On Sunday, April 26, we gathered at a hotel near the White House to participate in the MSIA Global Ministers Meeting<\/strong> (via livestream) and a PTS workshop called 1,000 Ways to Happiness <\/strong>(in person). These two events reminded me of why I am so grateful to be part of MSIA. I enjoy gathering with others on this spiritual path as we call ourselves forward into God\u2019s Light. It brings me calm and peace — and helps me get a higher perspective on this world. In the workshop, I realized that it\u2019s my choice to create happiness inside of me and to share it with others. If I wait for everything to be perfect before I can find happiness, I will probably have to wait a very long time.<\/p>\n And one of the workshop participants, Julie Allgood, had these special thoughts to share:<\/p>\n \u201cThe workshop was wonderful \u2014 with many insights including seeing the \u2018Soul as the source of happiness.\u2019 That helped me shift from the idea of ego\/personality happiness to a deeper, more spiritual place of seeing my life and choosing happiness. It is my choice to choose happiness \u2014 accept, love, do happy things, and forgive. And I can take my happiness to others.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Angel Harper and Vincent Dupont demonstrate happiness as they help pack up the many pieces of sound and video equipment from the workshop. <\/em><\/p>\n Monday: Free Time for All, including a Traveler, a King and a President <\/strong><\/p>\n On Monday, April 27, no formal activities were planned so those who traveled from out of town, including John, Leigh and several others, could explore the city on their own.<\/p>\n In a moment of synchronicity, this was the day that King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived for an official state visit, which began with a welcoming ceremony and afternoon tea at the White House.<\/p>\n Although King Charles did not attend our happiness workshop the day before, I observed how he used humor to bring people together. (One key presented in the happiness workshop is called \u201cFind the Humor.\u201d) For example, in his speech to the United States Congress, everyone seemed to laugh when the king poked a little fun at America being only <\/em>250 years old. As he was acknowledging our Founding Fathers for declaring independence 250 years ago, he added \u201cor as we say in the United Kingdom, just the other day.\u201d<\/p>\n River Cruise to Mount Vernon\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n On Tuesday, April 28, our group of 20, including John, Leigh and three MSIA staff members, took a leisurely cruise down the Potomac River to visit George Washington\u2019s Mount Vernon Estate. The estate is located in Virginia about 15 miles south of Washington, DC. Both the boat and the estate were not crowded, possibly because it was a chilly, cloudy Tuesday. I had previously visited on a sunny Saturday and there were crowds and lines everywhere.<\/p>\n We basically had the boat to ourselves, so it was like a private cruise. The boat, called The Spirit of Baltimore, left from the DC waterfront and took about 1 \u00bd hours to get to Mount Vernon. I found it to be a peaceful way to travel. We could look out the windows, socialize with each other, purchase food and drink, go to the top deck to get panoramic views of DC, Maryland and Virginia, take a nap, or be on our various electronic devices. I observed us doing all of these activities.<\/p>\n Our transportation for the day.<\/em><\/p>\n Vincent Dupont and Jsu Garcia enjoying the moment.<\/em><\/p>\n US Capitol Building in the distance.<\/em><\/p>\n Cruising Along at a peaceful pace.<\/em><\/p>\n Kerry and Keith Mounts enjoying the upper deck. <\/em><\/p>\n Once we arrived at the Mount Vernon dock, we were joined by two more members of our MSIA family, and we all began to walk up a steep hill to reach the mansion.<\/p>\n The grounds are extensive and, in George Washington\u2019s time, this was a fully functioning estate filled with many gardens, animals and various shops and buildings.\u00a0 Some of the sights we passed on our way were a 300-year-old tree with massive roots, animals enjoying a quiet day, and Washington\u2019s Tomb, located in a brick vault he specifically requested be built for this purpose. In the photos, George Washington\u2019s tomb is on the right, and Martha Washington\u2019s is on the left.<\/p>\n 300-year-old tree.<\/em><\/p>\n Farm animals enjoying a quiet day.<\/em><\/p>\n The brick vault requested by George Washington for his burial<\/em>.<\/p>\n George\u2019s tomb is on the right, Martha\u2019s on the left.<\/em><\/p>\n At the top of the hill is the mansion, which was visited by many influential people in Washington\u2019s time and millions of tourists since then. (One estimate I read said that over 85 million people have visited.) The mansion has been undergoing restoration to repair its deteriorating structure and foundation. The work is expected to be completed for the July 4th<\/sup> festivities this year celebrating the country\u2019s 250th<\/sup> anniversary.<\/p>\n We enjoyed walking on the mansion\u2019s porch which has pleasant views of the Potomac River, as well as through the mansion\u2019s rooms including the kitchen, the family dining room (painted with a very expensive dark green paint chosen by Martha), a bedroom where the Marquis de Lafayette stayed, and Washington\u2019s bedroom, where he passed away rather suddenly from a severe throat infection in 1799 at age 67. The bed frame in this room is original.<\/p>\n The mansion is one of the most visited historic buildings in the country.<\/em><\/p>\n Jsu Garcia enjoying the front porch of the mansion.<\/em><\/p>\n Angel Harper and Vincent Dupont.<\/em><\/p>\n With the Traveler on the front porch of the mansion.<\/em><\/p>\n Family Dining Room painted with green paint chosen by Martha.<\/em><\/p>\n Bedroom where the Marquis de Lafayette supposedly slept.<\/em><\/p>\n The Washingtons’ bedroom with original bedframe. George Washington passed away here in 1799 surrounded by family and friends.<\/em><\/p>\n The kitchen where all meals were prepared.<\/em><\/p>\n Some members of our MSIA group in front of the mansion.<\/em><\/p>\n The rest of the day saw us breaking up into smaller groups to explore the outbuildings, museum and orientation center. There is so much to see and learn in all these exhibits. You almost have to choose what you are most interested in. One unique item on display is Washington\u2019s office chair from his two terms as president. He called it the \u201cUncommon Chair\u201d because it swiveled, a very unusual feature in those days.<\/p>\n There is also a clay bust of Washington sculpted by French artist Jean-Antoine Houdon, who stayed at Mount Vernon for two weeks in 1785 to create it. According to the Mount Vernon website, it is considered to be the most accurate likeness to exist of George Washington. The website notes that Houdon left the clay bust with Washington, who then placed it over one of the doors in his Study.<\/p>\n The museum includes a quote from Washington\u2019s first inaugural address in New York in 1789 which reads: \u201cI was summoned by my country, whose voice I can never hear but with veneration and love\u2026\u201d \u00a0A display in the museum noted that his mother lived long enough to see him become the country\u2019s first president.<\/p>\n George Washington\u2019s office chair, which swiveled\u2014an uncommon feature back then.<\/em><\/p>\n Leigh admiring a painting in the museum.<\/em><\/p>\n Clay bust of Washington sculpted by French artist Jean-Antoine Houdon.<\/em><\/p>\n From Washington\u2019s first inaugural address in 1789.<\/em><\/p>\n Washington\u2019s First Inauguration took place in New York.<\/em><\/p>\n Stained glass window in the Orientation Center depicting some highlights of Washington\u2019s life.<\/em><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.msia.org\/newdayherald\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Picture1.jpg\")
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