THE END

How can I express the feelings that we have as our 18 month mission ends?  We have loved so many soldiers, helped, cried, laughed, served, and learned.  It is with joy that we say that we will never be the same.  Our hearts are forever changed. It is a good change.

Now we head home and on to the next adventure.

Stripling Warriors

This is a picture that will be forever imprinted on my heart.  Soldiers blessing the sacrament.

What  more can I say?

"See you there"

With the end of our mission drawing near we can't help but reflect on many things that we are going to miss.  It may sound funny but I'm going to miss the "Black" people that are all around us here.  I love how the little girls do their hair and the beautiful color of their skin. I actually feel  quite pale when I am around them.  Today these children knocked on our door.  At first they said, "We are collecting money for cancer." When they saw that I wasn't going to go for that line they said that if I didn't have any money, a treat would be nice.  I almost had to laugh out loud.  They didn't want any of the homemade cookies I had just made when they spied the large "goodie jar" full of chocolate that we take to the soldiers.  I said they could pick something out of the jar if I could take their picture.  They thought that was a pretty good trade.

When I feel sorry for myself because of missing all of the wonderful friends we've made here, I'll remember the last words of our dear friend Ashley:

"See you there."

Challenging week

     Here are most of the senior missionaries in the Virginia Richmond Mission.  We get together once a quarter for a dinner and visiting.  It is a great time to share experiences and laugh together. In our mission there are 4 military couples. In the whole world there are 54 military couples. 
     We've had kind of a weird week.  First I had trouble making some phone calls, then figured out that our mission cell phone had quit working.  When we used a different phone to call a friend, he said that he had tried to call us.  It was our message on the answering machine but then he got a call back from another missionary in Harrisburg, Virginia, saying that they now have that phone number and that the Elkins had gone home!
     We called our number and got those sister missionaries who were now using our number.  They said that they had been getting calls for us, but asked the person who gave them the phone and he said we had gone home, so that's what they were telling people.  Since they were on the opposite side of the mission, they didn't know any better.  So we contacted the person in charge of phones and assured him that we were still here and needed to have that number back - not a new one! 
     The problem was that he had just taken over the responsibility of being in charge of phones and found a box of old phones, assuming that they could be used.  He gave out the phone we had last year and activated it, which automatically deactivated the one we have.  He was able to contact the company, reverse what he had done and we got our number back. 
     Since 2005 the Ft. Eustis missionaries have had this number so it would have been a chore to contact everyone. In less than 4 weeks we will hand this phone over to a new couple.

     We have been heavily involved in training our replacements.  I've been writing a "manual" of proceedures and information which will be helpful after we have gone home, for our replacements and hopefully others that follow.  Elder & Sister Miller will enter the MTC (Mission Training Center) next week and return here just 4 days before we are released.  Since they live in the area, we have been introducing them to key people and activities so the transition can take place quickly when they return.  They are catching on and seem anxious to get going.  They will be wonderful, and that will make it so much easier for us to turn it over and exit.

     One thing we have been dealing with lately is a reduced numbers of soldiers. In the past 5 months we have graduated out 41soldiers but welcomed in only 16.  That is the number of soldiers on the "list". The number of soldiers who actively attend meetings is considerably smaller.  It is partly because of the reduction in size of the military, decided by our government.  Some of the "hiring" of new recruits has been frozen.  It is a scary and discouraging trend.

COMBATIVES

It isn't going to be easy to beat me! 

I call this a "knot" of soldiers.

The winner.

     Some of our soldiers elect to take marshall arts training in addition to regular PT training.  Recently a tournament was held and one of our LDS soldiers took 2nd place in the whole base tournament.  For a little guy he is pretty tough.  In addition to the combative pictures I've put a picture of soldier Z (center) at his graduation.  You can see he looks pretty harmless when he isn't on the mat.

     We got stopped at the gate today at Fort Eustis.  We had missed getting our car inspected by the end of Feb.  They told us to wait at the gate for the military police to come and talk to us (and probably give us a ticket).  We waited 35 minutes, then convinced the guard to let us go because we were missing a graduation.  So we got there a little late and still got some pictures.  After the graduation we got the car inspected so we are legal again.  We aren't used to getting inspections because in our little town in Nevada, they aren't required.  We have gone through that gate probably 7 or 8 times since the sticker expired and they didn't notice till today.  Fortunately it wasn't on Sunday morning.  That would have been inconvenient.
     Last week I went to the doctor and had x-rays of my elbow.  It was swollen and looked like I had 1/2 of a golf ball under the skin.  It didn't hurt much but was ugly (thus no pictures).  They said it was bursitis, and that I must have injured it.  (You'd think I could remember an injury like that.) Antibiotics didn't make any difference, so they finally stuck a needle in it and took out quite a bit of liquid, then injected steroids.  It looks a lot better now and is almost back to normal. 
     Ok, so we got the phone, my elbow, and the car straightened out.  Hopefully it will be smooth sailing for the rest of the week.
    

