Thursday, August 23rd, 2018

Albuquerque, New Mexico

73rd operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Mar 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Creator

DC 104:17

For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves.

Book of Mormon

Alma 55:15-35

*What can we learn from Moroni's example?

- We have to be in the world but not of the world. His christian beliefs were always the basis of his choices. His only motivation in war was to save people, not to murder. It is possible to do what the Lord wants us to do without destroying others.

Old Testament

Psalms 66-70

66 Praise and worship the Lord - He tests and tries men - Sacrifices are to be offered in His house.

67 A messianic psalm - The Lord will cause His face to shine upon men - He will judge and govern in righteousness.

68 A messianic psalm of David - He extols JAH - The Lord gave the word - He takes captivity captive - He delivers us from death - Sing praises unto the Lord.

69 A messianic psalm of David - The zeal of the Lord's house has eaten Him up - Reproach has broken His heart - He is given gall and vinegar to drink - He is persecuted - He will save Zion.

70 David proclaims, Let God be magnified.

General Conference

Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives

President Russell M. Nelson

"Imagine the miracle of it! Whatever our Church calling, we can pray to our Heavenly Father and receive guidance and direction, be warned about dangers and distractions, and be enabled to accomplish things we simply could not do on our own. If we will truly receive the Holy Ghost and learn to discern and understand His promptings, we will be guided in matters large and small."

James left for the Howard's this morning to work after scriptures, prayers and breakfast. I made chocolate chip cookies and delivered them to Chelsea and Cammy. 

Chelsea just lives down and across the road from us. She is expecting her second baby on November 27th. Her husband has been a smoke jumper in Alaska since April and he will be home sometime at the end of September or early October. Chelsea is coaching 7th grade girls softball at the Show Low Junior High with her friend Madison Allen Halcomb. Madison is the Allen's daughter and she is married to Sister Halcomb's grandson. They have their first game today. 

After visiting Chelsea, Peyton, and Brutus, I had a few minutes before my next appointment so I went home and put chicken sausage links and cabbage in the crockpot to cook, and then I drove to the Grapp's. Cammy answered the door holding her month old baby. My girl Lianna came over and gave me a hug.

Lianna loves to read. She joined the book club

at the library and read over 40 books this summer.

I gave Cammy a book called My Family for her to enter her pedigree chart. When she didn't seem very interested I wondered what was wrong. Lianna said, "Tell her how you really feel, Mom." Cammy began to tell me about some of the unfortunate experiences she has had with family, both her own and her husband Thomas's. 

It was pretty sad and my heart went out to her. How can I help her to feel the love of the Savior in her life? 

Thank goodness for Thomas's grandparents who live next door and are very kind to Cammy.

I took both Chelsea and Cammy some homemade chocolate chip cookies which always make things better! I also brought my calender so we could plan the next time I will be babysitting so Thomas and Cammy can go out together.

Well James loves the cabbage and sausage links I cooked. He had several helpings. I wasn't as crazy about it but I did eat some.

I spent the afternoon cleaning upstairs, the kitchen, and the family/living room. Sheri, Ian, and the boys are coming for a visit and will be arriving tonight.

This afternoon when James got home he started the power washer for me so I could give Lexy a bath. She was very dirty. Afterwards he washed the truck and sprayed the driveway off. I sure do love him! As a reward, I read a very long chapter to him from our book, "The Secret Keeper."

We went to bed around 10 and Sheri, Ian, and the boys arrived around 11. At one point Ian wanted to turn around and come home because it was raining so hard. This was before Superior. I told Sheri to pull over and have a family prayer, which they did. Afterwards it stopped raining and they were able to continue on their trip.

This memory came up on my phone today.

Owen and James on their trip to the Northwest

Territories. I believe it was 2007.

Elk crossing

A couple of years ago. I miss them.

This shadow on the Superstition Mountain

looks like a cougar.  One of the things I like about

staying at Darrel and Trina's is the view of

the Superstition Mountains.

Aunt Gene

Wednesday, August 22nd, 2018

Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico

72nd operating temple

Dedicated: 27 Feb 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

DC 88:13

The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things.

