Williams Family Fun in July

What makes Arizona in the summer so fun? Visiting the William's family! This was the first time that Dad and I went together to visit their family. Bryan & Meredith were so nice to give us their room and adjoining bathroom. Hudson sleeps at the end of their large walk-in closet, but he was good through the night. We arrived on Tuesday, July 1st. Our stop was driving by the Phoenix AZ temple that is nearly finished. They are waiting for all the construction around the temple to be finished. It is just 5 minutes from their home.

Sandwiched between our visit with the William's family was our Lewis Reunion in Ajo. While in Glendale, at their lovely apartment complex with kept cool in their fun pool. Evelyn, 5, and Christian, 3 are amazing swimmers! Hudson (16 months) is so dark, he doesn't look like he belongs in our family, especially with those beautiful brown eyes, too, but we definitely claim him. We thought Christian was busy, but Hudson is nonstop! Meredith is amazing how she keeps everything going while Bryan does rotations in different states. Through it all she keeps her radiant smile.

When Bryan is around we can't stop laughing. He is a fun Dad and is able to encourage their children to be adventuresome and brave. He is working so very hard in his fourth year of Medical School and will graduate in May 2015.

Julia came back to Glendale with us after the reunion for a short stay, and then back home to Rexburg on Sunday. Dad and I enjoyed attending their ward and hearing Meredith as their organist. She is also the music chairman in their ward and she blesses their ward with her musical talents.

Evelyn is on top of everything, not afraid to tackle something new. She crawled under the bed in search of my glasses and was right there to help me out.

Christian melts your heart with his sweetness. He's all boy, but has such a tender heart. Nothing holds Hudson back. He is everywhere and has a beautiful smile like his Mom's.

We took care of the children on Tuesday so Meredith and Bryan could have a full day to themselves, kayaking, going to the temple, shopping, out to eat and just time to visit...alone, without interruptions. We had fun going to McDonald's for ice cream, to Walmart for swim toys, to the library, and, of course, more swimming. It was so cute to see Evelyn and Christian holding hands as they walked to the pool. When Meredith & Bryan received the text from me saying they were in bed, they figured it was safe to come home.

We loved having FHE with them and seeing the children perform. Recently they received a small upright piano for free, so that is a fun addition to their home.

Thank you so much, cute William's family for making our stay so great! We love you!

My Thoughts About Fasting

The Bishop remembered that I had shared my testimony about fasting before in a class, or at some time, and he asked if I would write it for him. The Bishops in the stake had been asked by their leaders to talk about fasting. He wanted permission to share some of my thoughts. This was my message I sent to him:

Thank you for this opportunity to put my testimony of fasting down on paper to record it for my family. Fasting and prayer is truly rejoicing. My testimony of fasting has grown over the years. I have seen the power of fasting manifest in the lives of others, our family, and myself.

Our children grew up knowing that Mom's favorite day of the month was Fast Sunday. They never could understand that, but I assured them that one day they would come to love it, too. I loved the sweetness of the spirit that accompanied Fast Sunday. 

It wasn’t always that way. For many years I was pregnant and nursing, which meant I couldn’t fast. I went for years without fasting. When the time came that I could fast again, I found it difficult. In time it became easier and a more joyful experience. 

Although I dealt with health issues, I found that as I fasted on Fast Sunday I felt strengthened and often I would feel my strongest and not experience the usual pain that I did on the other days of the week. 

It doesn't make sense that we take away something that gives us strength, like food, that we would feel stronger, but I would feel that strength come to me during the fast.

I have a challenge in fasting because typically if I go for three hours without eating something I can get sick to my stomach and also feel very weak. But as I fasted I could go 24 hours without food and not have that problem. 

A few years ago I found that although I loved Fast Sunday and wanted to participate, I could no longer do so as my health issues became more predominant. I had a strong desire to still fast in some way. I wanted to do something that would make me feel like I was giving up something to show my love to the Lord and feel a more humble spirit.

I decided to fast by giving up sugar, or sweets for the week prior to Fast Sunday. I found as I stayed focused on the reasons why I was fasting I didn't feel tempted to break my fast. Instead, through prayer, it gave me a greater determination to keep it a perfect fast. This was the way that I could live the law of the fast.  It has taken me a while to finally have the same feelings that I had on the regular Fast day. But now I look forward again to Fast Sunday and participating in it in a way that I feel the Lord is pleased with.

I'm grateful for the strength and power that comes through fasting and prayer. I hope that I can live my life to be a righteous daughter of God who calls on Him to bless His and "our" children.

Callings, Releases, Opportunities...

