Mon, Feb 22, 2021: Rome Italy Temple, Tom Howard's viewing, funeral, and burial, Bandido's, Walmart, ready for "Come Follow Me" at our house, Evie Jiminez

 

Rome, Italy

162nd temple

Dedicated: 10 Mar 2019

By: Russell M. Nelson

Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son

2 Nephi 25:12

But, behold, they shall have wars, and rumors of wars; and when the day cometh that the Only Begotten of the Father, yea, even the Father of heaven and of earth, shall manifest himself unto them in the flesh, behold, they will reject him, because of their iniquities, and the hardness of their hearts, and the stiffness of their necks.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 13:6-14:6

D&C

18:1-16

"Come Follow Me"

The worth of souls is great.

OctGenCon

'Let God Prevail'

President Russell M. Nelson

President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

I grieve that our Black brothers and sisters the world over are enduring the pains of racism and prejudice. Today I call upon our members everywhere to lead out in abandoning attitudes and actions of prejudice. I plead with you to promote respect for all of God's children.

 The question for each of us, regardless of race, is the same. Are you willing to let God prevail in your life? Are you willing to let God be the most important influence in your life? Will you allow His words, His commandments, and His covenants to influence what you do each day? Will you allow His voice to take priority over any other? Are you willing to let whatever He needs you to do take precedence over every other ambition? Are you willing to have your will swallowed up in His?

Restoration Proclamation

P3 S2

In this vision, he learned that following the death of the original Apostles, Christ's New Testament Church was lost from the earth.

The Living Christ

P2 S7

He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead.

Today was Tom Howard's viewing, funeral and burial. James was asked to be an usher so he had to be at the church here in Vernon before 10. I went with him.

While he was out in the foyer ushering people in, I was sitting in the Relief Society room with Tom's family. I gave Jean a hug but she was surrounded by family members so I did not get to sit with her.  I wanted to talk to Cassie but I wasn't sure who she was as we have never actually met. I finally asked Jean who Cassie was and she introduced her to me.    

These are the members of Jean's family who were there with her:

Her daughter Deana and her husband Jimmy McNeil along with Deana's kids Hunter and her boyfriend, and Dakota and her husband Justin Nikolaus and their kids Berlin, Bryton, and a little girl whose name I don't know. Cassie and her husband Nate Westbrook and their two girls Hannah and Emma. Cassie's sister Tara and her two kids, a boy and a girl, and Dustin. Dustin, Tara, and Cassie are all grandchildren but Tom and Jean raised them as their children. 

Others who stayed for the viewing: Bishop and Anne Miller, they were visiting from Kansas. Ed and Debbie Miller. Ed was the first speaker at the funeral. Bishop Hunsaker, Colter, Hailey, Alicia, Sean and Stefani. Tamara and Kathy Crane. The DeWitt's came in and spoke to Jean but then they left. 

The funeral was small but I learned so much about Tom that I didn't know. Jason Rucker spoke. Jason was Tom's business partner in the insurance/financial planning department at Prudential. Jason lived in Ajo as a kid and when I told my friend Kerri, who was a border patrol agent in Ajo, she said his family owned a car dealership. Jason's dad and Cheryl Horne are first cousins. I asked him because I knew Cheryl was a Rucker.

Jason said he graduated from college with a degree in finance and went to Prudential on 24th St. and Camelback in Phoenix for a job interview. This was over 20 years ago. This is where he met Tom who was very successful in the field of financial planning. Tom told Jason that he shouldn't worry so much about numbers as he should about people. People want to know more about how much you care about them than how much you know. Tom was the top agent in this office and he and Jason began working together. Today Jason is worth millions of dollars. He didn't say that, but Tom has told James about him. Jason is also the person who first introduced Tom to the gospel and the plan of salvation so when he moved to Vernon he was ready to listen to the missionaries and be baptized. His family was so important to him and the thought of having an eternal family was something that he loved and a goal he wanted to accomplish.

Ed Miller spoke because Tom believes that Ed gave him a blessing once that saved his life. Stefani and Alicia Hunsaker sang "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art." Tom had asked them years ago to sing these two songs at his funeral. Bishop Hunsaker conducted the meeting and gave some very good counsel to the family. He said how important being with his family forever was to Tom. He said that family members, none of who are active, needed to repent, just like everyone does,  and put their lives in order. He did this in a kind and loving way and James and I both saw Tara and Dustin shaking their heads yes.

Tom's granddaughter Dakota also spoke. She shared some stories about her grandpa. She went back and forth from calling him grandpa to dad. It seems that Tom was more like a dad to all of his grandchildren than a grandpa. Dakota said when she told her grandpa that she was pregnant he said, 'Yeah, I know, she came to me in a dream last night.' 

