On Sunday 28 June Eileen has lost 2.5 pounds and I have gained .2 pounds in the last week. The White's had "Music & the Spoken Word" on their TV prior to church. We enjoyed attending the Irvington Ward with them. They are part of the Fremont Stake.
Opening hymn was #75 "In Hymns of Praise" text by Ada Blenkhorn and music by Alfred Beirly.
Sacrament hymn was #185 "Reverently and Meekly Now" text by Joseph L. Townsend (1849-1942) and music by Ebenezer Beesley (1840-1906).
The first speaker was Josh Airth. He spoke on faith. He is a senior in high school. Learned what faith was in Primary. A song entitled "Faith." Learning the Articles of Faith. Seminary has blessed him. Scripture study. Enlarge your understanding of the Gospel. Quoted Elder Perry and President Hinckley. Elder Perry told of teaching early morning seminary years ago. Seminary strengthens and increases your faith and testimony.
The second speaker was Betty Jo Atkins, an older sister probably about 80. Spoke of her and her husband Bill being full tithe payers for over 50 years. Lived in Fremont all of their married life. Spoke of the power of prayer. Prayer about a wayward grandson Joshua. Addicted to tobacco and alcohol. Counseled with him. He finally had to be asked to leave their home. Jesus' hand is stretched out still to us.
Musical number by Addie and Tanner Palfreyman "4th of July Medley - A Piano Duet"
The concluding speaker was Chris Cluff. Emotional about our country and the 4th of July. Always wanted to serve his country. When he was ready to join at 17, he just didn't feel right, so he didn't sign up. Next day was 9/11. Later served a mission and married. Again wanted to join the Navy. No opening for the job he wanted, air traffic controller. Went to school and became an air traffic controller. So he is serving in this fashion. What is faith? Having a righteous goal. Quoted the Prophet Joseph from the "Lectures on Faith." Principle of action and power. Faith in Jesus Christ and trust in Him. Faith to take the action that Heavenly Father asks of us. He sees the big picture. Moroni 10:7. How do we increase our faith? Nurture our faith every day through study, prayer, and service. Obedience to the Holy Ghost and the commandments. We will be blessed. Act and our faith increases.
Closing hymn was #220 "Lord, I Would Follow Thee" text by Susan Evans McCloud b. 1945 and music by K. Newell Dayley b. 1939. Brother and Sister Dayley were part of our LDS cruise around the U. K. in 2013.
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| K. Newell Dayley |
Gospel Doctrine was lesson #22 “Inherit the Kingdom Prepared for You" using Matthew 25. We had that lesson two weeks ago in Colleen's ward. So we attended the little family history class with Allen and Lynda. We didn't think or realize that we should bring Eileen's laptop, so she worked on her iPad and helped a member of their ward who had an iPad, too.
The hymn in priesthood was #339 "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" text by Samuel F. Smith (1808-1895) and music from Thesaurus Musicus, London, 1744.
The priesthood lesson was Teachings for Our Time using the talk "Why Marriage, Why Family" by Elder D. Todd Christofferson from the Saturday afternoon session of General Conference.
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| Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles |
"A family built on the marriage of a man and woman supplies the best setting for God’s plan to thrive."
"Our Heavenly Father prepared an enabling plan. In the scriptures it is given various names, including “the plan of salvation,” “the great plan of happiness,” and “the plan of redemption.”
"At least four things are needed for the success of this divine plan:
First was the Creation of the earth as our dwelling place. Second is the condition of mortality. Third is redemption from the Fall. Fourth, and finally, is the setting for our physical birth and subsequent spiritual rebirth into the kingdom of God."
I could not find my hearing aids this morning. I had looked in the car and the bedroom. No luck! After church I got down on my knees and prayed for help. Eileen and I checked the bedroom again. Then I went out to the car and found the container between the left side of the driver's seat and the body of the car. Whew!
Eileen, Lynda, and Allen napped while I worked on my 12 April blog until my bottom couldn't take it any longer. I had the same problem on the folding chairs in priesthood.
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| White's Living Room |
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| White's Family Room |
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| White's Kitchen Nook |
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| Our bedroom at White's |
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| Our bathroom at White's |
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| White's front door |
We enjoyed Lynda's pot roast for supper. Later we played Mexican Train with Lynda easily beating Eileen and Allen with me way behind.
About 7:55 pm we all went for a ride in the White's Toyota Corolla. We relaxed back home afterwards. We saw where Boudin's SF is located locally so Eileen can get her sourdough bread without having to go to San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf.
I finished reading the next section of Elder John A. Widtsoe's "Evidences and Reconciliations" which was "Salvation."
On Monday 29 June we were up early as Eileen went with Lynda to the local pool for water aerobics. After they returned Allen took me to the post office to mail a check to Geoff for his rent and I faxed a letter to CareFirst to correct his address in their system for his dental plan. I had learned about this when I called them this morning.
