Monday, March 9th, 2026: A walk in the Show Low Park, gas, Culvers, Walmart, Home Depot, new book: "The Dreaming Beauty" and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone w/ Charlie

 

Temple #9

Bern, Switzerland

Here is a little introduction to this week's "Come Follow Me" lesson:

This week's chapters unveil Joseph's journey from favored son to slave, prisoner, and eventually, a leader in Egypt. His unwavering faith amidst betrayal, false accusations, and imprisonment exemplifies resilience. Through Joseph's story, we witness how God orchestrates events for a greater purpose, turning trials into triumphs. Reflect on how challenges in your life might be shaping you for future blessings.

James and I made a trip to town today. We left before 10 and drove to the Show Low park walking trail. We walked for around 40 minutes. It felt good to be outside in the fresh air and not having to worry about tripping over rocks or cinders. We had lunch at Culver's where I had my chicken cashew salad and James had a pot roast sandwich and a chocolate ice cream cone. He meant to get a waffle cone but made the mistake of saying cake cone. I told him to go get another one. This time he came back with vanilla custard/ice cream and a waffle cone. I had a few licks of both cones. They were both delicious. I lick and James bites. I'm not in to biting ice cream.

I texted Tina Allen while we were at Culver's to tell her James said he would go with me to walk in the park. I also told her I loved the story she shared in Relief Society yesterday and that it was the highlight of the lesson for me. Here is the text that I got back from her:  "Karen, if Jim can't make it and you want to go, let me know. I thought about it yesterday and I would like to walk with you. Maybe once a week. It would be great to spend some time with you."

I said: "I would love that too Tina, you are one of my favorite people!"

She said: "As you are one of mine."

James is still working on the bid for Applegate's. He has not received back all the information he needs so he is going to go to Home Depot and do some figuring on his own. He dropped me off at Walmart. I did some shopping and tried to pick up his time-release Tramadol. The attendant said they hadn't filled the prescription because the insurance wasn't covering the cost. I ask how much it was and he said $58. Never mind. He said he would send it back to the doctor and tell him of the problem and see if he had another prescription to use in it's place.

Charlie is kicking my bootie when it comes to reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. It has 17 chapters and she finished the entire book today. I am still on chapter 6. I must read faster!

Having a picnic with her babies and reading

Harry Potter.

She finished!

I think she is a speed reader!

James said there was a cat fight out on the porch this evening. He said Tom walked up and slapped Blackie/Scooter in the face. Scooter, that's what James calls him, never backs away nor does he fight back, he just stands there and takes it. Sammy came over to get in on the action and that's when James broke it up because Sammy goes for the neck and he is worried about Scooter not being able to breathe. James likes Scooter because he is more friendly than Sammy.

Our A.S.K. talk for this week is one by President D. Todd Christofferson, "Our Relationship with God" from the April 2022 General Conference.

"It can change the course of our lives to see our circumstances through the lens of God's eternal plan."

- Brother Chad H. Webb, OGC 2025

Genesis 39:2

And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

Sunday, March 8th, 2026: Millie & Jerry Scott, Amy Reynolds lesson, goodbye Ben & Cayli, Facetime w/ Jared, Kacey, & Charlie, "When Calls the Heart", LeeAnn's card to Stefani

 

Temple #8

Idaho Falls, Idaho

Kitty care first, then back to bed for awhile.

James and I finished our Book of Mormon reading and the last section of the "Come Follow Me" lesson before church. 

Millie and Jerry Scott were the speakers in sacrament meeting today. Love on another was the topic of the day. Millie spoke from the heart and it was a great talk. Jerry said Millie was the love of his life and they had been together for 64 years. He also talked about the Second Coming and ended with the parable of the Good Samaritan. 

Amy Reynolds taught Relief Society based on Elder Gong's conference talk, "No One Sits Alone." Tina Allen shared a story that affected me deeply. It was about helping a man in front of Ross who was asking for money. Tina had no cash but she went and got some. The man asked if she were a Christian and she said yes. He asked her to pray for him and gave her his name. He asked if he could hug her and she hesitated but said yes. She said when she hugged him she felt as if she were hugging the Savior. I love Tina, she is such a compassionate person. 

