091725, Wednesday

Daily Vitals: Weight: 230.1, GMI: 6.9, Steps (previous day): 4,478, Blood Pressure: 107/65, 64 Reported Sleep 6:53

Journal Entry

Recovering from TURP surgery. Catheter removed. Watching for improvement.

Come Follow Me 

D&C 104:15 And it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine.

16 But it must needs be done in mine own way; and behold this is the way that I, the Lord, have decreed to provide for my saints, that the poor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low.

"I know we can each do something, however small that act may seem to be. We can pay an honest tithe and give our fast and freewill offerings, according to our circumstances. And we can watch for other ways to help. To worthy causes and needy people, we can give time if we don’t have money, and we can give love when our time runs out. We can share the loaves we have and trust God that the cruse of oil will not fail… Said the Prophet Joseph… “Respecting how much a man … shall give … we have no special instructions … ; he is to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church, or in any other, or in no church at all, wherever he finds them.”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Apostle 

091625, Tuesday

Daily Vitals: Weight: 232.2, GMI: 6.8, Steps (previous day): 3,474, Blood Pressure: 140/72, 62, Reported Sleep 1:42 (post-op catheter)

Journal Entry:

I underwent my TURP surgery yesterday morning. Then had two very large meals - one for lunch and one for dinner - no bowl movements and now I have a catheter which imposes significantly on my sleep. So that's why my Vitals are a bit screwed up. The urine in my catheter bag is no longer reddish meaning the bleeding seems to stopped from my surgery. That means I can probably remove my catheter in a few hours and begin to have a normal life. I won't know the results of my surgery for probably a few days. Hoping for an improved urinary process.

Cathy has, of course, been angelic again taking care of me.

Come Follow Me 

D&C 104:13 For it is expedient that I, the Lord, should make every man accountable, as a steward over earthly blessings, which I have made and prepared for my creatures.

14 I, the Lord, stretched out the heavens, and built the earth, my very handiwork; and all things therein are mine.

"[T]he care of the earth and of our natural environment is a sacred responsibility entrusted to us by God, which should fill us with a deep sense of duty and humility. It is also an integral component of our discipleship. How can we honor and love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ without honoring and loving Their creations?

There are many things that we can do—collectively and individually—to be good stewards. Considering our individual circumstances, each of us can use the bountiful resources of the earth more reverently and prudently. We can support community efforts to care for the earth. We can adopt personal lifestyles and behaviors that respect God’s creations and make our own living spaces tidier, more beautiful, and more inspirational."

Bishop Gérald Causeé, Presiding Bishop, October 2022

091525, Monday

Daily Vitals: Weight: 222.2 GMI: 6.7, Steps (previous day): 6,514, Blood Pressure: 123/70, 7325 Reported Sleep 7:09

Journal Entry

Yesterday was pretty quiet. I'm preparing for today's surgery by fasting and careful prescription drug use. Hopefully my urinary issues will be improved and that's all I'm going to write about that except to say that I'll have a catheter for awhile and that's definitely not enjoyable.

Come Follow Me 

D&C 103:8 But inasmuch as they keep not my commandments, and hearken not to observe all my words, the kingdoms of the world shall prevail against them.

9 For they were set to be a light unto the world, and to be the saviors of men;

10 And inasmuch as they are not the saviors of men, they are as salt that has lost its savor, and is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men.

" It is easy to despair when we see about us the moorings of society slipping. We must remember, however, that the Lord sent His Saints into the world “to be a light unto the world, and to be the saviors of men.” This is a time when “Zion must arise and put on her beautiful garments.” The contrast between the Church and the world will be increasingly marked in the future, which contrast, we hope, will cause the Church to be more attractive to those in the world who desire to live according to God’s plan for us, His children."

President Ezra Taft Benson, April 1978

"The principle of activating blessings that flow from God is eternal. Like those ancient Israelites, we too must act on our faith in Jesus Christ to be blessed. God has revealed that “there is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—and when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.” That being said, you do not earn a blessing—that notion is false—but you do have to qualify for it. Our salvation comes only through the merits and grace of Jesus Christ. The immensity of His atoning sacrifice means that the woodpile is infinite; our puny actions approach zero in comparison. But they are not zero, and they are not insignificant; in the dark, a match that is lit can be seen for miles. In fact, it can be seen in heaven because small acts of faith are required to ignite God’s promises."

Elder Dale G. Renlund, Apostle, April 2019

091425, Sunday

Daily Vitals: Weight: 228.3, GMI: 6.8, Steps (previous day): 9,5470, Blood Pressure: 102/64, 80 Reported Sleep 6:27

Journal Entry 

We enjoyed a nice birthday celebration here yesterday for Cathy, who worked very hard to put it on, and Erica whose birthday was actually the day before (9/12) and Fredrick and Alexander who both turned 8. It's always good to get together with Jake's family and the best place to do that is here at our house.

So I started my fasting for tomorrow's surgery at 1900 last night and my prostrate surgery is scheduled for tomorrow morning at 0915. Hopefully it will be successful in improving my urinary tract difficulties but we'll see.

Come Follow Me 

D&C 101:36 Wherefore, fear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full.

