WASHINGTON D.C. SOUTH MISSION: Zone Confernce Annandale July 31, 2009

We had a great zone conference on Friday, July 31 at the Annandale Zone. This is the zone that we live in and the mission office and home are located in. It also includes the office Elders and Assistants, and our office couples: the Fullers and the Cordners. The zone leaders are Elders Johnson and Elton. (they are in one of the pictures at the front of the room). I've included pictures of the assistants and office elders who work so hard at these conferences. Also shown are pictures of break out groups as they practice new commitment techniques they are learning. Zone Conferences are really alot of fun besides the learning and instructions. There are pictures of the awards for cleanest cars and for the Iron Man who has riden the bike the longest. Then the luncheon pictures are around the tables and the whole group together.

The Zone includes: Elders Johnson, Elton, Brunstad, Robbins, Turley, Peterson, Allred, Jeppesen, Bird, Buie, Gifford, Gannaway, Bullock, and Mechling and Sisters Downey and Bunker. This zone has a lot of talent. Elders Peterson and Turley sang "Where Can I Turn For Peace" and it was incredibly good. The music is always wonderful. Thanks missionaries.

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.

1 comment:

KathrynAugust 9, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Dear President and Sister Albright,
Thank you so much for this wonderful blog. My son isn't much of a writer, but seeing your photos and reading your blog helps us to feel the spirit of the mission. It is also fun to snag the photo's of Elder Mechling to post on facebook so our friends and family can see how he is doing. Keep up the good work.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Zone Confernce Annandale July 31, 2009

1 comment: