Saturday, November 15th, 2025: Up @ 3:22 and we leave @ 3:45 for Ruby's race in the valley, I forgot my phone, we don't go back. We go the "fastest" way - Globe, little traffic, Phx w/ D,T, A,L - Trina's parents already there, Thunderbird High parking, Cave Creek Country Club, Ruby gets 2nd out of 187 girls, home to cook enchiladas and take to Bishop's dinner

 

Cape Town, South Africa

Groundbreaking ceremony held on 25 Oct 2025;

full-scale construction of pending

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 29:1-30:2

D&C

132:26-41

October General Conference

"Lovest Thou Me?"

Elder Steven C. Barlow

'Remember the Sheep'

Elder William K. Jackson

Up at 3:22 when I planned to get up at 3:00 so I had to hustle or should I say shuffle a little faster.

We left at 3:45 I forgot my phone but we don't go back to get it because I do not want to make Darrel & Trina wait for us. 

James asked me which way he should go and I said, "the fastest." He went the Salt River Canyon - Globe route. There was very little traffic and we were able to make good time. We arrived at Darrel & Trina's a little before 7, making excellent time. 

Lola was asleep on the couch. Trina offered me some Perk and I said "Yes!" Trina also gave me two gifts, Meyers pine-scented dishsoap and a Meyers pine-scented candle in a bell-shaped container.

They smell so good!

Besides the sunflower and Tree of Life

puzzle, Kacey and Charlie also gave me

this beautiful sunflower.

I have such nice daughters-in-law!

Darrel, Trina, Addy, Lola, James and I all loaded into "Starla",

Trina's Suburban for the ride to Phoenix. Darrel drove. Rowan was at work this morning. I guess Saturday is a busy day for the bouncy house business.

Ruby's race was at 9 and her fan club, including Trina's parents, was there to cheer her on.

The state cross country meet for most divisions in the state is at Cave Creek Country Club, on the hilly golf course. We parked our cars at Thunderbird High School and walked the mile or so to the golf course. It was a beautiful morning on a beautiful golf course with hundreds, maybe thousands of people. We could have rode the shuttle bus but James really wanted to walk, so we did. 

At the starting line

And their off!

After the race started we got lost from everyone else. They all took off before we knew it, following the runners. 

We could hear the announcers who announced how many minutes and miles were into the race. It's a three-mile race. We headed towards the finish line. We found a good spot where we could watch the final stretch of the race. We could see the first girl coming by herself. She passed and everyone cheered. About six seconds later, by herself, the next runner came . . . it was Ruby! Out of 187 runners Ruby got second place!

Ruby's finish time was 19:10 on a

very hilly course.

We hurried to the finish line. All of the rest of the fan club was already there. We were all so excited! 

People kept handing Ruby cups

of water.

Ruby's cross country ribbon.

All of the girls on her team 

had them.

Ruby with Suzy and Bob, Trina's parents

Ruby's coach was so excited! Ruby is the only one from her team who placed in the top 20. Ruby's friend came up to her and said, "Did you place in the top ten?" Ruby said, "I got second." Her friend got 59th. 

Here are some pictures of the Top 20 girls in Division 3 getting their awards:

Ruby's medal

The party is over

Ruby went back with the rest of her team on the bus. They were stopping at Cane's for lunch. That's where Lola wanted to go for lunch too, but Trina & Darrel wanted to go to a new place near their home called, Luna Grill. Lola said, "but I don't like grill." Addy was so sweet, she got the menu on her phone and was showing Lola all of the things she thought Lola might like. Thank you Addy for being such a good sister.

On the way back to our cars I walked with Suzy. She told me about their cruise that cost them less than $300 total. She said she can just stand on the deck and watch the ocean for hours. She loves it. Her home town is Huntington Beach, California. She also told me I should wear orthotics in my shoes because she says they make all the difference. She loves her Hoka shoes! She told me about her chiropractor who is a little different that most chiropractors, and sent me her card. I so enjoyed her company. I see where Trina gets her energy and enthusiasm for the outdoors. Suzy plays pickleball and loves to be outdoors.

Darrel said it was close to their house and he said he could drop us off if we had to get home. I would have loved to go with them to lunch but it was already almost one, so we opted to go home.

We got all of the way to Show Low before we found an Arby's where we could get steak nuggets. There are no Arby's in the Globe area. 

