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.