Commentaries on 2022 for the Branch

As we turn our minds to the new year, we cannot help but be astonished at the awesome historic events in 2022 for the Montgomery Branch. Let us review:

1. Perhaps our last totally virtual Chinese New Party was organized by Jason Liu and Brad Johnson and was held on Zoom on February 12. Who can forget the GongXi FaCai song and dance by Brother George Chang?
2. Three missionaries faithfully completed their missions and returned in 2022: Meimei Lu from the California Oakland/San Francisco Mission, Megan Tsai from the Taiwan Taichung Mission, and Richard Huang from the California Arcadia Mission. Elder Isaiah Shen began his mission to the Hawaii Honolulu Mission this year. We were strengthened by their diligent service and immaculate examples.
3. Dan Bendall was called to serve in the bishopric in the Strathmore YSA Ward, so he and Debbie moved from our branch. It was sad to see them leave. They served in many capacities, including Sacrament pianist, Branch Temple and Family History Leader, and Elders Quorum counselor.
4. On March 6, the Montgomery Branch officially moved out of the Washington DC Stake, where we had grown up for the last 30 years, to the Seneca MD Stake. Both President Nathan Sheets and President Darren Arnold attended this historic Sacrament meeting. In addition, President Charles Huang announced that the official name of the branch changed from the Montgomery Chinese Branch to the Montgomery Mandarin Branch.
5. The Montgomery Branch 30th Anniversary Celebration took place on May 14 and 15. The festivities featured an indoor cultural barbecue picnic, a historic Sacrament Meeting, and a super fireside. This branch reunion was unique which showcased a reunion logo design contest, tee shirts with the winning logo design, and a branch history book. We were so ecstatic to see quite a few former missionaries and members return for the reunion.
6. Many Branch members had the opportunity to participate, serve, and invite friends to the Washington DC Temple Open House from March to June. In addition, Branch members had the privilege of attending the Washington DC Temple Rededication on August 14 in the Montgomery Village Chapel.
7. This year five of our beloved branch members passed away: Huayun Zhao, Paul & Celia Feng, George Chang, and Jane Tsai. We mourn their loss but know they are in a better place.
8. On December 18, President Darren Arnold released Charles Huang, who has served faithfully with his counselors for 8 years, and called a new branch president, Da Zhao, with Wesley Wei and Jason Liu as counselors. President Zhao is the 7th branch president of the Montgomery Branch.

This year we have endured through many trials and struggles, including the effects of the pandemic, moving to a new stake, members moving away, and members passing away.  But we truly have been blessed to witness many miracles of the Branch Reunion, the Temple Open House and Rededication, the service of 4 full-time missionaries from our Branch, and a new branch presidency.  We are grateful for all these struggles and blessings and for God's help in strengthening us.  May we move forward to a greater 2023, and the Lord continue to bless the Montgomery Branch and its members and new leadership.

Ben Tsai