Hermana Melissa Passantino

The Final Email!

2011-05-04T13:47:00.000-07:00

Can you even believe it's here? This is the last email of the mission.... WE DID IT! Haha! Today I was able to go to the temple and it was wonderful of course! I loved being there and it was a bit strange walking out of there for the last time. It seems not so long ago that I was in there for my first cycle. I don't have too much to update on. I am adding my mission experience paper on here because that sums up my feelings for the mission. I love you all! Thank you for all the love and support I have gotten these past 18 months. I'll see and talk to you soon!

Taking time to reflect over the last 18 months plus, I can’t help but be filled with gratitude for the chance I have had to serve the Lord here in the New York, New York North mission. My life would have never been the same without it. Recently, I was studying in the Book of Mormon and came upon a chapter that has brought a totally different meaning to me as a missionary. In the 26th chapter of Alma we read of the joy that Ammon has because of his missionary work. Verse 12 states, “Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.”
When I started the journey of my mission in the MTC, I marked that scripture, using it as a motivation and guideline of how I wanted to feel when my time here in New York ended. It has been a tender mercy for me to re-read this chapter and find that I have so many of the same feelings as Ammon, especially as he speaks of miracles. Miracles have been the focus point of my mission and seeing them everyday has given me the motivation to keep going, even and especially when times were tough. As I have thought about the different miracles I have seen, I have realized the main miracles have been within my companions, the investigators, missionary work as a whole and within myself.
Being able to be with a companion for twenty four hours a day, seven days a week is something that takes some getting used to. In the MTC I was a “solo” sister and was with at least two elders all the time, so I was a little nervous coming into the field and having a big change. I quickly came to realize that the Lord directs who our companions are in every circumstance. I saw miracles with each one of them and in each one of them. I found that the Lord truly can direct your companion through the spirit to know how they can help you and that He also does the same for you in helping them, if you are willing to act on that. I have seen the miracle of the atonement in their lives as they strive to overcome illnesses, doubt and lack of self confidence and put their whole heart into the work. I have seen the miracle of a companion struggling with me through the hard times, always having a positive attitude about any hardship that comes. I have seen the miracle of becoming instant best friends with a person I have only know for a few minutes and knowing that we were meant to work in this work together. I have seen the miracle of having the spirit testify to both of us, the same exact thing, knowing what needs to be done and how to do it so that we can help others. The miracles within each companionship are innumerable. I am so grateful for all the valiant, virtuous women I have gotten to work with and become best friends with.
The miracles I witnessed within investigators was the most exciting part of my mission. Being able to be with someone, see the spirit touch their hearts and see the change that begins in them amazed me every day. As a contrast to that, it was hard to see those ones who did not accept the gospel. At times, the Lord would give us a little glimpse on what their life would be like if they would accept the gospel and it was so hard to not see that happen. To see the miracle of the spirit within others is something I will always hold close to me. I was able to see the miracle of finding those people who were truly searching for the gospel in their lives, once they found it, they were on fire, ready and excited to do all the Lord asks of them. I have seen the miracle of the atonement work in each of their lives as they struggled to overcome personal weaknesses such as addictions or self doubt. Being able to see each person put total trust in the Lord is a wonderful example to me of how I should continue to be throughout my life. I have seen the miracle of the gospel strengthen families and bringing them together so that they can live together forever after this life. Each one of these people who I have been able to meet and teach have taken part in a miracle, the miracle of the gospel being testified through the spirit. I am forever indebted to my Father in heaven for giving me the chance to witness so many miracles in others lives.
To me, missionary work as a whole is one giant miracle. I realized this at first while I was in the MTC. Being together with all these people, trying to do their best and serve the Lord brings a special spirit that can’t be found anywhere else. I felt this every time I got together as a group of missionaries; I will miss that feeling so much. I know that the Lord loves his missionaries. Together as districts and zones I was able to witness so many different miracles. In every ward I served in, I had the chance to work closely with other missionary companionships and see the progress and joy that we all felt when success was found. Being able to work together, as a whole, brought miracles every day, not only within the work, but within ourselves. I have formed the closest relationships of my life because of the chance I have had to serve with such dedicated Elders and Sisters. Truly, as a group of missionaries work together in one purpose, the Lord pours out his blessings and miracles every day! It is true when it is said that goals CAN be reached as long as the effort is put forth by all!
Being able to see the miracles within in myself has probably been the hardest but most enlightening part of my mission. It is easy to see how the Lord changes others but sometimes it is a lot easier to point out all the faults within yourself. Looking back, I have seen miracle upon miracle of the Lord working within me, to help me become the person he wants me to be. I learned that through the atonement of Christ, I can overcome any weakness that I have. I learned what it means to truly rely on the Savior, in times where you feel that no one understands. I was lucky to learn this lesson very early on in my mission and that has shaped how I have faced every hardship that has come on the mission. It’s interesting to see how the hardships that I have gone through have lead me to help others with the same problems. Seeing that has made me grateful for everything that I have gone through, as hard as it was. I am forever grateful for the guidance of the spirit in my life and learning even more how I recognize the spirit in my life and challenging that to help others. The ways and things I have learned are innumerable but the everlasting testimony I have is that we truly are children of God. He knows us, He loves us, and He is aware of everything we need. He is there, no matter what!
I know that this is the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that he restored the truth through the Prophet Joseph Smith. I testify of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, it is the word of God. I know that as we do our best here and follow the Savior, we can live with our families forever. I know that God is our Heavenly Father, that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. I feel as Ammon does in the last verse of Alma Chapter 26, “Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen.” I know that God is mindful of each one of us. We can see His loving hand in every part of our lives, which to me, is a miracle. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
- Hermana Melissa Passantino

Hello Humidity!

2011-04-29T07:31:00.000-07:00

Well, I can tell that spring time is here as my hair has decided to poof every day now, it's just so humid. I forgot what it is like till just now. Ha ha! But the last couple of days have been so nice and I have been LOVING it! I love seeing all the blossoms and having the sun out! Yesterday we walked around South Norwalk and talked to people on the street. It made me miss the city a lot but it was just so enjoyable. I am glad that the blossoms are out and that there is some color in the world again! The rain just starts to get depressing after a while.

This week was a good one. All three of us have been really sick so on Saturday we were inside ALL day which was just awful! At least we all got hit at the same time and we are doing better now. That night the assistants asked us to sing at mission conference that coming Monday. HAHAHAHA! We just laughed when we found out and then agreed. You can imagine how fun it was to practice for that as we all were blowing our noses and trying to sing with congestion filling us up... not the best of times. But the song turned out ok and we made it through. Thank goodness Hna. Vander Does has such an amazing voice, she carried us through!

Easter was great. It is always so nice to be able to reflect a little more on the Savior and what he did for us. We also got to sing in Sacrament Meeting which was, again, very interesting. The elders sang with us so I think it turned out pretty good. We ate dinner at a couple different houses and enjoyed our time with some members. I think next Easter will be weird without eating some sort of Spanish food for dinner!

So I had my final mission conference on Monday. It was a little weird, just feeling like I was one of "the old ones". We talked about the doctrine of finding people. It was really interesting and reminded me once again of how much people are searching for the gospel in their lives. President Smith reminded us that everyone knew the plan, everyone that is here accepted that, we need to go out and help them remember. It has put a different spirit into the way I look at people throughout my whole mission, it was great to be reminded of it again! I was also given the chance to bear my testimony at mission conference (along with all the other missionaries going home) It was interesting to reflect and bear testimony. I realize that my testimony hasn't changed at all, it has just grown stronger. My goals have become more specific and I have learned even more how the Lord guides me in all I do! What a great time!

Today is my last normal P-day. Next week we are going to the temple (all the missionaries going home) so today we are going to the beach to play some volleyball. I am very excited! I hope all is well in your part of the world! I love you all!

Con Amor- Hermana Passantino

18 months!

2011-04-20T07:06:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's true, tomorrow I will hit my 18 month mark! Does that mean I am done being a missionary? Haha, NO WAY! Us Spanish sisters here in New York go for almost 19 months... does that mean we are more hard core? I think so! Just kidding... :)

This last week has been an adventure as always. We are still continuing to work hard and find those people who are searching for the gospel. We are having a lot of success as we follow the spirit in our finding efforts. The work always goes forward. I have really been enjoying seeing little miracles every day. Last Sunday we were for sure that one of our investigators was going to come to church. We saw her the day before and we were so excited about it. Turns out, she didn't show up... BUT another one of our investigators did! It was so exciting! Getting people to church in this area has been rough so I just jumped for joy last Sunday. Just a little tender mercy.

I don't have a lot to update on just because the work keeps going forward and nothing new has changed. I got to have an interview with President yesterday which was wonderful as always. I love that man. He is just so ready and willing to help with everything. This cycle has probably been one of the most challenging on my mission but I have also learned the most so I am happy about that.

I hope all is well! I heard that the weather has been a bit crazy lately. It sure has here as well! I just want it to be warm again! It seems the rain doesn't want to stop. Hopefully the saying is true about April showers bringing May flowers! I also hope that everyone has a wonderful Easter. I love this time of year! It make me think even more in our Savior and all that he went through for us. I know He lives!!!

Con Amor- Hermana Passantino

I Love Conference!

2011-04-06T13:43:00.000-07:00

Hello to all! How is everyone doing? Things here in good ol' CT are going well. It has been a great week, a different week, but a great week. The week after transfers is always something to get adjusted to.. just because there is so much change involved. But we are doing well. The adjustment from two people to three people has been an interesting one for all of us but we are working together and bonding well. We are kind of working on phasing me out of being the one in charge, just so that when I leave, they will realize that they don't need me at all. It will be interesting.

My birthday was wonderful. It started out with my companions decorating my apartment while I was in the shower, that was fun. Then we went to an english members house to watch the first session of conference. The whole district was there and it was really cool. Then the family brought out this huge chocolate cake and sang to me. I felt so special, I had never even met these people before. It always amazes me how christlike people are! We ran over to a members house before the second session of conference and ate there and then enjoyed the second session. It was a great day. On sunday a member brought me a homemade cheesecake and on Monday we had FHE with a member family and they bought me this HUGE tres leches cake (my favorite). I am stuffed full of cake! But it was wonderful. I felt so much love. Thanks to all of you for my birthday wishes. I feel like an old fart but that's ok!

So, wasn't conference amazing? I feel bad for all of you because I am pretty sure the conference was directed toward Melissa Passantino. Ha ha, just kidding, but really! I loved how many of my concerns and questions were answered during conference. What a blessing it is to hear from the Lords servents and recieve personal revelation. Just to comment on a couple of my favorites: Richard G. Scott was of course amazing. All of us sister missionaries just had huge smiles on our faces the whole time and just loved it. I think it was for sure my favorite. I also loved Lynn G. Robbins talk on being and doing. It was so great! Then of course Elder Bednar, a lot of what he talked about reminded me of what he talked about when we came to speak to us as a mission. Every talk was just so amazing. I was able to set some good goals while I was watching, especially about my future. I think the main thing on my mind is how I want more than ever to have a strong family, in a home where the gospel is taught and lived and where the spirit can be. It seems sometimes that this world is getting scarier to live in which makes it even more important for us to carry the light of Christ with us always.

I hope all are doing well. Have an amazing week. I know I will!

Con Amor- Hermana Passantino

The new threesome! Look out Norwalk!

2011-03-30T14:07:00.000-07:00

Elder Fox's funeral... we were so excited when we found that tombstone!

2011-03-30T14:05:00.000-07:00

Our Biblia Novela...good times!

2011-03-30T14:03:00.000-07:00

Morning exercise on the beach... this only happened once and it was FREEZING but it was fun!

2011-03-30T14:00:00.000-07:00

I'm a momma again!

2011-03-30T13:55:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone! Hello from good ol' Connecticut! We just got back from transfers and I just got my second daughter in the mission! Pretty cool huh? I am so excited to train my last cycle, it will keep me on my toes. Hna. Vander Does and I are still together so we are in a three some so it will be fun! I am excited to work hard this cycle. My daughters name is Hermana Melissa Sanders from Arizona. She is super cool and her cousin was one of my EFY girls... so funny! What a small world it is.

It's been strange to realize that I only have 6 weeks left, I don't really like thinking about it. We still have SO much to do here so we are really excited. Our "Biblia Novela" turned out good this last sunday... we had a good time and I think the ward enjoyed it. It was an adventure for sure, don't worry,we have pictures! Ha ha!

I don't have much time with email this week. I hope all is well in the homefront. Love you all!

Love, Hermana Passantino

Sunshine or Snow?

2011-03-23T14:47:00.000-07:00

What in the world is going on with the weather this week? It is crazy! A couple of days ago we had SUCH nice weather, almost in the 70's... I was in Heaven. We walked around Norwalk all day and I loved it. Hna. Vander Does was a little pooped by the end of the day but I just keep telling her I am preparing her for the city so she is not in total culture shock when she goes there one day. But on Monday and now today, it is snowing... what in the world? So strange! I was talking to a lady outside of the library today and she just told me how unpredictable the weather is in March... I hope April is better.

