Volunteering

We had another graduation today.  It is so wonderful to see the recruits graduate as Marines.
After graduation one came up to us and gave me a hug and thanked us for helping him become a Marine.  We only support and help them by reminding them the Lord loves them and He will help them in all that they desire to do.

For about six weeks now, I have been making baby quilts to be given to military families who need them. So far, I have completed five baby quilts.  It is a nice volunteer job because I can work on it any time I have a minute at the apartment.

This week as I dropped off the baby quilt the Director of the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society told me they just had one of my quilts that was picked by a wounded soldier for his new baby.
I wish I could have been there, but I can imagine the smile and it makes me happy...

Elder Hodges and I will also be helping with babysitting the children of military parents on the Saturday after Thanksgiving so the parents can go Christmas shopping ...... :-)

HAPPY 239TH BIRTHDAY OF THE UNITED STATES MARINES!

Last week we were very fortunate in attending the Marine Corps Birthday Ball.  We had a wonderful time. There was over one thousand people in the Hilton San Diego.  I tried to take pictures, but it was with my cell phone and they did not turn out as good as I'd hoped.

In the picture below you can see the reenactment.  They also had marines come out dressed in all the Marine Corps uniforms since 1775 when the Marine Corps was formed to today.

They do a cake cutting to represent the passing of the traditions of the Corps from the oldest marine to the youngest marine.

The guest speaker was a three star general that was in OCS the same year as Jim.

We were at table #77 and as you can see did not have the best view, but never the less, we loved the night.

We have had several more baptisms and continue to love working with the recruits and marines.

The last week of basic training is called the Crucible and it is very tough.  One of the new marines bore his testimony today about how he tries to recognize the little things the Lord blesses him with. He said the second day of the crucible, he was ready to quit and he prayed for help and when he got up for the day, he saw the most beautiful sunrise and felt it was the Lord reminding him, He loved him and would help him.  Another marine bore his testimony about keeping a prayer in his heart the whole way thru the crucible and when he felt he could not carry his 75 pound pack any further, he prayed for the Lord's help and the pack felt lighter.  We hear some amazing testimonies!!

What have the crucibles been in your life?  

Have you felt the hand of the Lord lightening your load?

I know I have.....

Halloween week....

We continue to love our mission!

We have a family home evening the first Monday of the month with the other senior missionaries.
This Monday, President Schmitt, our mission president was in charge.  He showed us a video of President Uchtdorf's talk to mission presidents. It was amazing. It was the first time I ever saw President Uchtdorf choke up when speaking.  He was reviewing the life of Jesus Christ and also about Peter and his fear.  He spoke of all of us having fear of opening our mouths and sharing the gospel message.  He told a story of an amazing young elder who said "He feared no man." He also told of this elder's companion and how he struggled in the companionship because he did fear.

We also have a FHE with just the military senior missionaries.  The couple that was in charge did an amazing job, decorating and dressing up and really getting into the Halloween spirit.  We had such fun visiting and getting to know each other better.

On Halloween night, we went with two of the senior missionary couples to Balboa Park and watched Phantom of the Opera in black and white with Lon Chaney.  This is the Organ Center at the park and the organist accompanied the silent movie with his own arrangement. It was wonderful!

One of our LDS recruits was featured this week in the graduation program and in the MCRD paper the Chevron.  You can see it on the MCRD website.  http://www.mcrdsd.marines.mil/Portals/3/Documents/CHEVRONs/2014/10-31-14.pdf
He was made an Elder on family day by his grandfather who was also the one who blessed him to live after the car accident in his sophomore year in high school.
We continue to be impressed with the faith and testimonies of these young men.