GENERAL CONFERENCE

THRUSDAY, 1 OCTOBER 2015

ANOTHER INTERESTING WEEK HAS BEEN LIVED.

We began the week by listening to Elder Scott's funeral.  He was such a great man and lived an interesting life.  He had great tributes paid to him during his funeral service.

We spent the day thinking of the three apostles who have departed this life.  

We then walked to our daughter's home in the evening and watched the Blood Moon rise and go into an eclipse.  It was fun to see our grandchildren paying close attention to this great happening.  We had a little difficulty getting up for Seminary the next day, but we arrived on time.

 The media had all kinds of shots of the moon, but the moon in Jerusalem was a fun photo shot to see.

We learned that our dear friend, Cheryl Hickey, 1947-2015, lost her battle with breast cancer on Sunday evening.  We were very saddened with this news.  Her funeral will be this Friday at 11:00 AM.  I suppose we are getting to the age when this will be happening a lot.  We have served in the temple with Cheryl and Don and Cheryl's mother Eula Jones for years.  Our heartfelt love and prayers go out to them and their family.  I know Eula has spent years watching Cheryl suffer, but it has to be difficult to bury your daughter.

On Tuesday morning we got a text from our son Ryan that he was being laid off from his job with Chesapeake Oil.  He had heard rumors, but was still hopeful that he would make the cut.  One of our Seminary students father also was laid off along with over 500 other people.  It has been a sorrowful time for all who have been affected.  Ryan chose to look at the positive side.  He loved working for this company in their tech department.  He said they gave him a good severance package and were kind to him as he left.  He will miss working with that company, but has faith that he will find some other employment just as good or even better.  Way to go Ryan.  We appreciate your positive example, faith and devotion.  Our love and prayers are with you as you search for new employment.  We have been blessed to have this son in our lives.

So Grandpa taught the first two days of Seminary and I taught the last three days.  Grandpa served in the temple each day also.  This week we have been teaching about Abraham and Sarah receiving new names from the Lord.  They have been taught patience, faith and compassion.  Abraham and Lot took their families into a promised land of Canaan.  We watched how Abraham avoided strife over the choosing of land to divide between the two families.  Lot chose to face his tent to the City Sodom while Abraham chose to face his tent toward an alter he built to the Lord.  While Lot and his family enjoyed the "city life", Abraham learned about making covenants with The Lord.  He was promised that all of us would be a part of that covenant.  Abraham was in his late 80's and still was not a father.  I'm sure he and Sarah had discussions about how not having children makes this covenant somewhat obsolete. 

The Lord told Sarah to give Hagar to Abraham to wife.  Then Ishmael was born.  As our son lost his, employment and many of his friends continued to work for Chesapeake, this story of Hagar and Sarah touched Grandpa and I deeply.  "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"  Through messengers from the Lord, Sarah learns that she will become a mother to Isaac.  Abraham was 99 and Sarah 89 when the promise of Isaac became sure.  That was fun to teach....then I got to teach about the covenant of circumcision,  the downfall of Sodom and Gomorrah (as I'm writing this it is pouring rain outside...at least it's not fire and brimstone!), Lots wife turning to a pillar of salt and of course Lot's two daughters each having a son by their father Lot.  The first son was Moab (Moabites) and the second son was Benammi (Ammonites)....we just love teaching the truths of The Old Testament.  So far we haven't had any impatient phone calls from Seminary student's parents!   I wonder if they shared these lessons with their parents this week?   Now we watch how the world has changed since Ishmael had 12 sons and Isaac also had 12 sons.  The Abrahamic Covenant is being fulfilled, despite the "city life".  Grandpa and I can't wait to receive help for this calling from General Conference...how about you?  This life is a test.

We just returned from the viewing of Cheryl Hickey.  So sad for her husband and family.  She looked beautiful and very restful in her casket.  We pray all will go well for her service tomorrow.  She had so many people come to visit with Don at the mortuary.  That is a great tribute to Cheryl.  We hope Cheryl enjoys her new calling in heaven.  

 FRIDAY, 2 OCTOBER 2015

We saved Ryan and Sarah a seat at the service for Sister Hickey.  It was great sitting with them as this memorial service took place.  We loved the pictures the family shared.  Don and Cheryl were married 50 years.  That was a great tribute to this unique sister & her husband.  We pray her family can enjoy the knowledge they will be together again.  Thank you for letting us learn more of your wonderful mothers life and love for her family.  "Till we meet again".

