Jocelyn William's Arrives

What a blessing to welcome grandchild number 23, Jocelyn Williams, into our family. I was so happy to be able to go to Arizona and help Meredith for 10 days. She is a very good, calm, content baby. Meredith was recovering really well. She felt the Reliv products really helped her to be not so tired and have more energy. I'm grateful that she could enjoy those benefits. She has a busy household with four children under the age of six, but she is a very patient, loving, wonderful mother and handles it all so well.

Christian and I played games together while Evelyn was at school. It's so fun to be there and enjoy these cute grandchildren. Although just two years older, Hudson is enjoying and loving his new little sister. Of course, he wants his hands all over her face and sometimes does it too hard, but he is a loving older brother. It was such a contrast being in Arizona for this baby, compared to being in Indiana last month for Dallin and Janelle's baby. One morning there was a -20° chill factor in South Bend. It was approaching 90 degrees in Arizona while I was there. We were pretty homebound in Indiana, but in Arizona we were outside a good deal of the time. Little Jocelyn put up with hanging out by the pool and being so good.

We went to the park as often as we could. Christian and Hudson loved doing that. Evelyn is loving her baby sister, and can be found singing to her many times throughout the day. She also picks her up and brings her to Meredith, like she knows just what to do. One time Christian picked up the baby because she was crying in the other room. Just a little scary when that happens.

Evelyn and Christian were good helpers to make banana muffins. 

My sister, Meredith, is serving with her husband in the Mesa temple Visitors Center. It was fun to have her come one morning and we went to lunch. 

Meredith is such a good mommy. I'm so glad I was able to be with her. Bryan is a terrific dad. He is so good to take the kids to the park, or wherever he can include them, and they, of course, love being with him. I took this picture one morning at the breakfast table as they were being so loving and cute with each other. Hudson was giving both of them big hugs.  I wanted a picture with all the kids, but it was not an easy trick to do. We enjoyed some nice walks around there beautiful apartment complex. Jocelyn managed her first outing to Costco just fine. Good thing Bryan was there to help with all the kids, too.

Evelyn has been taking piano lessons, from Clyde Pease's niece. It was fun to hear her progressing well on the piano. Meredith is good to sit with her each night and help her along.

Just two nights before returning home, Meredith, Jocelyn, Evelyn and I went to Mesa for the Easter pageant dress rehearsal. Meredith Ashton was able to get us special seats. We were just 10 rows from the front, right in the middle. They were super! We had fun enjoying the production with Meredith, too. Even though it was a dress rehearsal you never would've known it. It was outstanding! Such a beautiful Easter production and a great missionary tool for that area.

Meredith introduced as to some of the sisters she's working with in the visitor center. Then we went over to their apartment just across the street. They have a very nice place to stay in.

My last night in Arizona. We went for one more evening walk. Oh how miss these cute kids! A man was walking his dog around the complex and the children enjoyed petting this huge dog, although he was about twice their size! I love being a grandma. I just wish I could enjoy all of my grandchildren more often. But I love every minute I get to have with them.

Stake Conference Weekend

One of the highlights of February, was having Elder David Baxter come for our Stake Conference. Because he had had brain surgery about five years ago for a tumor, he needed lots of rest, and would prefer being in a place by himself.

Gratefully, Perry and DanaLee Stevenson were so generous to offer their home for the weekend to Elder Baxter, as they were going to be out of town . They have a very lovely home, recently built, just three minutes from the stake center. Elder Baxter said "when Stake Conference is over I don't think I'm going to leave. If only I could have my wife join me here, though." 

Crismon was a little concerned about the agenda for Stake Conference, as Elder Baxter left it wide open. The only assignments were for Crismon to speak at the Priesthood leadership meeting and the Saturday night meeting. Elder Baxter's approach is to look out into the audience about 10 minutes before the meeting starts and whoever he feels impressed to call on, is who is asked to come up and bear their testimony. Within 10 minutes before the Sunday morning session started, Elder Baxter had whispered to members of the State Presidency asking who that person over there was, or that man wearing a pink tie, etc. It was interesting to see how he was inspired to call on people that have been going through some very difficult experiences or a young man that was being ordained to be an Elder or the mother of the man being called to the High Council, or an adult son (visiting our stake) of a newly called High Councilman. Of course, he didn't know who any of these people were, but he seemed to call on the right ones. The very first one that bore her testimony in the Sunday morning session immediately bore witness of Jesus Christ. In the luncheon later that day he said, "That is why she was chosen to go first." So not only was he inspired of who to call on but the order in which they were called.

We had a very nice dinner on Friday night in the Relief Society room at the stake center. Alisha Christansen, the second counselor's wife is an excellent cook. She prepared a very delicious meal. Then Nancy Hanson, the first counselor's wife, decorated the Relief Society room in such an elegant way.

The temple president and his wife, Pres. Steven & Diane Pond, also attended and were seated at our table. They knew Elder Baxter when he was the area president serving when they were the Mission Presidents in Paris, France.

Although Elder Baxter did not stay with us, we took lunch to him on Saturday and Sunday. It was a real treat to be able to sit down and visit with him at length. He is over the temple department for the church. He had many interesting stories to share, and many new insights into the Brethren and their lives, and their health. 

It was a real privilege to host him. Crismon took him to the airport Monday morning. There is always so much to do to make a Stake Conference come together. It was such a spiritual, uplifting weekend.