August 21, 2017

Although we weren't in an area for a total eclipse, we were excited we had glasses to watch it happen here in Southern Maryland!  Here is our eclipse watching party with a couple of friends!  Glad we got our glasses ahead of time to see what was happening!
        Last night we really enjoyed attending the "Why I Believe" fireside at the Visitor's Center at the temple.  The main speakers were Thurl Bailey and his wife, Sindi.  It was so fun to hear their story, how they met and how he was converted to the church.  These inspiring firesides are for the missionaries and their investigators, and so wonderful to be able to go to - it was packed, standing room only!  And what makes it great for the Baileys is that their son is serving his mission here right now and this was where Thurl grew up.  This is one of the special experiences we have had here in the Washington D.C. North Mission.

We have been keeping busy with plenty of sisters to visit and help, while also enjoying the activities of all three wards we are a part of - keeps us hopping.

This is a very sweet sister we visited at the care center this week.  Then we loved meeting Elder Rowley's family who came out to tour his mission last week.  Sister Labtic cooked them her popular crabs and what a feast they had - so glad we were invited too!
     We helped with the Memorial Service a week ago for a sweet sister (only 42 years old), who died from a brain tumor - leaving her husband and 4 children (3 still at home!)  It was such a special service - most of the people wore purple (her favorite color), and such nice tributes were paid to her.  We were glad we could be a part of it.

We had fun at the White Plains Beach party, with a good attendance, great food and a lot of activities for the young people.  Everyone seemed to have a great time!
              

And along our travels every day we see many interesting sites, such as these.  The flowers are beautiful here in Maryland, lining the streets near Chesapeake Bay.  There has been a lot of rain lately, so the toadstools are abundant as well!

 We stopped by the Farmer's market one day for some fresh tomatoes and homemade zucchini bread (we avoid cooking ourselves!)  It is fascinating to see these people and how they provide for themselves through their farm produce and baking.  I love their horse and buggy transportation, but would rather leave it to them!  We usually travel over 100 miles a day in our visiting - it would take us a long time in a horse and buggy!

Then we met this sweet sister and her Irish Wolf hound dog - he was "sweet" too!  We  see lots of dogs - everyone has a dog - but this is the largest I've seen!!          

We went to the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. this week for our "P" day, and it was an experience I won't forget.  How sobering to think of what the Jewish people suffered during this time.  We toured through the building, saw some of the films, and took our time reflecting on the European nations involved in these atrocities, even visited with a Holocaust survivor. 

 This is a mock crematorium where the corpses were cremated after the gas chambers - such horrific sights!
       We also went into the American History Museum, enjoyed the display the church has put there in the new display of "Religions in America".  There were a lot of interesting things to see in this museum as well, but a much more positive and uplifting feeling, for sure!

 

It has been a busy, but very rewarding couple of weeks - in all aspects.  I feel so blessed that I am able to share my love of the Gospel and of the Savior with others as we serve the sisters here in Southern Maryland.  It is a wonderful opportunity and experience!  Have a great week, and remember -  our Savior loves you!

August 6, 2017

What a terrific treat a week ago to have Maurie, Christy and their family here in my mission area!  They spent most of their trip seeing some of the many historical sites in Philadelphia and Washington D.C., but I felt fortunate to be able to spend a little bit of time with them also.  They were able to do baptisms in the temple, while I enjoyed being with Brandon and Sarah.  Then we were able to get together with them on Saturday at Stacie's place for a barbeque, and Sunday for church.

Outside the temple

Brandon and Sarah at Visitor's Center

At Stacie's for barbeque

This week has been a good week also, although not like having my family here for a few days!  We enjoyed taking the sister missionaries (Calvert Ward) to dinner one night, since we can't have them come clear to Waldorf for dinner!   Sister Thompson and Sister Maybe - such terrific and hard-working sisters!  We love working with them!   We also had an awesome experience at Stake temple day on Thursday, doing several different ordinances there for names I had recently found!  Stake temple day is pretty special when we meet all together in the large Priesthood room on the top (7th) floor of the temple (most temples don't have this special Priesthood room in them) and hear our Stake President and the temple president and his wife speak to us.  It is so wonderful to feel the strong spirit that is there!!

Sisters Thompson and Maybe

Stake temple day - Aug. 3rd

We have been busy visiting the sisters in the Calvert and Bayside areas these past couple of weeks - focusing more on those who have special needs.  One sister we visit has Pancreatic cancer, with very little family to help her out.  Others have had recent surgeries, or need support in their emotional or physical health.  We love visiting Sister Gordy who has Alzheimers, but seems to know who we are when we come anyway, remembers us at church each week.
          The Bayside Ward has quite a few sisters who live right by the Chesapeake Bay, so it is great getting to see such beautiful scenery as well as getting to know such very special sisters.

Chesapeake Bay

Farm equipment used by Dr. Mudd

Dr. Mudd's buggy

       So Saturday (for our P day) we finally made it back to Dr. Samuel Mudd's house, which turned out to be very interesting and a great learning experience.  He is the one who fixed John Wilkes Booth's leg as he was escaping from assassinating Pres. Lincoln - quite a story.  Some don't believe he was in on the conspiracy, others do, but after he helped so many in the prison survive malaria, he was pardoned after 4 years.  '

             DeLos would have loved seeing this farm equipment used 150 years ago - very interesting!  He was a real Civil War buff, loved reading history books on the Civil War and Pres. Lincoln, so I am glad we were able to go to these historical sites near where we live.

Desk made by Dr. Mudd

              

Bed where Booth's leg was set

We also saw the Mary Surratt house, where  Booth went on his escape route.  She was hung for her part in the conspiracy to kill Pres.Lincoln.                                                                                       

Surratt House

Well, it has been a terrific two weeks - that's about how often I get around to writing this blog.  I love being here is this area of such historical significance, but most of all I love the members of the church I am getting to know here, feeling of their love of the Gospel, and seeing the strength of the members here in Maryland.  The Gospel is true wherever you are, and it is so wonderful to feel the influence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in members' lives and to also feel how much it means to them to be members of the Church!  I am so grateful to have this experience and opportunity, and to be able to serve the Lord.   Thank you for your love and support!  Have a great week!