Tuesday, November 18, 2025: Up @ 3 fed Tom, had my Perk & protein bar, Tramadol and slept on recliner, finished watching a 2018 Christmas movie, "Romance @ Reindeer Lodge," James works on railings, blogged & wrapped gifts, semi-finals DWTS, Whitney & Mark voted off,

 

Book of Mormon

Mormon 1:1-19

D&C

133:9-26

Come Follow Me

D&C 133:4-14

Jesus Christ calls me to reject Babylon and come to Zion.

October General Conference

'Go and Do Likewise'

Elder James E. Evanson

I got up at 3, fed Tom, had my Perk and protein bar, two Tramadol and laid down on the recliner. I finished watching a 2018 Christmas movie, "Romance at Reindeer Lodge." It's a classic.

James and I had our devotional and I watched "A Couples Christmas" while working on my computer.

I made a salad for lunch. I worked on my journal while James and Tom took a nap. I made a list of what I need for the brine for the turkey. Kim and I talked about our Thanksgiving meal and who is doing what. I'm feeling a little better. 

James had a phone meeting with Ravi Gupta. They are supposed to actually start work on his house tomorrow while we are down there. 

James also worked on the railings. It was cold outside so he was all bundled up with his heavy jacket and fur lined hat with the ear flaps like Ralphie's in "A Christmas Story." I know, I should have gotten a picture. 

I blogged and wrapped two Texas Christmas gifts. 

This evening I watched the semi-finals of "Dancing with the Stars." 

There are six couples left: 1) Robert Irwin & Whitney Carson, 2) Dylan Efron & Daniella, 3) Alix Earle & Val, 4) Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas, 5) Elaine Hendrix & Allen, 6) Jordon Chiles & Ezra Sousa. 

I like Robert, Dylan, and Aliz. I did like Whitney but recently I like Alix better. During Wendy's last interview with Julianne she said something that had to be bleeped. She was eliminated tonight and I don't think it was because of her dancing. Kim is probably going to be upset. She loves Mark's choreography and likes Whitney too.

It was after 9 when James went to bed. Tom and I were already in bed.

"In our daily lives, we can choose to do the things that invite the Lord's Spirit to come into and dwell in our hearts."

- Elder Christopher H. Kim, AGC 2025

D&C 133:45

For since the beginning of the world have not men heard nor perceived by the ear, neither hath any eye seen, O God, besides thee, how great things thou hast prepared for him that waiteth for thee.

Nathan & Lily

Benson

Rowan & Evan

Charlie & Mason

Turkey's runnning to hid

Tom on his lookout

James & I with Charlie last

December.

Monday, November 17th, 2025: 3:45 Hands & back hurt, new presiding bishopric, new dress and little Jesus', Walmart w/ James, catfood & turkey, Culver's, Natalie cancels going to temple tomorrow and so do I

 

275. Jacksonville, Florida

Preparing for groundbreaking ceremony;

Preliminary construction underway;

Groundbreaking scheduled for Saturday,

24 Jan 2026

Book of Mormon

4 Nephi 1:23-49

D&C

133:1-8

Come Follow Me

D&C 133-134 

"Prepare Ye for the Coming of the Bridegroom"

Introduction

October General Conference

'And Now I See'

President Jeffrey R. Holland

Up at 3:45. My hands and my back hurt. 

We have a new Presiding Bishopric in the Church.

In spite of not feeling well, I managed to do my gospel study and then some laundry and a shower so I could go to town with James.

I love it when he goes with me. We are both going to Walmart. James is picking up his Tramadol prescription and he helped me heft the 20lb bag of catfood and the 16lb turkey into our cart. He also does his own shopping when he comes with me. He bought health supplements and protein shakes. The shakes he bought were 24 carbs and 10 grams of proten. They are great tasting but not enough protein. 

On the way home we stopped at Culver's. I got the chicken cashew salad and James got his cod filet sandwich. Their food really is much better than the other fast food places in this area. 

They are working on the Light the World display where the Giving machines will be set up. The big opening is tomorrow at 5:30. 

I spend too much time resting in the afternoon and that's why I don't get much done. I think my body needs the rest though. l

I worked on my blog but I didn't quite finish two posts. 