Tom loved little children and they loved him. I remember one time going to visit Jean with Kailee Nichols and her two little children Natalie and Guy. Dakota and her two small children were there too. Tom took all four kids in the other room and played with them so we could visit with Jean, Deana, Hunter, and Dakota. Tom loved being a Primary teacher and loved it when kids came to him to sit on his lap and talk to him.

After the funeral the family and those who wanted to, went to the Show Low Cemetery for the burial. Jean received an American flag for Tom's service in the military. Also, I forgot to mention that Tom was part Indian and he and Jean collected Indian blankets. He had one with him in his casket. I worry about Jean but hopefully her family will take care of her. When they arrived at the church for the funeral this morning, she said, "Oh, are we going to church?"

I love how Jason Rucker is standing by Dustin with his arms on his shoulders. I hope that he can be a mentor to Dustin as Tom as to him.

James and I came home and changed clothes and then went in to town to do some shopping. We stopped at Bandito's, a mexican food place, for lunch. I had a carnitas burro and James had a chicken burro. Mine was delicious. James said his was okay. 

We shopped at Walmart, I had my three recipes for the week picked out, shepherd's pie, chicken enchiladas, and chicken noodle soup. I also got stuff to fix the apple, cranberry walnut salad I fixed last week. Also I'm trying an experimental recipe called sweet potato lasagna. 

James and I were both tired when we got home. After putting the groceries away, we laid down for about an hour to rest, and then it was time to get ready for our "Come Follow Me" lesson that we are hosting this evening. I swept the kitchen and dining room floor and put a tablecloth on the table. James filled water glasses and cut up strawberries and put sugar on them. I had bought a bunt cake cut into fourths with four different flavors, sour cream, lemon, strawberry, and chocolate. We served bunt cake with fresh strawberries and whipped cream.

The Crane's did not come this evening because Kathy had a stomach ache. The Peeler's and the Goodman's came without Vicky. We had a very enjoyable discussion of this week's lesson, Doctrine and Covenants 18-19 "The Worth of Souls is Great".

After everyone had left James and I watched the latest episode of the "Chronicle Mysteries" on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel before going to bed.

This morning when I was thinking about the funeral, shopping and then hosting "Come Follow Me" I was a little overwhelmed but James was right there to help me all the way and it felt good at the end of the day to have accomplished so much.

 

I guess I should have walked instead of watching

a show this evening.

Evie on her mission in Idaho. She was called to

Brazil but is serving in Idaho.

CakebyCourtney

 

Sun, Feb 21, 2021: Barranquilla, Colombia temple, Church and sacrament at home, Pam's friend, Charlie, Ander, Texas, "When Calls the Heart"

 

Barranquilla, Colombia

161st operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Dec 2018

By: Dallin H. Oaks

Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son

D&C 49:5

Thus saith the Lord; for I am God, and have sent mine Only Begotten Son into the world for the redemption of the world, and have decreed that he that receiveth him shall be saved, and he that receiveth him not shall be damned -

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 12:1-13:5

D&C

Sections 14-17 Review

"Stand As A Witness"

OctGenCon

'I Believe in Angels'

Elder Carlos A. Godoy

Of the Presidency of the Seventy

We should remember that it is not easy for new converts, returning friends, and those with a different lifestyle to instantly fit in. The Lord is aware of the challenges they face, and He is looking for angels willing to help. The Lord is always looking for willing volunteers to be angels in others' lives.

Brothers and sisters, would you be willing to be an instrument in the Lord's hands? Would you be willing to be one of these angels?  To be an emissary, sent from God, from this side of the veil, for someone He is worried about? He needs you. They need you. 

Of course, we can always count on our missionaries. They are always there, the first ones to enlist for this angelic job. But they are not enough.

If you look around carefully, you will find many in need of an angel's help.

'We Talk Of Christ'

Elder Neil L. Andersen

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

In emphasizing the name of the Church, President Nelson taught, "If we . . . are to have access to the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ - to cleanse and heal us, to strengthen and magnify us, and ultimately to exalt us - we must clearly acknowledge Him as the source of that power." President Nelson taught us that consistently using the correct name of the Church, something that might seem like a small thing, is not small at all and will shape the world's future.

Restoration Proclamation

P3 S1

In humility, we declare that in answer to his prayer, God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph and inaugurated the "restitution of all things" (Acts 3:21).

The Living Christ

P2 S6

He entreated all to follow His example.

As I finally got up from my place on the recliner and I hobbled to the bathroom to take a shower. I hurt so bad it was difficult to lift my leg over the lip of the shower. I finally told James I was staying home. 

I need more time most mornings to "get going." I wish church was at 10 instead of 9, as I think that would help.

