Christmas Day of baptisms & roasted pig, Tongan style

Who said we didn't have any children here in California for Christmas? Only 150 Elders and Sisters between the ages of 19 and 23 who were also away from home! Accordingly, President and Sister Watrous arranged 'a little Christmas' on Christmas Eve day for everyone. It actually began the evening before, as all of us office staff gathered at the Mission Home to assemble 150 sack lunches: ham and cheese sandwiches, oranges, chips, drinks and napkins. They also all received home-made Orange boxes containing home-made heart ornaments with "California Anaheim Mission" imprinted on them, plus a Christmas card with gingerbread shepherd's crook.
President Watrous also asked Signe and me to be on the program with him, so Gary sang the first two verses of "Silent Night" while Signe played a violin obbligato. Then the missionaries joined us on the third verse. This we did in four separate zone meetings throughout the mission: in Placentia, Anaheim, Santa Ana and Newport Beach. We both felt honored to participate in this manner.

Christmas morning we senior missionaries put on a Christmas breakfast for the four sister missionaries who also live in Portofino. They really appreciated it and serenaded us with "Silent Night" in parts.

At 3 in the afternoon we all attended a baptism in the Anaheim Stake Center, along with president and Sister Watrous. Tongan 11-year old twins (Kaolo and Filipo) were baptized, after havng been taught by the sister missionaries. We understood very little of the service, although we sang the Tongan hymns with gusto, pronouncing every vowel (as in Hawaiian). The baptism over, we were fairly dragged, almost against our own will, into the cultural hall where we were seated at the place of honor to participate in a Tongan feast and dance. The food was more than plentiful, and included several roasted pigs throughout the hall, including this one, where we had to extract the meat with our fingers! (Octopus, taro root, corned beef and shrimp were also in abundance.)

Then we escaped to the Mission Home down the street for dessert (from our earlier formal Christmas dinner) and for our "White Elephant" gift exchange. With us most of the evening was Sister Bobi Rush, who is a self-appointed missionary to the Persian people, which number about 30,000 people in Irvine. (Later she stopped by the office so that Gary could give her some copies of the Book of Mormon in Persian and Arabic, as well as some pamphlets.) The Christmas tree below was entirely decorated by the missionaries: all white, home-made ornaments, from cut-out stars to a well-made sheep made of a white sock and stuffing.
Although we missed our family this Christmas, it was made up for by 156 wonderful missionaries, office staff and president and his wife. We were also more involved in activities this Christmas than we ever have had. And although there was no snow, we made up for it with a weekend of baptisms, including a Hispanic one in Santa Ana we attended Sunday night, singing the hymns in Spanish this time!

Happy New Year, everyone!

Christmas Lights and Carols

Standing next to a Model A Ford with Santa inside, you would never guess that an hour earlier Gary had experienced one of the more triumphant moments of his life. Friday night we

went with the other four senior missionaries to our Orange Third ward Christmas party. We had no more than sat down when Peggy Davis, the organizer of the enter -tainment, came to our table and asked if any of us could fill in as Shepherd in a live nativity scene. Well, Gary stuck his neck out, raised his hand and said that he would, even though he had only heard the piece of music once. So after practicing the number with the accompanist four times, he gathered on stage with the rest of 'almost-authentically-dressed' scene to sing "You Were Not There in Bethlehem" from Michael McLean's "The Forgotten Carols." For having just learned the piece tonight, he turned out to be one of the best singers and wowed the ward members! (Peggy was effusive with praise that he would volunteer for such a task.) After doing so well, Gary felt a confidence in his faith since he had prayed for divine assistance -- and received it! Gary also felt honored to share the stage with two young girls whose voices were perfectly angelic and near professional: Maddy and Katie Davis, originally from Springville.

After Gary's performance and the finishing of his Christmas dinner and dessert, we all left to go see some Christmas lights, including the one below in Orange. Full of thousands of lights, animations, a train, and a host and hostess Santa Claus and wife handing out candy canes and wishing Merry Christmas, this was easily the most spectacular home Christmas decorations we have ever seen!

Our days of the week were filled to the brim with duties too numerous to mention. Saturday was our 22nd anniversary, so we drove to the hills of east Orange and ended up having our anniversary dinner at Marie Callendar's, served by an LDS girl, whom we saw in church the next day! Earlier we did the riverwalk along the Santa Ana River -- 80 degrees!

We should also mention that Thursday night Gary auditioned for a tenor spot in the Orange County Mormon Chorus and Orchestra. Everything went well, including a comment of "very nice" from the composer of the new oratorio "Messiah in America" after Gary sang the high tenor line of "Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercies." (Gary will find out by the end of the year whether he made it into the choir.)

Finally, Signe accompanied the ward choir in two numbers of our Christmas program: "Away in a Manger" and "Silent Night." It was awesome! Then we attended a baptism in Anaheim Hills two hours later -- the same building where Signe's niece Michelle West attends church. We both feel that we have participated more in Christmas celebrations this year than at any time in our lives: and we feel very blessed and humbled by it.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU!

