122925, Monday

 

Daily Vitals: Wt. 233.2

GMI: 6.8,  Steps (previous day): 3,319

BP: 129/76, Pulse: 75, Reported Sleep: 5:57

Journal Entry

122825, Sunday

 

Daily Vitals: Wt. 232.4

GMI: 6.8,  Steps (previous day): 8,744

BP: 123/71, Pulse: 82, Reported Sleep: 6:03

Journal Entry

My sons, Kevin and Jake took us out to dinner on Kevin and Becky's last night here. We went to Guru's in Provo which it's my favorite place for group singers because there is usually plenty of room and it's relatively quiet and I like the food.

The photo here is, of course, the Provo City Center Temple as seen from Guru's.

Kevin and Becky are flying back to Phoenix today. We have really enjoyed having them here. 

Come Follow Me 

D&C 76:22 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

23 For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—

24 That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.

"Joseph Smith’s testimony of Jesus is that He lives, “for [he] saw him, even on the right hand of God; and [he] heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father”.  I appeal to all who hear or read this message to seek through prayer and study of the scriptures that same witness of the divine character, the Atonement, and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Accept His doctrine by repenting, being baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and then throughout your life following the laws and covenants of the gospel of Jesus Christ."

President D. Todd Christofferson, Apostle 

122725, Saturday

Daily Vitals: Wt. 227.6

GMI: 6.8,  Steps (previous day): 6,586

BP: 121/74, Pulse: 75, Reported Sleep: 5:35

Journal Entry

We had a very good day yesterday. Breakfast at the Mirror Lake Diner then downtown SLC as depicted in the attached photo. 

Also we went into the magnificent Conference Center and Kevin and Becky got an up close look with the help of a sister missionary. 

I also wanted to test out the leg room of the standard seats and found it to be quite satisfactory. Amazing considering the facility has over 20,000 seats.

It has been a great pleasure having Kevin and Becky visit.

Come Follow Me 

Matthew 2: 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

"And when we find him, will we be prepared as were the wise men of old to provide gifts from our many treasures? They presented gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These are not the gifts Jesus asks of us. From the treasure of our hearts Jesus asks that we give of ourselves.

"Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind."

In this marvelous Dispensation of the Fullness of Times, our opportunities to give of ourselves are indeed limitless, but they are also perishable. There are hearts to gladden. There are kind words to say. There are gifts to be given. There are deeds to be done. There are souls to be saved. "Go, gladden the lonely, the dreary; go, comfort the weeping, the weary; go, scatter kind deeds on your way, oh, make the world brighter today."

President Thomas S. Monson, Apostle 

"But even if we are not serving the Lord or our country in full-time service, our opportunities to serve are limitless. Kind words and deeds can lift burdens and cheer up hearts! Our Father in Heaven invites us all to give service. And when we do, “the King shall answer and say unto [us], 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.”

Sister Christina B. Franco, Second Counselor, Primary General Presidency 

“The passage of time has not altered the capacity of the Redeemer to change men’s lives. As he said to the dead Lazarus, so he says to you and me: ‘… come forth.’ Come forth from the despair of doubt. Come forth from the sorrow of sin. Come forth from the death of disbelief. Come forth to a newness of life. Come forth. As we do, and direct our footsteps along the paths which Jesus walked, let us remember the testimony Jesus gave: ‘Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world. … I am the light and … life of the world. …’ ‘I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father.’ To his testimony I add my witness: He lives.”

President Thomas S. Monson 

122625, Friday

 

Daily Vitals: Wt. 228.8

GMI: 6.7,  Steps (previous day): 6,397

BP: 123/70, Pulse: 81, Reported Sleep: 6:28

Journal Entry

Christmas was very nice. Especially having my two sons, Kevin and Jake, here together. Adam sent me a text wishing me a merry Christmas and saying that he misses me. Not buying it. He knows where I am and never comes to visit. He called me once in 2025 and we had a nice visit. Then I found out later that he called because Jake suggested it. Anyway, I am enjoying having Jake and Kevin here and they invited me to go out to breakfast with them tomorrow, partly to celebrate my coming 80th birthday, and that means a lot to me.

