April 23, 2018

Elder K Welcomes Families to Cake Cutting 4-19-18

San Clemente Stake Center for ARP Meetings

Elder Halvorsen at Segerstrom Center

for Millenial Choir & Orchestra

Missionaries participating in JustServe Project

Sister Halvorsen at service project

(Trying to be more conscious of sun protection)

Elder Halvorsen planting at Bonita Canyon Park

Families help with service project

April 23, 2018

Monday I spent the day doing paperwork and preparing a talk for the upcoming Sunday.  Brad was able to go on a nice hike that day while my knees were healing.

This week's missionary transfers brought Elder Pack back to our area.  It was great to see him at graduation.  However, we'll miss Elder Fambrough who will now serve in the Mission Viejo ward.  Our Delta Company marines graduated this week.  They have been a very faithful group and we will miss having them at our Sunday services.  FAM was happy to see us after our one week absence.  There was a stack of clothing waiting for us to sort.  We came home tired.

Military transfer/retirement season is now underway.  We checked so many marines in and out at the NMCRS.  It was a very busy day.  We also processed 14 Quick Assist Loans so we were able to help lots of people which always feels good.  We got a sweet email from Eric telling us how excited his kids are to come and visit next week.  We are counting down the days.  Can't wait to see them.

We actually had a heavy rain storm on Thursday morning and the temperatures were quite chilly.  We were glad there was lots to do at the Base Thrift Store that kept us busy and warm.  The Family Cake Cutting was well attended and afterwards we ate a meal with the senior couples.  There is a new website that lists senior couple missionary opportunities (seniormissionary.lds.org)  We checked it out and our position is listed as "High Need" available on 08 November 2018.  We're so hoping a couple will volunteer to serve in our area when we leave  The positions of all of those we serve with in the San Diego and Carlsbad Missions were also listed.  Sobering to realize our service and association will come to an end in about six months. 

We arrived a little early at the ARP meeting so we enjoyed the view from the San Clemente Stake Center.  It is certainly build in a beautiful area.  The meeting that night was based on Step 12 

--Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, share this message with others and practice these principles in all you do.  During the sharing portion that evening several participants shared touching stories of people who had been their sponsors and mentors.  Two participants had dropped everything this week to take someone who had relapsed to Utah to be admitted to a treatment center.  The love and support they have for each other is so Christlike.  It reminded me of President Oak's Conference Talk and his example of paddling upstream so we aren't pulled down.  He mentioned that if we row as a team, the journey is easier.  These brothers and sisters do row together.  These meetings are so inspiring.

Friday, we did our weekly texts.  Elder Halvorsen received the nicest response from a recent graduate.  It said "Thank you very much for everything and for feeding us physically and most importantly spiritually.  May our Heavenly Father continue to bless you guys on your journey serving his sheep."  We have been blessed to minister to these wonderful young men.  

After serving at the San Onofre Office, we quickly drove to Irvine to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts to see the Millenial Choir and Orchestra perform.  They were magnificent.  The arrangements are just wonderful and the performers are amazing.  They shared some very touching stories to introduce their songs.  One of their choir members had passed away from a brain tumor at the age of 11.  They dedicated Peace Be Still to her and the youth choir appeared as angels in the balconies--so beautiful.  Another choir member's mother had requested to hear their rendition of How Great Thou Art before her passing and they shared how it brought great comfort to her.  Music can be so healing and uplifting.  We thoroughly enjoyed the evening.  We met a new couple who had just arrived to serve in the office--The Sansoms are from Cottonwood Heights.  It will be fun to get to know them as we work together to serve in the California, Irvine Mission.  On the way home, Brad went out of his way to stop so we could buy my semiannual Papa Murphy's Chicken Garlic Pizza.  Loved every bite the last few days.

We got to rise and shout early on Saturday morning to participate with the San Clemente Stake on a JustServe Project planting shrubs at Bonita Canyon Park.  Four elder companionships joined us as we worked with about 50 stake members to plant over 100 shrubs.  It should really beautify the area.  That night we joined at the Richard's home with the couples who serve with at the Basilone Military Marine Branch for dinner and games.  They are all such wonderful people.  It is a joy working with them.

Sunday we were scheduled to pick up several marines for our morning services but they ended up cancelling at the last minute which was disappointing.  I was asked to speak that morning and relate a conference address.  I based my remarks on Small and Simple Things by President Oaks.  I urged the marines to use Spiritual CPR (Church, Pray, Read) and avoid destructive forces that would lead them into addictions.  The high councilman challenged the marines to always be worthy to use their priesthood.  This was such a meaningful topic to us because our oldest grandson--Tate--received the Aaronic Priesthood that day.  We are so proud of him and know that he will use his Priesthood to serve others and bless their lives.  We really missed being in Mona with Scott and his family for this very special occasion and we were glad Grant and Eric's families were able to support them.

We got another sweet text from a marine who had just arrived at SOI.  He wrote and said he was sorry he would be unable to attend this week because they were required to check into their barracks at 6 pm.  However, he then attached a picture of him and his brother with Grandpa at USU several weeks ago.  What a small world it is.  Our lives are so connected.  It was a tender mercy to know he had recently visited with Gramps in Logan.  

President Stephens gave a wonderful fireside talk.  He used the video of an Indian bringing a rattler down the mountain and then getting bit.  The snake said--You knew what I was before you picked me up. He was able to outline for the marines how to maintain their standards while serving.  President Stephens retired from the marines after 30 years.  He provides a great example for them to follow.