Crystal Cathedral and Jon's Visit

To continue our full Christmas season away from our family: Signe's brother Jon and his wife arrived at our apartment at 3:30 on Saturday. Because of the rain we decided to visit the South Coast Plaza, one of the largest malls in the world. It was the most Holiday decorated mall we have ever been in and was a mall-walkers delight! The huge tree depicted below was one of many throughout the mall, which also featured live choirs and Santa's train for children. We felt like we were in one of the many Christmas movies which show beautiful malls.

Jon and Tracy drove down from their home in Bel Air. Jon is in the solar power business, while Tracy is a singer who goes on tours. (Check out on of her songs on YouTube Tracy Lyons.) We had a wonderful time, finishing the evening in the Rainforest Cafe, which was not one of the quietest places you would ever want to eat in, but the food was good.

Thursday night we had tickets to the Glory of Christmas pageant in the fabulous Crystal Cathedral just ten minutes away from us. It was a full-sized Christmas story from Luke, with live animals, including a donkey and three camels. It was a spectacular (if loud) production, with as many as seven angels 'flying' around, either announcing the child to Mary or singing praises at the birth in Bethlehem.

Dancing was also plentiful, and several local opera stars and actors played the parts. The pageant plays twice daily from December 3 to January 3. The cathedral's tower, can be seen as far away as Orange where our ward is located. Pictured below is the cathedral's immense organ. The whole place is an architectural wonder.

The missionaries continue to have great success. It's been a busy week in the office, and the many Christmas packages from parents have begun to fill the office space, waiting for the zone leaders to distribute them. Gary received the happy message from Elmore Toyota Friday afternoon that four new 2010 Corollas were awaiting us at the dealership. Now we won't have so many elders on bikes!

Finally, we can't leave without telling you about our spending 20 minutes in the hot-tub Friday night -- in the rain! It was fun and especially relaxing after another very busy week.

A Walk and a Christmas Celebration

Sunday night was the Orange Stake's 18th annual Community Christmas Celebration in our stake center's cultural hall. The focus was on 413 nativity scenes from all over the world -- from all kinds of media, including old CDs, metal and Legos, from very simple to very ornate -- and expensive. Friday night we were part of the security team to protect a few tables from wandering hands and to answer questions. It was estimated that over half of the people coming to these three nights were not LDS.

Then on Sunday night we both performed in the best stake choir we've ever sung in (or heard), where we put on a full hour's concert of Christmas music, accompanied by organ, piano, harp, saw!!, two young but very talented girls singing, and by Signe on her violin (Beautiful Savior and Silent Night). It was an evening to remember.
Sunday morning we went on an hour-long walk down the dry Santa Ana River bed foot and bike trail, adjoining the Riverview Golf Course. The intoxicating fragrances from the eucalyptus trees and Bougainvillea flowers were with us most of the way, wanting us to repeat the walk as soon as we can.

What a feeling of well-being, as you can tell by this shot of Gary.

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Last week Signe played in the most gorgeous concert hall of her life: the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa. (Google it on the Web for some photos.) It was an absolutely thrilling performance in every way. With their model the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square, the Orange County Mormon Chorus and Orchestra sang and played almost as well -- and with a wonderful addition: several choirs from 4 through 18 years old, all of these performers taught by the Stewart brothers, Brett and Brandon. March 31 the chorus and orchestra are performing here the premiere performance of MESSIAH IN AMERICA, composed by Brett Stewart, who is shaping up to be the next Mac Wilberg of the Church. Gary is so thrilled and enamored of all of this that he will audition for the chorus on December 17. One of the most remarkable things about this Christmas concert, however, was that the two brothers bore testimony of the Book of Mormon and of the divinity of the Savior to this audience of many non-LDS people.

There had been two performances, the earliest art 5:30. While Gary was waiting at home to take Sister Skinner and Sister Healey to the 8 p.m. performance, our daughter Judith called to tell us that James Wiley Everett had been born that afternoon at 3:19, adding yet another grandchild to the family. When an exhausted, but very satisfied Signe finished her two performances, she was elated to receive the great news from Gary.

Watson Drugstore on Orange Square has been there since 1899 -- and the inside of it is like a trip to the past. We ate their Friday night on the way to the Christmas Celebration. As we went to the cash register to pay the bill, the proprietor asked to see the check. As he was doing so I fished out my credit card. To our amazement, he then said that our meal was his treat! He must have seen our name tags, but he was so busy we didn't have a chance to ask what ward he was from! (Maybe next time!)

Much to be Thankful for

Thanskgiving Day, 2009! Here we are, altogether as office staff at the President's home on this special day. (At the end of the table is a special couple the Watrouses befriended last year. President Watrous is the one standing.) We needed this day of relaxation, after working so hard.
Thanksgiving Day actually began with us spending a couple of hours at the office. All week we have come into the office at 7, leaving at 5. (In order to catch up, we even went to the office on Saturday, and Gary went Sunday morning to the office to clear up an accident between two elders and a 16-year old boy on a bike.)

So after a couple of hours in the office on T-day, we drove to Anaheim Hills, on the easternmost side of the mission, to the home of Signe's niece Michelle West. She and her husband, three boys, Michelle's sister Jenny and her parents Don and Carol Peterson, as well as a friend and her three children, were all guests at their wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. We ate our full and had a wonderful conversation to boot! Michelle's husband Scott works for Dreyer's ice cream, so he had all kinds of information about Signe's favorite ice cream, Haagen Dasz.

Sunday was our ward's missionary Sunday. Signe was off the hook, as far as speaking or singing were concerned, but Gary had been asked to sing a duet with our ward mission leader, Gordon Jensen. It so happens that their voices were remarkably similar, and many ward members complimented them. If you are familiar with "Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercies," you will know that for Gary to sing the high tenor part is unusual, since he normally sings low bass. But he felt comfortable with it. (Maybe it's the sea level altitude.)

Eighteen New Missionaries

Our new senior couple, Elder and Sister Monney, are standing in front of the 'baptism board,' with photos of over 300 baptisms that have taken place this year -- already 25% more than the mission had last year. Sunday night we took the Monney's to a baptism in the Placentia First ward, where Lorena Flores was baptized. It was an amazing service, with an opening prayer by an ex-Catholic and testimonies by an ex-Muslim and an ex-Buddhist. Bishop Rooney then told us that his ward was very diverse: 15 cultures are represented, with 30 languages (including missionaries who had gone out from this ward).

The Monney's have come at an interesting time. Their first day in the office was transfer day, with many missionaries coming in and out of the office, switching their area cellphones and cars, picking up supplies, etc. It was a noisy whirlwind of activity. It settled down in the evening with a dinner at the Watrouses for the two departing sister missionaries: one who was going home to Australia and the other to Minnesota.
Then on Tuesday we had orientation for 18 new missionaries, including one who is related to Edwin Benson, and another who is a friend of Gary's former student from BYU and living back east. They were a happy bunch of missionaries, all eager and willing to get to work.
Thursday night we were invited by President Skaggs of the mission presidency to provide the music for a missionary training meeting in our stake center. So Signe led the music while Gary played the piano. It was a wonderful meeting, including some training about what to do in case of an earthquake (which are quite frequent down here).
Saturday morning we played catch-up in the office, after doing laundry. Then we picked up the Monney's so that they could see what the Newport Beach Temple tours were like and could take care of this wonderful experience every other month next year. We had 65 English-speaking and 45 Spanish-speaking people show up. There was nothing left of the 26 dozen cookies we had purchased for the afternoon. By 6 we had cleaned up, and then we took the Monney's to Costco in Tustin and Sam's Club in Irvine so that we could buy some food. In between these two places we ate a light dinner at a Whole Foods store, each of us choosing exactly what we wanted to eat.
And so, another week has passed us by all too quickly!

Six Springvillites

Saturday was a very full day -- after we finished our laundry. Our new senior missionary couple had arrived Friday night, and we volunteered to show them the Newport Beach Temple. So Elder and Sister Monney, along with their son (Kat's former bishop) and daughter, followed us down to the temple, where they enjoyed the wonderful setting of the temple, the temple itself, and the many wonderful flowers in bloom (in November!). In the afternoon we washed our car, with Gary doing the exterior, while Signe sat inside scrubbing. When evening came the four Monney's then followed us to the Mission Home so that President and Sister Watrous could welcome his dear friends to this mission.

Another reason for the visit was quite a remarkable one. We believe this mission has accomplished something unprecedented in the church: the mission president, his wife, and both office couples are all from the Spring Creek South Stake in Springville! President Hall insisted on having this photo taken so that members of his stake would be encouraged to go on missions themselves. After the photo and some wonderful conversation, we retired to the back yard to a wonderful avocado tree, where we unburdened the tree of many avocados for the young Monney's to take home to their families in Utah.

Thursday and Friday of this week we had a mission conference led by a general authority, Elder Foster, who had previously served as mission president in the Arcadia Mission. Signe reports that his remarks were inspiring, while Gary was in the parking lot (both days) inspecting 56 vehicles for cleanliness, damage, and checking tires for air pressure and tread depth, assisted by Elder Gibson and two young elders.

Thursday night was Signe's Orange County Mormon Orchestra and Choir rehearsal in the stake center near the coast on Dover Ave. Gary was not bored, for he sat on the stand facing the cultural center while this excellent choir and orchestra (Orange County's version of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir) rehearsed for their December 2 concert. Gary also took this photo of the mosaic at the entrance to the church, depicting Nephi's dream of the Tree of Life.

