These are the magnificent magnolia blossoms that are coming out on the trees around our apartment complex.  I should have put my hand in the picture so that you could see how large they are.  The one on the bottom that is fully opened is about 12 inches across.

How could we not take a pictures of this darling girl at one of the graduations.  Her daddy is a soldier.

Here is a long shot of our apartment with our white car parked out front.

Saturday there was a 3-ward missionary luau.  It was huge.  People must have brought lots of friends.  The food was wonderful and Hawaiian dancing by the youth was really fun.  It felt like being back in Hawaii.  The humidity and weather fit the profile also. The Gardners here are CES missionaries in the area.  They work with the Young Single Adults. Good thing I brought my muumuu.

This is soldier "K" who made it to the luau too.  He had fun meeting the single girls.

We knew the Holloways in Nevada.  They are stationed at Ft. Eustis and are in the ward we would be attending if we weren't at our own little group on the army post.

I can't resist taking pictures of the beautiful people, when I have a camera in my hands.

The youth dancers are teaching the 3 ward bishops a little Hawaiian dancing.

The dancing was wonderful and fun.  The man in the back middle is the Scout Leader and danced along with the boys.

Elder Elkins helped a young mother so that she could eat her dinner.  Who got the most benefit from that service?

We love it when a wife gets to come from far away to visit her soldier. He has about 8 weeks left in his training.

New Opportunities in the Gospel

We had such a special day today.  Soldier "K" was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood. (Can you tell he's from Hawaii?)  He didn't hold any priesthood when he came to join our group but has been faithful and attending every week. After working with the bishop and getting proper authorization, it was accomplished today.   In the circle was a brand new member, a newly ordained Elder, a newly actived member and others who were able to participate in the ordination. Elder Elkins took a teaching moment to explain the process and authorization to do this great thing.

Blessing the sacrament for the first time, with his friend, Soldier "C".  Another soldier who has only been a member about 2 weeks passed the sacrament.  This little group gives such great opportunities for those who need experiences like this - in a non-threatening situation.

It may look strange to some, to see people without a white shirt and tie administering to the sacrament.  In our situation it is totally appropriate.  These men have only uniforms and casual clothing.  They do not have white shirts, ties, or suits.  Their locker space is limited and very restricted. They even have to be on special status to wear anything but the uniform.

The is one of our soldier families.  Sometimes they attend our little branch and sometimes they attend the ward in town.  We love the little happy noises the children add to our meeting.

Soldier "H" gave the sacrament meeting talk today, his first talk in 14 years.  It was a fantastic presentation on The Plan of Salvation.  He said he was nervous, but his delivery was wonderful.  He will be sealed to his wife on Saturday, after he graduates this week.  What a happy soldier, and great example to all those who know him.

Next week our sacrament talk will be given by soldier "R" who has been reactivated recently.  He was able to stand in the circle to help with the ordination today.  He said that he has NEVER given a talk and wanted to have that experience sometime, but didn't want to volunteer.  So he has been looking up conference talks and preparing for his first talk, and is glad to have this opportunity in our little group - where it won't be as frightening as in a normal ward situation.

Success!

We have been working with Soldier H, since the day he arrived, to be ordained an Elder (happened last week) and get his temple recommend so that he could take his sweet wife to the temple.  He received his final interview last night.  I wish you could have all seen the smile on his face and feel the happiness when he walked out with that completed recommend in his hand.  He has overcome years of being away from the church, and some serious mistakes to get to this point.  Oh the joy and peace!!

Memorial Service

     Tuesday we attended the memorial service of a soldier who died on Ft. Eustis. We did not know him but some of our soldiers knew him well. We attended because we were interested to see how a situation like that would be handled by the chaplains that we did know.
     There was great respect shown, and the reverence was powerful. I was struck by the sadness in the face of the chaplain, our friend, who prayed and spoke. He is the chaplain over the trainees. He spoke with us before the service and said that it had been about 10 years since a soldier had died in the barracks. The army did not give out any details, but we learned from the soldiers who knew him that it was most likely a drug overdose that ended his life. He had been having that problem for a while recently.
     Some of his words:
    The chaplain spoke of having faith in "the seasons of life", and holding on to memories. He said, "Fear God and keep his commandments and He will plant "eternity" in our hearts....Hope is never far away. He (the soldier) is beyond our reach. Grief interrupts our lives and dreams and we are reminded how brief life is. What is life?- a vapor which appears, then disappears"."

