2019-06-26 Blueberry picking activity

採藍莓記

六點一刻鬧鈴聲喚醒沉睡的眼皮，一躍而起，今天慈助會姊妹們約好去採藍莓，不能遲到！水，check，帽子，check， 防曬乳，check， 籃子，check，現金，check，做好萬全準備，go！

姊妹們九點鐘在Butler farm 集合，進入果園後換乘園區採果專車，一行人浩浩浩蕩蕩向目的地前進。在前往藍莓園區時，遙見晴空萬里，白雲朵朵，搭應地上深色淺色的綠木，整個人沐浴在上帝絕美的創作中，啊！感謝主賜给我們這麼美麗的世界。



當車子停在藍莓區時，姊妹們一窩蜂湧入園區，勤奮地摘令人垂涎三尺的藍色寶石－藍莓。姊妹們手中不停地採，口也不得閒，彼此問候近況，交換訊息，當然也試吃😁。日頭近午，豔陽無情地加強它的熱度，似乎驅逐著姊妹們該踏上歸途，快樂的時光總是過得特別快，姊妹們個個提著採收的成果，心滿意足地回家與家人分享。

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Last Seminary Lesson

The final class of the Seminary year was a 2 hour lesson at Brother Tsai's home.  All 9 students attended this special climax.  The students rigorously reviewed the 25 doctrinal mastery scriptures and were tested one last time on them.  Then they discussed the 4 pillars of the restoration: the First Vision, the Book of Mormon, the restoration of the priesthood, and the organization of the Church.  Each of the students received a paper plate award from the class president (Steven Zheng) and class vice president (Isaiah Shen).

The students studied diligently and reaped much knowledge about Church history.  They also had an opportunity to share what they learned about one person in Church history in Sacrament Meeting.  Congratulations to all the students on completing a successful year of Seminary this year.

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2019-05-04 Service Activity at Mount of Olives/Pleasant View Historical Church

The Kentlands Ward and Montgomery Branch had a wonderful Spring Service Activity yesterday at the Mount of Olives Historic Church on Route 28 very close to the Kentlands Ward Building.  It's right in their neighborhood and part of their community.  We cleared, edged, weeded, mulched, and planted and built stone walls around the landscaped monument sign and trees.  We got a lot of good work done and the place looks great.  Both the ward and the branch really got out to support, and we had between 50 and 60 volunteers who worked hard and had a great time together.  The pastor of the church, his wife, and other leaders and long-time members of the church came and met the members and saw what they were doing and could not have been more appreciative.  A very big thanks to Bishop Crowder and Rick and Mary Ellen Blewett of the Kentlands Ward and President Huang and his wife, Sister Sara Lee, of the Montgomery Branch for their organization and support.  The missionaries were there and everyone at the end of the day said how much they had enjoyed working together and meeting new people.  A great job well done, appreciated, and enjoyed by all who came.  Thank you, thank you to everyone involved. -Brother and Sister Clayton Foulger

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2019-03-21 YW quilt making activity

On March 21, 2019 the MCB and Kentlands Ward Relief Society women and all the Young Women got together for a quilt-making activity. They tied quilts for the high school Seniors (including Megan Tsai and Ling Jiang from the MCB) who will be graduating this year. The finished quilts will be graduation gifts that the girls can bring with them to college. -Lauren Ning

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2019-03-10 Baptism of Chloe Yu Han Ge



For the past two years, we have seen Chloe with Michelle and Tiffany at church each Sunday and at many Montgomery Branch activities.  At the baptism today, comments from several attendees indicated that they thought Chloe was already a member of the church.  Indeed, the whole Primary room was filled with friends and family of Chloe.  Chloe's baptism is a strong testament of the support of the whole branch and of Sister Apple Chang.  Apple has been very instrumental in supporting and encouraging Chloe and many children to attend church.

Brother John Huang conducted the baptismal service, with Sister Li-Fang Tsai serving as pianist and Michelle Zheng as music director.  After the opening hymn, "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet," Brother William Zheng offered the invocation.  Sister Sara Huang spoke on the topic of baptism before Elder Chang baptized Chloe.  Sister Tsai played interlude Primary music while attendees wrote congratulatory notes to Chloe.  Sister Abbey Zhao spoke on the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Sister Natalie Hanson from the Kentlands Ward welcomed Chloe to the Young Women, while President Charles Huang welcomed Chloe to the branch.  After the closing hymn, "Beautiful Zion, Built Above," Brother Steven Zheng gave the benediction.

Congratulations, Chloe, and welcome to the Montgomery Branch.

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