Monday, March 24th, 2025: 96 in Phx, 76 @ Beach's, James pours footings @ Beach's, Stacy's call, My trip to town, Finished book, Easter Connection

 

                              Johannesburg, South Africa

                              36th operating temple

                             Dedicated: 24 Aug 1985

                             By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Jacob 5:49-69

Come Follow Me

Mar 24-30 "All Things Must Be Done in Order"

D&C 27-28 Introduction

October General Conference

'O Youth of the Noble Birthright'

Bradley R. Wilcox

"As you fulfill your birthright responsibilities, you are never alone. The Lord of the vineyard labors with you. You are working hand in hand with Jesus Christ. With each new covenant - and as your relationship with Him deepens - you hold each other tighter and tighter until you are firmly clasped together. In that sacred symbol of His grace, you will find both the desire and the strength to live exactly how the Savior lived - differently from the world. You've got this because Jesus Christ has got you!"

Our outside night owl kitty came in, ate, and crashed.

Not a peeping Tom, but a sleeping Tom!

James is at Beach's hoping to pass inspection so he can pour footings today. He did pass and he did pour and came home sore. Paul Peeler and Chris Pronger were his helpers today.

James got a call from Daryl Johnson and his wife was there with him. Daryl says they have been locked out of the barbershop because of the lien James has against it. They want James to take the lien off with the promise that they will pay him what they owe him over the next six months. That is not going to work because we can't trust Daryl to do what he says. James would be a fool to go along with this. James wrote him back and said if he would pay $14,000 of what he owed and the $2,600 he borrowed for his car, James would remove the lien. Daryl said okay and that he would have a check for him in the morning. I'll believe it when I see it. No check but Daryl is promising one on Wednesday now.

I did some cleaning today, some laundry, and caught up on my blog. I got a text from Circle K saying gas would be 25 cents off today from 2-6 for members of the Inner Circle, which I am. I decided I would go into town this afternoon and get some gas, and stop by Culver's for dinner. After pumping my gas I looked at the receipt and realized I had not been given the 25 cent discount. I didn't feel like going inside to dispute it so I let it go. GRRR

I drove through Culver's and got my chicken tenders and an Atlantic cod fillet sandwich for James. I ate two chicken tenders on the way home and saved one so I could put Chik-fil-a sauce on it. The last one I saved for breakfast tomorrow. Each chicken tender has 10 grams of protein.

Yesterday in Relief Society Natalie Robles said she wanted to teach her kids about Holy Week. I texted her today and showed her an Easter book I have that she could use if she would like. I also showed her the one I have by Emily Belle Freeman.

Natalie chose the book on the left.

She wants to focus on the activities of Holy Week

with her kids. I told her she could borrow the book and I would bring it to church on Sunday.

This evening I was sitting at my desk. Tom came up, meowed, nipped at my ankles and then trotted over to the door. That's his way of telling me he wants outside. Tom, you don't need to nip at my ankles to get my attention!

I got a call from Stacy today. Someone gave her some lemons and she wanted James's recipe for lemonade. Here are some updates: 

Johsua got a job at George and Gather, she bought him a suit for prom and hopes he will go on a mission and he can use it then too.

There stake Easter Extravaganza is on April 12th instead of the 19th. We wanted to go but James doesn't want to miss our stake conference which is on the 12th. I am disappointed.

President Beeler sent a message to the members of the stake via email. Here is a copy: It's long but I want to remember it. I love President Beeler!

Sunday, March 23rd, 2025: Up @ 4 lesson, lesson, ready go! Sacrament mtg, RS, snack & rest, blog, deliver invitations and go to see the cross...it's not lit

Chicago, Illinois

35th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Aug 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Jacob 5:35-48

Come Follow Me

D&C 26:2 "All things shall be done by common consent in the church."

Henry B. Eyring: "The Power of Sustaining Faith" AGC 2019

"The Scriptures are Real" Kerry Muhlstein & Lamar Newmeyer

D&C 27-28

October General Conference

'Days Never To Be Forgotten'

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

"I testify that those who approach the Lord with a sincere heart and real intent, those who have the name of the Savior upon their lips and the Holy Spirit in their souls, those who embark upon this grand and glorious pilgrimage will discover and experience bounteous celestial blessings and receive a witness that God hears you, knows you, and loves you. You will experience days never to be forgotten."

