On Sunday 8 June we didn't get up until after "Music & the Spoken Word." :(

As Eileen enjoyed talks on BYU-TV, the last one by our prophet President Thomas S. Monson, "Obedience Brings Blessings" from April 2013 General Conference, I worked some more on the Catherall family history.

President Thomas S. Monson

Then it was on to the Plantation Ward.

The opening hymn was #27, "Praise to the Man."  This hymn was written by Brother William W. Phelps about the martyred Prophet Joseph Smith Jr.  Brother Phelps was prophetic when he wrote "Millions shall know 'Brother Joseph' again" as there are over 15 million members of the Church today.

William W. Phelps (1792-1872)

The first speaker was full-time missionary Elder Thomas from Alberta, Canada.  It is his second Sunday here.  He spoke about the priesthood and the blessings thereof.  He mentioned some prophets of the Old Testament who held the priesthood.  He spoke of Jesus Christ going to John the Baptist to be baptized.  He told of the loss of the priesthood and its restoration in this dispensation.  He spoke of the priesthood authority in administering the sacrament and our having a remission of our sins, taking upon us the name of Jesus Christ.  He told of the sealing power of the priesthood and cited Matthew 16:19.  "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."  He closed by bearing his testimony.

The second speaker was full-time missionary Elder Allen.  He spoke about the priesthood and the blessings we enjoy due to it.  Alma 26 where Ammon rejoices.  All the celestial wonders we see have come about through the priesthood.  Then he spoke of earthly things like flowers and the blades of grass are due to the power of the priesthood.  Being raised in the Church, he remembers his baptism by his father, the joy and peace that he felt.  2 Nephi 22:25.  "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy."  The joy of the priesthood.  The sacrifice of our Savior.  Matthew 25:40.  "And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."  Moses 1:39.  "For behold, this is my work and my glory-to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."  He has been on his mission almost two years.  Florida has a special place in his heart.  John 3:16.  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  He cherishes the example of his father.  Mosiah 3:17.  "And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent."  He bore his testimony.

Sister Elena Hall shared her testimony about the priesthood.  She quoted President Monson, “Your [patriarchal] blessing is not to be folded neatly and tucked away. It is not to be framed or published. Rather, it is to be read. It is to be loved. It is to be followed. Your patriarchal blessing will see you through the darkest night. It will guide you through life’s dangers.”  “Your Patriarchal Blessing: A Liahona of Light,” Ensign, Nov. 1986.

"Every worthy, baptized member is entitled to and should receive a patriarchal blessing, which provides inspired direction from the Lord. Patriarchal blessings include a declaration of a person's lineage in the house of Israel and contain personal counsel from the Lord. As a person studies his or her patriarchal blessing and follows the counsel it contains, it will provide guidance, comfort, and protection." lds.org

She told of receiving her patriarchal blessing before going into high school.  She bore her testimony of the priesthood and the Savior.

Brother Justin Christensen told of experiences in his life involving the priesthood.  He is hesitant sometimes about serving while his wife, who is due any day, is eager to serve.  He told of going out with the bishop to give a blessing.  Service blesses the priesthood holder as well as the recipient.  2 Corinthians 9:12. "For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God."  He spoke of an experience on his mission in Houston.  They were hot and riding their bikes.  He had an accident and was hit by a truck.  He was fine however.  He said we should make it instinctive to serve.

Bishop Penrod enjoys this subject of the priesthood.  2 Nephi 26:33.  "For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile."  We have a perfect plan in the priesthood to bless the children of God.  Elder Hales spoke of the priesthood in October 1995 General Conference "Blessings of the Priesthood."  He shared some of the blessings as related by Elder Hales.  He has been bishop almost five years.  He and his family have been blessed.  Blessing his wife and counseling with his teenage children.  Baptizing his son and giving one of his children a name and a blessing as an infant.  He quoted Elder Hales as he encouraged priesthood holders.

Elder Robert D. Hales

The closing hymn was #5, "High on the Mountain Top."  It is one of my favorites and I have been trying to memorize it.

We left after sacrament meeting to spend more time with Sue on her birthday.  We met the nurse who came by to visit her.  William came by from Kristen's.  Later friends of Sue's, Ron and Melanie, came by for a visit.  At dinner time Russ and Gail came by with subs from Subway for dinner.  We had a nice visit with them.

We called Geoff and sang "happy birthday" to him and Sue.  When we adopted him in 1967, we casually asked what his birthday was.  Imagine our surprise when we learned that it was the same as Sue's!