Everybody is named "Elder"



I just wanted to add that the cute wife our our new stake president counselor is from one of the Carribbean countries and has a really fun accent.  When we heard her speak of her conversion to the Church she said, "When we were being taught by the missionaries I thought that if we joined the church we would have to name all of our sons Elder. "  Ha ha ha.

Stake Conference

Manwiches for the soldiers.

Today was the last Stake Conference that we will be participating in here.  We had 5 soldiers that we were able to take in the army van.  In the second picutre is our van driver and his family.  We really appreciate his help.  He has the army drivers license which allows him to drive the soldiers, so he gives this service to the LDS soldiers.  It is so nice when we have an LDS driver instead of asking for a chaplain assistant from the base. 

We got a new stake presidency today. The "old" president is getting deployed to Bahrain.  He would have been released anyway in a year so they decided to do it now.  The new president was a bishop and a wonderful man.  He had heard him speak a few times, and he is also in the army.  The first counselor was on the High Council.  The second counselor was a counselor in the Virginia Richmond Mission so they will have to replace him.  We love him already and have heard him speak and enjoyed his spirit.

We feed the soldiers at the stake center before returning them to the base.  It is always a traumatic experience to provide for the soldiers, not knowing how many there will be, etc.  It worked out again. We would have had 2 more soldiers but they started their field training exercises today and couldn't attend.

One of the soldiers' favorite foods is Nutella.  Here is a chocolate chip cookie Nutella sandwich.  I saw another soldier make a 2 bread slices/Nutella sandwich with a cookie in the middle.  I guess they work it off!  They can't take goodies back to the barracks, so they really enjoy treats at our meals.

These two Elders serve with us on Fort Eustis, and also in the regular ward.  They enjoy meals along with the soldiers whenever they can!

Elder S got the staples out of the back of his head this week.  He was jumping into a foam pit on a P-day activity and hit the padded wooden edge of the pit.  I knocked him out for a few minutes and he had to go to the emergency room to get his head fixed.  Ouch!

An Angel

   Last year we worked very diligently with a soldier who wanted to be ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood so that he could be sealed to his sweet wife.  It was not easy to get his interviews because of the Osama Bin Laden incident which increased the security on the base.  Next, he needed a temple recommend.  Bishop B. said that the soldier needed to have the Temple Preparation lessons first.  So we taught those lessons as he attended FHE in the middle of the day. (He was a night student).  Done.  More interviews, then finally success as he walked out of the stake office with recommend in hand!  A few days later he graduated, then was able to be sealed for Eternity to his sweetheart.
   After they traveled across the country to their new military assignment, they shared the news that they were expecting a child. To us it felt just like another grandchild on the way. Happy day!
   This week we got the sad news that the little daughter was stillborn.  Something happened during labor and her heart stopped beating.  Their hearts are broken but they will survive.
    They named their little girl, Angel.  What a fitting name for a daughter waiting for them in Eternity.  And what a wonderful thing to know--that she is theirs for Eternity. 

Tender Mercies and Transfers

This is a dear friend who used to come out to our Ft. Eustis Group to teach some of the Sunday lessons to the soldiers.  Just before Christmas she and her husband were blessed with a sweet little son who will soon be legally adopted and sealed for eternity.  What joy!

Elder "S" (middle) was transferred back to work with us after being in a different Zone for a while.  His companion decided not to be a missionary any longer and went home.  So Elder "S" was in this 3-some for a couple weeks.  It was fun getting to know Elder "C" and Elder "W". 

Yesterday Elder "S" got his new companion fresh from the MTC.  When Elder "S" came to Ft. Eustis, about 6 months ago, he was the greenie -- now he is the trainer and District Leader.  That should tell everyone what kind of missionary he is!

We had the privilege of attending "transfer meeting" yesterday in Richmond.  This is where all of the new missionaries are matched up to their companions, who will be trainers.  We had wanted to attend one of these and when we were asked to give a ride to a couple elders, we were delighted.  It was "the biggest transfer day of the mission".  There were 16 new missionaries and lots of transfers.

