Sunday, January 21, 2024: BM study and 3 talks for ward conference, foggy but no new snow. Happy Anniversary Jared & Kacey, Primary prelude, YMYW special #, 2nd hour "How to Prepare for the Sacrament" Ready for Cali

 

Laie, Hawaii

5th operating temple

Dedicated: 27-30 Nov 1919

By: Heber J. Grant

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 11

22 - And I answered him, saying: Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things.

Come Follow Me

1 Nephi 11-15 Armed with Righteousness and with the Power of God

October General Conference

"The Prodigal and the Road that Leads Home" Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Increase in Learning by Elder David A. Bednar

Chapter 4: Doctrines, Principles and Applications: A Framework for Gospel Learning - A gospel doctrine is a truth of salvation revealed by a loving Heavenly Father.

I woke up from sleeping on the recliner this morning at 4:13 with lots of aches and pains. I eat so I can take two Tramadol. 

After my morning prayers my early morning scripture study included  the Book of Mormon and the three conference talks we were ask to read in preparation for our ward conference today:

1) Sacrament Meeting and the Sacrament Meeting by Dallin H. Oaks, October 2008 GC.

2) Behold the Lamb of God by Jeffrey R. Holland, April 2019 GC

3) Jesus Christ is the Treasure by Dale G. Renlund, Oct 2023 GC

 Happy Anniversary Jared & Kacey, #7!

Love this family!

Charlie lost her first tooth yesterday.

Thank goodness the tooth fairy came last night!

It is foggy outside this morning but there isn't any new snow. 

We were asked to be at least 15 minutes early today for sacrament meeting. We were there early. The Primary sang prelude music for us the last 15 minutes before sacrament meeting started. It was so good. It was one of the songs from the Primary program, "My Own Sacred Grove." The Beals family came back from Snowflake. Alec and his sister sang solos and Brother Beals played the guitar. 

Sister Jameson played some beautiful prelude music on the piano. Earlier Sister Hipps played prelude on the organ.

Bishop Hunsaker spoke to us first. He expressed his love to us as a ward. He said there isn't a day that goes by that he doesn't think of us. He spoke on the role of the Holy Ghost. We renew our covenants with Christ and if we come with a broken heart and a contrite spirit and repent of our sins and strive to keep the commandments we are told we can always have the Spirit, or the Holy Ghost with us. He said we have all been touched by the Holy Ghost in ways we can never deny. Bishop spoke about the gifts of the Spirit as recorded in Galatians 5:22-23. Love, joy, peace, long-suffering are all gifts of the Spirit. Gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. 

We need to cherish what we have and how we feel as we live the gospel and hang on to what we know to be true. Make the Savior a part of every day.

The Young Men and Young Women and their leaders sang, "I Can Do All Things with Christ." It was beautiful.

President Beeler was the next speaker. 

He commented on the song that the Primary sang regarding finding our own sacred grove to find answers to prayer. He also commented on the song sang by the youth, "I can do all things with Christ by my side, is the answer for life's problems. 

President Beeler reminded us of how our stake has been focusing on becoming more covenant conscious the last couple of years. He talked about taking up us the name of Jesus Christ and always having His Spirit to be with us. He said, "The Primary children and youth taught us deep doctrine." Here are some more notes that I took:

Remember Christ and feed His sheep.

Lehi's Dream - Fruit - Love of God and covenants we make

Look at symbols and see Christ in everything we do

He chases away the mists of darkness

Yesterday President Beeler was with Elder Stevenson and President Holland for over 5 hours in a training. Alpha and Omega are considered names for Christ. We should begin our day with Christ and end our day with Christ.  Jesus Christ is also the Great I Am, which is in present tense. He can be with us now if we are worthy.

This will bring us great joy. We should invite Christ instead of social media. As we prepare for the sacrament, it becomes more meaningful and not just something we do every week. 

Doing better every day! 3 Nephi 19:25. Smile more!

The second hour discussion was led by President Smithson and Sister Wilcock although Sister Wilcock only made one comment.

RMN: "In coming day it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, . . . influence of the Holy Ghost.

* Do I strive to worthily partake of the sacrament each week?

 Elder Andersen:

1. Until we better engage our time in the foyer, we will not make the needed progress of reverence in the chapel.

2. Rejoice in the foyer. More reverence in the chapel with our focus on the Savior.

3. Prepare in the chapel. Reverence invites revelation.

4. Partaking of the sacrament.

5. Rejoice in the foyer again.

6. Returning Home.

One of the ways we prepare for the sacrament is by repenting of our sins. Another is through prayer and scripture study. Come early and listen to the prelude music. Dress appropriately and express gratitude. Understand the sorrow and agony He suffered for me. 

I love this comment by my friend Karen Gilliland who is the second counselor in the stake Relief Society presidency:

"The deepness of our sorrow increases the magnitude of our joy."

Find joy in the journey. He is always watching over us with tender mercies.

Elder Holland says that mental health issues are one of the plagues of our day.

A great ward conference!

We went home on this cold, overcast day and built a roaring fire to make our home cozy. James also made gravy meat and puts it in the crockpot to tenderize it. I made a big salad. We ate leftover potatoes with meatballs while we are waiting for our gravy meat which we will have for dinner. We took naps, and then worked on my puzzle until the Tignor's came over. Terry (T-Bo) is going to feed Luna and Tom while we are gone to California. 

While Terry was here James called him to be the Service Co-ordinator for the Elders Quorum. Terry accepted and James says he will be set apart in Elders Quorum next Sunday.

This evening James and both spent time packing and getting ready for our trip, first to the valley for my infusion, and then on to California with Ruby and Lola. 

A tender mercy for me today among all of my many blessings was a hug from Karen Gilliland former matriarch of the Phoenix temple. She is such a great example to me.

Sister Sukow, one of our sister missionaries from New Hampshire, has been transferred to Cottonwood. We will miss her.

Happy Sabbath!

Love this girl!

Dedicated today

Such a sweet girl!

Saturday, January 20, 2024: Lots of pain in my shoulders, feet, & right knee, Dump for Crane's, Colby's wedding not invited, James's meeting, meatball subs, supposed to snow but it didn't

 

Salt Lake City, Utah

4th operating temple

(now under renovation)

Dedicated: 6-24 Apr 1893

By: Wilford Woodruff

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 10

10:6 - Wherefore, all mankind were in a lost and in a fallen state, and ever would be save they should rely on this Redeemer.

Come Follow Me

"Lehi's Dream and You" by President Boyd K. Packer

October General Conference

"Be Peaceable Followers of Christ" by Elder Quentin L. Cook

Finding Personal Meaning in the Book of Revelation by S. Michael Wilcox

I woke up with lots of pain this morning in both shoulders, my hands, feet, and right knee. I immediately went in to get something to eat so I could take some Tramadol.

James goes to the dump for the Crane's and for us today. Chuck is sick and he also has shingles rash. Shingles is contagious when you have a rash.

Vickie called me today to tell me what website to go on to register for Colby's wedding which is on May 4th. Colby is Brian & Cher's youngest son. He is the same age as Dallin.

Vickie said the wedding and the reception is going to be in a vineyard near Florence and is going to cost the couple around $30,000. They have invited over 250 people and the dinner is $90 per person. I found their information but when I went to RSVP I discovered we were not on the guest list. I told Vickie but she never said anything. 

My knee was stiff and sore this morning but by mid afternoon I could bend it.

I made meatball subs in the crockpot today. I served them on whole wheat sub buns with mozzarella cheese which I toasted in the oven. James really liked them and so did I. This would be an easy meal to feed the missionaries. I signed up to feed the missionaries on February 22nd.

It was a slow day for me, although I did manage to get over 10,000 steps. 

James had a meeting this evening with someone that Owen Taylor knows. This person wants to pour a concrete slab to put a manufactured home on. 

James said to me around 6:30, after dark: "I've got to go back outside to work." When I asked him why he said: "Because there is a 100 percent chance of snow in the next hour and I need to waterproof the siding I put up." He soon talked himself out of going back out and I'm glad because it didn't end up snowing. It did rain during the night.

I love a big roaring fire on a cold winter night.

Charlie lost her first tooth.

Cake by Carmen

James got those last 3,600 steps while I

was in the shower.

Oh yes, I remember. There was one

in Chandler too.

 

Friday, January 19, 2024: Inklings w/ Rio & Emily Snyder, 3 Tramadol makes me nauseous, Errands w/ James, Chase Bank, PO, Sonic, Walmart, Circle K, Tractor Supply, CVS

 

Manti Utah

3rd operating temple

Dedicated: 21-23 May 1888

By: Lorenzo Snow

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 9

Come Follow Me

1 Nephi 10:17-19 God will reveal truth to me by the power of the Holy Ghost.

October General Conference

"Bearing Witness of Jesus Christ in Words and Actions" Elder Adilson de Paula Parrella

Inklings

"Jesus Christ is the Treasure" by Elder Dale G. Renlund

2 Kings 5:1-14

Teaching with Power

Chapter 7 "The Power of the Doctrine" the converting power of doctrine

As I was listening to Rio and Emily Snyder on Inklings this morning I thought about the title of the talk we are discussing: "Jesus Christ is the Treasure." He is my treasure. Without Him I have no hope for a better life or life after death. He makes everything possible. Here are some notes:

What do anticipate?

