Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025: Happy Bday Chuck! Sister Stephen's talk, News from Epic Sport - Razr can't be fixed, engine is shot, Dollar Tree, Wlmrt, Culver's, Circle K, Charlie Clark's w/ Crane's Ordered J's bday present a battery operated chainsaw,

 

Richmond, Virginia

177th operating temple

Dedicated: 7 May 2023

By: Dallin H. Oaks

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 16:1-16

Come Follow Me

JS-H 1:34-47

By restoring His gospel, the Savior fulfilled ancient prophecies.

David A. Bednar: "With the Power of God in Great Glory" 

OGC 2021

October General Conference

'Seek Him with All Your Heart'

Bishop L. Todd Budge

"President Nelson has counseled that we not just read the scriptures but savor them. What difference would it make if we were to do less reading and more savoring?"

Reading Sister Carole M. Stephens conference talk, "The Master Healer" had a profound effect upon me today and I encouraged my family to read it too. Kacey was the only one who reported back after reading it.

There was a storm in the south last night. There is snow in Destin, Florida!

Epic Sports called James this morning and said there was a problem with the Razr's engine and it was not fixable. The engine is fairly new so James doesn't understand. This is sad news indeed.

We ordered James's birthday present today, a battery-operated chainsaw that only weighs 2 lbs. He used his birthday money and the money he got for Christmas to pay for it.

We went to town today. It was sad going past the Penrod's house with the no trespassing and for sale signs. In town I went to Dollar Tree while James went to Culver's and got his fish sandwich. Afterwards we went to Walmart and Circle K. We had to hurry home so we would have time to put groceries away and take a short break before picking up the Crane's at 4:00 pm.

Off to Charlie Clark's in Pinetop. The early bird specials start at 4:45 and run until six. We got there at 4:55. The 7 oz. prime rib is on the early bird special. Kathy, James and I all ordered the 7 oz. Chuck ordered the 10 oz. which isn't on the early bird special. The waitress made a mistake and brought a 10 oz. prime rib for James too. Oh well. The food was delicious but because I have had the stomach flu, I couldn't eat very much and had to have a box to take half of my prime rib home. James only ate half of his too. 

We told the waitress that today was Chuck's birthday and tomorrow is James's. She brought us 3 free chocolate sundaes. Kathy wanted one too and James shared his with me. Our order came to $137.00. We paid and Chuck left $20 for the tip, and James left another $5. 

We saw our friends Maxine and Gary Thompson who got here right at 4:45. I know they love coming here. They brought their daughter and son-in-law. It was nice to meet them.

The Crane's seemed very grateful for dinner. We drove home and said our goodbye's. James walked and I studied. Tom follow James around. James said a couple of cats were fighting outside. Maybe that's why Tom likes to be in the house at night.

I slept in my bed tonight for the first time since I've been sick.

That smoke is from a prescribed burn

Kathy & Chuck Crane at

Charlie Clark's

Happy Birthday Chuck!

James enjoying his birthday sundae

Someone else posted this,

not me.

Tuesday, January 21st, 2025: Happy Anniversary Jared & Kacey! "Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into our Lives", Mail: J's bday gifts, teaspoons, swords, notebooks, Aliberto's lunch, Cln dwnstrs, Text from Kathy abt Chuck's bday, Charlie Clark's tomorrow @ 4

 

San Juan, Puerto Rico

176th operating temple

Dedicated: 15 Jan 2023

By: D. Todd Christofferson

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 15:19-36

Come Follow Me

JS-H 1:27-33

God had a work for me to do.

October General Conference

'Mortality Works'

Elder Brook P. Hales

"Because this life is a testing ground and 'dark clouds of trouble hang o'er us and threaten our peace to destroy,' it is helpful to remember this counsel and promise found in Mosiah 23 relating to life's challenges: 'Nevertheless-whosoever putteth his trust in the Lord the same shall be lifted up at the last day.'"

Happy 8th Anniversary Jared & Kacey! We are so happy for you!

As part of our "Come Follow Me" study we listened to a talk by President Nelson given in 2017, "Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives." This is an excerpt from this talk:

"When He can feel that the greatest desire of your heart is to draw His power into your life, you will be led by the Holy Ghost to know, exactly what you should do. When you spiritually stretch beyond anything you have ever done before, then His power will flow into you."