At the end of the lesson Amy gave everyone a fortune cookie as Elder Gong talked about fortune cookies in his talk. I texted Amy later and told her what a great job she did in getting the sisters to share experiences. This is what I said:

"Great job today. So many good comments, and thanks for the fortune cookies. You have a way of getting people to talk. I think it is because you are so approachable and they see you as someone they can easily share things with, a dear friend. That's what you are Amy, a dear friend."

I gave LeeAnn's card and gift card to her aunt Stefani because I couldn't find Alicia. 

I asked Tina Allen about walking at the Show Low Park with her. She asked if I could go early and I said yes, I get up at 5. She is going to text me and we will make plans. When I told this to James on the way home he said, "Let me go to the park and walk with you." I was elated and told him that made me so happy! I will talk to Tina later.

We said goodbye to Ben & Cayli before we left for church because we knew they would be gone before we got back. I gave them each a hug and reminded them to take a picture/selfie before they left. James had invited them to go to church with us earlier but they declined, saying they wanted to get home early so they would have some time to relax before going back to work tomorrow. 

Ben & Cayli left lunch meat, mango salsa and some guacamole. We added these items to our salad and that was our lunch. That mango salsa was quite tasty.

This afternoon I worked on my blog and reported on Elder Eyre's conference talk to Addy, Sheri, and Kim. Kim is choosing the talk for next week and it will go along with the "Come Follow Me" lesson, 

Trina texted a barndominium house plan this afternoon and asked James if he could build it for them. He looked at it and said, "Of course." How exciting if this actually happens.

James was outside watering plants when Jared, Kacey, and Charlie called via FaceTime. I went out and told him that Texas was on the phone. They are now two hours ahead of us as daylight savings time starts today. 

Kacey and Charlie have been sick and they both still have rosy cheeks. Charlie is feeling better and we had a nice visit. She showed me her purple glasses and said she was reading Harry Potter, book one, "The Sorcerer's Stone." I said I wanted to read it with her and we could start tomorrow. It's been awhile since I've read Harry Potter. 

In other news, Summer & JB are getting married on June 15th, in Oregon because they think it is beautiful. They want Jared to marry him. He has mixed feelings about the request. He is honored they want him but he doesn't like the idea that he has to be certified in another church. We told him his dad felt the same way when he was asked to marry Ben & Cayli but it ended up being a good experience.

Autumn, Palmer, Scarlett, and Benson have all moved from Tyler to Gilmer. Gilmer is where Palmer is from. Kacey and Jared are a little concerned because they live out in the middle of the country with no yard for the kids and quite a distance from shopping, doctors and other amenities. They moved in to a manufactured home that needs a lot of work. I am confident that Autumn will have it shipshape in no time.

They want to go to the San Diego temple open house this summer. It is Kacey's favorite temple. Oh yes, one more bit of information. Jared's hair is going gray. It happens to the best of us. We are always so grateful to get to see and talk with Jared and his family. We love them so much!

James and I watched the latest episode of "When Calls the Heart."

Here is a quote I liked: "Don't let your past steal your future."

"The teachings of the family proclamation were revealed by our Lord Jesus Christ to His Apostles then and now."

- Elder Ronald A. Rasband

Genesis 33:11

Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it.

Temple Dedication, March 1st,

Zimbabwe by Elder Gong

Elder and Sister Gong

Sweet Boy Benson

Saturday, March 7th, 2026: Scott Tibbett's Facebook post is both disheartening & inspirational, Tom is on the go, James goes to the dump, a relaxing day at home for me, Cayli's pasta, Hannah Swensen movie, "Sugar & Vice"

 

Mesa, Arizona temple

The first thing I saw on Facebook this morning was this post by Scott Tibbetts who has been battling cancer for a year or two:

Both disheartening and inspirational

Well the story of Jacob and Esau certainly had a happy ending in Genesis 33. A good lesson in forgiveness and brotherly love.

Tom is staying outside more than inside this morning. I think he's still a little skittish about our company. He did come in this afternoon and lay on the bed and then on my lap while I rested on the bedroom recliner. 

James went to the dump for us and the Crane's today. Kathy was so grateful as she had to go last week when we were gone. Both of Chuck's shoulders are bad and he can't do any lifting. 

