CHRISTMAS WEEK

We had our tiny little tree decorated in our living room.  We got to talk to  all our children during the day and then we had a zoom with almost everyone.  We were able to volunteer to work at the Washington DC Visitor's Center Christmas Day.  We worked from 4 to 9 p.m.  We had a huge crowd visiting tonight.  We recorded over 9600 people during the day.  There were people from all over.  Jamaica asked where their nativity display was located.  They had over 81 countries and 150 nativity displays.  Jamaica was requested for next year.

Christmas Day 2023

Our kids had this picture painted for Christmas and we loved the way it turned out.

Our district that we meet weekly with for training.
They are a great example for us.  We have opportunities for us to see how they are teaching and any help we can be for them.  They are so supportive of us "senior" missionaries.
 

 






Some of the wonderful experiences were greeting people as they came in the door of the Visitor's Center.  Many would stop and ask what it takes to get in to see the Temple. Some of the children asked what can get them into the Castle.  It gave us opportunity to talk about the meeting places that we have where we meet each week on Sunday.  If there was time we'd explain how you need to be a member of the Church and meet certain requirements to enter into the Temple.  In the Visitor's Center there is a model of the Temple and sisters were there to further talk about the Temple.  It answered many of their questions.

We would work a shift and ended working on December 30 for our last shift. We met people from all over the world.  Some people have been making this a tradition for several years of coming to the Visitor's Center.  We had our friend's the Dahl's granddaughter serving at the Visitor's Center with us.  We were counting people and then a shift in the Creche (Nativity) Room where we were to oversee those who came to see them.

                                                

We brought some of our branch members for Family Home Evening.  We brought donuts to have after seeing the lights and the Nativity displays.  We attended the concert that they have every night that the lights are on.  We had some members and "friends" come to join us for the evening.  We often give rides to those needing to get to church or activities.  Our church starts at 11 on Sunday but we'll leave usually at 9:45 to pick up 2 or 3 people and then head back to church.  Due to the fact we're a Single Adult branch our boundaries are pretty spread out.  We have 6 single adult wards and our branch which makes up the Single Adult Stake in our area.  

Model of the inside

of the Washington, DC

Temple