Monday, November 4th, 2024: A foot of snow, Happy Birthday Jared! No electricity for 15 hours, Denny's, Wlmrt, Trac Sply, Blog, Walk, Christmas movie, National Prayer for our country

Birmingham, Alabama

98th operating temple

Dedicated: 3 Sept 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Mormon 8:1-13

Come Follow Me

Nov 4-10 "I Speak Unto You As If Ye Were Present" 

Mormon 7-9 Introduction

October General Conference

'This Is My Gospel" -

"This Is My Church"

Elder Dale G. Renlund

"The combination of the gospel of Jesus Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides powerful and transformative benefits for us. The gospel is perfect, but a divinely commissioned church is required to preach it, maintain its purity, and administer its sacred ordinances with the Savior's power and authority."

Happy 48th birthday Jared. I hope it was a good one!

When I got up this morning I opened the curtain on our bedroom door to look outside and was shocked with what I saw... A winter wonderland!

Amazing and Beautiful!

I walked outside on to the front porch. It felt like I was in a padded room. So quiet, peaceful, and beautiful. There is nothing else like it.

The down side of this snow storm is that our electricity was off from 10:38 p.m. until 1:22 p.m. this afternoon, almost 15 hours. I have to admit, my toes were getting a little cold. 

I did manage to get a few things done today. I cleaned the wood floors in the family/living room area, and cleaned off my desk and dresser. After the electricity came back on I did a load of laundry. 

James and I made a trip to town after the electricity came back on. We too the truck. Although there is 12" of snow in Vernon, there is not nearly that much anywhere else around us. It's like Heavenly Father was rewarding us for our good living or something. The surrounding towns, Springerville-Eagar, Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside, all got 3-4 inches. 

We stopped and got our mail at the post office, went to Sonic to get cherry limeades, to the bank to deposit $1,000 into the business account from our Chacon cash stash. I asked James if we could eat at Denny's and he said yes. He had salmon and I had a chicken stir fry. Just as I remembered, their breakfasts are pretty good but the rest of their food is meh. Jessica Crane was working there. We also saw her son Brandon who just finished his shift. Devin works there too.

We also stopped at Walmart and did some shopping. I got some Abreva for James's cold sores. I also bought a head of cauliflower as I have a recipe for cooking an entire head in the crockpot. James always says he wants more veggies. Our last stop was at Tractor Supply where we got some horse feed. 

When we arrived home Tom "hurried in the door" with us. He had been playing in the snow and I guess he needed to come inside and get warm. 

This afternoon I watched "Scouting Christmas" and figured out how much money I spent today and subtracted it from this week's budget. I blogged while James walked with my phone, listening to our latest story. He walks for about an hour and a half. This is why I don't post my steps anymore, many of them aren't actually mine.

Catherine Halcomb called me to see if we were "snowed in." I laughed and said, almost. She said when she lived in northern California they would use their dog sleds to bring their groceries in. They parked their cars up the road and then dog sledded the rest of the way home. Sounds like fun.

Daryl Johnson is supposed to have money for us tomorrow. We are going to the valley to check on jobs. I am going to stay at Kim's and watch Christmas movies with her while James makes his rounds. Even though she was here most of the previous week, we were both so busy we never got to watch any movies together.

6 p.m. this evening has been designated National Prayer time. We are all supposed to pray for the future of our country. Tomorrow is election day. Will it be Donald Trump or Kamala Harris as our next president?

Emily Belle Freeman is in Scotland, Ireland, and Norway visiting different wards and stakes as part of her calling. The Osborn side of her family is from Scotland and raised sheep. She said she has always loved sheep. So do I, especially since I became a Lambson.

Happy Birthday!

 

Sunday, November 3rd, 2024: Snow, Fast & Testimony meeting, Fasted for Sis. Gassaway, more snow, blog,

 

Houston, Texas

97th operating temple

Dedicated: 26 Aug 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Mormon 7

Come Follow Me

Sunday School

October General Conference

'God's Favorite'

Elder Karl D. Hirst

"Our Savior's love is the 'highest, noblest, strongest kind of love," and He provides until we are 'filled,' Divine love never runs dry, and we are each a cherished favorite. God's love is where, as circles on a Venn diagram, we all overlap. Whichever parts of us seem different, His love is where we find togetherness."

