Wednesday, February 12th, 2025: Trina's birthday, James's letter to DJ bldg, Grocery shpng ,Appts to go ministering tomorrow, Willy's niece's funeral

San Pedro Sula, Honduras

198th operating temple

Dedicated: 13 Oct 2024

By: Dale G. Renlund

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 5:10-25

Come Follow Me

D&C 10:34-52

The Lord's "wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil."

"By Divine Design" Elder Ronald A. Rasband, OGC 2017

October General Conference

'Be Thou Clean'

Elder D. Martin Goury

"When we consciously choose to follow the guidance of prophets and apostles, our capacity to have the Holy Ghost as a constant companion grows. The Holy Ghost provides clarity in decision-making, prompting thoughts and impressions that align with our Heavenly Father's will. Having the Holy Ghost as a constant companion is crucial for our spiritual growth,"

'The Wind Did Never Cease to Blow'

Elder Aroldo B. Cavalcante

"Your transformation from your natural to spiritual self will occur 'line upon line, precept upon precept' as you earnestly strive to serve Jesus Christ in the mission field through daily repentance, faith, exact obedience, and hard work to 'find constantly, teach repentance, and baptize converts.'"

Happy Birthday Trina! She sent me this picture from ten years ago, when Lola was a baby. I remember bringing her these brownies and can't believe it's been ten years.

Trina, we love you!

Trina is going hiking for her birthday. Not a big surprise. The kids have a half day of school so it should be fun.

James wrote a letter to the owner's of the building where he did the work for Daryl Johnson. He's asking for $15,000 out of the $21,000 he is owed. They have offered $2,000. Here is the letter:

Dear Mr. Harter:

I have read your response from the property owner. I have contacted Titan Lien services and they have assured me that the lien was not wrongfully recorded. 

Based on conversations which my foreman and I had with the owner's property manager, they were aware of Mr. Johnson's improvements from the beginning. The manager, Fran Michie, had been on the job at least twice before that, according to my foreman and another employee.

Ms. Michie commented to me in the presence of my foreman how good everything looked while we walked the building during the last few days of construction. When I mentioned not getting paid, she called Daryl Johnson a conman and indicated to us that his lease agreement stated that the lease would be terminated if a lien was filed.

I actually gave him an extra two months before I had the lien recorded. 

You also stated that the owner is uncertain about the value of the work. I want to state here that when we started, the building was in such a condition that it could not have been leased and the owner would have had no income from the building until many improvements had been made. I have also been told that Mr. Johnson made his lease payments while construction was going on.

When we started, the floor was concrete with no covering or finish. Now there is a new $10,000 epoxy floor.

In addition, there were several plumbing problems, including vents which were terminated in the attic instead of through the roof, which left a bad smell in the rooms. In addition we found bare wires behind the drywall, and at one of the AC units.

The floor was cluttered with air conditioning ducts which had to be removed and replaced with new ones. Many of the ceiling tiles were missing or damaged. The bathroom was non-compliant with the building code. We added a new toilet and grab bars to make it handicap accessible. 

The electrical switches which were existing were also non-compliant and had to be lowered to accommodate the handicapped. That resulted in extra drywall work.

The drywall was so bad that it had to be re-finished and some of it had to be replaced. We replaced doors with solid core doors and wired for a TV monitor.

We furnished 9 new barber chairs, which still belong to me because I have not yet been paid for them.

Since we did $70,000 worth of improvements, surely the owner's could pay for $21,000 to cover the essential repairs to bring the property up to code. Those repairs were required before the city gave a certificate of occupancy.

Please have your client reconsider. I am willing to settle for a sum of $15,000 and to leave the barber chairs if the owner leases the space as a barber shop. The chairs alone cost around $11,000, as I recall.

If they are unwilling, I will have no choice but to hire an attorney. Titan Lien Services has recommended three, including Jim Reed whom you spoke to earlier. I will ask them to include attorney's fees in the suit.

