St. Louis Leadership Trip

We returned late Saturday night from a quick, but rewarding trip to St. Louis sponsored by Reliv. We had earned a Leadership Retreat for new Senior Directors. Earlier in the week we learned that others that were coming had to cancel out for various reasons. We tried to get them to postpone us to another time, but they wanted to bring us out and spend some time helping us in our business and letting us get to know the corporate team on a personal level. We felt honored by this privilege.

Steve Hastings, Vice-Pres. of Nationals Sales, greeted us at the airport. We have had the opportunity to personally visit with most of the Corporate Team in the past on some of the trips with them or other special events, so it was nice to renew those friendships with them. The World Series fever was everywhere, too, so that added to the fun. The only disappointment was my luggage didn't arrive for a day, but I managed.

 

Reliv gave us a warm welcome wherever we went. 

We started out with a personal tour of the factory. Although we had seen it before, this was the first time to see it in operation, and we were shown many interesting details of the production.

The spotless environment, and the description of the many methods they go through in the testing of the product all along the way to ensure the highest quality, and the strictest of standards were very impressive.

We took a quick stop in the lab, and then had the choice experience of meeting one-on-one with Dr. Carl Hastings, our lead scientist. We feel privileged to have him as our Chief Scientific Officer. He was recognized as being in the top 10 Scientific Officers in the country out of 5000 companies. We could ask him all the questions we wanted. We met with the Marketing Team. They wanted us to share what we were doing and how they could help us. Crismon was able to give them a lot of good input with his background in marketing.

Meeting with Dr. Carl Hastings was a highlight.

It was fun to visit the “Kalogris Room” where there was a picture of us on the wall when we were greeting the children in Malaysia.

We were treated to a delicious lunch at the famous “Smoke House” in Chesterfield, not far from Reliv. It was one of the best restaurants we have been to. Ryan Montgomery, the Pres. of the company was our host. He then drove us around the area a little and took us up to where his parents, Bob & Sandy Montgomery, (CEO) live. It was a beautiful area on the bluff of the hill overlooking the valley below which was flooded in 1993 when the levy broke. Reliv was also flooded, but fortunately, they were able to get their inventory out, and saved the computers, and files, etc., but lost a great amount of equipment. Returning back to Reliv headquarters we got to visit with Bob Montgomery in his office for a few minutes.

They gave us $50 to go to dinner that evening on our own and have an evening to ourselves. Since we had had a big lunch, we wanted to use that money toward a taxi to the St. Louis Temple. 

We had a sweet experience in the temple of meeting the Bishop and his wife of the O’Fallon ward. They gave us a ride back to our hotel. They asked us if we were moving to St. Louis as they had received a call from a couple that had just bought a home in their ward and they wondered if by chance it was us. Interestingly, as we were standing in line at the airport about to board we got talking to the couple behind us. Amazingly, they were from Vancouver and they had been the couple that just bought the home in that ward. We ended up seating close to each other and continued to visit. Turns out two of their sons had health issues that haven’t been resolved and they were very interested in hearing about Reliv. The conversation continued as we waited for our next flight. So many little things happened to bring us together, and to share hope with them.

Saturday morning we had training with Don Gibbons on the Corporate Team, lunch with Steve Hastings, and then on to the airport to head home. It was a fast, but beneficial trip. Now we need to get back to work.

 Although a very late night Saturday, I was grateful I was able to drive to Vancouver to hear the Vance children sing and give their parts in the Primary Program. I was so happy I could be there to see all of these beautiful children bringing the spirit in rich abundance to the meeting. Sydney sang a solo for the first verse of a special arrangement of “I Am A Child of God.” Bryson had invited his kindergarten teacher and she came. She had received one other invitation and she had four of her students performing.

I hurried back to our meetings to teach the RS lesson. Then Sunday evening, Crismon and I spoke at the Stake Women’s Fireside. I’m grateful for Heavenly Father’s blessing to help me through a busy, demanding week.

Julia Vance's Baptism

Last night we attended the baptism for cute, happy, Julia Vance in Vancouver, WA. The room was filled with family, many friends from the ward, her school teacher, and other friends who are not members. She looked radiant. Sydney lead the singing and did a great job! Grandma Vance from UT gave a good talk on baptism and I was grateful for the opportunity to give the talk on the Holy Ghost. This is our third grandchild baptized this year! What a joy it is to witness these precious grandchildren enter the waters of baptism and begin on that covenant path. I shared how Julia loves to make others happy. While speaking I could see her teacher nodding her head and smiling. Ondalynn told me later that there is a boy in a wheelchair in Julia's class. He always asks Julia to stay in the room at recess and play games with him as she is so kind and helpful to others.

