The photo you see above is of the Orange Stake Center, where our ward meets at 1 p.m. Today we spoke in sacrament meeting, sharing our time with the Ward Mission leader. We must have done a good job, for the congregation was raptly attentive to our remarks. The ward organist even told us they were the finest talks she had heard in a long time! And Signe played her signature violin piece, "Meditation from Thais" as the musical number. Afterwards, many ward members were effusive with praise for our talks and the music and welcomed us to the ward. We love the reception we've received. After the three meetings, we attended our first ward "Linger Longer," which is only done on fifth Sundays. The theme was salads: very fitting since the temperature outside was 99 and fueling the 20,000 acre fire in the Angeles National Forest north of L.A. (The smoke above L.A. reminds us of the Mt. St. Helens eruption years ago.) Sad. 2300 homes have been evacuated.

It's been an extremely busy week, with four missionaries going home on Monday and fourteen new ones arriving on Tuesday. Unfortunately, one of the departing elders left his former vehicle at the new missionaries' apartment in Costa Mesa in a NO PARKING area, so the car was towed. Elder Budge and I had to drive down to Costa Mesa to retrieve it from the impoundment yard and pay $234.

Tuesday night we had dinner at the Hometown Buffet in Costa Mesa and ended up sitting right next to an LDS family of three generations who were giving their daughter/ grand-daughter a send-off to BYU. They even have a relative, Dora, who works in the BYU library. (If any of you librarians are reading this, please tell Dora: I forget her last name.)

Wednesday Gary began training two new office elders: a different Elder Lee from Korea and an Elder Chandler. He trained them on Housing spreadsheets, which are absolutely necessary since we now have 51 apartments and 5 member homes to keep track of. Signe is learning how to be Secretary to the President, since a new office couple who may arrive in October will fill her Financial Secretary role. In the evening all six of the office staff had our monthly staff dinner out: at Chili Pepper Mexican restaurant, the same place we took Mike and Ginny to the week before. (It will be one of our favorite places.)

Friday we both tried to get caught up with Vehicles, Housing and Finances. Then just after 4 Gary got an e-mail from President Watrous wanting him to order 15 twin mattresses to be delivered on Monday. Somehow Gary got that all done before 5 p.m.

Saturday Gary increased his swimming lengths to 18, up from 4 in the beginning -- using three different swimming strokes. He's feeling stronger now and getting some muscle around the middle. After doing laundry we went to the Segerstrom Hall box office in Costa Mesa to get tickets for the Midori concert in September. This is a once-in-a-life-time opportunity to hear one of the three best violinists in the world. The we went shopping at Sam's Club in Irvine across from the two 300-foot long dirigible hangars of 1930s vintage. Later, as we were getting settled around the computer to watch the new (and great) LDS film "Forever Strong" on Netflix, Elders Lee and Chandler rang our doorbell, thinking that ours was the residence of a less-active member. (I had actually seen some unforwarded mail sent to this person.) But it was a funny coincidence to close the evening.