Up at 4am to work on my lesson outline. I read through the outline taken from President Freeman's talk and I liked it. I added some questions and quotes and felt like I was ready. 

While I was setting up in the Relief Society room Sister Gassaway was talking to Brother Skousen, her priesthood advisor for Primary. When they were finished I handed Sister Gassaway the bag with the handouts for the Primary teachers and leaders. She thanked me. James took the handouts for the Young Women leaders and gave them to Sandra Wilhelm. 

Abigail Jameson was one of the speakers in sacrament meeting. She is leaving on her mission on March 31st and will be going to the Brisbane, Australia mission. President Beeler was the presiding authority on the stand. I think he tries to go hear all of the missionaries speak before they leave.

Abigail Jameson - The life of Jesus Christ. In premortality he was the Great Jehovah. Jesus lived a perfect life. He embodied His gospel. Love your enemies. Matt. 30:13-17 Jesus's baptism. Perfect obedience. 2 Nephi 31: Jesus's baptism - below all things Jordan River. Covenant relationship with God. I love Jesus Christ and that is why I am serving a mission.

Lannie Gillespie - Moroni 10:6, Brain filter, Elder Teixera ye are the salt of the earth. Salt bound to the Savior. Common things can remind us of the Savior - light, sheep, shepherd, branches...

D&C 84:88, We need to look for the Savior everyday in common things. Share with others. As I seeing others as the Savior wants me to see them? Where did I find the Savior this week? If you search for Him you will find Him. I see Him in you. Find Him in all you do.

Search for Him.

I started out the discussion in Relief Society by reading D&C 25 out loud with the sisters and discussing it. I never even used my lesson outline the entire time. I asked questions and used quotes and there was a lot of discussion but what happened to using my outline? People came up to me afterwards and said they enjoyed the lesson which made me feel a little better. One of my former young women, Shelly Applegate came up to talk to me afterwards as did Paula Johnson, Millie Scott, Cheryl Sedig, and Rosie Lauritzen.

When we got home James and I had a snack, a biscuit with butter and jam, and then we both took naps.  I was pretty tired. 

It was a beautiful day today with the high around 60 and no wind. I guess spring is really here. We will continue to pray for more moisture and go to the temple regularly when it re-opens.

I had  asked James to go see the cross this afternoon. He said it would be better if we waited until dark it would be all lit up. We left a little after 7. It was about 7:20 when we stopped at Richard and Cress Miller's to give them an invitation to Owen's farewell party. They were already in bed but not yet asleep. They have three young grandchildren living with them and Richard gets up very early as a truck driver so I knew they would probably be in bed if we waited until on the way home. When we got to the cross, disappointment set in, it was not turned on. The cross is close to the Kenyon's and James gave them an invitation to Owen's party too. I told him he should have asked Brother Kenyon why the cross wasn't on and he agreed.

I thought I would catch up on my blog today but my computer was acting up and it took me much longer than I thought so I only got through Friday.

Love this tote

Ready for Spring

2018 Enjoying his favorite meal

 

Saturday, March 22nd, 2025: Finished handouts before noon, the Beckhams, the Cross, Autumn's tea party, James's tree trimming continues - my suggestion, Spring is here, popcorn disaster

 

Stockholm, Sweden

34th operating temple

Dedicated: 2 July 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Jacob 5:19-34

Come Follow Me

D&C 25:11-12

The Lord delights in my "song of the heart."

October General Conference

'Seek Him with All Your Heart'

Bishop L. Todd Budge

"As we concentrate our hearts and minds on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and listen to the still, small voice of the Holy Ghost, we will have greater clarity about what is most needful, develop deeper compassion, and find rest and strength in Him."

I finished my lesson handouts before noon today, all 56 of them. Now for the lesson wrap up.

We have been praying for Donna Beckham as she has been in the hospital with pneumonia. She is a member of our ward and one of my Bunco friends. She sent a text out today to her Bunco friends and this is what she said:

"This is from Donna. I'm better than I was a few days ago. I came home from the hospital last night. I have to be on oxygen for awhile. I still have a horrible cough! They have me on six new medications. This is what is wrong with me - I have pneumonia, influenza A, a bacterial infection and nodules on my lungs. They still don't know what type of bacteria it is. I should be able to play Bunco on Thursday. I will no longer be infectious. Gene also got very sick. He has the flu as well. He has had a fever and isn't moving from his recliner." 

