Sunday, March 29th, 2026: Point 22 ward sacrament mtg, Case's and Darrel's family, Ruth Wallace, Jason Boles, Lunch, rest and visit, leave for home, Easter Walk @ stake center, Dennis's text

 

Manila, Philippines

Temple #29...

We attended the Point 22 ward special Palm Sunday sacrament meeting today with Trina, Darrel, Ruby, and Lola. We sat next to Bob & Suzy Case. Suzy was called to be the second counselor in the newly formed Relief Society presidency. 

Before the meeting started I saw our friend formerly from Vernon, Ruth Wallace. We went over, said hello, met her daughter LeeAnn, and gave Ruth our love and I gave her a hug. How great to see a friend!

We have other friends in the ward, Jason & Drea Boles and their son Benjamin. James spoke to Jason asking him where Drea was. She is home recovering from a complete hysterectomy. Drea is one of the nicest people you will ever meet. She is one of Lola's Young Women leaders and Lola loves her and Drea loves Lola.

The young sister who was the first speaker, Sister Kuzdes, was just released as the Relief Society president. She said the last couple of years her family had suffered through some severe trials. She told about her six year old son William and how he came down with some rare disease. He developed several dangerous aneurysms and over the course of two years had 700 shots. Sister Kuzdes shared a quote from Sister Camille Johnson's recent talk: "I know that life is hard. You can do hard with Jesus or you can do hard alone. That is your choice. But when you do hard with Jesus Christ, the hard becomes holy." She said in the process of this ordeal they fasted and prayed and called upon others to do so also. The last tests that were done on William showed he had no aneurysms. The doctor said he had never seen anything like this before and that it was a miracle.

After the meeting we all went home and had lunch. I took a picture of Ruby as she was walking home. We had leftovers from last night for lunch. After lunch we sat and visited. We are going to the Holy Week Easter Walk at our stake center before going home so we have a little time to visit.

We left a little after noon and arrived at the White Mountain stake center in Lakeside around 3:30. We waited until 4, when the exhibit was scheduled to open, before we went in. There were several rooms set up depicting the last days of the Savior's life.

This sign was posted on Lola's bedroom door

 Texas Sweethearts

Saturday, March 28th, 2026: James's stomach pains subside and we leave for the valley, Costco, KFC, Darrel & Trina's, Easter Potluck,

Sydney, Australia

Temple #28

James had severe stomach cramps and bloating that plagued him most of the night and now he is miserable this morning. I got him some soda water. He had the dry heaves. He can't vomit because of a valve in his throat that was put in during a surgery. 

James got up around 8 and I went out with him to feed the horses. He seemed to be feeling better. The longer he stayed up and the more attention I gave him, the better he felt. 

I helped James clean up around where he had been re-finishing a log near the front porch. We then got ready and left for the valley around 11. 

Just past Salt River canyon James stopped the car and ask me to drive, something he very seldom does. We stopped for gas at the Circle K just outside of Superior. The price of gas was $4.19 a gallon, the cheapest place we have seen today. We also got 20 cents off so we paid $3.99 a gallon! In the valley we saw it as high as $4.79 a gallon. 

Before going to Darrel & Trina's we stopped at the Costco on Sossaman and Baseline for some protein shakes. I bought 3 cases of my Fairlife shakes and James got one case of a new brand of shakes that he got a sample of. It is more of a meal replacement shake with lots of vitamins and minerals. 

When we got to Darrel & Trina's Darrel was just starting to prepare the tri tip for the smoker. Trina was gone shopping at Target. James and I unloaded and then headed for KFC to pick up some coleslaw. 

Everything started to come together when Trina got home. Lola began making brownies, Darrel got the meat in the smoker, Trina set up the tables and began decorating. I put the beans on to warm up.

Sheri and Ian were the first to arrive. Sheri brought sourdough rolls and a few regular rolls. She didn't get the memo that I was bringing regular rolls. She also brought a couple of small veggie trays. Stacy and Paul brought mashed potatoes and a strawberry cake. Mary Johnson, Paul's mother came with them as she didn't want to be alone tonight. Kim and Brian brought Rice Krispy treats made with Cadbury eggs and a fruit tray with fruit dip. Joe, Michael and Adam brought themselves. Rowan and Addy were here too. Addy made two chocolate cream pies. 

Brian blessed the food before we began to eat. Our menu looked like this: A beautiful tray of trip tip, beans, corn, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, rolls, veggies and fruit. For dessert, brownies, pie, Stacy's cake and Kim's Rice Krispy treats. It was quite a feast and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Those attending: Darrel, Trina, Addy, Rowan, Ruby, Lola, Sheri, Ian, Kim, Brian, Joe, Stacy, Paul, Mary, Adam, Michael, James and I.

Kim always takes the pictures and so she invariably is not in them.

I've got to remember that at our next family event.

Texas Family

 

 

Friday, March 27th, 2026: Exodus 4-5 "Who Is God?" James's injections haven't helped, Applegate's bid submitted, Plan B, Rolls & Beans, "The Stars Above Northumberland"

 

Boise, Idaho

Temple #27

Exodus 4-5: Pharaoh places greater tasks upon the Israelites and refuses to let them go. He says: "Who is God?"

James is miserable. The injections are not helping. 

Another beautiful day here in Vernon.  James worked outside on the log for a few hours. He also walked outside in the sunshine while I circled the table inside.

James has given the Applegate's his bid. It's going to cost over  $1,500,000 to build their mansion. James thinks he can save them $200,000 by doing some of the work by himself. I wonder if they are building such a big house with so many amenities, such as an indoor pool, to provide activities for the patients they treat at their drug rehab center.

We were going to go to the valley today so we could go to Ruby's track meet this afternoon. I was going to fix the food for our potluck tomorrow morning at Darrel & Trina's. Darrel said they were putting their house up for sale this weekend and they might have to leave for a few minutes if someone called and wanted to see it. I thought better of trying to cook and clutter up the kitchen so I told Darrel and Trina we would come on Saturday instead. 

This afternoon I made the rolls and beans for the potluck tomorrow. I am also bringing corn and we will buy some coleslaw at KFC because we think it is the best.

James and I both started a new book. It is one that I read before in 2018 but James says he has never read it. It is by Anita Stansfield one of our favorite authors. The title: "The Stars Above Northumberland."

"Consider that we are commanded - not merely admonished or counseled but commanded - to use our agency to love one another and choose God."

- Elder David A. Bednar

Exodus 6:3

And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers.