Thursday, May 22nd, 2025: Connie's 4:22 am text woke me up, heating pad on upper arms, Inklings, handouts, Matt Hipps', steak from Walmart, Graduations, make chicken enchiladas, James Dr. Smithson appt., Bunco

 

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

95th operating temple

Dedicated: 30 July 2000

By: James E. Faust

Book of Mormon

Alma 4:5-20

D&C

49:21-50:25

Come Follow Me

D&C 50 The Lord's teachings can protect me from Satan's deceptions.

D&C 50:22-25, 29-34, 40-46; 1 Cor.14:1-28; 2 Timothy 3:13-17

April General Conference

'Joy Through Covenant Discipleship'

Elder John A. McCune

Connie, James's sister texted at 4:22 this morning to ask about her mom and the text woke me up. She lives in Texas and probably didn't think about the time difference and how early it was in Arizona.

Mom update: 

Cathi @ 5:36 p.m.: "Mom is coming home this evening. She has decided she wants to be home, so her wishes are being granted and she will be home with hospice care. She will be given medication for congestive heart failure and for pulmonary issues. She will also have morphine for pain. I say this with nothing but Mom's best interest as heart, but please ask your children to not come see her for a few days and let her build up some strength. After the weekend, please have them contact Dawn to make a planned visit. The visits should be short - 10 to 15 minutes at the most. There will be times that it will not be possible for a visit due to in-home health care staff being here and blocked off times for Mom's rest. It is very understandable that all her grandchildren would want to see her, but we cannot overwhelm her. I hope you all understand that we are trying to keep her comfortable and stress free for as long as we can! And just in case you wonder, this has been a care plan made with Dawn, Terry, David, Laura and me. We welcome input if you have any comments or suggestions. Thank you for supporting us from afar! Love you all!

I was freezing when I woke up this morning so I turned on the heating pad I have with me on the family room (hereafter known as the FR) recliner. Both of my upper arms hurt so that's where I put the heating pad.

My gospel study today included Inklings. After my gospel study time I worked on my handouts until 1p.m., and then I took a nap. James went to work at Matt Hipps' and on the way home he stopped at Walmart. He got me some green onions to use as a garnish on my enchiladas for tonight and he also brought home some small steaks. 

I started making my enchiladas around 2:30 this afternoon. I shredded the breasts of a rotisserie chicken using my handmixer. I grated Monterrey Jack cheese and Cheddar. I softened 18 corn tortillas in oil, and for the sauce I combined two cans of Cream of Chicken soup, one cup of sour cream, and 1-2 cups of cream and about half a cup or so of chicken broth. I added two cans of mild green chilies and put all of that in a pot on the stove to simmer. I put sauce over the bottom of a 9x12 dish and then layered the other ingredients, corn tortillas, chicken, sauce and cheese until there were three layers. I bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees and then cover them to take to Bunco at Donna Beckham's. Michelle Beckham carried the enchiladas in when I got to her Mom's. Six people brought food. Mine was the only savory dish, everyone else brought sweets. 

The enchiladas were a big hit. I got several compliments but the biggest ones came from Oksana who said they were the best chicken enchiladas she had ever had, Lynda Finnell and Tina Allen. They all three went back for seconds, even after Bunco was over. My favorite food was Donna's frosted banana bars. I took some home for James and I to share and he ended up eating all of them.

The Beckham home is nice, especially the kitchen. Donna has lots of collections, Kachina dolls, kitchen accessories, and antiques. Her husband is a hunter and one of the things they have one their wall is the biggest elk I have ever seen. I am not sure why I didn't take a picture. I am kicking myself right now because James kept asking me questions about it. 

There are 12 Bunco players and now only six of them get prizes and I was one of them. I actually got 11 mini Buncos! Everyone was here tonight except Janna. As much as I love Janna I have to say that this was one of the most fun times I have had since I started playing Bunco. I have been trying to think of a way to quit but after tonight I decided I needed the association with these sweet women, all who are in my ward, except Oksana who is the sweetest non-member I've ever met. She is interesting because she is a guard at the prison in St. Johns. I love her as much as I do anyone else in the group.