We have 3 missionaries from Africa in the mission. This sweet sister is from Uganda.  We have an elder from Ethiopia and one from Nigeria.

Loading up the bikes and suitcases for transfers.

Elder "C" got a new companion from Korea.  (The two elders facing in our direction on the right side of the picture.)

This morning we went to the graduation of an inactive soldier only to find that he was graduating another day, so he wasn't in today's program.  However, we were approached by Colonel "M" one of the kindest leaders that we see often at the graduations.  He always thanks family members for supporting their soldiers.  He always acknowledges us.

Last week he asked us for our first names but didn't say why.  Today he presented us with these certificates. He is transfering to a different department and won't be attending the graduations so he wanted us to know how much he has appreciated our support of the soldiers.  What a kind man.  We have had no direct contact with him except for graduations. 

A challenge coin is a tradition in the military that I didn't know about.  The officer shakes the hand of the recipient and within the hand is a coin.  It is an honor that is not given out lightly, and represents recognition for some kind of achievement or service.  I've seen that handshake given to Distinguished Graduates at graduations, and witnessed the grin of appreciation. 

Imagine how happy I was when Colonel "M" asked to shake our hands after giving us those nice certificates.  On the coins are the symbols of the aviation training that our soldiers learn in their classes.  It is meaningful for so many different reasons.  This was his own private recognition and did not involve getting up in front of anyone.  It made me want to cry and feel humble for his kindness.

These are the "muckety mucks" of AIT at Ft. Eustis before a graduation.  Colonel "M" is second from the right and is the Director of Training for all aviation AIT soldiers.  Colonel "H" (center) is the Batallion Commander for all aviation AIT soldiers, a member of our church, and a very nice person to work with.  He actually gave us each one of his own special coins a few months ago. The two on the left are the Commanding Officer of USAALS and his Sgt Major.  On the right is the Sgt. Major who works with Col. "M".

The Lord's tender mercies help us know how much he is aware of us and helping with our mission here.  Blessings come to anyone who is trying to serve His children.

Outdoor Voices

Remember when you were little and your mother said, "Don't use your outdoor voices in the house!"  So when we got outside we could yell our little hearts out, and it felt good!

The other night when we arrived at our building for FHE as I got out of the car, I could hear a company shouting and marching down the road.  I grabbed my small camera and started filming.  It is dark, so you can't see much but you will see them march by in the middle of the video. 

Turn the sound up so you can hear the soldiers marching and chanting.

As I have observed companies of soldiers standing in formation - when they aren't at attention, I get a real kick out of watching and listening.  If somebody walks out of the building, they get yelled at, called names, and the person yells back -- all in good fun.  They will even do it to an instructor, if that instructor is a good guy that they admire and know that he will have fun with the situation.  Yesterday while waiting for a graduation to start an instructor walked in, gave a loud whoop and all of the soldiers whooped back.  I could tell they had learned from and worked hard for this leader.

They remind me of a pack of little boys running and playing outside, yelling loud and getting good and dirty.  They LOVE it!  Even the girl soldiers.  It is something I will miss hearing.

On Sundays during our services we often leave the door open (when the weather is nice) so late soldiers know that they are welcome.  In the middle of a lesson or talk we sometimes hear soldiers marching by - and have to close the door.  Soldiers don't march silently. Any time we are driving on the base and a company marches by, I roll the window down to hear them chanting their cadence.  Most of the time I don't understand the words but I love the sound anyway.  The soldiers tell me that some of the cadences are not really worth repeating, but some are fun.  There is one about how "My grandma can march better than you....."  I'd like to hear it all the way through.

I was trying to film some soldiers marching one day and stood there with my camera ready for about 20 minutes till they were finally ready to march. Then they finally started out and my camera battery died!!!Ahhhh!!! That is why this second video is so short.

 

A couple more fun pictures.  Here's today's inprocessing group.  I guess some were not paying attention well enough so they all got to do this.  Not push-ups.  Just get down and hold this position till I'm finished telling you how to behave......

Next is a company of soldiers in full FTX (Field Training Exercises) gear.  There was a cold fog in the air and they had probably been out on exercises for hours.  They look cold and tired.  Yes, those are real guns.

