WASHINGTON D.C. SOUTH MISSION: Celebrating Christmas & Chinese New Year

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Celebrating Christmas & Chinese New Year

I received an invitation from Sister Tammy Nixon, wife of Pres. Nixon of the Mt. Vernon Stake. She sent a letter telling about her opportunity to take Ambassador Wenzhong Zhou of China and his wife, Madame Shumin Xie to meet the First Presidency and to visit Yellowstone. After becoming friends, the two woman decided to have a holiday activity inviting friends to learn of the customs of each others' holiday traditions. I had the great opportunity to be invited to take part. They sent a beautiful invitation that said, "An Evening of Holiday Traditions, Celebrating Christmas and the Chinese New Year". The party was held on Dec. 4th.These pictures show what a wonderful event it was. There were about 15 Chinese women and 20 American Women. We visited for a while and then some of the American women presented a program showing American Christmas traditions. They shared the story of the "Birth of Christ" from Luke and how we celebrate Christmas for this reason as Christians, the symbols of Christmas, like bells, trees, lights, music, etc. Then they were telling the story, "the Night Before Christmas" when Santa and Mrs. Claus came into the room when she read the line "down the Chimney Saint Nicolas came with a bound"... The Chinese women were so darling, they were excited and jumping up and down and shouting with delight,. It was such a cute thing to watch. Like small children seeing Santa for the first time. Then everyone had to sit on their laps and get gifts.

After that we shared a dinner of traditional American and Chinese dishes. Next, the Chinese women presented a program telling of the traditions of the Chinese New Year. It is their biggest holiday. It is also called Spring Festival. Many festivals are held according to the Chinese lunar calendar. It is based on the cycles of the moon so the New Year Day can fall anywhere between late Jan and Middle of Feb. Each lunar year is associated with one of the 12 zodiac animals. They put up lots of red decorations and banners, and lights.

The whole group of woman

The Chinese woman, the Madame Xie and her assistants and companions.

Sister Nixon and Madam Xie in the center

Illustrating the Night Before Christmas

Mr and Mrs Claus come in the room

Santa greets the ladies

Sitting on Santas lap

The Madame Xie on Santa's lap

Sis. Santini on Santa

Pres. and Sister Nixon on the laps.

The chinese women sharing their traditions

Showing decorations put by the doorways

Madam Xie

Sis. Nixon

The cookie exchange when we left

The lovely home.

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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.