http://vimeo.com/joshuabrown/hurricanesandy
November 14, 2012
November 7, 2012
In the Middle..The Bronx with Portugal...11/7/2012
We haven't been able to help out with any service opportunities yet. But it's predicted that this weekend we should be able to help. Although... that's just for city missionaries.
The mission home is still out of power and isn't expected to have it for another week or so. Crazy, right?
We turned the radio on way late last night to find out the result of the elections. We are a little sad about it, but hopefully it will do good. God is taking care of us.
OK... now the news I know you have been waiting for. Transfers.
My time in Inwood was great, but it has come to an end. I packed all my things and was sent somewhere else. But not too far....
I am now serving in The Bronx, the Olmstead ward. It's Upper Bronx. I am serving with Sister Portugal. She is from Peru, but moved to Virginia when she was 13 and met the missionaries there. Also with us is Sister Ritchie and Sister Peterson. We are white-washing the area. It's going to be an adventure! And we have already seen so many miracles!
I'm very grateful for my mission and the experiences I've had so far. Yes, I'm in the middle of my mission. But like President Uchtdorf said, "We are always in the middle."
Much love. Stay safe. I will too!
Pictures next week... left my camera at home again.
Love,
La Hermana Lindsay Kindlespire
The mission home is still out of power and isn't expected to have it for another week or so. Crazy, right?
We turned the radio on way late last night to find out the result of the elections. We are a little sad about it, but hopefully it will do good. God is taking care of us.
OK... now the news I know you have been waiting for. Transfers.
My time in Inwood was great, but it has come to an end. I packed all my things and was sent somewhere else. But not too far....
I am now serving in The Bronx, the Olmstead ward. It's Upper Bronx. I am serving with Sister Portugal. She is from Peru, but moved to Virginia when she was 13 and met the missionaries there. Also with us is Sister Ritchie and Sister Peterson. We are white-washing the area. It's going to be an adventure! And we have already seen so many miracles!
I'm very grateful for my mission and the experiences I've had so far. Yes, I'm in the middle of my mission. But like President Uchtdorf said, "We are always in the middle."
Much love. Stay safe. I will too!
Pictures next week... left my camera at home again.
Love,
La Hermana Lindsay Kindlespire
November 1, 2012
Hurricane Sandy....and Halloween 10/31/2012
Happy Halloween!
Look at my Halloween costume for this year.
A Pass-along Card!
We are heading down to Harlem soon to have a Halloween party. It's been fun :)
My cough is still here, but it's not as bad as it was last week. It's improving, bit by bit. Transfers are still on. Changes coming up in one week. I've been super lucky to be in Inwood for so long, but a change has to be coming. We will find out next Monday.
Waiting for the Hurricane to come was really interesting. We heard about it on Thursday and it quickly became the subject of conversation. We kept encouraging everyone to get prepared and prepared ourselves. We had candles and flashlights on hand. Water and food too. We originally heard the storm was going to hit Sunday. Monday morning. Monday at 4pm. Monday at 6pm. Monday at 7pm. Monday at 8pm. And that it was going to be bad on Tuesday morning too. We were playing the waiting game most of the day. But when it hit, it was pretty intense. Lots of wind, lots of rain. Lots of loud noises and sirens. But we were completely safe. No flooding from what we have seen. The subways are still down, but the buses are working again. Slowly, but surely we are recovering.
We've spent the last two days sleeping and writing and studying. It's been nice, but we are so ready to get back out and start teaching again... After Halloween. :)
I love you! We are completely safe. I hope you enjoy the pictures from this week (And from the baptism).
Until next week, take care!
Love, Hermana Kindlespire
Pictures:
Elder Irizarry prepping us for the Hurricane
Halloween Costume
"Picking-up, Cleaning-up and Building-up" 10/30/2012
Dear Parents and Loved Ones,
Today has been a day of studying, journal writing, game playing and apartment cleaning. Many streets and county roads have been off limits to pedestrians while heavy equipment crews have cleared large trees, fallen rocks and debris and huge piles of leaves, limbs and branches. While all are "safely gathered in" they're also bored and restless.
