A Joyful June

This has been a landmark month for our family. On June 4th we closed on our home in Gresham. On June 9th we noted that it had been 32 years since we moved from Phoenix to Gresham. Then on June 11th we closed on our new home in Vancouver. We were not going to be able to move in until July 1, but we were so thankful for the blessing that the owner and his family were able to make the home available to us earlier than expected and we started moving in on Tues. June 15th. We were having a family reunion beginning on June 26th, so we were so grateful that we had a home to host our family, along with the Vance’s home for people to stay. We were able to save on a month of storage and a week long stay at an Airbnb.

Other important events were attending Sydney’s orchestra and choir concerts in person. We were thankful they could perform at least one time during this pandemic year of restrictions. Then, Seminary graduation in-person for Sydney (Ondalynn), and the next week for Jackson (Seth) in Eugene. We watched virtually their high school graduations. Attending a graduation party for Sydney one evening, provided the opportunity of meeting some of our neighbors and members of our new ward. On June 17th Meredith flew in early from Maryland with her 3 youngest children, as the moving van with all their belongings was arriving sooner than expected at their new home in Graham, WA (near Tacoma). This made it possible for her to help us get settled in our home, and for us to watch her children for several days while she unpacked their new home without the family.

Crismon & Danielle came several days before our reunion to spend some one-on-one time with us. We loved relaxing and visiting with them as we drove to Gresham for Crismon to see one last time his childhood home, and other meaningful sites. One day we went to the famous estate in Portland, the Pittock Mansion. Amazingly, after 32 years in the Portland area, a first time for us! By Saturday evening the 26th everyone had arrived.

We had a wonderful 6 days together. The most exciting moment of the reunion was when Alice-Anne surprised us and flew in with her precious (“our miracle grandbaby”) Oliver that I hadn’t seen yet (photo). Because he was in the NICU for the first month of his life, I didn’t get to see or hold him when I was there helping Alice-Anne for two weeks soon after his birth in March. I can’t express how amazing it was to have her come. Ondalynn and Seth’s families had been in Utah the previous week and they brought 3 of the Johns children home with them. Gary, and son, Spencer, arrived a few days later to make Alice-Anne’s family complete. While in Utah, the Vances, the Johns, and Seth’s family were able to attend the Annual Smith Swim Party. It was wonderful for them to see many of our Smith family. Bryan (Williams) had to stay in Maryland until the end of the month. Gratefully he was able to leave a few days early. He drove across the entire USA with their two older children in record time. As a doctor, he is used to working 24 hour shifts, and he pushed through, arriving in time for the last day of our reunion. This meant that we were ALL together as a family for the first time! It was incredible to have everyone—all 47 of us—there!

We began with a Sunday Devotional and a memory video by Emily about the home we just left in Gresham (where everyone grew up). The first few days of our reunion we were experiencing record heat for the Northwest of 109 degrees, then 115, and 116 degrees! This was a once in a millennium event! We escaped the heat by going to the Oregon coast where it was 60 degrees cooler. We spent two days (at separate times) at a beautiful lake north of Vancouver where everyone loved paddle boarding, blueberry picking, and one day the families participated in a service project helping us with needed fixup, planting flowers, and putting in pavers in our backyard. We were so grateful for their tremendous help. That evening we had a BBQ and terrific time at the Gee’s backyard (Tiffany’s parents) where there was a fun slip-and-slide, and a zipline that kept the grandchildren going nonstop. The Gees moved from Dallas to Camas last August, and we love that we are now in the same stake with them, just 12 minutes away. What a treat for Seth’s family to have both grandparents so close to each other.

One of the greatest blessings of this year was when we received the joyous news that Crismon Jr. and Danielle are expecting a baby. We are so grateful for the medical advancements that have led to this mjracle. They return to NYC to continue his studies at Columbia in August. She has an early January due date.

Earlier in June, Alice-Anne, Seth & Ondalynn's families were all able to be at the Smith Swim Party which was a fun time for them to see their Smith cousins.

May, a Month of Moves and Miracles

May has been a month of moves and miracles. We are grateful for the many blessings that have flowed into our family this past month.

On May 2 we had a fun family dinner with cousin Logan Lewis visiting friends in Portland. He is the life of a party! The cousins loved him, and the next morning Daisy said, “I wish Mom’s cousin would come back.”

Mother’s Day was joyous to have all our Northwest families (Ondalynn, Seth, Vivi, and Julia) gather in our Gresham home (one last time before we move). I was delighted to video chat with the other families, a sweet time to share memories.

Four families moving

Of course, May marked big changes in residences. No fewer than four of our families are impacted by moves in May and June!

Meredith & Bryan closed on their home in Graham, WA (near Tacoma). They will move from Maryland the first of July. We are so thrilled they will be within a few hours drive from us. Bryan has been assigned to the NICU at the Madigan Medical Center at Fort Lewis.

