WASHINGTON D.C. SOUTH MISSION: PRETTY AS A PICTURE-CHERRY BLOSSOM TIME

Saturday, April 3, 2010

PRETTY AS A PICTURE-CHERRY BLOSSOM TIME

SPECTACULAR

We drove into the city this weekend to learn our way to the Barlow Center. Pres. has to drive a group of other mission presidents there in a couple of weeks and we have discovered

it is really hard to find. On our way we decided to see the famous

CHERRY BLOSSOMS.

It was overcast and so the crowds weren't too bad and the pictures aren't as bright pink as they really are, but they were spectacular.

We found a parking spot near the Jefferson Memorial.

First we saw the George Mason Memorial, then

We visited the Jefferson Memorial and the walked around the tidal basin.

It's the kind of thing you have to see to believe how beautiful, the camera

really doesn't capture it.

The Cherry Blossoms were originally given as a gift to the United States from the Japan in l920.There were 17 different species. There are now over 3000 trees around the basin.

This one is my favorite. Walking around the tidal basin and looking through the trees straight across the water is just breath taking.

The Washington Memorial with cherry trees lining the basin.

The sidewalk is right next to the water and circles around the basin and under the trees. You walk under the beautiful branches and the flowers drop down right to your head.

See how the walkway goes right under the trees. LOVELY

the reflection of the trees in the water was beautiful

Looking out from the Jefferson Memorial

The words of Thomas Jefferson enscripted on the walls.

The cornerstone laid in 1939

The Jefferson Statue

Me on the steps of the Memorial

A close up of my favorite bloom. The tulip cherry blossom.

This is the entrance to the George Mason Memorial.

George Mason was an incredible man. He was considered the father of the Constitution.

But he refused to sign it because it didn't include freeing the slaves. WOW

George Mason

BEAUTIFUL

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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.