Finally, Friday night Gary attended the annual Garden Grove stake's Veteran's Day celebration, whose main speaker was his friend and colleague from BYU, Don Norton, who has recorded interviews with hundreds of war veterans. Gary was happy to be there to hear Don, as well as to memorialize his Dad's and Uncle's contributions in helping our nation remain free. Meanwhile, Signe was home listening (and watching) many members of the family on a surprise visit via SKYPE.

Saying goodbye

The Budges are saying their final 'goodbyes' in the parking lot of the mission office. We will both miss them very much for their friendship, their training, their sense of humor and their stories. We heard today (Monday) that as soon as they got home to Troutdale, Oregon, Elder Budge headed for his garden -- in the pouring rain!

Today was the first day we tried to run the office with no help from either of them. But we seemed to do fine, thanks to the training we received. Last night during choir rehearsal Gary's phone rang: it was a Korean elder and his Tongan companion involved in a three-car accident in Fullerton. Gary had to take care of the procedures last night and this morning: inspecting the damage, having the elders fill out a full accident report, and phoning the insurance company.

Tonight we had dinner with Gary's brother Mike, his wife Ginny, and their daughter Caroline, who is dietetics manager at the Children's Hospital of Orange County. We had a wonderful time together.

Friday night was a very unique experience: something different on our job descriptions. We waited tables for the nine stake presidents (and their wives) of our mission area. Our Mission President and his wife had invited them all for dinner tonight. It was a heady experience knowing that we were around that much church leadership in one room! Fortunately, we had already met four of the stake presidents. They were all very appreciative of our efforts to serve them a restaurant-quality dinner. And Gary didn't even spill any water on anyone, although the end of his tie found its way into the water pitcher once!

The spiritual experiences never quit. Yesterday in Gospel Principles class we taught this fine Iranian gentleman. At the end of the lesson the ward mission leaders asked us all to give our testimonies about Heavenly Father's love. After we had finished, this gentleman said that he wanted to bear his testimony, too. And he did! He's gone to churches in twenty different countries, but he knows the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that this church teaches the truth.

Farewell to Budges!

Yes, we will miss Elder Ron Budge and Sister Rosalind Budge very much! But their 18 months is now at an end. They have taught us well, but

now it is our turn to work in this little kingdom of dedicated saints called missionaries! And missionary work is still the most important thing. This morning we began our first day without the Budges. And what should happen a short time later? An Hispanic student came into mission office wanting to know more about our church. Coincidentally, one of our Samoan elders (with impeccable Spanish) sat outside my office and taught this young man for one hour. Gary only understood the language of the spirit!

Sunday was no less a miracle. For the first time on our mission we had to go into the office on Saturday -- for only 30 minutes. During that short time a man with a foreign accent called the mission office, asking Signe for the closest LDS ward to him. It so happened to be our Orange Third ward, where we happened to see him in all three meetings Sunday afternoon. The man is an Iranian, knows the Book of Mormon is true, and wants to be baptized! So this morning Gary gave the elders a copy of the Book of Mormon and a Joseph Smith pamphlet in Persian.

Friday we had a some entertainment, for a change. Our new friends in the ward, Carl and Kathy Brague, took us to Lawry's Carvery in the South Coast Mall for dinner and then to a performance of Steve Martin (and his banjo) with the Deep Canyon Rangers bluegrass band. It was a very funny night with one of America's best comedian-actors as well as the incredible musicanship and talent of the band, especially of the fiddle player, who was better than Signe had ever heard before. Beautiful Segerstrom Hall was full to the brim -- with laughter and awe. Watch for Steve Martin and this group tour the country these next few months. Steve's CD "The Crow" has even won some awards -- he's quite a composer, too.

And speaking of music: Thursday night was Signe's rehearsal with the Orange County Mormon Chorus and Orchestra at the Newport Beach Stake Center. Sunday night Gary rehearsed with the Orange Stake choir to prepare for the 18th annual nativity scene Christmas program, which lasts three days.

The day-to-day tasks continue to surprise us. We were just leaving for lunch today (Monday) when our Korean sister missionary called (in tears) to tell us she had been in an accident with another car this morning. Once she came into the office to fill out the accident report and show the damage to Gary, it took all of us to comfort her, including our Korean office elder, who was at least able to speak to her in her fluent Korean language.

