12-30-2009 Baptism for the Dead Activity

This is one of the most exciting activities of the year and maybe one of the biggest turn out from our branch as members attended this service activity. As the Temple President Tingey puts it: "We are giving these people who once lived, a gift that they've been prepared and have been waiting for a very long time"

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Christmas Party

Due to the big snow storm last week beginning December 19, our Christmas party was postponed to Wednesday, December 23. Despite the cancellation and a few members leaving out of town, the party was well-attended with almost 100 people. The cultural hall was decorated with Christmas lights strewn along the walls. Chairs faced the overflow area, which served as a stage for the performance. In the back, tables were set for serving food. Santa's chair in the middle of the cultural hall faced the stage. The theme of the evening was the "Light of the World." The first event was a simple but delicious dinner, consisting of baked ham, mashed potatoes, salad, chocolate cake, sushi, and a white cake with fresh strawberries. Next, Sister Li-Fang Tsai narrated a program, featuring the nativity and the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. Tony & Yiwen Liu acted as Joseph and Mary. Various members acted as shepherds, wise men, angels, and King Herod. Consistent with the theme, the "Light of the World," the actors begin the play by walking around the cultural hall with all of the lights off and each holding an electric candle in their hands and singing "I Have a Dream." At the end of the play, the angels gathered together on stage, held their candles in the dark, and sang "I'll Sing for You." After the closing prayer, the angels sang "Christmas Bells Are Ringing," which signaled the bells from jolly old Saint Nicholas and his dramatic entrance. He took his place at his chair, flanked by Mrs. Claus. The children then lined up for an opportunity to sit on Santa's lap and to share with him their innermost wishes. We thank all those who made this special event possible.

Merry Christmas to all!

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Chinese Triple Combination Available Online

Finally, it has finally arrived.  The newly translated Chinese triple combination in traditional characters is now online in full.  Check it out at

http://scriptures.lds.org/ch/

The standard footnotes and index accompany the scripture text.  You can also access it from the English online scriptures on any book page or chapter page by clicking on the "English" link at the top right corner and then selecting the 4 Chinese characters for "Traditional Chinese" from the list.  That should automatically take you to the corresponding Chinese online page.

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Elder Tsai Begins Mission in Australia

On Wednesday, December 19, Elder Tsai departed the MTC in Provo, Utah, after 13 weeks and has entered his mission in Australia. He will labor there as a full-time missionary for the next 21 months. His address from now on is:

Elder Jonathan Jr-Chi Tsai
Australia Melbourne West Mission
191 Buckley Street Suites 2A & 3
Essendon VIC 3042
Australia

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Branch Scripture Game Night

On Saturday, November 28, the branch held its first ever Branch Scripture Game Night.  We began by playing fun board games including Bible Blurt; Search, Ponder, and Play; Scattegories; and Apples to Apples.  Then two teams were tasked to find 5 clues for a scripture treasure hunt throughout the church building.  Finally, President Hsu Hsueh Wang led us in a challenging scripture chase from the Bible.

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Young Women's Cooking Activity

On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, the young women gathered in the new home of Sister Meili Shen to sharpen their cooking skills. Can you guess what they made?

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Young Single Adult Activity

On Friday, November 20 from 6pm to 8pm, Andrew and Tanisha Groberg organized their first Young Single Adult activity at the Kentlands Chapel cultural hall. Those who attended were Andrew & Tanisha Groberg, David Chiao, Emily Liang, Sherry Wei, David Chiao, Peng Lin, Ben & Annie Otto, and Elders Lo & Cheng. To began the evening, Brother Groberg shared a quick message about forgiveness. Elders Lo and Cheng helped translate. They played some fun games and had some treats. Emily and Sherry became queens of the Jungle in the animal game. David Chiao showed everyone that he was a sharpshooter when he beat all attending in a basketball shooting game. Everyone enjoyed some snacks and enjoyed socializing.

