Ramping Up

 We are seeing some things ramping up considerably in some of the stakes, and that seems to catch fire with some of the other stakes. So, we are being busy on several levels. I always know when I am becoming overwhelmed, because I start daydreaming about being out on a stream, no one else around, and fly fishing. I haven't gone fly fishing in years; I just fantasize about it.

I think the Barnes are finally moved in next door. They are wonderful people and good neighbors. I hadn't realized how spartan their furnishings were until we helped move them in. Olivia called Sister Sturgill to ask about it and found that they had been told that a set of young missionaries were going to move in after they left, so they put all the good stuff in our apartment, that young missionaries would not need or want.

Olivia called Elder and Sister Hunsaker, who live near the old (like really old) mission home and asked if there were items there that might be of use for the Barnes. It turns out that there were several, so Elder Hunsaker met us there with his key and they took home several pieces of furniture, kitchenware, etc. They were going to go buy many of the things that they found there, so they saved time and money.

Elder and Sister Hunsaker are
always so helpful. It turns out
that Elder H is Olivia's 5th cousin.

We are now invited to a Tuesday devotional for all the missionaries who are helping with Employment Services. This week we took the Barnes with us so they could meet some of the other missionaries. Olivia made some meat muffin sort of things, some veggies and a cheezecake sort of dessert. It was really amazing - no leftovers. The Barnes fit in immediately and everyone was happy to meet them. There are two other couples who help the Packers besides us, so it's a nice, small group to get to know.

I made a special entry in my journal, this week. On Tuesday, at our district committee meeting with the young Elders, I was assigned to be the person approached on the street, for Elder Summer's role play. He greeted me with an invitation to attend church, and I agreed. He then asked about my family and listened as I told him what was going on with my pretend family. He then asked if my family would like to come to church with me. I was astounded. It was the first time a missionary has focused on anyone other than the person himself. I have been trying to encourage these elders to focus on family. It is the most important aspect of their prospects' lives. He is an American whose home is in Japan. He has a quiet, humble, confident attitude, that makes him a great missionary.

Elders Harris and 
 Summers baptized
again this week.

 

As did Elders Young and
Moser

I may have gotten a little snarky in my journal, this week as February ended and March began. Many of you know that I seldom complain about summer weather, because it will be over soon, but winter is interminable. March is the month of disappointment. It is not Spring, but pretends to be; not Winter, but, in fact, it really is. Even the birds and crocuses are fooled. So other things have to fill in the happiness gap, besides the weather.

Our three Russian friends again met us at the Union Square Employment Center and we brought in the Packers, so they got the full load. The one with the best English has really hustled to find employment and got a job as a delivery man. It pays poorly, so he is still looking, but at least they now can eat better. We are helping them prepare resumes, so they can have a better chance at working.

Vitalii, Pavel, and Stepan.

Packers, us and the Russians

They still need English, so we discovered that one of our friends in Manhattan works at the Henry Street Settlement where they not only receive English classes and practice sessions with other people learning English, but also employment assistance. Henry Street has an interesting history, which I will cover in June when we take the senior missionaries on a tour to see it. The Church is one of many donors to the project, there.

Today, a lot of help is available to the underserved
and under privileged, including immigrants.

Back in the hard times.

 

 

 A lot of good is coming from this little section of
the City.

We proudly took the Barnes on a walking tour of our little section of Richmond Hill (still not sure where the name came from). We walked to the Church of the Resurrection (see previous blogs), the Richmond Hill chapel and our favorite Dollar Tree. There are some sketchy places along that walk, but for the most part it is houses and even some nice yards.

Richmond Hill 3rd Ward
building where we have our
district council meetings. 
We love this old building.

We were able to go to the Manhattan Temple on Saturday with the Barnes. They have been several times, because their daughter used to live less than 2 blocks from the temple. They knew the temple missionaries who were serving in the baptistry. They even met a couple who are their children's ages and friends from their days in Rapid City, SD. After the session, we went to lunch together. It was so nice to meet this bright, faithful, younger couple. It was also interesting to be in the temple, because in our session was a deaf couple, so not only did we see the typical session, but also the men and women who were interpreting ASL on the screen. It was fascinating.

The iconic photo of the temple. You 
have to stand on one of the islands in
the middle of Broadway to get this shot.

On Sunday, we attended two wards for sacrament meeting. The Astoria Ward consists mostly of young married families. In the congregation was our daughter-in-law's cousin, Ana Romney and her husband and baby. We also met the Woodside Stake Relief Society President (it turns out that Ana is her counselor). We were excited to meet her, because our Self Reliance Specialist in that stake has not been in contact with us for a few months, now. She was very interested in our mission and wants more information. We hope it will mean more results for the needs of the Stake. She also happens to be married to Brian Owen, who is the lead actor in Dogman, the Musical, which is playing on Broadway.

 

Ana Romney and family. It is always
a treat to see them. It turns out that
she also knows my nephew, Kryn from
their days in YSA in Philadelphia. Kryn
was in one of the November posts, I think.

Brian Owen, the Dog Man, himself.

Following the Astoria Ward meeting we went to the Queens YSA Ward. It is very small, but growing. We spoke to the bishop afterward who told us that when they called him, it was just after COVID, and only two people were attending. On Sunday there were probably about 50. Many of those who participated in the Sunday School class were not yet members. They needed another person to bless the sacrament and the bishop asked if there was anyone willing to help, there. "Anyone, including visitors," he said looking directly at me. Other than at home during COVID, I hadn't had the opportunity since doing so in Sweden, in Swedish. I was happy for the opportunity.

This is Jamilla, who couldn't stop 
smiling if she were threatened with
certain death. She is the one who 
invited us to come to her ward.

The bishop introduced us to the ward with a long and inspirational explanation of the love of God shown in programs such as Self Reliance. We also got to meet an employment candidate who had not answered our invitation email. That gave us an opportunity to set a Zoom meeting appointment.

The day ended with the usual mission devotional where goal results are reviewed, following which we heard from three sisters who will be going home at the end of the transfer a week from Tuesday. Their humble testimonies brought me to tears (again).

I must have been in a mood last night. Olivia spoke to her sister, Claudia, on Saturday for her birthday, two brothers on Sunday, and we read her sister, Jennifer's, weekly letter from her mission in Salt Lake City. Jennifer helped at Roots Tech and bore such a humble testimony, that I had to stop reading to Olivia and clear my throat several times. 

This morning I got a call from an old Army friend. He is nearly completely disabled from MS, but the more disabled he becomes, the more positive he gets. His granddaughter of 2.5 years delighted him by competing in a horse show with all her fancy outfit and gear. She won, and he assured me that she, no doubt, would have done so, even if there had been other children competing. "Brad," he exclaimed, "what an amazing time we live in. You with children and grandchildren all over the country, even in the Virgin Islands, and me with a 2-year old riding full-sized horses."

He is absolutely right. It is an amazing time, even with all the negativity in the world. It has ever been the case, but it need not be if we are wise enough to have gratitude for all the good we experience.

We love you all and wish you a wonderful week.