It's been a good week full of learning experiences. We taught our investigator Jose on Monday and that did not go at all as planned. We were excited to teach him the Plan of Salvation and had it all ready to go. As soon as we got in we realized that he did not need to hear about the Plan of Salvation, so the lesson plan changed in an instant (gotta love when that happens). I was more bold with him that I have ever been with anyone of my mission. For a moment, I felt as if the spirit was teaching both of us. Sadly, Jose knows it's true, he knows what he needs to do but he also knows that HE needs to be the one to do it. He understands what it means to have a willing heart and he admits that he doesn't have it. It was really hard to drop him because you can just see how it would change his life but he's right, we need to be willing to make that change or nothing is going to happen. I don't know if I explained that very well but it was a great lesson for me on agency and what WE need to do to receive that change of heart. I hope that one day he will have that desire because I know as soon as he does, his life will change.

We had interviews with President this last week and those went well. I can't believe that it was my last one with him before I go home, it seems strange. It was fun to sit with him and talk about "the good ol' days" when I was in the Bronx. He is such an amazing man and I am so happy he is my Mission President!

So here is a funny story. A couple weeks ago some elders and I got into a conversation about owl pellets... ya know, those things that owls throw up that are full of bones and stuff? Gross I know but for some reason we were talking about those and I remembered a time when we lived in PA and Kindra and I got to dissect one. Anyway, it was a random conversation but something I remembered was fun way back when.... fast forward to the other day. We were in this really random dollar store looking for a wig for our "Biblia Novela" and I see something with Harry Potter on it... of course I pick it up to take a look. Guess what it was? It was this owl pellet dissecting kit! Ha ha! You better believe I bought it and now I am making the elders dissect an owl pellet with me this afternoon... am I crazy? Probably but it sounds like fun to me!

I hope everyone is doing well wherever you are! Things here are great. Transfers are next Wednesday... I pray and hope Hna. Vander Does stays here to kill me off... we'll see! Have a wonderful week!

Con Amor- Hermana Passantino

It's a Wonderful Day in the Neighborhood!

2011-03-16T06:50:00.000-07:00

Hello From Rainy CT!
Yup, it's pretty rainy here today but that's ok... word is that the next couple of days should be nicer, I want spring to come so bad! On Monday I wore sandals, not the smartest choice in the world, I think I got a bit over excited for warm weather. ha ha! So it's been a good and busy week here in Norwalk. Hna. Vander Does and I are working hard to find some investigators. It seems all the legit ones we find seem to drop off the face of the planet. But that's ok, the Lord is always preparing people, we just need to find them. Thank goodness we have the spirit to help us with that, there is no way we could do it alone!
Well, my mom asked me what we do on P-days around here. Well, pretty much every P-day we go to this place called Blue Streak. A member owns it, it's like a gym. We play basketball (well, the elders play basketball and Hna. Vander Does and I just throw a football around) but it's nice to get some physical exercise. Last week we went bowling and it was SO fun! I even got a turkey... I was pretty proud of myself. Today we are going to go to blue streak and then go to the church and play some games. Just hang out. We were going to go to the beach but it's too cold and rainy still... so sad!
So, some fun experiences from the week: Number one: we had mission conference to review what we learned when Elder Bednar was here. It was of course wonderful as always. I love being with President Smith and all the other missionaries. I am going to miss it so much. I'm pretty sure that was my last mission conference, so sad!
Number Two: We did a zone blitz in New Canaan last week which was so intimidating. New Canaan is the richest zip code and let me tell you, I never thought I would be so scared to talk to white people. We just go up to these HUGE houses and try to talk to people. Hna. Vander Does and I would switch off who would contact that person. She got all the nice people and for some reason I got all the mean ones! But it was fun!
Number Three: We had the chance to have dinner at President Hunts house ( a member of the mission presidency) It was so great to be there and feel of the spirit in their house. All the elders and President Hunt had to run to a priesthood meeting so Hna. Vander Does and I stuck around and helped Sis. Hunt clean up. She is a return missionary and it was fun to hear her experiences. It was such an uplifting visit, I loved it!
Number Four: HNA. MCMILLAN came to visit! I was so excited to see her. She pumped me up and just made me happy. I love her!
Number Five: So, our ward is doing this activity where we kind of have to act out the first lesson. It is so funny because they want the missionaries to be all these different characters. First, they wanted Elder Fox to be Christ. They were going to have me go up to him get on my knees and say (in Spanish of course) "Master, if it is thy will, you can heal me" Then he was supposed to say, "I will" and then like help me up off the ground to "heal me". Let's just say the practice did NOT go so well, we were just rolling on the ground laughing. The members probably think we are crazy but we just can NOT act! Luckily, Hna. Vander Does and Elder Anderson can do it without laughing, which leaves Elder Fox and I being some background people, thank goodness! Haha, oh man, it is so funny! I will try to get it on tape when it actually happens. I am left being a "persecuted Christian" but I can do that, all I have to do is lay on the ground crying. Ha ha! I love Spanish wards! It is always so fun!

Anyway, that's my update for the week. The work continues to go well. I love every minute of it! Even the minutes where I want to walk around outside and talk to people and no one is there to talk to and I freak out a little bit! This is the work of the Lord! He is in charge and I love it! I love you all! Have a wonderful week!

Con Amor- Hermana Passantino

My Posterity-Mi, Mi Hija, Mi Granddaughter

2011-03-12T16:21:00.002-08:00

Saying Goodbye to Hermana Child:(

2011-03-12T16:21:00.001-08:00

Me and Lilly :)

2011-03-12T16:19:00.000-08:00

Tres Leche! My Fav!

2011-03-12T16:17:00.000-08:00

Hermana Vander Does and I by the ocean in CT- this was in the Elders area.

2011-03-11T21:00:00.000-08:00

Just driving in the car!

2011-03-11T20:59:00.000-08:00

This is what we like to call a "Melissa Moment" When I feel like a normal person. Ha ha

2011-03-11T20:57:00.000-08:00

Our district for Elder Fox's Birthday party!

2011-03-11T20:56:00.000-08:00

Hna. Vander Does and I went a little crazy with the decorations for Elder Fox's birthday

2011-03-11T20:49:00.000-08:00

Lots of Love=Lots of Food

2011-03-09T08:57:00.000-08:00

Hello from good ol' Connecticut!
It's a bit chilly today but this morning my companion convinced me to go out running with her... wow do I feel out of shape! Ha ha! I seriously felt like an old woman but it was nice to get out of the house to exercise (Don't tell her I said that or she will make me do it again!)

Things here in CT continue to move forward. As before, I am still trying to get a hold of the upstate lifestyle. We have a lot of appointments with the members and they feed us such good food. They are such wonderful people and my weight is going to show for it! Ha ha! The good news is, I am writing down how to make some of my favorite things so I can try them out when I am home. It's been fun because there are so many different people from different countries so we get to try a good variety. One member joked about feeding me cow stomach. I kindly told him I had alreayd tried it and I don't really need to try it again. Ha ha! So gross!

The work is moving forward here. Hna. Vander Does and I are working hard at finding those people who are searching for the gospel. We actually had a really cool lesson with a guy named Jose that we street contacted my first week here. He was wondering why there were so many different doctrines and how we know what one is correct... PERFECT! He is cool we are excited to continue teaching him. Also, we had this random guys name on our white board with an address. We didn't know where it came from but we decided to go check it out. Turns out it was a guy from Peru who had gone to church in Peru but never here. We are also very excited to teach him. I love teaching the restoration and the plan of salvation. It just brings so much joy. The spirit is always strong and it just feels good to teach those basics. The gospel is so simple and knowing the simple truths brings so much happiness in our lives!

I hope everyone is doing well. You are all in my prayers! Have an amazing week!

Con Amor- Hermana Passantino
Oh and PS; I can't remember if I put the correct address for my new address here in Norwalk- I think I put the wrong zip code but it is 25 Maple st #8, Norwalk, CT, 06850

I heart CT!

2011-02-23T13:20:00.000-08:00

Hello from the Constitution State! I am just reporting after getting out of my 2011 Chevy Malibu... ha ha, that's right, that's what I roll around in these days. It's wonderful! We have a little GPS that tries to show me where to go but I think I get in more arguments with that thing that I should. It just frustrates me sometimes, always telling me to turn too late or what not. But I love it, it helps us get around here! I am IN LOVE with this area. It is for sure different than the city. Let me tell you! My second day here, Hna. Vander Does said we had a district blitz in "the projects". I am pretty sure these "projects" were like the Ritz Carlton compared to what I was in before. It was pretty funny. But there are some pretty ghetto parts around here. But I just love it. The work is done totally different than in the city. I am just so used to walking around and talking to people but here we are in the car all the time. I did have Hna. Vander Does and I walk around one day and just talk to people that were in their yards. It was fun and it was her first time doing it so we had a good ol time. We also have started contacting people from the car window when they look spanish... or just hanging around spanish grocery stores!

Hna. Vander Does is so great. We get a long just wonderfully and she is just so fun to be with. I know I am supposed to be her companion and I feel grateful to be able to work here. We have big plans for this area! Church was amazing on Sunday. I just love this ward. I was asked to give a talk AND sing in church on Sunday... thanks ward! But it went well I think. I still don't like talking in front of people in Spanish but I felt more like myself as I did it which was good. We also sang "Joseph Smiths First Prayer" It was me, Hna. Vander Does, and the elders (Elder Fox and Elder Anderson- the greenie) Luckily, the old Elder Anderson was there so we had him come up and sing with us. It went pretty well I think!

We also had a baptism on Saturday. This wonderful man named Ray. He has two little boys and his mom also wants to get baptized. Sadly, she has to work on Sundays so that is hard to work with. His baptism was great and I just can see how the gospel has blessed his life even though I have only been here for a couple of days. We were at his house the other night and I could just feel of the love the Savior has for that family. It brought tears to my eyes. I love moments like that as a missionary!

The members here are wonderful. I love them all so much. Not very many Dominicans which means I can understand what everyone is saying to me... ha ha. We eat A LOT here and the food is so good! I love it! So far I have eaten food from Peru, Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras! On Sunday we ate at a members house from Mexico and they said I came here so that I could fix my Dominicana accent... Haha! I guess I talk fast like they do, who knew? But really, the members are amazing. I just feel so comfortable here and I feel the love of everyone so much, it's great!

I am doing great. I love the change that has come in the mission for me. I can see big miracles in this area but I am just excited to work hard! Upstate is VERY different and I am adjusting but I am doing good. I can see that Heavenly Father puts me where I need to be, and I am glad it is here! Life is wonderful! The church is true! I am so glad that I am doing His work here.

We are getting ready for Elder Bednar which I am really looking forward too. What a wonderful opportunity we have! I love you all! I hope all is well!

Con Amor- Hermana Passantino

PS: We found this new guy to teach names Ramon! He is so cool and guess what? He is Dominican! Ha ha! Of course! I am so excited to teach him. He recently got in a really bad car accident and almost died and he has been searching for the truth since then! SO LEGIT!

PPS: Today we went and played basketball at this gym a member owns. Let's just say I am a little rusty and very out of shape... woops. But it was fun!

We had a goodbye dinner with Maria Lall and her daughter last night. It was fun :) Just a girls night with Pizza!

2011-02-18T16:32:00.000-08:00

Saying goodbye to Luz (Lewis's grandma, she is so great!)

2011-02-18T16:31:00.000-08:00

Always representing ;) Thanks fam for the shirt! I LOVE IT!

2011-02-18T16:30:00.000-08:00

China and Ramon came with Gia to say hi on Valentines Day! I was so excited to see them!

2011-02-18T16:29:00.000-08:00

Our district on V-Day eating the cookies Hna. Anderson and I made (Thanks for the mix mom :)

2011-02-18T16:26:00.000-08:00

So, this is when I was so sick and Hna. Anderson cut her lip with a knife and it wouldn't stop bleeding... we were a site to be seen!

2011-02-18T16:24:00.000-08:00

Cesar's Baptism. He is the one standing next to Hna. Anderson. Hno. Santana baptized him and Bishop MacDonald is also in the picture

2011-02-18T16:21:00.000-08:00

Adios New York City... Hola Connecticut!!!

2011-02-16T09:07:00.000-08:00

Yes it is true! I am leaving this city that I love oh so much for the last two cycles of my mission! And I am going to Connecticut! Woo hoo!!! President called yesterday and when he told me that I was going there I squealed in his hear. Ha ha... he probably thinks I was a little too crazy but that's ok. He knows my personality and he is excited for me to be there too! But let me tell you why he called, because I AM GOING TO BE A GRANDMOTHER! That's right, Hna. Anderson is training and I am so excited for her. I am excited to be able to see my "mission posterity". She is going to be amazing. Inwood is a great place to be trained because it prepares you for pretty much everything (except being upstate in a car which I will be doing! WOO HOO!)

