Sweet September

 Doctrine and Covenants

Our course of study in our Institute classes is the Doctrine and Covenants.  The last couple of weeks we have been studying Joseph Smith History.  I love learning about the Prophet Joseph Smith.  He was truly an instrument in the hands of the Lord in restoring the Lord's church to the earth in these last days.

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I especially love that we are able to reflect on the events that happened in September (exactly this time of year) as Moroni taught and instructed Joseph.  Then in September 1927, Joseph finally was able to receive the plates. There are recorded events of Moroni appearing at least 22 times. His unique experiences and callings provided the perfect tutor for a young prophet in training, Joseph Smith. For example, we read in Ether 1:2 that Moroni translated the ancient Jaredite history using the Urim and Thummin. Moroni wrote the book of Ether from that but he also wrote the sealed portion from the same translated record. Who better then to teach Joseph how to use the Urim and Thummin and how to translate. There are many other qualities that uniquely qualified Moroni as the young prophet's tutor and trainer. We ought to be thankful for both Joseph and Moroni for what came forth through their efforts.

Because of Joseph's and his family's many sacrifices and diligence, we have the Book of Mormon.  What a blessing it is to us and to all those who accept it!


Lunch at "The Vu"

Every two weeks we have an in-service meeting with our CES Director and all the CES missionaries. After in-service on September 10, Brother Bean and Shaz (his secretary) wanted us to experience having lunch at The Vu.  This restaurant is part of a Hyatt Regency Hotel in Jersey City.  The restaurant sits right on the Hudson River and has windows all around.  It is a beautiful setting.  In one direction one can see Ellis Island and the Statute of Liberty, but the main view is the skyline of the Financial District across the river.

Hancocks, Young, Toy, Strouds, Pittsons

Cooking Help

A local sister who also teaches Institute classes, Jan, brought some zucchini from her garden to share with the rest of us at our in-service meeting.  It has been put to good use since we all provide refreshments at all our classes.  This zucchini made lots of zucchini bread!  I actually shared this zucchini with the Sister senior missionaries.  It was enough for both of us.  They don't call New Jersey the Garden State for nothing!

Perth Amboy News

We are just starting to get acquainted in Perth Amboy.  Perth Amboy is known as the "City by the Bay," referring to Raritan Bay. This city has about 50,000 people, seventy five percent are Spanish speakers. We had a linger-longer there last month and have only had three Institute classes so far.  We have consistently had three (not always the same three) in attendance each week.  There are quite a number of young single adults here. One of the young men said that he would be coming straight to class from work, so I told them that I'd have dinner for them each week. It was decided to meet early at 6:30pm but we may have to meet later.  We are still discussing that.


We have been attending Sunday meetings there every week for the last three weeks so we can reach out and encourage the young adults to attend.  During Sunday School/Relief Society time, I've helped out in the Primary.  There is no one in the whole branch to play the piano.  So, I play the piano for Primary singing time.  I was very impressed my first week there.  The children know all the songs well and they sing with their whole heart and soul.  All that they have had for accompaniment is a CD.  But, they have done very well.

On Sunday, September 14, the Perth Amboy Branch was organized into a ward.  The Wednesday before this Sunday, a member of the presidency asked me if I'd play the organ for this special day.
Usually they have a young woman sit at the organ/piano and select the hymn number for the song to be played and then the player piano plays itself.

I've also been helping with the music in Primary in the Elizabeth Ward when we attend there.  Many of these Spanish branches and wards have few resources and rely on missionaries with music experience to help out.


CES Broadcast

On the evening of September 14, our New Brunswick Institute decided that they wanted to get together to see the CES Broadcast.  Elder Christofferson was the speaker.  Out here the broadcast starts late, at 8:00pm.  They usually advertise that the broadcast will be happening, but to view it on their own in their own homes.  Over the last couple of months, we have realized that many do not have internet access in their homes.  So, when this group decided that it would be fun to view it together, we were all for it.  We decided to have a potluck as well that night and we had great success.

 

Trips to New York City

We have had many trips to New York in the past two weeks. Last weekend our young single adults as well as all the youth in the East Brunswick Stake went to the temple to do baptisms.  We went along to support and help out.  Afterwards we followed a group of our YSA's that wanted to explore Strands Bookstore near Union Square. Strands is known for having 18 miles of books!


