Wed, Jan 26th, 2022: Fortaleza Brazil Temple, Crafty subscription, James's Dr. Appt, Walmart, Panda, Nature's Realm, Orange chicken, cough & sore throat, miss presdncy mtg

Fortaleza, Brazil

164th operating temple

Dedicated: 2 June 2019

By: Ulisses Soares

Jesus Christ, Resurrection

Acts 26:23

That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 17:31-47

"Come Follow Me"

Moses 7:18-19, 53 God's people should strive to be "Of one heart and one mind." Moses 7:25-40

OctGenCon

"Trust Again"

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

With respect to God and personal revelation, President Russell M. Nelson assures, "You do not have to wonder whom you can safely trust."  We can always trust God. The Lord knows us better and loves us more than we know or love ourselves. His infinite love and perfect knowledge of past, present, and future make His covenants and promises constant and sure. 

Liahona

"The Blessings of Studying the Old Testament"

President Mark L. Pace

General Sunday School President

"The Holy Ghost will bring to our attention specific scriptural verses that will be a strength to us as we look forward to the Second Coming of the Savior."

"Is anything too hard for the Lord"?

I got a Crafty subscription today which has videos of cake decoration ideas among many other things. If I don't cancel before next January they will bill me $150. I will not forget to cancel!

I read Moses 7:25-40 by myself as well as reading a section of the lesson with James. I marked my scriptures as I read. 

Yesterday at this time it was 40 degrees, this morning it is 25 degrees. James is my meteorologist. It did snow a little during the night. 

I am catching a cold and had a miserable night last night trying to sleep.

James had a doctor's appointment with an oncologist at the cancer center at 10:30. We left for town around 9:40. I loaded up some books that I had left over from my book business to take to Goodwill. When I get rid of all of these books we will have so much more room on the shelves in the garage. I dropped James off at the cancer center and was surprised when he took off his jacket. I don't see that very often. He ended up walking to Walmart and I'm sure he got a little cold. As I was shopping I had one more item to get when James said he was finished. I thought he wanted me to come and get him so I park my basket and head out the door to the car. I don't see him along the way and he's not waiting at the cancer center so I call. He's in Walmart looking at phone cases. Hmmm. My time wasn't wasted because there was no one in line at Panda so I went through the drive-thru and got our lunch. Shrimp and walnut bowl with noodles for James and orange chicken and noodles for me.

James helps me checkout and I check the receipt for what was my most expensive item.  $13.37 for the Swifer dusters. What? Oh my word, I thought $6.37 for a pound of hamburger was bad but this takes the cake! I guess I'm going to have to go back to using rags to dust.

James went to Elders Quorum Presidency meeting but I stayed home and did not attend the Relief Society Presidency meeting. I did do some Relief Society work at home though. I texted Ginger. She has moved to Alpine. I noticed that Becky Skousen didn't have a partner listed on the ministering assignments. Her partner is Aubrey Harris. I went over the assignments for all three districts and circled changes that need to be made. I ran off the list of sisters not assigned ministers and the list of those who are not ministers. I am not sure what happened at the meeting but I felt pretty good about the meeting I had here at home.

My kind of lasagna

I wonder if James could do this for me

Our skiff of snow

Roadwork in Vernon

The real Emmy Lambson playing soccer

The orchid Rita gave me in 2020

is still blooming

 

 

Jan 25th, 2022: Kinshasa Democratic Republic of Congo Temple, Cancelled Temple Session, Kitchen Floor, Concrete ordering problems, Talon's fish, Inklings catchup

 

Kinshasa Democratic Republic of Congo

163rd operating temple

Dedicated: 14 April 2019

By: Dale G. Renlund

Jesus Christ, Resurrection

Acts 10:40

Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 17:17-30

"Come Follow Me"

Enoch's efforts are a pattern for building Zion in our own lives

Moses 7:16-21, 27, 53, 62-69 & Moses 7:13-24

OctGenCon

"The Temple And Your Spiritual Foundation"

President Russell M. Nelson

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

We have been promised that "if we are prepared we shall not fear." This assurance has profound implications today. The Lord has declared that despite today's unprecedented challenges, those who build their foundations upon Jesus Christ, and have learned how to draw upon His power, need not succumb to the unique anxieties of this era.

Liahona

Enoch and the City of Zion

I'm not sure what happened but I didn't get up until 6:30 this morning. Sometimes I think I'm more active at night while I'm trying to sleep than I am during the daytime.

Today I listened to Brother Halverson on "Unshaken Saints." I love to listen to him explain the scriptures but for some reason I did not take any notes. I hope I absorbed some of what he said.

I walked today during the day so by 7 p.m. I had my 12,000 steps. This evening I was able to index and review without any interruptions. I also caught up on my Inklings journal. James says he can't walk unless we are listening to our story so we read several chapters from "The Secret of the India Orchid." We still don't know the secret of the orchid. 

