Week #2

Whew!  Ok!  So today marks 7 full days here now in South Manhattan!  It's been crazy! First off, here is my new address (at least for the next several weeks until I get transferred... but it should be this address for about 12 weeks at least): 

Sister Celeste Weyandt

109 Madison Street #11

New York, NY 10002

Ok!  So we live in Chinatown!  Every day we take the subway to get here, there, and everywhere!  At least once a day I will just exclaim to my companion, "SISTER! We are here!  We are in Manhattan!"  Haha... she will then look at me like I'm crazy.  But really, it's so strange to really be here, among the taxis and sites!  Every day I see the Empire State Building and the Freedom Tower (t

he memorial building in honor or the World Trade Center site).  We live a mile or so away from the WTC site!  Today we are at the Manhattan temple (as we were yesterday), and later we will go for a stroll in Central Park.  Crazy?  Ya!  I think so!

The work here is slow, especially for us since we are staring a new area. So when we started last week we had NO records.  NO names.  NO leads.  But in the past week we have found a list of less actives in the ward (over 700 people... cause I guess people come here to get lost!  And lost they get).  We have also contacted in Union Square and on the streets. We tracted the projects too!  Haha-- all adventures in and of themselves!   The people here put up a tough outside shell, but once you start to talk to them, they are the friendliest people ever!  I love it!  They are VERY accustomed to talking to strangers here in the city!  

We are looking for people to teach, but we have only had 1 formal lesson so far with a wonderful woman named Karen.  We taught her in the shelter where she lives.  Wow!  My first time in a shelter!  But she's amazing and very receptive!  I'm excited to see her progress!  We have another girl named Tashanta who we have visited a few times and have given her a Bible and Book of Mormon.  Hers was the very first project door we knocked on!  She's my age and is such a sweetie!  Another woman named Bella opened her door to us and we just talked with her for several minutes.  Through Gods mysterious ways, we were able to set up a time on Saturday where we are coming back to help her paint her house!  I'm excited to be able to serve this amazing woman!  :D  My companion, Sister Martin is a bit homesick, since she just got transferred from her first and last area of 10 months, the Bronx.  She misses the Bronx (her "home") and often talks about wanting to go back.  Hopefully that will change soon.  

Our ward is INCREDIBLE!!!!  There are only like 2 people in the entire ward over the age of 35!  Very young ward.  The visiting teaching percentage for last month was 68%!!!!! What the WHAT!?  They are super excited about the gospel and sharing it with their friends!  They are excited to have us here and we are motivated by their enthusiasm!  Amazing, amazing people!  

Anyway, I know this is an extremely long letter, but I just wanted to catch you up on life here in the busy, busy city and let you know I love you!  God loves you too!  I have felt the spirit testify to me that I am suppose to be here, right now.  This is where he would have me be!  My testimony is sustained by the impressions of the Holy Ghost!  What an amazing gospel this is!  I just want to share it with everyone!  But, not everyone will listen.  Sad truth, unfortunately.  My greatest desire right now is to be filled with the Spirit and to have the courage to open my mouth and share the good news of the restored gospel with everyone!  It's tricky, but with God, all things are possible!  

I love you!  Write when you can and keep the pictures coming!  XOXO

Love Always, 

Sister Weyandt