WASHINGTON D.C. SOUTH MISSION: BAPTISMS ARE THE BEST

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

BAPTISMS ARE THE BEST

This weekend was just perfect. We had 12 scheduled baptisms and the only problem was deciding which ones to attend. Since they are in all different directions and a lot of them at the same times we try to attend baptisms of missionaries that we haven't attended before. The earliest scheduled one was at 11:00 a.m. and so we went to baptisms at 11:00, 1:00 and 3:00. They were all wonderful and we had a day you dream of in the mission field.

The first baptism was for James Nelson. He is a wonderful young man found by Elders Brunstad and Forsberg while tracting. Elder Brunstad performed the baptism and Elder Forsberg gave a talk on baptism. This young man had about 6 non-member friends attend the event and it had a beautiful spirit. Elders Brunstad and Forsberg are really great missionaries. Super good at tracting because they are always smiling and enthusiastic and so people are very attracted to them and comfortable visiting with them. This baptism was in the Wakefield ward.

Elder Brunstad and James Nelson

Elder Brunstad, James, and Elder Forsberg

Elder and Sis Sowby teach a institute class that James has started attending.

President and I join the group

The second baptism was at the Colonial 2nd ward in the Mt Vernon Stake.

It was for John Collins. Sisters Arnett and Murray met John while street contacting at the metro station and John was there on a skateboard. They stopped him and introduced themselves and he accepted an invitation to be taught. What great sister missionaries. So courageous. Sis. Larsen sang a special musical number and Sis. Arnett gave a talk on the Holy Ghost. They both did a great job. They are so sweet and have a wonderful spirit about them. In the pictures are Sister Larsen, John Collins, Ryan Anderson (who performed the baptism), Sister Arnett and Sister Murray.

The third baptism was for a lovely sister named Tran McKay. She was a member referral. She had just moved to Virginia and was at the city library with her little girl for story time and met Sister Turner, a member who had also just moved to the area. They met at the library, exchanged numbers and became fast friends. That was 2 years ago. Sis. Turner has loved her and told her all about the gospel, she has taken her to ward parties, enrichment nights, and answered many questions about the church. Sis Turner kept telling her that the missionaries could answer her questions better than her and for along time she only wanted her friend to tell her. But eventually she let the missionaries come and teach her. They were Elder Sackett , Elder Hall, Elder Hardy and Elder Ockler. She loves the gospel and was very ready to be baptized. This story is a beautiful example of how members can and should befriend nonmembers and then be great member missionaries. Her husband and daughter were there to support her in her decision to be baptized. (The missionaries hope her husband will be next). It was a wonderful service with Elder Sackett performing a great musical number and Elder Hall giving a talk. Elders Ockler and Hardy were the witnesses. What a wonderful way for President and I to spend the day. 3 baptisms, all filled with the spirit and our missionaries doing such incredible jobs. I cried at each one of the services and feel so honored to be able to witness these events.

Elder Sackett, Elder Hardy, Tran McKay, ElderOckler, and Elder Hall

Elders Sackett and Hall and Tran with Brother Turner who baptized her.

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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.