February 5, 2018

Elder Ryan Bowen

Gill Marley's Baptism

Elder Lemon

Zach Crump (Gill's first missionary)

Lindsey and Kensley Colman

Ben, Spencer, Andrea and Emma Dawson

Kensley's Party

February 5, 2018

It's been a busy and interesting week.  Monday we got a call from an anxious marine who was in transit to SOI but had left his dress uniform in Kansas.  He contacted us through the texts we had sent him after graduating from MCRD.  He needed the uniform to check in at SOI on Tuesday morning and asked if he could have the uniform sent overnight to our addressing if we would then deliver the uniform to him when he got off of the bus from San Diego so he could change before checking in.  We were really excited that he knew to contact us for help and we gladly agreed to accept the package which would arrive before 10:30 am on Tuesday.  Tuesday 10:30 came and went and there was no package.  We texted him and asked if he could track the package and figure out where it was.  Oh, he said, they changed the delivery time to before 3 pm.  (And he forgot to tell us)  He was supposed to check in at 1 pm so I was very nervous  We skipped the graduation at 11 hoping the uniform would arrive.  At 1 pm we contacted him wondering what we should do.  He said--oh, I'm still in San Diego.  The bus hasn't picked us up yet so don't worry I'll call you when we leave.  (He forgot to mention the delay.)  We were scheduled to work at the FAM Thrift store at 2 pm.  The package arrived at 1:50.  We decided I would work at the store and Brad would leave to take him the uniform. About 4 pm we contacted him again.  Oh, he had fallen asleep on the bus and forgotten to call us to let us know that he was on his way.  At 5 pm, we contacted him again--at this point I'm getting an ulcer.  Oh, they said because they were picked up late, they could check in in our cammies so he didn't need the uniform to check in.  He would get it on Sunday.  It's now been a week and we still have the uniform in our car.  Can't wait to finally meet this marine.  

Wednesday was Zone Conference.  We were so excited to see Elder Ryan Bowen (the elder we worked with at SOI when we first arrived.)  Elder Bowen is now an assistant to the president.  He returns home in six weeks so we may not see him again.  It was wonderful to be able to rub shoulders with him before he returns home.  He has decided to become a hospital administrator like Elder Halvorsen.  Funny, Elder Halvorsen decided on that career because of someone he met on his mission.  

Besides seeing Elder Bowen, we really enjoyed the Zone Conference.  President Clark's younger brother Dan Clark instructed us.  Bro. Clark is a world renowned motivational speaker and he inspired all of us with his message.  He was paralyzed as a college football player and defied all of the odds to walk again.  He talked about raising the bar and why when we are given an obstacle that is 12 inches above the ground, we only lift our leg 14 inches to clear it even if we could jump 36 inches.  We do what is expected of us.  We need to expect more of ourselves.  He asked us to consider the question--Does my life matter?  We need to do our part to create miracles.  Bro. Clark shared some amazing missionary experiences he had in Ireland.  It was a fabulous conference.  On our way home, I got a sweet text from the mom of the marine waiting for his uniform thanking us for reaching out to her son so he knew who he could call when he needed help.  It reminded us that we too are helping create little miracles that provide the tender mercies that marines need.

While we were working at the Thrift Store on Thursday, Bill (the Navy-Marine Corps Mainside Director) escorted the VP of the Headquarters Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society on a tour of the facility.  When he was standing by me as I was cashiering he gushed about how Elder Halvorsen and I volunteer in so many of their facilities on the base.  He was extremely complimentary.  Nice to know people feel we are making a difference here.

February 2 was Grant's birthday.  Feel so very blessed to have him as our son.  He is a talented and caring man who is a terrific father and husband.  Couldn't ask for more.  We are so proud of him.  This week I contacted Lila Bohman on FaceBook.  Lila and her husband also served as military relations missionaries a few years ago.   She was my best friend when Grant was born 38 years ago in Arizona.  I think of her often as I see young marine wives helping each other.  How blessed I was to have a friend like her at a that time in my life.  Friday morning we went to a reception at the San Onofre NMCRS Office to meet the dignitary from headquarters for a reception.  Since we were already on base and needed to return at noon for our regular volunteer hours, we went to the beach and sent our texts to the marines.  What a beautiful area we are blessed to serve in.  The warm sunshine and the gorgeous ocean made our wait so enjoyable.

Saturday we were very busy.  We attended the baptism of Gill Marley.  What a joyous day.  Gill was born in England during the depression.  He grew up in poverty begging for food at factory doors.  He lived with bombs exploding and killing his little friends during WWII.  As an adult he immigrated to the US and became a well respected aeronautical engineer for NASA  He said he had lots of his "junk" on the moon.  He and his only son started a consulting business and traveled extensively between California and Hawaii.  When Gill's son died from liver cancer, he lost all of his motivation and wealth.  Eventually, he became homeless.  At his lowest point, he had contracted pneumonia and was living in the bushes outside of a Starbuck's restaurant.  He thought he was going to die and sincerely prayed for God to save him.  A kind man, Bro. Schwartz met Gill that day and took him home.  His family "adopted" the elderly gentleman.  Missionaries were teaching the Schwartz family but it was Gill who was converted.  He had a number of missionaries teach him and each of them learned to love this dear man.  He came to recognize the he was a spirit being who had worth.  He learned to love the Gospel and he said his baptism day was the happiest day of his life. Zach Crump who was released from his mission six months ago flew in from Utah State to see Gill baptized.  He was the first missionary to have met him.  What a joyous reunion they had.  Gill had tears as he told how much he loved Elder Crump and all of the dedicated missionaries who had taught him. Elder Pack who recently served with us at SOI will now have the opportunity to teach Gill the new member lessons.  Attending the baptism was a spiritual feast.

Saturday afternoon, we had been invited to attend the birthday party for Kensley Colman.  Kensley turned one. (She has three big brothers and you can tell from the pictures she is quite the princess.)  The Colmans are a great marine family who we have the blessing to know.  Dawsons were at the party so we took the opportunity to snap a family picture of them--such dear friends.  After the party, we visited several families on base that we had not had the chance to meet before.  So, it was a busy and delightful day.

Sunday was another glorious Sabbath Day.  Elder Fambrough asked if Elder Halvorsen would serve as his companion so he could attend the Basilone Branch with us in the morning while Elder Sanford attended the San Clemente Ward at the same time.  We enjoyed having him with us.  We had a touching testimony meeting.  So many of the marines are struggling with loneliness and sickness this week.  Newbury had been in the hospital with the flu.  Hill shared that it was the very first time he had ever shared his testimony.  He has always been the quiet one.  But, he said how much he enjoyed coming to church and feeling the love there. D'Angelo quoted President Monson about Dare to stand alone.  He said he has felt very alone in his company where he is the only active LDS marine.  He's thankful the Lord is with him.  Radoni is a sailor who is here for Recon training.  He has been in the navy for several years so he testified that you can be true to the faith as you serve--it was a wonderful meeting.  Elder and Sister Kapololu and Elder and Sister Sattley joined us at our fireside.  Last year on Super Bowl Sunday, they only had 8 marines attend so we were surprised that we had 27 there last night.  Vic Lundquist (in the Branch Presidency) shared with us that he feels our texts and the effort we are putting into fellowshipping the marines has made a huge difference  He asked us to document what we are doing because it works!  He hopes the next missionaries will follow our example.  We are so grateful for the Church Missionary Relations training we received  and the Spirit that continues to prompt us as to how we can make a difference.  We had a very fulfilling week.