Tomorrow I am supposed to go to the temple with Natalie Robles and Cheryl Sedig. I wanted to cancel but kept thinking of reasons I shouldn't. I am just not feeling well. When Natalie cancelled, I cancelled too. We had to tell Cheryl so she wouldn't show up by herself. We are the only Relief Society sisters who signed up to go.

Lots going on this week, including my infusion and my Relief Society lesson. 

"Each of us must foster a culture of belonging in the Church that is loving, accepting, and encouraging."

' Elder Scott D. Whiting, AGC 2025

D&C 133:5

Go ye out from Babylon. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord.

Ollie

The Frost family in our ward

Their son is deaf

Sunday, November 16th, 2025: 3:51 Tom "nips" me on the wrist, prayer, gospel study & devotional with James, food for the food bank & missionary Christmas cards, missionaries speak, they will be tranferred this week, Aaron Webb from the high council, SS, Kim Tarwater, Tammy Montgomery, rainy & windy, Home Sweet Home

•  
  
  Brussels, Belgium
• Preparing for groundbreaking;
• Groundbreaking scheduled for
• 22 November 2025

Book of Mormon

4 Nephi 11-22

October General Conference

'The Atoning Love of Jesus Christ'

Elder Neil L. Andersen

Up at 3:51. Tom "nips" me on the wrist. I had prayer and gospel study, James and I had our devotional all before church.

We took two bags of food for the Vernon food bank and the Christmas cards we wrote to the missionaries to church with us. 

Bishop Crane conducted sacrament meeting. He told about how his daughter asked him last night if he was going to do that 'conducting thing'. When he told her yes she said, "Do you know how?"

The Miller's who have served over five years as temple cleaning co-ordinators, were released and Chuck & Kathy Crane were called. 

Bishop also recognized the two 8-year-olds who were baptized yesterday, Eli Robles and Densyn Ulmer. 

During the sacrament I read scriptures I had put in my journal about Jesus being our Savior and Deliverer. 

Elder Leonardson, one of our missionaries was the first speaker. He said that both he and Elder Perkins would be transferred this Wednesday, so I guess this is his goodbye speech to the Vernon ward. He spoke about the "Light the World" initiative and the giving machines that will be in Show Low this year. 

Who needs my light today?

Elder Perkins spoke on Love, Share, Invite. 

Love others as Christ loved. Share knowledge of Christ's redemption.

Invite others to church, FHE, a ward party or a service project. 

By simply trying to follow these three principles we will bless others and draw closer to Christ. 

Aaron Webb - "Always Remember Him" initiative. President Oaks and Elder Rasband spoke on "The Family Proclamation." Husband and wives are a team, each with different responsibilities. Example of Jesus Christ. John 8 - woman taken in adultery. "He that is without sin let him cast the first stone." 

Brother Webb bore his testimony that the family is ordained of God. Grandparents in this ward have stepped up and helped with their families. (I am thinking of Winna Ulmer).

Brother Knight was in charge of the second hour. He spoke about the Always Remember Him initiative. How do we help our family to remember Jesus Christ? Ideas:

Day of service, White Christmas - going to the temple, church videos, help a family, talk about Him, Christmas hymns.

3 Nephi 11:1-2 What were these saints doing that invited the Savior to join them? They were gathered, they marveled, they were wondering, conversed about the Savior.

Invitation:

1. Consider someone to invite to sacrament meeting this season.

2. Take a friend to the Giving machine.

Part of today's presentation was to add 'activity sharing' to Tools. Now I can invite anyone to any activity in our ward or area. 

Kim & Neil Tarwater and Dave & Tammy Montgomery attended our ward today. Kim came up and spoke to me and I said to her, "you are Kim's friend." (Brian served as a counselor to her husband when he was the bishop of their ward). She said, "Yes, and now Stacy's since she came to Joey's sealing in the temple, we are sisters." She and her husband Neil are building a house here in Vernon. 

I went to the back of the chapel to see Tammy. She was talking with Susan Goodman. They worked in the Gilbert temple together. I spoke with them both for a few minutes. Tammy grew up in our ward in Chandler and I was good friends with her mother Florence. I asked when they were going to move up here. She said, "Soon, we are building a home in Snowflake." They have a daughter who lives in Snowflake and they want to be close to the temple. Tammy says they will keep their home in Vernon. 

"As we become more like our Master, our desire to help our brothers and sisters along the covenant path will naturally increase."

