Conferences, Histories and a Little Bit about Pedestrians

This weekend we had a wonderful Stake Conference in Little Neck.  My companion has been sick for a couple of days so I had to attend by myself.  I stepped outside of my comfort zone and sat with Branch members rather than with other missionaries.  The talks were mostly on service and wonderful stories were told.  It is so nice to hear from people of varying backgrounds and parts of the world who have testimonies of the Gospel.  When they speak of how the Gospel helped them through difficult times or talk about their testimonies of the Atonement, I realize how alike we all are.

After the meeting on Saturday, 4 of the elders were looking for a ride home so, with the permission of President Reynolds, I drove them to their apartment in Flushing.  Then today, I gave the Flushing Sisters a ride to conference and back.  My second, third and fourth times driving in Flushing.  It is only becoming slightly less terrifying to drive there.  The most difficult part is the pedestrians who just boldly dart out in front of you.  But the more I drive here the more self-confident I become just in the fact that I am able to do something that terrifies me and am able to overcome those fears.

One of the things that used to annoy me, but that now I just find humorous in New Yorkers, is that they will walk out in front of cars and hold their hand up as if they were a traffic cop telling you to stop.  This week I was driving and a mother with her young son (about 4-yrs-old) walked out in front of me and the little boy held his hand up for me to stop. I really did laugh out loud.  She was teaching him young to be a true New Yorker.

Today Sister Petersen had a 92-yr-old Peruvian woman and her son over for dinner.  They were so fascinating to talk to. They had lived here since the 40s or so and related much of the history of the Church in this area.  It was so delightful to listen to them and I realized how the Church has changed and the progress that has been made.  It made me want to find a history of the Church here and find out more.

The Elders were asking me what I enjoy most about my mission and I gave them the same answer all the senior couples give—“the missionaries.”  When I am feeling like maybe I’m not doing anything important on my mission that is when some Elders or Sisters will walk into the office and need something.  (Or they will need a ride somewhere as happened this weekend.)  Then all is good in the world and I feel like I really am serving and making a difference.  We live to help the missionaries and love feeling needed.