Crystal Cathedral and Jon's Visit

To continue our full Christmas season away from our family: Signe's brother Jon and his wife arrived at our apartment at 3:30 on Saturday. Because of the rain we decided to visit the South Coast Plaza, one of the largest malls in the world. It was the most Holiday decorated mall we have ever been in and was a mall-walkers delight! The huge tree depicted below was one of many throughout the mall, which also featured live choirs and Santa's train for children. We felt like we were in one of the many Christmas movies which show beautiful malls.

Jon and Tracy drove down from their home in Bel Air. Jon is in the solar power business, while Tracy is a singer who goes on tours. (Check out on of her songs on YouTube Tracy Lyons.) We had a wonderful time, finishing the evening in the Rainforest Cafe, which was not one of the quietest places you would ever want to eat in, but the food was good.

Thursday night we had tickets to the Glory of Christmas pageant in the fabulous Crystal Cathedral just ten minutes away from us. It was a full-sized Christmas story from Luke, with live animals, including a donkey and three camels. It was a spectacular (if loud) production, with as many as seven angels 'flying' around, either announcing the child to Mary or singing praises at the birth in Bethlehem.

Dancing was also plentiful, and several local opera stars and actors played the parts. The pageant plays twice daily from December 3 to January 3. The cathedral's tower, can be seen as far away as Orange where our ward is located. Pictured below is the cathedral's immense organ. The whole place is an architectural wonder.

The missionaries continue to have great success. It's been a busy week in the office, and the many Christmas packages from parents have begun to fill the office space, waiting for the zone leaders to distribute them. Gary received the happy message from Elmore Toyota Friday afternoon that four new 2010 Corollas were awaiting us at the dealership. Now we won't have so many elders on bikes!

Finally, we can't leave without telling you about our spending 20 minutes in the hot-tub Friday night -- in the rain! It was fun and especially relaxing after another very busy week.