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| Eileen and Lynda heading for water aerobics |
About 11:30 we all headed out for a 50 minute drive south to Santa Cruz on the ocean. We enjoyed driving on the pier and around town there.
Then we drove up the coast along CA Rte 1 to the Pigeon Point Lighthouse and on to Half Moon Bay and Sam's Chowder House.
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| The Fresnel lens |
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| Ben at Pigeon Point |
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| Ben at Pigeon Point |
It was our fourth time at Sam's, three of them in 2012. We gave up our diet to a degree with some bread, Eileen's chowder (I finished the potatoes in it), and the blue crab cakes. We arrived back home about 6 pm.
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| Eileen, Lynda, and Allen |
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| Eileen, Lynda, and Allen |
Various dishes!
Today was Allen and Lynda's 48th wedding anniversary. She won Mexican Train for the third evening in a row! Eileen was next followed by me with Allen a distant last.
On Tuesday 30 June we were up early and we all went to the Oakland Temple Family History Center where Allen serves. They held their staff meeting at 9:45 am. We met Elder and Sister Peterson from South Jordan, Utah, and Elder and Sister White from Emmett, Idaho. I also met Linda Bailey, a local volunteer at the FHC.
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| Oakland Temple |
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| Eileen and Ben in front of the Family History Center |
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| The staff meeting |
We both enjoyed working on our family history, Eileen on her laptop and I on one of the FHC computers. I researched the Tanner family in Connecticut. My 3rd great-grandmother Elizabeth Wheeler remarried Charles Tanner after George Baily died, so I was researching the Tanners who came to New England. We left about 2:30.
We stopped at a Walmart that Allen said was bigger than the one near them, but it was still a lot smaller than what we're used to and we couldn't get all on our shopping list.
I got a bit disgruntled about some things and started to help Eileen with the salad for supper by slicing a carrot on the mandoline. I wasn't careful and was doing it at an odd angle, and so I sliced the tip of a finger on my right hand. It bled a lot as we bandaged it up.
After supper Allen and I went to watch some slow-pitch softball games some distance from his house.
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| Eileen and Allen |
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| Allen at the ballpark |
On the way home we stopped at a good-sized Walmart and they still didn't have what I wanted, but Eileen and Lynda went to the one near their house and were somewhat more successful.
I finished reading "Rebel Spurs" by Andre Norton which I had begun on 11 June. It is the sequel to "Ride Proud, Rebel!" I have also read some of her sci-fi works, too.
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| Andre Norton (1912-2005) |
On Wednesday 1 July Eileen overslept and didn't go to water aerobics with Lynda. About 9:30 Lynda returned and Allen took me to the Washington Urgent Care center not too far away. It went well. My blood pressure was 114/68. The nurse asked about being my diabetic so I filled her in on our diet and its results. She removed the plastic and band aids. The blood had clotted well and my finger had very white skin due to the airtight wrapping of the band aids. Two doctors came in, one big fellow and a little Indian woman, and he liked how the sliced finger looked and bandaged it nicely. He said that should heal well by itself. He showed me where to apply pressure to reduce the bleeding when the bandage needs changing.
While we were at the urgent care center, Eileen and Lynda were home having fun making more potholders to use as gifts similar to the ones that Lynda had made earlier in the year for Eileen. Then they departed to visit Jo Ann Fabrics and Dress Barn.
Allen took me for a ride on the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit). We got on at 1:36 and rode to the 24th Street Mission stop at about 2:35 and were home about 3:45.
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| Allen and the BART System Map |
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| The Fremont station |
Eileen won Mexican Train! I won the last hand which kept me under 400 points but I was still last. Allen and Lynda were between us.
We all attended the stake family history meeting at 7 pm for the family history consultants of the stake. A nonmember came by and Allen helped her, so even though the meeting ended at 8 we didn't leave until almost 9:30. I got on one of their computers and began researching my 2nd great-grandmother Baily née Shipton's brother Henry and his family.
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| Eileen at the stake center |
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| The stake family history meeting |
Back home I couldn't find my iPhone, so I asked Eileen to use the "Find iPhone" app on her phone. It showed my phone to be here and we found it in Allen's car!
On Thursday 2 July I emailed the information for the August Kids Ferst newsletter to the fellow at Ferst Foundation. Then we all went to the Alameda County Fair at the Fairgrounds.
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| Lynda, Allen, and Eileen arrive |
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| Alameda County Fair |
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| Historic police car |
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| Ben and Allen |
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| One of many ornate food vendors |
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| Another enticing food vendor |
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| Allen, Lynda, and Eileen |
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| Polish sausage vendor |
We drove through Pleasanton and Niles, then stopped at Walgreens for some bandage and tape to rewrap my damaged ring finger.
