Sunday, May 24th, 2026: Read and took notes on Alma 5, lesson outline, off we go, huge crowd in sacrament meeting, my lesson, homeward bound, James blesses & visits, I make cookies

 

Villahermosa, Mexico

Temple #85

I got up at 4 this morning to do final preparations for my lesson. James thinks I am crazy. He got up a little before 6.

I studied Alma 5 because I felt like the questions that Alma asks could benefit the sisters. What a chapter! 

This is the statement our bishop made when he got up to conduct sacrament meeting: "Welcome to stake conference." The room was filled clear back to the second overflow. 

My new dress shows my garments in the back if it' s pulled the wrong direction so I had to put my white sweater on. Thank goodness I brought it.

Cary Dobson, Dalton Dobson's 9 year old son was the youth speaker today. He did a great job! One of his favorite Primary songs is: "I Will Find My Own Sacred Grove."

Amy Bowen and Jennifer Golly were the main speakers. Their topic: "How I Find Jesus Christ Over and Over Again." Amy grew up in a non-religious home where her parents used and abused alcohol. She did not feel loved as a child by her parents or the Lord. She got a scholarship to attend Utah State University in Logan, Utah. She met a returned missionary there who was so kind and friendly to her. She ended  up joining the Church but had to go home because of lack of funds. Even though she joined the Church she felt like God hated her. Back at home she had no friends at church and no one reached out to her so she quit going for awhile. Fast forward to 2009 she is married and living in St. Johns. It was at this time she got her temple endowments. She and her husband were struggling and he ended up committing suicide in 2012. Amy began attending the temple. She said she was trying to align herself with God. She began to realize the Savior loves her just as she is.

Because it is Memorial Day weekend Jennifer talked about the military and the service in her family. She talked about trust, faith, and obedience as it pertains to Jesus Christ. Jennifer's Oma grew up in East Berlin during WWII. Because of malnutrition she was only 4'9". Her Oma was able to come to America and became a citizen. If someone asked her if she was German she would say, "No, I am an American." Jennifer joined the Church when she was 25. She has done temple work for her family, providing a welding link between generations. Christ is calling us home. "I am grateful for the Lord's hand in my families story.

My lesson went well. I told the story of Ammon, Lamoni, King Lamoni's father and Aaron from the Book of Mormon. We had a good discussion. I missed seeing Millie, Janna, Pat, Maxine, Barbara Klug and Barbara Tignor. Debbie Schwarz talked about her husband meeting with the bishop to talk about baptism and some questions he has. She talked to me afterwards and thanked me for my lesson and handouts. She is such a sweet person.

After lunch on the day I teach I like to just crash and relax. James had things to do this afternoon. He and Chuck went to the Tignor's and gave each of them a blessing of health and administered the sacrament to them. Afterwards James went to visit with Greg Anderson. Kim said she didn't come to church today because she isn't really friends with anyone and she was embarrassed by the fact that they are moving. I told James we should invite them to sit with us until they move. 

On the way home from the Anderson's James saw a guy and his two kids broke down by the side of the road. When he stopped to help the ten year old boy said to him: "Thank you so much kind sir. I said a prayer and you came right away."

I made cookies for James while he was gone. Chocolate chip with oatmeal and walnuts. They were quite delicious. I also finished listening to Camille Fronk Olson on "Follow Him."

"God doesn't just want us to do what is right. He wants us to choose to do what is right."

- Elder Dale G. Renlund

Barbara, the love of T-Bo's life.

The Tignor Saga

Happy Sabbath from this sweet girl!

Sister Kapp is one of my all-time favorites!

Cayli's 23rd Birthday

Made by Sheri with love!

Lemon curd tarts from Kim!

Mason's 2nd Birthday!

Summer & JB

Tanner & Kate with Mason

These two love each other!

Saturday, May 23rd, 2026: The indomitable Mary Ellen Edmunds has passed away - oh how I love her!, $5,000 in J's account, "A Provincial Peer", rain clouds - no rain, finished handouts, "favorite sins"

 

Nashville, Tennessee

Temple #84

5 am. prayer first. I then began worrying about James's account as he has been writing checks to Kat & Larry from his account and also his vehicle insurance comes from that account. I checked and he has just a little over $200 in the account. I transferred $5,000. The checks he write to Kat & Larry are always for $200. That's how much he pays them every time they work.

