Sunday, October 5th, 2025: General Conference, Sunday morning session and Sunday afternoon session

 

231. Torreon, Mexico

Exterior cladding completed;

Construction estimated to be completed

in early 2026.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 15:7-16:18

D&C

110:4-16

195th Semiannual

General Conference

Sunday morning session

Sunday Afternoon Session

Matthew S. Holland

What a wonderful conference!

Saturday, October 4th, 2025: Three sessions of General Conference today, I lost a veneer and Pierce reinstates it between sessions of conference

 

Miraflores Guatemala City, Guatemala

Major construction completed;

Applying finishing touches.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 14:20-15:6

D&C

109:74-110:3

October General Conference

'The Lord Looketh on the Heart'

Elder Ronald Barcellos

A.S.K.

' Trust in the Lord'

Elder Richard G. Scott

Others

'Seekers Wanted' chapter 5

'Liahona' - The Atonement of Jesus Christ, God's Mercy and You'

Elder Jorg Klebingat

Up at 2:30 worked on yesterday's journal, had prayer, Book of Mormon, D&C, eat, Tender Mercies, A.S.K., the Atonement of Jesus Christ, blog, walk, puzzle and then conference at 9.

195th General Conference

Saturday morning session

Saturday afternoon session

Saturday Evening session

Between the afternoon and evening session I was eating a Rise bar that we bought at Costco and the veneer on my front left tooth. I called Pierce and luckily he was available to re-attach it. I went over a little after 4 and my tooth was re-attached before the evening session. Pierce asked if I lost weight and when I told him yes he said I looked cute. When I left he gave me a hug. 

Friday, October 3rd, 2025: Up @ 4:56 yikes! I must have needed that extra sleep, 24th endowment session @ the temple, CFM 'The Everlasting Covenant' RMN, 'Happy & Forever' GWG, Eva's, mailed Vickie's birthday card, gift from Kacey,

 

229. Managua, Nicaragua

Construction barrier removed;

permanent fence installed;

exterior lighting operating;

installing stained-glass windows;

landscaping and interior work well underway;

construction estimated to be

completed in late 2025 to early 2026.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 14:1-19

D&C

109:57-73

Come Follow Me

D&C 110:10-16

The Savior directs His work through priesthood keys.

RMN: "Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys"

October General Conference

'Tune Your Heart to Jesus Christ: The Sacred Gift of Primary Music'

Sister Tracy Y. Browning

A.S.K.

Up at 4:56, yikes! I must have needed that extra sleep. I said my prayers, which is no small thing, read from the Book of Mormon and sent out the scripture reading to Max, Adam, Rowan, Evan, Joshua, James, and Paul. Read from the Doctrine and Covenants and walked 3,000 steps all before making my 24th endowment session at the Snowflake temple.

James and I left at 9:30 for the 11 session. James thought we could leave later but I reminded him that we are supposed to be there by 10:30 and who knew what the traffic would be like. The traffic was terrible. We listened to three talks from the "Come Follow Me" lesson: 'The Everlasting Covenant' Russell M. Nelson. (We listened to Robot Roberta on my phone but James didn't want to listen to her for the next two talks, we couldn't connect his phone, so I read them. 

These were the next two talks: "Happy and Forever" by Gerrit W. Gong, and "Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys", by President Nelson. 

We arrived in the temple parking lot at 10:24 in time for me to catch a glimpse of Green's Peak and the clouds over Vernon. 

I got two seats away from my favorite seat in the endowment room. The session was great. I stayed alert and attentive all throughout. 

My next tender mercy for the day after the temple was going to lunch at Eva's. I had my green chili relleno while James tried something new, a seafood enchilada with his tried and true refried beans. 

On the way home we went to the post office in Show Low to mail Vickie's birthday card. We also stopped at the Vernon post office and picked up a package for me from Kacey. It's a sunflower puzzle with a big beautiful tree in the middle of it that looks like the tree of life. Also, there are letters on the back to divide the puzzle up into sections making it a little easier to do. It's perfect! Thank you Kacey!

Back at home I finished my steps and blogged Sept. 17th and got a good start on the 18th. I would have finished the 18th but had to download photos and while they were downloading I worked on my new puzzle. I found all of the A pieces and set them out. I showered and was in bed by 9. 

