When we began teaching an Institute (Religion) class for the 18-30 year-old age group at Stony Brook University, we had one student. That was 15 months ago. Things have really changed.
THE STUDENTSRow 1: Christina, Bruna, JaNae, Anjela, Michelle, Vania
Row 2: Elder de Paula, David, Krystal, Joann, Sister de Paula
Row 3: Landon, Kristian & Rob (Tate left before the picture)
THE PROCESS
We went searching, calling, asking, spreading the word, praying, looking up records and slowly the program grew. Each of the 35+ who have come and gone through the program have left an impression on us. Some have left for missions, temple marriages, job relocations, advanced degrees, etc. We have grown attached to each one. We love teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to these amazing young adults who will be the leaders of tomorrow in the Church.
THE LAST CLASS
Our farewell class and dinner was Tuesday April 14 at the Terryville Church. It was a better environment in which to hold a dinner than in the stark classroom on campus. Elder de Paula finished teaching the marvelous Book of Revelation and afterward we had a sit-down dinner in the multi-purpose room and visited much longer than usual.
Kristian's 22nd birthday happened to fall on our last class of the year so we had a birthday party for every one's birthday with three different cakes to suit any taste. Happy Birthday Everyone!
THE DINNER
"Sister de Paula what are we eating?" It must be that "funeral potatoes" is a Wasatch Front dish because most of the kids in our class had never heard of them and went crazy over them. Of course all the gals wanted the recipe and the guys just wanted to take the leftovers home! With the potato dish, we served baked chicken breasts and a huge green salad and rolls. This was our treat to the students. Our coordinater would die if we turned in every one of our expense receipts for this activity, so we'll only submit the ones for the "funeral" potatoes. Hm-mmm.
Funeral potatoes and Chicken Breast
THE PROMISE
What great memories we have from our experiences with "our Stony Brook kids." We exchanged email and phone numbers and promised to connect on Facebook...and in person in our back yard for a summer BBQ or in the nearby canyon for winter snowboarding!
4 comments:
Omigosh! You have worked miracles there at Stony Brook. I'm sure all those kids just love you.
I love reading your blog! Whoo hoo for going home. I am also going home next week...when are you going across Iowa? I am sure you were the greatest teachers they ever had! (I am jealous) you'll be missed.
Hey sister and elder DePaula! Its Jennefer Cooper and Carson Cooper from California. We got married in Nov 2008 and I moved with my hubby to sacramento. Your name was mention on facebook...and I rembered you had a blogspot. I see your leaving soon...I just want to say thank you for all the hard work, we were hoping you both were still there since me and carson are going back to NY this mid May for his job, and so I can visit the family for the summer. Well thats okay, we will meet each other again. I see the Stony Brook class got really big...Im happy to here that. I was hoping to eat some of that good food that sister prepares..Yummy! Well we have good news.. we have a baby on the way, I am 14 weeks prgnant. I am so happy for my new calling as being a mother..and for our big blessing. Im not sure if you guys have facebook, but Im sure many that you know are there. This is to my profile if you have it or make one in the future http://www.facebook.com/people/Jennefer-Cooper/670915284
Hope all is well...safe trips! We love you!
Jennefer and Carson - how wonderful to hear from you! Jen, you were one of our first and most faithful students!
Congratulations on your temple marriage and your expectant little one. We surely wish we were going to be here to see you in May.
Yes, we are on Facebook under Sharon de Paula - and I'll look for you. Keep in touch ok?
We miss you and love you so much,
Elder and Sister de Paula
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