09/30/2026, Wednesday

Weight: 

BP and Pulse: 

GMI: 7.0, Glucose level Three day Average: 155

Reported Sleep: unk

Yesterday's Steps: unk

Journal Entry:

Glucose level at 0500, 126

We flew out yesterday morning and I accidentally left my iPhone at home. I can still make and receive phone calls on my Apple Watch and I added my Dexcom G7 glucose sensor to my iPad so most of my capabilities are still available. However my apple watch was out of power as of yesterday afternoon so I don't have my steps or sleep time from yesterday or last night. Everything is all charged up now so hopefully I'll have that data moving forward. I just need to make sure my watch is properly charged and I think I can do that.

Come Follow Me:

Isaiah 40: 28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. 

29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

"I have personally known in my own life the realization of the promise “that the everlasting God, … the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is [he] weary.” I am a witness that “he giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.”

We receive the gift of such majestic might and sanctifying renewal through the redeeming grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. He has overcome the world, and if we will take upon us His name and “walk in His paths” and keep our covenants with Him, we shall, ere long, have peace. Such a reward is not only possible; it is certain."

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Apostle 

"As one of the weakest of the weak, I testify that God lives. I testify and witness that Jesus is the Christ. He is our Redeemer and our Savior, and He lives. And I testify that the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and His true Church have been restored to the earth in these latter days through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Priesthood keys and authority and saving ordinances are again found on the earth. By the power of that priesthood, families truly can be together forever. The Book of Mormon is the word of God and the keystone of our religion. And, brothers and sisters, the heavens are not closed. God speaks—to us individually and to the leaders of His latter-day kingdom on earth."

Elder David A. Bednar, in his first general conference address as a newly called Apostle, October 2004

09/29/2026, Tuesday (vacation trip day one)

Weight: 230.8

BP and Pulse: 

GMI: 7.0, Glucose level Three day Average: 161

Reported Sleep: 5:19

Yesterday's Steps: 6,907

Journal Entry:

We are flying out this morning from Provo to Washington DC. We will stay a few nights in Alexandria, Virginia then drive down to Williamsburg for about a week. Cathy is pretty excited about this trip and I am going to enjoy it. At my age (80) it isn't easy for me to be away from home for a number of reasons but I'm going to try to make the best of it. 

Come Follow Me:

Isaiah 40: 26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.

"You may not have heard the Lord call you by name, but He knows each one of you and He knows your name. Elder Neal A. Maxwell said: “I testify to you that God has known you individually…for a long, long time. He has loved you for a long, long time. He not only knows the names of all the stars; He knows your names and all your heartaches and your joys!”

…He will strengthen you for [your divine mission]. He may even send His holy angels to tutor you. Now the challenge is this: Will you be in such a place that angels can enter? Will you be still enough to hear? Will you be undaunted and trust?"

Sister Elaine S. Dalton, Second Counselor, Young Women General Presidency, April 2005

09/28/2026, Monday

Weight: 229.4

BP and Pulse: 

GMI: 7.0, Glucose level Three day Average: 156

Reported Sleep: 6:03

Yesterday's Steps: 9,466

Journal Entry:

I am going to start listing my daily date a little differently starting today. You can see it so no other explanation is needed. I just think it will be easier to access these entries by date this way.

Also were leaving on vacation tomorrow so I won't have my sphignomonometer (blood pressure cuff) available for the next two weeks or so.

Come Follow Me:

Isaiah 40: 3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:

5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

"Brothers and sisters, now is the time for you and for me to prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Now is the time for us to make our discipleship our highest priority. In a world filled with dizzying distractions, how can we do this?

Regular worship in the temple will help us. In the house of the Lord, we focus on Jesus Christ. We learn of Him. We make covenants to follow Him. We come to know Him. As we keep our temple covenants, we gain greater access to the Lord’s strengthening power. In the temple, we receive protection from the buffetings of the world.

…I urge you to devote time each week—for the rest of your life—to increase your understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

…I call upon you to rededicate your lives to Jesus Christ. I call upon you to help gather scattered Israel and to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord. I call upon you to talk of Christ, testify of Christ, have faith in Christ, and rejoice in Christ!"

