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Elder Nelson - Snow Delayed Flights and Masons

Dear Family,

Mission News
This was transfer week which is always a crazy time. I attempted to give flight information to the President, so he can pick up and drop off missionaries. On Monday 11 of our 16 new missionaries got stranded in Minneapolis and didn’t arrive until midnight.

Mom and I had dinner with the 5 missionaries at the mission home and took their pictures. It is fun to meet the new missionaries and feel their excitement.

Transfer day is on Tuesday. This time I had to make sure we had phones for the missionaries in new areas.

Wednesday the departing missionaries went to the Dulles Airport in the morning. Elder Shek was going home to Hong Kong at 6:15am. The rest of the missionaries’ flights were at 10:00am. So, Mom and I got up at 3:50am to take Elder Shek to the airport. He is a super missionary and it was a delight to talk with him for about a half hour. We were back home in bed before 5:30am.

Wednesday, I went to a district council meeting about an hour northwest on the mission office in Ashburn. While I was gone it was discovered that the missionaries leaving at 10:00 had their flights changed because of weather. Mom had to contact 7 parents and let them know their missionary’s arrival would be delayed.

Mom had a tough week because of transfers and lack of information from Salt Lake. Mom likes to do things right, but sometimes that is very hard, very frustrating. Hopefully this week will be much better.

Fun Stuff
Saturday, we spent about 3 hours at the George Washington Masonic Memorial in Arlington. George Washington was the most famous Mason and he did a lot with the Masons. When he laid the cornerstone for the capital building he and his fellow Masons dressed in their ceremonial clothes. About two dozen US Presidents were Grand Master Masons. The last one was Gerald Ford.

As far as I can tell the Masons are similar to Boy Scouts for adults. Anyone who believes in deity can joint. They have a code of conduct, rules of civility that they swear to uphold. They give a lot of service. The Shriner Hospitals are one example. In the early 1900’s they were quite popular, but I think they are waning in numbers a bit. See here.

They have tours that last about an hour. We went on one and a half tours. We enjoyed the visit.

At the top of the tower there is a 360 viewing platform. Mom and I could see the capital, but it is about 7 miles away. 
This is the Memorial Building. Can you find Mom? 
One of many statues of George Washington
The Knights Templar (early Masons?) defended the Christians who went to the temple during the time of the Crusades. I am standing in front of one the knights. 
WES News
It is property tax time again. Mom and I hate property tax. We will find somebody good to do it for us.

Family News
Kent in the Canyons 
Chelsea and Elizabeth enjoying ice cream at the end of a visit to the Dinosaur Museum at the Point of the Mountain. This date with Chelsea was Elizabeth’s birthday gift. 
McKay and Elizabeth enjoying a snow day. 
Derek and family went for a bike ride around their new house.
They met their neighbor – all 6’ of him. I am sure he is friendly – look at his smile.
Love,
Dad

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