Thursday, January 24th, 2019

Edmonton, Alberta

67th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Dec 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Matthew 4:3

And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 17:1-16

*Why did Nephi feel so blessed in spite of their suffering?

*How has the Lord been your light in the wilderness?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

John 1:19-28; JST John 1:20-28; BD Elias

General Conference

Try, Try, Try

President Henry B. Eyring

"Each time we say the word amen when that prayer is offered on our behalf, we pledge that by partaking of the bread, we are willing to take upon us the holy name of Jesus Christ, always remember Him, and keep His commandments. In turn, we are promised that we may always have His Spirit to be with us. Because of these promises, the Savior is the rock upon which we can stand safely and without fear in every storm we face."

I got up early, before six, but not back on schedule. Still a bit sluggish in the morning. 

I had a pure carb breakfast: cereal, pie, lemon cake bites, and on yes, a shake with a little protein. Maybe this is why I am feeling sluggish.

I made sub sandwiches for lunch. This afternoon I played Five Crowns with Jared and Kacey. We also watched the Beach Boy movie about Brian Wilson, "Love and Mercy." Kind of a sad story with sort of a happy ending but definitely not Hallmark worthy.

Today is Tanna Conrad's birthday. James is her ministering brother so he wanted to take her a treat. Jared offered to do the baking when we decided on peanut butter cookies. We had to throw out some of our peanut butter because it was so old it was rancid. Anyway, the cookies turned out delicious and we had our fair share while giving a dozen or so to Tanna. 

This afternoon we watched Taylor Cole starring as "Ruby Herring" on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries. It was pretty good. I guessed who the killer was before the ending.

James made us venison and gravy for dinner. I put the biscuits in the oven. Everything was delicious and Kacey and I both had seconds.

We watched "Maverick" this evening. 

Summer had a photo session today for her senior pictures. Her photographer is from Show Low. Of course Vickie knows the family. 

Trina sent me a couple of texts today. One was of their kitchen cabinets and railing being installed in their new house and another one was of Lola's gratitude journal.

Trina is so excited about this house!

Trina has her kids write 3 things they are thankful for each night.

Tonight Lola was thankful for us coming to visit and for Charlie and her family and she wishes we would come back.

 The Trezise's love their dog!

This definitely interrupts my joy!

I guess Roe vs. Wade was on the 22nd, not

on James's birthday.

 I'm doing it now!

 She loves to look at colors.

Kacey is reading Llama, llama, red pajama to Charlie

with her llama pajamas on.

Such a pretty girl with a great smile!

Wednesday, January 23rd, 2018

Billings, Montana

66th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 Nov 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

JS-H 1:17

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 16:17-39

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

John 1:11-18; JST John 1:11-19

General Conference

The Correct Name of The Church

President Russell M. Nelson

"Taking the Savior's name upon us includes declaring and witnessing to others - through our actions and our words - that Jesus is the Christ. Have we been so afraid to offend someone who called us "Mormons" that we have failed to defend the Savior Himself, to stand up for Him even in the name by which His Church is called"?

I keep telling myself this.

Happy Birthday, sweet James!

Nothing like a baby to help you feel young!

Slept in and didn't get up until 8 am. After some gospel study and prayers I attacked the wood floor with the last bit of my Trewax finishing polish. I must admit it does look better. I was going to strip the old polish off first but that is a bit of a process and I would be doing it forever, so I just did a quickie job with the polish.

Kacey, Jared, and Charlie left Mesa this morning and they are on their way up to see us. We texted and made plans to meet at LaCasita for lunch. We were a little late and when we got there they already had a table. 

One of the first things that happened was James dropped the bottle of hot sauce on the table and it squirted Charlie right in the eye. Of course she cried. While Jared and Kacey were trying to clean her eye out the owner peeked his head around the corner and told Kacey to use her hair to wipe the baby's eye out. He said you would be surprised how often this happens. Kacey did it and it worked. Soon Charlie was restored to her usual "happy baby" status.

We all ate every bite of the food we ordered including their delicious refried beans. Jared and Kacey bought our lunch for James's birthday. How nice of them.

After lunch we all went to Walmart to do a little shopping. 

Back at home I turned on the latest Winterfest Hallmark movie, "Winter Love Story" starring Jen Lilley. I know the acting isn't that great and the stories are corny but I love the Hallmark movies because I know the message is going to be positive and there will be nothing inappropriate. They have an innocence about them and for me this is what life should be like. 

Hallmark movies and mysteries are a little different. They involve a murder, but it isn't graphic. Still corny, still not the best acting, but I guess that's what I like, life with a happy ending.

