Great Neck and King's Point Park

We took a drive yesterday to the Great Neck area of Long Island, and once again we were surprised how everything changes in just a few miles!  Great Neck is 8.9 miles from our apartment according to the GPS, but it's a different world!  Beautiful homes (mansions), beautiful yards, a beautiful park, and few vehicles on the streets!  The area seems to be mostly Jewish people, and most were walking to and from services (we assumed) with their families. The park was empty except for three families picnicking and us.  That's pretty unheard of in the city--all the parks (and there are many!) are packed when the weather is nice!  We decided it would be a good park to visit on Saturday with the other senior couples for a picnic.  (Wondering if we'd feel guilty breaking the Jewish Sabbath while taking advantage of the locals keeping it holy...)

(Click on the pictures to enlarge)

One cul-de-sac in the Great Neck area. Three large homes, the water at the end, with a New York skyline in the distance.  Pretty nice!!

King's Point Park.  Beautifully kept up, four ball fields, four tennis courts, multiple picnic areas, and no people!  (At least on the Jewish Sabbath...)  The foliage reminded us of Northwest foliage--lots of green undergrowth. NYC gets ten inches more rain a year than Seattle does...

More Experiences and Learning

This past week was a busy one for me (I notice I always say that…), preparing for all the missionaries that are going home the next several transfers!  Between now and the end of the year over 1/3 of the mission will go home and be replaced by new elders and sisters.  That means lots of young trainers and lots of new requirements for drivers, so I’m pushing hard to get everyone who has submitted their motor vehicle driving record certified in the next several weeks.  (If I can get ahead of it, in theory the last minute rush to get drivers certified should be eliminated…)  Instead of catching elders and sisters as they come into the office for other reasons (which I’m finding mostly doesn’t work because they and I are busy), I’ve scheduled people by zones and given them a day to come to the office for their driving tests.  I hate to interfere with their proselyting time that way, but I do need to make it happen no matter what. I told Diane this week that it reminds me of working at the Temple—things always work out, even when you don’t see how it will!  Every day missionaries call to tell me they can’t come on the scheduled day, so I reschedule them (and think, “How am I going to do that many in one day?!”). Then, invariably missionaries call from other days and reschedule for the same reason to open slots, so it always works out!  I’ve found that most missions don’t give driving tests, but it’s quite a shock for someone who has only driven in Preston, Idaho to drive in Queens, NY!  Most do OK, and it also gives me a chance to give some tips and do some training on the New York driving culture. (Me being the big expert after 6 months…)

I’ve started re-reading “Jesus The Christ’ for the first time in 40 plus years, and I’m just in awe of the power and spirit of that book!  It was one of my favorite books on my first mission, 45 years ago, and sad to say, I don’t think I’ve read it completely since. Once you get used to Talmadge’s writing cadence and vocabulary (it’s not a book you can rush through—you have to savor it!), it’s wonderful, and it’s hard to imagine any sincere, thoughtful person not knowing that it’s true immediately!  I ordered a copy for a friend in our branch who is a dry Mormon, and it motivated me to get busy and read it again.  I’m so glad it did!! Our friend, Jay, is a wonderful man, who serves all the elders all over the mission by cutting their hair and giving them rides to transfers, and is one of the most active people in the branch—more even than the branch presidency as far as we can see!  He told us he was an atheist before hearing about the gospel, and now he says he has progressed to being agnostic.  He certainly sees the fruits of the church, and knows they are good, but is still not ready to accept the divinity of God and Jesus or the need for priesthood and ordinances.  Anyway, I thought “Jesus The Christ” would be a good book for him, and it certainly is for me!!  After reading only the first 3 or 4 chapters, I’m just awestruck by the power and majesty and glory of the Godhead!! It’s made me realize how much I take for granted, and understand more clearly the reverence and awe the general authorities have for deity!!  I know that God the Father and God the Son and The Holy Ghost are real, and we are lucky enough to be engaged in their work on the earth!  I want to do the best job I can.

While I’m talking about being in awe, I’m in awe more every week of my wife and companion!  She is so good, and so spiritual, and she improves so fast that I will never catch up to her!!  I have to admit, I often feel like a follower in my own home!  Oh well, at least I’m seldom rebellious about it.  That’s what I have to cling to.  Together we make a pretty good team—I move the heavy stuff and kill the bugs, and she is the leader in almost everything else.  I know I’m basically a good person, but she is so far ahead!!!!!!!!! 