We apologize for being late with this week's blog: it has been an extremely busy weekend. The best will be first. Two months ago Signe and I were invited to give the Garden Grove Stake Family Fireside last night. It was a truly wonderful occasion which was the highpoint of our mission to this point. The Spirit was very clearly with us in our performing and speaking. First on the program, however, was a Primary choir made up of some of the Vietnamese, Hispanic, Tongan, Samoan and Hispanic children of the stake. Their singing set the tone of the entire meeting. Signe played her signature piece, Massenet's "Meditation from Thais" -- after she related her own conversion story. (This morning, Signe received an email from President Watrous, "Thanks once again for the beautiful fireside last night. You brought such a beautiful, refined Spirit into the chapel. I will never forget your testimony and violin talent. What a treat to be seated so close on the stand.We are so blessed to work together with you and Elder Gillum.") Then Gary spoke for an hour about his conversion and about Hugh Nibley. In Signe's opinion, it was the finest talk he's ever given, and the Polynesians, especially, were in rapt attention throughout. Many people came up to him and thanked him and asked questions afterwards. (The photo above shows us with the three members of the stake presidency, including Pres. Hicken next to me, who extended the invitation for Gary to speak.) Here are the comments Gary received from President Watrous: "Dear Elder Gillum, The fireside that you and Sister Gillum gave to the Garden Grove Stake was absolutely terrific. Thank you so much for sharing your talents and stories with us. What wonderful insights you gave. Your testimonies shone through brightly. I would love to have the series of quotations you gave near the end of your presentation, beginning with the two from Elder Maxwell. You are both having a powerful impact upon this mission. Thank you very much."
Below is Signe with her accompanist Beth Lilywhite -- one of the most sensitive accompanists she's ever had, who came all the way to Garden Grove from Orange to accompany Signe. It was both an exhausting but very rewarding evening for us both.




Thursday night was our Senior Missionary dinner at the Claim Jumper Restaurant in Costa Mesa. This would be the last time we would have dinner with Brother and Sister Budge, who will be leaving next week. (They are the last two on the right.) The food was great (and too much of it).



Friday afternoon all of the office staff, plus President and Sister Watrous, met outside of the Mission Office for a last photo with the Budge's. The temperature was in the mid-80s.

Finally, Saturday was a busy day as well. After doing laundry we went down to the Newport Beach Stake Center to prepare for the temple grounds tours. We had nearly 150 there in both sessions, and we came close to not having enough cookies for refreshments! Both our bishop and stake president from Orange conducted tours and were very moved by the experience. And as usual, the office elders were very helpful in helping Gary set up the video projector and other equipment. Later, we drove to Irvine to meet Keely and her roomates McKenna and Tiffany for dinner at the Swaad Indian Restaurant, where we all had tasty meals. It was nice to be with these three good young people. Keely had been to the temple, the beach and the temple all in turn today. Being with her grandma and grandpa tonight was the capstone of her perfect day. (And ours, too!)

Visit from Joneses

Last Monday Gary's oldest daughter Adina, her daughter Brittany, and friends Suzette and Lindsay arrived in Santa Ana and stayed in our spare room, leaving on a cruise this next morning from Long Beach. It was really good to see them and visit with them. They were gone until Friday. Thursday morning Adina's husband Matt arrived with Damon from LA International airport, picked up the van from where we left it at the mission office, and headed for Legoland. Later, Kyra joined them, having come down to Orange County with friends. Friday everyone was together again, and saw them briefly at noon before they headed south to San Diego and Carlsbad. Six of them stayed in our spare room and living room Friday and Saturday night. Saturday morning they all drove up to Six Flags Magic Mountain and arrived home late that night. Sunday morning they left for Utah just after we left for ward council meeting in our ward. So it's been a wonderful but busy week with them.

What else made it busy was three days of Zone Conferences for the six zones of 65 companionships we have. Gary was asked to talk about vehicle safety, specifically about being careful both on the freeways and other places where little traffic sometimes makes us not as alert. He told the elders and sisters that they all have a co-driver with them (the Holy Ghost), besides their companion, and how he was warned of accidents ahead of time by the Spirit -- twice. He gave his own example of almost being killed when a drunk driver hit him in 1963 while on his way back to college, and how the resulting back and head pains since then has constantly reminded him to be careful while driving. Hence, no traffic tickets in his 45 years of driving.

Last Sunday we attended a baptism in the Newport Beach Stake Center (next to the temple). There in the Singles Ward a young man by the name of Heraclio was baptized and showed much enthusiasm for this ordinance. Many of his friends were in attendance, and the elders were very pleased with the progress of this young man.

Also last Sunday we discovered that our Gospel Doctrine teacher, Chris Freeman, is part Hopi indian, part Chinese and part Causasian. His great grandmother was a Hopi who joined the church. If former prophet Wilford Woodruff is correct about saying that the Hopi Indians are a remnant of the Nephites, then here is a tribe which is surrounded by Lamanities (Navajos).

Yesterday was a very long Sunday because of our having to drive to our Orange chapel three times: once for ward council, the second time for sacrament meeting and the other meetings, and the third time (for Gary) to priesthood meeting in the evening. the Primary program in sacrament meeting was one of the best we've ever heard, and Gary taught the High Priest's group today, all about Joseph Smith being blessed to usher in the last dispensation and the restoration of all things. It was a lively discussion. Then in the evening he conducted the music in priesthood, along with a fine male organist (a rarity). A very fine quartet of men sang the music number, "Have I Done Any Good in the World Today?" They were as good as any barbershop quartet he has ever heard.

