Sunday, April 23, 2017

Salt Lake Temple in the spring

Mosiah 15

* Can you find the words redeem, redeemer, redeemed, and redemption in this chapter. ( I found 11) Underline them.  These words are important to Abinadi's message.  Redeem means to release from debt or to set free by paying a ransom.

* What would happen to us without Christ's redemption?

3 Nephi 7-8

7 The chief judge is murdered, the government is destroyed, and the people divide into tribes - Jacob, an anti-Christ, becomes king of a secret combination - Nephi preaches repentance and faith in Christ - Angels minister to him daily, and he raises his brother from the dead - Many repent and are baptized. About A.D. 30-33.

8 Tempests, earthquakes, fires, whirlwinds, and physical upheavals attest the crucifixion of Christ - Many people are destroyed - Darkness covers the land for three days - Those who remain bemoan their fate. About A.D. 33-34.

DC 61:19-39

36 And now, verily I say unto you, and what I say unto one I say unto all, be of good cheer, little children; for I am in your midst, and I have not forsaken you;

How can verse 36 help us to remember that the Lord is always near?

General Conference

Let the Holy Spirit Guide

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

 "By divine assignment, the Holy Ghost inspires, testifies, teaches, and prompts us to walk in the light of the Lord."

Whatsoever He Saith unto You, Do It

Elder L. Whitney Clayton

When we decide to do "whatsoever God saith unto us,"

we earnestly commit to align our everyday behavior with 

God's will."

Today during Primary class I ask my kids if I could take a picture of them.  This is what I got:

Taylor should be in our class too:

My phone betrayed me during teacher council meeting today and began playing a song.  I had to go out in the hall to stop it.  I could have just turned the volume down but I could a little too rattled.

James did not make it to his meetings today but he felt better this afternoon.  We had 11 elk in our backyard.  They saw us looking at them through the window and got a little skittish but ended up staying.  James watched them for a long time and finally scared them off because one of the yearlings kept eating leaves off one of his apple trees.  He had sprayed them but the elk would chew on it and then spit it out.  He did this several times, so off they went.

While listening to Elder L. Whitney Clayton's conference address, a phrase stuck in my mind: "Simple daily practices of faith lead to miraculous events."  As a result I sent a text message to my kids reminding them that it is through obedience that we receive blessings.  I felt the Spirit very strongly and I was aware of Heavenly Father's love for me for one of the first times in my life.

Text Message 

As I was listening this evening to Elder L. Whitney Clayton's conference address, "Whatsoever He Saith Unto You, Do It," something was brought back to my memory, a miracle that occurred in my life.  I know I have told most of you about this miracle, but as I have pondered over it the last several weeks since it occurred, I have learned something very profound: The small things really are the big things.  Elder Clayton says it this way: "Simple habits of belief lead to miraculous events." 

Let me tell you about what happened when we stopped at a gas station in San Antonio and our car began making a terrible noice.  When Erik heard via cell phone the horrific noise our car was making he told us to stop driving it and have it towed right away.  When dad told me this I said no, we will be ok, drive on. For the first few miles on the freeway this loud clanging noise continued and then it stopped and our car was running smoothly again.  We have not had a problem since.  Oh, did I mention that I was praying continuously and talking to Heavenly Father about how important it was for us to be at Jared and Kacey's sealing.  This was their day and we did not want the distraction of worrying about getting our car fixed, and we could not afford a huge repair bill right now.  

When we returned to Chandler, Erik did a diagnostic test and said it looked like we had had a bad valve but everything was okay now. To me and Dad and Erik this was a miracle, a tender mercy of the Lord.  When Elder Clayton said "simple habits of belief lead to miraculous events," I though of all those early mornings of gospel study and prayer and I realized I was able to obtain this blessing because of my faithfulness.  I say that in all humility because without the Lord and His goodness I am nothing.  I have a testimony that if we strive to be obedient the Lord will bless us at the most opportune times.  I just wanted to share this with all of you whom I love so very much.  The Lord wants to bless us but he can only bless us when we are obedient. 

