Sorry, folks! It's been an incredibly busy two weeks. We're often so exhausted from work at the office (even during weekends) that we feel like doing nothing but vegetating!

Most of you know that Gary has built a lot of models during his life. This F/A-18E Super Hornet is the Navy's newest carrier jet, which he assembled and painted during the last 7 months -- as a stress reliever. But he had a purpose for building this particular model. It so happens that President Skaggs, who is a counselor in the mission presidency, is one of the designers of the real F/A-18 right here in Southern California. So at the March 23 departure dinner Gary will be presenting it to Pres. Skaggs as a token of their friendship and common interests. Gary has even been comparing the model to many pictures on the Internet to make sure everything is painted accurately.

The photo below is another kind of craft: tile-laying.

Signe went with Gary to the auto-repair shop that the mission utilizes, called Solesbee's. This is a picture of the in-laid tile logo at the entrance. This is the most amazing tile work we have ever seen; it's hard to see in this picture, but the logo is actually tiny laser-cut tiles pieced together and set into the rest of the tiles. The owner said the craftsman was so skilled, he didn't once crack or break a tile. Even those narrow, curved pieces at each end of the oval are cut into the big tile, leaving the entire rest of the tile intact!Kat, Steve & Artha, Lisa and Signe will really appreciate this, having done their fair share of intricate tile work.

Yesterday was an incredible day: virtually and in reality! On our 40-minute drive down to Newport Beach for our 4-hour joint rehearsal of the choir and orchestra for "Messiah in America" we were deluged with one of the fiercest rainstorms either of us has been in. And as we listened to the radio we not only heard about the rain, the flash flood watches, and the mud-slide warnings, but also of tsunami warnings from the awful 8.8 earthquake in Chile. Then we sang and played the exciting music in the chorus "There Arose a Great Storm" and felt like we were really in one, as the rain pounded the building on the outside. World-class music.

Two weeks ago we were happy to share some of the weekend with our family again. MaryJane (our oldest daughter) was in town to visit Keely (our oldest granddaughter), and all of us were invited to have dinner at Michelle West's home in Anaheim Hills Sunday. (Signe's niece.) It was a wonderful sharing time.

Last Sunday Gary gave a fireside to 80 young single adults in Irvine. He had entitled it, "Between Wow! and Whoa!: Embracing Opposition in All Things." One of the leaders present said he knew of several young people in the congregation who really needed his talk. The theme had to do with the growth we can receive from adversities.

Finally, last night we attended yet another baptism (one of 15 this weekend) -- this one in the Anaheim Stake Center. The young lady was very happy, and the ward was very warm in their welcoming her into the ward: especially the exuberance of the Tongan relief society president!

Once again we are grateful for all of the blessings from this mission. Signe has been a godsend for Sister Watrous, who benefits greatly from her massages.