Book of Mormon

Alma 54:13-55:14

*How are Moroni and Ammoron different in their motivations for war?

- In Alma 54:13 Moroni says, 'ye have sought to murder us, and we have only sought to defend ourselves.' In Alma 54:16-17 it says Ammoron is fighting for revenge and power. Moroni is motivated by love, which is unselfish, just like our Savior, Jesus Christ. Ammoron on the other hand is motivated by power, hate, and selfishness, like Satan. We can learn from this account to let love be our motivation for all we do.

Old Testament

Psalms 61-65

61 David finds shelter in the Lord, abides in the Lord's presence, and keeps his own vows.

62 David praises God as his defense, his rock, and his salvation - The Lord judges men according to their works.

63 David thirsts for God, whom he praises with joyful lips.

64 David prays for safety - The righteous will be glad in heart.

65 David speaks of the blessedness of God's chosen - The Lord sends rain and good things upon the earth.

General Conference

Small and Simple Things

President Dallin H. Oaks

"Another source of spiritual uplift and growth is an ongoing practice of repenting, even of seemingly small transgressions. Our own inspired self-evaluations can help us see how we have fallen short and how we can do better. Such repentance should precede our weekly partaking of the sacrament."

Another rainy day. The Howard's are worried about their open house on Saturday. 

James and I went to town together today. I shopped at Walmart and picked up prescriptions and he shopped at Home Depot. After shopping we drove to Mountain Thai for lunch. For some reason this place is never crowded. I ordered the vegetable noodle soup with more veggies instead of meat. James had the pork special. While I was waiting for my food to come I stepped over to the counter and picked up a bottle of sweet chili and said I wanted to purchase it. The man told me to take the bottle over to my table and they would add it on to our order, which I did.

I also ordered some mango and sticky rice. My bowl of soup was not as big as the one I had with Jean the other day but it was every bit as good as soon as I poured enough sweet chili in the broth. James's food must have been good because he ate it all as I ate all of my soup. 

Each of us got a half a mango to eat with our sticky rice. I didn't think James would like the sticky rice because it is very sweet with the coconut milk poured over it, but he made the comment: "Mangoes and coconut go really well together."

I would say lunch was a success. We drove home and as I put the groceries away, James got ready to go to the temple. One of the brothers he ministers to, Anthony, is going through the temple today for the first time. He asked James last night if he would be his escort, and of course James said yes. They are attending the 4 o'clock session after doing initiatory. I told James to try his best to be back by 6:45 because I had a presidency meeting at the church at 7. He thought it would be no problem.

While he was gone I walked, worked on my blog and prepared for presidency meeting. James called around 6:30 or so and said he would meet me at the church and we could switch vehicles. I went out and jumped into the truck. When I turned the ignition on the brake light was flashing so I thought I needed to press the emergency brake down. That's not what I needed to do but I couldn't get the handler back up so I drove with the emergency brake on. Luckily I didn't drive far, just to the 3160 where James met me and we switched vehicles.

I always enjoy presidency meetings with Tamara, Kerri, and Maxine. I brought the cards I volunteered to bring for Donna, Judy, Linda and Kambri. Donna's is a get well card, Judy a sympathy card for her sister who is dying of cancer, and Linda and Kambri's are sympathy cards because each one of them had a brother pass away. We signed the cards while we were finalizing all of the ministering sister assignments. I now have a new partner. Ruth W. was going to be my partner but now it is the new sister from Texas, Marie R. The one that has six dogs. 

Towards the end of the meeting Maxine told about the 200 names she had in our stake file at the temple for baptisms were all done last Saturday. She was elated. I asked her how much time she spends a week on family history research and she said 50-60 hours. No wonder she has so many names!

I love this picture of Scarlett!!

A familiar site around here right now.

Darrel and Trina's new house.

Makes me like him more as a person

than as an actor.