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Appreciation for Missionaries & Farewell to King's

After church on November 15, about 50 people gathered in the Primary Room for the Relief Society Enrichment activity. Tables were lined up against the wall in the hallway, and chairs were set up in the Primary Room. Sister Betty Azucena conducted the fireside, with Sister Susan King as the pianist and Sister Helen He as the chorister. After the opening hymn, Sister Li-Fang Tsai offered the opening prayer. With Joshua Tsai accompanying on the piano, the trio of elders, Elders Cheng, Chang, and Lo sang in English verses from "Praise to the Man" and "All Creatures of Our God and King." Sisters Sherry Wei and Emily Liang expressed their appreciation for the missionaries who taught them. Then the Relief Society choir sang "Sweet is the Work." Elder Cheng shared his feelings about missionary work as he is finishing his mission. President Benjamin Tsai expressed appreciation for Brother Tony King and Sister Susan King and presented to them the missionary plaque for their son, Elder Ryan King, serving in the New Zealand Auckland Chinese Speaking Mission. Time was allotted to Brother and Sister King for sharing their feelings for the short time they were able to spend with us. President Tsai presented to Elders Cheng, Chang, and Lo, gifts prepared by the Relief Society sister with a bag sewed and embroidered by Sister Li-Fang Tsai. After the closing hymn, "God Be with You Till We Meet Again," Sister Dan-Ping Wang offered the closing prayer. We then feasted on the delicious food prepared by the sisters.

Our branch is indebted to the almost 90 full-time missionaries who have served in our branch. They have worked very hard in preparing the hearts of the converts in our branch and have blessed the lives of the members in many ways. We pay tribute to each of them and thank those who are serving in our branch. Thanks, elders!

Our branch has been blessed with the influx of members from other parts of the world. The King's are no exception. Earlier this year, they came to our branch from Beijing. We were so thrilled and happy that they have been with us this year. They have blessed our branch so much in this short time in the callings they have served but more so through their love and friendship and strength. We will miss them as they leave us soon but know that they are in God's care. They have also blessed our branch vicariously through their son, Elder King. Although we have never seen him, we claim him as our very own 6th missionary from our branch. We pray for his success and hope that some day we will be able to meet him in person. Through his parents, he is part of our branch and our branch's history, and in part, he has influenced our branch missionary work by helping to start motivating another wave of missionaries from our branch. Thank you, Tony & Susan, and good luck. God speed. 'Til we meet.

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Primary Halloween Trunk-or-Treat

This year our branch joined the Kentland's ward to hold a Trunk-or-Treat with them! It was a blast and the Primary kids had a terrific time.

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Relief Society Enrichment Activity

On October 16 evening, our relief society had a Home-making activity. We were so happy to invite Ms. Lily Lin, who is the president of Mother Classroom of Greater Washington DC. There were about 40 sisters attended. Ms. Lin gave us a presentation to show us how to make unique onion bread and famous Taiwanese snack – Pineapple Cake. She shared with us her excellent skills on cooking and baking and the knowledge of making health food. Every one of us even tried to make the pineapple cake by our own hands. At the end, we enjoyed the delicious and fresh food what we made. It was a great opportunity and wonderful experience that all of our sisters get together and learn the way to enrich our lives. In the Scripture, it says: “And they did a fellowship on with another, and did rejoice one with another, and did have great joy….” (Hel. 6:3) Sherry Wei

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Baptism of Sidney Tan

Everyone please welcome the newest member of our branch, Sidney Tan. Please take a second to welcome him to our branch.

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2009 Mid-Autumn Moon Festival

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Three Missionaries from Branch

For the first time in the branch's history, we now have three missionaries from our branch serving at the same time.

Elder Ryan King is our 6th missionary and is now serving in the New Zealand Auckland Chinese Speaking Mission. Although we have not met Elder King yet, we have come to know his parents, Tony & Susan King, who came to our branch from Beijing, China.

Sister Jessica Tsai, our 7th missionary, is now serving in the Colorado Denver South Mission. She entered the field on September 23 and is serving in Glenwood Junction, Colorado.

Elder Jonathan Tsai, our 8th missionary, is still in the MTC learning Chinese. On December 15, he will be headed for the Australia Melbourne West Chinese Speaking Mission.

We are very proud of these missionaries. We hope that you will take time to write them.

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Young Single Adult Activity

On Monday evening at the Tsai home, 6 young single adults gathered for Family Home Evening along with the Fugal family.

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Young Women Knitting Activity

On Yom Kippur, September 28, with school out, the Young Women gathered together at the home of Sister Abbey Zhao for an enjoyable crocheting activity.

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