Wednesday, January 14th, Trip to valley, Erik's school to drop off trailer, Chandler Eyecare, Costco, AARA, Cheesecake Factory w/ K&B, Cathi & Terry's, back to pickup Razr and go home

 

Benson no longer likes his

rocking bear.

James insisted we go the Globe way because it would be closer to Erik's school. We had to leave at 6:30 because the road closes at Superior from 9-2. After we were on our way I reminded him that we could have gone the Payson way and taken Bush Highway down to Ellsworth Rd. Erik's school is on Pecos between Power and Ellsworth. He agreed and said he had forgotten. I think he just likes going through Salt River Canyon.

I ran out of chewing gum and James stopped at the Circle K in Superior to get me some. He came back with a package of Orbit gum. I told him that I only chew one kind of gum and he should know what it is. He went back in and came back with a package of Extra. I told him that wasn't it either. He said that did not have any Mento gum. He knows what I chew he just didn't know that was the only brand of gum I like. Sorry for being so picky, Honey.

The name of Erik's school is: American Leadership Academy Applied Technology and is located at 7729 E. Pecos Rd. Erik was in the back to show James where to park the trailer. He said last time he parked it in the wrong place. We will be back to pick it up this afternoon around 3:15 as Erik has a meeting at 4. I'm not sure where the meeting is, so he made need to allow himself some travel time.

When we got to Chandler we stopped at Walmart for Mento gum, a bottle of Smart water, some cough drops for James and some coconut/almond milk for him also. Afterwards we stopped at Chandler Eyecare to say hello to everyone and to ask Sheri if she would mail Jared & Kacey's anniversary card. We saw Cayli, Ben, Addy, Sheri, and Nancy. We gave everyone hugs, except Cayli who only smiled and said hello. Addy had her first day of school yesterday and she went to one of the wrong classes, an upper grade English class instead of math. Addy loves math.

From Chandler Eyecare we drove north to my AARA infusion appointment. Amanda drew blood and put in my infusion. Ang prepared the infusion and Frances scheduled my new appointments for the next three months. 

When I went outside to look for James in the parking lot he was in the back with the truck parked against the fence and he was cleaning the windows and the inside dashboard. He wants it to be clean for me. How thoughtful. 

He had already bought gas at Costco across the street for $2.69 a gallon. We went back over to get some shakes, Pom juice and Perk. 

When we were finished shopping I called Kim and ask if she and Brian could meet us at Cheesecake Factory for our lunch date because James has tools all over in the backseat of his truck. She said they would. 

Kim and I both ordered the same thing we had last time. James got the same thing I did, the steak medallions off the skinnylicious menu. Kim had the chicken parm with noodles in Alfredo sauce. They also ordered this to take home to Joe along with a peach smoothie. Brian got a burger and fries and peach lemonade. 

Kim was telling me about Joe's social calendar, even though he really would rather stay home, he is too nice to say no to people. Max comes over one night and they work on music, another night he watches a show with Adam and then plays a video game with him. He is also scheduled to have lunch with Dallin this week. 

We made it to Cath & Terry's right at 2:00. Cathi had said the nurse was scheduled to come at noon so 2:00 should work well. Laura met us at the door and said the nurse, Kimberly, was two hours late and had just arrived. Stacy showed up a few minutes later because we had told her about our visit. Well, we didn't get to do much visiting with Cathi, Laura, or mom because they were tied up with the nurse. We did visit with Dawn and Terry. Dawn told us about Aunt Faye falling on Sunday evening and hurting her leg. She is in the hospital and they are talking about her going to rehab. Uncle Paul stayed to be with her but he will be going home soon. He lives with his daughter and her family in Oklahoma City. Aunt Faye wants him to live here but so far he has said no.

We couldn't stay long and neither could Stacy. She had to go to work and we had to get back to the school to pick up our trailer and the Razr. We barely made it before Erik left. He called us from his car as he was leaving, luckily we were just coming in. He already had the Razr loaded. He and James secured it with some yellow tape. James gave him a Nutella bar that Kim made for him. So far James has two birthday cards, one from his mom, and one from Kim.

This time I told James I wanted to go home the Payson way so we went up Ellsworth Rd. to Usury Pass and Bush Highway until it hits the 260. I slept much of the way. We stopped at the Safeway in Show Low for some bread. James went in and picked it out, since he is the one who eats it. 

We got home around 7. Tom was in the house all day and wanted to go outside. There are tufts of black hair all over the deck. I guess Sammy and Blackie, or Jet, whichever you want to call him, got in to a fight. Tom went in and out and finally decided he wanted to stay in for the night and sleep at the foot of our bed.

I think one of my back teeth chipped off as I ate a Wurther's caramel that I got at Kim's. I am too embarrassed to call Pierce. I am just going to live with it for awhile.

Tom's new favorite blanket

Wow! What a difference 10 years makes!

Vernon youth at the pit in 2013

 

Tuesday, January 13th, 2026: "All of the solar system circles the North Star every 24 hours"JL, black cat blues, Deming lots, Culver's, truck washed, look for trailer harness, new kitchen lights here - Amazon delivers!, update on Scott

 

"All of the solar system circles the North Star every

24 hours." - James Lambson

This was part of our discussion this morning as we read our scriptures and the story of creation. James is wondering if the North Star is the planet Kolob.

The black cat is constantly outside our bedroom door, as if he belongs there. He eats Sammy's food and James keeps chasing him away but he always comes back. 