My card assignment

I did not bring these cards but I want to 

make them:

Tuesday, August 21st, 2018

Ciudad, Juarez

71st operating temple

Dedicated 26 Feb 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

2 Peter 3:5

 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

Book of Mormon

Alma 53:18-54:12

*What can we learn from the stripling warriors courage

- The lesson I learn from the stripling warriors is that sometimes there are challenges in this life that we have to face, that we really don't want to face. If we go with courage, with faith in God, and with obedience to His commandments, we need not fear. The end result will be a blessing to us.

Old Testament

Psalms 56-60

56 David seeks mercy, trusts in and praises the Lord, and thanks Him for deliverance.

57 David pleads for mercy and acclaims the glory and exaltation of God.

58 David reproves wicked judges - They go astray and speak lies.

59 David prays to be delivered from his enemies - God rules in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. 

60 David says that the Lord has scattered His people - The Lord places Ephraim at the head and makes Judah His lawgiver.

General Conference

His Spirit to Be With You

President Henry B. Eyring

"More precious than a memory of events is the memory of the Holy Ghost touching our hearts and His continuing affirmation of truth. More precious than seeing with our eyes or remembering words spoken and read is recalling the feelings that accompanied the quiet voice of the Spirit. Rarely I have felt it exactly as the travelers on the road to Emmaus did - as a soft but unmistakable burning in the heart. More often it is a feeling of light and quiet assurance.

We have the priceless promise of the Holy Ghost as a companion, and we also have true directions on how to claim that gift. These words are said by the Lord's authorized servant with his hands on our head: 'Receive the Holy Ghost.' At that moment you and I have the assurance He will be sent. But our obligation is to choose to open our hearts to receive the ministration of the Spirit over a lifetime."

Heavenly Father sent a rainy day for me to enjoy because I wasn't here on my birthday. It rained off and on all day long.

James left at 4 am to pick up the tractor in Taylor. I got up at 5 and at 5:30 I thought he was still asleep and I ran back in the bedroom to get him up. The guy was going to be gone from his house at 5:30 and I thought he was late. I was relieved to find an empty bed.

I was supposed to go to book club at the Vernon library with my friend Linda today but I cancelled. I think I just needed a day to stay at home. Linda was so thoughtful. She checked out next month's book for me from the library. It's called "Time and Again" by Jack Finney.

This is Linda and her 12th great granddaughter

born Saturday morning. The baby's name

is Jovi. She weighed 7 lbs 6 oz.

My neighbor Kathy brought over some vegetables from her garden this afternoon. She came with her two dogs and her daughters dog. One of them kept trying to get in the house. She gave us summer squash, flower squash, zucchini and tomatoes. 

James worked at the Howard's today and came home and had some squash for lunch. 

Well, the news is out, Darrel and Trina bought a house. It is about 3,500 square feet. James is going to help Darrel put a pool in the back yard. It is in Eastmark but instead of being south of Warner, it is north. It will probably take 6-9 months to finish. 

I spent $100 on Amazon today using my birthday gift cards. 

I got 15,000 steps today and listened to Glenn Yarborough along with The Greatest Showman.

Tanner

Not sure if this is the right day but Summer and Tanner

both started school this week. 

Summer is a senior and Tanner a freshman.

Happy Birthday Teresa

David and Teresa a few years ago.

Ian's parents, John and Betty

This is the church in Scotland where they

were married. Sheri and Ian went there this summer.

Monday, August 20th, 2018

Kona, Hawaii

70th operating temple

Dedicated: 23 Jan 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

Job 26:13
By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.

Book of Mormon

Alma 53:1-17
*How can we build a "fortified city" to protect us?
-Henry B. Eyring said: "As the forces around us increase in intensity whatever spiritual strength was once sufficient will not be enough. And whatever growth in spiritual strength we once thought was possible, greater growth will be made available to us. Both the need for spiritual strength and the opportunity to acquire it will increase at rates which we underestimate at our peril." How do we build fortifications? By keeping our covenants. They are the way to access the power God has promised to send us.
Old Testament

Psalms 51-55
51 David pleads for forgiveness after he went in to Bathsheba - He pleads, Create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me.
52 David says that wicked tongues devise mischief and the wicked trust in riches - The Saints trust in the mercy of God forever.
53 David says, The fool says there is no God - There is none who does good - Gathered Israel will rejoice.
54 David pleads for salvation and promises to serve God.
55 David prays morning noon, and night - He seeks protection and help against his enemies.

