Lang's Monday Night
Missionary Correlation Meeting
Elder Bonds and Elder Jones
Lunch at Slapfish
Back Entrance to FAM
Sorting at FAM
Brad's Casework Office at NMCRS
NMCRS Park Lot
Barbara with Halvorsen's at NMCRS
Nene and Carol at Thrift Store
Lou, Gary and Elder Halvorsen
at Thrift Store
Thrift Store Farewell Pizza Party
Angie, Pat and Linda
Cindy Lundquist displays her
paintings at a gallery
Laguna Art Museum
Old Laguna
A favorite painting
Elder Halvorsen at Heisler Park
Chili Cookoff Farewell at
Camp Pendleton North NMCRS
The cake--oops!
Mark and Tiffany Herzog Family
Randy and Geralene Beckett hosted
San Clemente Ward Open House
Final Visit to Caruso Chapel
Inside the Chapel
Spencer Bradley and the Halvorsen's
lock the Chapel for the last time
Spectacular Sunset over Laguna Beach
We're going to miss California
November 5, 2018
It was definitely been a memorable week. People have been so generous and kind as we have said farewell to all those we have served with.
We were able to visit all of the Marine families in the San Clemente Ward and give them a little farewell gift. It was definitely a tender mercy that we were able to find everyone home on the two days we visited. We have learned to really appreciate the sacrifices these families make to support their marine fathers and husbands. We have three Marines who will soon be deployed for 6-9 months.
Monday we had our 8 pm Missionary Correlation Meeting at the Lang's home. Elder Halvorsen snapped a picture of what we see each Monday night. The Langs have been so wonderful to work with. They discovered that we're related to the Candy Bomber and they were so thrilled!! I was very impressed with Elder Jones and Elder Bonds during the correlation meeting. Every family we discussed, they were able to add important information to the conversation. They are terrific missionaries.
After graduation on Tuesday, we took the Elders for lunch. They chose Slapfish which was new to us. Elder Halvorsen was thrilled to have seafood on the menu and I had my favorite fish and chips. The FAM staff had a little celebration with cupcakes for our last day. They have really appreciated our service there.
Halloween started off crazy. We had another early morning fire alarm. For some reason I was totally disoriented and was running into walls. We got to stand outside at 4 am for about half an hour while the fire department confirmed that the emergency water line had broken--again. At the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society we received an award for volunteering over 1,000 hours each since we arrived. They gave us some warm fleece jackets that will come in handy in Utah. We enjoyed receiving Halloween photos of the grandchildren and talking with Eric's family. No trick or treating here in our gated community.
Thursday was a fabulous day. Our friends at the Thrift Store had a pizza party in our honor. Gary who works with electronics came in to thank Elder Halvorsen for all of his work. He has been an enthusiastic and kind friend to Brad. Cindy Lundquist invited us to visit a gallery in Laguna Beach where she had several of her paintings displayed. The gallery was across the street from the Laguna Art Museum and they were having a "free" evening so we stopped in there too. The Art Museum houses work from some of the early Laguna Beach artists. It was fun to visit. I fell in love with one painting of a woman ironing--it's amazing that artists can see beauty in our everyday activities. On the way back to our car we saw one of the most incredible sunsets (see the final picture). People were coming out on their balconies and everyone said it was the best sunset they had seen all season. It was breathtaking. So glad we were in the right place at the right time to be able to enjoy it.
We drove back to San Clemente in time to attend ARP. So many of those in attendance sincerely thanked us for the support we have given them on their journey. Seeing the changes that have taken place in their lives is one of the highlights of our mission. Christ's Atonement has the power to change us all.
Donna planned a chili cookout in our honor at the Camp Pendleton North Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. Friday is our usual day to work but there were quite a few of our volunteer friends who came in to wish us well. Donna unveiled a special cake she had ordered for desert and we all died laughing when we read Farewell "Bob" and Gaylene. She was so embarrassed. Apparently the person who took the order got a little confused. We stopped by the housing area on our way home to help Krystal Adams move in. She moved from Missouri and her husband is currently deployed. The wonderful Elders and her ministering priesthood holder had been there for two hours unloading her pod. We passed them leaving when we were arriving. Everything was out of the pod and Krystal was exhausted so we just welcomed her and left her to get some rest. Because we didn't need to unpack we visited five more military families to say goodbye.
Saturday we started packing. We're just praying it all fits in the car. We did a few errands in the afternoon and picked up pumpkin pies from Costco for Sunday dinner with the Marines.
Hard to believe Sunday was the last time we will be serving as missionaries in the Basilone Branch. We reminisced about the wonderful experiences we have had there during the last 18 months. Sis. Weber gave us leis and we received lots of hugs and kind words. Ed Pernal conducted and in his testimony asked the question--Why am I at church? His answer was: Because I believe in Christ. Bro. Pernal joined the church when he was 27. He was very active in other churches as a youth. He shared the truths The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides that led to his baptism. He is such an inspiring speaker. Elder Halvorsen and I both bore our testimonies. One of the Marines had a scar on his neck he called "The kiss of iron" that he received from his battle buddy while they were shooting. It left a lasting scar but didn't hurt too badly. It made me think that I have experienced a permanent change of heart as I have been touched by the experiences we have had on our mission.
Elder Halvorsen was asked to share a departing testimony in his Elders Quorum Meeting at the San Clemente Ward. At 4:30 pm, Randy and Geralene Beckett hosted an open house in our honor where we were able to say farewell to a number of sweet friends from that ward. Amy Gibson whose husband is currently gone brought her four little girls to give us cookies and thank us for watching over them. The Herzog family that we used to sit by in Sacrament Meetings while their dad was deployed came and the little ones gave us hugs. Sister Frost who we met as a newly married Marine wife thanked us for making her feel so loved and welcome. Our hearts truly have been knit together in love as we have served. Sister Beckett gave us a framed photo she had taken on Thursday night of a spectacular sunset--it was OUR sunset!! What a great gift that we will cherish.
We left the open house and picked up Spencer Bradley for the last time for our Fireside. He thanked us over and over for helping him get to church. He is having some medical issues and is not sure if he will be leaving the Marines. I think Spencer is our "one" that we were able to truly minister to. We had about 27 marines at the Fireside. Bro. Weber spoke about service and used us as an example. He asked all of the Marines to thank us for our service and many of them did. Sweet Michi Stephens gave us a beautiful painting she had painted for us. It is really special. The Webers gave us a seaside plaque with a touching message she had written on the back. Lots of big hugs and good wishes. We couldn't have worked with a more dedicated group of Saints. Counting our blessings. We will drive home on November 8. The time has gone by so quickly and we have loved every minute of our mission. Hard to say goodbye but excited to see family and friends once again.
