May 2015

May was such a busy month! We started the month with 3 different missionaries in 3 different hospitals. Sister Jensen had a ruptured appendix that they wouldn't operate on. She was put on IV antibiotics for a week, in and out of a hospital in the Bronx is not a good way to end your mission. She was amazing and her companion, Sister Torres was the definition of supporting and loving your companion.

We hope the never see Montifiore Hospital again!

Elder Reid was in the hospital in ICU for 4 days. All his tests came back normal and we are thrilled that he gets to stay in the mission to be the Senior AP for the new mission president! Personally we think that Elder Reid just needs a little more Hawaiian ocean water and sand in his diet! We LOVE you Elder Reid!

We were  blessed to have Elder Quentin Cook and his wife Mary here for a couple of days. Elder Cook was gracious enough to let us have an all mission conference with him. His sweet wife talked about music in your lives and had all the missionaries sing, "Help me Teach with Inspiration". She said, "You are a problem solver, solve the situation first, then ask the Lord for confirmation. Look to the hymns for comfort and peace and you are never alone."
Elder Cook spoke about being a successful missionary. He said, "Spiritual experiences happen in your life not to just bless you, but to bless the lives of others.". Then he left an apostolic blessing on our mission. He blessed our missionaries to be uplifted through hard times. He said, "NYC can be a demanding place, I bless you to not feel guilty, don't feel rejected, you will understand what needs to be done. How you are serving isn't just for you, it is for your family. Your family now and your future family. Everyone who is dear to you will be blessed from your service". He closed by bearing his testimony of the Savior. He said, "I know my Savior, Jesus Christ, I know what he looks like and I know his voice!" We have had some very special experiences in the NYNYN, and this day will forever remain in our memories of a time when an Apostle of the Lord bore a very personal testimony of Jesus Christ.

We completed the smallest transfer of our whole mission this month. We only had 6 new missionaries "come home" to New York. We hardly knew what to expect with only 6 new missionaries. They will all be a welcome addition to the mission.

Sister Heeder, Sister Johnson, Elder Tabor, Elder Lo, Elder Olsen and Elder Pulu

Welcome to the NYNYN!

Sister Jensen returned to her family just a few days early after her long week in the hospital. We love her and we are so grateful for the incredible missionary that she is!

15 missionaries who have been Loyal to the CORE left us this month. We've seen lives changed and miracles happen because of their service!

Sister Alyssa Roberts, Sister Jesseca Fletcher, Sister Brooklyn Hazelton, Sister Emily Smith, Sister and Elder Powell, Elder Caden Neuerberg, Elder Karch Smith, Elder Nathan Powell, Elder Seth Whittaker, Elder Michael Christensen, Elder Ryan Hausenfluck, Elder Marcos Encarnacion, Elder Tsz Leung, Elder Zach Radford

We were so excited to have Elder James Gore called to be a new Assistant to President Morgan along with Elder Reid. Elder Gore is a great missionary. He and Elder Reid will be the perfect young men to welcome a new mission president.

Elder Gore, Elder Duvall, Elder Reid, Assistants and Elder Haycock, (Office Elder)

We were saddened to hear about the passing of our friend Elder L Tom Perry. Elder and Sister Perry loved New York. Elder Perry lived in Scarsdale in the 1960's and rode the commuter train into the City every day. We loved having him come to the mission home and share stories with our boys about his life. He was a giant of a man and a friend to our family. We will miss his commanding testimony of the Savior, his love of his country, his devotion to his family, and his loud and thunderous voice.

We read an article written about Elder Perry this week where he gave some advice on how to be successful in business. If we all applied these ideas every day in our lives, the world would be a happier place; our families would feel that we love them, and our missionaries would become more caring for others. Elder Perry said, "The first principle of success is how to get along with people, how to motivate people. And the secret is never having a dull day. Always be on top of the world Every day when you walk into the office, walk in like you're full of enthusiasm, spirit. Pat everyone on the back, try to make them feel good, and then be very sensitive to their needs and try to teach a feeling of warmth and encouragement to everyone."

And at the end of the day, we could all use a little help from our friends. It's a blessing to serve around these 238 missionaries every day!