More Marine Corps graduations and donations

This young man was very humble about being the honor man  for his platoon.  He said because he wasn't the series or company honor man, it was not a big deal.  I said of course it is!  You are being recognized as the best in your platoon. We were proud of his accomplishment.

We have been having graduations and family day receptions every week.  Sometimes we are fortunate to have a member of the branch presidency come.  Last week, President Bullick came with Sister Bullick and this week we had President Baird and Sister Baird.  They are such great examples of service to these young men as they go through boot camp. We love them!

 Every week, we set up many chairs, tables, etc.  to get ready for the family day reception.  We are always helped by  the young Elders. Sometimes four and sometimes only two, but we could not do it without them and their van!

This week, I donated my 20th baby quilt.  I love doing this both because it is my favorite hobby and also because I know a military family will receive them for their newborns.

The word is getting around about Sister Hodges and her quilt making.  I have been asked to make a quilt for a woman who has worked with the military families on base for many years and is leaving.
Sister Jones (her husband is in the branch presidency and also an active duty Colonel on base)  has asked me to put together a quilt for a going away gift.  She is having all sign messages on black squares and I will add coordinating squares.  Also, she will give me a large square for the center with the battalion emblem on it.  I will post pictures when it is complete.

This was the last quilt I donated to the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society.  I loved the print so much, I couldn't bear to cut it into small squares, so large it is!!  It was fast and easy to put together too!

 These squares are some that I have been working on in my spare time.  The pattern is called summer in the park and it involves tube quilting.  I love it because again, it's fast and easy.

I spent a day with the mission presidents wife also, because she heard about my quilting and wanted help designing a quilt commemorating all the Elders and Sisters that have come and gone from the San Diego mission.  She has all the missionaries who are leaving sign a blank square and I helped her design a way to put the squares together with sashing in between.  I sewed some of the side sashing pieces on for her, so it would be easier for her to put together later because we will be home before they finish their mission.  She had not quilted before, but I am sure she will be able to put together the rows now that they are almost complete.

It was interesting as I think about teaching quilting how everything must fit together exactly and if it is off just a little on each square the whole thing cannot be put together and looks awful.  This analogy is also relevant to our lives as we strive to live the gospel.

Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them. [Alma 57:21]

I know as we strive to live our lives righteously, we will receive the promised blessings.  I am so grateful for the many blessings we have been given.  We have a wonderful family and are enjoying our mission so much.

Monster Mash FHE and fun!

This month we had our Senior Missionary Monster Mash FHE.  The military missionaries dressed for the branch of the military they were in and there were a lot of witches among the other Senior Sisters.

 This couple (below) were in charge of the FHE and did a wonderful job.  We had dinner, treats and we played Minute to Win it games.  Fun!!

The couple that usually comes to help us with our cake cutting and reception couldn't come, so they go these wonderful ladies to help. It was so fun, as you can tell by the picture!

We have a wonderful new couple that has joined us at MCRD.  He is active duty on the base and has been called with his wife to help us on Sundays with the recruits and marines.

I know we are blessed by helping these young men who will serve our country and defend our freedoms.

Tour

We were invited, along with President and Sister Schmitt and some other senior missionaries to tour the hospital ship, Mercy.  The chaplain is LDS and just returned from the Asia area. 

It was so great to see all the different rooms and how it is equipped to handle lots of medical problems including surgeries.

 This picture shows Chaplain Luckesen and the various places they went including Viet Nam.

This picture shows how long and wide the hallways are, nothing like the USS Ronald Reagan which we toured previously.
They also have elevators in this ship obviously needed with patients on gurneys.

The flight deck was very small in comparison too, because they use helicopters to transport.


We have 8 graduations in a row now until Thanksgiving when we get a small break.  It is amazing how we come to love these young men in just 12 weeks and continue to marvel at the changes in them both physically, mentally and spiritually.  We love to see their testimonies grow as they share their experiences here.