We got steak nuggets and I made a comment about their Thanksgiving sandwich, so James ordered one. I had one bite. It was okay. It had both stuffing and cranberry sauce but it just didn't taste that great to me. Kudos to Arby's for giving it a try though.

I heated the enchiladas for about 45 minutes before James dropped them off at the church. I was just too tired and worn out to go. He said he had never seen so many people at the church and so much food. He spoke with Bishop Hunsaker and then came home. I was wishing I had told him to try the enchiladas to see if they turned out okay, but I forgot. Darrel made a comment when we were with them in the car that my enchiladas are the best. I love Darrel!

Rosie and Rick Lauritzen were at the church all day decorating and preparing for the dinner. Thank you Lauritzen's' for your service.

I watched a Christmas movie and then it was bed time. My phone says I got 635 steps. Ha! If it only knew! 

Friday, November 14th, 2025: Temple with the Tignor's then Eva's, we decide to leave for the valley early in the morning, I put together the enchiladas I'm taking to the bishopric dinner tonight

Kumasi, Ghana

Groundbreaking ceremony held on 18 Oct 2025:

full-scale construction pending.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 28:25-40

D&C

132:7-25

Come Follow Me

D&C 132:1-2, 29-40

Plural marriage is acceptable to God only when He commands it.

October General Conference

'Cheering Each Other One'

Sister J. Anette Dennis

A.S.K.

'Forsake Not Your Own Mercy'

Elder Matthew S. Holland

Up around 3. Tom outside. 5 - Skunk outside eating Sammy's food. 

Finished blogging November 8th.

We went to the temple with the Tignor's this morning. James made a mistake and told them we would pick them up at 9. About 9:15 T-Bo called to see if we were coming. I told James to tell him that we would leave our house at 9:30. We always leave at 9:30 to pick them up for the 11:00 session but I guess it's been so long that they forgot and so did James.

On the way to Snowflake T-Bo and James talked about the inefficiency of the road crew doing construction on the 60. They aren't working today which was a relief. Next James introduced the subject of Trump sending $2,000 to every on in America and how he thinks it could be put to better use. Neither James nor T-Bo can hear very well, so the talking is loud. Finally I said, "Could we please talk about something else?" The ride was pretty quiet and peaceful after that. 

My back is hurting, which rarely happens. I didn't realize how tired I was until I slept through the entire first part of the session. I don't remember Adam & Eve or Satan until we were told, "put on your aprons." I am so ashamed of myself. I mentioned my sleepiness to Barbara and she said: "I noticed and I thought you must have a good reason." I told her I got up at 3 a.m.  This was my 27th session this year.

We had lunch at Eva's. T-Bo always asks for two lemon wedges for his water and their hottest hot sauce. 

Barbara ordered rice and flan. The flan looked so good. Barbara has been having stomach issues and vertigo so she ordered "bland" food.

T-Bo ordered the chili relleno with green and red sauce and chicken. James got what he always gets, a chicken enchilada with green sauce and a side of refried beans. I ordered a chili relleno with green sauce. Our food was delicious, as usual.

We were home by 2:30. We had originally said we would leave for the valley around 5:00. I suggested to James that we wait and go in the morning leaving around 3:30 to make it to Darrel & Trina's by 7:00. He said that would be fine. Now we don't have to leave Tom alone overnight.

I put together the chicken enchiladas for tomorrow night's dinner.

If we are home by 4 tomorrow afternoon, I can just pop them in the oven and they will be ready by 5, the time of the dinner. Thanks to James for shredding up the rotisserie chicken, the most time-consuming part of making the enchiladas. 

We were in bed by 8 this evening. 

"Our Heavenly Father desires all of His children to return to the celestial kingdom, where God and our Savior reside."

- President Dallin H. Oaks, AGC 2025

D&C 132:8

Behold, mine house is a house of order, saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion.

James & Evan after giving Evan a blessing

Barbara and her flan

 

Thursday, November 13th, 2025: Up before 4 w/ Tom, my right hand is unusable for awhile, CFM on celestial marriage, I'm feeling overwhelmed because I don't feel well, binge watching "DWTS" while blogging, government now operating, we miss cleaning the temple

 

Fairbanks, Alaska

Groundbreaking ceremony held on 27 September 2025,

full-scale construction pending.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 28:1-24

D&C

131:8-132:6

Come Follow Me

D&C 132:13-21

Heavenly Father made it possible for families to be eternal.

