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December 27, 2011
This has been an especially fun, exciting week leading up to Christmas and the celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Sunday, the 18th, we went to dinner at Kristy Hoefferle's, a sister in the 2nd ward, whose husband is deployed for the third time. They have three son's, 14, 12, and 10. We had a delicious dinner, then enjoyed talking around the kitchen table with Kristy and the missionaries, who also came.
Monday was our day to serve at the Visitor's Center. That night there was a concert by the Suzuki Flutes. This group consists of over 100 flutists, ages 4-18. It was amazing the variety of Christmas/Hannakah songs they played, as well as the different types of flutes and piccolos there were. They were very entertaining and fun to watch!
Tuesday, Sister Harper and I started by making a list of sisters we felt inspired to visit that day, and then said a prayer and asked Father in Heaven to guide us to those we needed to visit. Three names came to both of us...each is at a very different stage in her life. The first, Susan, is a retired school teacher who has struggled with poor health. When we called and asked if we could come over, she said that she would love to see us (a much warmer response than the first time we called). We had a short but very enjoyable visit and hope that our friendship might encourage her in coming back to church. The second call was to a young mother, Elizabeth, who has three children, 7,5, and 2. We have tried to concact her a couple of times before, without success. She teaches in Relief Society and is always there to give service to others...We had such a great visit with her, and at one point she said that she was so happy that we had come. She said that she felt like all she did was talk to children, and it was such a relief to have "adult" conversation for a little while. The visit was great for us, too, because we got our "grama fixes" with Lindsey and Leah, her two little ones. Our last visit was with an elderly sister, Margaret, who moved into our ward from the district a few months ago after her apartment had been broken into and she was afraid to live there any longer. She is in poor health and has custody of her 15 year old grandson who is constantly in trouble. When we called her, she said she had been thinking of us a lot and was just about to call. We visited for awhile about Christmas, etc., and then she told us her conversion story. It was really amazing; the spirit was so strong and we stayed for almost two hours with a promise to return soon. All three sisters are in totally different circumstances, yet they all have the same needs: someone to love them and listen to them. It was a truly wonderful day.
Wednesday, we usually go to the temple, but I went to see an orthopedic doctor for my back instead. He's not quite sure what's going on, so I'm having an MRI after the first of the year (that's the first I could get an appt). Meantime, I have lots of prescriptions to keep me comfortable. The problem is that they make me tired, so I try not to take them. Oh well...
Friday, we met with Roz, the RS Pres of the 1st ward to sort and deliver food to families in the ward. We made our first two deliveries, when Roz asked if we wanted to go to the National Harbor on the Potomac and see the Gaylord National Resort. Before we went into the resort, we decided to have lunch at the Cadillac Ranch. The hostess took us around the entire downstairs and eventually upstairs where no one else was sitting. When our server came she looked at my missionary tag, then at Sister Harper's, and back to mine; then asked if we knew if there was an LDS church nearby. I asked her if she was a member of the church and she said that she was, but that she had been inactive. She and her husband (they got married in Sept.) just moved here because he is stationed at Andrews Air Force Base. She hasn't gone anywhere except to work and back home, and says she doesn't have any friends or family here. We told her we would gladly help get her lined up with a ward, and know a great couple for them to become friends with. Stephanie and Arick Drake live in the 1st ward and are so excited to meet and befriend Stephanie (the server) and her husband, and we will give the missionaries their name and phone number so they can contact them also. A coincidence that we ate at the Cadillac Ranch, were seated at Stephanie's station, and she was lonely and ready to come back to church? I don't think so... After a great lunch and looking around the Gaylord, we finished our deliveries with wonderful visits to thankful sisters...a fabulous day!
Christmas Eve was spent at the Visitor's Center--it was PACKED--almost 5000 people were there that day and evening!!! The young single missionaries provided the program; 11 of 27 sisters sang non-traditional Christmas songs while a narrator told the Christmas story. Such beautiful harmony and a talented accompanist--it was a wonderful way to spend celebrating the eve of our Savior's birth.
