Will's Bright Future!

We are cheering for Will who started a new job as a Publisher's Representative for Learning Institutions at Macmillan Publishing. He had training meetings all week in Manhattan and suggests the endless possibilities of what he can do as he posed in front of Macmillan Headquarters in NYC, the famous Flat Iron Building, a fantastic landmark of Midtown.

The Haslers Hit Manhattan

Our family party officially began when Will arrived in Astoria on Saturday morning, September 13th. We headed for Manhattan on the N train. This was Krista and Will's first trip to New York and they were both enjoying all the sights and sounds of the city.


We met one of Will's former BYU roommates, Dave Almon who is living in Manhattan and finishing his PHD at NYU in Biology. Dave joined us at the city's famous burger hang-out, The Shake Shack, in Madison Park... the city's classy In and Out! We recommend the stuffed portabello mushroom burger... worth the trip. They even served it with lettuce, minus the bun for me. We loved Madison Park with the incredibly beautiful trees, flowers, fountains, statues and glorius gray squirrels who are not shy around crowds of people. A lively bluegrass band was playing tunes and it was just a gloriously lazy lunch together.

Give a Cheer...K-R-I-S-T-A...is Here!

After teaching institute Wednesday night at Richmond Hill, at 11:15 PM we picked our youngest daughter, Krista Hasler up at LaGuardia and she is staying with us for two weeks. We have missed all of our family and it's a delight to have her with us. Thursday, 9/11, we were all tired, but had time to do something fun together. A good friend told me to visit Pema Nail Salon for a memorable NY mani/ pedi's for $15- After Krista's long flight plus she's 5 months along with her first baby, a little girl, and after a hugely, busy, week we convinced Elder West that he could use a little TLC along with us. It was a first for do-it- yourself-ers! Foot, leg, hand and arm massages and then for Krista and myself polishes, and then while our hands and feet were under the dryers we had a back, neck and head message for 15 minutes. What a much needed few moments of relaxation we each experienced. Oh yes, if you come, we will go! Krista joined us for our meetings today and will teach with us all next week. She came really close to serving a mission to the Philippines. Just before her farewell she met Will, and the rest is history. So this is a chance for her to serve a mini-mission with us! Will flies in tomorrow and has meetings all next week in Manhattan. We can hardly wait to see him. It's so great to have our family here in Astoria for a visit. We couldn't be happier!

Pio Pio..our New Favorite Place

Traveling down Northern Boulevard in Jackson Heights we've seen a Peruvian Restaurant that is busy every night. We decided to try it and discovered why it's so busy. We loved the colorful atmosphere and the families and friends celebrating there. The food is fresh, healthy, and surprisingly, reasonably priced! We learned there are 6 NY locations. After our two hour institute training meeting Monday we asked Elder and Sister dePaula to join us at our new find. It was so nice to relax and visit over a delicious meal before we raced to the store and then home to cook our dinner and get our lesson ready for FHE. The dePaulas travel 90 miles twice each month for our meetings. The least we can do is discover places to party...like Sister dePaula says,"Even institute teachers have to eat!"

Good Friends Gather for Elder Holland's Fireside

Two extra-special friends, Grace Lopopolo,(Richmond Hill Branch) Queens Stake Single Adult Leader and Anita Maharaj, (Jamaica 1st Ward) who serves on the Institute Regional Council and attends our Jamaica institute class are two of our favorite sisters here. They each give 100% to their wards and the stake and have huge spirits. They are a great blessing in our lives as we are serving here, and to each other and all who know them....we may have to drag them kicking and screaming home with us to Idaho!

Paul and Theresa from Richmond Hill Spanish Branch, have been a couple since we arrived last January. They are both serving, teaching and leading with Seminary and Institute and are an excellent example of the choice young single adults that attend and support all of the activities and each other. We are cheering for them and think they are outstanding together!

YSA Girfriends bring such a great spirit of love and joy with them. They are always so happy to see one another with hugs all around! We love their hugs too and are thankful we can rub shoulders with them and feed them at the CES dinners. Elder Holland's talk last Sunday night was a powerful message about coping with our trials and holding fast to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Impressive friends like these support and love each other and we see firsthand how far that can go with the Queens YSAs and SAs......love you guys!

Gissette...A Rego Park Ward Blessing

Elder Patton had the great privilege of baptizing Gissette Brito last Sunday. We were so glad we had the opportunity to attend her baptism. She is a new YSA in the Queens Stake, and we will be able to see her often. Elder Patton was so happy as this was the first invitation he had to baptize a new member. Bishop Sanchez welcomed her to the ward and Sister Haglund to the Relief Society. We were able to welcome her to the Young Single Adults and invite her to join us for dinner and the CES Fireside that evening. She and her friend, Jackie, came early and helped by cutting all the rolls for the barbecued pork sandwiches we served. Elders Williams and Patton, congratulations on your devotion in teaching and assisting this new sister learn about Jesus Christ and choose Him again. She enjoys serving and will be a great blessing to the Rego Park Ward and we were so glad to join in on this momentous occasion. Pictured above (L to R) Elder Williams, Gissette Brito, Elder Patton, and always cheerful, President Bennion, who attended four baptisms last Sunday.

