Sunday, January 11th, 2026: Ward conference, I loved Bishop Crane's talk! "Always Remember Him" initiative, temple recommend interview w/ President Smithson

 

Benson Bear

Today was our ward conference. I am grateful I went to church today, not only to take the sacrament, but to hear Bishop Crane's message. It really touched my heart. Here are some of my notes:

"Covenant to always remember Him. Deeper meaning of Remember - with intention. 

1.) Actively remember Christ through focus. Peter walking on the water when he focused on the Savior. 

Be grateful. (See Pres. Eyring's 2007 talk, "O Remember, Remember" Recording daily encounters with the Lord and how you have seen Him in your life. This can be transformative.

2.) Develop a personal relationship with Deity. Is prayer my first response or last option? "O remember, remember, ye must pray always." See also 2 Nephi 32:8-9. Then Bishop Crane related a story of riding his bicycle to junior high in southern California down Sepulveda Avenue with cars whizzing by and how he would have a prayer in his heart. He said: "I've always felt close to Heavenly Father and Jesus." Get out of the fray and stay close to Jesus Christ. 

Be in constant prayer. Without solitude in prayer we cannot have a spiritual life. If we look at the life of the Savior, He would arise early to have solitude with His Heavenly Father. (See Mark 1 and 3 Nephi 19:19-20. 

3.) Faithfulness, and continual improvement. Do I repent/change daily? President RMN's conference address in the priesthood session of the April 2019 GC, "We Can Do Better and Be Better." 'When Jesus asks you and met to repent, He is inviting us to change our mind, our knowledge, our spirit - even the way we breathe. He is asking us to change the way we love, think, serve, spend out time, treat our spouses, teach our children, and even care for our bodies.'

We must actively have a daily walk with Christ. The Bishop then bore a powerful testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

When Jeff Crane was called as our bishop I felt a powerful spiritual witness that he was the right man for the job. That witness was reinforced today as I felt his genuine love for the Savior and his desire to do His will.

President Beeler was the last speaker. He said: "Your bishop is inspired." He talked about walking with Jesus. He said, "I invite you to always remember Him as it will be a transformative experience.

President Smithson and Sister Wilcock, the stake Relief Society president conducted the second hour. We watched a video for the "Always remember Him" initiative by our Southwest U.S. area presidency: Elder Dunn, Elder Schmitt, Elder Barlow and their wives. Here are the things to remember about this initiative:
1.) Christ-centered sacrament meetings.

2.) Daily & weekly activities focused on the Savior: Prayer, gospel study, ministering, what would Jesus do?

3.) In our community: Love, Share & Invite. Events, social media, temple, Christ-centered church.

4.) Temple attendance

As we use the Atonement of Jesus Christ daily we add oil to our lamps. 

Jesus can heal a broken mind.

I had my second temple recommend interview today, the one with the stake. Mine was with President Smithson, first counselor in the stake presidency. He is James's medical doctor and a very kind man. I am grateful he took the time today to do temple recommend interviews so I do not have to drive to the stake center on Tuesday evening.

We met Sister Stephanie Singleton today. She is the wife of Byron Singleton, Nadine's son. Her son passed away a year or so ago and she wanted to talk to one of the clerks about his church records. 

James cooked me the steak we bought the other day at Walmart, a filet mignon. It was delicious. He cooked it perfectly!

During my rest time I listened to Elder Gong's conference talk where he says that no one should sit alone at sacrament meeting. 

Addy, Sheri, and I discussed Elder Kearon's talk, "Jesus Christ and Your New Beginning." I also blogged for January 1st and 2nd. Yes, I am that far behind again. 

Today would have been my grandpa Strickland's 137th birthday. Happy Heavenly birthday grandpa. 

I got pictures of Benson, Scarlett, and Mason today. Pictures from Texas always make me happy.

Ralph Lamoreaux passed away today. He was 80 years old. His wife Jean was one of my counselors when I was the stake Relief Society President. I loved both Jean and Ralph.

President Oaks dedicated the Burley, Idaho temple today.

"Christ is the Good Shepherd. Each one of the flock is precious to Him." - Elder William K. Jackson, OGC 2025

Burley, Idaho Temple Dedication

Ralph Lamoreaux

Sister Abigail Jameson, a missionary

from our ward.

Love this picture!

Ziggy

This was a video of Scarlett singing.

