Week #60, Back in Manhattan!

I am back in Manhattan! My zone is SouthMan...AGAIN! I am soooo excited to be back! I am in the temple building for church this time around instead of at the 15th street chapel. We are in a new mid singles branch. Our branch president is Robert Comstock, a hot shot fashion designer who has a "I'm a Mormon" video made about him, and he is on all of our pass along cards! To see his video search for "I'm a Mormon, Single Dad, Designer, Baseball Coach". I have not met him yet, but we are in contact otherwise until he returns from China. (And one of our members helped design the Freedom Tower- the new World Trade Center building...no big deal!). Anyway, we are trying to figure out all that we are suppose to do. Our assignment is extremely unique here.

 The branch's focus is unlike any you will ever see...ever! It is truly to invite ALL to come unto Christ, whether practicing gay, an atheist, an eternal investigator, people with real doubts and concerns about the church, etc. Their needs and concerns will be addressed in open discussion. Controversial topic seminars will be conducted, filmed, and put online to advertise. Those who are less active for one reason or another are all warmly welcomed back, despite their current hold backs. There is soooooooooo much more, but they are being very open in an effort to bring the lost sheep back. 3 or 4 of our active members are openly gay, and they are accepted with loving, open arms.

It has been amazing to see how less active members have been falling into our paths who left the church but love it. We hope to reclaim them through this new initiative. Elder Perry himself requested this branch be created. Our mission president told us they requested his very best sister missionaries for this branch. I am honored I was chosen for his extremely unique assignment. We are working closely with the stake relief society presidency on a special assignment gathering welfare information that will benefit bishops throughout Manhattan to know what their resources are offered by the city.

I have seen several of my old ward members and will be able to see plenty more as we do the rounds to each ward on the island educating the members about the unique initiative of the branch. It is not a "last chance to get married" branch, but a "rescue the lost sheep and bring in any and all who are interested in being a good person, not necessarily becoming a Mormon".

My companion, Sister Richeson rocks! She is just like me....but times like 3! She has so much drive, motivation, and initiative! If something needs to be done she does it immediately, swiftly, and very professionally. She is down to earth, clean, kind, and a wonderful teacher. She served in my last ward at the very beginning of her mission, so we always have tons to talk about throughout the day and while waiting for sleep to overtake us at night. Some nights I have looked at the clock at 11:30 or 12 and have said "Haha! Sister, we have to go to sleep!" Never had a companion like her before! She is such a driver and I love, love, love it! At times I feel like the companion who is dragging the work....haha...it is an interesting feeling to be in the other end of it. But don't worry, I really don't hinder the work.
 
So, we live in the Harlem area of Manhattan right off the tip top of Central Park. We have seen some VERY interesting things in just the last few days that I never saw in downtown Manhattan. Like, a woman hanging her legs into the tracks of the subway platform while the train was coming (luckily a man dragged her out of the way), a small white pedifile(?) van that they constructed into a pimped out, lit up, convertible gangsta car, and a man on a 5 ft tall bike riding through a 1/4 mile long subway tunnel. It has been entertaining to say the least. We can go to any part of the island without permission. So we have hit the top and bottom of the island, and everywhere in between the last few days!  I love this new area!
 
Oh! And we are Skype teaching Sister Richesons non-member father and less active mother! We met with them and the St. George sister missionaries last night! Her dad is so stinkin cool! His assignment was to read 1 Nephi 1...guess he read almost all of 1 Nephi! He is progressing towards baptism, something Sister Richeson never dreamed would happen in her entire life! What a miracle to be apart of this! :) Needless to say, it has been a great week! I feel like I man back home :) Well, minus the cockroaches in our appt, but you know ;) I love you! Have a phenomenal week! You know I will!

Love Always,
Sister Weyandt

PS- right now I am at the South Ferry terminal getting ready to go see the Statue of Liberty. In the last 6 weeks of our missions we have the opportunity to go see The Statue of Liberty and a Broadway play. Luckyfor me, I get to go to the Statue earlier than that because Sister Richeson is going home in 5 weeks! We are gonna tear it up these last few weeks! :)

PSS- it is Soooooooooo HOT now! Ugh!