June 25, 2018

Senior Couples Dinner in Irvine

Tubbs Graduation with

Elder Pack and Elder Sanford

Tubbs Family at Graduation

James Kennedy ARP Gift

Practicing with Elder Sanford and Emma Dawson

Anniversary Dinner from Guichos

Thistle on our hike

Emma Dawson sings at Basilone Branch

Farewell to Spencer, Andrea and Emma Dawson

with Michi Stephens

Eric's Family Visiting Grandpa

June 25, 2018

Monday we met the senior missionaries at the Newport Beach Court House for our monthly FHE.  Judge Brett London gave us a tour of his chambers and court room.  His stories and experiences were very entertaining.  Afterwards we went to Luna Grill for dinner.  We sat by the Osumis, a couple serving a local mission with the Saddleback Singles Ward.  We had fun getting to know them a little better.

We said farewell to two of our faithful marines at graduation on Tuesday--James Smith and Jaxson Tubbs.  We were able to sit by Jaxson's parents and enjoyed that very much.  James and Jaxson have both gone to the temple with us.  We really connect with the marines when we are able to share that experience with them.  The Elders had a service assignment after graduation so it strange not having them in their white shirts in the picture.  We also volunteered at FAM that afternoon.  We worked with Shannon sorting and answered a lot of her questions about why we are serving here in San Clemente.  Volunteering gives us opportunities to share our testimonies in word and deed.

It was another slow day for me at NMCRS.  I did get to visit with Sis. Sweetwood who was teaching that day.  They have a super busy schedule and I am always astounded how they keep up when they are both over 85 years old.  Such a great example to all of us.

June 21 is one of my favorite days.  We celebrated Boyd's 43rd birthday and enjoyed talking with him.  He is such an amazing son and wonderful father.  It was also our 44th anniversary.  So blessed to be serving with the best missionary companion in the world who is also the kindest husband.  After volunteering at the Thrift Store, we went to the Colman's house to help out.  Kaden (9) was so happy to see us.  His dad and 12 year old brother have been at Scout Camp all week and he has been in charge of his 3 year old brother and 18 month old sister while his mom is recovering.  He was thrilled to go with us and play kickball with Elder Halvorsen for an hour while I played with the little ones.

ARP was very crowded Thursday night.  Bro. Kennedy was celebrating his 29th year of sobriety.  Many former addicts who have been touched by Bro. Kennedy's service came to celebrate with him.  It was amazing to see how their lives were interconnected.  He is fulfilling a noble mission and has impacted many, many families.  He gave each of us a gift of a T-shirt that said "There is no place I'd rather be on a Thursday night."  He has been leading the ARP Thursday night session for over 10 years and every week he says there is no place he would rather be.  It was an emotional evening and we felt privileged to be there.

At 8:30 pm, Emma Dawson and Elder Sanford met me at the church to practice our musical number--Peace in Christ.  Emma sang and Elder Sanford played the violin.  They are both so talented.  This experience has really made me appreciate the piano my parents purchased for me when I was 12.  I miss being able to practice whenever it is convenient rather than trying to stay late or go early before meetings to use the pianos in our buildings.  Our mission is helping me appreciate the little things that I have taken for granted so long in my life.

Friday we went to the Colman's before our volunteer assignment at the San Onofre Office.  This time Kaden got in some baseball hitting practice with Elder Halvorsen.  He was thrilled to get out of the house and have some time to be a little boy.  We ate our peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in the parking lot before our shift started at noon.  One of the marines I helped that day needed money to drive to Texas to help his family deal with the recent flooding there.  So many marines are supporting their families financially.  It is humbling to see their generosity.  As we were leaving the base, we were informed that one of the inactive families in our ward was facing a marital crisis. We stopped by to give hugs and support.  So sad to see the impact bad choices can have on families--heartbreaking.  We have wanted to try Guichos Takeout Restaurant so we picked up our anniversary dinner on the way home and enjoyed a delicious Italian meal--yummy.  So thankful to be sealed to such a wonderful man.

Saturday was a busy P-day.  Got in some much needed exercise and a nice long hike.  (Loved seeing the thistle along the hiking path--God's creations are so beautiful.)  Plus, we got our apartment cleaned.  We helped the Colmans pick up Bro. Colman and Korbyn from Scout Camp.  Because of her surgery, Sis. Colman can't drive so I drove their family in their van to meet the boys and Elder Halvorsen picked me up.  It was a happy family reunion.

