"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.