February 2016

Our Maplewood YSA Group saw two wonderful converts enter the waters of baptism in February, Wendy and Josh Joachin.  They are are a brother and sister from Haiti.  Both have sweet testimonies and wonderful spirits.

This past month a new senior missionary couple joined our CES group.  Rich and Lori Woodland. Elder Woodland has just retired from serving as Mayor of Rexburg, Idaho.  Sister Woodland was the Rick's College Women's Basketball Coach.  When Rick's changed over to BYU Idaho, Sister Woodland then became a religion instructor for BYU-I.  Sister Woodland has authored a wonderful book available through Deseret Book on Emma Smith, 'Beloved Emma'.  (We've read it and it really is informative). Elder and Sister Woodland are assigned to the Spanish speaking Institutes.  We are delighted to have them assigned to our mission.  

                  (Elder & Sister Woodland, Manhattan Temple
                           Pres. Steven D. Bennion, Kellers)

Our sweet Sister Ashley Hunte has finished her Mexico MTC Spanish training this month and is now serving in the Oakland California Mission.  We hear from her often through email. She is doing great work.  So much enthusiasm for missionary work.  She is going to be a great missionary.  When we received her mailing address, 4945 Lincoln Way, Oakland, it's the same address as Craig's mission where he served in the 'California Central Mission!!!  In 1971-1972 Craig lived at that address for 6 months while serving as the Assist. to Pres. Gordon E. Crandall. 

This past month Craig was called to serve as first counselor in our YSA Branch Presidency.  It's a nice opportunity to get even closer to our wonderful Branch leaders and YSA members.  We need to be at the church building early on Sunday to attend presidency meeting. This means Janet is at the church early with little to do but study our O.T. lessons or read.  

Several Sundays ago as Janet was studying in the foyer, she overheard the Spanish congregation (that meets during that time) singing hymns with the accompaniment of prerecorded music from an iPhone.  They put the phone on the podium next to the microphone and let the music from the church app play through the sound system.  It sounded a bit screechy and far too slow.  Later that morning Janet asked the Bishop from the Spanish Ward if she could attend with them and help with music by playing the organ.  We thought he might cry.  Janet has been attending their meetings now for a few weeks.  She doesn't understand much of what is being said but loves the wonderful Spirit.  The congregation is a very appreciative and loving group.

YSA Manhattan Temple Trip:  Our young adults brought a combined total of eighty family names.  One of our recently returned missionaries, as a recent convert of 3 years brought three of his grandparents names. A more recent convert to the Church, Thomas Abramowitz brought over 70 names. Tom joined the Church while attending the University of Arizona and has recently returned to his home in New Jersey to help start-up a family business.  

    (Katie Foster, Sister K., Stephen Andersen, Alex Courter, Matt 
   Odom, Thomas Abramowitz, Adam Gerhartz, Krista Mohammad)

We love the example of our great New Jersey YSA.  Our lives will be forever changed by their wonderful influence and constant demonstration of their pure love of Christ.

Untied Nations Tour:  Brother David Bean our CES Coordinator arranged for a private tour of the United Nations.  We began our day by meeting with the Church Public Affairs Director, Ryan Koch at his office adjacent to the temple.  The Church works closely with many nations and subcommittees of the UN in focusing on family and humanitarian issues through LDS Charities.  Later that same day we met with a member of the Church who works for the UN as a public affairs liaison. He was kind to escort us on a tour of the building.  The UN member nations were not in session so we were able to go into the various council rooms.  

It was an wonderful day culminating with lunch in the private "Diplomats Dining Room" overlooking the Hudson River. A rare treat.

District Training: We have been invited by Pres. Taggart to participate in providing training modules to the young missionaries during their District Meetings.  This past month we met with the Elders and Sisters from the East Brunswick Zone, training on the topic of "Becoming totally converted to Christ as a missionary is essential to the happiness we have for the rest of our earth life and for eternity".   Being in their company is one of the highlights of our mission.

Family News:  This past month has brought lots of activity for our kids back home.  

Meredith and Dave have sold their home in Alexandria VA and are in the process of finding a larger home in Springfield VA.  They're excited about the upcoming arrival of #3, a baby boy on July 4th.  Grampa wants to name him "Sparky" but so far Mom and Dad aren't show a lot of interest his suggestions.

Craig and Jen are busy finishing the basement of their home.  This past month they both completed a 15K Mud Run, they continue training for upcoming events.  Craig is scheduled to run a 50 K Ultra Marathon and Jen is excited about her second run in the Boston Marathon.

