After having been here for six weeks and finding our way around, we are finally beginning to see the details and the beauty surrounding us. Signe often takes walks with the senior sister missionaries, hence the photos you see from your walks. We've also learned that the unusual birds around here are really parrots whose forebears 'flew the coop' from the local aviary and have multiplied unchecked. And much to Gary's delight, jet airliners fly over our apartment much as they did in Springville, except on a lower altitude here -- all beginning a wide circle over our apartment so that they can land at John Wayne Airport south of here.



Monday Gary received an e-mail from the mission president, asking if he had the ability to download the photos of our mission's baptisms to a Power Point format. He successfully came up with a slide show for 12 baptisms, standing alongside those who taught the candidate. Later, a convert of two weeks came to the office to buy the 2006 Toyota Corolla we had for sale. Sadly, her born-again father is kicking her out since she joined the LDS church, so she had to get her own transportation. On Thursday Elder Budge and Gary prepared it for sale. Todaywe felt the healing touch of our substitute chiropractor, Dr. Noh, who is Korean. (Dr. Francis is on vacation all week.) He was different but just as effective in his own way.



Thursday Gary learned from President Watrous that Elder Koerper would no longer be my trainer in Housing administration, but Gary will still have Elder Lee (Korean) and Elder Wong (Chinese) to show me the ropes as Housing coordinator.



After a long day on Friday we drove to the Orange circle to have dinner after Cafe Lucca with our oldest granddaughter Keely and her roommates McKenna and Tiffany. They are in town to lease an apartment in Irvine, where their Utah company is relocating on August 27. We had a wonderful time together, and we are very happy that we will have a member of the family living near us -- right within the mission boundaries!



Saturday we explored the northern part of our mission boundaries: Placentia, Fullerton, Brea, La Habra, and Anaheim. We decided to do our shopping closer to Santa Ana.



Sunday morning our youngest son Tim stopped by to say hello, after spending some fun-filled days in San Diego. We had a good visit, and Signe sent him on his way with a full stomach! (Well, maybe not full, after all he's 6 foot 4.) Gary was asked to accompany the singing in priesthood and also taught the High Priests lesson on missionary work. Later, in stake choir rehearsal, Signe accompanied the choir with her violin on both numbers. We feel very welcome in this ward.