WASHINGTON D.C. SOUTH MISSION: ZONE CONFERENCE ASHBURN & CENTREVILLE 9-09

Friday, September 4, 2009

ZONE CONFERENCE ASHBURN & CENTREVILLE 9-09

Well today was our last Zone Conference in this series. We have had 4 wonderful days of conferences and enjoyed each group of missionaries. We arrive at each building and find the missionaries singing in the Relief Society Room and our office Elders, Robbins and Hill have come early and set up all the equipment (computers, screen, sound system, etc. ) When we come in they look and sound like a Heavenly choir. I'm sure I will never tire of the sight. Our own strong and valiant army.

Todays conference was conducted by Elder Metcalf, one of the Zone Leaders. Sitting on the stand with him are the other 3 zone leaders: Elders Ross, Redford, and Lewis. We enjoyed hearing all their comments and participation in the activities and councils.

We have been playing a game each conference that has been fun. It has been named "Defend the Spirit'. It involved answering questions with AA answers (what the Albright's would say) or SS answers (Scripture source) depending on the category. One example: "Your District leader asks "hard' obedience questions when he checks in with you. What would sister Albright do or say? Which ever team comes closest to AA answer or the best scripture gets a point. Our answer was " the quilty take the truth to be hard" . It got lots of laughs. They came up with the most creative answers from the scriptures. The Assistants made up this game. They are always coming up with great learning activities. And their spiritual presentations are wonderful also. They always focus on one of the Preach My Gospel topics and help the missionaries put into practice the principle they have taught through "Action Items" as they call them.

During the afternoon portion of the conference we heard from each of the District Leaders: Elders Tye, Loppe, Fukui and Bullock. They all gave beautiful talks.

President Albright invited the Stake Presidents to come and speak at their respective conferences. President Hilton of the Centreville Stake and his High Councilor, Bro Mack Haddow, who is over missionary work were so gracious to come on a work day and take time to address the missionaries. They talked about what the missionaries can do to help the members be good missionaries.

On a side note: we had another wonderful meal prepared by the Brambleton ward Sisters. One of these sisters, Sister Robin Axlerod, heard President Albrights' voice and immediately knew who he was. She had dated his cousin for 5 years and met President during that time 30 years ago. She knew many of our relatives and it was fun to visit with her.

Our musical number was Sisters Banks and Carpenter and Elders Wilkey and Redford singing while Elder Walker Accompanied. Another group of gifted musicians. So it is another six weeks before our next round of Zone Conferences.

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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.