After scripture study, indexing, and blogging, James and I watched the season finale of "When Calls the Heart" this evening.  I love this show. Although I was a little disappointed that Mounty Jack didn't return from fighting in the Northwest territories.

Random Photos:

Gorgeous!

Watching the hummingbirds

August 2013

Molly can be very entertaining!

She looks so little.

Addy and Lola

Three years ago

I love these two faces!

Saturday, April 22, 2017

Laie, Hawaii

5th operating temple

We saw this temple on our honeymoon!

Mosiah 13:27-14:12

Abinadi teaches about salvation through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

* Abinadi testified that no one can be saved except through the Atonement of Jesus Christ (see Mosiah 13:28, 32).  Why is it important for us to understand this truth?

3 Nephi 6

The Nephites prosper - Pride, wealth, and class distinctions arise - The Church is rent with dissensions - Satan leads the people in open rebellion - Many prophets cry repentance and are slain - Their murderers conspire to take over the government. A.D. 26-30.

DC 61:1-17

The Lord has decreed many destructions upon the waters; The waters were cursed by John, and the destroyer rides upon their face; 

How are the waters "cursed?"

General Conference

Don't Look Around, Look Up

Yoon Hwan Choi

"Inviting others to come unto Christ is our purpose, and

we can fulfill this purpose by looking up to Jesus Christ!"

I was up at 4:30 to finish preparing and going over my talk.  I left at 8:08 for the White Mountain Stake center in Lakeside.  

The first people I see when I arrive at the stake center are Paul, Trenda, and Cammy, all from Vernon.  I really thought no one from Vernon would attend because they announced the time as 6 a.m.

I sat with Trenda and Cammy in the opening.  Trenda had to show me pictures of her boyfriend, Emery.  He is cute.  

The first class I went to was taught by Dr. Hall.  Trenda works for him so she wanted to hear him speak. When he said his dad died when he was two years old, and knew he was Mike Hall's son.  I talked to him after the class and confirmed.  I went to school with Mike Hall.  I called Vickie and she knew the family well because they lived in Linden.  Mike was working on his parents truck putting in a transmission.  The truck fell on him and crushed him to death.  Dr. Hall was one of the three little boys he had with him.  A sad story.  Dr. Hall's mom married Jeff Frost when he was seven but they are now divorced.  Jeff worked in my mom and dad's store when I was growing up.  It's a small world, especially when you return to the place where you grew up.  It is one of the reasons I love living up here.

My class went well and I had everyone who was here from Vernon in the class to support me, except for Paula.  There was Trenda, Cammy, Judy, Amy, Tamara, Maxine, Patsy, Teresa, Nadine, and Talena.

After the classes were over they had a luncheon in the cultural hall.

It was decorated beautifully.

I guess one of the counselors in the Relief 

Society stake presidency is a wedding planner.

Stacked pallets for the food line, with greenery.

The dessert corner.  Everything looked
great to me except the greenery across the 
back of the backdrop.  I am thinking maybe
a guy did it.

It was a great conference.
I am glad I was ask to participate and now
I am glad it is over.

I stopped at Walmart on the way home and got some meds for James and some more candles.  I am giving each of the sisters I visit teach a candle with a picture of the Savior.  The message is on the priesthood. 

I was so tired when I got home.  I rested for awhile and then began preparing my Primary lesson for tomorrow on following the Prophet.

Random Fun Photos:

Brooklyn and Brooks got married at the

Wallace ranch this evening.

Congratulations!

McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Brian and Kim being goofy

James putting in our lawn last summer.

Temple date last August with

Kim and Sheri.

The three musketeers doing what they do best.

Not sure when this was but

look how small Rowan looks!

Mmmmm Pizza!

Friday, April 21, 2017

Kyiv, Ukraine, Russia

134th operating temple

Mosiah 12:18-13:26

Abinadi rebukes King Noah and his priests for refusing to observe and teach the commandments.

