Saturday, March 8th, 2025: Looks like more snow, but not really, Gladys 'Buni' Denham's funeral, Kim & Greg Anderson, meatloaf no more, Alex tomorrow,

 

Jordan River, Utah

20th operating temple

Dedicated: 16-20 Nov 1981

By: Spencer W. Kimball

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 27:12-35

Come Follow Me

D&C 19 

Historical Background

October General Conference

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

Eder Jose A. Teixeira

"We can do simple things that, with consistent efforts in small and meaningful acts, can deepen our discipleship and commitment to Jesus Christ. Here are four simple yet profound ways we can strive to be the salt of the earth: 1) Keeping the house of the Lord at the center of our devotion. 2) Being deliberate in our efforts to strengthen others by living the gospel together. 3) Being willing to accept a calling and serving in the Church. 4) Using digital communication tools with purpose.

Tom was out all night. He came in to eat and went out again. He must like the snow.

We left at around 9:20 to meet Greg & Kim Anderson at Dollar General. We are riding with them to Buni Denham's funeral. They insisted that we ride with them in the back seat of their Tacoma truck, which we did. 

We arrived early at the Pinedale/Claysprings chapel where the funeral is being held. Here is a picture of the program:

Gladys was a flight attendant for 30 years for

Western Airlines.

The picture under the cats is how I 

remember Gladys/"Buni"

I want to say this before I talk about the funeral. Now I better understand the bond between James and Greg. Greg loves history, especially old west history, and he loves to hear James tell pioneer stories about his grandad. Greg is fascinated that James great grandfather was a U.S. Marshall. We listened to stories about Frank Bates Lambson all the way to Pinedale.

Walter, Gladys's younger brother greeted us inside the church. He is the same age as Gail and actually went to school with Gail at McClintock High and ended up working for James one summer.

Walter gave the life sketch and was the first speaker on the program. He said Gladys attended high school in Snowflake her freshman, sophomore, and junior years and then moved to Thatcher for her senior year. I guess we must have been juniors when we took that earth science class together.

I always wondered how Gladys went from Gladys to Buni. Here is the story. Her nickname in Snowflake was "Happy Bottom" and I guess that carried over to when she moved to Thatcher. Happy Bottom became "Chuckle Buns" and Buni evolved from that. 

From here on I am going to refer to Gladys as Buni. Buni's second career was working for Walter, her brother, who is a dentist in Pinetop. She worked for him for 23 years. She worked at the front desk and would be talking about people and Walt could hear her as he was working on patients in the back. He would come out and tell her she needed to quiet down because the patients could hear her talking about other patients. 

Buni loved to travel and traveled all over the world with friends and family, sharing her buddy passes. Many of her trips were with her mom and dad. Once Buni and three friends rented a small call in Ireland. The four of them caused the frame of the car to rub up against the wheels and the car wouldn't go anywhere. They had to rent a bigger car. In the bigger car they didn't have to sit with their suitcases on their laps. 

One person who traveled with her said she would rinse her underwear out at night and hang them over the lighted lamps so they would dry. Her roommate said it was interesting trying to read at night with that underwear on the lamps.

Buni lived in Pinedale at Denham's Grove where the family would gather for fun and games, especially during the summer. Buni loved to play cards and one of her favorite games was Hand and Foot. She won a trophy for being the best all-time loser. Loved animals, especially cats. She would set cat food out and attract all kinds of animals which caused a few problems in Denham Grove.

Walter said in the office they labeled her ADD, a dental dummy. After she had worked there awhile he said she was labeled ADHD, A dental half dummy. Buni had a great sense of humor and could always laugh at herself and take a joke. 

Buni had a genetic disorder which caused her to develop COPD. She overcame alcohol and cigarette addictions and helped others to do the same. She developed pneumonia in October and could never seem to get over it. Her oxygen levels were way down. She passed away on February 23rd. 

Charles, another of Buni's brothers was the next speaker. I dated Charles in high school only back then we called him Charlie. He lived in Snowflake and I lived in Show Low. He would come down and visit me and was a very nice, well-mannered guy. 

