January 11-17 Family History and Visitor Center Opportunities

Last week, we had several opportunities to help others with family history.  I'm happy when I get to help others begin thinking more about their ancestors and families.

In December, I gave a short talk to the sisters serving in the Visitor Center. This part of the talk describes some of the reasons family history is important to me.

"Christmas is a time when we love to share gifts with our families and friends!  

FamilySearch.org is a place where we can share wonderful gifts with our family members - past, present, and  future.  At FamilySearch, we can celebrate the lives of family members who lived in the past by sharing photos, stories, and memories.  As we share these memories, we can strengthen those who are living today and those who will live in the future.  In an article in the New York Times entitled, The Stories That Bind Us,  Bruce Feiler reported that: 'From stories, children gain insights into how to deal with the situations they encounter in life.  Knowledge about how ancestors lived strengthens families and helps individuals cope with the stresses and strains of everyday life.'”

https://www.lds.org/callings/temple-and-family-history/sunday-lesson/stories-that-bind?lang=eng

I feel happy when I help someone add photos and stories to family tree.  These memories can strengthen our families and help us remember the people we are connected to.

https://www.lds.org/topics/family-history/rootstech/elder-packer/can-you-hear-them?lang=eng

The past couple of weeks, Elder Knight has spent lots of time improving and updating Facebook Group Family History Lessons.  I assisted.  More about the lessons - later.

The Visitor Center is a great place to take friends and the people we meet. There are many things to learn about and think about, and the programs are always uplifting and inspirational.

Elder and Sister Eyring have served as directors of the Visitor Center for the past 2 years.  Sister Eyring is an incredible violinist.  Last Sunday, the missionaries shared their talents and inspirational messages.  The Eyrings are going home.  They were asked to speak and Sister Eyring was asked to accompany missionaries who were singing and to play additional pieces.  She said, that when she was called to serve this mission, she was counseled to play her violin, and she was told that people would feel the spirit through her music.  I'm grateful for many opportunities to hear her play the violin and feel the spirit through music. This was a wonderful evening, and we are grateful for the opportunity of getting to know the Eyrings as we served at the Visitor Center.  Elder Hardin Eyring and President Henry B Eyring are brothers.  In a program at the Visitor Center, last week, they shared memories from their lives and their love for each other.  Their messages of love and appreciation for each other were powerful.

I'm afraid my blog posts will be a feast or famine, too much, too often, or nothing.
Hope you have a great week!

Love you!

Sister Knight

January 4-10 Awesome Experiences

This past week was filled with blessings and awesome experiences.

On Sunday, Elder Knight did a great job with a  power point presentation on indexing, 

Quince Orchard Ward, Seneca Stake.  

Have you thought about “Indexing” lately?  View this video.

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/03/a-call-for-indexers-worldwide?lang=eng

It snowed on Tuesday, so our District Meetings were cancelled.  Sister Howe and Sister Kohler live close by, so they came to our apartment to work on family history and help us in developing the family history initiative for the mission. We took this picture at the Visitor Center on Sunday.   These sisters are so much fun to work with. They are personable, positive, loving, cheerful, and outgoing.  They are also diligent, insightful, skilled, hard working, and excellent teachers.  They remind me of Nikki.  I love to spend time with them. 

Wednesday, we spent several hours working with Elder and Sister Kendrick on the Washington DC North Family History Initiative/Challenge, followed by dinner with the Kendricks and Sister Missionaries.  Lots of fun!  It has been a blessing and awesome experience to work with the Kendricks. We are learning so much for them.

Each Thursday night, we serve as the group leaders for an Addiction Recovery Program.  We worked on Step 4, Truth.  We recommend the manual to everyone, A Guide to Addiction Recovery and Healing.  “With the Savior’s help we can overcome our addictions and find new meaning to life.”  We recommend this program to everyone, to help us change bad habits, and improve our lives through the atonement of Jesus Christ.  “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me"  (Phillipians4:13)

Saturday, we had an awesome experience.  President Henry B Eyring was here to share a message with religious and community leaders concerning a new display in the Visitor Center. 

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/model-washington-d-c--temple-on-public-display

The missionaries in our mission were invited to a meeting with President Eyring on Saturday afternoon.  His message was encouraging and inspiring to us.   Listening to his message was an incredible experience for me.

In the meeting with missionaries, President Eyring discussed some ideas that I think I will remember and attempt to apply, for the rest of my life.  It was not just what he said, but the way that he said it, and the ability that he has to teach with the spirit, that had such a powerful impact on me.  This is my interpretation of what he said:

1.     You must love the people you serve.  Love is a gift from God.

This counsel made me think of the following scripture:

 “But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever;”

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love…” (Moroni 7:46-47)

2.     Pray for revelation and discernment. 

“When you teach, look into their eyes.  Ask God to tell you what they are feeling.  Ask God:  What do they need?   Ask Heavenly Father to tell you something about these people that you wouldn’t know otherwise.  God knows who they are.  Ask God to help you to ask some questions that will help them get the feeling that God knows them and is showing love for them through you.  Ask God - reveal to me the heart of this individual.  The Lord knows everybody you teach.  It is not an accident that you are together.  There is something for you to do for them.”

  I am very grateful for our Savior and for this opportunity to serve Him.

Christmas in DC - Festival of Lights

Sister Knight's Memories of   "Festival of Lights" 2014

It was really fun to serve in the Washington DC Temple Visitor Center during "Festival of Lights." Each Friday in December, we served at the front desk, answering phones, greeting,  and assisting people who came to visit.

Elder and Sister Knight

                                                                     


                                                                                         


In the evenings, we had the opportunity to take many people to concerts at the Visitor Center.

• Temple grounds glow with 600,000 lights
• Nightly performances in indoor theater
• Christmas trees decorated in international themes
• Exhibit of crèches from around the world
• Life-sized outdoor nativity

Click on this link:  dctemplelights.lds.org   and scroll down to see photos of the lights.
Click on the concert titles to learn more about the performing groups.


                                                                                                                                           "Festival of Lights" is a wonderful place to celebrate the life of our Savior with family and friends.

The Visitor Center is a beautiful environment with images of our Savior's life, videos, learning stations, and wonderful concerts and programs.

We have developed love and concern for the people we meet and work with here.  We are grateful for the love we feel and we are grateful for the love and appreciation that 

others express to us.

Many times, I have impressions about individuals or families.  This scripture describes my experiences:  (D&C 128:1)

“…that subject seems to occupy my mind and press itself upon my feelings…”

The name of an individual or family seems to occupy my mind and press itself upon my feelings.  This is one of the ways that I am guided by the Lord.  As we visit and interact with these individuals, miracles happen, our feelings of love and concern and gratitude for each other increase.  Often, we grow closer to our Savior and feel his love and influence in our lives more deeply.

I am fascinated and feel amazed as I learn about the lives of our friends.  I am grateful to live in an area with so much diversity.  I love meeting and getting to know people from many countries, cultures, and life experiences.  

I am grateful for the health, resources, and opportunity to serve here in the Washington DC North Mission.  Thank you for your prayers for us.  We are being blessed in many, many ways.

"He is the Gift"  was a short video that we shared at the Visitor Center.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1E_IqoQh6M

This  youtube video with David Archuleta and the Piano Guys  was not shown at the Visitor Center but is was created to promote "He is the Gift."  I love this video!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrLoWt2tfqg

Happy New Year!
Sister Knight