A few days later, September 15, Brother Bean took us CES missionaries on a bus tour of lower Manhattan.  We rode a top of a double decker bus. Since it was the week just before Elder Hancock's birthday, he was given a birthday hat to wear for a little while.  Thankfully, he didn't wear it the whole time. After the bus tour we quickly walked through the fashion district looking for a place to eat.  Look below how the shoppers get lunch. It was like being at a fair along the street, but there was hardly any place to sit down. Then, Brother Bean said we needed to try some NY roasted nuts.

My funnest trip into the city was Saturday, Sept. 20, when us Senior CES Sisters went along with a young single adult and her mother to shop for material for her wedding dress.

This cute couple from our Eatontown class got engaged last month and plan to get married in the Washington D.C. Temple in November and we have permission to attend!

Violeta Mendez, Wilfrido DeLeon, and Elder Hancock

Violeta has been out dress shopping with her mother and there are no modest wedding dresses to be found. Another option was to order a dress online but that was really pricey. As it has turned out, Sister Toy and I are making her wedding dress.  Sister Toy has made a dozen or so wedding dresses and she knows what she is doing.  I am learning from her and enjoying the tutoring.  Both Sister Toy and I graduated in Clothing and Textiles from BYU and we both enjoy sewing.  We made a sample dress last week and now are ready to try it out using real lace and nice fabric.  When we went into the city we shopped in the garment district where there are warehouses of very nice fabrics as well as little shops with better prices and good selections.  Violeta found what she wanted quickly.  It was really interesting to me to see how shopping for fabrics are done in New York.  Space is at a premium and bolts of fabric are stacked high along the walls and everywhere.  They use ladders to get down what you want to look at.  Then, there are no cutting tables.  They just use a yard stick and wrap fabric around the yard stick to measure.

She will be so beautiful in the dress made from this material! But we can't show the groom these pictures!

We are excited to be helping Violeta with her dress.  She is paying for all her own wedding expenses, a little different than what happened with our daughters.  I'll post the end results later.

New Fall Term

Linger Longers

As we prepared for the upcoming fall term, we have had two linger longers, one in Elizabeth and the other in Perth Amboy.  Our attendance in Elizabeth has always been small.  We know that there are a few more YSA's that could be attending Institute and we are trying to get them to do that.  During August we attended the Elizabeth ward meetings three weeks in a row.  There is a young single adult Sunday School class there, so we attended that also.  We explained to them that we would have a linger longer the next week for all the young single adults in the ward.

Let me explain what I mean by linger longers.  We stay after the Sunday meetings for a time to eat and get to know each other better.  During this time we wanted to invite them to not only attend Institute class but to be aware of some upcoming regional activities.  We also have formed a Facebook group for the Spanish speaking YSA's in our area and we want them to join that.

As it turned out in Elizabeth, only the faithful three or four attended.  The same day that we planned to have our linger longer, the ward council had a meeting and also planned to serve food also.  Ours was better though, as I served taquitos, fresh guacamole and salsa, chips, and brownies and ice cream sandwiches for dessert. (I forgot to take a picture!)

In Perth Amboy we had great success!  Perth Amboy is a new area for us.  We visited the Branch president and asked him to advertise our upcoming linger longer.  On the day of our planned linger longer, as the sacrament meeting was ready to close, the counselor that was conducting (and who is also a YSA) gave an announcement about the linger longer.  He not only made the announcement but pointed out individually who all should be there.  It was great and I'm sure that really helped our attendance.  We are excited to be able to teach in Perth Amboy.  This will probably be another strong group of YSA's to work with.

Front Row: Berenise Mendez, Ivan Ferrer, Sheila Arevalo, Miguel Varquez

Back Row: Benny Santos, Malfer Santos, and Ricardo Perez

Fun Family Home Evening in Eatontown

The FHE's in Eatontown just started last month. Every Tuesday in Eatontown the Spanish Branch and English Ward YSA's meet together for Institute.  After opening exercises we separate into classes, one for the Spanish speakers and one for the English speakers.  A few weeks ago, Dalia decided that there needs to be family home evenings for the YSA's in the area.  We volunteered to join with them and give support.  Last week we met in Bradley Beach and went bowling then ended up at Applebee's afterwards.  We didn't get home that night until 1:00am!

Front Row:  Emily Kerr (a nanny from England), Dalia Mendez, Aggie Oles

Back Row:  Elder and Sister Hancock and Attorious Renee Augustin

These girls are so much fun!!!

At Applebee's, Emily had to sit at the bar and have her picture taken. She had never seen an "American bar" before.  The pubs in England evidently are very small.