"London society are vultures, waiting for prey." - Georgiana Wood, "The Duke's Bargain."

I started "A Provincial Peer' by Sian Ann Bessey. Here is a short descriptions of the book:

Lord Benning is no ordinary nobleman. The heir to an earldom, he feels more at home working on the farm at his country estate than socializing in the ballrooms of London. (This is in 1796). So when a mysterious, veiled woman mistakes him for a farmhand, he takes the assumption in stride and though he is not offended, he is intrigued. Following a devastating outbreak of smallpox, Caroline Granger and her young daughter Meg, retreat to Caroline's childhood home in the village of Leyfield in Gloucestershire, England. Left widowed and weakened by the ravages of the disease, Caroline wears a veil to hide her facial scars and to prevent the inevitable gasps of horror or murmurs of pity others offer in response to her altered appearance. Caroline is mortified when she learns of her error in addressing Lord Benning - or Benedict, as she called him during their growing up years - as a farmhand. But shared childhood memories and a precocious 4 year old inevitably draw Benedict and Caroline together, and it's not long before she realizes that Benedict accepts every part of her, including her scars. With newfound courage and a growing love for Benedict, Caroline feels the first stirrings of hope. But when the disease that took so much from Caroline finds its way to Leyfield, she stands to lose more than she can bear, and Benedict must decide exactly how much he is willing to risk at a chance for love. - The doctor who actually helped find a cure for smallpox is featured in this story. It is a good one!

One of my very favorite BYU Women's Conference speakers, Mary Ellen Edmunds, passed away. I will always remember and lover her for her sense of humor and her testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I actually finished my handouts today. I ended up with 59 instead of 60. I'm not sure why but now I get to keep a key. Because the talk this lesson is based on is so short I read lots of extra things to supplement my knowledge and remembrance of "I Will Give Away All My Sins to Know Thee." Should I focus on the desires of our hearts and how important they are, or should I tell the conversion story of King Lamon's father from the Book of Mormon. Maybe both.

I walked 12,000 steps, which takes about two hours, did one blogpost, which takes about an hour, and started another before getting caught up reading and working on my lesson. 

I cooked steak for lunch and it was soooo good. I guess you could say it is my favorite food, along with the shrimp at Culver's right now. (My favorites change from time to time.) Here was what James was doing when I called, "lunch time."

Am I ready to get rid of my favorite sins to know God?

Strange things on the table.

Friday, May 22nd, 2026: Scriptures, Kat & Larry, trip to town, Culver's shrimp, "Follow Him" w/ Camille Fronk Olson, text from Jared about San Diego temple open house on June 19th

 

Tampico, Mexico

Temple #83

Alma gives us the judgeship so he can preach the gospel full-time.

Joshua 23 - God will continue to bless Israel if they are faithful. Cleave unto the Lord your God, as ye have done unto this day. If Israel begins to worship false gods they will be destroyed. ...fear the Lord, and serve Him in sincerity and in truth.

Joshua 24 - Choose you this day whom ye will serve; but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. The Lord our God will we serve, and His voice will we obey. Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua.

Kat and Larry came today. James got them started and then we went to town. Our first stop was Walmart where James dropped me off. He went to Home Depot to get a tool he needs and then he went to Circle K for gas and drinks. We nee one more fillup to get the next 40 cents off day. 

While I was shopping I tried to call James a couple of times but he didn't answer. Finally I texted him and he called me back. I told him to come to Walmart and get some wings while I checked out. He showed up while I was checking out and said they didn't have the kind we liked so he didn't get any. 

On the way home we stopped at Culver's and went in and got 10 shrimp and shared them. They were delicious and it was the cheapest lunch we have ever had at Culver's. On the way home we listened to Camille Fronk Olson on "Follow Him." I love Camille. I remember hearing her speak at BYU Women's Conference when she was Camille Fronk.

We got a text from Jared this evening. He and Kacey got two extra tickets to the San Diego temple open house on June 19th and they want to know if we would like to meet them there. Of course we would!

