Monday, October 20th, 2025: Leave 6 am Texas time, Jared gives me his old Apple computer, Goodbye to Jared, no one else was awake, gas and potty breaks, Dallas traffic slows us down, today's trail, wilted sunflowers, Home @ 7:30, Tom sleeps with us

 

246. Londrina, Brazil

Cladding the exterior; steeple frame installed;

construction estimated to be completed in

late 2026 to early 2027.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 9:1-22

D&C

121:1-9

Come Follow Me

D&C 121-123 

"O God Where Art Thou?"

Introduction

October General Conference

'God and Do Likewise'

Elder James E. Evanson

We left Jared's at 6:00 a.m. Texas time, 4:00 Arizona time. Jared was the only one up. He gave me his old Apple computer after erasing all of his files off of it. He knew I was having problems with my computer. I do appreciate his thoughtfulness. We said goodbye, had a prayer, and were on our way home. 

We drove until Santo, Texas where we stopped for gas and a potty break. The traffic in and around Dallas was bumper to bumper for almost two hours. We thought we were never going to get out of it, but we finally did. Oh happy day! One good thing is the speed limit was 75 most of the way. 

Here are some of the town I remember going through. I remember because I wrote them down! 

Abilene, Sweetwater, Merkel, Roscoe with it's windmills, flatlands and fields of cotton. Snyder, Scurry county line, Posy, Takola, Brownfield, and Plains. Now we are in New Mexico:

Tatum, Roswell, Riverside (pretty!) Picacho, Tinnie, Hondo and Hondo river, Billy the Kid Historical marker, Lincolh, Capiton, Smokey the Bear Historical Park and Smokey the Bear Blvd., Carrizozo, road sometimes closed for missile firing, Malapai Rock Lave Flow, San Antonio, huge satellites, Socorro, Magdalena, Datil, (the sun was in our eyes making it very difficult to see), Quemado, Pietown, Springerville, Vernon and home!

We stopped at the Arby's in Socorro again for steak bites. We got home around 7:30 Arizona time, 9:30 Texas time. Tom slept with us tonight.

Here are some things from our trip I may have forgotten to mention:

On Saturday night Kacey beat Charlie and I in Five Crowns. I was impressed that Charlie could play on her own.

Kacey went on a trip to Wisconsin with her friend Gloria to visit Gloria's son who just got a job with Epic Medical Records as a software engineer. (I hope I got this right Kacey.) Kacey got to tour Epic's campus and it is quite amazing with Harry Potter world, and Alice in Wonderland just to name a couple. You can check them out on Instagram at lifeatepic.

Kim and Brian left this morning so the kitties and horses were home alone all day. Tom was very happy to see us.

Here are some things I forgot to mention about our trip to Texas.

* I took the Hazelnut bars I made. They disappeared. 

* Our trip cost $485.80, less than any other we have taken.

* Charlie is like Kim use to be. She plays well on her own.

* Linda Price took my place at Bunco. I appreciate her so much!

Thanks Kim & Brian for taking care of

our "fur babies."

Alex in Oregon

Droopy sunflowers on the way home.

Nellie 

Sunday, October 19th, 2025: Benson's blessing, Family Dinner, Back in Vernon - leaves, turkeys, and Tom, Grand Junction, Colorado temple dedicated

245. Ribeirao Preto, Brazil

Steeple frame in place; exterior cladding underway; 

construction estimated to be completed in 

late 2026 to early 2027.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 8:5-25

October General Conference

'And Now I See'

President Jeffrey R. Holland

Today is Benson's baby blessing. We left for Tyler at 7:40 because we wanted to get there around 8:40. Since there is not much traffic on Sunday we arrived at 8:25, ahead of everyone else in the family. 

A brother was out in the foyer and began talking to Kacey, asking where she was from. He then spoke to us and asked where we were from. He had never heard of Vernon but he said he had heard of Show Low. When he left to go into the chapel I told Kacey that he had to be related to Ron Freeman. He spoke like him and had some of his same mannerisms. Sure enough, his name was Webb Freeman, Ron's brother. The rest of the family arrived and we took pictures with Benson.

Christina, Isaac, Loren and Macy were here also along with Palmer's family. 

We sat on the second row so we could hear Palmer give the blessing as they could not get the extended microphone work. 

