Sweeping Over Steinway

Just for you, "Kimberryorama", we had a successful February Street Sweep! Saturday, February 7th, all of the Queensboro Zone met at Steinway and Broadway to spread the good news of the gospel. Elders Wheelwright and Stone had a great visit with this young man, and planned to visit him later. Our Zone Leaders, Elders Heiner and Rowley challenged us with a very creative "task list!"

• Fearless a less active member
  
• Fearless a person who speaks a different language
  
• Get Contact Information
  
• Set a return appointment
  
• Someone fearlesses you
  
• Fearless a family with 2+ children
  
• Fearless someone who already knows missionaries
  
• Deaf fearless
  
• Fearless someone wearing a tie
  
• Teach the law of chastity
  
• Teach the word of wisdom
  
• Fearless someone who's not from North or South America
  
• Fearless someone who has a friend who is a member
  
• Fearless someone who has family who are members
  

Each task was given a 1 or 2 point value. We actually did pretty well and hope that we furthered our efforts to find a family for the Astoria Ward. We talked with at least 10 great families!

Our Neighborhood

We were so surprised when we arrived home one night last week to see these colorful new banners that are hanging all over our neighborhood. They depict all kinds of activities and great adventures here in NYC.

Visit nycgo.com and look at all that is available for tourists and New Yorkers. We have developed a huge case of SPRING FEVER...and are hoping for warmer weather soon so we can see and do a little more before we leave the end of June.

Sizzling Singers at Chili's!

Monday, February 2nd, after our CES training meeting, Sister dePaula invited us to her "surprise birthday party" celebrating Elder dePaula's 72nd year! His Big Day was actually, February 5th, and our little bash was the first of several festivities...His party continued all week!

All four of us ordered the Fajita Trio...mucho delish.
Then our waitresses delivered this decedent fudge volcano dessert
with four spoons. Of course, we each sampled a just a little.
It was fabulous and will have to last a long time!

When we're with Elder and Sister dePaula, it's always a party!
We're just glad we have the opportunity to see one another at least
twice a month. They have taught us a lot. We love and admire them, and
have met some of their beautiful family. We congratulate them on almost 41 years of marriage. As for birthdays...they wear them well!

More January Zone Conference Memories

Zones 4 & 5 Conference

We were blessed for being a part of our Zone Conference, Thursday, January 29th. Our Woodside District helped us wash and ready baking potatoes for the oven, toss salad and set up and set tables. Elder West and I slipped into the meeting in time to hear President Bennion speak of the importance of loving our companions. In missionary work, love or charity is the foundational principle. Moroni said, "Charity is the pure love of Christ." Paul reminds us, "Charity never faileth." Without charity, we just go through the motions. President Bennion recently visited with one of our missionaries who with his companion had received many blessings in finding, teaching and bringing souls unto Christ through baptism and confirmation. He asked him the key to their success. The elder responded, "We are both connected to our purpose. We love each other and the people can feel this positive bond between us." Often as I listen to what we need to do to be better missionaries in our meetings, I know I need to do much more. This time I sat comfortably, at ease and at peace. We've been working at this one for so many years it feels good! President Bennion reminded us that our love for the Lord is reflected in how we love and serve one another. (Mosiah 2:17) We aren't perfect, but we're working on it!
How thankful I am for the wonderful companion I'm serving with. I love him for his patience, long-suffering, and for being a true peacemaker. He's so easy to love.
(Pictured above), departing missionaries with President and Sister Bennion, Elder Hansen, Elder Olsen, and our Sister Folsom. Each shared wonderful testimonies of our Savior, and gave thanks for all they have learned and done while serving here in New York. We will miss them.

