ALOHA!

An activity was added to our district meeting agenda last Friday we'd never heard of before, "Departing Hot Seat!" We weren't sure what it meant, but we were pretty sure we'd be involved. Elder Norman placed two chairs in front of the group, called us up front, and explained that each elder and sister could ask us a question. They asked us for advice, about mission memories, etc. The last elder, Elder Pickering asked, "Would you be surprised if we planned a party for you?" They opened the room divider and yelled, "Aloha!"

Sisters Heininge and Crandell made a Bon Voyage banner, they'd all hung lights and crepe paper, blown up balloons, leis for all, and had a spread of Hawaiian delights to sample.

They asked me to bring Peach Crunch with ice cream. The sisters made Rice Krispie treats, traditional and peanut butter chocolate, elders brought bananas, cookies and so many goodies to go along with the flowers, noise makers, umbrellas, and festive lights.

Clowning, Elders Pickering, Sanford and Nehmer.

Elder Norris is our district baker. He loves to cook, and made pineapple upside down cakes.

You can see it was a happy good-bye party! Last Tuesday Astoria lost Elder Pickering to East New York in Brooklyn. He is serving with Elder Caramia who is from Italy. He had a great start with wonderful trainers in our ward and we loved working with him. He will be a future leader in this mission. Elder Norris also was transferred to Brooklyn in Midwood. The balance of our district remained the same. A pair of ASL Elders were added, Elder Grow and Elder Wheeler who just arrived from the MTC last Monday night. Elder Nielsen is also brand new from Sandy, Utah, and he is serving with Elder Norman in Astoria. Elder Law who replaced Elder Norris is Elder Flores new companion. We know they will all continue to do great work in Woodside or Brooklyn. Thanks all for a very fun and successful surprise!

Simply Sensational

Marvelous Manhattan from beneath the Brooklyn Bridge.

We hit the road Monday, June 15th to see two of our favorite former Astoria elders and visit Staten Island. Elder Patton and Elder Rencher have served together three different times, first in Astoria when Elder Patton arrived, in the mission office, and for Elder Rencher's last transfer in Staten Island.

Staten Island is the only borough of New York City we had not visited. When we asked the missionaries who have served there to describe it, they would surprise us by saying, "It's more like Utah!"

Traveling down the Brooklyn-Queens Express way Lady Liberty is off to the right and the Brooklyn skyline is to the left.

We love seeing trains, planes, and automobiles in each direction we look. We will miss the hustle and bustle of the city and yet long for the peace we feel in the West.

We crossed the beautiful Verrazano-Narrows Bridge that connects Brooklyn and Staten Island. It is 13,200 feet long, the fourth largest suspension span bridge in the world.

Our elders were hungry and waiting for us! We gave them a selection of 4 different kinds of restaurants to choose from and they both wanted pasta. Italian it was!

Trattoria Romano was a great place to visit and catch up. They were happy to be serving together again. We laughed about "the third time is the charm!" They are both the oldest sons in their families and want to set a good example for their siblings. It really shows and their parents can be so proud of them.

Elder Rencher and Elder Patton wanted us to see a little of the city, so after a tasty lunch together we headed out. Staten Island did not remind us of Utah, but they are some residential areas with homes that are more spread out like Utah neighborhoods. It is definately the most different part of the city that we have seen.

The Staten Island Ferry is a "free ride" to and from Battery Park on the south end of Manhattan. The elders and sisters often ride it and find people to visit with. It took us about 30 minutes each way and it was a lot of fun.

It was cloudy, windy and even cold, but we enjoyed incredible vistas off the front of the ferry.

We always thrill when we see the Statue of Liberty, and we were able to get some great pix of her welcoming all the world majestically in her harbor.

The stormy skies were amazing that day.

Historic Ellis Island processed over 12 million immigrant steamship passengers between 1892 and 1954. The main building was restored and in 1990 was opened as a museum.

We were freezing but enjoyed every minute!

On our return trip to Staten Island, the smoky Manhattan skyline got smaller and smaller.

Carnival's Triumph, made quite an entrance into the NY harbor, such a spectacular ship. We think maybe we're ready for another cruise! Anyone want to join us?

We said our final farewells to Elder Patton, knowing we would see Elder Rencher the next week. We had such a fantastic time with these two friends and will look forward to seeing them again.

