Tuesday, May 12th, 2026: Scripture study, clean floors, logs, flat tires, 13,000 steps, TY notes for Cathi, Sis Johnson's talk, Thank you notes for Lois's funeral, nce weather, some clouds

 

                                    Albuquerque, New Mexico

                                              Temple #73

Deuteronomy 8:6 - Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy Gd, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.

This morning I listened to Sister Camille Johnson's talk from BYU Women's Conference. Here are some notes:

"Women of Light. The world is sin-sick and self-indulgent. As we do hard things with Jesus we become holy women.

More Jesus, less of less, "thin" things.

Desires dictate priorities. Nephi: "I glory in my Jesus."

Prayer, scripture study, sacrament meeting, temple worship, repenting, forgiving, serving! Pray more!

We need to be passionate, purposeful, and intentional.

Pray always! Find My Jesus. 

Start the day by listening to the Prophet's words. The Sabbath is a day for self-reflection. I am engraven on the palms of my Savior's hands. As Elder Kearon says: "The Lord is in relentless pursuit of us." We should minister with priesthood authority. 

Song: "I Need More Jesus." Find relief in Him. Less of lesser things. Draw closer to the Savior. We should be holy women who are full of the light of conversion. Jesus Christ is Relief. Sanctify my afflictions to my good. 

I am feeling good physically, which helps me to feel good mentally. 

My blogging is slow work today as I download more photos. I love that I have a video of Charlie's piano recital on the 4th, I just wish it would download on my blog. 

I swept floors today and wanted to mop but James is using my mop bucket working outside. I must tell him to get his own bucket.

I walked 13,000 steps and listened to my book. James and I got ready to go into town to hand in our taxes and do some shopping at Walmart. We headed out but when we got to the highway James noticed we only had 13 lbs. in our right back tire. We went back to the house and discovered that the truck also had a flat tire. James pulled a large screw out of the truck tire. He put some air in the car tire and it seems to be holding quite well. Tomorrow we will go to town and get some plugs. As for today, we won't be going anywhere. 

Cathi gave me a list of thank you notes to write for the funeral and I started on them. 

I didn't see much of Sammy today. Scooter comes in every time I open the door and Tom spends most of the day inside sleeping.

The weather was nice today, with some clouds. We need lots of rain this summer to keep more trees from dying.

"Cultivating temperance is a meaningful way to protect our souls against the subtle yet constant spiritual erosion caused by worldly influences."

- Elder Ulisses Soares

Deuteronomy 7:11

Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them.

Sweet Mason

Amazing!

Monday, May 11th, 2026: I am enjoying Deuteronomy, Tom is happy, Moses' reminders to Israel, "The Nobleman's Daughter", "The Unselected Journals of Emma B. Lion, Vol. 1", David Layton called as a mission president in Brazil, my handout idea

 

Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico

Temple #72

I am looking forward to reading the book of Deuteronomy!

Here are some scripture notes I took:

"Where words are scarce, they are seldom spent in vain." William Shakespeare: Richard II, Act 2, Scene 1. 

Moses' reminders to Israel:

"Stay faithful, love the Lord, remember Him, care for the poo, and choose blessings over cursings.

These chapters in Deuteronomy focus on commitment to God. We must choose daily whom to serve. (Deut. 30:19).

The Jews recite Deuteronomy 6:4-9 two times a day as a prayer:

"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. (See also Matthew 22:36-37). Teach these things diligently to your children.

I love this quote from President Ezra Taft Benson:

"When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives." (AGC 1988)

"The Nobleman's Daughter" is a good book regarding reform in England's history. I started the book, "Within the Dark Hills" by Sian Ann Bessey. This one is about the plight of poor miners in Wales history. I am also reading "Rediscovering Eve, Eden, Women: The Plan" by Rebekah Call, and "The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Vol. I" by Beth Brower. I also listened to two general conference talks. 

I walked over 12,000 steps and did three loads of laundry, folded and put away. James worked on taxes and logs. He called Rebecca to make sure they had enough money to cover funeral expenses. She said they did and thanked him for our generous donation. 

David Layton, the son of our friends Bob & Dianne Layton, was recently called as a mission president and will be serving in Brazil. David is the same age as Stacy. Bob & Dianne Layton are two of the most spiritual people I have ever met. I am so happy for Dianne. Bob passed away several years ago.

Michelle Craig and her husband will be mission leaders in Toronto, Canada. I saw Michelle on Barbara Morgan Gardener's podcast. Here is a quote from Michelle:

"No complaining, comparing or criticizing."

