November 6, 2017

Salisbury Graduates--Top 5%

Salisbury and the Elders

Elder Tracy

Elder Arner

Elders Arner and Pack

Well organized Stake Relief Society

Food Project

My packing crew

Spencer and Andrea Dawson

always serving with a smile.

Stacked with Love

A few of the boxes we filled.

Each box contains 48 packets of

food that will feed a family of 6.

November 6, 2017

A week packed with learning and love.  Nina, a headquarters trainer from the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, was in town this week and we were able to participate in several of her training sessions.  It is a privilege to work in an organization that is dedicated to serve everyone who comes in their doors in a nonjudgmental and charitable way.  The Society started in 1904 and has always been about helping marines, sailors and their families in a loving way.  Great to be part of their team.

We had several missionaries join our team this week.  Two new ward missionaries in San Clemente--Mark Herzog and Chad Anderson.  Bro. Herzog is a marine and will work to fellowship marines who have graduated from SOI and are now permanently stationed on Camp Pendleton.  Brad was inspired to recommend a marine be called to serve in this position and we think Bro. Herzog will do a fantastic job. Bro. Anderson returned home from his mission to Alabama last month and he is happy to serve with us until he leaves for college.  Elder Tracy is Elder Pack's new companion.  He served in the Basilone Branch a year ago fresh out of the MTC.  Everyone was thrilled to see him return.  He knows what to expect and is anxious to serve.  Elder Arner, pictured above, finished out the threesome at graduation while waiting for the arrival of his new companion from the MTC.  He is a delightful elder.  His father is a doctor in the Air Force stationed at Ramstein.  He and his twin brother left Germany for their missions (California and Nevada) so it was really fun to talk Air Force, Germany and missionary service with him.  We sent the picture above to his grandmother in Utah so she could forward it to his parents.  We've now become pen pals.  She is going through some pretty serious health issues and really appreciated seeing her grandson's picture--a tender mercy.  

Sam Salisbury graduated this week.  He is an amazing marine from St. George, Utah.  He was funny because he said he never had any leadership positions when he served as a missionary.  He enjoyed not being in charge.  As soon as he reached San Diego he was asked to be a leader in his company and he has been handpicked for leadership positions ever since.  He graduated in the top 5% of his class and received special honors at graduation.  So proud of the great example he has been to his fellow marines.

We didn't have any trick or treaters for Halloween but we sure enjoyed seeing pictures of our own grandchildren in their costumes.  A very quiet holiday here.  We did get to celebrate at a party for lunch that day at the San Onofre Office and met with the ITB Battalion Commander--Lt. Colonel Nuzzo who judged our chili cook off.  He is certainly concerned about the welfare of the students.  A very nice person.

The Dodgers losing the World Series was disappointing for Elder Halvorsen.  The Dodgers have always been his favorite team and they are REALLY BIG here in California.  It was exciting to be here with all of the buzz about the series.  Sad to see them lose the final game.

Thrift store cashiering is getting easier.  I'm becoming a regular now.  The store serves as an important resource for the young marine families.  Had an enjoyable trip to San Diego for the cake cutting. Always fun to meet the marines and their families.  And, spending the evening with our favorite senior couples is a plus too.  November 10 is the Marine Corps birthday.  This is a huge event with special cake cutting and balls for all of the marines around the world.  Several of our ward members had to travel to Las Vegas for parties with their companies.  It's something they really look forward to.

Saturday I got to help pack meals for 60,000 people.  The packets made a jambalaya and included spices, rice, freeze dried vegetables and lentils.  We were placed in a team of 10 people at a long table.  Each had a job to do--filling, weighing, sealing, packing.  It was quite the assembly line process.  I got to add a 1/2 C scoop of rice to the packet.  I actually scooped about 175 lbs. of rice.  I was tired but it was fun.  It only took 2 hrs. with 200 people to complete the task.  We also did a book drive to send books to Houston to help restock their libraries.  We donated several copies of Mercedes and the Candy Bomber for that drive.  It was a very fulfilling day.  That afternoon Brad and I took a nice hike in the hills nearby for our p-day activity.

Sunday was special.  Brad was the fireside speaker and gave an excellent talk about the importance of the one.  Earlier that day that concept was displayed in our Basilone Branch testimony meeting.  One marine stood and thanked his "battle buddy" for supporting him in his desire to attend church.  His "buddy" has been less active since he was 16 years old.  Pace wanted to attend but needed to have someone from his company attend with him to be released for the services.  His buddy has attended with him regularly.  He even accompanied Pace yesterday to the Stake President's Office for Pace to obtain his temple recommend.  And, he will go with us to the temple next Saturday while Pace takes out his endowments in preparation for his temple wedding in two weeks.  This "buddy" truly was the one for Pace while he was here at SOI.  Another marine, Hansen told of how he had had a conversation with an unknown marine while they were hiking.  They talked about spiritual things and their hopes for the future.  His new friend, Faulkner, said what Hansen shared with him rang true.  He has been attending our meetings and is preparing for baptism.  Hansen said he was taught in his youth to Stand in Holy Places--and wherever you stand with a testimony of Jesus Christ can be a holy place.  He has felt the guidance of the Spirit while he has been here at Camp Pendleton.  Schofield shared that his parents sent him a picture of his unopened mission call.  They will bring it to him to open in two weeks when they return to the San Diego Temple where they were sealed 20 years ago.  Families are forever because of temple ordinances.  

Sister Lundquist shared an insight that I want to share with you.  They have a family friend who plays QB for USC.  She said after the game, the reporter congratulated the QB on a great game and asked him how he was going to prepare for the next big game.  His response was he was going to carefully go over the film and find ways he could improve before he ran on the field next week.  Sister Lundquist likened this to the time we have when we partake of the sacrament each week.  We can review the "film" of our activities that week and see how we can improve our game and become more Christlike.  I loved that idea.  I think this would resonate with our athletic grandchildren.  It is a good time for each of us to contemplate our performance and become better each week.  We have the opportunity to repent.  As we learned in Sunday School, Heavenly Father doesn't want to punish us for our errors, he just wants us to get back on the right track.  He is always there with open arms to love us and forgive us if we humbly seek his help.  His love and grace is a gift we all enjoy.