Tuesday, September 25th, 2018

Perth, Australia

106th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 May 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

John 20:25

The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 9:18-41

*It isn't always easy to stand up for what you believe. What do you do to stand strong and defend your beliefs?

- Are we seeing the damage being done to our nation because we don't want to offend anyone? Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, past General Young Women's President said: "Members live in such an atmosphere of avoiding offense that we sometimes altogether avoid teaching correct principles. Of course we should use sensitivity, common sense and our understanding of the plan, to be bold and straightforward, but if we don't teach true doctrine - and teach it clearly - the world will teach those we love Satan's lies.

Old Testament

Isaiah 28-30

General Conference

"Be With and Strengthen Them"

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"Our prayer today is that every man and woman - and our older young men and young women - will leave this general conference more deeply committed to heartfelt care for one another, motivated only by the pure love of Christ to do so. In spite of what we all feel are our limitations and inadequacies-and we all have challenges-nevertheless, may we labor side by side with the Lord of the vineyard, giving the God and Father of us all a helping hand with His staggering task of answering prayers providing comfort, drying tears, and strengthening feeble knees. If we will do that, we will be more like the true disciples of Christ we are meant to be."

This from my novel, "The Lake House":

"Boredom is the province of the witless."

James went out this morning and took pictures of the six bull elk that live near us. Hopefully he will get them downloaded so I can share some of them on here.

We had a nice rainstorm today. I love how fresh and clean everything seems after it rains, except for the mud of course.

I am tired today as I usually am the day after a trip, but I just kept moving, albeit slowly. 

James went to Springerville this afternoon to pickup the slabs of wood he had cut from our juniper tree. He also picked up some poles to replace those worn out on our railing. He had wanted me to go with him but I needed to do my ministering interviews for my district. 

I am not so sure the sisters are catching the vision of what it means to minister. Most of the interviews I had today went somethig like this, 'Yes, I spoke to all three of my sisters but I didn't contact my partner.' Maybe we need to do some training.

This evening as I was reading from the Old Testament Student Manual I became extremely tired and had to go lay down on the coach. Of course, I had to turn on the TV, DWTS. I just watched a dance or two and fell asleep. James said it was time to go to bed, and he was right.

 Sleepin' like a baby

Cutie Pie!

Ben and friends 

Ben's last day in the MTC. When his friend,

Elder Goodman, Peter and Sarah's son, left

for Washington today, Ben said he cried like a baby!

 I like this card, except for the color.

Maybe the photo is in black and white.

 I hope these are the fabrics I get this month!

My journal is not this artistic.

  

Monday, September 24th, 2018

Guadalajara, Mexico

105th operating temple

Dedicated: 29 Apr 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Deuteronomy 21:23

And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 9:1-17

*Some prophecies like Nephi's in this chapter, are difficult to believe. How have I gained my testimony in President Nelson and his teachings?

-When President Nelson became the prophet I read all of his conference talks. The Spirit has borne witness to me that he is a prophet of God.

Old Testament

Isaiah 25-27

General Conference

Prophets Speak by the Power of the Holy Spirit

Elder Ulisses Soares

"On this Easter day I solemnly testify that Jesus Christ is risen, He lives, and He directs His Church on earth through His prophets, seers, and revelators. I testify that He is the Savior and Redeemer of the world and that through Him we can be saved and exalted in the presence of our dear God. I love Him; I adore Him. I want to follow Him and do His will and become more like Him. I humbly say these things in the sacred name of our Lord Jesus Christ, amen."

Ministering

President Russell M. Nelson

"The First Presidency and the Twelve are united in endorsing their messages. Gratefully and prayerfully we open this new chapter in the history of the Church. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

James and I took Lola to IHOP for breakfast this morning. She said she liked waffles better than pancakes, so we ordered her a waffle. She wanted strawberry syrup and would not try the maple syrup Grandpa offered her.

Grandpa helping Lola cut her waffle.

She ate most of them, but grandpa

did offer some help.

I ordered the cream cheese crepes

with raspberry sauce. It looks more like a dessert.

Grandpa dropped us off at home and then hurried to a meeting he had in Phoenix about building some houses for Salvador J.

Lola got her hair done by her mom and she and I went to the bicycle shop with Trina to get a flat tire fixed. Trina is doing a Sprint Triathalon on Saturday and needs that bicycle. 

Afterwards Trina was nice enough to take me to Hobby Lobby. 

I got most of the things on my list but not all because I was already over my budget. Trina wanted to take Lola to the Christmas section while I was shopping but Lola said, no, she wanted to wait for Grandma. Such a sweetie!

James got home before I did and was waiting for me. He helped me pack my items. We said goodbye to Lola and Trina and left for Costco. Trina said there was a Costco on Sossaman and Southern which was closer than going back to the one in Gilbert, so that's where we went.

