Tuesday, October 28th, 2025: 3:43, James gets me a new tire before I leave for my lunch date w/ Pam G. @ Persnikkity's, Family Dollar, mail Jared's card, Visit Cindy B. w/ Kathy and give her a candle, Kim & Brian's Halloween party

 

254. Tacloban City, Philippines

Construction estimated to be completed

in mid - 2028.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 14:1-27

D&C

124:18-38

Come Follow Me

D&C 124:2-11

I can invite others to come unto Christ.

October General Conference

'Smiling Faces and Grateful Hearts'

Elder Carlos A. Godoy

Liahona

'Teaching Truth Changing Lives'

Up @ 3:43. Where is my Tom and my mechanical pencil? I said my prayers and found them both.

After prayer, scriptures, and "Come Follow Me" James left for town to get me a new tire. He got the tire, came home and put it on my car all before I had to leave for my lunch date with Pam Giles. He is such a Sweetie!

I was a little early for our lunch at Persnikkity's, so I made a short shopping trip to Family Dollar which is nearby. I got some cash for Jared's birthday card, a bauble for the bathroom and some cellophane tape.

Lunch with my friend Pam is so fun. She is planning a big Halloween party for the employees of the hospital and their families. She says they are expecting around 600 people. 

The same day I saw the raccoon on our porch Pam saw one on the dad's patio in the valley. The raccoon was looking in the house and not even afraid of her so she took a picture. 

He looks a lot like my raccoon.

This is the text Pam sent me later in the day:

Hey Karen, I just wanted to say thank you again for lunch today. It was so nice to spend time with you and catch up. You've always been such a kind, patient, and loving person, and I really admire that about you. I've missed the connection we had and today reminded me how much I value our friendship. I truly appreciate you, and I'm grateful for the goodness you bring into my life. Hope we can do this again soon! Take care, and thanks again for today. You're amazing.

This is the text I sent back to Pam:

Pam, I was thinking about how much I enjoy your company and how you put your all into everything you do. I don't know of very many people who give as much service as you do and do it with so much joy! I love being around you because of the positive energy you exude. Let's do lunch again soon. I think it should be a standing date! Thank you for your friendship and I am so excited to see photos from your amazing Halloween party! 

Pam really is a dear friend.

After lunch I went to Walmart and bought all of the things I need to feed the missionaries on Thursday. I bought a roast, potatoes, green beans, rolls, and ice cream. I hurried home and James put the groceries away for me. I have an appointment with Kathy to go see Cindy Brown, Patsy Tedder, and Catherine Halcomb. 

I picked up Kathy, we had a prayer and were on our way. Cindy lives about 15-20 miles away. On the way to Cindy's Kathy got a call from Chuck saying her car was ready to be picked up at the transmission shop. They close at 5 so that means Kathy needs to go home after we visit Cindy. I will have to cancel our other two appointments. We had a short visit with Cindy. Kathy asked her if they were going back to China to teach. Cindy said they were going for one more semester, probably in February. She said they can't go anymore after they turn 65.

I called Catherine and Patsy and set them up for Friday instead of today. They are both pretty flexible. 

When I got home I finished "Follow Him." 

James worked on the Dr. Memon plans this afternoon and then put the new wheel and tire he bought this morning on the Cat. He still needs to fix the stuck gas pedal. 

New sleeveless garments came out today and the lines were long at Deseret Book.

Our puzzle is very puzzling so I leave it alone for awhile. Instead of blogging I watch a Christmas movie with Tom on my lap. 

James and I went to bed at 8:30 but I made the mistake of taking some Tramadol before bed and it was after 10:30 before I finally went to bed.

"The Lord entrusts today's bearers of the priesthood of Aaron to do very much the same things they did anciently."

