Our Reunion Park Activities & Hiking

Each morning began with scriptures and prayer and then breakfast at the Vance's. The children slept in tents in the backyard, the girls tent and the boys tent with the Dad's taking turn at night with them. Each couple had a bedroom in the Vance's lovely home. Dad Crismon and I went home each evening as did Brett & Vivi and Daisy. Amazingly, their home was able to handle all the rest.

Julia & Austin were in charge of the Family Olympics at the park, that is just 3 houses down the street from the Vance's. Everyone had lots of fun playing the various games. I watched from my folding chair and I loved seeing all the family having a great time together.

Vivienne was in charge of the Cousins Birthday Party, with decorations, cupcakes, and giving each other a book for their birthday gift. The grandchildren's smiles tell the whole story.

In the evening, after the children were settled for bed, the adults went to the church for a fun evening of playing "Minute-to-Win-It" that Emily organized. They were silly, but hilarious games for the couples to do together.

 

Wednesday was another fun-filled day of swimming at a fun swim park in Vancouver and hiking. I was feeling too tired to even go that day. I wanted to so badly, but with my Post-Polio, sometimes I "hit wall" so to speak and I can't move. I rested all day and then joined the family that evening. I was heartsick to miss out, but I have to take that time to slow down as needed. Since I wasn't there at the swim activity, I have no pictures of that event. I love taking pictures of our beautiful grandchildren. They are the delight of my life.

Our Fun Family Reunion

It's not easy to bring a big family together for about four days, but it is definitely worth the effort. We are so grateful for each one of our family that could gather from Indiana, Minnesota, Utah, Idaho, and Emily home from Argentina. We enjoyed a very fun family reunion beginning August 10th in the Portland area. Ondalynn and Gary Vance hosted the reunion and opened up their home to all of us. We really missed Meredith and Bryan's family, (Bryan was in Hawaii for a month doing rotations, and Evelyn started school) and Crismon and Danielle in Taipei, Taiwan where Crismon is furthering his Chinese education and speaking skills.

By Saturday night, August 9th, everyone had arrived and the party began at our home for a dinner on the deck.

Sunday, all the family were able to join us for our Sacrament Meeting where Emily spoke on "How Do You Know God Loves You, and How Does God Know You Love Him?" She also, shared experiences about her mission. Each Sunday I sit alone, with Dad serving as Stake President, and all our children out of the home. I have to say what a glorious Sunday this was for me to see our family fill 3 long rows in the chapel and be surrounded by those I cherish so dearly. Emily gave such a beautiful, spirit-filled talk. She then spoke in the Damascus Ward. 

The rest of the family went back to our home for snacks and visiting, and games for the children until returning to the church house for a dinner and Family Program where Emily shared pictures of her mission and Dad and I spoke and shared counsel and love. I gave each of the grandchildren a "KitKat" bar and taught them to remember their baptismal covenant by remembering K=Keep the Commandments, A=Always remember Him, and T=Take upon ourselves the name of Christ. Dad had planned a similar idea of referring to an "Owl" to remember how to have a happy family, O=Obedience, W=Work, L=Love. This was counsel that Grandpa Lewis always taught us.

Early Monday morning, Gary Vance and Gary Johns drove to the Cottonwood Beach in Washougal, WA where there is a fun beach site along the Columbia River. They wanted to arrive early to secure a good spot before the crowds descended on that very hot day. Just as they were approaching their destination, Ondalynn calls with the frantic news that Isaac fell of the steps leading up to the trampoline and severely broke his arm. Immediately they turned around and headed for the Urgent Care Center where Ondalynn was going. There were many tender mercies that happened along the way to help this cute little boy get the immediate attention he needed. 

When Ondalynn told the receptionist that she thought he was going to shock, they immediately took him in. It was evident they needed to quickly get him to the hospital. Ondalynn rode with Isaac in the ambulance, going at a normal speed, but when his vital signs were dropping they picked up the speed. Gary was driving behind the ambulance and, of course, this was a concern for him, but a call from Ondalynn reassured him.

Grandpa and Isaac have a special bond. We were grateful we could go to the hospital that morning to see him, but it's so hard to see these little ones have to suffer. Grandpa assisted Gary in giving him a Priesthood Blessing. The Dr. set his arm and then they were to come back in several days for x-rays to see if he needed surgery. We know the Lord heard and answered the many prayers for Isaac. It was set perfectly the first time and he didn't need surgery. We are so thankful for the Lord's blessings in his behalf. Also, that would have been so hard for the Vance's to have Isaac have surgery at the time of the reunion.

The reunion plans went forward with the day at Cottonwood Beach. Ondalynn had everything planned so well, typed up with exactly what to take to the park, food, equipment, etc., plus she had the food prepared ahead, so it all went so smoothly. Thank you Ondalynn and Gary for your excellent preparations.

It's not a CS Lewis reunion without Dallin as MC for our family talent show. He can magically pull it all together and have us all laughing. Nearly all the grandchildren performed in some way. It was so much fun. From Preston on the violin, to the Vance's doing a song and dance, the Doutre's a lip syncing, Dorothy sharing a poem she wrote, to Spencer playing the piano, the Caudle's dancing and so on. There is so much talent from every family to share. Although Isaac had just broken his arm that morning, the plans continued forward with everyone at the Vance's home instead of the church for the talent show and dinner.

Emily Returns From Argentina

Emily was among some of the first younger sister missionaries called to serve. When Pres. Monson announced in the Oct. 2012 General Conference that young women could now serve at age 19, Emily was ready and eager to go. In fact she had seen Pres. and Sr. Watts outside on the conference grounds just before the session started. They asked what her plans were. She said that she was going on a mission. That surprised herself, as she hadn't really decided on that. But when the announcement was made, she knew she was to go and. of course, she looked at me in the Conference Center with tears streaming down her face. It was truly an electrifying moment. The day before we were traveling with her in the car. She said "If I could go on a mission right now I would." The time was right and she started that night to fill out her mission papers. She received a text from Bishop Jensen during the conference that said "Emily, you'll make a great missionary." 

Everything came together for her so quickly, within the week she had everything done for her mission application dental, doctor, everything was in place. We were all thrilled when she received her a call on October 31, 2012 to the Argentina Neuquen Mission. She left January 30, 2013 for the MTC in Provo to learn the Spanish language. From there she spent about three months in the Pocatello Idaho Mission waiting for her Visa. How excited she was when she finally landed in Argentina the early part of June.

It was not an easy mission, but she grew and learned so much from this experience. July 30th 2014 finally arrived for her to return. Dallin and Janelle's family were already here for our family reunion. They worked hard that morning preparing a delicious lunch for everyone. Her friend Julie Ionescu came to the airport with us too, and, of course, the Vance's and the Caudle's were there as well. Emily Jensen (our Bishop's wife) and her five children came to the airport to welcome her home.

It was quite the event in the airport. Lots of hugging, kissing and tears. It was a joyous reunion! Emily was so happy to be home and when she entered our house she couldn't help but kneel down and kiss the carpet. She said she hadn't seen carpet in a house in the18-months on her mission except at the Mission home.

She has come home a more grateful, loving, appreciative, and helpful daughter. She was wonderful before her mission, but her good qualities are now enhanced.

After everyone had left that day, she cleaned up and we went to the stake center for her Dad to release her as a full-time missionary. He spent over an hour interviewing her, and it was a choice experience for him. She shed many tears when she had to take off her missionary badge and hand it to her Dad.

The next day we left for YW's Girls Camp where Crismon was to speak to the Young Women, and he asked Emily and myself to speak as well. It was so fun to see her back at Girls Camp where she had served as girls camp president several years before. She was loved by the leaders and the Young Women. They even continue to sing a song each year that she introduced to the camp. 

From there we drove on to Rockaway Beach to spend a couple of quiet days together to hear about her mission experiences. We were so grateful to the Johnson family for the use of their family cabin. It was very nice, comfortable, and just about a block away from the beach. It was a choice weekend together. We are so grateful that we had this one-on-one time with Emily before all the family arrived for the reunion. 

We are grateful for this beautiful, wonderful, faithful daughter and her great attitude in service to others. She brings us great joy.