We watched the newest Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, Ruby Herring, starring Taylor Cole with long red hair. It looked so fake.

This evening we watched the two first episodes of this years' "Victoria." I think Jared liked it. 

I made James an Eagle Brand pie. It was really too warm to eat but we all tried it. I think he was the only one who really loved it.

 He had 70 candles last year. This year he has

1 for 71.

Getting the wax from the candle off the pie.

A sad thing happened today on the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade when abortion became legal. In the state of New York abortion up until the time of birth was declared legal. It is so sad. What is happening to the people in this country?

 I love this picture!

 This is in Kacey and Jared's backyard. Scarlett and Autumn are

staying with Summer while they are gone.

This little girl is so cute!

 James was in the middle of Dave and Terry,

so kind of a middle child, at least for awhile.

 I have been passed this castle so many times in my life

and always wondered what it was called. Someone once

told me it was Governor Hunt's mansion.

 This girl knows how to focus. Here she is

looking at the fire.

Tuesday, January 22nd, 2019

Regina, Saskatchewan

65th operating temple

Dedicated: 14 Nov 1999

By: Boyd K. Packer

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

3 Nephi 11:7

Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name - hear ye him.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 16:1-16

*Why do the "wicked take the truth to be hard"?

New Testament,"Come Follow Me"

John 1:1-10; JST John 1-10 "We Have Found the Messiah"

General Conference

Wounded

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"God did not create our spirits to be independent of Him. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, through the incalculable gift of His Atonement, not only saves us from death and offers us, through repentance, forgiveness for our fins, but He also stands ready to save us from the sorrows and pains of our wounded souls."

I got up and walked this morning early. I got in 3,000 steps before James told me it was too cold to walk and that I needed to come in because he didn't want me to catch cold. I try to honor my husband when he makes a request so in I came. He seemed to disappear. I guess he went upstairs to lay down. 

This morning was our temple day that Jared and Kacey requested. Trina watched Charlie and Sheri, James, and I were going to go to the temple with Jared and Kacey. First of all, James left his temple bag and recommend at home. I told him he could go and rent clothes and they would look up his name on the recommend list and he could get in but he decided he would take the car to Discount Tire to get the tires balanced and rotated. The ride down here the car began vibrating around 65-70 mph. 

We had planned on going to the 10:45 session. I met Sheri at the temple at 10:00, well actually James missed the turnoff so it was more like 10:10. We were going to do initiatories before the session. I couldn't find my recommend. I guess the last time I went I did not put it back in my wallet and I left it in my other temple purse. A brother Andersen took down my name and birthdate and was gone a few minutes. When he came back he welcomed me into the temple. 

Sheri and I got ready and were waiting for Kacey. When we all three went to get the new name we were told the 10:45 session was closed. 

We finally decided that Kacey would go up to the chapel waiting room and meet Jared there for the 11:30 session while Sheri and I went to do initiatories. 

I had three family names for initiatories and one name for an endowment. I gave the name for the endowment to Kacey and Sheri and I took the three names to initiatory. I got a temple name and we each did two names. Three is the limit. 

So grateful Jared, Kacey, Sheri and I were able 

to do ordinances here today.

They have three initiatory booths but we still had to wait about an hour to do our names. When we were finished we picked up James at the Discount Tire on Market St. and got me a sugar cookie and drink at Swig and Sweets,  and then headed back to Trina's to pick up Charlie. 

A cold sugar cookie that is divine!

Charlie fell asleep while Trina was taking Lola to school and she was still sleeping when we got there. I changed my clothes and our plan was to meet Kacey and Jared for lunch. After their session they were able to do a sealing for Kacey's grandmother and then we met them at the Cafe Rio near the temple.

We had a nice lunch and President Johansen, Sheri's stake president and an old friend from Chandler came over to visit for a few minutes about Ben. It was nice seeing him. 

Charlie finally woke up from her nap. That bottle on the table isn't good for much. Trina tried to give it to Charlie but she wasn't having it.

 Sweet picture, even though you can't see

Charlie's face.

The most photographed baby ever!

After lunch Sheri took us back to Discount Tire to get our car. No more vibrating!  

When we got back to Trina and Darrel's I laid down for a short while and James went to have a meeting with Armando about the Mesa, Bellview job. He wasn't gone long and when he got back he wanted to go home. 

While I was packing up James was working on removing the piece of hard plastic that has been hanging down from underneath our car. He finally got it removed and then had to sweep up the clumps of mud left on Darrel's driveway.

