CELEBRATIONS IN SUMMER

 What a great way to head into July...7 months in the mission field and we were invited to join the departing missionaries in two weeks go through a temple session.  We filled an entire session with the office staff, President and Sister Clarke, missionaries and us.  It's one of the largest groups going home.  They will be missed.  I wish I could have taken a picture of the entire celestial room filled with all of the sisters and elders and their companions leaving.  Of course, sisters were crying and we felt the spirit as we knew how much time, effort and emotions have been given to their missions.  We have such good leadership and senior missionaries to associate with.  It was a time when the spirit was so strong.  We will miss Elders Vincent, Fleming, Jacobson, Eliason and Daley.  Sisters leaving were Mecham, Bingham, Walker and Vance.  We have been richly blessed from these wonderful missionaries.

Missionaries who supported him

We got to take a new member to the Temple for Baptisms.  All of the Elders that taught him were able to go.  They can't transport him so we provide the ride and meet them at the Temple.  What a wonderful time to celebrate his joy with the other missionaries as they did work in the Temple for ancestors.  

Bishop and Longli with Mohammed

We weekly get to sit in on lessons that the missionaries teach.  It was fun to celebrate with the Branch for a 4th of July activity.  We did relays, balloon volleyball, and of course balloon toss at people.  We made cupcakes with American flags in them.  Fun gathering for the YSA Branch.  It was fun to have a traditional 4th of July inside barbecue. It rained a little.   Hamburgers, hotdogs, potato salad, watermelon with apple pie ala mode.  We played some 4th of July trivia games.  How could we not....we live in Washington DC.

Left to right as follows:  District Leader - Elder Bishop, Elder Lutes, Sister Jensen, Sister Smart, Elder Hinton, Sister Andrus, Sister Clouse, Sister Hinton, Sister Hatch and Sister Anderson. 

Transfers are coming...we lose 4 of these and gain 7

We were able to watch "Escape to Germany" on our TV for part of our P-day.  We enjoyed it but "Fighting Preacher" is still our favorite.  Inspections are always associated with transfers.  We have pretty good elders so we prepare a treat with a motivational sayings to "keep up the good work".  

We had a summer intern at the music workshop.  Karen Ferry left tickets for us to attend.  She plays the violin.  We really enjoyed having her join our branch for the summer.  She was an active return missionary that was helpful in fellowshipping.  She was at the National Orchestral Institute.  It featured the songs from John Williams...Star Wars, Harry Potter, Jurassic Park.  What a wonderful evening out.  

This month Obena got baptized.  He was taught by the sisters in our branch.  He was definitely prepared.  Many of these "friends" of the missionaries are not close to the church building, so some we pick up to be taught or give rides to be brought to Church.  They change their schedules to not work on Sunday and learn about callings in the church.

I have been going to PT for my shoulder since the end of April.  I had a bike accident on an activity down in DC that didn't help things in my shoulder.  After several nights not sleeping well I saw the orthopedic and we scheduled surgery.  Tender mercy came when only one spot opened the end of July where nothing was available until September.  The thought of waiting was not high on the list for me. The Lord definitely had an influence in getting me in sooner.   It meant I had to do bloodwork, EKG, and physical in one week.  We did it!  I really like the Dr. and I'm now about 2 1/2 weeks past surgery.  PT is helping get mobility.  I had a bicep tendon that had to be severed to get rid of impingement.  I had some bone spurs,  but one extremely large one was in the collar bone.  It's been a blessing to have it taken care of.  Funny thing is they gave me a block in the right arm and it literally could have tipped me over if it hadn't been in a sling.  It was definitely dead weight until the next day.  Elder Hinton was a great care giver.  I have a high bed and slept in the other room for a couple of days because I couldn't get up on the bed without hurting.  I realized many of my dresses were hard to get into with an arm that couldn't go up for a week. Bandages are off and on the mend now.

We have several normal activities with missionaries on p-days.  They came over to make cinnamon rolls in my kitchen and we love having them over to eat.   Apparel is brought over to be repaired.  After our FHE one night we found out the missionaries money was detained from the church.  They actually got it the next day but they didn't know how long it would be.   The sisters said we'll be fine we budgeted.  The guys were desperate.  I think with all three they had about $3 left.  So at around 9 we left and hit the grocery store.  We picked up milk, cereal, bread, peanut butter and jelly.  This was definitely appreciated when we dropped it by around later that night.  

Love seeing our past missionaries

Transfer assignment

Our senior missionaries had an activity together.  We went to the Bowie Baysox game at Prince George's stadium  A few sprinkles but had a great time interacting.  We gave a ride to Sister Solomon and Sister Jackson who live in our same apartment complex. We had seats next to President and Sister Clarke.  It was fun to get to know them better.  They had the best fireworks show we have ever seen  and they lasted longer than even at home.

Our thoughts have deeply been aware of our friends and family.  Our wonderful kids held our reunion at Palisades in Utah.  Families are forever and so glad they made some wonderful memories together and included us by sending pics and songs.  They were just missing a few.    It's hard to only be able to convey through calls, cards or texts the feelings of our hearts during more grave situations.    Longtime friends, Dave Frampton and Ken Fitzgerald passed away.  Another friend is dealing with Stage 4 cancer.  With this information it's been a blessing to testify that the Gospel of Jesus Christ provides comfort in knowing the Plan of Salvation.  It provides a way through Jesus Christ to live again with our families.  We are grateful to spread the knowledge of Jesus Christ and what He has done to redeem us from sin and receive the blessings of the Temple.

Kids getting together for Family Reunion

 

We have the opportunity to facilitate addiction recovery "Hope in Christ" weekly on Sunday.  Elder Hinton sends messages throughout the week to encourage them.  I'll find some quotes and motivational messages and give him some.  He received this one day.  "By the way, I wanted to thank you for your first text to me yesterday.  It came at a moment when I needed it most and reminded me that God is aware of me."  We have had a slower month due to recovery from my surgery.   It has healed a little at a time, much like growing and  improving in the gospel line upon line.  We're grateful for the lessons we are learning in the mission field.  We testify of it's truthfulness and blessing to being part of God's army here in Washington DC.  Our Mission Leader said, "God is good, all the time:...

Love, to you all

Elder and Sister Hinton