"Shoot For the Stars"

We are so impressed with our new district leader, Elder Pickett. He's such a strong leader, and we all agree, he's had the most challenging struggles as a missionary thus far. He was called to serve in the Russia, St. Peterburg Mission. He entered the MTC in Provo, Utah and was stricken with some serious medical problems. He was sent back to his home in Las Vegas, Nevada. After extensive medical tests he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Elder Pickett and his family joined together in "mighty fasting and prayer." When he went in for his surgery, there was no sign of a tumor. He was sent back to the MTC, finished his language training and then had problems obtaining his visa for Russia. He served in Atlanta, Georgia, for two months, waiting and hoping, but he learned much and loved his mission president there. He was able to serve in Russia for four months and then he was sent home again with medical problems. This time, he had another unrelated problem, that was easily corrected with surgery. He recovered from the surgery and was planning to return to Russia and just before he was leaving the Church closed the mission there to American Missionaries. He arrived in the New York, New York South Mission on June 16, 2008, and we are so lucky to have him here. He is an inspired leader and has a missionary motto, "It's better to shoot for the stars and land in the trees, than to shoot for the trees and land in the mud!" He attended SUU (and knew President and Sister Bennion there) before his mission and loves Italian food. We are also happy to have Sister Fields who is a brand new ASL missionary. She had some pre-mission signing experience and was so excited when President Bennion assigned her to serve with Sister Marshall. She graduated from Columbia College with a degree in Sociology and she can't decide what she likes best, spagetti or all Asian food. Elder Norris hails from Whittier, California, likes waterpolo, Jepardy, and attended Cal Poly before beginning his mission eight months ago. We always feel the best missionaries serve with us here in the Woodside District. Again this transfer, after some difficult goodbyes, we feel we have been very blessed.