Elder Halvorsen dropped me off early Sunday morning at the Shorecliff's building before he went to the Basilone Branch.  Emma and I practiced for 30 minutes but no Elder Sanford.  He didn't arrive until 5 minutes before the meeting.  We were able to have one run through with him.  Good thing he is an excellent violinist.  The number was beautiful.  Emma also received her YW in Excellence Award and bore her testimony in the meeting.  Their family moves to Okinawa this week so it was wonderful she was able to complete the award before she left.  It was fun to attend Steve Lang's Sunday School Class where he taught about accountability.  His lessons are always unique and very entertaining.  We met a young marine who had just arrived from Virginia--Mike Klocek.  Mike was baptized 6 months ago and will marry in November.  We were able to give him a ride home after the meeting.  He is a very impressive young man.

It was Elder Halvorsen's turn to meet the marines of Hotel Company at the range.  Since women aren't invited to the range, I sat in the car while he led them in a Sacrament Meeting Service.  I started reading a new book--The Kolob Theorem which includes very interesting thoughts about heaven.   I was near the Protestant marines who were rocking out to gospel music.  Cal Weber spoke about forgiveness at our fireside.  Emma sang.  We closed the meeting with God Be With You which was so fitting.  Hard to say goodbye to the Dawson family who we have learned to love.

I attached a picture of Eric's family visiting with Grandpa Sunday night.  Kaden wanted show Gramps his raccoon pelt.  They had a wonderful visit.  So thankful they could spend time in Provo with him.  This picture made us so happy.

Bro. Pernal completed the attendance report for this quarter.  It is the first report that compares how many were attending before we arrived with our numbers after our arrival.  We have had 120 more attending this year than last year in the same quarter.  Looks like our efforts have made a difference.  Such good news.

June 18, 2018

Sancho's Tacos--San Clemente, CA

Elder Pack and Elder Sanford at Sancho's

Kaitlyn Gallant--Mainside NMCRS

Kysen Colman

Elder Halvorsen with

Spencer and Andrea Dawson

Andrea Dawson, Michi Stephens

Elder Sanford and Elder Pack

Oceanview from Shorecliff Meetinghouse

June 18, 2018

Monday we did the commute to mainside so I could pick up the jacket I had accidentally left at the Thrift Store.  Since we were making the drive, I attended the NMCRS Board Meeting instead of joining in via telephone.  The first agenda item was our good friend Kaitlyn Gallant has been appointed the interim director at the MCRD Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.  We have loved working with Kaitlyn as our trainer and friend.  We will all miss her.  In the afternoon, we got to chat with Heidi and her boys--such a busy and fun family.

Graduation was a disaster.  The microphones weren't working well and we couldn't hear the announcer.  The missionaries were denied entrance to the base--Elder Sanford's pass had expired-- and we didn't get to talk to any marines.  But, after the graduation, we did meet Elder Pack and Sanford at Sancho's Tacos in San Clemente for lunch which was a quaint little shop.  The Elders planned to walk all day and contact as many people as possible.  We're praying they will be able to find a golden family soon.  They are great young men.  FAM was hard work.  We were both physically exhausted when we finished up the day.

We said goodbye to Kaitlyn on Wednesday.  She has been a constant source of encouragement and support at the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society,  We wish her the best as she starts her commute to San Diego each day.  The one thing that is constant at NMCRS is change.  I was able to help train two new volunteers which was fun.  

We haven't risen at 4 am in a long time.  But, we jumped out of bed to be at the Colman's house at 4:45 am to care for their children while they took Kysen for surgery on his finger.  The surgery went well and they really appreciated our help.  Most of the kids slept until they returned from the hospital about 9 am.  We were really glad they allowed us to serve them that day.  We left directly from their house to go to our shift at the Thrift Store.  We arrived just in time for me to serve as cashier when the store opened at 10 am.  We opted to not attend the Cake Cutting in San Diego that afternoon.  We came home and had an afternoon nap.  The Stephens provided us with great company and a delicious meal that night.  It will probably be our last meal with the Dawsons.  They will leave for Okinawa the end of June.  Michi cooked a delicious Japanese meal for all of us.  We left the Stephens home and went to ARP.  We sat by Bob and Leslie Gale who will be leaving in July for a humanitarian mission to Milan Italy.  They knew many of our friends from the Basilone Branch.  The lesson was on forgiveness and how it softens our hearts.  Several attendees shared how hard it is to forgive themselves for the choices they have made in life.  So thankful that the Savior is merciful and forgives everyone who is willing to repent and seek Him.  It is comforting to know we can all be forgiven.

Friday we made our weekly contact with the marines through text messages.  Had a fulfilling day at the San Onofre Office where Brad was able to help two families deal with financial difficulties.  He does a great job encouraging them and helping them get on the right road financially.  We stopped by the Herzog's home and welcomed baby Benjamin.  They are such a beautiful family.

Saturday I used a few hours for some much needed exercise.  We were scheduled to care for the Colman children in the early afternoon but just as we pulled up to their home we received a text that the kids were all napping.  So, since we were on base, we went to the beach for a nice long walk looking for sea glass.  Unfortunately, it was a bad sea glass day.

Father's Day was a time to celebrate Elder Halvorsen.  So thankful for my kind, generous, faithful and loving husband.  He has been a great example to our children.  I feel that our boys are fantastic fathers and admire them so much. Our grandchildren are so lucky to have them as their fathers--great men.  We are also blessed to have Craig as Heidi's husband and the father of their darling boys.  They are such a great example to us by how they lovingly serve their neighbors.  We were able to speak with Grandpa and share our love with him.  We are so sad that he is struggling right now with health issues but he is and always will be a light in our lives.  Denise is going to be representing him in Germany this week--she has been prepared for "such a time as this."  We're so thankful for her dedicated service and hope her trip to Germany is memorable.

We had a great turnout at church on Sunday.  Jaxson Tubb's parents are in town for graduation.  It was wonderful seeing them again.  We are really going to miss Jaxson and the other marines in Bravo Company.  President Stephens shared his thoughts about how marines can keep the Sabbath Day holy--by doing good as the Savior did.  At our evening services Bro. Richards spoke about qualities of a righteous father.  We have such wonderful men in our family who have those attributes--so blessed.  The Branch sisters provided the meal.  I made half of the 30 lbs of red potatoes.  Sis. Richards made 12 meat loaves.  We had about 50 marines--they ate every bite.  Loved talking to the kids and their families between our sessions.  So thankful families can be together forever.

June 11, 2018

Picture of Montage for our painting

Brad and the Loaner Car

Wooden Plaque made at Zone Conference

Sis Halvorsen by MCRD Buildings 

June 7 Cake Cutting

Oliver, Ingrid and Jim Horner

Saturn the Service Dog

Sister Halvorsen and Sister Roderick

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Building

June 11, 2018

We met with Cindy Lundquist who we work with at Basilone Branch and showed her a photo Brad had taken of the Keyhole at Montage.  She is going to do a painting from the photo for our new home.  She is an amazing artist so we're excited to see how it comes out.  Earlier that morning, we dropped off our Honda for a major repair and they let us use the loaner car pictured above.  The repairs would have cost about $1000 but because we had such low miles and one of the items was under warranty, the work only cost $110--we really appreciated the dealership working with us.  Nice to have the leaks repaired.

Tuesday we took a meal to Ashley Sakievich and her family.  We were so happy to hear baby Colton was home from the hospital and the whole family is healing.  They have had a rough few weeks.  It was fun to hear from Eric and his family and see the pictures they took in Yellowstone.  They had such a fun trip--those boys are sure avid fishermen.  

Wednesday was our Zone Conference.  We have 22 missionaries going home in July so we were able to hear a lot of departing testimonies.  The missionaries in the California Irvine Mission are amazing young men and women  We got to meet President and Sister Davis who will serve in our mission presidency.  They both served missions in Sweden and challenged the missionaries to invite people to come unto Christ.  They will be excellent role models for all of us.  It will be fun to get to know them over the next few months.  The missionaries agreed to raise the bar in our mission and we made a Title of Liberty that each missionary attached a strip of cloth to.  On the strip, they wrote something they were willing to sacrifice to further the work.  The Assistants taught about "finding" and how to overcome FOAM (Fear of Awkward Moments).  President Monson had a sign that said--Finishers Wanted!  We need to run as we follow the prophet and finish the gathering.  Sister Clark helped us find spiritual patterns in the Book of Mormon that will bring us closer to Christ.  She then gave us a pattern to follow pasting small sticks on a wooden block.  When you were completing the task, you couldn't see what you were making but in the end the word Jesus appeared.  We are sometimes asked to be obedient and follow spiritual patterns not knowing what we are making.  But, when we follow with exact obedience, we will find Christ.  During the Zone Conference there were many references to President and Sis. Nelson's fireside on Sunday so when we got home we watched the program.  It was so inspiring.  We are blessed to be living during this time of gathering.