The bishopric and the youth are still gone so the Melchizedek priesthood took care of the sacrament. Ron Freeman, the elder's quorum president, presided at the meeting and his brother Webb, whose hair isn't as suave as Ron's, conducted and was the last speaker. 

Even though Palmer didn't have a microphone I could hear every word and he gave a beautiful blessing.

The first speaker, Brother Stanley, is an engineer in the oil industry and spoke on obedience. Brother Freeman spoke on the law of tithing and after going 10 minutes over his brother Ron got up to tell him he was running over. Webb looked at him and said, "Sit down." When Webb realized what he had down he apologized profusely. We sang one verse of the closing song.

The foyer was crowded as the members of the ward that meets next were waiting to get in.

Summer and JB held Benson during sacrament meeting. I even saw JB feeding him. Sweet.

Jared & Kacey's ward starts at one and since he is in the bishopric Jared is going to attend their sacrament meeting.  We did not stay for the second hour in Tyler but headed back to Longview. On the way Jared told us about the clinic where he works. It's owned by the Catholic church and is called Christus Trinity Clinic. Before it opened they sprinkled water on everything, instruments, etc., and gave everything a blessing. I like that idea.

Back at Jared and Kacey's after having some lunch, I tried to blog but I could not make my computer work. James was off walking or taking a nap. 

At noon Kacey turned on the Kansas City Chiefs game. They are playing the Las Vegas Raiders who evidently aren't very good. 

Charlie asks me about my notebook. I show it to her and how I do 5 pages a day with a different color of pen for every day. Monday is orange, Tuesday green, Wednesday blue, Thursday pink, Friday sky blue, Saturday red, and Sunday purple. She says to me, "sometimes it can be fun to write." She went and got herself a notebook with three different colored pencils and explained to me how she was going to write in the notebook with the different colors. I love this girl! She also did some roller skating and played the piano. 

Before 2:00 Kacey and Charlie leave for Primary. Kacey is the Primary president and next week is the Primary program so today is their last Sunday practice. Charlie has a speaking part about why she wants a temple closer to their home. She is also in a small singing group and they are practicing after Primary for a few minutes. The Chiefs were winning 21-0 when Kacey left. They ended up beating the Raiders, 31-0. 

Tanner has been staying in the other guest bedroom. He got up and left somewhere around 2:30. He wanted to know where everyone was so I told him. He then got in his truck and left. A little after 3 Kate drove up in front of the house with Mason. She was here a little early. Kacey babysits Mason on Sunday evenings while Kate is at work. She has to be there at 4. I told her I would be happy to watch Mason until Kacey got home but he was not having it. Jared showed up and Mason interacted with him a little, at least it was someone he knew. Soon Kacey and Charlie arrived and all was well. Kate was able to leave for work on time. I told her she just missed Tanner and she asked if he stayed here last night and I told her he had. That was all that was said. 

Mason is a very active, curious little guy and someone needs to watch him at all times. Kacey seemed up for the task. 

Family dinner is at 5:30 and it is time to start preparing. Jared is in charge. I help him by peeling potatoes, cutting up zucchini, and other small tasks. Jared has a mandoline for slicing potatoes and it is pretty darn handy. Now I want one for when I make scalloped potatoes. We added more cheese and some onions to the potatoes. Jared turns the Trager to over 400 and puts them inside to cook so they will have a smoked flavor. These are called potatoes au gratin.

Jared had Gordon Ramsey's pan and it is big and impressive. He loves it. We cooked the zucchini and onions in this pan. Jared prepared the garlic bread and stuck it in the oven, they have two ovens. Nice. Next was to put the steak bites on the Blackstone and let them "fry." Summer made two salads to add to our feast of steak, potatoes, zucchini & onions, and garlic brea.

Those attending this week's family dinner: Jared, Kacey, Charlie, Summer, JB, Tanner for awhile, Palmer, Autumn, Scarlett, Benson, Mason and James and me. 

For dessert we had the Tuxedo cake we bought and two kinds of Bluebell ice cream, pecan or vanilla.  Palmer and Autumn did the dishes. James walks with his headphones on and Jared and I think he is anti-social. Kacey defended him as said: "I think he is not feeling well." I thought that was so nice of her. 

