"Who can find a virtuous woman?"

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies."
(Proverbs 31:10)

"Virtue" was the theme of the Young Womans special meeting in the Plainview Stake on Saturday March 28. Sister Da Rosa has asked me to teach the young women and their mothers a special song to be sung at the conclusion of the opening session.

A lovely program was planned for the afternoon and evening including music, speakers, workshops, dinner and concluding with the satellite broadcast from Salt Lake City of the General Young Woman Meeting.

Click for satellite rebroadcast schedule

Since Bay Shore Ward is in the Plainview Stake, I thought it would be a good idea to get a picture of the building. That can best, or should I say "only" be done before Spring, Summer and Autumn foliage completely hide this sprawling edifice. It was a beautiful 20-minute drive on a pleasant day to help the Young Women at their special program. Hundreds of man hours (or rather, women hours) went into "feeding the Lord's sheep" in this little flock. That's just how this Church does things!

"Anything Goes" at Queens College

A Cole Porter classic, "Anything Goes" originally debuted in 1932 during the great depression and is a story that plays out many madcap antics aboard an ocean liner bound from New York to London. It is light-hearted and fun. And we got to see it Friday evening at the Bernstein Theatre on the Queens College campus.

Queens College just off the busy and oft congested I-495 freeway and is noted for its production of good musicals. Many Broadway greats have had their beginnings at this notable instutution. It was our observation that a few of the performers in this college production were as good as some in the Broadway shows we have seen. There is remarkable talent here. It was a great find for us!

Imperial Palace and Chinese Dining

Elder & Sister de Paula and Elder & Sister West

We've been waiting for great Chinese food ever since we arrived in New York nearly 15 months ago. The Wests came to our rescue! We'd both has district meetings that day, busy tight schedules, and the break was delightful.

They found the Imperial Palace in the hear of Flushing, Queens, NY not far from the Goldstein Theatre at Queens College where we would later see Cole Porter's "Anything Goes." We found out why it was so highly rated and so packed. The food was delicious...and beautiful!

We Love Our Missionaries!

Our missionaries at the bi-monthly combined district meeting enjoy a moment of visiting and ice cream and cookie treats, thanks to Elder and Sister Roush, senior couple based in Riverhead, New York. The earlier classes were taught by the young sisters and elders. What a magnificant job they do - both inspired and inspiring!

Not all the district is in the picture as some scampered away or are visiting in the cultural hall or outside in the Spring weather.

There are a record number sister missionaries in our Zone -five of us all together.

(L to R) Sisters Frodsham, de Paula, Burton, Sellers & Brimhall.

Our Zone 8 leaders are amazing young missionaries! Elder Roush, left (grandson of the senior couple), and Elder Hales, right, are spiritual, obedient and enthusiastic. What a blessing it has been in our lives to associate with such stalwart young people...and how we will miss them when we leave!

What Happened on Patmos

A short distance off the coast of present-day Turkey, in the sparkling blue waters of the Aegean Sea, lies a tiny, rocky island called Patmos. In Roman times, its barren isolation made it ideal as a site for the banishment of political prisoners, ambitious enemies, or others considered undesirable by the imperial state. To it in the last years of the first century A.D. came the exiled apostle John, known also as the Beloved. And to that rocky island prison on a Sunday over nineteen hundred years ago came the glorified, exalted Christ.

Heralded by the trumpet blast of the godly voice and standing in the midst of seven golden candlesticks symbolic of the seven branches of His Church in Asia was the Savior. Some fifty or sixty years before, he had hung in agony on the cross and had been laid in the dark recesses of a borrowed tomb. Now he stood in blinding, blazing glory before John. “I am he that liveth, and was dead,” he declared, “and, behold, I am alive for evermore.”

John fell to the earth as though dead, but the glorious figure touched him, commanding him to fear not, commanding him to write those things which he was about to receive from his Master. That was the revelation of Jesus Christ - to become The Book of Revelation.

We began teaching the book of Revelation last week with its rich imagery, its bold proclamations and profound promises to the saints in two ages.

The book of Revelation is unique. It is quite different from any of the other New Testament books. To many, it is a baffling and confusing book, containing symbolism and imagery foreign to anything with which they are familiar. To many, its name seems to be a contradiction, for in Greek Apocalypsis means “an uncovering” or “an unveiling” of something, and the typical reader finds the content of this book veiled and obscure rather than the opposite.

We created several charts, handouts, quizes and worksheets to help clarify the metaphors used in Revelation. The theme of the work is very simple and is stated by John in the first verse: it is a revelation of Jesus Christ. The book of Revelation presents a picture of Christ’s dealings with men throughout the ages of earth’s history - that which has happened and that which is to happen. We have only two more lessons to discuss this great book.

Brock's Birthday at the Academy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROCK!

We just love heading east to King's Point, NY to the USMMA to see "our boys" and teach Institute, but it's even more fun when we get to celebrate a birthday. Brock chose as his birthday treat a mango - his favorite fruit. The others in class shared the chocolate chip cookies:-).

On Monday we had six students and a teacher, Charles, from Brooklyn who teaches at the Academy. We had a wonderful discussion of the book of Revelation and look forward to two more. How we will miss these great young people in a couple weeks!

Young Couples Strengthen the Bay Shore Ward

LEAVING BAY SHORE A BETTER PLACE...

Long Island is a great place for young couples to live who are attending medical or law school. When we arrived in the Bay Shore Ward, we met many of these great, young families who were from all over the USA and who helped to strengthen the ward.

The Stevens family were here for a few years before Dr. Stevens took a position with a hospital in Champagne, Illinois. They recently came back for a surprise visit with their two children.

Chris and Cindy are a great couple who bring much strength to our little ward. They are both excellent teachers and serve in the youth organizations. They will be relocating nearer "The City" as Chris is presently considering law firm opportunities. Cindy is studying to become a PA.

Jen and Shawn have been a real strength in the ward in leadership positions in Primary, Elders Quorum, Ward clerk for several years. They are the parents of two adorable children. They will be finished with schooling and leave in the Fall to return home to Washington state where Shawn will work as a Physician's Assistant. How this ward will miss them!