SPECIAL VISITORS- RETURN MISSIONARIES

Elder Jeff Elton and Zander Nickles are two of our incredible missionaries who have finished their missions. It was so fun to see them. They came back to the mission for a Virginia Beach Vacation. These two young man are such great examples to all the missionaries. They look wonderful and we miss them here. THANKS FOR VISITING US!!!

BEAUTIFUL COUNTRYSIDE

We went to a reception in the beautiful town of Clifton. These pictures are of the incredibly lovely rolling farmlands and neighborhoods in the area. So pretty

TEMPLE BEAUTY

The ground at the temple are so pretty right now. lots and lots of flowers, The colors look just beautiful.
Sis Albright with Sisters Hahn and Malmberg
Our special friends, Sister Maurine Carlson, who is serving a mission at the DC Temple.

"WHY I BELIEVE" --FIRESIDE AT VISITORS CENTER

Each month a "Why I Believe Fireside" is held in both the DC South and DC North missions. We have attended a number of these. The stakes take turns in our south mission hosting these firesides. We were asked to be the speakers at the August fireside at the Temple Visitors

Center in the North Mission.

Pres. put together a great presentation. We used a power point and showed pictures to accompany our talk. Mark began with a statement that describes how our testimonies are built brick by brick. It is by Daryl Hoole from the FRIEND magazine.

"A testimony is gained little by little, just as a building is built brick by brick. We can compare gaining a testimony to constructing a building. For example, one brick could stand for having a testimony of the importance of attending church; another brick, a testimony of the Book of Mormon; and yet another brick, a testimony of prayer.

"Our testimonies are often strengthened by our experiences."

We then told of different experiences and miracles that have contributed to our testimonies. These included family experiences, Missionary experiences and then the fruits of Mormonism.

We took our Office Elders, Stockham and Ford and Sisters Malmberg and Hahn with us. I was a little nervous that it might be poorly attended. I think the word has spread that Pres. Albright is an excellent speaker. The theatre was full- over 500.

They began with testimonies of 2 recent converts. They put two microphones into the audience and had all new converts stand and tell their names. It was incredible. There were about 30 or more. They were from all different cultures, countries, and races. It was beautiful. The church truly is covering the whole earth and some of that is happening right here in Washington DC South and North.

We met the new Mission President and his wife in the DC North mission. Pres Matsumori, and his counselors, Pres. Lorenzana, and Pres. Williams . Elder and Sister Rich , the directors of the Visitors center were also there. It was a very nice evening and we visited with many wonderful converts and investigators. One of our dear friends from Las Vegas, Sis Maurine Carlson was also there. She works at the DC Temple as a missionary. It was a treat to see her.

We also took wonderful pictures at the temple. The flowers were in full bloom and look spectacular.

Flower at the temple

Pres and Sis Albright, Sister and Pres Matsumori and Elder and Sister Rich


Elders Ford and Stockham with Pres
Sisters Hahn and Malmberg

SMILES!!!

I was feeling a little blue today. This e-mail from home cheered me right up.

BAPTISMS IN JULY

This first picture is of CJ. A wonderful young man. He was on a walk and was wearing a white shirt and tie after work. The missionaries playfully asked if he was a missionary. They started talking and he took the lessons and joined the church. He even came and visited one of the zone conferences. Elders Garlick and Karren are the missionaries with him.
Each month we try to compile pictures of all of the baptisms for the month. We had about 36 baptisms in July and so far these are the pictures that have been sent. WHITNEY SNEED- Elders Tejada and Stuart --Rolling Valley ward
LAKEETA VIA---Sisters Arnett, Aulava, LeSueur, and Garbrick, with Elder Holmstead, Colonial 2nd ward

DIANE PHILLIPS- Elders MacFarlane and Roothoff--Chancelor Ward
DOMINIQUIE MAY & CHAQUITE CARTER- Elders Karren and Kirkham--Annandale ward
AMBER THOMAS-Elders Hanna and Scott - Culpeper ward
WILMER RECINOS- Sisters Bolorsaikhan and Bagley and Elders Sackett and Girard-Carrier
DANIEL SANDS - Elders Ford and Stockham- Burke Ward
JOE KAPLENK- Elder Sackett- Brambleton ward
NANCY MACCORD- Elders Wasden, Ford, Stockham, and Pres- Burke ward

SIS. JORDAN TIES THE KNOT!

Our sweet sister Jordan was married on Wed. Aug 11, 2010. All these returned sisters from our mission were there to help her celebrate her day. Sisters Arnett, Glauser, Jordan, Bertucci, Jacobson, and Bay. What a beautiful row of girls. CONGRATS SARA

JAMBOREE BLESSINGS

It was so fun to meet the Kirkhams at the Scout Jamboree. Remarkable people. And you can tell by the wonderful son they have. Elder Kirkham is a great elder and we love him. His parents sent us a wonderful letter after the jamboree and these two "SPECIAL PERSON" PLATES'. So we wanted to have a picture with Elder Kirkham. Thank you Bro. and Sis. Kirkham for raising such a good young man and for doing all the work you did at the jamboree.