Before going to church James went out to feed Luna. He was out of oats, which he usually mixes with her feed, and when Luna saw the feed and there was no oats, she dumped it out on the ground and looked at James. James just walked away. She is like a spoiled child sometimes.

As James went off to church I got my Sunday journal and pen, and settled onto the recliner where I feel the most comfortable. I signed in to our ward's Zoom account and there was no video but there was audio. The audio was a little faint and went in and out a little. I was able to hear Elder Boyer, one of our missionaries, talk and bear testimony. He talked about one of the addresses by Jeffrey R. Holland, "Safety for the Soul." This is the missionary that James knows and loves.hre some notes from Elder Holland's talks:

"My beloved brothers and sisters, please understand that He who never sleeps nor slumbers cares for the happiness and ultimate exaltation of His children above all else that a divine being has to do. He is pure love, gloriously personified, and Merciful Father is His name. 

Faith means trusting God in good times and bad, even if that includes some suffering until we see His arm revealed in our behalf. That can be difficult in our modern world when many have come to believe that the highest good in life is to avoid all suffering, that no one should ever anguish over anything. But that belief will never lead us to 'the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.'"

Christianity is comforting, but it is often not comfortable. The path to holiness and happiness here and hereafter is a long and sometimes rocky one. 

I bear witness of God's love and of the Restoration of His glorious gospel, which is, in one way or another, the answer to every issue we face in life. In the redeeming name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.

My friend Pam Giles was also on the Zoom broadcast. She saw that I was on and afterwards she texted me. "Did you have video on the Zoom?" I told her I didn't. And we discussed the problems on the broadcast for a few minutes and she then told me this:

"I received a call the other day. It was the girlfriend of a neighbor who recently died. She herself has terminal cancer. She asked if we could walk dogs together today. She is someone I have talked about faith with over the years. She tells me that she's considering baptism into the Church. She's taken all the lessons and the missionaries made her chicken noodle soup. She loves them, really what's not to love? She is having them over again on Thursday. She really does need a lot of TLC and the chicken noodle soup was a nice touch. 

Her name is Sherrie Swanson. She has had a really rough year. She had breast cancer a few years back but now she has pancreatic cancer which was diagnosed a few days after she found her boyfriend dead. The autopsy said heart failure, but he had shot himself accidentally a day or two before that. She fell at Christmas and cracked her skull and had to be flown to the valley. She's feeling better now. I'm telling you, when you have it bad, somebody else has got it worse. My heart goes out to Sherrie Swanson and I will be praying that she decides to get baptized.

I gradually began to feel better and was able to do some indexing and to work on my blog. Those were my main accomplishments today. This evening James and I did watch the season opener of 

"When Call the Heart."

She makes our Sabbath happy!

  

 

 

Sat, Feb 20, 2021: Concepion Chile temple, Sheri's 46th bday, trip to valley, Konkle's cracks, OG with Sheri, ice cream cake, too tired for Fry's, home again

 

Concepcion, Chile

160th operating temple

Dedicated: 28 Oct 2018

By: Russell M. Nelson

Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son

1 John 4:9

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 10:18-11:8

D&C

Saints 1, ch7, pgs 73-75

Voices of the Restoration 

(CFM pgs 33-34)

"Come Follow Me"

Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Home Evening

OctGenCon

"Peace, Be Still"

Sister Lisa L. Harkness

First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency

President Russell M. Nelson has taught:

:We do not need to let our fears displace our faith. We can combat those fears by strengthening our faith.

Start with your children . . . . Let them feel your faith, even when sore trials come upon you. Let your faith be focused on our loving Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. . . . Teach each precious boy or girl that he or she is a child of God, created in His image, with a sacred purpose and potential. Each is born with challenges to overcome and faith to be developed."

'Seek Christ In Every Thought'

Elder Ulisses Soares

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Moroni reminded his people not to be consumed by their lusts. 

Besides all the evil aspects of lust, we cannot forget that the enemy uses it as a secret and deceptive weapon against us when he tempts us to do something wrong. 

I testify that as we rely upon the rock of salvation, the Savior of our souls, and follow Moroni's counsel, our ability to control our thoughts will increase significantly. I can assure you that our spiritual maturity will grow at an increasing pace, changing our heart, making us more like Jesus Christ. Additionally, the influence of the Holy Ghost will be more intense and continuous in our life. Then the enemy's temptations, little by little, will lose their power over us, resulting in a happier and more pure and consecrated life.

Restoration Proclamation

P2 S2

He had questions regarding the salvation of his soul and trusted that God would direct him.

The Living Christ

P2 S5

His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill.

Left for the valley somewhere between 6:30-7:00 this morning. We drove the truck because James was taking tools and he was also worried about the car getting stuck. We stopped in Show Low at Burger King for our breakfast croissants, mine bacon, his ham. 

