Priesthood Advancement and Growing in the Gospel

This is our dear Soldier "E" who graduated this week.  He is getting his "wings" pinned on by the sergeant.  We attend the graduations of each of our soldiers and it is bittersweet for us every time.

Soldier "E" was baptized 3 days before he entered the military.  He wasn't certain if he had any priesthood.  We spoke with his bishop and learned that he was a Priest.  He was reluctant to participate at first but the last week he attended our little branch, he passed the sacrament and did great.  He has a special spirit and we hope that he will continue his gospel learning as he deploys to Korea.  There is a good LDS military structure at that base as well as many foreign bases now.  It is a real blessing in the lives of these soldiers.

He led the soldiers in "The Soldier's Creed" and was so nervous that he kept closing his eyes, to remember the words.  (His native language is Spanish).  He did a great job.

     Today is Easter so we had a really nice meal of ham, mashed potatoes, boiled (colored) eggs, green beans, homemade bread, cupcakes, and Easter candies.  So when I'm reading recipes, and it says "ten servings" I have to think, "Ok, 10 regular servings, but how many SOLDIER servings?"  We served 20 people today, and 13 of those were soldiers.  We polished off a 10 pound ham, 24 servings of potatoes with gravy (none left), a dozen boiled eggs, 3 loaves of bread with butter, jam, and nutella, 24 servings of green beans (not one bean left), 2 or 3 dozen cupcakes (I didn't bring those) and (soldier)handfuls of Easter candy. They have to eat their fill at the church because they can't take it back to the barracks.

     We were excited to have in attendance a couple soldiers who hadn't yet attended even though they've been here a few weeks.  Soldier "K" is such a missionary that he has been bugging them to attend.  Whether it was his attention or their own decision we we couldn't tell but we were glad to have them join us!

     Soldier "G" has had some real pressure from home, so we thought we wouldn't see him attend because he appeared to be rebelling against that pressure.  I spoke with his dad last month on the phone and he intimidated me terribly - so I figured that was why his son left home to join the army (to get away from that pressure).  He seemed comfortable with us today and said  that he would be back.  Horray!  If he decides to be active in the church, it must be his decision.

     Soldier "M" has been attending off and on for a few months and we learned that he does not hold any Priesthood because his family split up and went inactive just after he was baptized at age 8.  He asked me where to get some nice scriptures so I gave him ordering info and he got a nice set.  We asked if he was interested in holding the priesthood and he had no understanding of what it is.  So with the help of the Elders we taught him about the priesthood this week and gave him a Gospel Principles manual on Tuesday.  Today he said that he was up to chapter 20 and was ready to talk with the Bishop to get the process started.     He remembers his grandfather and great grandfather giving blessings to people, and knows that they had the Priesthood.  We are so excited to see him learning and eager to progress.

     Soldier "K" also came to us with no Priesthood but attends regularly.  We are getting his records so that we can start the process with him also.  He says that his brothers have the Priesthood and he would dearly love to have it as well. 
     We have a non-member who has attended twice and had some missionary lessons in Basic Training.  We will be teaching him more this week.  When he is ready his Dad will come and baptize him.  He is getting comfortable with our group, so that should go well.  I hope he will be ready to be baptized while he is at Fort Eustis.  That would be so great. (We don't really know the whole story, but he must not have been raised with his dad, because his dad is a member and he is not yet.)
     Soldier "H" has been cleared to be advanced to Elder so that he will be able to take his wife to the temple about the time he graduates, before he deploys to some foreign land. It is tricky to arrange for the interviews for these soldiers.  The ward and stake leaders they have to meet with are off base and the soldiers cannot easily get to them.  We sometimes have to arrange for the leaders to meet with them on base, at various times.  But it can be done!
     Soldier "R" came to us as a previously inactive Priest.  He was reluctant to do any Priesthood duty till he had attended for a while.  He feels more comfortable now and has blessed the sacrament the last 2 Sundays.  It is so great to see him up there.
     We also have some new very faithful and active soldiers.  It is such a comfort to know that these men are serving our country, being faithful to their wives and families, and being good examples to all those soldiers who get to know them.  We also have one faithful, active female soldier right now.  We've had other females on our list, but she's the first one who actively attends our meetings.



      Every soldier we meet has a different situation.  It is so great to be part of making the church available to them when they decide that is what they want in their lives - and even those who are already faithful, to help them remain strong.  Isn't that just the way the Lord always blesses our lives - by helping us bless the lives of others?