Saturday, May 2nd, 2026: Hotel brkfst Charlie prays, separate cars to funeral @ Pleasant bldg, no family photos before funeral, 2nd row next to Dave & Laura, lots of people, white casket w/ beautiful spray of roses, cemetery, luncheon, R&R, gathering @ Stacy & Paul's , OG food, back to Hyatt Place

 

Detroit, Michigan

Temple #63

James, Jared, Kacey, Charlie and I all went down to have the complimentary breakfast in the hotel breakfast room this morning. Charlie again insisted that we bless the food, which we did.

We drove separate cars to the funeral because we had different plans afterwards. The funeral was at the Pleasant building on Chandler Heights Rd. One of the first people I saw when I walked in was Sheri and she said to me: "Have you been crying"? I said no and told her something was wrong with my eyes. Later she said she could get me in to see Dr. Van Over but I reminded her that Jared was here and I could have him look at my eyes. She agreed and said he could use their office if he wanted to. He looked at my eyes, told me what I had and said he would write me a prescription. Crisis abated.

There was no gathering in the Relief Society room and walking in together. Lois's children walked in behind the casket while their spouses wait in the first and second rows. David tells Aunt Faye she can't sit there because it's for family. Laura says she is staying. Aunt Faye's feelings are hurt. She asks for James to sit with her later at the luncheon.

The funeral program was well put together and executed. Bishop Jensen conducted with President Scott Duncan presiding. Lori Layton was the pianist and organist and Lynda Cull the chorister. The opening hymn was "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" and the invocation was given by Rebecca Tibbetts. Terry gave the Clark family genealogy, which was very interesting. Dawn, Carmen, and Connie gave Lois's life story, sharing things that her children remembered about her. 

Stacy sang, "In the Garden" accompanied by Lori Layton. It was beautiful. Rebecca told us later that Christina told her that she was sure grandmother and Scott were there during Stacy's song whether they were there for anything else or not. 

Gail spoke and then Bishop Jensen. They were both wonderful, sharing testimony of the Savior and the Plan of Salvation.

Lois had 8 children, 35 grandchildren, 88 great-grandchildren with two more on the way, and 6 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Paul Clark and sister Fayrene Clark Reese.

We sang "God Be With You Till We Meet Again" and James gave the benediction.  Later at the cemetery David dedicated the grave.

The Pallbearers were: Kevin Lambson, Jared Lambson, Christopher Lambson, Timothy Schwarz, Patrick Lambson, Darrel Lambson, Nathan Lambson and Erik Lambson.

All of Dave's kids and our kids were there. Terry's 3 boys were in black suits. Hayden & Cheryl Lambson are here, as well as Jeanie Overman and her daughter Laynette Stack. Darrel & Trina meet Jeanie and Laynette. All of Carmen's kids were here, as well as Rebecca's except of course, Scott. Connie was here with Tim & Allison and Katy. Gail's kids: Ryan, Tim, Erik, Aaron, and Christopher. Melanie and Sam, Tim's kids were here too. Melanie was just called to serve her mission in Chile. 

Those I saw helping with the luncheon: Jackie Hall, Vickie Dwiggins, Lynda Cull, Sister Chase, Bill Valentic. Hillary and Ernesto Jiminez were at the funeral and the luncheon. 

Gail is a branch president in a remote area in Oregon 200 miles from where he lives. He is anxiously awaiting someone from the area to be called to take his place.

After the service we all drove straight east on Chandler Heights Rd. about 15 miles to the San Tan Memorial Gardens Cemetery where David dedicated Lois's final resting place. After the burial we all drove back to the church and enjoyed a luncheon proved by the Galveston 3rd ward Relief Society and Elders Quorum. We had pit BBQ beef and chicken prepared by Tom Pargetter. It was delicious.

After the luncheon James and I went back to the hotel to rest. I think Jared, Kacey and Charlie went to Deseret Book and Costa Vida. 

This evening at 6:30 the kids and their spouses, Adam, Michael, Joshua, James and I went to Stacy & Paul's just to eat and hang out. Sheri brought a big bag of chocolate chip cookies which disappeared rather quickly. Everyone brought their own dinner and we just ate and visited. Sheri & Ian were the first to leave with James & I shortly thereafter. Thanks to Stacy & Paul for letting us use their home. Oh yes, James and I had stuffed chicken marsala and cheesecake from Olive Garden. I could only eat a little of the cheesecake so Charlie finished it up for me.

James and I were pretty tired when we got back to room 315 at Hyatt Place in Chandler and it wasn't long before we were in bed.

