"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.