And finally, one of our soldiers who is lucky enough to have his family here.  They live off base and he lives on base, but he does get to spend some time with them.  This is right after church on Sunday.  They attend church in town when they can, so the kids can attend Primary, but we were lucky enough to have them in our group this week.  We don't get many babies, so it is fun when they are with us. He will be graduating and moving on in just a couple weeks.

If I shaved my head would you recognize me?

It is an interesting experience attending the graduations of our soldiers.  We attend all graduations of those who sign in with us at in-processing, whether they attend church after that or not.  In fact we have many who identify themselves as LDS and then never show for any activity or service.  The challenge is recognizing them again after not seeing them for about 4 months.

This picture shows the typical scene that awaits us when we walk in to a graduation.  In order to take the special pictures of the correct soldier when it is his turn to receive his diploma and have his "wings" pinned on, we have to be able to tell which one he is.  At in-processing we take one picture of the soldier, from the front, of course.  So we have that picture to look at and decide what the back of his head would look like. 

Of couse, depending on skin color, we can eliminate a few right away.  After that, it is height (which isn't always obvious from everyone sitting down), hair color (which isn't always obvious for obvious reasons), size and direction of the ears, and general shape of the head.

Given those challenges, it is funny how I get it right 98% of the time.  After I think I know which soldier we are looking for, I generally go up to him shake his hand, offer to take graduation pictures, and verify his mailing address to know where to send his pictures.  To tell the truth, we also do this for another reason.  By getting his home address, we know where to send his records if they followed him to this base. (Most records stay in the home ward, but sometimes, for various reasons, they come here.)

After the graduation all of the soldiers are standing up front and we are invited to congratulate all of the graduates.  I love the privilege of shaking the hand of all those who choose to serve their country.  There are a few that I even get to hug (those we've become close to). Some are lucky enought to have family attend the graduation, and it is fun to meet them.

Here is a typical in-processing picture. 

Here is the same soldier sitting in the position of Distinguished Gratuate at his graduation.

"You may not remember me, but we have come to take your graduation pictures if you would like us to.  Can I verify your address?" 

Wings are pinned on. 

The Graduate! 

Clapping for the graduates. 

We often take pictures of family and friends afterwards.

WE CAN'T HELP BUT LOVE THESE MEN AND WOMEN WITH ALL OF OUR HEARTS.

Ok, I'm going to make another comment here because this blog won't allow me to answer a question that someone made in "comments". (I don't know why it is being so stubborn)

Yes, sometimes we do get a soldier who does not want us to take their picture.  I usually ask first, "Do you have some family here to take your picture?"  (Most do not.) Then I ask if it would be OK if we took graduation pictures for them. If they look hesitant, I say, "Just for fun!" so they know I'm not going to ask for $.  Then they relax and say, "That would be nice, thank you."

But we have had a couple just say, "No ma'am."  so I just shake their hand and say, "Congratulations on your graduation." and we don't take any pictures. At least for those, we get to hear where they are going, because it is announced when they receive the diploma.

December in Virginia

I absolutely love these natural Christmas trees that grow here.  The little red berries are so festive and fun!  There are trees with red berries everywhere.  Some have leaves, some are just berries, some are trimmed like this into a Christmas tree shape.  I would like to steal one to put in my house.  I wouldn't even have to decorate it!

We said good-bye to one one of our favorite Elders who finished his mission and went home in time for Christmas.  What a joy it was to work with Elder D.

We babysat our "honorary" grandson one evening so that his parents could go to the officer's ball.  He was so much fun and really enjoyed Grandpa Elkins.  His favorite toys were: the bears, the aerobic step, a bucket full of potatoes, a laundry basket, and a phone. We have become good friends with his parents and will miss them when they transfer a month before we do.

At the mission conference it is always fun to see some of our favorite Elders.  Elder S was transferred back to work with us again as a District Leader and Elder R is the Zone Leader in another area now.

We were happy to have permission to spend Christmas with our daughter and her family.

It is so fun to be with family for Christmas.  It was a nice day, even if the kids were wishing for a white Christmas.

Our oldest grandson turned twelve a couple days before Christmas and is ready to be ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood.  What a wonderful blessing.

My sister sent these "stockings" for our Christmas.  What fun. 

We stopped by the DC Temple grounds.  Unfortunately the live nativity display is only in the evenings but they left this camel just sitting around so we had to get a picture or two.  We did enjoy seeing the creche displays in the Visitor's Center.

Soldier "Mom" gets a salute from her son at graduation.

She is one of our LDS soldiers who just got transferred to Korea.