Faith-Based Community Food Drive

After a record setting day a few days ago at 96 degrees, we have flip flopped to 69. But we are grateful for the mild weather we experience here in the Northwest compared to the flooding in CO, and the fires in CA. School has started, and it’s exciting to be in a new season of the year. Spencer Johns, Dorothy Lewis, and Bryson Vance have all started kindergarten this year. We pray for protection both spiritually and physically over our dear grandchildren.

Spencer Johns, West Jordan, UT

Dorothy Lewis, South Bend, IN

Bryson Vance, Vancouver, WA

 Birthday wishes to cute Julia Vance tomorrow who is turning 8 and will be baptized next month. Then Happy Birthday to Kaeley who will turn 2 next Sunday, along with Dallin’s birthday that day, too. Brett’s birthday is the 25th and Grandma Lewis’ the 27th. My family will be gathering on the 28th in honor of my Dad’s birthday. We send our love and best wishes to all. We went to the Vance’s today to celebrate Julia’s, Kaeley’s & Brett’s birthdays. This next weekend I will be in AZ for the Lewis Sister’s Retreat to honor and celebrate Grandma Lewis’ 93rd birthday.

Yesterday was the World-Wide Church day of Service. Our ward was cleaning a trail not far from our other home here in Gresham. Crismon was busy overseeing some of the needs of our stake day of service and I didn’t think I should physically participate in it.

For months Crismon has been preparing for our Faith-Based Community Food Drive. Crismon has reached out to many pastors and leaders of other congregations in our area and invited them to be a part of a faith-based community food drive to collect food for community charities. Sacks were printed with the information and home teachers delivered the sacks to the members with the charge to take sacks to their neighbors in an effort for all of us to get better acquainted with our neighbors and invite them to join with us in this endeavor.There was nearly 24,000 pounds of food (12 tons) that was distributed to 15 local food panties. Members were to deliver the sacks of food to the churches that were participating in their area. This was an historic effort with nine other churches, not of our faith, join with us in this worthy cause to help those less fortunate in our community.

This past week Seth has been in Sweden, Wales, and Paris for his work. He has shared some spectacular pictures of his busy week and we appreciate Tiffany carrying the load while he is away. He had the fun of spending a day in Paris with Gens & Annie.

Seth & Gens, Paris France

Each week I’m grateful for the opportunity to work in the temple. It is a joy to serve in the sacred House of the Lord.

We have been blessed in our business as we learned yesterday that we placed first in the nation in volume of sales for the month of August. We feel our Heavenly Father’s constant blessings that flow from having a faithful daughter serving in Argentina.

Meredith texted me yesterday saying she was playing the organ in her Stake Conf. that evening. My heart rejoices in opportunities our children have to use their talents and bless others. Receiving messages throughout the week, and pictures or videos of the grandchildren brighten my day and I love and miss them all the more. Often our meals are spent reading our children's blogs together and loving the updates on their families and cute pictures their share.