18 Months in the Big Apple: Woodside is WHITE, ready to Harvest

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Woodside is WHITE, ready to Harvest

(Pictured L to R): Hermano Pellerano, Sister Cunliffe, Hermana Osorio, Sister Thomas, Elder Froerer, Elder Jemmett, Hermano Chavez, Elder Imlay, Hermano Martinez and ElderMcLean.

Last Sunday, November 9th we didn't understand much of what was said, but the Spirit was so strong as three new Woodside Ward members were baptized. Sister Cunliffe and Sister Thomas taught Hermana Maria Teresa Osorio who was baptized by her friend from Chilie and Woodside Ward member, Gregorio Pellerano. They also taught Hermano Miguel Angel Martinez, who came to the states to live with his Mom who is a Woodside Ward member. He was baptized by Elder McLean. Our newest Elder Froerer was brand new in the mission three weeks ago and was "fearlessing" out on the street where he met Hermano Martin Mendoza Chavez.

After his baptizm Hermano Chavez, testified that he'd been looking for this gospel all of his life. He referred to his four angels, Elders Froerer, Imlay, Jemmett and McLean. To witness the hugs between these two brothers was a sweet experience. Both of their lives changed that day and we were blessed to be there. We attend our meetings at the Woodside Building and attend the Astoria Ward which is English speaking. The Woodside Ward is the Spanish speaking ward we share the building with. We are often invited to their activities and love the members there. Below our incredibly giving leaders, President and Sister Bennion offer congratulations to all. We see them often at baptisms all over the Queens Stake. Bless them for all they do to serve in countless ways.

1 comment:

Sharon said...: What a beautiful post! The spirit really came through, as we're sure it must have during this amazing baptism. Even when the language is foreign to us, the Spirit never is.

Just wonderful! Thanks for sharing.; November 17, 2008 at 8:49 AM

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“Service is the virtue that has distinguished the great of all times and which they will be remembered by. It places a mark of nobility upon its disciples. It is the dividing line which separates the two great groups of the world–those who lift and those who lean, those who contribute and those who only consume. How much better it is to give than to receive. Service in any form is comely and beautiful. To give encouragement, to impart sympathy, to show interest, to banish fear, to build self-confidence and awaken hope in the heart of others, in short–to love them and to show it –is to render the most precious service.”

Bryant S. Hinckley

January 10, 2008 we arrived in Queens, New York. We are currently serving as full-time missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We were called to serve in the New York, New York South Mission. It is a special and unique assignment. Serving here is like teaching all nations, with missionaries who teach in English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Russian and American Sign Language. Nearly 10 million people live within our mission, representing 112 nationalities. We are blessed to be serving along side the most incredible missionaries in the world! We love President and Sister Bennion who have been cherished friends since he was the president of Ricks College. We are happy to be serving the Lord and living on Steinway Street in Astoria.
Thank you for visiting our blog! Please feel free to leave comments or questions. It makes our day:-)

History of the New York, New York South Mission

Long before our mission was organized, Elder Parley P. Pratt was the first missionary in this dispensation to preach the Gospel in New York City and Long Island.
This mission has significant historic roots. It is the heart of the former Eastern States Mission which was established in 1839.
That mission, headquartered in Brooklyn, enjoys the distinction of being the second oldest mission of the Church, behind the British Mission.
The Eastern States Mission consisted of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and West Virginia in 1948. Since that time, many changes have been made in the boundries of the mission.
The name of the mission was changed from the Eastern States Mission to the New York New York Mission in 1974. At that time the mission included the following areas: New York State as far as Poughkeepsie, the entire state of Connecticut, a small part of Massachusetts, as well as part of New Jersey and the island of Bermuda. The mission boundaries were once again changed in 1976 excluding Massachusetts and all of the state of Connecticut, with the exception of Fairfield County.
In 1987, after another boundary change was made, the New York New York Mission consisted of the five boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx and Staten Island), Long Island, New York State north to Poughkeepsie, a portion of Connecticut and the island of Bermuda.
The mission was divided once again in 1993. The New York New York South Mission encompasses the New York City boroughs of Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island, as well as the New York counties of Nassau and Suffolk on Long Island. It also includes the small British Island of Bermuda in the Atlantic.