I thought I would share some stories from the Elders visiting the Jamboree.

Elder Bothwell: He visited with a young man and read Nephi 33: to him, which are the words of Christ. He asked the young man, " How does that sound to you?" The scout responded, "It

sounds true". Great comment

Elder Reeves: Saw a young man reading the Book of Mormon and asked, "are you a member?" He replied, No, but I'm gonna be".

Elder Hall: Traded a young man a Bible for Book of Mormon.

Elder Lawson: He said he visited with many scouts who said hello and that they were members. So he bore his testimony about how important it was for them to go on missions

Elder Hill: Met a scout from Austria who was a member of the church.

Bro McKay: I met this man at the Jamboree. He was wearing one of the church medallions and he told me that because of boys asking questions about the medallion he had been able to give the 1st discussion 8 times at camp.

These are just a few of the many stories that took place.

TWO GREAT COUNSELORS

President Albright is very fortunate. He is blessed with the two best counselors. President Brent Ward and Pres Kent Burton are such amazing men. They are both powerful leaders, incredible speakers and spiritual giants.
President Brent Ward and his wife Eddie(above) and Pres, Kent Burton and wife, Winnie

SPANISH FORUM AUGUST 11,2010

We held a Spanish Forum today, or a training meeting, for the Spanish missionaries. This includes 26 elders and 12 sisters. The whole meeting is in Spanish so I don't understand what they are saying, but feel the spirit of it. Pres. Burton, who is Mark's counselor speaks Spanish and leads the meeting. He is very motivating and they love him.

The spanish members are so sweet and also put on quite a banquet.

There were 2 newly returned missionaries from Spanish missions who came and spoke, William Burton from Barcelona, Spain; and Dallin Mason from Argentina. And also a brand new convert of 4 weeks, Diego. He was amazing. Very mature and strong testimony. He wants to go on a mission in 11 months. He is from Peru. Loved the meeting.

We love the Spanish people in our mission. They are humble and so sweet. The Spanish Elders and Sisters.
The missionaries with the Spanish members who came to cook lunch
Spanish Hermanas: Front: Sister Ferry, Trepenier, Frandsen, Barrero, and Funch. Back: Sisters Burton, Spencer, Larsen, Henderson, Nichols, Gwynn, Aulava, Alvarado, and Albright.
Pres and Sis Burton


Spanish members
Sisters Frandsen, Henderson, Gwynn, Funch, Pres, Ferry, Barrero, and Nichols
Sister Alvarado and Elder Kirkham (he is so sweet-always helps clear the tables- a real gentleman)
Elders Tovar, Rex, Williams, Simmons, Bazzle, Zapata, Pres. and Brogan

Elders Kirkham, Hancock, Greer, Larsen, Searcy
Elders Barazza, Peterson, Stewart, Shupe, Peterson, Hansen, and Orme
Elders Lee, Cuevas, William Burton, Dallin Mason(newly returned from Argentina). and Sis Burton
Sisters Ferry, Barrero, Nichols, Frandsen, Henderson, Gwynn, and Funch
Good Spanish food
Spanish is spoken here.
The sisters side of the room.

THE HEALING POWER OF JESUS CHRIST

There is a beautiful display at the Temple Visitors' Center. It is by Angela Johnson and is called "The Healing Power of Jesus Christ". The display is a group of bronze sculptures that depict the Savior's ministry.

The sign at the entrance says "The Savior's capacity to heal both body and spirit is stunningly portrayed in this series of bronze sculptures".

The work is marvelous. The expressions on the face of the Savior are so amazing. The one of Gethsemane shows the anguish. Some show great love, or compassion. Each one is accompanied by a scripture and explanation.

This is a wonderful display for our missionaries to visit with their investigators and explore the life of Christ through art.

Most of the pieces are about 3x3 feet. There is one life size statue. It is the same as the one in the NewPort Beach Temple.

It is really a blessing to have the Visitors Center in our mission. Statistics show that many (perhaps 25% of converts have had a positive experience at a visitors center) How lucky for us to have one right here. The room holding the display



Close up of Life size figure of Christ.
This is the life size piece.


"Let he that is without sin"

"His gathering"

"Gethsemane"

"Oh my Father"

"Lazarus, Come forth"

"Healing the Leper"

"Carrying the Cross"

"This is My Beloved Son"



"It is I, Be not afraid" walking on the water

"Choose the Better part" Mary and Martha