Cathy and I are planning to take Kevin and Becky up to the Mirror Lake Diner for breakfast and then drive down to Salt Lake to let Becky see the developing Temple Square area. Should be a fun day.

Come Follow Me 

Luke 2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

"[W]herever you are on this earth, there are plenty of opportunities to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ with people you meet, study with, and live with or work and socialize with."

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Apostle 

122525, Thursday Christmas

Daily Vitals: Wt. 229.4

GMI: 6.7,  Steps (previous day): 6,608

BP: 122/71, Pulse: 70, Reported Sleep: 5:28

Journal Entry

Jake and his whole family of six came over and shared a great breakfast which Cathy prepared. Then we opened gifts. I truly enjoyed the whole experience. Kevin will be flying in shortly with his new bride, Becky, they will stay with us for three nights and that should be a great enjoyment as well. Should be a great Christmas!

Come Follow Me 

Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Great Quote: "The gospel of Jesus Christ is truly the “good news of great joy!" It is a message of matchless hope! A message of yoke-bearing and burden-lifting. Of light-gathering. Of heavenly favor, higher understanding, holier covenants, eternal security, and everlasting glory!

Joy is the very purpose of God’s plan for His children. It’s what you were created for—“that [you] might have joy!" You were built for this!

Our Father in Heaven has not hidden the path to happiness. It is not a secret. It is available to all!"

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Apostle 

122425, Wednesday

Daily Vitals: Wt. 231.9

GMI: 6.6,  Steps (previous day): 5,068

BP: 119/73, Pulse: 75, Reported Sleep: 5:53

Journal Entry

The photo was taken by me yesterday morning. It was a beautiful sunrise and we were driving on State street in Orem. Mt.Timpanogos is in the background and it is, to me, a very inspiring and hopeful view.

Looking forward to having Kevin and Becky here for a few days starting on Christmas day.

Upon reviewing the scripture below, 3 Nephi 1:13, I'm reminded of just important the birth of Jesus Christ was to ask if mankind. Nobody has worked harder, suffered more, or been more kind and loving than our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

It's very important to remember that!

Come Follow Me 

3 Nephi 1:13 Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.

  "The scriptural story of Jesus Christ is indeed a two-hemisphere story.  While Mary and Joseph in the East were making preparations for the holy child’s birth in Bethlehem,  Nephi in the West was being taught by the premortal Messiah. To Nephi the Lord said, “Be of good cheer; … on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.”

Elder Russell M. Nelson, Apostle 

122325, Tuesday

 

Daily Vitals: Wt. 232.3

GMI: 6.6,  Steps (previous day): 10,305

BP: 128/67, Pulse: 74, Reported Sleep: 5:53

Journal Entry

I served in the Bishops Storehouse today and enjoyed it a lot. It was busy but not overwhelming. I serve with wonderful people and enjoy meeting and serving the patrons who come in. It's sometimes a little surprising how many patrons are there to help someone in their ward or neighborhood. It's such a good feeling to help with providing food, etc. To those in need.

Come Follow Me 

Mosiah 3:8 And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary.

9 And lo, he cometh unto his own, that salvation might come unto the children of men even through faith on his name; and even after all this they shall consider him a man, and say that he hath a devil, and shall scourge him, and shall crucify him.

"Brothers and sisters, the warning of our beloved prophet is a further reminder of our individual responsibility to seek to learn and to teach our families that there is a Father in Heaven who loves us and who has developed a divine plan of happiness for His children; that Jesus Christ, His Son, is the Redeemer of the world; and that salvation comes from faith in His name. Our lives need to be rooted upon the rock of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, which might help us individually and as families to have our own spiritual impressions engraved in our hearts, helping us to endure in our faith."

Elder Ulisses Soares, Apostle 

“It behooves us not only to obtain all the light and truth we can, but to use the intelligence we have to alter our lives to conform more closely to the example so beautifully portrayed in the life of Jesus. Christ is referred to by John the Beloved as the ‘Word’ and appropriately so, because he was and is the messenger of salvation to all nations and peoples. He is the light and life of men. No one can come into the eternal presence of God the Father except through his beloved Son our Savior, who is the light and Redeemer of the world.”

Delbert L. Stapley, Apostle