Charlie, for some reason I just can't call him Charles, gave the spiritual talk. He based most of his remarks from a book by President Nelson called, "The Gateway We Call Death." Here are just a few scribbled notes: Live is a three-act play. Act 1 - premortal life, Act 2 - Earth life, and Act 3 is death where we are judged and assigned a realm or kingdom to live in throughout eternity. We have an opportunity to return to our heavenly home. Death is a part of life. It is the separation of the spirit and body and part of God's great plan of happiness. Death is a gateway to immortality and eternal life. 

I made meatloaf for dinner, baked potatoes, and green beans.

Began watching "The Reluctant Royal" starring Andrew Walker, but at 9:30 I turned it off so we could go to bed.

Elder Finnegan and his family

Elder Finnegan will be serving in the

Seattle, Washington mission

Kacey & Jared's temple attendance

2025

Italy

Tom and James having a moment

Jared looks so great!

Friday, March 7th, 2025: A temple day and a snow day, Chase bank, Ministering angels, Kathy's request for Owen, "The Way Home" finale

 

Seattle, Washington

19th operating temple

Dedicated: 17-21 Nov 1980

By: Spencer W. Kimball

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 26:31-27:11

Come Follow Me

D&C 19:26-41

God's blessings are greater than the treasures of the earth.

October General Conference

'Burying Our Weapons of Rebellion'

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"Another example concerns our physical being. Paul reminds us that we are to glorify God in both body and spirit and that this body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, 'which ye have of God, and ye are not your own.' Thus, we have a legitimate interest in spending time caring for our bodies as best we can. Few of us will reach the peak of performance we have seen recently in the achievements of Olympic and Paralympic athletes, and some of us are experiencing the effects of age, or what President M. Russell Ballard called 'the rivets coming loose.'"

Snow on the ground this morning and it snowed most of the day, but it still looks like only around 2 inches.

We left for the temple a little after 8 this morning for the 9:30 session. This will be my 7th time this year and James's 6th. 

There were 14 sisters and 8 brothers in our session. Before we left the temple we put several family names on the temple prayer roll. We did not stop to eat on the way home. We did stop at Chase Bank and cashed our $500 check to put in our cash closet. 

It was snowing like crazy in Show Low. The closer to Vernon, the less snow. We stopped at the post office and picked up my ministering angels for my Relief Society handouts. 

I got a call from Kathy Crane this afternoon. She would like me to help with a going away party for Owen Peeler. He is moving to Bugaloosa, Louisiana and getting married on April 12th. The going away party will be on March 30th from 4-7pm at the Crane's. Kathy wants to do the food, sliders and coleslaw. She also wants Dave Kostusiak to make beans because Owen loves his beans. She then wants to ask those coming to bring a pie because Owen loves pie. 

She says because I am so "techie" she wants me to do the invitations. I told her I didn't have any experience doing computer generated documents but I would be in charge and get the help I needed. When I was off the phone I went on YouTube to look for instructions. It looks like there is plenty of information.

Instead of deconstructing the enchiritos, I fried them and they were yummy. Fried enchritios for dinner. 

James and I watched the season final of "The Way Home." I'm more confused than ever. A couple of things I did understand: Susanna gave Lingemore to the Landry's. Alice pushed herself in the pond. Elliott is the lost baby. There will be a season 4 but we will have to wait until next January.

Tom is driving me nuts. In and out, in and out. He came in at bedtime but before James got in bed he meowed to go outside. He was out all night. 

Notes & Quotes

"The importance of having a sense of the sacred is simply this: If one does not appreciate holy things he will lose them. Absent a feeling of reverence he will grow increasingly casual in attitude and lax in conduct. He will drift from the moorings that his covenants with God could provide. His feeling of accountability with God will diminish and then be forgotten. He will care only about his own comfort and satisfying his own appetites and desires. He will come to disengage himself from sacred things, even God."

- Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Cuz Rita

Venice, Italy

Prague, Czechoslovakia

The Johnson and Gonzales boys

Nita passed away on the 5th

Here she is again, Rita, with her sweetheart,

Bill.

Thursday, March 6th, 2025: Tom out all night, snowing & the sun is shining, this week's focus is menus, recipes, & nutrition, 120 grams of protein, James & Chuck visit Cary Dobson, Enchiritos, tacos,

 

Tokyo, Japan

18th operating temple

Dedicated: 27-29 Oct 1980

By: Spencer W. Kimball

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 26:12-30

Come Follow Me

Video: 'The Savior Suffers in Gethsemane'

D&C 19:23 Peace comes from learning of Jesus Christ and following Him.

Henry B. Eyring, 'Finding Personal Peace', AGC 2023

Video: 'Peace in Christ'

October General Conference

'Following Christ'

President Dallin H. Oaks

"He that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another. Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away." In His remaining ministry among the Nephites, Jesus taught other commandments closely related to His prohibition of contention."

Tom was out all night. When he went out at bed time I was determined I wasn't going to let him in until I got up in the morning. He was ready. 

It snowed off and on all day today. Sometimes the sun was shining while it was snowing. We are so grateful for the moisture. 

My focus this week is on menu planning, recipes, and nutrition. I want to get more protein in my diet. Sheri said the doctor told her she needed 120 grams of protein per day so that's what I'm aiming for. For breakfast I normally have a Premier protein shake and a turkey sausage. That's 40 grams of protein. At 10:00 I have Greek yogurt, some fruit, and a protein bar, 20 grams of protein.

Today at around 2 I made a tuna, cottage cheese salad with tomatoes, green onions, lettuce, and rice vinegar. This salad has about 25 grams of protein. For dinner I am going to try to have another 30 grams of protein. We will see how it goes.

Chuck and James went to see Cary Dobson this afternoon. They are applying for an agriculture allotment to lower our property taxes. This means they will allow Cary's cows to graze on their land. 

James came home and went on and on about what a nice guy Cary Dobson is. He told Cary that I knew his mom and used to work out with her at Curves. This is true, I knew Carol Dobson, but only from visiting with her at Curves.

I'm making chicken tacos and Enchiritos for dinner. Enchiritos are something you can order at Taco Bell. The Enchiritos were not that great. The flour tortilla's were soggy and there were 8 of them. How are we going to eat all of these if we don't really care for them. As I was putting them in the frig I came up with an idea. Tomorrow I will "de-construct" these soggy Enchiritos. I will take the meat and beans out of the tortillas and toss the tortillas. From there I may fry up some corn tortillas and make tacos. We shall see.

There were lots of dishes to do after dinner and I was on my own. 

We had a few snow flurries throughout the day but nothing that really stayed on the ground.

Notes & Quotes

Affirmation: "I am willing to follow Heavenly Father's plan instead of mine. I trust that His celestial perspective will lead me into a joyful eternity. I set aside self-centered pursuits that may keep me from His path and fully submit to following Him."

Tom, doing what he does best

One year ago we were in California

with Jared, Kacey, and Charlie

Wednesday, March 5th, 2025: Left for the valley @ 7:30, Del Taco, AARA, Hatch's, Chase Bank, Costco, Home Payson way, Home at 4:15, Tom happy to see us, J's @ Beach's

 

Sao Paulo, Brazil

17th operating temple

Dedicated: 30 Oct-Nov 2 1978

By: Spencer W. Kimball

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 25:27-26:11

Come Follow Me

D&C 19:15-20

Jesus Christ suffered so that I can repent and come unto Him.

October General Conference

'Trusting Our Father'

Elder David P. Homer

"The choice to submit our will to God's is an act of faith that lies at the heart of our discipleship. In making that choice, we discover that our agency is not diminished; rather, it is magnified and rewarded by the presence of the Holy Ghost, who brings purpose, joy, peace, and hope we can find nowhere else."

