she was excited about Cameron's upcoming baptism, that the missionaries were overzealous and he felt like Cameron needed to learn more than just the basics. It was then that I invited him to Primary.  I wished I would have said, quoting Dallin H. Oaks: "Some things can only be learned by exercising faith."  

 Saguaro cactus are so photogenic.

James dropped me off at Walmart today while he went to Discount Tire to see if they could balance our tires so we don't get the vibrating when we go over 65.  They were too busy but James made an appointment for next week on the 21st to take it in.  He ate at KFC while I did my shopping at Walmart.  

When James came to pick me up at Walmart he said I could buy the Prisma colored pencils I have been eyeing.  I also got some Abreva for my coldsore which is $17 for a tiny tube.  I ended up spending another $200.  Yikes!  The main reason I came to town was to get ingredients for fixing chili, a cheesecake and a chocolate pie for tonight's dinner with my brothers and their wives.  

Darrel posted this on Trina's birthday and I forgot it yesterday.

I couldn't go without posting it today.

I had a short nap when we returned from town and then went to work fixing the chili and setting the table.  Nothing fancy:

My glass dishes I bought at the Dollar Tree.

Vickie was supposed to bring some cornbread but when Denise tasted it for her she said it was not good.  Vickie agreed and so she threw it out in our front yard for the birds.  We had chips instead.

Denise loved the chili and said it was great.  We ate most all of it.

Afterwards we played a game of Five Crowns.  If you can't tell by the look on her face, Vickie was the winner!

This tree was a conversation piece.  Vickie thinks I need

to put some flowers, or decorations on it for whatever the holiday is.  For February, hearts, and for March, shamrocks, April, Easter eggs.  I kind of like the idea but I am afraid to try.  What it really needs is some more family photos!  Maybe for Mother's Day.

After everyone left James started doing the dishes.  I helped.  It was a fun evening and we should have company more often.

A happy night in the Gonzales family and their extended family too.

Fun Photos

Emmy and her soccer team.  They got 2nd in last

weekends tournament.

Alex helps Rowan catch a fish at 

Power Ranch.  This was a

few years ago.