April Flowers and Blessings

It's difficult to keep track of what day it is during this pandemic as the patterns of our lives have changed so much. It's especially difficult not being able to go to the temple and attend our Sunday meetings. Despite the trials, there is so much to be grateful for, and so much to hope for in the future. Being able to have the sacrament in our home with Crismon blessing it and Clark passing, is a sweet and sacred time.

We were so happy to listen to General Conference and to receive the marvelous blessing of having a prophet and apostles to guide us during these troubled times. The highlight was participating in the Hosanna Shout on Sunday morning. Pres. Nelson said: as we commemorate Joseph Smith’s First Vision of the Father and the Son, we felt that it would be appropriate to rejoice together by participating in the Hosanna Shout. What a choice opportunity to join with saints around the world to give our praise to God for the blessing of the Restoration in our lives. It was so sad to see the temple grounds during conference be completely vacant. There is so much excitement when the saints gather for conference. This definitely was a conference never to be forgotten, just as Pres. Nelson promised at the last conference, however, he said he didn't know this is what it was going to look like. The brethren were limited to 10 in the room where they were recording the conference, and then they sat apart from each other!

In between the morning and afternoon sessions on Saturday, April 4th, my birthday, I was so surprised when Crismon called me into his office and asked me to come see something. My wonderful family had all gathered on a Zoom conference call on the computer to surprise me for my birthday. It was so thrilling for me to see all of them and to be filled with happiness and love for each one of them. We are so blessed with the most wonderful children and grandchildren. They even planned for each family to light candles and we'd blow them out together. It was so fun!!! Then Emily put together a video of each of the grandchildren expressing what they loved about me. What a treasure! I'm humbled by their sweet expressions of love and praise.

Evelyn had gotten into some poison ivy and her face became terribly swollen, with her eyes nearly swollen shut. She ended up spending a night and a day in the hospital. We're so grateful for medication, and for the IV she received in the hospital. Gratefully, she was responding to treatment and she was able to go home and finish recovering there.

The weather has been nice, and I've been so happy I could work in the yard. I love it so much! If I only had the physical strength, I think I could do yard work all day. Clark, Daisy, Kaeley, and Vivi have been good to help with the weeding after their school work. Having their help has been great!

The stake has started a religion class that we can connect to by Zoom, with Bro. Richard Hansen as the teacher. We are blessed to have him (a former area seventy) to guide us in our discussion of "The Teachings of Joseph Smith."

I had a temple recommend interview with our Bishop by way of Zoom conferencing. Then Crismon interviewed me. It was a little sad when he said, "This is the last temple interview I will ever give you." He will probably be released next February. As I looked into his eyes during that interview, I was touched by the purity in his eyes and his marvelous spirit. He truly is a man of God and has fulfilled his calling as stake president so faithfully. He is trying to do all he can to connect with the members in this unusual circumstance, through phone calls, Zoom interviews, and emails.

We have started to visit some friends (BJ & Kenneth Lansford, & Winnie Leymaster) on their back deck or porch. I even met in the Schumacher's garage for a bring-your-own lunch, where seven friends gathered to support Lorinda Koga, the day after Lincoln's burial. Of course, we didn't touch each other and we socially distanced from each other. We went by Mary & Don Lindhorst, and they invited us in. It seemed so strange to go in someone's house. We felt like we were doing something wrong. It was so good to visit in person with someone.

My favorite times of the day are FaceTiming with the grandchildren. It's especially fun with the younger ones as they do the cutest things! We are trying to connect with each family during the week, but we don't always reach that goal.

We were saddened by the passing of our dear friend, Lincoln Koga due to COVID-19. Crismon was called as his counselor, just 3 weeks after we moved here. We have loved this dear family. His wife passed away about 20 years ago, and he has been happily married to Lorinda for the past 13 years.

Dallin was chosen as "Faculty Friday" at Southern Virginia University he teaches core courses: America and the Enlightenment, College Composition, Advanced Composition and English courses: Introduction to Literary Studies, Survey of American Literature, Jane Austen, Modern Usage and Grammar.

Comments he made regarding his teaching and his personal life:
“College is a unique opportunity to grapple with some of life’s critical questions: What do I know? What do I value? What type of life is worth living? Whether we’re analyzing Elizabeth’s judgment in Pride & Prejudice or studying the convention debates underlying the U.S. Constitution, I try to help students see how what they learn in the classroom illuminates the questions and concerns that matter most.”⁣
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Dr. Dallin Lewis, Assistant Professor of English, Dr. Lewis was born in Arizona and grew up in Oregon. He earned his Ph.D. in English from the University of Notre Dame and taught for a year at Gonzaga before coming to Southern Virginia. He is married to his high school sweetheart and they have four children, all girls of which the middle two are twins. When he’s not playing Mario Kart with his kids, he’s trying to read 50 books for the year. His proudest accomplishment is building his kids a treehouse.⁣

We're so proud of Dallin and the excellent teaching and work he is doing at SVU. He has sent me a few of his online classes and I have enjoyed listening to them and seeing him in action as a teacher.

March Memories & some Madness

Our most joyous news is the arrival of Elise Michelle Gardner. This is Emily & Bronson’s first, and our 27th grandchild, born on March 6th in Madison, WI. I was so happy I could be there to help Emily through the last 6 hours of labor and to witness the miracle of birth. I arrived in time to spend one day with Emily at home, before she and Bronson went to the hospital, early on Thursday morning the 5th for her to be induced. It was a long day and night for her. We're grateful that all went well, and we could welcome this precious baby into the world and to such a wonderful family. I loved every minute of the 10-days I spent in Madison with this precious family. Emily and Bronson are already such attentive, good parents. It was a joy to see my "baby" have a "baby." She is such a wonderful mommy to precious Elise.

A terrible virus started in China last fall. It rapidly spread around the world. Sadly, China was trying to hide that there was a very contagious virus, and as a result, the rest of the world wasn't as prepared as we could have been for it. While in Madison, the reality of what the Coronavirus was capable of doing, was shocking. The COVID-19 virus was much more dangerous than the flu. It was mostly hitting older people with pre-existing conditions. By March 9th, the church announced that no one would be attending the April Conference except those speaking and their families and the technicians. By Wednesday, things were changing quickly, all church meetings and activities were canceled around the world. Gratefully, the church was well prepared, and the members were prepared for home church with the "Come Follow Me" program.

One-by-one, things began to get canceled, "March Madness," the College National Basketball Tournament, professional sports, conferences around the world, trips, gatherings. At first, it was no gatherings over 100 people, soon that was changed to no gatherings over 10 people. If all our children were at home, this would have been interesting. When Alice-Anne asked, what we would have done, Emily responded that she was always getting into trouble and had to go to the garage. So we would have dealt with it that way. I was concerned about my travel home with COVID-19 virus rapidly spreading in the US and around the world. Gratefully, we have been doing well.

March 2nd, before I left for the airport, I was able to watch Seth speaking live at Parliament to a committee of the House of Lords on the future of journalism. He did so well! I’m glad he had that opportunity as a week later, or so, restrictions were being placed on gathering with others due to the virus.

March 7-8 was our Stake Conference with Elder Ricardo P. Giménez, a General Authority Seventy. Because I was in Madison, and Vivi and her family were living in our basement, Elder Gimenez stayed in a hotel. He even insisted on using a rental car, so Crismon didn’t have as much one-on-one time as he has had in the past with conference visitors. I was so grateful that Crismon was able to send me a link to the conference, so I was able to see the Saturday evening and Sunday morning sessions live. Even our children were able to watch the conference. We are grateful that all went well. The talks were all so good, and the music was beautiful. Crismon did so well in conducting on Sunday and in his talk. What a blessing to not miss out on the conference! It was fun to see the cute picture of young Dallin watching Grandpa on the screen during the stake conference broadcast.

All of our lives have been turned upside down as a result of the virus, like everyone else. We’re grateful for the technology that keeps us connected with our family and friends. Crismon has been able to continue as stake president, meeting with other leaders by way of Zoom conferencing, and doing interviews. Our Johns family felt the major earthquake in Utah this month. We are so anxious to hear from our Prophet and leaders this conference weekend.

Many new changes, the children are now taught from home, all colleges are closed down with only online classes. For awhile we were only giving our Caudle grandchildren in our home elbow bumps after family prayer, but we got tired of that pretty quickly, and now we hug them. Vivi and the children have been busy putting puzzles together. Crismon and I worked together one Saturday making homemade wheat bread and oatmeal cookies. Crismon makes the best salads for our dinners. I appreciate his help. I missed my family here in Oregon, while in Madison, but I'm so thankful I could be there. Especially, as any later and I would not have been able to go to see precious baby Elise with the "stay-at-home" orders in place throughout the country. Danielle adapted to the changes by teaching violin online. Not her favorite, of course, but everyone is trying to adapt to so many changes in their lives. Thousands of missionaries have returned home. Many flights were full of missionaries only! The attendants loved having them, commenting how respectful and kind they were, and they loved the singing of the hymns they provided.

Gratefully, the spirit of comfort and peace is available daily as I seek to "Hear Him" through my meditation, prayers, and scripture study. My daily habits have helped keep me grounded during this time of upheaval.

February Fun

Crismon, Vivi, Daisy, & Kaeley spent a good portion of their Saturday on Feb. 8th, helping with the community service project held at our Church House, “Days for Girls.” They assembled personal hygiene kits for girls in Africa.

I love being in a bookclub with good friends. We have a great time together. I've become, quite a book lover after join this group, and being inspired by Julia's avid reading.

Over the President’s Day weekend, Julia, Austin & Dallin came down. We had the fun of watching Dallin while Julia & Austin had a short get-away. He was so good. What joy fills our home to have a toddler around. We all adore that little boy.

Seth’s family went to Bavaria during their school break. Their schedule is almost like year-round school, so they get two-week breaks throughout the year. They had an incredible experience skiing the Alps! Preston Gee, Tiffany’s Dad, and her Mom joined them as well. Grandpa Gee had a dream of skiing the Alps with his grandchildren, so this was an especially fun time for all of them.

We loved attending Grandparent’s Day with Daisy and Kaeley. Ms. Creighton is Kaeley's teacher. She also taught Julia & Emily. It was also fun going to the Vance’s ward Talent Show. Ondaynn and Isaac each played a piano solo, Sydney on the violin, and Julia sang a solo. Life is grand.