Chili Peppers and Baptisms

What an incredible week! We've just returned from the first baptism we've attended: a Spanish-speaking one in Costa Mesa. Fourteen-year old Karen Guzman was baptized by Elder Zamora, but she was also taught by Elders Sharp, Keeler, Sua and Montague. (Signe took the photo for the mission's records.) We enjoyed singing the hymns in Spanish, and Elders Matthias and Keeler interpreted the rest of the service for us. The Spirit was there in abundance. This was one of 18 baptisms this weekend! In church earlier, Gary was asked by the bishopric to play the piano for priesthood every Sunday now -- just like he has for most of the 40 years of his membership in the Church.
Monday Gary's brother Mike and his wife Ginny came to the Mission Office to pick us up for lunch at Polly's in Orange. They are in town because their daughter Caroline was just hired by the Children's Hospital of Orange County two miles from us. We had fun with them and help them get settled in our spare bedroom for the next three nights. (The same place where any of you are welcome to stay if you come to Disneyland or any other reason.) Tuesday night they went with us and the other office staff to Tustin's excellent outdoor performance of Cole Porter's "Anything Goes." It was a very fun evening, punctuated by 30 jets flying over us on their way to landing at John Wayne airport.
Wednesday Mike and Ginny spent some time with other relatives and went swimming in our pool. In the evening the four of us went to the very colorful and inexpensive Chili Pepper Mexican Restaurant in Orange. The food was very good! Thursday morning Mike and Ginny headed south to San Diego.
In the afternoon ... well, can you imagine four elders, including Gary (with white shirts and ties) marching down the aisles in Wal-Mart with one cart apiece filled with three vacuum cleaners, three microwaves, six wastebaskets, six mops and two lamps? It must have been quiet a sight to strangers! They had to buy some basic household supplies for some new apartments the mission has acquired for the growing number of new missionaries that are coming to the mission.
In the evening Gary went with the elders to visit a less-active sister. Signe was home to receive a SKYPE message from Jacob with the happy news that Rebecca Grace Hale was born (7 pounds 7 ounces). We also found out that Signe's niece Michelle Deus West had moved to Anaheim Hills (in our mission). So with our granddaughter Keely moving here next week, we have family here!

On Saturday Gary was doing his exercises in the pool and then had a 'missionary moment' in the spa -- and possibly new friends. Ezekiel and Meredith came out to get some sun and were very friendly -- and had just moved into the complex. When they found out that Gary was a missionary, they announced that they too were believers and went to a non-denominational church. We hope to see them again -- and often. Then, in the evening, we invited Elder and Sister Budge, plus the senior sister missionaries, to watch "Anything Goes" in our apartment: the 1956 version with Bing Crosby and Mitzie Gaynor. We had a wonderful time together! We can easily understand how missionaries miss the people they serve with.

This seemed to be a week for stake presidents -- and no photos (sorry!). First of all, we had our usual chiropractic treatments from Dr. Art Francis, president of the Anaheim East Stake. He has become a true friend and has helped us feel so much better.

Then on Saturday we were involved with the Newport Beach Temple tours once again. We had 70 English-speaking in the congregation, and 40 Spanish-speaking. And for the first time I had to set up the video projector in the chapel -- and operate it! And of course Signe and I directed and played hymn 300 again. It is always fun to play and direct in the Spanish session, not understanding much ourselves but enjoying the spirit of these Spanish-speaking families. The Newport Beach Stake president, Weatherford Clayton, not only spoke in the English session, he led one of the tours of the temple grounds. An obstetrician, he has delivered 6000 babies! He and Gary had a nice chat afterwards. He is happy to have us at the mission. Then Gary assisted him and President Day in administering to President Skaggs, who has not been feeling well. We were delighted at the end of the meetings to learn that our mission has 268 investigators committed to baptism within the next three months! Incredible!

Sunday morning was stake conference for the Orange Stake. The talks and the music were very inspiring. Not only did the well-trained organist play exceedingly well, Gary was thrilled that his postlude was a piece he had always enjoyed by J. S. Bach. The intermediate hymn was "A Mighty Fortress is Our God," with everyone in stake center standing. But the highlight of the music was the stake choir's singing of "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need" and "Beautiful Savior," both of them accompanied by organ, piano, and Signe on her violin. At the end of the second number there was hardly a dry eye in the chapel, including our own eyes.

The members of the stake presidency gave wonderful talks. The first counselor spoke about how spiritual growth can be characterized by your insides becoming greater than your outside. And that we can enhance our capacity for joy through our faith and hope. Our stake president, Kenneth Goodman, is A. Harold Goodman's cousin, who was Signe's music advisor when she was at BYU. He spoke about the six spirits we should have: the Holy Spirit, a Pioneer Spirit, a missionary Spirit, a Zion Spirit, the Spirit of Elijah, and the Spirit of Consecration. What was really wonderful about his message, however, was that he delivered it with "all the feelings of a tender parent." While we miss our stake in Utah, the Orange Stake has done a wonderful job in making us feel at home. I might add that there were 13 missionaries, most of them elders, in the congregation.