I remember this talk by President Nelson because he said he had challenged the young adults of the Church to look up all of the reference to Jesus Christ in the topical guide and study them. He had done this himself and he said he would never be the same. I took on this challenge and it took me over five years to finish the challenge as I did one scripture a day. It was a worthy endeavor and I am grateful I did it.

James said the Razr should be fixed by this weekend and I am very excited! 

Today in the mail James got a package from his Mom and Dawn for his birthday. A wallet, some socks, a shirt and a $50 Amazon gift card. I also got my new measuring spoons that I ordered, six new notebooks, and my new swords which are a little bigger. The clock we ordered on December 20th won't be here for a few more days. 

I asked James when he went to town if he would bring me back a taco from Aliberto's. I was envisioning a crispy shell shredded beef taco. Instead James brought me back a carne asada taco with guacamole, with soft tortillas. At first I complained but then I apologized because I actually really liked it! Thanks Honey!

James helped me clean downstairs this afternoon. We stacked the Christmas boxes in the years supply closet. James carried out all of the trash bags and I swept the hallway and stairs. It is such a relief to have this done as I have been trying to get to it for a week but just haven't felt up to doing it.

Kathy Crane texted me this evening and asked what our plans were for going out to dinner tomorrow night. We invited them to celebrate Chuck and James's birthdays. Chuck's is the 22nd and James's is the 23rd. 

Finally a decision has been made. We are going to Charlie Clark's and we will pick Chuck and Kathy up at 4 pm. I'm excited because Charlie Clark's is the best steak house on the mountain.

James brought me some herbal tea this evening. He is so thoughtful.

Another quote from President Nelson:
"Pray to know how to pray with power."

Happy Anniversary!

Monday, January 20th, 2025: Inauguration Day, College Football Championship, Apollo in the yard, I am sick w/ stomach flu, James's Dr. appt, Kim Penrod commits suicide, Sammy's water frozen, call from Michael, WCTH

 

Quito, Ecuador

175th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 Nov 2022

By: Quentin L. Cook

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 15:1-18

Come Follow Me

Jan 20-26

"The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn to Their Fathers"

D&C 2; JS-H 1:27-65

Introduction

October General Conference

'Seeking Answers to Spiritual Questions'

Sister Tracy Y. Browning

"God the Father and His Son's way of imparting Their wisdom to us prioritizes inviting the power of the Holy Ghost to be our personal teacher as we center Jesus Christ in our lives and in our faithful seeking for Their answers and Their meaning. They invite us to discover truth through devoted time spent studying holy scripture and to seek for latter-day revealed truth for our day and our time, imparted by modern-day prophets and apostles. They entreat us to spend regular, worshipful time in the house of the Lord and to take to our knees in prayer 'to access information from heaven.'"

Today was President Donald Trump's second inauguration day, the time as the 47th President of the United States of America.

Today was also the College Football Championship game, Notre Dame vs. Ohio State. Ohio State won 34-23.

Apollo was in the yard again this morning. James cannot figure out how he gets in. He left him in the yard to see if he would go out the way he came in, but he didn't. James is thinking about putting another wire on the top of the fence.

I was sick, very sick today with the stomach flu. I guess I got it from James. I stayed on the recliner most of the day and ate very little. James had a doctor's appointment with Dr. Ellsworth who did his hand surgery. The doctor gave him a cortisone shot for pain. I had asked James to bring me home some hot and sour soup, which he did. It usually helps when I am sick but today I just couldn't eat very much. Too miserable. 

When James went past the Penrod's house in downtown Vernon he said it was all roped off and there were three black police cars/trucks there. Later we found out that Kim Penrod, Shanna's estranged husband visited her and shot himself in front of her, committing suicide.  He had been living in Springerville with his daughter and Shanna had a restraining order against him. Shanna is an active member of our ward and a temple worker. This is so very sad for her and her family. Her son and his family, though not active, are members of our ward too.

I got a call from our grandson Michael today. He said a group wants to come up this weekend to help Grampa. He mentioned, Dallin, Sammi, Jared Ammon, and maybe Paul, and Joe, along with him, of course and Namira. I told him I was very sick today and maybe he should check back later in the week to see how I am doing before making any plans. He said that he was sorry I was sick, and he would check back.

