Sunday, September 21st, 2025: Up @ 2:40 Happy Birthday Denise! new teal dress, Cindy Brown, Jensen's speak, Bishop visits Kate Hahn, goodbye to our company, home alone again

 

Neiafu, Tonga

Installing stained-glass windows;

landscaping and interior work progressing;

construction estimated to be completed

in early to mid 2026.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 7:1-12

D&C

105:16-41

April General Conference

'Compensating Blessings'

Bishop Gerald Causse

A.S.K.

'Spiritual Treasures'

President Russell M. Nelson

Liahona

'I Want To Be Like You'

I was up by 2:40 this morning.

Happy Birthday Denise! I hope it's a great day for you!

I am determined to make two blogposts everyday. I have re-done my schedule so I work on my blog from 5:30-9:30 in the mornings. Of course that time is not without interruption, but it is better than waiting until later in the day when I am tired and there are more interruptions. I finished one post this morning and I'm determined to do another one this afternoon.

James and I left for church at 8:30, everyone else was still asleep or at least had not made an appearance. I wore my new teal dress. It's more of a summer dress. I'm glad the weather would still allow me to wear it. 

I talked with Cindy Brown before the meeting started and arranged to visit sometime on Thursday. Later I invited Kathy Crane to go with me. She wanted to take her car thinking the roads might be bad and that my car wouldn't make it. I assured her it would.

Scott and Debra Jensen and their 9 year old son Caleb spoke in sacrament meeting today. Here are some notes that I took:

Caleb Jensen - Caleb is nine years old and did an excellent job. He told about his experience of being in the production of "Messiah in America" and how it increased his testimony of the Savior. He said it changed his life and prepared him for his upcoming baptism. At the end he said, "I love Jesus. Amen."

Debra Jensen - The theme for Debra's talk can be found in the first part of Jacob 4:11 - Wherefore, beloved brethren, be reconciled unto him through the atonement of Christ, his Only Begotten Son,...

The Fallen world became alienated from God and was restored through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Through our faith and trust in Christ we can become peacemakers and we can also experience a rebirth into a new way of life. God's nature transforms us. She then lost me because she started talking about the Jewish holidays celebrated this time of year. She did speak about the Resurrection of Christ and how He is the Rock of our salvation. She made this comment: "Do you want to shine like Moses, then cling to the Rock, the Rock of Jesus." 

Although she took up most of the time she sang a song before her husband got up to speak. The song was "Rock of Ages." It was a bit high for me.

Scott Jensen - He spoke about Jonah and how his story is symbolic of the suffering Messiah and reconciling ourselves to God. Exodus 34:6-9. 13 divine attributes of God all signifying His mercy. There was a lot of symbolism in his talk which I found interesting but he ran out of time and had to end early.

Bishop Hunsaker and Alicia were not a church today. They went to visit Kate Hahn at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale. Kate's dad says she hasn't eaten in two weeks and they don't expect her to make it through this. When she leaves the hospital she will be going home to live with her parents, along with her husband and their dog Apollo.

It is so sad.

Wes Smith taught Sunday School. Kerri Halcomb wasn't here today to hook up the microphones, she is home with a cough. As a result of no microphones I could hear very few of the comments that were made. I could hear Brother Smith fine. Brother Smith based the lesson on overcoming adversity and how to change our negative reactions to adversity. I made the comment that we needed to trust in the Lord. The lesson was okay but I was hoping he would focus on something a little more positive.

Our marriage class was a little sparse today. I guess a lot of people are out of town. We talked about triangulation and its adverse affects. Here is an example. A couple are having a disagreement and the wife talks the daughter into being on her side. That is triangulation. Nothing good can come from it. 

Xander and Carter left before we got home but they took a selfie because Xander knows how much the photos mean to me. 

Carter and Xander

I guess it's not a selfie.

Alex said he had to get back earlier than planned because of a test he didn't realize he had tomorrow in one of his classes.

