July 28, 2024

This last week seems like it was forever ago already. Monday was my birthday and I felt very loved and special. My office was decorated and I received flowers, presents, and then the President took us all out for brunch after our Office Mtg. I tried to talk the President out of taking us since he had just taken us on Saturday, but he put the Social Media Sisters on the task. They convinced me they would be very sad if they didn't get to go out so I finally gave in and just enjoyed it. I shared the spotlight with the Bready's since they were going home later in the week so that took some of the pressure off. I heard from family, friends, and many of our beloved missionaries. Elder Jacobsen called me from Montana and that was really fun too!

Later Monday Sister Bready & I went shopping for Spanish Zone Conference since Tuesday was going to be a busy day. On Tuesday we picked up (9) more cars and then tried to get a lot of work done before my sister Diana and her husband Cary came. We were excited for their visit. Diana just retired from nursing and we were honored that the first trip they took was to come up and visit us. We planned a pretty ambitious itinerary but somehow we were able to fit it all in.

They arrived on Tuesday afternoon and we just spent time visiting and showing them our office, apartment, and all around our area. Wednesday they left to go visit my cousin, Tom, in Rockaway so that we could do Spanish Zone Conference. We served Hawaiian Haystacks which is always a hit. At Spanish Zone Conference Sister Phillips gave a talk in Spanish. She doesn't speak Spanish but she has been teaching herself so she could do this. She is amazing!!!

Thursday we took off with Diana & Cary and headed to Silver Falls. On the way we stopped at a Upick berry farm and then at Bauman's Farm and Garden store. We had fun picking our own boysenberries and raspberries and thought it was a real bargain at only $1.00 per pound. We picked 3.5lbs of berries all together which doesn't count what went into our tummy's :). Bauman's had pretty flowers, good corn on the cob, and some great apple cider donuts. Their prices also made us really appreciate the price of our Upick berries! Silver Falls was as pretty as always and we enjoyed both the North & South Falls.

Friday we headed out to the coast to enjoy Lincoln City down to Newport. It was a beutiful, sunny July day at the Oregon coast but Diana couldn't get over how cold it was. Welcome to the Oregon Coast where 60 degrees is the normal temp of the day in the summer! We played at the tide pools, saw seals at Whaler's Cove, took pictures at the Yaquina Head Lighthouse, and ate a yummy late lunch at Mo's in Newport!

Saturday morning we said goodbye to the Bready's. They returned home to Sandy, Utah so that Elder Bready could have back surgery. They will continue to do Mission Medical remotely from Utah while Elder Bready recovers. We are praying for a good surgery and that his recovery goes well.

Saturday morning we also went to the Portland Temple. We love showing off "our" temple and they agreed that our temple is especially pretty! Then Elder Rowan & I headed into the office for a few hours to get some work done while Diana and Cary went to the Evergreen Space Museum. We knew Cary would love the museum and he did! We chilled the rest of the night visiting and playing games until it was time to go see fireworks at the Newberg Old Fashioned Festival. Everyone was tired and not excited to go out again but the fireworks were really good and we were glad we did.

Sunday we went to church and then headed towards Tracey's house for dinner. Along the way we traveled the Old Columbia Hwy and visited the Vista House, Latourell Falls, Wahkeena Falls, Horsetail Falls, and finally Multnomah Falls. They loved it all!! We were sad to see them leave on Monday morning but so glad they came.

On Sunday we found out that the mother of one of our missionaries passed away unexpectantly. She went in for knee surgery, aspirated on the operating table, and later died from the complications. It is heartbreaking and our hearts are with Elder Rawlins. He will go home for the funeral but hopes to come back. So hard to know what to do. Our son Ryan is also having some health challenges and we are praying that they turn out to be completely manageable and he can get the problems taken care of and get back to life. We have faith in our Savior and know that he is in charge. We love you Ryan!