Our Neighborhood

We need to document some of the things we see here in Astoria that we don't want to forget. Often we say to one another,"We should have taken a picture of that!" We are not sure what is ahead for us, but we think we'll probably never live any where as busy or populated as NYC or Steinway Street again. Traffic roars in front of our house day and night, and the big trucks start each morning about 4:00 AM. When we arrived home last Friday evening, a woman crossing the street in the dark, had been hit (out in front of our home) and the ambulance arrived shortly after we did. We asked the police if we could help her or her family, but they could not give us any private information. We are continually amazed at how truck, bus and emergency workers get around this place. This poor guy took out the signal and light on the corner of Astoria and Steinway. This driver's big mistake was just not swinging wide enough.

Before our mission I remember asking Sister Bennion if she had someone that helped her with all of her cooking. She replied, "My best friend is Costco!" We too buy at Costco in quantity almost weekly and agree that it is a boon with so many Saints and hungry missionaries to feed. What is so amazing to us is how people leave shopping carts everywhere. Pictured above is the beginning of a pile-up! Often I have to get out of the car and "move trolleys," (NY terminology) so we can drive the car through an opening in the parking lot or get into a parking space!

It's Official...Elsie Renee

Our newest little doll was given a name, Elsie Renee, and a
blessing by her father, Sunday, February 15, 2009.

We hear she has her Mom's profile and eyes, but the rest
of her belongs to her Dad! Actually, Jennifer says she looks
a lot like Shelby and Lizzie did...so who knows. They seem to
change so much. Her little blessing dress is 34 years old and
was worn by her Aunt Jennifer, her mother Krista, and her two
cousins, Shelby and Elizabeth, and has become an earthly treasure.

We love this beautiful little family and we were there with you in spirit.

Establish a House of God

"Shoot For the Stars"

We are so impressed with our new district leader, Elder Pickett. He's such a strong leader, and we all agree, he's had the most challenging struggles as a missionary thus far. He was called to serve in the Russia, St. Peterburg Mission. He entered the MTC in Provo, Utah and was stricken with some serious medical problems. He was sent back to his home in Las Vegas, Nevada. After extensive medical tests he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Elder Pickett and his family joined together in "mighty fasting and prayer." When he went in for his surgery, there was no sign of a tumor. He was sent back to the MTC, finished his language training and then had problems obtaining his visa for Russia. He served in Atlanta, Georgia, for two months, waiting and hoping, but he learned much and loved his mission president there. He was able to serve in Russia for four months and then he was sent home again with medical problems. This time, he had another unrelated problem, that was easily corrected with surgery. He recovered from the surgery and was planning to return to Russia and just before he was leaving the Church closed the mission there to American Missionaries. He arrived in the New York, New York South Mission on June 16, 2008, and we are so lucky to have him here. He is an inspired leader and has a missionary motto, "It's better to shoot for the stars and land in the trees, than to shoot for the trees and land in the mud!" He attended SUU (and knew President and Sister Bennion there) before his mission and loves Italian food. We are also happy to have Sister Fields who is a brand new ASL missionary. She had some pre-mission signing experience and was so excited when President Bennion assigned her to serve with Sister Marshall. She graduated from Columbia College with a degree in Sociology and she can't decide what she likes best, spagetti or all Asian food. Elder Norris hails from Whittier, California, likes waterpolo, Jepardy, and attended Cal Poly before beginning his mission eight months ago. We always feel the best missionaries serve with us here in the Woodside District. Again this transfer, after some difficult goodbyes, we feel we have been very blessed.

Our Woodside District

An Invitation to All

A Promise From a Prophet

“We urge all for whom Institute is available to take advantage of it. We do not hesitate to promise that your knowledge of the gospel will be increased, your faith will be strengthened, and you will develop wonderful associations and friendships.”

- President Gordon B. Hinckley, The Miracle Made Possible by Faith, Ensign, May 1984, 61.

We can now add our testimony to President Hinckley's about the blessings that come from attending Institute classes. We have witnessed an increase in faith among our students and feel so blessed to have been called to teach. We have developed lifelong associations and friendships with our students. Our faith has been strengthened as we have learned about dedication to the Lord through their examples.

• Anita worked in the Manhattan Temple last Friday, Saturday, and Monday, as it was open for the Presidents' Holiday. She has been doing the work for her ancestors and has been a member for a little over two years.
• Tony was baptized January 25th. We see the Spirit radiate from him as he works hard taking notes and shares how the gospel has changed his life in the past two months. He was so excited when we gave him a used quad so he would have "all the scriptures in hand." He can hardly wait to study and use the footnotes!
• We miss Jennifer, our Jamaica student who is now in Rexburg, living across from the Rexburg Temple, and attending BYU-Idaho. She is so thrilled to be there. We just wish we could bring all of our students home with us.
• Ampero serves as the Young Woman's President in her Richmond Hill Branch on Tuesday nights, and then attends Institute on Wednesday night faithfully week after week.
  

The Importance of the New Testament

"The entire message of the New Testament breathes a spirit of awakening to the human soul. Shadows of despair are dispelled by rays of hope, sorrow yields to joy, and the feeling of being lost in the crowd of life vanishes with the certain knowledge that our Heavenly Father is mindful of each of us" (Thomas S. Monson, "The Spirit Giveth Life," Ensign, June 1997, 2).

We have taken New Testament classes but never immersed ourselves in the scriptures, as we are now each day, preparing for our weekly Institute classes. We have recently realized that we have known of Saul, his miraculous conversion on the road to Damascus, but never fully appreciated the balance of his life as we should have. Paul is an amazing example of obedience and repentance, and a missionary who served three missions with zeal and steadfastness. The life of Paul following his conversion allows us to learn about what it means "to stand as a witness of God at all times, in all things, and in all places, even unto death."