Trip to Temple

On Thursday, Sept. 4th, the sisters and us took a train and went to the temple.  Sister Young was meeting up with three daughters and their husbands and we did a session together. She was so exited to see them. She has now had four of her children come to see her. We asked her daughters and their husbands if they would be willing to call our children and encourage them to come out to see us... :) Afterwards we went to the EuroPan Bakery Cafe that is just down the street from the temple and ate lunch on the street.

This picture is taken looking down the street towards the temple.  You can see the potted trees that stand just outside the temple doors.


Benny's Baptism

Today, Sept. 7th, we attended Benny Santos' baptism.  We met Benny a week ago at the linger longer in Perth Amboy.  He was so excited to get baptized.  Benny is from the Dominican Republic and has just been here a few months.  He was baptized by Elder Garcia who arrived here in New Jersey the same day as us:  April 1st.

Doctrine and Covenants

This next week we start to teach the Doctrine and Covenants as our course of study for Institute.  This summer we have been focusing on recent conference talks.  Elder Hancock is worried that the work load will be a lot harder.  When he teaches he always plans the lesson first in English and then translates it into Spanish.  When he teaches we use the new Seminary manual, but we are expected to condense five lessons into one a week.  (Seminary is every week day, Institute here is once a week.)

Summer End

Saying Good-bye

Some of the young single adults are packing up now and leaving to go off to school.  We have really enjoyed getting to know and work with some of those that came out here to New Jersey to sell pest control for the summer.  We had our last Institute class at one of their apartments on Monday, Aug. 18th. Throughout the summer I have brought something to eat for these hard workers. As the summer progressed, I started bringing in full breakfasts:  pancakes, biscuits and gravy, eggs and sausage, breakfast casseroles etc.  It has been rewarding to cook for them.  They not only eat a lot but they are very appreciative.  We will miss them!

From Left to Right:  Tom Christensen, Mike Marcasciano, Ryker Schirner, Travis Bogdan, Evan Bogdan, Will Miller, Jeremy Avery, Jeffrey Leavitt, and Dillon Hollander.


On Friday, August 22, we met with the New Brunswick young single adults.  One of the girls is leaving for BYU soon. After class last week they decided that we would kidnap Josheline and then all go out for dinner.  I purchased a card and a balloon bouquet and we surprised her.  Most of these girls have been together in Young Women's for years.

Issamar, Liby, Romina, Joslin, and Citlali

As the evening progressed, we ended up having dinner with some Elders in the area also.

 

After dinner the young single adults wanted to have a bon fire and make s'mores.  We went to  Hector's home (the YM's leader in their ward) and used his backyard.  It was a great setting.  On the way there, at the suggestion of some of the young women, Elder Hancock invited some boys from another Institute group to join us, knowing this was their last weekend in New Jersey (plus we needed more boys.) We ended up staying until after midnight. We enjoyed eating and sharing stories around the fire.

Elder Hancock shared some spiritual experiences

Left to Right:  Jeremy Avery, Travis Bogdan, Will Miller, Gabe Champion and the New Brunswick Institute group.

Where Are We???

Ever since we came, we have been trying to figure out which community we reside in.  Our mailing address goes to Monmouth Junction.  Our GPS says that we are in Deans.  Just outside our apartment complex there is a sign that says "Welcome to North Brunswick Township." All around us are little communities with there own names.  I did some research today and found out that Monmouth Junction and Deans are unincorporated communities that are located within the South Brunswick Township.  So, it looks like we are just on the border of North and South Brunswick, between Deans and Monmouth Junction.  This may not mean much to the reader of this blog, but I feel better.

We reside in Middlesex County which is in central New Jersey.  Middlesex County is the second most populous county in the state.

New Jersey is the fourth smallest state but the eleventh most populated.  In fact, New Jersey is the most densely populated state of the 50 US states.  As we drive the busy roads here, I can feel my blood pressure rising.  Elder Hancock tells me to just close my eyes. That's easier said than done!



Wildlife

All summer long we have enjoyed watching the squirrels and geese.  When we walk in the mornings we count how many squirrels we see that morning.  It is fun to watch them and like we have said before, it feels like we are camping.


We have watched the Canadian geese grow from goslings to teenagers over the summer. They usually reside in areas near water. They seem to stay together as a family.  Just a couple of weeks ago we saw a group flying overhead in a V formation.

Last weekend when we arrived at the church for our Friday Institute class, we found a small deer in the wooded area behind the church.  There are homes in housing developments all around the church area.  We can't figure out how the deer was able to get here without going down some roads.