President Russell M. Nelson, Apostle 

092726, Sunday

Weight: 229.7

BP and Pulse: 108/68, 72

GMI: 7.0, Glucose level Three day Average: 156

Reported Sleep: 7:04

Yesterday's Steps: 4,902

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me:

Isaiah 35: 10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

"Saints can be happy under every circumstance. We can feel joy even while having a bad day, a bad week, or even a bad year!

…[T]he joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.

…If we look to the world and follow its formulas for happiness, we will never know joy. The unrighteous may experience any number of emotions and sensations, but they will never experience joy! Joy is a gift for the faithful. It is the gift that comes from intentionally trying to live a righteous life, as taught by Jesus Christ.

He taught us how to have joy. When we choose Heavenly Father to be our God and when we can feel the Savior’s Atonement working in our lives, we will be filled with joy. Every time we nurture our spouse and guide our children, every time we forgive someone or ask for forgiveness, we can feel joy.

Every day that you and I choose to live celestial laws, every day that we keep our covenants and help others to do the same, joy will be ours."

President Russell M. Nelson, Apostle 

092626, Saturday

Weight: 230.6

BP and Pulse: 118/70, 70

GMI: 7.0,Glucose level Three day Average: 153

Reported Sleep: 5:38

Yesterday's Steps: 4,663

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me:

Isaiah 35: 3 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.

4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.

"Your struggles do not define you, but they can refine you. Because of a “thorn in the flesh,” you may have the ability to feel more compassion toward others. As guided by the Holy Ghost, share your story in order to “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.”

Sister Reyna I. Aburto, Second Counselor, Relief Society General Presidency, October 2019

092526, Friday

Weight: 229.7

BP and Pulse: 123/76, 65

GMI: 7.1,  Glucose level Three day Average: 155

Reported Sleep: 5:52

Yesterday's Steps: 8,794

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me:

Isaiah 30: 10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

11 Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.

"Sadly enough…it is a characteristic of our age that if people want any gods at all, they want them to be gods who do not demand much, comfortable gods, smooth gods who not only don’t rock the boat but don’t even row it, gods who pat us on the head, make us giggle, then tell us to run along and pick marigolds.

Talk about man creating God in his own image! Sometimes—and this seems the greatest irony of all—these folks invoke the name of Jesus as one who was this kind of “comfortable” God. Really? He who said not only should we not break commandments, but we should not even think about breaking them. And if we do think about breaking them, we have already broken them in our heart. Does that sound like “comfortable” doctrine, easy on the ear and popular down at the village love-in?"

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Apostle 

092426, Thursday

Weight: 230.6

BP and Pulse: 115/72, 73

GMI: 7.1,  Glucose level Three day Average: 155

Reported Sleep: 6:22

Yesterday's Steps: 9,062

Journal Entry:

The comments, below, of President Monson, are very appropriate in this day and age. I am so grateful to have the ability to receive and review messages given through prophets and Apostles.

Come Follow Me:

Isaiah 30: 1 Woe to the rebellious children, saith the Lord, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: 

"Disregard for the commandments has opened the way for…the plagues of our day. They include the plague of permissiveness, the plague of pornography, the plague of drugs, the plague of immorality, and the plague of abortion, to name just a few…

…With his deceptions and lies, the adversary will lead you down a slippery slope to your destruction if you allow him to…You have heard the messages of the adversary. He cunningly calls: Just this once won’t matter; everyone is doing it; don’t be old-fashioned; times have changed; it can’t hurt anyone; your life is yours to live…

Great courage will be required as we remain faithful and true amid the ever-increasing pressures and insidious influences with which we are surrounded and which distort the truth, tear down the good and the decent, and attempt to substitute the man-made philosophies of the world. If the commandments had been written by man, then to change them by inclination or legislation or by any other means would be the prerogative of man. The commandments, however, were God-given. Using our agency, we can set them aside. We cannot, however, change them, just as we cannot change the consequences which come from disobeying and breaking them.

