It's Up to Us, New York, New York

 We had our zone conference this week and President Holmes informed the missionaries that almost 60 of the 200 missionaries in this mission have been here a full transfer, or less. The next transfer will have more coming in than those returning home, so it will become even younger. The result was emphasizing the basics in the meetings. It turns out that doing so has been a great blessing to the more seasoned missionaries, as well. In our Sunday night devotional, he reiterated the need to go back to the basics, especially in goal setting. The missionaries are exceptionally loyal to him and to their purpose. They are already talking about ways to implement his recommendations. Sister Lloyd just arrived as a transfer from a Church historical site mission. She is best friends with Breanna Hill, whose mother, Suzanne, is my niece. She also works with a senior couple  who are friends with Elder and Sister Barnes. The neighbors to our church building are not getting all their squash....

This is a week of remembering special events that shape who we are. On Friday, 9/9, President Nelson turned 99. Our admiration for him increases daily as we see what this remarkable man continues to do with his life and ministry.  On this day, 22 years ago terrorists attacked our city, destroying the World Trade Center towers and killing thousands. On Sunday the sister who spoke in sacrament meeting wiped away tears as she remembered the day and her husband, a policeman at the time, who was there doing what those heroic first responders did. Our friends, Lynne and Lanette Pettit, were scheduled to leave on Tuesday morning, so we wanted to be up early to get ready for the day. When we got up, we discovered that we had no water. We texted the maintenance man who told us that there was a big leak and they had to shut the water off. We have, as all the apartments in the mission are supposed to have, a couple of 3 gallon bottles of water. We were able to use them to flush toilets. Later...

 We  have been without our district for a few weeks because of the previous transfer. We had two companionships in the district until one of the new elders who came out then, had to return home where he will serve a service mission. That left only one companionship of three, so we were absorbed into the Rego Park District. They meet on Wednesday mornings which was always a conflict for us because we have a standing meeting then. They did meet on Tuesday this week, so we were able to attend just before major transfers. Elder Harris is found on the street by Sister Ristine. Sister Hoskins explains their accountability while Sister Ristine writes the names of the people ready for baptism in their area. Elder Farmer stayed, but this was the last time we will likely see Elders Tanner and Wilkins who were transferred. We inspected our last apartment for this quarter this week, which is always a good experience. It takes us back to when we served in Sweden and inspected so many apart...