I can't post videos for some reason

Saturday, January 10th, 2026: Trip to the valley for Aunt Faye's 90th Birthday Party, Deseret Book, Costco, Home to Vernon

 

Snowflake, Arizona

Tom can't decide if he wants to go outside or stay inside. He is indecisive because it's 10 degrees outside. 

We left a little late for the valley, between 8:30-8:45. The party starts at noon. We stopped at White Mountain Car Wash to get gas with my debit card and to wash the car. James paid $11 for the car wash, only to realize that the car wash was closed. We will have to use our was code another time. Jimmy Brookbank's car wash was being remodeled and wasn't open. We stopped at the Speedway across from the Show Low Cafe but we would have to get out of the car and we didn't want to so we left for Payson.

We stopped at Speedway in Payson. While I went inside James got in the car wash line. When I joined him he was trying to make his card work but wasn't having any luck. An attendant came up and asked if he could help. He couldn't make our card work either so he said he was going to go get a code. He came back with the code and walla, it worked. No charge and our car is cleaner than it has been in a long time. Thank you so much!

We put in Aunt Faye's address when we got out of Payson and it took us down Bush Highway to Main St. in Mesa and then over to Power Rd. where her place is located. It is called Fellowship Square. We arrived a little bit late. Everyone was already sitting down to lunch. We sat at the family table with Mom, Dawn, Dave, Laura, Paul, Faye, Cathi & Terry. Rebecca & Brent didn't make it. They were at the hospital with Scott talking to his doctor.

For lunch we had chicken salad croissant sandwiches, chips and water and then either white or chocolate cake. 

We got to meet Star Richardson who is in charge of the party. She lives in California. I asked her how she knew Faye. She said her dad was the pastor of the church where Faye started her children's ministry and she remembers Faye doing her puppet shows. They have stayed in touch all of these years. 

There was a program after lunch. Paul and Faye sang "It Is Well with My Soul." They sang another song about Jesus but it wasn't familiar to me and I don't recall the words. 

Mom asked if she could leave after the first song, so Terry & Cathi took her home. Dawn stayed and went home with Dave & Laura after the program was over. 

The next part of the program was Star, (her name is Starleen), asking Faye some questions and Faye telling how she got started in the Assembly of God Church doing a children's ministry. She had been a school teacher in Mesa and she said she traded teaching about math to teaching about Jesus. She has traveled all over the world. She told us a couple of stories about India and even riding an elephant on her way to visit the Taj Mahal.  She lived in Brussels, Belgium for several years and taught all over Europe. One time when she was in India she said, "God, no one knows where I am." She said she felt God say to her, "I do." That was all she needed to feel safe.  

She married later in life to a man with the last name of Reese. They were married five "wonderful" months before he passed away. 

We said goodbye to Aunt Faye and Uncle Paul and then rode I rode the elevator down with Dave, Laura, and Dawn. James said the stairs would be faster so he took the stairs.

I wanted to go to Costco and get some more Fairlife protein shakes. We headed for the one in Gilbert by Deseret Book. I was shocked to find that a case of Fairlife shakes has gone up. On December 31st they were $33.99 for a case of 18. Now they are $39.99. Yikes! 

We went over to Deseret Book because I wanted to get a new envelope for my ordinance clothes. They had one left and only one style so it was an easy choice. 

On the trip home we went through Globe and stopped at Taco Bell because we were both a little hungry. I wanted a bean burrito. James ordered a couple of crispy chicken tacos. My burrito was meh. I shared my burrito with James and he shared one of his tacos with me. The tacos were actually quite good. 

James drove so carefully through Salt River Canyon. He knew I got a little dizzy last time. 

Tom was anxious to get out when we got home and he stayed out all night. I watched the newest Hallmark movie, "Melbourne Match" while James walked. I did some walking but only got 6,000 steps when I decided it was time for bed.

"The beautiful paradox is the more we are focused on showing our love for God, the more easily we recognize His love for us."

- Elder Steven C. Barlow, OGC 2025

Aunt Faye's 90th Birthday Party

Terry & Mom

Dawn & Uncle Paul who is 96

Paul & Faye singing

Star interviewing Faye and Faye telling her stories

Friday, January 9th, 2026: Abraham 3, Temple session and temple cleaning, JA sends money, talk to Janna about ministering,

 

The world looks beautiful today. I am reading Abraham 3 and wondering how I can apply it in my life. 