It was snowing this morning when I looked out the window. Snow which was not sticking to the ground.

Today was our fast & testimony meeting. Are numbers were few. The Wilhelm's are all gone to Show Low to Trenda's baby's blessing. The Allen's are gone too. There are very few Aaronic priesthood holders here to pass the sacrament. Willy Grombach and John Finnell help pass along with Logan Robles, Easton Crane and Brandon Crane. Easton and Brandon are not related. Here are the people who bore their testimonies:

Bishop Hunsaker - In remembrance of Him. It is about Him. It is our intimate time with Him. This is the time to be sober and to prepare for His 2nd Coming. Do our best to live what He has for us right now.

Lorraine Vaught - I am thankful for the priesthood. The Primary program last week was wonderful. I had a prompting...haven't seen my son in 10 years. He came to visit last week, traveling 11 hours to get here. I apologize and we spend 12 hours visiting before he and his wife go back home. The Lord had his hand in this.

Harris girl

Jimmy Applegate - Moroni 10:3-5. What is my testimony? "Christ lives." We will all stand before the pleasing judgment bar of Christ. 

Greg Anderson

Lord, please carry me through this has been my prayer many times. We need the Holy Ghost to get through these difficult times. The Lord has given me so much mercy and I am very grateful.

Owen Peeler - The gospel of Jesus Christ is a joyous thing. The testimony you live is the testimony you bear. I am a son of God. Am I keeping my second estate?

Sister Barrera (sister missionary) - This is my final testimony here in Vernon. I have felt the Holy Ghost and grown spiritually while I have been here in Vernon.

Mike Brady - Trip to North Carolina during the hurricane. Our airplane could see the hurricane approaching. Grateful for so many blessings. There was a great outpouring of love as service was given to those in need. I am grateful for the fulness of the gospel in my life. 

James and I attended Jimmy Applegate's Sunday School class where we discussed Mormon 1-6. I did not take notes. Catherine Halcomb went home before Sunday School because the batteries in her hearing aid were not working. Wendy DeWitt sat by me and asked me how I was feeling. I told her I was tired because we had just had a wedding at our house. 

We came home and rested. When we broke out fast we had soup for dinner. We are getting more snow. 

I worked on my blog this evening. I had to delete a ton of photos in order to import from my phone to my computer. When we went to bed there was very little snow on the ground.

Happy Sabbath!

Scarlett and Mason

Saturday, November 2, 2024: Goodbye to Kim & Brian, Michael's delicious bagel breakfast & then goodby's, tons of laundry, Chairs back to Hunsaker's & Ruth, Dinner @ Eva's - Halls, Sue & the girls

Caracas, Venequela

96th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 Aug 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Mormon 6

Come Follow Me

Mormon 5:8-24; 6:16-22

Jesus Christ stands with open arms to receive me.

October General Conference

'Live Up to Your Privileges' 

President Emily Belle Freeman

"I pondered the gift of God's power available to me through the sacred ordinance itself and the covenant promise I was making as I took that piece of bread and that cup of water."

Goodbye to Kim and Brian. They are headed back to the valley early so Kim can make brownies and cookies for Ben & Cayli's Chandler reception, which is tonight.

Michael, Joe, and Max are still here, Max played his guitar and sang songs while Michael and Joe fixed breakfast. Michael made scrambled eggs and bacon and put them on "everything" bagels, you know, the ones with the seeds. They were delicious! Michael asked Max to do the dishes, which he did. He put them in the dishwasher. They all came out clean except the pan that Michael made the scrambled eggs in. I had to scrub that pan by hand after the guys left.

James and the guys stacked up the chairs that belong to the Hunsaker's and returned them this morning. 

After Michael, Joe, and Max left James and I both laid down to take a nap. I have tons of laundry to do, sheets and towels, so I kept the washer and dryer busy all day long.

I called Ruth Gale and asked if we could bring her chairs back this afternoon. We made an appointment at 2 p.m. We delivered the chairs into her living room, all set up for her piano recital on Monday. Ruth has a cute little house, perfect for one or two people. 