Sunday, January 19th, 2025: 19 degrees on the way to church, stake seminary teachers - Gassaways, egg salad sandwiches, herd of elk, J sauna blanket, swelling on left jawline, J cold watering trees, blogposts, talked to Kerri about Catherine, Janna has a cough, worried about MacArthur's,

 

Belem, Brazil

174th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 Nov 2022

By: Dale G. Renlund

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 14:9-30

Come Follow Me

JS-H 1:21-26

I can remain true to what I know, even if others reject me.

Gary E. Stevenson: "Nourishing and Bearing Your Testimony" 

October General Conference 2022

Podcast: Kerry Muhlstein & Robert Millet on Moroni, John, and the ministering of angels

October General Conference

'I Am He'

President Jeffrey R. Holland

"So, through abundance as well as poverty, through private acclaim as well as public criticism, through the divine elements of the Restoration as well as the human foibles that will inevitably be part of it, we stay the course with the true Church of Christ. Why? Because as with our Redeemer, we signed on for the whole term - not ending with the first short introductory quiz but through to final exam."

It was 19 degrees on the way to church today. Brother & Sister Gassaway were called as stake seminary teachers today. I'm not sure what that means. Why do we need stake seminary teachers?

Today's speakers:

Youth Speaker - Logan Robles - Spoke of the Savior and quoted from "The Living Christ" quite extensively. "He went about doing good, yet was despised for it." He wasn't the God they were expecting. Quoted Isaiah. Read 1 Nephi 11:19-33 and then bore his testimony. This was a great talk for a youth!

Speaker - Kathy Crane - The Role of Our Savior in Our Daily Lives. 

Based on a talk given by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf in October 2021, "Daily Restoration." Landmarks to stay on course: Daily prayer and pondering, scripture study, walk with the Lord. Follow the gentle Christ. Personal, daily restoration opens our hearts to heavenly light, and builds our testimonies. Restoration is an ongoing process, one day at a time, one heart at a time. If you want to change your life, change your day. Lord, please lead us to forgiveness and sanctification. Our God is a God of new beginnings, and we can become new creatures in Christ.

Speaker - Chuck Crane - Jesus Christ is the Light of the World.

On June 5, 1992, 35 years ago, I was baptized. I was a Navy and Police Officer and raised Catholic. I met Kathy and we married on December 21st, 1968. She changed, and saved my life. She joined the Church in 1976 and I didn't join until 1992. We moved to Vernon in 2004. on January 19th, 2020, I became the Elder's Quorum President in the Vernon ward. I love this calling. I learned in the Vernon ward that Jesus Christ is the Light of the World. Opportunities to shine surround us everyday. I walked in darkness for many years, but now I know that Jesus Christ is the Light of the World.

Here are a few notes I took in Sunday School:

"True conversion requires daily effort and the influence of the Holy Ghost." Immersion helps with conversion. We have the "map and compass" and the rest is up to us.

Daily effort, study and prepare. Sandra Wilhelm gets up at 4 am to prepare "Come Follow Me" for her family.

Become a "new creature" through gospel learning.  Change our hearts. 

I learned how important the First Vision is to my testimony. It is the foundational.

Becoming "new creatures" requires action.

We must believe in and receive personal revelation.

James boiled eggs yesterday and peeled them so we could come home and make egg salad sandwiches for lunch today. Yummy.

James went in the bedroom and got inside the sauna blanket to help with his aches and pains while I cleaned the kitchen. I had been doing the dishes when I turned around and happen to look at the dining room window. I saw elk walking towards the hill, I'm not sure how many because I caught the last of them. It's been a long time since I've seen elk migrate across our yard. I wonder if they did any damage to the fence.

As I settled down for my nap, I noticed some swelling on my left jawline. 

James is still not feeling well. He went outside to water trees and plants and came back in because he said it was too cold. I struggled to work on my blog because I'm not feeling well either. I am still two weeks behind on my blog. James and I both have so much to do and neither one of us feels like doing anything.

I talked to Kerri about Catherine, her mom, today. She is very worried about her because of her loss of memory and bouts of anger.  We are both concerned about her. 

I checked on Janna Grombach who wasn't at church today. She said she had a cough and didn't think she should come. 