The evening was a bit chaotic, but I loved it. We visited awhile in the family room. I talked with Summer about her cat Juniper and we showed each other photos. James got in on it too, finding pictures of Tom. Scarlett and Charlie secluded themselves in Charlie's room. Mason "kept busy" until everyone left and Kacey tried to put him to sleep. Jared was with Charlie and they were going to watch a movie. It was time for James and I to go to bed. We are getting up early in the morning to leave. I am sad that I didn't take more photos from this evening, but here are a few:

Charlie, Benson, and Mason

Scarlett joins the group

Jared, Benson, Palmer

Back in Vernon, Kim & Brian went to Christmas tree trail to see the fall leaves and some wildlife.

I love this picture!

In other news, President Jeffrey R. Holland dedicated the Grand Junction, Colorado temple. It is dedicated temple #210. I believe my grandma Maxwell was from Grand Junction. I know Aunt Rita lived there.

 

 

Saturday, October 18th, 2025: Trip to Sam's w/ Jared & James, Walmart by myself, James sneaks in, Scarlett's baptism, dinner @ Abuelo's, BYU vs. UofU,

 

244. Santa Cruz, Bolivia

Sheathing and exterior cladding underway; windows installed; 

construction estimated to be completed

in 2027.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 7:15-8:4

D&C

119-120

October General Conference

'The Atoning Love of Jesus Christ'

Elder Neil L. Andersen

It was 8:00 Texas time when James and I got out of bed. That bed and pillow are just too completely!

Breakfast, journal, and prayer. Jared's going to Sam's Club. I told James I wanted to go and he said he would go too. 

We followed Jared's red Toyota to Sam's Club because we wanted to go to Walmart afterwards. We got Fairlife shakes. James got a new brand of shakes called Raw. These shakes have stevia instead of sucrose and they taste good. I hope they have them in Arizona. I got some Snap dill pickles for myself, and a tuxedo cake for tomorrow's family dinner desert. I also got some crackers called Catalina Crunch which are low carb with protein. Jared is doing steak bites for tomorrow Sunday dinner so he bought several steaks. He's also doing smoked potatoes au gratin and vegetables. We said goodbye and James and I headed next door to Walmart. He dropped me off at the door while he went to get gas. 

I went specifically to get some Beddar Cheddar smoked turkey links but they didn't have turkey so I had to get the sausage. They were just as delicious but maybe not as healthy. I got some cheese, pastrami lunchmeat and AWZ. I went out and unbeknownst to me, James went in. He figured I would forget to get him some cereal so he went in to get some cereal and oat milk. He actually left his personal credit card and didn't realize it. After our dinner at Abuelo's this evening he realized it was missing and he looked everywhere for it. He came back to Walmart Sunday afternoon and someone had turned it in. There are still some honest people left in the world!

Back at Jared & Kacey's we had a short rest and then it was time to get ready for the baptism and leave for Tyler. We are supposed to go early for pictures and it takes about an hour to get there, so we left around 1:45.

Autumn & Palmer are members of the Tyler 1st ward and attend church in the Shiloh building, an older building. Kacey's sisters, Loren, April, and Christina were there along with Mo, April's husband and their son, Macy, Loren's daughter, and Isaac, Christina's son. They all came from Arkansas. Christina's older son Tristan, just left for a mission in Ohio, and Kacey & Jared went to his farewell so I guess the family support goes both ways.

Summer and her fiance, JB came, and with us and Jared & Kacey and Charlie that rounded out Autumn's family. Oops, I almost forgot. Taylor, Autumn's half sister from her dad and Taylor's twin teenaged daughter were here too. Palmer's family included his parents and two sisters, one is single, and the other brought her kids, I'm not sure if her husband was with her. 

The opening was in the chapel. The bishopric is out of town on a youth outing so the elder's quorum president, Ron Freeman conducted the meeting. His name represented him well. Not only is he a Freeman he is also a free-spirit. He did have nice hair though. Later Palmer said he and his wife are both hairdressers. 

The opening song was "I Will Walk with Jesus". Autumn gave the opening prayer and then Kacey gave the talk on Baptism. It was a great talk. Kacey had given things for Scarlett to study this week regarding the covenant promises she will make at baptism and the promises Heavenly Father makes to her. She also gave her a bracelet representing those promises. (Later Kacey Scarlett her own pink scripture quad.)

