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.