27 May 2019

Running type exercise. *Legs exercise. *

I think I need to have one day I workout and a day or two I don’t. But i also need to just do more things like have good posture and incorporate that into my daily activities. 

Write every morning. 

So I have been. I think that I will write later in the day also. 

Floss teeth 

So I don’t know why I haven’t been I need to make more of an effort. 

Volunteer

Sure. 

Budget

So I have worked out a new system. I have a book that I am starting to read. I will tell you what it is later. I read The Latte Factor. It gave me some motivation but if anyone really knows me, I have almost no Latte Factor. So I have been thinking about what I can cut out of my budget. I may have to change many of the activities I do with my children. I want them to have fun when they are with me but fun is not synonymous with spending money. 

No robbing/borrowing from savings 

Ok. Not the best because I had to withdraw some cash. Sometimes you just need cash for some things. 

No Facebook until after budgeting is done *daily*

Not sure this is relevant now. 

Spend time in nature

It has been nice but it has been a little warmer lately. Growing up I always knew this as Indian Summer. After it gets cold it warms up a little. Not that it gets cold here. I am always teasing my friancee that it doesn’t get cold here. 25C (77F) is not cold. Right now it is slightly cooler outside. It is supposed to get to 31C (88F) still not cold. Not hot either. I need to spend more time outside. 

Read Book of Mormon daily *Read New Testament daily*

Not bad. 

What I write now is my own ideas. But I say that they are very good ideas. 

I have thought that this section if the Book of Ether in the Book of Mormon is very much describing modern day USA. 

Ether chapter 10

9 And it came to pass after the space of many years, Morianton, (he being a descendant of Riplakish) gathered together an army of outcasts, and went forth and gave battle unto the people; and he gained power over many cities; and the war became exceedingly sore, and did last for the space of many years; and he did gain power over all the land, and did establish himself king over all the land.

10 And after that he had established himself king he did ease the burden of the people, by which he did gain favor in the eyes of the people, and they did anoint him to be their king.

11 And he did do justice unto the people, but not unto himself because of his many whoredoms; wherefore he was cut off from the presence of the Lord.

12 And it came to pass that Morianton built up many cities, and the people became exceedingly rich under his reign, both in buildings, and in gold and silver, and in raising grain, and in flocks, and herds, and such things which had been restored unto them.

President Trump is like Morianton. The war in our day is more of a war of words than anything. The people support President Trump in many ways and he was chosen by the people. The people chose him. He has made things much easier for many of the people that chose him to be president. There are always up and downs. 

He works hard to make things better for his country and people. Now I would say that he isn’t the best of all people. He doesn’t do what I consider everything that is good. Still he works hard for the American people. 

I don’t know about building cities, but I would not doubt that people have become very rich in many ways. 

This is strictly my interpretation. But I would say it’s a fairly good interpretation. Still when you only have 5 verses out of a almost 2000 year history. That’s not much. But to even be mentioned even though he wasn’t the best guy. By someone who is the equivalent to an apostle and finishing to write the history about his own people who were destroyed, and then writing about another civilization that was destroyed. This one individual from maybe 3000 years ago, maybe more, the prophet that wrote about him was about 1700 years ago. I just find it very interesting that he would even be mentioned. Personally I can’t see someone like President Russell M. Nelson, or M. Russell Ballard taking time to mention someone who lived as long ago as William the conqueror, maybe longer. What do I know. Just a thought. 

You may not like President Trump, that’s fine.  Maybe you do like him. No one ever said anyone had to like him. To me it is interesting how history repeats itself. 

I personally believe that the Book of Mormon was written for people in our age and so everything has something that is applicable to our time. 

I can’t believe it’s Monday again. 

24 May 2019........well

Running type exercise. *Legs exercise. *

So running is out of the question. I have been stretching my legs as best as I can. My chair gets in the way at times. I have been standing and that is getting easier. Everything is still hard. 

Write every morning. 

Some days recently I have felt so broken. Brazil is not an easy place to live. 