The traffic on the BQE was bumper to bumper towards home. We made it as far as the Brooklyn Bridge, and decided to take a detour. We've had many friends tell us not to go home till we had Grimaldi's Pizza. Pizza is not on our "lifestyle list" but we threw all caution to the wind and stood in line for a chance of a lifetime experience!

We made some new friends while waiting for a table. One outgoing girl was from Astoria. She works at Kaufman Studios with the kids on Sesame Street. She frequents Grimaldi's, "at least three times a month," and told us to order a pepperoni pizza with extra cheese.

We did exactly what we were told and were not disappointed! It was the best pizza we've ever had, thin and crispy, perfect crust, sauce and fresh basil, with pepperoni and lots of cheese. We promised one another we would visit just once a year...we will be back for more!

We walked to the East River and drank in the beauty of our favorite bridge...

and the Manhattan Skyline. We will miss the lights and splendor of this city.

As I write this morning, Elder Rencher is flying home to his family in Las Vegas, Elder Patton is a new District Leader serving on Staten Island, and we are in the middle of packing our place. After working with Elders Rencher and Patton for several months here in New York, our p-day will forever be remembered as one of the best days of our mission. We will miss them and so many others we have had the joy of knowing. Thanks elders...we love you!

Smiles + Merit Badges = Troop 227

Sunday, June 14th the Astoria Ward Boy Scouts of America had an awesome Court of Honor. We remember when there were 2 scouts in the troop and now there are 6! David invited one of his friends from school, and the leaders found another young man who is less active, but wanted to join. Each week the scouts meet, work on merit badges and have the added fun of monthly camp outs. We congratulate these young men on earning several merit badges each, and we so appreciate their fine leaders, Rob, Kevin and Jose.

David conducted the color guard...he's all business! We were proud of him.

227 Scoutmaster, Rob handed out the awards and Phillip, a Varsity Scout assisted him. Notice how great all of their uniforms look, Natasha, a young mom in the ward sews them all on! With that kind of support, plus some missionary efforts from the scouts, and enthusiastic leaders we can only foresee a bright future for troop 227!

Kevin decorated these blue and gold merit badge cookies...that were way too creative to ever eat...actually they were gone in a flash!

Adventures in the NYNY North Mission

We have been so excited for our friends, Richard and Jill Smith from Rexburg. Richard served as our Bishop in the Rolling Hills Ward and Jill was our daughter, Krista's, Young Women's President. As we are preparing to leave NYC, they are coming to begin their calling of leading the New York New York North Mission. President Smith will be outstanding, firm and loving, he will have just the right touch. Krista's comment was, "The sisters in their mission are sure lucky!" Jill is easy to love and will reach out to all the missionaries. We have been happy that out of the whole world, they will be here in NYC. We know they will be super busy, and we also know they will be perfect for the job! With the Lord's help, we have seen miracles in our mission under the inspired direction of President and Sister Bennion.

President Bennion gave us permission to teach a dance workshop in Westchester, Saturday, June 13th. A former member of the Astoria Ward, Kristie, invited us to teach dance at a ward activity in her new ward in Westchester, NY. We learned that the building they meet in is next to the North Mission home where the Smiths will be living for the next 3 years

The beautiful NYNY North Mission home is up on a hill and is nestled in, surrounded by lush green foliage.

The back of the mission home looks down on the ward building Richard and Jill will often attend. We could see it is the perfect set up for zone conferences and mission activities. Both the mission home and church building are fairly new in a lovely area of New York. It's very different from the city...much more serene! All of the elders and sisters can take the train from their pads to this area.

Chas had a small but enthusiastic group. He began with a Russian Folk Dance to warm up, taught some steps and before we knew it they were dancing the swing. This activity involved families and it was lots of fun to watch Dads and Moms and their children dancing together.

Rock-step!

They were awesome!

While we enjoyed a light dinner, Alysa, 12 and Peter, 10 provided the floor show, a fast Jitterbug. They are talented!

It was a very nice afternoon and evening. We were so glad to see where President and Sister Smith will be and meet so many of their new ward friends. Thanks Kristie! We wish all of you our best.

"It Aint Over Till it's Over"

Three of the proud Nephites!

Elders Alverson and Lawrence, along with Sister Heininge celebrate their runs!

Once a transfer we hold a zone activity. We made plans to meet under the Queensboro Bridge at Queensboro Park, Monday, June 8th, to work through some, "baseball fever." Our game was rained-out so our headed to the Woodside gym, soft balls and bats in hand.

Dividing into teams was easy, The Nephites, senior comps, vs. The Lamanites, junior comps!

Hands down the favorite play of the game, Sister Crandell was up to bat, bases were loaded with Lamanites, she slammed the ball and we weren't sure where it went! After all three runners and Sister Crandell made it home and were celebrating their 4 points, the ball fell out of the ceiling in front of the foul line. The Nephites cried, "foul ball," and the humble Lamanites returned to their bases. Once again Sister Crandell gave the ball a whack, a line drive to the corner of the gym and two runners made it home.

Elder Flores searches the ceiling after his hit. It became the great challenge of the game. Elder Norris, was a terrific catcher for his team.

Nephites head out field while the Lamanites head in!

Favorite ballpark fare, four large cheese pies were delivered along with soda, a big hit with all the sluggers!

Elder Godwin demonstrates how to eat a piece of pizza. They fold it in half and open WIDE...

Love, love, love our scorekeeper, Elder Pickering, who can sure slam the ball too!

Elder Pape was awarded, "Most Comical Batter," by the ZL's and shows the kind of big league play and talent that was the heart and soul of this great game.

After 9 innings the game was tied, 16/16. The Lamanites struck out the Nephites in the 10th and were able to score one more winning run, thus this game comprised of two well matched teams was over.

The victorious Lamanites, overcame adversity deferring to their senior companions who reffed the game and played it too! It was hilarious. We are sad that Sisters Heininge and Crandell had to head out a little early to get ready for an appointment and missed the final team pictures.

Yes, proud and now humbled Nephites played a great game and fell in defeat to their juniors. Is there a modern day scriptural lesson here? Seriously, in every way these are great leaders, and their juniors had a great time teasing them.

Our Zone Leaders, Elder Nehmer and Elder Sanford presented awards:

"Best Curve Ball" Elder Eaton

"Most Hustle" Sister Crandell

"Best Puerto Rican Player" Elder Torres

"Best Phyc-Out Stare" Elder Godwin

"Most Comical Batter" Elder Pape

Year Anniversary Celebration

Last Friday, June 5th, we were given the opportunity to accompany the missionaries for their anniversary trip to the Manhattan Temple. I was so disappointed that I couldn't go with them because of my eye injury, but Elder West was honored to represent us with this unusually small, but wonderful group of elders. Elder Hutchings, Elder Law, Elder Norman and Elder West were all so happy to be together at the best place in all of New York City!

Elder Norman has actually been serving for more than a year, but at his one year anniversary of service he was serving on the Island of Bermuda. Elder Norman is an outstanding missionary, our district leader, and what really sets him apart is that he is an Astoria missionary currently.


Elder Hutchings, who has served in Flushing, and speaks Mandarin Chinese, is completing his mission in New York and was not able to attend the departing temple trip with President and Sister Bennion, lucky for us. Elder Law has served for one year and is currently serving in the East New York area of Brooklyn.


Generally, after attending the temple, we spring for a "NY dawg" out on the street because we have 12 or more missionaries with us. It was a rainy, windy day and so Chas decided to take them to one of our favorite little Italian restaurants on the West Side, Il Violino, for a lovely meal with linens and fresh flowers. They all had a wonderful time and celebrated an anniversary we hope they will always remember.

An Eye for an Eye

I've had lots of email questions about the swine flu and if it's affecting our mission. The answer from Sister Bennion, (who deserves some sort of honorary medical degree after dealing with all the medical problems for almost 500 missionaries for the last 3 years) is, "Definitely yes." We have had swine flu in our mission, but not to the extent that anyone has had to go to the hospital.

Wednesday, June 3rd, Sister Crandell and I arrived for Zone Conference with eye afflictions. With Sister Bennion's help we both saw specialists on Thursday afternoon and were diagnosed and helped. Sister Crandell had an ulcer on her cornea and I had a scratched cornea. She is using drops every 15 minutes, and they actually patched my eye. Both of us had to lay low for a few days. We compared notes today at our district meeting and we are both now treating for scar tissue. Eye problems are very common here and contact lense wearers especially have problems due to the humidity and the environment here in NYC. We are both thankful to be on the mend.