Many times it seems I'm not able to fulfill a calling for very long. Most often it is because of my health, family demands, and even Crismon's leadership callings. On January 24th of this year, I accepted the calling to be an Assistant Coordinator for the Wednesday mid-shift in our Portland temple. It has been a sweet experience to serve in the temple in this capacity. I loved the special relationship with the ordinance workers. Assisting the patrons each week opened my heart with a greater appreciation and love for each person who attended the temple. One of the sweetest experiences was taking care of the prayer roll names twice each shift and putting them in the two Endowment rooms that I was responsible for. My heart would go out to these people who had special needs that would be prayed for during the week.

A few weeks ago I happened to be walking down the stairs of the temple after our Devotional with the Assistant Matron, Sis. Ann Gillespie. She was asking me about my schedule, my family, and what I was involved in. We talked briefly about our lives and the responsibilities we have as Grandmothers.

The following Wednesday she found me early in our shift and asked if I could visit with her in her private office. It was a sweet experience to have her share her feelings about the three paintings on the walls and why they were meaningful to her. She then said, "I haven't been able to get you off my mind all week. I feel you are over-loaded. Your husband is the stake president and being the wife of the stake president is a calling in itself. You have a large family with many responsibilities for them. Along with your special health issues, I think having you serve as the Assistant Coordinator is just too much. It happened to be that I was having excruciating pain that day. I had bruised my foot while working in our yard the day before and it was very difficult to walk. At that moment, I felt that she was right. Later that day, Pres. Babb, the first counselor who had extended the call talked to me privately in a room by the celestial room and released me from serving as the Assistant Coordinator. Gratefully, I am still an ordinance worker, every Wednesday.

I have been feeling a little sad the last few weeks, feeling like I was "weak" and not able to serve like I would really like to in callings I receive. Before I turned 30-years of age, I had served as a Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary President. Some longer than others, but not nearly very long. It has been kind of the story of my life to serve for shorter periods of time. But I'm grateful Heavenly Father has allowed me the opportunity to accept and say "yes" even when it didn't seem possible for me to do what I was asked to do. He is most generous and kind.

Today He poured out His tender mercies on me. After the announcements, song, and prayer had been given in our Relief Society meeting, the 2nd counselor who was the only one of the Presidency there said, "I'm not sure who I'm turning the time over to for the lesson." Turns out the sister assigned wasn't there for some reason. I raised my hand and said I'd teach the lesson.

Gratefully I had read and highlighted the lesson several days before. It was Lesson 11 from "Teachings of the Prophets, Joseph Fielding Smith, "Honoring the Priesthood Keys Restored through Joseph Smith." I had a special liking for this lesson and there were several points that I discussed with Crismon about Priesthood Keys. We had had an interesting discussion regarding his calling. One thing I didn't know was that he receives a letter from Pres. Packer giving him the assignmentt to "preside" over stake conference and when it is to be held, etc. Each stake conference where there is no visiting authority that he receives that direction from Pres. Packer. I was richly blessed as I taught. It was like everything I had read came clearly to my mind. It laid out before me in organized thoughts, ideas, experiences and scriptures that just came to my mind. The sisters were offering great comments and the spirit was there blessing all of us.

Afterwards, the words, "and I will bring all things to your remembrance" rang true to me. Instead of feeling like a "weak" servant, I felt "empowered with strength. Heavenly Father gave me this sweet opportunity to bear testimony and feel His generous hand in blessing me to make my weaknesses become strengths. Although I teach each month in Relief Society, with weeks of preparation, this was definitely a different experience, one where I felt like a humble instrument in the Lord's hand to do His work.

Holding down the Fort in Woodbury

Seth & Tiffany had planned a trip to Norway from May 6-13th.  Dad and I were needed to fill in at the last minute as Tiffany's Mom needed to be in Texas at that time. Just a week before the trip, Seth called and it worked out for us to come. We are so thankful we could help out so Tiffany could join Seth on this business, pleasure trip. Seth was asked to be a lead opponent on a dissertation defense at the University of Bergen. A dissertation defense is a more dramatic event in Norway and it was an honor for Seth to be invited as a visiting professor brought from the US to be a part of the defense proceedings. On Thursday, May 8th, after a full day of the defense, there was a very formal 4-hour dinner that evening at the hotel. Then from there, they could finally relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery in Norway. They called it a trip of a lifetime. As a side note, they were able to connect with our good friends Chuck and Martha Allen who were serving as full-time missionaries in Oslo. They enjoyed an hour and a half of visiting with them.

When we first arrived at their home in Woodbury (Monday, May 5th), Asher took us upstairs to his room to show us his very impressive Lego display. He builds and creates Lego structures non-stop. Later in the week he was missing a few pieces to his Fire Station and asked me if I would go on Amazon and order another one. Substituting another piece was not an option. It had to be exact!

Thanks to a gorgeous day when we arrived, Grandpa jumped with the boys on the trampoline. I managed to get on and jump once, just for the record, but I'm glad Grandpa can still play hard with his grandchildren. The FHE activity was roasting marshmallows in their fire pit out back. This was their first time for the season so it was a big event.

Tuesday morning we began the training for where to shuttle the boys back and forth to school, the morning routine, the chores, the activities, and the in's and out's of their busy schedule. We took Tiffany to the airport around noon and Seth left from work that evening, catching a bus from the University to the airport. Both of them on different airlines with Tiffany arriving in Germany about 6 or so hours ahead of Seth, and then traveling to meet him. She is brave, but gratefully, things worked out well for them on their trip.

The boys were very good and I had a great experience spending time with them. For the record, Jackson was just a month from turning 12, Addison, 10, Preston 8, and Asher 5. Grandpa was able to stay until Thursday morning. I drove him early to the airport and when I returned  by 6:30 a.m., I found Jackson up and dressed and practicing the piano. He liked to get a jump start to his day so he could earn the right of the iPad before heading off to school. They were good to do their daily routine, homework, practicing, chores, etc, so they could have some media time. Fortunately, we were blessed with beautiful weather most of the time so they spent lots of time outside and enjoying the sunshine after a very harsh, cold winter! 

Some of the activities included watching Addison at his soccer practice and game. He loves sports, playing it, reading about it in the morning paper, or talking about it. We watched an exciting clip on my iPhone together.

I enjoyed observing Asher and Preston at their swimming lessons. They are strong swimmers and eager to follow directions. They guided me as a drove and worried when my phone was giving me directions different than their usual route.

Music is important in their home. Lots of piano and violin practicing, and breaking into a song at any moment, especially Asher. I transported the boys to their music lessons, and we had fun Friday evening attending the school carnival. Being able to get a cold bottle of Root Beer with their tickets was the highlight of their evening.

Sat. after chores, and a full hour of media time, we drove that afternoon to St. Paul for Preston's violin recital. Preston played his piece perfectly and he looked so handsome. Addison told me later that Preston was wearing his white shirt because he could see the brown shoe polish on the cuff. Oh well! At least we made it there...early. The boys were good sports to sit through a long event, but they liked the treats at the end.

I introduced the boys to the BYU series, "Granite Flats." We had a lot of fun watching that show together, and we had a hard time resisting the "cliff hanger" at the end of each episode.

The Sunday I was there was Mother's Day. The boys were cute to make me cards, and little surprises. The ultimate expression for Asher was to make me a Lego creation. A few days before Mother's Day Asher said, "Grandma, it's so fun playing Legos. Why don't you go to Target and buy a Lego set for Mother's Day and we'll build it together." He was so cute, and added after giving me my gift. "You're leaving soon, so you won't be able to take it with you." Crismon was so sweet to leave me a beautiful arrangement of flowers for Mother's Day that I found after dropping him off at the airport.

The boys all helped organize their Mom's spices for their Mother's Day gift to her. Of course they had to stack them and play with them first! I had some individual time with each boy at different times, so that made it special for me. Of course, there was lots of work with meals, laundry, dishes, but it was a gift to me to have this opportunity. We only see these good boys once or twice a year, so I was thankful I could get closer to them and hopefully develop a bond with each one that they will remember for years to come. One evening Jackson and I visited for awhile together when it was quiet and I impressed with his mature ideas and thoughts.

I felt like I successfully ran a marathon by the time they returned. "I did it!" Because of my health challenges with Post-Polio and all that is involved in keeping a busy household going, I was so thankful we were watched over, protected and tender mercies along the way helped me do this on my own. I felt blessed throughout the week with lots of prayers and lots of Reliv!

Just minutes after Seth & Tiffany stepped into their home, the boys were all tackling their Dad. They love their Dad, and adore their Mom. Throughout the week we connected with them through Skype. What a world we live in! These four boys couldn't be more different from each other, not only in looks but personality and when you put them all together it is a most interesting, fun, and busy time. I returned home on Wed. May 14th, sad to say good-bye, but time to return home to my Sweetheart.

Tiffany posted on her Facebook the picture of Seth stepping off the train: "This guy is the world's best traveling companion. He arranges the most spectacular details and makes every moment fun. All I do is show up with the bags." Seth does take care of many details, including watching over us and helping us with tips in many areas of our lives. We love this wonderful family.

Crismon & Danielle graduate!

It was a fun few days with Crismon and Danielle at BYU for Crismon's graduation, April 24-26th. He graduated in the Honors Program with a Bachelor Degree in Chinese. Danielle graduated the next weekend from the University of Utah with a Masters Degree in Violin Performance. We are so proud of these two, taking on some very demanding courses. Crismon finished his last semester with a 3.93 GPA. They fly to Taiwan on May 27th to spend a year in Taipei. Crismon has a scholarship in the fall for more education in learning the Chinese language. Hopefully, Danielle, will have opportunities to teach violin. She regrets having to leave behind about 10-12 students she has been teaching this year. They have loved her and they are all sad to see her go.

We attended the Honors Luncheon at noon on Thursday and then toured the "Sacred Gifts" Exhibition at the Fine Arts building. It is the religious art work of Carl Bloch, Henrich Hofmann, and Frans Schwartz. We were so captivated by it that we forgot the time and actually missed the graduates processional into the Marriott Center. We arrived just 15 minutes before it started and saw the dignitaries outside, under a canopy waiting to go in to the graduation. Pres. Uchtdorf was there and spoke briefly. He was there as his grandson was graduating. He waved to us as we approached the building. Kind of embarrassing to be almost late, but they opened up seats that had been reserved for graduates and we got incredible seats. Turns out we were just off to the side and a few rows behind Crismon. 

Pres. Cecil Samuelson conducted his last Commencement Exercises as President, and Elder Craig Cardon gave the Commencement address. It is always an inspiration to be there on the campus and feel the wonderful spirit there, and be inspired by all the graduates to continue to pursue an education. Danielle's mother was there, too. 

Friday morning, Dad, Laurie Swain and I packed up their kitchen before the graduation ceremonies for the Language Arts Dept. in the Marriott Center. More packing that afternoon, Then a fun family reunion for the Swain family at Grandma Sue Swain's home not far from Crismon and Danielle's apt.

Sat. morning Crismon took us to Alice-Anne's home to visit with them for a short time and then they took us on to the airport. It was a delightful few days with Crismon and Danielle. We will miss them! After Danielle's graduation they went to Las Vegas with Danielle's parents to stay for several weeks before leaving for Taipei. The Swain's have done so much for them. We surely appreciate their many sacrifices to help them out.

Tending the Johns Children

Alice-Anne and Gary celebrated their 10th Anniversary on April 30th. But the celebration began earlier in the month when they went on a much deserved break for a 5-day cruise to the Caribbean, leaving out of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Dad and I stayed after General Conference to tend their good children. We had so much fun with them. Kenna and Spencer were "off-track" from school so they were home all day. We kept busy with trips to the park, swimming lessons for Kenna, the library, Arctic Circle, going on walks, which were more like "runs" because that is all that Elliot's feet know how to do is to "run!" It was a challenge to keep up with him because he is always on the move, but such a cute little guy! When he was a long way ahead of me, I would yell, "Stop." He would stop, but then as I got closer he would take off again. When he didn't want to go to the car, he would promptly lay down in the grass and pretend he was asleep! What a kid! Dad left on Thursday to get back to our business. While in Utah he did take Tuesday to do a Reliv Luncheon in American Fork and a Presentation for Richard Larson, our distributor in Bountiful.

Gratefully the children were such good helpers, and very cooperative for me, that I did fine for the next couple of days without Dad. On Friday it was fun to have my sister Meredith and her daughter Lindsey and her two adorable children come down and go to the park with us and a picnic lunch. It was such a hot day that the children ran through the sprinklers for the first time of the year. We had fun watching "Frozen," reading stories, playing together, and being entertained by Elliot. Grandpa is so fun with the children, giving Elliot horsie rides up and down the stairs. They were good eaters, and such good children, very respectful, helpful, and never complained about their parents being gone. When I said, "You children are so good to help Grandma so much," Spencer said, "It's because we love you so much, Grandma." That melted my heart! My second day tending them Elliot said, pointing to me, "You're the Mom, and Grandpa is the Dad." While Crismon was watching them at the park, I texted him to take pictures. He wrote back, "How do you capture 'lightning?!?" Meaning Elliot of course. Most of my pictures of him are the back side as he doesn't hold still for long.

On the way to the airport I told Elliot, "We're going to pick up your Mom & Dad at the airport." He said, "No they went grocery shopping." The children were so excited to see their parents, but Elliot especially clung to his Dad for a long time. He has really bonded with Gary while Alice-Anne was busy as a YW's President. That meant Gary had them for hours on Sunday and every Wednesday night. I'm glad we could help so they could have this fun trip together. I spent Sunday with them before heading home that night. Before I left they enacted our Palm Sunday for FHE.