Finally, we are glad that Gary's son Grant has joined the ranks of family members who are communicating with us via SKYPE. It is always a real joy to hear and see our children and grandchildren. It is such a wonderful new technology.

One of the most exotic flowers in the world is found in profusion in Orange county -- and is right now in bloom. It is called the Bird of Paradise. (It almost looks like a bird.)This one is just a few feet from our apartment door.

Our mission continues to be one challenge after another. This week we had two major ones, with 14 elders and 1 sister arriving from the Missionary Training Center in Provo on Tuesday. There's nothing like greeting these brand-new missionaries who are arriving here for a two-year stay and knowing that we have a stewardship for their welfare while they're here. Then on Friday we were remotely trained from Salt Lake on how to use the Internet Mission Office System, which will integrate more fully many of our tasks and make it much easier to keep track of missionaries, their districts, etc. This will entail a learning curve for all of us to overcome, but then the Lord will help us to be equal to the task.

California has done it again! Tuesday we received a letter from the Church's attorney's Kirtin, McConkie and McConkie, informing us that we had to register our cars in California! We were told when we arrived that we only needed to keep our cars registered in our home states, because we wouldn't be residents. Now we are told that our cars have to be registered, in spite of our not being residents. So, we spent the morning on Thursday and $447 getting new license and registration, and surrendering our Utah plates! We fared the best; Budges, who are leaving in just three weeks, had to pay a penalty for the whole time they have been here, plus the cost of the new license. The two sisters spent the entire day getting their cars smog tested and spending over $500 and $600 respectively getting their cars licensed. There was plenty of conversation about California's bankrupt state, not being notified before now (Elder Budge wrote the attorneys to that effect), but also counting our blessings that nothing worse happened, like being ticketed for not being properly registered, which would have been very expensive. Needless to say, the experience was a major distraction to our mission responsibilities.

Thursday night we took Elder and Sister Budge with us to the Newport Beach Temple for an endowment session. There we coincidentally ran into our oldest grand-daughter Keely, who was there for the same session. A new friend of Gary's, Nathan Solesbee, was also in the session. He is the owner of Solesbee Autocraft, where the mission takes its damaged cars for repair.

Saturday afternoon Keely and her roommate McKenna came over so that Signe could give McKenna a massage. McKenna was very appreciative for the relief she got for her shoulder. While Signe massaged, Gary had a wonderful chat and update on the family with Keely. Again, it is so good to have her nearby -- our token family member on the mission.

In the evening we had dinner with six other office workers at the sisters' apartment. It very nearly rivaled any Thanksgiving dinner, and afterwards we played three rounds of Mexican Train dominoes.

Sunday in church Signe was invited to play her violin again, Gary was asked to lead the music in stake priesthood meeting next Sunday, we were invited to dinner and a concert by the Bragg's in the ward, and Gary was asked to teach the lesson on Joseph Smith in priesthood next Sunday. So we really feel more and more a part of this ward! Then we attended a baptism in the Newport Beach Stake Center for a young adult man from the South Coast Young Adult Ward, who was quite overcome by his baptism -- thanking all of us for our part and even giving Gary a big embrazo! The elders who taught this young man were incredible!

Despite the many wonderful and inspiring messages given at conference this weekend, we are sure that this will be known as the "Warm Fuzzies" conference! (Michael's, watch out!) In fact, the sisters are going to set up a jar in the mission office for the same purpose. Gary also enjoyed the"Nine Boy Choir" story of Elder Choi, as well as all of the remarks of Elder Uchtdorf. What a man of God! And then there was Elder Holland's strong testimony of the Book of Mormon! We had the senior sisters come over both days to watch with us while we streamed the proceedings over the Internet onto our computer. And in Saturday evening Gary went with Elder Budge to the Garden Grove Stake Center to watch priesthood, where they had four additional rooms wired for sound and translators for the Korean, Vietnamese, Spanish, and Tongan wards and branches.

Friday night the six of us had hoped to go to Downtown Disney to listen to an incredible violinist, Drew Tretick. But we chose the night of the Disney Trick or Treat, one of the busiest nights all year. The traffic was horrendous, and we couldn't get near him. So we settled for watching the special fireworks from the parking garage and visiting with two enthusiastic LDS families who happened to see us there -- both of whom had sons on missions. Disneyland had three separate shows of fireworks, all of them absolutely amazing! It was hard to watch all of them at once, and one launching area was so close to us that we heard the "whoosh" of each rocket as it was launched. This will likely be our last outing with the Budges, who leave November 5.

We have never appreciated our 140 missionaries more than we did this week. They've become like family to us, even more so because of the tsunami in Samoa. One of our elders lost his entire village, but fortunately not his family. A sister who had just gone home from our mission called from Samoa to give us details.

