A Year of Blessings

2020 A Year of Uncertainty, A Year of Blessings

As we reflect on this most unusual year, we are reminded of many blessings that have come to us from a loving Father in Heaven, and many lessons learned.

Crismon Lewis Sr: An increased appreciation of the Sabbath Day and how it separates us from the world.

Vivienne Lewis Sr.: A greater appreciation of the Holy Ghost as I’ve felt His influence through my prayers and scripture study, and His blessing of helping me learn and remember important truths.

Ondalynn Vance: For the increase of time to spend with my family, and to enjoy a slower pace together.

Gary Vance: A appreciation for the sacrament and its sacredness that I felt through Home Church.

Sydney Vance: Learning to be more resilient. To accept disappointments and learn to handle them.

Julia Vance: Discovering new talents and interests through increased personal time.

Bryson Vance: I was able to develop a habit of reading the scriptures.

Seth Lewis: A much-needed personal and professional reboot. After nearly two decades of frenetic work life—from journalist to MBA to PhD to professor—I had a chance to reflect and reorient.

Tiffany Lewis: The year abroad helped me reset a lot of expectations and outlooks, and for that I will be forever grateful. It taught me the importance of slowing down and learning to do hard things (like drive on the left side of the road!). I'm especially grateful to be back close to our Lewis family and now that my parents moved this summer from Texas to Camas—just 2 hours away.

Alice-Anne Johns: Genuinely loved having my kids around more and thrived on the slower place. Church at home has been a favorite making our worship in many ways more meaningful, personal, and sacred.

Gary Johns: Loved creating more with home projects, and Alice-Anne and I enjoyed unique date nights.

Vivienne Lewis Jr: Spending more time with my children, reading together, learning together.

Dallin: Despite, for the past four weeks, Janelle having to work 4+ hours per day with Covid patients in her care facility, she has avoided being infected even though 80% of the patients and two thirds of the staff have contracted it. Her extra precautions and the Lord’s protection are miraculous.

Meredith Williams: With all the children in virtual school at home, there is less of a pressure in the morning to get out the door and that has led to more consistency in our family scripture time.

Crismon & Danielle Lewis: Witnessing first hand the sudden shut down of Manhattan brought on some anxiety, but also so simple pleasures like daily walks through Riverside Park and spending more time together. Virtual course work has allowed us to relocate to the warmth of living with family in Las Vegas.

Julia Doutre: I started the Brooke Snow program just 3 weeks before things shut down. I was grateful for the daily habits of taking care of myself, doing the protocol to keep myself grounded.

Emily & Bronson Gardner: Elise being born and both of us able to work from home.

REFLECTIONS ON 2020: More Highlights and Blessings

Gardners: Emily’s first baby, Elise Michelle Gardner, was born March 6, and Grandma Vivienne was able to be in the delivery room, an incredible experience. This all happened a week before the Covid shutdown, which would have prevented me from being in the hospital during the birth.

Vivienne: We had plans to fly to the East coast for Christmas to be with Meredith and Dallin’s families. But last minute we felt it not wise to travel during the pandemic. Sadly, Vivienne (Jr) and her three children were in a serious auto accident the afternoon before we would have departed for our trip. What a blessing it was for us to be here to help her with her family while she’s recovering from painful injuries. A pick up truck ran a 4-way stop and hit her minivan.

Family Chats: We’ve enjoyed more family gatherings on Zoom and noticed that more families make the extra effort to participate. It also has encouraged us to have more video conferencing with siblings, something that we seldom, if ever, did in the past.

Tiffany: Seth’s wife came down sick shortly before Christmas and tested positive for Covid. Two of their sons also came down sick. Fortunately all recovered during the holidays.

Sabbath a Delight: Where interviews and meetings are now generally held on Zoom, the Sabbath is not as hectic and we’re all home almost the entire day.

Miracles: The Vances, who recently started their own real estate development business, has seen the Lord’s miraculous hand in helping them get their business on a solid footing during a very challenging time.

Christmas Day: Because of the pandemic we felt best not to have our traditional Christmas gathering. Each family had an unusually quiet, peaceful celebration at home—a nice change from previous years.

December Decorations and more...

December was filled with blessings and heartaches. The Christmas season began early in our home as Daisy and Kaeley wanted to decorate for Christmas about five days before Thanksgiving. We've never decorated that early before. It was fun to see them so happy and excited.

An early Christmas present from Emily and Bronson was a new printer. We were desperate for a printer, and they were so generous to give that to us. It works so well!

We were happy we could attend in person church, as we are now allowed up to 25% capacity, which means we could easily have 100 people attend, although our numbers have been more like 40-60 in attendance. Our stake did a Music Devotional during the Christmas season. Crismon and I filmed a short message that was added to the end of the Devotional.

Since we couldn't hold our traditional neighborhood gathering the first part of December as we have in the past, we organized a Zoom gathering. It was fun to catch up on each others lives. We only had six households join in, but at least we still connected which was important.

On December 9th we were privileged to have a Zoom call with Elder Bragg and his wife, a general authority who was doing a virtual tour of the mission. What was most interesting was personal insights regarding Pres. Nelson's recent worldwide message to the world. He shared that in one of their meetings that they all attend together on one of the floors of the JS building, which has been dedicated as a gathering place for the Brethren as they can't meet in the SLC temple that is being renovated, Pres. Nelson talked about his concern for the people around the world. He had been pondering about it for some time and asking the Lord about it. The spirit spoke to him and said, "What are you going to do about it, boy?" That night, he woke in the middle of the night with a distinct revelation of what he was to do. He was told what to ask us to do on social media and even the date that he was to present his worldwide message. Pres. Nelson has been so good about counseling us to seek revelation in our lives, and he has shared more about receiving revelation than any other of the prophets in our lifetime.

Dec. 15th, we were able to watch Asher's orchestra concert on youtube. It's so neat how they can put the sound together of all the performers and we can enjoy their orchestra, although they don't physically gather to play together.

Wed., Dec. 16th Vivi and the children left about 2:30 in the afternoon to go to the mall. Tragically, as they were going through an intersection out in the country area, a truck, going way too fast, ran the stop sign and plowed in to them. He hit them on the right passenger wheel and it tore off the front of their van. It was so traumatic for all of them. Gratefully, we were home, and we could immediately go to pick them up, about 10 minutes away. They went to the hospital later that day to get checked out. Fortunately, they were OK, but Vivi was hurt the worse in her chest and neck. Their car was totaled. We are so grateful for divine protection over them.

The next morning we were to leave to go back East for Christmas with Meredith and Dallin's family. Thankfully, we had cancelled our trip several weeks before due to the increase of COVID, and we were home to take care of Vivi, and Dad to work on her insurance. It has taken hours and days trying to work it out. She was able to buy a nice Nissan 2017 with 31,000 miles for $12,000, about the amount she would receive from the insurance company.

It was kind of exhausting for me to keep up with caring for Vivi along with meals, and laundry. Ondalynn and Gary came on Friday, the 18th and brought a delicious soup, homemade rolls, and cookies. Also, members of the ward were good to reach out and help. We had three yummy meals brought in the week after Christmas.

Seth and Tiffany and the boys came on Saturday, the 19th. I put together a lunch for all of us with leftover soups we had. They brought a beautiful basket with two loaves of good bread from Great Harvest and some granola. We had a wonderful visit with them. Preston and Asher played their violins, as well. 

We were concerned on Wed., the 23rd that Tiffany was sick. Of course, we all worry about COVID. She was tested and the next day on Christmas Eve Day, she called to say she was positive. We were now really concerned as they had been in our home for two hours and we had eaten at the same table. I already wasn't feeling the best. As the day went on I began feeling worse. We canceled our plans to go to the Vance's for Christmas Eve. But now, what to do to make it fun for the kids? Daisy was crying as she was so disappointed. The Vance's were sad, too, especially Isaac. We hurried and ordered take out, and that helped save the night for the children. We had a sweet time reading from Luke together and opening the secret pal gifts. We FaceTimed with Dallin's family for about a half-hour which was nice.

On Christmas, we had fun exchanging gifts. Then we visited with each of the families over FaceTime, or by phone. I was really feeling sick, so it was hard for me to talk on the phone.

On Saturday the 26th I was able to get a COVID test with the County Health Center in a drive-through set up in a parking lot. I learned the following Monday that my test was negative. I was really surprised, as many of my symptoms were similar to Tiffany's with headache, dizziness, feeling very cold, weakness, and fatigue. I don't know if I got a false negative test or not. 

We celebrated Crismon's 72nd birthday on Wed., the 30th. I had planned a Surprise Zoom Call with all the children for 1:30 pm that day. The Vance's came by, right before that to surprise Dad. He was definitely surprised when I brought in the computer with all the family there to wish him a Happy Birthday. I had asked them to come prepared to share a memory, a funny experience, or something about Dad. It was so fun reminiscing together. We watched a movie together that night. He had a great day. He's wonderful!

On New Years Eve Day, Julia, Austin and Dallin came down from the Kenmore, north of Seattle. Dallin has been afraid of Gary in the past, and when they drove up to the Vance's house he said, "I want to go to Daisy-Kaeley's house. Gratefully, it was just Isaac that was there at first and he started playing with him. Gradually, the others came and it helped him not feel so overwhelmed. Now that he is older, he was able to adjust easily and he absolutely loved playing with the boys, and even taking Gary's hand to show him something. This was a big breakthrough. He loved playing football with the boys and wearing Paxton's BYU 1 jersey. He kept saying "I Zach Wilson!"

Ondalynn prepared a lovely formal dinner for New Year's Eve. Afterwards we play a game Daisy had put together, wrapping candy and surprises in plastic wrap and they took turns unwinding it. Then we exchanged Christmas gifts. We headed home soon after and Dad and I didn't welcome in the New Year by staying up, but Vivi and the girls did.

We are all hoping that 2021 will bring a containment of the COVID virus, a rebound in the economy, and greater love and peace in our country. It has been quite a year!

A Thankful Thanksgiving

We are grateful for the rich blessings that we have felt during this month of gratitude, and throughout the year. We are thankful for the wonderful video message from our dear Prophet, Pres. Nelson on “Hope and Healing.” We loved seeing the many posts on social media of people expressing their blessings. Being grateful does help lift our spirits. We also appreciated the apostolic blessing that Pres. Nelson gave to all those affected by the fires this summer.

Crismon was able to serve in the temple earlier in the month. It was a sweet blessing for him to officiate a session for those receiving their endowment for the first time.

We decided to quarantine as a family for 12-14 days before Thanksgiving so we could gather safely together. We were sad to miss Crismon & Danielle and Julia & Austin who felt they shouldn’t travel to Oregon due to new restrictions and a spike in Covid cases in our area. The other families all participated in the quarantine, Seth & Tiffany’s family, Vivi and her children, and the Vances, and so we felt we could gather safely. Everything was so lovely, and the blessing of being together again was wonderful!  

We had a double celebration as Thanksgiving was our grandson Addison’s (son of Seth & Tiffany) 17th birthday.

We’re thankful for sweet grandchildren who helped decorate our home for Christmas. This was the first time we had decorated for Christmas before Thanksgiving. 
We are grateful for opportunities to gather in person for Church meetings. Crismon has been working with the faith liaison for the Oregon Health Authority in the Governor’s office. He has joined with other ministers to help change the governor’s in-person limitation for faith meetings and services from 25 people to 25% capacity. So with our large meetinghouses we can now have up to 100 in attendance. We are so grateful that we can now meet with more members of our ward. We send our love to all of you at this glorious time of the year.

October Fun

The month began with the wonderful General Conference messages from our Prophet and leaders. Our country is at a time of great unrest. Listening to a prophet’s voice brings hope and renewed peace in our lives. His message of “Let God Prevail” is so needed.

Fun events with family included having Julia & Austin and 2-year old Dallin come for a long weekend visit. The grandchildren enjoyed picking out their favorite pumpkin at the pumpkin patch, and celebrating Daisy’s 12th birthday with a Harry Potter theme. We gathered at Ondalynn’s home for the BYU football game, along with Seth’s family. It’s been fun to see the Cougars doing well this year.

We had the unique opportunity of attending the temple for a living endowment for a young man leaving on a mission from our stake. This was a sweet experience that we cherished.

The Church Historian for the NW area contacted us asking if he could interview us, recording it to be sent to the Church archives. His assignment is to interview stake presidents and their wives and the Stake RS Pres asking us about our parents, our lives, spiritual experiences, etc. We had a preliminary interview and then he sent us the notes he took. From this, he interviewed us again and recorded it. We appreciated that he sent us a copy for our own records.

We are now meeting in-person for our Church meetings. If we receive an email inviting us to attend, as they are trying to keep within the state-mandated gathering limit of 50 people. It felt so good to be back in the chapel. For our first Stake Missionary Virtual Fireside, Crismon interviewed two of our recently returned missionaries from Romania and Germany regarding the new way of doing missionary work. It was fascinating to learn how much missionary work is changing compared to the days of knocking doors and conducting street meetings to find people to teach.

We ended the month visiting Seth & Tiffany’s family in Eugene, listening to two grandson’s violin performances, soccer games, and fun time with their family. They live on what is called, "Halloween Street." They usually have 400-500 trick-or-treaters. This year they only had about 50, and we had none. But where we live, high on a hill, we usually don't have any children come by.

Update on our children that our shared with our extended family:

Ondalynn is homeschooling her youngest two boys, 3rd and 4th grade, one in middle school, and two in HS are doing online learning. Gary is consulting for two companies and is building his own business, Vance Development, with plans to begin building an apartment complex next year.

Seth & Tiffany are co-teaching Seminary, virtually. They are enjoying having three of their boys in their class. Seth, now a full professor, oversees the undergraduate Communications program at UofO. Their son, Jackson, a high school senior, is also working part-time with 1-Password as a programmer.

