Still Cool in New York

Oh yes, we're cool. At least the weather has been. It has been very pleasant this whole month, so far - rarely above 70°. It is humid, which is my ideal weather, but Olivia likes it dry.

 I guess last month marked the half-way point for our mission. It has sped past, but there is still much to do, so we keep plugging along, hoping for, praying for success at our calling. We do see a lot of progress, and we are grateful for that.

"We need to take a picture of us at our half-way
point" We took 15 before she was satisfied.

Those who actually read this blog will remember that in April the mission baptized 202 people, a record and beyond the expectations of many. The month of May didn't allow for a celebration, so they celebrated this month with two P days. The Mission Leaders do not have authority to bring the entire mission together, so they split the mission, and had half go to the Woodside building on Monday and half on Tuesday. Our P day was on Tuesday, so we met with our district on Monday, instead of our usual Tuesday meeting.

On Tuesday, we went with our Woodside Zone and the Brooklyn, Plainview, and Lynbrook Zones to the P day activity. I thought we would have some responsibilities, but there were just a few. Most of the set up and putting away was done by the young missionaries. We and the other seniors just met in the Primary room and chatted. Earlier, while we were doing something else, a group of seniors played a table game, but we missed that. The young missionaries were in 7th Heaven, Olivia had a great time mixing with the other sisters, apparently talking about their husbands, it turns out.

All kinds of games taking place in the gym for 
the young missionaries.

The previous picture is the front of
the line for the only food truck. This
is the line behind me.

Olivia took the picture of the other women in the
"Boutique." Sister Packer, in the fancy coat, 
organized a little place for people who need to
prepare for interviews, but don't have nice clothes.
Now, she is trying to get rid of all the extra clothes.
With her are Sisters Hunsaker, Humphrey, and Duncan.

 

Modeling with her daughter, whose family
is visiting. The Packers go home in 2 weeks.

We got a visit from Elder and Sister Hunsaker who brought over a new dress that needed to be hemmed. Sister Lakaj (lak eye) is one of the shortest sisters in the mission. She is also one of the most faithful, hard-working, positive and spiritually sensitive missionaries. She is going back home to Albania and wanted the dress to wear home. Olivia is known for her sewing skills, so Sister Hunsaker asked her to do it. The dress needed 5" taken off the bottom, and then hemmed. It was a light fabric with a lining, so it wasn't easy, but it looked great when she finished.

Sister Lakaj with two of her
recent baptism candidates.

In reviewing my journal, I realized that we spent a lot of time online, mostly in Zoom meetings. The laundry this week is interesting. All white shirts and white socks. I haven't worn white shirts with white socks since junior high school. We often finished our online meeting, then I could remove my tie and we could go for a walk or some other activity that didn't require missionary attire. One bonus this week, was a virtual visit from some old friends from Sparks, NV, Larry and Patsy Kitchen. They served a mission some years ago, and he now serves as the stake patriarch. 

Many of the online meetings were with employment candidates. We have taken on more because Elder and Sister Packer are the Employment Services missionaries for the entire east region from Virginia /Maryland up into Canada, and they are leaving. No one has been called to replace them, and we cannot, so we have taken a few more to relieve the pressure. We were asked by their manager to hold their building keys (they have employment centers in three or four church buildings) until someone can take their place. Some couples have been called, but before they came, the Brethren in SLC have changed their call. Even if someone is called, now, it will be months before they arrive.

Rasheida is one of the candidates I meet with
every two weeks. She has several irons in the
fire: certified life coach, artist, student at CUNY,
YW president in her ward, and a facilitator in
a self-reliance course.

She texted me a few days ago asking
for my favorite color. Thinking she
was going to do a piece of abstract
art, I told her "cranberry."  Now I look
like something from the fiery pit. I did
appreciate the sentiment.

On Thursdays, we go to one of the centers - Union Square. This time, I had a couple of calls online to take, but Olivia had our deaf candidate come in without anyone to interpret. They did a lot of writing to each other, but made more progress than they have in the past with interpreters. It made

 for a longer day, but it was well worth it.

Olivia's Scottish blood will not allow us to eat
out every week, so she makes sandwiches and 
cookies with other items for our lunch. Frankly, it's
better than anything we could get locally.

Lizette on a phone call using American Sign Language.

Passing the pencil, communicating.

No one makes friends like Olivia. 

On the walk to the Metro station we 
saw this little guy high up in the tree.
Beside him were 2 squirrels, one on
each side. They both fled before Olivia
could get a picture.

One of the squirrels stayed in the tree, the 
other did a high wire act on a powerline.
We see hundreds of squirrels, but these guys
were quite entertaining.

Friday was transfers day and we lost two elders. We gained two to replace those who were transferred out and another two who are opening another area in Rockaway. It has a very small branch that is designated Spanish, but at least half of those who attend are English speaking; most of the new converts speak English, which is unusual. The missionaries are all Spanish-speaking elders. One of the new elders is fresh from the MTC, but speaks Spanish fluently. Maybe they will find more Spanish-speaking friends now that more missionaries are there.

      Elder Asay and I helping Elder Moser who transferred out of the district. We transported his bags.

Elder Christiansen is on his way home.
He was one who helped us move in. I
don't think he served in leadership, but
he made a lot of leaders look really good.

At the end of the "Meet your trainers" meeting we
always stand and sing "Called to Serve."

These three ladies told Olivia they would
not be satisfied until she bought the
same dress as theirs.

We had been asked to speak in the Queens YSA Ward on Sunday, and we were happy to do so. Olivia had her talk all prepared, though she continued to make adjustments to it, but I had a hard time trying to decide how to approach the topic. This ward has quite a variety from spanking new to established from age eight. There is an obvious need, but many do not see the need in their own lives. I was finally able to focus and prepare the talk, but the one I gave was very different from the one I had prepared. I was so grateful that Olivia's talk was so well organized and hit on all the right points, then I could build on that with stories and scriptures.

We have prayed about and worried about how to approach the New York YSA Stake, because the stake president has expressed his concern, but they have not been able to even fill a high council, let alone call a Self-Reliance Specialist. Attending this Sacrament Meeting, however, was a member of the high council. He was impressed with our talks and even wants to be a facilitator. I had a long talk with him and followed it with an even longer email, at his request. We have great hope that he will take the matter to Presidents Yamada and Bond (the counselor who is the SR Lead) and have other facilitators called soon.

Priesthood meeting: conducting is a
returned missionary. The prominent
man in the suit was ordained an elder
on Sunday.

This young man wears the same clothes
every day. He was baptized just a few 
weeks ago. Elder Packer helped him get
a job at a store. He never thought he
could have a job. On the left is the very
talented Bishop Bishoff.

Every color, nationality, and accent was represented
in this meeting. It is something to experience. In this
picture alone are white, African American, Chinese,
Hispanic, and Indian (behind, out of sight), from barely
able to read English to on-his-way to law school.

What a rich experience serving this mission has been, so far, and we are only half of the way through. I hope someone reading this blog is feeling a tug from the Spirit to make the commitment to serve. It is not easy, but when was the last time you accomplished something significant that was easy? We love the Savior, our situation, our exposure to these experiences and people, and find our blessings magnified. May your next week be happy and blessed.