Momentous Mission Memories

Tuesday, June 2nd and Wednesday, June 3rd we attended our final two Zone Conferences. These meetings every 6 weeks are a "shot in the arm," providing just what missionaries need to fulfill their quest. For President and Sister Bennion it was "close to their 100th conference" as they end their 3 years of service. Each meeting begins as we sing the New York New York Mission Song. We will always think of these great missionaries when we hear it.

Verse 1

From many states and nations,

From cities large and small,

We serve the New York mission here in

answer to our call.

Verse 2

For here we find our calling,

We labor and proclaim,

The message of the Master and bear witness

to His name.

Verse 3

So many here are waiting,

They hunger for the word,

Oh, bless our hearts and voices, that our

message may be heard.

Verse 4

Then guide us on our journey,

And may the road be straight,

That we may bring the message to the

humble souls who wait.

Chorus

With courage, obedience and love,

With faith and humility,

We'll serve Him by sharing the gospel plan.

Conference highlights for us were:

Sister Bennion taught from Luke. Jesus Christ cautions us with the statement, "Remember Lot's wife." She shared many of the things she has learned from 500+ missionaries. She admonished us to learn from the past, don't dwell on past mistakes. Instead, focus on what we've learned, and follow our Savior. She gave each of us a little reminder for our wallets,

"Which way are YOU facing?"

Our inspired President Bennion told the remarkable story of Vincencia Defranchesca, a faithful man from Italy. He was training for the ministry in a Protestant church early in the 1900's. One day he found a Book of Mormon on the ground. The front cover and title page had been removed so it was not possible to identify the title of the book or its church sponsor. With keen interest he read and reread the book. It had a magnetic effect on him. The book changed his life forever. (We'll add here that so many of the young missionaries and saints here have not seen, "How Rare a Possession.") President Bennion urged us to testify of the Book of Mormon in our work, "Indeed, The Book of Mormon is our most powerful source of conversion."

Elder Salazar challenged us to unite our efforts in one great cause. Our efforts as companionships, districts, zones, and as a mission need to focus on planning activities that will remind people of their cause. He spoke of Moroni, a great Book of Mormon prophet, who reminded the people of the cause they were fighting for. Moroni knew that a memory, a constant thought of the righteous cause, would kindle an unquenchable fire of faith within each individual. He likened our zone and district leaders to, "modern day captain Moroni's." We surely must be the stripling warriors that knew their cause and were willing to stake their lives for it. He continued by asking us to understand our priorities and state them, be examples of hard work, Fear not, be an example of faith and press on with faith.

Sister Bennion and I agreed that Elder McLean gave one of the best talks we'd ever heard. He talked about his frustration as an AP, duties include dealing with faulty Internet connections, fax connections, and the complicated process of turning these devices back on. His talk was titled, "Keeping the Switch Turned On." He has been challenged, "a constant battle," during his mission to always stay connected to his purpose. Three things affect how he connects to his purpose and affect the work greatly, his thoughts, actions and attitude. He has found that when he is connected to his purpose he corrects things more often and everything he does is more effective. He taught us to plan our time, plan effectively, and then follow our plans. He gave us a great plan of action, taught from Preach My Gospel, and then this humble, sweet missionary shared a beautiful testimony. He told us the Lord sets many of our goals for us. We know these goals and we can set the Lord's goals and plan to fulfill them, or we can turn the switch off and not participate. We each came away switched on and prepared to better fulfill our purposes here in the New York New York South Mission.

Elder Salazar has served most of his mission in Brooklyn, and we are so thankful for the chance to learn from him during the last three months of our mission. We have served with Elder McLean our entire mission and know and love him. He taught us to be fearless on the streets of NYC! Both are Spanish speaking, powerful servants of the Lord. They have both done so much to serve and further the work of this mission.

Both Tuesday and Wednesday we served pulled-pork sandwiches on Perisi Bakery buns! We have given the two Perisi brothers and their Astoria bakery much business during the last 18 months and they have done an outstanding job.

Our elders from Flushing, (where one feels they are in China) speak Mandarin, Korean, and Chinese. One of our favorite things about Zone Conferences is hearing all of the elders and sisters share, MY PURPOSE, in their languages. At our conference, it is given in six languages!

Thanks for the smiles, elders!

It's a treat to relax and visit together.

President Bangerter had just returned from China. Welcome home!

We appreciate all the help that is offered from all of the elders and sisters who are so appreciative. We will miss this opportunity every 6 weeks...we know we will!

