2008 ~ MCB Happenings

12/25/2008

2008 Year in Review for MCB Happenings

12/25/2008 No comments

Please note the new church schedule on Sunday starting January 4, 2009. Our Sacrament Meeting now begin at 1pm. If anyone has completed the reading challenge for 1 Nephi, please send an email to tsai2060@verizon.net.

In 2008, we have enjoyed a great year. During the year, nine brothers and sisters have joined our branch by baptism. Some of these have been reported in previous posts.

Emily Liang
Jackie Zhuang
Ada, Alice, and Amanda Huang
David Chiao
Jie Zhang
Paris Wang and Sarah Guo

Our activities have included the following:

Chinese New Year party
Primary Easter Egg Hunt
Missionary Fireside at Visitor Center
Girls Camp
Dragon Boat Activity
Girls Camp Fireside
Mid-autumn Moon Festival
Visitor Center Fireside
Christmas party

In 2009, we said good-bye to the following full-time missionaries who served in our branch:

Elder Belnap
Elder Witmer
Elder Terry
Sister Hamblin
Sister Kwun

Our Chinese New Year celebration will be held at the Washington DC Stake Center at 6pm on Saturday, January 31, 2009. Please bring a dish to share.

We wish everyone a very happy and prosperous new year!

Emily Liang's baptism and Sister missionaries' departure

12/21/2008 No comments

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2008 Branch Christmas Party

12/20/2008 No comments

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Baptism of Jackie Zhuang

12/14/2008 No comments

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2008-12 Newsletter

12/10/2008 1 comment

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2008-11-15 Primary Activity - Photo framing

11/16/2008 No comments

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2008-11 Newsletter

11/06/2008 No comments

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Baptism of Ada, Alice, and Amanda

11/04/2008 No comments

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1 Nephi Challenge

10/26/2008 No comments

Our beloved Stake Presidency has set for us three goals: come unto Christ, be prepared, and go to the temple. In accordance with these three goals, I challenge each member of our branch who can read to read the whole book of 1 Nephi. Why 1 Nephi? Because it contains the history and revelations of the first family in the Book of Mormon. Lehi’s family was not much different from our families. His family was not perfect and included rebellious children, arguments, and sometimes lack of faith. We can learn much from reading about Lehi’s experiences. I ask each of you to read 1 Nephi and write down each verse that have to do with coming to Christ, being prepared, and going to the temple. I challenge you to do this by the end of the year, December 31. If you do so, I give you the same promise made by President Hinckley in 2005. “Without reservation I promise you that if each of you will observe this simple program, regardless of how many times you previously may have read the Book of Mormon, there will come into your lives and into your homes an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God.” (President Hinckley, Ensign, August 2005) May God bless each of you as you strive to come to Christ.

New baby boy for Kugler's

10/23/2008 No comments

Kristy and Chris Kugler proudly announce that their new son, Jonas Timothy Kugler, was born on October 20, 2008, at 8:29 pm. He is a massive 9 pounds, 15 ounces, and 20 inches long. Both he and Kristy (and Chris) are healthy and doing well. Congratulations to the Kugler's for expanding their family!

Visitor Center Fireside

10/21/2008 No comments

On Friday evening, October 17, the sister missionaries planned a special musical fireside based on the theme of Jesus Christ, called Reflections of Christ. With Brother Adam Fugal, our branch mission leader, conducting, about 35 people attended the fireside. In the first half, we enjoyed a musical feast including the famous youth orchestra's rendition of "Rejoice, the Lord Is King" conducted by Sister Sylvia Reiff, the Young Women's choir singing "My Peace I give unto You," a harp/cello duet of "Be Still My Soul" by Sister Hamblin and Brother Vincent Li, "The Lord Is My Shepherd" played by the Youth Orchestra, and Sister Li-Fang Tsai singing "I Wonder When He Comes Again" on the guitar. We were then ushered to the Photo Exhibit room, where we were treated to a special display of photographs by Mark Maybry, called "Reflections of Christ," depicting the life of Christ, from His birth to His death. In the background, beautiful music set the mood for thoughtful viewing of the life of Christ. We could feel the spirit from this masterpiece. The last part of the program was started with a special duet of "Did You Think to Pray" by Sister Kwun and Hamblin. Finally, a special testimony meeting kicked off by Sister Yu concluded the evening. After the fireside, we enjoyed treats prepared by the sister missionaries. Overall, we were very lucky to come to the Visitor Center and enjoy this special time together.

