Reliv Conference in St. Louis

We attended another exciting, inspiring Reliv International Conference in St. Louis from Aug. 9-11th. We left on the 8th to arrive in time for a training on Thursday morning by Quila Buhler. We are fortunate that our business partner is on the President's Team. Quila is one of the top 5 Reliv Ambassadors in the company. We are privileged to work with her.

We were so thrilled to be called up on stage Thursday evening to be awarded the 2nd place promotion cash bonus receiving a check for $7500! There was a promotion during June and July for the top highest volume of sales during those two months. We have been blessed to receive bonuses, especially this year as we have been in the top ten in sales over the last 7 of the 9 months so far this year, earning over $19,000 in cash bonuses.

As we struggle to build a business, these perks along the way are so rewarding.

A good group of friends joined us for the Conference. Leslie Hixson from Trenton, MO, Her mother, Verla Hatch, her sister, Lisa & (Ross) Critchfield, and their daughter, Heidi Snelgrove & baby Carter, all from UT, Joyce Betita from Gresham, and MaryBeth & Brian Wagstaff from Spokane, WA.

Verla, Leslie, Heidi, Lisa & Ross, Carter, Vivienne, Crismon, MaryBeth & Brian, and Joyce.

We've been pleased how quickly our customers are getting results as LunaRich has been added into some of our products. Many health benefits, especially lowering cholesterol are clinical proven using the LunaRich. Provantage was awarded a patent, the 8th of our 15 products that have been patented! This is not common for other nutritional products.

BYU plays Notre Dame

I think the men in our family have been talking about the BYU-Notre Dame game that was played this afternoon for over a year now. It's been on their calendar and the plans have been buzzing over the last 6 months or so. There was quite a gathering of the Lewis family for the big game played in South Bend, at the famous football field at Notre Dame today. It was a great game, with BYU ahead at the half. But the Irish pulled it together in the second half and kept their undefeated streak in tact, winning the game 17-14. BYU was playing the #5 team in the country. Good job Cougars.

The BYU fans that gathered were Isaac, Hans, Gens and Larry Linton, Verlan & Joseph Lewis, Dallin, Seth & Crismon Lewis, Randy Daems and friend Scott Blakeslee.

With Dallin doing his doctorate at Notre Dame, he has become a true Irish and even bought his Dad a Notre Dame t-shirt before the game. All the events leading up to the game on the campus are very impressive. I'll have to have Dad give his insights about the exciting day when he returns. There is a post-game gathering at the Community Center where Dallin & Janelle live.

We appreciate Dallin & Janelle for hosting Dad this weekend. He is having a terrific time with your family. He'll have to come back to reality on Monday about noon when he returns home.

Julia is engaged!

Many tender mercies came to Julia that lead up to her meeting, dating and then getting engaged to Austin Doutre from Puyallap, WA. They both ended up in the same Institute class at BYU-I. His sister, Dani Doutre Davis was Meredith's close friend and roommate. They have had a very sweet relationship in getting to know each other. We feel very blessed to have another choice young man join our family (in Dec.). It's interesting, our daughters haven't dated much, but each one we feel was preserved to meet and marry a worthy, valiant young man, at the right time in their lives.

Julia and Austin's relationship developed over Winter Semester. He went home for the summer to work a good job and she stayed as she is on fast track and will graduate in Dec. They decided they wanted to write letters to each other instead of just doing email or skype. That is a nice blessing as they have many beautiful letters for their history sake.

Austin had invited her to attend his family reunion in Rexburg and Education Week with him the later part of July. The timing was perfect as she had just finished her summer semester. She rode back with his family to WA and then he drove her down to Oregon on Sunday, July 29th. We enjoyed having Austin join us for our family dinner that evening with the William's and the Caudle's. We played a fun game afterwards and it seemed like he fit right in to our family.

Austin & Julia before he headed back to Puyallup, Sun. July 29th.

