Saturday, November 8th, 2025: I met Izzy, Zaria, AnJoli, Chris, Victor & Will, Izzy borrows my shoes to go to Darbi's for breakfast, James helps with wood for the widows, bloggin, Christmas movies w/ Tom, Michael's steak sandwiches,

 

Winchester, Virginia

Groundbreaking ceremony held on 9 Aug 2025;

full-scale construction pending.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 23:1-14

D&C

128:20-25

Come Follow Me

Kevin R. Duncan, "A Voice of Gladness", AGC 2023

"A Glorious and Wonderful Provision."

Gordon B. Hinckley, "The Great Things Which God Has Revealed", AGC 2005

October General Conference

'That All May Be Edified'

Brother Chad H. Webb

'Humble Souls at Altars Kneel'

Elder Jeremy R. Jaggi

Up at 3:36. 

I met our guests this morning, Micahel's friends: Izzy, Zaria, AnJoli, Chris, Victor and Will. Izzy left her shoes at Michael's house and so she borrowed my black tennis shoes when they went to Darby's for breakfast and then shopping at Walmart. She bought a pair of boots at Walmart.

James left around 7 or so this morning to help cut wood for the widow's woodpile. He worked until about 10 o'clock when his chainsaw hit a rock and he had to come home. He said as fast as he would cut the wood the elders would toss it into Pierce's trailer. 

Ward members were scattered in the woods working and he couldn't see everyone who was there. For lunch hotdogs and hamburgers were served.

I spent my early morning preparing, praying, and studying the gospel. Midmorning I began working on my blog. I posted about 40 pictures for October 28th. 38 were from Kim & Brian's Halloween party. I took breaks to watch Christmas movies and rest with Tom who spent most of the day in our room.  I had our bedroom door closed because Namira is here. Once James left it open and Namira came in. She didn't see Tom and I don't know if Tom saw her because he was over by his food dish. 

James worked outside most of the afternoon. 

Michael made his famous steak sandwiches on ciabatta bread with apples and a side of focaccia bread with rosemary. That is a lot of bread. I had one bite of the ciabatta bread with butter, and it was yummy. James went in and got us some sliced steak, and it was delicious. He asked Michael what kind of steak it was, and Michael said strip steak.  Probably New York strip steak. 

James actually watched a Christmas movie with me tonight. It is the newest Hallmark, "Christmas Above the Clouds" starring Erin Krakow and Tyler Hynes. It is another take on Scrooge. Erin was the scrooge, with the name of Ella Neezer. I didn't like it at first and actually fell asleep during the best part where Ella gets a heart. Still, I was so happy that James sat down and watched it with me as he rarely does that anymore. I am beginning to think the older Christmas movies are better than some of these new ones they are cranking out. It seems like they are going for quantity more than quality. 

"Priesthood authority to represent the Savior and act in His name again is found on the earth."

- Elder David A. Bednar, AGC 2025

D&C 128:22

Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory!

Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free.

Paul with his friend Joey Harris

I don't know who the other guy is

Is this true or A.I.?

I have never eaten breakfast here but

I understand the avocado toast is to

die for. I texted this to Michael for

furture reference.

Friday, November 7th, 2025: 3:30 with my early morning buddy, my favorite time of day, James sorry about Dr. Memon job, the Lord has something better in store, clean upstairs, Michael & friends are here

 

264. Wellington, New Zealand

Groundbreaking ceremony hold on 2 Aug 2025;

full-scale construction pending.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 22:1-17

D&C

128:11-19

Come Follow Me

D&C 128:5-25

The salvation of my ancestors is essential to my salvation.

October General Conference

'The Family Proclamation: Words from God'

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

Tom and I are up at 3:30. He's my early morning buddy. These early morning hours are my favorite time of day. In quiet reflection I review the previous day and plan for the day I am now looking forward to. Prayers, Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants with my commentary, "Come Follow Me", gospel study, lesson preparation, and Inklings. Devotional with James and then two hours of blogging, with distractions of course. Next is cleaning, lunch, rest, to do and then working on weekly goals, dinner, shower, choice and bed. Somewhere I get in my 12,000 steps.

James is sad he didn't get the Memon job. He said he could have kept Armando busy for a year and we could have made $200,000. I told him I was sorry but I was sure the Lord has something better in store for him. 

James came in this afternoon with his face dirty and smelling like a mechanic and he asked me if I wanted to go to town with him. I told him I had to spend the afternoon cleaning upstairs. Michael and his friends are coming tonight. 

I told James he ought to let me give him a haircut, he should shower and change his clothes before going to town. He agreed. I gave him one of my better haircuts and he looked great before he left. I guess he got a flat tire on the wheel barrow or yard cart. He was gong about three hours or so. I am glad I didn't go. 

I finished upstairs right after James got back. With all the plodding up and downstairs I was able to get my 12,000 steps. I showered and sat down at my computer to finish blogging October 28th. I had to download a picture of a raccoon which took awhile. I had a Christmas movie playing on the T.V. It's a G.A.F. movie so I couldn't watch it on my phone. It's one from last year, "Christmas at the Royal Ballet." It was quite good, but most of the Great American Family movies are a little "flat" or slow.

James is walking and listening to "A Waltz with Traitors." I quit reading it because it was just too depressing. I started reading, "Snow Drops and Winter Berry" by Sarah M. Eden. It's a "gents" book about Adam Kielder as a young child and the influence the Jonquil family had on him after his father died when he was 7.

James and I went to bed around 8:30-9. Michael and his friends arrived around 9:30. We will meet them in the morning.

"True worship means loving God and yielding our will to Him - the most precious gift we can offer."

- Elder D. Todd Christofferson, AGC 2025

D&C 128:20

And again, what do we hear? Glad tidings from Cumorah! Moroni, an angel from heaven, declaring the fulfilment of the prophets - the book to be revealed. A voice of the Lord in the wilderness of Fayette, Seneca county, declaring the three witnesses to bear record of the book! The voice of Michael on the banks of the Susquehanna, detecting the devil when he appeared as an angel of light! The voice of Peter, James, and John in the wilderness between Harmony, Susquehanna County, and Colesville, Broome County, on the Susquehanna river, declaring themselves as possessing the keys of the kingdom, and of the dispensation of the fulness of times!

Holly Hunsaker's wedding

Holly & her cousin Hailey

Holly & my dear friend and her mom,

Stefani

Holly and her sweet dad, Sean

Congratulations

Love this family!

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!