Thursday, November 6th, 2025: Up @ 3:31, Tom wants his treat first, faith of early saints,Happy 19th Evan, Inklings, TJ Maxx, Walmart, Persnikkity's, new apostle Elder Causse, Dr. Memon's job a no,

 

263. Singapore

Groundbreaking ceremony held on 28 June 2025;

full-scale construction pending

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 21:1-29

D&C

128:3-10

Come Follow Me

D&C 127:5-8; 128:1-8

"Whatsoever you record on earth shall be recorded in heaven."

October General Conference

'Do You Part with All Your Heart'

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Follow Him

3:31 Tom wants his treat first. 

I can bear testimony of the power of the Holy Ghost and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. What else would implore those early saints to make the sacrifices they made?

I was convinced I had been overcharged $12.99 yesterday at T. J. Maxx's. I went over my receipt several times early this morning and decided I needed to take my receipt back in and get a refund. So, after a shower and Inklings I got ready to go to town. Emily did Inklings in the Salt Lake airport as she was waiting for her flight to Denver. She is going to Garrett's Bronc's game tonight. She discussed Elder Cuvelier's talk, "The Name By Which Ye Are Called." 

James went with me to town. Our first stop was at Persnikkity's for lunch. I got my sesame chicken salad without the wontons and James go the Philly cheesesteak with Korean BBQ sauce and coleslaw. Such a nice lunch!

Next, T.J. Maxx. James went over to Cal Ranch to see if they were giving away freshly popped popcorn again while I went it to claim my $12.99. The clerk and I went over my receipt and I soon realized my mistake. There were two charges of $12.99 because I got a puzzle for $12.99 and a baby blanket. Duh! I must have looked at the receipt while I was still half asleep this morning. I was a little embarrassed to tell James of my mistake but he just took it in stride.

James didn't get any popcorn because they were just getting ready to pop their first batch.

Next we went to Walmart and picked up my Amlodipine and Tramadol prescriptions. I also bought three more blankets. James said these were the best yet. 

Back at home I took a, way too long, nap with Tom. I then did some walking and blogging. 

We now have a new apostle, former presiding bishop, Gerald Causse from France. I love Elder Causse and look forward to hearing him speak at every general conference.

Dr. Memon texted James to tell him that they had awarded the contract for the medical building to someone else. James was disappointed but I was a little relieved. I was worried about him having Dr. Gupta's job and Dr. Memon's at the same time.

"We will weather the storms, and we will make it home, enduring to the end and rejoicing to the end."

- Elder Sergio R. Vargas, AGC 2025

D&C 128:19

Now, what do we hear in the gospel which we have received? A voice of gladness! A voice of mercy from heaven; and a voice of truth out of the earth; glad tidings for the dead; a voice of gladness for the living and the dead; glad tidings of great joy. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that bring glad tidings of good things, and that say unto Zion: Behold, thy God reigneth! As the dews of Carmel, so shall the knowledge of God descend upon them!

Evan turns 19

I love this guy!

Baking Soda

Autumn's Christmas tree & stockings

Beautiful!

Wednesday, November 5th, 2025: 2-3 am couldn't sleep. listened to some of the new hymns, Benson, UPS Cargo plane explosion,TJ Maxx, CalRanch, Penney's, DT, Ross, TS, HD, Sheri can't come for Thanksgiving raccoon still getting horse feed,

 

Budapest, Hungary

Construction estimated to be completed in mid-2028.

(The open house and dedication will take place several months after 

construction concludes.)

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 20:20-46

D&C

127:5-128:2

Come Follow Me

D&C 127:2-4

I can rely on the Lord during difficult times.

October General Conference

'Be Reconciled to God'

Elder Kelly R. Johnson

A.S.K.

'Cheering Each Other On'

Sister J. Anette Dennis

Others

"Follow Him"

"The Holy Sealing"

"Look Unto Christ"

Between 2-3 a.m. I could not sleep so I put my Airpods in and listened to some of the new hymns while relaxing on my cozy bedroom recliner. Here are a couple of verses from "Behold the Wounds in Jesus' Hands."

(First part of verse 3 & verse 4)

3. Behold the wounds in Jesus' hands.

Look to your Lord and live.

He yearns to bless you with His love

And all your sins forgive.

4. Behold His wounded hands and feet!

Come touch, and see, and feel

the wounds and marks that you may know

His love for you is real.

Then as you fall to worship Him

and wash His feet with tears

Your Savior takes you in His arms

and quiets all your fears.

