April 16, 2018

FHE with San Clemente Empty Nesters

Sis Foltz, Bro and Sister Lusk

NMCRS Training

Diane, Elise, Francis, Amy, Kerri, Marita, 

Sister and Elder Halvorsen, Mayu

April 12 Cake Cutting Graduates

Captain Kennelly 

Our Apartment with Elder Halvorsen

Owen's Baptism Announcement

April 16, 2018

It's been another great week.  So nice to be engaged in the Lord's work.  We started the week by attending the San Clemente Empty Nesters' Family Home Evening.  Sister Lusk, pictured on the right, plans the events each month.  We had a wonderful ham dinner (I took broccoli salad) and discussed the April Conference.  Those in attendance had some great insights and we enjoyed the discussion.  We had to excuse ourselves a little early to attend the missionary correlation meeting with Bro. Lang--we always enjoy meeting with that group.

It was a busy birthday week.  We celebrated Tate and Dylan both turning 12 and Owen turning 8.  Important milestones in their lives.  So proud of these cherished grandchildren and the good choices they are making in their lives.  Each is a noble spirit.

We spent Tuesday in Case Worker training with the San Onofre NMCRS volunteers.  The headquarters trainer Nina remembered us from the last time we attend her class about six months ago.  She is a delightful person.  We really enjoy her classes and associating with the volunteers.  I received a very strange letter that day from a person I worked with in Washington DC in 1972.  She sent me an article about the Washington DC temple being renovated.  She remembered that I was there while the temple was being built.  I couldn't believe she took the time to find my address and send the article.  It was fun to respond by telling her we are currently serving as missionaries, sharing my testimony and encouraging her to go to the temple open house and feel the spirit there is 2020.

Thursday I got to cashier at the Thrift Store again.  One of the volunteers I have worked closely with announced that she is moving to Japan in a few weeks.  I will miss working with Andrea.  She is a hard worker and a delightful person.  She asked if she could come visit us in Utah when she returns in 2023.  Volunteering has helped us make some wonderful friends.

We had 80 people participate in the cake cutting at MCRD.  There were seven marines graduating.  Capt. Kennelly was the featured speaker.  He gave the marines some great advice about how to be faithful Mormons and successful Marines.  After the meeting, we went with Sattleys and Kapololus to a new Cafe Rio in the area.  I must admit, this crew would never make it in Utah--the service was SOOO slow.  But, the food was great.  We hurried home after the meal to attend the ARP meeting which always provides us with an uplifting experience.  It is wonderful to see the hope the gospel brings into the lives of those struggling with addiction.

Friday we had a fabulous time handing out hot dogs to Delta Company at Concrete Beach.  This company had a lot of faithful marines who attended our services regularly. Ritz recently had a hamstring pull and had received a blessing last Sunday.  When I asked him how he was feeling he shared the miracle that had happened because of the blessing.  Monday he said he felt great.  When he went to the doctor for a recheck, the doctor was amazed and said Ritz had had a miraculous recovery.  He'd never seen an injury like that heal so quickly.  What a blessing it is to see miracles happen in the lives of these young men.  The event did have a downside, however, as we were cleaning up I stumbled over a brick that was holding up a shade tent and went flying.  My knees were both badly bruised and I think I may have injured a rib or two.  Never a dull moment.  We left the event and worked at the San Onofre Office until four.  My legs were pretty stiff at that point but I'm starting to feel much better.

No exercising or hiking for me on Saturday.  We did get to attend Emma Dawson's high school play which was a treat.  Many of the stars were members of the Church and they were all so talented.  They have a bright future.  I hope Emma has opportunities to participate in musicals in Okinawa.

Sunday I had the opportunity to prepare breakfast for the marines.  We had 8 faithful marines attending the morning service.  Sister Lundquist based her lesson on Larry Wilson's conference talk--Take the Holy Spirit as Your Guide.  The marines could definitely relate to the story of the sailor who was asked to pray for the safety of his ship and received personal revelation as to what needed to be done. We had 41 marines and 5 additional family members attend our evening meeting where Bro. Richards shared personal thoughts about how consequences are connected with our decisions.  He counseled the marines to be wise and be sensitive to the promptings of the Spirit in their lives.  It was sad saying goodbye to Delta Company.  They have been such a strong group.  We will miss seeing their smiling faces each week.  We pray for their safety and success in the Corps.