WASHINGTON D.C. SOUTH MISSION: IT'S SNOW MIRACULOUS!!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

IT'S SNOW MIRACULOUS!!

Well here it comes again. On Feb 9 and 10 we had a BLIZZARD. That is different than a snow storm. It is defined by the 35 mph winds and .25 mi. visibility. So this was lots of fun. Watching out the windows is fun for me because I don't have to be out in it. I've never seen snow swirling around so fast and trees just blowing and tipping over so much. (Except on a ski hill and then I watch from the lodge till spring skiing comes around)

The snow has caused some problems. It's cold, it's colder, it's freezing, it's slippery, so no driving allowed, no church for 2 weeks now and lots of cancelled baptisms.(to be rescheduled) But it has given great opportunities for service and because people are home during the day the missionaries find lots of people to visit with.

They do spend a lot of time shoveling walks and driveways for people and getting cars that are stuck pushed out. In our neighbor hood, the UPS man was stuck and with 8 elders they were able to get him going.

One set of Elders had been tracting in the snow storm for the afternoon and were feeling a little discouraged that people weren't being receptive. Then they saw a van stuck in the snow up the street they were tracting. They went to his aid and spent about 1/2 hour helping him get the van out. After that he invited them in the van and asked them what they are doing. They were able to teach him the first discussion and get an appointment to come to his home for another lesson. It's Snow-miraculous

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.