Julia had stayed with the Vance's after Isaac was born and she and Bryson had become bust buddies.

A rare treat to have four daughters together at the same time.

Julia flew to Chicago on Aug. 1st to do a 3-week summer internship helping with underprivileged young girls. She had a terrific experience and made many friendships. After returning home she had a few days to spend with Emily and catch up on things as she had hardly been home since Christmas time. Julia was happy when Friday, Aug. 24th arrived as Austin was coming down. He had called us several weeks ahead and asked if he could visit with us when he came to Oregon. We had a nice visit him where he expressed his love for Julia and how she had blessed his life and then asked for permission for her hand in marriage. Heaven is very near during times like this when you know it is right. We gladly gave our approval.

The next morning they went hiking to Multnomah Falls and at the top of the falls he proposed to Julia. She loves hiking and loves that area, so this was perfect for her. Austin had asked Julia to start looking for the kind of ring she liked, so they went together to pick it out.

Sat. evening Aug. 25th, the day they got engaged. 

On Sunday evening the two of them headed back to WA where Julia stayed with his family that week. On Friday I drove to Puyallup to pick her up.

Julia with her future family, Breeanna, Mom Angela, and Grandma.

I brought her engagement ring with me after it had been sized, so Austin could put it on her finger. We went by his work where he and his sister, Cami, have been painting all summer on a retirement center. You can tell by Julia's face how very happy she is.

Julia and Austin after he placed the ring on her finger.

It's so convenient to have the Doutre's just 15 minutes away from my sister, Kathi. She had us over for a yummy lunch and a short time to visit. We enjoyed strawberries from their garden and vegetables for our salad.

Lunch on Kathi's patio, Puyallup, WA.

Julia and I were busy the next week with many preparations for her wedding. We were blessed to find a beautiful, modest temple dress, and take care of many other details. It's exciting!

Last weekend, Oct. 7th, Emily took some pictures for their engagement, while everyone gathered for the October General Conference weekend.

Austin & Julia to wed Dec. 29th in the Portland, OR temple.

Summer events

We had a very busy, but great summer. Every day during the summer we had family staying with us, but that kept us enjoying time with our children and grandchildren. We weaved some other events into that busy time.

Crismon and I had been asked to speak to the young women attending Girl's Camp the middle of July. There is a beautiful, reverent feeling at the spot at Camp Alpine. I couldn't help but think about our girls who attended there every year. Dad did a super job, as always. He connects so well with every group.

 Sat. July 21st we, along with Meredith and her two little ones, joined the Vance's for their Stake Pioneer Celebration. I believe it was nearly 100 degrees. I was amazed Ondalynn was there in that heat. She was just two days away from delivery!

These cute pioneer girls, Julia, Evelyn & Sydney walked around the track with the other pioneer children.

The little boys just wanted to explore.

Julia loved the "fishing pond."

Sunday evening we had a pioneer program put on by the children. Notice Evelyn's pioneer "prom" dress.

Evelyn wanted to do whatever the big kids were doing.

Vivi had taken Sydney and Julia to her home for several days so Ondalynn could rest. I brought Isaac and Bryson home with me. They were really good and it was fun for them to have a sleep over at Grandma & Grandpa's.

Bryson was the oldest for those few days and he seemed to grow up quickly and assume his role.

We had 100 degree weather and this was about the only way to stay cool since we didn't have air conditioning.

Dad had a Reliv booth at the Kid's Health Fair and I took the boys to see Grandpa and enjoy the different activities for kids.

Crismon at the Reliv booth with Isaac.

Bryson & Isaac loved sitting in the fire truck.

Bryson imagining he's a fireman.

I took them to feed the ducks. Bryson would yell out, "This is for the Mom, this is for the brother, etc."

Emily was a big help to me. I'm so glad she had about 3 weeks to come home.

Emily took the Vance children on hikes.

Played at the park. Emily with Julia.

