Sunday, 15 April 2018

Yesterday was my father's 112th birthday. I miss him and hope that he knows of my love for him and my mother. We've had some nice experiences lately. New members of the church are arriving to begin language study at DLI. Some of them have been coming out to our DLI sacrament meeting on-post. It has been a joy to be there for these new arrivals, to love them, and to provide a supportive, ministering environment for them to come into. These small group meetings remind me so much of my deployed time in the Marines when I was far from home and meeting in small groups to partake of the sacrament and share testimonies.
     Yesterday, a 19-year old young man named Bryce was baptized. We got to know Bryce when he came to the YSA ward as an investigator. We befriended him while the elders taught him. We had him attend fellowship evenings and other events. We attended his baptism. What a joy to see the spiritual change that comes with conversion by the Holy Spirit and with covenant-making.
     We have helped teach two military men and their families. Both are less-active; one a 25-year army vet suffers from PTSD and head trauma; the other is a little older than me. I was able to reach out to them in testimony and understanding of their situations, and it was a blessing to minister to these fine men and their faithful wives. I think this is part of why we were sent here on a military mission.
     One young single soldier is struggling with his Korean language. He has a hard time concentrating and he also needs friendship. Last Sunday, he came just after our DLI sacrament meeting was finishing up and wanted to talk with me. He and I had counseled before. Afterward, we drove him to the Monterey church and attended meeting with him. After meeting, he asked if he could come home with us and spend the afternoon at our apartment. We enjoyed having him with us and it formed a good bond. He stayed for our evening scripture study that we held at our place. This Sunday, today, he appeared in white shirt, tie, and looking happier. He even taught the Sunday school class. Sister Rubio, a marine at DLI, asked today about coming off-base to church, and we were able to offer her rides and other help. One of our marine members has invited a couple of female students out to our fellowship evenings on POM. One was raised in the church but hasn't been active, and the other is a nonmember air force gal, very sweet and involved. She came to church at the YSA meetings with him today.
     We visited a young married military couple when they first arrived and invited them to church. They didn't come for awhile. Today, they were at church for the first time. Amy is a new convert. Josh told me that it felt good to be back to church, and it just made us so happy that we could help in a small way in rescuing them. We visited a part-member family in Ord housing. The man has been inactive and their two sons have come to church. The mother, Kelly, is not a member, but we met her and found her to be such a pleasant person. We learned from the sister missionaries that he came to church the last Sunday again. Ministering is such a rewarding experience. President Monson taught us to rescue souls. President Nelson is now showing us how to rescue through ministering.