Wonderful Woodside District... the Best!

We managed to survived transfers well and met with our district last Friday for our regular meetings. Elder McLean is now a new Zone Leader with Elder Jemmett. Elder Imlay is our new District Leader and we are amazed at how well he is leading our group. Our biggest surprise was hearing that Elder Rencher was transferred back to Astoria. He's a great Elder and we are so thankful to be serving with him again. He feels right at home again and he and Elder Werner are hoping to involve the Astoria Ward members as they invite their friends and neighbors to learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thanks President for yet another group we feel very thankful to serve with. These missionaries are astoundingly incredible! Front Row (L to R) ASL Sister Folsom, Hermana Brown, Hermana Cunliffe, new to our district, but not to the mission, she's been serving for 16 months from Salt Lake City, Sister West, and Zone Leader Elder McLean. 2nd Row (L to R) ASL Sister Grover, Hermana Thomas, has served 6 months, from Spanish Fork, Utah, Elder West, and Elder Teerlink. 3rd Row (L to R) New District Leader, Elder Imlay, served 13 months from Riverton, Utah, Elder Rencher, who is back to serve in Astoria, from Philadelphia, Penn, served 14 months, Zone Leader, Elder Jemmett, and Elder Werner. Aren't they a great looking group...we just love them!

Brotherhood: Elder Low, Elder Werner and Mike...Learning and Progressing Together

This summer we had a large group of Pinacle Alarm sales people who added so much to the Astoria Ward. All have returned to their homes, except for Mike, from Russia, who has been learning about the church. We drove to Long Island City to give Mike a ride to and from church and invited him to join us for Sunday dinner. We had a chance to join with the Elders and teach Mike about the importance of prayer and daily scripture study. Elder Low's family joined in and we along with Mike all committed and recommitted to pray morning and night and read our scriptures each day. Even though Mike will return to Russia on September 10th, it has been a blessing to know him and have a chance to plant some seeds, reminding him that he already chose Jesus Christ once. We are praying he will choose Him again and share his happiness with his family in Russia. He is a great young man in every way.

Extraordinary Guests...The Low Family

Elders Low's family arrived Saturday night from Perry, Utah. We met them at the Astoria Ward on Sunday morning and were so pleased they could join us for dinner. They are here, staying in Manhattan for three days where Elder Low will join them on Tuesday evening. They will pick him up at the Bennion's home in Port Washington. He was so excited and thrilled to see them, but has stayed focused on the work. Elder Low has been such a fine missionary. He loves his family and the gospel and you can feel that from him. We will always remember that whenever we talked about something that was challenging, Elder Low would assure us that he had five sisters and could manage anything! Pictured above are Elder Low's parents, Roger and Mona Low, with Elder Low's cousin, Liesel Davis, who lives in Manhattan. Elder Low's two younger sisters, joined their parents for a week in NY, Stacie and Sara, and Elder Low and Elder Werner. What a blessing it has been to know this fine Elder and meet his wonderful family. He has represented them well. We know they will have a fantastic week here in NY, especially on Long Island where Elder Low served most of his mission. In the last six weeks we have grown to love Elder Werner, who has great enthusiasm for the work, steps up to contribute in the Astoria Ward, and displays a great sense of humor and ready smile! He says he never been asked to be in so many pictures in his life. Keep smilin' Elder Werner!

Jamaica Farewell to the Bezerra Family

Last Friday evening we attended the Jamaica 1st Ward sendoff for Manoel, beautiful Helena, and little (blonde) Manoel Bazerra who are moving back to Brazil. Manoel joined the church while my parents were serving in the NYNY Mission in 1992. I visited my parents and met him at that time. He has been a close friend to the Rossell family ever since. When we arrived in January we were so happy to be reunited with Manoel and the children. His oldest daughter, Amelia, is a new freshman at Cornell this Fall. Helena and little Manoel are flying to Macae, Brazil today to be with family and start a new life there. They are leaving many dear friends and a big hole in the Jamaica Ward. We wish them all the best and hope to see them again. Pictured are the Bezerra Family with us and two adorable little girls that wanted to be in our picture!
Friends, lots of food and a fun program made a loving memory for the Bazerra family. Helena had a hard time and tears spilled as she hugged her YW president and girlfriends for the last time. After a delicious dinner and some entertainment, we sang hymns together and then friends were invited to share their feelings and testimonies. It was a sweet experience for all who attended, especially the Bazerras. We'll miss you!