Eighteen New Missionaries

Our new senior couple, Elder and Sister Monney, are standing in front of the 'baptism board,' with photos of over 300 baptisms that have taken place this year -- already 25% more than the mission had last year. Sunday night we took the Monney's to a baptism in the Placentia First ward, where Lorena Flores was baptized. It was an amazing service, with an opening prayer by an ex-Catholic and testimonies by an ex-Muslim and an ex-Buddhist. Bishop Rooney then told us that his ward was very diverse: 15 cultures are represented, with 30 languages (including missionaries who had gone out from this ward).

The Monney's have come at an interesting time. Their first day in the office was transfer day, with many missionaries coming in and out of the office, switching their area cellphones and cars, picking up supplies, etc. It was a noisy whirlwind of activity. It settled down in the evening with a dinner at the Watrouses for the two departing sister missionaries: one who was going home to Australia and the other to Minnesota.
Then on Tuesday we had orientation for 18 new missionaries, including one who is related to Edwin Benson, and another who is a friend of Gary's former student from BYU and living back east. They were a happy bunch of missionaries, all eager and willing to get to work.
Thursday night we were invited by President Skaggs of the mission presidency to provide the music for a missionary training meeting in our stake center. So Signe led the music while Gary played the piano. It was a wonderful meeting, including some training about what to do in case of an earthquake (which are quite frequent down here).
Saturday morning we played catch-up in the office, after doing laundry. Then we picked up the Monney's so that they could see what the Newport Beach Temple tours were like and could take care of this wonderful experience every other month next year. We had 65 English-speaking and 45 Spanish-speaking people show up. There was nothing left of the 26 dozen cookies we had purchased for the afternoon. By 6 we had cleaned up, and then we took the Monney's to Costco in Tustin and Sam's Club in Irvine so that we could buy some food. In between these two places we ate a light dinner at a Whole Foods store, each of us choosing exactly what we wanted to eat.
And so, another week has passed us by all too quickly!

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.

Saying goodbye

The Budges are saying their final 'goodbyes' in the parking lot of the mission office. We will both miss them very much for their friendship, their training, their sense of humor and their stories. We heard today (Monday) that as soon as they got home to Troutdale, Oregon, Elder Budge headed for his garden -- in the pouring rain!

Today was the first day we tried to run the office with no help from either of them. But we seemed to do fine, thanks to the training we received. Last night during choir rehearsal Gary's phone rang: it was a Korean elder and his Tongan companion involved in a three-car accident in Fullerton. Gary had to take care of the procedures last night and this morning: inspecting the damage, having the elders fill out a full accident report, and phoning the insurance company.

Tonight we had dinner with Gary's brother Mike, his wife Ginny, and their daughter Caroline, who is dietetics manager at the Children's Hospital of Orange County. We had a wonderful time together.

Friday night was a very unique experience: something different on our job descriptions. We waited tables for the nine stake presidents (and their wives) of our mission area. Our Mission President and his wife had invited them all for dinner tonight. It was a heady experience knowing that we were around that much church leadership in one room! Fortunately, we had already met four of the stake presidents. They were all very appreciative of our efforts to serve them a restaurant-quality dinner. And Gary didn't even spill any water on anyone, although the end of his tie found its way into the water pitcher once!

The spiritual experiences never quit. Yesterday in Gospel Principles class we taught this fine Iranian gentleman. At the end of the lesson the ward mission leaders asked us all to give our testimonies about Heavenly Father's love. After we had finished, this gentleman said that he wanted to bear his testimony, too. And he did! He's gone to churches in twenty different countries, but he knows the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that this church teaches the truth.

Farewell to Budges!

Yes, we will miss Elder Ron Budge and Sister Rosalind Budge very much! But their 18 months is now at an end. They have taught us well, but

now it is our turn to work in this little kingdom of dedicated saints called missionaries! And missionary work is still the most important thing. This morning we began our first day without the Budges. And what should happen a short time later? An Hispanic student came into mission office wanting to know more about our church. Coincidentally, one of our Samoan elders (with impeccable Spanish) sat outside my office and taught this young man for one hour. Gary only understood the language of the spirit!