We left a little before six and we were almost to Vernon before nine. I didn't even notice but James missed the Vernon turn and just kept on sailing down the highway at over 70 mph. The speed limit changes to 55 just before Vernon and continues on past Vernon. A cop was waiting for him and he got a ticket on his birthday eve. It will cost him $200 for doing 74 in a 55 zone  unless he does traffic school online. He plans to do the traffic school. I could not get upset with him because he already felt so bad.

So our trip had a less than happy ending. It was good to be home though and we unloaded the car and unpacked everything before going to bed. Kacey, Jared, and Charlie are coming up tomorrow.

 Lola loves Charlie!

 Here Scarlett is ready for prayer. She loves Charlie too.

When they Facetime with Kacey she always

asks for "baby."

Wish we could go to Rome to see the temple.

Somehow I managed to get all my steps

today. I guess it was that early start I got

this morning.

Monday, January 21st, 2019

Halifax, Nova Scotia

64th operating temple

Dedicated: 14 Nov 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

2 Nephi 31:ll

And the Father said: Repent ye repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son.

Book of Mormon

*How does Nephi show patience and understanding to his brothers?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

BD: John, the Gospel of John

General Conference

The Role of the Book of Mormon in Conversion

Elder Shayne M. Bowen

"As we better understand who we are and the purposes of the Book of Mormon, our conversion deepens and becomes more certain. We are strengthened in our commitment to keep the covenants we have made with God. A principal purpose of the Book of Mormon is to gather scattered Israel."

Addy made plans to go to the mall with her friends today. She sat down on the couch and began counting her money. She has $330. II reminded her to pay her tithing and she said she would. Saturday night she earned $50 babysitting. I also said I thought she should open up a savings account so she wouldn't be tempted to spend her money. She said that was a good idea.

Ruby and Rowan each went to a friends house today. Lola went to dance class and then her friend Ivy came over to play. 

James took Jared this morning to Hertz to pick up the car they reserved. Because the credit card it was reserved under was in Kacey's name, she had to be the one picking up the car. James came back to the house and took Kacey to the car rental place on McQueen and Guadalupe. 

We met Jared and Kacey for lunch at the Zuppa's on Baseline and Val Vista. The weather was nice so we ate on the patio.

Grandpa was finished eating first so he

held Charlie so the rest of us could finish

our lunch.

After lunch we drove over to visit with James's mother and his sister Dawn. Dawn told us to hurry because she was leaving soon and she wanted to see the baby. 

Of course Lois had James's birthday gifts ready for him. A shirt, six pairs of socks, $40 cash, and a plaque that she made that said: "Escape the Indoors." Dawn gave him a $40 gift card for Joe's BBQ. He was quite happy.

This is one loved baby!

Back to Chandler and my appointment at Dr. Shah's. He says my incision is 70% healed and wants to see me back on Friday, Feb. 1st. I have instructions to brush with the mouthwash on the incision area, use a water pick, an electric toothbrush, and floss. It almost makes me wish I never had to eat...well, not really.

Back to Darrel and Trina's. James went upstairs to take a nap. I was going to walk but then decided to find a UPS store and mail our book boxes. I found one on Ellsworth and Baseline. After mailing the boxes I also found a Soda Rush and got myself a sugar cookie. 

Trina, Jared, Kacey, and I were sitting around the family room talking and playing with the baby when I got a text from Stacy asking if I had made reservations at Firebirds. We had made plans to meet there at 6:30. I said no, I didn't, would she. She said she didn't want to so Trina called for me.  The earliest they can get a party of 11 in is at 7:30. Stacy said that was too late for her, so we went a little early and they seated us before 7:30. It was a fun night and a great way to celebrate Jared and Kacey's second anniversary.

The food was good and so was the company!

Everyone here except Darrel who had to work and

Ian, who was tired from working all day. Sheri took

his dinner home to him.

Back at Darrel and Trina's I unloaded the dishwasher, and put the dirty dishes in. I also had to spot mop the floor because my shoes had something black on the bottom of them. I didn't go outside to walk because it was too cold. As a result I only got 5,927 steps today.

 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
That's why there was no school.

 This was last night in Arizona around 8:30 p.m. but we forgot
to check. The moon was gorgeous tonight when it came up.

This is what Charlie woke up to.

Lola eating peanut butter. She's all ready

for her dance class.

 There are advantages, at least for Ollie, in
keeping your tree up.

We love you Elder Wilhelm!

Beautiful!

Love this!

Rowan and Ruby went to Sheri's while we were at

Firebirds. We drove with Trina and she dropped them off.

This is afterwards. Rowan working on his homework.

I try.