…We cannot allow ourselves the slightest bit of leeway in dealing with sin. We cannot allow ourselves to believe that we can participate “just a little” in disobeying the commandments of God…"

President Thomas S. Monson, Apostle, October 2015, "Keep the Commandments"

092326, Wednesday

Weight: 231.4

BP and Pulse: 124/76, 70

GMI: 7.1,  Glucose level Three day Average: 158

Reported Sleep: 6:42

Yesterday's Steps: 6,662

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me:

Isaiah 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

"Whatever takes precedence over worship of the Father and the Son becomes an idol. Those who reject God as the source of truth, or disavow any accountability to Him, in effect substitute themselves as their god. One who places loyalty to a party or cause ahead of divine direction worships a false god. Even those who purport to worship God but do not keep His commandments are walking in their own way: “They draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” The object of our worship is exclusively “the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom [He] hast sent.” 

Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Apostle 

092226, Tuesday

Weight: 231.0

BP and Pulse: 121/70, 72

GMI: 7.1,  Glucose level Three day Average: 159

Reported Sleep: 6:22

Yesterday's Steps: 9,587

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me:

Isaiah 25: 8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it.

9 And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

"Prophesying of the Savior, Isaiah said, “He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces.”

His Resurrection allowed Mary’s tears to be wiped away. Surely He will wipe away yours too.

Mary was the first witness of the resurrected Savior. And she was the first to witness to others of what she had seen.

I humbly add my testimony to Mary’s. He is risen. Jesus Christ lives. Ultimately all will be healed, physically and emotionally, in Him. And in the waiting for that healing, faith in the Master Healer will make us spiritually whole."

President Camille N. Johnson, Relief Society General President, April 2025

092126, Monday

Weight: 231.2

BP and Pulse: 106/60, 71

GMI: 7.1,  Glucose level Three day Average: 159

Reported Sleep: 7:22

Yesterday's Steps: 5,926

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me:

Isaiah 22: 23 And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house.

24 And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father’s house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons.

25 In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the Lord hath spoken it.

"One may also read in the Old Testament and the books of Moses and Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price. Such a review of ancient scripture is even more enlightening after one is familiar with the temple endowment. Those books underscore the antiquity of temple work.

With each ordinance is a covenant—a promise. A covenant made with God is not restrictive, but protective. Such a concept is not new. For example, if our water supply is not clean, we filter the water to screen out harmful ingredients. Divine covenants help us to filter out of our minds impurities that could harm us. When we choose to deny ourselves of all ungodliness, we lose nothing of value and gain the glory of eternal life. Covenants do not hold us down; they elevate us beyond the limits of our own power and perspective."

Elder Russell M. Nelson, Apostle 

092026, Sunday

Weight: 232.8

BP and Pulse: 124/79, 68

GMI: 7.0, Glucose level Three day Average: 158

Reported Sleep: 5:04

Yesterday's Steps: 5,701

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me:

Isaiah 12: 2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

"If some of you are looking to fill what some call “a bucket list,” this is it: fill your bucket with oil in the form of the living water of Jesus Christ, which is a representation of His life and teachings. In contrast, checking off a far-off place or a spectacular event will never leave your soul feeling whole or satisfied; living the doctrine taught by Jesus Christ will. I mentioned examples earlier: embrace prophecy and prophetic teachings, act on promptings of the Holy Ghost, become a true disciple, and seek the healing power of our Lord’s Atonement. That bucket list will take you somewhere you want to go—back to your Father in Heaven."

Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Apostle 

091926, Saturday

Weight: 231.7

BP and Pulse: 127/80, 64

GMI: 7.0, Glucose level Three day Average: 156

Reported Sleep: 7:07

Yesterday's Steps: 9,272

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me:

Isaiah 7: 14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

" ...[M]y counsel tonight is to rise above any rationalizations that prevent us from making righteous decisions, especially with respect to serving Jesus Christ. In Isaiah we are taught we must “refuse the evil, and choose the good.”

I believe it is of particular importance in our day, when Satan is raging in the hearts of men in so many new and subtle ways, that our choices and decisions be made carefully, consistent with the goals and objectives by which we profess to live. We need unequivocal commitment to the commandments and strict adherence to sacred covenants. When we allow rationalizations to prevent us from temple endowments, worthy missions, and temple marriage, they are particularly harmful. It is heartbreaking when we profess belief in these goals yet neglect the everyday conduct required to achieve them."