I texted Darrel, Trina, and Ruby today and told them how much I enjoyed the track meet. Here is what I said:

To Darrel & Trina: "I wish I could come to every track meet! Ruby runs so gracefully and makes it look so easy, when I know it is not. I could watch her run every day and never get tired of it. She is such an amazing girl in so many ways! Thank you for raising such wonderful children, I love them all!!

To Ruby: "Ruby, you were amazing yesterday. I am so glad I was there to see your two races. You have such a beautiful style, I wish I could come to every track meet. I could watch you every day. You make it look so easy when I know it is not. You dominated!

 I received the following texts: 

From Trina: "Thank you for coming. That was really sweet of both of you. It means a lot. Love you guys."

From Darrel: "Thank you for coming. I know it was quite an effort."

From Ruby: "Thank you so much grandma! I loved seeing you guys and I love you!!

Kacey texted to thank me for Tanner's birthday card since Tanner doesn't have a phone right now. I am so glad the card got there before his actual birthday.

It was quite a relaxing day for me. I visited a little with Ben & Cayli, although they spent most of their time upstairs watching TV. I also blogged and walked, listening to our book and watching Murdoch Mysteries while I blog. 

Cayli fixed a pasta dish for dinner tonight using pasta, a canned sauce with vodka in it, and sauteed onions. It was very tasty. James doesn't usually like pasta but he liked this because of the onions. Thanks for dinner Cayli.

James and I watched the latest Hallmark Hannah Swensen mystery. This episode was titled, "Sugar and Vice."

"Your origin story is divine, and so is your destiny. You left heaven to come here, but heaven has never left you."

- Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, OGC 2025

Genesis 32:28

And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. 

Autumn sent these last Sunday

Love this sister-in-law

Friday, March 6th, 2026: Ben determined to make friends w/ Tom, leave for valley @ 11:30 for Ruby's track meet - she dominates both races, dinner w/ Darrel & Trina, arrive home @ 10:30

 

Cardston, Alberta temple

I got up at 5:00 with Tom. He eats, acts like he wants to go outside, but after trying two doors he decides not to. Here he is asleep.

How can this be comfortable

We left for the valley around 11:30 this morning, later than I had wanted. We are going to Ruby's track meet. We debated which way to go and decided on Payson and then we would cut across on the Bush Highway by Saguaro Lake ending up on Ellsworth Rd. which goes directly into Queen Creek where the track meet is. The Globe way is faster but we remembered the Renaissance Festival traffic in both directions last week and decided to go the other way. It wasn't faster and most like was slower, because of the slower speed limits and the winter visitors we got behind who were intrigued by the rock formations and desert landscape. 

We arrived at the Benjamin Franklin School in Queen Creek just as Ruby's race began. I watched her from the fence near the entrance as James used the facilities. Ruby was the first runner I saw in the girls 16 meter/mile race. Ruby was so far ahead of the pack of girls behind her, it was really no race at all. What a graceful runner she is. She loos so natural and like she could run all day. 

James missed seeing me and went around to the bleachers where Trina & Darrel were sitting. They offered us their bleacher seats. I took one but James didn't want the other so Trina used it. 

I asked if Ruby's coach knew she was moving, No, he doesn't. He has fallen from grace in everyone's eyes as he has turned out to be a bit of a brute. Ruby got 3rd in last week's race and he wasn't happy with her, threatening she wouldn't be going to the Chandler Rotary meet. Ruby wants very badly to go to the Chandler meet. This is not a way to treat teenage girls, especially one as sensitive as Ruby.

The four of us, Darrel, Trina, James and I went to get something to eat before the 7:00, 800 meter race. We drove into a strip mall with several small places to eat. Trina spotted Thai Chili and said, "I want to try that", so away we went. Trina got yellow curry with chicken and no carbs. It was very good and that's what I would order next time, and I would like there to be a next time. I ordered fried rice with pineapple and chicken with mild chili. I tried to eat the chicken and pineapple and avoid the rice. James had eggrolls and finished off my dish when I was finished. I forgot what Darrel got, but it had beef and broccoli in it.

