"Christmas Eve 2008 in the Mission Field"

Food, fun and friends...that's how Christmas began for us in the mission field this year. A dear young family in our ward helped fill a whole in our hearts by inviting us to join them for a get-together in their home on Christmas Eve.

George and Kami, with little daughter Gabi, hosted all the Bay Shore missionaries and several ward members in their home for a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner.

Everyone who came contributed with a favorite dish...and there was a delicious array of food items. The evening concluded, after eating and visiting, with a scriptural account and discussion of the Savior's birth from 3rd Nephi.

"The Gift of God" - Mission Conference Miracles

On December 9 and again on December 16 were the New York New York South Mission Conferences with half of the eight zones participating on each of the dates. It was different than a regular mission conference in many ways. This was a celebration of miracles.

We celebrated Christmas with shared "miracle stories" presented by several missionaries. Mission miracles had been been submitted by each missionary, at the request of Sister Bennion a few months ago, and were printed, bound into a booklet and presented to each missionary as a gift at this special mission conference.

President Bennion, addressing both the conferences, spoke to the missionaries about the importance of seeing the miracles in their work of day to day missionary labor. He also noted that "some miracles take time."

Sister Bennion had organized a lovely Christmas lunch and given special assignments to the senior couples in their specific zones to help with the food preparation and serving, table decorations and clean-up. The food was delicious. Everything was just beautiful!

"The Gift of God" Musical Presentation

Sister de Paula's assignment was to bring together a one-hour program (on both dates with different participants) including narration, soloists, readers, violinists, violist, accompanists, organists, and an SATB choir making sure it coordinated smoothly with a slide presentation - all without a rehearsal!

This necessitated endless days of planning, phoning, mailing, scheduling, stapling, inserting, printing, highlighting, labeling...and praying before each of the presentations on the two dates. Remember, each presentation used an entirely different group elders and sisters because they were assigned to attend either on the 9th or the 16th.

On the mornings of the two conferences, we arrived early with arms loaded with folders for narrator, readers, strings, and choir parts. I watched as elders and sisters entered the chapel. "Do you like to sing?" "Yes, kinda' ..." "Good, join our choir today for the Christmas program. We'll have a walk-through at 1:20 pm and present the program at 2:00."

Or, I would just wait as a group of elders entered the hall and listen to hear who had a deep, rich speaking voice, then smile, hand him a folder and say "Hi elder, with a voice like that I'm sure you'd like to be Samuel, the Lamanite prophet in our Christmas presentation today- your part is marked on the outside of this folder."

As I spoke with the participants at the brief walk-through, I reminded them who they are and whose they are. They had already been set apart as missionaries - instruments in the Lord's hands. And today they were going to be, in a real sense, simply instruments. They were not to perform, but rather to "bear testimony" in word, instrument and song, not drawing attention to themselves, but becoming "one" through the Spirit.

They did just that. They were ratified by the angels in heaven who joined them. There were tears in the eyes of everyone in the hall - including those who participated. All were edified. It was truly another mission miracle.

"Ward Christmas Party - Food, Fun, Families!"

“Eating is not merely a material pleasure. Eating well gives a spectacular joy to life and contributes immensely to goodwill and happy companionship. It is of great importance to the morale.”

— Elsa Schiaparelli

“Food, like a loving touch or a glimpse of divine power, has that ability to comfort.” — Norman Kolpas

“Strange to see how a good dinner and feasting reconciles everybody.” —Samuel Pepys

When it comes to ward parties, they're pretty much the same throughout the world - food, fun and families. In foreign countries, it's the food that's the greatest variable. Here in New York it's still the greatest variable. Because of our ward's wide ethnic diversity, the dishes contributed by members offer a wonderfully varied cuisine.

There were smiles on everyone's faces at the Bay Shore ward's Christmas party December 13. The de Paulas enjoyed taking pictures from our table in the corner.

The cultural hall was full to over-flowing. It was a lovely sight!

There were many part-member and less active families who joined in the evening of food and fun.

It was a well-planned and highly successful ward event with a good feeling of brotherhood and love.

"Food is our common ground, a universal experience." - James Beard

After the delicious meal and socializing an entertaining Christmas program followed...

"This Ward's Got Talent!"

The program was just outstanding! The Pombonyo family was in charge and well they should have been - the husband plays a wicked saxophone, the wife plays the piano very well, the son is great on the trumpet and the daughter lead us with the handbells. They directed us in singing Christmas carols in closing, which always brings a feeling of unity and peace.