Grandpa needed to go back to the temple after this, so I chose to attend also and we spent the afternoon serving in The House of The Lord.  This was a great way to prepare our hearts and minds for the General Conference weekend. 

Then in the late evening we cheered on the sons of Bronco!  They won the game against UConn,  30-13!  Hurrah for the Cougar's of BYU!  Grandpa Arthur had a most restful nights sleep...after "talking to the team on TV" all evening!  Ha...yes, he was worn out.

 SATURDAY, 3 OCTOBER 2015

185th Semi-Annual General Conference

We slept till 7:30 AM.  We Seminary Teachers need our beauty rest on the weekends.  We are now ready to listen and learn from our Prophets during General Conference.  Our love and prayers are with you all in Salt Lake City Conference Center this weekend.

Thank's to each speaker for the well thought through messages.  We rejoice and sustained all including the three new "holy men-apostles", Elder Rasband, Stevenson and Renlund.  We look forward to hearing them on Sunday.  Blessings to each of our Presiding Authorities.
SUNDAY, 4 OCTOBER 2015
We awoke to a clicking water pump.  Grandpa Arthur turned off the pump till we can get some help tomorrow.  Having our own well water is good till a pump goes out.  I suppose it was good we were home this morning and could hear the clicking.  Life is full of surprises.
Our daughter and her family do not have BYU TV at their home so will be joining us for Conference sessions  today.  After attending Cheryl's funeral we decided we best get pictures when we have family around us.   This picture is after listening to Conference all day.  The grandchildren did really well at listening.

They even all enjoyed being together as a family!

During the intermediate hymns there was a little wiggling going on.

 They gave me a Grandma hug.  Thank's for your example Cheryl Hickey.

Blanket's and boys go together to keep them occupied while listening to speakers.

I'm listening, honest I am.

Are you alright, Jacob?

Yes, Grandma and I am listening too.  Ha!

Snuggle time with mom.

Grandma, Grandma come see what my Dad let me have!  Luke kept asking his dad to replant this tree!

This was so touching to see as the children's choir performed.   The younger boy uses a walker, but his older brother helped him stand so he too could sing.  "He's not heavy..."

We were blessed to hear from President Monson on Sunday morning.  Thank you, President Monson, for your example and leadership.  "We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet"

Three new Apostles have joined the brothern's ranks.  We are so grateful and thankful for each of these great priesthood holders.  Thank you for you examples and the words of wisdom given this past weekend.   May Our Heavenly Father bless each of you during the coming months till our next conference.  Our love and prayers are with each of you.

185TH SEMI-ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE
We have been spiritually fed.  Just like Sister Stephens Granddaughter, Chloe, we know we are loved, and we will do our best to obey.  We must submit our will to God.
MONDAY, 5 OCTOBER 2015
We loved teaching early morning seminary today.  We talked with our students about what they learned this weekend at conference.  Several of them mentioned that they had put a scripture up so they can ponderize them this week!  Not only did Elder Durrant catch the youths attention, but they are acting on his words and pondering them.  Good job Elder Durrant.
I came home and made a list for us to ponderize.
PONDERIZING:

MOSES 1:39
39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

MOSES 7:18
18 And the Lord called his people ZION, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.


ABRAHAM 3:22-23
22 Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones;
 23 And God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me: Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wast chosen before thou wast born.


GENESIS 1:26-27
 26 ¶And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.


GENESIS 2:24
 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
This is our first 5 Scripture Mastery Scriptures for Old Testament.  Can you ponderize them?

To quote President Uchtdorf "As a patient, I'm not very patient"!  I suppose this blog is not simplifying my life.  It is helping me keep a record of the events that we are experiencing and so I have a way to look back and ponderize our life!  May each of you know that this life is the time to prepare to meet God.  May you enjoy the journey and share your joy with family and friends along your way.  We pray for each of you and especially for all our children and grandchildren.  We carry your burden's,  your sorrow's, your hopes and your love.  May you never doubt that you are loved as we all journey together.  We hope you will look towards the teachings of Our Savior Jesus Christ and not just enjoy "the city life".
Until the next GENERAL CONFERENCE,  "You better believe We believe"!
Watch Elder Neeley's video on YouTube.
Hug's always,
Grandpa Arthur and Grandma Gene
Arthur & Gene 

Choose The Right

THURSDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER 2015
Our love and prayers are with Elder Scotts family.  He passed his earthly test on Tuesday 22, 2015 and his funeral is Monday, 28 September 2015.  We thank you, Elder Scott, for your example and devotion to Christ.  On this important day we thank you for your family ties and your lovely wife Jeanene.  May you enjoy eternity together.

