On August 12, we drove Jared Constantine (a marine originally from Alabama) to the San Diego Temple. Elder and Sister Sattley and Elder and Sister Kapololu joined us for the session. Unfortunately, the Kapololus had to leave before we had pictures. It was a wonderful day.
Marine Constantine served a mission in the Colorado Springs Mission and while we were at the temple, he ran into a family he knew in Colorado. It was a tender mercy for him.
This is a picture of a planning meeting at Old Town San Diego with the Senior Couples we work closely with. We started out in the MTC together and really have formed a close bond with these missionaries. From left to right: Elder Halvorsen, Sister Halvorsen, Elder Will Sattley,
Sister Marcia Sattley, Sister Charlene Kapololu and Elder John Kapololu
We attend graduations weekly for the marines we meet with on Sundays. This Company included several marines we had met at MCRD and followed through with them while they were at SOI (School of Infantry).
This graduation was for Fox Company (notice the F on the flag). Tradition is very important in the marines. The graduation ceremonies are very impressive.
Pictures tell he story this week. We said goodbye to several marines that we have grown very fond of at their graduation on Tuesday. They were definitely excited to be graduating but it is always sad to see the outstanding marines move on. They add so much to our Sunday meetings. Fox Company had some great young marines who will serve in the reservers in New Mexico and Idaho. Monday we drove around Dana Point and did a little site seeing. This is such a beautiful area. Wednesday we worked our regular shifts at the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society but Brad did two cases on his own which is huge. He was thankful to be able to help several families who were in need. I actually worked with a mentor on two cases and did the budgets myself. I've been dragging my feet screaming but they finally got me to do it. And, it wasn't quite as hard as I had anticipated. Thursday after working at the Thrift Store we drove to San Diego for the Family Day. We had the biggest crowd yet. This company has 12 LDS marines and six attended the cake cutting with their families. It was a big group. It is fun to start our relationship with these young men by meeting their families. After the ceremony, we went to Old Town San Diego with the senior couples--Will and Marcia Sattley from Maurietta, CA and Charlene and John Kapololu from Oahu, HI. We really enjoy working with these amazing people. They are so dedicated and energized. Since the Kapololus are in the San Diego Mission they had been to Old Town and showed us around. We went to a Casa that had been occupied by a very generous family that had lived there for our generations. The original owner was a governor of San Diego. It was a museum with beautiful gardens. The tour guide there was an LDS Sister Missionary. After our tour, we went to dinner at a fun restaurant called Miguels. Had a lovely evening together. Saturday was the highlight of the week. We took Private Constantine to the San Diego Temple. The Sattleys and Kapololus joined us there. They had worked with Jared since he started his training at MCRD in San Diego. It was a super day and exemplified the support these young men are receiving every step of the way during their training here at Camp Pendleton. The role of Military Relations Missionaries is important in helping the marines until they are able to graduate and move on to their various training schools throughout the country. We have several marines who are preparing for priesthood advancements and patriarchal blessings. We're excited to see them progress not only as marines but as priesthood holders while they are with us.
Happy birthday to Gwen. We were thrilled to be able to see Eric and his family on Skype and celebrate Gwens #2 Birthday. We certainly love that special little girl.
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