Sincerely,

Jim Lambson

Lambson Construction

Since I felt the need to share this letter and it took quite a bit of time, I won't be starting the Milky Ranch stories until tomorrow.

James and I went grocery shopping this afternoon. I am making baked ziti for the ward Italian dinner on Friday evening, and enchiladas to feed the missionaries on Saturday. I also bought James some dark chocolate for Valentine's day. 

Sheri texted today to check on us. Also, she said Ian fixed their leak. Way to go Ian!

I made appointments to visit Catherine Halcomb and Chelsea MacArthur and her kids tomorrow afternoon. Janna Grombach, the other sister we minister to is out of town at a funeral. Willy's niece passed away. Willy's sister has lost her husband and 4 of her 6 kids to a rare kidney disease. Janna will be back on Sunday.

We had Taco Bel for dinner on the way home from town. 

Notes & Quotes

"The Lord is in the small details of our lives, and those incidents and opportunities are to prepare us to lift our families and others as we build the kingdom of God on earth. The Lord will be with you as you keep His commandments."

- Elder Ronald A. Rasband

I got up to go to the bathroom and someone

took my seat while I was gone.

Trenda's three little boys.

All of their names start with E, but I don't

remember what they are.

Their last name is Ellsworth.

 

Tuesday, February 11, 2025: Windy day, Tom indoors, Appt for steroid injection 2/26 @ 1 pm., Sheri's plumbing problems, Finish Valentines for ministering, tomorrow MIlky Ranch Stories, Notes & Quotes

 

Mendoza, Argentina

197th operating temple

Dedicated: 22 Sep 2024

By: Ronald A. Rasband

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 4:28-5:9

Come Follow Me

D&C 10:1-33

God "will not suffer that Satan shall accomplish his evil design."

October General Conference

"Ye Are My Friends"

Elder David L. Buckner

"We must live our life so that the world does not see us but sees Him through us. This does not take place only on Sundays. It takes place at the grocery store, the gas pump, the school meeting, the neighborhood gathering - all places where baptized and unbaptized members of our family work and live."

Tom slept most of the night by James. I think he's tired of me getting up several times during the night. Very windy today so Tom spent most of his time sleeping indoors. 

My feet are swollen as well as my left hand ring finger. My knees, especially my right one still catch and pop when I try to bend them.

I got a call from AARA after calling them again. My right knee on the left side is bone on bone, severe osteoarthritis. I am going in on February 26th to get a steroid shot. Hopefully this will help me and not be too painful. 

I watched a movie I've seen before, a movie which was made in 2010, called "Leap Year" starring Amy Adams. The language was a little rough in spots but I actually enjoyed it.

Sheri's got plumbing problems, a leak in the basement, something to do with the sump pump. Hopefully Ian will be able to fix it.

James loves the beans I made. He's had three helpings! I have yet to try them. I'm still eating on the enchiladas. 

I am waiting to work on my Valentines. I work in the bedroom. First Tom was asleep on the bed where I was going to work, and then James came in to take a nap. I finally got them finished though, all 8 of them. I have lots of candy left, mostly chocolates.

Tomorrow I am going to start putting Milky Ranch stories on my blog. 

Notes & Quotes

"If our lives and our faith are centered upon Jesus Christ and His restored gospel, nothing can ever go permanently wrong."

- Howard W. Hunter

Sister Mary Ellen Smoot, pictured in the middle here, former

General Relief Society President, passed away today. She was

the General President when I was the Stake Relief Society President.

Every six months for five years I attended the Relief Society training in Salt Lake City. Her counselors were Virginia U. Jensen and Sheri Dew, pictured here with her. I learned so much from them by attending these training meetings.

My finished Valentines

Top photo is my favorite of James and Tom.

Lola tackling a Wendy's burger on the way home

from Disneyland last year.

