Baptism of Tyler Huang

On Sunday, right after Branch Conference, Tyler Huang, 8 years old, was baptized and confirmed by Elder Chiang. His older brothers, Hubert and Humphrey, offered the prayers at the baptismal service. The Primary children sang a Primary song for Tyler. Congratulations, Tyler, on your baptism.

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2010 Montgomery Chinese New Year Party

In celebration of the Year of the Tiger, our Chinese Branch gathered with family and friends at the Potomac Chapel on Saturday, February 20. Countless hours of planning, practicing, and preparation were contributed by Sister Li-Fang Tsai and the branch members. Many sisters provided delicious cuisine for the dinner.  Afterwards, the attendees were given an opportunity to learn several aspects of Chinese by participating in hands-on activities.  These included creating sticky rice ball treats, using an abacus, learning Chinese calligraphy, and making herbal bags.  On the stage, some participants competed in a chopstick contest, a threading race, and an abacus competition.

Following the activities, Steve Anderson and Sophy Fugal were the emcees for the dance and music program.  The traditional lion dance dazzled the audience by its spectacular display of athletic prowess and musical talent.  Ada and Alice Huang led the two lions manned by young men (Simon Liu, Joshua Tsai, Hubert Huang, and David Chang).  In the background, Andrew Groberg, David Chang, and Peng Lin provided the rhythm with the drum and cymbals.  Next, the Primary children sang the popular children song, "Two Tigers," followed by the three Kuehne girls (Adayla, Tally, and Ryann) singing "xxx."  Stephanie Tan displayed her skills on the guzheng, the Chinese zither.  Then Benji Li demonstrated the Erwu Martial Arts with his sword.  In the finale of the program, the youth performed the famous Chinese Valentine romance, The Cowherd and the Weaving Girl, with elaborate costumes and stunning choreography.  At the end of the program, the audience were given an opportunity to eat a special treat, the sticky rice balls, and the children went on stage to receive their red envelopes from Hal and Kaye Jewel, Ying Chen, and Brian and Ann Johnson.  The children then used play money to buy fun toys and treats.

Chinese New Year is a time for families and friends to be together and celebrate the end of the old year and the beginning of a new year.  Although we were exhausted by the end of the evening, it was worth every bit of work to share this special time with our loved ones and old friends, to pass these precious traditions to our children, and to help usher in the new year with great hopes of peace and prosperity.  Happy Chinese New year, and welcome to the Year of the Tiger!

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Young Single Adult Activity

February 14 was a special date this year because it was both Valentine's Day and the first day of the Chinese New Year.  After church at 4pm that day, the young single adults gathered in the Tsai home for an evening of food, games, and spiritual enrichment.  At the beginning, Sister Tsai shared analogies of cooking beef noodles to living the Gospel. She compared the fire on the stove to our spiritual motivation and drive, thereby demonstrating the need to maintain our fire constant.  Adding spices represented learning and living the Gospel principles; recipes were compared to the commandments and doctrines; and the cutting and cooking of the meat was likened to the atonement and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  After the lesson, everyone enjoyed the cooked beef noodles in addition to the curry dumplings brought by David Chiao.  Some played Apples to Apples Bible Edition.  Elder Chiang shared a short spiritual message.  About ten people attended in all.

 

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Youth Ice Skating Activity

At the beginning of the snow storm on the weekend of Saturday, January 30, some brave youth ventured to the Cabin John Ice Skating Rink for a short but fun ice skating activity.  Everyone was an hour late, but the short hour of ice skating was sufficient for both the talented skater and the first-time amateur.  The four young men and two young women enjoyed this opportunity in a packed rink to exercise and to be together.  Afterwards, everyone enjoyed the donuts Brother Theodore provided.  Thanks, Brother Theodore!

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15 Minute Scripture Challenge

I will always treasure the simple words of the Primary song, "Search, Ponder, and Pray."

I love to read the Holy Scriptures, and every time I do
I feel the Spirit start
to grow within my heart-
a testimony that they’re true.
Search, ponder and pray are the things that I must do.
The Spirit will guide
and deep inside,
I’ll know the scriptures are true.

     This is the essence of Moroni's promise.  In Moroni 10:3-4, Moroni exhorts us that when we read the Book of Mormon, that we should ponder it in our hearts, and "ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true."  If we pray sincerely with faith, God promises us that "by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."
     I challenge each member of our branch who can read to read the scriptures at least 15 minutes each day.  If we use these 15 minutes or more each day to read the scriptures consistently every day, to ponder about God's mercy and the significance of the scriptures in our lives, and to pray for the Spirit to guide us, then the Gospel principles will sink deep into our hearts, the Holy Spirit will sustain us through our trials, and our testimonies will grow stronger.  May we do so throughout this coming year and through our whole lives.

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