Donna and her husband Gene still need our prayers. I wonder how their daughter Michelle is doing. She had knee surgery a few weeks ago. I hope she is at Bunco so I can talk to her. I am really closer to Michelle than I am Donna, although they are both my friends.

Tom slept on our bed all morning after being out all night. 

If only he could talk and tell us what he

did all night long.

James loaded up tree branches he cut down and put them on the ever growing burn pile. He said he is starting a new pile because the first one is so big. He also went to Beach's and worked for awhile and then went out to see Anthony who is building an addition onto his little house. James pointed out all of the things Anthony was doing wrong and Anthony was grateful.

I tried to make some popcorn today which turned out to be a disaster. The popcorn seeds were old and tasted hard and chewy. James took the seeds and scattered them outside for the birds.

The frustrations of technology. My computer keeps freezing up while I am trying to type up my lesson. I keep having to turn it off and then back on. Along with working on my lesson I am reading D&C 84 & 107 as President Nelson asked the sisters to do in his 2019 talk, "Spiritual Treasures." They are both over 100 verses long. I especially like section 84 and will be studying it in greater detail after my lesson.

I have been sneezing like crazy today. Hopefully this doesn't happen tomorrow during my lesson. I am not a dainty sneezer.

Spring is here. 60 degrees and thank goodness, no wind! We still need more rain. I craved going to the temple this week, but alas, it is closed through March 31st.

We have a new Easter symbol here in Vernon. I first heard about on Facebook when my friend Pam Giles did a post saying she was watching them put it up this morning with the use of a crane. 

Someone on this post said the cross

is an eyesore. I disagree.

I found out later that it was our

bishop and his brother who 

put up the cross.

Yes, it lights up at night!

Autumn's Annual Tea Party

in Tyler, Texas

I love Charlie's long gloves!

Friday, March 21st, 2025: Nice weather but a no-burn day, lesson prep, James's trip to the accountants, what do I need to give up? Principles of revelation

 

Frieberg, Germany

33rd operating temple

Dedicated: 29-30 June 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Jacob 5:1-18

Come Follow Me

D&C 25:10,13

"Lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better."

October General Conference

'Mortality Works'

Elder Brook P. Hales

"I recognize that life's experiences - good and bad - can teach us important lessons. I now know and bear testimony that mortality works! I hope that as a result of the sum of my life's experiences - good and bad - I have compassion for innocent victims of another's actions and empathy for the downtrodden."

It was a nice day today, and there was no wind! James is upset because he wanted to burn some branches but when he called the Vernon Fire Department there was an automated message saying it was a no burn day. He is so frustrated as he trims trees and the burn pile grows bigger and bigger, and I grow more frustrated seeing branches on the ground and dead trees out in the field.

Spent a good portion of the morning working on my lesson. I read an article by former General Relief Society President Linda K. Burton, "Priesthood Power - Available to All". I love this quote by Sister Burton: "Priesthood authority is conferred by ordination, but priesthood power is available to all. Righteousness is the qualifier for each of us to invite priesthood power into our lives."

I worked on my handouts much of the afternoon and evening. I finished 35 and have 21 more to go. 

James made a trip into the accountants today. We had two tax checks returned because they gave us the wrong address. James had to go in to get new envelopes from them so he could mail the checks again.

After reading President Nelson's talk, "Spiritual Treasures" as a part of my lesson preparation I have been thinking about this quote:

" Part of this endeavor will require you to put aside many things of this world. Sometimes we speak almost casually about walking away from the world with its contention, pervasive temptations, and false philosophies. But truly doing so requires you to examine your life meticulously and regularly. As you do so, the Holy Ghost will prompt you about what is no longer needful, what is no longer worthy of your time and energy." 

I gave up diet soda for my last lesson. For this lesson I need to think about it and pray about it and decide how I can better use my time to become closer to the Lord and more righteous. 

Notes & Quotes

"Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears and weaknesses, the very longings of your heart, and then listen. Write the thoughts that come to your mind. Record your feelings and follow through with actions you are prompted to take. As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year after year, you will 'grow in the principle of revelation.'" (President Russell M. Nelson, "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives", AGC 2018). 

I keep this quote in my prayer journal and strive to do what President Nelson says everyday in my personal morning prayers.

And I was so looking forward to seeing it, but if this

is true, I won't be going.

Tim's daughter Melanie in Nauvoo with

friends.

Denise, Aunt Gene, Vickie, and Denise's mom Peg.

I was taking the picture. This was a great visit with

Aunt Gene. I don't remember the year.