We all went to the baptismal font to witness Scarlett being baptized by her dad, Palmer Child. 

Back in the chapel Charlie and Scarlett sang their song accompanied by Jared on the piano. The song: "When I Am Baptized." They did a very good job. Charlie is a little shy but she sang out and so did Scarlett.

Palmer's mother, Malinda Child, gave the talk on the Holy Ghost. Scarlett calls her Grammy and Scarlett calls Kacey, Lolli.

Palmer's mom told a story about a pack of dogs following her and her children when they were walking to a neighbors. She was prompted to pick up a big stick and yell at the dog. She said she knew that was a prompting from the Holy Ghost. She also talked about Scarlett's favorite stuffed animal, Nosey. Scarlett loves Nosey and wants to take him everywhere. He is a small stuffed black, orange, and white dog. Palmer's mom then said that the Holy Ghost is a friend that we can take everywhere. 

The Primary presidency gave Scarlett a keepsake box. It has the promises made at baptism in the front and then you open it and put in all of the memorabilia from the baptism. So nice, I loved it!

Scarlett also got a stuffed bear so she can remember the 3 bears:

1. Bear the name of Christ

2. Bear others burdens

3. Bear your testimony

After the closing song, "Baptism", there were refreshments which Autumn had made.

She made these for Charlie's birthday:

After refreshments most of the family members went to Abuelo's for dinner. I had a grilled chicken salad with golden raisins, almonds, and one piece of avocado. James had mahi-mahi without sauce - it was dry. He used some of my honey mustard dressing on it. I got to sit by Benson and across from Kacey. Benson was so good. He fell asleep in his carseat. 

After Abuelo's, which means Grampa's by the way, we went to Autumn & Palmer's for a short visit. Lore, Macy, Christina and Isaac are staying there but I'm not sure where because their house is small. I was impressed with how Autumn had made this house their home. 

We didn't stay long, soon we were back in Longview. Jared needed to go shopping and Kacey was going to go with him because she was going to make a salad for tomorrow night. Instead she called Summer and ask her to bring a salad tomorrow night. Jared went to the store to get French bread, zucchini, squash, and ice cream, Bluebell of course. They were out of squash so he bought extra zucchini. 

Jared had the TV on going between the Dodgers game and the BYU vs. UofU game. The Dodgers and BYU both won. Jared & Kacey had "Come Follow Me" with Charlie, the children's section which was a story of Jane Manning walking 800 miles to Nauvoo. Family prayer and then off to bed for James and I. 

 

Friday, October 17th, 2025: Up before 6 or 4 Az time, problems w/ cmptr & can't connect phone to internet, Allswell pillows, Wlmrt-pain pills, Dr. Oldham never called, J&K go shopping for dryer, Charlie & I skate, walk, play w/ Lovie, Jucy, Piney Park

 

243. Teton River, Idaho

Structural framing underway; construction

estimated to be completed in late 2027

to early 2028.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 7:1-14

Come Follow Me

D&C 119-20

My tithing helps build the kingdom of God.

October General Conference

'Remembering the Sheep'

Elder William K. Jackson

I was up before 6, which is 4 Arizona time. I'm still having problems with my computer, but I did read my scriptures and visit with Kacey and Jared. Another thing, whenever I go to someone else's house my phone will not connect to their internet. It happened at Stacy & Paul's and now it is happening here. Kacey tried to help me but nothing worked.

James told me this morning that he got the best nights sleep he has had in a longtime, last night. We both loved our pillows. Kacey gave me the brand name of the pillow, Allswell, and told me I could get them at Walmart. Love the name and the store is convenient for me. The mattress on the bed is nice and cozy too. I finally convinced James that we need a new mattress on our bed. 

James went to Walmart to see if they could request his pain meds but Dr. Oldham never switched them from Western Drug to the Walmart in Show Low so he is out of luck. Next time I say he go to Dr. Oldham in his Show Low office so no Western Drug will be involved. 

Jared and Kacey went shopping for a new dryer at Lowe's. Charlie didn't want to go so she stayed here with me. I walked around the dining room, kitchen, family room, piano room loop and Charlie roller skated, passing me at least twice each loop. Lovie got in on the action and was so tired afterward she just plopped down on the rug, exhausted.