It has been just a wonderful time here in Inwood. I was thinking last night about all the people I love here and all the experiences I have had. It's funny, because Hna. Walker (my mission momma) wrote me a while ago and told me that although Inwood was a very draining area she made some of her best friends here and I feel the same way. I am relieved to be going somewhere totally new but I will miss the people here. I love it just like I love the Bronx. It's going to be a bit of a culture shock for me to be upstate and change my missionary work (it's totally different up there, like two different missions) but I am excited. I will be with Hna. Vander Dos (I think that is how you spell it) and I will be her follow up trainer (this is going to be her second cycle). I am just excited to be there. I was there for a couple days with Hna. Baxter and I fell in love with the ward and people there so I just can't wait! I am finding that change is getting easier and easier for me as my mission goes on. Everyone knows I have a hard time with change but I am learning to grow from it instead of dread it like I usually do. I'm excited to learn from a new companion and to meet new people. The good news is that there aren't very many Dominicans up there so I may actually be able to understand the Spanish they speak to me. Ha ha. I love the Dominican people so much, but even after all this time, some of them are hard to understand. Now, I just have to make sure I don't gain any weight up there since I won't be walking around as much as I do here!

Last Wednesday I got a fun surprise and Hna. Child and Hna. Adjei got to stay with us. It was so fun to be with them and catch up. I just love all the people from my mission so much! They are the best. I can't believe Hna. Child is leaving tomorrow! AHHH! I am going to miss her, why am I suddenly the oldest sister in the mission? When did that happen? AHHHHHHH!

This week has been interesting for sure. On Friday morning around 3:30 in the morning I woke up with the worst stomach pain ever. I tried to throw up but nothing would come out, it was awful! I was up since then just rolling around in pain. It lasted throughout the day but I was able to get some stuff out a couple of times. I felt so weak and just awful. Hna. Anderson took very good care of me and helped me with everything (she even cleaned the toilet after I threw up so I wouldn't have to throw up again in a gross toilet and she had a warm washcloth waiting for me when I was done because that is what my mom used to do :) The elders were our life savors and went to an appointment with Cesar for us since he was getting baptized the next day! Thank goodness for them. It was not a fun day! I ran a fever and just felt awful. I knew I had to get better because we had to do everything for the baptism the next day. I woke up the next day still not able to eat anything but Hna. Anderson got a mild version of what I had. So you can imagine how weak we were at the baptism.We did our best and it turned out great. I was so excited to see Cesar baptized! The ward has taken him under their wing and he just has so many friends already. He felt so good afterwards and is excited to get going in the church. He is a great member and I feel so blessed to have been here to see him taught and baptized... and right before I left too!

We actually have another baptism this week but sadly I will not be here for it. Elizar is so cool and he is way excited to get baptized. He was taught by other missionaries but he had to go to Mexico for a while. But now he is ready to go! He was going to be baptized last week but they had to go out of town. So Hna. Anderson has a lot on her hands this weekend but she will do great!

I am just loving my mission more and more these days. I love being here and I love serving the Lord. I am amazed by all the tender mercies we see every day! I am so grateful that I can be here. Even more grateful because Elder Bednar is coming to our mission on Feb 25th to just speak to the missionaries. I am so excited! It is going to be a great conference! Wow, I just feel so blessed. I don't know what kind of challenges and adventures await me but I am excited for all of them. I hope you all have an amazing week! Love from New York City one last time :)
Con Amor- Hermana Passantino

My New Address: 25 Maple #8
Norwalk, CT
06850

This rock is from CA and so are we so we thought a picture would be nice!

2011-02-09T10:52:00.000-08:00

Museum of Natural History-Us in a shell!

2011-02-09T10:51:00.000-08:00

Some random garden in an apartment building... oh the interesting things you find

2011-02-09T10:49:00.000-08:00

The Superbowl and missionary work!

2011-02-09T10:41:00.000-08:00

It is very chilly here in New York City! We woke up this morning FREEZING! Only to find out the heat wasn't on and there was no hot water. I guess the boiler broke. So, Hna. Anderson and I turned the oven on and opened it up and ate breakfast while huddling around the oven. Then we heated up some water on the stove to wash our hair and faces. Ha ha, it was so funny! I am just grateful when we DO have heat and warm water. I am glad I am not a pioneer, I don't think I would have made it!
This week has been a good one. A lot of fun adventures as always here in Inwood. I am trying to soak it all in because it is very likely that I will be transferred next week, only time will tell! This last Sunday was one of my favorite Sundays in the mission. First off, it was BEAUTIFUL outside! The sun was shining and it was warm (well it was like 37 but warm for me!) Then we go to church and we just realized how much we love all of our members. Everyone was just so happy and in a good mood. Cesar came to church (and his baptism is this Saturday! Woo Hoo!) and we also had another investigator show up. He had been taught before but had to go out of the country. Well, he is back and will be baptized in two weeks! SO cool!!!! Talk about a miracle! It was just a great day. We loved all of our classes and felt the spirit so strong. It was great!
Thursday we had another miracle. Thursday night all of our appointments fell through. We were frustrated but went to go visit a member family. As we were there our phone rang. Usually I don't answer the phone in an appointment but I felt like I should, so I picked it up. It was a lady and she told me she was at the church and that it was locked. I asked her why she was there and she said she wanted to be a part of the church. I thought she was calling for English class and she told me no, she saw our number on the door and she has been looking for our church and wants to be part of it! Luckily we were close and ran to the church to meet her. Turns out, she has a lot of family in Peru who are members. Her mom was a member too but just passed away. She wanted a change in her life and knew that she needed to study this church! She is so cool! Sadly, she doesn't live in our area but she is golden and I am so excited for the elders that get to teach her!
So I don't know how many of you have mormon.org profiles but you have to make one! The church is doing this new thing and as missionaries we get to get on mormon.org and search for people that are on there. Then we take the new mormon.org pass-a-long cards and when we meet people we can have a suggestion of who they should look up. It is so cool! I love mormon.org, it is such a great missionary tool. So if you don't have a profile, MAKE ONE! Also, whoever does my blog, will you put a link to mormon.org on there? Gracias!
This last week we got to go to an English ward members house from some dinner. It was so fun! Ha ha! I forgot what it was like to not have rice and beans with my meal. It was great! I loved it! Always a fun little switch up!
So, we decided to go tracting during the Super Bowl... not the smartest thing in the world. But it worked out to my advantage. Who ever knew Aaron Rodgers would be a good missionary tool! Ha ha! As we were tracting, everyone was watching the game. So, as they tried to close the door on us, I would say, "Well who is winning?" This always surprised them because some white mormon chick wants to hear about the Superbowl. So then they would tell me who was winning and I told them Aaron went to my high school. By that point we are friends and they invite us back in. Ha ha, good times! It was pretty funny!
I have been feeling of my Saviors love so much this last week. Those times when life is hard, I know I can get on my knees (or usually in my case, walk through the cold snowy streets) and pray to feel the warmth of my Saviors love... and it never fails! It is such a tender mercy for me. I know that we can ALL feel of that love, ALWAYS! I sure hope we take advantage of it and take time out of our busy days to offer some thanks for the things that we have in this life.
I have been loving re-reading the Book of Mormon as a missionary again. Every time I read I learn something new and interesting. It is just so amazing. That book brings the spirit into our lives so much and so much personal revelation comes while reading. I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon and I know it is the word of God, another Testament of our Savior, Jesus Christ! Just like Nephi, we all have trials in our lives and we are asked to do things that are hard or seem difficult. But we have to go in with a good attitude and just DO it! Heavenly Father will always prepare a way. And as we go in with the good, positive attitude, we come out becoming what Heavenly Father wants of us. Unlike Laman and Lemuel who did the things but didn't BECOME anything! Oh man, I love the stories in the Book of Mormon.
I hope all is well wherever you are reading this! Stay warm (I know my parents will be as they enjoy their time in Mexico... HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!) And happy valentines day to all! Love you!
Con Amor- Hermana Passantino
And next week... we find out where Hna. Passantino will be her last two cycles of her mission!

Today... ICE!

2011-02-02T12:14:00.000-08:00

As I am sure everyone has heard, there is a fun ice storm here in NY right now... it's crazy, just walking around on pure ice is always fun. Let's all pray that we don't slip and fall! So far so good, but it's always too soon to tell. An Elder in my district got stitches because he fell on Saturday, poor guy. Things are going well here! Besides the cold weather we are working hard and having fun, as usual.

Cesar continues to progress and we are so excited for him. Every time we go teach you can see his faith in Christ going more and more. He is so ready and willing to follow Christ and his example, I love it! I wish we could find more people like that. Luckily, they are out there! I have just been realizing more and more how we are simply asking people to follow Christ and his gospel. It is simple if you think about it. I love reading in the Book of Mormon and hearing about how simple the gospel of Christ is. The spirit is always so strong whenever we talk about our Savior, for He is the real reason we are out here as missionaries. I am so grateful for him and his sacrifice and the chance I have to be one of his representatives. What a blessing it is to share His gospel with others.

We had a couple of fun/ funny experiences this week. First of all, on Friday we were walking through the snow and we were crossing the street with out heads down to try to keep the snow out of our faces. As I was crossing the street this bus starts honking at us... I had no clue why but kept walking but he kept honking. Finally I looked up at him and the driving was waving us down. I stopped and he opened the doors and said, "Hey, I know you guys are far from home and I just wanted to say hello and I hope you have a good day." It for SURE brought tears to my eyes. It was one of the nicest things that someone in New York has ever done. It was so great!

So then later that day, we had a zone blitz and we were going to this place called "the Polo Grounds" it's a bunch of projects and I guess it is kind of a sketch place. Anyway, our whole zone walks out of the subway and this guy starts talking to us like he is a pirate... it was the best pirate I ever heard. He was saying things like, "Watch out your latter day land lovers, Pirate coming through!" Ok, it was the funnies thing ever! I was rolling on the ground laughing. I guess, once again, you had to be there but it was so great! Gotta love New York City!

The work continues to roll forward. I love it more and more every day! I am so happy that I am here (even in the freezing cold and while wearing a skirt) I love you all! Keep on keeping on!

Love, Hermana Passantino

Snowfall in Inwood...cold but beautiful!

2011-01-26T13:22:00.000-08:00

Two elders from my old District in the Bronx found this and took this pic for me! How perfect right?

2011-01-26T13:21:00.000-08:00

Another Snowy Day in NYC!

2011-01-26T13:19:00.000-08:00

Hello again from NYC!
It is snowing like crazy... I swear there is more snow this winter than last. Luckily, this year I have some good snow boots so I am staying A LOT more dry than last year. Last year I had to put plastic bags on my feet, ghetto I know! But yeah, we have been super cold here the last week! (Gosh, I am always talking about the weather... I am so lame!) But besides the cold, we are doing really well. Like I said, the work is picking up a lot in this area now and so we are SO grateful for that. I love having appointments to go to and feeling as that we are able to help people. Having busy days just makes the work so great!
We had a couple of cool miracles this week that have been so wonderful. First, we had a former investigator show up at church. She had never been taught by us but we had tried to go look her up right when Hna. Anderson got here. She was really cool but super busy so we never had the chance to teach her. The last couple of weeks, every time we would pass by her apartment, Hna. Anderson and I would mention her and always just have her on our minds. So then on Sunday, she showed up to church with a member. It was so cool! We have an appointment with her on Saturday. She stayed for all three hours and was participating in class! We are excited to see how that works out.
We continue to teach Cesar and he is progressing just wonderfully towards baptism. It has been soo cool to see him willing accept the commandments and follow them even if they are hard for him. Our last appointment he prayed and it was such a great prayer. I just love hearing people pour out their souls to their Heavenly Father. It is such a sweet experience.
In our district meetings we are reviewing the new lessons that they will be teaching in the MTC. They are AWESOME! Every time we have them I get some new insight on how I can help specific investigators, I love it! Elder Torres is our district leader and he does such a good job. We just love these meetings.
So here is a fun story: The other day a less active member asked us to come over to help move some stuff in her apartment. We showed up and she said that we weren't strong enough so we needed to call the elders and have them help. So we call them, wait for like 45 minutes and then she has them move like three super small boxes (we could have moved them just fine) It was pretty funny. Then she had each of us missionaries pray... but pray for something different. Hna. Anderson and Elder Martin and I could just NOT hold it in... it was so funny! We were all laughing so hard, but so was our member. Now retelling this story, it's really not that funny, but it was really funny in the moment. Wow, I am no longer funny. Ha... sorry guys!
I hope everyone has a wonderful week! Remember the help the missionaries in your area and share that testimony you have. I know this is Gods work here on the earth! I love it with all my heart!
Con Amor- Hermana Passantino

Hna. Anderson and I.... right after that I fell in the snow. We were wet but it was fun :)

2011-01-21T11:08:00.001-08:00

We figured out that NY snow doesn't stick so Elder Wright and I decided to cover Elder Shepherd!

