Treats + Friends= Jamaica FHE

Friends, Peyi from Flushing and Kevin who lives in Richmond Hill meet to enjoy one another's company as the Jamaica 1st Ward hosted Queens Stake Singles at Sunday's FHE. We have so enjoyed our assignment working with the singles in the stake and attending their activities. As we have seen friendships grow and flourish we have been reminded of this special time in our lives. Peyi is a returned missionary who served a Temple Square, Salt Lake City Mission, (with Ann and Gary Gardner former neighbors from Rexburg). She has one more year left of school at Queens College. From the time we met her, (she offered to help me in the Woodside kitchen), we knew she was extra special. Kevin, from Colorado is a RM who served in Brazil. Soon he begins his medical residency in the Bronx. He is planning to specialize in Oncology, and serves as the Elder's Quorum President in the Richmond Hill Branch. Kevin is especially outgoing and kind to all he comes in contact with. He and Peyi are "birds of a feather," always looking for ways to serve and reach out to make others happy.

Bishop Urbanowski taught our FHE lesson on the importance of family history and temple work. He has involved his family and they have been able to do some remarkable family search work together. We were all inspired by his personal work, how he started and well he's progressed. He challenged all of us to get busy! Grace directed a fun Book of Mormon, game where we worked in rhythm as teams in "Ping, Bang, Boom!" They played this game at the last FHE we missed and wanted to play it again. It was easy enough that we even had a fair shot at winning. Amazingly, our team came in 2nd place! Thanks all for a great night together.

Astoria Missionary Moments

We could not have been more impressed or proud of our beloved and genuine friend, Lydia, who gave her first talk in the Astoria sacrament meeting last Sunday. She told about a co-worker who introduced her to the gospel through example and unconditional love. Lydia was raised in a Christian home and felt that kind of love from her parents. After they both passed away, Lydia was searching for that in her life. She was baptized December 14, 2008. It's been a choice experience to watch her grow in the gospel, reach out to the ward, and work to improve herself. She thanked the missionaries who found her, our bishopric and the ward members who love her, and she bore a beautiful testimony about the truths of the gospel. We are so happy for her and so glad we've had the chance to teach her in our temple preparation class. Elder Pickering and Elder Norman spoke too, encouraging all of us to be missionaries working to make a difference. What a gift if we could all find more of the Lydias of this world!

Queen's Amazing Sites...R.I.P.?

Driving all around Queens County filling our assignments, we are in awe of the huge graveyards in this part of the city. Memorial Day seemed the perfect time to take a few pictures and reflect on all the masses buried in our borough of Queens. It's fair to say cemeteries absolutely go on and on for what seems like forever! We have been curious about why there are so many and learned that the Manhattan Graveyard Situation effects Queens County. In 1823 it forbade all burials in a grave or vault south of Canal, Sullivan and Grand Streets. In 1851 the situation forbade interments south of 86th Street and prohibited the creation of new cemeteries.

Also, the Rural Cemetery Act contributed greatly to how many individuals are buried in Queens. By mid-century the natural growth of population, increasing immigration from Ireland and Central Europe, and a shortage of open land in Manhattan and Brooklyn forced consideration of a change. The new legislation commercialized death for the first time by authorizing corporations to buy land, open cemeteries and sell plots for money to private individuals. Within the next five years cemetery corporations began to buy up farms in Queens County and lay out large cemeteries: Calvary (1846), Evergreens (1848), Cypress Hills (1852), Mount Olivet (1852), St. Michael's (1852) and Lutheran (1852).

One of the oldest graveyards in Queens, is Prospect Cemetary in Jamaica. This headstone reads, "Here lyes interr'd the body of Anne Carle, who departed thislifeJuly 21st, 1751, aetatis suage (aged) 21."

There are many different kinds of cemeteries in the New York area. They include the church yard cemetery, where members of a church are buried on the church grounds. There are also church owned cemeteries. They are located in another section of the community, but they are owned and operated by the church. Government owned cemeteries include pauper and military cemeteries. There are many privately owned cemeteries that are owned by corporations and are operated as a business. There are many family owned cemeteries, usually a small area of family owned land where a section is set apart for burial of family members.

