WASHINGTON D.C. SOUTH MISSION: DEPARTING INTERVIEWS AND TIE ONE ON

Saturday, June 26, 2010

DEPARTING INTERVIEWS AND TIE ONE ON

This was a crazy day. The departing interviews started early in the morning and I feed these missionaries breakfast. They have a final interview with Pres. Albright and I just get to visit with the rest of them in the living room. I get them to mark their favorite scripture in my special set reserved for this. I get a favorite conversion story for a special book and they get to put their tie on the banister. A sign of departure and a tradition in this mission.

We were having a 4 district barbecue in the afternoon and these 2 activities got interlapped a little bit.

Elder Stirling Sill. It will be hard to see him go. He served as our Assistant for 6 months and we spent a lot of time together.

Elder Bales. A lot of fun. Always happy. A fello Las Vegan. Although he is going home by way of Iowa where he lived when he left.

Elder Nielson. Everyone loves him. Quiet and diligent. He will be missed in the burg.

Elder Metcalf. Another great leader. Can't believe I got him without his smile.

Elder Hunt. Devoted to the work. Steadfast is how is peers described him.

Sis. Bay. A little angel.

Elder Bladwin. A great example to everyone. Strong and spiritual

Sis Johnson and Bay

Elder Baldwin helping Sister Johson Tie hers.

Sis. Johson. Loves pink. Completely devoted. Charity towards her work. Pure love

Ss. Lofgran. One of Mongolian girls. A little ball of fire.

Elders Ford, McFarlane and Wasden arriving for the afternoon activity. 4 dictrict barbecue

Elders Stewart and Knechtel

Sister LeSueur, Ferry Spencer, Butler, Hahn, Garbrick

Elders Simmons, Brogan, Bazzle, Larsen, and Stewart

Elder Lewis show pictures of his swollen cheeks.

Poor guy. one thing after another. Started with poison ivy A BAD CASE and now lots of other ailments.

Elders Ford and Nielson

Pres. Albright and Sis. Burns

Sis. Bay signing her tie

Sis Johnson working on her tie and Sis Lofgran on the couch.

Elder Baldwin marking his favorite scripture

Elders Wasden and Hunt

Sis. Bagely (sis. lofgrans companion)

Elder Ford playing the ivories

Elder Wasden

Sis. Nichols (Sis. Johnsons companion)

Pilar visiting with Sis. Johnson

1 comment:

AnonymousOctober 1, 2010 at 11:57 AM
I recieved my mission call on September 23rd. I enter the MTC on December 15th. I am looking forward to meeting you and having a great time serving the Lord. Katie Valynn Olsen
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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.