DFU "In Praise of Those Who Save" AGC 2016

October General Conference

'Jesus Christ and Your New Beginning'

Elder Patrick Kearon

Inklings

'No One Sits Alone'

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

Up before 4. Tom is with me. I eat something and drink my Perk, take some Tramadol and rest with Tom. My right hand is unusable right now.

"Come Follow Me" today was about eternal marriage. Wouldn't you know that on this day James and I would have a disagreement and when that happens the Spirit is gone. Both of us felt badly.

I am feeling a little overwhelmed with my schedule this week. Tonight, there is temple cleaning. Tomorrow is a temple session with the Tignor's. We have decided we are going to the valley to see Ruby run. Our plan is to go Friday afternoon/evening. Saturday, I committed to bring enchiladas to the dinner for the outgoing bishopric. I'm sure if I felt better, I would be able to handle all of these things but as it is, it just seems impossible to do everything. 

Oh yes, did I mention my blog. I'm closer to catching up than I have been for a while and I want to keep the momentum going. 

After lunch and a short break, I started blogging while binge watching "DWTS" to catch up. Tom doesn't like the T.V. He likes it quiet when he sleeps. He cuddled with me early this morning but spent most of the afternoon outside.

James did office work and then went outside to finish up one section of the railing. He finished and he says now he has to restore the stone pillar that the railing is connected to.

The Miller's never called us about helping with the temple cleaning so we didn't go. If I didn't feel so lousy I would probably feel guilty. 

Trump signed a bill and now the government is open again. I am not sure of all of the details. 

Kacey texted about Jared and ask us to pray for him. She said that his back is so bad that he cannot walk upright. We will continually pray for him. We already have his name on the Snowflake temple prayer roll.

Sheri invited us to go to the temple on Tuesday, November 25th, when we are in the valley for Nathan's open house. We readily agreed.

"Our ability to sense a full measure of God's love, or to continue in His love, is contingent upon our righteous desires and actions."

- Elder John A. McCune, AGC 2025

D&C 130:22

The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.

Pictures of us with the Trezise Family

This is the picture that convinced me I needed

to lose weight and get some new clothes & shoes!

Thanksgiving a couple of years ago, 

or maybe 3.

Wednesday, November 12th, 2025: 3:36, "Window Wonderland", Applegate's permits are ready, trip to town, sunny 70 degrees, Culver's, Walmart, DWTS 'catchup'

 

Lone Mountain, Nevada

Construction estimated to be completed

in late 2028.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 27:13-33

D&C

130:22-132:7

Come Follow Me

D&C 130:20-21; 132:5

God blesses people who obey His laws.

DTC: "Our Relationship with God," AGC 2022

October General Conference

'The Lord Is Hastening His Work'

Elder Quentin L. Cook

A.S.K.

'Forsake Not Your Own Mercy'

Elder Matthew S. Holland

Up at 3:36. I ate, took some Tramadol and reclined to finish watching "Window Wonderland" from 2015. Loved it. The older movies really are better!

Emily to her rich & stuck-up boyfriend, Kenneth:

"This is my Uncle Jim. (Uncle Jim is a plumber).

Uncle Jim to Kenneth: "Hello, I'm a drain surgeon."

The Applegate's building permits are ready. Tamara went and picked them up today. Construction can begin on the Vernon mansion.

Our two missionary cards for the day: Elder Crane, a service missionary, and Sister Jordan, a family history missionary. We see both of them every Sunday.

Darrel sent me a text this morning. Ruby is going to state for cross country and she runs on Saturday morning. He wanted to let us know even though he figured we probably wouldn't be able to come. I told him I would talk to dad and get back with him. I really do want to come but we have some things going on this weekend.

James and I made a trip to town and talked about the possibility of going to Ruby's race. We stopped at the post office and picked up a check from Diana Miranda for October's rent on her place in Deming. We also got out conference Liahona. There is still construction on the 60 so we went the back way. The DeWitt's are still gone. We haven't seen them for several weeks now. 

It is a beautiful sunny day around 70 degrees. We stopped for Culver's for lunch going inside instead of eating in the car. I got the cashew chicken salad and James got his cod fillet sandwich.

I love this salad. The chicken and cashews

go so well together.

Culver's got two awards from the city of Show Low one for the best fast food place and one for the best fish fry. 

I went to Walmart for two reasons; one, to get the ingredients I need to make chicken enchiladas for Bishop Hunsaker's farewell dinner on Saturday as I told Rosie Lauritzen I would. The second thing I went for was to get the ingredients to make butternut squash until I discovered that Walmart doesn't have any butternut squash. Well, squelch that idea. I will try again another time.

