2019-08-26 Branch Family Home Evening

Tonight, the Branch Presidency hosted a Branch Family Home Evening to allow Kevin Wu to announce where he is going for his full-time missionary service. About a week earlier, knowledge that he had received his mission call kept everyone in suspense. Finally this evening, all would learn about his mission call. Over 60 folks crowded in the Relief Society room of the Kentlands chapel, including members of the Kentlands Ward, Kevin's friends, and, of course, members of the Montgomery Chinese Branch. From 6:30pm to 7:30pm, Kevin's parents grilled chicken, hot dogs, kielbasa, and skewered vegetables on a stick. There was also congee, salad, and lots of other delicious food. At 7:30pm, Brother Da Zhao conducted a fireside. We sang a glorious round of "Called to Serve" to start the Family Home Evening. Brother Benjamin Tsai was invited to say a few words about Kevin's conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Then Brother John Harding, Kentlands Ward Young Men's President, thanked Kevin for his wonderful example, especially at the Young Men's high adventure experience this year in New Hampshire. The most touching remarks came from Kevin's Mom, as Kevin stood by her side with his arms around her. She spoke of how grateful she was to see the marvelous changes in Kevin after he joined the church. At one time, Kevin choked up in tears during his translation. The fourth speaker was Kevin's Dad. With Kevin translating again, his father thanked the church members for accepting and helping Kevin.

After the speakers, Brother Zhao solicited guesses for where Kevin will serve.  Responses ranged widely from California and Utah to Little Rock, Arkansas, to New York City and Boston and Newark, New Jersey. After the white board was completed filled, Brother Zhao invited Kevin to read his mission call. With lots of emotion, Kevin read his official mission call, assigning him to the Boston Massachusetts Mandarin speaking Mission. He will report to his mission on Wednesday, October 23, 2019. Everyone clapped with joy upon hearing of his mission call. Finally, Brother John Harding took a group photo of everyone who attended. (See photo above)

We are so thrilled for Kevin receiving his mission call to Boston. We wish him success and growth and joy as he prepares for and serves his mission. May the Spirit of the Lord attend him on his mission. Kevin will become the 13th member from the Montgomery Chinese Branch to serve a full-time mission representing the Branch. Congratulations, Kevin, on this great milestone in your life and in the history of the Montgomery Branch.

Photo credit: John Harding

  

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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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