Treated them to ice cream! 

Daisy and Clark wanted a chance to sleep over at Grandma and Grandpa's house, too. They were really well behaved and we took them to our favorite spot...the park and to feed the ducks.

 One Saturday Crismon and I attended the Boring City event where the church had a booth.

Allan Jorgensen, Crismon, the McKnights',  Brent Williams.

Nearly every month there is an article in the paper about our stake. This one was on the Emergency Preparedness Expo that drew 2000+ to our building. Then the day of service we gathered food in our neighborhoods and brought it to the church where it was later picked up by a shelter. They were shocked when they saw all the food. They had to go rent a truck to haul everything. There were 8 tons of food collected. Crismon has belonged to the East Portland Chamber of Commerce and the Gresham Chamber of Commerce for about 3+ years now and he has made many friends in the community that are not LDS. I think it is a real blessing that he has these contacts now with his current assignment as Stake Pres. I hear from these people all the time how much they admire and love Crismon. He is well respected and recognized for his kindness and integrity.

Crismon at the collection site for the Food Drive.

Baby Paxton arrives!

Ondalynn gave birth, all natural, to another beautiful baby on Monday, July 23rd in Vancouver, WA. It was their 5th, and their 3rd boy in a row. She is a very busy Mommy! I'm so grateful we live close so I could be there to help. I didn't have to fly across the country, but instead, a 30 minute drive from Oregon to Washington crossing the Columbia River.

The Vance's had just been in our home the night before, Sunday, for a family dinner. We received a call by 5 a.m. Monday morning asking me to come as they were soon leaving for the hospital. Dad drove me over so they would have access to the car. We arrived to find all the children up, excited about their Mom about to have the baby. Dad helped to get things settled and then headed home for work.

By early that afternoon that precious baby made his appearance in the world. There were many cheers of excitement! My sister Kathi called that morning to visit and when she realized I was there with all the children and much going on, she jumped in her car, along with her granddaughter, Chole, and came down to help me the rest of the day. She brought lots of yummy food and even many, many ladybugs for the children to enjoy. She was so generous to come as it was a 3-hour drive for her each way.

Sweet Sydney was in heaven holding her new brother.

Proud Grandma here!

What a beautiful, growing family!

Bryson was excited to have another brother.

Julia couldn't stop smiling!

The doctors and nurses were impressed how well Ondalynn handled everything.

It was nice to hear how the nurse shared how sweet it was to watch Ondalynn and Gary working together to have this baby. He was a great support and coach to her. It was refreshing for the nursing staff to see and feel the love and affection that Ondalynn & Gary had for each other. They see many single Mom's. They were missionaries while they were there at the hospital as the staff recognized that there was something special about them.

After our visit to the hospital, the children were delighted with 100's of ladybugs to feed and play with.

Aunt Kathi always make it a fun time for kids.

After several days without their Mom at home, the kids were waiting outside for her arrival, waving flags and cheering!

Ondalynn looked radiant when she arrived home. Isaac wasn't sure about this new, little baby in the home.

Lots of smiles when Paxton arrived home.

Gary and his three sons.

Precious Paxton slept through the welcome home celebration.

The children were good to help with the food preparations.

Emily made a darling car seat cover for Paxton.

Paxton brought a special spirit into the home.

Bryson & I made cookies one morning together.

Sept. 2nd we joined the Vance's for Paxton's blessing.

Beautiful baby Paxton the day of his blessing.

Grandpa has another little one to love and kiss.

The children performed the nativity skit for us that evening. They love to be together.

I stayed in the Vance's home for the first five days or so. Emily came from BYU after her Spring Semester and it was wonderful to have her help, too. Then the next week I stayed at home, but I drove over nearly every day to help. It was a joy to be there to help Ondalynn get some much needed rest. The children worked hard in the yard pulling many weeds to surprise their Dad. We went on walks, played games, but they had the most fun when Emily came and could be more active with them.