A couple of things I forgot about today. I spoke with my friend Pat Tedder on the phone which always makes me feel good, and I sent an email to President Beeler telling him about my experience in the temple when I was sealed to my parents. It reminded me of the story he told in stake conference about reconciling with his dad. 

At the temple we spoke to two sisters. One way Christine Turley and she says she is Sandra Wilhelm's aunt, and Christine's friend that was with her, Sandra Martin.

"Lifelong discipleship of Jesus Christ begins in our homes - and in Primary as early as 18 months of age."

- Sister Amy A. Wright, AGC 2025

D&C 109:77

O Lord God Almighty, hear us in these our petitions, and answer us from heaven, thy holy habitation, where thou sittest enthroned, with glory, honor, power, majesty, might, dominion, truth, justice, judgment, mercy, and an infinity of fulness, from everlasting to everlasting.

James found these photos and texted

them to me.

Mom with Terry & Cathi

Mom with Dawn

Dave and Laura with Mom

Rebecca and Brent with Mom

Thursday, October 2nd, 2025: Up @ 3:23 went to bed @ 10, finished 'Behold the Man' & "Beloved Emma", J takes car to St. Johns to turn in Applegate mansion plans, oil change and shopping for me, shopping for cake for Cindy Brown, "Adventures in Love & Birding"

 

228. Williamette Valley, Oregon

Major construction completed;

Applying finishing touches;

Temple president and matron called.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 13:21-39

Come Follow Me

D&C 110:1-10

The Lord can manifest Himself to me in His house.

D&C

109:38-56

October General Conference

'Blessed Are the Peacemakers'

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

A.S.K.

Trust in the Lord, Elder Richard G. Scott, October 1995

Other

'Beloved Emma'

'Behold the Man'

3:23. Went to bed at 10 last night. 

I finished both 'Behold the Man' and 'Beloved Emma.' What am I going to read now? 

Emily's mother was on Inklings this morning. They talked about getting ready for conference. It was hard for Emily to get a word in edge-wise. Her mom was a hoot.

I decided not to take my computer in. I can't open Chrome but I can use Microsoft to open Blogg er and my photos are working as they normally do, slow. 

James took the car to St. Johns this morning to submit the Applegate's mansion plans. They will take a while for the county to review. 

When James got home the oil gauge said 5%. I am glad I have an appointment this afternoon to get the oil changed. My appointment is at 2:30. I left at 1:42 and arrived a few minutes early. The attendant checked me in, and I grabbed my clipboard with cake recipes on it and left for the store. I walked to the front and got my basket and a bottle of AWZ. Let the shopping begin!

Things that I bought: Cake flour, 2.5 lbs. of regular flour, vanilla bean paste, Eagle Brand milk, two containers of strawberries, butter, both salted and unsalted, buttermilk, two boxes of strawberry jello, a six pack of AWZ and a six pack of DPZ. A four pack of Kleenex, grapeseed oil, 18 eggs, red wine vineager, CoQ10 for James, Tylenol, 2 packages of cream cheese, caramel protein bars, and two packages of pumpkin bread mix. I have decided I am going to make Courtney's Cream Danish cake for Cindy Brown with strawberry compote on the side. My groceries cost me $121.11 and my oil change was $60.49. I washed my car before going home and that was another $11.00.

Back at home I finished my steps and blogged while watching "Adventures in Love and Birding" starring Andrew Walker and Rachel Boston. 

James did some more burning today. If a fireman is someone who puts out fires what do you call someone who starts fires?

"We truly celebrate the resurrected, living Christ, even in the use of the Church symbol.

- Elder Gary E. Stevenson, AGC 2025

D&C 109:54

Have mercy, O Lord, upon all the nations of the earth, have mercy upon the rulers of our land; may those principles, which were so honorably and nobly defended, namely, the constitution of our land, by our fathers, be established forever.

Me too!

We are going to be jailbirds again

this year as we have been invited to 

a Halloween party that requires 

costumes.

My sleeping Tom

One of my favorite memories of

Michael is him showing up at

my house at 6 a.m. in

this outfit.

