September 25, 2017

Elder Pack modeling

60 lb. Pack SOI Students Carry

Elder Haycock tries out the

Grenade Launcher

Cake Cutting at MCRD

70 years ago Bro. Bennett became a marine.

He cuts the cake with a ceremonial sword.

Boyd and Grandpa at 

a gala for the 

Gail S. Halvorsen Aviation

Education Foundation

It was fun catching up with family this week.  Loved talking with Eric and his children on Monday.  They are very busy with sports--football, soccer and gymnastics.  The kids are all terrific athletes.  Scott, Nicole, Tate and Beau took a quick trip to NYC for Scott to attend a conference.  They fulfilled one of Beau's dreams to go to Yankee Stadium for a game.  Nicole also got to see Dear Evan Hansen on Broadway--she loved it.  Tuesday was Luke's 11th birthday.  We sure love that boy.  He is becoming an outstanding volleyball player.  We loved talking to Grant's family and seeing their hamsters.  Thursday was Heidi's birthday.  We don't know how the years have flown by so quickly.  She is such a blessing to have in our family.  They are thoroughly enjoying living in Wisconsin.  Friday Boyd and Cathy attended a Gala in Grandpa's honor at Jamestown to raise money for the Gail S. Halvorsen Aviation Education Foundation.  They had a wonderful time and we enjoyed their report.  Boyd's picture with Grandpa is amazing--two handsome and kind men.   Scott and Nicole are in the process of moving to a newer home in Mona.  Certainly wish we were there to help them in some way.  Moving boxes is no fun but their new house looks beautiful.

We welcomed Elder Pack to the Basilone Military Branch this week.  He is from Blackfoot, Idaho and has been serving for about a year.  He and Elder Haycock have been working double time this week and have covered a lot of ground.  It is exciting.  They joined us for graduation on Tuesday and the pictures above show them sporting some of the equipment our marines use on a regular basis.

Wednesday, after working at the Relief Society, we stopped to meet a military family in our ward.  The marine may be faced with a medical discharge.  About a year ago he fell while taking his dog for a run and broke his elbow.  The elbow has not completely healed.  As an MP, he must carry the heavy rifles, etc. which aggravates his injury.  They had planned on being in the marines until retirement so now they are faced with the challenge of finding a new career.  He has a degree in criminal justice and was a policeman before entering the marines but in today's world, he does not want to go back into that line of business.  I couldn't get them off of my mind after meeting them.  Then in dawned on me that I worked with someone at Canyons School District whose husband worked in the Church Security Services Department.  I have contacted them to see if perhaps he would mentor this marine.  Hope we can be instruments in helping them make this transition.  

After MCRD graduation, we went out to dinner with our favorite senior missionaries.  We went to Phil's BBQ and then out for ice cream at Hammonds.  It was a delightful evening.

Loved attending the Women's Conference on Saturday night with other sisters from our stake.  The talks were all inspiring.  I really love Pres. Uchtdorf and enjoyed his message.  After the meeting, we had dinner together.  The chapel was full.  It was fun to fellowship with the sisters in the stake.

Sunday both Brad and I spoke in the Branch.  My talk was on elevating our faith and focused on how we need to repair any downed "power" lines in our lives to connect to the eternal source of power and light, even Jesus Christ.  I talked about the hurricanes and how in order to get the damaged areas back to normal, they needed power.  We each need the power we can receive through faith in Jesus Christ. Brad taught 59 marines about prayer.  He outlined how to pray (since half of the congregation were not members of our church) and how to recognize answers to our prayers.  He did a great job and I'm sure the marines were enlightened by his message.