This afternoon, those missionaries who were evacuated from low lying areas in Connecticut have been allowed to return to their apartments. Elders and Sisters have been given the "all clear" to reach out to branch and ward leaders to inquire as to member homes and clean-up opportunities. We've asked that they be back to their apartments as it gets dark. The fresh air and a little physical labor will feel good.
Tomorrow is P-Day for our mission. You should be hearing from your missionary about their experience over the past few days. As you write them back, you should know that I feel the Lord has greatly blessed our mission with safety and protection in large measure due to the obedience and faith of our missionaries. Every missionary has contributed to our coming through the hurricane without harm or incident by their focused obedience, faith and prayers. Please tell your daughters and sons that their personal worthiness has been the key factor in our mission's blessings.
We hardly have the words to describe how much we love our missionaries. They lift us and strengthen us and empower us with their work ethic and love for the Lord. They obey with exactness, (which some of you will find hard to believe, but they do!), and they teach with the spirit and they serve with priesthood power and unwavering faith. It's no wonder to us why the the Lord protects them and prospers their work!
We'll move now into a phase of clean-up where we'll have the opportunity to stand side-by-side with neighbors and friends picking-up, cleaning-up and building-up. Our example of hard work and community service will be our Christian message.
Thank you for sending us such wonderful men and women. They are really amazing! We are still without power or cell service at the mission home but I will continue to access information and communication from the office.
Thank you for your prayers and encouraging thoughts.
All the best,
Tom Morgan
Thomas B. Morgan
Today has been a day of studying, journal writing, game playing and apartment cleaning. Many streets and county roads have been off limits to pedestrians while heavy equipment crews have cleared large trees, fallen rocks and debris and huge piles of leaves, limbs and branches. While all are "safely gathered in" they're also bored and restless.
This afternoon, those missionaries who were evacuated from low lying areas in Connecticut have been allowed to return to their apartments. Elders and Sisters have been given the "all clear" to reach out to branch and ward leaders to inquire as to member homes and clean-up opportunities. We've asked that they be back to their apartments as it gets dark. The fresh air and a little physical labor will feel good.
Tomorrow is P-Day for our mission. You should be hearing from your missionary about their experience over the past few days. As you write them back, you should know that I feel the Lord has greatly blessed our mission with safety and protection in large measure due to the obedience and faith of our missionaries. Every missionary has contributed to our coming through the hurricane without harm or incident by their focused obedience, faith and prayers. Please tell your daughters and sons that their personal worthiness has been the key factor in our mission's blessings.
We hardly have the words to describe how much we love our missionaries. They lift us and strengthen us and empower us with their work ethic and love for the Lord. They obey with exactness, (which some of you will find hard to believe, but they do!), and they teach with the spirit and they serve with priesthood power and unwavering faith. It's no wonder to us why the the Lord protects them and prospers their work!
We'll move now into a phase of clean-up where we'll have the opportunity to stand side-by-side with neighbors and friends picking-up, cleaning-up and building-up. Our example of hard work and community service will be our Christian message.
Thank you for sending us such wonderful men and women. They are really amazing! We are still without power or cell service at the mission home but I will continue to access information and communication from the office.
Thank you for your prayers and encouraging thoughts.
All the best,
Tom Morgan
Thomas B. Morgan
President
New York New York North Mission
New York New York North Mission
"All Missionaries are accounted for and safe." 10/30/2012
Dear Parents and Loved Ones,
After a long stormy night we are in one piece. Every missionary has reported in. Some have been without power during the early morning hours - all are warm and dry. We will ask the missionaries to again stay in their apartments today while major clean up work is performed by cities and counties. As work groups are formed in communities we will join in the secondary clean up work.
I apologize for not communicating earlier. The mission home has been without power since 8:30 last night with two large trees down on power lines blocking our ability to leave. As soon as one of the trees was cut in half and moved, I was able to get out and find a place with power.