We didn't have many volunteers at the Thrift Store on Thursday.  I spent the day sorting by myself.  It made me appreciate my fellow volunteers  Hoping they will be back next week.  We had four marines at the cake cutting and each marine brought a large number of family members with them.  So fun to meet these supportive families.  Always a treat to be with them.  ARP was centered on humility.  Brad and I both shared thoughts in the meeting.  We are always so impressed with those who have taken the first steps to make the changes they need in their lives--such courageous souls.  I've been trying to practice the piano wherever I see one.  I'm going to accompany Emma Dawson when she sings There Is Peace In Christ.  So, I put in a little practice time after ARP and after Zone Conference.  I really miss having a piano easily available.  That's one thing I'm very grateful to my parents for providing for us.  Music is such a blessing in our lives.

Elder Halvorsen's phone rang at 2:30 in the morning and they informed us his dad had been taken to the ER after a fall.  We were so thankful later to hear that he was home and doing well.  We will be forever grateful to Denise and Marilyn for being there for dad during his illness.  They are such angels. The doctors have changed his pain meds and we're praying he will soon be feeling well again. 

After our regular shift at San Onofre, we did some visits to military families on the base.  When we visited the Elliotts, we found that the Herzog's baby had been born early that morning at 37 weeks.  We're so thankful Benjamin arrived safely and is thriving.  We next stopped by the Horner's home.  We had just found out that Ingrid had been in a car accident a few weeks ago so we were checking on her.  But, to our surprise we found them preparing for a yard sale.  Jim has been medically discharged and they will be moving to Texas on June 29.  They are the most delightful family.  I always feel better after we have visited them.  They have a fun sense of humor and always make us laugh.  We will really miss them and were so glad we stopped by.

Saturday was our monthly temple trip.  But, it didn't go quite as planned.  We had six marines scheduled to join us so we borrowed the big van.  However, as we were waiting at our pick up point we started getting texts that the marines were unable to leave the base.  In the end, no one could attend.  A few marines had decided it would be fun to tag some government equipment with spray paint.  So, as always, when one marine makes a mistake everyone pays for it.  We were so disappointed and turned around and returned the van to the Richard's home.  We did get in some good exercise that day and Elder Halvorsen was able to work on his talk for Sunday.  Sister Maynes and Sister Aebischer did drop by for a visit which was fun.

The Sabbath Day is always such a special day.  We had a good turnout at our morning meeting.  Bro. Jolley taught us from the Old Testament about heroes --using Sampson, Joseph, and Ruth as examples.  We had a great visit with Ivey and heard all about her experiences at EFY.  Hard to believe our grandchildren are old enough to participate in EFY.  Elder Halvorsen taught our fireside.  He chose to teach about facing trials with a positive attitude.  He shared some of the things he learned from his dad and showed a clip from Meet the Mormons.  He also gave some great examples from the lives of Lou Gehrig and Elder Wirthlin.  It was a wonderful talk and something the marines will be able to use throughout their careers.  We had a special visitor at our fireside--Matthew Roderick's mother.  This is the family Scott and his family befriended when they were here.  Sis. Roderick was so gracious and appreciative of Scott's influence on her son.  We enjoyed sending Scott a picture of her.  It is wonderful how the gospel bonds us to people we otherwise would not know--hearts can be knit together quickly. 

June 4, 2018

Graduation Fun

Elder Halvorsen, Scott and Beau

Beau

Beau with full gear

Scott

Pedro's Tacos

Scott, Elder Halvorsen, Tate & Ivey

Elder and Sister Finlayson

Mission Home

June 4, 2018

We volunteered at FAM on Memorial Day with Shannon.  We got to meet her boyfriend from Uruguay and found out his father is an active member of the church there.  Andy actually came to California at the invitation of an LDS missionary and never returned to his home country.  However, he calls his family every day and will soon be an American citizen.  We had a lovely dinner at the Dawson's with the Stephens family and the elders.  We picked up Elder Sanford and Elder Pack because they were over on their miles this month.  Elder Tracy and his companion also joined us.  It was fun to see him again.  So thankful for all of those who have given their lives to protect our freedom and for our loved ones who sacrificed that we might enjoy this abundant life.