Mostly we will miss all of these incredible missionaries we have grown to love so much.

NY FLOWER POWER

We never want to forget how magnificent the Spring and Summer flowers are in NYC. I took all of these pictures last week in our backyard on Steinway Street. Notice the raindrops on the roses...it takes a lot of water to keep everything growing and green. It has been a cool Spring and we are so grateful. It has been glorious too!

Astoria Has It All

Last Friday night after meetings and a workshop out on Long Island, we tried a new classic Parisian Bistro at 47-16 30th Avenue in Astoria. We have enjoyed all of the ethnic diversity surrounding us here. There are loads of pizza, Italian, Greek, Brazilian grills, Chinese, and Mexican take out restaurants in our neighborhood, but Bistro Les Minots is the first French Bistro we've found in our neck of the woods. It is cozy and charming and it was jam packed full of New Yorkers.

Bistro Les Minots is just three months old, a joint venture of Parisian Yann Henriet, who works the front of the house, and Chef Henri Devegeux who hails from Marseilles. It reminded us of so many places we have visited in Paris and the South of France while touring with dancers.

"Minots" is slang from the South of France for kiddos. The first party they had at Bistro Les Minots was a baby shower for Yann's sister-in-law. This charming board is a lasting reminder for all to admire.

Amazingly, this efficient kitchen is only about the size of the one in our apartment. We wondered how they could have 3 men working out of it and what the outcome would be.

We were delighted by the Les Paupiettes de Poulet Farcies, chicken rolls stuffed with seasonal vegetables & Gruyere in a rosemary jus, served with the creamiest Parmesan mashed potatoes.

Le Saumon Grille, grilled Atlantic salmon with asparagus, baby leeks, green zucchini and a whole grain mustard sauce, was cooked perfectly, a little bit of heaven on earth for this fancier of fish.

We shared a few bites of the crepes assortment....delish and lovely, strawberry, mango, and mixed berry. Everyone around us seemed to be enjoying a variety of mussels, French fries, and duck! We will return we hope for one more go. It's enjoyable and entertaining all rolled into one great little place.

"A Mighty Change of Heart"

Wednesday, May 27th, we taught from Alma, chapter 5 in the Book of Mormon, at the Queens Stake Institute Forum. We began with a heart shaped dry sponge and talked about hard, scratchy, unyielding hearts. Next we dipped our heart sponge in a bowl of water and watched the, "mighty change" of our heart. Instantly it was enlarged, soft, and pliable. We could work with it! It was just a little sharing time moment to introduce our topic.

Elder West compared an individual who's life was saved by a heart transplant, and the importance of being spiritually saved after we experience a mighty change of our hearts. As we read the scriptures in Alma 5, he pointed out Alma's 28 indicators he gave to his people through out the chapter as to whether or not they have spiritually been born of God. Alma also wrote this for our day. Alma's question to us also, are we being celestialized?

Our students were organized into four activity groups. They studied and reported to the class different principles Alma focused on. Each group did a great job. We were so pleased with their insight and the outcome of their interaction together.

This group was asked to describe the judgement day, when we will all come before God to be judged. The searched Alma 5 16-25 and compared the feelings of the unrepentant and the repentant.

These students focused on Alma's testimony that he shared in 5:37-52. They shared five important words or phrases in his testimony and explained why they selected them.

Alma knew that the Church members in his time faced difficult challenges. This group searched Alma 5:26-35, and 52-62. They were asked to list two challenges Alma mentioned that are also challenges in our day and what we can do to overcome them.

These class members were asked to imagine a friend who does not take religion and the gospel very seriously. They had a lively discussion about how they would help their friend understand what it means to "be saved." They reported to our class about what we can do to have a mighty change of heart and how important it is to continually work to change and progress in this life.

We finished the lesson with some examples of how pride and selfishness can get in the way of what Alma teaches each of us about having soft hearts. President Ezra T. Benson said, "Pride is concerned with who is right. Humility is concerned with what is right." When we humble ourselves the Spirit will always tell us what is right.

This evening was the culmination of our formal teaching, CES assignment. We will treasure this part of our mission experience. We have loved the students we have worked with, the opportunity to immerse ourselves in scripture study and lesson preparation, and the opportunity to teach together. It has been a rich part of our mission and we will miss it. Thank you to all our beloved students who have willing attended and shared with us each week. We love you and you have forever changed our hearts!