Sweet Lola

Stacy & James, Teresa & Kacey

James watching Charlie eating cheesecake.

He loves to watch kids eat.

Our awesome kids!

I love to see the temple, especially if my

name is Charlie!

Friday, May 1st, 2026: Chuck comes over, we leave @ 12:11, Payson way, meet Jared, Kacey & Charlie @ the Hyatt Place in Chandler, Cafe Rio, Barnes & Nobles, Scheel's, Culver's, back to motel

Columbia, South Carolina

Temple #62

After prayer and scriptures with James I began getting ready for the valley. I showered and dressed and as I was sitting in the  bedroom, Chuck walked in to see me with wet hair. Oh well. We showed him how to feed the kitties and said once a day, 8 ounces would do. James takes Chuck outside to show him how to feed the horses. 

We left for the valley at 12:11 and went the Payson way. I made a reservation at the hotel where Kacey and Jared are staying, Hyatt Place near the Chandler mall. They arrived about 30 minutes before we did and Jared texted me their room, 314. When we arrived I told James to ask for a room on the third floor. The attendant said she was sorry, but the only room she had left on the third floor was room 315. Perfect. We are right next door!

When we get off the elevator on the third floor, Charlie, Kacey, and Jared were waiting in the hall for us. I see Charlie first and give her a hug. After putting our things in our room, we all walked to Cafe Rio for dinner. Charlie makes sure we say a prayer before we eat. 

After dinner, we walked across the street to the Barnes & Noble store in the Chandler mall. We spent all of our time in the children's section. Charlie picked out a book called, "Dream." It is a sequel to a book she had already read called, "Wish." James left a little early and went to get our car and drove it over to the mall. 

We left Barnes & Noble after Charlie got her book. Charlie and Jared walked through the mall to Scheel's and Kacey, James and I rode over in the car. 

Charlie and Jared were upstairs in the toy section when we arrived but quickly came down so Charlie could ride the ferris wheel with Kacey.

Reading at Barnes & Noble

A couple of cuties

Jared says, "I love this store." They have an entire section with smokers and all kinds of spices, etc. They also have a wildlife section and James got lost in it for awhile. Here are some more pictures from Scheel's:

We left Scheel's and went to the nearest Culver's for some ice cream. I got the turtle Sunday but was disappointed. It didn't taste as I thought it would. Charlie had a scoop of chocolate. James had a waffle cone with vanilla ice cream. Jared had the chocolate covered strawberries with vanilla ice cream. Kacey passed. We sat outside on the patio and the weather was nice.

We went back to the hotel. I got in my jammies and watched an episode of "Murdoch" while James did some walking.

 

Thursday, April 30th, 2026: Inklings with Emily & Tanna on ministering, lunch w/ Pat Tedder @ the Asian Bistro, Kathy Crane brings us soup & rolls for dinner, I show her how to feed the kitties, Kat & Larry help James

 

Bismarck, North Dakota

Temple #61

I listened to Inklings this morning where Emily and Tanna talked about ministering using Sister Kristen Yee's talk as a springboard. 

This was one of my favorite talks. Here are some notes:

Invitation: We are all invited to give the God and Father of us all a helping hand with his staggering task of answering prayers...drying tears, and strengthening feeble knees...never was the need greater than now for souls to be lifted, strengthened and healed.

Promise: As we emulate His sacrifice by loving and ministering as He would, we will be blessed to find our own joy, healing and relief in Him. We will become even as He is.

Favorite Quote: Ministering not only brings forth the blessings of heaven, it is the way of heaven.

Affirmation: I am a vessel of the Savior's love. I choose to see, lift and care for others as He would - near and far. As I minister with faith and kindness, I become His hands, and in serving, I find healing, belonging and joy in Him.

I had lunch with Pat Tedder today. She invited me if I would drive as she doesn't drive anymore except around Vernon. We went to the Asian Bistro in Lakeside. It was my first time and I was impressed. 

Pat and I both ordered the veggies and chicken from the lunch menu. I order veggies and scallops for James and she ordered a beef and veggie and a chicken and veggie to take to Al & Sally Sedig. That's five orders and it only came to $69. I told Pat I would pay for James's but she insisted. It was a nice outing and I am so grateful to be Pat's friend. 

Kat and Larry were here to work on the logs with James. James was a little frustrated because they redid some places that had already been done and he says they work very slow. I insisted he keep them because I don't want him doing all of this by himself. 

Kathy Crane came over and brought us some homemade chicken noodle soup and rolls for dinner. She is so thoughtful. I showed her how to feed the kitties but I think she is going to have Chuck do it so we will probably have to show him too.