Sunday was no less a miracle. For the first time on our mission we had to go into the office on Saturday -- for only 30 minutes. During that short time a man with a foreign accent called the mission office, asking Signe for the closest LDS ward to him. It so happened to be our Orange Third ward, where we happened to see him in all three meetings Sunday afternoon. The man is an Iranian, knows the Book of Mormon is true, and wants to be baptized! So this morning Gary gave the elders a copy of the Book of Mormon and a Joseph Smith pamphlet in Persian.

Friday we had a some entertainment, for a change. Our new friends in the ward, Carl and Kathy Brague, took us to Lawry's Carvery in the South Coast Mall for dinner and then to a performance of Steve Martin (and his banjo) with the Deep Canyon Rangers bluegrass band. It was a very funny night with one of America's best comedian-actors as well as the incredible musicanship and talent of the band, especially of the fiddle player, who was better than Signe had ever heard before. Beautiful Segerstrom Hall was full to the brim -- with laughter and awe. Watch for Steve Martin and this group tour the country these next few months. Steve's CD "The Crow" has even won some awards -- he's quite a composer, too.

And speaking of music: Thursday night was Signe's rehearsal with the Orange County Mormon Chorus and Orchestra at the Newport Beach Stake Center. Sunday night Gary rehearsed with the Orange Stake choir to prepare for the 18th annual nativity scene Christmas program, which lasts three days.

The day-to-day tasks continue to surprise us. We were just leaving for lunch today (Monday) when our Korean sister missionary called (in tears) to tell us she had been in an accident with another car this morning. Once she came into the office to fill out the accident report and show the damage to Gary, it took all of us to comfort her, including our Korean office elder, who was at least able to speak to her in her fluent Korean language.

We apologize for being late with this week's blog: it has been an extremely busy weekend. The best will be first. Two months ago Signe and I were invited to give the Garden Grove Stake Family Fireside last night. It was a truly wonderful occasion which was the highpoint of our mission to this point. The Spirit was very clearly with us in our performing and speaking. First on the program, however, was a Primary choir made up of some of the Vietnamese, Hispanic, Tongan, Samoan and Hispanic children of the stake. Their singing set the tone of the entire meeting. Signe played her signature piece, Massenet's "Meditation from Thais" -- after she related her own conversion story. (This morning, Signe received an email from President Watrous, "Thanks once again for the beautiful fireside last night. You brought such a beautiful, refined Spirit into the chapel. I will never forget your testimony and violin talent. What a treat to be seated so close on the stand.We are so blessed to work together with you and Elder Gillum.") Then Gary spoke for an hour about his conversion and about Hugh Nibley. In Signe's opinion, it was the finest talk he's ever given, and the Polynesians, especially, were in rapt attention throughout. Many people came up to him and thanked him and asked questions afterwards. (The photo above shows us with the three members of the stake presidency, including Pres. Hicken next to me, who extended the invitation for Gary to speak.) Here are the comments Gary received from President Watrous: "Dear Elder Gillum, The fireside that you and Sister Gillum gave to the Garden Grove Stake was absolutely terrific. Thank you so much for sharing your talents and stories with us. What wonderful insights you gave. Your testimonies shone through brightly. I would love to have the series of quotations you gave near the end of your presentation, beginning with the two from Elder Maxwell. You are both having a powerful impact upon this mission. Thank you very much."
Below is Signe with her accompanist Beth Lilywhite -- one of the most sensitive accompanists she's ever had, who came all the way to Garden Grove from Orange to accompany Signe. It was both an exhausting but very rewarding evening for us both.




Thursday night was our Senior Missionary dinner at the Claim Jumper Restaurant in Costa Mesa. This would be the last time we would have dinner with Brother and Sister Budge, who will be leaving next week. (They are the last two on the right.) The food was great (and too much of it).



Friday afternoon all of the office staff, plus President and Sister Watrous, met outside of the Mission Office for a last photo with the Budge's. The temperature was in the mid-80s.

Finally, Saturday was a busy day as well. After doing laundry we went down to the Newport Beach Stake Center to prepare for the temple grounds tours. We had nearly 150 there in both sessions, and we came close to not having enough cookies for refreshments! Both our bishop and stake president from Orange conducted tours and were very moved by the experience. And as usual, the office elders were very helpful in helping Gary set up the video projector and other equipment. Later, we drove to Irvine to meet Keely and her roomates McKenna and Tiffany for dinner at the Swaad Indian Restaurant, where we all had tasty meals. It was nice to be with these three good young people. Keely had been to the temple, the beach and the temple all in turn today. Being with her grandma and grandpa tonight was the capstone of her perfect day. (And ours, too!)

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.

One of the most exotic flowers in the world is found in profusion in Orange county -- and is right now in bloom. It is called the Bird of Paradise. (It almost looks like a bird.)This one is just a few feet from our apartment door.

Our mission continues to be one challenge after another. This week we had two major ones, with 14 elders and 1 sister arriving from the Missionary Training Center in Provo on Tuesday. There's nothing like greeting these brand-new missionaries who are arriving here for a two-year stay and knowing that we have a stewardship for their welfare while they're here. Then on Friday we were remotely trained from Salt Lake on how to use the Internet Mission Office System, which will integrate more fully many of our tasks and make it much easier to keep track of missionaries, their districts, etc. This will entail a learning curve for all of us to overcome, but then the Lord will help us to be equal to the task.

California has done it again! Tuesday we received a letter from the Church's attorney's Kirtin, McConkie and McConkie, informing us that we had to register our cars in California! We were told when we arrived that we only needed to keep our cars registered in our home states, because we wouldn't be residents. Now we are told that our cars have to be registered, in spite of our not being residents. So, we spent the morning on Thursday and $447 getting new license and registration, and surrendering our Utah plates! We fared the best; Budges, who are leaving in just three weeks, had to pay a penalty for the whole time they have been here, plus the cost of the new license. The two sisters spent the entire day getting their cars smog tested and spending over $500 and $600 respectively getting their cars licensed. There was plenty of conversation about California's bankrupt state, not being notified before now (Elder Budge wrote the attorneys to that effect), but also counting our blessings that nothing worse happened, like being ticketed for not being properly registered, which would have been very expensive. Needless to say, the experience was a major distraction to our mission responsibilities.

Thursday night we took Elder and Sister Budge with us to the Newport Beach Temple for an endowment session. There we coincidentally ran into our oldest grand-daughter Keely, who was there for the same session. A new friend of Gary's, Nathan Solesbee, was also in the session. He is the owner of Solesbee Autocraft, where the mission takes its damaged cars for repair.

Saturday afternoon Keely and her roommate McKenna came over so that Signe could give McKenna a massage. McKenna was very appreciative for the relief she got for her shoulder. While Signe massaged, Gary had a wonderful chat and update on the family with Keely. Again, it is so good to have her nearby -- our token family member on the mission.

In the evening we had dinner with six other office workers at the sisters' apartment. It very nearly rivaled any Thanksgiving dinner, and afterwards we played three rounds of Mexican Train dominoes.

Sunday in church Signe was invited to play her violin again, Gary was asked to lead the music in stake priesthood meeting next Sunday, we were invited to dinner and a concert by the Bragg's in the ward, and Gary was asked to teach the lesson on Joseph Smith in priesthood next Sunday. So we really feel more and more a part of this ward! Then we attended a baptism in the Newport Beach Stake Center for a young adult man from the South Coast Young Adult Ward, who was quite overcome by his baptism -- thanking all of us for our part and even giving Gary a big embrazo! The elders who taught this young man were incredible!