On Monday 9 June Eileen wished me "happy anniversary" as we were engaged this day in 1962!  I popped the question at Lido Gardens, a Chinese restaurant in Perth Amboy, New Jersey.  I went to Dollar General and got five balloons for Sue, four "happy birthday" and one smiley face.

Balloons, William, and Eileen at Sue's

Sue and William at Sue's

Then I drove to Kristen's and picked up William, taking pictures of a couple of interesting houses on the way.

Vietnamese Buddhist building

Kristen and Matt Bosse's home

I called Doctors Shorr (dentist) and Raisig (family doctor) back in Georgia to change our upcoming appointments as we're staying here nine days longer than originally planned.  I also called the post office in Ellijay for them to hold our mail longer.  I called Coloma Tart Cherry to have them send a bottle of the concentrate here as the bottle that we brought is almost empty.

Back at Sue's I finished and published my 1 June blog entry.

Everyone enjoyed one another's company for the afternoon.  I finished my research into the extended Lawry family and put lots of ancestors, collaterally speaking, on my temple ordinance list.  All of the men were turned over to the temple to do.

I called the elders in the Pittsfield Illinois Branch and left a message with the names of those to whom I had sent Book of Mormons while in Missouri.

We enjoyed penne rigate pasta and meatballs for supper.  We dropped William off at the Ft. Lauderdale Airport.

I called Sabrina Bayless, whom we home/visit teach, and wished her a happy anniversary.  She and her husband were just leaving the El Rey Mexican restaurant in Ellijay.

I read two talks of the recent general conference.  They were "The Joyful Burden of Discipleship" by Elder Ronald A. Rasband and "Christ the Redeemer" by Elder Carlos H. Amado.

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

Elder Carlos H. Amado

Eileen and I watched the Dodgers - Reds baseball game after Sue went to bed.  The Dodgers won, 6-2.  Eileen was always a Dodger fan and I root for them now because former Yankee great Don Mattingly is their manager.

Don Mattingly - Yankee star

Don Mattingly - Dodger manager

On Tuesday 10 June I was up early and took our car to Lipton Toyota for its 75,000 mile service.  Colleen and her family is on their way here, so I made a reservation for them at the nearby Quality Inn.  I had enough points to cover two nights there for free.

Lipton Toyota service

Lipton Toyota on Oakland Park Blvd.

While waiting for our car's service to be finished, I began reading the June issue of the Ensign.  I enjoyed very much the First Presidency message from President Thomas S. Monson.  "Hastening the Work" was about doing our family history work for those on the other side of the veil. 

A couple more hours! Oy!  They were rotating the tires and found that the two front lug nuts were cross threaded, so they have to fix that.  And it appears that the transmission fluid service that should have been done at 60,000 miles was not, so that'll be done, too.  I told the service manager that I would get back with him if I found that the transmission fluid service had been done in Georgia.

In an article based on a talk given by Bishop Gérald J. Caussé, he stated, "Your happiness depends more on the principles you choose to follow than on the external circumstances of your life."

Bishop Gérald J. Caussé

The outside service fellow who brings your car around for you said "yes" to my two Book of Mormon questions!

I got gas at BP on Oakland Park Blvd. for just $3.499!  Then on to Winn-Dixie and Walmart.  There was no line at Walmart, so the cashier said "yes" to my two Book of Mormon questions!

And a haircut at the Barber Shop from Mr. Frank.

Mr. Frank at work

As I approached Sue's home, I saw about 17 cute little ducklings with their parent.  They are Muscovy ducks and the adults are very unattractive.

While I was out and about, our youngest daughter Heather flew in from Raleigh to help with Sue.

Heather and Eileen 

I called the elders in Pittsfield, Illinois, back and they returned my call.  They were going to visit one of the young ladies to whom I sent a Book of Mormon and pass on the other two women's names to another set of elders.

After a yummy Oriental supper I finished reading "Silas Marner" by George Eliot, the pen name for Mary Ann Evans, which I had begun on 11 March.  I have already read "The Mill on the Floss" by her.

Mary Ann Evans (George Eliot) (1819-1880)

Later I finished the March 2nd edition of the Church News.  There was an article close to home, so to speak, about assistance provided after a Georgia ice storm in February when we were in Florida.  I enjoyed the article about Elder Dallin H. Oaks' address at BYU-Idaho on 25 Feb.  He encouraged believers to affirm "our religious faiths."

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

The center section was about Typhoon Haiyan which devastated Tacloban in the Philippines in November.  "Through a unique building/construction training program, the Church is building some 3,000 homes in Tacloban."

Wood piled in the parking lot of an LDS stake center will
be used to build some 3,000 new homes in areas
devastated by Typhoon Haiyan.