'God Loves All His Children'

Elder Gregorio E. Casillas

"I testify that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that He lives, that He lived and died for you and me, and that He was resurrected  for you and me so that we can aspire to celestial reunions full of joy with those who are already on the other side of the veil."

We left for the valley at 7:30 this morning. Again Tom was asleep on his chair so we left him inside the house. Gas in Show Low and Payson is $3.19 and it is $3.49 in valley so we will buy our gas in Show Low or Payson.

My appointment at AARA isn't until 11:30. We had time to stop at Del Taco for a little snack. We ordered two grilled chicken tacos. James ate one and I ate the other. They were small but tasted good and filled a little empty spot in my tummy.

James dropped me off at AARA around 11:00, 30 minutes early while he goes to find a Chase bank to deposit some cash. He called Greg Hatch and there is a check waiting for him at Hatch's Dental so he drove to McClintock and Elliot to pick up said check and then went to Chase. He was in the Chase line when I called to tell him my infusion was finished. I told him I would walk to Costco and meet him there, which I did. He got there about the same time as I did. 

We got a text from Erik about the Razr. This is what it said: 

Engine needs to be replace, the cam and two lifters are ruined, as well as a cracked block. 

Erik is looking for a used engine with his students, but nothing yet.

Back at AARA, Frances, my favorite, had the day off. Amanda took her place and Alex inserted my infusion. It hurt and was itchy and swollen afterwards. 

James and I struck it rich (HaHa) at Costco. The main reason we came was to buy some Premier shakes. They have boxes of 18. Last week we bought one for $31.99. This week they are on sale for $25.99. We bought one of all three flavors, strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate. We saved $18.00 (HaHa). We also bought some chocolate peanut butter protein bars and some white albacore tuna. A couple of drinks at the snack bar and we are on our way home. This is the quickest trip we have ever made.

We headed east on the 60 thinking we would go home the Globe way and pick up some green chili mixed burros at Burger House. As we were driving along I looked at the time, it was barely 1:00. We are going to get to Superior before 2:00 when they finally stop blasting. 

James thanks me and says he does not want to wait. We get off the 60, get back on going west and make an exit on to the 202 north. We get off on Gilbert Rd. and head for the 87 towards Payson. 

Such nice weather today. Warm, but overcast in the valley making it very pleasant to be outside. We talked about stopping at the Chili's in Payson to get something to eat but we just drove right through. We bought gas at the Circle K in Payson and paid $3.14 with my Inner Circle account. 

We got home a little after 4. I fed time his treat and then he heads outside. James goes to Beach's to pick up Pierce's trencher and a couple of checks. James had told Brother Beach Pierce wanted $100 for the use of his trencher. Brother Beach wrote him a check for $200 instead. James had asked for nothing for his time. Brother Beach wrote him a check for $500. He really is a super nice guy. James loves to work for people like him. Now we can replace some of the $2,000 closet cash that we took out today.

James and I listened to "Follow Him" on the way to the valley and then I re-started the book I am listening to so we could read it together. It's called "Heart of Snow" by Rachel Grow Law. James is trying to catch up to me in chapter 14 so he borrowed my phone this evening.

Stacy called and asked us to pray for her. She is having a bit of an anxiety attack over the stake Easter activity that she and Paul are in charge of. We talked for awhile and it sounds like they have done a lot to prepare. Her concern is that the ward activity chair-people did not show up to their last meeting. I told her to contact their bishops. The key to an activity this size is to delegate and make sure the delegated people are doing their assignments. I think she felt better at the end of our conversation.

We had WW soup for dinner. I love it so much and especially love the fact that it has very little calories and it's a delicious way for me to get my vegetables.

Nita Holtz passed away today. Today is the one year anniversary of Donna Peeler's death.

Notes and Quotes

"As we are sanctified and changed, we can overcome the gap that was introduced at the Fall and then even overcome the gap that existed before the Fall as we come into full emulation, communion, and union with God."

-Kerry Muhlstein

Tom is the focus of our attention

since we have no children here.

Italy

Fat Tuesday masks

Charlie