For we who are left behind, we thank each of you, Elder's L. Tom Perry, Boyd K. Packer and Richard G. Scott for Choosing The Right, for your dedication to Our Savior Jesus Christ, for your goodness, faithfulness and sacrifice and service for each of us.  May God bless you in your new callings and we look forward to hearing and being with you again.  May The Lord Bless you and your families.

"God Be With You Till We Meet Again"

So, I went to the heart hospital this morning and they stamped a big YES on my right leg, Choose The Right, so they could do my third surgery on my veins today...now I am hobbling around with another bandaged leg for two days again.  This time both legs are weak, so I am not doing really well at walking or standing for long periods of time.  They lazered two veins in my right leg this morning, so perhaps I am going to be finished with my surgery's now...we shall see...

Hospital "gowns" are so beautiful.  I look like I need surgery..Ha! 

The nurses mentioned it was Dr. Hennebry's birthday this week.  I asked him how old he is.  He said 45.  I told him I sort of remember when I was that young!  He asked if I had watched any of Pope Francis's address to our congress this morning?  I said, "yes, but I didn't see much, however I think he is a very nice man and I am thankful he is representing the Catholic Church so well."  He agreed with me that Pope Francis is doing good in America.   I hope Pope Francis enjoys visiting Eastern America.   Dr. Hennebry said that his Irish ancestry hasn't made him the most religious man.   He asked what church I belonged to and then began telling me about all his Mormon friends and that they are good people.  Thank's to those members who have been a good example to Dr. Hennebry. 

He said that he has even read The Book of Mormon!  I told him that made me feel way more comfortable having him working on my leg.  He was pondering that, I could tell...he commented small world isn't it. 

Dr. Hennebry asked me if I knew who John Moses Browning was?  Then he told the staff, in the room with us, that Browning was a Mormon who created the machine gun that is still in use today...of course I said he had many gun patents.

They asked me if I played the lottery? "No, but I have a brother Terry whom I like a lot"!  Dr. Hennebry said he went to Las Vegas, to a convention, with a Mormon Doctor from Boston.  The strongest thing they drank while there was Coke...they all had a good laugh...I told them I was hurting so they deadened my leg more...with XyloCAINE.

We also learned that we have a common friend, Lyle Clemens, who fly's out of Sundance airport by our Surrey Hills Church Building.  Dr. Hennebry said his wife is a flight instructor there and that he has a "Tex" plane that he flies from there at least twice a week.  He is the Irish blog with the Tex plane!  All this time he is putting needles in my leg and running tubing and wires into my veins...yes, he is a good doctor!  I did not kick him once.   Thank's for the distractions Dr. Hennebry.  Please thank the hospital staff for their kindness during my surgeries.

Choose the Right

Speaking of religion

I suppose I will not be going to the Oklahoma State Fair tomorrow night to see Donald Trump speak.  I will watch him on the news.  I hope some of our ministering missionarys represent The Church there.  "Great job Donald Trump"!  Thank's to Mr. Trump I remembered to close the garage door before going to bed last night too!

We have been studying Abraham & Sarah this week in Seminary.  I was walking out in the field, by the cave, yesterday and found a box turtle...so I took it back to Heather's to show her children.  Then I took it to Seminary this morning so the students can ponder, Choosing The Right and "Winning The Race"!  Look close at the grass and you can see the turtle when I let him go this morning...we thought we heard him yell, Mommy!

 This turtle was about the size of my hand.

I showed our Grandchildren, Luke & Leif, the Persimmon tree the turtle was walking under.

 Luke wanted to tell the little turtle goodbye.

 They liked how quickly the turtle moved on the grass!

Leif let me borrow his fish tank to take the turtle to our Seminary class.  All the students had to come in and see the turtle!  Grandpa Art said it was a popular distraction!  Ha.

