February 12, 2018

Elder Fambrough at graduation

Elder Sanford with pack

San Diego Temple

Cameron Newberry with Elder Halvorsen

Sister Halvorsen with Cameron Newberry

Theory of Relativity

Emma Dawson with some cast members

Emma Dawson

February 12, 2018

Our first full week of February was packed with service and activities.  Monday we received a call from the grandmother of a marine's wife.  The couple had just moved to Camp Pendleton and unfortunately, their household goods were lost/delayed and had not arrived.  Samantha, the wife, has been inactive for a few years and she didn't feel comfortable contacting the bishop for help.  So, with input from her grandmother, we were able to step in and give a helping hand.  From our experiences at the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, we knew of agencies on base that they could contact to receive help.  We made arrangements to take them a meal, contacted the LDS Relief Society President and the ward missionaries who also took them meals while they were waiting for their kitchen supplies.  So, they received a friendly welcome in Camp Pendleton which they really appreciated.

We attended FHE at the Kennedy's home.  It was really fun getting to know them a little better.  Sister Kennedy is confined to a wheel chair but has a very positive and cheerful attitude.  She is really a great example to everyone she meets.  We slipped away early from the FHE to attend Missionary Correlation Meeting at the Langs.  The missionaries had made some excellent contacts this week and were excited about teaching the people they had met.

Elders Fambrough and Sanford accompanied us to two graduations on Tuesday.  One of the graduates that day was 27 years old who had grown up in Afghanistan and served as an interpreter for the US military for four years.  He then served in the Afghan army for two years before preparing to become a US Marine.  He will shortly become a US citizen--an impressive journey. 

We served at FAM on Tuesday afternoon and the NMCRS on Wednesday.  We were excited to see pictures of Grandpa skiing at Sundance with Blake and the largest US flag in the country--Grandpa is so amazing.  Had fun sharing the video of the event with our friends.  

We celebrated our half-way mark on Thursday, February 8.  Hard to believe our mission is already half over.  We got to talk to Kent for his birthday (a little late--his actual birthday is Feb. 6).  He certainly had a wonderful time with his family celebrating.  He is a special 6 year old.  That night we attended our first Addiction Recovery Class at the San Clemente Stake.  We had a spiritual experience seeing how the Atonement of Jesus Christ can work in the lives of those who are struggling with addictions.  Each attendee had a unique story that touched our hearts.  Jesus Christ knows all of us and only He has the ability to lift the burdens that we carry.  Through Him nothing is impossible.

Saturday we enjoyed a variety of wonderful experiences.  We had planned to take five marines to the temple but unfortunately four were unable to leave the base.  So, we enjoyed the day with Cameron Newberry from Peoria, AZ.  Cameron is currently in rehab due to a hand injury.  He was really excited to see the temple.  We met the Kapololus and Sattleys in San Diego.  Cameron and the Kapololus went to the Mormon Battalion Museum while we attended a session with the Sattleys.  Afterwards we all met for lunch.  We really enjoyed our time with Cameron and on Sunday he reported that his trip to the temple was the highlight of his week.

Later that evening we attended part of our stake conference and heard President and Sister Clark speak about "Where your treasure is there will your heart be also."  We also were able to support the Dawson family as honorary grandparents and watch Emma perform in The Theory of Relativity.  It was a wonderful musical that I had never seen before.  The performers were terrific and I loved the music.  It was a delightful production.

It was a very quiet Sunday at the Branch.  Many of the marines had limited leave due to disciplinary actions so we only had two marines at our morning meeting and 19 in the evening.  But, those who attended were very grateful to be there.  We were able to attend another hour of stake conference which was very uplifting.  In the afternoon, we were asked by Elder Pack to pick up Maxter Highrent from Camp Horno and transport him to meet with the missionaries off base.  Maxter had worked with Elder Pack while he was at SOI.  Maxter is now in Recon and leaves Monday to do extensive sea training for a month.  We really enjoyed our time with him.  When we returned him to the barracks he asked Elder Halvorsen to pray with him before his next training phase.  His time with the elders really strengthened him.  It was a blessing to be able to help him before he leaves.  Again, we realized we are here to minister to the one.