Tuesday Scott and Beau joined us for Hotel Company's graduation.  Beau really enjoyed trying on all of the equipment.  A helpful sergeant said he could swear him in if he was ready to be a marine.  Nicole took the other children shopping.  We all met for lunch at Pedro's Tacos and then strolled through the shops on Del Mar.  So fun to have them visit San Clemente.

We had a quiet day at the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society on Wednesday.  But, I did get to work with two new volunteers--Alexa and Kenneth.  They are both young and energetic.  It was fun getting to know them.

We had about 75 people at our Cake Cutting on Thursday.  All nine LDS marines were in attendance. We only had one cake so I got the honor of doing the cutting--we ended with only 3 pieces left so we were all very happy.  One marine's father had served as a missionary in the London South Mission with Gail and Alta. And, he had grown up in Iowa City (where Craig got his masters degree).  Another marine was from South Jordan close to where Grant's family lives.  It's always interesting how much we have in common with our marines.  After the ceremony, our missionary team went to Panera Bread for dinner.  Sattleys are getting a little melancholy about being left behind when the we are released in November and the Kapololu's also return home.  We're praying several military couples will soon be found to take over our positions.  

The principle discussed at ARP was #6--Become entirely ready to have God remove all your character weaknesses.  One of the sisters related how the Japanese repair broken pottery with gold which makes it more valuable than it was originally.  Our lives are like the broken pottery.  God requires a broken heart so He can change our hearts and make us better people.  We all have character weaknesses--pride, anger, blaming others.  We all need to change our hearts and come unto Christ.

Our senior missionary staff is changing again.  On Friday we had a farewell dinner for Elder and Sister Finlayson.  We had a delightful meal at the Clark's home.  Sister Clark is such a gracious hostess.  Those in attendance gave personal tributes to the Finlaysons.  They are extraordinary people--so talented and energetic.  It's hard to imagine the mission without them.  As Elder Halvorsen said they are like the widow who gave all that she had.  They have photographed, fed, mended clothing for, healed (Elder Finlayson is the doctor), and taught the missionaries.  Missionaries in the California, Irvine Mission are better because they had the chance to work with the Finlaysons.

We worked on our house plans on Saturday.  We're still trying to get the final samples so that the HOA will sign off and we can begin building.  It has been a real challenge but the end is in sight.  The highlight of the day for me was watching the Be One broadcast from the Conference Center commemorating the revelation received 40 years ago that all worthy male members of the church could receive the priesthood.  The event was so touching I found myself weeping for joy--it was so powerful.  In the evening we went for a walk.  The weather here is outstanding.

We had a wonderful Sabbath Day.  In our testimony meeting Jaxson Tubbs spoke about staying centered on Christ.  He is a mortarman and told how he must align a bubble on his scope before he shoots his shell.  If the bubble is outside of the lines, the shell will not hit the target.  He likened this to our lives.  Being focused on having Christ as the center of our lives, we can reach our goals and be happy.  

We were able to talk with Grant and Boyd's families.  We celebrated Dylan receiving the Presidential Gold Award and graduating from elementary school.  We were sad that Luke had cracked off a corner of his tooth in the swimming pool on Saturday--poor guy.  Scott was sustained as a counselor in the Stake Young Men's which is exciting.  Eric's family shared pictures from their trip to Yellowstone.  Heidi and Craig are preparing to move to Minnesota.  So much happening with our dear family.  

A marine called and asked if we could come to the base early so he could partake of the sacrament before our evening meeting because his leave was ending at 6 pm.  We contacted the Elders who tried to make arrangements for a split to allow Elder Pack to go with us.  It was absolutely crazy trying to get everything to align so we could get there in time.  And, in the end we failed.  But to our delight, the marine's leave was extended and he was able to join us at the fireside.  President Stephens spoke about kicking against the pricks and questioning assignments the marines will receive.  In hindsight, they will see why things happened the way they did.  They need to realize God is in charge and knows what is best for us.  "I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord" should be our motto.

It was a wonderful week and we are so thankful to be serving with the marines in this beautiful part of the country. Thankful to be military relations missionaries at Camp Pendleton.  Thankful to belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Thankful to know God has a plan for each of us and if we center our lives on Jesus Christ we will be able to live with Him again.