I asked James what that "dead" thing was in the side yard so he went out to look. He came back and said it was a kangaroo rat which is indigenous to the Sonoran desert and that they are on the rare and endangered species list. He couldn't figure out how it got in our backyard. We figure one of the cats probably killed it. James and Joe got their heads together and decided that the rat may have been in one of the three cars that came up from the valley and escaped when they unloaded their suitcases the night they got here. I guess we will never know.

Soon everyone was ready to go. Sami left me the rest of her protein bars which was very nice of her.

Joe, Sami, Dallin, Namira, Michael

Sami & Dallin

Joe and Michael

"The temple opens the way to the highest blessings our Father in Heaven has for each one of us."

- Ronald A. Rasband, AGC 2025

D&C 105:12

For behold, I have prepared a great endowment and blessing to be poured out upon them, inasmuch as they are faithful and continue in humility before me.

Saturday, September 20th, 2025: Up @ 3:22, Kacey's birthday, Xander's friend Carter has cancer, the group goes "fishing", Willy fixes James's Cat, pumpkin bread, ASU beat Baylor, missed Scottie's soccer game

Bengaluru, India

Construction temporarily delayed;

concrete structural frames in place for

temple and ancillary building;

window openings shuttered,

no construction completion

estimate available.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 6:32-41

Come Follow Me

D&C 104:11-18, 78-83

The Lor has made me a "steward over earthly blessings"

D&C

104:54-105:4

April General Conference

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

Sister Tamara W. Runia

A.S.K.

'Spiritual Treasures'

President Russell M. Nelson, OGC 2019

Liahona

'The Lord Led Me Home'

Other

'Follow Him'

'Come Unto Me'

'Beloved Emma'

'Rise Zion'

Up @ 3:22

Today is Kacey's birthday. Happy Birthday Kacey! I believe she is 48. Is that right Kacey? If so, she's a young looking 48!

My sweet Tom is my early morning companion. I get my Perk in the morning and he gets his treat, Churu.

Xander's friend Carter has cancer. His face his pale and his hair is gone but he is so friendly and positive. I am sad that someone so young has to deal with this disease.

The group, Michael, Joe, Xander, Dallin, Sami, and Carter all left to go "fishing" this morning. Dallin used all of the ice in our refrigerator ice maker to fill his ice chest. I guess he didn't plan ahead. They ended up going to Big Lake, Reservation Lake, and Sheep's Crossing. Xander said the lakes were too low to do any good fishing, so instead of fishing they just relaxed and had a nice day out in nature. They wanted to get some ice cream but the ice cream place in Greer was closed. I think some of them stopped at the store because someone had ice cream in the freezer. I told Michael about Slade's in Pinetop and he said, "next time."

Here at home Willy came over and fixed James's Cat. There was a clog in the fuel line. James says it runs better than it has in a very long time.

I was trying to think of something I could do for the "kids", I say kids but they are probably all in their late 20's or early 30's but to me they are kids. The thing I thought to do was to make pumpkin bread, which I did. I put lots of pecans in it at Xander's request. Everybody seemed to really like it and James, who was having an omelet and turkey bacon for dinner, said the pumpkin bread was the best thing he had eaten all day.

We watched ASU beat Baylor which was fun. 

I realized around noon that James and I totally forgot about Scottie's soccer game this morning. When I texted Chelsea, here is what she said: 

" Oh geez, don't feel sad and embarrassed at all. I actually didn't make it either because Peyton went to the rodeo with Ashley and she needed up getting sick so I had to run to Holbrook during Scotty's game. Jarred was there though and I guess Scotty did score a goal. 

Have a great time with you company."

"When we share our light, we bring the relief of Jesus Christ to others."

- President Camille N, Johnson, AGC 2025

D&C 104:17

For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves.

Michael bought this violet plant for me over a

year ago and it's still going strong.

Star or planet?

