"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!

"Bay Shore Ward is Growing"

On Sunday, October 26, Joseph was baptized. Sisters Balimuttajjo and Kevan were teaching Joseph the lessons and had sensed that he was ready for baptism. Their sweet love and gentle spirits in presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ was what appealed to Joseph.

During the general conference sessions that were broadcast to our chapel via satellite, Joseph took copious notes on what the speakers said and shortly thereafter made the commitment to be baptized.

Welcome to the ward Joseph!

"An Autumn Spectale at South Shore"

For a person whose favorite season is Fall, this place is a paradise! We frequently have district meetings in a chapel about 20 minutes from us - the South Shore Chapel. It is nestled in trees and lovely landscaping and this time of year it is absolutely breathtaking!

Just click to play and be sure to click on each leaf on the right side.

Make a Smilebox greeting

"We Bought 'Hyacinths' to Feed the Soul"

Harriman State Park was supposed to have been the site of a prison. At the turn of the 20th century the property, instead, was donated by the Harriman family to be specifically used as a 10,000 public acre park near Bear Mountain, New York, 30 miles north of New York City.

We, as I am sure many others, are very happy that it wasn't.

In this time of world turmoil, it truly fed our souls.

"If, of thy mortal goods, thou art bereft,
And from thy slender store two loaves alone to thee are left,
Sell one, and with dole
Buy hyacinths to feed the soul"
- Muslihuddin Sadi

This little half day trip was our 'hyacinths." That's how we felt here in this beautiful place on earth. It was a place of peace and rejuvenation. How could it be? So close, yet so far away from the chaos and clamour of the City. It was just a little gift of God.







Oh How Lovely Was the Morning!

Dazzling beams darted through the treetops in a spectacle of light. We wanted to break into song - "Oh How Lovely Was the Morning."

Palisades Parkway is a beautiful drive from New York City north through miles of changing tree colors!

"Goodbyes and Hellos in the Mission"

It was a good night for Idaho on September 20 in the New York New York South Mission. All the couples in the picture above have Idaho connections. President and Sister Bennion left) enjoy visiting with the Conlins (middle) and the Hess' (right).

Directly above, Sisters Roush, West and Hess chat in the Bennions kitchen.

It was also a bittersweet occasion to be sure. It was time to say goodbye to Elder and Sister Conlin who have served as the office couple in the mission office. What an faithful team them have been! What loving, dedicated servants in every respect. We will miss them as they return home.

We welcomed that evening Elder and Sister Hess who will replace the Conlins. They were originally called to be CES (Institute) teachers, but when a replacement was needed in the office, their mission was changed. They will be able to teach one class as well. They fit in just perfectly!

We were surprised and happy to learn that they went to school with one of our neighbors at home and Sister Hess' brother is another neighbor. Small world!

The yummy main dish, above, is Feijaoda, and was prepared by President and Sister Bangerter. It is a favorite Brazilian dish of black beans, pork, spices, sausage, etc. served over rice. It happens to be a highlight at our home and was a huge hit with everyone Monday evening. Can you smell it?

In the lower picture is taboule - middle eastern wheat, parsley, olive oil and spices salad with 8-grain chips and the most stunning green salad we've ever seen...complete with pine nuts!

So, what do senior missionaries do when they get together for fun? That's simple - eat, talk, laugh and take pictures of all of it! We ended the wonderful evening by singing "God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again" to the Conlins.

"Studying and Teaching - Two By Two"

It is a good thing to have guided class participation in the study of the scriptures at Institute class. There is great diversity in this Stony Brook class as to length of time in the Church, knowledge of the scriptures and in experience in presenting before others. This class has been a good forum for all to share.

Here Tate and David study to present Matthew Chapter 24 - "The Second Coming" at our Tuesday night class. We were taught that this chapter covers prophecies for both biblical times and the last days. We learned that Joseph Smith - Matthew in the Pearl of Great Price is the inspired translation of Matthew 24 in the Bible. That's the one we discussed.



Melanie and Kristian were assigned Matthew 25 "Are You Ready" which discusses the parables of the Ten Virgins, the Parable of Talents and the Parable of the sheep and the goats. We learned that in all three of these parables, the Savior is talking symbolically of His Second Coming. Will we be ready?

Elder de Paula and I led the discussion of Matthew 26 - "My Time is at Hand" wherein the Passover is observed with the Twelve, the sacrament is instituted, an Hymn is sung, Gethsemane is described and Peter's denial is explained.

The Institute manual refers to a wonderful article by Elder Spencer W. Kimball (given first as a talk at BYU in 1971). Elder Kimball asks the reader to consider that Peter's denial was not a weakness, but rather an obedience to a request from the Savior "to deny knowing Him" that the first presidency and the apostles would be spared death to allow the Church to become established fully on earth.














Rob and Julie presented Matthew Chapter 27 - "The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ" in which we learned that Jesus was condemned of blasphemy. However, because this was not punishable by death, the claim was changed to treason under Roman law. We were told that, "We must never forget...that our Redeemer, the Son of God, gave himself a vicarious sacrifice for each of us."

Diana and Janae taught us the last chapter in Matthew 28 - "He is Risen." It was coincidental and appropriate that these two lovely young sisters shared with how it was two women who first greeted the risen Savior and were asked by Him to share the glorious news with others.

Mingling and learning took place over a bowl or two of homemade black bean chicken soup, cracked wheat bread and homemade chocolate marshmallow cookies. "Feeding" on many levels took place that evening.

"The Spirit of Missionary Work"

Our good friend and Institute class student, Mike, was baptized today. He is a choice soul and we are so happy for him!

This good man has attended church for quite a long time - as "recommended" by his girlfriend, a member in Ohio. We actually thought Mike was a member for months, until one night at one of our recent classes. (scroll down to see "Teaching - a Sacred Calling" Sept. 6 post for the story.)

Since that class, Mike has received the elders weekly for the missionary lessons and has been so receptive and excited about learning and living the gospel. We have been invited to attend some of those teaching sessions and have witnessed the spirit at work in Mike's life.

TWO BAY SHORE BISHOPS

Current bishop Rathgeber, left, and former bishop Pombonyo, of the Bay Shore Ward visit at Mike's baptism social on Sunday afternoon. These are good, faithful leaders who love and serve the people.

Elders Bird and Wiggins taught Mike the gospel lessons over the last several weeks. Elder Bird (left) gave a marvelous talk in Sacrament Meeting on the scriptures and will be transfered this week. We'll miss him greatly.

Our Bay Shore Sisters

Sisters Balimuttajjo and Kevan are dedicated to missionary work. They love people and help and serve in every capacity imaginable.