December 26, 2017

Merry Christmas from the 

California, Irvine Mission

Our Zone Christmas Picture

We received many cards from family & friends

This lovely nativity from

Boyd and Cathy helped

bring the Christmas Spirit 

into our home.

Our mission leader, Bro. Steve Lang

Sister Moosman and Sister Baker

Zone Conference, December 19

Elder and Sister Okine and Elder Rogers

Table decorations 

Table nativity

Spanish Zone Choir

Zone Nativity

Chinese Zone Choir

Elders doing the Haka

Elder Halvorsen's Birthday at 

Zone Conference

Decorations at Zone Conference

Elder Halvorsen's Birthday

He loved his gifts

MCRD Band

Parade and Review

541 New Marines

Honor Grads

Braxton Ferguson third from right 

Richards (on couch) hosted 

Christmas Eve Party

Elder Pack at Christmas Eve Party

Missionary Christmas

December 26, 2017

We have had a wonderful week celebrating the Birth of Jesus Christ.  He is our Savior, our Redeemer, our King.  Because of his mercy and love we all have the gift of the resurrection and the chance to live with our Father again. We know He lives and succors us each day as we turn to Him for help and healing.

We started the week by helping stuff envelopes for a special FAM mailing (Family Assistance Ministry).  We worked for three hours with some of the nicest people we have met in San Clemente.  We had a sweet experience learning about their service experiences and sharing with them our missionary experiences. The two of us stuffed about 1000 envelopes (The mailing included 40,000)  Community service is a wonderful way to share our love with others.

I'm thankful to be able to share a picture of Steve Lang, our ward mission leader.  He is such an amazing teacher and leader.  We have learned to love him and his family.  Each Monday evening we meet with the Elders, Sisters and Ward Missionaries to support one another in our missionary efforts. On Christmas Day, Dave and Paula, a couple the Sisters have been teaching for months, attended our Christmas service.  Because of these correlation meetings, we felt an instant connection to them and were so thankful to welcome them to the meeting.

December 19 was Elder Halvorsen's birthday.  What a treat to be able to spend it at Zone Conference.  The training about using technology in teaching the Gospel was wonderful.  We had a terrific luncheon and enjoyed skits provided by the missionaries in the afternoon.  What talented young people we have in this mission.  President and Sister Clark are such inspiring leaders.  We love them very much.  As a Christmas surprise, an anonymous donor had provided ties for the elders and new dresses, skirts and tops for the sisters. It was so fun to see their excitement as they tried on their new outfits.  The generosity we see is overwhelming.  Brad enjoyed talking with all of our children and opening the thoughtful gifts they had sent him--he especially savored the pine nuts Nicole had shipped to him.  What a treat!!

The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society was bustling on Wednesday.  We completed 18 Quick Assistant Loans between 11 am and 4 pm.  That was a new record for me.  It was so nice to help these young marines have the last-minute cash they needed to head home for the holidays.

Thursday we enjoyed a real treat.  Elder and Sister Kapololu made arrangements for us to sit in the VIP section at the MCRD Graduation in San Diego.  The pageantry was impressive. Lima Company had 541 graduates being honored.  The band was outstanding and they even played O Shenandoah (which made us think of Grandpa).  We recorded it but the file was so big we couldn't send it to him.  One of the LDS marines--Braxton Ferguson was the Honor Man for his platoon which was very exciting.  We ran into a marine from our San Clemente Ward who was Ferguson's former missionary companion.  He was there to celebrate Ferguson's graduation. What a small world.

We stopped by the San Diego Temple and were able to serve as the witness couple and serve as proxies for several of Nicole's extended family.  It was a special session and we were really thankful we were able to do the work for these good people.

Friday and Saturday we spent running errands, getting the car serviced and preparing for Christmas.  It felt really strange not having the chance to volunteer those days.  We missed it.

Sunday we enjoyed our traditional Christmas Breakfast made using the recipe from Grandma Halvorsen. One of our favorite Christmas traditions.  Although our church services were only one hour, we had a fantastic Christmas program and felt loved by our ward members.  That evening we picked up Hiram Molina, a marine who graduated on Thursday, had took him with us to George and Tammy Richards' home.  The Richards and Webers (both serving in the Basilone Branch) and their children and grandchildren included us in their celebration.  We had a fabulous dinner and enjoyed the nativity.  The Richards provided beautiful gifts for everyone!  I received a lovely warm sweater to wear to church to keep warm.  Brad received a tie with palm trees to remind him of San Clemente.  After the party, we drove Molina to Oceanside for him to surprise his dad who had driven from SLC for Christmas.  We felt a little bad leaving Molina at a theater at 9 pm because his dad had not landed at his motel yet.  We were glad that we were able to help him with his surprise.