My goal today is to get my steps before we leave for the temple this afternoon. We are attending the 6:00 endowment session and then helping our ward clean.

I did finish my steps and finished two blog posts. I can't sign in to get the information we need for our reverse mortgage. That will be my first item of business on Monday.

Jared Ammon sent us the rest of the $750 he owes us. Thank you Jared! I asked Stacy when she could expect the pay out on the note she sold and she said the appraisal was next Friday. I told her I needed my investment money back and she said she understood. 

I felt prompted to ask Adam if I could send scriptures to him every day. I have not done it yet.

Between my private gospel study, and reading with James, my blog and walking, I didn't accomplish much of anything else. I did talk to Janna Grombach about ministering and her mom's need for oxygen. I am her mom's ministering sister. She said her mom woke up in the middle of the night disoriented and it's because her oxygen wasn't working. Her oxygen level was down to 72. I am concerned about Pat. Although she has lots of family in the area, she lives by herself. 

On the way to the temple this afternoon at 4:30 we finished listening to Dr. Allred on "Follow Him."

We did the 6:00 endowment session, James going through for Cyrus Delmont Griffin and me going through for Frances E. Lacy, both are my relatives. 

We were a little early for cleaning. One of the brothers at the front desk said we could pick out our cleaning assignment card and then wait in the waiting room with some other people from Vernon. The other people were Bishop Kip & Alicia Hunsaker and Lynn & Roger Wallace. Others began to gather until they let us go back, change our clothes and wait in the chapel.

Members of the Vernon ward who came to clean the temple:

Ken Martin, Sean Bowen, Jeanne Jameson, Sam & Amy Gordon, James & I, Kim & Alicia Hunsaker, Lynn & Roger Wallace, Cheryl & Ralph Sedig, Willy & Janna Grombach, Kathy & Chuck Crane, and Pierce & Susan Goodman. The temple cleaning coordinator did not show up so the temple workers on duty had to get the cleaning trays ready. 

James and I had card #11, vacuuming the baptistry, chapel and hallway. Next time I would like to have card #14, vacuuming the celestial room and the two sealing rooms.

It was 11 o'clock before we got to bed.

"Only the Lord fully knows our individual limitations and capacity, and because of that, He is the only one fully qualified to judge our performance."

- Sister J. Anette Dennis, OGC 2025

This picture was taken several years ago.

Thursday, January 8th, 2026: 4-5" of snow, clean church by ourselves, UPS, Walmart, LaCasita, D.Tree, China Buffet, "Follow Him", I yank my front veneers off opening jerky, Pierce restores my smile, nose guard falls off my glasses, Sammy in his house, Amazon delivery in the snow

 

When it snows, Sammy goes in to his

cozy little house.

We got around 4-5 inches of snow, according to what is accumulated on our patio table.

Probably more like 3-4 inches

I was up at 5 for my personal prayers and scripture study. I am using the SEEK book I bought at Deseret Book to write my answers to Old Testament questions in.

Before going to clean the Vernon chapel, James and I had our scripture study together from the Book of Mormon and "Come Follow Me" along with family prayer.

James cleaned the chapel. He even took a lint roller and went over all of the benches. I helped him after emptying all of the trashes and making sure all of the carpets were clean. We worked a little over an hour and then left to go to town.

James went to the UPS store to return the kitchen lights that he didn't like. We already ordered new ones. I went to Walmart and bought a budget ledger and some strawberry jam, my favorite.

I suggested we go to LaCasita for lunch since we hadn't been for awhile. We had our usual. I had the chicken enchilada with red sauce and James had a chicken enchilada with green sauce and a side of refried beans. He said to me: "Thanks for suggesting we come here."

James dropped me off at Dollar Tree to get some items I saw the other day that I want. I also got wooden hearts to use for my February RS handouts. I am ahead of the game, at least for right now. He went down to China Buffet and picked up some hot & sour soup. My favorite.

We are listening to "Follow Him" with Dr. Phillip Allred. He is really good.

I bought some beef jerky at Dollar Tree and on the way home I tried to open it, using my two front teeth, which are veneers. I can't even tell you how shocked I was when they both fell out. I almost cried and I think I did cry when I looked in the mirror. 

I called Susan Goodman, Pierce's wife and my ministering sister. I told her what happened and how stupid I felt. She said they had just returned from the temple and I should come on over. I told her we were about 20 minutes away. I actually had to take James home because he was supposed to do something for Applegate's and I took the car back to the Goodman's dental office. 