Benson is on my lock screen. His face is the first one I see in the morning, and I marvel at the miracle that he is. Seven long years Palmer & Autumn waited. Benson has already brought so much joy into so many lives. I wonder how many more lives he will bless.

Such a sweet and special gift!

A UPS cargo plane crashed and exploded while taking off from Muhammed Ali International Airport in Louisville, Kentucky. Seven people are dead, 11 injured and fatalities are expected to increase.

The rascally raccoon still got in to the horse feed in spite of whatever James did to stop him. Did you know raccoons are related to honey badgers and honey badgers are expert at dealing with locks, doors, etc.

I made pork chops for lunch. They were quite tasty. We also had also had cabbage, bacon, sunflower salad with sweet onion dressing, which is one of my favorites. I did the dishes and took a break while watching part of "Christmas Waltz" starring Lacey Chabert & Will Kemp. 

James went Christmas shopping with me this afternoon. I started out at TJ Maxx while James went to get some oats for the horses at Cal Ranch.

I got a paper cut from one of the tags on a comforter I put in my cart. My finger squirted out blood everywhere and I have nothing to clean it up with. I call James and he brings me Kleenex and dried out wipes from the car, I know we have wet ones and that's what I need. I clean up my hand the best I can but there is dried blood on the floor. (As I am writing this I wonder why I didn't check to see if they had a ladies room where I could have washed up.)

When I get up to the register there are two girls working behind the counter. I tell them how I cut my finger and that there is blood on the floor back by the wrapping paper. They are very nice about it and one of them gets me a bandaid. When I get to the car I clean my hand with a wet wipe and then put the bandaid on. 

Here is what I bought in TJ Maxx: a blanket for Benson and one for Mason, a Christmas puzzle, 3 rolls of wrapping paper, and some tags. 

Our next excursion was at Penney's. James and I actually shopped together. We bought 4 full blankets that were on sale. The cashier said I saved more than I spent. Nice.

I went to Dollar Tree and Ross while James went to Tractor Supply and Home Depot. I got two more blankets at Ross and a pink sweater to wear to "Wicked for Good."

I bought a flashing light and some batteries for James to put outside to scare the raccoon away. Kerri has some flashing lights in her RV to scare away the vermin. James was excited to put it out by the barn.

As we drive home we see the biggest moon of the year come up. The biggest because it is the closest. I can show you my little phone photos but I'm also going to post some I saw on Facebook. 

Sheri said she couldn't come for Thanksgiving because Max has to work until 4:00 on Thanksgiving. We were both sad but I totally understand.

Tom is inside and we all three were in bed by 8:30.

"The Creation, the Fall, the Savior's atoning sacrifice, and our

ability to enter again into our Heavenly Father's presence ... are manifestations of mercy."

- James R. Rasband, AGC 2025

D&C 128:12

Herein is glory and honor, and immortality and eternal life - The ordinance of baptism by water, to be immersed therein in order to answer to the likeness of the dead, that one principle might accord with the other; to be immersed in the water and come forth out of the water is in the likeness of the resurrection of the dead in coming forth out of their graves; hence this ordinance was instituted to form a relationship with the ordinance of baptism for the dead, being in likeness of the dead.

Charlie & Scarlett

Cute, sweet Benson

Tuesday, November 4th, 2025: 3:36, Happy 49th Jared!, Mary Ann Angell Young - what a woman!, finished Kacey's puzzle! A beautiful smokey day, a skunk eating Sammy's food, "The Holy Sealing", "The Christmas Secret"

 

Benin City, Nigeria

Groundbreaking ceremony held on 24 May 2025;

full-scale construction pending.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 19:30-20:19

D&C

127:1-4

Come Follow Me

D&C 126

The Lord wants me to care for my family.

Restoration in Context: "Take Special Care of Your Family"

October General Conference

'Know Who You Really Are'

Elder Brick V. Eyre

Priesthood Power

D&C 25:11 - The importance of hymns.

Up at 3:36.

 Happy Birthday Jared. I keep a Tender Mercies journal where I list the good things that happen to me everyday. When I think of the good things that happened on November 4th, Jared would be at the top of my list. He has always been such a blessing in spite of all of the trials he has had to go through both physical and emotional. No one could ask for a better son. He loves the Lord, he loves his family and he knows how to serve. He is one of my heroes!

I read about Mary Ann Angell Young, Brigham Young's first wife today as part of my "Come Follow Me" studies. Here is what I wrote about her:

"Through her mother's example, Mary Ann learned that she could hear the Lord's voice through the scriptures and find solace in His teachings." 

