San Francisco Stake 80th Anniversary

Our stake really knows how to celebrate an anniversary! All week long there have been tons of activities, exhibits, and guest speakers for the 80th anniversary of the stake being formed. Elder Quentin L. Cook from the quorum of the 12 apostles talked to us last night at the church. I like to hear the general authorities talk in smaller meetings like this a lot better than in general conference. As nice as it is to hear from all of them at once and get so much spiritual nourishment I feel like they are more able to behave naturally and show more personality in smaller settings. Elder Cook said some things you would probably never hear in general conference, like jokes about his bald head, and making fun of Elder Bednar and Elder Holland. But I was mostly interested in the "impressions" he finished his talk with, most especially he talked about how the Bay Area where we live actually IS a good place to raise a family, which has been a subject of debate among the saints here for a long time because it is so liberal, and some would say, so wicked. In fact, he talked a little bit about the need for a strong LDS presence and strong gospel centered families in an area that needs a spark of wholesomeness. He warned that this is an area that would quickly and easily ruin an LDS family if they did not keep the spirit in their homes, but the Lord did not want us to build a temple in Oakland so that we could all leave and go to Utah or Idaho or Arizona -- the Lord wants Saints here, but we need to rely on him. I think the same could be said for anyplace, but it rang especially true to me here and now because there really is an edge to San Francisco that I did not want to expose my family to. I feel a little more comfortable after hearing his talk.

So because of our work schedule, the only other thing we were able to participate in was the bay cruise tonight. The stake chartered a ship to take everyone who could fit on the boat on a ride around the bay, under the Golden Gate Bridge, and around Angel Island and Alcatraz. It was really, really awesome, and the weather was perfect! Here's some pictures.

Tamara was really self conscious because the wind was blowing her hair around like crazy. Let's get some comments on here about how cute she looks, ok?

There it is, in all its glory!

On the hillside you can see Sausalito -- this is the town I will be working in starting Thursday.