Happy Birthday Kacey!

 

Friday, September 19th, 2025: Up @ 2:18, Rain, I am seeking miracles, wild turkeys in our field, Michael buys me Mento gum, ward campout cancelled, J and I go in to town, Tom's tail, kids go on hike, mail birthday cards to Bishop, Michelle Beckham, Wendy DeWitt

 

Davao Philippines

Major construction nearly completed;

finalizing exterior, interior, and landscaping;

temple president and matron called;

construction estimated to be completed in

mid to late 2025.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 6:15-31

Come Follow Me

What is the purpose of trials?

D&C

104:54-105:4

April General Conference

'Participate to Prepare for Christ's Return'

Elder Steven D. Shumway

A.S.K.

'Spiritual Treasures' by President Russell M. Nelson

"Come Unto Me"

"Beloved Emma"

"Follow Him"

"Rise Zion"

Up at 2:18 and I hear rain. I am striving for exact obedience so I can seek for miracles. I have a list of miracles I go over everyday with Heavenly Father. First, I repent because I know that I can never achieve exact obedience without repentance. 

I was talking to Michael in the room where the fireplace is and I glanced out the window and saw some animals out in the field. I wasn't sure what they were. Together we determined that they were wild turkey. There appears to be two hens and four young ones. James and Joe saw them too.

I ironed my new teal dress this morning so I can wear it to church tomorrow. The boys all went in to town to do some shopping at Walmart. I guess this is a work day for Sami. She stayed here and worked on her computer the entire time. She works for Discover card who was just bought out by Capital One.

James and I decide to go into town too. Now that James finished with the decking, he replaced some boards that were warping, he is working on the railing. He needed something at Home Depot and asked me to go with him. Of course I went to Walmart instead of Home Depot.

 We got some rain and immediately we heard the news that they were cancelling the ward campout. I wonder what Kathy Crane is going to do with all of that macaroni and cheese she made.

We went to Circle K and got drinks then we went our separate ways to Walmart and Home Depot. I did some serious shopping and bought the following items: A brace for my ankle, protein shakes, dish scrubbers, Swiss cheese, turkey links, relish, stuff for lasagna soup and calico beans, DPZ, carrots, a fresh rosemary plant, limes and lemons, vegetable oil, AA batteries, etc. 

Michael bought me Mento gum earlier so I didn't need to buy gum.

Before going home we went to the Show Low post office and mailed birthday cards to Bishop Hunsaker, Michelle Beckham, and Wendy DeWitt.

Back at home I say to Tom while he's lying in my arms: "Where is your tail"? He lifts it a little and then he lifts is a lot! 

I prepared steak and asparagus for dinner. It was delicious. Michael and company are all gone on a hike. 

I worked on my puzzle, walked and finished blogging for August. 

Chef Michael and his sous chef Joe take over the kitchen while Dallin plays the guitar and everyone else looks on. Sami shared one of her protein bars with me and I decide I need to get me the same kind. 

"How different life could be if the world esteemed Jesus above the level of a profane swearing streak from time to time."

- President Jeffrey R. Holland, AGC 2025

D&C 104:13

For it is expedient that I, the Lord, should make every man accountable, as a steward over earthly blessings, which I have made and prepared for my creatures.

Chefs at work as Dallin looks on

Mason & Charlie

Thursday, September 18th, 2025: Up @ 2:20, Helaman 6 an era of peace & plenty, Inklings, J @ VPC at 9:15, screw in tire, Gilbert's to the doctor, Sheri's exploding oven, Bunco

 

Harare Zimbabwe

Preparing for public open house beginning:

22 Jan 2026

Scheduled to be dedicated on:

1 Mar 2026

Book of Mormon

Helaman 6:1-14

D&C

104:8-53

Come Follow Me

D&C 103:12-13, 36; 105:1-6, 9-19

Blessings come after trials of faith.

