Russell's Farewell

There should be pictures to go along with this because I got a few good ones. But even doing this with Firefox is not helping with my computer problem. For some unknown reason, I cannot get pictures into any programs, except email.
But enough of that.
We flew to Portland Saturday afternoon (thanks, Barb, for great chauffeuring). Got into PDX almost the same time Julia did, coming from California. Julie met all three of us and took us to Vancouver. Ben and Jax had arrived the day before so all of Julie's and Tom's family were there, except Chris, slaving away back in California.

Saturday evening we had an absolutely stunning view of the full moon almost directly over Mt. Hood. For us Oregonians it was enough to make you misty eyed. What a moment.

Saturday night we all went to a Filipino Restaurant in Portland which Tom and Julie had been to before. One of the entrees was so delicious I was about ready to re-up for a mission if they would promise to send me to the Philippines and let me teach "English as a second language."

The man who was running the place was from the town where Russell is going. They got to talking and the man wrote a "letter of introduction" to his sister (or someone) who still lived there. We told Russell he was off to a great start --- had a contact before he even left home.

Sunday the eight of us went to sacrament meeting. Russell gave an outstanding talk on the importance of gaining a personal testimony and ways we can do so. The high council speaker who was on the program with Russell told him to take all the time he wanted and Russell did.
His talk was extremely well organized and filled with scripture and personal experiences.

The high councilor had also served a mission in the Philippines and had some good advice for Russell. He said the people on the islands are very friendly and fond of giving the elders nick names. He said they would probably call Russell "Elder Giant."

After the block we had a great dinner at Julie's and Tom's, after which Ben and Jax had to return to Seattle and their jobs. It was good to see them.

Julia returned to California on Monday but not before she and I made a pact, which Julie quickly wanted to join, so we let her. (We're basically very friendly people.) Watch this blog for more details. Anyone wanting to join us in our plan, once you know what it is, is welcome to join. We promise you it will be well worth your time.

Monday evening Tom, Julie, Russell, Grandma and Grandpa went to a Canton Chinese restaurant in Vancouver which we had been to before. All you can eat of the widest and most delicious selections you can imagine. Truly fantastic. I went back for thirds.

Tuesday we did a bit of shopping at the Lloyd Center in Portland. We hadn't been there for years, and it has really been updated. Comfortable seating areas almost every thirty or forty feet. I bought a Clarity cordless phone/answering machine, which is supposed to be a great help for those of us poor souls living with hearing aids. The clerk told me the price ($89.97) and I said to her "You just made the most beautiful statement I've heard in almost two years." She had no idea what I meant, so I explained: "You just said $89.97. You didn't say $89.97 PLUS TAX."

That evening (6:00 p.m.) Julie drove us to the airport. We are convinced Tuesday evenings are the absolute best time to fly. No lines; plane was about 2/3rds full. SLC airport practically deserted at 8:45 p.m. when we arrived. Joe had been waiting in a "free parking" area; we made a call to his cell phone and he picked us up five minutes later. We're convinced Joe knows his way around the valley better than any of the taxi drivers we have taken. We were at our condo ramp in record time. Thanks so much, Joe. And to top it all off, he brought us a jar of jam Emma made. (That's what he told us and we believe him.)

Today has been a day of rest --except for my being "irked and peeved" at my computer and its inability to put pictures on my blog or anywhere else.

Stay tuned.