WASHINGTON D.C. SOUTH MISSION: QUANTICO MARINE BASE & THE CLAWSONS

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

QUANTICO MARINE BASE & THE CLAWSONS

During our inspections in Woodbridge, we visited with Elder and Sister Clawson. Not to inspect their place, because we do not inspect Senior missionaries places. We wanted to visit and see their cute apartment. And they had invited us to dinner when we were there. I had heard that Sis Clawson is an excellent cook. And she sure is-Shrimp Alfredo. It was fabulous.

They were so wonderful and fun to get to know and as an extra bonus they took us on a tour of Quantico Marine Base. Their assignment is to the base, as Elder Clawson is a retired marine.

The base was fascinating. Very large with lots of military housing that was really nice homes and lots of training facilities. We saw the cadets out on the blacktop all in uniform and it was super hot weather. I have great admiration and respect for these soldiers. They are candidates for officer training. I think it is called OCS. Officer candidates School.

The Presidential Helicopter program is also based there. More than 800 marines are involved. The helicopters are seen all the time here. there are usually 3-5 identical ones flying together and you never know which one has the president in it. They continuously change formation. This program is called Marine 1. It is based here, but you often see them landing on the south.

lawn of the white house.

Elder and Sister Clawson are wonderful missionaries and a delightful couple.

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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.