Drew and Robyn remain busy and focused on their new business, Ferrell's eXtreme Bodyshaping Gym (extremebodyshaping.com) Robyn is on the front line conducting much of the training, Drew is active on the business side and marketing.  They are both very happy with the early results and are outpacing all business plan membership projections.

Being away from home helps us appreciate more than ever our dear family and friends.  We miss you and love you ... you are always in our prayers.

January 2016

We have two wonderful cousins, Brian and Debbie Barker who faithfully email us every Sunday evening. Their emails are always encouraging, sustaining and always contain inspirational messages and thoughts. These anticipated "letters from home" have become some of the reliable anchors of our mission experience.

As we have previously mentioned, many of our YSA come from very diverse backgrounds, some not long in this country.  Many of our youth are the only Church members in their family, many struggling against the worldly influences of peers and friends, all facing the ever constant enticements from technology and the negative bombardment from all forms of social media.

Recently Brian Barker shared two quotes which captures the resolute determination of our valiant young adults:

“Greatness is best measured by how well an individual responds to the happenings in life that appear totally unfair, unreasonable, and undeserved.  Sometimes we are inclined to put up with a situation rather than endure. To endure is to bear up under, to stand firm against, to suffer without yielding, to continue to be, or to exhibit the state or power of lasting.”  
                       ~Elder Marvin J. Ashton 

“Perseverance is a positive, active characteristic. It is not idly, passively waiting and hoping for something good to happen.  It gives us hope by helping us realize that the righteous suffer no failure except in giving up and no longer trying.  We must never give up, regardless of temptations, frustrations, disappointments, or discouragements.”                         ~Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

Amazing Personal Stories

January brought changes to our YSA Institute and YSA Branch. We had a number of our members return to school, Bryan Calle, BYU Idaho, Carlos Rivera, Utah Valley University, and Kate Wilson, Aberystwyth University, Wales UK. Becky Gerhartz moved to Nashville to begin a Masters Program, John Holland accepted a company transfer to the Washington DC area and Bailey Hirase, returning to her home in Utah. Each have brought a wonderful and unique spirit to our programs. We will forever cherish their testimonies, enthusiasm and friendships. 

Bryan Calle

Carlos Rivera

Kate Wilson

Becky Gerhartz

John Holland

We are also feeling grateful for recent additions to our YSA programs: Austen Bilal, returning from BYU Idaho, Thomas
Abramowitz, returning home after graduating from the University of Arizona, Brandy Nguyen, returning home from a Brazil Mission, Kory Wilson, here for an Ophthalmology intern rotation, Matt Odom, returning home from the Missouri St. Louis Mission.

Austen Bilal

Thomas Abramowitz

Brandy Nguyen

Kory White

Matt Odom is a recent convert to the Church and a more recent returned missionary. 

Matt Odom

With Matt's permission we are sharing his conversion story:

"After hurricane Sandy hit New Jersey in 2012, I was going through a tough time in my life.  I felt I needed a change of scenery, I didn't know where my life was heading and I was feeling just a sense of going through the motions without real purpose.  My life was filled with distractions and temptations every young man goes through.  I truly did have the broken heart and contrite spirit the scriptures talk about.  I knew there was more for me and that God had a plan.  After a rough few months, my mom suggested that I move to Florida to live with my sister, Nicole.  It was something that I had wanted for awhile, I felt like Florida was where I needed to be.  My sister was excited to have me join her.  My original plans were to get a job and just try to get on my feet.  To have a new start in life and be just generally happier.  While visiting family in South Carolina over the Thanksgiving break, my sister told me she had been going to a new church.  She had been attending for awhile.  My sister grew up knowing Ivy Nguyen (Brandy's sister) and knew some of the beliefs of the Mormon Church.  When she moved to Florida she met with missionaries and began attending.  The Sister Missionaries came over a few days after our Thanksgiving discussion and invited me to attend Church with them and my sister.  I didn't have a whole lot going on so I figured, "why not".  I went to Church for the first time that following Sunday.  I remember how everyone was so friendly, they all seemed so nice and happy to include me.  I was feeling something, but at that time I wasn't sure what it was.  