2011-01-21T11:05:00.000-08:00

Hna. Anderson took this pic of me while I was getting ready to start a snowman... it was just a random pic and it turned out so cool huh?

2011-01-21T11:04:00.000-08:00

Hna. Anderson and I at some place in Central Park

2011-01-21T11:01:00.000-08:00

Stardate: 32.817

2011-01-21T10:59:00.000-08:00

Well, so let me tell you that I asked the Elders for a creative subject and this was the most creative... thanks Elder Sather. I guess it's from Star Trek.... anyway, moving on....
This week has just been great! We have felt 1000% better so I feel great about that and we were able to have so much success this last week! I was talking to my District Leader the week before and he said, "Don't worry Sis. Passantino, whenever we have bad weeks, it's because good weeks are coming." Boy was he right! This week has just been wonderful! So for the highlights of the week:
First of all, on Thursday we met with a lady we tracted into named Daisy. We had tracted into her about a week before and she told us to come back. We did and he had SUCH a good first lesson with her. She knows a couple people who are members of the church and she wants to know what it is all about. She had seen some advertisements on the TV for the youth of the church and she knew that it must be good because we want to help the youth so much. She is so great! The spirit was so strong and she is ready and willing to do what she needs to do to receive and answer to her prayers. I love lessons like that. They just pump you up for the rest of the week. She is so great and I am so excited to see her progress. The Lord really does lead us to the prepared people, we just have to find them and follow the spirit. As long as we are working hard we will see miracles. Man, she is so cool. She even committed to reading the Book of Mormon for one hour every day (a goal she set for herself). I am just so excited!
Then on Sunday, I got a call for a missionary in the Bronx. He said he had a referral for us and gave us the information. It was for a guy that had come to church in the Bronx a couple times but lives in our area. On Sunday one of our appointments canceled on us so we went by his house. He is so cool and really prepared. He accepted a baptismal date for Feb 12. His name is Cesar and he is just so cool. We have taught him a couple times since then and he has loved it! I just love when people know that it is true and can feel of the spirit in their houses. Oh man, we are so excited about it!
On Friday we got invited to go to Mission Counsel in Sacrsdale. It is usually for the Zone leaders and District Leaders but for some reason a couple of sisters were invited to go! It was great. As usual, I love being in meetings like that with President Smith. I know he leads this mission under the direction of our Heavenly Father. It was a great surprise to go. We found out the morning of the meeting so we traveled to Scarsdale that day and had a great time. The spirit was strong and it was great to be motivated to get out there and keep going! Plus I got to see some of my favorite missionaries which was wonderful! I loved it!
Hna. Anderson and I have been having a blast together. The other day while tracting we did a slow motion fight in the hallway. We thought it was so funny! We also do the hoicks pocus witch walk while walking down the street... don't worry, it's while no one is watching. Then one morning we were standing in front of the mirror getting ready and at the same time did the same dance move to the EFY song... so funny! We just get along so well. I have been best friends with every companion I have had. I feel so blessed!
Well, I love you all so much! Thanks for all the love that I get from you all, especially the ones that write me faithfully :) Have an amazing week!
Con amor- Hermana Passantino

Another Snowy Day in NYC!

2011-01-13T20:55:00.000-08:00

Hello hello!
Well, here I am emailing from a city covered in white freezing cold, fluffy wet stuff. We are planning a snow day in central park which would be a BLAST and I have wanted to do it since I've gotten here. We just have to wait for the ok from President before a bunch of missionaries take over central park and make a bunch of missionary snow men. Ha ha, I think I am so creative! But you better believe that it will be happening if we get to! If not, maybe I will just make one at a park by our house, although, after seeing Elf, a snowball fight in central park would be a blast as well. But maybe not with the elders, just because they throw hard and I don't feel like getting a snowball to the face!
This last week has been a bit rough for Hna. Anderson and I. We both were hit with some weird sicknesses that took a bit to get over. I think Brian's strep throat got sent to me through the computer! Ha ha, just kidding. I didn't get it near as bad as him but I was down for a bit. I will have to agree on what he says when talking about the blessings of health. It is so wonderful to feel healthy and well so that you can go on and preach the gospel. Luckily, this week we are both feeling a lot better and we are working hard. This week has already started out well and we are excited to see results!
This week we have decided to work on having confidence in our message. Sometimes when we contact people or we go tracting, we just feel like we bugging people and that they just don't care! But this week we have been trying hard to focus on the fact that we have a message that is going to change their lives! "This isn't a high school football game for goodness sakes, this is eternal salvation " (That is a quote Brian used in his last letter to me and I loved it!) We also have been focusing a lot on acting and not "reacting" to different situations. I think a lot of times we blame so much on "what other people do" when in reality, we have the choice to act on our own! No one can make us act or feel one way or another, we get to choose. Isn't that cool? We can always be happy! So, as Hermana Anderson and I walk down the street and get rejected 20 times in a row, we still keep smiles on and keep going, because we can act!
Anyway, I hope everything is going well where all of you are! I heard it is pretty cold all through the US so try to stay warm and I will be doing the same! Thanks for all your love! Until next week...
Con Amor- Hermana Passantino
PS: We got to teach a Buddhist guy this last week. It was interesting but he was really nice. We meet to many cool people out here!

District Photo

2011-01-05T20:53:00.001-08:00

Some random statue in Harlem that I thought was funny... so I took a pic with it

2011-01-05T20:50:00.000-08:00

Another District Photo.. we were in the church library

2011-01-05T20:42:00.000-08:00

Well, this picture doesn't do it justice but this was a HUGE pile of trash... will someone find out what they do with all the garbage from NYC?

2011-01-05T20:40:00.000-08:00

Another Round in the City...

2011-01-05T20:08:00.000-08:00

Well, our mission is very interesting. We have 4 zones in the city and 3 zones that are upstate. It seems that most missionaries tend to spend most of their time in the city given the names "city missionaries" and the rest in upstate given the names "upstate missionaries". (I know, you are all smart and got that, don't ask me why I spent time explaining it) Anyway, I am once again staying in the City for this transfer which REALLY makes me a "city missionary" although we already knew that. Transfer calls last night were actually some of the hardest that I have gone through... weird, I know. Here's the story...
So, I have wanted to serve in CT for a LONG time... and this transfer Hna. Baxter is leaving, perfect timing for me to go. But from some news that I heard on Saturday I was pretty positive that I would be staying in Inwood another cycle. I got my whining out and came to grips that I needed to stay. So, last night comes around and about 2 hours before transfer calls come in President Smith calls me. Now, when President Smith calls you on the night of transfers, you know he is thinking up something. So he starts to ask about my area and how my companion is doing with Spanish and all this stuff. He had read my email and knew that I wanted to go to CT. I, of course, am freaking out a bit just because I was so sure I was staying but then my hopes went up again that maybe I would be going! I asked him but President just told me to "sit tight" next to the phone and he'll let me know. So the rest of the night I was just so anxious to get transfer calls. They finally came in and well, I am staying here. In fact, nothing with the Sisters really changed that much. But for some reason, I was being a grumpy guss because a lot of my favorite people to serve around were all going upstate without me. Here is the city girl STAYING in the city again (with only two more cycles after this one)... I kind of was feeling sorry for myself while we walked to our last appointment of the night. We went to visit a member who was baptized earlier this year. We sang the song, "I'll go where you want me to go" and the whole time I was thinking of myself and how I just wished where I wanted to go could have been where the Lord wanted me to go. After the opening prayer our member told us that her mom and passed away. She said that song was perfect because she knows that each of us have a purpose to accept the will of the Lord. I felt so selfish. The whole time I was thinking about myself when I was missing the bigger picture of it all. We aren't here to serve around our friends and to go where we want to go. We do what the Lord wants, and every time we receive the better end of the deal. This mission isn't for me, it's so I can serve others. I am so grateful that the Lord is over this mission. I know that we are in the places where HE needs us most. The good news is... I GET TO BE WITH HNA. ANDERSON AGAIN and I just love her so I am sooo happy about that! The Lord always teaches us what we need and if staying in the city again is where I need to be, then I am ready and willing. (Although I still am NOT to happy about another winter in the city... I was hoping for a car so I didn't have to battle the snow much :)

So, there are a lot of changes in the mission and it is going to be an interesting cycle. We have some really good potentials for this coming cycle on baptisms and we continue to work hard. This area kind of wears at your body because of all the walking so we are tired A LOT... but it is nice to know that we are tired because we are working hard and doing the Lords work. I love it! We had the chance to go to the temple today and I was so grateful for that time to take a couple hours out of the busy city life and reflect on the things of the Lord. I am so blessed to have a temple in my mission. That may be the last time I get to go before I come home... weird. Time continues to fly by and I find myself getting more lost in the work. I just feel like I still have so much to learn and do! I continue to be grateful that the Lord knows what I need and how I will best grow. Although we have challenges, we sometimes need to take a step back and look at the blessings we have. They always outweigh the bad stuff.

It seems that my family seems to be having a rough time with the whole health situation... my goodness, everyone needs to get these sicknesses out of the way please! Ha ha, I know it's not your fault and I will keep you in my prayers! I hope everyone is having a great New Year! I love you all! Until next week....
Con Amor- Hermana Passantino

Elder Maxfield joked about us falling into a snow bank and dying so we took this, we call it the Blizzard aftermath!

2011-01-01T14:25:00.000-08:00

Deadly New York City Sludge... it is awful and sucks you in!

2011-01-01T14:24:00.000-08:00

New Year's Eve 2010-Hermana Anderson and Hermana Passantino 80's Style!

2011-01-01T14:22:00.000-08:00

Fun in the Snow!

2011-01-01T14:15:00.000-08:00

Spoiled with Daddy's Ravioli's Fedex Style! Yum, my favorite!

2011-01-01T14:13:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve Dinner Dominican Style!

2011-01-01T14:12:00.000-08:00

Christmas P.J.'s!

2011-01-01T14:10:00.000-08:00

It's a Beautiful Life!

2011-01-01T14:02:00.000-08:00

Well, I can not even believe that it is already 2011. My mind is just going crazy on how fast this last year has flown by. As I sat inside yesterday I was just so grateful for the last year that I have had to be a missionary. It has been the best year of my life. It has been hard but amazing, all at the same time. I loved 2010 but I have high hopes for 2011 as well, it's going to be a great year, I can feel it now!
We had to be in at 6:00 pm last night. It's a good thing, it was kind of crazy outside. The line at this store that sales only alcohol was HUGE (so sad). It's funny because New York City is always such the happening place for New Years Eve and here I am, living in Manhattan, and I was actually happy to be inside so early. We played some really fun games. I have become a little bit obsessed with Yahtzee and Phase 10. CJ and Mom are in for a bum whooping when I get home in Yahtzee. Today we played with Elder Fox and Elder Duran and Elder Duran got 3 Yahtzees in a row, what the heck? Ha ha, but it's ok, I still love that game! We also played a mean game of Phase 10 of 7 of us missionaries. It took FOREVER and I am pretty sure we all cheated at some point. Ha ha.
Not too much has happened since I last emailed. Transfers are next week so we will see what happens. I really have NO clue at all. If I don't get transferred this cycle, then I will for sure next cycle. Just so I have my last two cycles somewhere else. I just can not believe how fast time is going. It is pushing me to work harder because I really feel that time is running out.
I hope everyone had a good new year. As far as my new years resolutions: Work my hardest my last three cycles in the mission, come home find a job and a husband. Ha ha! And yes family, I am still working on the split end picking, I told you it would be done when I get home... and it will be :) Love you all! Have a amazing day and I can't wait to hear from you on Wednesday!
The church is true, this work is amazing, I love my Savior... it's a beautiful life!
Con Amor- Hermana Passantino

A white day AFTER Christmas....