- President Steven J. Lund, AGC 2025

D&C 124:49

Verily, verily, I say unto you, that when I give a commandment to any of the sons of men to do a work unto my name, and those sons of men go with all their might and with all they have to perform that work, and cease not their diligence, and their enemies come upon them and hinder them from performing that work, behold, it behooveth me to require that work no more at the hands of those sons of men, but to accept of their offerings.

Kim & Brian's Halloween Party

Kim took tons of pictures but she said she forgot to take a picture of Darrel. He was there too. 

Tom watching a Christmas movie with me.

He is faced the wrong way.

Monday, October 27th, 2025: 3:07 Perk & a space heater to warm me up! Sad about the passing of Tad R. Callister, James is stressed, check engine light still on, drove on flat tire, 2 blogposts & 12,000 steps

 

253. Grand Rapids, Michigan

To be completed in mid-2027

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 13:16-34

D&C

124:1-17

Come Follow Me

D&C 124

"A House Unto My Name"

Introduction

Revelations in Context

October General Conference

'The Name By Which Ye Are Called'

Elder B. Corey Cuvelier

'Forsake Not Your Own Mercy'

Elder Matthew S. Holland

Liahona

Up at 3:07. Perk and a space heater warm me up.

I was sad to hear of the passing of Elder Tad R. Callister. I am learning so much from reading his book, "The Infinite Atonement."

James is physically miserable, especially when he first gets up in the morning. He is also drowning in work responsibilities. To add to his concerns, the check engine light is still on in the car. 

This afternoon I was on my way to town. Something didn't sound right, and I was concerned about the engine so at the Kick 'n' Back entrance, which is just a little over a mile from our house, I turned around and went home. I had been driving on a flat tire. James was not even upset! Thank you honey. I feel like such a dummy. 

I thought James would be able to fix it and then maybe we could go into town, but he couldn't take the time to fix the tire right now because he was waiting for a call from Ravi Gupta. As time passed and no call, it was too late to go to town. I made smashed burgers for dinner. Ravi never called. James tried to call him, but no answer. 

After dinner I worked a little on the puzzle. It's called 'life and sun.'

I call it 'Tree of Life and Sunflowers.' I finished section C of the puzzle and started section D. There are six sections and section D is #4. 

James hasn't been much help on the puzzle because he is now working on bidding the job for Dr. Memon. Other bidders, which he didn't know there would be are finished bidding. James was just now able to open the plans on his computer. He worked on bidding all day and he told me this process would probably take another two weeks. He spoke with the architect, who is an investor in the project and Dr. Memon's nephew, who told him if he didn't have his bid ready by next Wednesday it would be too late. 

James tried to call Dr. Memon. It took him awhile to finally reach him.  James wants to know if he can bid it cost plus ten. Later he spoke with Dr. Memon and the doctor said that would be fine. 

That is a bit of a relief, but he still has to call subcontractors and get bids. I hate to see him under such pressure when he is not feeling well. 

I managed to do two blogposts and 12,000 steps today. In bed by 8:25. Tom slept outside.

"The word of the Lord concerning the unborn...has never varied and echoes the words of prophets through the ages."

- Elder Neil A. Andersen, AGC 2025

D&C 124:45

And if my people will hearken unto my voice, and unto the voice of my servants whom I have appointed to lead my people, behold, verily I say unto you, they shall not be moved out of their place.

Sunday, October 26th, 2025: Up @ 3 to finish my lesson, full-strength Perk, James does cookies, poster, Diewald's speak in church, miss marriage class, Green's Peak, Charlie's red dress

 

252. Tarawa, Kiribati

Estimated to be completed in late 2027

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 13:1-15

October General Conference

'They Are Their Own Judges'

Elder David A. Bednar

Up at 3 to finish preparing my lesson. I have a cup of Perk to help wake me up. I put a few cookies in the bags. I woke James somewhere between 6-6:30 and said: "Remember, you were going to

put the cookies in bags." He responded: "What cookies?" He did get up and I reminded him: "These cookies, in these bags." He went to work. A few bags were tied too high and the cookies turned sideways. I straightened a few but then decided I would just tell the sisters James frosted the cookies and put them in bags. They will understand.

