Above is a picture of the Caruso Chapel on Camp Pendleton. This is where we meet with the marines from SOI on Sunday. It is an old building and is named after Marine Sergeant Mathew Caruso. Sergeant Caruso was a chaplain's assistant in the Korean War. On December 6, 1950, just after midnight the chaplain and his assistant were in an ambulance. The padre was reading the last rights to a gravely wounded Marine. Suddenly a rapid burst of machine gun fire could be heard and bullets began penetrating the ambulance. Mathew yelled for the chaplain to get down but knowing the padre would continue ministering to the fallen marine, Mathew threw the chaplain to the floor of the ambulance and shielded him with his body. Sgt. Caruso was riddled with machine gun bullets and killed. Father Griffin was wounded in the jaw and shoulder but survived. Two years after recovering from his wounds, Chaplain Griffin oversaw the construction of the Mathew Caruso Memorial Chapel at Camp Pendleton, where marines still worship today. The chapel is used by a variety of denominations each Sunday. Even though the building is old and doesn't have air conditioning, it provides a safe place for marines to worship. Article of Faith 11 states: "We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may." The Caruso Chapel is a memorial to a selfless sergeant and the principle of freedom of religion.
It's hard to believe we are finishing up our third month in the California, Irvine Mission. I received an odd email yesterday from another Military Relations Missionary serving in South Carolina. Apparently, we were students together at BYU in 1973. She remembered my name and wrote to see how we were doing. Unfortunately, her memory is better than mine because I can't place her in my past. Seems like only yesterday that we were young adults at BYU about the same age as our marines. Interesting to envision what the future holds for each of them. I pray it includes safety and a strong valiant family. I hope their lives are built on gospel principles that will bring them true happiness.
We had the privilege of working several days this week with Carol and Bob Sweetwood. Carol will have her 83rd birthday this week and Bob is 85. They are really amazing. They inspire us to endure to the end with grace. They have had an exciting life and have called both India and the Philippines home. They are a great example to us.
We were able to visit Marine families on the base this week and actually found several home. It was exciting to see them in church on Sunday. Sometimes people just need to know they are missed and needed. They were both young talented couples. We enjoyed our time with them.
Our work at the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society is very interesting. We have been sitting in cases where young marines need financial assistance. Brad actually took the lead in two of the cases. He will soon be working on his own. It is heartwarming to know that we can help them in some small way. We are learning a lot. I get to teach my Budget for Baby class Wednesday. So excited to be able to share my feelings about family with them. I've called Heidi to get the most update-to-date budgeting information. She is a great example on how to live within a budget and raise a happy family.
We took in our car for an oil change on Saturday. We were wearing our missionary badges. A lady in the cafeteria looked at my badge and said--He's my friend too! (Referring to Jesus). When paying the bill, a lady mentioned she had a friend serving as a missionary for another church. We are examples wherever we are. Jesus is our Friend, our Redeemer and our Savior. It is privilege to be serving as a missionary in this area representing Him.
No comments:
Post a Comment