September 24, 2018

Ward Party Decorations

Honoring Marine Families

In and Out Food Truck at Ward Party

Elder Pack and Elder Wells

Elder and Sister Halvorsen 

Kirsten and Sterling Elliott

Katy, Levi and Michael

Jayde and Grayson Lee

Rooks, Indy, Aero and Steele

Ashley and Luke Sakievich

Colton and Addie

Taylor and Daniel Martinez

Micah

Thayne and Meagan Stiefvater

Ashling

Romero Thatcher--Gung Ho Recipient

Elder Halvorsen, Tanner Samuelian, Elder Pack and Elder Wells

Emma Hamblin and parents

Susanna White with the Elders

September 20 Cake Cutting

Temple Trip to Newport Beach Temple

Dinner at the Samson's Beach House

Buffet

Elder Carver, Sis. Sansom, Sis. Nygren, Sis. Hunter

Elder Bass, Sis. Carver, Elder Hunter

Elder Hunter, Elder Tracy, Elder Pack

Elder Tracy and Elder Pack

Basilone Branch Farewell for Elder Pack

September 24, 2018

The last September entry.  We made lots of great memories this week.  

The San Clemente Ward hosted a Family Home Evening Dinner on September 17 in honor of the active military members in the ward.  It was a huge success.  I had gathered information about the military families that we used to spotlight them.  We had 13 families honored that night (only one no-show which was fantastic!)  Bro. Lang introduced each family on stage.  Sister Lang did decorations and we had an In and Out Food Truck provide the meal.  We had over 200 people attend.  It was one of the best missionary activities we have had in this ward.  Afterward, I received texts from several of the families letting us know how much they appreciated the evening.  It was wonderful. 

India Company graduated on Tuesday. Tanner Samuelian came to his first graduation.  Tanner has been called on a 6-month mission at Camp Pendleton.  He suffers from autism and is so excited to be serving with Elder Pack and Elder Wells.  Romero Thatcher was honored as the Gung Ho Recipient for his platoon.  We got to talk with him and Emma Hamblin and her parents.  We were so disappointed that we didn't get to see Susanna White.  As we were walking back to our car with the missionaries, we heard someone yelling for the missionaries and Susanna came running.  She gave us a big hug and thanked us for all the support we had given her.  She said Sundays were a breath of fresh air that she couldn't have survived without.  She asked for one final blessing from the missionaries before she heads off to Del Mar for her MOS training.  We have really learned to love this sweet girl from Kentucky. 

We were excited to talk to Kent and Owen.  They are participating in a fundraiser fun run and asked us to support them.  They are so excited to run 30 laps.  Elder Halvorsen sent them a cute message for their run--"The faster you run, the sooner you're done!"  

Luke turned 12 on Wednesday.  We tuned in to FaceTime while they were at Leatherby's eating a huge bowl of ice cream.  Their family had been to Airborne Trampoline Center and out to dinner to celebrate Luke's day.  They have so much fun together as a family.  

I got to teach Budget for Baby and met three great couples one of the women was from South Africa, one from Virginia and one from New York.  In the afternoon, I worked with Zo who is a volunteer from Zimbabwe who met her marine husband while working at the US Embassy there.  Working at the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society has allowed us to meet marines with such diverse backgrounds.  It has been so enriching.

We cut cake at MCRD with five marines and their families.  After dinner with our favorite missionaries, we went to ARP.  It was hard to listen as some of our dear friends share how they were struggling again with their addictions.  For some, it will be a lifelong challenge.  We're so thankful for the Atonement and the role it plays in each of our lives.

September 21 was a very special day.  First, it was Heidi's birthday!  Loved talking to her and hearing that she had met some new friends this week.  Her boys all used their crafting skills to make her birthday gifts.  They are such a terrific, talented and loving family.  

We were blessed to help at Concrete Beach for Delta Company Friday morning.  We got to give some of our faithful marines hot dogs too.  Zorn, Gomez and Erickson were part of that company.  We attended a 3 pm session at the Newport Beach Temple for the departing missionaries. We were greeted at the desk by Elder Choa (former California Irvine Missionary).   Loved giving Elders Pack and Tracy a big hug in the Celestial Room.  They have both been such valiant missionaries and we love them.  It was wonderful session and I really felt the importance of having truth and light in my life.  

