WASHINGTON D.C. SOUTH MISSION: MISSION HOME FIRSIDE 1-03-10

Saturday, January 23, 2010

MISSION HOME FIRSIDE 1-03-10

This mission home fireside was uplifting and spiritual. We invited Steven Nyambekyere from Ghana to be our speaker. Steven has an incredible story. He was introduced to the church in Ghana originally, but was not interested at the time. ( Statistics show it takes about 6 introductions to the church before someone responds)When he came to the US the missionaries knocked on his door and he only let them in because their tags said "Jesus Christ" on them. He listened to a lesson. Then he went to Texas for a couple of weeks and while he was there, he read the whole Book of Mormon. When he returned to Virginia, he walked 2 miles from the bus stop to the church on Sunday. When he entered he met Elders Leiser and Gifford. He told them he wanted to be baptize and about 2-3 weeks later Elder Gifford Baptized him. What a great young man. He gave a beautiful talk about his conversion and testimony and the truthfulness of the restoration

We had about 45 people in attendance, with lots of investigators and brand new converts. I love these fireside because the are so spiritual for the investigators and they hear from these brand new members about their experiences in joining the church.

Elder Gifford also bore his testimony. He will be leaving for home on Tuesday morning and so it was wonderful to hear him one last time. His testimony is strong and powerful and always brings a spirit. President Burton also spoke and gave a wonderful talk. Sis Hahn performed a beautiful musical number. She has a lovely voice.

Pres. Burton, Steven Nyambekyere, and Pres Albright

Pres. Albright, Bro. Gifford, Elder Gifford and Steven

The room is filling up

Sis. Hahn performing

Pres. Burton speaking

Elder Gifford bearing his testimony

Sisters Ward and Burton

Sis. Ward , Me, and Sis Burton

Chelsea Dinon visiting after the fireside

Sisters Hahn and Banks

Elders Ross and Gifford with Chelsea

Elder Bell, Luke (an investigator with a baptism date) and Elder Ross

Elder and Sister Cordner with Elders Gifford and Ross

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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.