Cute photo of Charlie

Fiero doesn't look like a scarecrow here.

Monday, February 10th, 2025: My xray, J's trip to town, Lightblbs, trimming trees, Valentines, Inklings, Beans, more vitamins ordered,

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

196th operating temple

Dedicated: 15 Sep 2024

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 4:1-27

Come Follow Me

Feb 10-16:

"That You May Come Off Conquerer"

D&C 10-11

October General Conference

'Welcome to the Church of Joy'

Elder Patrick Kearon

"The glorious focal point of our services is the blessing and receiving of the sacrament itself, the bread and the water representing the atoning gift of our Lord and the whole purpose of our gathering. This is 'a sacred time of spiritual renewal' when we witness anew that we are willing to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ and make again the covenant to always remember the Savior and keep His commandments."

I called AARA this morning and asked about my x-ray results and what treatments they had in mind for me. They sent me a link through the patient portal so I could see the x-ray report. It looks like a severe case of osteoarthritis with bone on bone on the left side of my right  knee. I still wanted to see what my treatment was going to be but no one ever called me. Thank goodness I'm feeling a little better today.

James made a trip to town to get something at Home Depot. He also picked up my Tramadol and bought himself some shoes at Walmart. We got another order of lightbulbs. James is taking out all the yellow ones and replacing them with white ones. He finished the dining room, family room and fireplace room and started in our bedroom. It looks like we are going to need another order of bulbs.

James trimmed more trees and I got a little upset. I told him there were already too many dried branches waiting to be burned and he should wait until there is a burn day. He was hurt that I said anything and I felt bad afterwards. 

I finally finished cleaning the living room, family room floor and it looks nice. I also baked the refrigerator cookies I bought, ate a couple warm from the oven and put the rest in the freezer. I also started a pot of beans in the slow cooker. They will cook all night and then go in the refrigerator tomorrow to marinate and will be ready for dinner tomorrow night. 

I worked on my ministering Valentine's. I finished a couple and will finish the rest tomorrow, 

I watched a new Hallmark movie and listened to Emily and Michelle Craig on Inklings discuss "Burying Our Weapons of Rebellion." I got several ideas to use in my lesson that I am excited about. 

I talked to Rowan about his letter but he did not have too much to say. He did say that he loves me. 

I ordered Bright Naturals Thyroid Renew Supplement which has Zinc, selenium, and copper in it. These are supposed to be critical to thyroid health, according to the "expert" I listened to.

Notes & Quotes

"Coming together in sacrament meeting should be a time for us to praise and adore our God in a way that transforms us."

-Elder Patrick Kearon

Miss Lola out for a walk

enjoying her ice cream.

Thinking about ordering these

For the sisters

For the kids

 

 

Sunday, February 9th, 2025: Up @ 5 Tom in my face, Sheri's text, I go back to bed, James attends mtgs, sacrament, Tyler Finnegan's farewell, Waypoint guys, Addy's text, Michael's text, D snowboards in Wyoming

 

Layton, Utah

195th operating temple

Dedicated: 16 June 2024

By: David A. Bednar

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 3:6-25

Come Follow Me

Follow Him

D&C 10-11

October General Conference

'His Hand Ready to Help Us'

Elder Juan Pablo Villar

"The scriptures immortalize the symbol and significance of the Savior's hands. In His atoning sacrifice, His hands were pierced by nails to affix Him to the cross. After His Resurrection. He appeared to HIs disciples in a perfect body, but the prints in His hands remain as a reminder of His infinite sacrifice. His hand will always be there for us, even if we cannot see it or feel it at first, because He was chosen by our Heavenly Father to be our Savior, the Redeemer of all humankind."

I woke up at 5 am with Tom staring in my face. He knows this is my time to get up and he wants something to eat. 

