Saturday, December 28, 2019

Saturday, December 14th, 2019

Columbia, South Carolina
62nd operating temple
Dedicated: 16 Oct 1999
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Jehovah
John 8:58
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Book of Mormon
Ether 10:1-16
New Testament
Revelation 10-11; Finish New Testament Student Manual and The Redheaded Hostess


Oct 2019 General Conference
"Standing By Our Promises and Covenants"
Elder Ronald A. Rasband
"To "go and do" means rising above the ways of the world, receiving and acting on personal revelation, living righteously with hope and faith in the future, making and keeping covenants to follow  Jesus Christ, and thereby increasing our love for Him, the Savior of the world."

Today is our day to work at the temple. President and Sister Palmer were presiding. In preparation meeting President Palmer reminded us of our temple theme, "More Holiness Give Me." He added, "More Jesus Like Thee."  I gave the opening prayer and in the prayer I asked that the patrons who attend the temple today would "feel Thy love today. Later in the day Brother Elmer came up to me and said how much my prayer meant to him because he had been thinking all week that he wished the temple patrons could feel the love of the Lord in their lives. He really is such a nice guy.

My schedule went something like this today: Locker room, Celestial room, break, 9:30 session as 1st follower, and Mindy Hamblin as the 2nd follower. James and Brother Reidhead were the brothers for this session. Brother Reidhead led the prayer circle and James  led the session. The own endowee, Alyse DeWitt got her robe twisted and I had to help her, also one sister forgot the new name. I helped one sister at the veil who had a difficult time speaking and did not know any of the things to say. It was an interesting session.

The last thing of the day for me was being the greeter behind the recommend desk. No one was coming so I left about ten minutes early. I'm still feeling a little guilty about that. 

Brother and Sister Gentry left early. They have kids to visit in northern California. One of the granddaughters is returning and reporting on her mission. Brother and Sister Gentry have six children and none of them live in Arizona. Three live in northern California, one in Provo, one in Boston and one in Atlanta. They do lots of traveling throughout the year to visit their children and grandkids.

Sister Elmer told me about a cousin Christmas party she has every year for her grandkids. Sister Farr has three single boys, a girl who is married and lives in St. Johns and has one little girl and an older boy who lives in Utah with five boys. His wife has cancer so they won't be coming for Christmas.

Instead of bringing rolls today I brought a pumpkin roll and it was delicious. There was none left to bring home.

It was cold and windy today. When we got home we had chili for lunch. Ed Miller came by to look at our furnace. James wants to get it fixed before our company comes after Christmas.

I walked and worked on "Come Follow Me." This evening we watched, "A Christmas Love Story," and "Holiday Date." 

Anthony says the wind is howling at his place. I got a text from Tamara. Bishop Miller says that Brother Brewer passed away and Anne is going over to see Debra.



The only thing that could make this picture better is if the
pit was filled with presents like it used to be on Christmas Eve.













Friday, December 13th, 2019

Bismarch, North Dakota
61st operating temple
Dedicated: 19 Sept 1999
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Jehovah
Exodus 3:14
And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
Book of Mormon
Ether 9:23-35
New Testament
Revelation 8-9; Redheaded Hostess; New Testament Student Manual


Oct 2019 General Conference
"After the Trial of Our Faith"
Elder Jorge M. Alvarado
"Ultimately, everything God invites and commands us to do is an expression of His love for us and His desire to give us the blessings
reserved for the faithful. We cannot assume that our children will learn to love the gospel on their own; it is our responsibility to teach them. As we help our children learn how to use their agency wisely, our example can inspire them to make their own righteous choices. Their faithful living will in turn help their children to know the truth of the gospel for themselves." 

There are lots of charts in the New Testament Student Manual to explain all of the happenings in the first part of the book of Revelation. 

Typed a contract for Diana Rico to buy Alicia Dela Cruz's property. She sent money today for her property. 

I finished wrapping the Tex-Arkana gifts but it was afternoon and I was too tired to go to town. I rested instead. Tonight is our ward Christmas party at the church and I knew that I would be helping setup and cleanup. I'm glad I made my chili yesterday. 


Tamara asked the presidency if we could be at the church at 4:00 to help get the dinner setup. I didn't make it until 4:45. The party starts at 6 and there is lots of prep work to be done. I am wondering why the Relief Society had food and decorations. I guess it doesn't matter because Kathy would have been there helping no matter 
to wash. 

We had over 200 people attend. The Primary children did a short program about Christmas around the world. After the tables were put away they played music and people danced, especially the young people. Santa came but I never got to see him because I was slaving away in the kitchen. 

The Deacon's quorum and Brother Applegate won the chili contest and Sister Lynda Van Haren won the dessert contest. Four of the elders were the judges. 

There are some perks to helping in the kitchen after the party. I got to take home left over chili and beans. 

We came home and watched "Dollywood at Christmas."

Tonight the kids and grandkids did gingerbread houses at Stacy's. 
Darrel's family wasn't there because it was Addy's Christmas choir concert.








 Dancing at the ward party

Celebrating at Marshall, Texas




























Shayna and Alex's snowman pool



 Alexis and Michael

Jared Ammon and Joe

 Joe and Kim

Kaitlin and Adam



Stacy and Paul's house

Evan's

Kim and Joe's

Kaitlin and Adam's

 Alexis and Michael's

Shayna and Alex's