The band was made up of ward members (l to r) Danny, Louis, Brother Pombonyo, Jared and Anthony. They did several outstanding Christmas arrangements and ended with Felice Navidad. What a hit!

Joy to the World...and the Ward!

"A Time of Teachers Being Taught"

We were asked, along with the other Institute teachers in our part of the mission, to meet with our coordinator, Cory Bangerter for training with a representative from the area office in Washington, D.C.

That representative was Randy Daybell, assistant to the area director, a soft-spoken master teacher and spiritual giant. Brother Daybell taught us from the 3rd and 4th chapters of Zechariah. And in so doing, he revealed to us who we really are as teachers, leaders and examples of youth. As if he could read our minds, he told us that some days we may wonder whether or not we are really doing any good amongst the young people here in the mission field.
(Pictured above is Randy Daybell, Assistant to the CES and S & I Area Director, Washington, D.C. with Elder & Sister de Paula)

Zechariah Chapters 3 and 4
Then, getting into the scriptures, Brother Daybell promised - "Before we are through today, you will own these two chapters." The spirit and power with which he spoke bore testimony to our hearts. We learned that as adults and teachers we represent the "oil" (nourishment) coming from the "olive trees" (the Savior) which fill the "menorah" (the youth and others). As explained by Brother Daybell, because we are "tapped" by others, we will very often feel virtue (i.e. "power and strength") go out of us as did the Savior when the woman touched His clothes to be healed.

He then asked us to recall those times in our own lives when we remember having "tapped" into others for "oil" in our journeys through life. Perhaps we may not now remember those people, but they were there perfectly placed as sentinels just, as he noted, like the temples stand as our protection and strength. Even when others, and especially the youth seem uninterested, they are "tapping in" to our reservoir to gain strength and light from our "oil." This is one way we become "Saviors" to others along the way in this life.

The symbolism was beautiful. The message was timely and carried by the Spirit to our minds and hearts. Brother Daybell said, "And sometimes you don't even have to say a word, you just need to be available." It was truly a day of teachers being taught. How blessed we are to be here to teach...and to learn!

"Melanie's Special Day at the Temple - November 22"

We met Melanie in August at the home of our Institute student, David, who entered the MTC in Provo shortly afterward. We invited Melanie to attend our Stony Brook class. She came...and has come every week. A true joy in our lives! (Melanie is 2nd from the left)

Was that really only four months ago? Surely we must have known Melanie for thousands of years before that. She is "just one of those people." We love this dear soul!

One evening after class Melanie took us aside and said she would like us to be with her in the Manhattan Temple when she received her endowments since her parents are so far away in Auckland, New Zealand. We were thrilled to stand in as her parents. They must be so very proud of you, Melanie:-)

We really get close to our Institute students - we feel like they are truly our own. We were honored that Melanie invited us to attend the Manhattan Temple with her on this special day in her life. It is a day you will treasure forever...and so will we, Melanie.

"Lunch at Sardi's on West 44th St."

Oh, the blessings of serving a senior mission in New York! The December senior activity in our mission is generally a memorable one we understand and this surely satisfied our expectations...and our pallets!

(It's been one week since this event, but our lives have been so busy with mission activities, there was no time until now to write about it! Our ward duties, our regular Institute teaching assignments and pulling off an hour-long Christmas program involving half the mission December 9 and another program on December 16 have kept us going. The Mission Christmas Conferences included organizing musical numbers - quartets, trios and a solo, readers, narrator, choir numbers, string players, etc. - all without a rehearsal! Things like color-coding parts, printing scripts, stapling music, assembling folders, mailing soloist's music, telephoning, praying ...and beginning the cycle over again has been the norm for the last two weeks. Then...yesterday's presentation turned out wonderfully well! It was truly like a group "testimony" set to slides and music. That's how things work in this Church when the Spirit is invited to be present. Those in charge of the food, the decorations, and just everything did such a magnificant job. President and Sister Bennion are perfect leaders. It was a memorable event for our young missionaries.)

Now, before the food gets cold...

Shrimp and scallops with rice and corn risotto, a lovely green salad for an appetizer and cheesecake for dessert was our choice, but gourmet everything was the order of the day at Sardi's famous restaurant on west 44th street right in the middle of Manhattan.















This "upscale" senior outing was planned and organized by the upscale Elder and Sister Smith, who left individual favors at our dinner table - hot chocolate mugs of New York skylines filled with candies:-) Thank you Smiths...and now we're all off to Radio City Music Hall for the Christmas Spectacular.

"Radio City Music Hall Rockettes Christmas Spectacular"

And now... the matinee performance of Radio City Music Hall's Christmas Spectacular - December 4, 2008 - a special senior missionary activity.