Christmas morning we attended Sacrament meeting in both wards that we serve. They each had special musical and spoken programs to celebrate the birth of our Brother Jesus Christ. After church, the missionaries came over to get a small gift we had for them. We asked what time they got up to open their gifts, and they surprised us by saying they were up at 4:30a.m.!!! They were too excited to wait any longer; one of them had already spoken to his family at 8:30 our time...In the evening we went to Bishop and Suz Martin's for dinner. (he's the bishop of the 1st ward) They invited another family, the Hughes, that live in the other ward, so it was a great, fun group. We all shared Christmas traditions, then played a beanbag toss game. Then to top it all off, they had Christmas stockings filled with oranges, candy and scarfs that they had made for us, as well as a Christmas book, "The Fourth Wise Man". Of course, nothing can replace being home for Christmas, but the Martin's did a great job of making it almost perfect. When we arrived home from the Martin's, I spent the next couple of hours skyping with Kassy, Emily, Courtney, and their families, opening gifts and just visiting...I talked with Dave and his family earlier in the day...all-in-all a wonderful, spiritual first Christmas in the mission field.
I am so grateful for Him whose birth we have celebrated, and for all that He has done for all of us...may we all show our gratitude by the way we live our lives and the service we give to others.
December 18,2011
This has been another fun week in the Washington DC North Mission. Monday was our Zone Conference and mission Christmas Party. We all met at the Visitor's Center at 8:45am to have a mission picture taken. Sister Matsumori told a Christmas story then several of the sister missionaries sang a Christmas song, followed by a musical number by a string quartet and a some stories by President Matsumori. The Senior Missionaries presented President and Sister Matsumori with a Christmas gift; a framed picture of each zone around the edge and a mirror with the words "Merry Christmas 2011" in the center. We then watched "Kung-Fu Panda 2". They had it flown in from Australia, since it won't be released on DVD in the states until Friday. It was so fun to laugh at the young missionaries (127) watching a child's cartoon show...after the movie we went over to the stake house (next to the Visitor's Center) for a full-fledged turkey lunch and visit from Santa Clause. It was a great way to start the week and celebrate the holidays with the rest of the mission!!!
Tuesday, Sister Haleigh Vance, the wife of the bishop in the WP 2nd ward invited us to a strings concert at the LaPlata Manor, a senior apartment complex. Her students ranged from age 4-14, and played a variety of Christmas carols. They were very talented and everyone enjoyed the program.
Wednesday was a special day at the temple. Sister Harper was able to do the ordinance work for her mother; her son is doing it for her father, and when she returns from her mission, they will have them sealed for time and all eternity. Each week that I serve in the temple I learn more, and I feel such peace while I am there. After we finished at the temple, we went over to the Visitor's Center to see the program that was playing that night. It was a group of 60 women ages 14-75 called the "Harbor City Music Company Show Chorus". They sing all over the states and internationally--a wonderful and very entertaining show!
Thursday, we were honored to help at the luncheon after the funeral of Sister Maura Hendrichsen, a sister in the WP 1st Ward. She went into surgery last week for a problem with her pacemaker and passed away on the operating table. We only met her once for a few minutes, so decided we could be of most help in the kitchen, and serving the family. At first we were told that they would be serving 80-100 people, but when we got to the church, it was set up for twice that. Selina Thomas, the compassionate service leader was really in a panic; she had worked so hard to make sure everything came out right and that all was assigned according to plan. We told her not to worry, that everything would be alright; that it might be like the "fishes and loaves of bread", but that it would be okay. We put a salad on each place setting, and after everyone sat down and ate, not only was there enough food, there was quite a bit left over. Coincidence? I don't think so--miracles still do happen! I'm so grateful for a Heavenly Father who gives us tender mercies every day...
We have been asked to serve on the enrichment committee for the nighttime Relief Society meeting and help coordinate snacks, tasting trays, etc. that go with each months theme or activity. We had a meeting Thursday night with the enrichment leader to discuss also how to get the sisters more enthused about using food staples they have at home, etc., by bringing in new recipes and ideas for using the food they have.
Friday, my back was really bad so I went to another doctor. They took more x-rays and couldn't see much change from the ones in August, so they are sending me to and orthopedic doctor who will prescribe an MRI. I'm not excited about this at all, but I need to get to the bottom of this...
