Lodge Installation

On Saturday, Bend Masonic Lodge held its installation. In the morning, the Bethel 11 Daughters prepared a brunch.

After the Installation the youth groups had a Green Christmas Gift Exchange.

Last night we attended the last meeting of the term of Bethel 66 in Tigard. They exemplified the Initiation Ceremony. Jennifer sat in as Marshal for opening and closing, and did First Messenger for Initiation. 

After the meeting, we did a "last walk" for the retiring Honored Queen.

DeMolay Squires

Susan and Bryan continue to try to grow Pilgrim Chapter. Because some of the boys are too young to join DeMolay officially, they’ve been holding Squires meeting. Last night they inducted three more Squires into their ranks.

 

They spend a little time each meeting learning about DeMolay principles and ritual, then work on a craft.

Bryan continues to be active in Boy Scouts. Besides the usual meetings, he has been helping a Cub Scout Den. Last month they did a craft at Home Depot.

Bethel Installation

Today Bethel 11 held our winter Installation. We installed seven girls into office for the Spring Term. Jennifer repeated as HQ. Due to extreme winter weather, there weren't a lot of people at Installation, but we were very grateful for those that came.

After the ceremony, we enjoyed refreshments.

Last Monday night Jennifer returned to Bethel 43. She filled in as Marshal at their Official Visit. The girls performed the Obligation Ceremony for the Grand Guardian.

Bethel Initiation

This afternoon Bethel 11 held a special meeting to initiate a new member. We were hoping to have some help from some other Bethels, but nobody was able to make it, and one of our girls was sick, so with only a half dozen Daughters present, each had to do multiple parts. The girls pulled it off very well, and were happy to welcome our new member.

Last Monday, Jennifer and I attended a meeting of Bethel 43 in Salem. They were supposed to do initiation, but the girl didn't show. We stayed for dessert and visited with the Bethel. It was a lot of fun, and two girls from Bethel 1 in Portland showed up to help too. Jennifer filled in as Senior Princess. Bethel 43 is growing, and has a lot of young girls, but so far no line officers. During the meeting almost all the stations were filled.

Earlier this month Bryan helped one of the scouts in his troop with his Eagle Scout project. They built bunks for a homeless shelter.

Grand Bethel Tea

On Saturday Jennifer and her Bethel attended the Grand Bethel Tea at the Oregon Masonic and Eastern Star home in Forest Grove. At the tea was a drawing to determine this year's Representatives to Bethels in other states. Jennifer was picked to be Rep to California 5 & 6.

The girls then went camping at the beach near Lincoln City.

Last night we went down to Eugene for a Rainbow initiation, performed by the Grand Officers. 

Halloween Party

Today Bend Lodge hosted an Occasional Grand Lodge. The Daughters of Bethel 11 decorated the lodge for Halloween. During the occasion they were introduced by the Grand Master, and held a fundraising lunch that was praised by all in attendance.

Bryan spoke about DeMolay.

Following the Occasional Grand Lodge, the Bethel threw a Halloween themed Purple Party. We had several prospective members for both the Bethel and DeMolay Chapter come and have fun.

MOJD Pageant

On Sunday, we attended the pageant at which the new Miss Oregon Job's Daughter was selected. It was held at the Shrine Center in Wilsonville.

 

Monday night we were at Bethel 10 in Milwaukie for their Official Visit with the Grand Guardian. Jennifer filled in as Senior Princess. After the meeting, we went out for a snack with the new Miss Oregon Job's Daughters.

 

Last night Jennifer helped Bethel 19 in Gresham initiate two new members. She was Fifth Messenger. It was also the Official Visit of the Vice Grand Guardian and Vice Associate Grand Guardian. Daughters from Bethel 4 and 20 were also present to help, almost filling all the offices. Miss Oregon Job's Daughters helped by filling in as 2nd Messenger and Inner Guard.

Following the meeting everyone enjoyed food and fun.

Official Visit

On Sunday, Bethel 11 had a special meeting for the Official Visit of the Grand Guardian and Associate Grand Guardian. Before the meeting, we had a potato bar for lunch. During the meeting we performed the Obligation Ceremony. We were helped by Daughters from Bethels 1 and 17. We were also pleased to welcome the Grand Bethel Honored Queen.

