Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho It's Off to Work We Go

 Well, it's off to work for one of our employment candidates, anyway. Others are in the hunt, and hopefully, they will be successful, soon. The man who got the job still has a way to go, so we have a return appointment with him this week. Briefly (if that is possible for me), he has been served by Elder Packer in the past, but we were asked to work with him this week because the Packers were not able to be at the center that day. Olivia was busy with another project, so I met with him alone. It turns out that he actually got a job as an on-call worker for a company last December, but had not heard from them until just before he came in on Thursday. They do janitorial and other services and wanted him to start the next day. The brother brought in his resume, which I reviewed with him, briefly. I found no indication that he is bilingual on the resume. His English and Spanish are both excellent, so I asked him why he had left it off. He just hadn't thought of it. I reminded him that when he met the missionaries and joined the Church, he started a new life. He had the experience and expertise to supervise a crew of workers. Speaking Spanish would be a huge advantage. I reminded him that his past (which was kind of miserable) was no longer something to lead his future, that God knows him and is giving him a new start. The change in his countenance was remarkable. I am anxious to see if he comes in this week.

We were joined by Elder and Sister Shiley at the employment center because a young woman was scheduled who speaks almost no English. Elder Shiley taught Spanish at BYU-I, and has been a great help to those who are Spanish speaking. Olivia and Sister Shiley spent much of the time doing more cleaning and even did a run to McDonalds, because we arrived to find a walk-in candidate who had not set an appointment. We had intended to drop off our computer and get some lunch, but that couldn't happen, now. So, I met with him while Elder Shiley met with the Spanish-speaking sister and the women went for some lunch.

Brother Evans is the only one of whom we got a 
picture this time. He is going to the UK for a few
weeks, so we will meet with him upon his return.

We had a second meeting on Zoom with a young man I have mentioned before. He is in Canada, working for McDonalds, where he has been for the past six years. This time we discovered that he had been offered promotions and raises, which he had turned down because he felt that he didn't know enough. One question I had, but which was answered before it was asked was whether McDonalds offered assistance for university credit. He told us that he had been feeling that he should look into the Archways program through the company. It turns out that he would get tuition-free college credit at Colorado Technical University. I reminded him of the feeling he had when he decided to join the Church and that it was the same feeling. We reviewed his resume, which is replete with cross training and work experience that makes him superbly qualified to be a manager. When we started, he wasn't sure he would be able to stay on the whole time because he had had little sleep and had worked all day; he was so tired. By the time we finished, he was animated and happy. 

When we understand that the blessings of the Gospel of Christ extend to every aspect of our lives, it is motivating and fulfilling; more than anything else can be.

I have mentioned the Church of the Resurrection before. It is the oldest church in Richmond Hill, where we live. We have tried a few times to donate to their rummage, but could not get anyone to answer the phone. Finally, we left a message and were called back by a woman who seems to run the place. We had some items that were left in the apartments we had inspected, so we wanted to donate them there. We were met at the door by Susanne ("...if you're mad at me. Usually, I just go by Sue.") who was grateful and gracious. She offered us a tour of the venerable old building and we gladly accepted.

Arms loaded, we are going into the 
Episcopal Church

Sue met us at the door. After completing her PhD.
and living in Africa with her husband for many
years, she retired back here to take care of this
historical building.

The stained glass is beautiful

She seemed a little embarrassed to 
have the Presidential Seal in so
prominent a place in the church. It 
was placed there when the daughter
of a friend of Teddy Roosevelt was
married and he came for the ceremony. 

Left, is the memorial for 9/11 as a member of the
parish died in the tragedy. Next to it, there was no
window, so the art was done in mosaic tiles.

The center section was from the original structure
built in 1874. the sides and other parts of the 
current building were added in 1904. 

After hearing it twice, I said to Sue,
"I think someone is ringing the door-
bell." "Oh, that could be. I didn't
bother with my hearing aids, today."
Another couple came with a load for
the rummage. I helped bring it in. 
Olivia visited with the women and
they now know our purpose as 
missionaries.

Sue was very proud of this baptismal
font. The Church had recently made
baptism a public affair, so the font is
now placed in the front of the 
congregation. The picture is St. John
baptising Jesus.