I must prepare for the unexpected ... so much to learn ... takes effort

Book: "What's Your Story" Instagram: "The Strangers Project"

 My story is affected positively by Repentance and the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Michelle Craig "Divine Discontent"

My comeback story

Sacredness of the Sacrament. How do I prepare? The sacrament hymn, read "The Living Christ." Repair the broken

Singing in other Churches is called the Worship portion.

2010 DFU "Things that Matter Most"

Master the fundamentals

Why is Jesus Christ my Treasure?

Loaves & fishes The boy gave what he had and the Lord used it to fill a need.

The Lord chose me first. I will give what I have to Him.

I took three Tramadol for the pain I was feeling this morning but it turned out to be a mistake. It made me dizzy and nauseous. I had to eat a little more and lie down until I felt better. 

I got up at 9:40 because James said he wanted to go into town at 10 and I needed to get ready. We left a little after ten and I was feeling much better. 

The weather has been very nice the past few days with the highs in the mid 50's. Yesterday it was 59 in Snowflake and there was no wind. It was a beautiful day. James said that California is supposed to be getting rain for the next few days but by Tuesday, the day we are going to Disneyland, it will be sunny. The next day it's supposed to be cloudy, but no rain. 

Our first stop in town was at Chase Bank where I had to sign a quit claim deed for Carmen Chavez regarding a piece of land she bought in Deming from James's dad. As soon as the deed was notorized we went to the post office and mailed it. On the way back through town we stopped at Sonic for junior burgers. They weren't very impressive. We thought they came with lettuce and tomato, but they didn't. 

James dropped me off at Walmart while he went to Circle K to get gas and to wash my muddy car. Soon he joins me at Walmart and picks up my prescriptions, some cat food, both dry and canned, and a bottle of pomegranate juice,  and helps me checkout.

Chuck Wood is in line behind us and we talk to him for a few minutes. I ask him where Pam was and he said she was at home with a cold. 

James is always in such a hurry when we check out. It's a little irritating. 

I don't even recognize my car in the parking lot because it is so clean. We left Walmart and headed for Tractor Supply to get two bags of horse feed for Luna. While I am waiting for James I watch a store clerk push out and load 14 big bags of feed in the back of someone's truck. I wonder what they are feeding and how much it is costing.

After Tractor Supply we head to CVS for James's prescription. Finally we head home, listening to "Miss Leslie's Secret." We finished "The Heir of Brownlie Manor."

It is too late for a nap. I work on my Christmas scrapbook and my Disney puzzle while James works outside. 

I have a piece of lemon cream pie with cherries and Coolwhip with graham cracker crust I bought to replace the pretzel crust that I don't like. 

Stacy had told me to watch "A Man Called Otto" on Netflix, starring Tom Hanks so I put it on while I was walking in the family room. 

The first half of the movie was a real downer and I told Stacy so. She said it gets better which it did. It's not a movie I would want to watch again. It did end up having a good message. Even though Tom Hanks's character, Otto, was a grouch because he was mourning the death of his wife, he always ended up helping and caring for other people. The language was a little harsh in places. I think I'll stick to my Hallmark movies.

I was finished walking by 8:00. My feet were really hurting so I told James I was going in to bed. He was sad because he had built a fire and didn't have all of his steps. I told him he could keep my phone and finish the chapter of our book we were on before he came to bed, which he did. He will catch me up with our book tomorrow.

My tender mercy for today is that the Savior always forgives me when I repent which means I can forgive others.

Addy & cousin Kayla

Lovie

I wonder if the Pony Express delivers the mail

Luna's new home

She needs a friend to share it with

12,200 are mine, the rest are James's

while he listens to our book.

Thursday, January 18, 2024: Call from Vickie, Temple w/Barbara T. & Sue H., Lunch at Taco Bell - Halcomb's join us, Lemon cream cheese pie, shrimp, broccoli, walking marathon, arson in Snowflake

 

Logan Utah

2. Operating temple

Dedicated: 17-19 May 1884

By: John Taylor

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 8:17-38

Come Follow Me

1 Nephi 10:2-16 Ancient prophets knew about Jesus Christ's mission and testified of Him.

October General Conference

"Jesus Christ is the Treasure" by Elder Dale G. Renlund

Up at 4:41. Meh.