Elder Quentin L. Cook, Apostle 

091826, Friday

Weight: 230.8

BP and Pulse: 111/74, 67

GMI: 7.1, Glucose level Three day Average: 155

Reported Sleep: 5:12

Yesterday's Steps: 12,364

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me:

Isaiah 6: 8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

"Brothers and sisters, through your ministry, donations, time, and love, you have been the answer to so many prayers. And yet there is so much more to do. As baptized members of the Church, we are under covenant to care for those in need. Our individual efforts don’t necessarily require money or faraway locations; they do require the guidance of the Holy Spirit and a willing heart to say to the Lord, “Here am I; send me.”

Sister Sharon Eubank, First Counselor, Relief Society General Presidency, October 2021

091726, Thursday

Weight: 229.2

BP and Pulse: 114/64, 82

GMI: 7.1, Glucose level Three day Average: 155

Reported Sleep: 5:39

Yesterday's Steps: 4,414

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me:

Isaiah 5: 20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

"The temptation to be popular may prioritize public opinion above the word of God…Even if “everyone is doing it,” wrong is never right. Evil, error, and darkness will never be truth, even if popular…

After World War I, a rather risqué song became popular. In promoting immorality, it vowed that 50 million people cannot be wrong. But in fact, 50 million people can be wrong—totally wrong. Immorality is still immorality in the eyes of God, who one day will judge all of our deeds and desires."

Elder Russell M. Nelson, Apostle 

091626, Wednesday

Weight: 230.3

BP and Pulse: 112/67, 71

GMI: 7.2, Glucose level Three day Average: 153

Reported Sleep: 6:51

Yesterday's Steps: 8,619

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me:

Isaiah 4: 5 And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence.

6 And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.

"The Lord has instructed us that the stakes of Zion are to be “a defense” and “a refuge from the storm.” We have found refuge. Let us come out from our safe places and share with them, from our abundance, hope for a brighter future, faith in God and in our fellowman, and love that sees beyond cultural and ideological differences to the glorious truth that we are all children of our Heavenly Father."

Elder Patrick Kearon, Apostle 

091526, Tuesday

 Weight: 231.7

BP and Pulse: 119/76, 74

GMI: 7.2, Glucose level Three day Average: 155

Reported Sleep: 5:20

Yesterday's Steps: 3,734

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me:

Isaiah 2:2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

"God’s own words are that “the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but [His] kindness shall not depart from [us].” So, just to be clear, the idea that God has stopped loving should be so far down the list of possible explanations in life that we don’t get to it until after the mountains have left and the hills are gone!

I really enjoy this symbolism of mountains being evidence of the certainty of God’s love. That powerful symbolism weaves into accounts of those who go to the mountains to receive revelation and Isaiah’s description of “the mountain of the Lord’s house” being “established in the top of the mountains.” The house of the Lord is the home of our most precious covenants and a place for us all to retreat and sink deeply into the evidence of our Father’s love for us."

Elder Karl D. Hirst of The Seventy, October 2024

091426, Monday

Weight: 231.4

BP and Pulse: 128/80, 75

GMI: 7.2, Glucose level Three day Average: 158

CGM: 133 (0435)

Reported Sleep: 7:13

Yesterday's Steps: 7,278

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me:

Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

"The scarlet dye of the Old Testament was not only colorful but also colorfast, meaning that its vivid color stuck to the wool and would not fade no matter how many times it was washed. Satan wields this reasoning like a club: white wool stained scarlet can never go back to being white. But Jesus Christ declares, “My ways [are] higher than your ways,” and the miracle of His grace is that when we repent of our sins, His scarlet blood returns us to purity. It isn’t logical, but it is nevertheless true."

Sister Sharon Eubank, First Counselor, Relief Society General Presidency, April 2019

091326, Sunday

Weight: 232.3

BP and Pulse: 117/77, 73

GMI: 7.2, Glucose level Three day Average: 164

CGM: 137 (0430)

Reported Sleep: 7:00

Yesterday's Steps: 9,119

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me:

Ecclesiastes 12: 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

I can't think of a single commandment that hasn't meant improving my life and happiness. When I read or hear of someone "giving up" their sin or sins like that is some significant sacrifice I can't help thinking that  true repentance is one of the greatest blessings that the Lord has helped me understand. Living the commandments of God brings only joy and happiness.