A stop for gas and then we were homeward bound. 

Kim and I were texting today and I happen to mention that I quit watching DWTS. She asked me why I quit. I said: "I started watching the first episode this season and just couldn't get in to it. I ask if she was watching?

She said she was and that she loves it.

I then said maybe I would start watching again and asked her who she liked. 

She said Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas are her favorite couple. She also loves Robert Irwin and Witney and Dylan Efron and Daniella. Dylan is by far the most improved. He was terrible week one and last night got 4 10's on an Argentine tango.

Last night was the 20th birthday of Dancing with the Stars. Tom Bergeron was a guest judge.

Me: "I have them all taped so I am starting to watch right now." Right now I am on episode three and have six more to go.

James has been trying to contact Armando but for some reason Armando isn't responding and it's driving James a little loopy. Another work related problem. Ravi Gupta sent James some documents via Google Drive and James doesn't know how to find them. I tried to help but wasn't any help because I had no idea how to retrieve them. Finally, James contacted Ravi's nephew and he was able to help. James made this comment: "Next time I need to get help from someone who knows what they are doing." I didn't take offense but simply agreed.

We are still trying to decide if we are going to go to Ruby's race or not. We have two baptisms Saturday morning and one of them is Winna Ulmer's great grandson whom she and her husband are going to adopt. His name is Densyn. Winna has already raised three of her granddaughters and now she is raising the next generation. She is one of my heroes. Also there are the enchiladas for the dinner Saturday. Our ward is also scheduled to clean the temple tomorrow night and then on Friday morning we are going to the temple with the Tignor's. I am a little overwhelmed. I get that way when I don't feel well.

"Easter in Jesus Christ helps us mend, reconcile, make right our relationships, on both sides of the veil."

- Elder Gerrit W. Gong, AGC 2025

D&C 130:19

And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.

My new vitamins

Sleeping Tom

 

Tuesday, November 11th, 2025: 3:38, right hand swollen and painful, James wrote to Max and Michael and got a sweet response from both of them, Veterans Day - honoring those who served & sacrificed for our freedom, Elders nerf gun war, James worked on the railings today,

 

Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo

Groundbreaking ceremony held on 

23 Aug 2025; full-scale construction pending.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 27:1-12

D&C

130:4-21

Come Follow Me

D&C 130-132

God wants to exalt His children

Revelations in Context: "Our Hearts Rejoiced to Hear Him Speak"

October General Conference

'Simplicity in Christ'

Elder Michael Cziesla

Up at 3:38. Tom is outside so it's just me. James's snoring sounds like he is in pain. My right hand is still swollen and painful. 

I was interested to read in my commentary what it means to have your calling and election made sure. 

Addressing the passage in John 14:12-27, the Prophet Joseph Smith explained: "After a person hath faith in Christ, repents of his sins, and is baptized for the remission of his sins, and receives the Holy Ghost (by the laying on of hands) which is the first Comforter, then let him continue to humble himself before God, hungering and thirsting after Righteousness, and living by every word of God, and the Lord will soon say unto him, Son thou shalt be exalted. When the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and fins that the man is determined to serve him at all hazard, then the man will find his calling and Election made sure, then it will be his privilege to receive the other Comforter....Now what is this other Comforter? It is no more or less than the Lord Jesus Christ himself, and this is the sum and substance of the whole matter, that when any man obtains this last Comforter he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him or appear unto him from time to time, and even he will manifest the Father unto him, and they will take up their abode with him, and the visions of heavens will be opened unto him and the Lord will teach him face to face, and he may have a perfect knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God" (Joseph Smith Papers, "History, 1838-1856, volume C-1,"8-9 addenda).

A couple of other quotes from books I read today:

"Obedience to what He commands is the definition of righteousness."

(Look Unto Christ in Every Thought, p. 230).

"Family is who you choose." ('Snow Drops and Winter Berry')

James worked on the railings today. He finished one section, using the railing Cope gave him. He still needs to stain it. I am a little frustrated because he has been working in two different areas, which means two messes. 

My hard-working hubby

James wrote to Max and Michael and he got a sweet response. 

Today is Veterans Day where we honor those who served and sacrificed for our freedom.