Christmas Day was a glorious event.  We loved doing FaceTime with all of our children and their families.  It was fun seeing Heidi's boys bouncing on their new trampoline.  Grant's kids were strumming their new ukuleles and building with Legos.  Boyd's girls were wearing unique PJs and getting excited about playing with their new boating toys as soon as it gets warm.  Some of Eric's family were assembling their Christmas--Tige his RC car Reese a Barbie SUV--while Gwen cuddled multiple baby dolls and Kaden and Eric were preparing to shoot their 22s.  Scott and his boys were playing a game when we called while Nicole and Ivey were working on redecorating Ivey's room.  Hazel and Scott had some fun Walkie Talkie Time.  Tate slept out in the cold in his new tent and sleeping bag.  I'm glad he didn't freeze.

We had a brief visit with Grandpa who was at Mike's house with Marilyn.  We were so thankful he was released on Christmas Eve so they could drive to Mike's in Concord, North Carolina.  He and Marilyn will fly to Utah on Wednesday.  So thankful for his recovery--he is amazing.  

We received some unique gifts that remind us of home.  We especially enjoyed Christmas notes written by the grandchildren which we will treasure.  Eric and Chelsey sent us the Elder and Sister stockings shown above stuffed with some yummy treats including my favorite sour cherries.  Boyd and Cathy sent an amazing nativity from Jerusalem that helped us remember the true reason for Christmas along with a KSL Calendar with pictures from home.  Craig made a gorgeous wooden plate for Brad--he is so talented.  We also received a wooden bowl made by our friend Merrill Wells that we will treasure along with some homemade cards that are gorgeous.  Heidi sent me a beautiful necklace I can't wait to wear.  We were excited to get a book we have wanted from Scott and Nicole's pine nuts were pure delight for Brad.  We were thrilled with your thoughtfulness.

After talking with the family, we drove to Murietta (literally over the mountain and through the woods) to join Elder and Sister Sattley and their family for a delicious brunch.  We had such fun meeting several of their children and a marine family they had invited to join us.  They are precious friends and we are so thankful to be serving with them.

It has been a wonderful week.  We are so thankful for friends near and far and family who made it special for us.  It is a joy serving as missionaries and we will cherish the the missionary experiences we have enjoyed this holiday season.

December 18, 2017

California, Irvine Mission Presidency

President & Sister Clark

Sister and President Hobbins

Sister and President Bruce

Christmas Family Home Evening at Mission Home

Elder Pack, Elder Tracy and Elder Capasso

First Day at FAM Thrift Store

Kristy and Barbara

Navy-Marine Corps Luncheon

Kaitlyn and Kristie

Navy-Marine Corps Luncheon

Recognition Program

428 Total Hours

Our Table at the Recognition Luncheon

Suzanne and Cheryl

RS Dinner at the Hatch Home

RS Sisters from San Clemente Ward

Segerstrom Center of the Arts

for Millenial Choir Concert

]

Senior Couples Christmas Activity

at the Segerstrom Center

Merry Christmas from

Camp Pendleton

December 18, 2017

We've had a fun week celebrating Christmas in California.  We had a lovely dinner and Family Home Evening for all of the senior couples at the mission home.  Sister Clark is such a gracious hostess and a fabulous cook.  Sister Brinton had written a reader's theater and presented it with Elder Finlayson and Elder Nygren.  Such a lovely evening.

Tuesday we got to meet our new elder--Elder Capasso from Hurricane, Utah.  He will be serving in a threesome for this transfer.  We attended graduation with the Elders before serving our first four-hour shift at the FAM (Family Assistance Ministry) Thrift Store in downtown San Clemente.  I sorted clothes and Brad did repairs around the building and moved large items.  We were pretty tired at 6 pm but enjoyed the new friends we worked with.

