The things I love about beautiful Oregon

I recently decided to make a list of all the things I like about living in Oregon. I have lived in Utah my whole life and I was very nervous I couldn't love any other place in the world. Although I do miss Utah more than I can express (mostly the people) there are many good things about Oregon. Here is the beginning of the list:

• Fall is lasting so long (the colors are amazingly vibrant!)
• It is BEAUTIFUL
• The beach is just an hour away
• You pay no taxes when you purchase stuff (how cool is that?!?!?)
• You drive two minutes and you are in scenic, peaceful country
• We have missionaries over for dinner (in our home!!)
• The bulk section at WinCo has every type of food you can imagine
  
• Goodwill is the best (kind of like DI)
• Missionary opportunities are all around
• Gas is cheap ($2.37 last time I checked)
• My skin is soft (that one is for you Kaitlin N.)
• We have a great ward
  
• The people are so nice
• Most of all, Andrew is with me!!
• I love Oregon!!
  

Days like this make life worth living . . .

This last Saturday was the culmination of a great experience for us. Shortly after moving to Oregon we made friends with Alwyn Hites-Clabaugh. I met him in Sunday School and it turned out that it was his first time at church in Forest Grove. He had been introduced to the Church briefly in Alaska where he had been working for the summer and had made some good friends, so he decided when he came home he would check out the ward in Oregon. Alwyn came to all but one session of General Conference with us and was really blown away by the power of the prophets' words. As is often the case with most of us, his questions were answered by the words of living apostles and he was left almost speechless. Alwyn was taught by two wonderful sister missionaries in our home, Sister Thompson and Sister Marsh.

During this process Alwyn decided he would be moving to Colorado to work the ski season and would be leaving the beginning of November. We were sad we probably wouldn't get to see his baptism, but were excited about his growth and that he would have member friends in Colorado with him. The Sunday before he left we had a regional conference with messages from President Uchtdorf, Elder Perry and others. Alwyn was very moved by this conference as well and mentioned to the sisters that he wished there was some way he could finish all the lessons before he left that coming Saturday . . . so we had lessons at our house almost every day last week! I baptized Alwyn Saturday morning and he was confirmed by Bro. Matiaco, the father of some of Alwyn's old friends. The Spirit at the baptism was powerful. Alwyn takes very seriously the covenants he has made. He is full of love and has a great desire to be pure and righteous. It has been an inspiration to be around him and be taught by his example. He left to drive to Colorado immediately after the baptism, but we look forward to when he comes home to Forest Grove to visit.