I hadn't considered myself a "Christian" prior to joining the Church.  As the Missionaries began teaching me the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I remember them giving me a Book of Mormon. They were very nice, I still keep in touch with them to this day.  I now know it was the Spirit, and as I was taught by the Spirit and continued to attend Church, I knew it would be something good in my life.  I was surprised when they originally invited me to be baptized, it was only the second week of meeting with them.  I felt very hesitant.  I was unsure.  My faith was weak and I didn't know anything was true, yet I felt good about what I was learning and sensing.  I began to recognize I was feeling the prompting of the Spirit. I had struggles in my life, I needed change and I understood it would be a big commitment.  Yet it felt like the right thing to do.  My sister was very supportive in my getting baptized when I expressed my desire to her.  She had understood I had been wrestling with personal struggles.  The members were all very encouraging.  I was worried that I to be perfect to get baptized. I knew I had overcome my struggles and bad habits, but it would take my faith.  I ended up taking a huge leap of faith and on December 9, 2012, I was baptized at the Nova YSA Branch in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, a decision that I had no idea would change my life so dramatically.  I took that leap of faith and I've never regretted it. My testimony and the power of the atonement in my life was manifested in the months to come. 

Fast forward one year and one month later and I'm in the MTC preparing to serve in the Missouri, St. Louis Mission.  Looking back it was all the hand of the Lord, it was He that led my move down to Florida, it was He that put wonderful, supportive and loving people in my life, it was He that helped me find the gospel and the foundation and faith I always needed and always wanted.  And it is He that will carry me to my future.  I need Him now more than ever".    

                                        -Matt Odom 

                                                   ---------

Exiting 66th St. subway, Temple left of center

In January we attended the NYC Manhattan Temple with our CES family. Following our morning at the temple we gathered at a small NYC French restaurant, La Boite en Bois (The Wooden Box).  We said good-bye to Reed & Sheryl Hancock who are returning home to Tucson Arizona and Shaz Kramer who is retiring as a CES Administrative Assistant after 15 years.  These are wonderful people who though our friendships have only been 5 months in the making feel every bit like eternal friends. 

Craig, Mike & Shaz Kramer, Natalie & David Bean, Reed & Sheryle Hancock,
Marilyn & David Cherrington, Janet and Benji Kramer

Miscellaneous pictures from this past month:

Maplewood

Princeton

Saying "good-bye" to Bailey Hirase with Katie Hall

Wuthney, love this guy!

Record Snowfall - Apartment Parking Lot

Our love of these young adults grows by the day.  They are dedicated to what they believe, they remain undaunted by the challenge that confront all 20-somethings facing decisions that will determine their eternal destiny.  One of our favorite reminders regarding our purpose as a CES Missionary couple was a talk given by Elder Neil L. Anderson, February 28, 2014 to all CES instructors:

"Let us remember that those who sit in your classrooms are some of the most spiritually sensitive sons and daughters of God that have ever entered mortality.  I like these words from President George Q. Cannon, who served in the First Presidency, 'God has reserved spirits for this dispensation who have the courage and determination to face the world and all the powers of the evil one, .... He has sent these spirits in this generation to lay the foundation of Zion never more to be overthrown, and to raise up a seed that will be righteous, and that will honor God, and honor Him supremely, and be obedient to him under all circumstances."  The young men and women in your classes are these spirits.  They are the hope of the future".

January 2016

November December 2015

"The beginning of every New Year brings with it the opportunity to make a new start.  Part of the exhilaration that accompanies every January 1st is the optimism that starting over is possible and the knowledge that new beginnings can create new and successful outcomes".

As we look forward to 2016 we reflect on the past two months, filled with so many wonderful blessings, fun, busy, loving, wonderful times.  Most involving the celebration of a season of Thanksgiving and the birth of our Savior.

Church billboards Times Square, New York City

During November and December we taught Institute lessons from the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy from the Old Testament * prepared "after Institute" meals and treats * "played" with the other Senior Missionaries in New York City * taught more lessons, prepared more meals

Sheryle & Reed Hancock, Janet & Craig Keller, 

David & Marilyn Cherrington, Shaz Kramer, David Bean

* joined our Maplewood NJ YSA at a regional semi formal dance * attended an "all mission" Christmas party hosted by President and Sister Taggert * participated in the Messiah sing-along at the historic Princeton University chapel, Princeton University Campus

Princeton University Messiah Sing 

* met with our fellow CES Senior Missionaries for a special In-Service and lunch hosted by our CES Coordinator and his wife David and Natalie Bean * joined with the New Jersey Morristown Senior Missionaries and Manhattan Temple Presidency for an evening at the Radio City Music Hall's Christmas Spectacular

