WASHINGTON D.C. SOUTH MISSION: MISSION HOME FIRESIDE-RICH GALLEN 11-09

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

MISSION HOME FIRESIDE-RICH GALLEN 11-09

We had the pleasure of having Brother Richard Gallen speak at the mission home fireside this month. Bro. Mark Cannon who served as the Assistant to the Supreme Court Justice baptized him. He and Rich have been friends for 15 years and he introduced him to the gospel.

Bro. Gallen is a computer guru who worked on the systems in the Justice Dept.

He bore a powerful testimony both academically and spiritually to the Gospel. He felt the gospel and science complimented and supported one another and that helped him to accept the gospel more easily. Pres. Ward gave a Christmas message and encourage us to focus on Christ as the center of Christmas rather than the commercialism that has taken its place. He is a wonderful speaker, very inspiring. Sister Ward and Sister Ferry played a beautiful duet on the violin and cello with Pres. Ward accompanying them on the piano. It was Jesu Bambino, a wonderful Christmas song. We had a huge crowd (we are getting use to them now). About 70 guests, with lots of investigators and new members. I love these firesides because they seem to really touch the hearts of investigators and help them progress towards baptism.

Brother Richard Gallen, Bro. Mark Cannon and Pres. Albright

Pres. Albright conducting

Sis Ferry and Sis Ward

Pres. Ward addressing the group. See our balcony audience.

Sister Bagley conducting the opening song with bro. Gaspar at the violin.

Sis Downey and Gwynn with their investigator

Elder Gifford and Yaw who is being baptized on Sat. Elder Holmgren met him in the grocery store and invited him to take the lessons.

Elders Gillihan, Esplin, Tye and Metcalf

Our new mini missionary, Sis Gaspar,with Sis Alvarado and Sis. Kim

Pat and Eric Schroder (He is a newly reactivated member and is wife is a non-member

Elder Perriton, Johnson and Bullock with Sis. Knutsen

Elder Ross, Maldanato

Elders Freeland and Esplin

Elders Johnson and Strong

Elder Brunstad and Sis Baxter

Elders Metcalf and Holmstead with Bro Baxter

Elders Jones and Butcher with Kora

Pres. Albright

The crowd is growing

The refreshments are always a big hit.

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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.