After leaving Ruth's, James asked if I wanted to get something to eat, I said sure. I thought he would stop at Taco Bell or Burger King but instead he went to Eva's, because he knows I like it. 

We sat at our table and first Ron Hall came in and then Sue Hubble with her two granddaughters, Kaitlin and Sky. Sue and I both love this place. We gave each other a hug and talked for awhile. I told her that starting in January we should get back on our temple schedule and she agreed. 

James still had time to go to the dump when we got home, which he did. He took the Crane's trash too. 

Ruby's state cross country meet was today. Out of 175 participants Ruby placed in the top 20. She was #19. Way to go Ruby!

We are fasting for Sister Gassaway today. They asked us to in Relief Society last week. She has cancer. 

Tom is so happy that all of our company is gone and it's just the three of us. He watched a Christmas movie with us. 

Selfie in the car because they forgot 

before they left.

Michael, Joe, and Max

A Grampa and his cat

Ruby's Cross Country Season 

Out of 175 runners Ruby took 18th in state.

The top 20 runners got a medal.

 

November 1st, 2024: Resten here, flowers, people arriving, procession, wedding ceremony, ready for the dinner, Stefani, Alicia, Janna help at the dinner, we are exhausted

 

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

95th operating temple

Dedicated: 30 July 2000

By: James E. Faust

Book of Mormon

Mormon 5

Come Follow Me

Mormon 3:3, 9 

'They did not realize that it was the Lord that had spared them.'

Henry B. Eyring "O Remember, Remember"

October General Conference

'The Triumph of Hope' 

Elder Neil A. Andersen

"Our hope of eternal life is assured through the grace of Christ and our own choices, allowing us the remarkable blessing of returning to our heavenly home and living forever in peace and happiness with our Heavenly Father, His Beloved So, our faithful family and precious friends, and the righteous men and women from every continent and every century."

Resten was here this morning at 9 to power wash the front porch and touch up the windows. Instead of the front porch, James asked him to do the driveway instead. 

I went outside quite early this morning and it was beautiful. Ben & Cayli came out and painted their welcome mirror. I did a little sweeping. Sheri went out on a run and let Tom in the house. He didn't stay long because he doesn't like all of the people in the house. 

My first order of business for the day was to hem James's black dress pants. After I finished I helped Sheri cut up tomatoes and lettuce for the dinner tonight. People are starting to arrive. The Tarbert's brought me a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Thank you!

It's becoming a little crazy here, lots of people arriving and many of them I don't know. From Ben's side of the family the following are here: Alex, Shayna, Betty, Dallin, Sammy, Adam, Stacy, Paul, Josh, Alayna, Max, Ian, and Evan. There are lots of Cayli's relatives.

James lost his folder from American Marriage Ministries. He finally found it. He is very nervous about conducting the ceremony. He is working on what he wants to say. It is time to get ready. The wedding is at 2:30. 

Harold, Vickie, and Dennis are here. Denise didn't come because she is sick. Harold made me a small sleigh, very cute.

Michael, Max and Joe played the music as the wedding procession began.  Cayli looks beautiful and the guys look so handsome in their suits. Nancy and Kent Van Vleet came a little bit late. They missed the turn and went up the hill and had to turn around.

The procession came around the deck, on the patios and up the sidewalk. It took awhile which made up for the very short ceremony. Ben had told James to keep it short, and he did. It was difficult to here him so maybe it was a good thing it was short. 

The photographer had everyone come on the front porch for pictures. I didn't take very many pictures so I will be anxious to see these.

After the wedding was over it was time to think about the family dinner at the church. I invited Harold, Vickie, and Dennis but since the dinner doesn't start until 5 and that's two hours away, I doubt that they will stay. When I called them, they were already back in Show Low. 

Nancy helped us load up the food and crockpots to take to the church. After helping us unload at the church she and Nancy left for home. 

We set up the food in crockpots, but it's not getting warm. I called Janna and Stefani and asked if they could bring saucepans when they came to the church, which they did. The food began to warm up. They saved the day in more ways than one. They were like our guardian angels, serving the food and working in the kitchen so we could enjoy the meal. We had chicken with green chili, hamburger meat, rice, beans, and flour and corn tortillas, and Serrano's chips and bean dips. Everything was delicious and Sheri was able to relax and enjoy herself. We sat with Darrel & Trina, Addy, and Lola. Ruby and Rowan didn't come. Ruby has state tomorrow and Rowan had to work. Everyone at the dinner got a bookmark with their name on it.