Back for the 7:00 half mile race. Trina's parents joined us as did Addy and Lola. Lola looks so grown up with glasses! Addy bribed Lola by saying she would buy her two painting canvases if she would come. When I asked Lola if she liked to paint, she said yes, and that she loves school supplies. I remembered that's what she ask for for Christmas. Addy spent the morning hiking Camelback Mountain with Sheri. What a gorgeous day to go for a hike, the high was in the 70's. One other thing about Addy. Her boyfriend, McKay Crockett, is finishing his mission and coming home in April. Trina told me that Addy wants to work for the CIA or the FBI. It's the closest she can come to being Batman. 

Again, Ruby dominated the race. No one was even close to her. She has such a beautiful stride, I didn't want the race to end. I love watching Ruby run! 

We left right after the race. I gave hugs while James was waiting on the ground by the bleachers. We stopped at a Walmart to get some bread for Cayli & Ben. Ben texted and said they bought lunchmeat but forgot to get bread. We were happy to stop and then be on our way. Ben also texted and said that Tom was warming up to him and sent this picture:

Tom does love when you rub his back.

We tried to listen to our book that we are both reading, "A Love Most Daring". James likes to listen to something when he isnd  driving, especially at night, as it keeps him awake. That should be my job but I kept falling asleep. We went the Globe, Salt River way home and arrived in Vernon around 10:30, leaving Queen Creek at 7:30. Not bad.  It was good to be home.

A quote from our book: Beatrice talking about Mr. Rawlings:

"He is ridiculously rich, broodingly handsome and mysterious besides. Women were not born to withstand such accomplishments of attractive attributes." Joanna Barker is a good writer.

"Reconciliation brings not only relief from feelings of guilt but also peace within ourselves and with others."

- Elder Kelly R. Johnson, OGC 2025

Genesis 28:15

And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into the land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.

Ian, Sheri, Kim & Brian's new show

Ruby way out in front of everyone else

Sweet Ruby gets the inside lane!

Beautiful! Thanks Sheri!

Enjoying our book together

Thursday, March 5th, 2026: Genesis 29 & 30, Snowflake temple, Danny Seymour, Eva's, Janna & Pat, Lowe's, Walmart, home again, Tom wants to cuddle, Murdoch's wedding, Inklings

 

Laie, Hawaii temple

James and I went to the 10 am temple session this morning. We are going to the temple on Thursday instead of Friday because tomorrow we are going to the valley to attend Ruby's track meet with Darrel & Trina. I don't like going on Thursday because I miss the Inklings live on Instagram.

We were in the prayer circle as we have been nearly every time we have attended the temple this year. There were only three other couples. Last time we had four couples and were able to make a complete circle. This time, for the first time I have ever experienced, the prayer circle was not complete. The officiator didn't seem concerned and knelt at the altar and offered the prayer. I am wondering if this is okay. I have a need to know. Does any one know?

We had lunch at Eva's. We both had the lunch special, chicken enchiladas with rice and beans. $10.99 each. Somehow our total wound up to be over $29, about $10 more than we spend at LaCasita. I like Eva's, but it has become quite expensive. 

As we were leaving we looked over out of our car window and the car that just parked next to us, had Janna Grombach and Pat Tedder as its' occupants. I had to get out and give both of them a hug. Janna said she had just gotten her hair done. I told her her hair always looks beautiful. She said to me: "My situation has been resolved. I love our bishop." I gave both Janna and Pat a hug before we left. They were going in to have lunch, We would loved to join them, but our timing was a little off. It was so good to see them though.

James and I listened to the first half of "Follow Him." While Brother Mike Harris unpacked all of the symbolism in Genesis 24. It took him over an hour and there are 9 more chapters. We will listen to part 2 on our way to the valley tomorrow. 

Ben and Cayli arrived around 9 o'clock this evening. James had built a fire and that's the first place Cayli went, to stand by the fire, which made James happy. One of his complaints about building a fire is how no one even comes near it. I think he is referring to me. I told him I loved the ambiance the fire lends to the entire house. Tom was very skittish with Ben and Cayli. Not at all like he is with people he knows like Brian and Kim, or Sheri.

I listened to Sister Camille Johnson's talk in this month's Liahona, "Righteous Stewards - Disciples of Jesus Christ." It was a great talk in which she discusses the three parables in Matthew 25, The ten virgins, the talents, and the sheep and the  goats. Here are a couple of quotes from the talk: "We can counter disinformation by sharing uplifting, hopeful, and accurate information by becoming advocates of truth rather than just consumers of information." "Each of us is a steward of our own conversion."

