On August 5th, Norfolk Assembly had their Installation of officers.  Pia was installed as our new Worthy Advisor.  I was excited to be her Installing Chaplain for her Installation.  To tell you a little bit about Pia’s term, her theme is “Life is a Journey, Enjoy the Detours.”  Her motto is, “You were Given this Life because You are Strong Enough to Live it.”  Pia’s honor stations are Hope and Service.  Her colors are baby blue, pear green, cantaloupe orange, and daffodil yellow, along with her mascot being a Koala Bear.  Pia’s service project is the PIN Ministry and her charity projects are Hope for Life and Supreme 2018.  Before the Installation started, Pia’s cousin and our pledge, Joie, carried in the Bible.  Also, Pia was crowned by our Grand Worthy Advisor, Olivia, and her gavel was presented by Hampton’s Worthy Advisor, Brittany.  We had the ribbon ceremony given by our pledges, Sarah and Joie.  We also got our Merit Bars and Service Bars by our Mother Advisor, Christi.  She also announced who won the “Friendliest of the Term” and who is the next Rainbow Dad.  Haylee won the Friendliest and Dad Brian won the Rainbow Dad.  Pia’s Installation went so beautifully and I was so proud of how amazing she did on Saturday.  When we went downstairs for spaghetti, I gave a prayer before we ate.  Everyone enjoyed the food and we had so much fun with our Rainbow, Jobie, and DeMolay family.  Overall, our Installation was beautifully done and I can’t wait to see what Pia has in store for our Assembly.

On August 1st, South Norfolk had their Lodge Dinner.  Pia, Alyssa, Kayla, Haylee, our pledge Sarah, and I were very happy to attend.  Before we had our dinner, our Mother Advisor, Christi, gave Dad Boyd his third place award for the Lambskin Apron Lecture Competition.  He was not able to attend our Grand Assembly, so we took it home with us to present it to him in front of all the Masons to show them how hard he works for this Assembly.  For dinner, we had Dad Chum’s famous cornbread, pork, potatoes, butter beans, and cake.  When the Norfolk Girls finished their meals, we served all the men their desserts and picked up their empty plates and bowls.  Overall, the Norfolk Girls and I had a very great time seeing all our Masonic Fathers and we can’t wait for the next Lodge Dinner.

On August 12, Smithfield had their Installation of officers. Delaney is the new Worthy Advisor. I was honored to be her Installing Chaplain for her Installation. Delaney was crowned by Abby, and her gavel was presented by her parents. Her theme for her term is “Where the Wild Things Are”. Delaney’s motto is “This is all yours. You are the owner of this world.” Her mascot is a wolf that she named Max along with her symbols being crowns, sailboats, and leaves. Her charity for the term is the American Diabetes Association. Nearly 30 million people battle diabetes every day and every 23 seconds someone new is diagnosed. Diabetes causes more deaths a year than breast cancer and AIDS combined. After the Installation, we had some dinner and stayed for a dance. Smithfield’s Installation was beautifully done and I can’t wait to see Delaney throughout her term as Worthy Advisor.

For our first fun event of the Grand Year we went to the Brock Environmental Center of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. We learned about what the Foundation does and how they are working to keep the bay and all the things that live in it safe. After that we went on a walk where we happened to be very lucky to find a baby turtle trying to get to the water. All I have to say is that the turtle was very adorable and we took it to the water where it was more safe. Before lunch they let us use a net to catch fish and everyone was excited to participate. Some people caught blue crabs, jelly fish, and different types of fish. Once we let all the little animals go, we went back to go eat and the food was great. It was a great experience and I’m happy I had the chance to go.

In RL&S,

Victoria
Richmond Assembly #10