I attended my first Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Board Meeting on Wednesday.  I enjoy working with such dedicated volunteers there.  I have been asked to serve as the Lead for the Budget for Baby Program at the Camp Pendleton Office.  It should be a fun experience.

Attended several parties on Thursday.  First we attended the Volunteer Recognition Luncheon for the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.  It was a classy event.  Those who planned it did a great job.  That night I joined the sisters of the San Clemente Ward Relief Society for a Christmas dinner at Mary Alice Hatch's home.  She lives in the same gated community that houses President Richard Nixon's Western White House, La Casa Pacifica.  It's quite the neighborhood.  I got to meet Sister Baker a new sister missionary from Dallas, Texas.  She is adorable.  We will look forward to getting to know her better.

We found out on Thursday that Grandpa was in the Navy Hospital in Portsmouth Virginia and was in need of emergency surgery.  He had been enroute to a candy drop at Mantio North Carolina Outter Banks near Kitty Hawk.  His surgery was around midnight  We are thankful Denise was traveling with him and Mike was able to join her in supporting Grandpa during his hospital stay.  He is doing well and we hope he will be able to travel to Mike's house for Christmas later this week.  He has received excellent treatment from the caring naval staff.

Friday the San Onofre Office surprised Brad with a homemade berry pie in honor of his upcoming birthday.  It was delicious.  We had to leave early to drive to Irvine to attend a concert at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts--a magnificent building.  The Senior Couples were there to see the Millennial Choir and Orchestra perform.  We had heard they were better than the Tabernacle Choir.  I don't know if they were better but they were certainly close.  Three choirs performed including a children's choir, a teen choir and an adult choir.  They were amazing.  We thoroughly enjoyed the evening.

After all the partying, we needed some exercise so Saturday we hiked the nearby mountains in the morning.  It was the first really windy day that we have had since we arrived.  We had planned to go to Dana Point to the Holiday Boat Parade that night but the winds changed our plans.  So, instead we watched the BYU-Utah basketball game.  Go Cougars!!

The highlight of Sunday was joining our family Christmas Party at Boyd and Cathy's house on FaceTime.  It was the best Christmas present ever seeing the family together.  Of course, we missed Heidi and Craig and their boys but it was wonderful seeing the Utah group having fun together.  We have received a variety of Christmas cards from friends and family.  We are so thankful for all of those who have remembered us this Christmas season.  We love all of you and feel so blessed to have you in our lives.

December 11, 2017

Santa's Workshop

Donna Miranda, Director,

San Onofre Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society

San Onofre Volunteer Luncheon

Elder and Sister Rober

Nauvoo Missionaries

San Clemente Stake

Interfaith Christmas Concert

Nicki and Elsie

Ryan, Ruby and Annie

Sophie singing in 

San Diego East Stake

Christmas Fireside

Ryan played several solos in

the Christmas Fireside

Sister Moosman, Sister Crossette

Brianne Bullard

December 11, 2017

It's been a week of wonderful celebrations.  Monday we volunteered at Santa's Workshop on Camp Pendleton.  There were hundreds of new donated toys being prepared to be given away to children of marines.  Parents (young marines) will be able to choose 3-4 gifts for each of their children next week.  We got to cover tables and display toys.  Those who donated were certainly generous.  It looked like a retail toy store.  It was a fun day of service.

Tuesday we said goodbye to two of our favorite marines--Pace and Edmunds.  We wish them success in their military careers and will really miss them.  Fires fueled by the Santa Anna Winds were the topic of discussion.  So many homes destroyed by wildfires--so sad.

Wednesday we were honored for each volunteering 428 hours at the San Onofre Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.  We only serve here one afternoon per week but when you are consistent, the hours accumulate pretty quickly.  Donna Miranda, the office director, hosted the lovely event.  Her husband did all of the cooking.  The commanders from the School of Infantry--West attended the luncheon along with Chaplain Powers who we have become good friends with.  That evening we attended the San Clemente Ward Empty Nesters Family Home Evening.  Elder and Sister Rober who recently returned from serving as missionaries in Nauvoo entertained us with interesting stories about Nauvoo Saints.  The early Saints truly sacrificed all they had to build Zion and had some amazing spiritual experiences.  The Robers loved serving in Nauvoo.