James complained about going the Payson way because he says the Globe way is faster if he's going to the Konkle's first. I didn't argue. We will come back through Payson.

He got a call between Vernon and Show Low from Armando telling him there were three big cracks in the concrete. This put James in a "somber" mood all the way down to Gilbert. He says they took every precaution to avoid cracks, including heavier rebar, but sometimes they just happen. The problem is that both the Konkle's are dentist and they like exactness and perfection. 

When we arrived at the Konkle's they were no there. I left James at the house to try and fill the cracks. The problem with filling is that you cannot match the color of the concrete. He will do the best he can while I run out to Fry's to look for balloons, flowers, or a cake for Sheri.

As I walked in to Fry's with my mask on I saw balloons and flowers but they did not inspire me. I went back and looked at the cakes and wasn't especially impressed. I thought about how Sheri used to love mint chocolate chip ice cream and loved Baskin-Robbins ice cream cake. I went back out to the truck and looked up "Baskin-Robbins" near me. There is one on Gilbert Rd. just south of Williams Field. I drove over and saw it but decided I didn't want to make the decision as to what kind of cake she would like but would wait and take Sheri with me after lunch. As I went back to pick up James I passed a McDonald's and drove in to get a drink and a snack. 

When I went to pick up James he was grateful for the small burger I had bought him. I drove to Chandler so James could meet with Zaki. I dropped him off while I went to do some shopping at Kohl's. Sheri was not yet home.

As I was checking out at Kohl's James called and said Sheri was back and ready to go. I bought two shirts for James and a shirt for me and said money because I opened an account. Kohl's has a lot of gimmicks which I don't normally like. I think that's why I don't shop here very much. I also looked at purses but they were too expensive.

When I got back to Sheri's she was not yet ready. Ian was the only person I saw when I went into their house. The dogs were there but I guess the boys were all in their rooms playing video games. I invited Ian to go with us but he said he had already eaten. 

Sheri came out after a few minutes and asked if we wanted to take her car I said yes because dad's backseat is filled with tools, etc. He needs to get a tool box!.

Sheri drove and I sat in the front passenger seat and James was in the backseat. We debated on where to go and Sheri decided she wanted to go back to Olive Garden. That works for us because I still have several OG gift cards. We went to the OG on Chandler Blvd. across from the Chandler mall. We all ordered the same things we had ordered last time, Sheri and I had soup, salad and breadsticks and James had the chicken marsala. We had no appetizer, water to drink, and no dessert. It was an enjoyable lunch.

Afterwards Sheri googled Baskin-Robbins. There is one a few miles down Chandler Blvd. towards Tempe. We drive over and we all go in. When James sees which cakes we are going to buy, he goes back outside. Sheri picked out two half cakes, one white with butter pecan ice cream, and a chocolate with mint chocolate chip ice cream. I paid for the cakes and we drove back to Sheri's.

This time I saw Evan, Max, and Ben, but Ben was the only one who wanted cake, so Sheri, Ben, and I had cake. James was outside talking to Zaki again.

I think Ben has been working out. He is

cutting that ice cream cake with ease.

Ben and I sang Happy Birthday to Sheri.

 Sheri got several flower arrangements, one from Michael and Ali in England, one from Ian, and a bouquet of yellow roses from Stacy.

She had cupcakes and candy and birthday cards from Hilary Jiminez, and Laurie Jensen. Oh yes, flowers and favorite things from Alex and Shayna. She went out to eat last night with Shayna and Kilee from work to her favorite restaurant in Phoenix, LaGrande Orange.

Sheri is loved!

 James came in and ate a couple of bites of pecan ice cream and was ready to go. We said our goodbyes' and were on our way. We were going to go out to Fry's on Gilbert and Ocotillo to shop but I was just too tired. Instead we headed home and this time we went the Payson way. 

I was pretty miserable on the way home. It is difficult for me to sit for any period of time without getting up and taking a break. We didn't stop until we got to Show Low and remembered we needed gas. We stopped for gas and headed down the 60 to Vernon. We listened to "Wedding Cake" most of the way. We did have scriptures this morning.

It was good to be home. We watched another episode of "Anne with an E" before going to bed.

Sheri and these guys went on an early

morning hike to Picachio Peak.

Sheri said she ran six miles before hiking the mountain, which is a

very difficult hike where you have to use cables part of the way.

What a great way to start her birthday!

Sheri's 40th birthday

Such a sweet memory

I like what Paul's sister Nicole says here about love and

what they did with their family for Valentine's Day.

My dear sweet friend Florence Cluff

would be 109 today. It's because of her that I

joined Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.

This one turned out great!

The most beautiful temple!

San Diego, California

I love this!!