2010-12-29T09:38:00.000-08:00

Hello from the very snowy New York City-
Talk about a snow storm! Sunday we got hit with a huge storm and it was an adventure indeed. We came home after church to eat lunch and dinner and then had some appointments. Let me tell ya, we were pretty sure that if we slipped and fell we would have fallen into a snow bank and been left there till spring when the snow melted away. We had to hike up this GIANT hill to go visit someone in the hospital and it was an experience indeed. I will include a picture but I must have forgotten what the winters were like. Luckily I have my snow boots and lots of warm clothes to keep me going. Monday morning we went out for District Meeting in Harlem and the city had transformed into a winter wonderland. It was actually quiet for once.
This last week was so wonderful seeing as how it was Christmas time. The best gift ever was being able to talk to my family and my brother in Argentina! Oh man, it was so great to hear everyone and to be able to just talk. Sometimes you just miss doing that so it was wonderful. I think one of my favorite parts was being put on speaker phone while my family ate Christmas dinner.... I felt like I was there. And I even had my dads raviolis to join in the yummy food! (Thanks dad for sending me a piece of home!) Let me tell you, after all this Dominican food I've been eating, that was a more than welcome treat in my day!!!
Christmas with all the missionaries was wonderful. It for sure was a lot better than last year. Last year, I had been in the field for about 3 days and then we were brought into this giant gathering of missionaries, where it seemed that everyone knew each other and were best friends. I missed my family and I missed real life. It was the beginning of some of the most challenging times in my life. I never knew that I would learn so much and fall in love with this mission so much. As I was sitting in the chapel for this years Christmas gathering I couldn't help but be filled with so much love for my Savior and for all the experiences, challenges and joys that I have felt over the past year. I looked around and saw people that have become my best friends. Although I am far from home, I felt the love of my mission family. I love my mission, I love all the people I have the opportunity to serve, I love everything about what I am doing. Although it is hard at times, it is the most rewarding thing I have every done. I am so grateful for this past year, every part of it. I know that my Heavenly Father knows me for who I am. He knows what I need, what companions I needed to be with, what miracles I needed to see, and what challenges I needed to go through to become the person he wants me to be.
Well, as the new year comes around I can't help but wonder what the Lord has in store for me. I am so grateful I get to start it out being a missionary still! What better way to start a new year? Transfers are next week so who knows, maybe a change will be coming... only time will tell.
Thanks to all of you for your love and support throughout this last year. I am so grateful for the prayers and letters. This has been the best year ever and I have high hopes for 2011! CRAZY! Happy New Year!
Con Amor- Hermana Passantino

Feliz Navidad!

2010-12-22T06:14:00.000-08:00

I can not believe it is almost Christmas, and let me tell you, it's the most wonderful time of the year! Ha ha, I love this time, especially as a missionary. It just makes you want to get out there even more and tell people about Jesus Christ. I have been reflecting a lot on what I have learned the past year. As I woke up this morning, I realized it was exactly one year ago that I was flying to New York City, I found out I was going to the Bronx and I was put in a van and driven to my area. The missionaries there all greeted me at the chapel with the other new missionaries and I remember meeting Bishop Zamora. He welcomed me and then asked me about my Spanish, I am pretty sure that is when the panic set in, ha ha. But I still can not believe that was one year ago today. Time has flown by and I am so grateful for this last year that I have had. I feel as if I have grown closer to my Savior in every way possible. I am so grateful for the miracle of his birth and for his ministry here on the earth. I know that he lives and that because of him, we are all able to receive ALL the blessings of eternal life and exaltation.
This week has been a very busy one but a WONDERFUL one! Let's see, where to even begin....oh I know. Thursday we came to the church to eat lunch and an episode of Law and Order was being filmed right outside. They were using the church as a place where the actors can go and use the bathroom or just a warm place to stay. I have never watched Law and Order but I want to find that episode one day and say that I watched them film it outside the church. It is one of the first like "new yorker filming" things I've seen here so I acted excited, although it would be cooler if I knew who the people were!
On Friday we did a zone blitz in our area. I am pretty sure it went great. Hna. Anderson and I did a little training on "finding by the spirit" so that we could all work hard and find new investigators. It seems that we find a lot of people but no one that really wants to do anything. But it was fun and a good blitz. We made hot chocolate for everyone afterwards. I am pretty sure every burned their tongues on it though... woops.
Saturday was Mildreds baptism and it was AMAZING! I was so happy to see her baptized. The spirit was very strong and I just knew that this decision is was going to bless her so much! I got to see Maribel and that was awesome as well. It was just amazing to see the gospel bring families together. I can't believe it was almost a year ago that I met Maribel and started teaching her and then I got to help with her mom. I love the mission, we are allowed to have the COOLEST experiences... it is just wonderful! Her confirmation was also great and the spirit was strong. I love her so much and I was just overfilled with joy at her baptism. The church is true!!!!
I am getting excited for Christmas. Christmas eve there is going to be a baptism in the ward! This man just showed up at church and had been investigating the church for 10 years and wants to get baptized this week! We actually thought he lived in our area but after his baptismal interview yesterday we found out it is in the elders area, but it's a Christmas miracle nonetheless so we are excited. We are also going to bake cookies and bring them around to different people we visit. Then that night we are going to be Christmas caroling so I am so excited! Then on Christmas we will be traveling to Scarsdale to have a big Christmas dinner and program. I got put in charge of the musical number our zone is doing (why they put me in charge I will never know) We are singing "What Child is This) and it actually sounds pretty good so I am excited! And then I get to talk to my family! I can not wait! This is going to be an amazing week! I love Christmas and I love all of you! Thanks for all the love I feel from you every day! Have a very Merry Christmas and don't forget to remember Christ in it! He's the whole reason I'm out here :) Love you all!
Con Amor- Hermana Passantino

Mildred and I in front of a beautiful Christmas Tree

2010-12-16T19:54:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas Tree-His Name is Mr. Brown

2010-12-16T19:50:00.000-08:00

After singing Christmas Carols in Central Park

2010-12-16T19:47:00.000-08:00

Our Ugly Sweater District Meeting!

2010-12-16T19:46:00.000-08:00

Hermana Anderson and I gearing up for a Cold day!

2010-12-16T19:42:00.000-08:00

It's Begining to Look A Lot Like Christmas...

2010-12-16T19:40:00.000-08:00

Well Hello From Cold NYC!
I realize that I talk about the weather in every email that I send, that must mean I am getting old or something... oh well, it really is the topic of many of our conversations just because it is so chilly. As you can see, one of the pictures I am sending with this email is how Hna. Anderson and I had to dress us yesterday because we were so cold! I really don't remember it being this cold last year, but I was a greenie and kind of shocked with a lot of things so I guess it's not that strange for me not to remember. But we are surviving and having fun with the Arctic winds (ok, that last part may or may not be a lie :)
This week has been a very good but busy one. We continue to search for new investigators that are wanting to progress. Our finding methods are kind of getting exhausted but we enjoying tracting and actually get let into a lot of doors that way. We found this one lady who is awesome and really interested but she is going to the Dominican Republic for a month, so hopefully we can get her when we get back. We continue to work hard and laugh a lot so life is good!
Mildred has had her baptismal interview and is ready to go for Saturday. We have made plans and made sure to talk to her kids to make sure they are coming. Everything is going smoothly so we are excited. Yesterday, she showed us how to make this pork roast, I think it is called Pernil. Well, we really just made all the spices for it so it can marinate for a couple days. But now I smell like pork meat and garlic. She had me shoving the spices into holes in the meat and I kept waking up in the middle of the night because my hands smelled so gross. But I am sure the meat will be worth it. I wrote everything down so I can try to make it one day. On Saturday, she is showing us how to make her rice, I am so excited for that! I really like Puerta Rican food!
On Sunday we had the coolest opportunity to go to a concert put on by the Stake of Handels Messiah. The cool part about it, was that every time there was a part for the choir to sing, the whole audience got to sing a long. The room was filled with the spirit, especially while singing my two favorite songs: For Unto Us A Child is Born and The Hallelujah Chorus. I couldn't help but be grateful for my Savior and for his ministry here on this earth, for all that he did. I also has many found memories of home with my mom singing those songs during Christmas time... I love it! It was such a great way to bring us all into the Christmas spirit. Mildred came with us and LOVED it as well, it was great!
This week for District meeting Hna. Anderson taught and it was just wonderful. Can I just say that this girl doesn't even need to be trained, she is amazing. Which makes me a little nervous because they might transfer me away from her next cycle, just because she is so blasted great. Anyway, her district meeting was on Personal Revelation, something that we work on a lot as missionaries. It was great and I learned so much. I think that we all receive personal revelation A LOT more than we think, we just need to learn how to recognize it better!
We had a cool little companionship unity moment the other day. We were visiting Luz, Lewis' grandmas, and while I was talking to her, I just had the thought that although she isn't accepting the gospel right now (she kind of has some mental issues from age) she will accept it in the life to come. As we were walking out of the apartment, Hna. Anderson turned to me and said that she felt the exact same thing while we were in there. It was just one of those fun tender mercies that you receive sometimes. We didn't need to know that but Heavenly Father lets us know that our work doesn't go unnoticed I guess, it was really cool!
Speaking more about companionship unity, last night and this morning we have grown even closer. Last night, I guess I was talking in my sleep and really having a conversation with Hna. Anderson. She was asking me questions and stuff and I guess I was answering her, but her asking me questions woke me up and I was so confused as to what we were talking about because I woke up to the question, "Do you like grumpy people?" I was like, what in the world are you talking about? Ha ha, I guess I was talking about a grumpy chef on the subway or something, so random! Then this morning, as I am sitting at my desk eating cereal, I hear this loud bang in the bathroom, I come running in only to find Hna. Anderson has slipped and fallen in the shower. Ha ha, it was so funny (don't worry, she wasn't hurt) We both laughed really hard and she may have a bruise on her hip. We are both so random but we get along so well!
Well, I guess I'll end this really long email. I hope everyone is doing well and remembering the real reason for this season. I have found it is a good time to reflect on your personal relationship with our Savior. Have a wonderful week!
Con Amor- Hermana Passantino

Just hanging out at a lifegaurd stand in CT :)

2010-12-12T15:37:00.000-08:00

When I met my daughter Sis Anderson :) She is six feet tall!!!

2010-12-12T15:34:00.000-08:00

One of our Thanksgiving dinners... very interesting, they didn't use butter in the whole meal... hmmmm

2010-12-12T15:33:00.000-08:00

- All the Sisters at the sisters lunch

2010-12-12T15:32:00.000-08:00

Sis. Baxter and I at the sisters lunch

2010-12-12T15:09:00.000-08:00

I Heart New York!

2010-12-12T15:07:00.000-08:00

We found him yesterday while tracting... I call him Donald the

2010-12-12T15:04:00.000-08:00

Baby It's Cold Outside!

2010-12-08T13:43:00.000-08:00

Winter has FOR SURE hit New York and I am just turning into a little icicle! I forgot all about the weather here in the winter, for some reason I feel like it is even colder here on Manhattan Island but I could just be a little bit crazy... yeah, that is probably it! Ha ha, but life is good besides the weather. I am still loving every moment of my mission, even the hard parts, that is where you learn the most anyway!
Hna. Anderson and I have had a good week. We have been doing A LOT of contacting and have ventured into some areas of the area that I have never really been before. That turned out to be an interesting experience and let's just say, we are probably not going to go back over there again. I now understand why they don't go there, it was mainly full of english people anyway. I even found a door with a sticker that said, "No Jehovah's Witnesses please" I took that to mean that they were fine with me knocking... but they weren't home. We have been coming home so tired and just ready to sleep (which I have been doing very well lately thank you very much!)
We have had some disappointments as we are out teaching and having people be so cold to the message that we bring. I have found that it is not so much people being grumpy about it but mainly them just NOT caring about it at all. The general attitude is that as long as we are seeking God we are fine, you can imagine how frustrating that can be but that is probably the biggest thing I struggle with. I continue to try to find ways to help them feel of the urgency but it is the spirit that is going to touch them. It is true that we really need to find those that are prepared to hear the gospel. It is so important and yet so many people don't know that. I am grateful I get to have the chance to let them know, even if they do reject me. The other day I was talking with one of the elders about loving the people. I am so grateful for the chance I have to serve around these people because I really do love each of them. I want to so badly for them to accept this message and I want to bring it to them in the best way I can. So, I continue to work and try the best I can, luckily the spirit does the teaching!!
We got to go to a Christmas concert down in the Lincoln Center Chapel on Saturday night put on by the stake. I am always amazed at this stake and the talent that is here. It was so good! There was all different types of musical performances and it was just great! It was different being in an "english" type of church service but it was great and Mildred came along with us.
The Christmas Devotional was also amazing! We watched it in spanish and I just kept thinking back to how last year I would have had NO clue what was going on, but I actually took notes... not too shabby. Ha ha, but it was wonderful! It always puts me in the Christmas mood.
Yesterday we had another mission training with President Smith. It was of course wonderful and once again got me pumped to go try all the new things we learn. President asked me to speak at this mission training so I was really nervous but I guess it went ok. He asked me to speak about happiness that comes from obedience. I hope I didn't offend any of the missionaries that are not obedient but I said what I felt like I needed to. It has been something on my mind a lot lately, just as far as the happiness and miracles we could see if we were obedient. It's pretty cool. We ask our investigators to show a little faith and hold off of that instant gratification so that they can see blessings, but we are asked to do the same thing! Anyway, it was good and a cool experience.
I hope all are doing well. Things are great here! Thanks for all your love and support! Have an amazing week!
Con Amor- Hermana Passantino

Why does New York break all of my umbrellas?

