Los Cabos, Mexico Trip

I barely unpacked my bags from the Lewis Sister's Retreat and my visit with Meredith & Bryan's family in Glendale, when it was time to pack again for our trip to Los Cabos, Mexico. Before leaving I was able to spend part of the day on Monday with Vivi helping her get her laundry caught up, floors vacuumed and general cleanup. She's doing well with her recovery. She's a good Mommy and it's a joy to see our children being devoted parents. I'm impressed with Brett and the good Daddy he is, so patient with the children.

My brother, Geoff, stayed with us Tues night, Oct. 4th while he was in Portland on business. He was helpful showing us how to better use our new IPad. We flew to Los Cabos on Thurs. arriving in the heat of the day, but since it had already turned cold in Oregon we welcomed the hot, hot sun.

We were blessed to earn this trip from Reliv. From the minute we got off the plane until we boarded to go back, we were given royal treatment. Our first evening we joined with other Reliv Distributors for a poolside dinner. Visiting with the good people involved in the company and learning from them was the highlight of our trip.

Friday morning we all boarded a bus that took us from the quaint, Mexican village of San Jose del Cabo to the lively town of Cabo San Lucas. Los Cabos is at the southern tip of Baja, the Gulf of California, (also known as the Gulf of Cortez), and the Pacific Ocean. Where they converge is where this magnificent display of sand and sea know as "The Capes." 

The beauty of this world is incredible! We loved this beautiful coast line. The ride in the Glass Bottom Boat took us to this formation, a famous arch. It looks like a dinosaur with his mouth in the water. This is the very tip of the peninsula of California, called the "end of land." 

                           

We had just passed what they called "Honeymoon Beach" along the Gulf of Cortez. We then went to the other side as seen here.

This was the view from the Pacific Ocean. Off to the left was a beach they called "Divorce Beach."

The hotel was spectacular. It felt like the life of the "Rich and Famous." We could go anywhere and eat whatever we wanted whenever. It seemed similar to a cruise, but just on land. We loved it!

Los Cabos has 350 sunny days a year. It only rains about 3 days a year, and one afternoon we experienced that, but it didn't last long. This resort was only a few years old. So fun!

Relaxing in the sun and being lazy felt so good! We used Reliv sunscreen and it kept us free of a burn, expect those places we missed! Waitresses would come by with whatever drink we wanted. Kind of fun to be spoiled once and awhile, but it's not the way to live for long.

The beaches were the finest sand we had ever seen. I picked up one tiny seashell, but hardly saw another one! The crashing waves sounded like thunder. We were warned not to go out in the water as they were so powerful the rip tides were extremely strong. But, oh, what a spectacular sight!

Sat., our last night there was a delicious meal right on the beach for all the Reliv Distributors and Corporate Leaders. We became acquainted with such good people. Our circle of non-LDS friends has greatly increased. We enjoyed opportunities to share about our church.

We had the pleasure of visiting with Ryan Montgomery, VP of International Sales and his wife Stacy. Ryan's parents were the founder's of Reliv and he will most likely be the CEO when his father retires.
Steve Hastings, VP of National Sales, and his wife Crystal, were at our table. They are kind friends and Steve offered to do calls with Crismon to help build our business.

This picture was taken in the early hours on Sunday morning before we left for Church. It was so nice to see it quiet and no people around at that hour.

We hurried to get ready Sunday morning to catch a taxi and be at church on time for the 9 a.m. Sacrament Mtg. As you can see, we were about the first to arrive along with some of the leaders. We love these wonderful people! They are so beautiful, warm, and full of love. It was so helpful to have Crismon speak fluent Spanish. He was very engaging with everyone we met throughout our trip. When they started the meeting, they welcomed the Lewises from Oregon. Although I didn't understand much of the meeting, I felt the beautiful spirit fill the room. Crismon said the chapel looked exactly like the chapel that Dallin was serving in when he finished his mission. It was fast and testimony Sunday and there were mostly men that bore their testimonies. Crismon was impressed by the strong, fervant testimonies, all speaking about doctrine. We loved being able to worship with these wonderful saints.

These pictures of the resort don't do them justice, but every view was breathtaking. We felt so grateful for the privilege of enjoying these few days together. I love my good husband.

                                       

We were about to leave for the airport, but we had to catch one more picture of sitting out of the water. At the airport we ran into some friends from our stake. They had been their for a wedding. Such a small world! We returned to Portland that evening and we appreciated Brett picking us up at the airport. We relished the opportunity to go by and see our cute Caudle grandchildren before heading home. I asked Daisy if she wanted to go home with us and she quickly got her coat to go with us. She was very good and such a treat to have with us until the next afternoon. It was good to be back home. As much fun as it is to be pampered and relax, it's such a blessing to have a home to come to and work to keep us busy and growing each day.

Women's Conf., Lewis Sister's Retreat, & Gen. Conf.

