Week 22 October 25 - 31

Allan and his parents Leon and Janet arrived on Monday and are here for four days.  They seem to be having a good time.  It was so nice to have them.  We had such fun with him in Slovenia the summer he was there on an internship for landscaping.  They took the bus tour and had a good time.

Allan, Leon, Janet Perry spent four days with us

Central Park in October, trees are changing

Elder Sumsion still in Kingsbridge

Kaylee and the Cross Country Team at State in Pocotello

Kaylee with a probable fracture.  Needs to stay off it so she can dance

Kory caught these

Gage, Tyler and Josh and parents spent a week in Baton Rouge FL

Manhattan Temple

Eric Billa in our Temple Prep class

Riley and Camdon Snow at last football game

Rob and Robbie at the BYU Game

We also welcomed our new couple and sister to the temple.  We have the privilege of guiding the Heidemans around the temple.  They are from St. George.  He was a dentist and they are here for 18 months.  We are so happy to see them.  The temple has been very short handed until their arrival.  Sister Nabors is from Kingman, NV and served in the LV temple.  Sister Harris is her guide.  These are great people and we have had a fun week with them.  Tonight they brought us some great cookies as a thank  you for being their trainers.

Friday night Paul was in sealings with President Bench, Nixon and Bean.  He said it was so special.  It was the first time the counselors had sealed and the spirit was very strong.  Someone said that when they closed the door it was like shutting the spirit inside with them.

We are attending the 12:30 session on Tue, Wed and Thur.  Monday we took a trip to Costco on the bus.  Great experience this time.  We had a pizza separated in a bag and when we got on the last bus the driver told us we could not bring the cart on except folded up so I had to put everything on top of the pizza and really weighed it down.  Still tasted good.  We had it last night after getting home from the temple with the Perrys.

Saturday we hoped on the subway and went to Kingsbridge for the baptism of te Lutumba family, Zacarias, Claudia, Neide, Samuel, and Claudia.  It was so very special.  Paul and I got to help by giving them towels when they came out and back around so they could watch the others get baptized.  I think we left a puddle by their chairs.  Elder Pirez did the baptisms.

Latumba family and Sister missionaries Sister Swarthing and Balley

The Latumba family baptism Neile, Zacarias, Claudia, Samuel and Claudia and baby +baby to come

Monday we went to see Queen Cawtu and Sister Nabors came with us.  Another great week in Manhattan.  Lots of new workers especially young ones.  Also Elder & Sister Richards arrived and are assigned as MLS to the Kingsbridge 2nd Ward.

Edwina is in the hospital but moving out on Monday.  She is always in our prayears

Week 21 October 18 - 24

Debbie and Mike got off early to re-see the two cathedrals and Paul and I went on the 11 am session.  It was pretty big.  Then off to Western Beef for a few groceries.  Now it's time to go in to work.  I believe I am a guide today for an own endowment.

We received wonderful letters from the Activity Day Girls in River Ridge 9th Ward.  This was my response.

October 20, 2016

Dear Activity Day Girls and Your Leaders,

What a wonderful surprise to receive your letters of encouragement and love.  They are so very welcome.  It is hard being away from home so when we receive letters from home it helps a lot.  Thanks for being so thoughtful.

New York City is a wonderful place to serve.  We serve as ordinance worker in the Manhattan Temple right in the middle of Manhattan and famous Lincoln Square where we have the ballet, philharmonic and opera across the street from us and the Julliard School of Music and Dance.  We live in an apartment 85 steps from the front door of the temple.  The subway (MTR) is also across the street and buses go up and down our street so that is how we get around.  NO CARS for us.  Traffic is awful and costs $20 a half day or $40 a day to park your car.  Good reason not to have one.

We serve Tuesday thru Saturday on either a day or evening shift.  There are eight missionary couples and two single sisters who serve.  We divide it up and half of us go day and the other half evening about 7 hour shifts.  We do all the ordinances in the temple plus help with laundry and cleaning of the temple.  We also work with wonderful local ordinance workers. 

We are just having a change in our Temple Presidency.  President and Sister Steve Bennion will be leaving next week.  They have served for three years and are from St. George area.  Before coming here they were Mission President of NY North Mission.  Our new President and Matron are President and Sister Bench, they just served three years as 2^nd Counselor in the Temple Presidency. They are from the NY area and we love them. 

