Monday, November 24th, 2025: Prayer, gospel study, leave at 8:30 for the valley, James mtg w/ Ravi Gupta, "Wicked for Good" tonight w/ Sheri, Addy, Cayli, Ben, Kim, Brian & Joe, Darrel starts his job in Farmington, April 5th

 

Huehuetenango, Guatemala

Planning and approval phase; site location

announced; exterior rendering released;

groundbreaking not announced.

Book of Mormon

Mormon 5:13-6:5

D&C

135:1-4

Come Follow Me

Nov. 24-30: D&C 135-136 He "Has Sealed His Mission And His Works With His Own Blood"

Introduction

October General Conference

'They Are Their Own Judges'

Elder David A. Bednar

"Follow Him"

Dr. Keith Erikson

It was around 5 when I got up this morning. After my prayers I worked on finishing my blogpost for the day of Ruby's cross-country race. I read from the Book of Mormon and sent out today's reading assignment. At 7 I started getting ready for our trip to the valley. James wants to leave at 8:30 because he has a meeting with Dr. Gupta at 12:30. It was around 8:40 when we left. We left Tom in the house with plenty of food. Kim & Brian will be here tomorrow sometime.

The first thing we did was drop James's brown suit off at the cleaners on Germann and Alma School. We then went to the fancy part of Fulton Ranch where I dropped James off at the Gupta's. We got in the gate right behind Dr. Gupta, or Ravi, as James calls him.

His address is 531 W. Sunshine Blvd. This neighborhood is pristine with beautiful homes and landscaping. The Gupta's house is a bit of an eyesore with a leaning construction fence around the property. 

It is a gorgeous day and people are outside walking. I am a little jealous. I love it down here in the winter.

The first place I go is to Cobblestone Carwash just south of the Sonic on Germann and Arizona Avenue. After my car is presentable I hop on the 202 and head for San Tan Blvd. to Costco and Deseret Book. 

At Costco I bought some shakes, steaks, and Perk. I also got a hotdog, drink and a salad from the food court. 

At Deseret Book I bought a joy ornament for Pam Giles and tried on a couple of temple dresses. One had a long zipper in the back and the other was way too long and I didn't like the big ruffles at the end of the sleeves, so I didn't buy either one of them. 

Next stop, Stacy & Pauls' to put the steaks in the refrigerator. Paul is going to cook them for us for dinner and we are sharing with him and Joshua. Stacy said she did not want one. She and Joshua went to lunch at George & Gaither and she had salmon and a salad for lunch, he one meal of the day. Joshua also had an appointment at Chandler Eyecare. I gave him a big hug when he got home.

Paul worked in his office at home today. Adam was gone to work and didn't get back before James and I left for the movie so we never saw him. 

Stacy and I visited until about 4 when she left for work. She delivers for Amazon using her own car. 

James got a ride home from Gupta's with Armando. He was hungry and it wasn't yet dinner time so I gave him the chef's salad I got at Costco. He ate all of it. 

Paul cooked our steaks before we had to leave and they were delicious. He also made squash and zucchini. Thank you Paul. Neither James nor I ate all of our steak. Paul put it in the frig for us.

I wore my pink sweater, sandals and jeans to the movie. I asked James if he could wear something green and he said he didn't have anything. I should have checked because he did. More to come later.

We went to the same Harkins we saw the first Wicked at, the one on Germann and Gilbert Rd. Kim complained because she said Brian's back was hurting and the theater at Chandler mall has reclining seats and we should have gone there. Sheri, who got everyone's tickets says she was thinking of Addy going home afterwards. This theater is seven miles closer to home for her. Here is a picture of our group:

Brian is hiding behind his popcorn and Sheri is 

taking the picture.

James, Sheri, and I did not like the movie as well as the first one. At least that was our initial reaction. Kim and Joe loved it. We asked Addy and she said, "I liked the colors." She also said she like Fiero's arm. Such a sense of humor she has. She reminds me so much of Darrel.

I did not like the fact that Fiero and Elphaba spend the night together. I would not recommend this one to young children.

Back at Stacy's she is decorating her Christmas tree. We visit for awhile. She has some information about who really murdered Charlie Kirk. I let her tell me, but I just don't want to repeat it. It is just to much to take in.

The big news of the day is that Darrel begins his new job in New Mexico on April 5th. This is real.

This happened Saturday

Did I already post it?

Can you imagine?

James walking to the Gupta's

My dinner.

Yum!

Sunday, November 23rd, 2025: lesson prep, lesson setup, Sacrament meeting, lesson presentation, Bobby & Linda Stevens new members, dedication of temple in Brazil by Elder Soares

 

Maceio, Brazil

Planning and approval phase; site location announced; 

exterior rendering released; 

groundbreaking not announced.

