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.