Ben & Cayli finally arrived at the dinner. They cut the cake and then when they left we did a line up outside the door and blue bubble as they came through. 

The only people staying at our house tonight besides James & I, are Michael, Joe, and Max, and Kim and Brian.

After everything was cleaned up and put away we were exhausted. Cayli's family was like a well oiled machine when it came to cleaning up the room where we had dinner. They put everything away in record time.

A beautiful day

Handsome guys

Michael, Joe, and Max

 

Thursday, October 31st, 2024: James's feet so bad he can barely walk, Kim decorating cakes @ church, Brian & Paul here, Tarbert's big breakfast, wash sheets, chair scare, Ruth's chairs, Michael's dinner he & Joe here too, Grombach's RV

 

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

94th operating temple

Dedicated: 16 July, 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Mormon 4

Come Follow Me

Mormon 2:10-15

Godly sorrow leads me to Christ and to lasting change.

"Divine Discontent" by Michelle D. Craig

October General Conference

'The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again' President Russell M. Nelson

"Now is the time for you and for me to prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ."

Five girls and Cayli's dad spent the night last night as well as Ben, Cayli, Cari, Kim, James and I. One of the five girls was a friend named Mabel. I liked Mabel immediately because she had an ASU shirt on. Here are the names of Cayli's sisters: Gracelyn, Emmeline, Abigail, and Rosabella. Rosabella or Rosie as they call her, is the youngest, she is seven. She was so excited to drink out of James's Disneyland mug. Cayli's dad drove these five girls all the way down from Washington state. I wonder if he wore earplugs.

James has neuropathy so badly in his feet today he can barely walk and is using a cane. I hope he is better by tomorrow.

I missed Inklings this morning. I will have to watch it later. 

The Tarbert's made a big breakfast this morning for all of the girls. Also, Cari made an announcement: "I stripped all of the sheets on the bed." Of course she did, that would be the right thing to do. Then why did my heart sink? Because now I have to do several loads of laundry and put all of the sheets back on the beds. 

I took Kim to the church this morning to frost the cake and the cupcakes. I think she just wanted to get out of the house and be where she could have some peace and quiet. She also said she wanted to put the cake together at the church and didn't want to transport it once it was all put together. While I was still at the church Brian and Paul showed up. Brian will be a big support to Kim.

One of my big concerns and responsibilities today was to get all of the chairs here so we could set them up and put the black covers on them. James had Paul Peeler pick up the chairs from the Hunsaker's. There was supposed to be 60 chairs but there were only 35 there. I guess Sean Hunsaker, bishop's brother, told John Finnell he could use 25 of them for a Halloween party they are having tonight. I have had these chairs reserved for over a month but I guess no one told Sean. Bishop said he would see that they got them to us by tomorrow morning. Not great, but ok. I arranged to pick up chairs from my friend Ruth Gale in Snowflake at 2:00 this afternoon. She has 14. We need 74 chairs so we will be 25 short until tomorrow morning.

Sheri arrived with all of the food for the dinner tomorrow night. Sheri and I go to the church too leave some of the food there since we couldn't get it all in our refrigerators at home. Kim was working on frosting the cupcakes, they look amazing! The Tarbert's were setting up and decorating the room for the family dinner. It looks amazing! They are doing a great job. It seems like they have done this before. 

I texted Lynda Finnell around 4 o'clock this afternoon and asked: "Do you know how many Hunsaker chairs you have?"

L: We have about 15 or 18 you can use.

We don't need them until tomorrow but we need as many as you have.

L: I'm using 7 now. They will be ready for tomorrow.

Are you bringing them to our house?

L: Wasn't planning on it. I have company. We will return them to Hunsaker's tomorrow.

I reserved them a month or so ago and went to pick them up today but 25 of them weren't there. We have a wedding at our house, but we will pick them up if we need to. What time?

L: John will deliver tomorrow. When do you need them?

Could we have them by 9? We are putting covers on them and that takes awhile. Thanks Lynda, sorry if I was rude, I am just a little stressed.