General Conference

Pure Love: The True Sign of Every True Disciple of Jesus Christ

Elder Massimo DeFeo
"My dear brothers and sisters, if you are struggling to find the strength to forgive, don't think of what others have done to you, but think of what the Savior has done for you, and you will find peace in the redemptive blessings of His Atonement.
True disciples love to submit themselves to the Lord with peace in their heart. They are humble and submissive because they love Him. They have faith to fully accept His will, not only in what He does but also in how and when. True disciples know that the real blessings are not always what they want but rather what the Lord wants for them."

FHE:

He That Shall Endure unto the End the Same Shall Be Saved

Elder Claudio D. Zivic

"We must strive to obey all the commandments and pay close attention to those that are hardest for us to keep. The Lord will be at our side, helping us in times of need and weakness, and if we demonstrate a sincere desire and act accordingly, He will make 'weak things become strong.'"

I got up early this morning to work on my blog. As a result I got to see Addy before she left for school. Lola and Ruby helped me wrap Addy's HP Clue game. I wrapped the little gifts and put them in a basket. This is what everything looked like when I was finished:

It looks like an Easter basket.

I should have got a picture of Addy.

I did get a picture of Rowan and Ruby before they went to school, and one for Lola and Trina. Trina is a photo bomber.

 Trina calls him Squints, I
call him Rowan.

Miss Ruby has some rainbow converse shoes

Two lovely ladies.

James went to the Phoenician Golf Course to try to talk to the owner but the guy would not talk to him.

I had lunch with Karen S. at the Firebird's in Gilbert. It was so fun to catch up and see my dear friend. She bought my lunch and gave me two books for my birthday. 

James and I went to visit with his mom before leaving town. She had birthday gifts for me and a quilt and a dress for Jared and Kacey's baby. 

For my birthday I got embroidered pillow cases and a table runner from Lois and Dawn and a $50 Amazon card. I also got a $50 Amazon card from Darrel and Trina, $70 from Sheri and Ian, and $70 from James, enough to buy an embossing/die cut machine.

We went home through Payson. It rained around Heber. 

We listened to "Scarlet" on the way home.

We stopped at Tasha's and picked up the Cougar card I bought from Zack. It cost $20 and there are lots of discounts available.

When we got home James had to pump up the tire on his truck and hook up the trailer. He is leaving at 4 am for Taylor to pick up his tractor. He took with him a $2,100 check to pay for the repairs done on the tractor.

I walked until 9:40 to get my 10,000 steps. 

James took George his dump truck around 8 pm

this evening. 

Congratulations Matt and Ruby!

I'm so excited to receive my first shipment!

Sunday, August 19th, 2018

St. Paul, Minnesota

69th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Jan 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

Abraham 4:1

And then the Lord said: Let us go down. And they went down at the beginning, and they that is the Gods, organized and formed the heavens and the earth.

Book of Mormon

Alma 52:19-40

*How can working together allow us to overcome difficult tasks?

- We all have different strengths and talents which we are commanded to use to build up the kingdom. Working together is so much easier, and often more effective, than working independently. I always learn when I work with others and feel strengthened. My love for others and the Savior increases. 

When cleaning the temple, if we have the support of ward members we can do it in an hour. If we had to do it alone it would take many hours.

Old Testament

Psalms 44-50

44 The Saints praise the Lord and boast in His name forever - They are persecuted, maligned, and considered as sheep for the slaughter.

45 A messianic psalm - The Messiah is fairer than the children of men - He is anointed with the oil of gladness above His fellows - His name will be remembered in all generations.

46 God is our refuge and strength - He dwells in His city, does marvelous things, and says, Be still and know that I am God.

47 The Lord is King over all the earth - Sing praises to His name, for He reigns over all.

48 Zion, the city of God, the joy of the whole earth, will be established forever.

49 Men cannot be ransomed or redeemed by wealth - God alone can redeem a soul from the grave - The glory of a rich man ceases with his death.