"Forgiveness is a divine gift offered through the grace of Jesus Christ."

- Elder Neil L. Andersen

Deuteronomy 7:9

Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

Elder & Sister Rasband on their

wedding day.

2026 BYU Women's Conference

Quentin Maxwell

Sunday, May 10th, 2026: Happy Mother's Day! Where have all the mothers gone? Point Twenty-Two ward, Ruth Wallace, Drea Boles, RS w/ Ruby & Trina, Birdie Speirs, lunch, pictures, home to Vernon

 

Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

Temple #71

Happy Mother's Day! James bought me gifts when he went shopping at Fry's last night. Big strawberries in a heart-shaped container, a salad, cheesecake, yellow orchid with purple centers and a $50 Amazon card.

The Point Twenty Two ward starts at 9:00. James and I were on time, a little early. I had time to speak to my friend Ruth Wallace and wish her a Happy Mother's Day. 

Darrel & Trina came in after the meeting started. Ruby came after sacrament meeting. Lola didn't come. She stayed home and cleaned the house for Mother's Day.

Darrel's very best friend in the ward, J.J. Hansen, was called as the second counselor in the bishopric. The bishop is Bishop Palmer and the stake president is a Udall. Brother Hansen was asked to bear his testimony. 

Benjamin Boles, Drea & Jason's son, passed the sacrament. I can't believe he's that old. 

The first speaker was a young sister leaving on a mission for London, England. Her name, Adalyn Rowe. Here are just a few notes that I took:

"I have a strong love for my best friend, my Mom. I want to be a Mom someday, the best version of me that I can be. 

Why I believe? My Mother taught me how to feel the Spirit. I love serving in the temple. 

Musical # - "Love Is Spoken Here" Primary children, YM & YW. 

Brother Richardson was the final speaker. He taught the outgoing missionaries. 

"It takes courage to go on a mission and leave the world behind. Mother's encourage and correct. Bowling alley shoes story. 

God's divinity is found in mothers. What mothers do is an essential balance to Christ's work. Christ's mother was there for Him and with Him throughout His life. 

Heavenly Father has a plan for us and it is centered around Jesus Christ. 

Trina, Ruby and I went to Relief Society together. I got to talk to Drea Boles and Birdie Speirs. Drea loves Lola and is so sad she is moving. We had refreshments and a lesson. The lesson was based on two questions the RS president gave to everyone. 1.) How have you seen the hand of the Lord in your life? I don't remember what the second question was. 

Trina got up and left during the lesson and didn't come back. I guess she was emotional and needed a moment. She was all right when we got back to the house.

Bishop Palmer owns Chunk Cookie and they were part of our refreshments. 

Trina's parents flew to Seattle yesterday where Trina's sister Tristan lives. They are all going on an Alaskan cruise. 

When we returned to Darrel & Trina's we packed up and got ready to go home. We took some photos before we left. 

Darrel is my baby

I love these sweet people!

We left around 12:30 for home and arrived around 3:10. We went the Globe way and there was very little traffic. We listen to "Follow Him" on the way home. Camey Andersen, Elder Andersen's daughter is the guest.

As we came up the hill I was shocked at the grove of dead pine trees right in front of our property. James says we have lost 11 new ones and most of them are close to the house. My heart hurts. We need rain!

I call for Tom on the deck. He cautiously comes around the corner. When he sees me, he runs to me. I scratch his back and we go inside and I give him a treat. He sits by the recliner in the family room waiting for me to sit down. James lays down on the bed instead and Tom gets his full body massage. Later he lays with me on our chair. He is so happy and dirty! 

After putting all of our stuff away we read from the Book of Mormon. 

My Mother's Day gifts:

Strawberries, salad, cheesecake, orchids and Amazon gift card from James.

Darrel & Trina - a card and an Amazon gift card

Sheri & Ian - card and lunch at Moreno's Mexican Grill

Kim & Brian - card, Emma B. Lion journal, Amazon gift card

Jared & Kacey - book about Eve and a very nice note from Jared

Stacy - a sweet phone call. 

Stacy said she got a set of weights from Adam. She had mentioned to Paul awhile back that she would like to have some small weights. Adam loves to give thoughtful gifts.

I had a wonderful Mother's Day!