Wednesday, October 1st, 2025: 3:55 Tom, why didn't you wake me up? left for the valley @ noon for 98th & 70th bday party, all of Lois's kids are here, great time, lots of pictures, leave @ 6 home by 9:30

 

Heber Valley, Utah

Construction temporarily halted by court

order; extracting groundwater from

temple site; construction estimated to be

completed in late 2028.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 13:1-20

Come Follow Me

Prayer is communication with Heavenly Father.

D&C

109:24-37

October General Conference

'Introductory Remarks'

Pres. Dallin H. Oaks

A.S.K.

'Trust in the Lord'

Richard G. Scott. OGC 1995

Liahona 

'Covenants, Power, and Promises' Elder Ronald A. Rasband

Other

'Beloved Emma' chapter 33

'Behold the Man - The Trial of Jesus, chapter 32

Up at 3:55 Tom why didn't you wake me up earlier?

I love this quote by President Emily Belle Freeman:

"Each time I cross the threshold of His house, I experience deeper covenant relationship with Him. I am sanctified with His Spirit, endowed with His power, and set apart to build His kingdom."

I am also pondering this quote by Elder Richard G. Scott:

"Willing sacrifice of deeply held personal desires in favor of the will of God is very hard to do." Am I willing to do it?

James and I left for the valley around noon. We are going to Dawn and Mom's (Lois's) birthday party at Cathi and Terry's. It starts at four. 

When we got to Chandler we stopped at the Walgreen's on Chanlder Blvd. to pick up an Amazon gift card for each of them to put in their birthday cards. 

When we got to Cathi & Terry's Cathi was sitting next to Lois in a recliner with her foot and ankle in a boot. I guess she was doing laundry when someone called out to her and she twisted around too fast and hurt her ankle. She will be in the boot for a few weeks.

Laura and Connie were in the kitchen steaming tamales and getting the food ready. Wendy, Cathi's daughter came in and said hello to us. She stayed for most of the party. 

Mom's wish came true. All of her children came to her party. She seemed so happy. Cathi, Terry, Dave, and Laura had Mexican food trays with things that Mom likes. They ordered pizza because Dawn loves pizza. Rebecca brought a pineapple upside down cake, Mom's favorite. Carmen, Steve, Sydney, and Sarah were the last to arrive. They are staying in Tempe at Mom's house. 

After we all ate and visited for awhile, we started taking pictures. First a picture of Mom with all of her kids. Then all of us and then pictures of each child by themselves or with their spouse. Sydney and Sarah did most of the picture taking. Laura sent out a message that grandkids weren't invited but since they don't see their grandmother very often Sydney and Sarah were allowed to be here, in fact they were welcomed!

The party started at 4. James and I said our goodbyes and left around 6 so it wouldn't be too late when we got home.  

It was so great to see everyone today. I have not seen Connie's husband Cal since they were married over 50 years ago. I haven't seen Steve since we visited them several years ago. It's always great to see Gail. James and I are so blessed to be a part of this wonderful family!

"The Lord invites us not just to join His kingdom but also to be anxiously engaged inbuilding it."

- Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, AGC 2025

D&C 109:14

And do thou grant, Holy Father, that all those who shall worship in this house may be taught words of wisdom out of the best books, and that they may seek learning even by study, and also by faith, as thou hast said.

I didn't get everyone's family photos

but I did get the ones who live out of town.

Cathi looks sad in this picture and

that makes me sad.

Tuesday, September 30th, 2025: Up @ 2:18, love D&C 109, Praying for Bishop's family, my computer is not working, J appt w/ Dr. Oldham, Chikfila tenders & green beans, pay bills, "Beloved Emma", "Behold the Man", lawn looks beautiful

 

Ephraim, Utah

Exterior lighting operational;

finalizing landscaping and interior work;

construction estimated to be 

completed in late 2025.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 12:14-26

Come Follow Me

D&C 109

The Lord offers me rich blessings through temple covenants.

D&C

109:11-23

April General Conference

'Confidence in the Presence of God'

President Russell M. Nelson

A.S.K.

'Trust in the Lord'

Elder Richard G. Scott

Other

'Beloved Emma'

'Behold the Man'

Up at 2:18. 

Today is Dawn's 70th birthday.

Happy Birthday Dawn!

It's only the 2nd day of my 18 day quest to catch up on my blog by doing two posts a day. I can't get my computer to work. I wanted to start working on my blog at 7:30 and now it's 10:30 and I've done nothing. I am so frustrated! I'm taking a break and reading from 'Beloved Emma.' 