2010-12-02T08:30:00.000-08:00

Hello from the VERY rainy and windy day in New York City. As you can tell from my subject line, the NY weather has broken yet another umbrella of dear old Hna. Passantino... what gives? The umbrella that I was using today was a really nice expensive one that a member in the Bronx gave me... why does the weather hate missionaries? But it's ok... today is just a chill P-day so I am taking my time in everything I do, which usually doesn't happen here. This last week has been just great in so many different ways.
It has been so fun working with Sis. Anderson. She is an amazing missionary. She works hard and her Spanish rocks. She is so fun, happy and positive. It for sure makes my job a lot less stressful. We pretty much think the same and act the same so we are just two peas in a pod. I love her. I have no clue why I have been so blessed with companions. But I don't want to speak too soon. I still have a while left so I will just continue to be grateful for what I have because trust me, she is AMAZING! Our favorite past time together is rating doorbells as we tract (something I learned from my mommy in the mission) We rate it with the following criteria: 1) Can it be pushed easily? 2) What is the appearance like? Shiny, painted over, etc? 3) What kind of sound does it make? 4) Do the owners match their doorbell
It is a fun time and keeps us upbeat as we get doors slammed in our faces.
So I had my first thanksgiving in New York City. I reflected a lot on the Thanksgiving before and how different it is now. I was in the MTC last thanksgiving and had a ham sandwich in my bedroom, for sure different than now. This thanksgiving was great and full of surprises. The first meal we had was with a lady in the ward who is from Spain. She has lived here forever so she is pretty Americanized. She made everything WITHOUT butter... like, it was the healthiest meal I've ever eaten. We started with some sort of celery soup and then continued to eat brussell sprouts, mushrooms, green beans, and "mashed potatoes" and to top it all off we had some sort of tofu turkey... very interesting indeed. But it was nice to be in with some members and enjoy of their company. Our second dinner was with some investigators and was a big Dominican meal. It was Hna. Andrsons first Dominican meal so that was some good times for sure. Hilda, the grandma of the house was showing us what we could drink and brought out this stuff saying (in Spanish of course) "This is lemonade, you get me? Lemonade" She had a big grin and a twinkle in her eye. All of us "seasoned" missionaries took it to mean that there was alcohol in it so we left it alone. I didn't see my poor Hna. Anderson go for a big swig of it... soon to find out what we all had figured out a little bit before her. She is such a trooper let me tell you. She leaned over to me and said, "Hermana, I think this is spiked lemonade" Ha ha, yes, it was hija! Ha ha. She is a trooper and we just drank egg nog (with NO alcohol). It was a great thanksgiving and we enjoyed ourselves very much. I do look forward to next year when I can have my families food again, oh how I miss it!
The day after thanksgiving we had interviews with President. We only have them every other cycle now so we realized that it was my second to last interview with him. SO WEIRD! But interviews with him are always so great. He asked me to speak to the missionaries at the mission training we are having next week. I am a little nervous but it's only about 5 minutes long. I'm going to be sharing some thoughts that I shared with President in our interview about obedience. It should be good! I love having interviews with him, he is an amazing man and leader.
Sunday I gave my first talk in Spanish! Ha ha, I like how my brother gave HIS first talk in Spanish and he's only been out a month, I've been out over a year. But hey, I guess that just shows the difference in missions. I spoke on the gift of the holy ghost. I was only supposed to take about 5 minutes but I think I went for ten... woops. It's ok, I actually enjoyed realizing that I can give a talk in Spanish. Before I went up I leaned over to the Bishop and told him I was going to vomit... he laughed at me and said "good luck!" Little did he know I was not kidding! But it went well, I'm just glad to have it over with :)
Monday was an interesting day as well. I gave a training on Miracles and how we can qualify ourselves for miracles. I used dads story about his eye as an example and then had a bunch of quotes and stuff put together. I discussed how there are certain things that we need to have to prepare us for miracles. 1. Faith 2. Desire 3. Obedience 4. Concentrated Thoughts 5. Prayer and 6. Realizing your faith will be tried. It went really well and our district is pumped to see miracles. We are each fasting a different day this week and then all together on Sunday. We have already seen some of the miracles come. And not just little ones, very specific ones. For example, we are all fasting that Mildred would set a baptismal date for December 18. As we went to tech her yesterday we wanted HER to choose the date so that she didn't feel stressed out. She started out with a date in January but then went over again and she picked the 18th! Woo hoo! The elders have also been looking for someone who is prepared for the gospel and they not only found someone... they found a family! This stuff works and I know that it can work in our every day lives as well, not just with missionary work. Heavenly Father is ready and willing to bless us, we just need to be prepared first! What an amazing concept to learn!
On Monday night we were doing some tracting after having some appointments fall through and we get a phone call from one of the sisters in our zone. She asked where we were and that President was looking for us. I said, "What in the world are you talking about? We are in our area, where is President?" She continued to tell me that they were down at the temple handing out hot chocolate and that I was supposed to be there (nice of someone to tell me!) So, Hna. Anderson and I went into a sprint to the subway and made it down to the temple. There is an event down by the temple every winter called "Winters Eve" where businesses there hand out free stuff and there are Christmas lights everywhere. So we go outside the temple and hand out church material and free hot chocolate. It was a blast! It was so fun to talk to so many people! There were a good amount of missionaries invited to go and I just loved it! I have come to LOVE talking to anyone and everyone about the gospel, it has become second nature to me. Sure, we get rejected A LOT but everyone needs the chance to hear!
I hope all is going well back in the real world :) Hna. Anderson and I talk about how wierd it is that we live in world but we are just not concerned with what is going on. We are more concerned about others. It is an awesome thing. I love this work, I love these people, I love New York! Ha Ha!
Con Amor- Hermana Passantino

Tengo una HIJA!

2010-11-28T15:39:00.000-08:00

Hello from the new mom of the family!
Ha ha, that could be so awkward, but in mission lingo, whenever you train someone, you are their mom, and I AM TRAINING! Pretty crazy right? I am so excited about it but nervous at the same time, I just hope that I can do well. I met my hija yesterday and she is just so great! Her name is Hna. Anderson and she is from Utah. She went to BYU-Idaho and we already get along so well, I love her! Her Spanish is really good for being just out and she is so willing to do all she can! She is great and I am excited to work with her.
This last week has been so good. It was hard to say goodbye to Sis. McMillan and I miss her SO much. But after I said goodbye to Sis. McMillan I got to go be with Sis. Baxter. It was so much fun. We went to Connecticut for about three days and I FELL IN LOVE with that place. There are not really any Dominicans there so everyone speaks very clearly and I could understand them all. Sadly, they all say I speak like a Dominican, I'm going to have to work on that. But I want to serve there so bad one day! I had everyone I met pray that I can come there after here... that's my goal. Not like I get to choose but it is fun to think about. I would love, love, love to serve there. Plus, it is in Glenn Becks stake which is always a plus :) After we were there for a couple days we came back down into the City and got some work done here. It was just so fun to be with Sis. Baxter. I really feel like it was a tender mercy to be with her for a week.
While Sis. Baxter was here we did a "street meeting" and we sang on the street while we had people signing up for free DVD's. It was pretty fun. I will have to send you some pictures, I was standing on a crate and everything, it was pretty funny! Who knew I would ever stand on a crate and sing in the middle of New York City... I guess I'm becoming even more crazy than I used to be.
So yesterday, we went to our first appointment of the day (Hna. Andersons first appt ever). It was with an investigator named Ramon. He is paralyzed and we are working on getting him progressing so that he can get baptized. He is a great guy but was telling us that his week has been pretty hard because his mom had a stroke. As we were discussing some things, he got a phone call and found out that his mother had died, while we were there with him. It was so hard to be there while he found that out. Hna. Anderson and I searched for some scriptures to share but he didn't really want to talk about it so we bore our testimony and left. I've been thinking about it a lot since then. It made me so grateful for the plan of salvation and for the knowledge that we have. I am so grateful that I know that I get to see everyone I love again. It makes me want to work even harder here on this earth so I am worthy to live with my family again. I love sharing the plan of salvation with others and I hope to help Roman feel the spirit and know that this is the way to be able to see his mother again.
So, P-Day is changed again and we actually don't get to have it on Thanksgiving which is really sad because I was looking forward to going to the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Instead, we are going to a museum to celebrate Elder Maxfields birthday! Tomorrow we have a couple of appointments planned to go visit some people so it should be a good day. We have 2 dinner appointments so that should be interesting! I am so excited to spend the holidays here with the members. Although I miss my family so much, I feel a lot of love from the people here! I am loving my mission more and more every day. I am feeling the stress of training but it is good for me.
Other random transfer news... the rest of my district stayed the same. Sis. Child got moved upstate to be with Sis. Adjei in a Zebra companionship (half Spanish and half English) Sis. Baxter is also training (this is her last cycle) and hmmm... yeah, that's about it. We have A LOT of greenies in our zone so that is exciting!
I hope you all know how grateful I am for this gospel. I am so grateful I have the chance to serve around these amazing people and to share the good word. I know this church is true. I am thankful for parents who have worked to hard to raise me the way Heavenly Father wants them to. They are what got me out here and who continue to support me in every way I can think of. I am thankful for my brothers and sister who are my best friends. I am thankful for all of you that haven't forgotten about me and write me letters, it is always so nice to hear from everyone. I am thankful that I am serving a mission and that Heavenly Father has given me this chance to grow in my testimony. I love this work! Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Con Amor- Hermana Passantino

Hurray Lewis's Baptism

2010-11-19T12:29:00.000-08:00

My McMillan is leaving me!!!!!

2010-11-17T06:49:00.000-08:00

Good Morning! I think this is the earliest I've emailed on my mission but we have to get things done because my dear Sis. McMillan is leaving me today to go home! I am so sad slash excited for her. I can't believe the time has already come. That also means that Sis. Walker, my trainer, is leaving as well. It feels so weird to have such important people to me leave but I know that when the mission ends, there are new and exciting things for them. (I know that is easier for me to say as I still have a good chunk left on my mission, ha ha)
Today I will be heading to Connecticut to be companions with Sister Baxter for about a week. I am so excited to go be in a CAR! With trees and stuff! It will be such a change from being in the city! We'll be in her area for about 3 days and then head back to my area for the end of it. Transfers are next Tuesday so we will be getting our companions that day and I'll be off again working in this area. We'll see what the future holds. Next week P-day will be on Thursday so we can go to the Thanksgiving Day Parade! Look for me on TV! Ha ha, it should be pretty cool. All I remember from it when we went a LONG time ago was sitting on my dads shoulders trying to see over the billions of people... I guess this time will be a little different but it should be good! I have no clue what else we'll be doing for thanksgiving but I assume that we'll eat some sort of Dominican meal... let's just say I can't wait for my family cooking next year! Ha ha!
This last week has been great! LEWIS WAS BAPTIZED! It was so awesome! He seemed so happy and I was so happy to see him make that convent with Heavenly Father. The blessings we receive when we make covenants and keep them just amaze me! Our Heavenly Father wants to bless us so bad.. we just have to take that step! Random funny note: A member wanted to sing at the baptism and asked me to sing with her... then she didn't show up... so I made the elders sing with me. Ha ha, as a missionary you really learn to improvise.
We had another mission training on Monday which was of course amazing. I just love those! We talked about extending commitments. I just love Pres. Smith and how he is directed by the spirit. I know without a doubt that he was called to be a mission president here by our Heavenly Father! I love him and the service he gives each of us missionaries. He has so much confidence in us!
I am continuing to love serving as a missionary. Sometimes I forget what life was like before the mission and I can't even imagine my life without this chance I have to serve. It is so wonderful! Thanks for all the prayers for me but remember to help the missionaries that are near you as well, they sure would love it! I love you all! Happy early thanksgiving!
Con Amor- Hermana Passantino
PS: family... have fun in SPAIN!

Hermana Passantino and Hermana McMillian enjoying fall in NYC!

2010-11-14T19:29:00.000-08:00

2010-11-14T19:28:00.000-08:00

2010-11-14T19:23:00.000-08:00

I still Heart New York!

2010-11-10T08:53:00.000-08:00

I am not doing well with creative subject lines, sorry about that. I think I am getting "less funny". Everything that I think is funny is missionary related... like quoting the Joseph Smith movie in spanish... wow, my sense of humor will be way out of wack by the time I get home. Ha ha!

Well, it has been a pretty good week here in Inwood. I am working hard at preparing myself to take over the area. It is kind of nice to know that I HAVE to have a new companion for the next cycle because my companion is going home. Next week will be interesting. Sis. McMillan leaves on Wednesday but they are not going to have transfers for another week. Which means I am companion-less for one week. But guess who else is going to be companion-less? Sister Baxter! That's right! I talked to President Smith about it yesterday and Sis. Baxter and I get to be companions! Woo hoo! I am so excited, even if it is just for one week. I think we will be spending half the time in her area in CT and the other half the time here in Inwood. We'll see. But just as a fair warning, it might be a little crazy next P-Day so I don't know if I will get to email or not.

So guess what? Lewis is getting baptized on Saturday! Woo hoo! He already has had his baptismal interview so now we just have to get the program together. I am so excited to have him take that step to baptism! Now let's just pray it goes through... baptisms in this area have been hard for some reason but I'm excited still!