While I was in the kitchen getting something to eat, I noticed a text from Sheri. She wanted to know how dad's CT scan went and how my knee was doing. I told her we didn't hear from the doctor so we figured everything was okay with dad. My knee is still hurting. I am getting some medicine and then I'm going back to sleep, which I did with Tom beside me. 

I slept without interruption until 8 am. James was getting ready for church. It is apparent that I am not going. My ring finger is swollen about twice its size and my right knee doesn't bed without me physically moving it with my hands and waiting for it to pop. 

James had four ministering interviews scheduled today so he left a little early. Three of the people he had interviews with were no-shows. 

I missed Tyler Finnegan's talk before he leaves on his mission. Steve and Tina Allen also spoke. Steve talked about addiction recovery within Tina's family. Three or four guys from Waypoint attended, They sit in our spot. Should I be offended?

James administers the sacrament to me and brings me lunch. I listen to "Follow Him" and watch "When Calls the Heart." I finally did all of my gospel reading this afternoon.

Addy texted to see how we were doing. I told her we were struggling and she said school was hard right now. I told her I would pray for her and I asked if she would pray for us. Of course!

Michael also texted and said it wouldn't be able to come up in February because he has something every weekend and the last weekend he is going to Rome. 

Darrel went snowboarding in Wyoming this weekend with friends. They stayed in Idaho. Darrel sent James a picture of hundreds of elk lined up alongside a lake.

Notes & Quotes

"Consider this: 'As we treat our bodies as temples, our bodies will radiate the light and love of Jesus Christ and we will receive 'His image in our countenances,'"

- President Russell M, Nelson

Love those back legs

My swollen finger

Former missionaries in 

our mission who got

married.

Johnson & Johnson

Sorry Charlie

Saturday, February 8th, 2025: Stacy's 53rd birthday, Kim makes her an almond cake, J's CT scan, my morning routine, Chuck's news, Rotel Enchiladas, Mail Trina's bday card,

Salta, Argentina

194th operating temple

Dedicated: 16 June 2024

By: D. Todd Christofferson

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 2:22-3:6

Come Follow Me

D&C 6-7; 9:3, 7-14

"Even as you desire of me so it shall be."

D&C 11:8

"Desire" DHO AGC 2011

October General Conference

'Bonded to Jesus Christ: Becoming the Salt of the Earth'

Elder Jose A. Teixeira

James and I both wake up in the mornings, most anyway, feeling miserable. We feed the animals, I do the cats, he does the horses, have some breakfast, have family prayer, read from the Book of Mormon and do "Come Follow Me", and then we take naps. Let me back up a little bit ... I get up at 5. I take my thyroid pill then take my blood pressure and then take my blood pressure pill, Losartan. I also take two Memoforce pills for my memory. I study a few lines from "The Living Christ", look up one of my favorite Book of Mormon scriptures then say my prayers and listen for answers to my concerns.

Today I finished Rowan's missionary letter which I will also send to Joshua and Evan. I then read from The Easter Connection, Forgiving What You Can't Forget, Heart of the Matter, this month's Liahona, and worked on my Atonement paper which I am studying from "True to the Faith." I also worked on "Burying Our Weapons of Rebellion" my RS lesson, and read D&C 9. Somewhere in there I had some breakfast.

I am so tired when I am finished with family prayer & scriptures that I take a nap. James took a short one but he had to get up and get ready for his CT Scan appointment at the Show Low hospital. He left around 11:45. He took Trina's birthday card and mailed it. 

After his scan James went to Culver's and got a fish sandwich. He had some cash from our trip to the valley on Wednesday. Also, Chuck took our trash to the dump and he may have given some cash to him too. I wasn't aware of this cash stash.

When he gets home we both take naps again. He gets up and goes outside to work. I do some sweeping and vacuuming on the stairs, in the hall and entry and then the living and family room. I go back in the bedroom to do some work on my blog. I'm taking a rest on the recliner when I hear Chuck talking in the other room. I was going to go in and start dinner but I'm going to wait until Chuck is gone. He stays for over 30 minutes.