This morning we studied Abraham 3 in The Pearl of Great Price...I thought you might like to find the answers to the quiz.  It is awesome to teach of Heaven and Earth and Humankind.  Be nice to everyone please.

Choose The Right

Do you have the same answers...and what would you put under 1 Cor. 15: 40-41?  Do you think you were known as a great and noble one?

Grandpa Art did a good drawing...can you name the planets, and stars?

Grandpa Art served in the temple last night.  He came home and told me he had learned that a good friend of ours, Charles Devol, is in intensive care at Baptist.  His wife Evelyn passed away on the 19th and her funeral was on the 22nd.  I know that Evelyn was glad to pass  her tests of this life, and I felt so bad that we didn't know about her funeral...we go to a different Ward than her and so we learned after the fact.  Evelyn was such a lovely lady and told me that her last name, spelled backward, is Loved!  She is indeed loved!  Blessings to her family.

Evelyn Mae Devol

June 29, 1930-September 19, 2015

She did Choose The Right.

FRIDAY, 25 SEPTEMBER 2015
Our whole Seminary class was in attendance this morning!  We had a quiz between schools.  We have four students who attend Memorial High and 7 students who attend Santa Fe High.  They are great students...you can ask them who won...to us they were all winners this morning!

188 years ago on 22nd of September, Emma waited at the bottom of The Hill Cumorah for Joseph as he received the plates to translate The Book of Mormon.  Thank's Bishop Christensen for the challenge to finish The Book of Mormon again this week.  The Hill is beautiful at this time of year.  Thank's for reminding us of this Brother Reynolds!  We were at a meeting on the hill last year at this time.  Once again the leaves are changing.

We have some  beautiful deer that meander through our yard daily.  They have eaten all the flowers on our winter pansies...and a couple of mums planted, even the roots were tasty.  Oh well.

Her babies are growing!

Someday we will have a heavenly garden, right?

SATURDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER 2015
This morning we have a Seminary meeting at the Institute Building in Edmond.  Grandpa Art is going but very nervous that he might miss the kick off with the game BYU vs Michigan!  I hope he can concentrate on instructions we are being given this morning.  The meeting was great, thanks Brother Valletta for the great lesson and helps.
So BYU did great the second half but lost to Michigan 0-31....ouch.  We hope the sons of Bronco, at least, got good grades in their school work this week!  Ha!

Heather and Lily came over and watched the Women's Conference with me last evening.  We enjoyed the speakers and the subjects.  Lily enjoyed the choir.  It is nice that we can have all girls 8 and older with us at this meeting.  Thank you to my beautiful daughter and granddaughter for watching with me.  I propped my leg up and enjoyed the meeting.  Thank's to each speaker for their encouragement, advice and stories.  Hurrah for Israel!

 We also were well represented by the Priesthood Brothern!

SUNDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER 2015
I removed the bandages off my leg last evening.  I think I will need the last surgery after all...I've gone this far...might as well get both legs working good for the remainder of my days.  Life is good.

We are going to watch Ryan & Sarah's children in their Primary Program this morning.  This is my favorite program of the year.  This is our granddaughter Brenna's last Primary program as she will be moving on to Young Women.  Time goes by quickly when we are having fun, right.

We are also looking forward to viewing the blood moon this evening...if the clouds allow.  It can be viewed in Edmond at 10:00 PM...guess we will need a nap so we can stay up that late and still get to Seminary on time Monday!  We are looking forward to "the great and terrible day" Joel 2:30.  So we think this evening would be a good day for the "City of Enoch aka Zion" to return and unite us all.  This is a Seminary teachers wish today, Joel.

Whatever, we do not need to be afraid, but to have faith and hope, right?  May you enjoy your week and your future.  Be kind to all you meet.  We must make sure our children and grandchildren know they are loved.  Smile at the darkened moon and at all the stars in heaven this evening...and enjoy this Sabbath day of Sunshine and beauty that surrounds us.
Sing "Autumn Day" P. 247 in the Children's Song Book.
Smile and know you are loved.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT
Hug's to each and every one of you.
Grandpa Arthur & Grandma Gene
Arthur & Gene

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE OLD TESTAMENT

THURSDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 2015

So this week we returned to the Pre-Existence and watched as the Earth was created.  We stepped into the Garden of Eden and enjoyed the peace that existed in that beautiful environment.  We contemplated our existence because Adam and Eve chose to die and leave behind the easy life.  We pondered their great family and their sons Cain and Abel and the sorrow they experienced over Cain's choices.  We learned of  their son Seth and of his having the Holy Priesthood of God.  We learned of Enoch and his righteous city that was translated.  We look forward to greeting this great man someday.  Here is a picture of Grandpa Art helping the class figure out how big the Ark was!

