WASHINGTON D.C. SOUTH MISSION: BAPTISMS ARE EXCITING

Sunday, December 20, 2009

BAPTISMS ARE EXCITING

We had about 20 baptisms scheduled this weekend and although we could not get to all of them, Pres. and I made it to the baptisms of 5 people. It was a wonderful way to spend the weekend. We felt the spirit so strong at each of them and it is so great to see the fruits of the missionaries work and see their excitement as they participate in a baptism.

This is Gabriela Villatoro. Baptized by Elder Brogan.

Gabriela with Sis Funch

Gabriela and Sis. Downey. Sis Downey loves Gabriela. Hermana Downey speaks not only Spanish, but is also gifted in ASL. She has a degree in it. And when she does sign it looks like a dance. She found Gabriela, who is Deaf, and changed her life. She comes from an inactive - Part-member family. When they tracted into them, she immediately connected to this little girl. Here was someone who could speak English, Spanish and ASL to her. What a blessing.

There was a musical number at this baptism with Hermans Downey, Larsen, Knutsen, Ferry, Gwynn, and Reid all singing, " I lived in Heaven". Sisters Reid and Gywnn gave talks. And of course Sis. Downey interpreted it all.

This is Mohamed Jollah. He was baptized by Ryan Anderson. Sisters Arnett and Murray are pictured here. and Sisters Bertucci , Bagley, and Kim attended also.

This is mother and Son. Donald Perry and Ruby Thomas. They were baptized by Elder Bird.

Elder Allen gave the opening prayer. Elders Lee and Stuart also attended. And Pres. Nixon and Pres. Albright were witnesses. Another well supported baptism. They members are wonderful to come a welcome new converts.

This is Rosemarie Daly. She is an incredible young woman. She is a police woman, on the highway patrol, a First-responder to accidents and crimes. Bro. Frank Ingham, a fellow officer, introduced her to the gospel. We had the privilege of holding one of her lessons in our home. She is a super smart and spiritual person and so ready for the gospel. Elders Gifford and Gannaway taught her the first lessons and Elder Ross finished up with Elder Gifford.

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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.