Thursday, April 16th, 2026: Alex's 28th birthday, Autumn & Palmer's anniversary, text from Rosie, Inklings, James fixes pump in two tries, I think I'm really a city girl, call from realtor wanting to sell our house

 

Bountiful, Utah

Temple #47

Happy 28th Birthday Alexander! I hope it was a great one and that you were surprised at the party that your girlfriend Jazmine planned for you.

The children of Israel murmur and the Lord sends manna and quail everyday to take care of their hunger. God also promises to deliver us every day. 

I listened to Emily and Hilary Weeks on Inklings today talk about President Oaks' talk, "Alive in Christ." 

Promise: The resurrection gives us the strength and perspective to endure the mortal challenges faced by each of us and by those we love. 

Quote: "Let us follow Him by using the language and methods of peacemakers.

I got a sweet text from my friend Rosie Lauritzen today:

Rosie: Karen for some reason you are on my mind this morning...is everything okay with you?

Me: Rosie, you are the sweetest! I have been struggling and had a bad day yesterday but I am feeling better today. Thank you for checking on me. I feel loved!

Rosie: You definitely ARE loved....if there is anything at ALL that you need...a ride, some housework...a few meals, please let me know!!!

I love and care about you.

Me: Rosie, I love you so much! You have such a kind and generous heart and you are the epitome of Christlike ministering. Thank you!

Rosie: I love you too Karen...you are a TRUE example for me!! PLEASE feel free to ask if you need any little thing.

Me: You are a dear friend Rosie. I treasure your friendship!

Rosie: You, too!

This text from my friend lifted my spirits.

James did office work this morning. Something about the Landings job. This afternoon he went to town to get parts to fix the well pump. The first fix didn't last but the second one did.

James got a call from a realtor today. She thinks she can sell our home for around 2 million. James explained to her that he was in the middle of some upkeep projects and the house wouldn't be ready to sell until next spring. She said she could send some handymen out to help. I reminded him that we could not sell until we had talked with Kim & Brian again to see how serious they are about moving here. 

The book I am reading now: "The Dowry of Lady Eliza" by Anita Stansfield. 

Today's Tender Mercies: Rosie Lauritzen's text, Inklings, the call from the realtor, and the fact that James was able to fix the pump.

Happy Birthday Alex!

Palmer & Autumn's

Anniversary

Yay! Scarlett!

Alex's Surprise Party

Alex & Jazmine

Jazmine planned Alex's party

and Kim said she is quite amazing

and Sheri agrees.

Wednesday, April 15th, 2026: A morning with T&T in bed, broken water pump for irrigation & horses water, Trip to town: Culver's, HD, Walmart, I'm am depressed, James' advice, peacemakers

 

Orlando, Florida

Temple #46

Peacemakers thwart the adversary.

"The best is yet to come who spend their lives building up others."

                                              - Russell M. Nelson

I did not feel well this morning, so I stayed in bed after taking some T&T (Tramadol & Tylenol). 

James had some bad news this morning. The water pump that provides water for the lawn and horses broke and drained 3,000 gallons of water from the tank. One more project for James to do. Luckily we still have water in the house because I really needed a shower this morning. 

We made a trip to town this afternoon. We stopped at Culver's for lunch. I had my usual chicken and cashew salad. James ordered shrimp. I had one of his shrimp and I wished I had ordered shrimp. Later I looked up the nutritional info and it seems they have more carbs than one would think. 

James went to Home Depot while I shopped at Walmart. When he was finished at Home Depot James came over and bought a cover for his phone at Walmart. 

On the way home I told James I was feeling sad and depressed. This was the advice he gave me: "Forget about what you have to do and just think happy thoughts." It sounds rather glib but for some reason it calmed me down and I felt like he really cared. For me, it was the right thing for him to say, at least today it was.

"Applying the simplicity that is in Christ makes us prioritize people over processes and eternal relationships over short-term behavior."

- Elder Michael Cziesla

Exodus 15:2

The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.

The Lost Lamb

Molly who lives in the Bahamas

Gathering manna

I finished the puzzle Stacy was 

working on.

