Wednesday, November 22nd, 2017

Accra Ghana

117th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Jan 2004

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Atonement through

Luke 22:19

And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

Book of Mormon

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. 

DC 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."

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 11:12-13

12 And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good - yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit.

13 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy;

General Conference

Lord, Wilt Thou Cause That My Eyes May Be Opened

Elder W. Craig Zwick

"The wise counsel which I thought was so important for him to hear was not at all relevant to his needs. What he needed most was for me to look beyond my hasty assessment and allow the Spirit to help me understand what was really on this elders mind. He needed me to see him correctly and offer a reason to hope. 'For man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.'"

I made a four egg omelet this morning for James and I to share. It had bell pepper, tomato, onion, parmesan and cheddar cheese. It was quite delicious!

James left around 10 a.m. to go visit Anthony. After the visit Anthony asked him to deliver part of a ham to a single lady that Anthony has done service for.

When James got home he took a nap and then went to work outside. I watched Christmas movies while blogging and then made some cornbread. These are the movies I watched: "Hats Off to Christmas," "Christmas Homecoming," "Season's Greetings," "A Gift to Remember," and with James, "With Love, Christmas."

FYI Pioneer Woman's cornbread recipe is bogus. It calls for 1 tablespoon for baking powder which is way too much. Luckily I had a corn muffin mix to add to it before making my stuffing. I used sausage, sage and other spices, and canned whole cranberries and mixed it into the crumbled cornbread and added chicken stock before putting it into the oven. It was good, but James didn't like the sweetness of the cranberries. 

Oh yes, something else I did today, I put buttons on James's old jacket so he could wear it while he is working. There were six buttons to sew on which took me awhile. No wonder I had time to watch so many movies. Oh yes, I also watch while I am walking.

James's fingers are bloody on the tips and his eyes are bloodshot. He is pretty miserable but he is like the energizer bunny and just keeps going.

Heyman's kids marriage wall.

I love this idea!

Our friends the Thompson's just celebrated

their 53rd anniversary.

James coat that I sewed the buttons on.

Kacey and Scarlett

Last year's homemade rolls

Paris, France

Macaroon Tree

Desert sunset

Tuesday, November 21st, 2017

Redlands, California

116th operating temple

Dedicated: 14 Sept 2003

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Atonement through

Matthew 26:28

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Book of Mormon

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).

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scritpures

DC 11:10

Behold, thou has a gift, or thou shalt have a gift if thou wilt desire of me in faith, with an honest heart, believing in the power of Jesus Christ, or in my power which speaketh unto thee;

General Conference

Turn to the Lord

Bishop W. Christopher Waddell

"In this mortal experience, we cannot control all that happens to us, but we have absolute control over how we respond to the changes in our lives."

James's hands are so rough and sore. The lime from the cement s causing sores on the ends of his fingers. He tried to wear gloves but somehow the cement gets inside the gloves. 

I made a trip to town today to do the rest of my Thanksgiving shopping. My first stop was Safeway were I bought DP10 and a white poinsetta for my friend Pam. 

I also bought some of their soup and all of my produce at Safeway and then it was on to Aliberto's for lunch. 

My two tacos were a little greasy today.

Walmart was busy as usual, but not as bad as it would be if I had waited until tomorrow. I stopped to get gas and picked up a couple of packages at the post office. One of them was this book.

This is the book that James and I will be reading next.

James and I delivered cookies to the Hunsaker's this evening. Colter came out and gave us a big hug. For dinner we went home and I warmed up the broccoli cheese and the chili steak soup that I bought at Safeway. I also made chicken salad sandwiches from the roasted chicken I bought at Walmart. I am afraid that I overdosed on the broccoli cheese soup. It was delicious!

James and I watched a new Christmas movie, "A Bramble House Christmas." We also watched Heartland, "In the Cards." Peter and Lou get married and Caleb and Ashley elope.

I also watched, "A Christmas Wish," and "My Christmas Love."

