A Desire to Serve

Several weeks ago our upstairs neighbors, Tod and Claudia, joined us for Sunday dinner. Tod served a mission in Japan, so he knows much about the Church, but has been less-active for several years. Claudia is a Catholic from Guadalajara, Mexico. They were curious about our missionary calling. We explained that we teach Institute classes, work with the Queens Stake Singles, and Astoria Young Single Adults, and work with the young Elders and Sisters in our mission. They know we make a lot of food in our little place and see us hauling it in and out of our house. Claudia told me she would love to help serve at a Zone Conference Lunch.
Several days later Claudia and I were visiting with each other. I asked her if she'd ever learned about our Church. To my surprise she told me, "No." I invited her to learn about the gospel. She said she like to and she would talk to Tod and let me know her decision.
Claudia's husband Tod is finishing the final 6 weeks of medical school, and recently the hospital in Queens where he was in the middle of a rotation closed. Last Saturday when we invited Claudia to help us on Wednesday, Tod said he would also like to help and could they also attend our meeting? President Bennion said he was happy to have them join us. We were thrilled!
Late Tuesday night when we got home from Jamaica, Tod was waiting to tell us that he'd been assigned to a rotation at a Manhattan Hospital and would not be able to help us Wednesday. We were happy for him and testified that he was blessed with this new assignment because he was willing to serve the Lord.
Our Zone Conference was such a positive experience. Our Woodside Elders and Sisters were so friendly and delightful with Claudia and had such a good time setting up and setting the tables before the meeting began. Our mission doctor, Elder McIff gave a great talk about balance in our lives. President and Sister Bennion taught the importance of obedience, and even though Claudia did not understand all of what was said, (she is learning English and doing so well), I think she really enjoyed it. Her help was so appreciated in preparing and serving our meal. She inspired us to think "Mexican"....and so we made Grilled Chicken Fajitas, Spanish rice and refried beans. It was all very good and with Claudia's support, our biggest success thus far, despite a few glitches. For dessert we simply served a tangerine and cookie, Sister Bennion's suggestion! Our missionaries are always so kind, thankful and helpful with the clean up. Elder and Sister Smith helped with the serving line and dish washing and lightened our load considerably. Thanks all for a lot of support and success.

We say, "Goodbye, Sister Richie!" She was in the MTC with us and leaves the mission in a couple of weeks. She bore her testimony about the blessings of service. Pictured above, Sister Richie, who is turned around, (clockwise) Sister Smith, Elder Drainey, Elder Thompson, Elder Rencher, Sister Thomas, Sister Montano, and Sister Heininge.