Picnicking with the musics.

This place!

A very sudden drop--eek!

The castle.

A really keel wall we drove past in Paterson.

Me and my favorite dinosaur of all time (besides the Kraft dinosaur).

The Sisters of Zone 2 with departing Elder Ruano.

Our new investigators we practice teaching with.

Dear Family,

Hope you've had a good week.  I've had a very blustery one! It has rained nearly every day. Yesterday there were very intense showers with lots of thunder and lightening! It was a blast! Kinda scary to drive in, but a blast.  Then the two days it wasn't storming, it was humid and sweltering hot. If my hair wasn't already short, I probably would chopped it all off that day. We were toasted cheese.

In other news, we got to sit in on Bernice's play rehearsal.  That was a real good time, lots of loud shouts like, "Huh? What'd she say? Is it my line?" Bernice did great--lots of venom in her tones (she's the witch in the play) and her cackle was very low.

Don is in Alma and enjoying it.  We got him a Conference Ensign, so hopefully he'll like to read the talks.  Right now he's uncertain if he believes in God and an afterlife, but he so wants to believe everything we're telling him is true. He just has so little hope, poor gent. 

This week we had the privilege of listening to Elder Kevin Duncan of the Seventy. He's one of the main people over the missionary effort in the Church. We talked about so much--how we can help regular members have a desire to do missionary work, how we can organize our areas better, the way Christ loved people, that we need to ask everyone if they know anyone who'd want to feel the peace and joy that comes from living the Gospel.  Just lots of stuff (I forgot my notes so I can't say it all). One thing I liked was that someone said we need to see people as God sees them. Not just as His children, but who they'll one day become if they live the Gospel.  Sister Marley and I watched a video this week where they showed a teeny tiny seed on someone's finger. It didn't look like it would grow too much. It could be a weed, a flower, etc. But then they showed what it would one day become--a gigantic Sequoia tree. That's how God sees us, as that tree that we can one day become. Not in this life, but as we continue to progress afterwards. So we've been trying to love people more and see them with that kind of perspective.

For Memorial Day, we and some of the other missionaries went to the castles in Paterson--just these random castles near some very steep, terrifying cliffs. It was sweltering that day. But fun! We had sandwiches and played the ukelele and accordion. I thought a lot about Popsy, too, and how he's probably just having a blast up there, playing catch with Grandpa Wayne and Grandpa Leo, amongst other more important things.

Well, I love you kids and I miss you! I hope you have a good week. Don't get up to too much mischief now, ya hear? And keep reading, praying, and having Family Home Evening.  Even you folks without children. It helps so much.  

Love you,

Sister Mistifer

Ol' Tim and Miss out for a day (or hour) on the town!

Sister Marley and me with our apple cupcakes for the contest (we didn't win anything, but we had a fun time making them nonetheless).

Service Day!

A whole bunch of missionaries!

One of the little goons I sat next to during the talent show.

President Jeppson singin" away.

Dearest Family!

This week we did lots of service!  On Tuesday we went to Sister Burleson's (who's currently pregnant) and picked things up for her and vacuumed and other such things around the house.  We also painted her daughter's nails for her ballet dress rehearsal.  On Wednesday we weeded in Sister Fantau's yard, and afterwards she brought us into the deli for sandwidges.  We did a lot of weeding though--it was intense!  On Thursday, we went to Ellis Island and helped people there.  And we found quite a few people's ancestor's, so it was a pretty productive day!  And someone left a suspicious package, so the whole building was evacuated (mind you, it was probably just someone's lunch bag or purse--this happens quite often I guess).  We shepherded people who didn't understand what we were saying out the front door of Ellis Island. "No, I'm just going to the bathroom." "I know, but we all need to leave the building."  "That's ok.  I'll just go to the bathroom."  "No, no.  We ALL have to evacuate!"  It was funny.  And then on Saturday, all the missionaries met in Passaic for a day of service.  All the Elders went about the streets to pick up garbage.  They didn't think that was work for Sisters, so we got stuck weeding at City Hall.  But it was nice to be around all the Sisters--I really enjoyed that!  One thing though, was that the City DJ (seriously?) was at City Hall blasting tunes.  Not bad tunes, just not tunes we're allowed to listen to as missionaries.  A number of us were trying not to tap our feet, but our feet got the best of us.

Another exciting thing was that I saw Teemo!  It was so great to see him across the tracks and then run over and give him a hug!  What a special time!  And we got a Josey slice/meatbwall sub.  It was good to see you Tim, and don't forget to give some high fives and hugs to the rest of you!

Also on Saturday, we had our Ward Talent Show!  It was a hit!  Babby, Coty, Shontel and some        other family members came!  Babby does not like crowds so this is a big deal.  They made cupcakes for the cupcake wars (I think that's the only reason they came, but hey, if that's what it takes.  The Ward welcomed them and they had a good time and enjoyed the talents, the chili cook off, and the cupcakes. Before it started, we gave a Church tour, and that was a nice experience, especially in the Chapel  And then, an elderly couple we've visited twice showed up!  We invited them, but we didn't know they'd show up.  So we included them in the tour, and then introduced them to people, and they were quite engaged the whole time with the members at our table.  It was neat!  And President and Sister Jeppson came too.  And at the end of the show, he did a special number on the guitar entitled, The Auctioneer.  He was talking pretty fast there.  It was crazy.  And after every number, Bob (the elderly fellow) would lean over and tell me a fact about whatever the talent was.  After President's song, he told me how he used to deal antiques, and in the excitement of one auction he bid the highest for a bear trap, for which his wife was not displeased!  Oh, and for one number, a maybe 10 year old girl, got up and sang a country song.  She looked pretty nervous, but soon gained confidence.  We looked over to where her family was sitting and they were all mouthing the words of the song and their heads were bobbing to the music, including her dad, who's the Stake President.  It was really fun to watch them give her a boost!