Astoria YSA Sunday Dinner

We are so happy we live in the Astoria Ward and this is why! These Young Single Adults bring us a lot of joy and happiness. Last Sunday we got together for Sunday Dinner and FHE. We were missing several and they were missed! Judy, Nephi, Bryndel, Phillippa,Vanya, Keely and Helen, all add to our Astoria Ward YSA family. We hope you'll be able to come next time. Those that came are (1st row L to R), Jiyoung H, Jiyoung C, Kat, Sarah, me and Victor. (2nd row) Keiko, Eddie, Elder Goodman, Robert, and Elder Goodman, with Tony behind Keiko and Eddie. We discussed how important faith is in our lives. We talked about how we can strengthen our faith using our Bishopric's new ward goals...(soon to be posted). Jiyoung C. shared an experience she had with missionaries from another church. She said that you realized she'd become cold and impatient, a typical New Yorker! She wants to become a more Christ-like person who shows kindness to others. Kat and Jiyoung H. have set a goal to prepare to attend the temple. Sarah wants to support a friend who is serving a mission by sending letters. Robert hopes we will all work on loving others more. Speaking of which, Victor says this is his year! Keiko is brand new and brings a beautiful spirit with her. Tony and the Elders all remind us of our wonderful boys, and Eddie, well Eddie is a star! After a year, he finally came. He is often out of town, and we were just so happy he was able to join us...in his past life, he was a BYU Folk Dancer! We love all of you...thanks for all the yummy treats you brought to share. It will last us till the end of February!

Manhattan Restaurant Week at Delmonicos's

Thursday, January 22nd, we had a most delightful and delicious evening with President and Sister Bennion at Delmonico's. In 1827, at the beginning of New York City's evolution as the financial center of the world, the genesis of what would become a world renowned culinary institution, Delmonico's Restaurant, was set. It began as a little shop by the Delmonico Brothers. It's success led them to purchase a triangular plot of land at the intersection of Beaver, William, and South William Streets, where in 1837 they opened the first fine dining restaurant in the country. On the third floor they had luxurious private dining rooms. The basement held the largest private wine cellar in the country, holding 16,000 bottles of the world's finest wines. House specialties, Delmonico Steak, Eggs Benedict, Baked Alaska, and Lobster Newburg are their most innovative original creations. With a mission to make Delmonico's Wall Street's premier fine dining steakhouse, it has been renovated to assume the opulence of it's early years.

It was absolutely beautiful, and our fillets memorable. Our favorite part though was visiting and sharing great old memories with the Bennions. We always have a lot to laugh about together! We enjoyed catching up on their family and mission memories, and because it was restaurant week, the four of us ate dinner for the price of two. Sweet...a little NY culinary history for half price! Thanks dear friends for such an excellent evening together.

Another Great New Year in Queens N.Y.!

Meet our new student and Institute President at Richmond Hill, Nadya! She moved here after graduating with a creative writing degree from a North Carolina University. She hopes to attend graduate school at NYU this year. In the meantime, she writes on the side and works at a health club in Astoria. She adds so much to our Wednesday night class. Nadya loves the gospel of Jesus Christ, serving others, has a strong testimony of paying a full tithe, and is anxious to learn. We celebrated her 24th birthday together and hope she will feel so blessed in all of her endeavors and efforts this year.

Elder West, Amparo, and Nadya

'09 Team...We love the Woodside District

Front row: Sisters Folsom, Marshall, Thomas and Montano
Back row: Elders West, Pickering, Goodman, Froerer, Wrigley, Heiner and Rowley

"Great Expectations"

All were uplifted by President Thomas S, Monson, as he spoke to the young adults of the Church, Sunday, January 11th. The Queens Stake had close to 100 members join together at 7:00 for a "Munch and Mingle" that included getting to know you activities. Some just wanted to enjoy the treat of each others company. We got lots of hugs and have come to love the singles of this wonderful stake in the past year.

Citing examples from the classic literary work Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens, President Monson suggested that the students "have great expectations, not as a result of an unknown benefactor but as the result of a known benefactor, our Heavenly Father, and great things are expected of you."

President Monson counseled the students on the vital role of preparation to enter what he termed "the race of life." He spoke of academic preparation here that you learn to meet the challenges of this changing world in which we live. Four specific suggestions would assist students in achieving their "great expectations in the race of life: avoid pitfalls and detours like peer pressure and temptation; persevere--beware of the flashy start and the fadeout finish; help others along the race of life; and seek the Lord's help in every decision." He reminded the young people of the critical need for spiritual preparation for life's experiences. He recounted the story of Joseph Smith's search for truth and counseled the students to follow the same process when questions arise in their lives. In closing, President Monson said, "This promise I leave with you, the Divine Father will attend those who humbly seek the truth. With His help and the preparations of which we have spoken, you can go forward in this race of life and achieve your own great expectations." We loved President Monson's encouraging message and were blessed for being there with so many friends.

Sisters Folsom and Marshall do such a great job of signing for the deaf members that join us and really are involved in activities and add to the Spirit that is always there.