WASHINGTON D.C. SOUTH MISSION: HAVING FUN THE NIGHT BEFORE THEY FLY HOME

Sunday, February 7, 2010

HAVING FUN THE NIGHT BEFORE THEY FLY HOME

Here they are trying to keep busy and not think about going home. These wonderful missionaries will be leaving us in the morning. We'll get up at about 4:30 to leave for the airport at 5:00. They have flights that leave at about 7:00. We find the bowling alley is a great way to get up some built up excitement. They have spent 18 months to 2 years together and have become like family to each other. After bowling a few games, we head back to the mission home and have dessert. Then I tell them they all need to be in bed by 1:00 a.m. because 4:30 comes fast. Watching them bowl is really entertaining. President Albright impressed them all by winning the games. Go President!

Elder Smith, Ray, Sister Carpenter, Sill, Turley, Ross, Packer, Pres., and Bell, In front: Elders Tye, Brown, Wilkes, and Newton

Elders Wilkes, Turley, Ross, Newton

Studying the competition

Elder Newton, I think. hard to tell from the back

Elder Brown

Elder Ray

Elder Wilkes, a very smooth bowler

Elder Tye coming and Elder Smith going

Elder Sill, I'm not sure he liked that throw.

Elder Wilkes, High five for a good roll

Elder Bell has a powerful curve ball.

Elder Ross throws quite a curve also

Elder Turley is so much fun

Elder Wilkes taking in the score board

Elder Turley finds just the right ball

Sister Carpenter looks cute even when she bowls.

Elder Brown

President Albright--Another STRIKE

Elder Smith, talk about a cross over ball (thought it was going in the next lane)

Elder Wilkes, good Job

Elder Ray, Thumbs up.

Elder Ray and Smith

Elder Wilkes, talk about exact straight form.

Elders Bell, Ray and Pres.

Elder Ray

Elder Packer and Smith

Elders Smith (standing), Turley (drinking) Sill and Bell (Posing)

Elders Smith, Packer, and Turley

Elders Wilkes, Brown and Newton

Elders Tye and Ross.

No comments:

Post a Comment

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.