Before

and After (not quite finished yet)

On Wednesday 11 June I did a bit of shopping and the nursing assistant and later the case manager from the hospice came to visit with Sue.

I threw lots of old stale tortillas into the canal behind Sue's house for the ducks to enjoy.

The canal in back of Sue and David's

I worked some more on family history and Family Tree in familysearch.org.

Colleen, Sean, and the boys arrived about 3:30 pm.  I had checked into the Quality Inn on University Blvd., so they were able to get settled in. But I was reminded that Quality Inn is not a quality inn.  They have no microwave and refrigerator in the rooms and no waffle maker in the breakfast area.  Sean even had to search for an ice maker that worked and they never brought the roll-away bed.  They tried to charge me for it but Sean informed them that they had never brought it.  So I looked for a different place for them to stay when the two days were up that I had booked.

Quality Inn

Colleen rode with me to Sue's to see her and visit with Eileen and Heather. Later Heather returned to Kristen’s to work on a paper for school and Sean and the boys came to see Sue.  We enjoyed Eileen’s chicken and dumplings.

I read the next talk from the recent general conference by Sister Linda S. Reeves entitled "Protection from Pornography: A Christ Focused Home."

Linda S. Reeves

I called Sears to order a heating element for Sue's cooktop stove. Eileen really disliked not having the large element available.

I also read a chapter from "The Miracle of Forgiveness" by President Spencer W. Kimball.

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895-1985)

I worked some more on the Sawyer family history. 

On Thursday 12 June Heather and Colleen came by Sue's.  Sue is doing well as she is up almost all day in the recliner in the living room rather than in bed. 

I made reservations for 13-17 June at the Comfort Suites north of Sue's for the Cubberley's.  I drove by there to check it out and also took some pictures on Oakland Park Blvd. of photogenic locations, i.e., the Public Library and waterfalls at Inverarry Blvd.

Comfort Suites on Commercial Blvd.

Public Library on Oakland Park Blvd.

Public Library on Oakland Park Blvd.

At Inverarry Blvd and Oakland Park Blvd.

I fried the Jalapeño Spam that I bought last week and enjoyed it for lunch.  I hadn't had Spam in years!

Heather said she'd be here tomorrow morning so that Eileen and I can go to the Fort Lauderdale Temple for the noon endowment session.  Then I'll go to the Comfort Suites to check in.

I finished working on the Sawyer family history and put all the individuals in Family Tree if they weren't there already.

Eileen and I went out for dinner at the Kingshead Pub near Sue's house.  Mike, Megan's old boy friend of many years, was bringing supper by for the Opatosky's.  We enjoyed our English supper very much!  We were in the back room for the first time where darts are played.  The front room was pretty full.

Kingshead Pub on University Blvd.

Ben in the back room

Eileen in the back room

Menu front page

Lots of dart playing while we were there

We saw this harp in Dublin!

Afterwards we went to Target and Publix.  I took part in a conference call on my iPhone with Lee Snyder and the committee for the Marietta East Stake food drive which will take place in September.  The meeting was actually held in the Woodstock building in Georgia.

On Friday 13 June (is anyone superstitious?) Heather came by before 10 and Sue got up to join us.  I worked on my blog.  I read an excellent article in the June Ensign magazine by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles entitled “The Call to be Christlike.”  It was from a devotional address that he gave at Dixie State University in St. George, Utah, in 2012.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Eileen and I attended the 12 noon endowment session at the Fort Lauderdale Temple.  There were 18 sisters and 10 brethren in the session.  We met Arthur and Barbara Culton whom we knew years ago at the Washington DC Temple.  They are temple workers and have been down here about a year.

I dropped Eileen off at Sue's where the Cubberley's were hanging out.  Then I went to the Comfort Suites to check in for them.  I saw a cute license plate featuring one of the oldest computer languages that I learned about 30 years ago.

I did some shopping for Eileen at Walmart and Publix for liver detox recipes for Sue.

I went with the Cubberley's to the Comfort Suites around 7 pm.

On Saturday 14 June we were up and enjoyed breakfast with Sue.  I went to Whole Foods, which is sometimes called Whole Paycheck, to get the flaxseed oil for the liver detox recipes and some yogurt raisins for Eileen.  I stopped at Publix and then returned to Sue’s where her acupuncture treatment was going on.

We enjoyed having Colleen, Sean, and the boys at Sue's for supper.

I finished "Doctor Syn Returns" by Russell Thorndyke which I had begun on 2 April.  I have already read "Doctor Syn: A Tale of the Romney Marsh" and "Doctor Syn on the High Seas."  

Russell Thorndyke (1885-1972)