October 15, 2017

The weeks keep flying by, faster than I am ready for them to!  Each day brings some great new adventures, sisters to meet and visit, people to help in some way or another!  We were glad to have the temple reopen after its yearly maintenance, so we could take Callan and Madison Webster with us to do some names we had had the baptismal work recently done for.  The beautiful fall days make outings like this very special!

It was fun meeting up with Stacie this week for her birthday at a very good Spanish restaurant (Jaleo's) in Crystal City, near where we were working for the day.  Between visiting special sisters in Anacostia, we were able to celebrate and catch up a little on what we had all been doing.

Stacie's birthday lunch at Jaleo's

         The previous week we were able to see Sister Brown's niece in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and see what a fun town she lives in, in the middle of some very interesting historic sites.  We enjoyed a bus tour, great lunch, and seeing the Chatham house, where both Presidents Washington and Lincoln had stayed during significant times in our nation's history (Revolutionary War and Civil War).

Lunch with Marta's niece

Chatham, near Fredericksburg

Then Saturday we once again visited Fort McHenry - this time with the senior missionaries of our mission.  It was nice to be able to get together with them, enjoy the sights at Ft. McHenry, and have lunch together.   There are some great couples and other single sisters we have met while here. 

Flag at Ft. McHenry

Lunch with Sr. missionaries

We do far more than sight-see.  That's just what we take pictures of.  We have had some amazing and very spiritual experiences the past couple of weeks getting to know the sweet and humble sisters of Anacostia.  One sister had been paralyzed for about 7 years and now is walking with a cane.  She credits the Lord for the progress she has made and for so many blessings in her life, yet has so little of material blessings.  She is a strong, but very humble and faithful person, who I have learned from and appreciate!  We have been trying to get to know these sisters, visiting this area several days each week.  Many of them are in government housing, but still so grateful for all they have.  They are teaching us!!  I am so glad we have been able to spend this part of our mission getting to know these sisters.

We were so happy today to be able to take one of the sisters to church in White Plains who we have been visiting for several months, through many health problems and trials in her life.  She is a member but hasn't been to church for many years.  We hope she will be able to show her family what is most important and set the example for them of what the Gospel can mean in their lives.  She is a dear sister that we have grown to love, and we hope her strength and determination will continue as she progresses back in the Church.

Church with Sister Canter

I am so grateful for the Gospel in my life, for the happiness it has brought to me and my family, and for this wonderful opportunity to share what it means with others.  We love to see others grow and progress, and find the joy we have found being members of this Church.  I hope none of us will ever take it for granted!  Thank you for your love and support!   Have a great week!!