FHE in Eatontown

A week ago Monday, August 11th, we started our first family home evening group down in Eatontown.  Eatontown is an hour drive from our apartment.  It is on the coast near Long Branch.

For our first FHE we made guacamole then ate it with chips while we made plans for future family nights.  When we attend family night activities, the young single adults are in charge of the lesson or activity and we always bring the treats.

Left to Right:  Violeta and Dalia Mendez, Mary Swindler, and Attorious Renee Augustin


Edison Tour

On Saturday, August 23rd the Senior Missionaries in the mission had a planned activity.  We spent the day together touring Thomas Edison's home and labs in West Orange, New Jersey.  It was a step back into time. The home was beautiful inside and out. We wish we were allowed to take pictures inside. The woodwork and furnishings were beautiful. The home was built in the 1880s.

Standing in front of the Edison mansion L to R:  Hancocks, Shaws, Pittsons, Vauses, Baileys, Gilchrists, Strouds, Sisters Toy and Young, Roses, Taggerts, and Dunns. 

The potting shed and greenhouse

Elder Hancock was having fun in the tour of the Edison lab, being an engineer at heart

We are having way too much fun! There is a lot of work and we are busy and at times exhausted, but we love the Young Adults, New Jersey, and our mission experiences. We miss our family and friends, but enjoy the work here.

P.S. There is a great need for more Sr. missionaries! If so inspired, please submit your papers... You'll work hard but love it.

Beach Fun

On Saturday, August 9, 2014 there was a regional YSA Beach Activity.  This activity has been advertised in all the Institutes in New Jersey for the last two months. Our stake, East Brunswick Stake YSA, was in charge to host it.  That means that all our Institutes were given food assignments and were expected to support the activity. The plan was to meet at Island Beach State Park at site #20.  This area was really nice as it was away from the town of Seaside Heights and all the commercialism and people there.

On this map of New Jersey, it shows where we were.  Down by Tom's River there is a sliver of an island.  That's where the beach party activity was held. In October 2012 when hurricane "Sandy" went through, this area was hit hard. Everything has been rebuilt now.

The weather was perfect and the water temperature was too.

A tent was put up early in the day to hold our spot.  Later in the afternoon as the tide rose, the spot where the tent was put up was in a puddle of water.  They moved the tent back about 20 feet and that worked better.

Here is a photo of all the CES missionaries at the activity here to support their groups.  The three couples are all from Arizona:  Strouds (Eager), Hancocks (Tucson), and Pittsons (Queen Creek).  Sister Toy is from Idaho and Sister Young from Wyoming.

Hancocks at the beach

I love this photo.  Elder Hancock and Stroud sat in their chairs, but as the tide came and went, they just stayed put...From Elder Hancock:  "Ahhh!, this is the life... Are senior missions supposed to be this much fun?"

As the waves broke you could see just under the surface of the water, sea rays riding the wave. Lots of fun.

YSAs and Brother Bean having fun.

It was great to see some of our New Brunswick and Eatontown Institutes mingling and getting acquainted.  That's what these activities are all about!

The NJ young single adults.

August Seminary & Institute Broadcast

Earlier this week, on Tuesday, Aug. 5th, Brother Bean encouraged us all to meet in New York City in the same building as the Manhattan Temple for a broadcast from Salt Lake.  The plan was to meet up with other CES Directors and those working in the church educational system.  This was our first attempt to take a train on our own into NYC and then navigate the subway system, again on our own, and meet up with everyone else.

We decided to take an earlier train just in case we got lost or got held up.  As it turned out, everything went fine and we got there early, so we walked down the street from the temple to ABC Studios and window shopped, etc.

Our first train tickets.

Later in the day, waiting for our train to get back home.









Institute Classes

Within the last week, these pictures were taken with four of our different groups:

Paulette, Isabel, and Nefi

In Elizabeth our class is starting to grow.  Isabel in the middle just joined the church three months ago.  She is from Columbia.

In Tom's River, we had a going away party for Elder Leon (and us.) Since there are no young single adults in our Institute, Brother Bean  asked us to close down the Institute in Tom's River and try to start up an Institute in Perth Amboy instead.  We will miss the great people we have met in the small Tom's River Spanish Branch.

In New Brunswick after our lesson, some from the English Institute class joined us for a game of Uno.  One hand of Uno went on for thirty minutes!

A week ago on a Saturday night, after we worked to clean the church building, we went to "Rai Rai Ramen" an authentic Chinese restaurant.  Julian (from Singapore) had to order or give suggestions for most of us.  Five of these YSA's are our "bug guys" and in our Insight Pest Control Institute.