Our Fun Family Reunion

It's not easy to bring a big family together for about four days, but it is definitely worth the effort. We are so grateful for each one of our family that could gather from Indiana, Minnesota, Utah, Idaho, and Emily home from Argentina. We enjoyed a very fun family reunion beginning August 10th in the Portland area. Ondalynn and Gary Vance hosted the reunion and opened up their home to all of us. We really missed Meredith and Bryan's family, (Bryan was in Hawaii for a month doing rotations, and Evelyn started school) and Crismon and Danielle in Taipei, Taiwan where Crismon is furthering his Chinese education and speaking skills.

By Saturday night, August 9th, everyone had arrived and the party began at our home for a dinner on the deck.

Sunday, all the family were able to join us for our Sacrament Meeting where Emily spoke on "How Do You Know God Loves You, and How Does God Know You Love Him?" She also, shared experiences about her mission. Each Sunday I sit alone, with Dad serving as Stake President, and all our children out of the home. I have to say what a glorious Sunday this was for me to see our family fill 3 long rows in the chapel and be surrounded by those I cherish so dearly. Emily gave such a beautiful, spirit-filled talk. She then spoke in the Damascus Ward. 

The rest of the family went back to our home for snacks and visiting, and games for the children until returning to the church house for a dinner and Family Program where Emily shared pictures of her mission and Dad and I spoke and shared counsel and love. I gave each of the grandchildren a "KitKat" bar and taught them to remember their baptismal covenant by remembering K=Keep the Commandments, A=Always remember Him, and T=Take upon ourselves the name of Christ. Dad had planned a similar idea of referring to an "Owl" to remember how to have a happy family, O=Obedience, W=Work, L=Love. This was counsel that Grandpa Lewis always taught us.

Early Monday morning, Gary Vance and Gary Johns drove to the Cottonwood Beach in Washougal, WA where there is a fun beach site along the Columbia River. They wanted to arrive early to secure a good spot before the crowds descended on that very hot day. Just as they were approaching their destination, Ondalynn calls with the frantic news that Isaac fell of the steps leading up to the trampoline and severely broke his arm. Immediately they turned around and headed for the Urgent Care Center where Ondalynn was going. There were many tender mercies that happened along the way to help this cute little boy get the immediate attention he needed. 

When Ondalynn told the receptionist that she thought he was going to shock, they immediately took him in. It was evident they needed to quickly get him to the hospital. Ondalynn rode with Isaac in the ambulance, going at a normal speed, but when his vital signs were dropping they picked up the speed. Gary was driving behind the ambulance and, of course, this was a concern for him, but a call from Ondalynn reassured him.

Grandpa and Isaac have a special bond. We were grateful we could go to the hospital that morning to see him, but it's so hard to see these little ones have to suffer. Grandpa assisted Gary in giving him a Priesthood Blessing. The Dr. set his arm and then they were to come back in several days for x-rays to see if he needed surgery. We know the Lord heard and answered the many prayers for Isaac. It was set perfectly the first time and he didn't need surgery. We are so thankful for the Lord's blessings in his behalf. Also, that would have been so hard for the Vance's to have Isaac have surgery at the time of the reunion.

The reunion plans went forward with the day at Cottonwood Beach. Ondalynn had everything planned so well, typed up with exactly what to take to the park, food, equipment, etc., plus she had the food prepared ahead, so it all went so smoothly. Thank you Ondalynn and Gary for your excellent preparations.

It's not a CS Lewis reunion without Dallin as MC for our family talent show. He can magically pull it all together and have us all laughing. Nearly all the grandchildren performed in some way. It was so much fun. From Preston on the violin, to the Vance's doing a song and dance, the Doutre's a lip syncing, Dorothy sharing a poem she wrote, to Spencer playing the piano, the Caudle's dancing and so on. There is so much talent from every family to share. Although Isaac had just broken his arm that morning, the plans continued forward with everyone at the Vance's home instead of the church for the talent show and dinner.