Before the Royal, he was kingly,

In the prison, noble, true;

In the tempest, mighty captain

Of a terror-stricken crew.

Sunless days nor nights of blackness,

Prison chains---tempestuous wave,

Floundered ship nor deadly viper---

Feared he not the yawning grave.

"God's good angel stood beside me,

His I am and Him I serve,"

This the secret of his power---

Him from Right no power could swerve.

by President David O. McKay

We are grateful for students we love and cherish and for the Apostle Paul. He was a witness of God at all times and in all things and in all places and that witness did not end with his death. He wrote 1/3 of The New Testament and his testimony of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the long awaited Messiah of Jewish Hope is affirmed in the first 3 verses in 12 of the 14 books attributed to him! He also was a champion of the doctrine of the Resurrection. As missionaries we have been so inspired by Paul as we too have been called to be a witnesses of God until we have finished our course.

"Wicked" Fun in February

Another NYC Adventure!

Thanks to my parents for a wildly fun evening in Manhattan! Mom and Dad, we used our Christmas cash and finally were able to get $57.00,(unbelievable we know) tickets to Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre. Nicole Parker starred as Elphaba and Alli Mauzey played the part of Glinda. We were familiar with George Maguire's story and in love with the soundtrack, but to have it all come together with a fantastic cast, fabulous costuming, creative choreography, an incredible set, and really "up close and personal" with seats on the third row was magical.

Of course I could relate to the misunderstood Wicked Witch of the West,(Elphaba), as I have been called exactly that by my five little munchkins when they protested many times in their young lives! If you are curious about the story, here's a little about this delicious tale.

When Dorothy triumphed over the Wicked Witch of the West in L. Frank Baum's classic tale, we heard only her side of the story. But what about her arch-nemesis, the mysterious Witch? Where did she come from? How did she become so wicked? And what is the true nature of evil? Gregory Maguire creates a fantasy world so rich and vivid that we will never look at Oz the same way again. Wicked is about a land where animals talk and strive to be treated like first-class citizens, Munchkinlanders seek the comfort of middle-class stability, and the Tin Man becomes a victim of domestic violence. And then there is the little green-skinned girl named Elphaba, who will grow up to become the infamous Wicked Witch of the West, a smart, prickly, and misunderstood creature who challenges all our preconceived notions about the nature of good and evil.

Possibly our favorite song,"For Good" is from Wicked:

ELPHABA
I'm limited:
Just look at me - I'm limited
And just look at you -
You can do all I couldn't do, Glinda
So now it's up to you
(spoken) For both of us
(sung) Now it's up to you:

GLINDA
I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you:

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

ELPHABA
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend:
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you:

GLINDA
Because I knew you:

BOTHI have been changed for good

ELPHABA
And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame me for

GLINDA
But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share

BOTH
And none of it seems to matter anymore

GLINDA ELPHABA
Like a comet pulled Like a ship blown
From orbit as it Off it's mooring
Passes a sun, like By a wind off the
A stream that meets Sea, like a seed
A boulder, half-way Dropped by a
Through the wood Bird in the wood

BOTH
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
I do believe I have been changed for the better?

GLINDA
And because I knew you:
ELPHABA
Because I knew you:

BOTH
Because I knew you:
I have been changed for good.


We enjoyed this delightful musical that encourages appreciating the differences in others as well as looking for the best in every one, even a Witch with the name of West!

Adding to our fun, for the first time we hopped the Q101 bus across the street from our house and traveled down Steinway, and over the Queensboro Bridge. Then we hopped onto the M31, another bus that took us cross-town to Times Square. We got off the bus and walked a short distance to the theater. It was a cold and blustery night in the city and we just made a memorable mission memory. New York City is such a great place to serve a senior mission.
It just is!

We are so thrilled for our dear friends, Richard and Jill Smith from Rexburg. We learned last weekend that Richard who was the first bishop in our Rolling Hills Ward, was called to be the President of the New York, New York North Mission! They will arrive in New York as we leave with the Bennions and will preside over Manhattan, The Bronx, Harlem, and I think almost up to the Upstate part of New York State! Congratulations you two....we are so happy for both of you and all of your future missionaries.

Young Leaders With Big Ideas

Meet our terrific Astoria Ward Bishopric, 2nd Counselor, Brother Matthew Lambert, Bishop Jason Glass, and Don Macbean, 1st Counselor. We appreciate their hard work, commitment to the members of the ward, and the ward goals they have set for 2009:

Proclaim the Gospel

• Full-time missionaries teach 20 lessons per week to members and non-members
• 20 baptisms
• 20 reactivation
• Prepare our young men and young women to go on missions through mentoring and ward mission donations

Perfect the Saints

• Read the Book of Mormon as a ward
• Sacrament Meeting Attendance=120 people
• 100% of Home and Visiting Teaching companionships visit at least one family and contact all families assigned each month
• Pay full-tithing and generous fast offerings

Redeem the Dead

• Temple Trips:
• Ward - Once per month
• Youth - Once per quarter
  

As we have discussed the Astoria Ward Goals with the Young Single Adults and others in the ward, we agree we have all been challenged by these awesome goals. It's a blessing to live in a ward that is trying to achieve 20 baptisms, 20 activations this year, and we are impressed that they are preparing young men and young women to serve missions! In addition to our ward goals, President Bennion has challenged each of the senior missionary couples in our mission to find a family to teach and baptize. We have just under four and a half months to find a new family who will join the Astoria Ward. Please pray for us, that we will be successful in our efforts. We like our bishopric, have a great desire to see the Astoria Ward grow and be strengthened in 2009.

Senior Duties..Mission Pad Checks