After lunching on a pot pie and taking a nap James went to the post office. He struck it rich. Not only did he get the wildlife video I ordered him but he got a Bass Pro Shop card from Sheri and the cord he ordered for his computer. The sad thing is the cord doesn't fit. He ordered it from E-Bay and now he's trying to figure out how to send it back. I never have anything to do with E-Bay or their sister company PayPal if I can help it.

James is having problems ordering concrete for his airport job for Mr. Joye. He called today to order concrete for February 7th. The girl told him it was too early. He told her he was told to order two weeks ahead to insure delivery. She said, "Oh that's only for our big companies." What is he supposed to do? I guess order a week ahead and hope he can get it delivered on the desired day.

I stripped the kitchen floor again today. It's a messy, sticky job and hopefully I will not have to do it again.

I missed going to the temple today with Ruth.

Tanna never called so we could deliver her gift.

The Griffin twins are two months old.

They will be blessed here in Vernon in March.

It's on our calender.

A Harry Potter room. I want

one like this!

Emmy playing soccer

Look at the muscles in those legs!

Ping pong and Pickle Ball

champ!

Talon went fishing for his birthday

and caught this fish!

We got a family text from Paul this evening asking

us to pray for C.T. I wonder if he went to the hospital.

He was our bishop and he is such a great guy!

He was a fighter pilot and helped train 

Elder Uchtdorf.

Mon, Jan 24th, 2022: Rome Italy Temple, CFM studies, Pierce, Owen, Chuck and James help the Bowen's get rdy to move, Stacy's cake, Tanna's card & gift,

 

Rome, Italy

162nd operating temple

Dedicated: 10-12 Mar 2019

By: Russell M. Nelson

Jesus Christ, Resurrection

Acts 2:32

This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 17:1-16

"Come Follow Me"

Moses 7 "The Lord Called His People Zion"

Moses 7:1-12

OctGenCon

"Personal Peace in Challenging Times"

Elder Quentin L. Cook

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

First: Love God, Live His Commandments, and Forgive Everyone

President George Albert Smith became President of the Church in 1945. He had been known during his years as an Apostle as a peace-loving leader. In the preceding 15 years before he became President, the challenges and trials of a massive worldwide depression, followed by the death and destruction of World War II, had been anything but peaceful.

At the conclusion of World War II, during his first general conference as President in October 1945, President Smith reminded the Saints of the Savior's invitation to love their neighbors and forgive their enemies and then taught, "That is the spirit all Latter-day Saints should seek to possess if they hope some day to stand in his presence and receive at his hands a glorious welcome home."

I listened to "Don't Miss This" and worked in my workbook. We studied Moses 7. Here are some notes I took: 

Zion will be established in "process of time"

God wept for the children of men, showing his compassion and love for them

God's ultimate purpose is not to discipline or destroy us but to restore us to His gospel blessings

Promises to Covenant Israel - "I will dwell with you" (One of God's favorite phrases), In process of time, I will weep with you and be there with you, I will hold you and smile upon you, climb by me and you shall never fall. Covenant, compassion, preserve, gather, prepare, restore.

I also listened to "Follow Him" with John and Hank and their special guest, Dr. Avram Shannon. Dr. Shannon discusses the commandment to build Zion and how it parallels the City of Enoch and is an antitype to Cain's city. The Savior's return to Zion, the end of contention, and who will build and reside in Zion.

A God that weeps, and man's redemption through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

At 9:30 Pierce and Owen came by in Pierce's truck to pick up James. They are going to the Bowen's to help them get their place ready for escrow. Pierce brought trailer skirting and vents and tools and screws, everything that was needed to get the job done. He said He wanted to make sure that they passed their inspection. To me this is another indication of Pierce's Christlike attitude. Here he is thinking of what needs to be done for the other person, not what time it's going to take out of his day. This attitude, of caring about others more than ourselves, is what will build Zion.

James didn't get home until after one. He ate some stew and then took a nap. I spent time this afternoon walking and reading and finishing up my blog. I am now all caught up on my blog! It is a good feeling!

I texted Tanna to wish her a Happy Birthday. I told her we had a card and a gift for her and would like to know when she gets home so we could bring it over. She said she would let me know, but she never did. The gift and card are still here. 

I made Stacy's birthday cake today. Since James has ask me not to give money or gifts for family birthdays, I decided for those close by I could make cakes. I made a 6"-3 layer vanilla cake. I put 1 tbsp. of almond extract in the cake to make it taste like an almond cake. I decided to put it in the freezer until the day or so before we leave for the valley when I will frost and decorate it. 

