This seemed to be a week for stake presidents -- and no photos (sorry!). First of all, we had our usual chiropractic treatments from Dr. Art Francis, president of the Anaheim East Stake. He has become a true friend and has helped us feel so much better.

Then on Saturday we were involved with the Newport Beach Temple tours once again. We had 70 English-speaking in the congregation, and 40 Spanish-speaking. And for the first time I had to set up the video projector in the chapel -- and operate it! And of course Signe and I directed and played hymn 300 again. It is always fun to play and direct in the Spanish session, not understanding much ourselves but enjoying the spirit of these Spanish-speaking families. The Newport Beach Stake president, Weatherford Clayton, not only spoke in the English session, he led one of the tours of the temple grounds. An obstetrician, he has delivered 6000 babies! He and Gary had a nice chat afterwards. He is happy to have us at the mission. Then Gary assisted him and President Day in administering to President Skaggs, who has not been feeling well. We were delighted at the end of the meetings to learn that our mission has 268 investigators committed to baptism within the next three months! Incredible!

Sunday morning was stake conference for the Orange Stake. The talks and the music were very inspiring. Not only did the well-trained organist play exceedingly well, Gary was thrilled that his postlude was a piece he had always enjoyed by J. S. Bach. The intermediate hymn was "A Mighty Fortress is Our God," with everyone in stake center standing. But the highlight of the music was the stake choir's singing of "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need" and "Beautiful Savior," both of them accompanied by organ, piano, and Signe on her violin. At the end of the second number there was hardly a dry eye in the chapel, including our own eyes.

The members of the stake presidency gave wonderful talks. The first counselor spoke about how spiritual growth can be characterized by your insides becoming greater than your outside. And that we can enhance our capacity for joy through our faith and hope. Our stake president, Kenneth Goodman, is A. Harold Goodman's cousin, who was Signe's music advisor when she was at BYU. He spoke about the six spirits we should have: the Holy Spirit, a Pioneer Spirit, a missionary Spirit, a Zion Spirit, the Spirit of Elijah, and the Spirit of Consecration. What was really wonderful about his message, however, was that he delivered it with "all the feelings of a tender parent." While we miss our stake in Utah, the Orange Stake has done a wonderful job in making us feel at home. I might add that there were 13 missionaries, most of them elders, in the congregation.

The president of the Newport Beach Temple also spoke. He related that the temple has seen 247,000 ordinances performed since January 1. That is unbelievable for a small temple! We feel blessed to be among these California saints and their faithfulness.