Friday, April 17th, 2026: What does mann represent? Elaine Dalton on "Follow Him" while driving to the temple, Eva's, Sheri's text about a fire truck @ Cathi's, Lois' fall, Ruth's friend Jewel passes away,

 

Hong Kong, China

Temple #48

What was manna supposed to represent to the children of Israel? (Exodus 16:31). "Jesus corrected the Jews, asserting that 'Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven' (John 6:32). He then state His preeminent point: 'The bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world' (v.33). ...The manna of Moses' time was a type of the true bread given of the Father, and that is none other than the Son. ...To their request for this bread, Jesus unambiguously announced, 'I am the bread of life; he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst' (v.35)" (Valletta, "True Bread of Life," 11).

After our session we had lunch at Eva's. This time I ordered the exact same thing that James usually orders, a chicken enchilada with green sauce and a side of refried beans. The food was good but I couldn't finish all of the refried beans. James had to heOn the way to the temple this morning we listened to "Follow Him."

The guest was Elaine Dalton, whom I love! She talked about how Moses learned of his identity and Moses 1 and that probably helped him have the confidence and faith to be a part of the miracle of the parting of the Red Sea.

lp me. 

I texted Sheri to see how she was doing. She told me she was worried about grandmother because she saw a fire truck at Cathi & Terry's last night. I called Cathi and she said that Lois had face planted into the bathroom floor and as a result she had a two inch gash over her right eyebrow. They decided against stitches so the medics used a glue to close it up and put a couple of bandages on it. 

Cathi was anxious and she made this comment which rather shocked us. "The hospice nurse says she thinks Lois only has about 72 more hours to live." 

Cathi said Lois Facetimed with Gail for about 10 seconds. She said, "I love you. Now I am ready to meet Jesus."

I told all of the kids about their grandmother and told James I would support him in whatever he wanted to do. After some contemplation he said: "I want to leave around noon tomorrow to go see Mom and stay until Sunday afternoon.

I read on Facebook that Jewel Turley had passed away. Jewel is one of Ruth Gale's good friends so I texted Ruth and told her how sorry I was. 

I paid off our Chase business line of credit today. The balance was:

$13, 921.90.

"Repentance opens the door to our new beginnings, fresh starts, and second chances."

- Elder Patrick Kearson

Exodus 16:23

And he said unto them, This is that which the Lord hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the Lord: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.

Deanne Hatch's post

Father & Son talk

Tanner and Mason

 

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