WASHINGTON D.C. SOUTH MISSION: MISSION HOME FIRESIDE-DONALD CHAPPEL

Thursday, March 11, 2010

MISSION HOME FIRESIDE-DONALD CHAPPEL

On February 28th we had another wonderful fireside. Our special guest speaker was Donald Chappel. He was raised in the south and taught to not like Mormons and be suspicious of them. When he moved here, he became interested in learning about Mormons because it was like the "forbidden fruit" as he called it. As he learned more, he found that everything he was taught answered the questions he had always had and the spirit let him know it was all true.

He works for the Department of Patents. A really great young man.

Pres. Donald Chappel, and Elder Karren

President Burton also spoke and as usual was very dynamic. He is so fun to be around. All the missionaries love Pres. Burton.

Donald Chappel and Sister Arnett

Angie Gretz. soon to be a member?

Claudia and her husband with their friend and investigator. Claudia and I went to school together in Las Vegas as kids.

Elders Fukui, Karren, and Holmstead

Elders Pomeroy and Packer

Elder Hall, Sisters Larsen, Arnett, and Aulava

Sister Larsen and her guests

Sisters Bennett and Bagley

Sister and Elder Cordner

Elders , La Rochelle, Jones, and their friend Joe who is scheduled for baptism

Elder Sill and Pres. Burton

Elder Karren and Sister Malmberg, our two Canadian--pretty happy because Canada took the gold today in hockey.

Sisters Jacobson, Cordner and Arnett

Elders Bell and Sill

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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.