Floss teeth 

Still need to floss. I have been using mouthwash. 

Volunteer

Yeah. 

Budget

So I have been rethinking what I mean about budgeting. In the traditional sence I have been doing my budget. Figure out before the month starts how I will be spending my money. I’ve got that. What I was doing is tracking my dairy spending. At times that is easy, nothing. At times very hard. So I was reading and had the idea that I need to put some of my money in a “holding” account, and then transfer some back to my regular checking account. That way I have money if I need it. The beautiful thing is if I don’t use it one week it’s still there the next week. 

No robbing/borrowing from savings 

Much better now that I have figured out a new system. 

No Facebook until after budgeting is done *daily*

Not sure this is relevant now. 

Spend time in nature

I really need to go outside more. But I will concede it has been raining. 

Read Book of Mormon daily *Read New Testament daily*

I have been reading Book of Mormon in English and Portuguese. One thing I have noticed is there are so many similarities between our days now and what is described in the book of Helaman. Also, some teachings in the New Testament are as plane as the nose one your face. Some things are confusing. Study and prayer. Helps find the answers. 

I wish I could move easier. It is so boring to sit in the house most if the time. I would love to go out more. There is a lot to see. 

Still the wheelchair I have does not have the best wheels for being outside. I could use a different wheelchair but then there is no possibility of it fitting in a car here. I doubt it would go through the door of the house where I am staying. 

One thing I have to remember to do is not talk so much. At times I like to talk but it makes me so tired. I need my strength talking just makes me tired. People want to think they are smarter than me because they can talk faster than me. Still I know I am smarter in countless ways. Still, I have to remember that I an in Brazil. Some things are different here. No matter how wrong minded I think something is it’s usually just different. So what do I do at times?

17 May 2019

This is an extremely difficult time for me. I feel like all the power of hell is coming against me. My fiancée. My son. So many people I care so much about. 

I can write my messages to people, but that is just kicking against the pricks and hoping against hope. 

I need the powers of heaven. More now than I feel I have ever needed them. Pray for me and those close to me. There are to many people to mention and to many situations.

All I can say is there is little I can do and to many people and situations to count right now. I have never felt this weak and helpless. That said I know the Lord can help and I am not above asking for faith, prayer, whatever you believe. 

13 May 2019........what

Running type exercise. *Legs exercise. *

I can feel myself getting stronger. I have been standing and working on my legs. It’s interesting. 

Write every morning. 

Not doing to bad now. 

Floss teeth 

Still need to floss. I’ve been brushing. Just need to floss. 

Volunteer

Sure. 

Budget

Still lazy. Maybe I just need to rearrange my schedule. 

No robbing/borrowing from savings 

Still doing well so far. 

No Facebook until after budgeting is done *daily*

Not really. I need to do something and rework things. 

Spend time in nature

I am trying to go outside. It’s been raining. 

Read Book of Mormon daily *Read New Testament daily*

As I have been reading about the Saviors visit to the nephites, I have noticed the parts where He quoted Old Testament prophets and Isaiah is quoted a lot in many other places. I need to spend more time reading their words. 

So I am not a happy person at the moment. In fact I am mad enough to bite nails. I am sure some of what I am mad about might be cultural. But I’m sure it’s not to much cultural. My fiancées sons treat here like garbage. I will leave it at that right now. 

If I could walk or do anything reasonably well.....grrrrr.

Still, I have been reading the talk by Elder Bednar from the last General Conference. That talk has a lot of stuff in it. Talking about more of a church/family combination of activities. The Family should have the lead. I like the idea that he shares that instead of thinking what did we talk about I church, ask in church meetings what did we talk about at home.  I need to do some rethinking about how I want to do some things. 

I have got so much on my mind that I better go. 

10 May 2019....yeah

So I find it interesting that I can get so upset because I just see someone’s name and a small picture. I wouldn’t be so mad, but I didn’t listen to the spirit. I thought I knew better. What a dummy I was. I knew that The Lord knows more than me. He let me do what I wanted at that time anyway. I did learn if the Lord communicates something you better listen and do what He is saying. 