For the 2008 Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes dancers, the publicity read:

"The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, starring the world famous Radio City Rockettes is an unparalleled show featuring the Rockettes signature eye high kicks, and precision choreography in multiple show stopping numbers including; the legendary "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers", and "New York at Christmas," a dynamic holiday celebration."

And they were absolutely right!

Oh....we felt just like we were on the New York Sightseeing bus visiting all the famous stops for the holidays. It was breathtaking!

(I took these pictures from our seats in the 2nd mezzanine with no flash, so that they turned out at all is nothing short of remarkable!)

Everything was life-size, colorful and stunningly breathtaking!

There just aren't adequate words to describe the vibrant scenes with stunning technology and lighting effects, including a "bus tour" of Manhattan and a visit to the North Pole!

From our view, these life-size "toys" look so small as they dance around the lighted Christmas tree.

The color, the precision, the music and of course the dance was truly a spectacular blend of Christmas joy! For us, it was a once-in-a lifetime opportunity.

The peaceful manger scene at the finale was just the right touch and left us with a deep gratitude for all the gifts of our Father in Heaven, but most surely for the birth and life of the Christ Child.

What a beautiful day, spent with beautiful people - our dear missionary friends in the New York New York South Mission.

"Joy to Everyone This Christmas"

Enjoy a bit of love, peace and joy this Christmas... click the link below for this lovely gift, then share it with someone you love.

http://joytoeveryone.com/index.htm

"Every Six Weeks - A New District Family"

Our District is a pretty big family! The biggest in the entire New York, New South Mission to be exact. Last week were transfers (every six weeks) and we lost two "family" members but gained two more.

The missionaries refer to us as "Mama and Papa D" and we are pretty possessive of our young missionaries. We truly get attached to them and hate to see them leave. If we had our way, we'd welcome new ones each six weeks, but none would ever leave. I guess we would not only remain the biggest district in the mission, but ultimately we'd be the only district. Cool! (That's probably why I'm not in charge...hm-mmm.)

Front row: (l to r) Elders Nehmer, Caramia and Wiggins. Middle row: Elder Alder, Elder & Sister de Paula, Sister Perryman, Elder H. Lee, Sisters Ditto and Sellers. Back row: Elders Johnson, Peterson, A. Lee and Sister Kevan. New this transfer are Elder Caramia (from Rimini, Italy) and Sister Perryman (from South Dakota).

And just as different as their looks, the likes and their backgrounds are, they make up the "perfect" district family - in much the same way any family does with its unique individuality. That's what we love and enjoy about them! How blessed we are.

"Thanksgiving Day Memories 2008"

Who would ever dream that walking along a beach on Thanksgiving Day on Long Island New York one would spot real live holly berry? We did! We had no idea this beautiful, bright berried plant with Christmas green foliage would grow on a sand barge beach.

Wow! The things you learn on a mission:-0





The Rathgebers were wonderful hosts on Thanksgiving day with more food than the 20 guests could ever eat in a week! They made us feel so much at home - even though we still missed our kids and grandkids who bring the sights, sounds and holiday love of home. It's certainly good we know we are supposed to be here serving this mission.


Five wind-blown, but well-fed missionaries enjoyed ...uh...endured a windblown walk along Gilgo Beach. Say "cheese" before you freeze!

(L to R) Sister Kevan, Elder Alder, Elder & Sister de Paula, Elder Wiggins.


The sun was so bright that I wasn't sure I could even capture a shot of the beauty of the serene, stark stillness of the ocean, sky, sun and clouds. But, alas, it worked. The Lord's creations are indeed spectacular!

We give thanks for all of them.

"Our Unusual Experience"

Earlier in November, we got a call from our bishop here with a request to do something on behalf of the Church. That, itself, is not unusual. We are, after all, missionaries assigned to his ward and do many things under his direction. This one was different.

The bishop had received a call from a member of the Church in Salt Lake City indicating that her brother had passed away. Although a member himself since age 14, the gentleman now 79 years of age, had not been active in the Church during most of his lifetime. The sister thought it would be a nice gesture if the Church were represented in some way, if only to visit the widow, ask what her wishes might be, and extend some support. For whatever reason, the bishop thought we would fit this assignment.

A visit was made to the family home where the wife of the deceased was gracious and warm. Things were all planned for a brief Catholic service the following day and we were welcome to attend. We went to the beautiful funeral home not far from our apartment and enoyed a lovely visit with the family, and especially the widow. It seemed like an instant connection. During the viewing, she asked Elder de Paula if he would "say a pray" at the open casket with the large family seated in the room.

