WASHINGTON D.C. SOUTH MISSION: SO MANY CHANGES!

Saturday, August 22, 2009

SO MANY CHANGES!

We arrived at the Fairfax chapel at 9:00 for the transfer meeting. The wonderful sound of 120 voices singing "Onward, Christian Soldiers" fills the whole churchhouse. It is amazing. I will never tire of it. We have our 3 new missionaries with us and the Assistants and enter the chapel. I'm sure it is overwhelming to the new ones as they come in and all 120 stand up singing.

This meeting is a very special one. Everyone is excited for all the transfers taking place. This time it involved about 60 companionships and therefore 120 missionaries. We always being with song, prayer and spiritual thought. Then it is time for the luggage switch. This is when they all go to the parking lot and make the switch of luggage to the cars with their new companions. The pictures are of some of that excitement taking place. The new Missionaries are introduced to their first companions or Trainers as they are called. To be called to be a Trainer is a special compliment because it is important that new missionaries are put with the best so they get off to a good start and learn to be the best missionaries they can from the example set by their trainer. Our three are: Sister Funch with Sister Downey, Elder Kirkham with Elder Wilkes and Elder Wethington with Elder Hunt. I know they will all love their new companions.

After the transfers are completed everyone returns to the chapel where they take a few minutes to say goodbye to the departing missionaries and the trainers and trainees get a few instructions.

We then assemble for another great meeting. I present the new missionaries to everyone and any other guests that are present. At this meeting we had Elder Wiggins family who have come to pick him up from his mission. The departing missionaries each give a piece of advice and a testimony. Today we only had 3. Elder Shapiro, Elder Wiggins, and Elder Magura(a service missionary). This is always very touching since this is their last time with all their mission companions before going home. We always have touching musical numbers that really bring th spirit. Elder Nickel sang "His Hands' which is a favorite song of mine. Elder Gifford said it best when Elder Nickel finished. "That was beautiful,I'm sure a father would be proud".

Next, I got to introduce the theme for the meeting. "Being POWERFUL missionaries." And I specifically spoke on the power of Love and Charity and how it motivates all missionary work. Elder Gifford spoke about the power of your covenants and Elder Gannaway spoke about the power to choose. They are both gifted speakers. They are so creative and had made a very fun video about missionary power. When they clicked their pens in the video they became very powerful at their work. But, they told them that according to D&C 58 "The Power is in them".

President then gave a POWERFUL talk on making this a powerful transfer.

Next, our senior zone leaders each gave Power Statements.

Elder Lieppman -Power of locking your Heart on the Lord

Elder Redford- Power of Preparation

Elder Ross- Power of Humility

Elder Shattuck - Power Hour of finding

Elder Sill -Power of Personal Conversion

Elder Hardy- Power of Goals/Planning

Elder Elton - Power of Diligence

Elder Withers - Power of Key Indicators

Elder Newton - Power of Living language /life (he is our new Spanish Assistant

Elder Shapiro who is departing tomorrow has become a favorite in the mission for performing musical numbers. He has truly been blessed with an incredible voice. He then sang "I Have Seen Him". He had pretty much all the sisters in tears. I hope he continues to use his voice and pursues his dreams in music.

We concluded with song and prayer.

1 comment:

GigissAugust 22, 2009 at 12:38 PM
I remember once upon a time, as an office elder in Mision Peru Lima Norte, how busy the office would get at transfer time. It was like Grand Central Station at rush hour – all of the missionaries coming and going, constantly running into old companions and other friends from the mission. It was a time of joyous reunions and catchings-up, as well as hectic activity. Good for you for savoring the fun part instead of getting bogged down in the business...!
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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.