Special Time with Dallin & Janelle's Family

A dream come true...a weekend with Dallin & Janelle's family. Yes, we were so blessed to be with them. We flew to Chicago on Friday, Feb. 21, and Dallin picked us up that evening, then drove us to Notre Dame, arriving at their home about midnight. We returned home by noon on Tues., Feb. 25th. It was a fast, but absolutely wonderful time with them.

We were grateful for the sweet experience of going back there for Crismon to ordain Dallin as a High Priest and to be there for him to be set apart as the 2nd counselor in their Bishopric of the Notre Dame Ward. If we went back there for that 15 minutes only, it would have definitely been worth the trip. Standing in the circle were Miles Andrews, he and his wife, Stacy, are close friends. He is the High Councilman over their ward. Bro Johnson is the first counselor, then Pres. Hurst, the 2nd counselor in the Stake Presidency. Unfortunately, the Bishop was out of town.

There was a very special spirit in the stake president's office that Sunday during this memorable occasion. Dallin will be a wonderful addition to that Bishopric. Much was said in his blessing by his Dad about him presiding. We're thankful for this good son who has been protected through his life from serious physical danger, who is liked by everyone because he is genuinely kind to all, young and old, who has been blessed with a quick mind and deep spiritual insights, and who has honored his parents all his days. We love you, Dallin! We're so thankful you married well. Janelle is a terrific Mommy, and you both have blessed us with three adorable granddaughters, Dorothy, Ruby and Norah.

We delighted in the opportunity to hug, kiss, play, and enjoy these darling girls. We couldn't get enough of their cuteness! They kept us entertained every minute we were with them. Now we are going through withdrawals. It's painful. We wish we could be closer and enjoy them more often.

We were sorry that Norah had a little scrap on her cheek that she got the day before we came, but it came in handy in helping to tell the twins apart. Their personalities are really coming out and it gets easier to tell by their sweet natures. In the pictures, Norah is in the purple "Tutu." The milder temperatures were a welcome treat for us while we were there compared to their terribly cold winter. Sweet Dorothy said, "I'm trying to be positive until spring comes, but this has been such a long, cold winter with so much snow. I can't wait for it to get warmer." She didn't want to complain, but she is anxious to feel warm sunshine and be able to play outside. We were glad she stayed home from school on Monday to be with us.

Of course, they loved playing games on our IPads, or IPhones. It was nice that we were able to stay in the guest apartment right across the hall from them. This meant that the girls could come easily over to our apartment and play, and we had a nice place to stay and be close to them.

The girls sing and dance almost all day long. They know all the words to "Sound of Music," "Frozen," and many other musicals. Sunday evening they watched "Singing In the Rain," and then Monday they were singing and dancing to that throughout the day. So cute!

Among other things we took the girls to the mall to the indoor play area. Ruby is especially animated, and she is singing and dancing wherever we went. Dorothy is such a good big sister to the twins. She is a good helper. No matter where we went, Norah would walk in the door and immediately toss off her coat. She's a kick. Oh, they are cute. Have I mentioned that?

The girls especially adored their Grandpa (as all the grandkids, do). I hope I'm a good second, but I love how he is so cute with them.

They twins were mesmerized at the Disney store watching "Frozen." They had great fun at a museum pretending their were grocery shopping, at the dentist, working in a garden, and dressing up. We had a good time at the "Chocolate Cafe" where there was a play structure and then hot chocolate, or course. Lunch at McDonald's, and a visit to their interesting library where the twins "performed" again before heading out the door.

Janelle and Dallin served us such delicious meals. It was fun to see how Dallin has become quite a cook. We loved his yummy granola, homemade wheat bread, Jewish Chocolate Babka, and a delicious dish called "Braised Eggs with Lamb, Tahini & Sumac" from the Jerusalem Cookbook from Seth & Tiffany. I had to include the picture of Dallin at the end. He has a houseful of girls! He handles it well. We got caught up with Dallin's progress on his Dissertation. He is coming along well and should be finished by May of 2015. Janelle whipped together some long awaited sewing projects while we were away with the girls. She is very creative, sewing many dresses and costumes for the girls, Dorothy's backpack and fun Christmas gifts. The girls showed us their reverence during FHE as we shared a few stories with them, then fun playing "Hide & Seek" in the dark in their tiny apartment. It was also wonderful to have Dallin & Janelle show us pictures and relate the great trip they had to Europe last summer.

Ruby & Norah performing.

 

Our Winter Wonderland

We haven't had the bitter cold polar vortex that has swept down on the Midwest and the east for at least three times this winter, but Mother nature brushed our world in a magical way this weekend with a beautiful, heavy snowstorm, that brought our world to a stand still. Mass text messages went out to residents in this area warning everyone to stay off the streets today as this winter wonderland went from her robe of white to a crystallized city of stillness and reverence of Mother Nature. As I begin this post, the warming has started and the icicles are dripping rapidly. On this Sabbath, holy day, all meetings were cancelled. I wish the quiet, peaceful feeling that fills the air would just stay throughout the Sabbath. Wouldn't it be wonderful if each Sunday was like this one, not the bad weather, of course, but that everyone just stops hurrying around, unites with their family, and worships God.

The winter blast began on Thurs., Feb. 6th about noon. Just at the same hour that we had planned a Reliv "Lunch & Learn" in our home where 20 people had confirmed they were coming. The house was clean, the food prepared, and everything was in order, but it was not to happen. We were having a special guest from Utah come and spend several days in this area doing Reliv events. It was decided her flight should be cancelled earlier that morning. With just 90 minutes away, we could see that the storm was moving in faster than previously reported. With email and texting, the word was soon spread that our luncheon was cancelled, too.