After supper Allen and I went to Costco. It was a madhouse! This whole area is extremely congested! Allen got gas there this morning for $2.999.
I won Mexican Train, being first the entire game! Eileen was last. Allen and Lynda were between us.
I worked on the 12 April blog entry which is the week we were in Gatlinburg.
Allen took me to the Fremont Hearing Aid Center where they gave me some wax trap replacements that I needed and had forgotten to pack.
About 11:30 we headed for Mann's Jewelers in San Jose. Eileen had discovered that they carry the bracelet that she has with the various attachments. It is about a half hour south of Fremont. Lynda took our picture with the Times-Courier. Eileen selected the dogwood attachment. Next door was The Willow Glen Collective antiques and collectibles store and Eileen joined Lynda there. I bought Eileen two Hummel's there. They were half-price.
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| Ben and Eileen |
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| Eileen inside Mann's Jewelers |
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| Eileen's shell attachment |
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| Lynda and Eileen inside Mann's Jewelers |
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| Eileen inside Mann's Jewelers |
Allen won Mexican Train for the first time! I was a distant last. Allen passed Lynda on the last hand and Eileen was third. Now Allen, Eileen, and I have each won one game after Lynda won the first three!
I finished reading the supplement to the Ensign "In Memoriam Elder L. Tom Perry 1922-2015."
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| Elder L. Tom Perry |
The afternoon email from the Deseret News announced that President Boyd K. Packer had passed away at 2 pm today at age 90.
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| President Boyd K. Packer (1924-2015) |
I had often wondered why the term "free agency," which had been used by Church leaders for over 150 years, was changed to "moral agency" or simply "agency." The article, a very lengthy one teaching much about President Packer, stated, "Another hallmark was his clarification of the LDS doctrine of agency, the foundation upon which he said all other doctrines are founded. He taught that the term 'free agency' is not scriptural. While agency is the freedom to choose, it doesn't include freedom from responsibility, accountability or consequences. He repeatedly taught that the correct — and scriptural — term is 'moral agency.' " So "free agency" isn't wrong, it has just been fine-tuned.
However we have been taught that the most important and pertinent counsel to us in these latter days is what is spoken by the living prophets and apostles. Therefore if they use the term "free agency," it is a correct term even though it may not be found in the scriptural canon.
I expect that Elder Russell M. Nelson will be set apart as the new president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Then we will see who the two new members of the quorum will be. The members of the quorum are so busy that I can't imagine the Church waiting until October (but it did take place then).
I began reading the White's copy of the July 2015 Ensign. I read the article "Religion and Government" by Elder Wilford W. Andersen of the Seventy.
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| Elder Wilford W. Andersen of the Seventy |
He referenced "Handbook 2: Administering the Church" stating, “In accordance with the laws of their respective governments, members are encouraged to register to vote, to study issues and candidates carefully, and to vote for individuals who they believe will act with integrity and sound judgment. Latter-day Saints have a special obligation to seek out, vote for, and uphold leaders who are honest, good, and wise (see D&C 98:10).”
That will be so difficult next year as we have no leaders in either political party "who are honest, good, and wise." They are all, in my opinion, misguided and ignorant of what is wise and good.
I began and finished "Accident A Short Story" and "The Water Bus A Short Story" by Agatha Christie.
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| Agatha Christie (1890-1976) |
I won Mexican Train for the second time! Allen nipped Lynda. Eileen was a distant last. It was the guys' day today.
On Saturday 4 July we were up early as we attended the Irvington Ward breakfast at 8 am.
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| Irvington Ward building |
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| Eileen, Lynda, and Allen |
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| Lots of pancakes and waffles |
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| Breakfast in the cultural hall |
Then we attended the local parade which started at 10. There were numerous Scout units marching. A great mixture of many different cultures. And remarkably no horses!! We enjoyed the old tractors, pickup trucks, Mustangs, Camaros, and other old vehicles.
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| Eileen, Lynda, and Allen waiting for the parade to begin |
After being back at White's for a while, Lynda and Eileen went to visit Kohl's. I downloaded 340 pictures from Eileen's camera (248 from the parade) and some pictures from my camera (I took parade pictures on my iPhone) onto my external iPhoto drive. I met with some challenges downloading the pictures onto Eileen's external iPhoto drive.
We went to an early dinner (4 pm) at a Texas Roadhouse in Union City with the White's friends Tom and Teresa Moore.
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| Texas Roadhouse |
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| Allen, Tom and Teresa, Eileen, and Lynda |
Back at the White's we played Mexican Train with Tom and Teresa. Allen won with Lynda second. Then over 300 were myself, Teresa, Eileen, and Tom.
After the Moore's left we played another game of Mexican Train. It was bizarre for me as I did very well the first eight hands and had a nice lead. Then the next four hands were quite bad and, even though I won the last hand, Allen won and Lynda was second. Eileen was last.
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