WASHINGTON D.C. SOUTH MISSION: WASHINGTON DC AT NIGHT

Saturday, August 22, 2009

WASHINGTON DC AT NIGHT

After the departing missionary fireside at the mission home, we took the Assistants and Elders Wiggins and Shapiro downtown to see Washington DC at night. We had heard that it is really beautiful. And we weren't disappointed. It is really spectacular. There was no traffic and we were able to drive slowly past most of the monuments and see how beautiful they are all lit up at night. We got out and walked around the Iwo Jima Memorial. I thought it was a life size statue but it is very very large and so impressive. It weighs many many tons. The base is 10 feet tall and the figures stand 32 feet tall. The flag pole is 60 feet tall and the flag flies 24 hours a day. It is almost a spiritual feeling to read the memorial and feel the great commitment and sacrifice of the soldiers it portrays. It is really a memorial to all the marines who fight for America. After visiting Iwo Jima we went around the Capitol Building and got out and were able to admire its beauty against a dark sky. It stands out like a symbol to all the world. On top of the capitol stands the Statue of Freedom and stands 19 1/2 feet. It was put there in 1863. What a beautiful city. It is only fitting that the capital of the United States would be a spectacular city with awe inspiring architecture and monuments. We can all be proud of it.

On Friday morning President and the assistants left for the airport at 5:00 a.m. to send Elder Shapiro on his way and then took Elder Wiggins to the church to meet his family. Good luck Elders.

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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.