John ended up bring all 25 of them to our house about 30 minutes after I finished texting Lynda. 

Later Sheri and I went to the Grombach's and got four more chairs, just to be safe. Willy & Janna were dressed up for the Finnell's Halloween party as Fiona and Shrek.

Love!!

Back at home I shared the mixed green chili burro Brian got me at Burger House with Sheri. We watched "Holiday Crashers" while Sheri ironed. Kim and Brian are still at the church. 

Michael made steak sandwiches for dinner for himself, Joe, and Paul. He gave me some steak and it was delicious!

Kim texts me after I am in bed in a panic that the refrigerator has a leak and is going to ruin the cake. She wanted me to text someone close by to see if I could find another refrigerator. It was 10:30 at night. I texted Judy Hunter who lives across the street but she didn't answer. I called Kim back and she said Brian fixed it so the drip wasn't going on the cake. All's well that ends satisfactorily.

Love this picture

My Tom Boy relaxing

Superstition on a cloudy day

Our sweet friend who came for a visit

Wednesday, October 30th, 2024: Kim bakes cake & cupcakes, Ben, Cayli, Cari, & Gracie shopped and filled the frig in the garage where Kim was going to put the cakes & cupcakes, 13 people spend the night

Veracruz, Mexico

93rd operating temple

Dedicated: 9 July 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon

Mormon 3

Come Follow Me

Mormon 1-6

I can follow Jesus Christ regardless of what other people do.

October General Conference

'Sons and Daughters of God' Elder Ruben V. Alliaud

"We truly believe that we are all literally the children of God, and because of that, we have the potential to become like Him."

'Focus on Jesus Christ and His Gospel' Elder J. Raymond Egbo

"When we ignore the distractions of the world and focus on Christ and His gospel we are guaranteed success."

Another crazy day at the Lambson lodge. Kim took over the kitchen to bake the wedding cake and 90 cupcakes. Ben, Cayli, Cari, and Grace made a trip to town this morning. When they returned they filled the garage refrigerator with food. This is contrary to Kim's plan. She was planning on using this refrigerator for her cakes. She was a little stressed. Also, Ben began making breakfast, bacon, sausage, eggs and toast to add more to Kim's distraction and stress.

James and I wanted to go to town but he ask me to wait until this evening so he could continue working outside. 22 cubic yards of red cinders were delivered this morning for the backyard. The truck couldn't get through the gate to the backyard, so he dumped his huge load in front of the house. James will have to take it around to the back in the bucket of the Cat. The cinders are going to look nice with big rocks between the cinders and the grass. 

Cayli and Ben put together the wedding arch. The corkboard project is going well. Gracie is painting it white and the bookmarks Cayli made for everyone will be placed on it. Each guest gets a bookmark with their name on it. 

Ben, Cayli, Grace, Cari and I worked outside in the backyard raking pine needles, sweeping and burning pine needles. It was a sunny day, but a little chilly. 

Back inside. One of Kim's cake layers failed to come out of the pan without crumbling so she had to redo it. James and I each got to try one of her apple biscoff cupcakes. Oh my word, it was divine.

James and Paul Peeler worked on spreading cinders and finishing cleanup in the backyard. I came inside to take a nap. I woke up to loud talking. 

I peeked out into the entryway and saw a man I didn't recognize. Cayli's dad and a carload of girls has arrived. I know they have an airbnb rented in Pinetop-Lakeside, but apparently they are staying here tonight. Five girls and Cayli's dad. A total of 13 of us tonight. This was not part of the plan or if it was, no one told me.

Cayli has five sisters and they also brought a friend. I was introduced to everyone but I can't remember all of their names. Cayli is the oldest and her youngest is 7. 

James and I finally made our trip to town this evening. We got gas, went to Walmart, got something to eat at Culver's and mailed Jared's birthday card. We actually ate our Culver's dinner in the post office parking lot. So romantic. 

Back at our home in Vernon there are girls everywhere and lots of noise. They are definitely making themselves at home. I am grateful they feel so comfortable. James, Tom, and I went to bed early.

Tom enjoying the space heater

Pompei

Paula Johnson and crew.

Thanks for picking up trash ladies!