I took the leftover chocolate cake I made and cut it into slices and wrapped them and put them in the freezer for snacks.

We have been getting requests on Facebook to pray for Rhonda Smith. Rhonda is married to Ron Smith. We knew Ron in Snowflake and when James worked for Ron Willis he also worked with Ron Smith. Rhonda is Ron and Veleda Willis's daughter. I guess she coded and they didn't expect her to live. She is still alive and is doing better. 

Ruth Gale and I were supposed to go to the temple tomorrow. We both signed up for the 3:30 session. She said she had to cancel because her daughter Valeen and her husband sold their house and they need to get it ready for escrow. Interesting. She cancelled for tomorrow but said she signed up for the same time on February 22nd. I cancelled for tomorrow and signed up again for Feb. 22nd.

I watched a Hallmark movie today. It's a new one I hadn't seen yet.

Erik's girls Aurora and Mabel. It was 

Mabel's first time at the temple.

Sun, Jan 23rd, 2022: Barranquilla Colombia Temple, James's 74th birthday, Sacrament meeting, James's card and pie, Scarlett, Charlie, "Come Follow Me"

 

Barranquilla, Colombia

161st operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Dec 2018

By: Dallin H. Oaks

Jesus Christ, Resurrection

Acts 1:22

Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 16:17-39

"Come Follow Me"

Review Genesis 5; Moses 6; "Teach These Things Freely Unto Your Children"

OctGenCon

"A House of Sequential Order"

Elder Vaiangina Sikahema

Of the Seventy

The sequential order in which the earth was created gives us a glimpse not only of what is most important to God but also why and for whom He created the earth.

Inklings

"Will You Let God Be The Author And Finisher Of Your Story?"

Camille N. Johnson

Invite Christ to Author Your Story

Esther 1-4

Prayer 21

Happy Birthday James!

Sleep in honey, it's your birthday! You are now 74 years old. 

We sat by the Peeler's in sacrament at James's request. Tyler Finnegan was the youth speaker and Cheryl and Ralph Sedig were the adult speakers. 

Cheryl said they lived in Buckeye and when they got ready to retire they came up to Vernon to visit their friends the Grombach's. They fell in love with Vernon so they brought some property and moved up. They love it here and especially love the friendliness of the people. Cheryl's talk was based on a talk given by Elder Rasband in October 2020, "Recommended to the Lord." We need to let go of worldly desires and seek time to be holy. Give up insignificant things and focus on things that really matter. Attend the temple. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. We tend to take on the traits of those around us. Temple says, "Holiness to the Lord." Elder Rasband tells of his father-in-law who was dying and called his bishop over to give him a temple recommend interview. When he died he wanted to be recommended to the Lord. What is expected of a covenant keeping Latter-day Saint? Live a life devoted to Jesus Christ and His teachings. The importance of temple and family history work in Cheryl's life and her testimony of it. Temple work is all about bringing families together. D&C 109. We need to re-double our righteous efforts.

Ralph Sedig: Elder Bednar's talk, "With the Power of God in Great Glory." Covenants bind us to Jesus Christ.  Covenant people are armed with righteousness and great power. Christ has paid the price of all sins. How do we receive the power of God in our lives? By honoring our covenants and in doing missionary and family history and temple work.

We sang "As I Have Loved You" for the closing song. I love that song. It is so simple and powerful.

Wendy DeWitt taught Relief Society today. The talk was again, Elder Bednar's, "With the Power of God In Great Glory." Sister DeWitt did a good job and we had some great discussions. I sat by Donna Peeler and Rosie Lauritzen. I wonder if Donna knows that Rosie carries a gun. After the lesson was over I went up to Wendy and thanked her for teaching and telling her how good the lesson was.

James and I went home and began fixing lunch. We fixed biscuits and venison gravy as we had planned. James had some leftover venison so he seasoned the meat and put it in the crockpot for a stew. After the meat cooked for an hour he added the veggies. We both took naps. 

I worked on my blog and then got ready for having "Come Follow Me" here tonight. I frosted the rest of the chocolate cake in case Kathy Crane doesn't bring Chuck's cake. 

Everyone in our group came tonight: Pierce Goodman, Barbara Bartels, Donna and Owen Peeler, Kathy and Chuck Crane, and us. We had a great lesson discussion and when we were finished we had Chuck's birthday cake and James's birthday pie for dessert. Kathy lead us in singing happy birthday to them. When everyone was gone James and I had stew for dinner. It was delicious! The meat was so very tender. James said he had a wonderful birthday. He got lots of texts and phone calls including a call from his brother Gail and his sisters Connie, and Dawn.

Congratulations Zemira!

Birthday lunch!

Chuck's birthday on the 22nd

Greetings and Salutations

from Charlie Mae!

Take one with my foot up like this.

Sunday with Scarlett