April General Conference

'The Times of Restitution of All Things'

Elder David A. Bednar

Other

A.S.K. - "Spiritual Treasures" President Russell M. Nelson

Liahona - 'Where Are My Promised Blessings From Paying Tithing?"

Inklings

'Reverence for Sacred Things' Elder Ulisses Soares

Scripture: Exodus 3:4-5

Word: reverence Latin: Reveeri - to stand in awe.

Phrase: "One of the first things we do upon entering the temple and preparing ourselves to participate in the sacred ordinances there is to take our shoes off."

Affirmation: "I am reverent as I worship and connect with God. I know that when I protect sacred moments and stand in holy places, I receive covenant power and grow closer to my Savior."

2:20 I'm up and getting ready for the day. 

Helaman 6: - an era of peace and plenty. That sounds like my life right now and I am so grateful but I am watching out for Satan. 

I found a red flag for James. He has an appointment at the Virtuous Pain Center this morning and is taking back a couple of pieces of lumber and needs a red flag. I remembered a dress I put in the Goodwill box. I cut off the top and put the skirt back in the box. I used the top for James's flag. He said it worked perfectly. 

During Inkling I learned of an Elizabeth Barrett Browning called: "Heaven Is All Around Us But Few Take Off Their Shoes." In this poem she mentions some are eating blackberries which made me hungry for blackberries, so I had some.

As part of "Come Follow Me" we listened to a talk by Elder David A. Bednar, "On the Lord's Side: Lessons from Zion's Camp". This talk can be found in the July 2017 Ensign. All I can say is Wow!

Gene R. Cook passed away. I loved him. He once asked his children how many times a day that they prayed. I wonder why he asked them that question. I believe I heard that on Inklings. 

It became apparent to me today that I need more than a half hour to work on my "Come Follow Me" journal so I changed my schedule so I now can work on it for one hour. 

When I went out to the car around noon to take Mary (Mikki) Gilbert to her doctors appointment I noticed a screw in the front passenger tire. I showed James. He put air in the tire saying it only register as having 15 pounds. I tried to see if anyone could take my place in taking Mikki to the doctor. I called Janna and she couldn't and I called Cheryl Sedig the Relief Society president and she couldn't so I decided to pray about the tire and do it myself. In my prayer I explained to Heavenly Father that I was doing service and that getting Mikki to her doctors appointment was very important. I asked him to help the tire to hold air until I could take her and then return home safely. I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father and the power of prayer.

On the way to Lakeside to Dr. Hall's office Mikki, Roger, and I had to stop for construction for about 15 minutes. We arrived exactly on time, 1:00. While Mikki was getting her stitches removed Roger went in to see his doctor. Mikki thought he might be developing an infection. The doctor checked it out and he is okay. Roger recently had hip replacement surgery.

I had ordered chili cheese dogs from Sonic on my app to be picked up at 2:00. They were ready when we arrived. One for Mikki and one for Roger and one for James. 

Mikki likes to talk. Here are some of the things I learned about her:

She is from Venice Beach, California. She and Roger were nomads for years living in a travel trailer and going from place to place. She told about a time she cooked a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner by digging a hole in the ground. She has a daughter that she didn't give birth to nor did she adopt. She has had her since she was 3 months old. The girl's mother was deported and Mikki behind her mother. She actually called her while we were driving. Mikki also has a son. Mikki loves family history work. She has done her estranged mother's work and her ex-husbands. Just a little information about my friend Mikki.

The first thing I did when I got home was thank Heavenly Father for my safe trip. I believe it was a miracle that I was able to drive that far with that big screw in my tire and I am so grateful.

Tonight is Bunco at Janna's house. Because I never get a Bunco prize I always have to bring food. I am okay with that. I am taking Italian bread prepared the Pioneer Woman way. Janna told me twice how good it was. 