Some of my accomplishments today:

Two blog posts. I washed all of the sheets from upstairs. I haven't put them back on the beds yet, James said he would help me, so I am postponing for awhile. My energy is gone and my pain is up. I'm not working on getting my 10,000 - 12,000 steps a day until after I get my next injections. I am focusing on my blog, Christmas, my lesson, and my health. 

I watched "Love At The Thanksgiving Day Parade" again today. Some things I like about the movie.

* Emily, Autumn Reeser, wears vintage clothing. When her mother died her dad gave her clothes to Goodwill. She thinks if she buys enough vintage clothing from Goodwill someday she may be wearing her mother's clothes.

* Her favorite place to eat is Jim's pizza because her dad is a hero there, saving the place from getting robbed. When she takes Henry there and the pizza comes she says: "It is Buddha, one with everything."

* Emily believes in true love. Henry does not. He has a 5-date rule.

* Henry bought the termite-infested library that Emily loves and he's going to tear it down. Emily compares it to a favorite sweater. If you get mustard on it or it gets a hole in it, you don't throw it out, you fix it! 

I could go on and on because there are so many things I love about this movie, but if you want to know more, you are just going to have to watch it.

"While many circumstances in life may be beyond our control, none of us is beyond the reach of the Lord's infinite blessings."

- Bishop Gerald Causse, AGC 2025

D&C 130:2

And that same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory, which glory we do not now enjoy.

The violet plant Michael gave me

several months ago.

I guess we aren't the only ones with

raccoon problems.

Monday, November 10th, 2025: 3:25 Feed Tom, missionary Christmas cards, government makes a deal, lots of laundry, mail infor to JoNell, TJ Maxx Christmas cards

 

Vancouver, Washington

Estimated to be completed in mid to

late - 2028.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 26:1-21

D&C

129:1-130:30

Come Follow Me

Nov. 10-16: "I Have Seen Your Sacrifices in Obedience"

D&C 120-132 Introduction

October General Conference

'No One Sits Alone'

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

"Follow Him"

Brittany Chapman Nash

A.S.K.

Forsake Not Your Own Mercy

Elder Matthew S. Holland

Up at 3:25. Feed Tom.

Sister McCamy, one of the mothers of the missionaries serving from our ward, has asked as many people who will or can to write a Christmas card to each of the missionaries serving from our ward, and one for their companions too. James and I have been doing two every morning after our devotional. It has been fun.

I had a lot of laundry to do today, including the sheets on the beds upstairs and towels that were used. 

James had to go move some of the wood cut on Saturday because it was stacked in the wrong place. While he was working with his Cat Pierce came over with his trailer and helped James load up the wood and move it, saving James a lot of time. Thank you Pierce!

It has been over 2 and 1/2 months since we submitted all of the information for the Downwind cancer case James qualified for. We have not heard anything, so I decided to call JoNell at Thompson & Montgomery law firm in Globe. I think JoNell was surprised to hear from me and even more surprised to hear that we had not received a payment. August was before things really got busy. JoNell gave several reasons that we have seen no results. First, there are new agents working on the cases and second, the government has been closed down. She said they have been asking for original documents instead of digital and asked me to send the original copies of the medical records and the pages where James had to sign his signature. I sent them priority mail and mailed them in Show Low. Tomorrow is veterans' day so JoNell will probably not receive them until Thursday. JoNell said she is frustrated about the hold up and she is going to call the Justice Department and find out what is going on.   The last things she said to me was, "I'm glad you called me today." I'm glad she is on our side. James didn't want me to call and bother her, but now he is glad that I did.

Even though James didn't get Dr. Memon's job he is hopeful that he will get the one that is scheduled to begin next year. I hope he isn't disappointed. 

While I was in Show Low mailing my stuff to JoNell, I decided to do a little shopping. I went to Show Low to get the Crunch Master crackers James likes and an avocado because he said we needed one for our salad. I also went to T.J. Maxx's and got a couple of boxes of Christmas cards. 

This evening I watched an old Christmas movie from 2015, "Christmas Melody" starring Lacey Chabert and Mariah Carey and Brennan Elliott.

"The Savior is forever brighter than the darkness of shame."

- Sister Tamara W. Runia, AGC 2025

D&C 130:1

When the Savior shall appear we shall see him as he is. We shall see that he is a man like ourselves.

Kim got a new figure for her

Christmas village.

Brian got her a new advent calendar.

Show Low is getting a Giving Machine 

this year. This is where it will be.

Benson has a rash but he still looks

handsome in the outfit we gave him.

James reminding me he is out of

his favorite crackers.