We have not had time for family history work here, but we have surely had lots of interest in how many millions of people are living her and "resting in peace." We have honestly not felt too much peace during our time here, and will someday take the time to really explore and learn more about the history that is above and below this awesome city.

"School of Rock"...Solid Teaching!

Friday our Zone Leaders, Elder Nehmer and Elder Sanford, pulled out all their creative notes at our CDM=Combined District Meeting, actually a Zone 4 meeting. When we walked in they'd written on the board, "Welcome to the School of Rock...Solid Teaching." They encouraged us to practice together to achieve the harmony we need to be an instrument in the Lord's hands. They used drums to signify the scriptures, our testimonies a guitar, and quality questions were represented by the keyboard. When the three were combined we had some beautiful music!

They talked about the harmony that existed in the "old 80's" video, Called to Serve. (We were laughing as we thought of watching this video when our 3 sons entered the MTC, and it doesn't seem that long ago!) Some of these elders and sisters had never seen it before and we heard lots of sniffling near the end. It's one of those movies that will never be too old to tug at our heartstrings. After Called to Serve, Elder Christensen who will be leaving the end of this transfer and Sister Crandell, the newest sister in our zone were invited to share their testimonies.

How lucky we are to have the APs in our Zone. They always add to the beautiful spirit that is there.

We love all of these wonderful missionaries. It's so much fun to meet with them and learn twice a transfer and at zone conference once each transfer. The Queensboro Zone totally rocks!

Summer Institute Forum

Vanessa, Brother Del Santos, JoAnn and Sharkie, all Queens Stake members

Our CES Coordinater, Cory Bangerter had a great idea! Three missionary couples, the dePaulas, the Smiths and us have all been teaching Institute classes through out the mission. All three are completing our missions by the end of June. Elder and Sister dePaula drove westward May 6th and have been home in Utah for two weeks. How we miss them! On May 6th the Queens Stake started having a weekly Institute Forum, at the Woodside Stake Center. There is a different speaker each week, followed by a "munch and mingle."

We were unable to be to the first one where President Olsen, leader of the Lynwood District spoke, however, we heard it was "very well done." The second week President David Duffy, the Queens Stake President and a medical doctor, spoke on, "Health and the Gospel." We studied the Doctrine and Covenants, section 89 together and then he encouraged us to find the hidden treasures mentioned through personal revelation. This last Wednesday Brother Dos Santos, a Queen Stake High Councilor and licensed NY Therapist and Abuse Counselor directed us in a most interesting discussion about addiction. We explored the biological, psychological and social areas and how they affect addiction. Brother Del Santos encouraged us to be a force for good in our families and with friends. It was a very enlightening evening and we each came away thankful for the gospel and the tools that help us deal with our personal struggles and challenge.

We are the scheduled speakers this coming Wednesday night. You're all invited to join with us!

Creative Teachers Meet Our Needs.

Elders Swift and Boakye-Yiadom, (affectionately known as Elder B.Y.) are leaving the mission during this transfer. As missionaries we have been asked to be "master teachers". We are striving to be outstanding teachers and this is our focus during our companion study and training meetings for the full six weeks of our current transfer. President Bennion gave Elder Swift and Elder B.Y. a special assignment to travel through out the mission sharing a lesson on being creative teachers with all the districts. Tuesday these tremendous elders met to teach the Woodside District. They instructed us regarding how to boldly and creatively extend commitments and how to teach short powerful lessons, meeting needs of investigators in both of these areas. What tremendous teachers they are. They showed us, challenged us and as a district we responded very creatively. We were so impressed as each companionship demonstrated what we'd been taught. Collectively, we had a great time and all agreed we learned much. Thanks elders!

"A Gathering of Sisters"

Faith and friendships were strengthened Monday, May 18th, as all of the sisters from the New York New York South Mission gathered at the Mission Home. It is a marvelous group of women, beginning with our Sister Bennion, and included 24 young sister missionaries and 6 senior sisters. We were so happy to see one another and missed those sisters that have gone home this past year.

