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!