The president of the Newport Beach Temple also spoke. He related that the temple has seen 247,000 ordinances performed since January 1. That is unbelievable for a small temple! We feel blessed to be among these California saints and their faithfulness.

Missionary moments and Fireworks

This past week our tasks began to be so much more routine, so there isn't as much to report. On Tuesday Gary went with the elders to a Wal-Mart to buy vacuum cleaners and floor lamps for the new apartments we are renting. The Missionary Department in Salt Lake wants us to get away from two bedroom apartments housing four missionaries, to one bedroom apartments housing only two (except for Zone Leaders). Another interesting note on that day: Gary's Cousin Faith Allen had written a funny e-mail to the family at large, to which Gary responded. Now Gary and Faith are catching up their lives by writing to each other twice a day since then. (They haven't communicated in over 40 years!)

Wednesday our wonderful chiropractor gave a seminar to us on healthy backs and how we can help keep his adjustments to our back in place better. What a great man!

Thursday Gary's left foot became infected somehow. We were worried for a short time, but with the help of some black ointment, epsom salts and rest the angry and painful redness finally stopped short of the ankle and ebbed away. As of Sunday night it has all but disappeared completely.

Friday Gary drove the Toyota the sisters wrecked two weeks ago to Solesbee's Autocraft in Yorba Linda, following Elder Budge. He got a real education at a large and well-run body shop, where we take all of cars to be 'mended and unbended.' The owner is LDS and gave us a short tour of his operation. Fascinating! He also collects as many translations of the Book of Mormon as he can find and displays them in the customer waiting area! What a conversation piece!

On Friday night, August 7th, we took a night off and went with all the office staff to view the fireworks at Disneyland's parking lot. The Budges have season passes, so they took us to the parking structure, where we caught the tram into Downtown Disney. We ambled down the streets, admiring the musicians and catching the friendly smiles of the passersby. Three times we were stopped and greeted by members of the Church, who visited with us briefly. One couple grew up in Springville, and said their nephew was on a mission in Paris, speaking Mandarin! Another left us with a hearty "The Church is TRUE!" We all went into the Haagen Dasz shop for a treat, which we ate while we sat on a bench and people-watched. Budges wanted us to see the California Lodge Hotel, so we walked into the back entrance, along with other tourists, and gazed at the amazing 5-story high open foyer. It was massive, built with huge timbers and boulders. Quite a sight! We sat on couches and chairs while we listened to a pianist playing Disney tunes. Then we headed for the upper story of the parking structure, so we could watch the fireworks. There were just a few people there, but after we got settled in our places, there was quite a crowd gathered. The fireworks were amazing, with the very loud percussive fireworks actually setting off car alarms. (We were actually closer to the fireworks than the folks in Disneyland proper.) It was a very fun evening.

We spent our p-day on Saturday doing laundry and shopping in Fullerton, with a game night at the senior sisters for all six of us. We played, talked and ate from 6 until 10:30 at night! What a great office crew we have to work with.

Finally, Sunday was a typical Sunday, with a chance to recount our many blessings!

After having been here for six weeks and finding our way around, we are finally beginning to see the details and the beauty surrounding us. Signe often takes walks with the senior sister missionaries, hence the photos you see from your walks. We've also learned that the unusual birds around here are really parrots whose forebears 'flew the coop' from the local aviary and have multiplied unchecked. And much to Gary's delight, jet airliners fly over our apartment much as they did in Springville, except on a lower altitude here -- all beginning a wide circle over our apartment so that they can land at John Wayne Airport south of here.



Monday Gary received an e-mail from the mission president, asking if he had the ability to download the photos of our mission's baptisms to a Power Point format. He successfully came up with a slide show for 12 baptisms, standing alongside those who taught the candidate. Later, a convert of two weeks came to the office to buy the 2006 Toyota Corolla we had for sale. Sadly, her born-again father is kicking her out since she joined the LDS church, so she had to get her own transportation. On Thursday Elder Budge and Gary prepared it for sale. Todaywe felt the healing touch of our substitute chiropractor, Dr. Noh, who is Korean. (Dr. Francis is on vacation all week.) He was different but just as effective in his own way.