Alice-Anne & Gary Johns are expecting a boy, their #5 the end of February. Gary continues as an engineer at Merit Medical.

Vivi is a Reading Specialist at Hollydale Elementary where her youngest, Kaeley is a 3rd grader. Her work is virtual, and requires her to be in the school several hours a day, as well as working from home.

Dallin continues as an assistant professor at Southern Virginia University, teaching English, writing, and American Civics. Janelle is a speech pathologist.

Meredith Williams is managing her four in school, Kindergarten, 2nd, 4th, & 6th grade at home, along with her active 3 year-old. Husband Bryan is finishing his 3rd year in a Neonatal Fellowship at Walter Reed Hospital in Maryland.

Crismon Jr. & Danielle are living with her parents in Las Vegas while he continues his PhD studies at Columbia University in New York. Danielle teaches several violin students online.

Julia & Austin Doutre live in Kenmore, WA with Austin presently working from home with Puget Sound Energy, as an energy management engineer. They have a 2-year old son, Dallin.

Emily & Bronson live in Madison, WI. They have an 8-month old daughter, Elise. Emily is a human resources marketing specialist at an outsourced HR firm, working ¾ time from home. Bronson works for Epic, a healthcare software company.

September School and Surprises

This has been a month of many challenges, and yet many tender mercies and prayers answered. Our most exciting news is the joy of anticipating another grandbaby, #28, the end of February. Alice-Anne is expecting #5. 

Oregon suffered the worst wildfires in the state's history. Due to dry conditions, high temperatures, and especially strong, swirling winds caused a high number of fires in just a few days.The town of Estacada in our stake, was in the path of a fire. The town had to evacuate. Crismon kept busy that week trying to coordinate the efforts of helping members of our stake who were out of their homes. The stake center became a gathering place for campers and tents for members and nonmembers. They were allowed to use the facilities. None chose to actually stay inside the building, but it helped rescue people in need. Others were placed in member's homes.

The city of Sandy and part of Damascus was on Level 2 which meant to be prepared to evacuate at a moments notice. Half of our stake was under evacuation orders. Gratefully, the winds turned when the fire was just one-half mile from Estacada. Our prayers were answered, and the fire went in another direction.

We were also dealing with very hazardous air quality. The smoke in the air was so bad they were saying the equipment they use to measure it didn't read that high. We were wearing masks in our house because it smelled and tasted like a campfire. We hoped, fasted, and prayed for rain. Finally, after nine days the rain came and rescued us. It was a very eerie time with the air being extremely still, and thick with an orange haze everywhere. We felt like prisoners in our own homes, and it felt so wonderful to be able to go outside and breathe again.

Ondalynn's family drove to Utah to escape the hazardous air since they had online school, and spent some time hiking in Arches National Park, visiting the Johns family, and having lots of fun seeing their Vance family, too.

Seth and Tiffany's family took off for Driggs, ID, to stay with her Matt and Lisa who were renting a huge place close to the Tetons. They had a fabulous time there. In Eugene, they suffered from the hazardous air about five days ahead of us. The fires were especially bad in Medford and around Eugene. Sadly, 150 homes of members were burned in southern Oregon.

School was delayed a week due to the smoke, but the children are finally back to school, but online only. They all miss friends, sports, and other activities, but Clark, Daisy, and Kaeley, who live in our home are adapting well and they each have their own device, provided by the school to do online learning. Our other grandchildren are doing online school. The Johns children have some classes at school. Jocelyn is in Kindergarten. One day her Mom found her watching her class, while she was in bed, with Ivan, (almost 3) snuggled up by her. What a different world we live in!

We had our Stake Conference on Sept. 26-27th. Our prayers were answered, and it went well. Crismon requested permission to hold a stake conference as all had been canceled for the fall, but he was given permission. We didn't have a visiting authority. It was also, our first "in-person" meetings in the chapel with 50 people, and the first virtual stake conference. There were many details to take care of to make that all happen, but other than the feed cutting out a little at the end of Crismon's talk on Saturday evening, it went well. Because it was virtual, our children were able to join, and it was wonderful for them to hear their Dad speak (which might be his last stake conference), as it will be nine years next February. I know I'm prejudiced, but Crismon gave a masterful talk on Sunday morning, covering so many important issues that we're facing, and counseled us to avoid contention, fear not, and draw strength and peace through Jesus Christ. 

Other highlights of the month included a fun evening with the Vance's on Labor Day to watch the BYU game. It's been great to see the Cougars doing well. Remembering Pres. Nelson's 96th birthday on the 9th, Bronson's birthday the 15th, Kaeley & Dallin's birthdays the 22nd, and what would have been my Dad's 99th birthday on the 25th, and Grandma Lewises 100th birthday on the 27th.