I listened to part of a Church News podcast featuring President Steve Lund and Emily Belle Freeman as the speakers. Emily, (do I have to call her President Freeman?), told of when she visited the island of Maui town of Liahana before General Conference. Emily said she asked a group of youth if she prayed for them, what would they want her to pray for. Some said a new home, material things, etc. One young man asked her to pray that they might get a temple. He wanted President Nelson to announce one in General Conference which was just six days away. She said she didn't think that would be possible. He asked her to write President Nelson a note. She didn't think she would be able to do that before conference, but she said she would pray for a temple. 

Of course we all know that a temple in Maui was announced in the October 2023 General Conference. The mother of the young man asking for a temple took a video of him when President Nelson announced the new temples. When he announced Maui, Hawaii the young man said, "It works!"

I am going to the temple today, the 11:00 session with Barbara Tignor and Sue Hubble. I am to pick up Barbara around 9:20, so I took a shower and was getting ready when my sister-in-law Vickie called. I had mixed feelings. Vickie likes to talk and I'm always on the phone with her for a lengthy amount of time. She very rarely calls so I should talk to her so I picked up the phone. I put her on speaker so I could continue to get ready for the temple.

I'm not sure why she called but I asked her how Harold was doing since he got out of the hospital.  She said he wasn't in the hospital but she was. I told her we thought it was Harold and had been praying for him. She said his knees and sciatic nerve are bothering him so are prayers are being put to good use. 

I'm not sure why Vickie called but we had a good visit while I continued to get ready for the temple. We talked about our kids and grandkids and Jenifer, Dennis's daughter and her troubles. Vickie said she wanted to go to the valley with me one of these days, have lunch and then go visit with all my kids. She doesn't really know the grandkids passed Dallin and Joe. I told her I thought that was a great idea. Once I was ready for the temple I told her I had to leave and we said our goodbyes. I actually enjoyed our visit and believe me I got an earful about certain people. One thing Vickie did remind me of was that Colby is getting married on May 4th at a vineyard near Florence and that we should hurry and RSVP so they could plan the food. I told her I would.

I picked up Barbara and we drove to Snowflake, chatting along the way. When we got to the neighborhood surrounding the temple we noticed that one of the nicer homes had been destroyed by fire. There was a fire truck across the street and a fireman in the driveway. The fire was completely our but it looks like the entire home will need to be rebuilt. We wondered what happened. 

Sue lives in Snowflake now. She said she would meet me in the dressing room at 10:40. Barbara and I were early. I told Barbara to go ahead and get her new name and go in and save a couple of seats while I waited for Sue. She liked that idea and went ahead. Sue didn't get there until 10 45 or so. I told her I was going to go in and make sure we had saved seats while she got ready. Sue was the last sister to come in and I had to tell Sister Scott and two other sisters that the seat was saved. Sister Scott sat on the men's side and her husband came over and sat by her so I am sure she was happy. 

Once Sue came in and sat down she whispered to me: "It took me six minutes to get here." I said, "It only took us 60."

James's cousin from St. Johns, Neal Lambson and his wife Clair were in our session as were the Scott's and the Toronto's. I participated in the prayer circle because not enough sisters volunteered. We were on the second row so I was the sixth sister to go through the veil. In the celestial room we Barbara and I told Sue we wanted to take her to lunch at Taco Bell. She liked the idea and we headed for the dressing room. 

On our way into town Barbara and I wanted to stop and take a picture of the house that burned but there was someone right behind us and nowhere we could get off the road so I didn't stop. When I got home this was on my Facebook feed:

How sad. I hope no one was hurt in the fire.

We met Sue at Taco Bell and Barbara offered to buy everyone's lunch. We put in our order and waited for it to be delivered to our table. We all order a taco and burrito and Sue ordered a drink. Barbara and I drank water. It cost Barbara less than $20. 

As we completed our order we looked outside and saw Catherine and Kerri Halcomb walking up to the door. How fun to see our friends. We all sat together. They were in Snowflake for something to do with Kerri's insurance.

One thing I don't like about Taco Bell's tacos is how the shells crack and fall apart. Catherine ordered a taco supreme on a flour tortilla and it looked so easy to eat. Next time.

