April Showers and Baptisms

Instead of April being rainy, we've had more rain in May! However, this April there was no lack of water in the baptismal font in the Smyrna LDS Ward. Several of our 8 year olds were baptized. One of my new Bobcat cub scouts, Hunter Biang, was baptized. Also, i was happy to play the piano for my visiting teacher's granddaughter, Annika Burgoyne's baptism.

Also in April I witnessed the baptism of the Gibson family from Libya. The recently moved from Washington, DC. to Clayton, Delaware. George & Elsie have seven children. They have five girls named Mardia, Patricia, Montee, Brandall, Denise, and twin boys named George & George. The twin boys are just four years old and love to come and sit by me on the piano stool during our "Sunday School" time. The whole family was baptized one Sunday except for the twins. The spirit was ever present and powerful as each member slowly walked into the fount all in white, guided by their assigned Priesthood holder. I loved to watch as they were dipped back and brought back up. Each of their faces were filled with joy as they smiled and wiped the water from their eyes. Elsie, the mother, was so overwhelmed that she cried immediately as she came up from the water. We all cried along with her and congratulated the family. It was so special.

The following Sunday our meeting was again filled with the spirit as each baptized family member sat in the middle of 10 Priesthood holders who each put their hand upon the shoulder of the next until they formed a circle. Again and again reverence fell upon the congregation as a prayer for each new member to receive the Holy Ghost is shared by the Priesthood brother and all the men now placing their hands upon the members head. After the whole family received their blessings, they were confirmed members of the church by a vote of an uplifted right hand by the congregation.

When I receive such prayers, whether from my own baptism, church callings, or other blessings I immediately feel the spirit and energy from that person along with the spiritual intent. It is a powerful feeling of peace, love, and light. I feel inspired to do that which is right to everybody and everything. For me, I know this is God's influence!

Across the Miles

This is just a test!

Welcome family and friends. Welcome to an emailed version of what is posted on my blog. Mainly, I post what's been happening with Matt and I in our daily lives to communicate with those dear and precious to us across the miles.

To view the blog ~ and archived postings. Go to http://barbinde.blogspot.com. You can always the view comments or and leave one directly on the site by becoming a registered user at no charge!

Would love to hear how you and your family is doing!!

From Smyrna to DC and back again!

This past Saturday, Matthew and his best friend Chandler and I, went to Washington, DC to enjoy the warm weather (70F) and visit the Holocaust museum . Recently, Matt has been interested in World War II. To visit Mall in DC, we drive about 75 miles, park and take the closest Metro substation (about 1/2 hour ride) and take the escalator up to ground level only a two blocks from the Washington Monument. Just taking the trip is an adventure in itself. We look forward to the trip every year.

However, I was perplexed by the amount of people when we arrived. Usually you park, walk up, get your ticket and you wait - maybe 3 minutes? It looked like 10 buses had dropped off their passengers. What was going on? Nevermind, how long it took me to figure out how to purchase Metro tickets for 3 passengers and which ticket machine to use? After about 30 minutes, and one extra $30 ticket I need to send back for a refund - we still were feeling optimistic.

The ride was nice - with smiles from the boys. We walked a few blocks to the museum in 50 mph winds only to find out that the soonest we could get to see the permanent exhibit was at 2:45 pm. Matt and Chandler had to attend a priesthood session in Newark, DE by 8pm that evening. We did see two exhibits: Don't forget the children, Daniel's Story; and a Nazi propaganda exhibit. The boys were amazed and touched by what they saw. We spent the rest of the day walking along the mall enjoying the sun, the fresh air, and all the different types of people that were there for the festival. We didn't go near the parade or the festivities because I didn't want to lose the boys.

However, we walked probably close to 5 miles that day up and down the mall from the Washington Memorial down to Capitol Hill and along Independence Avenue. We spent a small fortune on hot dogs and soda and then decided we were ready to go home. As we headed towards the Metro we were told that it was now an exit for new people coming up from the subway. We had to double back and take the next entrance a few blocks from Capitol Hill (almost 16 blocks). After finding the 2nd level to our train, we were so happy to see the tram. While feeling our feet tingle, we agreed the day was definitely an adventure. Matt wants to give it another try in a few weeks.

We made it home in time for the boys to change into their dress shirts and ties. Amazingly, the night was just beginning and they were still interested in having their "young mens" night together. After they were picked up by a fellow "Brother", I went to usher at the Smyrna Opera House for the 2nd in a 3 series of "Smyrna's Got Voice" competition.

A great day of culture, art, music, spirituality and friendship/family! How was your Saturday?