We were disappointed to find that this Costco does not have Alpine Valley bread, the main thing we wanted to buy. They also don't have a gas station. We did manage to spend all of my rewards check, all $97 and then some. I got a mirror on a stand with a light, jumper cables, etc. for the car. We also got three watermelons, raspberries, blueberries, and mango. It sure is easy to spend money at this place.

We left Costco and went back to Fry's to get some gas and then we were on our way home. We didn't even have to stop for lunch because we got a hotdog and a drink for $1.50 at Costco.

The trip home was pretty uneventful except for one thing. While traveling between Globe and Salt River, a mountain lion jumped off a cliff right beside our car. I yelled and James asked me what was wrong because he hadn't seen it. When I told him, he looked in the rearview mirror and caught a glimpse. Be still my heart!

For F.H.E. James had me listen to a business opportunity on the internet. It involves buying textbooks off Amazon from third party sellers and then selling them back to Amazon. I told him I did not want to be in charge but that I would help him do this. We signed up for a seminar for Friday morning at 7 a.m.

 Another card by Kelli

 A blurry birthday calendar

Greg Trimble's sacrament meeting program.

As he looked into President Nelson's eyes

a warm powerful feeling came over him and he knew

President Nelson was a prophet of God.

Such sweet photos!

Sunday, September 23rd, 2018

Winter Quarters, Nebraska

104th operating temple

Dedicated: 22 Apr 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

John 19:31

The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 8:11-28

* Why is it so imperative to have a contrite spirit when we look unto the Savior?

- So that we might live, even unto that life which is eternal. When my spirit is contrite I am teachable. I am able to change and grow. I am filled with gratitude as I realize all the savior has done for me and how dependent I am upon Him I am sad when I add to His suffering. He is my Rock and my Redeemer. Nephi's use of the story of the brazen serpent emphasizes that we should look upon the Son of God with faith and live. Through the atoning sacrifice of Christ, the poisonous venom of Satan was overcome for all who would repent.

Old Testament

Isaiah 22-24

General Conference

Christ the Lord Is Risen Today

"Everything worthy and eternal is centered in the living reality of God, our loving Eternal Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ, and His Atonement, witnessed by the Holy Ghost. This is Easter Sunday. I reverently witness and solemnly testify of the living Christ - He who died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven. He is Alpha and Omega - with us in the beginning, He is with us to the end."

I was up at 4 am and had a green smoothie and a slice of pumpkin bread. We left at 5:30 for the valley and drove straight to the Galveston building. On the way we listened to the new volume of Church History on my gospel library app.

 Their meeting starts at nine and we were a few minutes early. We sat by Cathi, Terry, Dave, and Laura on the back row.

The Primary program was focused on "I Am a Child of God." Evan was one of the narrators. Here are some of the songs and scriptures that were shared: Romans 8:15; "Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam,"

"My Life is a Gift," Abraham 3:24-25; Children talk about the Creation; "My Heavenly Father Loves Me," First Article of Faith, Jesus Christ is our Savior; Joseph Smith's First Vision, the Restoration, Sixth Article of Faith, "I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ," "The Priesthood is Restored," "We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet," 3 Nephi 20:2: "When I Am Baptized," Malachi Johns told about his baptism, families are part of Heavenly Father's plan, the family proclamation, "Families Can Be Together Forever," DC 112:10; "A Child's Prayer," Service, commandments, "If The Savior Stood Beside Me," "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus." 

It was a great program as they always are!

In Sunday School we had the same lesson as we did last week in Vernon so I worked on catching up on my Sunday journal. I studied lesson #38 "Thou Hast Done Wonderful Things" Isaiah 22; 24-26; 28-30. The purpose of this lesson is to help us come unto Christ through recognizing some of the wonderful things He has done.

Paula Casto taught the lesson in Relief Society. It was about The Worth of Souls. She had a chart listing all the wealthiest men in the world. Jeff, the creator and owner of Amazon was at the top. He is 54 years old and worth 112 billion dollars. 

How does Heavenly Father determine the worth of His children?

"The Lord uses a scale very different from the world's to measure the worth of souls." - Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Story of Lilo and Stitch. Ohana is family and means no one gets left behind or forgotten. Ohana is a human circle of complete Aloha (unconditional love). Every person we meet is a VIP of our Heavenly Father.

How can we see others as God sees them? - We need to see "more" of people in order to love them as Heavenly Father loves them - We need to see all sides, the whole picture.

Alma 26:23-26. "How the Nephites Saw the Lamanites" - 1) Unrighteous traditions, 2) stiff-necked, 3) delighted in bloodshed, 4) wanted to destroy them so the Nephites wanted to get rid of them.

"How the Sons of Mosiah saw the Lamanites" - 1) Would not take up arms against their brethren, 2) they loved God, 3) they hated sin, 4) the sons of Mosiah loved the Lamanites.