After conference we walked down the street with Sister Skinner to the park on Flower St. The houses are modest but beautiful, and the trees, cacti, jacarandi, and many flowers are in great profusion, even this late in the year. Moreover, this evening was the farthest Gary has walked since his back surgery 2 1/2 years ago. We're grateful that swimming has strengthened him.

And in the morning we prepare to receive 15 new missionaries and help 7 to leave for home! Pray for us and the mission.

Once-in-a-lifetime Concert and a Sweet baptism

The above photo is of Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa, where we were fortunate to hear the world-renowned violinist Midori play with the Pacific Symphony Thursday night, under the direction of Carl St. Clair. It was a stunning performance in every respect and is probably the best concert either of us have ever attended. The Pacific Symphony (88 players) is the largest orchestra formed in the United States in the past 40 years and is only 30 years old. The acoustics of the hall were brilliant -- even the pianissimos were clear as a bell! Midori played the Tchaikovsky violin concerto, which Signe had played years ago as a young student. The program ended with the moving and powerful first symphony by Johannes Brahms.

The evening before we were settling down for the night when Gary's colleague office elder, Elder Budge, called to ask him to come to the office to wait for a tow truck to bring one of our Toyotas in. It seems that the elder from New Zealand had pumped diesel into the car! This will be an expensive repair job. Monday we will have to go to the shop to pick it -- and pay the bill. Earlier in the day Gary was with the Office Elders in Wal-Mart to buy cleaning supplies for four apartments. Down the aisle rolled a middle-aged Black woman in a wheelchair. After exclaiming "Mormon missionaries!" she stopped and asked Gary to pray for her. She reached for his hand and meant "Right now!" So he bowed his head and offered a silent prayer on her behalf. Then she thanked him and rolled on down the aisle. This took Gary by such complete surprise that he realized we must be willing to act with the Spirit on a moment's notice. Who knows what kind of influence this act was on the poor woman, who was obviously in pain.

Friday evening we were about to leave for the dollar movie at the Picture Show when Jed called. Our trucker son had parked his big rig outside of the mission, so he was picked up by our granddaughter Keely and brought to Santa Ana, where we enjoyed the evening at Chili Pepper, our favorite Mexican restaurant. Then they came over to our apartment to hang out for awhile. It gives us a real boost to our morale to see members of our family occasionally.

Saturday morning Signe rehearsed for the first time with the Orange County Mormon Orchestra in a stake center near the Pacific coast. She plays well enough that she was asked to be stand partner with the concertmaster. Wonderful Christmas music for a concert with the Choir on December 2. Then she went with the senior sisters for the Relief Society conference of the Church. It was preceded by a luncheon, where each table was decorated differently. Signe's was at a table decorated by an English lady with her tea service. All of the sisters were asked to come to the event dressed up with hats and gloves!

Today we sang "Though Deepening Trials" in sacrament meeting, followed by a wonderful lesson on the Martin Handcart company and the trials we go through. Then at 5 we attended a Spanish-speaking baptism for Diego Gonzalo Perez, the young man you see above with his parents and Elders Osborn and Cruz. We may not have understood most of the words in the service, but we certainly felt the spirit behind the talks that were given. And we sang the Spanish hymns with gusto! This meeting indelibly placed in our hearts the sentiment that indeed these are the days of the Lamanite, with their love for the Savior, the family, and the Book of Mormon. We have always felt comfortable in their midst and look forward to the next opportunity to be with them.

Miraculous conversion story

The highlight of the week was a baptism President Watrous sent us to in Newport Beach. Brother and Sister Hans Weig visited sacrament meeting six weeks ago at the Harbor Hills ward. They fell in love with the church, and here they are all smiles, with their four darling children under the age of 8. Hans will get to baptize them some day. They are such a good family. We talked them both afterwards and asked if we could be invited to their sealing in the temple. This couple is what the Gospel is all about: in many ways.

Last night we went to the temple with nine other members of the ward to do sealings in the Newport Beach Temple. They were all the family names of Brother Redman and his wife. We were able to perform sealings of couples and daughters to parents. Then after Gary served as a witness next to the sealer, he was proxy for about ten sons being sealed to their parents. A most happy evening with the Redmans, our Bishop, and his counselor and his wife. We feel even more the sense of belonging to this ward.

Tuesday Elder Budge and Gary had a little excitement in the office, but they kept quiet about it around the sisters. A young man came to the door asking for a drink of water. Elder Budge asked about him, and the man said he was an escaped prisoner from the drug rehab center. After the man left, somewhat incoherently, Elder Budge called the Santa Ana police and described the man, as only a retired policeman could do. He didn't want any of the many children walking home from school right then to be molested by this 'druggie.' The sisters, including Signe, had no idea this had happened.

Monday Gary received an e-mail from BYU Studies. Just before getting the call to Anaheim, he had been writing a book review of George Weigel's Against the Grain, a book assessing the current status of the Roman Catholic Church, with several matters that squared with Mormonism. Jim Summerhays of BYU Studies was now asking Gary to give a final proof of the review so that it could be published in the next issue. (Gary had thought the review was a lost cause.)