Book of Mormon

Mormon 5:1-12

D&C

134:11-to the end

October General Conference

'Proved and Strengthened in Christ'

President Henry B. Eyring

Up a little after 3 and working on my lesson around 4. I typed my outline and then went to lay down for a few minutes, thinking Tom was on his chair at the high table. As soon as I sat down he was on my lap.  Cat prison and I only have 20 minutes.

James is always such a big help on my lesson day. He always carries in all of my "stuff" for me.  He delivered the handouts to Primary and Young Women and one to Barbara Tignor in the library, who was so excited that we didn't forget her.

Bishop Crane conducted sacrament meeting again today. Ruthie Wilhelm was the youth speaker. She told how being a disciple of Jesus Christ helped her during wrestling season. She prayed before every match asking that she would do her best and not be hurt. 

Lynn Wallace spoke on the importance of Primary songs in helping children develop their testimonies. She told of a hardened criminal in prison who grew up in the Church and sang "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam" to prove he was LDS.

Roger Wallace spoke about doing our part with all of our heart from Elder Uchtdorf's talk. He told about the shock when he was called as a bishop He says it was a time he gave his all in his calling. 

We sang one of my favorite hymns, "Because I Have Been Given Much".

Linda Stevens, the new sister in our ward, participated in the Relief Society lesson. I feel the lesson went well. I really wanted to focus on the Lord's mercy, hence the quote on my handout. 

Tom is becoming an indoor car. I am going to hate leaving him tomorrow when we go to the valley.

Elder Soares dedicated a temple in Brazil today.

I know, I'm obsessed!

Sheri's gingersnaps

Tom taking it easy

My new dish drainer

Saturday, November 22nd, 2025: Spent the day inside where it's cozy & warm, James went to a service project helping the Stevens family move in to the ward, caught in cat prison/heaven, James works on raily and places a new log, Kim's post about Jonah,

 

Book of Mormon

Mormon 4:1-22

D&C

134:4-10

October General Conference

'Prophets of God'

Sister Spannaus

Rain seems to be in the forecast and snow in the high country. Both ski runs will be open soon. I spent the day inside where it is cozy and warm. 

James went to a service project today, helping a new family move into the ward, the Stevens' family. James said 15 people showed up to help. He couldn't say enough about 8 year old Eli Robles. He said he never stopped working, carrying a box and then going back for another, non-stop. 

I got caught in cat prison/heaven this morning. Finally I, escaped. 

My focus today was preparing my Relief Society lesson for tomorrow. I made my handouts, all 50 of them. Whew! 

James worked on the railing outside this afternoon. He set a new post, a log weighing about 120 lbs. His back is going to hurt tomorrow. He never stops.

I told Kim that I was having a difficult time identifying with Jonah and here is what she wrote to me:

Mom, I was thinking about how you said you were having a hard time connecting to Jonah. And while I certainly can't relate to being swallowed by a whale, I can relate to feeling like I am in a deep dark place and I am miserable and want to be rescued.

I can relate to god wanting me to do something and me not wanting to and maybe ignoring it or running away.

I can relate to being in a mess because of my own doing and not feeling worthy to call out for help but absolutely needing to.

I can even relate to going back and doing the right thing and then feeling resentment or anger that God blessed or forgave someone that maybe I don't think he should have.

I guess I like Jonah's story because I CAN relate to it. He seems very human. He lets his emotions get in the way; fear, guilt, remorse, trying to do the right thing but then not quite getting it right or feeling resentment when someone else gets a blessing or feeling like they don't deserve it, but still calling on God to help him out in the messy situations he gets himself in.

Sometimes the prophets seem so perfect it's hard to live up to (think Nephi - did he ever get anything wrong?). But Jonah is a lesson for those who make mistakes and try to fix them but often do it imperfectly and a God who is so good that he doesn't hold those mistakes against us and lets us keep trying and trying and He still shows up for us.

Yes, God asks us to do hard things. Things we may not understand or want to do. But he is there with us every step of the way.

To me Jonah is a story of hope and help and a God who never gives up on us and wants us to keep trying.

I love this picture!

Friday, November 21st, 2025: Benson is 4 months old, my goal is to learn more about Jonah the Prophet, visit Pat and Halcomb's with Kathy Crane, James Applegate's plans, trip to town, Circle K gives me $4.80, Walmart - new dishdrainer, construction stop, fell asleep on recliner watching a Christmas movie

Barcelona, Spain

Temple site cleared; obtaining local 

government approval; groundbreaking

not announced.

