Lady Liberty

The sister missionaries in the Morristown New Jersey mission get the chance to volunteer at the Statue of Liberty.  The following is an article in the Church News that talks about it.  Valesca's MTC companion, Hna. Schwendiman, is featured in the article.

LIBERTY ISLAND, N.Y.
Ellis Island, which was been closed to the public since sustaining damage during Superstorm Sandy in October 2012, reopened partially Oct. 28. However, the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island in New York Harbor reopened for public visits on Independence Day, July 4, 2013.
The Family History Booth on Liberty Island, currently located under a temporary covering adjacent to the Statue of Liberty, allows visitors to research their families' arrivals in America. Visitors stand in lines each day in order to receive the "Statue of Liberty National Monument Official Certificate of Visitation," along with the opportunity to conduct research. For the first time this past summer, sister missionaries in the New Jersey Morristown Mission began serving at Liberty Island as volunteers at the booth to assist visitors in their efforts.

Photos by Tom Dunning

Sister Tania Jane Guerra, left, and Sister Hillary Schwendiman converse with visitors individually waiting in line for entrance into the Family History Booth.

Catherine A. Daly is the director of The American Family Immigration History Center at The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, a private partner of the National Park Service. She asked Jon M. Jeppson, New Jersey Morristown Mission president, for the privilege of having sister missionaries serve in the family history booth on Liberty Island.
The missionaries are required to complete U.S. Park Police background and identification forms and have a background check in order to receive clearance for individual identification badges. President Jeppson assigned Elder Tom Dunning and Sister Helen Dunning the responsibilities of the Liberty Island service project. Since opening, 80 sister missionaries have been part of working at the booth, four at a time, on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Photos by Tom Dunning

Sister Ashlyn Jorgensen, left, and Sister Holly Larson stand in front of the Family History Booth on Liberty Island.

The New Jersey Morristown Mission sister missionaries are making the presence of the Church known as they serve in the family history booth at the Statue of Liberty. While on Liberty Island, the missionaries do not proselyte, but their example, their enthusiasm, love and radiating smiles, as well as their thoughtful and considerate ways, speak volumes.
Ms. Daly described the experience of working with the sister missionaries: "The sisters have been a joy to work with. When I sit with them and all their languages are flying about me and their kind way of dealing with the visitors, it is a joy."
Visitors regularly ask questions, however, about why the sisters are involved, and specifically, why the emphasis on family history.

Photo by Tom Dunning

Visitors from the United States and from many countries wait in a long line to visit Family History Booth on Liberty Island.

"I don't know of many places where a missionary can go where they constantly have people walking up to them from all over the world. At Liberty Island, we have that constant interaction with people who come up to us and ask us what we do," said Sister Hillary Schwendiman, one of the missionaries working at the Liberty Island booth.
Sister missionaries continually receive comments from visitors regarding their modesty, their friendly, welcoming and gracious personalities, and the kind and caring demeanor they demonstrate.
Visitors from around the world have been able to converse with these missionaries, often in their native tongues, and receive assistance in finding their families' roots.
While two of the missionaries greet and visit with tourists, the other two are in the booth under the canopy on computers, assisting patrons with family research. While more extensive research was possible on Ellis Island, the long waiting lines at Liberty Island — proof of the high interest level — allow only for collection of basic information that will let people search on ellisisland.org.
Remarks from visitors to the Statue of Liberty continue to be expressed. According to supervisors, it is common to receive feedback from visitors about how much they appreciate the missionaries' example, enthusiasm and caring.
Ms. Daly added, "The experience has been wonderful for us. Liberty Island visitors come from all over the world and this posed no challenge to the sisters. Their volunteer presence has demonstrated their kindness, patience and adaptability with people. The contribution of their multiple skills including so many different language skills were truly a witness of their training and missionary presence. That joyous energy that they have brought each day to Liberty Island has been deeply felt by all that come in contact with them."

Birthday lunch at Tucanos

 The birthday boys had a fun time at Tucanos.

Timberrrrrrrrrr

There are a clump of cottonwood trees that migrated into our yard from our neighbor.  The only thing that they do is mess up our yard with ground level roots and with truckloads of leafs in the fall.

 One of the branches of the trees looks like it could break and fall on our neighbor's house when the snows fall, so we figured we need to take the trees out.

 So, armed with a reciprocating saw and testosterone, the boys practiced on the easiest tree.

 No injuries to persons or property- YAY!  Now we just need to borrow a chainsaw and wood chipper to try and take care of the rest.

Valesca was given an award for being the Most Obedient Missionary!

Jack- O- Lanterns

An evening of pumpkin carving and then the traditional viewing of Garfield Halloween.