Tuesday, April 14th, 2026: Exodus 15 - Song of the Sea, rain today, Stacy & I make breakfast, Paul @ work, James works on taxes, talking with Stacy about Acorns, puzzle, pilates, Murdoch Mysteries, James on scaffolding inspite of the wind. Goodbye's

 

San Diego, California

Temple #45

I read Exodus 15 today which contains 'The Song of the Sea' a praise of thankfulness to God for allowing the children of Israel to pass through the Red Sea to safety from the Egyptians.

It rained this morning. We are so parched here in Arizona that it is always such a blessing to get rain. Thank Thee Heavenly Father.

Stacy and I made breakfast this morning. I made scrambled eggs while she cooked the bacon. Paul is working but he took a break to eat breakfast. James was working on taxes and he stopped for a few minutes and Jared Ammon came down from upstairs. Stacy also shared a little bit of scrambled eggs with the puppies.

Stacy worked on a puzzle as she normally does when she is here. This time she chose a 500 piece one so she could finish. She didn't quite finished but left it out so I could finish. She turned on Pilates which is something she does at home. She talked to me about signing up for an app called Acorns which helps you save and invest money. She uses it and if I sign up they will put funds in her account for recruitment. She does also have to get a couple of other people. 

Stacy also told me that Joshua and Evan are going to Italy in May. Betty, Ian's mom had promised Sheri & Ian's boys that she would take them this year but for some reason she isn't going. Evan wanted to go anyway and asked Sheri if he could go by himself. She said she would go with him, but she said she really can't afford it right now and was glad when Evan told her that Joshua wanted to go with him.

I am still sad that these boys are not on missions. 

Stacy washed the sheets and towels downstairs and put the sheets back on the bed. I am grateful. 

The Gonzo's left around 5 and said they would be stopping for pizza in Show Low before going home. They love the Pizza Factory. 

Jared Ammon has been sober for about 8 weeks now and is doing AA online. He is very excited about his new camera. That is one of the reasons he wanted to come up, to take pictures out in nature.

"Jesus invites us to come to each other and Him in His inn - His Church. He invites us to be good neighbors."

- Elder Gerrit W. Gong, OGC 2025

Exodus 14:30

Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore

The suns was bright this afternoon and

Stacy didn't have a hat.

Vader and Sofie

The violet plant Michael gave me a couple of

years ago keeps on blooming!

Sadie Alicia Weldon

Leeann's baby girl

Kip & Alicia's granddaughter

Monday, April 13th, 2026: "Stand Still and See the Salvation of God" Exodus 14-18, S,P,JA Greens Peak in car & then J's truck, JA's pics, taxes & extension, Mail cards, KFC, Finding Sofie

Toronto, Ontario

Temple #44

Today I ordered mini teacups for my lesson handouts. The lesson is on President Oaks' talk, "Alive in Christ." Emily chose his talk to base this 6 months of Inklings on. The title of her study is: 'Pour Forth Love' and that's where I got the idea of the teacup which will represent pouring forth love.

The new "Come Follow Me" lesson for the week is based on Exodus 14-18 and is titled: "Stand Still and See the Salvation of God."

Jared Ammon got a new camera and wanted to go to Green's Peak today to take some photos. He, Stacy and Paul left in Stacy & Paul's car after some trepidation. They were not gone long when they came back with a low tire. James told them they could take his truck so off they went again. Here are some of the pictures JA took:

James and I worked on taxes. He caled to make sure the accountant had filed an extension. He was assured they had. We have so much more to do. We were surprised to learn that the interest plus other charges on our business line of credit amounted to over $2,000. As soon as the cancer money we got comes through on our account on the 17th we are going to pay off this line of credit.

James is a faithful walker. I am not as faithful. I didn't feel well today so I only walked a little over 5,000 steps.

I made a trip to town today by myself. I mailed Alex's birthday card, Palmer & Autumn's anniversary card, and Sheri & Ian's anniversary card. I also stopped at KFC and picked up a 16 piece bucket of chicken and 10 biscuits for dinner. I was prepared to pay for dinner but Stacy insisted she wanted to pay and she covered most of the cost. The chicken and biscuits were well received. I made some corn to go with the rest of the vittles.