The Vances’ backyard neighbor, as a favor to them, gave us first offer on the home next to him where his (now deceased) parents’ had lived. He had been touched by the Vances’ neighborliness and wanted them to have the blessing of having aging parents nearby, as he had had. What a tender mercy! Had it gone on the market we would have been in a bidding war in this crazy market. Within a day we were under contract. We feel so blessed! We take possession on July 1. We will be a stone’s throw away from the Vances—a dream come true to be so close to family in our empty-nester years! I'm including a photo of what the house liked like on the inside when we walked through it. The rooms were packed to the brim with stuff! We're grateful the yard is much more manageable. I also included some photos of our beautiful yard in Gresham. Crismon worked so hard to keep it looking lovely.

Also in May we were joined by some of Ondalynn and Vivi’s families to help Julia and Austin Doutre move into their lovely new rental home in Olympia, WA. Again, another tender mercy for them to secure this home and for Austin to be able work from home (thanks Covid!). There are now less than two hours from us.

Then Vivi and her children were approved for a nice apartment in Vancouver. They will be just five minutes away from us and the Vances. They will be in the neighboring ward, meeting in the same building.

And at the end of the month, we signed on our home now preparing for our move on June 18 to Vancouver.

A Month of Miracles

Recently while working in the garage, I tripped and fell hard onto the concrete floor, my knees and hands taking the brunt of the fall. I thought for sure I had broken some bones. Crismon and I were speaking in church the next day. After a priesthood blessing, I had what I consider a miraculous recovery. It was almost like it didn’t happen as I was able to go through Sunday without pain or soreness. I’m so grateful for the Lord’s healing power.

Also in May, Alice-Anne’s baby Oliver (photo), whose vocal folds were paralyzed at birth, were found to be moving—not 100% of the time, but at least they were moving a sign they would heal completely. It was a miracle as they were told not to expect this for at least a year. They were able to permanently remove his nose feeding tube and he can feed from a bottle. We are deeply grateful for this wonderful blessing for Oliver and all the Johns family.

We also received the joyous news that Crismon Jr. and Danielle are expecting a baby. We are so grateful for the medical advancements that have led to this miracle. They return to NYC to continue his studies at Columbia in August and she has a January due date.

Our good friends, Kevin & Nancy Jones invited us to their home for dinner. He served with Crismon in the YSA Bishopric, and Nancy has always been an inspiration to me.

We rejoice in the Lord’s generous blessings to our family this month.

April on the East Coast and More

April came and went in a whirlwind. Each day has been full with preparing our home to go on the market, as well as spending nine days in Maryland and Virginia visiting Meredith and Dallin’s families.

We were so thankful grandchild #28 Oliver Gary Johns finally came home after a month in the Primary Children’s Hospital NICU due to a paralysis of the vocal cords. So many family and friends prayed for him. The past month has been incredibly hard for Alice-Anne and Gary. They were uplifted and strengthened by the faith and prayers of many who were pleading for this precious baby.

General Conference brought the spiritual uplift and strength we all need. Because of Covid, members could still not attend the Conference Center. How grateful we are for our prophet and the apostles who speak to us from God's direction to His children in our day. This world desperately needs their counsel.

Crismon and I had our 1st and 2nd dose of the Moderna vaccine for Covid. Gratefully we had no reaction.

We gathered at the Vance's on Sunday, April 4, for dinner to honor this special day and celebrate Gary's birthday and mine.

On Tuesday, April 6th, we flew to Washington DC. Dallin picked us up at the airport and we drove directly to their home in Lexington, VA to spend five-fun-filled days with their beautiful family. We enjoyed a drive and short hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains, along with visiting the Natural Bridge just 15 minutes from their home (photo). We delighted in playing games with their four girls, listening to them perform on the piano, and having them show us their amazing lego creations.

Sunday, April 11, we gathered at the Williams’ home in Kensington, MD for dinner. The cousins were having so much fun playing together that Dallin’s girls stayed an extra day. What a group with all nine cousins together.

We visited Mt. Vernon with Meredith, Christian, and Ivan. It was so fascinating! What a great experience to be there and hear so many interesting facts about George Washington, and his life there. Also, we enjoyed playing games with our William's grandchildren.

On Saturday, April 17, many from our ward, along with the Vance's, Seth's family, and Vivi's children, worked very hard helping us get ready to begin staging our home for sale. It was quite a work project as they helped us move most of our belongings into the garage. They cleaned on the inside, worked in the yard and garden, and hauled off a lot of wood and other debris. I believe there were about 40 there!

Friday. April 23, our home went on the market. It’s a wild market. We had 24 showings over 4 days resulting in multiple offers. We accepted an offer from a family of 6 children from Austin, MN. We hope to close on June 4.

Meredith & Bryan bought a home in Graham WA (near Tacoma). We are so excited to have them in the Northwest. We drove to attend the inspection, later driving to Kenmore for a fun overnight visit with Julia, Austin, and nearly 3-year-old Dallin.

We’re now looking for a place to buy or rent hopefully close to the Vances where we can have the benefit of being near family and residing in a one-level home on flat terrain.