Whey are they now?

10/07/2008 No comments

We are starting a new feature called "Where Are They Now?" on this blog site. Each month, we will feature articles reporting on one or two of our alumni. In this manner, we hope to continue to keep in touch with you on a grander scale. To accomplish this, we are soliciting articles written in the first person about yourself with some or all of the following information:

1. Who you are; when you were in our branch; were you a member or missionary?; if member, what callings did you have?; if missionary, who were your companions, and who was your mission president?

2.What are one or two of your memorable experiences in the branch?

3. What are you doing now? Studying? Working? Are you single or married? If married, how many children do you have?

4. If you have a web site or blog site, please let us know.

5. If you wish, please send one or more photos of you and your family.

Starting this month, we will post one or two articles each month. Look forward to hearing from you.

Cantonese Translation of General Conference

9/27/2008 No comments

President Harrison, our beloved stake president, has approved a Cantonese translation room for all sessions of General Conference. During all 5 session of conference, Cantonese translation will be provided in the Young Women's Room (with the baptismal font) in the Potomac Chapel. Two sessions will be held on October 4 and 5, 2008, from 12pm to 2pm and from 4pm to 6pm. Priesthood Session will be broadcast from 8pm to 10pm on Saturday, October 4. We encourage all Cantonese speaking members, family, friends, and investigators to come and listen to the words of the prophet. Mandarin translation will still be provided in the Relief Society Room of the Potomac Chapel, and English will still be broadcast in the main chapel. Come join us in listening to General Conference.

2008-10 Newsletter

9/27/2008 No comments

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2008-09 Mid-Autumn Moon Festival

9/20/2008 No comments

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Directions to Foulger-Pratt Farm

9/19/2008 No comments

Please click on link for directions to Foulger-Pratt Farm. It is located on bottom of page.

http://montgomerybranch.blogspot.com/2006/09/directions-to-building-locations.html

Relief Society Service Project

9/15/2008 No comments

On Sunday, August 31, the Relief Society planned and executed a wonderful service project at the Montgomery Village Care & Rehabilitation nursing home. About 15 sisters, Sisters Kwun and Hamblin, 4 young women, and one young men brought good cheer to about 15 seniors in wheelchairs. They sang some beautiful songs. Then one by one each of the sisters and the young women read a thoughtful quote or scripture and presented a specially wrapped gift to one of the seniors. The opportunity to serve others here echoed the teaching by Jesus in Matthew 25:40, which says, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Thanks to the Relief Society President for planning this successful activity, and thanks to those who came to support it.

2008-09 Newsletter

9/01/2008 No comments

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Baby Boy for Shirts Family

8/23/2008 No comments

Congratulations to Jack and Natalie Shirts for the birth of their first child and son, Jackson. Jack was better known to us as Elder Shirts or 石長老. For the statistics, please enjoy the photo card provided by the Shirts family. Gongxi!

(Dearest reader, please feel free to share with us news about you and your family. Send your news to tsai2060@verizon.net)

Young Boy Hugs President Bush

8/13/2008 No comments

A few days ago (on August 8, 2008) at the opening of the new US Embassy in China, a young boy approached President Bush while he was visiting at the event and called him, "Mr. President." President Bush then picked him up and was hugged by this young boy. The two photos are on the internet at the White House web site:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/08/images/20080808-1_d-0540-2-515h.html

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/08/images/20080808-1_d-0531-2-515h.html

What made this special for our branch is that this young boy is our branch's very own Asher Sevy. Asher moved to China last month with his parents, Travis and Lindsay, and his sister, Mayah. We missed them very much. But we are comforted to hear news from them so soon and are even more honored to know that he is now a celebrity. For, how many parents can say that their son has hugged the President of the United States? Way to go, Asher! Have fun, Sevy family, in China! 'Til we meet!

Ben Tsai. (with permission from Travis Sevy to share the news and the photos)