WASHINGTON D.C. SOUTH MISSION: CAN IT REALLY BE TRANSFER WEEK ALREADY?

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

CAN IT REALLY BE TRANSFER WEEK ALREADY?

This morning at 9:00 the 2 departing elders came to the house for their final interviews. President visited with Elders Wiggins and Shapiro for about half hour each. Don't ask me what goes on behind closed doors, but they were all smiles when they came back out. I got to enjoy visiting with Elders Nickel and Porter along with the departing missionaries while the interviews were taking place. It is always a joy to visit with these young men. They are so fun and I love hearing about their lives and adventures. We'll miss both Elders Wiggins and Shapiro. These transfers take place every 6 weeks. This is the busiest and one of the most fun weeks of the cycle out here in the field. President is with the Assistants over at the office making the transfer calls this evening. It has taken them about 24 hours to complete the transfer assignments this time. Lots of prayer and inspiration. Glad I don't have to do it. (Reminds me a little of Visiting Teaching coordinating and making routes). Our pictures show the elders who are leaving each with President Albright and then with the elders who brought them over to the mission home.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Stephanie Smith Fireside

Last Sunday evening we were privileged to attend a fireside in the mission. It was held at a beautiful old chapel in McLean. One of the pictures shows the inside of the chapel and the wood beams on the very steep-pitched ceiling of the room. The gym is under the chapel in the basement. I have never seen a floorplan like this one. Very unique. This fireside hosted Sister Stephanie Smith. Her story was in the Ensign sometime in the last year. She has a remarkable conversion story. She has held very high government positions and at one time was 5th in command at the CIA. She said something at the first of her talk that I wrote down: she said, "I've been on some remarkable adventures. But no adventure in my lifetime has been as extraordinary and life-changing as my path to conversion and baptism in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. She then told about her introduction to the church. She was at a time in her life with tremendous worldly success achieved after clawing her way to the top without any regard for others, and she felt her life was shattering into a million pieces. At this time she turned to a colleague she admired who was a member of the church. He told her two things. That her Heavenly Father knew her by name and loved her and that Heavenly Father had a plan for her success. The next day he sent her a map to the temple visitor center. She told how when the missionary sisters came to her door, she didn't think she could relate to these young women. The first thing they did was ask if they could sing to her. They sang,"I am a Child of God." That was the beginning of her conversion, a long a beautiful story. You can read it on the web at Meridian Magazine. Her testimony was a real inspiration to me. There were over 350 people there and she does a great missionary work speaking to investigators. What a blessing to have heard her and felt her spirit.

Chelsea Our recent Convert

We have met the sweetest young sister. Chelsea is amazing. She joined the church during the last year and has an incredible testimony also. She never misses any missionary function and we were able to take her with us to the Stephanie Smith Fireside. She also came to the mission home a few weeks ago and we had family night. She gave the lesson and is was unbelievable. She is hoping to go on a mission next year. What a great young woman. This is a picture of her with Elders Ganaway and Gifford.