Conferences and Culper Spies

For some reason we seem to be getting busier as time goes on.  I’m not sure why.  It may be that I am not feeling so tied to the office.  I love being in the office and helping the missionaries but I also love getting out and around the mission.  I especially love going places with my companion even when it is just to deliver or pick up a car.  My computer seems to be the one that the missionaries always want to use if they need one.  So when they are on it that is my excuse to leave and go pick up things for a lesson or shop or just be out and be out and around the people of the area.

Friday was our Sisters’ Conference.  It was pretty much all day with speakers and workshops for the sister missionaries (about 60 of us).  We had a wonderful lunch—served by the President’s Assistants and the Senior Elders.  It was great to be able to enjoy the conference and luncheon without having to be in the kitchen all day.  Our theme was “Choose Joy.” It was all about how being happy is a choice that we can make even when everything seems to be going wrong.  One returned missionary who had served in Guatemala said she was the most grateful for the difficult companions she had because they were the ones who taught her how to be happy even when things weren’t perfect.  The conference was largely organized by the Sister Trainers and made me realize that not only will they become great leaders one day, but that they already are. 

Marc’s job that day was to give driving tests.  It is his job to make sure they are able to drive in the city.  When he calls them to come take a test there are mixed reactions from excitement to dread.  If they pass (which they pretty much all do) they are “green-dotted” which means they can now drive mission cars. 

Yesterday (Saturday) Marc and I, along with our nurse, Sister Petersen, went out to the east end of the island to attend Culper Spies Day. The Culper Spies worked on Long Island (a British stronghold during the Revolution) carrying information across the sound to General Washington.  They were based in the area around Setauket and Stony Brook.  There are many fascinating museums and old churches and houses to visit—all on the Spies Day route.

 I loved that wherever we went, people thought we were guides because of our name tags.  We were asked many times about them and each time we would tell them who we were and why we were here they would say, “Oh, I love your genealogy libraries.”  It made me wish I had a name tag that said, “Ask me about our family history program.”  Even during a lecture in an old Episcopalian Church the lecturer stopped and asked who we were.  Marc explained we were missionaries from the LDS Church and she deviated from her lecture to talk about how wonderful our genealogy websites were and that she had been to the library in Salt Lake.  Others came up to us after the lecture as well to share their genealogy experiences.  Our name tags seem to be our best missionary tool.

We love serving a mission and are having the time of our lives.  We find that the young missionaries are constantly expressing their gratitude and I feel it is because they are living so close to the Spirit.  Before training this week I tested a couple of different kinds of gluten-free pizzas (they were awful) so our new elder who is allergic to wheat could have pizza (in the past we gave them things like fruit, gluten-free pretzels, etc.)  He was so grateful to be able to have pizza too that he even texted me later and thanked me effusively.

I am so very grateful to be blessed with a patient understanding husband that puts up with me even when the 100 degree weather makes me a little crabby.  He’s the best!

1st Stop at Culper Spy Day

18th Century Episcopalian Church
Windows were beautiful

Old School House

The soldier was very generous about letting us hold his musket. I
was saying, "hurry up and take the picture, this is heavy!"

Elder Williams and friend at art museum

Great Advice From My Older Brother!

I was reminded this week of something my wise older brother told me as I entered the mission field in Ireland in 1971.  He had just returned from his mission to Canada, and we only saw each other for a couple of weeks between, but I remember that he told me, “Don’t compare yourself with other missionaries.  There will always be some that seem more successful, even when they don’t work as hard.  There will always be some that don’t follow the mission rules, but are still successful and even hold leadership positions. There will also be some that don’t learn as fast as you do, and others that are so much smarter than you that you can’t believe it!  There will be some that are crude, and some that are more spiritual than you will ever be.  If you compare yourself to others, you can make excuses for laziness, or get discouraged, or become prideful.  The only comparison you should make is comparing yourself against your very best!  That will help you to become what the Lord wants you to become in the mission field.”

