October 30, 2017

Fall is in full bloom here in Southern Maryland - there are so many types of trees, presenting their variety of colors everywhere.  It is spectacular seeing them wherever we are driving.  I have always loved the Fall season, and have especially enjoyed it here the past few weeks!

       Bolling Air Force Base       

         Another new experience has been being able to go on Bolling Air Force Base to see the sisters from our Anacostia Ward who live there.  We got a pass a couple of weeks ago which will last us for 3 months, until it's time to come home.  There are about 10 families living there on the base, so it has been great getting to know them.

View of D.C. from the base

Patriotic + BYU Alumni

                                                                   

         We enjoyed some activities with the White Plains Ward this past couple of weeks.  The Relief Society social was getting to know the sisters through a favorite "shoe story".  There were some interesting shoes brought, and more interesting stories told!!  The ward is so large now that they have combined the two wards in White Plains and this was a great way for sisters to get acquainted! 

                                                                           

Dinosaur costume

Babies and decorated trunks

         We also had a great time at the ward's "Trunk or Treat."  What fun to see so many dressed in costumes, from babies to the older members of the ward, and to see the clever and fun ways they had to decorate their trunks.  They enjoyed the chili cook off and great desserts as well!  I actually baked a pumpkin cake for it - one of my few times baking while here!               

Gourleys in costume!

        Of course, it's always a highlight when I get to see my grandkids!  It was only for a short while Sunday morning when I drove to Stacie and David's ward to see their children in the Primary Sacrament meeting program.  Since it was early enough to get up to Anacostia for my meetings there, I felt it was special to be able to see and hear them in their program.  Extra special for a proud grandma like me!!     

With Liam and Isla - Primary program

        We have had many great experiences with the sisters in both the White Plains and Anacostia Wards, as we try to see how we can help best.  We have found such a need in our new ward that we serve wherever the need is that Sunday - doing the music in Relief Society, helping in the Nursery, or whatever it may be.  They have too few active members to cover everything, so we are glad to be of help.  There are wonderful, humble and sweet sisters, and I feel so thankful to get to know and try to bless their lives however we can.
          I have found I am not as "invincible" as I thought, and have had to slow down a little while trying to get over Bronchitis this past week.  The change of seasons seems to have got the best of me, but I am doing much better since seeing a doctor and getting on an antibiotic, etc.  I am grateful for modern medicine, and for the good health I have had most of the time here.  Life is Good, and I know my Heavenly Father loves and watches over me, and each of us.  I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve and for the blessings in my life, for my wonderful children and grandchildren, and especially for the Gospel of Jesus Christ,  Have a good week (or two) 'til I write again.

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!!

October 1, 2017

With adorable Antonio

We continue having such tremendous experiences as we get to know the wonderful sisters in the Anacostia Ward - what a spirit they have!  It is hard to describe their love for the Savior and desire to serve.  While there aren't as many active members, we feel of their faith and love.  We had been cautioned about safety issues in this area of the stake, but we have certainly felt the strength of the Lord blessing and protecting us in so many ways.  It is amazing the protection we feel wearing our missionary badges wherever we go.

Sister Brown with Jonathan Jr.

We especially feel the protection of the Lord as we drive to this new area, part of it located in Washington D.C.  As we were driving on the expressway yesterday a car ahead of us hit the back of another car, throwing his car across the other three lanes to the edge of the road.  It was truly a miracle that we were able to avoid hitting him, but it left us shaking the rest of the day, and extremely grateful to the Lord for His protecting care in our driving!
        We will miss working with Sister Walker and Sister Mabey in the Calvert Ward and being near the Chesapeake Bay, but we do feel that the remainder of our mission should focus on the Anacostia Ward, while continuing to help some in the White Plains Ward, as the needs of these two wards seem the greatest.  We are going forth with confidence and the strength of the Lord as we continue to serve and help the sisters in these wards.

Dinner with Sisters Walker and Mabey        Chesapeake Bay 

I really enjoyed having Daylen and Ashley visit from Utah last week.  While they spent a lot of their time here seeing the many historical sights, I was able to enjoy some time with them.  Dinner at a fun Japanese Sushi place, seeing Arlington Cemetery, and seeing inside the West Wing of the White House with them and Stacie and David were highlights of the time together.  We were glad to get "our turn" seeing where David works!  

At Arlington Cemetary

Sushi dinner with Daylen and Ashley

White House tour with David, Stacie, Daylen and Ashley   

Sister Brown and myself at the White House

                

Stacie and David at his office

In the EOB, where most of the work is done

         While they don't allow pictures taken inside of this part of the White House, David gave us a great tour of the Oval Office, press room, cabinet room, and areas not often seen (except on TV).  The EOB (Executive Office Building) was very interesting to see as well, where much of the real work of the cabinet members and their staff is done.  Thanks, David, for your time and service!

         I have felt the Lord's help so much in my life lately and have enjoyed being able to feel the spirit of General Conference over the past couple of days.  How blessed we are to be able to hear from our leaders, the apostles and general authorities, to know we are led by a Prophet of God today.  I am so grateful for my testimony that I know this is Christ's church on the earth today, and to feel the love of the Savior in my life in so many ways.  Thanks to each of you for your love and support!