That evening Elder and Sister Sansom hosted a senior couples dinner and included the departing missionaries and their companions as guests.  They are living at their 'beach" house while they serve here as the housing missionaries.  It would be nice to have that as our missionary apartment.  It was a five minute stroll to the beach and was gorgeous.  We sat by Elder and Sister Hunter who arrived about four weeks ago.  Elder Hunter is the new mission doctor.  They were a delightful couple and we really enjoyed getting to know them.  An interesting fact was Elder Hunter's mother (Nona Call) knew Grandpa in Rigby, Idaho.  What a small world it is. They will both be 98 this year.

We were told Friday night that Elder and Sister Sessions have been called to replace us as military relations missionaries.  They will move into our apartment on November 12 so the Basilone Branch won't be without missionaries  We're so exited.  Saturday I started doing some deep cleaning in preparation for our departure and their arrival.  Elder Halvorsen continued doing paperwork.  He is such a diligent missionary.  We both took a break to watch the BYU football game which was fun.

Sunday we had four marines at our morning services.  Zorn, Erickson and Farley all leave this week so I'm praying we will have more infantry marines join us soon.  Sister Stephens spoke about service.  She shared how sometimes when she is asked to serve she really doesn't want to.  So, one of her favorite sayings is--Fake it until you feel it!  She said in the end she is always thankful she has served.  Sister Moody, the Stake Relief Society President, gave a wonderful talk.  She said in life the coach always chooses his best runner to run the last leg of a relay--someone who really wants to win and is talented enough to do it.  She likened that to the young people on the earth today.  They have been chosen to run the last leg before the Savior comes again.  She challenged as all when we have questions of faith to go to a reliable source for answers.  The Bible doesn't say--If any of you lack wisdom, google it.   Between our meetings we got to talk to Eric's wonderful family and to Luke about his ordination.  Cal Weber spoke at our fireside and gave the marines guidance regarding the use of social media, repentance and doing their best.  We had around 30 marines in attendance, so that was terrific.  Freda Weber had made a beautiful banner to thank the missionaries for their service in the Basilone Branch.  We got to use it for the first time for Elder Pack who will fly home on October 2.  Several of the branch presidency will be gone next week so we took the farewell picture a week early.  Elder Pack has served at the branch several times during his missionary service.  We will all miss him.  I saw on Facebook that Vicki Coon's (a dear friend from Canyons School District Office) granddaughter just opened her mission call.  She is coming to the California Irvine Mission in January.  So, more great missionaries are on their way.  The Lord's work will continue to roll forward even though the missionaries' faces change.  Thankful to be part of this great work.

September 17, 2018

Cake Cutting at MCRD

September 13, 2018

San Diego Temple--September 13, 2018

Dry Trails in San Clemente, CA

Hiking, September 15, 2018

Susanna White and Emma Hamblin

September 17, 2018

We went to see the dermatologist on Monday morning.  Seems like he can always find something to burn off.  We are always thankful it isn't anything major.  Had a great missionary correlation meeting.  We planned our ward party for September 17.  The Elders reported on their work.  We were so excited that they have dramatically increased their teaching pool.

September 11 always brings to remembrance 9/11.  That day certainly changed our world.  We met 5 new elders and a service missionary to escort them to the main gate to apply for base passes.  Elder Pack and Elder McMillan took three with them and we took three with us.  Should have been a smooth morning but it turned into chaos at the gate.  Elder Sattley kept sending us to the gate to pick up more volunteers who couldn't get on.  We felt terrible when we found out that Bishop Howard and our Elder's Quorum President Randy Beckett were turned away and they didn't call us.  So, they made a wasted trip to Oceanside.  Seems like whenever we go to a training, we find the rules have been changed slightly for entry.  We'll be glad when everyone has their passes.  Tanner, a new service missionary with autism, didn't have a ride home so we drove him to Aliso Creek.  We got back to our apartment in time to change and eat a quick lunch before heading to FAM.  

