Since most of you might not know me, I would like to take a few sentences to introduce myself. I attended the Montgomery Chinese Branch from 2006 to 2008. My name is Lin Tsai. In 2006, I lived in Virginia and attended GW graduated school in Washington DC. Usually I attended the local Arlington ward in Virginia. However, my friend’s family lived in Gaithersburg which was close to Montgomery Chinese Branch. So when I visited my friend in Gaithersburg, I attended the Chinese Branch.
After attending the Chinese Branch a couple of times, I was invited to join them. It’s a hard decision for me to decide which ward I should attend. And finally when I decided to attend that Chinese Branch, on that Sunday I received a calling in my local ward. It’s very embarrassing that I got released right after I was called since I transferred my membership record to Chinese Branch and told my bishop about the situation. Since I still lived in Virginia and did not have a car as well as a driving license, it took me almost an hour to take the metro to go to Gaithersburg. Besides, I need someone to come to the metro station to pick me up and give me a ride to the Church. There were so many wonderful members that were willing to give me a ride to the Church. I cannot name them one by one, but their love always reminding me of our Savior’s love.
One time I was invited to give a speech during the sacrament meeting. However, for some reasons, when I called for a ride I could not reach anyone since everybody was practicing the choir that morning. Finally, I found brother Adam Fugal was available to give me a ride. The reason he was not in a choir that was because he got a very serious flu and was not able to go to Church. I felt terrible to ask him to give me a ride, but he said if I needed to give a speech, he would do everything to make sure that I was able to deliver my speech on that Sunday.
It’s the heritage of Chinese Branch—Christ’s like love and charity. Montgomery Chinese Branch was so dear to me because I always feel love and accepted when I attended the Church meetings and the activities. For me, the Branch was just like a big family, and I was part of them. I was single at that time, well, still single now, but I never felt alone because I had a big family over there.
I was blessed to serve as a member of Relief Society presidency at that time. We studied scriptures together and learn from one another. It’s such a blessing to attend Chinese Branch and feel the Lord’s spirit every sacrament. I love the Washington DC temple and went there with the faithful Branch members often. I feel so grateful that I could be one of those faithful members. Now, I moved to California and work as a teacher. Oh, how I miss Maryland and the Chinese Branch!