Book of Mormon

Mormon 3:1-22

D&C

133:63-134:3

Come Follow Me

D&C 134

Governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man.

October General Conference

'Look to God and Live'

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

I'm not sure when it was when Tom and I were nose to nose and he woke me up. Of course, he is hungry.

One of my goals today is to learn more about the prophet Jonah. 

This morning I went ministering with Kathy Crane. We visited Patsy Tedder and then Catherine and Kerri Halcomb. Kathy gave them mini-loaves of pumpkin bread and an acorn squash. I gave them each a Thanksgiving card. Cindy Brown is in Vermon visiting her son and Chelsea is on her way to Williams for a family reunion so we didn't get to visit them.

I went home for lunch. James was working on Applegate's plans. I waited for him and we went to town together. 

James dropped me off at TJ Maxx to look for a solid-colored green blanket while he went to Circle K to show them our receipt. I did find a green blanket and also got some dark chocolate pistachio truffles. (I think I posted the picture yesterday). 

James came back with $4.80 from Circle K. I also wanted to go to Walmart because I am obsessed with a dish-drainer I saw there. I got the drainer and we went home. Again, we had to stop for road construction. 

When I get home I work on my lesson. I think I am beginning to understand the prophet Jonah. His story is really about forgiveness, God's mercy and love for His children. Now I need to figure out what quote I am going to use for my handouts.

I fell asleep on the recliner watching a Christmas movie, yet again.

"Children love so easily, they forgive so readily, they laugh so delightfully that even the coldest, hardest heart can melt."

- President Jeffrey R. Holland, AGC 2025

D&C 133:62

And unto him that repenteth and sanctifieth himself before the Lord shall be given eternal life.

Benson is 4 months old today

Green and red blankets.

This red blanket is my favorite this year.

I'm not sure who I'm giving it to.

 

Thursday, November 20th, 2025: Only 4 sessions of GC, Inklings, Circle K, TJ Maxx, Arby's, Walmart, Bunco at Cheryl's, I ride with Stefani and Alicia

 

Book of Mormon

Mormon 2:17-29

D&C

133:47-62

Come Follow Me

D&C 133:19-62

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ will be joyful for the righteous.

October General Conference

'The Power of Ministering to the One'

Elder Peter M. Johnson

Tom woke me up a little before 5. 

The First Presidency of the Church has decided that beginning in April 2026, General Conference will no longer include a Saturday evening session. These were the headlines in the Church News today.

I watched Emily and Michelle Craig on Inklings today. The discussion was on President Eyring's talk, "Proved and Strengthened in Christ." Here are some one-liners from the discussion:

To prove is to test and to strengthen.

Peace and joy are not synonymous with ease.

How am I being enhanced and what is being revealed?

Submitting, not resigning. 

Find that centering place.

Pray for an increase of the Spirit. 

It's cold and rainy today, the high is in the 50's. We made a trip to town to get gas at Circle K for 40 cents off a gallon. First, we went to Arby's to steak nuggets. Then to TJ Maxx for a blanket for Summer. I got a red one and then I found out her favorite color is green. I got a patterned green and white one at Walmart but I think I will go back to TJ Maxx tomorrow to see if they have a solid green one.

While I was at Walmart I also shopped for the ingredients for the brine for our Thanksgiving turkey, and the rest of the stuff for the Thanksgiving sides I am making. James was over at Circle K. He came back to help me check out and dropped the news that Circle K is out of gas. It figures. Cheez, now we have to go to the one on the other end of town where we just were. 

The other Circle K has gas and it says on our receipt that we got 40cents off but on the drive home I check a little closer and we only got 5 cents off a gallon instead of 40. James will be coming back tomorrow with the receipt. 

At home I work on my blog until it's time to get ready for Bunco. This time I get to bring a gift instead of food. A cute snowman mixing bowl with accessories. I park my car and drive over with the twins, Stefani and Alicia Hunsaker. It's at Cheryl Sedig's house.

Those who are here tonight: Cheryl, Lynn, Amy, Alicia, Stefani, Becky and I were the regulars. The subs were: Sally Sedig, Maddie Jo Sedig, Pat Tedder, and Michelle Beckham. Pat was here for Janna who is in Flagstaff with Willy for his gastric bypass surgery. Others who weren't here: Lynda Finnell, Oksana, and Tina Allen.

Michelle Beckham got my gift. I did well with 226 points but I came in second to Michelle who had 240 points. I thought I was going to tell Cheryl that December would be my last time, but now I'm not sure. I love all of these women so much and it really is fun. Especially when I am doing well and Lynn sings: "This girl is on fire" at the top of her lungs.