We have been assigned to a Ward in the Bronx where we attend Church each Sunday.  We love it out there.  It takes us 50 minutes on the subway to get there and right now church is at 11:30.  We have a very diverse Ward with people from all over the world, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Philippines, US.  Lots of different people and how they found the Church or the church found them is so interesting.  We have been helping with the full time missionaries.  We have four companionships in our Ward, two sets of Sisters and two sets of Elders.  We also teach a Temple Preparation class. 

On our P-day we get to do fun things.  Central Park is one block from us so we can go there any time we want.  We can go to plays, we just saw “Phantom of the Opera”.  I have been to the American Ballet and the Philharmonic, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, walked the Brooklyn Bridge, been to Chinatown and had great food there, Little Italy, visited some of the big cathedrals here in the city, walked down 5^th Avenue.  Like I said many things to do here.

We love you all and encourage you to be good missionaries.  Your example of kindness and love will draw people to you and they all need the gospel.  Continue to be helpful and loving to your families.  Learn to clean, cook and do laundry.  It will make your life as a full time missionary so much easier. 

Thank you again for taking the time to write to us.  We send our love.

A baptism group from Kingsbridge 2^nd Ward in our apartment afterwards for dinner.

Elder & Sister Lewis on the Brooklyn Bridge

Janice Wilson sharing her delicious pumpkin crunch.  Last baking before she left for home

Mike and Debbie at the recruiting station in Time Square

Debbie and I entering Phantom of the Opera

Elder Mitonzi

Empire State Bldg in day time

Empire State Bldg at night, lite up for different occasions

Statue of Liberty, the most recognizable icon in the world

Paul, sleeping on the Ferry from Ellis Island

Courtney and her companion Sister Clark

Courtney in beautiful Kansas

Week 21 October 11 - 17

Janice Wilson making another delicious dessert

Mike & Debbie at Time Square by the recruiting stand

Debbie and I going into Phantom of the Opera

Elder Mitzion, new Elder in our Ward from West Jordan 

Empire State Bldg. during day

Lit up at night

Ferry ride to Ellis Island

Ellis Island entry

Main hall of Ellis Island immigration 

Paul and I are coordinating during the 4 - 6 hours at the Temple.  Most of the regular workers are gone and it is just us missionaries.  It's fun to be together for about an hour.  Today we are planning to do some sealings with Elder Mumford. That didn't turn out too well.  Actually we were enjoying it but others said we need to do more initiatories so I guess we won't do that again unless we have patrons for sealings at that time.

A good week, still small sessions and this is the week Mindie and Paul Rogers and Janice Wilson finish out their last week.  They got to do several sessions and a little of everything for memory sake.
Debbie and Mike flew in Friday morning and they hit the road running.  I think the best thing was the gray bus ride for two days.  It really gives you an overview of what to see in the city.  I went down at 10:30 Saturday morning to get us tickets for Phantom of the Opera and Circle de sol for Mike.  Going so early I was first in line.  The time went quickly because I struck up a conversation with some other people in line.

Saturday night we went to the play, excellent.  Sunday we went to Church at 9 at the YSA Ward because Christian Jones was speaking.  He did a great job.  Then we headed off for our Ward and Debbie and Mike headed out to see some more sights.  Sunday night we met up with them and did the night tour of lower Manhattan and Brooklyn.  Really fun.

Monday we went with them to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.  We walked around the Ellis island experience and then watched a film on it.  Very interesting and so hard for these people.  Not much different from today with all the refugees throughout the world.  In strange places where they cannot understand anyone, coming from countries where authority figures are not to be trusted and thrust into this setting.  Paul left us here and we went on to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, have a late lunch in Little Italy, take a subway up to 125th St to see Riverside Church, Grants Tomb and St. John's Cathedral, which were not open.  Happened on to Columbia University, very pretty campus and saw four missionaries there.  By then our feet were tired so we caught a bus and got off at Snack Shack for a root-beer float/chocolate shake and then walked home.

We bought Marsh's time share at Island Park so now have four of them.  This is a two bedroom so should be good.  I would like to get rid of one of the one bedrooms.

Courtney had a great week along with the other missionaries we get letters from Braxton and Grant.  So proud of all of them.

We love the Lord and are so happy to be serving here in the Manhattan Temple.  It is a great blessing every day.  We have found a few names of ancestors who need their work done and Darlene is sending us a bunch so we are going into the temple Tue, Wed, Thur and doing a session.  A great blessing.