Monument Valley Camel Butte

Lizard with a Leaf

Lolli is Kacey and Jared is Pop.

Guess who won the mirrorball trophy

Lindsay and Jordan

Monday, November 20th, 2017

Brisbane, Australia

115th operating temple

Dedicated: 15 June 2003

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Atonement through

1 Timothy 2:6

Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

Book of Mormon

Mormon 2:17-29

What happens when the strength of the Lord is not with us and we are left unto ourselves as it says in verse 26? 

We may not recognize and appreciate how much Heavenly Father helps us in our daily lives as we try to live faithfully. Mormon wrote that when his people became wicked they lost the strength of the Lord that had previously protected them. While serving as a member of the Seventy, Elder Ray H. Wood explained: 

"When a person violates any of God's commandments, if  there is no repentance the Lord withdraws His protective and sustaining influence. When we lose power with God, we know of a certainty that the problem lies within us and not within God! I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise' (DC 82:10). Our misdeeds bring despair. They sadden and extinguish the 'perfect brightness of hope' offered by Christ (2 Ne. 31:20). Without God's help, we are left to ourselves" (Ensign, May 1999, 40-41). I am personally amazed and grateful to Mormon for his righteousness amidst such wickedness. It must have been difficult to stand as a witness of Christ against such odds!

I listened to Elder Bednar's book "One by One" while walking today. Nothing like killing two birds with one stone.

I got out my Thanksgiving recipes and planned the menu for our dinner. It will go something like this: Turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, sausage and herb stuffing, fresh green beans, Ruth Chris sweet potatoes casserole, cranberries with pineapple and nuts, rolls, and homemade apple pie with ice cream. Kim and Brian are bringing pumpkin delight and a pecan pie.

I made cookies this afternoon for the Wilhelm's and the Hunsaker's.

James went to the Wilhelm's FHE and talked about President Nelson's talk on the Book of Mormon and what our lives would be like without it. For our FHE we listened to Elder Bednar's talk "Exceeding Great and Precious Promises." Here are two phrases that I picked up while reading this talk: "Look to God and Live," and "We need to be Partakers of the Divine Nature."

Today's Christmas movies: "A Very Country Christmas," (Up)

"The Christmas Calendar," (UP) "The Tree that Saved Christmas," (UP). We also watched an episode of Heartland, "Ring of Fire."

It was night one of the DWTS finale. Emma and Drew were eliminated. The final three are Jordan and Lindsay, Mark and Lindsey, Witney and Frankie.

I got a call from Stacy today. I did not know that they broke her foot when they did the surgery and that is why it is taking so long to heal.

My hard working hubby.

A basket of puppies.

Our friends Pam and Ricky

Pam and her dad

Last years tree.

This year we are still waiting for the lights to be fixed.

Alex helped Rowan catch a fish

Switzerland

I wish we had some of that green

Sunday, November 19th, 2017

The Hague Netherlands

114th operating temple

Dedicated: 8 Sept 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ's Atonement

Matthew 20:28

Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Book of Mormon

Mormon 2:1-16

*What is the difference between sorrowing and sorrowing unto repentance? How can our sorrow help turn our hearts to the Lord?

President Ezra Taft Benson explained the nature of godly sorrow so that we might understand the sorrow that leads to cleansing repentance:"Godly sorrow is a gift of the Spirit. It is a deep realization that our actions have offended our Father and our God. It is the sharp and keen awareness that our behavior caused the Savior, He who knew no sin, even the greatest of all, to endure agony and suffering. Our sins caused Him to bleed at every pore. This very real mental and spiritual anguish is what the scriptures refer to as having a 'broken heart and a contrite spirit' (DC 20:37). Such a spirit is the absolute prerequisite for true repentance." (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, (1988), 72).

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 10:4-5

4 Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength and means provided to enable you to translate; but be diligent unto the end.

5 Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work.