At this time the sun is showing through the clouds and the winds and rain have calmed. There is a lot of debris on the roads and in yards .
Again - All the missionaries are accounted for and safe. They have sufficient food and water and will be able to resume activities by tomorrow which will include assisting in many clean up projects. If you have any questions, please call us or send emails. I will respond based on our power availability.
Tom Morgan
After a long stormy night we are in one piece. Every missionary has reported in. Some have been without power during the early morning hours - all are warm and dry. We will ask the missionaries to again stay in their apartments today while major clean up work is performed by cities and counties. As work groups are formed in communities we will join in the secondary clean up work.
I apologize for not communicating earlier. The mission home has been without power since 8:30 last night with two large trees down on power lines blocking our ability to leave. As soon as one of the trees was cut in half and moved, I was able to get out and find a place with power.
At this time the sun is showing through the clouds and the winds and rain have calmed. There is a lot of debris on the roads and in yards .
Again - All the missionaries are accounted for and safe. They have sufficient food and water and will be able to resume activities by tomorrow which will include assisting in many clean up projects. If you have any questions, please call us or send emails. I will respond based on our power availability.
Tom Morgan
Thomas B. Morgan
President
New York New York North Mission
President
New York New York North Mission
October 29, 2012
Hurricane Sandy -- Letter From President Morgan
Dear New York New York North Mission – Missionary parents and Loved Ones
We hope you will find the following information regarding preparation and planning for Hurricane Sandy helpful.
As of the posting of this communication, Hurricane Sandy is still 300 miles off the Atlantic shores of New Jersey and southern Long Island. Winds continue to increase in strength in the communities of our mission but the full forces of Sandy is not expected to be felt until late this afternoon and this evening. As you may have heard from national news reports, all mass-transit operations have been suspended in New York City including subway, buses and trains. On Sunday afternoon, Mayor Michael Bloomberg ordered a mandatory evacuation of low-lying areas in New York City and said the city's school system would be closed Monday.
The mayor called for a mandatory evacuation of residents living in Zone-A by 7 p.m. on Sunday. Low-lying areas in the evacuation zone include Coney Island, Red Hook, and other areas around the East River in Brooklyn, the Rockaways, Broad Channel, the Staten Island coast line, City Island, Battery Park City, stretches of the West Side waterfront and parts of the Lower East Side and the East Village - (italicized and bold are within our mission). About 370,000 people live in these evacuation zones. We do not have any missionaries living in the mandatory evacuation areas. If Zone-B requires evacuation, we will work with Elders and Sisters in the Union Square area and our Chinatown area, including one couple, to move them north to Westchester County. We have coordinated with members of the Westchester Stake to house missionaries if needed.
Major bridges will be closed on a "case by case" basis or when the wind reaches speeds above 60 mph. It is unclear when transit will be up and running again after the shut down. Service should be able to return 12 hours after the storm, according to the MTA web-site. All of our missionaries in the city and the Bronx are reliant on the MTA for transportation. Some, because of very high housing costs, do not live in the area they work. Therefore we have asked our missionaries to hold tight in their apartments from 6:00 pm Sunday evening until the storm passes and we have issued an "all clear" announcement.
Missionaries living in the Stamford, Connecticut area were evacuated last night due to the risk of flood surges coming from high tide and high winds in the Long Island Sound. These missionaries have been relocated to Danbury, Connecticut and Yonkers, New York.
On Saturday October the 27th all missionaries were instructed to prepare for the storm by acquiring three days worth of food supplies - in addition to what they already had on hand, refresh all water storage in accordance with mission water storage policy, test flashlights and assure a prudent supply of fresh batteries, having some cash on hand incase ATMs are down due to power outages and keeping cell phones fully charged while power is available.
All companionships reported back as ready and compliant with instructions. We will carry out a “call report” protocol during the event to assess the safety and condition of each of our missionaries. Depending on internet availability, we will periodically update you as to the current status of the mission.