     I couldn't help but feel very sorry for the family of that soldier. I heard nothing in the talks which gave hope and joy through the Atonement and Resurrection. I heard no references to the Savior and the comfort of the Holy Ghost. I wanted to hear about the love our Father in Heaven has for that soldier and his family. I knew it was true, but that family needed to hear it.
     I was reminded that those of us who grow up with the Gospel in our lives don't realize how little the world understands. Oh how I wish they could have given hope to that family. I pray that the Holy Ghost will comfort them, beyond what they understand. I realize how much the world needs the whole truth of the Gospel and the hope and joy they can have from knowing that God has a plan for us for Eternity - not just here in this life.

     I recently read this quote from Sheri Dew, "Although there are many things about this life that I do not understand, there are some truths about which I no longer have any doubt."

I'm so glad I know that my Father in Heaven is real and that He loves me.

Heart Photography

Sunday, May 15, 2011                                                                                                                    
                             
Today was a wonderful day at our little branch. Elder Elkins ordained soldier H to the Melchizedek Priesthood, (an Elder). Soldier H was then able to have the first official part of his temple recommend interview and will complete it this week. He is scheduled to be sealed to his wife in the Columbia, S.C. Temple on May 28!

As the holders of the Melchizedek Priesthood stood to do the ordination, Sis. Beck, sitting beside me commented that it was too bad I couldn't take a picture of this event. I agreed, but then thought, "Yes, but I can take a mental picture and keep it in my heart". So I looked at the men who stood, with the soldier seated in the circle. Some of the men were in suits, some in civilian clothing, and some in soldier uniforms. All were worthy Priesthood holders. What a sweet picture, as the desires of this young man's heart were realized, and a blessing given.

My mental camera was still rolling as the sacrament was blessed and passed. Our sacrament table is a simple folding table covered with a white tablecloth. One tray for the bread and one for the water are covered by white cloth napkins. One soldier kneels and says the sacraent prayer. Another soldier stands and takes the single tray to the presiding official first, Brother Lord - who is the 3rd counselor in the Newport News 2nd ward - assigned to our "Serviceman's Group". He then passes the blessed bread, then the water to all members of the congregation. There were 10 soldiers in attendance today.

I smile inwardly as I watch the soldiers in their combat boots and camouflage uniforms bless, pass and care for the sacrament with the humility and reverence to match any new Deacon, Teacher, or Priest. I feel it a privilege to participate in this ordinance performed by people who are sacrificing in so many ways. It is also my privilege to provide the bread for the sacrament each week. As I bake new bread each Saturday for our Sunday meal, one slice is held out for the sacrament. As I marvel that one slice of bread is more than enough for our entire group, I'm reminded of the miracle of the loaves and fishes.

After the meeting, I enjoyed capturing "heart pictures" of the soldiers enjoying a meal together as they shared and visited. It is so great that they can meet with people of their own feelings and faith. They are examples and leaders among their peers.

I take my camera along most days as we carry out our duties in Virginia. The flowers and other scenes are breathtaking: geese, herons, egrets, and ducks in our pond; deer, possum, rabbits, and squirrels in the trees nearby, and new things blossom each week. But I realize that the photographs on paper can never match the pictures in my heart. The feelings are more real and more dear than what I can see on paper.

We love what we are doing here. It is a privilege to be part of the Lord's great work, in service. I understand the meaning of the words in the New Testament, "Mary took these things and pondered them in her heart". Heart pictures and feelings are more powerful than any image a camera could capture.

Reminders

We used our P-day to do a little sight-seeing at the Mariners Museum.  These are from the front of some old ships.  The museum is so large that it will take us several visits to see all of it.

     We get comfortable here and forget that what we are experiencing is still foreign to those with whom we communicate.  Now and then we are yanked out of our comfort zone with reminders of how different this is from "home".  One reminder we had this week was when the chaplain assistant was leaving the building and called out, "Y'all be blessed!"  It suddenly made me giggle.  I don't think I would hear such a thing in the West.  There is no such thing as "Have a nice day" here.
     Another reminder is the increased security at Fort Eustis Army Post.  Usually there are gate guards, but now there are also armed soldiers, armed tanks at the entrances, and a portable manned watch tower.  (I'd love to have a picture, but they frown on cameras on the Army post, especially right now.)We don't have any trouble getting in because of our military ID cards, but there have been others associated with our little branch who haven't been so fortunate.  The full-time Elders who work with us tried to get on base the other day to teach a family and were denied access.  We wanted them to be at our Family Home Evening meeting last night, so we found out that we could "sponsor" them onto the base.  We had to drive ahead of their car through the gate, then sign a paper saying that we would be responsible for them.  They had to get out of their car so that the guards could do a thorough search - even large mirrors held under the car looking for explosives or whatever. They will have to go through this process each time they want to get on base until the current level of security is changed back to a lower level.
     Soldier "H" finally got his stake interview for the Melchizedek Priesthood.  It still has to be approved by the High Council, but looks like it should happen soon.  That is good since he has only 2 weeks left here.  Hopefully he will be able to get his temple recommend before he leaves.  His wife has made a date for them at the Columbia Temple in South Carolina.  Sure wish we could attend that one.  We have gotten to know his cute wife too.  Bishop said that he wanted Soldier H to have all of the temple prep lessons.  We asked if it would be OK for us to teach them - and crunch them into the short time he has left here.  We got permission, and have accomplished 4 of the 6 lessons so far. 
     We have a new investigator "H" who had a good discussion a couple weeks ago with the Elders but has been a no-show at the meetings this week.  Hmmm.
     Soldier "M" has made tremendous progress towards his goal to hold the Priesthood.  Since his family has been "inactive" since  right after he was baptized, he has little knowledge of the church teachings. He has memories of his grandfather giving people blessings in his home.  We wonder if he could have been a Patriarch.  He read the Gospel Principles manual in two weeks and is well into the Book of Mormon.  We showed him a 20 minute video on the Restoration the other day.  He proceeded to mention the things in the Joseph Smith story that were missing in this short version!  Good job!!!  He is quiet and reserved but is learning like crazy and seems to have a growing understanding and testimony.      
     We attended the graduation of a previous investigator, soldier "W".  He seemed so interested at first, but after one formal discussion, quit attending.  We had a hard time believing that he would just quit because he didn't seem like the type to do that.  We knew that he was heavily involved in leadership in his company, and so was very busy.  He was pleased that we attended his graduation to take pictures and support him.  We were not surprised to see that he was the "distinguished graduate" in his class and were told by his instructor that he had almost perfect test scores. 
    Since he is National Guard he is going back to his home state of Massachusetts.  He asked us who to contact to "continue his spiritual journey".  We gave him the information and rejoiced!  Today we got an email from him thanking us for the graduation pictures.  He also said that he and his wife are going to Salt Lake to do some parasailing but plan to visit the temple and other sites while there.  Horray!

                             

Every month we volunteer at the "Deployed family dinner" for families of deployed soldiers.  Elder Elkins is always in charge of distributing (guarding) desert, and I distribute the drinks to the families.

The two in uniform are chaplains and the others are volunteers at the dinner.

Families have a lot to deal with, while their soldiers are deployed. After dinner the kids get to do some crafts while parents have a meeting to give them some much needed support.

This little girl was so cute with her fancy hair and bright dress. She said it was OK to take her picture.

Playing dominos at Family Home Evening.  The soldier on the end is one of our regulars and the other is a battle buddy (non-member) that agreed to attend with him.  Hopefully he will also be at church on Sunday.  The Elders would love to teach him, if he is interested.

Y'all Be Blessed!

Security

   Yesterday we were waiting for a member of the stake presidency to come to our meeting on Ft. Eustis to interview our soldier who is trying to be advanced in the priesthood so that he can take his wife to the temple before he deploys.  It has been difficult to arrange for his interviews because of his training.  So as we were waiting, we got a phone call saying that the stake president counselor was unable to get on the base due to a gate "lock down" and heightened security.  We didn't know why at the time, but this morning as we read and listened to the national news it was obvious why the gates were closed.  So they finally took out Osama Bin Laden!
   Our poor soldier is going to have to wait till this week-end to get his interview.  He is feeling crunched by time and circumstances - but it WILL happen.      
   This morning getting on the base for us was a longer process.  Since we have military ID we had no trouble getting in, but there were long lines of cars waiting to get in, because of extra security and checking they are doing.  The civilians are probably all being turned away at this point. There were soldiers at all the check points, with large guns, and extra armored vehicles around the gates with more armed soldiers. I'll bet they had real bullets too!
   We told the young Elders not to bother trying to get on base tomorrow for FHE.  They probably wouldn't be successful this week.