50 Asaph speaks of the Second Coming - The Lord accepts the sacrifices of the righteous and will deliver them - Those whose conduct is right will see the salvation of God.

General Conference

With One Accord

Sister Reyna I. Aburto

"Miracles happen when the children of God work together guided by the Spirit to reach out to others in need."

I was up early to work on my blog this morning. 

We left for Chandler around 8:20, stopping at Sheri's to put ingredient for the salad I am making for lunch into her refrigerator. 

We sat by Cathi, Terry, Dave and Laura in the back of the chapel of the Chandler West stake center in the Galveston 3rd ward. Sheri, and Ian and their boys and Shayna, Kim, Brian, Joe, Adam, and Michael in the two rows in front of us. Stacy, Paul, and Joshua came in late because Joshua had to be presented for the priesthood in his sacrament meeting. Darrel and Trina were in the back too. Ian's brother Sean and his wife Megan and their daughter Mattea were also there. 

The meeting was exceptionally wonderful. 

Andrew C. who is now 15, was the youth speaker. He spoke about agency and accountability. Agency is one of our greatest gifts from God. We are responsible for the choices we make.

Brother Ellsworth was the next speaker. He spoke about the importance of family. Brother Ellsworth spoke of his family and how he learned to pray from his parents. He said prayer had been such a blessing in his life. He said that children are an heritage of the Lord, a scripture and a line taken from the Family Proclamation. "If you try your best to be the best parent you can be, you will have done all that a human being can do and all that God expects you to do." Brother Ellsworth also spoke about the example of good fathers. He spoke about President Monson, President Nelson's dad, and the letter President Hinckley received from his father on his mission which said, "Forget yourself, and go to work."

Ben was the last speaker. Ben's topic was "How can I prepare to be a good father and husband." He quoted a scripture from DC 49, "Marriage is ordained of God." A future husband and father should live the gospel. 1Corinthians 11:11 - "Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord." He talked about the family proclamation, DC 20 and told a story from a talk given by Larry Gibson in 2015; Fatherhood is a sacred priesthood responsibility. Alma's visit by an angel, Alma's fathers prayers. Howard W. Hunter: "Being a Righteous Husband and Father." Ben said that in his priesthood ordination by his grandpa, grandpa said the only thing that will be more joyful than his mission would be his temple marriage. He spoke about paragraph 6 in the family proclamation and his patriarchal blessing.

Laura and I had tears running down our cheeks as did Brian and Stacy, and Sheri. Brian saw Ben as a little boy, Stacy saw a glow around Ben. This family needs Ben serving this mission right now.

I love these people!

Joshua was ordained a deacon in the McQueen building during his wards priesthood meeting at 11. We didn't take a picture but these are the people who attended as Paul gave the blessing:

Paul, Stacy, Adam, Michael, Sheri, Ben, Max, Evan, Kim, Brian, James and I from our family. Marvin, Mary, Nicole, Chad and their children, George and his wife Tina (Tina knows Donna and Dianne Ulmer), John, and Devin's wife Kim and her kids Spencer, and Natalie. Paul gave a wonderful blessing.

James and I went to Sheri and Ian's for lunch. Sheri made chicken and Ian made ribs. James made rice and I made salad. Everything was very tasty. After lunch we drove out to east Mesa for Rowan's ordination. Again family gathered for support. Darrel's blessing was touching and both Stacy and I had tears in our eyes when it was over.

I love this family!

Such a great family!

We were tired and went back to Darrel and Trina's for rest and recuperation, at least for me anyway. James left to go visit Sister Peeler who is in a rehab center in Mesa. He was gone a couple of hours. He met the oldest Hunsaker brother while there.

We closed the day with a birthday party for me at Sheri's. 

Thank goodness there weren't 70 candles.

Cathi, Terry, Dave, and Laura came to the party but none of them ate any cake or ice cream. They are dieting and they all look like they have lost weight. Speaking of losing weight Paul has lost 80 lbs, Darrel 56, Kim and I 25, James 20, and Stacy 12. We are just a bunch of losers.

Here are some more candid photos from my party:

Best birthday ever!!