These are our good friends who come to the Family History Center quite often. Aurea Garcia is hispanic and helps us in our Spanish research. She is not a member of the church, but she comes in and volunteers in the center every week, and sometimes more. She is a great help. Joe Michalak is a regular at the center. Actually, he has been coming for about 15 years minus six years when the center wasn't in use. Before the temple was built, there was a large family history center, and Joe started coming when that was in operation. But, he has come back. He is not a member either. He reminds me of Grandpa Miller. I can't help but love him.
These two are also regulars. They do a lot of research on the scanners. Dian and Deborah. Neither is LDS. Here they are holding a picture that we brought back from the Norman Rockwell Museum. It shows the roots of a sweet little boy, starting with his ancestors who were pirates. We have this picture hanging in the center.
On the right is our Family History Director, Pat Nixon. She is with Sister Batealic. Sister Batealic works in the temple with us and is our Scottish friend. 
We have great friends in our ward, as well. Here we are with our 33-year-old bishop, Bishop Boyle. He is a great bishop. We feel like his parents. He and his wife have four children and his wife is expecting their fifth. Raising five children in New York City can be quite a challenge. Iris, his wife, home schools all the children. She is amazing!
Teddy Thomas is our good friend. He has been doing family history with us for about nine months. A few weeks ago, Teddy went through the temple and will now be able to do much of the family work he has researched. Dick was able to be his escort when he went through the temple. We love Teddy.
Here we are with Amneris Puscasu, who is one of our ward members. Amneris is from Romania and has been the family history consultant in the Inwood Ward. We met her when we first came, and she has been our good friend. I might add that she has done research for over 8,000 names of family members and others and has submitted those names to the temple. She has also done many of those names herself. She is an awesome person and very dedicated to the family history work.
In addition to our family history work, we sometimes have the opportunity to teach the gospel to people who just come in off the street. Last week, Dick taught the first discussion to two young men who had been to see the Book of Mormon musical and were curious about what Mormons really believe. Dick gave them both Books of Mormon. I also had the opportunity to teach a young woman, who just came in and wanted to talk to a woman. I happened to be there and she visited with me for about an hour. She told me her story and how she had been praying to know what to do. She saw our website and felt like she should come to our church and find out more. She has a very sad life right now and really needed someone to talk to her. After she had told me about herself, I taught her the first discussion and she was very interested. She agreed to take a Book of Mormon and also come to church. I turned her over to the missionaries. She did attend church last Sunday and liked it. When we came into the center last Tuesday, she was there and wanted to talk some more. So, I spent another hour and a half with her. I feel good about her, but I told her she was going to have to do some work by reading The Book of Mormon, praying and asking if it is true and if Joseph Smith was a prophet. She already has a strong belief and love for the Savior and Heavenly Father. It's good to be able to teach the gospel to people.
Teddy Thomas is our good friend. He has been doing family history with us for about nine months. A few weeks ago, Teddy went through the temple and will now be able to do much of the family work he has researched. Dick was able to be his escort when he went through the temple. We love Teddy.
Here we are with Amneris Puscasu, who is one of our ward members. Amneris is from Romania and has been the family history consultant in the Inwood Ward. We met her when we first came, and she has been our good friend. I might add that she has done research for over 8,000 names of family members and others and has submitted those names to the temple. She has also done many of those names herself. She is an awesome person and very dedicated to the family history work.
In addition to our family history work, we sometimes have the opportunity to teach the gospel to people who just come in off the street. Last week, Dick taught the first discussion to two young men who had been to see the Book of Mormon musical and were curious about what Mormons really believe. Dick gave them both Books of Mormon. I also had the opportunity to teach a young woman, who just came in and wanted to talk to a woman. I happened to be there and she visited with me for about an hour. She told me her story and how she had been praying to know what to do. She saw our website and felt like she should come to our church and find out more. She has a very sad life right now and really needed someone to talk to her. After she had told me about herself, I taught her the first discussion and she was very interested. She agreed to take a Book of Mormon and also come to church. I turned her over to the missionaries. She did attend church last Sunday and liked it. When we came into the center last Tuesday, she was there and wanted to talk some more. So, I spent another hour and a half with her. I feel good about her, but I told her she was going to have to do some work by reading The Book of Mormon, praying and asking if it is true and if Joseph Smith was a prophet. She already has a strong belief and love for the Savior and Heavenly Father. It's good to be able to teach the gospel to people.
2 comments:
Great pictures of those you have come to know and love, Evie. You and Dick have done so much good. This may not have been the mission of your dreams but you've worked really hard, had wonderful experiences and made the world - and the Church - a better place. I hope you feel Heavenly Father's appreciation for all the sacrifices you've made. I guarantee he feels it for you! We miss you!
How great that you got to see Erin and Bronwyn! You have documented your work and the people well. It is always interesting to read about what you are doing. You are doing great work!
Post a Comment