Mary Ann was incredible, suffering many trials and deprivations for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Her life was a labor of love. Mary Ann was remembered as 'one of the kindest and most benevolent of women,' always providing relief, care, or comfort to those in sorrow or in need.'  She reminds me of my sister-in-law Cathi Lambson, especially the part about providing relief and care to others.

I finished Kacey's puzzle today. It really is beautiful. James said it was the hardest puzzle he's ever done but he has not done that many puzzles.

I wished Jared a Happy Birthday. He thanked me for his card.

It is a beautiful day, except for the smelly smoke from the prescribed burn.

A raccoon has been eating our horse feed and tonight when I was letting Tom out he wouldn't go and I couldn't understand why. I looked to the right and then to the left where Sammy's dinner bowl sits, and then it was, a skunk, with his tail up. 

The next time I looked out I didn't see the skunk, so I let Tom out. He went over to the couch and kept looking under it and I figured that's where the skunk was. James didn't want him to get sprayed so he kept calling for Tom to come in. Finally, Tom did come in. 

The skunk went into one of the little dome houses and spent some time in there before leaving. James says skunks are nocturnal so if I feed Sammy when it's light outside, there shouldn't be a problem.

Note taken.

I listened to "The Holy Sealing" by Anthony and Cindy Sweat. 

I was in bed before 9 but James stayed up to finish his steps. I missed him and fell asleep by myself. I miss Tom too. Does it sound like I am lonely? Sometimes I am.

"The Sermon on the Mount is decisively the most noteworthy discourse ever delivered, pioneering in its teachings."

- Sister Amy A. Wright, AGC 2025

D&C 128:9

It may seem to some to be a very bold doctrine that we talk of - a power which records or binds on earth and binds in heaven. Nevertheless, in all ages of the world, whenever the Lord has given a dispensation of the priesthood to any man by actual revelation, or any set of men, this power has always been given. Home, whatsoever those men did in authority, in the name of the Lord, and did it truly and faithfully, and kept a proper and faithful record of the same, it became a law on earth and in heaven, and could not be annulled, according to the decrees of the great Jehovah. This is a faithful saying. Who can hear it?

So exciting!

Happy Birthday Jared!

Monday, November 3rd, 2025: 3:51, Hailey Hunsaker's baptism, CFM baptisms for the dead, mailed Evan's card, "Have a Jesus day", Show Low Cafe, Walmart

 

Natal, Brazil

Construction estimated to be completed

late 2027 to early 2028.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 19:1-29

D&C

125:1-126:3

Come Follow Me

Nov. 3-9: D&C 125-128 "A Voice of Gladness for the Living and the Dead"

Introduction and Voices of the Restoration

October General Conference

'The Lord Looketh on the Heart'

Elder Ronald M. Barcellos

3:51, Tom eats and goes outside. 

This week "Come Follow Me" is all about baptism for the dead. Work for the dead in the Lord's temple is one of the greatest things about the gospel of Jesus Christ. It's one of the things that sets us apart from every other church.

James had to have a back rub and the heating pad on this morning before getting out of bed. I also put heat rub on my right hand after putting it on both of James's thumbs. 

James and I had a date today to go to the Show Low Cafe for lunch and then to Walmart to look at new flagpoles for our flag.

On our way to town we stopped at the Vernon post office. James mailed Evan's card and picked up the mail. I got my General Conference journal, yay!

The Show Low Cafe just got a remodel and I don't like it. I had some good times there as a kid. We would come up from the valley and sit on stools at the counter and Grandma Maxwell would bring us the best hamburgers with fries and chocolate or vanilla malts. I always got vanilla. 

I remember Grandpa Maxwell sitting at the counter with his house slippers on watching the money come in. Also have memories of having Christmas dinner not in the cafe but in the dining room and making our own Shirley Temples at the bar with my brothers and cousins, Rita, Randy, Gary, and Arlee. Great memories.

I would say our food was average, nothing to write home about. James had the tuna melt, and I had the crispy chicken salad.

I took James to look at the flagpoles in Walmart, and he decided we don't need a new one because he can fix the old one. Okay honey, can you do that this week?

As we were walking to our car in the Walmart parking lot we passed a guy going in the other direction. He said to us: "Have a wonderful Jesus day!"  James thought it was a little quirky but I thought it was great!

Michael and his friends are coming up this weekend. I should say Michael and the managers of the autism centers he supervises. I need to get cleaning upstairs but I keep putting it off.