Our Wednesday at NMCRS was very busy.  Brad did three long cases.  He was exhausted at the end of the day.  I had fun working with Lacey in the morning and Carolyn in the afternoon.  We did quite a few Quick Assist Loans.  We were told that the NMCRS has provide $100 million in emergency loans to marines and sailors who have been affected by Hurricane Florence.  That area has large navy and marine installations.  So thankful to work for an organization that is able to help those in need.

Got to bag at the Thrift Store on Thursday.  Brad is always busy with testing his electronics.  He does a great job.  Met lots of great families at the Cake Cutting.  Sister Sattley was absent from our Couple's Council (she was helping a marine family in Oceanside).  We missed her.  Sister Kapololu has started emptying her cupboards and made us some delicious pumpkin bread--so thoughtful.  On the way home we went to the temple to do sealing work for the Allen family (some of Brad's relations).  It was so sweet over the last few weeks to stand as proxy for all of the ordinances for Majincy Davis--baptism, confirmation, initiatory, endowment, sealing to husband and sealing to children.  A neat experience.

Our Friday at the NMCRS was a little frustrating.  I had been directed to change my password and we never could get it my computer working correctly.  They said it was due to an overloaded system because of the hurricane.  Hope it works next week.  There was a huge fire near Woodland Hills in Utah.  We were thankful that we didn't purchase the home there that was so inviting.  We feel bad for all of those who are fighting that fire and pray for their safety.

Woke up Saturday realizing I had forgotten to resend some texts yesterday when we were driving.  (The phone service in our apartment is really bad.)  So after breakfast, we hiked a nearby mountain (see pictures) so I could send the texts to the marines.  You can see from the pictures that California is also suffering from a drought.  Everything is so dry here.  It was P-day so I cleaned the apartment and then we got to watch BYU beat Wisconsin in a football game--it was quite the stunning upset because Wisconsin was ranked #6 in the country.  So fun!

Sunday I was able to teach at the Basilone Branch.  Unless the schedule changes, that will be my last lesson  The topic of discussion was Neil Anderson's conference address--The Prophet of God.  So thankful that we have a living prophet to guide us and lead us closer to the Savior.  We had eight marines at the morning meeting and they participated in the discussion so it went well.  Enjoyed discussing forgiveness with the members of the San Clemente Ward.  Had a lovely afternoon reading the Ensign and the scriptures.  We picked up Spencer Bradley on our way back to the evening fireside.  Bro. Jolley was the speaker and we had 26 marines.  I've attached a picture of two of our sister marines--Susanna White and Emma Hamblin.  They will be graduating this week.  We will miss them.  The number of female marines at Camp Pendleton is increasing.  Elder McMillan returned home this week for medical reasons and Elder Wells from Billings, Montana was assigned to the Branch.  Unfortunately, I forgot to snap a picture.  We are grateful to have the opportunity to serve with these outstanding Elders and will miss Elder McMillan.  We wish him a speedy recovery.

September 10, 2018

Elders at Blaze Pizza

Pizza Time

Elder Pack's creation

Elder McMillan had literally everything

Traffic on Basilone Road

September 6 Cake Cutting

Captain Kinnelly sharing his testimony

San Diego Cafe Rio--Couples Council Destination

A favorite picture of Jesus Christ

September 8 Temple Trip

Boucher and Bradley

September 10, 2018

Labor Day was a stay at home day for us.  However, we loved seeing picture of our kids and their families enjoying the day together.  Eric and his boys were in the mountains scoping out their hunting grounds for the upcoming deer hunt.  Boyd's family was having their last boating trip to Flaming Gorge with friends.  Scott and his family were at Bear Lake with friends.  We talked with Heidi's boys as they prepared to start school the next day.  We look forward to sharing fun activities with family in the near future.

After graduation on Tuesday, we took the missionaries to Blaze Pizza for lunch.  This is a make-your-own type pizza place.  As you an see from the pictures, Elder Pack chose to go healthy.  Elder McMillan chose to have literally everything on his pizza.  I didn't think he would be able to eat it but he was the first one done.  At FAM we emptied a gaylord of donations and came home exhausted.

The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society was closed Monday and Tuesday for the Labor Day Holiday so when we opened on Wednesday we were swamped!!  We did 15 Quick Assist Loans in the afternoon.  After our day of service, we tried to visit two marine families from the San Clemente Ward but didn't find anyone home.  