On the positive side--our daughter Courtney made and sent a wonderful advent calendar; for each of the days 1-24, there are scriptures to read having to do with the life of Jesus during His ministry on this earth. I want to thank her for this marvelous gift--it has really helped us focus on what Christmas is all about!!!
Also, those of you who know the Brown family, know the tradition of "T'was the Night Before Christmas", read with a 'few changes'. Ron's father, Keith, started this, then Ron took over at his passing, and now our son, Dave, is carrying the torch. This year Dave sent me a book that he had read and recorded "T'was the Night Before Christmas". Thanks so much for keeping traditions alive and well even at times when everything seems different...
December 13, 2011
Last week was great! We started off by enjoying Sunday at Bishop and Haileigh Vance's home for dinner and the evening. They have five children, three girls and two boys, so I was able to get some Grandma fixes. Bishop Vance's full-time job is to play saxophone in the Army Concert Band and Haileigh teaches violin and viola lessons.
Each Monday and Friday in December and Christmas Ever, we will server as hostess' at the Visitor's Center for the Festival of Lights. The temple grounds are decorated with over 500,000 multi-colored lights on the trees and bushes and has a life-size nativity. They begin stringing the lights in August in order to have them finished by the first of December. Inside the Visitor's Center, there are about 20 trees that are at least 25 feet tall that have been decorated by the surrounding stakes and have themes ranging from representing different countries and embassy's to a storybook by a Czek author. There is a nativity room with at least 100 creche's from different countries all over the world. This year the Ambassador from Brazil flipped the switch that turned on the temple lights, so Brazil was also featured in the nativity room. There was a tree representing their country that was decorated with orchids, glitter fish and sea life to look like Brazil's Christmas in Summer. Each night there are concerts performed in the auditormium of the Visitor's Center. It holds about 550 people, and many nights the concerts are repeated two or three times. Friday, we were priveledged to hear the "Bells of Mt. Vernon", a group of 11 players with 37 bells, that played beautiful Christmas music.
Wednesday was our day for the temple, which also means it was raining and I was driving. It was raining so hard by the time we left the temple at 7:30pm, that the route we normally take to the freeway was flooded,so we had to find another way. Thank goodness one of the other sisters on our shift knows the area and was able to give us directions to get to the freeway going another way. It was raining so hard that instead of driving the usual 70-75 (speed limit is 55), people were actually going 40-45. The closer to home we got, the worse the rain got--the raindrops were about the size of quarters, I couldn't see the lines on the road (they don't have any lights on the roads), and it was raining so hard that the windshield wipers couldn't keep up with the rain on the windshield. Needless to say, we were very happy and grateful to be home!!!
Thursday we spent the day working on Christmas cards, presents, and other holiday frivolities like getting our hair done-YAY! That evening was the WP1 Relief Society Christmas party. We each took cookies for a cookie exchange and a white elephant. It was really fun to sit and chat with all of the great friends that I have made in the short time that I have been here; friends that I know will last through eternity!
I pray that we will keep in our hearts the reason we celebrate Christmas and be especially kind to one another.
December 4, 2011
This has been a fabulous, different week and will really show you how diverse the service we do is. Monday, our friend, Bonnie (a counselor in the Relief Society Pres. of the 2nd ward), called to see if we could go with her to Richmond, VA. She had seen a dining set and hutch on Craigslist, but was sceptical to go check it out alone. So I checked with Pres. Matsumori to make sure that it was okay if we left the state for the day, and off we went on our 2 1/2 hour road trip. We had a fabulous time, Bonnie was able to purchase the items she had her heart set on, and the best thing of all is that we found both a SONIC and a HOBBY LOBBY on the way home!!!!! Sister Harper decided to buy our tree and decorations because she wants to take them home after our mission, and I bought a wonderful picture of the nativity that is beautifully framed (about 24x 30").
On Sunday, we made contact with a sister who had been kind of stand-offish in the past and asked if we could come and visit her sometime. All of a sudden her demeanor changed, and she smiled and said she would love it if we could come and help her decorate her house for Christmas on Tuesday, and then she would have us stay for dinner. We worked all day with Linda; thank goodness she had done some of the decorating when we got there. She had a storage room with wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling decorations, with forty bins designated just to Christmas (we counted at least twenty bins that we emptied). She was so excited to have us there, explaining that she had made most of her decorations and how much they mean to her. It was a very satisfying, yet tiring day...