Monumental Blessings in March

The first day of March we enjoyed a virtual tour of the Mormon Battalion Historic Site by the good sister missionaries. It was fun to visit briefly with Dantzelle and Brad at the end. We were both eligible to receive the COVID vaccine beginning March 1, but it was next to impossible to schedule one. We tried getting up at 3:45 am to log on. Our only option was an appointment in Creswell Oregon, two hours south. Gratefully, Bronson, who works for Epic, and who has been involved in the online health charts available to patients, was able to give us some clues that helped us secure an appointment in Hillsboro (50 minutes away) in a drive-through site.

March 6th was a big day as Elder Scott D. Whiting, a General Authority Seventy and member of the Area Presidency, who was connected virtually from Salt Lake, and Elder Lawerence P. Blunck, our Area Seventy, interviewed leaders in our stake to call a new stake president. Crismon was at the church house the entire time facilitating those being interviewed. He returned home in time for us to drive to Hillsboro to get our vaccine.

Sunday, March 7th, Crismon was released as the stake president of the Mount Hood Oregon Stake, after serving for nine years. He conducted the stake conference and gave a wonderful talk. I was thankful for the opportunity to bear my testimony. Tyson Pappenfuss, (36) exactly half Crismon’s age was called as our new stake president, James Anderson (our dentist, and former Bishop of the Damascus Ward) was called as the 1st Counselor, and Derek May (our former Bishop in the Walters Hill Ward), was called as the 2nd Counselor. It felt right and we gladly sustain and pray for them. Elder Blunck asked Crismon to stay after and assist him in the setting aparts, since Elder Whiting was not there. It was a sweet experience for Crismon, as it brought his service to a close. I can witness that Crismon truly served with ALL his heart, might, mind and strength. We loved this choice opportunity, and we saw the Lord’s many tender mercies and blessings in our lives.

I flew to Utah on March 9th to help Alice-Anne with her baby who at the time was 10 days late. I was excited to get the word while at the airport, that he was born that morning. It was so wonderful to be there when the children saw their little baby brother for the first time that afternoon on Zoom. We were all so surprised when they pulled his cap off and learned he was a redhead! He is definitely my grandchild.

About the time Alice-Anne and Gary were preparing to leave the hospital the next day, a nurse noticed something not right with little Oliver’s breathing. He had already been cleared to come home, but this was a tender mercy to recognize a problem. During the night he had to be moved to the NICU as his oxygen levels were dropping too low. It was a difficult week trying to determine what his problem was and how they would take care of him. Our hearts went out to Alice-Anne & Gary who had to leave the hospital without their precious baby.

Crismon flew in several days earlier than planned, on Saturday, the 13th, to help me. It was wonderful to have him there. Sunday evening, he and Gary were able to give Oliver a blessing. Alice-Anne and I sat out in the hallway of the hospital and we listened over the phone to the blessing. Sadly, I never got to see Oliver while I was there. COVID restrictions have changed many things, and this was one of them. Only the parents in the NICU, and only one parent at a time. The exception was made for the Priesthood Blessing.

After two weeks in the NICU in the hospital in Murray, Oliver was transported to Primary’s Children Hospital as he wasn’t improving. He had to have anesthesia to have an MRI, and a scope put down his throat below the vocal cords. The MRI showed no problems, but sadly, they learned that both vocal cords were paralyzed. One is partially open, but paralyzed. They are observing him over the next week or so to determine if they need to do a tracheotomy or not. They are hoping they can bring him home soon. For sure he will come home with a feeding tube directly into his stomach, and oxygen, or a tracheotomy. We have felt that he is a very special spirit, and our love and prayers go out to him, Alice-Anne and Gary constantly.

We were grateful we could be there to help the Johns during this difficult time. We enjoyed attending Spencer’s first in person band concert one evening. We were fortunate to attend the “Lamb of God Concert movie.” It was spectacular! For those of you in Utah or some areas where it is being played, we encourage you to attend.

Thanks to Zoom we were able to hear Preston and Asher’s excellent violin recital and Bryson and Paxton’s piano recital where they both did very well. It was a treat to have Durelle come by before going to the airport. She and Jasmin brought journals from Great-Grandfather Lewis’. One afternoon Janae and her three younger boys came by. It was great to visit with her. Also, all my siblings and their spouses got together for a dinner at a restaurant in West Jordan. It’s been too long since we’ve done that and we loved the chance to get caught up on their lives.

While in Utah, Julia, Austin and their 2 ½ yer-old, Dallin arrived for a mini reunion with the Doutre family. As Crismon and Danielle were also in Utah at that time, we had a nice “mini-reunion” with them. We were especially happy to see Crismon & Danielle, as it had been almost 2 years since we had seen them.

I appreciated Crismon teaching my SS class virtually. It’s amazing how you can still participate long distance.

We returned home on Tuesday, March 23rd, and then on Thursday we left for Cannon Beach for a 3-day, 2-night stay at the Inn at Haystack Rock, thanks to a Christmas gift from our children. We had a terrific time. It was cold, but the sun was shining most of the time, and we had no rain.

We are grateful for our Heavenly Father’s generous blessings. We seek a miracle for our little Oliver if it could be possible that he will not have to have a tracheotomy. We appreciate many who are praying for him, Alice-Anne and Gary, and their family.