091226, Saturday

Weight: 234.1

BP and Pulse: 110/71, 71

GMI: 7.3, Glucose level Three day Average: 170

CGM: 151 (0430)

Reported Sleep: 6:33

Yesterday's Steps: 4,318

Journal Entry:

As I read Sister Clegg's quote, below, I was reminded of how moving it is to me hear and participate in singing the music of the church. I particularly enjoy listening to the Tabernacle Choir of Temple Square. As I listen to recordings of General Conferences I find it noteworthy that there is so much singing in each session. It's also made me think of the many times I've read about revelations where God is surrounded by angels who are singing. I am beginning to appreciate even more the importance of music and light.

Come Follow Me:

Ecclesiastes 11: 7 Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:

"Today we felt another kind of light go on inside of us as we listened to the children’s choir sing…This feeling is why we go to church each week and sing Primary songs and hymns, sometimes the same ones over and over again. We know the words, but all of a sudden, the words make our hearts swell with light and love. It’s like we remember who we really are. Because we are Heavenly Father’s children, it’s like He comes down and turns on a light for us. 

This feeling of light that we feel in church is…the feeling of love and safety…"

Sister Gayle M. Clegg, Second Counselor, Primary General Presidency, April 2003

091126, Friday

Weight: 233.9

BP and Pulse: 128/80, 76

GMI: 7.2, Glucose level Three day Average: 171

CGM: 164 (0410)

Reported Sleep: 5:45

Yesterday's Steps: 4,550

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me:

Proverbs 16: 32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

"So many of us make a great fuss of matters of small consequence. We are so easily offended. Happy is the man who can brush aside the offending remarks of another and go on his way.

Grudges, if left to fester, can become serious maladies. Like a painful ailment they can absorb all of our time and attention."

President Gordon B. Hinckley, Apostle 

091026, Thursday

 Weight: 233.0

BP and Pulse: 113/73, 71

GMI: 7.2, Glucose level Three day Average: 162

CGM: 151 (0500)

Reported Sleep: 7:12 (84)

Yesterday's Steps: 5,365

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me:

Proverbs 16: 24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

"Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental characteristic of the noblest men and women I have known. Kindness is a passport that opens doors and fashions friends. It softens hearts and molds relationships that can last lifetimes.

Kind words not only lift our spirits in the moment they are given, but they can linger with us over the years. One day, when I was in college, a man seven years my senior congratulated me on my performance in a football game. He not only praised how well I had done in the game, but he had noticed that I had showed good sportsmanship. Even though this conversation happened more than 60 years ago, and even though it’s highly unlikely the person who complimented me has any recollection of this conversation, I still remember the kind words spoken to me that day by Gordon B. Hinckley, who would later become President of the Church."

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, Apostle 

090926, Wednesday

Weight: 234.3

BP and Pulse: 107/60, 75

GMI: 7.1, Glucose level Three day Average: 160

CGM: 161 (0350)

Reported Sleep: 5:01

Yesterday's Steps: 8,527

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me:

Proverbs 15: 1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

"Oftentimes, the world exalts behaviors born of aggressiveness, arrogance, impatience, and excessiveness, often justifying such attitudes by the pressures of daily life and the inclination toward validation and popularity. When we turn our gaze away from the virtue of temperance and ignore the gentle and moderating influence of the Holy Spirit in our way of acting and speaking, we easily fall into the enemy’s trap, which inevitably leads us to utter words and adopt attitudes we will deeply regret, whether in our social, family, or even ecclesiastical relationships. The gospel of Jesus Christ invites us to exercise this virtue especially in times of challenge, for it is precisely on these occasions that the true character of an individual is revealed."

Elder Ulisses Soares, Apostle 

090826, Tuesday

Weight: 235.2

BP and Pulse: 115/69, 93

GMI: 7.0, Glucose level Three day Average: 158

CGM: 189 (0445)

Reported Sleep: 6:34

Yesterday's Steps: 8,426

Journal Entry:

I ate late yesterday. Big sandwich from Panera Bread. Paying the price this morning.