*How does the way we view others affect how we minister to them?

After Church we went to Sheri's for lunch and to change our clothes. Ian makes some really good ribs. 

After lunch we walked down to Cathi's. Sheri wanted me to take Ollie but he wouldn't go with me so she had to take him down. He loves to go to Cathi's. 

Cathi helped James and I make a card for his mom for her birthday. This is how it turned out:

James hand-drew the stems on the flowers

Cathi came to the rescue again, providing all the

materials, including the polka-dot embossing sleeve.

Cathi, Terry, Dave, and Laura, are all losing weight on the keto diet. 

James and I were both exhausted after finishing our card. We said

goodbye and left for Darrel and Trina's where James took a long nap and I played with Lola.

I unpacked the order I got from Stampin' Up. Cathi is my distributor and I had my order sent to her house. Trina had to help me figure out how to make the flower punch usable. Lola and Ruby made some flowers and we basically just made an arts and crafts mess on the kitchen table.

We had to push the button on the bottom

for this to pop up so you could get your paper in.

Lola and I drew these in my planning

notebook. She drew my heads and I drew

hers, except for the bottom row which I did.

Trina made a pumpkin cake with chocolate chips, scrambled eggs with veggies, and biscuits and bacon for dinner. Darrel got home from work just in time to help. They invited us to eat with them but I was not hungry. 

After dinner we had FHE and family scriptures and family prayer.

Trina showed a video about a Christian organization that sends Christmas boxes to children in needy countries and then she asked her kids if they would all like to send a Christmas box to a need y child? Of course they said yes. 

The boxes are the size of a shoe box. The kids weren't sure what they could send. We suggested sandals, toothbrush, toothpaste, a small toy, soap, and a pencil and some paper. Rowan was trying to fold his blanket to see if it would fit in a shoebox but it didn't.

It was an enjoyable evening spent with family.

Rowan and Ruby chopping onions for dinner

Scripture reading of Alma 3

Playful but no fights. 

 A card that Cathi's friend Kelli made for her.

Love this dot journal idea!

These two cuties!

Saturday, September 22nd, 2018

Montevideo, Uruguay

103rd operating temple

Dedicated: 18 Mar 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

John 19:10

Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have ower to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?

Book of Mormon

Helaman 7:13-8:10

*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

Isaiah 19-21

General Conference

Revelation for the Church, Revelations for Our Lives

President Russell M. Nelson

"I urge you to stretch beyond your current spiritual ability to receive personal revelation, for the Lord has promised that 'if thou shalt seek, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things - that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal.' 

Nothing opens the heavens quite like the combination of increased purity, exact obedience, earnest seeking, daily feasting on the words of Christ in the Book of Mormon, and regular time committed to temple and family history work. 

To be sure, there may be times when you feel as though the heavens are closed. But I promise that as you continue to be obedient, expressing gratitude for every blessing the Lord gives you, and as you patiently honor the Lord's timetable, you will be given the knowledge and understanding you seek. Every blessing the Lord has for you - even miracles - will follow. That is what personal revelation will do for you.

If we are to have any hope of sifting through the myriad of voices and the philosophies of men that attack truth, we must learn to receive revelation. 

Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory. But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.

I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation. 

With Moroni, I exhort you on this Easter Sabbath to 'come unto Christ, and lay hold upon every good gift,' beginning with the gift of the Holy Ghost, which gift can and will change your life.

The most important truth the Holy Ghost will ever witness to you is that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God."

We worked in the temple today. We had lots of substitutes. The Elmer's are in Hawaii celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. The Weinhardt's are in Colorado, and no one knows where the Gentry's were.

I put lots of family names on the prayer roll. My first assignment was at the top of the stairs so I had the opportunity to do the prayer roll before patrons started coming in.

Sandra W. from our ward was one of the first people I saw. I gave her a big hug. The youth from are ward are here and she came with John and her kids.

I had the same schedule as last time I was here. We had no weddings today and only one own endowment. I guess someone liked my chili because it was all gone when we left.

We work again next Saturday because it is the 5th Saturday and then the temple will be closed for two weeks. That's when we are going to Texas, when the temple is closed. The Gilbert temple will be closed for a month for some remodeling in the laundry.

As soon as I got home and changed my clothes I went in to make some pumpkin bread. Sister Dye, one of the sisters James visits fell and chipped her tail bone. James wants to go by and see her and take her some bread. I made three loaves, we took one to Sister Dye, one to the Howard's and we kept one for ourselves. It was delicious. James insisted that I put pecans in it.

I am really getting in to my book, "The Lake House." I listened tonight while I walked. We went to bed around 9:30. We are getting up early and going to the valley for Evan's Primary program.

Charming Charlie

 Dot Journal ideas

 Beautiful Germany

 Wendy Arnett's husband

Sonoita Creek