Wednesday, we went to the temple after missing last week because of Thanksgiving. We arrived early and met with Elder Don Olson (KSL television), who is the new director for the Visitor's Center, to arrange our schedule for hosting there during the Fesival of Lights. During the month of December, we will be at the Visitor's Center on each Monday, Friday and Christmas Eve, with our work at the temple on Wednesday's. It is so exciting to be involved in these activities at this special time of year!
After we met with Elder Olson, we took a sneak-peak around the center. They had decorated trees from the stakes in and around the temple area, and a full room dedicated to nativities from around the world. AMAZING!!! Wednesday was the night that they were turning on the lights at the Temple and Visitor's Center. Elder L Tom Perry was there representing the Brethren, and they invited Ambassadors and Diplomats from several countries, as well as Senator's, Congress, and local government, so it was a very special night. (I wish I had been invited--oh well)
Thursday, Stephanie, the cute girl I mentioned in an earlier email, called to see if we could meet her for lunch, as she had something she needed to talk to us about. She met us at the food court at the mall and bought our lunch. We had a great visit with her. She told us all about the medical equipment she repaired when she was in Afghanistan and about the special services her husband is in protecting the White House and areas where the President frequent. It was their second wedding anniversary on Friday, and she and Eric have only been together about three months during their married life. Darling couple!!!
Friday, Sister Harper and I had no sooner finished our prayer asking for inspiration as to who we could help that day, when the phone rang and it was the Relief Society President called to say that Melody, a sister in the 2nd Ward had been rushed to the emergency room with a "raging headache", and could we stay with her until her husband could come from DC (2 1/2 hour drive) to be with her. Upon arriving at her side (after an hours drive to the hospital), we found out that she was driving a bus full of elementary school children when the headache hit. Thank goodness, she was able to pull off the road and get help without anyone getting hurt. Turns out it was a dibilitating migraine, so they gave her strong medication and she was in church today.We were so grateful to be able to be with Melody so that she didn't have to be alone at this time.
Saturday was the Christmas parties of both the 1st and 2nd wards. The 1st Ward had a Christmas breakfast and program followed by a program of families in the ward giving their traditions of "Keeping Christ in Christmas". The 2nd Ward's party was a fabulous "roast beast" dinner followed by the play "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"--such a fun day!!!
I'm excited because today our fast in the 1st Ward centered around baptisms for next year--our goal is ten; this year we had five. Also, we are going to Bishop Vance's home for dinner--Sister Vance's grandma, who lives in my Coral Canyon Ward, is returning to Utah tomorrow, so this will give us one last time to chat...until she comes out here again.
November 27, 2011
As my mission goes, this has been a strange week as far as being normal (making visits, giving service, etc). Monday, Sister Harper was ill, so I went to my back drs. appointment, and to the post office for her, then spent most of the day relaxing, trying to get my back into some type of order.
Tuesday, we took Marci March, a sister in the White Plains 1st Ward on her errands and had planned to go visiting. It was raining so hard that we couldn't see the lines on the road and the windshield wipers couldn't keep up with the water, so we decided it would be safer to stay in. Sister Harper took the 1st Ward list and I took the 2nd Ward and we began to call. We each called about thirty sisters to wish them a "Happy Thanksgiving" and express our love for them and let them know that we care about them. They were so happy to think that we would think of them and take the time to call.
We went to the home of Gary and Bonnie Ramon for Thanksgiving dinner. They live in the White Plains 2nd Ward; he is the High Priest Group Leader and she is a counselor in the Relief Society Presidency. They also had her son and daughter-in-law, daughter and her boyfriend, and friend of the family. There were also six darling little kids under the age of five, so it was easy to get my "grandma-fix". We offered to take our favorite dishes for dinner, so Sister Harper took dressing and I took Grandma's macaroni and cheese; we also picked up a pumpkin pie at Costco and cinnamon pinecones as a thank-you gift. All-in-all it was a fun day--they told us they were our adopted family, which made us feel really good!
