October 15, 2018

Elder Bonds, Samuelian, and Jones

Elder Bonds from Coppell, Texas

Elder Jones from Blanding, UT

Zone Report

Mission Statistics

Sister Mooseman and Baker

Final Zone Conference

The Boot Hunt Ended

October 11 Cake Cutting

Sword used at Cake Cutting

Kerri and Julianne at NMCRS

October 15, 2018

I can't believe I forgot to write the blog yesterday.  My perfect Monday record ended.  We were busy trying to plan our future home strategy.  We're praying things will fall into place when we get home.

Monday Elder Halvorsen was super busy preparing a talk and doing paperwork so my time was focused on reading the scriptures.  I was impressed with how the Book of Mormon really is written for our time.  Alma and his people were facing many of the same struggles we see in our lives--prosperous circumstances led to pride and the feeling that God was not needed in their lives.  At our missionary correlation meeting we discussed similar conditions here in San Clemente.  When people are prosperous, they don't see a need for religion.  It was fun getting to know our new missionaries--Elder Bonds is from Coppell, Texas a little town close to Dallas.  Elder Jones is from Blanding, UT.  Both are very enthusiastic and excited to be serving.  

Four platoons graduated on Tuesday.  It was a large company but we didn't really see them much at our worship services.  Apparently, they kept them all very busy.  We took the Elders to Panda Express for lunch.  Elders can eat a lot!  We are always happy to treat them to lunch.  Sorting was fun at FAM that day.  We had some wonderful donations.  People must empty their entire closets on a regular basis.  One donation was filled with Chico clothing.  It was like looking through the racks at the store.  Shannon was back.  She has been sick so it was terrific to have her there.  Nancy greeted us when we arrived with a big hug and told us how much she appreciates all we do at the store.  It always looks better when we leave.  Elder Halvorsen carries a lot of merchandise from the basement upstairs each week and clears out the sorting area.  He will be greatly missed when we leave.

October 10, 2018--Grandpa turned 98!  Mike, Kalleen, Denise and David helped him celebrate with a birthday luncheon.  He is such an amazing man.  His health is improving.  So thankful he is still part of our lives.  He often calls and encourages us.  We have certainly appreciated his love and support.  We attended our last Zone Conference and shared our parting testimonies.  It was definitely a sad event.  We have loved attending with the young missionaries and hearing about the miracles that are happening in the mission.  Each Zone shares stories of the people they are teaching and baptizing.  It is always so inspiring.  I posted a picture of the mission statistics this month--120 baptisms for the year, 335 scheduled before the end of the year and 1701 have been able to hear about the restoration.  The work rolls on.  We were able to see Sister Mooseman and Sister Baker (Who served with us in San Clemente).  It has been amazing to see how they have grown while serving.  The Carvers shared with us stories from their first mission to the Philippines.  It made me VERY thankful to be serving in the California, Irvine Mission.  We have been exactly where we were needed.  It has been a marvelous place to serve the Lord.

It wasn't my best day at the Thrift Store.  Technology can be fickle.  I have loved using the new cash drawers until today when mine would not connect to the internet so it was extremely frustrating.  We ended up using my lane for cash only so people had to stand in line a long time to pay with a card.  My machine finally started working about 1/2 hour before we had to leave.  We went to San Diego and finished our "boot hunt".  We decided to send all of our boys and older grandsons Marine boots.  When recruits drop out at MCRD, their uniforms are returned and the government sells slightly used boots at greatly discounted prices.  The only problem is retirees can only buy one pair of boots per visit.  So, we have been searching through bins of boots for weeks looking for the sizes we needed for everyone.  The size we need might be there one week and not the next.  We finally found our last pair on Thursday.  It was the cause of celebration.  We included a picture so we can remember the fun we've had searching.

We thought this was our last cake cutting and Couple's Council but we found out they are not changing the time next week.  So, we may return again.  We really enjoy meeting the Marines and their families.  This week we met the Guymons.  The grandparents had lived in Sitka so we talked a lot about Alaska.  They mentioned three of their sons had served missions in Russia.  Then we discovered that their oldest son had served with Gail and Alta in St. Petersburg.  It always surprises me that it is such a small world.  

Sattleys are headed to Utah on Monday for Marcia to see a doctor.  She once had surgery in Provo on her back and she is having more problems so is going to consult with her surgeon.  While they are there they will meet with the Fairhursts who are now supervising the military relations missionaries.  They will also have a farewell lunch with the Sparrows who we have learned to love.  It was fun to review with them what we have learned on our mission so they would be prepared for the meetings.  Charlene Kapololu gave us a sweet farewell gift.  She is so thoughtful.

President Clark called Thursday night wanting to make sure everything was in place for a baptism on Saturday for Aaron Cox and Joseph Prebo.  Unfortunately, marine baptisms are scheduled around training and we never know when they will have leave.  We came up with a plan for an ocean baptism on Saturday night at 5 pm.  But, it didn't happen.  They could not participate that night.

Friday was hard at the San Onofre Office.  It was our last day to work with Julianne.  She has been such a delightful person to associate with.  She is leaving for a full-time position and we will miss her greatly.  Lots of tears.  Our hearts have been knit together.  It was a very slow day and Donna needed to leave on time for an appointment.  So...we had two marines in need at 3:55.  True to her commitment, Donna stayed until they received the assistance the needed.  She is so dedicated to the mission of the Society and caring for the marines.

It rained--no it poured Friday night.  It was glorious!!  It even rained on our way to San Diego.  Our temple trip Saturday morning was for the one.  We had seven initially sign up to go.  But, Spencer Bradley was the only one available to attend.  Sattleys and Kapololus met us at the temple.  It was a very busy session--only three open seats.  I felt an outpouring of the Spirit and it was a wonderful session.  We ate in the temple cafeteria and enjoyed our time with these dear friends.

Sunday morning we thought it might be our first meeting with no marines.  We finally had three show up about 20 minutes late.  They had just been released from their barracks.  We were thrilled to see them walk in.  Elder Halvorsen presented a great Sunday School lesson on the importance of heeding the counsel of prophets.  He reviewed what President Nelson taught last week.  He did an excellent job. We were sorry to miss Grandpa's birthday celebration in Midway.  But, we were thrilled that Scott, Grant, Eric and Boyd's families were all able to be there to celebrate with extended family.  So blessed to have such a terrific family.  We had 49 marines at our evening fireside plus five Elders.  Elder Wells, Arner and VanDyke came to interview the marines who have requested baptism.  We are all praying the baptism will be able to take place on October 20.  If not, they will be able to be baptized at their MOS school in Pensacola.  The work will continue even if we need to pass off these great marines to another set of missionaries waiting in Florida.