Stefani Hunsaker's daughter, Kilee, is one of my former young women. Stefani shared with me that she and her husband and little girl just moved to Rigby, Idaho. Stefani was a little sad. She said, it wouldn't be so bad if she would have moved to Texas because she has two other daughters living in Texas. 

When I got home this evening I gave Cathi a call. We are so concerned about Mom and we need to make a decision as to whether we are going to go down in the next day or so. Cathi calmed my fears. She said Mom is doing much better now that she is at home. She said hospice is coming in and helping and that Mom wasn't going anywhere anytime soon, meaning she would be with us for awhile longer. She eased our concerns and told us not to rush down but just come when we could. I felt so much better after talking to her. Now I can teach my lesson Sunday without feeling guilty.

Quote & Verse

"Whom seek ye?" With All Our Hearts we answer, "Jesus of Nazareth."

-President Jeffrey R. Holland, OGC 2024

D&C 50:23

And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness.

Graduates

Rowan

I don't care

Joshua

Evan

Beckham

Kacey Westbrook from

the Vernon ward

Sheri's post

More photos from Bishop Hall's

birthday

What a scam

I joined Daughters of the Utah Pioneers

because of Florence Cluff

Wednesday, May 21st, 2025: Tom wants outside when we start scriptures, Mom report, torn as to what to do regarding Mom, Susan & Jeff Crane meet with James, J/K stole packages, handouts, Matt Hipps job, "Follow Him", Tom outside

 

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

94th operating temple

Dedicated: 16 July 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Alma 3:20-4:4

Come Follow Me

D&C 49:15-17 Marriage between man and woman is essential to God's plan. "The Family: A Proclamation to the World."

Ulisses Soares, "In Partnership with the Lord" OGC 2022

David A. Bednar, "Marriage is Essential to His Eternal Plan", Ensign, June 2006, 83-84

Video: "Renaissance of Marriage"

April General Conference

'Eternity's Great Gifts: Jesus Christ's Atonement, Resurrection, Restoration'

Gerrit W. Gong

Tom lays by me on the family room recliner. I get up to go have "Come Follow Me" with James. He follows me in the bedroom and lays on the floor between James and I. He is asleep until we play the Book of Mormon using a speaker. He wakes up and wants outside. He doesn't really like listening to scriptures or conference talks. He's a rebel.

I got a text from Rowan this morning. It said: "Hey I just opened my graduation card. I really appreciate it (referring to the money I am sure), and I loved reading it. I love you guys!" I texted back:

We love you too Rowan and we are so proud of you!

Here is the report on Mom this morning:

Cathi: Mom has had a rough night. She just couldn't get comfortable. I finally convinced the nurses to let her sit in the recliner. I put my Minky Couture blanket on her and now she is sleeping like a baby. They took her for a CT Scan of her chest at 2:00. Results aren't back yet. I have dozed off and on. Got some good sleep when they took her for the CT.

Cathi @ 8:04 a.m.: Nurse just came by to let us know that 2 more CT scans have been ordered...one for heart and one for lower abdomen. They have also ordered an echocardiogram of the heart. I asked when the doctors did their rounds and was told between 9 and 10 a.m.

Cathi @ 12:47 p.m.: We spoke with the hospital doctor this morning and were told that Mom is going to be admitted an an inpatient. Dr. Kahn said that besides congestive heart failure, the CT scan showed pneumonia. Mom is very uncomfortable. Please pray for her as I know you have been all along. I am going to try to get some much needed sleep so I can go back to the hospital to stay with Mom tonight. 

Cathi @ 9:26 p.m.: Mom is officially admitted to the hospital. She is in room B414. She is about the same as she was last night. Restless because it is so hard for her to breathe. Her mental faculties are amazing. She is definitely able to understand what they are doing to treat her and care for her. For that I am extremely grateful. I am staying at the hospital with her again tonight. Those were all of the updates for today. If Mom gets worse James and I will be going to the valley and I may have to get someone else to teach my lesson on Sunday.

James had a meeting with Jeff and Susan Crane today about the home they are building. They want him to do some of the work. This is the first time they have been in our home. James said they really liked it. 

I finished cutting out all 57 of my handouts, 11 for Primary, 6 for YW and the rest for Relief Society. Now I'm working on the quote that goes with the handout.

Jared and Kacey ordered two items from Apple, an Air Mac and an Apple watch. On the day they were delivered their security camera caught an Uber driver picking those items up off the porch and taking them with him in his car. This is a scam. Here is how it goes:

Kacey: It's a scam where the thieves use unsuspecting Uber drivers to go and pick up packages as soon as they are delivered. They then take them to UPS where a label is printed and they are mailed to a designated address given by the thief. We had no idea Uber picked up packages. The things dishonest people think of is mind blowing.

We posted it on social media and the first Uber driver in the video saw himself and immediately came to our house to clear his name.

Me: Why would Uber pick up a package off your porch when the package is addressed to you?

Kacey: Sometimes people may be out of town and unable to pick it up so they will have Uber pick it up and mail it to wherever they are. That's our understanding anyway.

The curious thing is that they know when it is delivered so it seems they have access to the delivery trucks info about what is being delivered and when.

FedEx is the one who dropped it off but then the thief used UPS to send a QR code to the Uber driver to print a label and have the package sent somewhere else. We don't have all the details but the investigator said this is something that has been happening.

I cannot believe the lengths that dishonest people will go to! 

James started a job at Matt Hipps's home in Pinetop. Matt is the son of Robert Hipps who is in our ward. James did some work for Robert and he recommended James to his son. 

Matthew is a member of our stake and is on the stake high council. James says he works out of town, in Chicago of all places, but he doesn't know what he does. Anyway, James was loading the Cat onto the trailer to take to Pinetop. Later, when he goes to leave, he realizes the Cat is not securely strapped down when it hits the newly fixed tailgate on his truck and leaves a dent.

I listened to part of "Follow Him" today. I love John Bytheway and Hank Smith and I usually love their guest too.

Quotes, Verses, and Notes

"As we walk in the meekness of the Lord's Spirit, we will avoid and overcome pride and have peace in Him."

-Elder David A. Bednar, OGC 2024

D&C 50:5

But blessed are they who are faithful and endure, whether in life or in death, for they shall inherit eternal life.

My friend and mentor

Penny the Talking Cat, Grace and Lily

My handout prototype,

the final product is a little different

 

Tuesday, May 20th, 2025: Mom (Lois) in the hospital (see Cathi's text), Show Low to mail Cayli's & Mason's bday cards, Wlmrt, chkn ench, prescrp, supplements, BK fiasco, 2 new dresses & white shoes, sweet potato for dinner, James does yrdwrk, prayers for Mom

 

Veracruz, Mexico

93rd operating temple

Dedicated: 9 July 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon

Alma 3:1-19

D&C

49:1-21

Come Follow Me

D&C 49; 50:24 Jesus Christ wants me to embrace the truths of His gospel. Leman Copley and the Shakers in 'Revelations in Context'

April General Conference

'Compensating Blessings'

Bishop Gerald Causse

"My dear friends, if you ever feel limited or disadvantaged by the circumstances of your life, I want you to know this: 'The Lord loves you personally. He knows your circumstances, and the door to His blessings remains wide open to you no matter the challenges you face.'"

We received word today that James's mom is in the hospital. Cathi texted: Just a note to let you know that Mom is in the ER at Banner Desert. We don't have any information yet. 3:38 pm.

5:18 - Dr. Shields came in and they are keeping Mom overnight. She has fluid in her lung which is indicative of congestive heart failure. They want to get the fluid taken care of using medication. All of the rest of the tests they took came back good.

Rebecca, who is out of town in Missouri, wrote:

Dawn, what happened that you felt to take her in to the ER?

Dawn: Since last night she has been coughing and belching and felt like she was going to throw up. Since that was what she was dealing with years ago when we took her to the hospital, I decided I should take her there this morning and she said yes, she would go. I took her to the emergency center here near our house and they did tests, and then they called an ambulance to take her to the emergency room here at Banner Desert in Mesa.

Cathi spent the night with mom in the hospital. Here is what Cathi wrote: We are still waiting for a room for Mom. She is as feisty as ever. They are giving her antibiotic as a preventative measure. I am staying here tonight and for as many nights as needed. When we get in a regular room, I will let you know. We are playing the wait and wait some more game.

