Blizzard?

"Juno"

Ever since we got our call to come to New Jersey, we have dreaded the thought of living through a winter like they had last year.  Up to now we have had nothing to complain about.  Spring was beautiful, summer was very mild and had very little humidity, fall was gorgeous, and winter so far has been fine.

Last week, we started to hear rumors of an expected storm.  In fact, a "blizzard" was expected to affect these parts and New York City.  The storm was named "Juno".  Reports said that we could get 18 inches of snow.  It was advised that everyone purchase what you might need and then plan to stay indoors.  It started snowing soon after midnight on Sunday, Jan. 25th.  When we awoke on Monday, it was beautiful!  It kept snowing all day on Monday and the worst of the blizzard was to come from Monday night and into Tuesday.  We could tell by the weather updates throughout Monday that the storm was not going to be as bad as expected.  Schools though, got out early on Monday and everything closed down on Tuesday.  At first there was a ban placed that no one should be out on the roads.  The New Jersey Transit (trains) closed down as well as the bridges and tunnels.  Everyone stayed indoors on Tuesday.  We only received a total of 4 to 6 inches of snow and that was added to what was already on the ground.  The roads though, were not plowed except for the major thorough fares.  We had a scheduled class planned for that evening but decided to cancel.  We would have had to drive an hour to get there.

What it looked like before the storm

What it looked like after the storm.

When we opened our front door there was snow that had been blown right up to our front door.

One of the advantages to living in an apartment complex is that they plow the parking lots and use a  Bobcat to plow all the sidewalks.  When they do so, there is no where to put all the snow and  now the parking lot has a wall of snow around it.  It is hard to get to the parking lot because of this now wall of ice that is there.


Class for Paterson

Wednesday, the day after staying indoors for two days, we decided to venture out.  Elder Hancock wanted to find the city of Paterson.  Because we have combined two Institutes (Elizabeth and Perth Amboy), we have Wednesday nights open.  Brother Bean mentioned that there has been a request for a Spanish Institute in the Paterson District.

The Paterson District is comprised of three units; one English and two Spanish.  To get there we traveled northeast, passed Elizabeth, passed, Newark, and as we were close to taking the George Washington Bridge to northern Manhattan, we went inland towards Paterson.  As we drove we could see the New York City skyline just across the Hudson River.  We completely passed the City before turning inland.  Paterson is a good hour away from where we live.

We went to Paterson to see what it was like and to find the church there and see if our keys would open the doors.  When we arrived at the church we noticed a van in the parking lot.  We tried our keys and they didn't work.  A nice looking man got out of the van and came to see what we were up to.  The man happened to be the District President, President Molina.  President Molina let us into the building and gave us a tour.  We then sat down and we talked about setting up an Institute there.  He asked if we could stay in the area and come that evening to meet the Young Single Adult Representative for the District; Fanny Morales.  We did just that and we felt very welcomed and wanted in Paterson.  President Molina and Fanny are super excited to have an Institute there.  Fanny wanted us to attend church there on Sunday but we have commitments with the Perth Amboy ward.  We did send a flyer to Fanny and she said that she would attend both Spanish units and advertise that a new Institute class would begin there this coming Wednesday.  We are excited to start up a new group.

Other Classes

It is a new semester now and we are seeing some new faces, especially in Elizabeth.  One young man, Jefrys Campusano, returned recently from his mission and just arrived here from the Dominican Republic.  Another young woman, Gina Campoverde, is attending Kean's University in Elizabeth.  She is originally from Ecuador but her family now resides in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

Jefrys, Giovanny Arredondo, Gina, and Paulette

Here are a couple of pictures taken in the New Brunswick Institute.  The first picture looks like the young students are bored to death.  It was taken at a bad time because actually they can get quite animated.  The second picture shows how cookies can help liven everyone up.

Chris, Issamar, Casey, Elder Hancock

As we are working among two different stakes here in New Jersey, and now a district, we can see how  the Institute program works when the leadership is involved and supporting the program.. We are looking forward to great things in Paterson.

We love the young adults here and feel very connected to them.  We love the opportunity to really study and prepare for the lessons in the Doctrine and Covenants.  I know that I am learning a lot!  Elder Hancock probably already knew the things that he is teaching.  We feel very blessed to be here and to serve these wonderful young adults!

Notes from class....

President Ezra Taft Benson gave focused counsel concerning the Book of Mormon:

“Do eternal consequences rest upon our response to this book? Yes, either to our blessing or to our condemnation.
“Every Latter-day Saint should make the study of this book a lifetime pursuit. Otherwise, he is placing his soul in jeopardy and neglecting that which could give spiritual and intellectual unity to his whole life. There is a difference between a convert who is built on the rock of Christ through the Book of Mormon and stays hold of that iron rod, and one who does not” (“The Book of Mormon Is the Word of God,” Ensign, Jan. 1988, 5).

“Let us not remain under condemnation, with its scourge and judgment, by treating lightly this great and marvelous gift the Lord has given to us. Rather, let us win the promises associated with treasuring it up in our hearts” (“The Book of Mormon—Keystone of Our Religion,” Ensign, Nov. 1986, 7).

“Is the Book of Mormon true? Yes.
“Who is it for? Us.
“What is its purpose? To bring men to Christ.
“How does it do this? By testifying of Christ and revealing His enemies.
“How are we to use it? We are to get a testimony of it, we are to teach from it, we are to hold it up as a standard and ‘hiss it forth.’ [See 2 Nephi 29:2.]
“Have we been doing this? Not as we should, nor as we must.
“Do eternal consequences rest upon our response to this book? Yes, either to our blessing or to our condemnation.
“Every Latter-day Saint should make the study of this book a lifetime pursuit. Otherwise, he is placing his soul in jeopardy and neglecting that which could give spiritual and intellectual unity to his whole life” (“The Book of Mormon Is the Word of God,” Ensign, Jan. 1988, 5).