We had five subs tonight: Bertie, Maddie, Michelle, Linda Price, and Sally Sedig. Those who weren't here: Amy Reynolds, Donna Beckham, Oksana, Lynda Finnell, and Tina Allen. Those who were here: Cheryl Sedig, Janna Grombach, Alicia and Stefani Hunsaker, Becky Skousen, Lynn Wallace and me. 

James says his computer doesn't work and he's going to take it in. He has been needing to do this for a long time.

Michael, Dallin, Joe, Alex, Sami, and Carver arrived after we went to bed.

"Charity is the foundation of a godly character."

- President Russell M. Nelson, AGC 2025

D&C 103:36

All victory and glory is brought to pass unto you through your diligence, faithfulness, and prayers of faith.

Ollie on his bed near where Sheri

is working on her puzzle.

Ziggie loves to burrow inside of blankets

I know I already posted this but I'm posting

it again. This is the Gilbert's place.

I love this rack their wood is stacked on.

I want one!

Also, look at their dog Grizz at the door 

wanting to come in. When it started to rain

he came in through the doggie door which is a little

small for him.

Sheri sent me this picture.

Wednesday, September 17th, 2025: Geno's birthday cake, he is 10 today, Dennis & Harold w/ their dogs,

 

Alabang Philippines

Public Open House beginning

21 Nov 2025

Scheduled to be dedicated on

18 Jan 2026

Book of Mormon

Helman 5:28-52

D&C

103:21-104:7

Come Follow Me

D&C 103:1-12, 36; 105:1-19

Zion can be built only on principles of righteousness.

April General Conference

'Worship'

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Other

A.S.K.

Liahona - "Temple Ordinances Unite, Connect & Seal"

'Fishers of Men'

'Beloved Emma'

The Atonement of Jesus Christ

Rise Zion

Up at 2:25. I love the early morning hours!

Every day I set a goal to stand as a witness of Jesus Christ. That is one of the reasons I look for opportunities to serve. Also, I never got to serve a full-time mission. I told James that's why I give so much service. 

Today I am making Geno Woods's birthday cake. He is turning 10 and is the cutest, sweetest kid. 

Geno wants a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. I started this morning to allow myself plenty of time and I am glad I did, although everything went smoothly as I prayed it would. 

James drove us over and I held the cake. 

My cakes are not fancy like Kim's.

Geno and his cake

Pantera who is 7, Cress their grandmother who is

raising them, and Geno. Jacob their 11 year old

brother was at football practice and Grandpa Richard 

was at work. I love this family!!

When we got home I was so tired. I sat down to rest on the bedroom recliner and tried to watch the premier of Dancing with the Stars but I just couldn't get into it.

After being outside all night Tom came in to spend some time in the house. These are the questions I ask him when he has spent the night outside: Tom, did you party in the pines? Did you frolick in the field?

And because of the rain I asked if he romped in the rain? He never answers me just looks at me and wonders if I'm going to give him a treat.

I am getting no more response from Rowan, Evan, and Joshua when I send them the scriptures to read each day. I do hear from Max, Adam, and Michael from time to time but I miss my R.E.J.

James cut a board for my Matthew 11:28-30 scripture which goes under my yoke. I think it turned about looking good:

In other good news I got an Amazon order delivered to the house today. Inside the box were the following items:

A new purple dress, an exotic bird puzzle, a cape, hearts & circles for our family birthday calendar, and a book reading light. It's always a happy day when an Amazon order arrives!

"We feel God's love when we do things that draw us closer to Him ... and stop doing things that distance us from Him."

- Elder Benjamin M.Z. Tai, AGC 2025

D&C 103:27

Let no man be afraid to lay down his life for my sake; for whoso layeth down his life for my sake shall find it again.

Dennis with his dogs Sandra and Dixie.

I think the small one actually belongs to a

neighbor but she has adopted Dennis.