After working our regular shift at the Thrift Store on Thursday, we met Elder and Sister Sattley and one of their neighbors for lunch.  Howie is a retired fireman and is hoping to volunteer at the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.  He had questions that we were able to answer for him and we introduced him at the mainside office so he can get started.  While we were at lunch, the Fallbrook fire broke out and we could see a dark cloud of smoke close by.  The fire moved quickly destroying 84 homes and killing some prize horses.  We're so thankful for the firefighters who are working so hard to limit the destruction.

Friday we watched news reports about the fires and prayed the winds would stop.  Did our regular shift at the San Onofre Office.  

The highlight of Saturday was attending the Interfaith Christmas Concert sponsored by the San Clemente Stake.  Myrna Borquist (Bro. Lang's daughter) was in charge of the event and she did a fantastic job.  Four religious congregations joined members of the San Clemente Stake to perform.  They had some very unusual musical numbers.  It was fun to meet members from other congregations and see them perform.  A great event to build closer ties with our friends and neighbors.  President and Sister Clark were in attendance.  President Stapley from the San Clemente Stake gave a Christmas message encouraging everyone to make room in our hearts for Christ every day of the year.  He told a cute story of a girl he met in London.  She said as a child she was asked to participate in a nativity play at school.  She was sure she would be Mary but instead was the innkeeper's wife.  When she complained her mother explained that the innkeeper's wife was probably the one who found room for Mary and Joseph in the stable.  The young girl (about 9 years old) took this to heart.  During the play, when the couple came to the Inn and the innkeeper said their was no room, she stepped forward and said--Of course we have room for the Son of God!!  Each of us has he opportunity to make room for Him in our lives.  

Sunday was the highlight of the week.  We had several marines who we had met at MCRD report for duty.  So fun to see them again.  We're going to miss the instant connection we've felt with those we have met at the Cake Cuttings.  D'Angelo and Thomas are both looking forward to a temple trip in January.  In Sacrament Meeting in the San Clemente Ward, Sister Moosman and Sister Crossette sang Dear To The Heart of the Shepherd as a special number.  It was so applicable to missionary service and it was beautiful.  Sister Crossette was transferred today.  We are really going to miss working with her.  She has been in this ward for over seven months and has done an amazing job.  She is such a dedicated missionary.  It was wonderful that Brianne Bullard was baptized Sunday night before Sister Crossette left.  Brianne has been a golden investigator and was so excited for her baptism--such a beautiful spirit.  We felt bad that we were unable to attend the baptism but Brianne knows that we love her.  

Sunday evening we made a trip to San Diego to have dinner with Ryan, Nicki, Sophie, Caleb, Elsie, Ruby and Annie Williams.  What a fabulous family.  We really enjoyed visiting with them.  They will be moving to Japan the end of March so we felt very blessed to spend an evening in their home.  They will be stationed in Japan for two years and they are all excited for this adventure.  We were able to see Ryan and Sophie perform in the San Diego East Stake Christmas Fireside.  Ryan played several solos and sang in the choir.  Sophie was featured in a small singing group and also sang in the choir.  It was an outstanding concert. We got to meet a sister Nicki taught when she served in San Diego as a young sister missionary.  The convert is now in charge of the institute for the area and her husband is in the bishopric of their ward.  What a tender mercy that Nicki returned to her mission area as an adult to see how her service had helped this sweet sister enjoy the fulness of the gospel in her life.  While we were at the concert we were also able to see several missionaries in the San Diego Mission who we have worked with at MCRD as well as Elder and Sister Nelsen, Military Relations Missionaries we have come to love.

December 4, 2017

The sunsets have been magnificent

San Clemente Ward

Christmas Breakfast

Missionaries at work

Decorations in place

Freddie and Mandy Kuhn

provided hilarious entertainment

Bringing on the Glitz 

Downtown San Clemente--Del Mar Street

Brad on Del Mar

Dropping off my letter to Santa

Imported snow was a big hit

Sledding for about 100 feet

Charlie Brown Christmas Tree

The lights helped a lot

Festive and crowded community event

(Notice they light the trunks of the palm trees)

The Abode--So Peaceful

December 4, 2017

It's the most wonderful time of the year!!  Hope your week has been as fun as ours.