After grinding to get the old glue off, Pierce replaced my two veneers with Susan's help. I called them the "Awesome Twosome."

Pierce & Susan try to go to the temple once a week. Pierce says he just can't help smiling when he is at the temple. 

As I was driving home I noticed how much more snow we have here than they had in Show Low. Part of the sky is cloudy and part of it the sun is shining, which is quite typical here.

One of the nose guards fell off my glasses. I texted Sheri this picture and asked her if she could fix it. She said, no.

She also said they don't make these glasses anymore

and that I was overdue for an eye exam. She scheduled one

for me next week on the 15th with Dr. Vanover.

I walked 12,000 steps, and blogged December 29th. I loved the hot & sour soup and I wish we had gotten more. 

 Bert Carpenter from Nexa Lending emailed us some information on reverse mortgages. After reading the guidebook James said: "This just might work."

Amazon made a delivery while it was snowing, the rest of my 2026 notebooks. I love that they deliver out here!

"All of us can have a new beginning through, and because of, Jesus Christ. Even you."

- Elder Patrick Kearon, OGC 2025

January 7, 2016

Wednesday, January 7th, 2026: Bday cards to Jarred M. & Anna, anxiety abounds, AZ Meat Mrkt to give Chelsea Jarred's card, we mail Anna's in Vernon,

 

After scriptures this morning James and I signed birthday cards for Jarred MacArthur and Anna. 

I am feeling anxious, I guess it's time to go into town. James came with me. We stopped at Arizona Meat Market to give Chelsea, Jarred's birthday card. His birthday is on Saturday when we will be in the valley. We mailed Anna's card at the Vernon post office. We got a gift from Jared & Kacey in the mail. It's a digital photo frame. I am anxious to get it set up and hope I can do it myself.

It was cloudy and overcast today, making it quite cool. 

It was nice to visit Chelsea, and Boone, in the family store. Not only do they sell meat but they have a little store set up with jams, cookies, etc. We were going to buy some cherry jam and a peanut butter sourdough cookie but Chelsea insisted she wanted to give them to us. She said because she never delivered a Christmas gift to us. We were very appreciative.

The Crunchy Mama lives in Vernon

Cherry flavored, James's favorite

One of our plans in coming in to town was to go for a walk in the park. I wanted to do it first and then have lunch at El Charro because I thought it might rain later.  James wanted to go shopping at Home Depot and Walmart first, so that's what we did.

After finishing at Home Depot James came over to Walmart to pick me up. I was still shopping. He saw me looking at women's clothes in the front of the store. I didn't see him. He thought he would play a trick on me and hide what he thought was my basket. He was hiding with a basket of groceries when a woman came up to him and said:

"I believe you have my basket." James replied: "I think this is my wife's basket." "No, I am sorry, it is my basket. The joke was on James and he was quite embarrassed about it. He laughed when he told me so I guess he's over being embarrassed.

We stopped at Harbor Freight because James needed something that they didn't have at Home Depot. China Buffet is close by and he asked if I wanted some hot & sour soup on this cold, wintery day. I said, "maybe another day." I had my heart set on a taco today. 

One more stop, Tractor Supply, for horse feed. Finally we made it to El Charro for my taco. 

We like their salsa and they warm their chips, which is a nice feature. James ordered a beef tostada and I ordered two tacos, a pastor and a shredded beef. I like the pastor the best. It was small chunks of pork and came with guacamole, shredded lettuce, tomato and onion. James was surprised that his tostada didn't come with beans. 

By the time we came out of El Charro it was raining so, no walk in the park today. Another day. I was a little disappointed.

The Crane's have finally started digging their well. We could hear the rig going in the snowstorm we had this evening. 

We read more of our trust this evening. James thinks the revisions are going to take awhile. I don't think so. My plan is to type them up, either call Chase Bank to see if they have someone to look over them to make sure they are legit, or call an attorney and do likewise, after they have been notarized. 

I paid our December tithing and fast offerings this evening.

"As the Lord hastens His work, we should love, nurture, and serve those who accept His gospel."

- Elder Quentin L. Cook

Looks like Molly has a boyfriend,

and a nice tan.

Tom found a new place to sleep

Ian's mom Betty with Ian & Sheri's boys and Cayli

I love a cozy fire on a snowy, winter night