Sofie ran off this evening on Paul's watch. He had taken both of the dogs outside to do their business. Sofie won't do anything on a leash so that's why she was loose. Paul was in his stocking feet. He said Sofie began to wander off even though he was calling for her to come back. She walked out into the field and just kept going. Paul came into the house for help. I asked James to shine his lights out into the field. He did, but no Sofie. Paul and JA were walking around in the field calling 'Sofie' and shining the flashlights on their phones. Stacy was downstairs and didn't know. I didn't want to tell her but JA felt like they needed her help and went downstairs to get her. Stacy drove her car out in the field, I drove mine, and James took the truck. James drove up beside me and said he was ready to quit because he had been all around the field. I told him that since he hadn't found her he couldn't stop looking. He drove away and it wasn't 5 minutes later when he called and said he had found her but she wouldn't come to him. I called Paul and told him and he was so relieved. He sent Jared down to help with Sofie. She went to Jared and Sofie came home.

Such a tiny thing to cause so much trouble.

 

Sunday, April 12th, 2026: We forgot it was fast Sunday, 2 roasts in the crockpot, blue dress, blue suit & tie, Millie's hug & kiss, Pantera's hug, Olivia Jensen's testimony, Scott's post - The End? Stacy, JA, Paul, Vader, & Sofie here, dinner, "The Chosen" JA's pictures

 

Las Vegas, Nevada

Temple #43

James and I both forgot that today was fast Sunday. James was quite distraught over the matter. 

I put a roast in the crockpot this morning and then on second thought, I added another, just to make sure I had enough to feed everyone this evening. Stacy and Jared Ammon are coming and I know Jared is a big meat eater.

Today was blue day. I wore my blue dress with the white flowers and James wore his blue suit with his blue tie. We have this thing we do in trying to match each other. It is all in fun.

Millie Scott called to me as I walked into the chapel. She normally sits in the front so I was surprised to see her sitting in the back. Maybe it's because she is now on oxygen. I gave her a hug and a kiss and asked if she would have her surgery this week. She said yes, she was scheduled for it on Tuesday. This means she is well and is therefore good news.

Brother Dobson conducted the meeting today and bore his testimony. Others who bore their testimonies: Sam Westbrook, Cope Reynolds, Amy Bowen, Stefani Hunsaker, Marci Westbrook, Mike Brady, Burt Lardenslager, Te-Bo Tignor, Mary Gilbert, Tina Allen, and Olivia Jensen. 

James and I were most touched by Olivia Jensen's testimony. She is the Jensen's oldest daughter who is here for a visit. I cannot adequately convey here my feelings and how I felt the Spirit as Olivia spoke. She was so eloquent, yet sincere. It was a sermon in a testimony. Here are a few notes I took: The Book of Mormon reminds us that all things denote there is a God. God reveals his nature through nature. Fossil Springs hike. Natural spring watering a huge Cottonwood tree. Flowing water that can't be turned off. Alma, Lehi. His love is always flowing. Isaiah 58 The law of the fast is a law of love. Living water in us is an abiding love.

Very spotty I know but maybe someday when I go back and read this I will remember the feelings I had.

Stacy, Jared Ammon, Vader, Sofie, and to my surprise Paul arrived this afternoon/evening, just in time for dinner. We had roast with au jus, mashed potatoes, corn, salad, rolls and cherry cobbler for dinner. Everyone seemed hungry and most appreciative. 

Paul is struggling with his arthritis and asked to use a cane.

Stacy & Paul watched "The Chosen" the Passover episode. 

The dogs are getting old. Sofie can't see very well  and Vader has some arthritis and can't jump up on the couch anymore.

Jared Ammon went took some photos and shared them with me.

Sunset

Night sky

"Building an understanding of the Savior's eternal Atonement line upon line, precept upon precept, provides a spiritual inoculation against the wiles of the adversary."

- Elder Jeremy R. Jaggi

Exodus 13:21

And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:

Such great faith

Cousin Rita and her great-grand baby