Monday, November 27, we woke up to rain!! Cars were actually splashing in puddles.  It was wonderful. As much as we enjoy San Clemente weather, we do miss the seasons.  We drove to Mainside at noon to volunteer at Santa's Workshop only to find out they didn't have anything for us to do that day.  (Next time we'll call and confirm.)  I was so disappointed but I talked Brad into going to the MCX to do some Christmas shopping so the trip wasn't a total waste.

We met Elders Pack and Tracy at graduation on Tuesday.  We were excited when Sister Layne who we met at MCRD recognized us and came to talk with us.  After the graduation, we took the missionaries to lunch at Baja Fresh Grill.  We enjoyed getting to know Elder Tracy on a deeper level. Love working with this wonderful young men.  

Got to teach a delightful group in Budget for Babies.  One of the dads was wearing a Ute T-shirt.  He was impressed I knew what it stood for.  He is from West Valley City.  In the afternoon when I was working as a receptionist, a young marine pulled out his cell phone to show me his Leave and Earnings Statement.  The cover photo was of him and his bride in front of the Salt Lake Temple.  He was shocked when I said, I have a picture like that.  I was married there too!!  It was a very busy day and we were able to assist a large number of marines in financial difficulties.  It's always rewarding to be able to help them.

I was back to hanging clothes at the Thrift Store this week.  We were trying to get out all of the winter clothing they have been storing all year.  I was exhausted at the end of our shift.  We stopped by Lake O'Neill for a picnic, changed from our work clothes and drove to the housing area to deliver our Light the World Christmas gifts.  Most of the people were home and were excited to see us.  We watched a gorgeous sunset over the ocean before heading home.  One of the children from the Coleman family was playing in the park and came over to enjoy it with us.  He was proud to introduce the missionaries to his buddy.  They were 11 years old and reminded me so much of our own grandsons at home.  So cute and friendly.  We received a delightful email from home and a card came from a good friend.  Sure miss South Mountain 4th Ward and our neighbors there.

Friday was a repeat busy day at the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.  December definitely brings financial stress to young marines.  So glad the Society was established to help them by providing interest free loans.  On the way home we were blessed with another amazing sunset.  I've been told this is the best time of year to enjoy the spectacular displays at the end of the day.

Saturday was a fun p-day.  We arrived early for the San Clemente Ward Christmas Breakfast to deliver some donations for the Spanish Ward in our stake.  Then we helped set up for the breakfast.  There was a terrific turnout.  We've made some wonderful friends in this ward.  Freddie and Mandy Kuhn provided the hilarious musical entertainment.  Mandy is actually a professional singer and does voice-overs in movies.  So hearing their off-key renditions of holiday songs was a riot.  After the cleanup, we went to Del Mar street to shop for Ivey's Christmas gift.  (She is redecorating her room and has asked for beach decor.)  We really enjoyed the afternoon and found out that evening was the annual San Clemente Christmas party called Bringing on the Glitz.  So, we took a shuttle that evening and joined the residents in welcoming the Christmas Season.  We arrived at 6 and were able to see the  Charlie Brown Christmas Tree lit.  (Made me REALLY miss the Draper lights!!!)  The poor little tree looked much better when the lights were shining.  It was ready to Light the World.  The biggest event of the night was the sledding hill.  They had trucked in snow and the kids were wild with excitement.  Some were seeing the white stuff for the first time.  The sledding hill was only about 100 feet but there was a huge line of children and adults paying to slide for a minute down the tiny slope.  It was fun to feel their excitement.  We had a lovely evening looking at the shops and being part of the crowd.  Our final stop was at The Abode--a beautiful house that now sells decor.  It was so peaceful.

Sunday was busy, as always.  Had a spiritual feast during our testimony meeting at the Basilone Branch.  We have some new marines who shared their testimonies of how much the Savior's grace means to them.  We had an investigator, Brianne who attended the San Clemente Ward with the sisters and announced she is ready to be baptized.  We're so excited for her.  We were blessed to visit with Boyd, Cathy, Aspen, Emma and Dylan.  They took time out of decorating their house to chat with us and we loved seeing them.  We're so thankful for FaceTime.  I was in charge of the main course for the marines' dinner.  Made numerous chicken enchilada casseroles for the group and everyone seemed to enjoy the meal.  So, I was very tired but pleased at the end of the day.

So thankful to begin this beautiful season of the year.  It is a blessing to serve as missionaries and share the "true reason for the season" with those we serve.  May we all Light the World with love!