Friday, the Ramon's invited us to go with their family to the Chesapeake Bay shore to look for shark's teeth. It is about forty-five minutes southeast of our apartment. It is so relaxing to hear the waves lap on the rocks--we didn't find any shark's teeth, but did find some different shells. It was a really great day--one that we will do again.
We put a turkey breast in the oven before we left, so when we returned home, it smelled like Thanksgiving all over again. We added the turkey to our left-overs from the day before, and had a fabulous feast!
After church today we had a "munch and mingle" in the 2nd Ward. Tons of sandwiches, chips, dips, and pie for dessert. The best part was, guess who got the left-overs? You got it--the MISSIONARIES!!! Whoot-whoo!!! They do this once a quarter, but since they move to the early time next year, this was the last one for awhile--hmmm...maybe the 1st Ward will do it next year???
It's so fun starting to really know the brothers and sisters in the wards and those we work with in the temple. They're not just people we see or visit, they're good friends; people and personalities I will never forget!
November 20, 2011
This has been a great week. Monday, a good friend, Bonnie Ramone, in the 2nd Ward took us out to Amish country. First, we went to a store called "Everything Amish", then to a roadside stand owned by Noah Yoder. Anna and Barbara Yoder were also there. They sold all types of garden vegetables, baked goods, and centerpieces. They were closing this week for the winter, but said they will be back in the spring selling items that they make during the winter--furniture, hand-made clothes, quilts, etc. We talked to them for over an hour and had a very pleasant conversation.They gave us permission to take pictures of their horse and buggy as long as we didn't take one of them.
Tuesday I was down and out with a migraine, so Sister Harper went over to help make decorations for the 2nd Ward Relief Society Holiday Party that is this Thursday. Tuesday evening we drove to Indian Head, about 45 minutes southwest from our apartment to have dinner with the Relief Society Pres., Roz Brown. We have become really good friends with her (she is the one who wants to take time off work to take us on a 'tour' of Washington DC). After dinner we had a short meeting discussing sisters in need and the course of action that we could take to help them best. Roz is so intuitive and sensitive as to those in need; it is a real joy to work with her!
Wednesday is temple day, which means it is raining--oh, I mean pouring! We had District Meeting before our temple shift, so we had to leave early, and it took us 1 1/2 hours to get there instead of the usual hour. So fun!!!
Once there it was so worth it! I am learning more each time I go and it's so exciting. We have a new temple presidency--Pres. and Sister Swinton. We missed the first week they were there because of my back, so I didn't know what they looked like. Wednesday, I was the hostess in the foyer of the temple, where you greet the patrons, and smile and tell them you hope they have a nice experience, etc. So, this said, this couple comes in and I said my "hello's" and smile and tell them I hope they have a nice experience at the temple. The man smiled, shook my hand, and walked ahead, but the sister shook my hand (people don't usually do that), started to walk away then came back and said, "Hi, my name is Sister Swinton". I almost died!!! I told her I was so sorry I didn't know who she was and explained the circumstances, then she gave me a big hug and said not to worry about it; I had greeted them perfectly! Made me feel really good!!!
Thursday we went early to the 2nd Ward to help decorate for the Holiday Party. They served soup, salad and crunchy bread from Panera Bakery with bite-sized creme-puffs for dessert. Then we had a fun gift exchange of something that represents a trait in you. I gave a book of quotes, because I'm always trying to find cute new sayings to collect for "sometime I might need them". Oh--my bishop's wife's grandma (whew!) is visiting from St. George, and I found out that she lives in my Coral Canyon Ward!!! Small world, huh?
Today after church Sister Harper and I attended the annual Washington DC Temple Christmas Devotional. It was held in the Priesthood Room on the seventh floor of the temple, and was for all ordinance workers and local authorities. The speakers were Pres. and Sister Swinton, Elder Smith, Elder Lansing and Elder Gerrard (all area representatives); in between speakers Christmas hymns were sung by the Washington DC Temple Choir. It was a very enjoyable program and a great way to start the Holiday Season. We sat by Bishop and Sister Martin of the 1st Ward, who introduced us to Pres. Sakai, our Stake Pres. afterward. When he came over, Pres. Sakai said,"Oh, I am so happy to meet you two; I have heard such great things about the work you are doing!" Then he invited us to a family home evening at his home in December. Good times...
