WASHINGTON D.C. SOUTH MISSION: TRANSFER DINNER AND DEPARTING FIRESIDE 10-1-09

The transfer Fireside is fabulous. There were about 250 people there. These departing missionaries are very loved by their converts, investigators and the members of the ward they served in. They are able to tell so many people goodbye at these fireside and from the pictures you can see that after the fireside alot of people stay to visit and say farewell to them. Before the fireside we have a banquet at the house. The wonderful office couples come to the house while we are at the temple and get it on the tables so when we arrive its already. We had 22 for dinner. One really special surprise was Hermana Capps brother, Samuel goes to school at Annapolis here and he came to dinner and the fireside. It was beautiful.

Sister Capps, A very beloved Hermana

Sisters Capps, Ferry, Thompson, and Knutsen.

Sis. Thompson also very loved with a convert

Sister Bunker and converts who dearly love her.

Sis. Albright with the Fullers who everyone will miss more than words can tell. Every missionary adores this couple.

Sis. Thompson

Elders DeHoyos and Porter

Elder Lieppman and Donna (one of his converts)

The crowd in the gym after the fireside.

Elder Brunstad and Chelsea (new convert)

Elder Miller and DeHoyos converts

Elder Knechtel says hi

Dinner at the mission home. Sister Capps and her brother Samuel. What a treat!

Sisters Bunker, and Capps, Elders Benson and DeHoyos

Elders Porter and Swensen, The Fullers, Sisters Bunker, Thompson, and Capps

Elder Nelson, Sis. Homgren, Sis. Cordner, Elder Cordner, Holmgren, Gifford, Averett(our new office elder at his first office event), Elder Gannaway, Hill, and Withers.

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.

WASHINGTON D.C. SOUTH MISSION

Friday, October 9, 2009

TRANSFER DINNER AND DEPARTING FIRESIDE 10-1-09

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