Cathi: Mom is resting well now that she is upstairs on the 3rd floor in Observation #4. 

Carmen: Wish I was there to help. 

Rebecca and Laura are out of town so it's Dawn, Cathi, and Terry there to care for Mom. I wish we were there. 

James and I went to Show Low again today. We mailed Cayli and Mason's birthday cards at the Show Low post office. We went back to Walmart where we picked up yet another prescription and where I got all of the ingredients to make chicken enchiladas. I am taking said enchiladas to Bunco on Thursday night. Now we only have to take food or a gift not both. We ended up spending over $138 because we bought more health supplements, some socks, and took our $40 cash for birthdays. 

All of that shopping made James hungry so after going through the drive-thru at the Show Low post office, he went through the drive-thru at Burger King and ordered a fish sandwich and an order of four mozzarella sticks. Both orders were meh. He said the fish sandwich couldn't compare to the one at Culver's and the mozzarella sticks were teeny tiny compared to the ones at Sonic. Never again. I think Burger King is a place of the past in our lives.

We stopped at the Vernon post office and there were three packages for me, two new dresses and a pair of white dress shoes. I think my Sunday wardrobe has been sufficiently replenished. I now have six new outfits which can be rotated over six weeks.

The weather was beautiful today and Tom decided to spend the night outside. We had sweet potatoes for dinner. James did some yardwork, raking up pine cones and needles and then mowing the lawn. I am still working on my lesson handouts. Hopefully I can finish them up tomorrow or early on Thursday.

We prayed for Mom this evening.

Quote & Verse

"Our Heavenly Father and Savior see you. They know your heart. They care about what you care about, including those you love."

-Sister Kristin Yee

OGC 2024

D&C 49:26

Behold, I say unto you, go forth as I have commanded you; repent of all your sins; ask and you shall receive; knock and it shall be opened unto you.

Sorry I missed posting this on Mother's Day

Anna 

Max

White Mountain Bighorn Sheep

A fan bed

Monday, May 19th, 2025: The most unproductive day, sciatic nerve pain is getting me down, LeighAnn Johnson sends $500 towards car loan, Dr. Brady appt, Circle K, Wlmrt - new prescrip, Culvers, lesson week & blog, I'm sinking

 

Merida, Mexico

92nd operating temple

Dedicated: 8 July 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon

Alma 2:19-38

Come Follow Me

"That Which Is Of God Is Light" D&C 49-50

Introduction

April General Conference

'Your Repentance Doesn't Burden Jesus Christ; It Brightens His Joy'

Sister Tamara W. Runia

"Today I want to speak to those of us who sometimes feel, 'Repentance and forgiveness seem to be working for everyone but me.' Those who privately wonder, 'Since I keep making the same mistakes, maybe this is the way I am.' Those who, like me, have days when the covenant path feels so steep, it's almost a covenant hike!"

This was a most unproductive day for me because I did not feel well. My sciatic nerve pain is getting me down. I slept on the recliner. Tom comes up and lays by me. When I get up he goes in and lays by James. He is a little clingy today because we left him this weekend. The weather was cooler and it was windy today, another reason Tom likes to stay in the house.

Leigh Ann Johnson, Darryl Johnson's wife sent us $500 today for the money they borrowed from us to keep their car out of hawk. She said she is separated from Darryl. She said he is bi-polar and difficult to get along with. She has six kids to care for but she said she would continue to make payments until she had paid us off. We appreciate that. The balance is now $1,800.00.

I had a doctor's appointment this afternoon at 3:20 with Dr. Brady. He wanted to make sure my heart was okay. I told him I was no longer having any chest pains. He said my blood work came back normal. My appointment was short. James went to Circle K and Walmart to pickup new prescriptions. We had to go back to Walmart because one of the prescriptions wasn't ready. On the way home we stopped at Culver's for a bite to eat. James had his cod fillet sandwich and I had my chicken tenders.

Back at home I feel like I am sinking. Because I am not feeling well I am getting further and further behind. My lesson is this Sunday so most of my week will be spent getting ready. I am also behind on my blog and probably won't have much time to work on it. 