I am also worried about the MacArthur's who have not attended church since coming back to Vernon. 

James and I have both set a goal to get our will updated and to work on it at least once a month.

Happy Sabbath:

She also gave a talk in Primary and did

a great job!

Saturday, January 18th, 2025: Loved Elder Bednar's conference talk, trip to town, car washed, Walmart, Panda, HD, TS, 40 degrees & windy, Prime movie, "Heart of the Country" James "So True a Love" , DAB quote

 

Praia, Cape Verde

173rd operating temple

Dedicated: 19 June 2022

By: Neil L. Anderson

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 13:40-14:8

Come Follow Me

JS-H 1:15-20

Why are there various accounts of the First Vision?

October General Conference

'In the Space of Not Many Years'

Elder David A. Bednar

"Therefore, if we are not faithful and obedient, we can transform the God-given blessing of prosperity into a prideful curse that diverts and distracts us from eternal truths and vital spiritual priorities. We always must be on guard against a pride-induced and exaggerated sense of self-importance, a misguided evaluation of our own self-sufficiency, and seeking self instead of serving others. As we pridefully focus upon ourselves, we also are afflicted with spiritual blindness and miss much, most, or perhaps all that is occurring within and around us. We cannot look to and focus upon Jesus Christ as the 'mark' if we only see ourselves."

Tom gets in my face while I am sleeping to let me know that he's hungry. At least he waits until after 4 am. 

I am feeling better today and I am so grateful! James is better too.

I loved Elder Bednar's conference talk and I want to share some things from it with my three prospective missionaries.

James and I left for town late this morning with a few things in mind: Take $100 and break it up for money for the dump in case Chuck goes today. Sadly he went while we were gone so our plan didn't work. 

We got my car washed, bought some groceries at Walmart, bought some things to repair the sprinklers at Home Depot, and got horse feed at Tractor Supply. We also bought some lunch/dinner at Panda. I got orange chicken with noodles and James got teriyaki chicken with noodles. 

There was a big truck parked in the Tractor Supply parking lot with a long line of people beside it. They are having a meat sale. I saw it advertised on Facebook. You can get 20 ribeyes for $39.99. It sounds like a great deal, we just don't eat that much meat.

The temperatures are in the 40's today and it is windy, making it a quite cold. We still have no moisture. All of the stakes in this area are praying for moisture and attending the temple. We will also have a fast on February 2nd.

Went home and took a nap. Tom was happy to get his treats. I blogged January 2nd and 3rd. I watched a movie on my phone that I really liked on Prime Video, "Heart of the Country." James walked and listens to "So True a Love."

Two-Tone Tom

We had a car just like this one when we went

to Disneyland back in the 1950's.

Friday, January 17th, 2025: Happy Bday Anna, bogus charge on my bank account - cancel debit, Temple with James & Ruth Gale, Eva's, finished December blog, "The Way Home" episode 3, James walks, fixes me herbal tea

 

Yigo, Guam

172nd operating temple

Dedicated: 22 May 2022

By: David A. Bednar

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 13:28-39

Come Follow Me

JS-H 1:15-20 

Joseph Smith saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

October General Conference

'Embrace the Lord's Gift of Repentance'

Elder Jorge M. Alvarado

"Brothers and sisters, the light of the Savior can reach us all, no matter our circumstances. 'It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ's Atonement shines,' said President Jeffrey R. Holland."

Happy Birthday Anna!

There was a charge on my bank account that I didn't recognize today. No number was associated with the charge but the name of the company was Twitch and it is located in San Francisco and says entertainment media. I called the bank and they are canceling my debit card and issuing me a new one. I rarely use my debit card but the last time I was at Walmart I used it and remember a couple standing behind me waiting in line for quite sometime. I wonder if they scanned my card.

James informed me this morning that he wanted to go with me to the temple this afternoon. I have an appointment at the 3:30 session with my friend Ruth Gale. James tried to call Virgil Cooper to see if he wanted to go, but there was no answer. 

Tom was in the house when we left at 2 pm. We stopped at the post office in Taylor to mail James's sales taxes that he has been working on for several days. 

When we got to the temple something was wrong with the recommend scanners and the sister at the desk ask if we could sit in the waiting room for a few minutes until they figured it out. 