Autumn and her sweet kids:

Scarlett and Benson

Saturday, May 9th, 2026: Scott Capper Tibbetts funeral, lunch w/ Sheri, Ian, Kim & Brian @ Moreno's Mexican Grill, the Invaders, Ruby's state track meet @ Shadow Mountain High School, Chikfila w/ Lola

 

Kona, Hawaii

Temple #70

James and I were early enough for Scott's funeral to attend the family prayer, which was offered by Brent. I sat by Laurie Lambson Thomas. I am so impressed with this woman. She is Uncle Gene's adopted daughter and she is the most loyal and faithful Lambson that I know. She goes to every family reunion and knows all about the various members of the Lambson family. She shared with me that she had been in charge of public relations for the Easter Pageant for many, many years. She told them that next year would be her last year. She just retired from a demanding job in the medical industry and is thinking about serving a mission. I am grateful I got to sit by Laurie and get to know her a little better.

There was no casket at the funeral. I am sure it was to save money.

Honestly I didn't even notice until James said something afterwards.

Nathan was the first speaker. He told about Scott's gifts, interests, and amazing faith. Scott's 6th grade science project was on nuclear fusion. Scott explained it so well even his doubtful teacher understood. Scott loved to serve, especially his family. He did serve a mission in Thailand and graduated from BYU with a degree in electrical engineering. In some areas Scott was almost genius but he had social anxiety. His faith in Jesus Christ grew stronger throughout the past three years of his illness.

Brent also spoke. I commend him for it. It must be so difficult to speak about a child that you have loved and lost. Brent is a very spiritual person and his talk reflected this. He spoke about one morning when he awoke very early. He sat down and began recording his thoughts and revelations. 

As hard as this funeral was, it is heartening to see the spiritual strength of this family. 

We did not go to the graveside or the luncheon. Stacy and Paul were here as was Carmen and Sydney, Dave and Laura, and Cathi and Terry. 

Here are some photos that Christina took at the cemetery.

Brent talking to his bishop

Marin, Jason's wife, and Lily,

Nathan's wife.

Jason in the white shirt

Brent and his oldest grandson, Jason's

oldest.

After the funeral James and I hopped on the freeway and went back to Darrel & Trina's to change our clothes. Sheri invited us to lunch for Mother's Day. Brian & Kim are coming too. Stacy & Paul were invited but couldn't come. I invited Darrel & Trina but Darrel said he had to go give blood. He has some kind of a blood condition where he has too many red blood cells and he has to give blood every 8 weeks.

We went to the Morena Grill on Gilbert & Germann. Sheri & Ian bought everyone's lunch. I had the delicious shrimp tacos with pineapple salsa.'

Sheri, you are too kind.

Back to Darrel & Trina's for a nap. We had to be out of the house by 3 for the buyers. They want to come in and measure for new flooring. We took a nap and cleared out. Darrel, Trina, Ruby, and Lola headed out first and then we were right behind them.

The state track meet is at Shadow Mountain High School on Shea Blvd. clear over in Phoenix. We stopped at Circle K and got drinks but the bathrooms were closed so we went to Bashas. James was able to get in the men's bathroom but the women's was locked with no attendant around. On to the track meet. We parked a block or so away and walked, paid, and I was able to find the women's bathroom and there wasn't even a line. 

It's warm today, around 105, but the bleachers are in the shade and it is quite comfortable. Ruby ran the 1600 first. It was so sad. She was neck and neck with first and second place, a sold third until the last lap. Two girls pass her so she gets 5th, which means she didn't place. She is the best runner on her team and she knows they depend on her. She feels like she let everyone down.  She collapsed on the track and laid there for the longest time. It was so sad. Trina says she has never done anything like this before. 

Finally she moved off the track and sat on the grass talking to her coach with a cold compress on her forehead. Trina told the coach to please get her out of the sun, which he did. 

I was worried Ruby might be so disheartened that she wouldn't want to run the 800. Trina and Darrel went down to talk to her and I think she felt better. When it was time to run the 800, she was right there.

She made a comeback in this race. She was in first place the entire race right until the very end. She lost by a split second!

We are very proud of Ruby and her comeback and she seems happy too!

We left after the 800. Eastmark is also running in the relay which Ruby is a part of, but we aren't staying. Lola is not happy about being her and we took her home with us. We stopped at Chikfila on the way home and feasted once we got home. Lola would have stayed home today if the buyers had not come. Lola and I call them the "Invaders."

Something I forgot to share. We saw Debbie Goodman, a dear friend from our years in Chandler at the track meet. She was there watching her grandson.  We also saw President Steve Williams, our stake president when we lived in Show Low. James served on the high council and they were both wrestlers so they have a bond. It was so great to see both of these dear friends!

Scott's last post

Scott's friends

Trina's map of Farmington