So, all in all, a good week.  I love you kids. I hope you have fun this week.  Stay safe, and know that I love you and think about you often!  Happy Sunday Dinner to you!

Sister Mister

Me and Sister Soto exchanged together this week, and we had a blast (though I did that thing where if you're around someone with an accent for too long you start using the accent, which might sound offensive, but I don't think she noticed).

Sister Coley, Soto, and I, practicing our splits.

 Lori and Sister Lopez at the latter's birthday party!

An example of one of the hundreds of lakes dotted about in our area.

 We took Bernice outside for Mother's Day and she really appreciated the fresh spring air.

All taking a turn at the same time on the accordion.

Dearest Mother's Day...plus Good Day to the menfolk!

I'm so glad I got to talk to you kindred!  Except for Nate and Wobin, and Jamie, but maybe we could telepath/make up a good conversation we might have had!  I'm quite the ventriloquist, so maybe I could figure up something that way.

Things are going well here.  It's been super hot, and also we've had super gloomy skies of late.  We had a great thunder storm the other day!  There are rabbits everywhere you look.  We saw a bear in someone's tree--that was pretty neat.  We got to help someone in their garden the other evening. We hauled tree stumps (which mostly consisted of grandfatherish grunts and rolling the stumps.  Then we weeded a bunch (Jill and Mikey would've enjoyed it).  

Yesterday we heard a real neat conversion story of one of the Fardale Ward members.  We were at the Michel's barbecue and Brother Celauro was telling us that he had joined a ballroom dance instruction company in his late 20's.  They have to have stage names, so he chose Roman, which conflicted with another teacher's stage name, Romain.  He met Romain, who happened to be a less-active member.  But Romain was a good example, and also went on a lot of dates.  Brother Celauro wondered how Romain met so many nice people to date, so Romain invited Brother Celauro to a Young Single Adults dance.  He went, had a great time, continued going to activities, then to Church, then formally had the discussions, and then got baptized.  And now he's in his 60's and still standing strong.  But the really neat thing is that the first person he danced with at the singles dance was his future wife--though they didn't actually start dating for a few years after that.  I love those kinds of stories.

Babby, Coty, Peanut, and Shawntelle, are possibly coming to Church this weekend!  At least to the building.  We're having the annual ward talent show/cupcake wars/chili cook-off!  When we said "cupcakes", they were in hysterics!  Coty loves baking and watching food shows.  We visited a distant relative of theirs recently and she told us about the talent show.  We said, "Yes, that's our talent show!" So apparently the word is spreading!  We're making stuff for it too, but I don't know about performing...Other than that, things haven't been too eventful, just trying to find prepared people. And letting members know that sharing the gospel is a good thing to do, even if they're nervous. The worst that can happen is their friend will say no and God will still bless the member for trying. So if you kids know anyone, don't hesitate to put yourselves out there!

I love you so much! Agh! Love you!

Sister Miz

Elder Boyes and Anderson with musical things, including our new accordion!

Some of the pretty flowers that are happening right now.

Myself attempting to play Choose the Right.

Sister Marley more successfully playing Choose the Right.

A super awesome gate to a super fancy house with real live horses in the front yard!

Dearest Family,

This week happened.  Yes.  Sara didn't get confirmed and is questioning her decision to be baptized, but she is still coming to Church.  She loves being there and living this way, she just doesn't know about some random things she's heard from others.  So keep praying for her, and hopefully she'll get a reconfirmation of her answer.

On a happier note, we went to Ellis Island this week and I helped a lady who is being taught by Elders in Brooklyn.  She was so cute--she snatched me right up saying she wanted a "professional" to help her (since we do genealogy as members she thinks we're professionals. I am by no means a professional, but she was really nice.)  She kept pointing to the ceiling saying God had sent a little angel to help her out.  Again, I didn't feel super helpful, but we had a good time looking things up.  And then she said she remembered the Elders telling her about a history center at one of the chapels in the Bronx (and you can imagine how I loved hearing the name "Bronx" come from someone with a real New Ywork accent), and that she'd try that out.  A lot of elderly and youthful Irish people came in.  I love their accents--so lively!

In Church yesterday, one of the youths came up to bear her testimony.  She said she was with her math teacher for some extra help, and the teacher asked her if she was Mormon because she doesn't play with the soccer team on Sundays.  She said she was, and they kept doing math.  Then she (the teacher) asked about the afterlife, the youth answered and they went on with math.  Then she asked another question, and the girl taught the restoration, plan of salvation, word of wisdom--all this stuff.  And then amidst sobs (which she was really embarrassed about, because it was at school with her math teacher) she bore her testimony about Jesus Christ and being a member of the Church and how it has been a blessing in her life.  I thought that was so neat, that she would share the gospel like that--any time and any place with anyone.  What a good example!

Also, Sister Marley's and my accordion skills are a little lacking, but we shall keep practicing and hopefully in 9 months, I'll be able to play a real ballad!

I love you kids, and I look forward to hearing your voices on Sunday at 7:30.  I'm sorry if that's too late for some of you--it was the only time that would work out.  I love you so much and I miss you.

Sister Myrtle