Harold with Foxy and Chester

Tuesday, September 16th, 2025: Up @ 4:47 yikes!, "Obedience brings success, exact obedience brings miracles" RMN, prayed tractor would start, J MRI torn miniscus & ACL, Lots of Rain! ready for company coming, lasagna soup w/o noodles

 

Burley, Idaho

Preparing for public open house beginning

6 Nov 2025;

Scheduled to be dedicated on

11 Jan 2026

Book of Mormon

Helaman 5:5-27

D&C

102:34-103:20

Come Follow Me

102:12-23

What is the purpose of membership councils?

M. Russell Ballard, "A Chance to Start Over: Church Disciplinary Councils and the Restoration of Blessings"

April General Conference

'Our Heavenly Guidance System'

Elder Sergio R. Vargas

Other

A.S.K. - Spiritual Treasures - Pres. Russell M. Nelson

Liahona

Beloved Emma

Fishers of Men

Follow Him

'The Future of the Church: Preparing the World for the Savior's Second Coming" RMN

Up at 4:47 uh oh, what happened?

Quote of the day: "Obedience brings success; Exact obedience brings miracles." - Russell M. Nelson

One of my tender mercies happened today during "Come Follow Me" while listening to a talk by President M. Russell Ballard. President Ballard went to the hospital to restore a man's priesthood and temple blessings. It was a very touching story found in the talk, "A Chance to Start Over: Church Disciplinary Councils and the Restoration of Blessings".

 We got some rain today. Tom came in and his back was all wet. 

I prayed James's Cat would start, and it did, then it died again. At least he got it far enough away from the brush pile so he could burn. 

James got a report from the MRI he had on his knee. He has a torn meniscus and a torn ACL. Dr. Smithson's office referred him to an orthopedic surgeon in Eagar, Dr. Oldham.

We got some serious rain this afternoon, Wow! We certainly need it!

I put away all of the boxes in my office upstairs back in to the closet and dusted and vacuumed the room. Xander, Joe, Michael, Dallin, Sami, and Carter are coming up on Thursday.

"Fishers of Men" is the story of a family who lived at the time of the Savior. I am really enjoying it. 

I finished blogging August 28th. I am so slow. 

I had lasagna soup without the noodles which always makes me smile.

"All of our Father's gifts flow from and are activated by the Savior's willing offering in  

Gethsemane and on the cross and His triumphant Resurrection."

- Elder Patrick Kearon, AGC 2025

D&C 103:12

For after much tribulation, as I have said unto you in a former commandment, cometh the blessing.

Cute Benson

The calm before the storm

The Storm

Sunday, September 14th, 2025: Up @ 2:44, I finish the outline for my lesson, finiswith the hed 53 notebooks, broke a lamp chimney, favorite Jesus & the Lamb picture for my lesson,

Grand Junction, Colorado

Preparing for dedication;

Scheduled to be dedicated

19 Oct 2025

Book of Mormon

Helaman 4:1-17

April General Conference

'Thou Art the Christ'

Amy Wright

Up at 2:44. I finished the outline for my lesson. I finished 53 notebooks. While packing one of my kerosene lamps for my lesson I broke the chimney and had to clean up the glass. I am using my basil plants and a lantern for my lesson and my favorite Jesus picture with the lamb. 

When we got to the church James delivered notebooks to Young Women's and Primary. I set up the room including writing an outline on the whiteboard. 

Sheri and Ian sat with us in the front during sacrament meeting in our second row spot. There was a large crowd today because it was the Primary program. The MacArthur's were here and all of their kids were in the program although I think Boone may have left to go sit with his parents before the program was over. 

There were six young men passing the sacrament instead of the usual five. Ethan Robles, Stephan Crane, Resten Tesarek, Axel Golly, Logan Robles, and Johnny Wilhelm.

It looks to me like the Primary has doubled in size since last year. The name of the program, based on the Doctrine & Covenants:

"This Is My Beloved Son, Hear Him!" 

I think most all of the children had speaking parts and some spoke more than once. I didn't know half of the kids. We have one boy in the ward who is deaf. I don't know who his parents are. 