Week 20 October 6 - 10

Paul and I got to officiate and follow a session together Saturday night.  Very fun.  We had an ASL sister on the session.  We also did some sealings together this week.  We are getting lots of names completed.  Some we have found and some we got from Darlene.  The temple seems a little slow probably because of the two temples opening in our area.

Last Friday we went to lunch with our evening group to an Indian Restaurant "Kismat".  Very good.  Afterwards we walked about 15 blocks to find a Wendy's for some ice cream.

Paul  and Mindi Rogers, LV and Sister Wilson, Tetons, all going home October 17.

Paul at Kismet

Sunday we had a great day seeing some of our old missionaries who have been transferred to the Manhattan area and meeting the new ones assigned to Kingsbridge 2.

Christian Jones at the YSA Ward

Elders Lewis Geppett from Houston and Staker from Utah

Elders Lewis, Krzymowski, UT, and Elder Tabor CA

Two new Elders in Kingsbridge Elders McClellen, AZ, Mitonzi UT, and Elder Pires from Brazil

Elder McNairy CO, Elder Brown, Orem Elder Lewis

A wonderful family investigating the Church and they attended today all three hours.

Waiting for the train #1

Sister Russell, Sister Atkinson and Sister Lewis

Sister Balley TX, and Sister Schwarting ID

Sister Felise, Samoa and Sister Bongolto, Philippians 

Emily Snyder and Mar Jean at the MSA Ward.  She is doing great at Columbia

Monday we serve in the temple from 8-1.  Today is Columbus Day and the temple is open and will be staffed with the missionaries.  We are looking forward to a great day.  It was a nice day.  Not too many people in the temple but some fairly good sessions.  No patrons for initiatories and a few for sealings.  It was a great way to spend Columbus Day.  We are reminded that Columbus is mentioned in the Book of Mormon and he, himself, felt that God was directing his path to the Americas.

We heard today that Dale and Lee Talley received a mission call to Zambia South Africa to serve with Church Education.  What a great time they are going to have and what a blessing to many.  They leave Jan 9, 2017.

Week 19 September 27 - October 3 2016

Pretty quiet week so far.  They have been working in the building and the noise has been terrible.  Wednesday they turned off the water but it has been quiet.  Just reading a book and Paul is sleeping.  A couple came to the temple last night from Idaho who had not done initiatories for 40 years.  What a pleasure to serve them.  The session were not bad and we had a few baptisms come in.

Sister Cruz has been coming to the temple at least twice a week when her son comes to work close to the temple.  She always starts in initiatory and does them until the 7:45 session.

Friday we went as a evening group to Excellent Dumplings for the last trip of the Rogers and Wilson for excellent Chinese food.  Afterward we wandered around Chinatown and found a cap and scarf for Kimberly and Courtney.  We all got back in plenty of time for our 4 pm assignment.

MJ, Janice, Mindi, Paul, Terry, Melba, Shelli, John and Paul

Paul went to Priesthood session out at Kingbridge 2nd.  They were meeting early for root beer floats.  We watched the first session Saturday in the Manhattan Bldg. along with the young missionaries and few other members.  We were with Elder Tabor.

Elder Sumsion was at the Priesthood session so Paul got a picture

Paul and William before the session

Sunday morning we left at 5:30 to travel to Connecticut.  Grand Central to catch the train

After picking up the car in Stamford we drove to Farmington Connecticut.  We found a chapel where they were showing conference.  Not too many were there but after the first session the members there feed the missionaries.  They invited us to stay and join them.  What a great group of people. The new Temple President for this temple is from their Stake so they know him well.  These people have been serving in the Boston Temple.

Elders downing some awesome dessert topped with whipping cream

We had a wonderful tour of the temple.  It is beautiful.  A small temple on one floor but all the rooms are large.  It was a wonderful day.  We made it back to Manhattan in time for our dinner at the Bennions. 

Some of the beautiful colors we saw on our way back.  Fall is definitely here and is gorgeous.

 President and Sister Steve and Marj Bennion hosted a farewell dinner for all those leaving this month.  The Rogers, from Las Vegas, have been here for 23 months and have been wonderful leaders in the temple and among the missionaries.  They trained us when we arrived.   They have also organized all our missionary outings, which have been wonderful.  They served as Recovery Addition missionaries and in the Nauvoo Temple.

