"Live...Love...& Invite!"

Elder and Sister West, Sister Heininge, Sister Crandell, Elder Norris, Elder Sanford, Elder Pickering, Elder Nehmer, Elder Norman and Elder Flores

Our Woodside District is alive and well. Wednesday we met and set goals for this transfer. Our new district leader, Elder Norman, has been serving on the island of Bermuda for the last six months. Elder and Sister Johansen, a senior couple we've never met, serve with one set of elders on Bermuda. Elder Norman shared several insights he's learned from them. Elder Norman served in our zone, in the Rego Park District as a brand new missionary, so we've known him before. We are so glad for the chance to work more closely with him this time around. He is a most humble, kind, and loving missionary. He suggested we use, "Live...Love...& Invite" as our theme this transfer. We set two goals under each area and are planning on serving another great six weeks together.

Elder Nehmer and Elder Sanford are our Zone Leaders, and they are a terrific pair. Elder Sanford who is new to our district, is from Provo, Utah. He has served in the NYNYS Mission for 12 transfers, and loves fajitas, especially since he learned how to make them! Monday night we met the only new sister who arrived from the MTC, and on Wednesday we learned she was assigned to train with Sister Heininge. Sister Crandell is from Heber, AZ, loves chicken and noodles, the prophet Helaman is her favorite, and she has a twin brother! All of these elders and our sisters have so many good ideas. We know they are directed and inspired and want to do their best each day. We always learn so much from them and welcome ways to support and help them in their work. This afternoon the sisters are in charge of a street sweep at Steinway and Broadway. We are excited because we love to work along side them. The other day I asked Elder Pickering,(who thought he might be transferred to another area),how he felt about being in Astoria for his 4th transfer. He looked at me, smiled his great smile and said, "Sister West, Astoria rocks!" How lucky we are to serve with the best missionaries ever.