We had a great show up at church this last Sunday. It was the best we've had so far. Lucinda came and LOVED it! She is so cool and I love teaching her. This last lesson she told us she knew Joseph Smith was a prophet and that she knows she needs to follow the Word of Wisdom and Tithing... woo hoo! She is great and I am excited to see what happens with her! It amazes me the blessings that come to those that are willing to keep the commandments of God. If only we could all be like that. Sometimes I think we are too quick to justify or bend the rules. If only we had enough faith to obey with exactness, the blessings would be poured out to us just like it is to our investigators.

So funny story of the week. The other night as I was falling asleep I could have SWORN that I heard a mouse running around our bedroom. I of course freaked out. I was NOT going to have a mouse running around while I was sleeping. So I spent the next hour or so lying in bed with my eyes wide open and every time I heard what I thought was the mouse I would grab the flashlight and try to spot it. I then took the liberty to pick up any sort of food that could even entice the little guy. I seriously think I was going crazy. Sis. McMillan just laughed at me as I turned the flashlight on every 25 seconds to find the mouse. Needless to say, we never found what was making that noise. But so help me if there is a mouse I WILL HUNT IT DOWN! Gross New York City and they mice everywhere... and pigeons. Gross pigeons. Why do people feed them?

Well, I hope everything is going well for everyone else. I am loving life here. We are doing some shopping today for Sis. McMillans last P-day... woo hoo! Shopping in New York :) I love you all!

Con amor- Hermana Passantino

PS: I just realized I say "woo hoo" way too much! Sorry about that!

Random crooked light pole here in NYC!

2010-11-06T19:42:00.000-07:00

Hermana McMillan and I with Lizzy from Spain! She was so cool!

2010-11-06T19:41:00.000-07:00

Temple Day! Elder Adams decided to jump in the picture.

2010-11-06T19:40:00.000-07:00

On my split to the Bronx visiting Ramon, China and baby Gia!

2010-11-06T19:39:00.000-07:00

This is me harcore train preaching! Well, no one was on the train..but don't I look fierce?

2010-11-06T19:36:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the Late Letter!

2010-11-05T10:54:00.000-07:00

Hello!
Well, sorry I am emailing a couple days late. Wednesday there was a big mess up at the Library so we didn't get to email. But don't worry, I have permission to be emailing today so everything is good! P-day was a blast and I'll talk more about it in a little bit!

This week has been a very busy one full of A LOT of things. We got back to teaching Lewis and we gave him another baptismal date of Nov. 13, the weekend before Sis. McMillan goes home. He is a great guy and has a strong testimony so we are praying that things follow through. Sis. McMillan and I have been a bit frustrated just because we have been working so hard but no one seems to want to progress. This area is for sure harder than the Bronx was as far as baptizing goes. We get a lot of lessons each week and we contact ALL the time but for some reason it has been tough. Luckily, we continue to go forward and do the best we can! We realize we are given trials to help us grow. I was reading a talk from Pres. Uchtdorf today and he talked about how it is the way that we react to our trials that define us, not the trials themselves. Boy have I learned that (and continue to learn that) on my mission! But it is so true. We have so many things thrown at us that we can't control. We have to do the best we can on the things we CAN control and leave the rest to the Lord. I am grateful I get to learn this lesson here on my mission because it is one that is applied to life in every aspect!

We had really good district meeting on Monday from Elder Shepherd. He asked us some questions about what are purpose is as a missionary. It was all stuff that we kind of got to ponder for ourselves. We have missionaries in all different stages of the work in our district so it was cool to see the different outlook from everyone and learn from everyone else. It was great!

Halloween was interesting! The night before we had a ward Halloween party that was a sight to be seen. For any of you who have been to a Spanish ward party I am sure you can only imagine! It was fun! We had a couple of investigators go and they enjoyed themselves. Then on Halloween we had to be in at 6. Before we got in the house we were walking around and saw all the kids in Halloween costumes. They all go trick-or-treating really early and they don't go to apartments, they go to the stores and bodegas... interesting. That night, Sis. McMillan and I did a puzzle and ate mango sticky rice! YUM!

This last P-Day was so fun! We had a district outing and went to central park. I just love that place! It is SOO pretty in the fall with all the leaves (of course I got some AWESOME pictures!) We walked around and just enjoyed the brisk fall day! We even found an ice skating rink that you can bet I will be asking for permission to go to! How fun would it be to go ice skating in central park! We ate at this place called "The Shack Shake" Oh yum it was so good and had amazing burgers, my favorite!! It was a great P-day!

The reason I didn't email yesterday was because we had the Sisters Lunch up in Scarsdale with President and Sister Smith. It was a great day! First off, we met the AP's in the Bronx and they drove us up to the mission home. It was such a beautiful drive! I am pretty sure I drove Elder Fox crazy because I wouldn't shut up about how beautiful it was! I hope I can serve upstate at some point in my mission. Being in the city for almost a year makes you miss the trees. I got to see so many sisters that I hadn't seen forever too! Sis. Baxter being one of them. It was so great to be gathered as sisters and be able to spend some time with President and Sister Smith. They talked to us for a bit and then we got to do a question and answer time with President Smith... it was wonderful in every way!

All in all life is good! The work is hard but it is oh so worth it! I love being out here and I am pretty sure time is going WAY too fast! I can't believe my McMillan is leaving me so soon! Ahh! Oh and the little ciesta that Brian gets to have sounds wonderful, there are no ciestas in New York... haha! I love it!

Con amor- Hermana Passantino

Hello from the Humidity

2010-10-27T08:55:00.000-07:00

Hello to all! It is a nice HUMID day here in the City.... and my hair is NOT enjoying it. Ha ha, we all know how poofy it gets, nothing seems to help, but I am starting to live with it :) You would think after a year I should be used to it right? Ha ha, got to love the weather in NY. It is kind of weird, like it has been chilly but now it is warming up again. I don't get it... it must be global warming or something :) Ha ha, just kidding! Speaking of politics, it is SO weird to not know what in the world is going on in the world! I feel so left out but it's kind of nice at the same time, I have a feeling I would be angry if I did know :)

Things here in Inwood are going well. Sadly, Lewis's baptism isn't going to go through this weekend. For some reason our baptisms just keep falling through, it is frustrating but we are trying to put our trust in the Lord. We will have a couple of REALLY good days and be way pumped and then the end of the week comes and everything seems to fall apart. But that's ok, this is the Lords work and we just keep doing our best and everything will come out the way it needs to!

On Saturday we had a district "hunt". To celebrate the opening of hunting season, Sis. McMillan and I put together a NYC hunting game for the elders and then went on a "people hunt" aka a district blitz to find new investigators. We bought little pop guns and rats and had the elders "hunt" the rats... the winner got a prize :) Then we went tracting and found a couple of potentials. It was fun, sometimes you just gotta make the mundane more fun and then people are happy and when you are happy you find success! Things are always better when you are happy!

We had Stake Conference this last weekend. It was so good! It was all about missionary work which of course I loved. They had a young man that just returned speak and they also had some moms speak. Pres and Sis Smith were there and also spoke. The spirit was so strong and it was so great to be there. I am happy that I have the chance to serve in the NY NY stake, it is great and the Stake Presidency is amazing! I really like it here!

Inwood continues to be an adventure every day! Sis. McMillan and I work so hard. By the end of the day my feet just throb but it's a good thing, because I sleep great and things just are good when you are working the hardest you can! I can see miracles in this area just right on the edge... they are coming as long as we do our part!

I don't have much more to update on. I miss you all a lot but I am happy to be here. I know without a doubt this is where the Lord wants me. Thanks for your prayers and please know I pray for all of you all the time!

The church is true! Never forget it! Remember to live it!

Con amor- Hermana Passantino

PS: Happy Halloween to everyone! We are going to have ward party and I am sure everyone will be happy to know that I will be going as Hermione Granger from Harry Potter... it is the only thing I could come up with that makes me still look like a missionary :) Pictures to come!

I Feel So Ritzy!

2010-10-20T14:34:00.000-07:00

Hello to all! I am emailing from the Upper East Side of New York City today, not only that, but I am using our new cell phones to make all my "important" phone calls. You know, the new cell phones that missionaries got here :) They are like really really fancy phones, so I totally fit in in this New York City lifestyle, except for the fact that I am wearing a 5 dollar Old Navy skirt... haha, that doesn't fit in so much. HA HA HA! Ok totally kidding, I don't fit in in this crazy part of the city, but I am here... we found this library after a stroll in central park. And we DID get new cell phones and they are so fancy. I think I have been using the brick we call a cell phone for so long that I forgot what nice cell phones are. It even has a camera... high class, I know. Ha ha, but it was exciting. All the missionaries are enjoying them, it's like Christmas!

This week has been a whole bunch of ups and downs, but it has been wonderful. SIs. McMillan and I were so excited to start a new cycle off. We had all these plans and then woke up Thursday morning sick. Sis. McMillan had an AWFUL cold and I had the flu, we were a pair to be seen let me tell ya, we still worked and I'm pretty sure everyone thinks we are crazy, we were determined to make it a good start of the cycle. Luckily we are feeling much better and things are going great!

Lewis came to church on Sunday and LOVED IT! It was SOOO exciting. We had the Primary Program so I think he was a little confused at first but he felt the spirit so strong and told us that the spirit confirmed to him that this was right and that is where he needed to be! He is so excited to be baptized! I can't wait! This will be the first baptism I've seen from tracting! Crazy!

We have found a couple of really good new investigators that are so prepared! I love it! I feel like things are finally starting to come together in this area. Here is a fun story, the other night we had an open spot in our plans that we decided to do "inspired tracting" We got on our knees and prayed to know where to go. We both got the impression to go to a former investigators house. We went there and they were not home, but we both felt we needed to be there so we just started talking to everyone who walked in. We were still trying to figure out what we were doing there so we decided to pray again. As I started praying some guy started singing from his apartment building and Sis. McMillan said, "That's our answer, let's go to his door!" We knocked on that door and the 3 doors next to it and got return appointments from each one. Then as we were leaving we talked to a family who also gave us a return appointment. I don't know what will come of it but I know we were lead there. We may find someone prepared, or we may just be getting practice on following promptings of the spirit. Either way, we loved it and we were reminded that things like that SHOULD happen all the time as missionaries, we just need to listen. It was a great lesson for us both!

We had a wonderful training from President Smith yesterday. Each month we are receiving trainings for the new curriculum for missionary work. It is once again, amazing to be with so many missionaries (two different zones) and feel of the spirit there. I learn and I am taught so much. I love being a missionary. It is so weird to think that tomorrow is my one year mark. I am not sure where the time has gone! I am determined to work harder and to do my best. I can't think of life without my mission, every day I thank Heavenly Father for the opportunity I have to serve! How lucky I am!

Today we were able to go to the temple. It was wonderful! It was full of missionaries and of course the spirit was so strong. My thoughts were brought to my little brother who is flying to Argentina. I am so proud of him! I miss my family so much. Thinking of the fact that I haven't seen them for a year breaks my heart but I felt so close to each and every one of them today. I love the temple. I feel so close to family and it just feels like home :) I was able to be there with Sis. Child too which is just wonderful! We actually share an area (she covers a singles ward in English for my area) so that is a blast because I get to see her more!

I hope everyone is doing well. Thanks for all your love and support. All my emails today made me so happy! I love you all!

Love, Hermana Passantino

The Bronx Got A Litte Taste of Passantino Again...

2010-10-06T10:56:00.000-07:00

Hello!
Well, I am here emailing hardly being able to keep my eyes open because I am so tired. I just got back from a split in the Bronx! That's right! I got to go back for 24 hours and it was WONDERFUL! There was a family that Sis. Child and I had taught but then some things happened in their personal lives that they didn't get to see them after I left. Anyway, President knew about them and felt really strongly that Sis. Child and I go and teach them one last time. So, I got to go to the Bronx and teach them with Sis. Child. It went really well and we had a blast! I also got to see the Zamoras AND China and Roman. Perfect timing too because China had her baby! Little Gia was born last Thursday and so I got to see her! It was so cool! It's weird to think that when I first met China she was not even a month prego and now little Gia is here. She is beautiful! The split was wonderful and it made me realize how much I miss the Bronx. At the same time, I know I am supposed to be here with things to do so I feel comfort in that. It was so fun to go back and talk to some of my recent converts and stuff. It was just great! Of course, Sis. Child and I had a BLAST together. I just love her so much! We stayed up too late talking but what's new... we love to talk. I am so glad I can make so many best friends here! Today we went to Target to switch back and we got to see Elder Hellberg and his comp which was just wonderful! I love seeing old friends! The mission is so awesome!
This last week has been good with the highlight being CONFERENCE! Oh man it was awesome! Mildred came to two sessions and loved it! How great it is to hear from servants of the Lord!!! Elder Hollands talk got me right from the start. The spirit was so strong and I couldn't help but feel an immense gratitude for my family, especially my parents! Wow, I am just so blessed. I was crying (along with the rest of my district) I guess that one just hit missionaries ya know! I also loved loved loved Elder Oaks talk on the personal line and the priesthood line. He put it so clearly, as a missionary who has to teach that sort of thing often, it was a great help. And I think my most favorite talk was President Monsons on gratitude. It was so awesome! I loved when he said, something to the effect of, "when we walk with gratitude, we touch heaven" Wow... I just love conference and was so sad when it ended.... I don't want to wait 6 more months! Ha ha!
It has been a rainy week for us and we actually have gotten cold... I guess fall is finally here! I am kind of excited since I was getting a little sick of being a gross ball of sweat everywhere I went... now I just get to look silly in a million different layers! But I love it! Transfers are coming up next week... AHHH! I can't even believe it. Sis. McMillan and I are pretty sure we will be staying. It will be her last cycle! I am so sad and don't want her to leave but she is not trunky at all and is such a hard worker!
We are still working on finding some solid new investigators. We have SO many people so close to baptism I can taste it! Oh man! I love it! I am happy and doing well! Thanks for all that you out there do for me and for the missionaries where you are! There is nothing better than a good friend while you are out in this unknown place serving. I love the members here! And I love you all! Have an amazing week!
Love, Hermana Passantino

It's a Beautiful Day!