Thursday Gary learned from President Watrous that Elder Koerper would no longer be my trainer in Housing administration, but Gary will still have Elder Lee (Korean) and Elder Wong (Chinese) to show me the ropes as Housing coordinator.



After a long day on Friday we drove to the Orange circle to have dinner after Cafe Lucca with our oldest granddaughter Keely and her roommates McKenna and Tiffany. They are in town to lease an apartment in Irvine, where their Utah company is relocating on August 27. We had a wonderful time together, and we are very happy that we will have a member of the family living near us -- right within the mission boundaries!



Saturday we explored the northern part of our mission boundaries: Placentia, Fullerton, Brea, La Habra, and Anaheim. We decided to do our shopping closer to Santa Ana.



Sunday morning our youngest son Tim stopped by to say hello, after spending some fun-filled days in San Diego. We had a good visit, and Signe sent him on his way with a full stomach! (Well, maybe not full, after all he's 6 foot 4.) Gary was asked to accompany the singing in priesthood and also taught the High Priests lesson on missionary work. Later, in stake choir rehearsal, Signe accompanied the choir with her violin on both numbers. We feel very welcome in this ward.

A beautiful walk and a visit

Very full week

This has been a very busy and satisfying week. On Monday found us both feeling a little more settled in our work, and more at ease with our duties. On Tuesday evening Gary went with the Elders to visit Sister Hamley, a less-active sister, who is responding very positively to their teachings and encouragement. Wednesday was our fullest day, with Zone Conference starting at 8:30 in the morning, highlighted by the visit of Elder Cordoba, of the Seventy, as our main speaker and teacher. The stake center where the conference was held is the building where Gary and Signe performed with the Utah Baroque Ensemble in 1996, when we participated wth other auditioned groups in the American Choral Directors Association festival in Pasadena. The day concluded with our first trip to participate in an endowment session at the Newport Beach Temple.

On Thursday, four Elders completed their missions, Gary filled out his first accident report (a sister missionary ran into a post), including contacting the insurance company. In the evening, we took Sister Daniel to dinner, to get to know her and become her friend. The bishop asked us to befriend her because she was adjusting to the passing of her husband, and needed company and support. We found that we had quite a bit in common, not only the fact that we all have lost spouses, but also an interest in model trains and music.

Friday night, we had the senior Sisters over to watch a movie and share snacks. We watched "An American in Paris," with Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron, and we commend it to anyone who likes great music 9George Gershwin) and dancing. It was one of those free Netflix instant movies on the internet; it is a great service, and we frequently unwind by finding a good old movie and curling up on the couch to enjoy it. Try it, you'll like it!

On Saturday, we did our chores, laundry, watched the AC repair man cut a hole in our hall ceiling to see what was causing the drip. He concluded that the leak was in the drain pipe and he is coming back on Monday with a part to fix it. Maybe we can get rid of the bucket that has been catching the drip the past two weeks! In the afternoon, from 1:00 to 5:30 we participated in our second Temple tour with the assigned Elders. Our duties include directing and playing the piano for the hymn singing, setting up chairs, arranging the plates of cookies and mixing punch to serve the visitors after they have taken the tour. Not very demanding, but kind of fun, even so.

Sunday was a very spiritual day, with amazing teachers and concluding with our stake choir practice. Sister Hess is very gifted and skilled in teaching us amateurs how to sing properly, and the result is we sound like a veritable Heavenly Choir! We will be singing for Stake Conference on August 16th. Signe has the privilege of playing the violin obligato for one of the numbers, "Beautiful Savior." And unlike most ward and stake choirs, we will be performing in a mixed configuration, instead of sopranos with sopranos, and basses with basses, etc. Our other number is the beautiful Mack Wilberg arrangement of "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need."