Monday night Jennifer visited Bethel 4 in Portland. They asked her to fill in for their Senior Princess, who was ill.

Tonight the Grand Master made his official visit to Bend Lodge. 

Supreme Visitation & Masons Dinner

Last Saturday night Jennifer attended a ceremony to honor the Supreme Guardian, Associate Supreme Guardian, and Miss International Job's Daughters during their visit to Oregon. Jennifer filled in as Grand Bethel Librarian. She is pictured above with the Supremes and the Oregon Supreme Bethel Officers.

Last night Bend Lodge held a dinner to honor Past Masters and Widows. The Bethel helped serve and clear, and then held a dessert auction fundraiser.

The Daughters were pleased to meet a Past Grand Guardian from Bethel 11.

A Past Grand Master gave a speech about supporting youth, and used Bryan as an example.

Burbank #97

When Miss California Job's Daughters saw we were in Southern California, she invited us for a return visit to her Bethel. Burbank #97 is one of the largest Bethels in California.

On Friday afternoon, we headed north. Before the meeting, we joined them for dinner. Afterwards we visited over a sundae dessert.

  

We then spent a few more days enjoying the parks. We watched the new Pixar parade and rode the revamped Submarine Voyage at Disneyland, which now features Finding Nemo characters. 

At the Grand Californian, work progressed on the new Disney Vacation Club wing. We then headed back to Oregon.

California

A few days ago, we headed down to southern California for a few days at the Disneyland resort. We stopped in Grover Beach on the way to visit with my parents.

This time we stayed at the Disneyland Hotel, and had a great view of Downtown Disney from our room. 

At California Adventure, we checked out the new Midway Mania ride. It's a lot of fun, as you "shoot" at different carnival games on various screens as the ride vehicle progresses.

Malheur Cave Degree

 

This weekend I attended the annual cave degree. This event, held at the Malheur Cave about an hour southwest of Burns, is hosted by the Burns Lodge. 

 

Hundreds of Masons from all around Oregon come to the cave to camp and eat and watch a Master Mason degree. It was great fun and fellowship.

Tonight Bryan’s Boy Scout troop held a Court of Honor. Bryan was presented with several merit badges he had earned.

DLC & Council Installation

As soon as Susan and Jennifer were back from Supreme, Bryan spent a week at DeMolay Leadership Conference. This year it was again held at a 4H camp near Salem. 

On Saturday Bethel 11 had a special meeting to install some of our executive Bethel Guardian Council. Since it was a weekend in the summer, turnout was pretty small, but we got important work done.

After the Bethel Meeting we had a Council meeting, where we talked about updating our budget and standing rules, and upcoming events.

Supreme Session Days 6 & 7

Yesterday Jennifer was installed as a Supreme Bethel officer.

Three other girls from Oregon also were chosen to be Supreme Bethel officers - Chaplain and Reps to Kansas and West Virginia, and one of our Past Grand Guardians was appointed to be Chaplain of the Supreme Guardian Council.

After the Installation, Jennifer visited with her friends from Bethel 14 in Pleasanton, California.

On the last day of Supreme Session, Jennifer visited with the new Supreme Bethel Honored Queen and Miss International and attended the Installation of the Supreme Guardian Council.

 

She then said goodbye to last year's Supreme Guardian and drove to the airport for her flight back to Oregon.

Supreme Session Days 4 & 5

Yesterday Jennifer attended the Royal Luncheon, which is reserved for Past or Current Honored Queens and Princesses.

She then practiced for the formal opening of Supreme Session.

She carried in the Oregon Grand Bethel flag, and our Grand Bethel Honored Queen carried in the Oregon flag.

During the Opening Ceremony, Jennifer was recognized for her fundraising for HIKE.

Today Jennifer attended the Supreme Bethel meeting, and was chosen to be the Representative to Paraiba, a state of Brazil. She then attended an awards luncheon, where she learned she won three firsts in Arts and Crafts. Tonight she cheered on Miss California Job's Daughter in the Miss International pageant.