Here is a list of the songs they sang. Crystal Flake is the Primary chorister and she does a great job!

"I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints", 

"I Am a Child of God", "I Know Heavenly Father Loves Me", "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus" (My favorite!), "I Like to Look for Rainbows", "I Have a Family Here On Earth", "Follow the Prophet", "My Own Sacred Grove", "Joseph Smith's First Prayer".

On the last song, "Joseph Smith's First Prayer", the kids sang the first verses and then on the last verse the congregation joined them. It was very powerful and the Spirit was strong.

My name for Christ that I studied all week was Alpha & Omega. Alpha is the first letter in the Greek alphabet and Omega is the last. They are also names given to Jesus Christ and are used as symbols to show that Christ is both the beginning and the end. I say He is everything in the middle too!

My lesson went well. I had one journal left. I think I will give it to Barbara Tignor as she is the librarian and didn't get to come to class today. Sheri shared an experience and I was grateful. There were lots of good comments. Afterwards I took pictures of Sally Sedig and Pat Tedder. Sally had her "I Am a Child of God" pen and her "Love Jesus" pen that I gave when I did Elder Kearon's lesson on gifts. Teresa Hein said to me: "Yellow is your color." I was wearing my outfit with the yellow short jacket. Scotty, her handicapped son, gave me the longest hug after class.

I had left my phone at home and wanted to take a picture of Sally and Pat so I left to go find James and ask him to take a picture of them. 

On my way to the cultural hall where the elders quorum meets I was stopped by Wes Smith. He asked if he could talk to me in private and proceeded to lead me into one of the classrooms. (I wondered to my self, is this appropriate?) He said Brother Applegate had asked him to teach the gospel doctrine class next week and that it was on overcoming adversity. He told me he enjoyed my testimony about my experience in the temple of overcoming the negative feelings I had for my dad. He said he wouldn't call on me but wanted to alert me in case I wanted to share that experience again. I thanked him and then we parted. A little strange, I thought. Oh well, he did give me a compliment.

Here is the picture James took of Sally and Pat and one of Nellie Wilhelm who came in after Primary and was visiting with them:

If you look closely you can see the red heart on

Sally's jacket that says Jesus and the I am a child of God

pen on her purse.

Nellie Wilhelm

Today's marriage class started out with a joke and then we watched a segment from the Carol Burnett show with Carol and Tim Conway called "Wrong Number." I'm glad Brother Lauritzen uses humor in his class. We also talked about Gary Chapman's book, "The Five Love Languages." Crystal Flake knew all five. Here they are:

1) Quality time, 2) Words of Affirmation, 3) Physical touch, 4) Gift giving, 5) Acts of service.

Which is your love language? You only have one. Mine is either gift giving or acts of service. I'm still trying to figure out what James's is. I think it is physical touch.

When we got home Ian had grilled some chicken and steak and Sheri said there was plenty for us. Thank you so much! Ian also made us some cloves extract and put it in a spray bottle with castor oil. He said to spray it on swollen or sore joints and it would help relieve the pain. Hmmm, it sounds a little hokey, but I'm willing to try.

Sheri watched and listened to Rio & Shima on Inklings with me, talking about "The Plan of Mercy." She really didn't want to and I'm not sure she got much out of it. I am worried about her. She seems to have so much anger and anxiety, especially towards Ian and his mom.

I volunteered in Relief Society today to take Mikki Gilbert to the doctor on Thursday. Tomorrow I'm making Chelsea MacArthur's birthday cake and on Wednesday I'm making Geno's. It's going to be a busy week.

"There is great strength in becoming and remaining part of a supportive community - all stumbling - yet progressing."

- Elder Scott D. Whiting, AGC 2025

D&C 101:22

Behold, it is my will, that all they who call on my name, and worship me according to mine everlasting gospel, should gather together, and stand in holy places.