- Elder Michael B. Strong, AGC 2025

D&C 132:22

For strait is the gate, and narrow the way that leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of the lives, and few there be that find it, because ye receive me not in the world neither do ye know me.

Scarlett 8, Benson almost 4 months

So adorable!

Weddings:

Nathan & Lily

Rebecca & Brent's youngest son

Holly Hunsaker

Jacob Dowdle

Sheri

My favorite antelope picture

Annie

Saturday, November 15th, 2025: Up @ 3:22 and we leave @ 3:45 for Ruby's race in the valley, I forgot my phone, we don't go back. We go the "fastest" way - Globe, little traffic, Phx w/ D,T, A,L - Trina's parents already there, Thunderbird High parking, Cave Creek Country Club, Ruby gets 2nd out of 187 girls, home to cook enchiladas and take to Bishop's dinner

 

Cape Town, South Africa

Groundbreaking ceremony held on 25 Oct 2025;

full-scale construction of pending

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 29:1-30:2

D&C

132:26-41

October General Conference

"Lovest Thou Me?"

Elder Steven C. Barlow

'Remember the Sheep'

Elder William K. Jackson

Up at 3:22 when I planned to get up at 3:00 so I had to hustle or should I say shuffle a little faster.

We left at 3:45 I forgot my phone but we don't go back to get it because I do not want to make Darrel & Trina wait for us. 

James asked me which way he should go and I said, "the fastest." He went the Salt River Canyon - Globe route. There was very little traffic and we were able to make good time. We arrived at Darrel & Trina's a little before 7, making excellent time. 

Lola was asleep on the couch. Trina offered me some Perk and I said "Yes!" Trina also gave me two gifts, Meyers pine-scented dishsoap and a Meyers pine-scented candle in a bell-shaped container.

They smell so good!

Besides the sunflower and Tree of Life

puzzle, Kacey and Charlie also gave me

this beautiful sunflower.

I have such nice daughters-in-law!

Darrel, Trina, Addy, Lola, James and I all loaded into "Starla",

Trina's Suburban for the ride to Phoenix. Darrel drove. Rowan was at work this morning. I guess Saturday is a busy day for the bouncy house business.

Ruby's race was at 9 and her fan club, including Trina's parents, was there to cheer her on.

The state cross country meet for most divisions in the state is at Cave Creek Country Club, on the hilly golf course. We parked our cars at Thunderbird High School and walked the mile or so to the golf course. It was a beautiful morning on a beautiful golf course with hundreds, maybe thousands of people. We could have rode the shuttle bus but James really wanted to walk, so we did. 

At the starting line

And their off!

After the race started we got lost from everyone else. They all took off before we knew it, following the runners. 

We could hear the announcers who announced how many minutes and miles were into the race. It's a three-mile race. We headed towards the finish line. We found a good spot where we could watch the final stretch of the race. We could see the first girl coming by herself. She passed and everyone cheered. About six seconds later, by herself, the next runner came . . . it was Ruby! Out of 187 runners Ruby got second place!

Ruby's finish time was 19:10 on a

very hilly course.

We hurried to the finish line. All of the rest of the fan club was already there. We were all so excited! 

People kept handing Ruby cups

of water.

Ruby's cross country ribbon.

All of the girls on her team 

had them.

Ruby with Suzy and Bob, Trina's parents

Ruby's coach was so excited! Ruby is the only one from her team who placed in the top 20. Ruby's friend came up to her and said, "Did you place in the top ten?" Ruby said, "I got second." Her friend got 59th. 

Here are some pictures of the Top 20 girls in Division 3 getting their awards:

Ruby's medal

The party is over

Ruby went back with the rest of her team on the bus. They were stopping at Cane's for lunch. That's where Lola wanted to go for lunch too, but Trina & Darrel wanted to go to a new place near their home called, Luna Grill. Lola said, "but I don't like grill." Addy was so sweet, she got the menu on her phone and was showing Lola all of the things she thought Lola might like. Thank you Addy for being such a good sister.

On the way back to our cars I walked with Suzy. She told me about their cruise that cost them less than $300 total. She said she can just stand on the deck and watch the ocean for hours. She loves it. Her home town is Huntington Beach, California. She also told me I should wear orthotics in my shoes because she says they make all the difference. She loves her Hoka shoes! She told me about her chiropractor who is a little different that most chiropractors, and sent me her card. I so enjoyed her company. I see where Trina gets her energy and enthusiasm for the outdoors. Suzy plays pickleball and loves to be outdoors.