2010-09-29T08:53:00.000-07:00

Hello to all!
Today is a nice sunny day, much different than the last couple days, it has been raining non-stop. That is always fun as a missionary in the city because we just get to walk around in the rain... woo hoo! Ha ha, but don't worry, I have a good umbrella (and it's cute too!)
This last week has been a tough one. If I could describe it in one word.... frustration. This has been one of the hardest weeks of my mission as far as the work goes. Missionary work is so interesting, you put your whole heart into it and it takes all your energy to try and help these people progress and gain those blessings that Heavenly Father has just WAITING for them. But everyone has their free agency and needs to decide for themselves what to do. I am not going to go into details of what happened this week because they are not important but we'll just say, Mildred didn't get baptized. Her baptism was canceled 3 hours before it was supposed to happen. Her interview was a struggle as well last Wednesday night. It was raining that night and Sis. McMillan and I had no umbrellas with us. So after we dropped Mildred off we sat on a bench (while it was pouring rain) and just looked up at the sky. Sometimes, missionary work is hard. Ha ha. But it's ok... things will work out for the best. After we sat and stared into the dark NY sky while getting drenched we bought ice cream and cookies to make ourselves feel better. Nothing like emotional eating right? Ha ha... But everything will work out, I have faith in that. The good news is, I'm still happy and working hard! I know that the Lords hand is in everything we do here so He is in charge not me (as much as I want to be sometimes... ha ha)

Besides all of the frustrating things that have been going on (Mildred is just one of them) We have had some small miracles that are always so wonderful! We had interviews with President and that was just great. I love President Smith! He always has the right things to say! He is just wonderful and it's always a boost to have interviews. It's sad now that we only get to have them every other cycle, but always great to have them!

I also got to watch the Relief Society General Broadcast! It was amazing! It is so great to listen to a Prophet of the Lord! I loved the different talks and themes. Before the broadcast our stake had a mini conference and dinner. The conference was great and talked about Charity and the food was wonderful (You can imagine how nice it was since I am part of the New York New York stake... very ritzy) It was fun for a change since I live in the ghetto of Manhattan. But I loved it and the spirit was so strong. I am SO excited for conference this week! WOO HOO!

Well, sorry this is so short, time is running out. I am going to the Museum of Natural History today *(for the third time) so that should be fun! I love you all! Thanks for all you do! Can't wait to hear from you all!
Con amor- Hermana Passantino

P-day at Central Park! We found this cool place that was in the park and also showed some of the city!

2010-09-27T16:20:00.001-07:00

Every Friday we play dominos with Don Frank. He is a member that can't leave his house but he's so nice!

2010-09-25T12:14:00.000-07:00

The Botanical Gardens! This overlooked the Rose Gardens.

2010-09-25T12:13:00.000-07:00

In the Botanical Garden you can plant and water things. It made me miss our garden at home. I helped by watering the squash!

2010-09-25T12:08:00.000-07:00

Manhattan North Zone ALWAYS REPRESENTS!

2010-09-22T14:51:00.000-07:00

Hello from yet another BEAUTIFUL day in New York City! I am getting excited for our P-day today because we are playing a football game against the Manhattan South Zone... it is obvious we are going to win :) Ha ha... it should be fun! I really like my zone here. It is totally different than when I was in the Bronx but it is still a blast. We don't see everyone as much so when we get to get together and have fun it is always enjoyable!

It has been a good week for Sis. McMillan and I! We have been doing A LOT of tracting! We did this thing called a "Zone Blitz" in the elders area and Sis. McMillan and I felt like we should tract in their area for them. So we said a prayer and I picked a building and a floor to tract. Out of 6 doors we got into 3 of them and taught 3 lessons! Let me tell you, that never happens. It was really cool and hopefully it will help the elders out with some investigators (now if only that would happen in our area). We are kind of revamping our area right now trying to find some solid people. It has been difficult but we are working hard. It seems that with every area and every companion, you kind of have to find your nitch and figure out what you are meant to do together in that area. Sis. McMillan and I are in the process of doing that right now. So we will continue to press forward and do our best! The good news... we have a baptism this Saturday! Woo hoo! Mildred (the Mom of Marible, my recent convert in the Bronx) is getting baptized. It is so exciting! Saturday will be a great day. We also have the Relief Society broadcast which I couldn't be more excited for. Speaking of conference...

Sis. McMillan and I are doing what we like to call "Conference Prep". We are writing down a couple questions/thoughts that we would love to have answered or gain some insight on during conference. We pray about them every night and we are also going to fast about them. I am looking forward to this and encourage all of you to do it as well. I know that each speaker is inspired and called of God and that we really will get all that we need to out of conference! Hello!!! It's a living prophet for our day speaking to us, how could you not learn something from it! (Ok, sorry, I get a little excited about conference :)

So fun story of the week. We have a district lunch every Thursday after extended weekly planning. This last week we decided to have a picnic in the park by our apartment. It was so fun! We sat next to the water and just chatted but then this nasty giant goose kept coming over to us. I believe I have gotten my very strong dislike for birds from my father so I was freaking out. I made the elders chase the goose away every time it got too close. Then all these pigeons came out of no where and were like swarming us! I couldn't take it! It reminded me of one time when Brian was little and he wouldn't eat his lunch because there were pigeons everywhere and he kept saying "I feel like I am eating them!" Ha ha, I hope my fam remembers that one! Anyway, I strongly dislike birds around me while I am eating and the elders got a nice workout chasing them away for me.... they are so kind. Ha ha!

This morning I was listening to some CD's that my fam just sent me and that one EFY song came on "Shine the Light" I couldn't help but giggle as I thought of some of my favorite women doing a girls camp music video to that song :) I was just laughing the whole time! I miss you guys! That song will never be the same!

I hope everyone is doing good! I am doing great and moving right along. Sometimes I think time is going WAY too fast for me! It needs to slow down so I can get more stuff done. Thanks for all the love you send me!

Con Amor- Hermana Passantino

Greetings from New York City

2010-09-17T10:04:00.000-07:00

Hello to all from a BEAUTIFUL day in New York City! I just got done sipping some hot chocolate in central park and it occurred to me, I live in this city, how cool is that? I just love it here. I am in downtown Manhattan right now because my companion is going to a Broadway play with some other sisters and I am going to be hanging out with Sis. Child! I am so excited! Last p-day was great because I had the chance to go to yet another Yankees game! It was a blast and a home run at the bottom of the 9th made it so the Yankees won so we had some excitement as well! It was wonderful! Thanks to Elder Hellbergs birthday, his mom got some tickets for us so we had great seats too! It was a blast!

It has been a really good week for Sis. McMillan and I. We are enjoying our small area and trying to find new things to do to keep it interesting. Luckily, we both are kind of crazy and we keep ourselves laughing a lot. For example, the other day I was walking down some hard marble stairs and I fell down a flight of stairs. Ha ha! It hurt really bad and I think my bottom is bruised pretty bad ( I can't sit for long periods of time now) and I also pulled a muscle in my arm. But we had a very good and long laugh about it and now every time I sit, we just laugh... it makes it not hurt so bad. I looked SO funny when I fell. Luckily, no one else saw. And don't worry, I'm not the only one that has moments to laugh at... the other day we walk into a lesson with Lewis (who is so cool and told us he knows Joseph Smith is a prophet and the Book of Mormon is true! Woo Hoo) Anyway, we walk in and right before we sing, Sis. McMillan gets a horrible bloody nose. She just puts some napkins in her nose while I sing the opening song by myself (awkward!) So we continue to teach the lesson while poor Sis. McMillans nose is just leaking blood.... Lewis gave her some ice and she just taught along with ice and napkins holding the blood... yummy! Ha ha, it was a great adventure.

Mildred (Maribles mom) is getting baptized on the 25th and we are SO excited! We also have Lewis lined up for a date and a man named Ramon. He is bedridden (paralyzed from the head down) but we found out we can have him baptized. It will be a challenge but I am excited for him!

I thought September 11th would be a lot cooler but since I live in the Little DR no one really cared. But don't worry, I showed my American Pride and wore Red, White and Blue! We got to see the big spot lights they put in place of the towers from where we were so that was cool!

Yesterday we had yet another amazing Multi-Zone conference! It was so good! I wish everyone could feel what it is like to be in a room full of missionaries! The spirit is SO strong. It just makes me so happy to be a missionary and to be part of this work. Every zone conference the missionaries that are leaving give their testimonies. It was so weird to have Sis. Walker and Sis. McMillan up there. So many missionaries that I know will be going home soon. It is weird growing up in the mission. Our time here is SO short and I want to use every minute I can! Sometimes the days get long and things are frustrating but it is so great to get together with other missionaries and our Mission President and talk about how we can be better. Being a missionary is something I would never trade. I love this work! I am so grateful I can be out here.

I hope everyone is doing fantastic! I miss you all and can't wait to hear from you!

Love, Hermana Passantino

I Heart New York!

2010-09-08T13:21:00.000-07:00

Hello to all!
I hope everyone is doing fantastic. Don't worry I survived the "hurricane" last week. Ha ha ha! Everyone was freaking out thinking we were going to be hit, but not to worry, I think it rained like two drops... but I kept my umbrella around just in case! It has been a very good week for Sis. McMillian and I. Can I just say that I love working with her!

Last week for P-day Sis. McMillian and I went to the New York Botanical Gardens! It was SO beautiful! I was in heaven with all the trees and stuff. I never realized how much I missed nature but man, when you live in a giant city, you really start to miss that stuff. I loved every part of it and I hope to go back again because we didn't get to see everything. I felt like I wasn't even in NY anymore. It was a wonderful change to the big city craziness we deal with every day.

We have been working hard trying to find new investigators. We do a lot of tracting still and we are doing a lot of look ups. Our area is so small but we have A LOT of former investigators which is good because we are trying to look all of them up. Our area is about 5 blocks by 10 blocks! Super small. If you look at a map of Manhattan and you find the street Dyckman (200th street) from that street to the top of Manhattan is our area. It is called Inwood which is part of Washington Heights in Manhattan. As most know, Manhattan is kind of broken up into smaller parts like, Washington Heights, Harlem, etc. So everyone living in the Washington Heights area goes to our ward.

Our ward is great and I really like the Bishop too! He is a teacher in the Bronx and he is so friendly and willing to help out. I can't even begin to explain how wonderful it is when the Bishop is willing to help so much with missionary work, everything goes smoother. He is very aware of the different people that have been baptized and what they need, it is great!

So here is a funny story. On Friday a member took all of us missionaries in the Washington Heights area out to dinner. As we were on the bus on the way to eat and there was this rather LARGE man sitting next to me. I was kind of just looking around the bus and all of the sudden he raises his hand and starts petting Elder Berry's head. Elder Berry turned around with a look on his face saying, "who in the world is touching me" Then this man continues and says, "Wow man, you have really soft hair, I like you Jehovah Witnesses" Ha ha ha, we were all trying to hold in our laughter! If you knew Elder Berry it would be that much funnier. I just love that random things like that happen here, they always make us smile. Luckily I contacted the guy and he's meeting with the missionaries. Ha ha!

We had a great training by Sis. McMillian at district meeting this last Monday that I loved. She talked about adapting our lives to the Saviors teachings. It was wonderful and really motivated me to do better. She gave us this quote that I really liked by Harlod B. Lee.
"This is your day and the only day that you have to be concerned about. Yesterday is gone, there is nothing you can do about yesterday except repent. There may be no tomorrow." Sometimes we worry too much about things that are out of our control, now is the time to deal with the now and we will be ok! I loved her training!

All in all things are going wonderful! I love the work! Nothing makes me happier. I hope all is well with everyone and that everyone had a safe Labor day! Love you!

Con Amor- Hermana Passantino

My new companion Hermana McMillian! My first day in Inwood on top of a project building.

2010-09-05T17:12:00.000-07:00

My new area...Inwood. It's so small! Taken off the top of a project building.

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