We feel very prepared and our missionaries are very obedient. Please continue to pray for safety and welfare of everyone in the storm affected area. If you have any questions, please contact me at 801-244-3601 or Sister Morgan at 801-573-4366. We love your missionary very much and are doing everything within our power to assure his or her safety.
All the best,
President Morgan
Thomas B. Morgan
President
New York New York North Mission
tmorgan@ldschurch.org
President
New York New York North Mission
tmorgan@ldschurch.org
Amazing Grace -- October 24, 2012
New York is great! We've had a nice warm week. I bought some fall boots last week for $30.00. Super cute. I'm hoping they will last at least another season, but I don't think they will. We walk too much. And today we are getting winter boots, hopefully. I bought a few undershirts and sweater tights as well. You know my big puffy white coat? I may need that. Sister Taylor laughed when I told her the only coat I have is my wool one. haha. I'm getting really nervous for what winter will be like.
On Saturday morning, we had a special mission conference with all the missionaries. Elder D. Todd Christofferson came and spoke. It was so awesome! Everyday, I am telling people about how God has restored his church. About how we have a living prophet and twelve apostles, just like Jesus Christ had. And here in front of me is an Apostle of the Lord, It was a wonderful experience. He talked about the Doctrine of Christ. This has quickly become one of my favorite subjects.
Saturday was awesome. I don't have my camera today, so pictures will have to wait till next week. M*** told us the week before her baptism that she felt like the person in the first verse of Amazing Grace.. "Amazing Grace, How sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I'm found. Was blind, but now I see." So, I had an arrangement of that in the folk song book that you sent me. (Thanks!) and learned how to play it in one week. Y****, a new friend of M***'s, sang it. And we performed it at the baptism. It went so well!
On Sunday, M*** was confirmed. Elder Irizarry confirmed her. He was the one that originally knocked on her door. So he is really special to him. She was thrilled when she found out he would be giving her the blessing. It was a beautiful blessing, and after she was welcomed into the ward, she shared a nice little message. She said, "Thanks for welcoming me home."
On another note, I've had a cough for two weeks. I called Sister Morgan about it on Monday and was given some antibiotics. It should start working super soon. (Ojala que si)
Ok. That's all I have time for today. We may have more time in the afternoon, but I don't know. We are going to the temple and going to buy winter boots.
OK. I love you! I thank you for all your support. Sorry I don't have a lot of details... I hope a few highlights here and there are good!
Love you
La Hermana Kindlespire
On Saturday morning, we had a special mission conference with all the missionaries. Elder D. Todd Christofferson came and spoke. It was so awesome! Everyday, I am telling people about how God has restored his church. About how we have a living prophet and twelve apostles, just like Jesus Christ had. And here in front of me is an Apostle of the Lord, It was a wonderful experience. He talked about the Doctrine of Christ. This has quickly become one of my favorite subjects.
Saturday was awesome. I don't have my camera today, so pictures will have to wait till next week. M*** told us the week before her baptism that she felt like the person in the first verse of Amazing Grace.. "Amazing Grace, How sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I'm found. Was blind, but now I see." So, I had an arrangement of that in the folk song book that you sent me. (Thanks!) and learned how to play it in one week. Y****, a new friend of M***'s, sang it. And we performed it at the baptism. It went so well!
On Sunday, M*** was confirmed. Elder Irizarry confirmed her. He was the one that originally knocked on her door. So he is really special to him. She was thrilled when she found out he would be giving her the blessing. It was a beautiful blessing, and after she was welcomed into the ward, she shared a nice little message. She said, "Thanks for welcoming me home."
On another note, I've had a cough for two weeks. I called Sister Morgan about it on Monday and was given some antibiotics. It should start working super soon. (Ojala que si)
Ok. That's all I have time for today. We may have more time in the afternoon, but I don't know. We are going to the temple and going to buy winter boots.
OK. I love you! I thank you for all your support. Sorry I don't have a lot of details... I hope a few highlights here and there are good!
Love you
La Hermana Kindlespire
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