October 9, 2017

President and Sister Clark (left)

California, Irvine Mission

Elder and Sister Chao's Farewell Dinner (left)

Elder and Sister Nygren (Office Couple)

Farewell dinner at Sam Woo

Nygrens, Brintons, Shelstads, Finlaysons

Sister Okine

Sattleys at our booth at the

Camp Pendleton 

Family Faith Fair

Dinner Lines at the Family Faith Fair

Lehman's Final Sunday at SOI

October 9, 2017

We certainly enjoyed our week.  We had lots of fun sharing meals with friends and family.  On Monday night, we were invited to attend the Empty Nester's FHE with the San Clemente Ward.  It was great getting to know these amazing people.  Bro Lusk had lived in the same house for 50 years and shared the history of the area with us.  Sister Lesueur shared stories of serving a mission with her husband in Texas in the same area that Brad had served.  Sister Human and Sister Foltz also were in attendance. The group was small but among them they had so much knowledge, it was fun to sit at the table with them.  We shared favorite conference thoughts for our FHE lesson.  

Tuesday was a real treat for us.  Denise (Brad's sister) and David were caring for their grandchildren in San Diego while Ryan and Nicki were at the Chaplain's Conference in SLC.   So, we met them for a session at the San Diego temple and then visited over lunch at the temple.  It was wonderful to see them and get to spend time with them.

Wednesday after working at the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society we drove to Irvine to attend a farewell dinner for Elder and Sister Chao (office missionaries).  We ate at Sam Woo's and it was delicious! However, Brad did chomp on a stray shell and is hoping he doesn't have a cracked tooth. Had a delightful evening chatting with a new office couple--the Okine's from San Antonio Texas.

Thursday was more food--but this time we were serving it to the marines.  We set up a booth at the Family Faith Fair at Mainside Camp Pendleton.  Our mission provided some beautiful banners offering family history help for us to use.  Unfortunately, we didn't have a lot of people come to the booth which was quite disappointing.  We set up the booth at noon and took it down about 6 pm.  So, it was a long day.  We did get to visit with the Sattleys, Sweetwoods and 10 Elders and Sisters from the Carlsbad mission.  Brad and I were able to serve with volunteers from a variety of faith groups and dish up dinner to about 500 marines and their families.  The Elders and Sisters were a big hit.  They served the folks in the dining tent and were able to talk with a number of people about our faith.  So, even though the booth wasn't a big hit, we did have the opportunity to serve and build relationships with faithful volunteers from other denominations.

Saturday the party continued with a Pot-Luck Dinner with the senior couples who serve in the Basilone Branch.  We met at the Weber's house and enjoyed their beautiful patio that backed on to a golf course.  The evening was gorgeous and the company outstanding.  We have really learned to love these great couples and enjoy serving with them.  We played some fun games and I actually won an electric Quesadilla maker.  Just what every woman wants. 

Sunday we said goodbye to Private First Class Lehman.  We have spent a lot of time with this young man driving him to YSA and enjoying a temple trip with him.  He has been faithful in attending our meetings and has been instrumental in bringing many of his fellow marines to our services.  He has shown how the example of one can make a big difference in the lives of those he associates with.  We're going to miss him.

We missed being with all of our family (except Heidi and Craig in Wisconsin) on Sunday to celebrate Grandpa's 97th birthday (October 10).  I'm so thankful they all took the time to be there.  We had a tender mercy as we met Bro. and Sister Manning on Sunday.  Bro. Manning is our new High Councilman.  When we met, he asked if we knew Gail Halvorsen.  When Brad acknowledged that he was Gail's son, Bro. Manning got tears in his eyes.  He said 38 years ago, he lived in Provo.  He and his new bride were in the Oak Hills First Ward when Grandpa served as the bishop.  He was called to serve as the Elder's Quorum President in that ward.  He proceeded to tell us how much he loved Grampa and how much he had learned from him about service.  "Each life that touches ours for good..." Another soul changed for the better because of Grandpa.  The world is definitely a better place because of Gail Halvorsen.  Happy Birthday!!