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.