We invited friends to come a "Farewell Party" for Chuck and Martha Allen last Sat. night. Sharon Mueller helped me and it was held at her lovely home. Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures. They leave the 1st of Nov. on their mission to Norway.

Sunday there was a change in the Powell Valley Bishopric. Since Bishop Steven Christiansen was called as the 2nd counselor in the stake presidency, they needed to reorganize the Bishopric. Bro. Michael Hulet who was serving as the 1st counselor, replaced Bishop Christiansen. He called Bud Koch as his 1st counselor and Josh Ricker as the 2nd counselor (who had already been serving.) Immediately as Bishop Hulet began to speak, you could feel a strong feeling in the chapel, one of deep reverence is the best way I could describe it. It was most evident that he was the one called of God. I had a feeling that my friend, Wendy Koch's husband would be involved in the change, and I was so glad I felt the desire to be there as it was a sweet spiritual experience to be in attendance.

 

We had the fun of having Isaac and Paxton for a few hours on Thursday while Ondalynn ran errands. Grandpa stops his work to come in and "tackle" the boys. They love it!

Crismon is so happy when it's apple season. We love getting Hood River apples and we filled our 2nd refrigerator with apples to share and enjoy.

Grandma turns 93 & Sister's Retreat

Grandma Lewis turned 93 years old on Sept. 27th! This important event took me to Arizona to join with her and the daughters for a "Sister's Retreat." I flew to Phoenix on Thurs., Sept. 19th to spend just less than 24 hours with Meredith and family. It's such a joy to be with them, but it went by far too quickly! Lynn and Duraye picked me up on Friday and we headed to Kingman. What a wonderful blessing to gather as sisters to share our love and honor our wonderful mother and grandmother. We missed sweet Sally who was not well.

Mom was amazing! Despite having a difficult last 6 months or so, she was with us for all the events, and catching just a few naps here and there. She looked lovely!

All of the meals were delicious and we were spiritually fed, too, by many good lessons that were shared. Each one presented something from natural facial products to slides and history of Israel. Thank you everyone for sacrificing to be together and for blessing me by your goodness. I am truly blessed with such an incredible family to cherish. 

Mom treated us to a fun lunch out for Mexican food.

It was a treat to go to Sunday meetings with Mom Lewis and hear the many expressions of love of the members there for Mom and the Pease family. It was kind of funny, but one of the sisters in the ward told me several times, "Of all the sisters, you look the most like Delon." Well, a wonderful compliment to me. 

Delon shared about the past year as a scribe for Clyde as Patriarch. She taught us many good insights on helping us understand and appreciate our own Patriarchal Blessing even more. Sunday evening ended with a masterful scripture study by Clyde.

 Monday morning we said our goodbyes. What a glorious weekend together. I love my wonderful mother-in-law. She is a jewel and I care for her very much.

General Conference Weekend

We enjoyed a wonderful Conference weekend with family (Oct. 5th & 6th). Dad arrived in Utah on Wed.(Oct. 2nd) to do some Reliv appointments on Wed. and Thurs. I flew in on Thursday so I could work in the temple on my Wed mid-day shift. Danielle picked me up at the airport and we stopped at the Johns to see the children and enjoy a quick lunch. I had a fun visit with Danielle as we drove on to Orem. She prepared Dad and I a delicious dinner that evening with her fine china, and it was fun to see their nice apartment. Dad went to a class with Crismon that afternoon. We attended a special Reliv event in Orem that evening.

Crismon & Danielle have a fun "Chinese & Japanese" study with interesting things they collected while Danielle served her mission in Japan, and Crismon was in China for a semester abroad.

The Johns always have delicious homemade wheat bread. Yum! We get the royal treatment every time. They are so generous.

Friday we drove to Logan with Alice-Anne and children for Dad and I to have lunch at Grandma Julia's with my sister, Meredith and Roger & Andrea. It was so much fun to be with my family. Alice-Anne visited with her Johns family in Logan. Thanks to my family for taking time to be with us and providing us with a delicious and entertaining meal.

We had such a big surprise Saturday morning. We heard knocking at the front door during the middle of the opening prayer. Alice-Anne was shocked to see Meredith, Bryan and family there. They drove through the night to come spend the weekend with family. 

It was fun to see the shocked looks of the other family members when Meredith came to the afternoon session with us.

Sunday morning Kenna came to conference for her first time. She was good being there for the Music and the Spoken Word and the morning session.

After the Sunday morning session, Dad set Dalton Boyles apart as a missionary in a small room in the Visitors Center. He is going to the SLC Mission, so it was kind of unusual for him to be set apart in his mission. They ran into his Mission Pres., too, so that was really neat he got to meet him.

I love my wonderful husband.

Evelyn and Kenna had so much fun playing together.

We celebrated Spencer's 6th birthday.

We love being with our grandchildren. Aren't they adorable?!?

Stake Conference Weekend & Dallin's visit

My heart is full after a most inspiring and enriching stake conference. It was also a historical one for us as the Lord has chosen two new counselors for Crismon to serve with in the Mt. Hood Stake Presidency. As he told the members, these men were called of God. Paul Hansen is the 1^st counselor and Steven C. Christiansen (who was serving as Bishop of the Powell Valley Ward) was called as the 2^nd counselor. When their names were announced, the spirit confirmed to my heart that they were called of God, and it seemed just perfect. They will be a great blessing to Crismon as they bring their talents and a strong spirit of faith to bless our stake.

Saturday, before the adult session there was a new member and reactivated member meeting where some were asked to bear their testimonies. The theme for the adult session at 7 p.m. was on attending the temple. We were grateful to have Pres. & Sis. Gillespie from the temple presidency there to speak to us, three Mormon Messages were shown and Crismon had Erica Smith, (who was a friend of Ondalynn’s in high school), come up and speak and share how she joined the church. She and her husband were sealed in the temple that very afternoon. Crismon and Ondalynn were there for their temple session and sealing. Crismon then gave a very powerful talk, not the talk that he had prepared to give, but he was greatly blessed to speak with power and with the spirit.

Our Sunday session this morning was on “Missionary Work,” along with testimonies from Pres. Charles Allen, and Pres. Dennis Baird who were released. Then, Martha Allen spoke. She and Chuck are leaving in a month on a mission to Norway. This prompted the need to change counselors.

Just a side note....we had earned a trip to Costa Rico this weekend. But because of stake conference we couldn't go, of course. But it was also a blessing to be home as Dallin came this week for a conference. I would much rather have time with our children than traveling the world.

It has been a special week having Dallin here. He flew in late Wed. night from Notre Dame. He was attending a Modern Literacy Conference at the Hilton in Vancouver. We were so happy he could come and spend some time with us. We loved having him here. Friday evening we had a family get together where the Vance’s and Caudle’s came for a family dinner and celebration of Daisy’s 5^th birthday.

Saturday morning I drove to Vancouver with Dallin to attend Bryson’s flag football game. Despite the Oregon drizzling rain, it was so fun to see how excited Bryson was playing football, and how much fun his Dad, Gary, was having as his coach. Bryson scored two touchdowns!

I enjoyed going to Dallin’s conference to hear him give his presentation on the “Domestic Tragedy of Slavery in Thomas Southerne’s Oroonoko.” He gave a sliver of his dissertation that he is working on. He presented along with 3 others, discussing a variety of works from 18^th Century Literature. Of course, Dallin was by far, the best of the group in his presentation. It gave me a chance to have a peek into Dallin’s world and what he is involved in. On my way home, I dropped him off at Powell’s Bookstore in Portland and then Ondalynn was going to pick him up and take him to their home for the BYU game (BYU won beat Georgia Tech), and a get together with the Caudle’s. Dallin stayed with the Vance’s last night as we had stake conference and he caught an early flight home today. It was delightful to have him here with us.

Special Happy Birthday wishes to darling Daisy Caudle on the 9^th, and super creative, Spencer Johns tomorrow, Oct. 14^th. We love these sweet grandchildren.

Daisy turning 5, Bryson, & Clark.

We loved having Dallin with us. 

Bryson's two touchdown game.

Pres. Paul Hanson, Pres. Crismon Lewis, & Pres. Steven Christianson

Three deer visiting us this week.