September School and Surprises

This has been a month of many challenges, and yet many tender mercies and prayers answered. Our most exciting news is the joy of anticipating another grandbaby, #28, the end of February. Alice-Anne is expecting #5. 

Oregon suffered the worst wildfires in the state's history. Due to dry conditions, high temperatures, and especially strong, swirling winds caused a high number of fires in just a few days.The town of Estacada in our stake, was in the path of a fire. The town had to evacuate. Crismon kept busy that week trying to coordinate the efforts of helping members of our stake who were out of their homes. The stake center became a gathering place for campers and tents for members and nonmembers. They were allowed to use the facilities. None chose to actually stay inside the building, but it helped rescue people in need. Others were placed in member's homes.

The city of Sandy and part of Damascus was on Level 2 which meant to be prepared to evacuate at a moments notice. Half of our stake was under evacuation orders. Gratefully, the winds turned when the fire was just one-half mile from Estacada. Our prayers were answered, and the fire went in another direction.

We were also dealing with very hazardous air quality. The smoke in the air was so bad they were saying the equipment they use to measure it didn't read that high. We were wearing masks in our house because it smelled and tasted like a campfire. We hoped, fasted, and prayed for rain. Finally, after nine days the rain came and rescued us. It was a very eerie time with the air being extremely still, and thick with an orange haze everywhere. We felt like prisoners in our own homes, and it felt so wonderful to be able to go outside and breathe again.

Ondalynn's family drove to Utah to escape the hazardous air since they had online school, and spent some time hiking in Arches National Park, visiting the Johns family, and having lots of fun seeing their Vance family, too.

Seth and Tiffany's family took off for Driggs, ID, to stay with her Matt and Lisa who were renting a huge place close to the Tetons. They had a fabulous time there. In Eugene, they suffered from the hazardous air about five days ahead of us. The fires were especially bad in Medford and around Eugene. Sadly, 150 homes of members were burned in southern Oregon.

School was delayed a week due to the smoke, but the children are finally back to school, but online only. They all miss friends, sports, and other activities, but Clark, Daisy, and Kaeley, who live in our home are adapting well and they each have their own device, provided by the school to do online learning. Our other grandchildren are doing online school. The Johns children have some classes at school. Jocelyn is in Kindergarten. One day her Mom found her watching her class, while she was in bed, with Ivan, (almost 3) snuggled up by her. What a different world we live in!

We had our Stake Conference on Sept. 26-27th. Our prayers were answered, and it went well. Crismon requested permission to hold a stake conference as all had been canceled for the fall, but he was given permission. We didn't have a visiting authority. It was also, our first "in-person" meetings in the chapel with 50 people, and the first virtual stake conference. There were many details to take care of to make that all happen, but other than the feed cutting out a little at the end of Crismon's talk on Saturday evening, it went well. Because it was virtual, our children were able to join, and it was wonderful for them to hear their Dad speak (which might be his last stake conference), as it will be nine years next February. I know I'm prejudiced, but Crismon gave a masterful talk on Sunday morning, covering so many important issues that we're facing, and counseled us to avoid contention, fear not, and draw strength and peace through Jesus Christ. 

Other highlights of the month included a fun evening with the Vance's on Labor Day to watch the BYU game. It's been great to see the Cougars doing well. Remembering Pres. Nelson's 96th birthday on the 9th, Bronson's birthday the 15th, Kaeley & Dallin's birthdays the 22nd, and what would have been my Dad's 99th birthday on the 25th, and Grandma Lewises 100th birthday on the 27th. 

Special September Stake Conference

I hope I'll never forget the wonderful feeling in my heart today. I just want to shout to the world, "Israel, Israel, God is Calling." We have just finished a tremendous Stake Conference. My heart is very full of this beautiful Sabbath day. I am SO very grateful I could attend the Adult Saturday evening meeting and the Sunday morning general session in person!!! It has been 6 months since I've been in the church building. The last time I attended church in person was March 1 of this year. Six months! I can't believe it's been this long! Who could have imagined that we would not be going back to church for so long?!?