 

 

Thursday, March 20th, 2025: Tin Barn Farm video, Ministering sisters cancel, Guthrie fire & Utah, Ravioli in crockpot, Sal's job & more, Beach's - getting sick, gas 25 off, Donna Beckham, handouts

 

Guatemala City, Guatemala

32nd operating temple

Dedicated: 14-16 Dec 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Jacob 4:1-18

Come Follow Me

D&C 25:5, 14

"Continue in the spirit of meekness."

October General Conference

'Seeking Answers to Spiritual Questions'

Sister Tracy Y. Browning

"Our fidelity to the knowledge and wisdom we have already inherited through our faithful adherence to gospel principles and sacred covenants is crucial preparation for our readiness to receive and be stewards of communications from the Holy Spirit."

I watched my first full episode of The Tin Barn Farm on YouTube today. It is a video series done by the John & Sandra Wilhelm family in our ward. The family, John and the kids break horses and then sell them. Recently John had quadruple bypass surgery and is still recovering. This video featured Curtis, the 16-17 year son trying to catch a horse and get him loaded into a horse trailer. It took him 40 minutes to do this, with John coaching him the entire time. I was impressed with how patient they were with the horse and with John's coaching. I'm not sure why I watched the entire episode except for the fact that I wanted to see Curtis be successful.

I got a text from Susan Goodman this morning. She was supposed to come for a visit this afternoon at 2. Here is what the text said:

"Karen, life happened and Pierce's nephew who live in Guthrie, Oklahoma had his house burned to the ground a few days ago in the Guthrie fire. We left a couple days ago driving a big trailer to take to him with stuff to help him cleanup and rebuild his place. We're on our way home now but we are still in Texas and won't be to Vernon before tonight. So I'll have to reschedule with you. Stefani is in Utah."

So sad to hear about Pierce's nephew's house, but he is lucky to have Pierce as an uncle!

For lunch I made some marinara sauce with beef, and layered it with the cheese ravioli I bought at Walmart. I put it in the crockpot and let it cook three or four hours and walla, a nice meal. It was good. I wish James liked pasta a little better.

Sal Jiminez has another job for James. Just for using his license he sent James $500.

James came home from Beach's feeling a little under the weather. He came home, took some Tramadol, and then took a nap. He felt better when he got up and went to town to get some supplies and some gas. Gas was .25 off a gallon and he got 25 gallons, saving over $6.00, almost enough to get a carwash.

Jared Ammon wants to bring his new girlfriend up for a visit. We are trying to schedule a time. He wants to help us buy a new Razr but we can't really afford it right now. Hopefully Erik can work his magic and fix the one we have.

My Bunco friend and a member of our ward, Donna Beckham, is in the hospital with pneumonia. James and I are now praying for her along with Valerie Lambson.

I started to prepare the handouts for my lesson today. I am making 56 of them so I can give them to the sisters in Primary and Young Women's. 

I now know the difference between priesthood authority and priesthood power thanks to Sister Linda K. Burton. 

One of the many sleeping poses of Tom

Wednesday, March 19th, 2025: Hi today 42 & windy, "Follow Him" Morgan Pearson D&C 25, Pres. Nelson "Spiritual Treasures", Donna Beckham in the hospital, leftovers chicken tacos for lunch, meatloaf, potatoes & sweet potatoes for dinner

 

Taipei, Taiwan

31st operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Nov 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Jacob 3:1-14

Come Follow Me

D&C 25 

Video: "An Elect Lady"

I have an important role to play in God's kingdom.

"An Especially Noble Calling" Sister Joy D. Jones, AGC 2020

October General Conference

"I Am He"

President Jeffrey R. Holland

"Brothers and sisters, I testify that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the vehicle God has provided for our exaltation. The gospel it teaches is true, and the priesthood legitimizing it is not derivative. I testify that Russell M. Nelson is a prophet of our God, as His predecessors were and as His successors will be. And one day that prophetic guidance will lead a generation to see our Messenger of Salvation descend like "lightning . . . out of the east," and we will exclaim, "Jesus of Nazareth." With arms forever outstretched and love unfeigned, He will reply, "I am he." I so promise with the apostolic power and authority of His holy name, even Jesus Christ, amen."

Thomas woke me up at 4:45 by getting right in my face. He wanted to eat and go outside. It was cold, but he didn't seem to care. The high today was 42, and it was windy.

