Elder Christofferson – New York, New York City Mission

Serving in the Time of Covid: Prelude to a Pandemic

July 2, 2020

An Apostle Visits

The NYC Missionaries with Elder & Sister Christofferson, Elder & Sister Haynie, Elder & Sister Buckner

In the weeks before the big red dot, the one that would soon appear on epidemiology and newsroom maps designating New York City as the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak in the United States, we were blessed with a visit from an apostle of the Lord, Elder D. Todd Christofferson and his amazing wife, Kathy. We knew at the time it was a rare and beautiful experience to shake the hand of an apostle, to sit near him and hear his counsel and teaching. We did not know just how precious it would soon become. As it turns out it was one of the last times we were able to shake someone’s hand, give a hug, or even be in proximity to one another. In the weeks that followed, the viral disease known as Covid-19 stealthily and steadily spread on the crowded streets and spaces of this city we love. But before that, way back in the other pre-Covid life (which was only 4+months ago), we had the blessing of being in the presence of an apostle and even walking down the street a few blocks to enjoy a nice lunch together. Grace sat next to Elder Christofferson and they had a pleasant conversation while they enjoyed their avocado toast (Elder Christofferson’s choice) and a crab-cake BLT (Grace).

We have never been able to gather the entire mission in one place at the same time, so when we got word that Elder Christofferson was coming and wanted to meet with all the missionaries together we got to work trying to figure out how to get everyone to Manhattan and how to get a photograph to commemorate the day. We only had about 10 days notice so I called my sister Jane who is a professional photographer to ask her for tips on how to organize and take a quality photo of 200+ people in the few minutes we had prior to the meeting. After hearing her tips and tricks and things we would need to consider–things like lighting, special lenses, ladders and seating and standing charts according to height, I asked what she thought about taking a trip to NYC! Thankfully she was willing to pack up her gear and fly out here to help us out! The photo above is the result of all her hard work! Thank you Jane!

At the devotional, Elder and Sister Christofferson encouraged us to seek to have our own divine guidance and revelation in life. The best way to do this is to treasure up the word of God. Reading the scriptures each day is like charging your phone, it is how you get spiritual power and information for your day. They taught that the Book of Mormon is and should be our instrument of conversion and that as we read it we are putting ourselves in a position where God can perform the miracle of conversion. There was time for the missionaries to ask questions which I thought was awesome until Elder Christofferson turned and asked me to share my thoughts about one of them! Ha! If ye are prepared ye shall not fear right? Well, luckily a scripture did come to mind and I was able to share my thoughts, but I was definitely not fear free, so I guess it’s time to up the spiritual preparation!

Arrivals:

January & February 2020

Sister Zhang, Sister James, Sister Liu
Sister Wright & Sister Cheney
Sister Scott & Sister McClara
Sister Peterson, Sister Chan, Sister Hoe
Sister Jensen & Sister Woodin
Sister Buhman & Sister Barrett
Sister Yan, Sister Chen Sister Jerome, Sister Teuscher, President Teuscher
Sister Warren & Sister Grimmer
Elder Palmer & Elder Hwang
Elder Holley, Elder Laird, Elder Thompson
Elder Ashton & Elder Rindlisbacher
Elder Holmes & Elder Spencer

The Return of our Hong Kong Missionaries: Elder Yee, Elder Heaps, Sister Chase, Elder Siu with Elder & Sister Wallace and President & Sister Teuscher

Departures:

February 2020

Snap-shots from transfers February 2020

We were all blissfully unaware at the time these photos were taken that this would be our last transfer for a while at least where we got to greet friends and former companions momentarily.

MLC

I haven’t posted photos from our Mission Leaders Council for a while. Here are the Elders and Sisters who were serving as zone leaders and sister training leaders in January-February 2020. They are asked to take on extra leadership and teaching and responsibilities and to be good examples to their fellow missionaries. We are always so impressed with their dedication and willingness to put in extra effort. So often missionaries will tell stories about how a conversation or experience they had with one of their zone leaders or sister training leaders made a huge difference for them and got them to change an attitude, see things from a different perspective, increase their desire to be “all in” and make the most of their time as a missionary. We love the way they build, encourage and lift each other!

Front: Sisters Wallace, Reed, Yeager, Dyreng, Arthur, Payne, Barrus, Buhman, Rios, Prue
Back: Sisters Christensen, Patchell, Ingersoll, Grimmer, Matthews, Pulsipher, Rowley

Left to Right Elders: Hwang, Chao, Tolbert, Wu, Palmer, Young, Takatori, Sutherland, Ginez, Bennion, Vergara, Homer, Lee, Mensching, Palmer, Meyer, Murray, Harrell, Lambert, Gleed, Palmer (at the piano)

I love this song the elders sang. It is one of the songs my dad loved from his mission days. When I was young I remember him teaching us kids to sing the chorus in Tongan. I don’t really know much Tongan, but every time I hear this song and the chorus comes up I sing 🎶🎵” Pa-pi-lo-ne, Pa-pi-lo-ne no-fo a ko-e. Kau fo-ki a-u ki ho-ku fo-nu-a” 🎶🎵 Isn’t it amazing the power of music and melody? And also the power of what we are taught when we are young. I am so grateful for wonderful parents who taught me truth and taught with love. We are all still very young in terms of our relationship with our heavenly parents. Heavenly Father only teaches truth and always teaches with love. It is my prayer that the power of his teachings will sink deep into my heart and memory so that years from now, or during future trials and difficulties, I will be able to remember and know those truths instinctively–even if I don’t fully understand–I will still be able to sing!