I made a poster for my lesson instead of waiting to use the whiteboard at the church. The poster was titled:

"Blessed Are the Peacemakers" with the following from President Russell M. Nelson's talk, "Peacemakers Needed." 

* Now is the time to lay aside bitterness.

* Now is the time to cease insisting that it is your way or no way.

* Now is the time to stop doing things that make others walk on eggshells for fear of upsetting you.

* Now is the time to bury your weapons of war.

* If your verbal arsenal is filled with insults and accusations, now is the time to put them away.

Two quotes on charity from President Nelson's "Peacemakers Needed" talk:

1. "Charity is the antidote to contention. Charity is the spiritual gift that helps us to cast off the natural man or woman, who is selfish, defensive, prideful, and jealous. Charity is the principal characteristic of a true follower of Jesus Christ. 

Charity defines a peacemaker. When we humble ourselves before God and pray with all the energy of our hearts, God will grant us charity. Those blessed with this gift are long-suffering and kind. They do not envy others and are not caught up in their own importance. They are not easily provoked and do not think evil of others."

2. Sisters, the pure love of Christ is the answer to the contention that ails us today. Charity propels us 'to bear one another's burdens' rather than heap burdens upon each other. The pure love of Christ allows us 'to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things' - especially in tense situations. Charity allows us to demonstrate how men and women of Christ speak and act - especially when under fire."

Before I started my lesson Debbie Schwartz got up and talked about her baptism and her trip to the temple to be baptized for her mother and her aunt. It was wonderful! She has a great testimony.

The lesson went well and I had several sisters come up and give me hugs afterwards. Maybe it was because of the cookies. They seem to have been a hit. 

I was exhausted after my lesson. I told Brother Lauritzen we wouldn't be attending the marriage class because I was not feeling well. This is the last marriage class. Next week the parenting classes start and we already told Brother Lauritzen we would not be attending them.

It was a warm, beautiful day with just a little wind. After lunch and a nap James goes out to water trees, grass and flowers. 

Around 4 or a little after James and I took a drive up to Green's Peak in James's truck. The road is bumpy but the scenery is nice, especially when we get up to where the aspen trees are. We go to the top of Green's Peak and I get out of the truck to freezing cold wind. I snapped a couple of pictures of the view and jumped back into the truck. James did the same thing. 

We see lots of elk on the way home so the trip was worth it for me. We went down Christmas tree trail across to the 404 and the 61. 

When I got home, I looked at my phone. It showed that I had 9,554 steps. What? I had about 2,300 when we left. I guess that bumpy ride was worth something. I feel like a cheater but I didn't do it on purpose.

Tom and I were watching a Christmas movie. James joined us for the end. The name of the movie, "Christmas in Midnight Clear." Another faith-based movie from Great American Family.

Charlie and Kacey had their Primary program today. Jared said it was the best sacrament meeting of the year. I said, "It always is."

In bed a little after 8.

I love Charlie in this red dress.

She looks beautiful!

On top of Green's Peak

The pictures don't do it justice

 

 

 

Saturday, October 25th, 2025: 3:27, 3 talks on being peacemakers, 55 sugar cookie, James helps me frost them, Sheri and Addy Grand Canyon 1/2 Marathon

 

Cody, Wyoming

To be completed in mid-2026

(Open house and dedication take place many

months after construction concludes).

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 12:25-48

D&C

123

Come Follow Me

Voices of the Restoration: Liberty Jail

October General Conference

'Proved and Strengthened in Christ'

President Henry B. Eyring

A.S.K.

'The Eternal Gift of Testimony'

Elder Kevin G. Brown

RS Lesson

'Blessed Are the Peacemakers'

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

Up at 3:27.

Prayer, Book of Mormon, read three talks on being peacemakers in preparation for my lesson tomorrow. 

