The FEW, The PROUD, The MARINES

(I will have to post our Vacation to San Diego in a few different posts.  I took 486 pictures over the course of 5 days.  Most of them are of the exact same event but I didn't want to miss a thing. I need to take time to really study the pictures and pick some of my favorites.  Also, I have so much to say about everything I felt.)

 We started our vacation with a visit to the San Diego LDS temple (if your interested in what the purpose of  LDS Temples please visit lds.org or  just ask me).  What a beautiful piece of architecture. As we drove up, one of the boys commented that the Temple looked like an ice castle.  I agree.  We arrived at sunset and the temple was glowing.  I felt so calm and at peace while we were on the temple grounds.  It is just a little peace of heaven on earth.

The first day at MCRD (Marine Corp Recruitment Depot) was family day.  We knew that we would only have about 5 hours with Burke and we wanted to soak in everything that the Marines stand for. But our main goal was to spend time with Burkeley.  I was amazed by the precise movements of the Marines as they moved from place to place.  I could have watched them do drills for hours. Finally the  time had come to see our Marine for the first time in 13 weeks.  The recruits had a motivational run.  It was their last run as recruit. We all lined up on the deck to see if we could pick out Burke as he ran by.  When they finally stopped running and stood in one place we could finally pick him out.  Steve looked him right in the eye and started smiling and pointing at him.  He said that Burke looked at him and instinctively smiled and began to raise his hand to wave.  He caught himself...smiling in formation is against the rules and Steve just about got him in BIG trouble.

Recruit Christian...right in the middle.

 MCRD has been in operation since the early 1930's.  The buildings are all Spanish style and true to that time period.  I thought that was interesting.  I expected something different.  I suppose I thought the buildings would be plain and boring.

This shot was taken right before he was released for Liberty or  free time.  Can you imagine what was going through his mind???  We were anxious to get to talk to him and even had butterflies in our tummies.   It was is hard to express exactly how I felt during these moments.  PROUD is the only word that truly explains it.

I love this photo.  Everyone was making fun of me and asking me why I was taking pictures of his Butt.  Ha-they can laugh now because it is one of my favorites.

 The MCRD Branch of the LDS Church hosted a luncheon for the LDS recruits and their families.  We knew that Burke was allowed to attend Church services on Sundays but we had no idea that there was a fully functioning Branch. I found it comforting to know that someone was physically looking after him.

 At one point in the day we all commented that Burke was talking non stop.  He is typically extremely quiet and reserved but not on family day.  We all just wanted to gather around him and listen to his version and of Boot Camp.  He told some interesting stories.  The boys giggled at the fact that all of the bathrooms were wide open for everyone to watch him take care of his "business".  He told us that he was surprised how mentally challenging Boot Camp was.  He thought it would be more physically challenging.  He knew he could handle that part.  But the mental part was tough.  He said he got yelled at a few times but thought it was funny to watch other recruits being yelled at and punished.  One of my favorites was when the had a long hike, straight up a mountain, with a 70 lb pack.  The Drill Instructors told them that there would be food for them when they got to the top.  When they got up there they were only given an apple and some chicken broth.  Burke said that he ate that apple was the best thing he had ever tasted and he ate the WHOLE thing.

Burke and his brothers and sister.  He is the oldest of 8 kids.  Only one sister.

Steve and Burke talked non stop about guns.  Burke always referred to the guns as a weapon.  I tried to listed to those stories but I didnt understand most of the talk.  One thing that I caught was the fact that Burke was appreciative to Steve for teaching him all about the proper usage of guns.  He knew how to care for his weapon and how to shoot it accurately.

Mom, Burke, and Dad

Brothers and Sister all looking up to their big brother--Such admiration.

A few weeks ago Burke wrote a letter to Steve asking him if he would ordain him to the office of an Elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood (again, if you want to know more about this please visit lds.org). Burke told us that he realized that he needed Heavenly Father guidance and protection more than ever during his 13 weeks at MCRD and was ready to take this next step in his life.  Steve gave him a  especially touching blessing.  We all had a hard time containing the tears, even Steve.  It will be a time that we all will remember forever--Burke in his uniform, MCRD in the distance, the San Diego bay just steps away, and the strong worthy hands of many of the men Burke loves and admires.  Again, PROUD!!!