Some of the interesting statuary in
the sanctuary.

 

Amazing stained glass surrounding the pulpit and
the paraments hanging from the alter.

Jacob Riis was an urban reformer and
early benefactor of the Church. Some
of the stained glass is a memorial to his
wife who preceded him in death. He was
the friend of Teddy Roosevelt.

It is always fun to find the hidden gems in your own neighborhood.

President Holmes was ill during the first part of the week when we were scheduled to be in a zone conference with our zone. He recovered and combined several zones into the last two days. We were there on Friday. He gave one of the most insightful, inspiring talks about the Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. I have heard. I have saved the talk and printed it off, as well. He also told of when he was called to be the President of his stake. His brother was then serving as a bishop, but a couple of years later, it was his duty to release his brother, with whom he was especially close. Knowing his brother loved the Prophet as much as he did, he decided to get a copy of the statue called "Calm as a Summer's Morning" as a special gift for him. It was not easy to find, but one store reported that they had one. He immediately went to the store and asked for the statue. The lady at the counter said that they had it, but it was on hold for another customer. A seasoned, skillful negotiator, he informed her that she could not know if the other person would even come to get it and he was there, prepared to pay cash. She said the customer's story was so compelling, she could not sell it from under him. "You see," she said, "he is being released as a bishop and wants this a gift for his brother, a stake president ..." President Holmes began to cry and as he was wiping his eyes, she said, "Are you that stake president?"

The original statue in front of the Nauvoo Temple.

 

Joseph and Hyrum, brothers of
a special kinship, regard the temple
as they leave for Carthage, Ill.

We got the opportunity of seeing some of the missionaries we have grown close to, but would not have seen, otherwise. We set up the eating area and cleaned following the meal.

A full cultural hall with Olivia serving as she is wont to do. The place was filled with
missionaries excited to see each other and to see if they won the squeaky clean apartment,
or car. 

Valentine's Day theme and box lunch
from Panera. 

Some of the clever decorations.

Olivia repairing missionaries' trousers,
coats, ties, and other assorted items.
Of course, it's a great time to share the
latest mission gossip. Sister Little, in red,
is leaving this month, and will be sorely
missed, so Olivia wanted to be close for
the day.

Saturday, we had time to attend the temple and witness the revised presentation of the endowment. I have to say, it was very inspiring. So much is explained and even more Christ centered. Happily, we had time in the celestial room to discuss our feelings. We did so again when we got home. We have come to really appreciate the Manhattan Temple. 

The shot she has wanted for a while. it
was a sunny day, so the angel shines
at the top of the spire.

Sunday was a busy day. We attended a ward and a Spanish branch in Plainview, NY. Every time we attend a church meeting we are told how much that unit needs self reliance. The bishop announced that they have a baptism every week, so the ward should just plan on being at the building every Saturday at 10:00 AM. They confirmed a young man that day who had been baptized the day before. 

In testimony meeting the week before he told of
going through some hard times and prayed that God
would help him know He was near and loved him.
He was sitting in his car, and when he finished praying
he looked up to see Sister Falin (2nd from right) 
"bouncing across the parking lot toward him." He saw
her missionary badge, and said to himself, "Really,
God, you're answering my prayer that fast?"

That afternoon, we were invited to be present for the Fairfield Stake Welfare and Self Reliance council meeting. They wanted instruction about the new(ish) computer registration program. They also wanted information about involving youth in self reliance and setting up a course for Spanish speaking members of the stake. The counselor in the stake presidency attended and was very much involved, as was the stake self reliance specialist and several others. It turned out to be a very productive meeting.

This stake is well organized. Not everyone was able
to attend, but almost everyone. It was Super Bowl,
after all. Stake SR specialist, us, a facilitator, BYU
Pathway missionary, stake presidency counselor,
stake RS president, and ADR specialist.

We ended the day with our usual devotional/goal review with our mission leaders, President and Sister Holmes. President Holmes referred to the Sermon on the Plain in Luke 6, verses 48-49. In order to build a foundation on the rock, it was necessary that the builder "...digged deep... ." So it is with our spiritual growth. If it will withstand the tempests, we must dig deep and set a firm foundation.

Thanks to you all who take the time to read this. It is inspiring to me to review the week. I hope it is for you, as well.