2018-09-01 Youth Apple picking activity

On Labor Day Monday, Brother and Sister Ning organized our branch youth activity to go pick Honey Crisp apples at their favorite spot, Miller Marker Orchard in Winchester VA. Many youth attended with their families and everyone picked a lot of great apples. The small kids had a great time riding the carts while the older youth played their most favorite game: Monopoly Deal!

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Baptism of Kevin Wu

Today, August 19, was the long-anticipated baptism for Kevin Wu.  Although the time he has studying with the missionaries has been relatively short, he has been fairly active at church and youth activities.  Brother Da Zhao conducted the baptism.  With Sister Yang Yang Deng Wei at the piano and Megan Tsai conducting the music, the program begin with the opening hymn, "Come Follow Me" and an invocation by Sister Yiheng Wang.  Brother Benjamin Tsai talked about baptism and its significance.  Then Elder Packer baptized Kevin.  The trio, Elders Anderson, McGhie, and Packer, sang "Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy" in Chinese.  Then Patrick Shen, our branch mission leader, discussed the importance of the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Brother Javier Urbina, first counselor in the Young Men's Presidency, officially welcomed Kevin to the Branch Young Men's program.  He was followed by Brother John Harding, Young Men's President in the Kentlands Ward, who welcomed Kevin to the combined Kentlands/Montgomery Young Men's program.  President Charles Huang, branch president, then officially welcomed Kevin into the Montgomery Chinese Branch.  The meeting was concluded with the closing hymn "The Iron Rod" and a benediction by Brother Wesley Wei.  Coincidentally, after the baptism, the branch held a linger longer for Elder Packer, who gave his last Sacrament talk in the branch today and who will be finishing his mission this Wednesday.  Congratulations to Kevin on this special baptismal day!

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Baptism of David Wang

Today we were honored to attend the baptism of David Wang.  Being a young teenager and having come to our branch for a couple of years now, he was baptized by Elder McGhie.  Both of his parents and several friends came to witness the baptism.  Adam Fugal spoke on baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Cary Ning welcomed David to the Young Men, and President Huang welcomed him to the branch.  Congratulations to David on this special day!

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Wedding for Yiheng Wang and Yang Yang

On a very rainy evening, a few friends gathered at the Kentlands Chapel to celebrate the marriage of Yiheng Wang to Yang Yang.  President Charles Huang performed a very brief wedding ceremony in the chapel, where the bride and groom took their vows for each other.  Then with the help of Kevin Wang, the best man, the bride and groom exchanged rings.  The two of them posed for photos with individual families in the chapel.

In the cultural hall, after a blessing on the food, the groom and bride said a few words.  Then we enjoyed a deliciously catered dinner.  To test how much the groom knew his wife, he was blindfolded and asked to shake the hands of several young ladies including his bride.  After several rounds, he discovered his wife.  Later, the bride and groom cut the cake.  Finally, the bride tossed her bouquet to a line of eligible maidens.  Everyone helped in the clean up.

Despite the very wet weather this evening, all those who participated enjoyed this festive celebration.  We were honored to witness the union of Yiheng to Yang Yang.  To see their joy added to our joy.  We wish the best for the newlyweds in their new lives.  Congratulations, Yiheng and Yang Yang!

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2018-07-01 Baptism of Daniel

Today Daniel was baptized by his father Greg. Many of their relatives along with church members attended this beautiful baptism. The program started with piano music provided by Henri. Da Zhao gave a talk about baptism and the Holy Ghost showing Daniel a bowl of water, pepper, and cleaning detergent representing the world, dirty things of the world, and how baptism cleanses him. Shortly followed by the talk, Daniel was baptized by his father. While they were changing, many people wrote congratulatory notes to Daniel. Immediately after the baptism, Greg confirmed Daniel by a circle of Melchizedek Priesthood holders. Following that Abbey welcomed him into the Primary and then Charles welcomed him to the branch. Daniel was ecstatic after the baptism and his father said he was 'glowing with smiles' the rest of the day.

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