Most of the volunteers at the Thrift Store took the week off for Labor Day.  I got to do the cash register.  I always enjoy talking with the customers.  Elder Halvorsen always have plenty of electronic testing to keep him busy.  We had five marines and their families attend the cake cutting at MCRD.  They are a terrific group of young men.  It was hard to believe that we will be released before they graduate in November.  Time is getting short.  We loved having dinner at Cafe Rio with our "Couples Council".  We have grown to love the Kapololus and Sattleys.  We feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to work with them so closely.  I hope these missionary bonds last a lifetime.  

We made it back to San Clemente in time to attend ARP.  The Kennedys are in Europe on vacation but it was great to see participants we have learned to love.  I remember AJ the first day he came to ARP--he had a hard time making eye contact.  He has come so far during the course that he now radiates happiness.  ARP is a program that really makes a difference in the lives of those who actually do the 12 steps.  It's fantastic to see the happiness that comes into their lives when they overcome their addictions.  I included a picture of Jesus that hangs in the Relief Society Room at the San Clemente Stake Center where we meet.  Christ truly is our advocate and pleads our case.  I love this picture.

Friday was spent gathering information from Marine families in the San Clemente Ward for the party we are having on September 17.  We are going to spotlight the military families.  I was able to get information for 14 families out of a possible 18 so it went very well.  The San Onofre office was very busy Friday afternoon.  Love having the opportunity to serve there.

Saturday we left to pick up the Sprinter at 8:15 am.  We had four marines who had signed up to go to the temple.  But, in the end, only Boucher and Bradley were able to attend.  They have been so faithful during their time at Camp Pendleton.  We had lunch at the temple cafeteria.  On the way home Boucher asked if we could drop him off to catch an Uber to pick up a ukulele he had ordered in San Marcos.  We had time so we took the 15 mile detour and drove him to the Guitar Store for the pick up.  He was so excited to get his instrument.  I'm sure it will provide many hours of enjoyment for him.  Watched the BYU football game--that was a disaster!!  Glad there are more important things than sports to focus on.

Sunday Sister Richards taught our Sunday School lesson.  She used a video of a Janice Kapp Perry song--The Test--that I loved.  Our life here really is a test and for many of us it is filled with difficult challenges.  Sis. Richards shared that when she was pregnant with her second child, she became totally deaf.  It was discovered that she had a rare condition that her hormones had destroyed the bones in her ears.  She would need to have surgery to replace the bones and would not be able to have additional pregnancies.  She had always wanted a large family.  So, she opted to delay having the bone replacement.  After eight years and the birth of her fifth child she had surgery that restored her hearing.  She said during those eight years she learned so much.  She learned to have empathy for those who are suffering handicaps.  She experienced gratitude for sound.  She learned to read lips (which she said has been like having a super power--using it for her company in legal trials where she could read the lips of the opposing council)  She said it made her a more patient mother because she couldn't hear what her children were doing.  By trusting in the Lord and having a positive attitude, her "test" became a real blessing.  She challenged us all to Trust in the Lord with all of our hearts and lean not unto our own understanding.  An amazing story and such a good lesson.  Bro. Pernal spoke at our evening meeting about an acronym  PRAY--Pray, read scriptures, attending church and "yes" go to the temple.  He is a great speaker.  The San Clemente ward brought dinner to our meeting.  It was fun to visit with Sis. Herzog, Sis. Stiefvater, and Sis. Wells--all great friends because of our service in the ward.  So many blessings have come to us through service.  Missions are wonderful!

September 3, 2018

President Clark instructs missionaries

at August 28 Zone Conference

Object Lesson--Cleaning the Inner Vessel

Elder Tracy (3rd from right)

Farewell Zone Conference

Sisters sing at Zone Conference

(Sister Baker 2nd from left)

Elder Halvorsen at MCRD

Largest Cake Cutting--August 30, 2018

Pageant of the Masters "Under the Sun"

Laguna Beach Festival of Arts

Stage for Pageant of the Masters

Laguna Beach 2018

September 3, 2018

Monday we worked at FAM so that we would be able to attend Zone Conference on August 28.  That evening we sent texts to all of the military families in the San Clemente Ward asking for interesting trivia we could use to highlight them at the Ward Activity on September 17.

