We feel it a great privilege to have access to attending General Conference in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City. Although it is always a long drive there from Oregon and back, 12+ hours each way, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to be there in person and also to enjoy our wonderful family in Utah, the Johns, Emily at BYU, and Julia & Austin came down from BYU-I.
It truly was a historic conference with the announcement made by our prophet, Pres. Thomas S. Monson that worthy young men may now serve missions at age 18 and worthy young woman may serve beginning at age 19. There was a buzz of excitement in the Conference Center and you could feel the excited and joy felt by all the members with this announcement that will dramatically change the missionary efforts in the church. Emily burst into tears and I did, too. She told us the day before that if she could go on a mission right
now she would go. The Lord had been preparing her for this announcement and she knew immediately that it was right for her. Her papers were filled out by that night, her medical appointment on Monday, and all other details finished in less than a week. She should be receiving her mission call this week!
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| Dad Crismon, Mom Vivienne, Crismon Jr., Danielle, Austin Doutre, Julia, Emily, Cami Doutre. |
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| This was Austin's first time to the Conference Center for Conference. |
We enjoyed being there with Sister Sue Swain, Danielle's Grandma, who works as a Family History Missionary.
The weather that weekend couldn't have been better. We stopped for a picture on Sat. after conference before heading to Grandma Swain's apartment for a delicious dinner she prepared for us.
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| Sunday morning session together. |
We had tickets for Saturday and Sunday morning. We watched the afternoon session in the Visitor's Center on Saturday and then Dad, Crismon, Jr, and Austin were in the Conference Center for the Priesthood Session.
Alice-Anne & Gary are always terrific hosts and they open their home to all of us and spoil us with their delicious meals. We can't thank them enough for having us over and over again and always serving us the entire time. It was a joy to be with them and their three darling children.
Our trip began on Wed. Oct. 3rd, about noon, just a few short days after I returned from Arizona. We stopped near Boise that evening to break up the trip. We heard the first of the three Presidential Debates. Mitt Romney definitely was a winner in that debate over Pres. Obama. We are in a very critical election for this country. Our family values need to be protected.
We arrived at Alice-Anne's in time for me to go to the school and see Kenna for a few minutes before they hurried off to their music class. That evening we had a Reliv presentation for our new business partners, Terry & Carnan Billings. They packed their living room with guests and it was a good evening sharing Reliv with their friends.
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| Crismon with Carnan & Terry Billings from Tooele, UT. |
Friday morning we enjoyed time with Alice-Anne, Spencer and Elliot. The warm fall morning drew us outside for a walk while Spencer rode his bike.
Our grandchildren are good to put up with all the kissing they get from us, especially from their Grandpa Lewis.
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| Elliot is thinking, "Someone, save me!" |
Friday we had a Reliv presentation in Rocky Ridge, UT, a community of polygamist. Again, the room was packed with good people, hearing about Reliv for the first time. It was fascinating to visit with these people about their lives and their beliefs. The homes were all large. Many had a two homes that were connected with a garage in the middle. The people look very normal, wearing the latest fashions of the day. Our beliefs are so similar, but they think they are living the celestial marriage now. They call themselves United Brethren in Christ, I believe.
We stopped in Provo to pick up Emily on our way back to West Jordan. It was delightful to hear of her excitement about life, the gospel, and school.
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| Emily with Cami Doutre both able to go on a mission now with the age change. |
Alice-Anne and Gary, knowing what a true blue BYU Cougar fan that Dad is, made arrangements for him to watch the BYU-Utah State game at a friend's home who had cable. That made Dad very happy he didn't have to miss the game. Alice-Anne was kind to pick up Julia & Austin just off the freeway, so Dad didn't have to miss the action.
While the men were at the Priesthood session, Alice-Anne, along with help from Kenna and Spencer made a delicious apple pie. She knows how to win her Dad's heart.
We enjoyed hearing about the counsel the men received while devouring this yummy, yummy pie!
The Johns were busy cooking in-between sessions to keep food on the table for this crowd. They have a new table for all of us to gather around.
There was lots of visiting, games, and then Emily took engagement pictures for Austin and Julia after the last session.
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| Elliot enjoying his Uncle Crismon. |
Preparing and enjoying food together is a
tradition in this Johns family. Alice-Anne shares the importance of meal time in her recent blog post.
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| Alice-Anne and Gary make a great team. Alice-Anne does most of the cooking and Gary the baking. Yum! |