Sister Janice Wilson comes from the Teaton Valley area and has been here one year.  Such a worker and example of service.  Her husband passed away from cancer and then she went on to care for her mother and a sister and finally accepted a call to serve in the Manhattan Temple.  Her grandson is married to President and Sister Bennion's daughter and her oldest daughter and son-in-law are now serving as President of the Adriatic North Mission (Croatia/Slovenia Mission).  She lives next door to us and is always sharing her baking and culinary talents with us.  They will all be very missed. 

Paul and Mindi Rogers and Janice Wilson

Roberats, Wilson, Bennion, Rogers,Roberts, Mumfords, Lewis, McKenna, Holloway, Buchanan, Grimley, Harris on back row

Those who were leaving each shared their thoughts and testimonies.  Very inspiring and so grateful to serve with all these wonderful people.  The first row above shared their thoughts.

Thoughts from conference:

President Monson's remarks in the October 2016 General Conference

This April during general conference, the news and social media tended to fixate on one aspect of President Thomas S. Monson's general conference talks: their length.

While this led some to speculate and guess at the reasons, I became amazed that most of these posts missed one remarkable aspect of these talks. It's something I've seen yet again this October.  

President Thomas S. Monson stood at the pulpit as a prophet of God and delivered messages we so desperately needed to hear. I can't imagine how taxing it must be for the leaders of our Church to fly around the world attending meetings and temple dedications even while they receive new revelation and implement inspired programs in our Church, such as the new teaching curriculum.

Despite all this, President Monson and the rest of our apostles sacrifice so much of themselves to guide us and be there for the members of the Church.

It doesn't matter the length of President Monson's messages—he said words that I needed to hear. He shared truths that every member of the Church needs to know—ones that apply so pointedly and poignantly to what we need most today, right now in our lives.

For just a moment, don't worry about length or anything else and just listen to these inspired words of a prophet, from this and last conference:

"We read in the Doctrine and Covenants, section 121, verse 36, “The rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven.” What a wonderful gift we have been given. Ours is the responsibility to guard and protect that priesthood and to be worthy of all the glorious blessings our Father in Heaven has in store for us—and for others through us.

"Wherever you go, your priesthood goes with you. . . . Remember who you are and what God expects you to become. You are a child of promise. You are a man of might. You are a son of God," ("A Sacred Trust," April 2016).

"May we maintain the courage to defy the consensus. May we ever choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong.

"As we contemplate the decisions we make in our lives each day—whether to make this choice or that choice—if we choose Christ, we will have made the correct choice" ("Choices," April 2016).

"In 1833 the Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith a plan for healthy living. That plan is found in the 89th section of the Doctrine and Covenants and is known as the Word of Wisdom. It gives specific direction regarding the food we eat, and it prohibits the use of substances which are harmful to our bodies.

"Those who are obedient to the Lord’s commandments and who faithfully observe the Word of Wisdom are promised particular blessings, among which are good health and added physical stamina [see D&C 89:18–20]. …

"May we care for our bodies and our minds by observing the principles set forth in the Word of Wisdom, a divinely provided plan. With all my heart and soul, I testify of the glorious blessings which await us as we do" (October 2016 Priesthood Session).

"Essential to the plan is our Savior, Jesus Christ. Without His sacrifice, all would be lost. It's not enough, however, merely to believe in Him and His mission. We need to work and learn, serve and pray, repent and improve. We need to know God's laws and live them. We need to receive His saving ordinances. Only by so doing will we find true, eternal happiness. We are blessed to have the truth and have a mandate to share the truth. Let us live the truth that we might merit all that the Father has for us. He does nothing save for our benefit . . . 

"From the depths of my soul and in all humility I testify of the great gift which is our Father's plan for us. It is the one perfect plan to peace and happiness, both here and in the world to come" (October 2016 Sunday Morning Session).

We have loved conference.  I was especially happy for the emphasis on helping the missionaries in this great work.  Joy Joy Joy because we have this wonderful gospel no matter what trials come our way.

So pleased that Brayden listened to the April 2016 Priesthood session before Saturday night.  A new challenge given to them.  Memorize the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood D&C 84:33-41 and reread the Book of Mormon to gain a strong testimony of it's truthfulness and the Prophet Joseph Smith.

A beautiful week, we are so very blessed.