Adventures and seeds planted..

Elder Hodges and I decided one day we should go down to the beach to catch the sunset.  When we first got there it was about an hour before sunset so we walked.  So many people go to the beach here. They surf, ride bikes, skateboards, walk and they even have places on the beach for groups to build bonfires once the sun goes down.

The weather was in the 70s with a wonderful breeze.

The General on MCRD invited all of the volunteers on the base to a luncheon at the BayView Restaurant.  We, along with the other members who hold services on Sunday were all invited. I was also invited thru the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society.

 This picture shows Brother and Sister Bullick who are such an important part of the MCRD branch!
Love them!

The gal talking to Elder Hodges is Isabel.  She works with the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society and I love her!  She is so positive and caring for all who volunteer and also those marines that come in for financial help.

I first met this woman in December.  I was running around the base looking for the conference room.  I went into the base museum and she was at the information desk. We got to talk and she asked about my tag.  I told her a little about the church and she said she wanted to learn more.  I told her we have church on base, but she might want to go closer to home.  She gave me her address and phone number and I gave them to Elder Myler who helped us that day with the family day reception.

So here it is five months later and she found me at the volunteer luncheon and was so excited to tell me she has been taking the lessons with the missionaries and wants to come and attend church with us on the base!!  I was so surprised and excited!  So many times, we talk about the gospel with people, they ask questions, we plant seeds and never know the results.  I felt so blessed to know that my small act helped her to find the opportunity to learn more.
We should never be afraid to talk to others!  I believe we will be led to those who are seeking!

FHE with the Senior Missionaries and Easter!

We were in charge of Family Home Evening this month for the San Diego Senior Missionaries.

We had learned that one of the Drill Instructors and his wife were members of the church.

They were willing to come and share their stories with us and testify of the truth of the gospel and how it has blessed their lives.  The spirit was so strong and everyone was blessed as they shared.

They are from Tonga and their parents were converted to the church when they were children. Both served missions and told of the miracles they saw.  They were both engaged to other people when the spirit told them they were not marrying the right one.  After they met they knew immediately they were perfect for each other.  Brother Tupou served in Iraq and Afghanistan.   Sister Tupou is expecting in August, so of course, I had to make a baby quilt for their wonderful family.

We  are very thankful for getting to spend a wonderful evening with them.

We had another graduation this week.  There are forty two a year and we see many of our marines graduate and move on to their next duty stations.  We get to sit in the reviewing stand every week because of one special lady that works in the protocol office.  

This week we finally got a picture with Brenda! 

By the way, if anyone wants to come to San Diego and go to graduation with us, just let us know and we can reserve a seat for you!

We were very grateful to be able to see most of General Conference Easter weekend and also the Bullicks, who work with us every Sunday invited us to Easter dinner with their extended family.
It was so wonderful to see all of their children and grandchildren running, laughing and playing.

It reminded us of how thankful we are to be parents and grandparents to so many exceptional people!

We feel very blessed and know the Lord loves all of his children!

Beautiful and interesting....

We took a trip to Carlsbad this week to see the flower fields. They opened March 1st and so some fields are not fully grown yet, but it was gorgeous!

We were invited to tour the Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier after graduation this week. It is huge!

We were very lucky to be able to tour with an oral surgeon in the Navy who is a member of the church. Several other senior missionaries went also.

When we got up to the flight deck, Brother Mack told Jim to take over and explain about what happens with the jets, etc. because he has landed on aircraft carriers many times. Brother Mack also told us about being there with all the noise and said that even with double hearing protection, the noise just vibrates your whole body.  He told some stories about feeling the heat from the after burners even when he was far away on another deck. 

Every time we learn more about the military and all the things they have to do, I am so grateful for the sacrifices they make for our freedoms.  

We are grateful to help in some small way with the new recruits and marines as they train and prepare for their service to our country.  

We testify that the Lord loves all his children and desires all to live in such a way that they will return to live with Him. We love our mission!!