I had to record this darling picture of Kaeley coming home from the hospital. Grandpa took Clark and Daisy to the Teddy Bear Parade in downtown Gresham earlier that morning on Sept. 24th. They all participated in the parade by Grandpa pushing Daisy and Clark on foot. Clark didn't walk too fast as he was fascinated by looking at everything. They especially loved the balloons that were drifting off into space. I felt badly we didn't get a picture of that event.

One of the treats of living close to the Vance's meant that I could enjoy listening to the General Women's Broadcast with Ondalynn at her stake building. Vivi just got home from the hospital that day so she couldn't join us. I enjoyed meeting her new friends at the dinner afterwards.

 We were inspired by Pres. Uchtdorf's talk about the "Forget-Me-Not" flower and the 5 lessons we can learn by remembering to be patient with ourself, and that the Lord loves us, and other good counsel.

Monday I flew to Phoenix for the Lewis Sister's Retreat to honor Mom Lewis for her 91st birthday. She is still so beautiful, fun witty, loving and adorable as ever! It's a blessing she is in such good health.

I am blessed with such wonderful sister-in-laws. We had a great time being together, visiting and sharing lessons learned and other inspiring thoughts.

Delon, Grandma Lewis, Duraye
Myreel, Lynette, Vivienne, Sally, Lynn, Dantzelle

I felt motivated to be a better person by associating with these wonderful women. I appreciated their kind gifts, and expressions of love.

On Grandma's birthday, Tues., Sept. 27th, the granddaughters joined us for dinner and expressing tribute to Grandma. It was a sweet evening being together. I'm so glad Meredith was able to be there with Christian. A special treat for these cousins to share their new babies, too. Rachel came from Thatcher with Junie, Delon's daughter-in-laws, Jessica and her new baby, and Tiffany. Kasey, Jace's wife came, too. What beautiful, talented young Mommy's. They were inspiring.

Grandma was good to let us take lots of pictures with her. We love you Grandma Lewis!

Meredith shared a sweet tribute to Grandma. I'm including here some thoughts that Meredith posted in her blog about Grandma because she tells how Grandma has been able to go on with her life in such a productive way since Grandpa passed away. From Meredith....

"Living so far away from her for most of my life, I missed out on interacting with her often but I learned an important principle from her. And that is never let trials get in your way. I can point out two examples from her life that exemplified this. 

1. After my Grandpa passed away 6 years ago, it was really hard on my grandma as I'm sure it is for anyone to lose their spouse. She would spend days later crying and crying. But it didn't take too much time for my grandma to realize that she can't always cry and so the opposite of crying is laughing. And so she would read joke books and force her family around her to sit down and listen to her jokes. For those who have heard my grandma tell jokes know that it isn't the joke that is so funny but how my grandma would tell them. She usually could never finish one because she would be laughing too hard knowing the end of the joke.

      2. As my grandma has gotten older, her hearing has only gotten worst. I can only imagine how frustrating it would be trying to talk on the phone or be in a group conversation where you could only hear half of what they were saying. But that hasn't stopped my grandma from keeping in contact with her family. So, when most people her age would stray from using computers, my grandma learned how to use email really well and now keeps up with everyone through it. It's a good thing she did since she has 12 children, 75 grandchildren and 138+ great-grandchildren living all over. (Bryan and I like to joke that my grandma and grandpa have a posterity that would even make Abraham jealous)."

After our visit to the Mesa Temple on Wed., arrangements were made to visit Ocie, the lady that cleaned Mom's home for years and also she worked for us while we lived in the big green house on Portland street in Phoenix as the Latter-Day Sentinel offices were in the home. This was our beautiful view of Phoenix from the rental home we were staying in.

Duraye kept us entertained with cute ways. Her new hairstyle is darling. Thanks Duraye for being my roommate.

It's a joy to be in the temple with family.

Meredith picked me up on Thurs. morning so I could spend a few days with them. I was glad she could go to the temple that morning while I stayed with Christian.

Evelyn couldn't wait for dinner to start. Meredith prepared the best salads with homemade bread. Yum!

Friday morning Evelyn danced and sang with her friends at a music class for young children and Mom's. They hold it in a room on the campus of Midwestern Medical School in Glendale where Bryan is going to school. Each Friday Bryan joins his family for lunch after their music class.

My time with this cute family went by far too quickly. Thanks for making it so fun for me.

It was conference weekend when I returned. The Vance's and the Caudle's came for the 2nd session on Sunday afternoon and then dinner where we celebrated Daisy's 3rd birthday. Of course, they had to see some highlights of the amazing BYU win the night before against USU.

Sydney loved holding baby Kaeley for the first time. She is so tiny, but is growing quickly and by 3 weeks she's up to 7 lbs.

Clark, Julia, and Sydney were all ready to help Daisy blow out her candles.

Seth & Tiffany webcammed with everyone. Nice to "see" family despite the miles.

Little Isaac adores his Grandpa Lewis. He is always smiling when Grandpa is there. We were renewed in our love for the Gospel and the words of our Prophet and leaders were sweet nourishment to our souls. We are enjoying the access to hearing their words over and over again.

Seth & Tiffany's darling family before the reception for her sister, Katherine in Texas. Oh we miss them!