"To help others feel God's love, we need to cultivate in ourselves Christlike attributes such as humility, charity, compassion, and patience."

- Benjamin M.Z. Tai, AGC 2025

D&C 133:56

And the graves of the saints shall be opened; and they shall come forth and stand on the right hand of the Lamb, when he shall stand upon Mount Zion, and upon the holy city, the New Jerusalem; and they shall sing the song of the Lamb, day and night forever and ever.

Charlie's Thanksgiving Program

This was a video of her singing along with

her classmates.

Candy I found at TJ Maxx

Sheri's post

Sent this to my friend Lynn Wallace

who has a white pet turkey named,

Snow White.

Wednesday, November 19th, 2025: 7:30 left for my infusion, Payson way 2 cars slid off road on rim, rainy and wet, AARA infusion, Costco & hotdogs, temple dress to Stacy, Deseret Bk, Costco, Sam's, "Follow Him", go see "Light the World," Home, skunk eating Sammy's food

 

Mexico City Benemerito, Mexico

Planning and approval phase; site location announced;

exterior rendering released; groundbreaking not

announced.

Book of Mormon

Mormon 2:1-16

D&C

133:27-46

Come Follow Me

D&C 133:1-19, 37-39

I can prepare now for the Savior's Second Coming.

October General Conference

"Adorned with the Virtue of Temperance"

Elder Ulisses Soares

We left for the valley at 7:30. Tom was on his chair at the high table. We are leaving him there as we will be back this evening. The state has had widespread rain and Flagstaff even has snow. 

The road coming down from Heber to Payson, the Rim, was wet and slippery. It's foggy too. Two cars are off the road, one is tipped over. It looks like it happened just a little while ago because the ambulance is not there yet. We saw it coming as we travled further. 

I hope there are no serious injuries. 

We stopped at Circle K for gas. We get a notice that tomorrow is 40 cents off a gallon day. Good to know when you are traveling. 

James drops me off at AARA right at 11 for my 11:15 appointment. 

Kayla calls me right back. By 11:10 was started and I am finished by 11:40. James is outside walking. He can't believe how quick that was. 

We drove across to Costco for protein shakes, Pom juice, and Perk. They have Perk! I buy two containers. I text Trina and tell her. 

On the way out we stop at the food court and buy the hotdogs and drinks. The total cost is $4.84. Armando is outside waiting for James so they can have a meeting. That's why we bought three. I stay inside and eat my dog while James goes outside to meet Armando. 

While James and Armando are outside meeting in the parking lot, I get in the car to wait. It starts to rain pretty hard, and the meeting is over.

We drove out to Stacy's to drop off the temple dress I am giving her. She was in her car getting ready to take Michael a bean burro for lunch. I gave her the dress so we wouldn't have to disturb the doggies. Stacy texted later and said she loves the dress. I am glad. I hope she still loves it when she goes to the temple and sees that she will need help zipping it up. Paul did come up with the idea of using a ribbon or wire to pull the zipper up. Great idea Paul!

Next stop, Deseret Book, one of my very favorite stores. They have all of their nativity sets on display and it is breathtaking.

James's favorite is the large white one on top. It is exquisite.

I spent some money here. I bought Brother Valletta's Old Testament Study Guide, the "Come Follow Me Old Testament" journal edition, "A Christ-Centered Christmas," Emily Belle Freeman, and "The Holy Sealing" by Anthony and Cindy Sweat. I also renewed my platinum membership.

Costco is next door and I need three more blankets so we took a look. I found one I liked and also bought James some Crunch Master crackers, his favorite and they are about half price what they are at Walmart. 

On to Sam's Club for the blanket search. I found three that I loved. I think I should be about finished buying blankets.

We left for home going the Globe way around 2:30. The clouds over the mountain are so beautiful! Here is PicketPost mountain just outside of Superior.

Thank goodness there were no rocks on the road. We saw some big ones by the side of the road though. We listened to "Follow Him" on the way to the valley this morning. Going home we listened to "The Maid of Sherwood Forest" by Sian Ann Bessey. 

I asked James if we could go by and see the "Light the World" exhibit since it was after 5:30 and dark when we got to Show Low. 

James is the first one in the house when we get home. While he is in the bathroom Tom is meowing excitedly at him. Not only is he happy to see him but now he has someone to let him outside for a few minutes.

I feed Sammy and then look outside and Pepe Le Pew, our resident skunk is chomping down on Sammy's food. James goes out and stomps his foot at him. The skunk stomps back, hisses, and then runs off. 

I fell asleep watching a movie. Tom sleeps with us tonight.