Sister Bennion, a master storyteller, began by telling us one of her favorite stories, the enchanted story of The Spyglass, by Richard Paul Evans. It tells of a king who ruled over a darkened kingdom. Yet when a traveler showed the king his land and people through the lens of the spyglass, the kingdom was restored to glory. It teaches that when we have faith and hope in our hearts we can reach for that which we thought was beyond our grasp. I couldn't help but feel that President and Sister Bennion look through their spyglass and have such faith in each of us and the work we are doing. Our faith was strengthened as we talked about how we can accomplish what the Lord needs us to do in his kingdom. We feel strengthened and blessed each day as we serve here.

We enjoyed a luscious luncheon of chicken salad croissants, an array of fresh fruit, and scrumptious cheesecake with the most heavenly garnish of cream and huge strawberries. After our meal, we had two workshops. Sister Roush spoke about the importance of living with an eternal perspective. She shared her experience of unexpectedly loosing her son, a husband and father of a young family, just before her mission began. She admonished the sisters to look in the mirror each day and remember that they are daughters of a Heavenly Father who knows and loves them. I was asked to review with the sisters again, (I did it last year) the importance of our appearance. As missionaries we are given important guidelines and our challenge is to "arise and shine forth." Each sister is so beautiful and their spirits shine. It's been such a joy to serve with so many of them.

President Bennion was the concluding speaker. He is such a loving leader and assured us that there are 41 wards and branches in our mission and every bishop or branch president is clamoring for sisters to serve in his ward or branch. Only 12 of those leaders are able to have these capable young sisters serving with them. President Bennion shared some personal feelings about our prophet, President Monson, and testified of his love and support for him. He shared with us wonderful quotes from the letters the sisters have sent to him each week. He asked us to be faithful in all we do and take each opportunity to share the gospel and our testimonies with all who are placed in our path. Such meaningful messages were shared and each sister was edified.

All 37 sisters were present for this joyous occasion.

Always enthusiastic missionaries, Sister Dunn is serving in Brooklyn while Sisters Thomas and Brimhall are both currently serving in Queens.

We welcome new Sister Edwards, smiling with Sister Bennion. Sister Edwards is from Kansas, a new CES missionary who will be living in Brooklyn and teaching there and in Manhattan. Her assignment is unique in that she and Elder Edwards serve in both the North and South New York Missions.

Beloved Sisters Brimhall, Roush, and Sellers.

Adorable Sisters Barrowes and Carney are both presently serving in Brooklyn.

Sassy Sisters Montano, born in Woodside, now serves out on the Island, and Johnson serves in Queens.

Sister Ditto conducted our meeting. She and Sister Sellers visit with President Bennion.

Our "Two smiling Sister Bs", Sister Balimuttajjo from Uganda, serves in Jamaica. Each sister loves Sister Bennion. She sees the best in everyone and we all feel of her love for us.

Sister Fields was "born in Woodside." She is now serving in Jamaica with Sister B!

Sister Gonzalez, (for our Rexburg friends, she is Deana Christensen's niece) is serving in Brooklyn. Sister Burton and Sister Frodsham, our Bayshore gals, send love and hugs to their Sister dePaula, and Sister Sellers who is now serving in my Zone is a sweetheart!

Beautiful Sisters, Twitchell serves in Brooklyn and Mullen is out on Long Island!

Sisters Isert, Rogers and Frodsham served in Jamaica together and enjoyed a mission reunion.

Sister Gonzalez and Sister Barrowes loved smiling in the sunshine. It was a glorious day.

A Grandslam on Steinway Street

Last Spring we were delighted and surprised when we heard cheering and discovered a Baseball Little League Parade outside on Steinway Street. This year we planned on it...ready with pass-along cards for families that march along their little sluggers. Not that we were keeping score or anything....

but we hit it out of the park big time with so many families passing by our house...who seemed interested our invitation.

We were cheering for the Orioles and they loved being in the spotlight!