James thinks he has two of our lots in Deming sold for a total of $4,000. The buyer is checking to make sure we are the actual owners and he says he will get back with us. James called Dave to see what he got for his lots. Dave told him to beware of a scam. He said he won't release the titles until the buyers check clears the bank.

We made a trip to town today. Our first stop was at Culver's for lunch. My salad had croutons instead of cashews. James went on got my cashews for me and I took the croutons off. 

One of the reasons we came to town was to get the truck washed in preparation for our trip to the valley tomorrow. Circle K's carwash was broke so we went to White Mountain where we have a code we haven't used but of course we don't have the code with us so we have to pay. 

James goes to two auto parts store to look for a trailer harness that he says he needs to connect the trailer to the truck. Both places were out. He said he thought he could splice wires together and "make it work." Sounds a little sketchy but I will trust that he will take care of it. 

I am feeling a little low today. I was hoping we would hear from Bert Carpenter, but we didn't. 

Amazon did deliver our new lights and James installed them. I really like the added light they give to the kitchen. 

James and I are reading "An Accidental Romance." I am reading "A Lady's Promise." I have read both books before but I really don't remember how they turn out. 

My feeling of foreboding continues. Rebecca gives us an update on Scott:

"Dear Family, 

It's time for an update on Scott. Since they have taken him off the trial drug and the other type of chemo they had him on ... his blood pressure is back to normal. His kidney enzymes are down to normal again. His mouth infections and blood infection are gone so his higher fevers are gone. He has had no bronchial bleeding since before Christmas in the hospital. All wonderful blessings. However, last Wednesday we visited with his oncologist. He showed us the results of Scott's latest CT scan of his left lung where the fungal pneumonia is. It is growing. Dr. Ulrickson basically told us that there really isn't anything more they can do at this point because they can't work on his leukemia as long as he still has this lung infection and he is on the strongest anti-fungal they can give him. This is really hard on his body and his normal cells. However, he also told us that his leukemia cells at the present are fluctuating at a very low level. This is a blessing right now, but he said if they start to spike he would only last about a week.

The doctor then talked to us about "quality of life" and asked Scott ... if it came down to it, would he rather be in the hospital or at home with better quality of life. He, of course, told them - at home.

Scott then asked if he would be okay with us trying some herbal stuff at home. Before he always aid "no" but now, finally, he is okay with it. That night Scott asked for another blessing. Brent and Nathan spent some time preparing, then Nathan gave him a wonderful blessing seeking God's will. Again, Scott was blessed with healing. He was told that if we prepared ourselves and worked on growing our faith, "expecting" a miracle, then gave him another blessing before the next CT scan, that the fungal infection would depart. He has already promised healing in all previous blessings from the beginning  2 1/2 years ago when our Bishop gave him his very first blessing on this journey. The difference is at this point it will take a miracle. Scott believes that his is all part of God's plan, and this is an opportunity for God to show forth His power, that there will be no question after that as to where the healing comes from.

A couple of nights ago we read Scott's patriarchal blessing again. Wow! He has some great things to accomplish in this life! There is one small phrase that I didn't catch before...that he would "have faith to step into the dark."

Honestly, there have been times I have disparred, but I also know where fear comes from. So, family, our goal is his CT scan next Wednesday. I'm asking you to please try to not doubt but to have faith and with us expect a miracle of healing for Scott. It has already been promised. I love you all and am so grateful for your support. 

An appointment to see Mom tomorrow at 2 after her nurse comes. 

We have to leave no later than 6:30 in the morning. 

It's 55 degrees today and the well-digging for the Crane's continues.

Instead of Blackie, we are calling him Jet because he is so

fast in gobbling his food down.

 

Benson is the most adorable

little boy ever!

Rowan

I love this movie and totally agree

with whoever wrote this review!

Monday, January 12th, 2026: Black cat not the Crane's and he still haunts us, cleaned frig, submitted info for our reverse mortgage, Sheri cancelled temple date because someone in the office, Carley, had a miscarriage so she has to work,

 

Leaving our wedding reception at the

Maxwell House in Show Low

June 1, 1968

Up at 4:46. The black cat still haunts us. James tried to scare him away. It worked for awhile. We found out he does not belong to the Crane's. 

I cleaned out the refrigerator today. I need a new beginning about not wasting food.

It took most of the day but we managed to get started on our reverse mortgage with some basic information about our finances. We submitted the information, now we need to hear back from Bert Carpenter about our next step. We've got to keep the ball rolling. James is also trying to sell two of the lots that we have in Deming, New Mexico.

Sheri texted me today and said she wouldn't be able to go to the temple on Thursday. Carley, her number one assistant, had a miscarriage and won't be coming to work, so Sheri will have to be there. I was sad to hear this. I also told her that we would need to cancel my eye appointment because James's appointment with the timeshare company was cancelled. We won't be staying overnight after all.

We are going to the valley in the truck, pulling the trailer so that we can pick up the Razr at Erik's school. We are bringing it to Vernon so one of our welder friends, either Willy Grombach or Ralph Sedig can weld to motor mounts back on before the engine is installed. I'm not looking forward to riding in the truck and pulling the trailer.

Tonight in our trust meeting we went over our old investment checkbook, the one where we loaned money to Stacy & Paul until 2012. It was an eye opener. We are discussing how to divide our assets after we are gone, if there are any left. 

"Healing and forgiveness are each found in their fulness in the atoning love of Jesus Christ."

- Elder Neil L. Andersen, OGC 2025

2015

I saw this book at Cathi & Terry's.

Rebecca & Brent gave it to them.

I am going to listen to it on Deseret Book Plus.

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