James had a doctor's appointment today with Dr. Oldham, an orthopedic surgeon that Dr. Smithson referred him to for his knee. He is also located in Eagar, just like Dr. Smithson. He says he's not going to get his knee operated on but the doctor is going to do surgery on his finger that catches. That surgery is scheduled the day before we leave for Texas. Such timing. 

I have been soaking chicken tenders in dill pickle juice since last night. This afternoon I made chicken strips and green beans with turkey bacon, and other seasonings. I found the recipe on the box of the four cans of green beans and it's a good one. Both were delicious!

Marinating the chicken tenders in the pickle juice made them so moist and tender. 

Besides paying bills there were two things I worked on this afternoon, reading from 'Beloved Emma' and blogging. I wanted to finish 'Beloved Emma by today, the end of the month, but I still have four more chapters. I blogged September 13th which was very slow because of all of the photos. I finished most of the writing for September 14th but still have photos to put on. I will finish tomorrow morning. 

I listened to 'Behold the Man'. The Sanhedrin and soldiers just arrested Jesus. The is going to be the sad part of the book.

James mowed the lawn and de-weeded it. It looks beautiful! 

 "Let us be 'true to the faith that our parents have cherished.'"

- Elder Hans T. Boom, AGC 2025

D&C 109:8

Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing, and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;

Monday, September 29th, 2025: Up @ 2:38, Happy 30th K&B, trouble with blog posting pictures, "Beloved Emma", trip to town for chicken tenders, Home Depot, "Behold the Man", Church in Michigan, moths vs. millers, Butterfly world

 

Lumbumbashi, Democratic Republic

of the Congo

Exterior walls damp proofed; roof installed; 

Construction estimated to be completed

in mid to late 2027.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 12:1-13

Come Follow Me

Sep 29-Oct 5 "It Is Thy House, a Place of Thy Holiness"

D&C 109-110 Introduction

"A House for Our God" Revelations in Context, 169-72

D&C

109:1-10

April General Conference

'Receive the Gift'

Elder Patrick Kearon

'The Love of God'

Elder Benjamin M. Z. Tai

A.S.K.

'Trust in the Lord'

Richard G. Scott, OGC 1995

Other

'Beloved Emma'

'Behold the Man'

Up at 2:38. 

Happy 30th Anniversary Kim & Brian! I hope you had a great time at Butterfly World today!

The first thing I do when I get up in the morning this time of year is turn on my space heater. 

Starting today I am determined to do two blog posts a day to catch up on my blog. It is beginning to drive me crazy that I am so far behind. How did I allow this to happen. Never again!

The thing that is most difficult about blogging is posting pictures. Half the time my photo app freezes or is painstakingly slow.

I just finished reading a couple of chapters from "Beloved Emma." The Saints have just been driven out of Far West and Joseph is in Liberty jail. It breaks my heart how much these Saints had to suffer. I don't understand, right now, how the Lord allowed women to be raped. I am struggling with that one right now. Hopefully I will begin to understand. 

We made a trip to town this afternoon. One of my main goals was to get chicken tenders to make my Chikfila recipe. I also bought saurkraut, green beans, corn, and DPZ. James went to Home Depot to get something he needed, a strap, or something. He is a little stressed because not only is he having to replace railings but some of the spindles are bad too. 

I listened to "Behold the Man" and had a nap with Tom. 

I am a little depressed with all that is going on in the world right now. The shooting of Charlie Kirk, President Nelson's death, and the attack on the LDS church in Grand Blanc, Michigan. Reading about the raid on Far West didn't help either.

It's funny that Kim & Brian went to Butterfly World on the same day that James explained the difference to me about moths and millers. Millers are full of fat and hide under rocks. Bears find them and eat them. Gross. Thanks honey for that wildlife biology lesson.

"We will not be deceived when we seek and take counsel from trusted individuals who are themselves faithful disciples of the Savior."

- Elder Dale G. Renlund, AGC 2025

D&C 109:7

And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom, yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom, seek learning even by study and also by faith; 

Kim sent shared this on A.S.K.

James wanted me to see he finished the

tack room.

I finished my bird puzzle