Highlights of July have included following Seth’s family as they have toured Belgium, France, and Austria for 25 days. They had an amazing month of adventures. Gratefully they have finally arrived in the UK, now in Oxford, and as Seth said, “all connections seamless and complete” through it all. Crismon Jr. and Danielle were in Europe for a month, too. Their travels took them to Prague, Munich, Salzburg, Vienna, Slovakia, Zurich, Swiss Alps, then a week in the English countryside and catching up with Seth’s family there. In my journal one night I wrote, “Seth’s family climbed the Eiffel Tower today and we cleaned our garage.” :)
We have been busy packing up and dejunking in preparation for Vivienne’s family to move in to our basement the middle of August. We’re grateful we still have a home with some extra bedrooms to house them as they make this transition in their lives.
We have the tradition in our stake for a 4th of July celebration in the morning with a flag raising and patriotic program. Crismon usually speaks briefly at the end. They then feed over 400 people a delicious pancake breakfast. They have figured out how to have every one served in less than 15 minutes. It was a beautiful day. Crismon and I enjoyed a nice walk on the trail on this fun holiday. Bryson participated with his friends to make a huge American flag with chalk on the street near their home. I love seeing them salute the flag.
July 10th was a special day for Clark. He entered the Portland OR temple for the first time to do baptisms. We're so happy we could be with him on this important time in his life. We're grateful for the family history work that Crismon and Danielle have done. We were able to do baptisms for Danielle's ancestors. Clark also prepared for the youth trek in his stake by walking many hours. He had a good experience that week, and yet challenging ones, too.
The Vance's all came over on Saturday, July 20th to help work in the yard. Dad hasn't been able to do the yard work as in the past since the injury to his elbow. They were a great help! The next day, we celebrated Paxton's 7th birthday. It's a joy to live close to our Vance family. Cute Sydney worked with the Sister Missionaries one day and had a terrific time. We're so grateful she is planning on going on a mission. She turned 16 in June and she went on her first date with her Dad, flowers and all.
On July 23rd, Crismon and I traveled to Richland, WA. where we met up with 185 youth from our stake and leaders as they started their Trek at the Columbia River temple where they did about 3-4 baptisms each. It was incredible to see all of this come together so smoothly. The temple presidency and workers were amazed with the reverence of the youth. It was a special way to begin their journey on this Trek. We changed into Pioneer clothes and headed to Bing Canyon where the Trek took place on the church farm there. As Crismon calls this desolate, dry place, “It’s more Wyoming, than Wyoming.” Crismon spoke to the youth at the fireside after dinner. We then headed home.
We enjoyed having the Linton family in this area for their family reunion the last part of July. We loved visiting with Myreel & Larry as they arrived a few days early. Saturday evening was a fun gathering at our Pavillion of friends of the Lintons, and members of the old Gresham 3rd Ward. Before the friends arrived, we had pizza and visiting with the Lintons, the Vance’s and Vivi. We were happy to host Bryce overnight before he headed home. We had a few one-on-one visits with some of the family as they stopped by our home to pick up Seth’s car, or needed items.
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