Zoom Zoom
It seems that we spend more and more time on Zoom with everyone we have to meet. We did have some in-person time, but a lot of online time. And, wherever we went or whatever we did this week, one of us would say to the other, "Did you take any pictures?" The answer constantly came back, "Ugh! I forgot!" Not a lot of pictures, this time. Just my fascinating tale-telling prose. (Ugh, again!) There are some at the end. As Olivia often says, "Dig deep, there are beans at the bottom."
We attended our district council meeting on Tuesday, which is always a treat. Elder Moser gave the training this time and included a model that President Holmes has taught.
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| Elder Moser decided it could be applied to every aspect of a successful life. |
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| I noted that the same concept could be applied to retaining converts. |
We attended the devotional for the Employment Services missionaries on Tuesday evening at the Woodside Chapel. "Why didn't I think to take pictures?" "Why didn't I?" Sorry, but this little story will inspire you, like it did us. Sister Packer told about a Zoom meeting with a young Chinese woman who is a recent convert. She is a recent graduate with a masters degree in a STEM area, who could not get an interview despite sending her resume to several companies. She felt that her resume needed help, but had been unable to get any real help with it. She was discouraged and depressed on Saturday and decided that she just didn't feel like going to church the next day. However, when the time came, she made herself ready and went to her meetings. When she arrived, a missionary handed her a flyer, for no apparent reason. The flyer was about the Church's Employment Services and had the Packers' contact information. She couldn't keep the tears from falling as she worked with Sister Packer that day, and she couldn't believe that Sister Packer would continue to work with her until she was successful.
A similar story happened with me and a young man I have been coaching. The difference was that he did not attend church for two weeks, but told me that he had attended last Sunday. I told him about the Chinese woman and I said to him, "When you are thirsty, don't walk away from the well." "Oh," he laughed, "I know that applies to me."
We had 5 Zoom meetings on Wednesday. For Christmas, our mission president gave each of us a journal with the Mission logo on the front. At first, I thought I would use it as a study journal, which I did for a time. Then, as I was listening to a talk (I listen to inspiring sermons, talks and discussions while I get ready for the day), the speaker told of President Eyring's decision as a young father to daily record incidents when he saw the hand of God working in his life. It has become a life-long habit for him. I have been doing that for the past couple of weeks and it has made such a positive difference in my life. In the Zoom meetings on Wednesday, I found something in each to record. It is always there if you care to notice.
On Thursday, we had some personal chores that included a walk to the post office. We decided to just keep on walking to the subway station - I would guess about 2 or 2.5 miles. We went to the Union Square building that houses the Employment Center. We had time for lunch before the Center is scheduled to be opened, so we were able to take the American Sign Language sisters who were in the building studying, with us. Upon our return, there were 3 men who looked to be in their mid- to late-twenties stand at the front door waiting for it to open. They turned out to be Russian. They had not yet been drafted, so they got out while the getting out was possible. One spoke quite good English, another a little English, but the third, none. We were able to direct them to some places to go for learning English and places to get referrals for employment on the church employment website. We have been praying for their success. On one of our meetings yesterday, we found an ideal place that teaches English, while providing them employment opportunities. Hopefully, they will return this week, so we can help them even more.
Friday morning found us driving to the Lynbrook building where we met the Stake RS President, Sis. Baxter, and the Self Reliance High Councilor, Bro. Craig. They have an idea to provide the wards in the Lynbrook Stake with a video that will serve as a SR Devotional. We worked on how to make the video happen, when to show it and how to use it for an ongoing resource. Also, getting a group together for the Chinese ward was discussed, as that is a more immediate need for them. Brother Craig's microphone wasn't working Sunday, when we met in our monthly Welfare and Self Reliance Mission Council meeting, which is why we decided to meet in person. Brother Craig said that he was sure the reason he had trouble with his mic was that we needed to meet in person. I think he may have been right. I have been tasked with coming up with the script and narration. I think it can be done on PowerPoint, but we'll see.
The big day came on Saturday. We have been cleaning and preparing the apartment next door for the arrival of Elder and Sister Barnes. We were told to expect them at 11:00 AM. At a little after 10:00, I was sent on a bagel run. As I approached the street I needed to cross I heard a voice, "Elder Easton, is that you?" I turned to find Elder Barnes stepping out of his car. I told him I was Elder Anderson, showed them where to bring their car into the garage in our building and called Olivia. She came down and we started carrying their things up to the apartment. Elder and Sister Easton, who manage the housing, arrived just as we were getting into the elevator, so he brought some things in that he had in his van. We spent much of the day getting to know them and find that they are going to be perfect neighbors.
It turns out that the Barns are MLS assigned to the Brooklyn 5th Ward. It also happens that we were asked to speak in that ward on this Sunday, so we took them with us. They got to meet the Bishop and his counselors and get some assignments. We had prayed for guidance for our talks and both felt that we had been led to know what to say. So, all in all, it was a successful day. WE EVEN TOOK PICTURES!
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| Norah was a facilitator for one of the groups when we first arrived. It was good to meet her in person. |
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| Olivia loved the RS counselor's earrings and colorful attire. It's RS, so there must be flowers! |
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| Sister Barnes, Sister Dittman, Olivia. The Dittman's have been serving in this ward, but they are not MLS, so they were sent to another ward, after Sunday |
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| Elder Barnes with one of the Zone Leaders. The beauty in the back is the Bishop's daughter. |
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| Olivia with Elder Dittman. She didn't wink back. |
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| The Stake President's wife, son and two daughters are members of the ward. |
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| On the left are Brother and Sister Austin. Sister Austin is a valued Stake SR Specialist. She has been a rock there. |
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| Elder Santini is the other Zone Leader. He has been in our district council meeting in the past. Here he is discussing the Book of Mormon with a "friend." |
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| The sisters are involved in discussions with more friends and ward members. In the back is Sister Miller, the bishop's wife. She is a professional actress, but pretty much a full-time mom now. |
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| A blurry picture of Sister Miller. |
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| Sister Dittman is helping our friend Stanley (R) with his Family History. She has turned her attention to another ward member, while the friend looks on. |
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| For most of the zones, like the mission, the last week was slightly off, but the overall month was on or above the target. |
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| Elder Young and Elder Moser with Limbania. No. 9. |
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| Dylan has been coming to church and begging his mom to allow him to be baptised. Sunday was a big day for him. His parents were there and supported his decision. No. 10. |
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