Of course, things are far from normal. We wear masks the entire time in the building. We skip every other pew, we try to social distance 6 feet from one another, we sing with masks on, we are greeted after entering the building with a touchless hand sanitizer before entering the chapel, and we are to leave the building immediately afterward. Church is different, but what isn't different is the most important thing of all, the spirit of the Lord that brings us joy. I felt a rich outpouring of the spirit in all the meetings. I especially loved the organ prelude and the singing of the hymns. As Crismon mentioned in his talk, he wondered why we didn't cry aloud as the people in King Benjamin's day. The spirit prompted him that we do it through singing. 

I'm grateful I was able to join the Zoom broadcast of the Leadership meeting on Saturday evening. It was the first Leadership meeting I was able to attend since Crismon has been the stake president. Crismon gave an excellent talk in that meeting about going forward with faith in our lives and making the most of our time during this pandemic. Now isn't the time to wait out this difficult time, but now is the time to go forward with newness in our faith and trust in God.

There were many good messages in our Saturday evening meeting on staying emotionally and spiritually strong through this time. The little habits of scripture study, prayers, FHE, using Come, Follow Me, and reaching out in service will get us through the trials of this time in our lives.

I wanted to record a message that Alice-Anne posted on our family Groupme Chat referring to our Sunday morning meeting: I thought her message was meaningful because this stake conference comes on the heels of the terrible wildfires that were raging in Oregon. Half of our stake was affected by the evacuation orders.

Dad that was a wonderful message and you brought the Spirit so powerfully. We were all able to watch it. Thanks for letting us listen in. I think you are a very inspired leader to push/request for a stake conference this fall that just "happened" to land right after those terrible fires. I am sure the members of your stake needed that message of the signs of the second coming and why we don't need to fear. I can imagine that brought a lot of peace to your members at a turbulent time.

We feel so blessed in our stake that no lives or property were lost to the fires. This conference reminded us of those things that are most important in our lives. Gathering together as members is one of those important things. I hope that it can continue!!!

Immediately, after returning home, Crismon got on the Scripture study Zoom meeting he has every other week with the teenage grandchildren. They are so good to join in and participate, and they seem to have a great time chatting with each other. He has had a great experience having this time with them. They are amazing youth, with great insights.

A few of the notes from this morning's session:

Mariah Nutall: Build on the Rock of Jesus Christ. When you can't change your circumstances, change yourself. Do not fear.

Ammon Brown: Recently returned from the Germany, Alpine Mission. His first 18 months were normal, and then COVID hit. His mission president encouraged them to be like a palm tree. Sway with the wind, but stay grounded. Fear it Satan's greatest tool. There is power in keeping covenants and doing those spiritual habits of scripture study, prayers, and keeping the commandments. (HC report, answer to his prayers came more often, as he began praying for someone else.)

Wendy Vermullen: Recent convert of 6 months. "How does the Gospel give me strength?" She shared that they had asked her ahead what songs she wanted at her baptism. She had heard the song, "I'm Trying to be Like Jesus," and wanted that song. She didn't know it was a Primary song. It was very special that the musical number in the beginning of that stake conference meeting was "I'm Trying to be Like Jesus," sung by LeAnn Miller, her daughter Brandi Pappenfus, and Brandi's two daughters. That wasn't a coincidence, but a witness that God is in the details of our lives. When she heard that song for the first time it represented what she was trying to do, to be Christlike. Before being taught the gospel, she had never heard the word "Christlike" before. She has learned "tools" to live by to help her be like Christ. She shared an experience of visiting a friend who was mourning the loss of a loved one, and other examples of reaching out with kindness.

Sister Angie Haymond: I'll never take gathering with members at church for granted again. Half of the missionaries have been reassigned that are in this mission. All these missionaries chose to stay out and serve. Invite them to your homes. They need to serve.

Pres. Steve Haymond (Mission Pres.): He shared an incredible story of how one of the missionaries in Estacada felt strongly that they should go down a dark lane, although it was late and they needed to get back in the apt. They pulled off the road to pray, and all three Elders felt that strong impression. They discovered a woman sitting on her porch step. When they offered to help her

My heart is full. I love this glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. It's true! We have a prophet to guide us! We are living in the latter-day days.