All is well in California Zion. We are amazed at the testimonies of the ward members, those who spoke at the baptism, and the wonderful spirit in the sealing room of the temple. We are indeed blessed!

Ten baptisms and a party

Week 14 began with a holiday -- Labor Day. We used it as a day for shopping, especially for fruit for the famous fruit salad plate Signe would create for the party this evening. Every year President Skaggs (a member of the missionary presidency) has the Mission President and the office staff over for an evening pot-luck party with some of his family. The food was great, and the conversations with Presidents Watrous and Skaggs, and with Elder Budge, we interesting and fun-filled. From right to left are President Skaggs, President Watrous, Sister Watrous, Signe, Gary, Sister Healey, Sister Skinner, Sister Budge and Elder Budge. It was a perfect evening, with perfect weather in their lush backyard.

The rest of the week fairly whizzed by, moreso than some other weeks. President Watrous asked both of us to monitor phone use by the elders, and Gary spent most of the week setting up utilities for new apartments and helping Elder Wong make decisions on which apartments. Gary also spent much of Friday auditing gas receipts on the church's PaymentNet, something he also did while at BYU.
Saturday we were asked to attend a baptism in Costa Mesa: to be with the elders and to take the adjoining photograph. It was one of the most spiritual baptisms we've ever attended. Ellyne Denker was positively beaming when she emerged from the font, and then we witnessed something neither of us had ever seen before. While Ellyne was changing, the congregation was invited to make comments. Two of them were a non-member relative and a non-member friend (wearing a cross). They were very supportive of Ellyne's baptism, since her joining the Church had clearly changed her attitude about many things. Bishop Watkins then welcomed her to the ward and said some loving things that would make even the most calloused non-member interested in our beliefs. A young Elder Reidhead, from Springville, also gave a short talk about the importance of missionary work. A great afternoon in all ways, especially since it added to deeply to our own testimonies of the Gospel!

Sunday was a long day: ward council, the three-hour block, and choir rehearsal. But we remember we are involved in the Lord's work. We've tried to call our 'charge' Jessica, but she hasn't answered her phone. We continue to pray for her.

First week in September

Meet our oldest grandchild Keely and her two roommates Tiffany (left) and McKenna (middle). They had us over for Sunday dinner yesterday, and we hope to get together at least once a month. Finding their apartment in Irvine was yet another experience in exploring Orange County and traveling on these massive freeways, some of which are 16 lanes of traffic -- and still crowded.
The dinner ended a different sort of Fast and Testimony day for us. A new friend named Jessica (40-something years old) met us to go to church for the first time in 13 years. She's had some very upsetting things happen in her life, and we were asked by President Watrous to help her with her faith. Jessica, in fact, wants us to teach her as if she were a non-member investigating the church. (She has German, Polish and French background.) We first met her last Thursday night at our apartment, since that was most comfortable for her. It was an emotional evening, with my giving her a 'father's blessing' at the end. We asked her to consider us family. She's grafeful.

Once again the huge California fires have begun again. The Station Fire in the Angeles National Forest has burned over 90 structures and has forced thousands to evacuate their homes. We can smell and taste the air with its ashes, and many of you in Utah have complained about the smoke from this fire of 267 square miles fouling the air of Utah. When we left the mission office at 5 on Monday, this is what it looked like. It reminded us both of the Mt. Saint Helens volcanic eruption some years ago. The clouds are from the superheated air from the fire. One fire bomber, a World War II vintage Martin Mars, dropped 7500 pounds of retardant to keep the fire from burning Mt. Wilson Observatory and the nearby TV transmitters. (Gary had visited that mountain back in 1960.)

Meanwhile, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were our three zone conferences. (Since we've gotten here they've added another zone to the existing 5.) While the elders and sisters were inside getting all-day instruction from the Mission Presidency and Sister Watrous, Elder Budge and I were out in the hot parking lots all three days checking fluid levels, tires, interiors, and unreported damage for the 53 Toyota Corollas, Chevy Malibus, Mazda 3s, Dodge Caravans, and one Chevy Silverado pick-up the mission owns. Then we had to decide on which three cars (each of the three days) were so clean that they deserved cleanliness awards, what we call the Silver Purpose awards. (Gold Purpose is for missionary work, Silver Purpose is for cleanliness. Top award each day is a metal statue of a Porpoise engraved with the name of the mission.) Being on his feet for so long all three days really bothered Gary's back, so he needs to cut down on this activity in the future. His forte was putting together a Power Point slide show of 38 baptisms from the last transfer. President really appreciated that.

Finally, Saturday was the fourth Newport Beach Temple tours we are in charge of. We had almost 100 people show up for the two sessions, and we had bought the perfect amount of cookies and punch. Gary trained our new office elders, Chandler and Lee, how to set up and run the DVD projector in the chapel. Whew, what a busy week! The work never ends!