He's telling James about a problem in the ward. On January 26th 8 or 9 of the guys from Waypoint Addiction Center came to our ward. One of the sisters in our ward is upset about them coming and their appearance saying it's going to affect the youth. She says as long as they come, she is not coming to church. What makes this difficult is that her husband is the ward mission leader and he is in charge of making arrangements for transportation when they want to attend. 

This brother is very distraught and feels like he needs to be released as the ward mission leader. The bishop and stake president are aware of the situation and they have agreed that if this sister continues to act in this manner, she won't be able to go to the temple. 

Both the brother and sister in this situation are friends of ours and we are praying that she will be able to have a change of heart. (James does not want me to mention any names).

I got up and made the new Rotel enchilada recipe that Lois gave me. She and Dawn like this recipe better than her old enchilada recipe. James and I liked it, but we still like the old recipe better.

My leg was hurting so James said he would do the dishes and clean the kitchen. Thanks Honey!

Notes & Quotes

"Jesus Christ ... has the power to help us out of every miserable condition or adverse situation."

Elder Juan Pablo Villar

Stacy with the Almond cake

that Kim made her for

her birthday.

Good News Brand:

I am so impressed with this girl!

They look delicious Charlie!

 

Friday, February 7th, 2025: No temple today, Patsy no water since Jan 23rd, J a CTScan tomorrow, Beach's, 2025 Budget book, more protein, Gluco Bio capsules, "The Way Home"

Coban, Guatemala

193rd operating temple

Dedicated: 9 June 2024

By: Dale G. Renlund

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 2:11-21

Come Follow Me

D&C 6:29-37

"Fear not to do good."

October General Conference

'Burying Our Weapons of Rebellion'

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"In the end, burying our weapons of rebellion against God simply means yielding to the enticing of the Holy Spirit, putting off the natural man, and becoming "a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord." 

I talked to Janna Grombach this morning about going to the temple. I invited them last Sunday and Janna had said Willy had a couple of blood clots and it would depend on how he was feeling. I told her I would make appointments and could cancel if we needed to. I texted Janna and she called me back. She said she totally forgot about going to the temple and that it has been a crazy week. 

Janna's mother, Patsy Tedder has not had any water since January 23rd. She and Willy have been hauling water. Because of Willy's bad should it's been difficult so Janna asked her mom to come and stay with them for a few days until the problem gets resolved. 

Willy also had some metal in his eye that he had to have removed. It's been a busy week for Janna. We won't be going to the temple today. I told her that when they were ready to go to the temple to let me know and I would schedule it. 

I had decided if the Grombach's weren't going I wouldn't be going either because of my knee. It is so hard to walk on it and my knee won't bend until it pops while I'm pushing on it. James is also suffering from neuropathy in his feet. We both took long naps this afternoon. 

I scheduled James a CT Scan for tomorrow at 1:00. Kim and Sheri were both happy about it. 

James had a meeting with Brother Beach at his house. They got it laid out. James says he is a very nice guy. I could actually tell that he was when I spoke with him the other day. 

I worked on getting my 2025 budget book set up and organized and paid our tithing and fast offerings for January. I also worked on my missionary letters to the boys.

I ate around 100 grams of protein but also ate quite a few carbs. I need to work on eating more veggies. I got my Gluco Bio capsules from Barbara O'Neil who says they will regulate my blood pressure. I certainly hope so.

James and I watched "The Way Home" together. It was a little convoluted and I didn't really enjoy this episode.

Notes & Quotes

"The Savior's healing ministry is a divine prelude and promise of the lasting physical and emotional healing that will come to each of us in the Resurrection."

- "I Will Heal Them"

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

February Liahona

All 5 of my amarylis are blooming

Gluco Bio

My friends had Betsy Wetsy dolls but

I had a Tiny Tears. You could actually

make tears come out of her eyes.