Come Follow Me:

Proverbs 3: 11 My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:

12 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

"Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more. He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain."

Elder Richard G. Scott, Apostle 

Proverbs 3:19 The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.

090726, Monday

Weight: 231.4

BP and Pulse: 110/78, 70

GMI: 7.0, Glucose level Three day Average: 158

CGM: 144 (0410)

Reported Sleep: 5:39 

Yesterday's Steps: 1,972

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me:

Proverbs 3: 5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

"This scripture comes with two admonitions, a warning, and a glorious promise. The two admonitions: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart” and “in all thy ways acknowledge him.” The warning: “Lean not unto thine own understanding.” And the glorious promise: “He shall direct thy paths.”...We must each ask: How do I keep centered and lean not unto my own understanding? How do I recognize and follow the Savior’s voice when the voices of the world are so compelling? How do I cultivate trust in the Savior?"

Sister Bonnie H. Cordon, Second Counselor Primary General Presidency, April 2017

090626, Sunday

Weight: 232.5

BP and Pulse: 111/68 71

GMI: 7.0, Glucose level Three day Average: 159

CGM: 145 (0445)

Reported Sleep: 7:59 (88)

Yesterday's Steps: 10,410

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me:

Psalm 150: 1 Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.

2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.

6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.

"Mercies and blessings come in different forms—sometimes as hard things. Yet the Lord said, “Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things.” All things means just that: good things, difficult things—not just some things. He has commanded us to be grateful because He knows being grateful will make us happy. This is another evidence of His love."

Sister Bonnie D. Parkin, Relief Society General President, April 2007

Psalm 146:2-6

While I live will I praise the Lord: 

I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.

Put not your trust in princes, 

nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. 

His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; 

in that very day his thoughts perish. 

Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, 

whose hope is in the Lord his God:

Which made heaven, and earth, 

the sea, and all that therein is: 

which keepeth truth for ever:

090526, Saturday

Weight: 231.7

BP and Pulse: 117/77, 67

GMI: 6.9, Glucose level Three day Average: 154 (143) Daily Average)

CGM: 152 (0435)

Reported Sleep: 6:11

Yesterday's Steps: 4,335

Journal Entry:

I made an unfortunate decision yesterday.

This is Labor Day weekend and yesterday being Friday should have been known to me as a bad traffic day and I did know it. 

Cathy wanted to go to Fashion Place Mall to see if she could find some shoes that would be suitable F for our upcoming vacation. It was fairly early in the day so I thought we had plenty of time to go and get back before the holiday rush hour kicked in. But it was near two PM when we were done.

And that's when I made the wrong decision. I thought it would be easier and more pleasant traffic-wise to drive up Parleys Canyon through Park City and Heber instead of getting on southbound I-15 but I was wrong... Big time wrong. 

As we approached Park City and the turnoff from I-80 to US 40 toward Heber, traffic came to a complete halt. There is only one lane that can make that turn and it was jammed for more than a mile leading up to the interchange. Seriously the traffic was moving, if at all, at less than five miles per hour. So I made the brilliant decision to just continue eat on I-80 to the next southbound offramp that leads to Kamas. 

No problem. Good traffic flow then when we got to Kamas Cathy suggested an ice cream stop at the Ballerina Farms Farm Store in Kamas. After a very nice dish of ice cream we began heading toward Heber and what I thought would be a pretty easy drive down Provo Canyon to our home in Lindon.

Not So! The highway, US 189, was at a standstill from the moment we left Heber. We couldn't even make it to the cutoff that goes over to Midway. It appeared to me that our  "drive" home would be a creak that might last a couple of hours or more... Seriously. We were stopped in absolutely jammed traffic.

So going back to Parleys canyon, I knew, was impossible so I made a uturn and drove back into Heber. From there I drove west on Center Street to Midway then south to the Cascade Springs highway. That road winds almost endlessly to a junction with state highway 92, Timpanogos Highway, that runs from Provo Canyon to American Fork Canyon. This is called the Alpine Loop and it winds through beautiful mountain scenery as a very narrow 20 mph road.

That worked. There were more cars than usual on that route but it was, at least, moving. So I took the route toward American Fork Canyon and we were finally able to get home just before 8 pm.

