Missionary Highlights: Woodbridge

      Before I had gone into the mission field, Sister F. had trained Sister H, who left for her second area just before I arrived.  

      

          Several members from my first area had some parting gifts.  Kelly Hanbriggs had some animal slippers that she wore and had given an identical pair to Sister F when she left.  They packed two pairs for me - one to keep and one to give to Sister H - who became my next companion.

     

My second area, Sister H's third.  The Elders had lived there prior, but it was decided to put sisters in the area.  Washington D.C. was only 24 miles outside of Woodbridge and many ward members of that area worked for the government.  

                It turned out to be a tourist trap and Sister H. loved to shop.  We didn't knock doors.  We did some light introductions.  We could have worked a lot harder than we did.  If we indeed were inspired, I think we blew it.   When that obviously wasn't working, we decided to focus on part members or inactives.  There were three households that we visited quite regularly, and it really did make a difference, not just to us, but to them.  

       The church had come out with a gaggy film called "It's Up to You" It was supposed to promote missionary work. Sister H. and I would set up appointments to show the film to various members, and roll our eyes each time we watched it.  Sadly, I still have the dialogue memorized. 

       Each week we would purchase stickers to go along with thoughts and use index cards to write them on and add the sticker.  After a while, it seemed easier to try to find a thought with the stickers that seemed to be available.

       Sister Esque taught us how to crochet.  Elaine, who was not a member, taught us how to knit. Timmy had been to Church with his wife one time but did not return until after we had invited him to hear us speak at church.   He ended up returning - though the fellowshipping was horrible.  Though the gospel is true from ward to ward, not every testimony is strong or stable enough to continue with church each week if not spiritually fed; some people leave the church when they don't even feel acknowledged. We could understand why many had become inactive.

       Timmy and Becky had three children at the time, a ten-year-old, an eight-year-old, and a two-year-old.  The oldest two had not been baptized, and Sister H. and I taught them the discussions.  They were baptized before we were transferred.  We were both transferred.

       We were together for four months, which seemed a bit unusual - especially our given circumstance and attitude - although it wasn't just us.  The entire district somehow seemed affected with the same attitude.  Why had Pres. left us there for so long?  We had started a rumor that the boundaries were going to change and Pres. P. had looked at his group of missionaries and thought "which two can I do without.  I know, Sister H. and Sister C."  

         
       A year later the boundaries changed and Woodbridge became a part of the DC mission.  I had a co-worker from Snelgroves who started her mission in Roanoke as I did.  She was serving in Woodbridge when the boundaries changed and finished in a different mission than where she started.