Crismon called as Stake President

Our lives have taken a big turn of events over the last 36 hours. Elder Shane Bowen and Elder Alonzo of the First Quorum of the Seventy were our visiting authorities for our Stake Conference this weekend. We heard three weeks ago that there was to be a change in the stake presidency at our conference. This caught all of us by surprise since Pres. Richard Hansen had served for only 4 years. Crismon was sustained today as the new Stake Pres. of the Mt. Hood Oregon Stake. He will continue to serve as the Bishop of the Mt. Hood YSA Ward as well as Stake Pres. until a new Bishop will be called. There are many details to share later.

We love our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Our greatest desire is to serve in what ever capacity we are called. We dedicate ourselves to this new assignment. Pres. Dennis Baird of the Estacada Ward is his first counselor and Pres. Charles Allen is his second counselor. They were both serving with Pres. Hansen. I don't have a picture yet of the stake presidency. But this is a picture of my wonderful husband who I know him better than anyone. I can say he is a man of God, and worthy in every way to be called to lead this stake. I love him dearly.

1st in the Nation!

Last week we attended the Reliv National Conference in Reno. There were many exciting announcements made, but probably the best for us was being called up on stage as being the 1st in the nation in volume of sales for the month of January. We were presented a $5000 bonus check! We're so grateful that there was an answer to our finances through this great company. Our best month so far, over $9,200. Not bad for working off my kitchen table! Heavenly Father blessed us greatly.

First in the Nation for January in Reliv National Sales!

We enjoyed getting acquainted with Julie Perry from Lakeport, CA. She responded to our ad in the Mormon Times and joined us in the business. Turns out she grew up in Springfield, OR and Corwin and Lynette sang at her wedding reception! She is a wonderful person and we were glad to finally meet her in person as we've been talking on the phone for about 5 months.

Joyce Betita, Crismon, Vivienne, Julie Perry

Julie and Joyce became instant friends, especially when they discovered that Sheri Southworth was Julie's former college roommate and close friend, and Joyce's dear friend as well. We're excited to share with others that our nutritional product, NOW, is enriched with "LunaRich." The peptide lunasin found in soy that reduces cholesterol is now 5-10 times greater in our product because of the nutritional technology that has come about. It can only be found in Reliv. What a neat opportunity to share this news!

We were glad to come back home on Saturday evening in time for our Sunday gathering in our home for dinner and a short FHE in honor of President's Day. What a delight to have family close by! I also got to talk with all of our children today! I love my life!

Bryson with Grandpa

The grandchildren love running the circle through the kitchen into the living room and having Grandpa catch them and smother them with kisses as they go by running back to do it all over again.

Daisy pausing for a picture

Grandma with kute Kaeley

Yesterday was a delightful day as I spent several hours in the afternoon helping sweet Sydney sew her first project, a Christmas stocking. She picks up everything so quickly.

Julia was involved in her own coloring project and I had fun playing with Bryson and Isaac outside.

Isaac is walking now and always has a car in each hand. I love the fact that he'll leave his Mommy's arms and reaches for me. I only get that when Grandpa's not around. I enjoyed spending the afternoon, helping Ondalynn so she could get groceries by herself, help with dinner and tend the children while Ondalynn went for a singing practice. I wish I could do the same for all of my daughters and daughter-in-laws!

Isaac is irresistible! 

Hints of Spring

Last Sunday was our Fast & Testimony Meeting. Crismon bore his testimony and shared how he had recently visited with a friend who was worried that America wasn't going to make it. He shared his lack of faith in the upcoming generation of young people. As Bishop, Crismon bore a strong testimony of the great youth among us. He told the young people, "He isn't around you, the Young Single Adults as I am." His message of hope went along with the SS lesson that day from 2 Ne. 1:5 where it talks about America being a land of promise, "which is choice above all other lands; a land which the Lord God hath covenanted with me (Lehi) should be a land for the inheritance of my seed."

One by one, the YSA's stood to bear their testimonies, each one spoke of truth, faith, courage, answers to prayers, the power of the scriptures in their lives, and their love for the Gospel. We have seen the lives of these young people grow as they have turned their hearts to the teachings of the Savior. The testimonies progressed without any pauses, with some waiting on the stand. Our hearts rejoiced in the spirit of the meeting. We love this sweet privilege of working with them. The FHE activity was a service project for the Institute Building, scrubbing tables and chairs. Many turned out and had fun working together.

Our home is pretty quiet with just the two of us. We do pretty much the same things week after week. Most of all we work our Reliv business, but there is still the usual activities of grinding wheat and making homemade wheat bread. I often make a pot of soup, or beans, but I cook like I did when we were bursting at the seams with children. It's still hard for me to change that.

Fortunately there are darling grandchildren in our area to visit and enjoy. Friday evening Dad and I tended the Vance children so Ondalynn and Gary could get a well deserved date together. We had fun playing "Apples to Apples" with the children. Isaac is totally attached to Grandpa whenever he's around. We called Bryan (Williams) to wish him a Happy Birthday. It was cute, Julia said, "When you were at our house you told the BEST stories."