I think that had we just chanced driving south on I-15 from Fashion Place we would have done better but it I'm not sure. Anyway, we made it.

Come Follow Me:

Psalm 144: 15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.

"Do you want to be happy? Stay on the covenant path. Your life will be easier, happier, and filled with joy. Our Savior is inviting us, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He is the living Christ. He carries our burdens and makes our life easier."

Elder Yoon Hwan Choi of The Seventy, October 2023

"Our family has six children, who sometimes tease one another that they are the favourite child. Each has different reasons for being preferred. Our love for each of our children is pure and fulfilling and complete. We could not love any one of them any more than another—with each child’s birth came the most beautiful expansion of our love. I most relate to my Heavenly Father’s love for me through the love that I feel for my children."

Elder Karl D. Thirst of The Seventy

090426, Friday

Weight: 231.7

BP and Pulse: 114/68, 73

GMI: 6.9, Glucose level Three day Average: 151 (128) Daily Average)

CGM: 134 (0445)

Reported Sleep: 6:30

Yesterday's Steps: 9,405

Journal Entry:

Jake brought all of his kids over for a visit yesterday afternoon. It was good to see them. I remember as a youth that visiting my grandparents wasn't the most exciting thing in my life but these visits strengthen families in many ways and that is perhaps more important than I even realize in my old age. Anyway, the fact that he did that speaks well for him and I truly appreciate him.

Come Follow Me:

Psalm 139: 1 O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.

2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

"You may not have heard the Lord call you by name, but He knows each one of you and He knows your name. God has known you individually for a long, long time. He not only knows the names of all the stars; He knows your heartaches and your joys. He knows you perfectly and loves you completely."

Sister Elaine S. Dalton, Second Counselor, Young Women General Presidency, April 2005

090326, Thursday

Weight: 233.0

BP and Pulse: 114/72, 72

GMI: 6.9, Glucose level Three day Average: 149 (115 Daily Average)

CGM: 127 (0510)

Reported Sleep: 7:41

Yesterday's Steps: 10,187

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me:

Psalm 127: 1 Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

"The Savior stands ready to accept our humble offerings and perfect them through His grace. With Christ, there is no imperfect harvest. We must have the courage to believe that His grace is for us—that He will help us, rescue us from the depths when we falter, and perfect our less-than-perfect efforts."

Elder Vern P. Stanfill of The Seventy 

090226, Wednesday

Weight: 234.5

BP and Pulse: 117/77, 80

GMI: 7.0, Glucose level Three day Average: 149 (138 Daily Average)

CGM: 143 (0345)

Reported Sleep: 5:08

Yesterday's Steps: 2,934

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me:

Psalm 119: 105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.

"We can go to the scriptures. They teach us about Jesus Christ and His gospel, the magnitude of His Atonement, and our Father’s great plan of happiness and redemption. Daily immersion in the word of God is crucial for spiritual survival, especially in these days of increasing upheaval. As we feast on the words of Christ daily, the words of Christ will tell us how to respond to difficulties we never thought we would face."

President Russell M. Nelson, Apostle 

090126, Tuesday

Weight: 232.5

BP and Pulse: 102/73, 73

GMI: 7.0, Glucose level Three day Average: 146 (131 Daily Average)

CGM: 134 (0425)

Reported Sleep: 6:06

Yesterday's Steps: 3,822

Journal Entry:

I'm considering asking to be released as a Temple Worker and serving instead at the Bishops Storehouse on Thursdays. The need for people on Thursdays at the Storehouse is greater than Tuesdays and I think it would be a void match for me. My hearing is such that it's difficult for me to serve in the temple and having to be there at 0500 is getting to be challenging. Plus Cathy and I can serve together at the Bishops Storehouse. We'll see.

Come Follow Me:

Psalm 116: 1 I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.

2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.

3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.

4 Then called I upon the name of the Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.

"Because Heavenly Father has all power and knows all things, He can see all His children and can hear and answer every prayer. You can come to know for yourself that He is there and that He loves you.

When you know that Heavenly Father is real and that He loves you, you can live with courage and hope! “Pray, he is there; speak, he is list’ning."

Sister Susan H. Porter, Primary General President, April 2024