* Abinadi said that Noah and his priests had perverted the ways of the Lord.  In other words, they had corrupted sacred things and turned away from the right way to live.  In what ways were Noah and the priests guilty of perverting the ways of the Lord?

* Why is knowing the commandments not enough to qualify us for salvation?

3 Nephi 4:19-5:26

Zemnarihah is hanged.  The Nephites praise the Lord for their victories. About A.D. 19-22.

The Nephites repent and forsake their sins - Mormon writes the history of his people and declares the everlasting word to them - Israel will be gathered in from her long dispersion.

DC 60:1-17

The elders are to preach the gospel in the congregations of the wicked; They should not idle away their time, nor bury their talents; They may wash their feet as a testimony against those who reject the gospel.

How can we be more willing to do "...the will of Him who hath sent us...?"

General Conference

A Sin-Resistant Generation

Joy D. Jones

"As you teach, lead, and love children, you can receive personal revelation that will aid you in creating and arming valiant sin-resistant children."

I spent the day trying to organize my notes and thoughts regarding my talk tomorrow on personal revelation.  It's funny, I have 40 pages of notes and it all boils down to the two gospel doctrine lessons as the main course of my talk, along with some personal experiences.  

It was a bittersweet day because James was so miserable.  

When you have a deadline, time goes by so quickly!!

Fun Photos

Perfect picture

South rim of the Grand Canyon

Addy's birthday date last August

Stacy and Jared Ammon

Michael looks huge compared to Alex

in the background.

Proud of Darrel for hiking in and out of the

Grand Canyon!

Thursday, April 20 2017

Kona, Hawaii

70th operating temple

There were five elk in the yard this morning but James was too sick to get up and see them.  I am not sure I have ever seen him ignore seeing elk, even if they are only cows and yearlings.

Mosiah 12:1-17

Abinadi gives Noah and his people a second warning.

* Abinad's second warning (12:1-8), was much more severe than the first (11:20-25).  Why do you think this was?

* What can this teach us about heeding a prophet's warning and repentance?

3 Nephi 3:13-4:18

Some of these Book of Mormon names are confusing such as Zerahemnah and Zemnarihah.  Zerahemnah is the bad guy in Alma 44, and Zemnarihah is the bad guy in 3 Nephi 4.

There is also Giddianhi, the Gadianton leader, and Gidgiddoni the Nephite leader.  

3 Nephi 3

Giddianhi, the Gadianton leader, demands that Lachoneus and the Nephites surrender themselves and their lands - Lachoneus appoints Gidgiddoni as chief captain of the armies - The Nephites assemble in Zarahemla and Bountiful to defend themselves. About A.D. 16-18.

DC 59:1-24

The faithful Saints in Zion will be blessed; They are to love and serve the Lord and keep His commandments; By keeping the Lord''s day holy, the Saints are blessed temporally and spiritually; the righteous are promised peace in this world and eternal life in the world to come.

What does it mean to "pay thy devotions unto the most high?"

General Conference

The Power of the Book of Mormon

President Thomas S. Monson

"I implore each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day."

Since President Monson's other talk was about kindness

I decided to post this:

I called Dr. Moffat's office this morning to see if I could make an appointment for James.  The woman who answered the phone said he was only going to be in his office until 10 and then paused.  I said: "What do you suggest I do?"  She said well if you can come right now we will try to get you in.  This was at 8:25.  We hurried to get ready and we were there a little after nine.  While James was there I went to Walmart.  I did some shopping and tried to hurry back but I am afraid I kept him waiting for awhile.  He said the doctor told him that this is a very serious flu and if he isn't better in a few days he needs to go to the emergency room.  He said that they had lost a few older people.  That's nice to hear.

