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.