"Many join the Church at great personal sacrifice and desperately need the love and support of their fellow saints."

- Elder Quentin L. Cook

Joshua 23:3

And ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for the LORD your God is he that hath fought for you.

James's photos of a gopher snake on

our back porch. Disgusting, but yet I

am putting them on here.

Thursday, May 21st, 2026: All of Israel punished because of Achan, A ceremony of covenant renewal, horses are out, snake on our back porch, Inklings w/ Grace & Hilary, Benson 10 months old, Lola's end of 6th grade school year, James works hard

 

Cochabamba, Bolivia

Temple #82

Joshua 7 - Joshua reminds Israel again to sanctify themselves. 

All of Israel is punished because of what Achan did. 

Joshua 8 - Israel destroys the people and city of Ai. This time the Lord allows them to take the prey of the city this time. 

Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel in Mt. Ebal. Joshua offered sacrifices and wrote a copy of the law of Moses on stones. A ceremony of covenant renewal was held. 

I listened to Grace and Hilary Weeks on Inklings this morning. It was good. 

Talk: "Follow the Prophet, He Knows the Way" - Michael John U. Teh

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17

Invitation: 'Hold up your light that it may shine unto the world,' adding, 'Behold, I am the light which ye shall hold up - that which ye have seen me do.'

Promise: It is interesting to me that some people would think that God's prophets live in the past and are not attuned to the times. Everything I know of prophets is the opposite. They actually see into the future as watchmen on a tower.

Favorite Quote: I was prepared to live in the shadows. Imagine my delight to wake up and see the rays of the morning sun shining through our windows.

Affirmation: I am guided by living prophets and anchored in Jesus Christ. I choose faith over fear and trust that God is leading me, even when I cannot see the full path ahead.

James had to "wrangle" the horses this morning. Because the fence builders are here, one of our fences was down and they escaped to the oasis of Dave Elkin's pond. I can't say I blame them. 

Caught on Dave's wildlife camera

James also did the dishes and washed the kitchen window. He worked hard outside today in spite of pain. He's about finished in the front of the house and is now also working in the back.

I got up at 3 this morning with some ideas for my lesson. The desires of our hearts are so important. I read Elder Wu's talk and underlined most of it. I went back to bed for about an hour and a half around 4. 

I managed well today. I walked 13,000 steps, did two blogposts, and made 10 handouts. I also listened to Sheri Dew's BYU Women's Conference talk. It was great!

This is a short description of the book I am now reading, "The Duke's Bargain."

' Eight month after a stolen kiss ruined her reputation, Miss Georgiana Wood is a recluse, cast out of society without any hope of ever finding a suitable match. Longing for redemption, she never expects her salvation to arrive in the form of a handsome, temperamental duke. After a failed bargain left the Duke of Marlow without a promised wife and heir, he must face courtship a final time. He plans to entice his future bride with a priceless family heirloom - one now in the possession of Miss Wood, who agrees to return it if he takes her on three outings in London during the Season to restore her reputation.

As the pair navigate Society's expectations and whispered gossip, Marlow soon sees a new side to Georgiana - an ally and friend. Her wit and courage, grace and allure far exceed that of the eligible ladies he intended to court, and soon, he'd do almost anything to secure her happiness. As Marlow wrestles with duty and desire, Georgiana begins to hope that she could be loved not despite her past, but because of who she truly is. When hearts are tested, truth and secrets revealed, will love be enough to risk it all?'

"Today those invited to the supper of the Lord come from every place and culture."

- Elder Gerrit W. Gong

Benson is 10 months old

He's got a bruise on his forehead from

walking around furniture and falling

Wednesday, May 20th, 2026: Joshua 3:5, cancelled temple appt., no more manna, Joshua 6 walls of Jericho, expectations exceed my ability, Chelsea guilt, po, Shanna's for over an hour, 12,000 steps, 2 blog posts, 5 handouts, Kat & larry here, finished "No Match for Love: dress & good girdle if there is such a thing

 

Reno, Nevada

Temple #81

Joshua 3:5 - How do we sanctify ourselves? 

Joshua 5 - No more Manna!