I finished listening to Morgan Pearson on "Follow Him." She went through D&C 25, which is the Lord speaking to Emma Smith, verse by verse. It was very powerful. I want the sisters in our Relief Society to read section 25 and put their name in place of Emma's as they read. I also want the sisters to read President Nelson's October 2019 general conference address, which he gave in the women's session. It is so powerful. I am finally beginning to understand just a little bit what it means for women to have priesthood power. Power comes through making and keeping our covenants. The power that comes is not because of the covenants themselves, but it comes from Jesus Christ whom we make the covenants with. Priesthood power comes from Jesus Christ. I am praying to better understand it so when I discuss it in Relief Society with the sisters we can understand together. 

I watched Barbara Morgan Gardner's Grounded podcast which was done in Joseph and Emma's home in Harmony, Pennsylvania. Barbara begins the podcast with these three questions regarding D&C 25:

1.) What does God need me/Emma to know?

2.) What does God need me/Emma to do?

3.) What does God need me/Emma to become?

I went around the house and gathered all of my books regarding women and the priesthood:

1.) 'Live Up To Our Privileges, Women, Power, and Priesthood' by Wendy Ulrich.

2.) 'The Priesthood Power of Women in the Temple, Church, and Family' by Barbara Morgan Gardner.

3.) 'Women and the Priesthood What One Mormon Woman Believes' by Sheri Dew.

4.) 'Woman and the Priesthood' by Rodney Turner.

The last book by Rodney Turner is the oldest. James gave it to me for Christmas in 1975. 

I finally caught up on my blog. It's difficult to be behind the week of my lesson because it takes so much of my time to catch up, time that I want to spend in preparing my lesson/discussion.

Delighted to hear that Joshua wanted to get his patriarchal blessing and got to spend some time with their stake patriarch, Mitch Jones. We have known the Jones's for a very long time and I can honestly say that Mitch is one of the kindest, most righteous men I have ever met and his wife Louise is his equal. We raised our children together in Chandler although we were never in the same ward. 

I am grateful for Joshua and his desire to receive a blessing from the Lord.

Gotta try this!

I love that they are holding hands!

45 grams of protein!

My sweet sleeping kitty!

Tuesday, March 18th, 2025: Restless sleep last night, tired today, J's new prescription, Dr. Smithson, Morgan Pearson on "Follow Him", Lucien Maxwell, Liahona talks, Elder Bednar's talk

 

Dallas, Texas

30th operating temple

Dedicated: 19 Oct 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Jacob 2:17-35

Come Follow Me

D&C 24

The Savior can lift me "up out of my afflictions."

October General Conference

'In The Space of Not Many Years'

Elder David A. Bednar

"If you or I believe we could be afflicted with and by pride, then we consistently will do the small and simple things that will protect and help us become 'as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon us.' 'Blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble.'"

I did not sleep well last night, waking up and going back and forth between two recliners. As a result I am still way off my schedule. 

James went to town to give the tax information to the accountant and to pick up a prescription we forgot yesterday. He is on Amlodipine instead of Nifedipine. That's the new medicine I am on too. The only difference is my prescription is 2.5 mg and James's is 10 mg. 

When we were at the temple on Friday a member of our stake presidency, President Smithson was in our session. President Smithson is a doctor. In our search to replace Dr. Moffat I called Dr. Smithson's office and was told he was not taking any new patients. 

James decided he was going to speak to him before leaving today. I left the celestial room before James spoke to him. When we met in the upstairs gathering room James said he had spoken to Dr. Smithson and he said to tell the office when he calls that he had talked to the doctor and he would take him. I said, "What about me?"

He said he didn't mention me but he would call him and ask. I am not going to let him forget that statement.

I did some laundry today and posted two blog posts. I also took several little naps. James told me that Morgan Pearson is on "Follow Him" this week and I got really excited. Not only because the lesson includes D&C 25 which was given to Emma Smith and is part of my lesson I am giving in Relief Society on Sunday, but because I love Morgan.

James worked at the Beach's today in spite of the blasted wind. When he got home he made another delicious salad similar to the one he made on Sunday. I made some cheddar bay biscuits and hamburger patties for dinner. James helped me do the dishes which was most appreciated as I am still struggling with my right arm. 

I wrote a message to the family about praying for Tim's daughter Valerie. 

A new Snow White movie is coming out and

I want to see it!

James's salad

My next birthday cake....maybe