Bryson, Sydney, Julia, Isaac and Grandpa Lewis

Saturday morning Crismon attended the Worldwide Leadership Broadcast from SLC with our General church leaders. We are privileged to be taught by Apostles of God. We took advantage of a the sunshine, despite the cold, and worked in the yard trimming trees, plants, and racking leaves, etc. There were buds bursting forth that gave us hope that spring is on its way. The Azaleas outside our front door are usually among the first to bloom. The crocuses push their way through the cold, wet earth to show their beauty. Little sprinkles of color our most welcomed.

Dad worked hard trimming the many branches of this tree in our back yard. He was surprised that he could hold his arms up the entire time without resting off and on as he use to. Extra Reliv drinks throughout the day have helped him have more endurance. Our neighbors planted pine trees years ago that now, unfortunately, are blocking much of our view. We have a small window to see off in the distance to the Portland area.

Trip to Utah for Micah & Wes' Wedding

I loved being in the temple with family and to witness the sealing of two choice, worthy young people begin a new family by the sealing power of the Priesthood. Witnessing the sealing of Micah Smith (Roger & Andrea's dau.) to Weston Curtis was just such an event. Don't they look perfect for each other?

Micah & Wes Curtis married in the Logan temple 2/2/12

Radiant Couple, Sweethearts for the last 5 years

 We gathered with much excitement to celebrate the marriage of this cute couple. Considering it was the first of Feb. in Logan, the weather could have been much colder.

Sisters! Fun day with Meredith

Kassidy & Sierra Smith, Kysha & David Dymock, McKenzie Smith

Peggy, Jamie, Garrett & Alisha, Becca & Jessica Smith

Andy, Delaney, Corbin and (Benson) cousin

A lovely luncheon was held at the Bluebird Restaurant in downtown Logan. Since Micah & Wes dated several years before his mission, there were many pictures on the video of their lives growing up together. They both love to ski, and many pictures were on Beaver Mountain skiing.

I enjoyed sitting with Grandma Julia, Meredith & Norman Ashton

Norene and Randy were great hosts, picking me up at the airport, letting me spend the night and taking me with them to Logan. I loved being with them and getting caught up on their lives, especially the upcoming wedding of their daughter, McKenzie.

Norene & Randy Smith

Ever smiling Julie, was delightful to visit with as she juggled her children, kept them feed and entertained, and was happy through it all.

Julie Jensen with Grant and Abby

 Geoff & Peggy were good to help decorate for the reception (along with Randy & Norene) after the luncheon. Service is their middle name.

Geoff & Peggy Smith

Beautiful sisters Jamie, Jessica, and Becca

Alisha & Garrett still newlyweds

Grandma Julia opened her home to us in between events and was good to feed us dinner. A beautiful reception was held in the Skyroom on the USU campus. It brought back memories of 37 years ago when our reception was held in the same place. A wonderful evening with family and friends.

Vivienne Lewis, Roger & Andrea Smith

A welcome sight at the reception was Alice-Anne & Gary's family. I loved having Kenna and Spencer run over to give me a big hug!

Kenna with Grandma Lewis and Elliot

Cute Mommy Alice-Anne with Elliot

Skyler and his girlfriend Haley

I drove home with Alice-Anne's family that night and had two fun days with them. Elliot is irresistible.

Elliot at 9 months

Watching my daughters in action as Mommies is a joy! Alice-Anne's day included reading time with Spencer.  Before that, she had walked to school with Kenna, and then ran home in time to get ready to hurry back to volunteer in Kenna's class for her Valentine Party.

Listening to Kenna share about each Valentine....

I  couldn't resist the gorgeous day to go for a brisk walk with Kenna & Spencer to a nearby school. They raced the fields and ran up and down the slopes. Wish I would have remembered my camera. My favorite part of the day was bathing the children, reading scriptures with them, prayers, and then a sweet book on "I Love You This Much." Probably not the correct title, but now we hug each other and say, "I love you infinity plus a million."

Grandma Lewis with Elliot, Kenna & Spencer

Sat. noon, Crismon & Danielle and Emily arrived for lunch and visiting. A bonus to see family! Alice-Anne & Gary have been downloading family videos from VHS tapes to DVD's. Each Sat. they start the process going and it was fun to see them playing throughout the day.

Emily with Spencer & Kenna

Crismon & Danielle brought a DVD of their wedding pictures and we enjoyed seeing them and visiting about their classes. Danielle recently auditioned for the Masters program at BYU and she auditions at U of U this weekend. Crismon is volunteering in the Wasatch School District to help elementary students with Chinese.

Happy newlyweds, Crismon & Danielle

I appreciated them taking me to the airport before they returned to BYU. Emily always adds a spark of fun to every visit. So glad to be with our cute daughter.

Emily, freshman at BYU with Mom

Always wonderful to go and visit, but how great to come home to my good husband, Crismon. He worked so hard while I was gone with our business and he put on a Networking Luncheon earlier in the day with some help from others. We ended the day watching some of "Downton Abby." Thank you everyone who took care of me while I was on my trip. A special thanks to the Johns' who open their home to all of us, treat us to delicious meals (Gary made a batch of yummy homemade bread), and keep us smiling with the cute things their children do and say. Life is beautiful!