Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Paul's Note: A Nice Afternoon with Sister L. in New York


I was on a business trip to NY this week. Since our equipment didn't arrive when it was supposed to, I had a day off and drove up to see Sister L. (I am her uncle)

It was kind of a tender mercy that it worked out, because they were scheduled to tract today, but another sister missionary was ill, so they had to take their place at the Hill Cumorah visitors center. I feel bad for the ill missionary, but it worked out very good for me!

I went to the Smith Family Farm/Sacred Grove first to see if she was there. While I went on the tour, the other missionaries called their cell phone to see where they were working today. Today was a very slow day, so I got my own private tour guide from one of the senior Elders. After a nice walk through the sacred grove, they told me she was at the visitors center.

 She saw me coming thru the door and got very excited. She gave me the tour, but it was a little awkward on her part because she didn't know whether to do the regular routine or not. :)

 They have a Christus there and they played a recording of quotes that Christ said. We then talked about that for a bit, then we all sang (with her companion, Sister McKenna) the first verse of "How Great Thou Art". I then watched the new film about Joseph Smith, the one based on his mother's account of his life.

 Several kleenexes later, I emerged and chatted with the missionaries there. Sister L was talking to some people, so I talked to Sister McKenna. She went to BYU-I in nursing. She would like to eventually end up as a nurse in an OR. She had several interesting stories of when she had her rotation at the mental hospital. She also said that learning about the nervous system gave her a much deeper testimony of a creator.

She is not able to have gluten or dairy. She said her mother has a bakery in SLC that specializes in gluten free products. Renee's Gluten Free Heaven. She has bread, cookies, pizza crust, buns and I think she is coming out with muffins. I also hear that she rents out space to a baker and that the chocolate covered peanut butter cup is to die for.

 I talked also to the senior missionary sister. She went to Brighton Camp as a camper when we still had the old lodge. Between us, I think we may have convinced her to apply to be a counselor or nurse at camp. I told them what Sister L. About then, the other people left and it was just me and the missionaries at the visitors center. So we got to chat "off stage" for a while.

 They really like their mission president, Jack R Christianson. He is apparently a motivational speaker and has books at church bookstores. They recommended "The Mortal Christ" by him (or anything else he has :) )
>
> Normally on Pday they stay close to home so as not to burn up miles on their car. They get 1250 miles per month. If you go over, you lose the car for a week. But since the pageant is about to start, they are having a meeting tomorrow (Wed). BTW, this is going to be their pday this week. Since they are coming in, they are going to go to the temple on the Smith property. Apparently the temple has clear glass so you can look out and see the sacred grove.

 They do their shopping at a place called Wegmans. It was one of the first places the missionaries took Amberlee. She was expecting the sacred grove or something, but that was what the missionaries were excited about. She now agrees. It works well for her comp because the store brand stuff is well labeled on gluten and such.

She is also starting a mission blog. I guess it is something each missionary is supposed to do. I don't have the paper that she wrote it on, but I will send it out later. Sister McKenna has one as well. Amberlee will be asking the family for "Ideas for Free Family Activities". If you have pictures that would go along with it, even better.

 She gets one hour of time to do online activities at the library. She likes replying to written notes. I think some stamps would be a good idea for a gift. She is getting more sleep now than she has for a long time with her more regular schedule. Instead of "language study time" they go over the stories/facts they have for each of the sites. Her asthma seems better. She was telling about the cat lady less active they have been visiting. (I think I saw that story in an email previously)

 When asked what was the biggest change being on a mission, Sister McKenna said wearing a skirt all the time. Sister L said not going on dates.

 Both of them looked good and were excited for the upcoming pageant. They really recommended I come. They sit 7000 people and with lawn space, they can go up to 10000. And they get people out of the parking lot in a half hour. People are amazed by this last fact.

 They are teaching people, and are happy. What more could you ask for. The next transfer is coming up next week, but they will not be transferred because Sister L is being trained. The senior couple said that she did not seem like a greenie. I explained her experience giving tours in DC.

 I think that's all. Goodbye from NY!

- Paul

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