April 2, 20018

Learned to make these yummy rolls

Grant's Family and Grandpa in the News

(Luke, Sadie, Susie and Kate)

Happy Easter from Eric's family

Reese, Kaden, Tige and Gwen

April 2, 2018

Busy day yesterday so I'm a little late getting the blog written.  It's been a wonderful week full of great spiritual experiences (but not many pictures).  We did post a great picture of Grant's family with Grandpa.  Happy to see that South Jordan highlighted his visit to Golden Fields Elementary where Luke and Sadie attend.  Loved the heading--Berlin Candy Bomber Urges Students To Serve Others.  Grandpa has always been an example of service and continues to urge others to join him.

Monday I got back great news from the dermatologist that my biopsy was benign. We were thrilled to get that news.  He helped me understand that once you have had melanoma you need to be vigilant to make sure it doesn't come back.  I had just been enjoying the California sunshine, so I need to be more careful.  We worked most of the day on our taxes.  I thought those would get easier after we had retired but we had to go over all of our moving records and that was very time consuming.  But, Brad's almost done with them so that will be a happy day.

It was Nicole's birthday on Tuesday and we loved talking with her for a few minutes.  She is such amazing woman.  She inspires all of us by how she uses her time and talents.  We love her dearly.  Sister Baker and Sister Flanders invited us to join them for a teaching appointment with Dave and Paula. They are great teachers and we were blessed to have the opportunity to participate in the discussion and bear testimony of the importance of the Atonement in our lives.  Dave is a member who has had addiction problems over the past 20 years.  The more we encounter folks who are struggling with addiction, the more we realize what a dark and lonely challenge they face. We are so blessed to have the Word of Wisdom for our protection.

We celebrated Eric on Wednesday.  We can't measure the joy he has brought into our lives.  What an outstanding father, husband and son.  He has such a big heart and has been so supportive while we have been serving our mission.  He has held down the fort while we have been gone and we're so thankful for him.  Had the opportunity to work with a terrific story teller at NMCRS.  She kept me entertained during my shift.  Carolyn is a very fun person.

We were tired after working at the Thrift Store.  I went through several bins of hangers and got a lot of items ready for sale.  We had several new people attend the Addiction Recovery Class that evening. Hearing their stories just breaks my heart.  So many people are affected by one person's choices.  The Step that evening was Restitution and Reconciliation.  "Wherever possible, make direct restitution to all persons you have harmed." One of my favorite statements in the reading was:  "You have gone down into the depths of humility and found the Lord waiting to embrace you."  I'm so grateful that the Lord is always there waiting to embrace all of us as we struggle in this life.  May we all recognize the healing balm of forgiveness and give it freely.

Most of the base shut down early for Easter on Friday so we didn't have many clients at the San Onofre Office.  But, Brad was able to assist a marine who needed emergency leave to go home for a funeral.  We were there to help the one and felt our time was well spent.

Loved listening to General Conference this weekend and participating in the Solemn Assembly as we sustained Russell M. Nelson as our new prophet.  I was overjoyed to sustain Elder Gong and Elder Soares as new apostles.  I had actually had a prayer in my heart for months that the Lord would see fit to call additional apostles with international backgrounds.  It was thrilling to sustain these men.  One of my favorite talks from the Saturday sessions taught us about the role of mistakes and failures in our lives and was given by Lynn Robbins.  Elder Bednar's talk on meekness was also a personal favorite.  We took our hour hike between session and loved being outside.  While Elder Halvorsen participated in Priesthood meeting I met with six sisters from the San Clemente Ward and made sweet rolls (cinnamon and orange).  It was a fun evening with these wonderful sisters.  I made a batch on my own yesterday which is why my blog is late.  It is a lot more work when you make them on your own--but that will be covered in next week's blog. 

Easter Sunday was glorious.  We had a record 12 marines attending our morning testimony meeting. They shared emotional testimonies that were so inspiring.  Newberry shared how much he appreciated those who were worthy to administer the sacrament.  He stated that when the marine offers him the sacrament tray he envisions the Savior's pierced hand holding the tray.  Are we willing to accept his offering to us or was his sacrifice in vain?  Leavitt shared some personal experiences of having his father close to death and his friend's father killed.  He bore strong testimony of the power of the resurrection and eternal families.  Leavitt also had an experience where some of his friends had invited him to go out for the evening.  At the last minute, he had a strong impression that he should not join them.  After they had left, he was very upset with himself for not going.  So, he took out his frustration by going for a run in the desert.  When he returned, his mother embraced him crying.  The friends had been in a party next to where the Las Vegas massacre had taken place.  They were not shot but suffered deep emotional wounds from what they saw that night.  He shared how thankful he was for the Gift of the Holy Ghost to warn us if we will listen.  Peters testified that we all make mistakes and we have the opportunity to repent.  As most marines, he is facing some difficult challenges and he was so grateful they could join together in the chapel that Easter morning. We had 56 marines attend our evening fireside--one of our largest crowds.  With the additional visitors we fed around 80 people and were thankful we had enough food.  We served them a traditional Easter dinner with ham, cheesy potatoes, rolls, salad and chocolate bunny cupcakes (make with love by Sister Weber).  It was a great evening.

Although we missed the morning session of Conference, we were able to listen to the second session. It was exciting to hear about the changes related to Home Teaching and Visiting Teaching.  Instead, we will be ministering to the one.  I have a testimony of this new direction.  The last few years, I have ministered to a dear sister in Draper.  She was inactive and really didn't want to havethe messages each month.  So, even though my companion and I visited her regularly, I also found myself "ministering" by walking with her in the mornings, attending a quilting class with her, sharing books and becoming dear friends.  I love this sister and feel through frequently sharing social experiences our hearts were knit together.  Sue continues to write me on my mission.  We laugh and cry about personal family experiences and I feel that she is one of my best friends.  Through ministering, both of our hearts were changed. It reminds me of the song from Wicked--Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.  

We enjoyed talking to many of our extended family on Easter Sunday.  We had a great visit with Craig for his April 1 birthday.  We are so thankful for Craig.  He has so many talents that he freely shares with anyone who may need a helping hand.  He is a gospel scholar, hard worker, creative craftsman, talented musician and great athlete.  But, he's also a loving father, thoughtful friend and wonderful husband.  So blessed to have him in our family.