Although it was disappointing not to have our event, it suddenly opened up time not previously scheduled to get to some long awaited projects. Crismon and I stayed busy working the rest of the day...oh, we are so type A personality! But, we stopped later that evening to watch an episode of "Lark Rise to Candleford." This is a delightful series by the BBS. Why can't the US produce such clean, and uplifting programs to watch?

More snow on Friday and Saturday. Yes...about a total of 12 inches of snow in many area. Gratefully, Crismon works from home and he didn't have to worry about getting across the river to Camas. But, he did venture out to run a few errands. The snow was accumulating quicker than expected and he couldn't make it back up our hill. Instead, he abandoned the car by the median strip close to the bottom of the hill. We hope it survives these several days without getting hit. Watching the Opening Ceremonies of the Winter Olympics from Sochi, Russia that night was a welcomed treat. I don't remember the last time Crismon and I sat in our basement to watch something on TV, but it was a captivating performance. Absolutely spectacular!

Saturday morning there wasn't much improvement, but Crismon needed to attend two funerals. Our neighbor, Gary Hatton, drove Dad to the Stake Center with his 4-wheel drive truck. Surprisingly, there was a fair number of people at both of the funerals. The first one for Shirley Smith, a long-time member of the Powell Valley Ward, and Boyd Crane of the Sandy River Ward. Crismon was able to catch a ride to the Sandy building and then friends helped him get home. A decision needed to made about Sunday meetings. The freezing rain started that afternoon, so it was now for certain that it would be too treacherous to hold church. Some of the members have been without power as tree branches have snapped, bringing down power lines. We have fortunately had power the entire weekend. It's now sounding like a small amount of fireworks going on with the ice crashing down from the trees onto cars and houses, etc. We're not out of the woods yet, as there is a bigger batch of moisture tomorrow. A few pictures I snatched from missionary, Sis. Kimble's Facebook, of the tree out her window. One below from our Bishop's backyard.

"Are you ever burdened with a load of care?...Count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done!"...view from my window this morning.

Solid ice...it's not looking so good for the birch trees. 

New Temple Assignment

I'm grateful for a new, yet challenging assignment that has come to me. On Friday afternoon, Jan. 24th, I received a call on my cell phone. It was from Pres. Babb, the counselor in the Portland Temple presidency. He asked me, "Do you have a few minutes?" I told him I was at the grocery store. He didn't seem to mind, but went ahead and asked "Would you be willing to serve as an Assistant Temple Coordinator for the mid-shift on Wednesday? This is the day that I have my temple assignment. Of course, I said yes, but quite surprised as I've only been serving for a year and I'm still trying to figure out all of the responsibilities. But I feel honored and blessed to have this assignment. It will be a learning experience, but a real blessing, too, as I am in charge of everything that happens on the 2nd floor for the women. I will oversee that all assignments are going smoothly for the sessions, the veil, and the celestial room, as well as take care of the names on the prayer roll and other responsibilities as needed. This isn't the best picture, but this is Carol Buroker, the new Coordinator. We also carpool together.

Last Friday evening, Jan 31st,  I felt like I was in heaven as we sat in the chapel of the temple waiting to be taken up to a session. As the temple was about to close for two weeks, many saints were coming and we were the 7th session in a row that day that was completely full. That is a special treat for our temple! To our joyous surprise, Ondalynn and Gary came in and sat down at the end of our long row. Gratefully, we saw each other and they came and joined us. Being with family in the temple is heaven on earth.

On Saturday, January 25, the Stake Relief Society put on a Women's Conference. They worked so hard and prepared an outstanding program of speakers, or I should say workshops, for us to attend. I enjoyed Paul and Nancy Hansen's class on how to improve your scripture study and prayer. Nancy shared a sweet experience she had praying for her daughter, Jenna, on her mission. She had been concerned about her and have been fervently praying one day for Jenna. She felt anxious many times for her. Every time she started feeling anxious, she would pray. They received Jenna's letter several days later, and at the end of the letter she said, "Whoever was praying for me last Thursday, please tell them thank you. I felt their prayers and they were very needed." We had Sister Missionaries join us for dinner that night. I shared with them the story. One of the sisters testified in her message to me, that my prayers are being felt by Emily. I surely hope so. I was surprised to walk into the Cultural Hall and find a very large picture of us with our cute grandchildren.

I was grateful for the opportunity to teach my Relief Society lesson today on Elder Bednar's talk, "Windows of Heaven." I wish I would've had more time to develop the great message from this talk, but I was very grateful for the spirit that helped me to testify of its importance. The conference talks seem to come alive to me as I have studied them deeply and I have gained so much. I'm trying to learn the important messages that were given. I used to listen to the conference talks over and over again until I had them almost memorized. But I found that as I have read them and underlined them, marked them, and then jotted down my own notes, they have become so much more meaningful to me.

Crismon called and set apart a new bishopric in the Estacada Ward on Sunday. Brother Dave Hawkins was called as the Bishop. His first counselor is Cale Pelton and his second counselor is David Andersen. They had both been serving in the previous Bishopric. Bishop Hawkins has been serving as the Elders Quorum President, although he was a High Priest. He will make a good Bishop as he is well loved in the ward.

After home teaching in the afternoon (we are companions), Crismon immediately left for a meeting held in downtown Portland at the Portland Institute building. These good "missionaries" Crismon refers to them as the "pioneers" in the Portland OR area of the BYU-Idaho Pathway program. This inspired program may some day revolutionize higher education, helping interested member obtain a bachelors degree from an accredited university for under $8,000. His Sundays are nonstop. But he never complains. He feels it a great privilege to serve and do all he can to build the Lord's kingdom in this area.