The parade was a home run for us, even if no one ever scores a hit!


Last Sunday we heard a band and looked out to see an American/Italian Parade. We weren't sure what it was for, but we cheered for them from our window.

The paraders were singing in Italian and the little girl in the white dress was dropping flower petals from her basket.

In Rexburg there's a little excitement on occasion when a moose strays down our street. Soon we will welcome the peace and quiet of our small Idaho town again, and miss the non-stop parades on Steinway Street. We have just a few more weeks to "dust off the pitcher's mound", and we hope to find a family in Astoria before we are going, going, and gone!

"Live...Love...& Invite!"

Elder and Sister West, Sister Heininge, Sister Crandell, Elder Norris, Elder Sanford, Elder Pickering, Elder Nehmer, Elder Norman and Elder Flores

Our Woodside District is alive and well. Wednesday we met and set goals for this transfer. Our new district leader, Elder Norman, has been serving on the island of Bermuda for the last six months. Elder and Sister Johansen, a senior couple we've never met, serve with one set of elders on Bermuda. Elder Norman shared several insights he's learned from them. Elder Norman served in our zone, in the Rego Park District as a brand new missionary, so we've known him before. We are so glad for the chance to work more closely with him this time around. He is a most humble, kind, and loving missionary. He suggested we use, "Live...Love...& Invite" as our theme this transfer. We set two goals under each area and are planning on serving another great six weeks together.

Elder Nehmer and Elder Sanford are our Zone Leaders, and they are a terrific pair. Elder Sanford who is new to our district, is from Provo, Utah. He has served in the NYNYS Mission for 12 transfers, and loves fajitas, especially since he learned how to make them! Monday night we met the only new sister who arrived from the MTC, and on Wednesday we learned she was assigned to train with Sister Heininge. Sister Crandell is from Heber, AZ, loves chicken and noodles, the prophet Helaman is her favorite, and she has a twin brother! All of these elders and our sisters have so many good ideas. We know they are directed and inspired and want to do their best each day. We always learn so much from them and welcome ways to support and help them in their work. This afternoon the sisters are in charge of a street sweep at Steinway and Broadway. We are excited because we love to work along side them. The other day I asked Elder Pickering,(who thought he might be transferred to another area),how he felt about being in Astoria for his 4th transfer. He looked at me, smiled his great smile and said, "Sister West, Astoria rocks!" How lucky we are to serve with the best missionaries ever.

Farewell Faithful Servants

Tonight we experienced the pay off for these incredible young elders as they complete their service in the New York, New York South Mission. We were reminded last night that as new missionaries they arrive, excited, apprehensive, much quieter, ready to begin their adventure here in NY. From the moment these elders who've served together arrived at the mission home we could feel their joy. These fine young men lead one another, and fulfilled a goal of accepting a call and seeing it through for two years together. It was a celebration of all they've finished, eliminating weaknesses, discovering strengths, and all the lives they've changed and touched. Congratulations to these 17 faithful elders and to their ultra fine leaders, President and Sister Bennion who invest so much of themselves as they serve the Lord.

Spring is in full swing here. Azaleas are in full bloom in every hue. Their budding beauty in parks, and gardens all over New York is impressive. Along with missionaries we have celebrated these delicate creations that have brightened each day. It seemed fitting, a breathtaking day, a last delicious dinner, memorable meeting and one last slumber party together at the mission home!

Elders Duce, Karchner and Drainey are all planning to attend BYU Idaho in September!

Several more plan to join them from this table too...such great guys, everyone.

Elder Duce was so happy to reunite with his parents who traveled from Seattle to take him home.

Elder Kartchner welcomed his family from Utah too. It was his 22nd birthday!

President and Sister Bennion presented each elder with their, "wedding gift!" They were instructed not to open it, (a book), until after they were released or ready to be married, their choice. For most that will probably be their next big step and we thought it was a most thoughtful gift.

Testimonies and gratitude were expressed, a perfect way to end the best two years of their lives. As the next door opens for these young men, we can only foresee the best.

They will continue to touch and brighten lives.