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.