A very busy day. I made 55 cookies for the Relief Society sisters. They are heart-shaped sugar cookies to remind them that being a peacemaker begins in the heart.

The unfrosted cookie is for 

Kerri Halcomb.

James was a big help. I had finished baking the cookies and had mixed up the frosting. Before frosting the cookies I took a 15 minute break. Thinking Tom was outside I went to the recliner in the family room. Unbeknownst to me James had let Tom in and he headed right for my lap. Cat prison, again, and I love it. 

While I was in prison James base-frosted all of my cookies. I am so grateful. When I got out of prison I mixed up some more frosting to do the trim and then did the trim, adding an edible pink pearl in the center of the cookie.

I placed sheets of aluminum foil out on the dining room table and set the 54 cookies out to dry. I left them out all night to "dry." James said he would put them in the bags in the morning. It was 9:30 when we went to bed. 

Sheri and Addy are at the Grand Canyon. They are running a 1/2 marathon.

"The more we can connect the reason with our love for the Savior, the more we will be able to receive what we need."

- Elder Ricardo P. Giminez, AGC 2025

D&C 121:45

Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.

Adam's work pumpkins.

I voted for the Peanuts pumpkin.

Friday, October 24th, 2025: 3:52, I saw the raccoon, photo downloads not working, Temple and Eva's with James and Virgil, Debbie Schwarz being baptized for her mom, Sue Hubble @ Eva's, blog, Inklings, D&C

 

250. Wichita, Kansas

Estimated to be completed by mid-2026.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 12:1-24

D&C

122:1-9

Come Follow Me

D&C 123

"Let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power."

October General Conference

'Prophets of God'

Sister Spannaus

Up at 3:52. 

When I open the door to feed Sammy a raccoon is staring me in the face. I could have gotten such a good picture if I had known he was going to be there. 

I really wanted to get a couple of blogposts done this morning before leaving for the temple, but I kept getting the message, we could not copy your photos to your blog. Finally, after getting the message four times, I restarted my computer, and everything worked fine. When will I learn that's the answer most of the time.

We left for the temple at 8 and picked up Virgil Cooper on the way. It was 37 degrees when I got up but now it's in the 50's and the sun is shining. It is a nice day! 

A Brother Clay Overson was at the recommend desk. He remembered James as a wrestler in high school. Brother Overson was a wrestler too from another school and he said Duane Hensley, Snowflake's heavy weight, always beat him.  An interesting way to be greeted at the temple.

Our session was almost full with only two empty seats. There were 26 sisters and 12 brothers. 

As we were leaving, we see Tamara Applegate from our ward. She says she is there with Debbie Schwarz who is being baptized for her mother and her aunt. Wow! Debbie was just baptized last Saturday. 

We saw another friend of Debbie's outside, Linda McClellan. We didn't get to see Debbie. I would have loved to stay but since we were with Virgil I decided we probably shouldn't. 

We had lunch at Eva's, and I had my chili relleno, the only way I like to eat eggs. I sent Sheri the following photo and asked if she could guess where I was:

The purse Sheri got me in Italy. It is

now my temple purse.

She said, "Italy?" I said no. Remember this is my temple purse. I went to the temple with Dad and a friend. Where do we go after the temple? Eva's! She texted back that she was jealous. 

Eva actually took our order and I told her how much we enjoy the food here.

James and Virgil. Two old men who both

read the encyclopedia's when they were boys.

When James went up to pay the bill I saw my friend Sue Hubble come in with a group of women. They were eating and then going to the temple. I went over to say hello and Sue was so happy to see me. She stood up and gave me a hug just as her chili relleno was delivered. James gave her a hug too. It was so great to see my dear friend!

Virgil really is interesting to talk to. He told the story of his great grandfather, John Cooper who joined the Church in England. He came with the handcart pioneers to Utah. Brigham Young asked him to practice polygamy. He ended up having three wives and 14 children. He kept a journal. That is why Virgil knew so much about him.