It gets colder and colder here--the numbers aren't bad--27* at night and about 46* during the day, but it's like they warned me, the humidity makes the cold go in you and stay there!!! You've heard the old adage---layer, layer, layer!!!
November 13, 2011
This has been such a fun week! We usually spend Monday planning the rest of the week (which ward we will work with which day, which sisters to visit, etc.) The problem we have is that our mission cell phone shows up as "unknown" when we make calls, so of the 18 calls we made for visits on Monday, only two answered and one was available for us to come and see her. Elsie is an 85 year old sister who has lived here all of her life and loves the Washington Redskins. She is as sharp as a 20 year old and even used an i-pad for her scriptures.
We spend Wednesdays in the temple. We leave our apartment about 11:30; our shift is from 1-7pm. We leave the temple about 7:30 and arrive home about 9:45pm, taking time for evening traffic and stopping for dinner. It makes for a long, yet very satisfying day. I am working in all areas of the temple now, trying to learn all of the different parts that there are to learn. It's challenging, but enjoyable. On the way home this week, we were driving through a park on the way to the freeway, when all of a sudden I yelled "deer, deer, deer"---there was a fawn right at the side of the road; then just a little bit further down the road on the other side, I yelled "deer, deer, deer" again...they're within touching distance of the car! Apparently they're in 'dating' season.
Thursday we had a Zone Conference with President and Sister Matsumori and Elder Patrick Kearon of the First Quorum of the Seventy and his wife, Jennifer. Before the conference began they had a receiving line so we could each shake their hands and hug Sister Matsumori and Kearon. We all stood and sang "Called to Serve". It was amazing to hear 150 young men, 14 young sisters, and the Senior Missionaries sing that wonderful song. It really chokes me up every time I hear it. Then President and Sister Matsumori and Elder and Sister Kearon spoke giving us guidance to help us with our missions. Afterward, Sister Kearon asked to speak with the Sisters to give us special advice, then we all had a picture taken together. It was fun also, because I met my nephew, Bryce Salisbury's, niece, Lindy Miller, who had arrived in the mission just the day before as a new sister missionary. She is a darling girl and will be a great missionary!
Friday, we put new goals into practice and decided to go to Indian Head about 45 min away to visit sisters we hadn't met before. We were able to reach everyone on our list for the day. Two that especially stood out were:
Stephanie Drake just returned from Afghanistan a couple of months ago. She repairs medical equipment and hopes
to be able to keep doing it here instead of being deployed again. Her husband is in special forces and is on call to make sure the President is safe when he is leaving or coming to the White House. He was home when we came to visit, so they both told us stories about their jobs, and about the Marine Corp Ball that they had attended the previous weekend.
Rachel Onines is a darling girl with a new baby girl named Elizabeth. They live way out in the woods in a fabulous log cabin, she doesn't have a car, and is there alone all day with a new baby. She seemed really happy to have us come and of course we were both happy to get our "baby fix's".
Saturday I went to Ft. McHenry in Baltimore with the Senior Missionaries. This is where Francis Scott Key wrote "The Star Spangled Banner". It was a beautiful fall day and we were able to learn a lot of history about the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Afterward, we went over to the Harbor for lunch at Uno Pizza (yum), then we walked around the Harbor front. The tall ship Constellation was moored there, which was really fun, and we even saw a wedding. On a serious note, there is a memorial honoring 9/11 by the Baltimore Trade Center. There are pieces of the Pentagon and huge pieces of twisted medal from the twin towers as well as a list of the men and women who perished on that horrific day.
Today we attended the baptism of Jasmine and Michael Wallace, the children of a family who is just becoming re-activated. It was so exciting to see the support that this family received from the ward members, knowing the distances that many of them would have had to travel to come to the baptism.
Once again, I express my love to each of you for your love and support and testify to the love our Father in Heaven has for each of us. He knows us better than we know ourselves--if we have problems or doubts, all we have to do is turn to Him for the answers...He is earnestly waiting for us.