Zone Conferences have been a highlight of our mission.  The August 28 conference was no different.  The theme was "Living Water".  Sister Clark did an outstanding object lesson the included pouring sparkling clean water into a soiled container.  She challenged us to clean the inner vessel so that we will be able to share Christ's living water through our example.  We brainstormed names referring to Jesus--there are over 2,000.  We claim personal power by focusing on Christ in all of our thoughts.  Missionaries shared some amazing miracles that took place in the California, Irvine Mission this transfer.  We need to follow the example of President Nelsen and be "Get Up And Go" Missionaries.  It was fun seeing Sister Baker (former San Clemente missionary).  She was able to have a convert baptism on her birthday this month--the best gift she could have asked for.  There were some sweet farewell testimonies from missionaries who will be returning home before the next Zone Conference.  One of those missionaries is Elder Tracy who served with us at the Basilone Branch.  Elder Tracy has lost 40 lbs since Christmas.  His mission has changed him both physically and spiritually.  He is a great young Elder.  Sister Castagno shared in her testimony a quote from Pres. Hobbins who said "Our mission is the spiritual well we'll drink from the rest of our lives so dig it deep."  I loved that thought

I had four female marines in my Budget for Baby class.  They were outstanding women.  One was from Samoa.  Really enjoyed the opportunity I had to meet them.  Elder Halvorsen had a difficult case at the end of the day so we stayed late for him to help the marine.

After having a delightful morning sorting clothes at the Thrift Store with Marge and Linda, we drove to San Diego for the largest cake cutting in our history--110 people in attendance.  Eleven marines were recognized and lots of family members were there to celebrate.  The Kapololus were out of town so Elder Sattley conducted the event.  The group was so large we held the meeting in the base chapel rather than outside.  We enjoyed meeting the marines and assuring their parents that we will be ready and willing to support their sons at SOI.  The Sattleys have a new local couple who has been called to serve with them at Edson Range--the Hogans were full of enthusiasm and will do a great job.  Bro. Hogan is a retired Air Force Officer who has had numerous foreign assignments.  It will be fun to get to know them.  Loved having dinner with the Sattleys.  Sis. Sattley has such an inquisitive mind.  It is always fun to hear her insights. 

Because most of the marines on base had a 96 (96 hours of leave due to the Monday holiday), it was really slow at the San Onofre Office on Friday.  But I did have the opportunity to help a single mother  who had not received a pay check for several months.  She was overcome with tears of gratitude.  It was humbling to hug her and wish her well.  The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society helps so many people in need.  It is a privilege working with this wonderful organization.

Friday night we went to see The Pageant of the Masters.  The theme this year was Under the Sun.  It was such a fun program.  They focused on the history of Laguna Beach as a center of art in California.  The Pageant of the Masters recreates art using real people.  It is just amazing.  They had several incredible replicas of surfers--I'll never figure out how they hold their positions on surf boards in the air--mind boggling.  They also had a tribute to Monet (my favorite impressionist) and those depictions were absolutely gorgeous. Before the Pageant started, we strolled through displays of artwork by local artists.  We thoroughly enjoyed the evening even though we got home about midnight.

Lots of paperwork to get done on Saturday.  However, we did end the day with watching the first BYU football game of the season--a win over Arizona.  It's so nice that senior missionaries can enjoy extracurricular activities.

We had a new infantry group join us Sunday morning--Alpha Company.  They are really special.  They each took the opportunity to share their testimonies.  One of them was from Vidor, Texas--where Elder Halvorsen served as a young Elder.  The marine thought it was incredible that someone actually knew where he was from.  I also shared my testimony of gaining a testimony of the Book of Mormon.  It's amazing that Emma, Kate and Ivey are in ninth grade and taking their first seminary class.  That is the age I was when I received confirmation that the Book of Mormon truly is sacred scripture.  I pray that each of them will come to gain their own testimony of its truthfulness.  We only had 12 attend our fireside.  President Stephens spoke about moral courage and trusting in the Lord.  His message was so important for the marines.  A wonderful female marine--White--thanked us for supporting them.  She told us how important the gospel is to her and how grateful she is to be able to come to church and feel of the Spirit during this critical time of her life.