One Wonderful Week So Far!

Monday, September 12th our dear friends, Pat and Roy Ottley, arrived in San Francisco for a much anticipated visit. We met down on Pier 43 1/2 at Aliotto's Restaurant. Pat and Roy have been coming to that restaurant for 53 years, and Roy and his parents for even longer. The Ottley family celebrated Pat and Roy's engagement there.We had a delicious seafood lunch and a great visit. It's always a special treat to be with cherished friends.

Following our time with the Ottleys, Tom and I drove to Oakland for Tom to help Elder Mayo, the housing coordinator, to connect a gas dryer in one of the mission apartments. Then we attended senior Family Home Evening at the Brightons. President and Sister Richard Hunter, current president and matron of the Oakland temple, talked about their experiences in that temple and about temple details recorded in the Old Testament that  are similar to our present day temples. It was fascinating.

Tuesday, the 13th was Zone Conference. Elder Keith R. Edwards of the Second Quorum of the Seventy and his wife attended. It was one of the best church meetings I've attended in my whole life.   At any rate, he said just the things I felt I needed to hear. It seemed such a personal, private message that it is too sacred to share.

Following lunch, his wife came to our table to chat. They spent considerable time in the Philippines with Elder Edwards serving in the Area Presidency for five years. We shared insights into Filipino culture, with Sister Evans contributing the lion's share. Her suggestions will be very useful to us.

Now, today, Wednesday the 14th, Tom and I accompanied Elder and Sister White to Palo Alto to visit Stanford University.  The Whites will be returning home to Williamsburg, VA next Thursday and we'll be bridging the gap until the Sorenson's arrive to teach Institute classes. So it was out of the fog and into beautiful, sunny Palo Alto. The Stanford campus is stunningly lovely. There is a certain refinement to the place that made me want to be a student again.

We will miss the Whites. Frequently we have traveled to Oakland with them. They are accomplished, lovely people.