"I promise you that your Heavenly Father knows you, loves you, and wants to hear from you."

- Elder Brik V. Eyre, OGC 2025

Genesis 28:12

And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.

I wonder if this is true.

I believe this to be true.

Wednesday, March 4th, 2026: Applegate's bid, insurance quotes, surveyor hired, Brother Beach's visit, Trip to town,

Salt Lake City temple

I read the story of Rebekah and Jacob tricking Isaac into giving Jacob the first born birthright blessing. I'm not sure how I feel about it. Why did deception have to be involved in order for Jacob to inherit the blessing.

James is a bit overwhelmed right now. He is working on Applegate's bid, getting insurance quotes, and trying to get a surveyor. He was successful in getting a surveyor to come on March 25th and do the surveying for $1,800. 

We got a visit from Brother Beach. James helped him build a small summer home last year near Stanford Rd. He told James that he and his wife were going on a mission and they had sold their home in Mesa. He brought us some grapefruit and lemons. Brother Beach served his first mission back when he was 19 in Ecuador and then he and his wife served a mission in Ecuador. This time Sister Beach wants to serve in a safer place so they will be state side.

James and I made a trip to town this evening. The change air filter light came on on the refrigerator. I didn't know we had an air filter but I guess we do. We looked at a YouTube video and realized that the casing for the air filter was missing. James told the sales woman at Lowe's and she insisted that he take the one on their floor model, no charge plus she gave James a filter, although it was the wrong one and James has to go back and change it. I did some shopping at Walmart. We were shocked to see that gas is now $3.44 a gallon.

Finished reading "Love & Lost at Whitmore Manor." I also finished season 7 of "Murdoch Mysteries." I have a love/hate relationship with this series. It has much good and I love Yannick Bisson and Helene Joy but there is just a little too much blood and violence at times. I just watched an episode and there was very little violence and Julia and Murdoch are about to be married. I must watch the wedding. 

James snapped this photo this morning when he

went out to feed the horses.

James's work table.

Yannick Bisson's other hit show.

 

 

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026: I missed the red moon eclipse, surveyor problems, text w/ Ben about this weekend, Applegate prices still coming in,

Manti temple

Tom went out at 3:21 this morning. Maybe he wanted to watch the eclipse and see the blood moon. I missed it.

James is in the process of trying to get new insurance for my car, the house, and James's truck. State Farm would save us a lot of money but before he goes with them, he's waiting for a quote from Auto-Owners which won't be in until next Monday. 

James is also trying to get a surveyor to survey the land we are selling. He called the man who surveyed for Dave Elkins a year ago. Dave paid $1,200. This guy said it would cost $3800 and he would need a down payment of $1,000 and he couldn't do it for at least a month. James said, no thanks. The best offer he got was for $1,800 the first week of April. He has some other calls in and hopefully will find someone who can do it sooner.

I texted with Ben today about their visit this weekend. He wanted to know what they could fix us for dinner. I told him we may not be here as Darrel needs his dad to do some drywall work for him and Ruby has a track meet. Ben & Cayli are coming up Thursday evening so we will see them then and Friday morning and we will be back Saturday afternoon. Ben & Cayli are leaving Sunday morning. 

Ben was happy to know they could come up even if we weren't here.

While James was gone to Applegate's I began sweeping off the driveway. It's quite a job with lots of caked on mud and I did not finish. I will work on it again tomorrow.

I texted my friend Sue Hubble today to tell her about Catherine Halcomb's death. She said she knew Catherine was happy because now she was with "coach", Catherine's husband. Susan said the temple was going to be closed August 29th until November 9th. That's two months I wasn't aware of. James and I need to up our game.

"Primary songs can become a child's first spiritual language because their simple, memorable melodies give voice to gospel truths."

- Sister Tracy Y. Browning, OGC 2025

Genesis 26:3

Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; 

* Saving grace is the enabling strength to overcome.

* Exalting grace is the enabling strength to become.

Emily Belle Freeman

Love this picture of Sheri

It must have been someone's birthday.

Sleeping Tom