Darrel said it was close to their house and he said he could drop us off if we had to get home. I would have loved to go with them to lunch but it was already almost one, so we opted to go home.

We got all of the way to Show Low before we found an Arby's where we could get steak nuggets. There are no Arby's in the Globe area. 

We got steak nuggets and I made a comment about their Thanksgiving sandwich, so James ordered one. I had one bite. It was okay. It had both stuffing and cranberry sauce but it just didn't taste that great to me. Kudos to Arby's for giving it a try though.

I heated the enchiladas for about 45 minutes before James dropped them off at the church. I was just too tired and worn out to go. He said he had never seen so many people at the church and so much food. He spoke with Bishop Hunsaker and then came home. I was wishing I had told him to try the enchiladas to see if they turned out okay, but I forgot. Darrel made a comment when we were with them in the car that my enchiladas are the best. I love Darrel!

Rosie and Rick Lauritzen were at the church all day decorating and preparing for the dinner. Thank you Lauritzen's' for your service.

I watched a Christmas movie and then it was bed time. My phone says I got 635 steps. Ha! If it only knew! 

Friday, November 14th, 2025: Temple with the Tignor's then Eva's, we decide to leave for the valley early in the morning, I put together the enchiladas I'm taking to the bishopric dinner tonight

Kumasi, Ghana

Groundbreaking ceremony held on 18 Oct 2025:

full-scale construction pending.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 28:25-40

D&C

132:7-25

Come Follow Me

D&C 132:1-2, 29-40

Plural marriage is acceptable to God only when He commands it.

October General Conference

'Cheering Each Other One'

Sister J. Anette Dennis

A.S.K.

'Forsake Not Your Own Mercy'

Elder Matthew S. Holland

Up around 3. Tom outside. 5 - Skunk outside eating Sammy's food. 

Finished blogging November 8th.

We went to the temple with the Tignor's this morning. James made a mistake and told them we would pick them up at 9. About 9:15 T-Bo called to see if we were coming. I told James to tell him that we would leave our house at 9:30. We always leave at 9:30 to pick them up for the 11:00 session but I guess it's been so long that they forgot and so did James.

On the way to Snowflake T-Bo and James talked about the inefficiency of the road crew doing construction on the 60. They aren't working today which was a relief. Next James introduced the subject of Trump sending $2,000 to every on in America and how he thinks it could be put to better use. Neither James nor T-Bo can hear very well, so the talking is loud. Finally I said, "Could we please talk about something else?" The ride was pretty quiet and peaceful after that. 

My back is hurting, which rarely happens. I didn't realize how tired I was until I slept through the entire first part of the session. I don't remember Adam & Eve or Satan until we were told, "put on your aprons." I am so ashamed of myself. I mentioned my sleepiness to Barbara and she said: "I noticed and I thought you must have a good reason." I told her I got up at 3 a.m.  This was my 27th session this year.

We had lunch at Eva's. T-Bo always asks for two lemon wedges for his water and their hottest hot sauce. 

Barbara ordered rice and flan. The flan looked so good. Barbara has been having stomach issues and vertigo so she ordered "bland" food.

T-Bo ordered the chili relleno with green and red sauce and chicken. James got what he always gets, a chicken enchilada with green sauce and a side of refried beans. I ordered a chili relleno with green sauce. Our food was delicious, as usual.

We were home by 2:30. We had originally said we would leave for the valley around 5:00. I suggested to James that we wait and go in the morning leaving around 3:30 to make it to Darrel & Trina's by 7:00. He said that would be fine. Now we don't have to leave Tom alone overnight.

I put together the chicken enchiladas for tomorrow night's dinner.

If we are home by 4 tomorrow afternoon, I can just pop them in the oven and they will be ready by 5, the time of the dinner. Thanks to James for shredding up the rotisserie chicken, the most time-consuming part of making the enchiladas. 

We were in bed by 8 this evening. 

"Our Heavenly Father desires all of His children to return to the celestial kingdom, where God and our Savior reside."

- President Dallin H. Oaks, AGC 2025

D&C 132:8

Behold, mine house is a house of order, saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion.

James & Evan after giving Evan a blessing

Barbara and her flan