The doctor wrote James a prescription for tamiflu which we went to pick up after getting gas and going through the carwash and to the bank.  Finally we were able to go home.  James took a pill on the way and when he got home went straight to the recliner to take a nap.  I put the groceries away and went back to working on my notes for Saturday's presentation on personal revelation.  I think I am actually ready to begin preparing my actual outline.  I have 39 pages of notes.  I think I am doing this backwards.  I should have done the outline first.  

I got a text from my friend Pam.  She works in the medical field.  When I told her about James she told me to keep my hands washed and to make sure he doesn't get dehydrated.  I should have known these things but it's nice to be reminded.  She also gave me some advice from my talk: Words spoken clearly, correct pronunciations, appropriate pausing, principal ideas emphasized, volume, warmth and feeling, gestures and visual contact.  She sounds like a real pro doesn't she?

Yes it is.

This evening I took a break from my talk and watched the movie "Cats and Dogs" with James.  

Fun Photos:

Jillie and her family in Houston with

Elder Heyman who was a visiting authority to

their stake conference.

I wouldn't mind living here

Three years makes a lot of difference!

That's Molly in there.

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Kinshasa Democratic Republic of Congo

estimated to be complete in mid 2018

When I got up this morning there were still elk in the yard.  I could only see 8 instead of the 9 that were here last night.  James ask me if I ate one.  I said: "No, I don't have enough ketchup."

Mosiah 11:20-29

Abinadi warns the people that they will be brought into bondage if they do not repent.

* What did the Lord do to help Noah's people?

* What are the dangers of persisting in our sins and not repenting?

* Why do you think the people reacted with anger toward Abinadi, who was trying to help them?  Why do you think they defended King Noah, who was leading them toward misery?  Sin can blind us from recognizing the truth of a prophets words.

3 Nephi 2-3:12

2 Wickedness and abominations increase among the people - The Nephites and Lamanites unite to defend themselves against the Gadianton robbers - Converted Lamanites become white and are called Nephites.  About A.D. 5-16.

3 Giddianhi, the Gadianton leader, demands that Lachoneus and the Nephites surrender themselves and their lands - 

DC 58:57-65

The gospel must be preached unto every creature.

President Spencer W. Kimball: "...I feel that when we have done all in our power that the Lord will find a way to open doors.  That is my faith..."

General Conference

"Walk With Me"

President Henry B. Eyring

" Our ordination to the priesthood is an invitation from the Lord to walk with Him, to do what He does, to serve 

the way He serves."

Happy Anniversay to

these two:

21 years and counting

I have to post this picture of Camelback Mountain because I know it is one of Sheri's favorite hikes.

In my book "The Contrite Spirit" I read about Jesus being in the temple when he was 12.  In Luke 2:46 it says: And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

"They found him in the temple."

I got dressed today to go into Vernon to pick up the mail.  James is expecting a check and I wanted to see if it was there.  It was!  I came home and was going to deposit it using my phone when I realized I could only deposit up to $10,000.  This check was for over $12,000.  Darn!  Oh well.  I am not going back into town.  I guess it will have to wait.

I looked outside this afternoon and there were 6 antelope in the yard.  I am so excited!  I love antelope!  They are my favorite, much cuter than elk.

They are so curious!

Wish Rowan was here to see them.

James surprised me and come home today.  I was happy to see him but he did scare the antelope away.  He is very sick with the flu, laringytis and bronchitis.  He pulled home his Cat with no brakes on the trailer.  How stressful when you are sick, or any other time for that matter.

I was wishing Rowan was here to see the antelope because they are his favorite but maybe he has a new favorite.  Addy sent me these pictures:

This animal is called a Sugar Glider according

to Addy.

James says it's a flying squirrel

I think he's getting ready to fly!

Changed his mind

Look at that tail!

Addy says someone in their ward

raises them.

I have 32 type written pages on personal revelation.  I needed a break this evening so James and I watched the latest Hailey Dean mystery on Hallmark movies and mysteries channel.  

James went to bed before I did.  I did not give him a kiss because I can't afford to get sick!