General Conference

That Your Joy Might Be Full

Sister Jean B. Bingham

" As I have studied the life and teachings of Jesus Christ with more focus, and committed 'The Living Christ' to memory, my gratitude and love for our Savior have increased. Each sentence of that inspired document contains a sermon and has enhanced my understanding of His divine roles and earthly mission. What I have learned and felt through this period of study and reflection confirms that Jesus truly "is the light, the life, and hope of the world."

Ancient scripture and latter-day prophets words written or spoken in praise of Him bear witness that 'His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come.'"

I got up early to finish preparing my two Primary lessons, "Winter Quarters," and "The First Pioneer Company Crosses the Plains." When I opened the blinds there were, in the dark, five bunnies eating the grass. It is 25 degrees outside.

As I was setting up my room this morning, Johnny, Curtis and their cousin Norma came in and set up chairs for me. Curtis told me about having to get up this morning to go milk their cow, "Hollywood."  I ask him why their cows name was Hollywood and he said, "cause she has black around her eye that looks like makeup and people in Hollywood wear makeup." He then proceeded to tell him she was so fat he could hardly milk her but she was short and he could look right over her.  I love hearing these stories!

The bishop got up and announced the agenda for our upcoming conference with the Show Low stake on Dec 9th and 10th. The visiting authorities will be: Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and two Seventy's, Elder Cornish and Elder Heyman. James and I were surprised and happy to hear about Elder Heyman. He is our former bishop and stake president and friend from Chandler. How exciting! I hope he brings Dianne with him and we can get a picture with them.

Today was the children's Primary Sacrament meeting program, "Choose the Right." The kids sang out beautifully and it went so much better than I thought it would. Here are the songs the children sang: "As a Child of God," "Choose the Right," "Stand for the Right," "When I am Baptized," "The Wise Man and the Foolish Man," "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus," (my favorite!), and "Nephi's Courage."  I enjoyed Bishop Miller's remarks at the end. He almost always speaks with a message from the Book of Mormon.

I had Sister Kuffer's class in with mine today. These are the children I taught: Jace, Curtis, Colter, Liana, Gracie, Bailey, Kacey, Talena, and Zemira.

During sharing time Liana told me that I was one of her greatest blessings and that I was the best Primary teacher she has ever had. Wow, I sure do love that girl!

During lunch James told me about what both Brother Peeler and Brother Wilhelm told him about us being the witness couple Friday night in the temple. Brother Wilhelm was the officiator and Brother Peeler the follower. First Brother Wilhelm said we were the cutest witness couple he's seen in a long time and that we had a light surrounding us. He also mentioned again that we remind him of a couple of cute little quail. 

Later Brother Peeler told James the same thing about the light surrounding us but he also said that for a few seconds we looked 40 years younger to him. I am grateful we were able to be the witness couple because it was a spiritual experience for me. I can't say that is always true but this time it was. 

James and Brother Peeler left to visit with Sister Dyer and take her a food basket. While they were gone I rested and then began my studies. I committed to not turn on the television today. At one time I was faltering and James encouraged me to follow through with my commitment, which I did. 

We did watch on James's phone Elder Oaks and Elder Ballard in a Face2Face with the Church young adults. They answered questions and it was a great discussion. They were both adamant about young people putting their phones down and getting to know each other. I wish all of my older grandchildren could have heard this discussion. They would see two apostles in an informal, relaxed atmosphere. They were serious but you could also see their personalities coming through and they created some appropriate humor. 

It was a wonderful Sabbath day!

Beautiful beginning to a beautiful day.

Elder Bednar

"One by One"

Elder Cornish

Sister and Elder Heyman

I wonder if this is what it looked like

when Darrel and Trina were there.

Ready to go!

Scarlett and Tanner

Grandma Lambson and Scarlett

Scarlett Jane

2014 Kyah and Shelly at Young

Women's in Excellence

Face2Face with Elder's Oaks and Ballard

Amazing!