We were the only ones who moved to the waiting room. When I saw Ruth come in with her friend Jewel Turley, I went over and stood by her and so did James. This time the scanner worked if you scanned your card twice. 

After our session in the dressing room I saw Alicia Hunsaker and Tina Allen who were going to the next session. Tina told me later they didn't make it in the session and did initiatories instead.

I got to visit with Jewel a little. She knew about The Maxwell House, grandma and grandpa and my mom and dad. I think she is 93. Anyway, it was fun to visit with her. 

After our session Ruth took Jewel home while we saved us a table at Eva's. When Ruth got her and we placed our orders, we told her about James's brain bleed and our trip to the hospital in Chandler. She said I should have called her to take me down instead of having my kids come up, she would have taken me.

We talked about riding horses, she grew up on a farm in Utah and rode horses. She also told us about her family reunion at Thanksgiving, shooting off Estes Rockets and riding the roller coaster at Sunrise. Her daughter Valeen who lives in San Antonio has just been diagnosed with breast cancer so Ruth says she may be gone a lot in February. For this reason we did not schedule our next temple visit. It was a fun visit. Ruth is such a good friend.

We went home to Tom who was waiting for us in the house. I finished my December blog and watched the latest episode of "The Way Home." James walks and listens to his book. 

Tom is bored looking for new fun

Thursday, January 16th, 2025: Slept in, James sick w/ stomach cramps, he cannot "throw up": Missed Inklings w/ Rio, Sammy is a boy, 2 blogposts, James put sheets on beds upstrs, LA fires continue, we pray for moisture, Texas received blanket boxes. finger still infected

 

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

171st operating temple

Dedicated: 8 May 2022

By: Gary E. Stevenson

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 13:10-37

Come Follow Me

President Nelson's April 2020 Conference address, "Hear Him" and The Restoration Proclamation

October General Conference

'The Man Who Communed with Jehovah'

Elder Kyle S. McKay

"As part of the promised 'restitution of all things,' the Lord, through Joseph Smith, brought forth the Book of Mormon and other revelations that contain the fulness of His gospel. Vital truths were given clarity and completeness as Joseph repeatedly inquired of the Lord for direction. Consider the following:

1. The Father and the Son have bodies 'as tangible as man's.'

2. Jesus took upon Himself not only our sins but also our sicknesses, afflictions, and infirmities.

3. His Atonement was so excruciating it caused Him to bleed from every pore.

4. We are saved by His grace 'after all we can do.'

5. There are conditions to Christ's mercy.

6. As we come unto Christ, He will not only forgive our sins, but He will also change our very nature so 'that we have no more disposition to do evil.'

7. Christ always commands His people to build temples, where He manifests Himself unto them and endows them with power from on high.

I testify that all these things are true and necessary. They represent only a fraction of the fulness that was restored by Jesus Christ through Joseph Smith in response to Joseph's recurring requests for direction."

I slept in and shortened my walk and talk with Jesus and Heavenly Father.

James was sick this morning with stomach cramps and diarrhea. He cannot "throw up" because of the surgery he had. He is quite miserable.

I watched part of Inkling with Rio and Brooke Romney. Here are a couple of notes I took:

Ask ourselves and Heavenly Father: "What would Thou have me do?" Move forward, and figure out how as I go. 

Act on the nudge.

Repetition and mistakes are inevitable.

Failures are cracks that allow light in. - Rio

My right arm still hurts but it is a little better and bearable.

James says that Sammy is for sure a boy. He batted his paw at Tom because Tom ignores him. 

I set low standards for myself today. I took a shower and did two blog posts. I went upstairs looking for Tom and discovered James had put sheets on the beds. It made me so happy and grateful.

The fires continue in L.A. which is so sad. We continue to pray for moisture here.

James is working outside although he is not feeling well. 

Texas received their blanket boxes today. Autumn sent some photos.

Thanks Autumn, for sending the photos!

I saw this quote on Facebook: "The more time you spend with your Mother, the longer she will live."

Not long after reading this I got a text from Sheri asking when was the next time we would be in town and if we could go to lunch. The timing was perfect. Of course we can go to lunch on February 5th, the date of my next infusion.

My finger is still infected but I don't want James to lance it so I am doctoring it with Neosporin and wrapping it in tape.