When I get home, I take a nap with Tom, watching a Christmas movie when I'm awake. James is working on a bid for Dr. Memon. 

Now I'm blogging and listening to Inklings and reading my D&C commentary, thinking about making 55 heart cookies for Relief Society. I give my lesson on Sunday and the lesson is "Blessed Are the Peacemakers."

Tonight was Jared & Kacey's ward Halloween party. Jared won the first place trophy for his chili and Charlie is the cutest Dorothy from Wizard of Oz.

Sweet Charlie as Dorothy

Nice trophy Jared!

Nathan Tibbetts & his fiance, Lily

Thursday, October 23rd, 2025: Darrel still waiting on background check, James 9:00 @ Dr. Memon's, I shop @ Walmart, trip home 40 cents off gas, Chipotle, snuggle w/ Tom, Christmas movie, raccoon tracks?

 

249. Cagayan De Oro, Philippines

Estimated to be completed in late 2027.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 11:18-41

D&C

121:39-46

Come Follow Me

D&C 122:8

Jesus Christ has descended below all things so that He can lift me up.

October General Conference

'Look to God and Live'

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

In my gospel studies yesterday I came across this quote and I can't stop thinking about it:

"Anytime we try to compel someone to righteousness who can and should be exercising his or her own moral agency, we are acting unrighteously..."

I don't even know what time it was when I got up. I laid in bed waiting and waiting for James to come out of the bathroom. Finally I went and knocked on the door and I still had to wait. 

We are at Darrel & Trina's sleeping in Rowan's room. I do love Rowan's bed. Lola slept in her room with music playing all night. At first I thought it was someone in the loft watching television. I guess she likes "white noise."

One of the reasons we stayed at Darrel's is so I could ask him what was going on with Farmington. I mentioned it last evening and was quieted because Lola was in the other room. When everyone else was gone this morning except Darrel, James and I, I asked Darrel about it. He said he didn't know anything more than he did when we texted. They are still doing an extensive background check. 

In the news last night there was a report that a couple of hikers on Mt. Humphrey may have been struck by lightning. This made me think of Trina and Ruby just being there. Trina said it was clear when they were there. I never did hear how the hikers fared after the initial story.

James's appointment with Dr. Memon was at one this afternoon and he had it changed until nine this morning, so we weren't so late going home. This made me very happy.

We said goodbye to Darrel. He was the only one home. Trina had just rushed off to take Lola to school. Darrel has the week off. I told him to let us know when he hears anything about Farmington.

Addy texted and said she saw us from her car when we left and waved. We didn't see her. 

Dr. Memon's office is on Dobson, south of Pecos. I dropped James off and headed for the Walmart and Hobby Lobby on Chandler Blvd. 

Hobby Lobby wasn't open yet so I went to Walmart first. It is a nice, clean Walmart, compared to the one in Show Low. I bought six blankets, a pillow for James, some new dishtowels and other miscellaneous items. I looked for a new dish drainer but didn't find what I was looking for, so I headed over to Hobby Lobby.

I was looking for a dish draining rack but wasn't having any luck when James called and said his appointment was over. I had a couple of small items in my basket which I put back and headed for my car.

James drives up the 101 as we head for Payson. We stopped at the first Circle K in Payson and get gas. Today is 40 cents off day so we got our gas for $2.74. 

I wanted to go to Chiptole for lunch so that was our next stop. I got the carne asada salad with guacamole and James had something similar. It cost us $32. The food was good but way to expensive. 

We finished our book, "Winterset" on the way home. We arrived at home around 2 p.m. All of the cat water and food dishes were empty so the first thing I did was bring Tom's inside and fill both his water and food dishes and Sammy's too. Of course, Tom wanted a treat.

Tom came in and stayed. I watched a Christmas movie while he slept on my lap. 