"How often are we so focused on pursuing the so-called good life that we lose sight of eternal life? It is the fatal spiritual equivalent of selling our birthright for a mess of pottage.

…The only way that we may overcome the world is by coming unto Christ. And coming unto Christ means walking away from the world. It means placing Christ and Christ only at the center of our lives so that the vanities and philosophies of men lose their addictive appeal. Satan is the god of Babylon, or this world. Christ is the God of Israel, and His Atonement gives us power to overcome the world. “If you expect glory, intelligence and endless lives,” said President Joseph F. Smith, “let the world go.”

Sister Sheri L. Dew, Second Counselor, Relief Society General Presidency, October 1999

091325, Saturday

Daily Vitals: Weight: 226.8, GMI: 6.8, Steps (previous day): 7,098, Blood Pressure: 116/71, 65 Reported Sleep 6:44

Journal Entry 

A photo from yesterday when we visited Temple Square. Even now a beautiful place.

Come Follow Me 

D&C 101:35 And all they who suffer persecution for my name, and endure in faith, though they are called to lay down their lives for my sake yet shall they partake of all this glory.

"Therefore, true enduring represents not merely the passage of time, but the passage of the soul—and not merely from A to B, but sometimes all the way from A to Z. To endure in faith and do God’s will therefore involves much more than putting up with a circumstance.

Rather than shoulder-shrugging, true enduring is soul-trembling. Jesus bled not at a few, but “at every pore.”

Elder Neal L. Maxwell, Apostle

We have enjoyed divine favor through much of our history, but what of the future? It seems to me, my brethren and sisters, that the lessons of history, many of them very sobering, ought to be turned to during this hour of our great achievement because I feel in my own heart that during the hour of our success is our greatest danger. I feel firmly that even during the hour of great prosperity, a nation may sow the seeds of its own destruction. This may happen even during a period of great income, relatively full employment, and high business activity. History reveals that rarely is a great civilization conquered from without until it has weakened or destroyed itself within.

Source

Ezra Taft Benson, “America-What of the Future?”, April 1952 General Conference

091225, Friday

Daily Vitals: Weight: 226.6, GMI: 6.9, Steps (previous day): 4,240, Blood Pressure: 132/79, 70 Reported Sleep 6:25

Journal Entry 

There is a lot of publicity right now - mostly positive but some negative - as a result of the shooting death of Charlie Kirk who is a well known conservative activist. I don't want to get into it except to say that I supported his thinking and am sorry he died as he did.

Cathy suggested we drive to Salt Lake City and visit temple square which is still under construction but still an interesting place. We had an early lunch at the Garden Restaurant which is in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. The photo was taken from our dinner table and, as one can see, shows the Salt Lake Temple still under construction. Temple Square is going to be a wonderful place when it's completed. A truly Holy Place.

Come Follow Me 

D&C 101:22 Behold, it is my will, that all they who call on my name, and worship me according to mine everlasting gospel, should gather together, and stand in holy places;

"We are bombarded...by a vast number of messages we don’t want or need...To fully enjoy life, all of us must find our own breathing space and peace of mind. How can we do this?...We must rise above the evil that encroaches upon us. We must follow the counsel of the Lord, who said, “... stand in holy places.”

We unavoidably stand in so many unholy places and are subjected to so much that is vulgar, profane, and destructive of the Spirit of the Lord that I encourage our Saints...to strive to stand more often in holy places...

...President Brigham Young taught, “Every moment of [our lives] must be holiness to the Lord…which is the only course by which [we] can preserve the Spirit of the Almighty to [ourselves].” ...[F]ind holiness to the Lord by standing in holy places...Standing in holy places will help us rise above the evil influences of our time and draw us closer to our Savior."

President James E. Faust, Apostle

091125, Thursday

Daily Vitals: Weight: 225.9, GMI: 6.9, Steps (previous day): 1,908, Blood Pressure: 120/79, 72 Reported Sleep 7:33

Journal Entry 

Yesterday was our 48th wedding anniversary. We were recently asked what our secret was to enable such a long lasting marriage. That caused me to think about that even more than usual. For us, we both have a great desire to be true and faithful to each other and we both try very hard to avoid any behavior that we think might hurt our marriage. I try to treat each day as an anniversary to celebrate and that truly is one of the most important elements in our marriage. We both still love each other. We avoid saying or even thinking negative thoughts about each other and we both consider our marriage and family as eternal and we both want it that way. Of course our membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is a huge factor because the church encourages all of the positive attitudes I described above.

Anyway, every day is a wedding anniversary to me and I try to behave that way. That being said, we went to Guru's in Provo for a late lunch and ate outside in beautiful weather. Then we drove up to Midway and had a scoop of ice cream at Ballerina Farm Market. Another good day.

Come Follow Me 

D&C 101:16 Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God.

"Because the Spirit is often described as a still, small voice, it is also important to have a time of quiet in our lives as well. The Lord has counseled us to “be still, and know that I am God.” If we provide a still and quiet time each day when we are not bombarded by television, computer, video games, or personal electronic devices, we allow that still, small voice an opportunity to provide personal revelation and to whisper sweet guidance, reassurance, and comfort to us."

Sister Vicki F. Matsumori, Second Counselor, Primary General Presidency, October 2009