Then comes the touchy part. After seventeen years of marriage, this man had left his wife and five children, married another woman, then just five years ago, returned to his first wife and children. As the wife said, "He's tried to make it up to them in the last five years."

I could see the turmoil in Elder de Paula's face. . . What do I say? How do I say it? How not to offend? How to comfort? I don't even know this person. Well, the Spirit took over and the words of comfort and consolation flowed. Afterwards, the widow came to me and said "Well, I see why you married him...he gives a great talk!" She was very pleased, as was the family. After that, the funeral director entered, knelt and recited the Catholic prayers and the funeral was over. We hugged a few more times and promised to visit this dear lady who had become our friend.

The 83-year-old sister in Salt Lake City, and her 89-year-old husband could not make the trip to the funeral. But they were so thrilled to be able to make a phone call across the country to a person they didn't even know, in the Church they dearly love and that someone would send representatives in their behalf to offer comfort and attend their brother's funeral.

In a letter to our bishop, the sister of the deceased wrote,

"My sister-in-law called me after the funeral of my brother and told me how wonderful the missionaries were at the funeral. They gave a nice talk and lovingly put their arms around Marilyn. She was so impressed with the De Paulas. It's times like this the Church really comes through and what a blessing it is. Tell the De Paula's thank you. In a year I will be able to do my brother's temple work."

We did what any representative of Jesus Christ would do. We are called to serve and love as He would do. His name is on our name tag.

"District Interviews and Other Good Things"

The Bay Shore/Brentwood District is the largest district in New York South Mission. And I might just mention that we have some pretty remarkable young missionaries serving here! We love inviting them to our home and also preparing food for them occasionally after a district meeting. They are always so appreciative - and so hungry! They will always have a place in our hearts.

Front (l to r) Sister Ditto, Sister Balimuttajjo, Elder Lee, Elder Alder. Standing (l to r) Elder Johnson, Elder Duce, Elder Nehmer, Elder Peterson, Sister Kevan, Elder Lee, Sister Sellers and Elder Wiggins. Of these, one elder and one sister companionship is Spanish-speaking.

Below are shots of missionaries mingling, eating and celebrating birthdays in the kitchen during the lunch break at the district meeting/mission interviews.

President and Sister Bennion add immense joy and leadership to all the missionaries here in New York South Mission and among the all people. What qualified, capable and humble servants they are!

Friday morning is always district meeting, but the 14th was a special day because of interviews with the president. What a positive experience. What gracious man! The meeting began at 10:00am and ended at 3:00pm.

It was a wonderful day of inspiration, learning, interviews with our great district and our dear mission president and his wife. What a wonderful place to be serving a mission!

"Frank Baptized His Mother"

Our daughter, Nicole and her husband Frank were married in the Salt Lake Temple just one month before our first mission to Brazil five years ago. Frank had joined the church about eight years ago and was the only member in his family...until Saturday November 8 when he baptized his mother.

Frances moved from Ohio last year and she has been attending church with Frank and Nicole - all the meetings, reading, paying her tithing, etc. Then she began having lessons with the missionaries several weeks ago.

One night the missionaries challenged her to baptism and asked her to pray about it and told her that they would do the same. She did. That night she had a dream in which she saw her deceased husband, Frank's dad, just sitting in a chair "somewhere that looked like it could have been heaven." He just sat there, saying nothing, as if he were just waiting for Frances to take care of something - "so he and our family could progress" she said.

The following night the missionaries returned and told her that they felt prompted to set her baptism for Nov 8 - just one week away. She started to cry. When they asked her if there was a problem, she told them about her dream and that she was hoping the baptism would be soon.

Frances was baptized by her only child, Frank, and is thrilled to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in her life! She looks forward to going to the temple and then having her husband's work done and their family sealed forever.

What a lovely lady! We love you Frances.

"A Touch of Home"

Mission Zone Conference is always a real treat, but on October 29, it was particularly wonderful. After 9 1/2 months in the mission field we finally got to see Elder Olsen, our neighbor from home. And what a great missionary and leader he is!

Elder Olsen is well known throughout the mission for his work ethic, personality and dedication. Of course we already knew all of these things because we watched him grow up... just down the street. Elder Olsen was asked to be an assistant to the mission president two weeks ago and is already doing a marvelous job. His talk at zone conference reflected his leadership ability and giant spirit.

Olsen family...you can very thankful (and a bit proud) of Elder Olsen. And you'll get to see him "in person" in February when he returns home!