There were wet footprints outside by Sammy's food that looked to me like raccoon tracks. I showed James and he said they could be cat tracks. I didn't agree. Cats don't walk with their toes spread out.

We were in bed by 9.

Chipotle

We listened to President Oaks's biography

on the way home from Texas.

New dish towels

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025: Leave for valley @ 5 so we can see Ruby's cross country race she gets 4th out of 127 runners, Infusion, Costco, Costco @ San Tan, Sam's Club, Stuart the Minion, check engine light comes on

248. Austin, Texas

Sheathing, waterproofing, and cladding the exterior;

decking the roof; construction estimated to be

completed in early to mid - 2027.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 11:1-17

D&C

121:7-38

Come Follow Me

D&C 121:34-46

True power and influence are based on "the principles of righteousness."

JRH, "Not as the World Giveth," AGC 2021

DAB, "The Powers of Heaven," AGC 2012

October General Conference

'The Power of Ministering to the One'

Elder Peter M. Johnson

I got up at 2:52. We left for the valley at 5. My appointment is not until 11:15 but we are going to watch Ruby run at 8:30 in Queen Creek at a cross country meet. 

We went the Payson way and made the cutoff through Saguaro Lake to Ellsworth road. We stopped at Darrel & Trina's for a potty break just as they were leaving for the race with Lola. They told Lola she could stay home from school, it's a half day, if she came to Ruby's race and cleaned the bathroom. She went for it. They waited for us and we followed them over.

This is a cross country race and it's three miles long. Ruby came in 4th out of 127 girls in the race. She PR's with a time of 18:55. Way to go Ruby!

Congrats Ruby!

Here comes Ruby!

Ruby is a junior so she has another year of running.

BTW, Lola is in the 6th grade.

We went to Costco across from AARA after Ruby's race. We bought shakes, Pom juice, and laundry detergent. We had hotdogs after shopping and I made it to my infusion in plenty of time.

Frances brought me back to the infusion center and a girl, a new one, named Brittany put in my port. I also saw Edith, one of Dr. Kumar's assistants. We had a nice chat. I mentioned my injections coming up in December and she said I better schedule them right away because Dr. Kumar's December is filling up. The first date I could get was December 31st at 11 a.m. Not ideal but I will do what I have to do to get those injections. My infusion in December is on the 17th and we will probably go down for Christmas on the 24th so that's lots of going back and forth.

Trina told me they had Perk at the San Tan Costco. It's a larger container, 30 servings instead of 20 and the cost is $25.99 instead of $29.99. I got two containers. 

When we left this Costco we went to the Sam's Club just down the road on Market Street. We are looking for the Raw protein shakes that we got in Texas but we were out of luck. They did not have them and neither did Costco. Darn!

The check engine light came on in the car. James was so concerned that he called Erik. Erik said to take it to Auto Zone and get a scan, which James did. He told Erik the results of his scan and Erik said it did not sound serious especially if we haven't heard any funny noises, which we haven't. When we get home Erik said to reset something or other and James said he would. A message does come on when we are going uphill that the power may be diminished. 

Even though Erik says there is nothing seriously wrong it is still disconcerting to have your check engine light on.

When we got to Darrel & Trina's Trina was working on homework for the class she is taking to get her Bachelor of Nursing, Darrel was watching a sporting event on TV, Rowan was getting ready to leave for work, Ruby was at the table with Lola but she soon left to go to a friends house. Lola was on her phone until Trina called her in to show me her Halloween costume. 

Cute costume but I wonder if Lola and

her friends will want to wear them

all evening.

Lola with her phone and the oars that

Trina bought at Lewis Antiques with me

back in July.

When Addy got home from work I told her about the Epic Medical Records place and told her how to look them up on Instagram. She thanked me and said she would look at Instagram a little later. She seemed tired.

"Missionary work is gathering record numbers to the fold of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ."

- Elder Ronald A. Rasband, AGC 2025

D&C 121:39

We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.