Joshua 6 - The number 7 indicates completion or perfection. The walls of Jericho fall but Rahab and her family are saved. Jericho was unrepentant, whereas Rahab changed her life and conformed to God's will. Are the desires of my heart aligned with God's will?

How do I do it all? My expectations exceed my ability to perform and it is quite disappointing. My mind keeps going back to Chelsea and how disappointed she probably is in me. What can I do to make it up to her? Invite the kids over to play in the backyard might be a good way to start. I'm going to write her a note.

This afternoon I made a trip to the post office to mail the eight thank you cards for Mom's funeral, Cayli & Mason's birthday cards and Curtis And Aurora's grad cards, On the way home I stopped at Shanna Penrod's to give her my names to take to the temple with the youth on Saturday. 

Shanna came out to my car saying her dog would "eat me up" if I came into her yard. He looks like Willy Grombach's dog. She does have a no trespassing sign on her fence. We talked for about an hour and a half. Shanna did most of the talking. Her husband shot himself in front of her in the house she still lives in because she can't afford to leave. She told me that 2 of her children have turned against her. She shared with me the issues of most all of her family members, including Kyle, her 23 year old grandson who attends our ward. The problem with Kyle is he doesn't have a job so he doesn't pay rent or help pay for groceries. Shanna says he eats four times as much as she does and she likes to eat. 

I admire the strength of Shanna Penrod. She is 65 years old, she is a temple worker and a counselor in the Young Women's.

I was able to walk 12,000 steps, do to blog posts and make five handouts. I finished "No Match for Love" and will start "The Duke's Bargain" by Megan Walker tomorrow.

The girdle I got will work nicely with my new dresses.

Kat and Larry were here today.

"The teachings of the family proclamation were revealed by our Lord Jesus Christ to His Apostles then and now."

- Elder Ronald A. Rasband

Joshua 3:7

And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.

 

Tuesday, May 19th, 2026: Joshua 3 sanctify yourselves..., 12 stones, 17 dead trees, praying for rain, 8 names for baptisms, cards rdy to mail oops Amelia instd of Aurora, 20 handouts, James chips a tooth, Alex, Jazmin, Betty, JA - Razr

 

Memphis, Tennessee

Temple #80

Joshua 3:5 - And Joshua said unto the people, sanctify yourselves; for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you. The Lord stops the River Jordan.

Joshua 4 - Twelve stones are placed on dry ground so the people will remember the miracle of the parting of the Jordan River. The people passed over on the first day of passover. Joshua was magnified before the people as was Moses.

James went out and did a head count. We have 17 dead trees in the front and more in the back and some we can't even see from the house. This makes me so sad. I am praying for rain.

James is now working on the railing on the balcony on Sheri and Ian's room. This process is taking soo long.

I got 8 names for baptism, 4 females and 4 males, and printed off the cards. I told Shanna I would bring them by today, but I didn't make it. She doesn't need them until Saturday so I still have some time.

I finished all the thank you cards and they are ready to mail. I also have Cayli and Mason's birthday cards ready to mail and Curtis and Aurora's graduation cards. I made a big mistake on Aurora's card so I had to cut it open to remedy the mistake. I put Amelia's name instead of Aurora's. I happened to look at the grad announcement on the frig and realized my mistake before mailing. Whew! 

I did finish 20 handouts today but I didn't blog or work on my lesson. James chipped a tooth so we both need to see Pierce but not this week.

Jared Ammon is coming up next Monday. He is going to look for a used Razr for us. Hopefully we can afford one. Still no word from the surveyor so we still don't have the money from the sale of the land. Dave Elkin is putting up a fence around the property he bought from us. 

I got my Amazon order, a new water thermos which I love, my fruit and veggie supplements, and a casual purple dress.

Kathy visited our sisters today to take them salsa. I told her I couldn't got next week but she needed to go this week because of the fresh salsa.

Elder Bassett's funeral was today.

"Your origin story is divine, and so is your destiny. You left heaven to come here, but heaven has never left you!"

Joshua 2:11

And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.

My lunch and Emma M. Lion

volume 2

Jesus walking on the water

Look at how nice our backyard looks,

thanks to James.

Evan in Italy looking for Joshua?

It keeps cold things cold and

hot things hot. How do it know?