We pondered Methuselah and his "being left behind" and becoming the Grandfather of Noah.  And today we discussed the flood and the experience of Noah sitting with his family, in the Ark, for seven days before the rains came.  Lots of questions and discussions happened this week and our class is now prepared for the next introduction of the rainbow and after the flood.  If I didn't know better, I would think we were studying our day and age and not the Old Testament.

I ended our class today by trying to take a picture of them all and backing up into the white board.  I tripped and skidded across the carpet...and fell right on my back.  I should have told them that I have fallen for each of them...and for the scriptures...Ha.  Getting old and being uncoordinated do not go together. 

We also decided to attend the OKC Temple yesterday.  We needed to do something good for ourselves as well, and for others, and we always feel comforted after serving there.  President and Sister Hansen met us at the door.  They only have six weeks left in their presidency.  I asked President Hansen if my paperwork had arrived yet?  He said no, so he sent it off again.  Before we left that day my paperwork was there.  Grandpa Arthur is beginning his temple service next week.  President Hansen suggested we both get set apart as ordinance workers before we left yesterday.  I know it will be at least 6 weeks before I can serve as I still have two surgery's to go on my right leg.  No problem, so we both received the keys to be ordinance workers again yesterday.  It feels so good to know I am again serving in The House of The Lord. Now we just must worry when we will find time to do our Visiting Teaching and Home Teaching. 

So to prepare for tomorrow I baked some treats for the Seminary students.  I think tomorrow will be a good day, sweets for the sweets!  As The Lord scatters the children in language, at the Tower of Babel, our students scatter quickly after prayer is said...tomorrow they can lick their fingers and think sweet thoughts about how Noah and his family fed themselves for 150 days on the Ark!  Life is Good.

  FRIDAY, 18 September 2015

Did you know that The Tower of Babel was waterproofed?  Ha...just in case the rains came again...the people had a way to reach heaven and stay dry...go figure.

I went to the elementary school and watched Leif, our grandson, in a program this afternoon.  There were tons of us cramped into a gym and boy did it smell like sweaty children...nice memory for Grandma Gene.  I would not want to have been in the Tower of Babel in an emergency, or the Ark for that matter!  Ha!

As I went for my walk this morning I saw the persimmons were getting ripe, so I ate three of them and opened some of the seeds.  They all have spoons.  According to folklore that means we are going to be shoveling snow this winter...so prepare!

SUNDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER 2015

Good Morning!

We stayed up all night watching the BYU loose to UCLA 23 to 24.  It was a good game even if the "angels" were just watching both teams and not taking sides...Ha!  I asked Grandpa if he thought The Lord felt sad for the BYU team...He said, "I doubt The Lord cares".  Grandpa was sad, I was sleepy.  

Then about 4:00 AM WE woke up to thunder and lightening and a gentle rain, Rain,  GLORIOUS RAIN. Ha!  So far we have received almost two inches.  Too bad that California can't absorb our midwest rain...We know they are in desperate need in that state...I told Grandpa that I think The Lord has a good sense of humor and so the Lord sent us "the rains"!  Our outdoor plants are loving this! 

We are glad today is Sunday and we can attend Sacrament Meeting and be preached to by those in authority!  WE hope our Seminary youth smile at our Sunday Ark experience.  

This week we move on to the introduction of the Abrahamic Covenant in the Old Testament.  I wonder what great lessons await us this week?

We will be watching The sons of Bronco to see how they're own BYU studies go this week, and how our land accepts these mighty warriors.  Until the next newsworthy game, enjoy your life, your families and your many blessings here on earth and above.  Remember that we are not alone and that we are truly loved.  Lets endure well to the end and liken the scriptures unto ourselves.  Give your families extra hugs this week and make sure they know they are loved.

Thank's to each of you for your examples and friendship's.  "Stay on the boat".

Hug's always,

Grandpa Arthur & Grandma Gene

Gene & Arthur

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE OLD TESTAMENT