I started watching a series on Hallmark Plus called "Private Eyes" starring Jason Priestly. I liked it and watched the first few episodes until it started to become inappropriate....way inappropriate, so I quit watching it.

One of our friends from Chandler

Look at those bunny "paws"

My heart goes out to August and to

Christina

Sunday, May 18th, 2025: Attended our meeting with Sheri in the Galveston 3rd ward along with the other Lambson's in Chandler, rest at Stacy's, dinner at Sheri's, and Seminary graduation then home to Vernon

 

Suva, Fiji

91st operating temple

Dedicated: 18 June 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Alma 2:1-18

Come Follow Me

"Follow Him"

April General Conference

'Participate to Prepare for Christ's Return'

Elder Steven D. Shumway

"President Nelson said in general conference: 'Now is the time for you and for me to prepare for the Second Coming of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.' When President Nelson said this, the Spirit taught me that as we participate in God's work, we prepare ourselves and others for Christ's return. The Lord's promise is compelling that callings, ministering, temple worship, following promptings, and other ways we embark in God's work uniquely prepare us to meet the Savior."

We attended the Galveston 3rd ward with Sheri this morning. This is the ward where all of the Chandler Lambson's attend: Sheri, although her last name is Trezise, she is a Lambson, Cathi & Terry, Dave & Laura (although Dave & Laura aren't here this week, they are in Idaho attending Jonathan's daughter Lexi's graduation), Erik & Amelia and their kids, and Kristophor and Kristine and their kids. Well I guess there are more Lambson's in Chandler, Stacy and Kim, but they are in the other stake. They are in the same ward. 

Evan didn't go with us today. He went to Joshua's ward where one of their friends, Austin, was having his mission farewell. 

We also stayed for the gospel doctrine class. The lesson was on spiritual gifts and was taught by a Sister Webb. We said hello to some of our Chandler friends: Jackie Hall, Lynda Cull, Laurie Jensen, Paula Casto, Erik, Cathi & Terry and the Jiminez's. 

We said goodbye to Sheri and headed back to Stacy's for our Sunday naps. Sheri invited us to dinner at 5 at her house. Sheri is a sweetie. She brought me two DPZ's and some blueberry muffins. 

Stacy, Paul, and Joshua's ward meets at 10:30 so they weren't home when we got there. We had a light lunch and then went upstairs to take naps. We slept most of the afternoon. When we woke up we listened to a couple of conference talks and then we packed up to go home because we aren't coming back here after seminary graduation, and left around 4:30 to go to Sheri's for dinner. We never got to see Stacy. I think she worked this afternoon because she had yesterday off. Joshua was somewhere with Alayna but we talked to Paul a little bit before we left, thanking him for letting us stay. He said, "Any time." We talked to Paul a little bit about Joshua and his future plans. Joshua wants to go to school at NAU because that is where Alayna is going. Paul tried to sit down and talk to him about how expensive that was going to be and even gave him some numbers and then tried to encourage him to stay home and go to school here. I guess that didn't sound too exciting to Joshua. Paul has talked about Joshua getting the Melchizedek priesthood and going to the temple and Joshua has agreed that he would do that. 

James told Joshua he was concerned that he wasn't going to go on a mission and Joshua said, "You have a right to be concerned grampa because I don't think I am going." James then talked to him and encouraged him some more. We shall see. 

Sheri had pulled pork and rolls for dinner and it was delicious. Max came home from work to eat so we got to see him before going to seminary graduation with Sheri and Evan. We actually drove separate cars because we are going home afterwards.

We saw our Chandler friends the Luke's and the Lueck's at the graduation and the Finlinson's. There were only 12 graduates from the entire stake. I enjoyed the stake president's talk. His name is President Shkaphch and is from the Ukraine. He said that our success in life is more determined by our habits than it is our goals. 

Evan said the closing prayer and it was a sweet, thoughtful prayer. Cayli and Ben came to support Evan and we took pictures afterwards. Why didn't we get one of Sheri?

James and I look like 

"shrinky dinks."

We left for home going the Payson way at my request. We were home by 11, almost exactly three hours later. Tom was so happy to see us, he went running through the house.

Elder Soares dedicated the temple in Nairobi, Kenya today, #203.