For dinner we went to a burger joint called Jucy. James ordered a burger with blue cheese on it and I got a grilled chicken salad with honey mustard dressing. They have free beans. Jared said that sometimes the missionaries come here and just eat the beans. I'm not sure how they get away with it but I thought it was funny. Charlie had her cheeseburger with mustard and tomato. Kacey had a salad and Jared had a burger. The food was really good.

We spent the evening at Piney Park in Marshall, Texas. Jared paid for our tickets. Thank you Jared. This was family fun, east Texas style. A giant slide with Charlie & Jared went down a couple of times. A Cow-Bee ride that Jared, James and Charlie rode and a jump zone that Charlie enjoyed. We all went through the outdoor spook alley. The weather this evening was perfect for being outside. I brought my sweater but never ended up wearing it. I was able to get all of my 12,000 steps for the day. Charlie had a great time. We all did, in spite of our ailments. Kacey has plantar fasciitis in her left foot and pain in her right hip, Jared and I have arthritic pain and so does James.

Back home in Longview we visited for awhile and then James and I were tired so we went to bed. 

Some other things I remember about today. 

*Jared practicing the song, "When I Am Baptized" on the piano. He is playing tomorrow at the baptism while Charlie and Scarlett sing.

*Charlie practicing piano, roller skating and taking a break by reading a book.

*Jared says best all-time baseball player is the Dodger's pitcher, Ohtani from Japan. Tonight he hits three homeruns and 10 strikeouts.

*College and pro-football with no sound.

*Charlie reading "Little House on the Prairie" or "Pioneer Sisters."

*Kacey is now Primary President, she has already been Young Women's President, and now there are rumors she may be called as the Relief Society President.

*Kim fed Tom his regular food, but he wanted a treat. He kept staring at the drawer where I keep them.

I love how she sits on her feet when she plays

Where is Charlie

Jared's the one with his arms in the air

Grampa and Charlie in their 

Bee car.

Jared was a little uncomfortable in the Cow car. 

Jared and Charlie having a little

discussion as to which way to go

in the light maze.

Charlie with her new friends

A cameo of Grampa

Charlie was a good sport to sit on the

big spider even when she didn't want to.

Thursday, October 16th, 2025: Up @ 2:47, after 5 when we leave for Longview, Texas, Arby's steak nuggets in Socorro, "Winterset", James drives the entire way, Charlie, Jared & Kacey wait up for us, we arrive around 10:15 Texas time, 2 hours ahead of Arizona time

 

242. Cleveland, Ohio

Awaiting installation of cupola; landscaping and interior 

finish work nearly completed; temple president

and matron called; construction estimated to be

completed in late 2025 to early 2026.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 6:15-30

October General Conference

'Lovest Thou Me'

Elder Steven C. Barlow

I got up at 2:47. I said my prayers and drank my Perk and then made final preparations to leave on our trip to Longview, Texas. James wanted to leave at 4 but it was after 5 when we pulled out. We were passed Hunsaker's when I remembered to ask James if he got my lunchmeat and cheese and put it in the ice chest. No, he didn't, so back we went. It was 5:30 when we pulled away this time.

It was 8:30 Arizona time, 9:30 New Mexico time when we stopped at the Circle K and then Arby's in Socorro. Arby's has a new item on their menu, steak nuggets or steak bites as I call them. They are yummy and made a great brunch. 

There is an M on a mountain in the town and we asked the boy who works there what the M stood for. He said it is called M mountain. He says it turns to a W at night when the high school Warriors play and an M when the college Miners play. He said it is really quite amazing. I guess you have to see it actually happen to appreciate it.

We stopped for gas a few more times and potty breaks. We listened to scriptures and did "Come Follow Me." I missed Inklings this morning but will listen to it when I get home next Tuesday. 

We are now listening to a new book called, "Winterset." 

James drove the entire time. I wanted to stop at a sunflower field we saw but he said they looked droopy because it was late in the day and we would stop on the way home and take some pictures. 

We lost two hours because Longview, Texas is two hours ahead of us. It was around 10:30 when we arrived at Jared & Kacey's at 1613 Pineland Drive. It was 8:30 Arizona time so it took us about 15 hours. Charlie was waiting up for us along with Jared & Kacey. I am glad because I got to give her a big hug before going to bed.

Tender and delicious!