Sometimes what He communicates is unmistakable. But if you don’t do what you are told you are left to kick against the pricks. 

In some ways I’m grateful for the experience I gained. Still Heavenly Father has made it abundantly clear to me that He did not want me to go through the experiences I went through. I decided not to listen. The most valuable thing I learned was if the Lord communicates something. Do it. He always knows better. 

Sorry if this is somewhat cryptic. I hope the main point got through. 

The Lord is continually communicating with us. Are we listening. He can communicate however he wants. Are we listening. 

5 May2019.......let’s ride

Running type exercise. *Legs exercise. *

So, I will keep standing, or try to stand, it seems to work me out pretty good. 

Write every morning. 

I doing pretty good right now. 

Floss teeth 

Well I have been brushing and using mouthwash. I need to floss. 

Volunteer

Sure. I try to let others help but sometimes you just have to do something yourself. 

Budget

I’ve been lazy this past week. 

No robbing/borrowing from savings 

I think I have set up a new system to help myself. 

No Facebook until after budgeting is done *daily*

Ok, meh. 

Spend time in nature

I am becoming a cave rat. I need to at least go outside. 

Read Book of Mormon daily *Read New Testament daily*

Not bad. I’ve been rereading daily’s the account of the Savior’s visit to the nephites. It’s interesting because you think you know it. New things are always jumping out. Some books in the New Testament are short. Lots of good stuff there. 

So I have been really mad the last few days. About some things I am still not happy. Still I can grow up and cut some things out of my life. 

The biggest thing I need to cut is the news.  It just makes me angry. Stupid talking heads telling you what to think.  I would go with print. Generally you can make up your own mind. It’s not as though options are masquerading as reality. 

I want to learn AutoCAD some, unfortunately all I have is my iPad. I have not been able to find a program I can use yet. Lots of different reasons. One program wants Apple Pencil. Another wants right or left clicks. I am feeling stuck. I will keep looking for wheelchairs like what I want. I don’t find anything on YouTube. I will look some more on Pinterest and the internet. It’s very slow process. I remember that what was said about USSR Air Force and US Air Force. The metaphor. The US built planes with a scalpel. The USSR built planes with a sledgehammer. I am not making no comments about now because I don’t know. The USSR no longer exists. But the idea stuck. I need a wheelchair that is more durable. Brazil is not the US. Most of the US is fluffy, for lack of a better word. Brazil is beautiful but not fluffy. My two biggest complaints are cobblestone streets and sidewalks that aren’t smooth. For those two reasons I want to design a better wheelchair. 

So I’ve got my work cut out for me. 

3 May 2019......oh, the slowness

Lately I can feel parts of my body getting sore that have not felt sore for a long time. I have been standing and using my leg and torso muscles more. It can really make me sweat. So I need t do some more of it. 

One thing I like about here, it gets light early. Right now 6:00am and the sun is up. In the summer it gets light even earlier. But I’ve thought for some time Daylight Savings is a scam. An excuse to make people stay out later and spend more money. Money that they don’t have. It gets to be 7:00pm and I want to be in. 9:00 (maybe 10:00) it is Daylight scam time in most of the US, I am in bed. 

So, I have been reading the Twilight books again. It is interesting the perspective ten years can give. 

I’ve been watching YouTube videos about cheese making,crawfish trapping. Building wheelchairs, and some other things. When you have lots of time on your hands you can learn about lots of things. Not that I would be able to do any of them by myself. 

I want to get into wheelchair design,but I don’t really have the tools to do any of that myself right now. This might be one of those times where I have to reign myself in and focus on what I can focus on for the time being. I hate limiting myself. But, when I already have had limitations imposed on me because of my stroke, I should be grateful that I don’t have to limit myself more than has already been done for me. 

Still,doing paperwork in the US is like holding back a flood. Here, if feels like you might die of thirst before the water starts moving. And if you are from the US you know how slow it can be at times. Here is slower. All I can ask for is your prayers.