Turnovers and rain!

We have lots of senior missionaries going home in the next couple of months. During our FHE with the seniors we always have the couples both coming and going say a few words.  This is Elder and Sister Barnes.  They were the directors of the Mormon Battalion for two years and did a wonderful job.  We always enjoy going to the battalion especially when we bring some of our new Marines. 

We had an enormous amount of rain two weeks ago and because of that on Family day the Marines that attended our cake cutting reception had to wear their utilities just in case.  It turns out it did not rain on graduation and they were able to wear their Bravo uniforms.  This was the first time they were not in uniform for the reception, but their commanders did not want them to ruin their Bravos before the graduation ceremony.  They are still looking good!

The Marine farthest left in the picture above plays the flute and played for us on Christmas day. It was wonderful. Sister Baird rented a flute and he played without any practice. "Oh, Emanuel"  He will be part of one of the USMC bands.

These are four of the San Diego Elders who serve at MCRD and they come to help us with our reception. The boards are on display for the families to see what their sons have gone through and also where we have church.

On this board I have to update the pictures and the name of the company that is graduating each week.

This is our Christmas gift from Brother and Sister Bullick.  It got so tall and finally bloomed!

We have been preparing for leaving this mission by packing boxes and shipping them back to our home in Texas. Camden and Eric are taking them and storing until we get there.  It is amazing how much more we have in 18 months here and we only have our car to bring stuff home in.

We have very mixed emotions about returning home. We want to see our family and spend time with them, but we will miss the young men and all who have served with us at the branch.  We have had a glimpse of the love our Heavenly Father must have for us as we have grown to love all we have served here.

We know the Lord loves each of us and will always love us no matter what mistakes we make or failings we may have. He never closes the door; all we must do is reach out to Him and he will bless us for our wanting to be better.  These young men have shown us that prayers are answered and angels are always there to help if we but ask.

Lots of pictures, be warned!

 We went to the wreath laying at Ft. Rosecrans Cemetery again this year. Luckily, we got there early enough to have a seat for the ceremony. Last year we stood for over an hour because we were only 15 minutes early.
They have all branches of the military represented.

Elder and Sister Glahn hosted a Christmas FHE at their apartment. It was so fun. We had dinner and then did a white elephant exchange. I got a wonderful wall hanging I hope to quilt at home and Jim got a steamer! It was so funny!

 The Senior Missionaries were asked to help with gifts for those young Elders and Sisters who would not be getting gifts in the mail.  I was asked to make 10 Christmas pillowcases.  It was supposed to be easy and it was once I got the hang of it. They have french seams which I had never done before.

 We had our last graduation before Christmas.  On family day we had three Marines who were ordained Elders after the cake cutting ceremony.
Below is Tye Parsons and his Mom.  President Bennett did the ordination.

 We would have an extremely hard time during all we need to do on family day without the help of Elder and Sister Moore, who cut and serve the cakes after the ceremony.

 This young man is amazing!  He had been hurting  for a few weeks and received a priesthood blessing. He pushed through the pain and made it through the crucible.  It turns out he had a broken femur!  He had to have three screws placed and is now going to have to be in the Basic Marine Platoon for six months to recover. Hopefully, he will be able to work desk jobs while he recovers.

He was so happy he could go home with his family for the holidays.

 We were privileged to be invited to Kendal Ianuzi's wedding to Nathan Poulson, from Poway, California.  It is such a small world.  Nathan's family is good friends with Brother and Sister Baird, who serve with us at the base.

 We got to see many of our good friends from New York.  Below is Brittany and her husband, Grant.

 Don and Patti were wonderful!  We had dinner together the night before the wedding and enjoyed a great time catching up!

 Here is the happy couple.  Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Poulson!

 And the proud parents, Bill and Tawni!!  We had such a wonderful reunion with everyone!
We also spent time with Misa Morreall and had the opportunity to drive her to the airport after the reception and catch up.  We love all of our precious NY friends!

Finally, we got to give the Bairds and Bullicks their Christmas presents.  We love these couples who serve with us at the base.  We will miss them so much when we leave in March. We hope to come back for visits.

Of course, the men needed to have Marine Corps briefcases when they work on the base!!

While we serve here in California this holiday season, we are thinking of our friends and family and hope all will be blessed with health and happiness.
We remember the birth of the Savior of the world and the role he plays in the eternal plan by allowing us to return to live once again with Him.
We love the gospel of Jesus Christ and are so thankful to serve.

Senior missionaries are fun!

We have been helping Elder and Sister Moore on Thursday nights for the past 8 weeks as they taught the resiliency lessons for the military.  It is a program developed by the church for those military families who are dealing with deployments and how to strengthen their families through it all.

 Elder and Sister Moore were both teachers in Virginia and it was very evident in the instruction they gave these military families.

We also supported Elder and Sister Glahn as they put on a FHE for the military in their mission area.
It was fun and Elder Glahn is so talented. He has played in bands, told his conversion story and sang some very funny songs.  We were laughing so much!

Finally, I said I would show the quilt I have been working on for one of the FROs (Family Readiness Officer) who has served for three years and is leaving.
Sister Jones, who's husband is active duty, asked me to do this.  I gave her blank squares and she had everyone share messages of thanks for Michelle.

I gave her a large square for the center and she had the battalion emblem put on it and I think it really makes the quilt.
Another tender mercy story was I ended up with a blank gray square on the bottom and she said it was a wonderful blessing because the executive officer was gone when she had everyone sign squares and it was so good there was a blank one for him!

I have been working on gift for those we serve with and it makes me happy!!

We feel so blessed to serve all of these young men and to have so many who support and serve with us!!

Celebration of Marine Corps Birthday

We went to a very special colors ceremony before graduation this week.  Once a year for the celebration of the formation of the Marine Corps on November 10, 1775, they have a display of all the uniforms worn in the various wars.

 This week was the graduation of India Company and Brother Tupou is the Senior Drill Instructor.
We love sharing the celebration with them.

We also attended the Marine Corps Ball on Saturday night.  It was more fun this year as we knew more of the attendees.

We received wonderful news about one of our Marines this week.  He joined the church at MCRD in boot camp a year ago.  We learned he will be sealed in the temple in December!!
We are so happy for his progress and growth in the gospel.  We feel like adoptive parents sharing in the joy of his life journey.

The gospel blesses families and is true!!!

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.