Grandson Wedding, Pickleball clinic, Kyle & Kellie visit

 This week was eventful!!  We received a visit from our Son & daughter-in-law & family (6 kids!) coming from Oregon on a family reunion trip to San Diego - we knew that  we would get more visits on this Mission in San Diego versus our last Mission during COVID in New Jersey!! It was great to see them & get to visit on our "P" day.

We visited the Mormon Battalion historic site & learned of the valiant group of early Church pioneers who stepped up to serve their beloved country in the Mexican American War while crossing the plains leaving many women & children to bear the journey without their husbands.  This they did, despite been mistreated by their own country who rejected their pleas earlier for reparations for the persecutions and destruction of property by the lawless mobs & the murder of the Prophet Joseph Smith & brother Hyrum.

We found that my 2nd Great Grandfather, Silas Harris was one of those volunteers who served the entire time from 1846-1847, starting in Iowa and ending in Los Angeles, California, a virtual 2,000 mile march.  

The Mormon Battalion historic site is well worth visiting - cudos to Brad & Dantzelle Allen who served as Mission Leaders there for several years!!

The YSA Ward asked Debbie & I to conduct a pickleball clinic for them as a Family Home Evening activity on Monday night, so we were HAPPY to help - it turned out to be a successful activity with more than 30 coming to learn something about the game of Pickleball!!

After receiving permission from our Mission Leader, Debbie & I were able to take a few days to attend the marriage & sealing of our Grandson, Jamen Johnson & his bride Courtney in the Payson Temple - this was the highlight of our week to see the "capstone" ordinance & covenant step in the Temple of the Lord.  We invite others to come unto Christ, so that they can experience the greatest joy that God intends to bestow upon His children which is the opportunity of being sealed to your spouse for all eternity and to bind families together - this is the crown jewel of mortality & eternal life.  The Spirit was strong & the counsel was wonderful from the Sealer - Jamen & Courtney were beaming with joy and gratitude.  The Sealer reminded them that Marriage between a man and a woman is really a covenant of 3 people - Husband, Wife, and the Lord - when the Lord is part of this covenant, it can be binding forever because of His power & His atonement on our behalf, as we strive to let the Lord prevail in our lives & follow Him.

We are getting to know the YSA's a little better now & learning to love them.  They are such a fun group and have so much life in front of them during this "decade of important decisions".  We are grateful that the Lord in His mercy has led us here on this Mission & hope to be able to accomplish His purposes in the lives of these precious souls!