Love New York City at Christmas Time

* for FHE we huddled with six of our YSA members around an iPhone screen watching a Church Christmas video in a darkened Relief Society room * pizza * wonderful opportunity to attend a mission conference where we were taught by Elder David Evans of the Seventy.  Elder Evans was recently released as the executive director over the entire mission department in the Church

* accompanied a wonderful young lady to the Manhattan Temple as she prepared for her missionary calling to Oakland California

Ashley Hunte, California Oakland Spanish Speaking Mission

* prepared more treats, treat, and more treats  * more pizza * participated in inspiring and sometimes goofy Christmas YSA activities

                                                       

Human Hunger Hippo

(Two players are put on wheeled carts, pushed to the center of the floor, they capture as many balls as they can with their baskets then are pulled back by attached rope, to do it all over again.  Not for the faint of heart!)

* attended the Manhattan and Washington DC temples * sang Christmas carols * helped host a YSA Manhattan temple day trip for baptisms * hosted our YSA (and friends) bowling * prepared "linger longer" meals * inspired by our YSA Branch Christmas program.

One of the sweetest blessings of our calling is being within proximity to family.  We were able to travel to Alexandria Virginia and spend Thanksgiving and Christmas Day with Meredith, Dave, Sam and Lillian.

Most exciting of all ... we learned we are going to be grandparents for the 5th time    Meredith and baby boy are due July 4th!

Our New Jersey Morristown Mission Christmas will forever be a very special memory touched by the love and example of outstanding and valiant young adults.

October 2015

September ended with our being able to attend a special Regional Conference where Elder D. Todd Christofferson presided over the formation of a new LDS Stake in northern New Jersey. There now are eight Stakes in the state.  It was a wonderful meeting.  To accommodate the large number of members it was held in a rented theater in downtown Newark.  The Church is now more than ever a worldwide organization.  It was a thrill to see the diversity of those in attendance and how they represented the global membership. Conference was translated into Portuguese, French and Spanish.

New Jersey Multi Stake Regional Conference - Newark

Fall in New Jersey is beautiful.  Everywhere we go we see glorious autumn colors.  In the East Brunswick area, where we live, there are beautiful farms, trees, and until recently acres of tall corn. One of our favorite stops has been a nearby farm stand which is still selling fresh tomatoes, squash and apples.

NJMM CES Missionaries - David & Marilyn Cherrington, Kellers, Reed & Sheryl Hancock

We've now settled into a routine of studying, preparing and teaching our YSA Institute classes.  We take turns teaching so we're both continually preparing for our next rotation.  Each week we teach gospel principles found in the lessons from the Old Testament and encourage our students to apply those patterns and principles to their 21st century lives.

Our young adult students have a wide span of gospel knowledge.  Some are life long members. Many are recently returned missionaries.  Some are very new converts, having been baptized in just the last few months.  This presents a challenge in teaching but is rewarding as we watch new members grasp concepts of doctrine as they realize the applications to their lives.  As time goes on we're learning more about their personal lives and challenges.  When we began our mission it was easy to tell that we would enjoy our time with these great young adults.  However, as we start now to realize the sacrifices and commitment many are making, we are becoming increasingly inspired by them.

This past month we have been able to join other senior missionaries from the New Jersey Morristown Mission in visiting a sculpture garden in Trenton NJ, the site of George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River, and touring the Paterson Falls area, the old manufacturing mills and a museum.  For anyone who may know New Jersey,  our Paterson tour included a hot dog lunch at Libby's diner.

The Keller's and Hancock's at the Sculpture Garden

George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River 1776

Part of our NJ CES team - Kellers, Hancocks, Beans

YELP, where were you when we needed you?

Paterson, NJ. In 1791, America's first planned industrial city, was established, centered around the Great Falls.

Mid-month we were able to attend the Manhattan Temple.  The interior of the temple is beautiful. The temple complex also houses the Manhattan Stake Center and local Wards.  It's located by Central Park and across the street from Lincoln Center.   After leaving the temple we had walked a few blocks and ran into one of Janet's "favorite young women" from Minnesota (Anna Hoopes).  Who could imagine that we would run into anyone we know in NYC?  It was so much fun to see Anna.

Anna Hoopes and Sister Keller

This past Saturday we attended a regional YSA Halloween dance.  Young adults from the NJ Stakes as well as parts of NY and Connecticut attended.   It was fun to now recognize members of our classes and the YSA Branch.   It was a great activity.

Winning Costume - "Chicken Cord On Blue"

We're feeling very grateful for our mission, friends and family who support us!  So blessed to be associated with these outstanding young adults.