We are working on the hardest part of the puzzle, the section that has the most green. I am determined to finish it this week!

I am still reading the book, "A Waltz with Traitors" but I don't know for how much longer. I don't like war stories and although this one has some romance, it is just too depressing.

Tom slept in the house tonight, on our bed.

"Easter allows us to honor both the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the literal and joyous Resurrection of Him"

- Gary E. Stevenson, AGC 2025

D&C 127:3

Let all the saints rejoice, therefore, and be exceedingly glad; for Israel's God is their God, and he will mete out a just recompense of reward upon the heads of all their oppressors.

I want to make these!

Sunday, November 2nd, 2025: Daylight savings ended this morning, wear Catherine's dress to church, James's testimony, SS, Tithing Declaration, Cat prison, James works on puzzle, gorgeous day

 

259. Lagos, Nigeria

Groundbreaking ceremony held 10 May 2025;

full-scale construction pending.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 18:15-39

D&C

124:126-143

Come Follow Me

D&C 124:91-92

The Lord can guide me through my patriarchal blessing.

October General Conference

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

Sister Tracy Y. Browning

I don't remember what time it was when I got out of bed. 

Daylight savings ended this morning at 2 am, which means Jared & Kacey are only an hour ahead of us instead of two.

After eating I took some Tramadol and laid down to sleep until I feel better. I was awake in time to get ready for church. 

Even though I don't particularly care for the design of the fabric of the dress Catherine gave me, it fits perfectly and is very comfortable. James called it "loud", so I wore it with my black sweater and he said, "Oh, that's so much better."

Steve Allen conducted fast & testimony meeting and announced, rather emotionally, that we would be getting a new bishopric next week. 

Sister Golly was released as ward music director and ward chorister. We will miss her and the special numbers she planned. Sister Jan Rosen will be the ward music director and Alicia Hunsaker will be the ward chorister. Sister Golly was called to the Young Women's and Alicia was just released from Young Women's. 

James bore the last testimony of the day. It was the best and I'm not saying that because I love him, it really was!

Brother Applegate taught gospel doctrine and asked for the class to share temple experiences. James shared one about William Strickland whose name was lost and now found. I shared my experience about being sealed to my parents, again. 

James signed us up for tithing declaration this afternoon and saw Brother Lauritzen in the hall. He told him we would not be attending the parenting class and when Brother Lauritzen tried to talk him in to it James said: "All of our kids are grown and most of our grandkids are grown too."

Brother Peralta pulled James aside after Sunday School and discussed a personal matter with him. He said he has now failed his temple recommend interview 3 times and he doesn't understand why. He said he mentioned in his testimony he used to smoke and drink and maybe they thought he was still doing that be he said he gave it up a long time ago. I told James it seemed weird to me that he didn't know why they wouldn't give him a recommend. James wasn't quite sure what he could do but he encouraged Tom to keep trying.

Amy asked me how I would feel about teaching Relief Society next week as she was going to be out of town. I hated to turn her down, but I did. I have a group of people coming to my house this week and I'm not ready. I told her and she was so nice about it. I feel a little guilty because she taught for me when I needed her. Amy is a little more laid back than I am. I wish I didn't stress so much about teaching. She got Paula Johnson to teach and Paula will do a great job. 

When we got home we broke our fast with leftover roast and potatoes. James fixed the lunch, well he heated it up, and then did the dishes. 

We rested and I finished watching "Christmas in Midnight Clear."

We had tithing declaration at 3:20. Ed & Debbie Miller we ahead of us and when Ed came out he claimed he got a refund. He is such a jokester. 

Sheri texted me and said Elder Barcellos came to their stake conference. She also said Sheri Allen was released as a counselor in Relief Society. She is Sheri's friend. As a result, Sheri asked to be released as a teacher. I didn't know what to say. Sheri says Sundays are hard and she spends a lot of time crying. I feel so bad for her. She is hard for her right now.

I was in cat prison with Tom tonight so I had to watch another Christmas movie. James worked on the puzzle and got quite a bit done. 

Today was a gorgeous day. 75 degree, sunny, and no wind.

"If you ever feel like you don't quite fit in, please know that you are not alone.

- Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, AGC 2025

D&C 124:113

And when he shall prove himself faithful in all things that ahll be entrusted unto his care, yea, even a few things, he shall be made ruler over many.

Is this really possible?

Charlie, it says it's a music reward.

Did you get it for playing the piano?

What a girl.

My "granny" dress