Sunday Evening and Day 7 thoughts

Our bus driver, who came to church with us today, drove us to the temple.  We pointed it out to the boys, and he said, "Give me the address and I'll take you there!"  I've never google-mapped an address faster!

Styles Weiler wrote his testimony in a Book of Mormon and gave it to Gil at church today.  According to Styles, It brought Gil to tears.

Gil's in the middle.

I have already written about most of what happened today.  We had such an enjoyable meeting this morning at Arlington national Cemetery. The boys sat in one of the most beautiful environments, listening to inspiring speeches, music and prayers.  We marched in the hot morning sun to the tomb of the unknown soldier and watched the dedication of these fine young soldiers as they pay honor to those who have given the highest sacrifice possible in the service of their country.  Despite the heat the boys were reverent  and respectful.

After that, we wanted to get in just a little bit more sightseeing in Washington. Some of us went to the Smithsonian Museum, while others of us went to the national archives to see the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. We had lunch with vouchers in the old postal station.

We then got in the bus, and Gil drove us to the Arlington first Ward building. It was a nice sacrament service with a young couple who had just moved into the ward  giving the sacrament talks. I know that the sacrament meant more to the boys today.

We watched a movie about the Revolutionary war as we drove between the ward house and our hotel for some freshening up. The boys loved it so much, that they asked to watch more of it when we drove out to dinner.

Dinner tonight as scheduled by our touring company was at the medieval times restaurant.  I'm not certain this was the best day for us to go there, but the boys did have a good time, and a wonderful meal. I'm sure you'll get some "keeping the Sabbath day Holy" questions from them about this day when they get back home.  However, Bishop Tagge was wonderful in explaining to the boys that he had asked them to be perfectly reverent this morning at Arlington National Cemetery and at the church service. He told them that they were perfectly reverent during that time and had honored the Sabbath.  Had we been following the Jewish Sabbath where the Sabbath ends at sundown, it would've been a perfect day. Their experience with Gil at the church, and at the temple while driving home from dinner was priceless to say the least.  All are safe and sound in their hotel rooms tonight.

Tomorrow, we begin the journey to West Virginia for the Jamboree camp. I won't have quite as much access to electricity to recharge my electronics, but I should get in one good daily charge.  I will continue to post every day however. We will see how it turns out.

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