August 7, 2017

Unfortunately, lighting in the Caruso Chapel is not very good at our evening meeting.  However, this is a picture of the senior couples who serve at the Basilone Military Branch at Camp Pendleton along with Elders Fullmer and Mueller.  This is Elder Fullmer's final meeting.  He will fly home to Santaquin, Utah on Tuesday, August 8.  We will certainly miss him.  He is standing in the center of the picture in a suit.  He has been a dedicated missionary who has done much good here in the California, Irvine Mission.  He welcomed us when we arrived and taught us how to serve the marines with love--a wonderful missionary and a great example to all of us.  Others in the picture from left to right behind the marines are Cal and Freda Weber, Phil and Dianne Woolley, President Keith and Sister Michi Stephens, Lee and Alana Jolley, Elder Fuller, Cindy and Vic Lundquist, Gaylene and Brad Halvorsen and Marine Lehman.  The marines in front are from Hotel Company and just arrived at SOI.

This week had a few exciting events--some good and some not so good.  I'll start with the not-so-good.  I scraped up the car by running in to the garage door.  Entry into our garage is pretty tricky because you come from between two buildings and have to make a sharp turn.  Unfortunately, I didn't turn sharp enough.  So, it is time for a little new paint on the bumper.  (Glad it wasn't a mission car so I don't have to report an accident to Elder Chow!)

With that over, I can cover the good.  We started serving as volunteers for the AYSA and helped at Concrete Beach.  This event is held the Friday before graduation on the basketball court by the SOI headquarters building.  234 marines attended.  Each received two BBQ hot dogs, chips, chili and a drink.  After everyone was served, there was a huge line for leftovers.  We cooked about 550 hot dogs.  Everything was devoured.  They have serving the marines down to a science.  Brad and I were assigned condiment duty.  We got to thank the marines for their service and give them a squirt of catsup and mustard.  It was actually very fun and nice to see the marines we work with on Sunday.  We did experience a tender mercy.  One marine's father had contacted us and said his son was not attending the Branch and asked us to reach out to him.  We had sent numerous texts but unfortunately he had not responded.  Brad prayed that we would be able to make contact with this marine.  We served half of the marines and we did not see his name.  Brad mentioned to another volunteer that we were looking for this young man.  And, the volunteer found him and introduced us.  We had a nice visit with the marine and invited him to the Branch.  It was amazing that we found him among all of the camouflage that day.  Prayers are answered.  We really enjoyed serving the marines--even if it was the hottest Concrete Beach of the year.  We hope to serve here once a month.

We were able to visit several more military families who live on the base.  The two young families we met both had three young children.  We had a delightful time dropping off popsicles and playing with the children as we got to know their parents.  One family had only been to church once since arriving about a month ago.  We invited them both to attend and they were both there on Sunday.  I was subbing in Primary on the piano and met Logan crying at the door (he is 5).  He didn't want to go in.  I told him I was new too and we could go in together.  And, he went with me.  Several times during the meeting he caught my eye and waved to me.  Levi, who is two, was from the second family.  After church he was running away from his mom who was carrying a sleeping infant.  When Levi ran past me, I called his name.  He looked and got a huge smile.  He went back to his mom and then escorted her calmly to come and see the missionary who had played with him.  It felt so good to see that we were making a difference in the lives of the families we visit.

Sunday Brad was the Fireside speaker in our Branch.  His topic was Standing Tall.  He did a terrific job.  He shared the story of Grandpa toasting the President of France with OJ and the Queen of England with water and challenged the marines to stand up for their values.  He also transported a marine to the Single Adults Ward which really helped that young man who has been struggling.  My service for the Basilone Branch on Sunday was cooking.  For breakfast I provided the Blueberry Buttermilk Pancake Casserole and for dinner homemade apple pie.  Everyone seemed to enjoy them.

At our meeting at the San Clemente Ward, one young father bore a strong testimony of the things he knows for certain.  He said there are many things he believes and some things he knows for certain.  And, there are some things he has put in a drawer of his mind to reconcile later.  The three things he knew for certain that he shared were:  1) We have heavenly parents who love us.  2) Joseph Smith did see the Father and the Son in the Sacred Grove as he said he did.  3) The temple sealing power is real.  He shared personal experiences that confirmed these three ideas and helped him know they are true.  It was an inspiring testimony--one of many that day that touched my heart.

One more picture of Elder Fullmer to close out this blog.  We are going to miss him playing his bag pipes!!