We are leaving tomorrow for the valley and will be there for three nights or until Monday afternoon or evening. I hope Tom is all right outside that long.

Wednesday, April 29th, 2026: Early morning woes, take Bishop to town at noon to rent a car, Yorba Linda temple open house, Home Depot, Walmart, LaCasita, no viewing for Lois,

 

Columbus, Ohio

Temple #60

I wake up most mornings with my hands, shoulders, and feet hurting. It has become my habit to drink a shake, take two Tramadol and go back to bed for an hour or so, until I feel better.

James and I took the bishop to town today to rent an SUV. He is taking his family to the Yorba Linda temple open house in California. He said the place where the temple is built was where the building he went to church in as a boy. They will stay at an air-bnb in New Port Beach. They will also be taking a trip to Catalina Island. Sandra Wilhelm is sending a package with them to give to Elder Wilhelm. 

James went to Home Depot while I went to Walmart. Afterwards we had lunch at LaCasita. The food was delicious and the prices are quite reasonable. 

I walked and enjoyed listening to my book, "The Nobleman's Daughter." It is still so very windy outside that I don't even want to go outside.

Jacob Barrett and his grandpa, Richard Miller showed up at our house this afternoon during rest time. Jacob brought us tickets for the upcoming youth fundraiser Navajo Taco dinner and desert auction. I told Jacob we would buy our tickets from him.

I got a text from Michael today. He wants to bring his girlfriend, April up on the 14th. He says he wants us to meet her and that she is "the one." Maybe we will have a wedding coming up soon.

Do I make my offerings with a willing heart?

"I extend an earnest invitation to all of us to adorn our minds and hearts with the Christlike virtue of temperance."

- Elder Ulisses Soares

Leviticus 19:13

Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbor, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.

Charlie's school photos

Such a cutie!

Relief Society memory

Teresa Smith, Pat Tedder, Kailee Nichol

Amy Reynolds, Tamara Applegate

Tuesday, April 28th, 2026: "More Holiness Give Me", Janna's text, James does a session and helps clean the temple w/ Kathy & Chuck Crane, I stay home because of pain

 

Spokane, Washington

Temple #59

"Greater happiness comes from greater holiness."

- Henry B. Eyring

As part of our "Come Follow Me" study this morning we listened to a talk by President Henry B. Eyring from the October 2019 General Conference, "Holiness and the Plan of Happiness." The above quote is from that talk. Here are some more of the notes that I took while listening to it.

We increase in holiness through adversity and through daily repentance where the Lord changes us to become the best we can be. We can have greater faith in Jesus Christ by feasting upon His words. The pathway of purity. 

More purity give me,

more strength to o'ercome,

more freedom from earth-stains,

more longing for home.

More fit for the kingdom,

more used would I be,

more blessed and holy -

more Savior like thee.

I knew we were going to the temple this afternoon/evening, so I did my walking early.

I got a text from my friend Janna Grombach today about her experience in the hospital up here. She has a bowel blockage. 

I have a blockage in my small intestine with an ulceration in my large intestine. My doctor said Summit was not supposed to release me until the blockage was completely gone. (They let her go the same day she came in). My primary care said to stay on clear liquids until Friday to see if it will release. If I'm not better by Friday I am to go to the valley for admission back into the hospital, or sooner if I get worse. I got a blessing. It's so sad we can't get a better hospital here. 

Clear liquids until Friday. She's going to starve! I am praying that she will get better very soon. She is such a dear friend.

I had planned on starting to get ready for the temple around 4:45 but I felt miserable. I had a lot of pain in my arm and shoulder and some sciatic nerve pain on my right side. I took some Tramadol and laid down but I never really felt better. James came in and got ready. When he saw me still on the recliner he told me to go take a shower and I would feel better. I did, but I didn't. I started to cry and told him I was sorry but I just didn't think I could go. At first he wasn't going to go either, but I talked him in to it. Kathy and Chuck picked him up before 5:30. They are going to the 7:00 session and then will clean the temple afterwards. I feel like such a slug.

James called me around 9:30 this evening. He said he was locked outside of the temple waiting for the Crane's who were still inside. He said that Linda and Bobby Stevens had been the officiator's in the temple session. They are a new couple in our ward and I didn't know they were temple workers. He said they had around 25 people helping to clean. That is quite amazing. 

James got home at 10:30 and was hungry. He had a couple of cookies before going to bed.

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

- Elder Neil L. Andersen

Exodus 40:38

For the cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

The ark of the covenant

Altar of incense

Candlestick

Table of Shewbread

Laver

Altar of Sacrifice