I was home at 2:45. James was working outside. It is sunny and 55 degrees outside so James is working on the stable. I took a nap on the recliner. I got up at 4:15 only to realize that I only have 1300 steps. Yikes. Before I walked I had a piece of lemon cream pie with cherries, Coolwhip, and graham cracker crust. This is my dinner. Not a very healthy choice.

James has been working on my puzzle today and I am grateful. It has been out almost a month and I am ready to get it finished. It is the most difficult puzzle I have ever done.

I did have some broccoli and two coconut shrimp to go with my pie for dinner. James and I walked this evening while listening to "The Heir of Brownlie Manor." I also listened to "Love & Lavender."

James spoke with Kristy Thomas and her daughter Kayleena. Kayleena's fiance was killed yesterday in a vehicle accident. James was trying to comfort them. He asked me to put their names on the temple prayer roll, which I did.

I forgot to mention something that Barbara told me about T-Bo. He has a friend here from Farmington, New Mexico who is helping him put up radio antennas.  He is going to operate a radio fixit shop. I told Barbara that we need T-Bo to give us a lesson on how to use our radios.

I missed Inklings today but will listen tomorrow.

Wednesday, January 17, 2024: Happy Birthday Anna! Up @ 4:01, Elder Pearson "Stay By the Tree" love this talk! Clean towel closet upstairs, door for stable finished, my face swells so I say home,

 

St. George Utah

1st operating temple

Dedicated: 6-8 Apr 1877

By: Daniel H. Wells

Rededicated: 10 Dec 2023

By: Jeffrey Holland

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 8:1-16

Come Follow Me

1 Nephi 8 Holding fast to the word of God leads me to the Savior and helps me feel His love. Elder Pearson's talk, "Stay By the Tree", and Book of Mormon video.

October General Conference

"Brothers and Sisters in Christ" by Elder Ulisses Soares

Your Endowment

"Between Gethsemane and Golgotha, the complete debt of mortality, sorrows and sins alike, was paid." (p. 170)

Happy Birthday Anna!

I woke up at 4:01. It worked. Going to bed earlier helped me to get up earlier!

As part of our scripture study today James and I listened to Elder Kevin Pearson's conference talk, "Stay By the Tree." I love this talk so much. I had the feeling to encourage my family to read it but I failed to follow through. If they are following the "Come Follow Me" manual they will see it and read it. I hate to give them too much to do but when I have these feelings I really should follow through. 

Did I use the word "follow" too much. Is there a message there?

From Elder Pearson's talk:

1. Don't forget to pray

2. Come unto Christ and be perfected in Him

3. Press forward with faith keeping the commandments. Obedience builds faith.

4. The Book of Mormon and modern day prophets are  our spiritual survival guide for the last days.

5. Don't let Satan distract or deceive you.

6. Stay by the Tree because we are converted unto the Lord. Yielding our hearts to God allows the Holy Ghost to change our very nature. We become deeply converted unto the Lord and we no longer seek the spacious building. 

I had the task of putting away over a dozen towels upstairs. When I opened the towel closet at the top of the stairs it was so stuffed with things other than towels there wasn't room to stack them neatly. I decided to take the time to clean this closet out so I could stack these towels neatly. Once I was finished I stepped back and looked at those neatly stacked towels and felt good. I even closed and opened the closet several times just so I could look at them. Creating organization can be very rewarding!

James put together the quilt stand I received in the mail. I brought the quilt down that I had on the bed in my office that Lois made and put in on the stand. This is how it looks:

I love this quilt

  I made BLT's and tomato soup for lunch. James was pleasantly surprised. Sometimes he makes his own lunch. He came in and said he finished the door to the stable. He now needs someone to help him put it on. 

I think he did a great job since he used

scrap lumber.

My face started to swell on the left side. I took some Benadryl and laid down to take a nap on the recliner. When I got up I went into the bathroom to get ready to go into town to do my weekly grocery shopping and errands, I saw my face in the mirror and lost my desire to be seen in public. I called James and told him I wouldn't be going in to town today. I then asked if we could get Dominoes Pacific veggie pizza for dinner like we had planned. He said we could. 

Around 4:30 I ordered our pizza. Instead of ordering thin crust I ordered the handmade crust. The handmade crust was good but we are sure it has way more calories than the thin crust so we determined we would stick with thin crust next time.

This evening we walked around the tall table near the entryway and listened to "The Heir of Brownlie Manor." 

I am grateful today I was able to order tickets for Disneyland and receive confirmation of our stay at the Embassy Suites Anaheim Orange. I'm also glad I cleaned out the upstairs towel closet.

Sweet Charlie and Lovie

Antelope in the field off the 60