I remember sharing this advice with some leader in the mission (can’t remember who), and he thought it was so good that it was published in the mission newsletter for the whole mission.  That’s how smart my big brother is!!  Then this past week I read on page 10 of Preach My Gospel, “Avoid comparing yourself to other missionaries and measuring the outward results of your efforts against theirs.”, and it reminded me what Randy told me 45 years ago.  He probably doesn’t even remember it, but it had a big impact on my mission and my life!  That’s what a good older brother can do!!  Thanks, Randy!

Field Trip to High Bridge 7/16/16

High Bridge was originally built in 1848 to hold an aqueduct pipe bringing water to NYC.  It was made obsolete in 1928, when more modern aqueducts were built for the city, then updated and reopened as a foot bridge and park in 2015.  The bridge connects The Bronx and Harlem.  It was my day to pick an activity, so I picked going here, since it is a part of the city we have never seen yet! Along the way we drove right by Yankee Stadium, too. Elder Williams

Looking across bridge from Bronx to Harlem

Some crews practicing on the Hudson

Manhattan skyline to the south

Sister Williams along the hiking trail on the Harlem side

Looking from Harlem to Bronx side

Living in the Moment

I love busy days in the office.  This week we had 2 Temple Days when the missionaries get to go to the Temple on their 6, 12, 18 month and 2 year anniversary.  Their companions who are not attending the temple, are paired up with other companions and they get a P-day.  They are in and out of the office all day.  I love it.  This week some ASL missionaries came in and one (cute-as-a-button) deaf missionary wanted to order name tags.  His companion helped him communicate with me.  He was so happy and pleasant.  Then the 3 missionaries proceeded to converse with each other in sign language.  While this was going on a very sweet elder from Philippines came over and asked for a name tag.  He had a hard time finding the right English words, although the English he did know was flawless with no accent whatsoever.  His 1^st language is Tagalog.  At any given time you can find elders or sisters in the office speaking Spanish, ASL, Creole, Korean or Chinese.  I love it.  There is so much energy when the missionaries come in.  I love to just stop my work (pretty much have to with all the noise) and talk to them (in English).

Thursday I went with Marc to Mega Zone conference in Plainview (out on Long Island) to inspect cars.  It was in the high 90s.  My job was to get in the car and check the paperwork and make sure they had their insurance papers and registration, while Marc checked the outside.  We would inspect 5 cars and then go inside for a water and air conditioner break. We love to see the missionaries and they always seem glad to see us or at least they fake it pretty well.  I love to listen to Marc as he gives his talks to them.  It is clear that he is genuinely concerned for their safety.   One set of missionaries did have an accident last week but, thankfully were ok.  All 8 airbags deployed and, I’m sure, prevented serious injuries.  Every time Marc’s phone rings, my heart skips a beat and I make him answer it right away in case there was an accident.

 I am constantly amazed at the pace we are able to keep.  After conference we went back to the office and worked for a couple of hours.  Then we went home and finished up our prep for Activity Day the next day.  Then another Mega Zone Conference Friday and off to Flushing for our Primary activity.  I have felt the Lord’s blessings many times when I have had super busy days and weeks.  After a day like Friday, at home, I would have had to crash and chill for about 3 days in order to recover.  I love it here.  This is the first time for many years that I have lived fully “in the moment” day after day. 

Today, Sunday, was a great day!  Primary is no longer my least favorite part of my mission.  I love it and look forward to being with the kids.  I had a learning experience today that made me feel quite small.  I have one girl (not a member who comes with grandparents) in class that used to cause problems.  She clearly didn’t want to be there and made it known saying she hated church.  The last few weeks she began to change, participating and even asking questions.  Before class today, she had her hand on her head and was very quiet.  I asked her if she was ok.  She said yes, she was just tired.  During class she was actually my most well-behaved student, answering questions and making great comments.  After class she was erasing the board for me and I thanked her and asked her how her summer was going.  She said she had a hard day because her mother was drunk all morning.  She said she wanted to come to church because maybe it would help her mother to stop drinking.  You just never know why kids act the way they do and it has taught me to look at the difficult kids differently. 

This week I was talking to one of the other senior sisters.  This is her 2^nd mission (on their first, her husband was Mission President in the Philippines).  We talked about how hard it is to see our grandkids on facebook doing fun things with their other grandparents.  But we hope that we are setting a good example.  Sister Martino said she felt like her earlier years were for serving her family.  Her later years are for serving the Lord.  I had to agree.  We love our mission and everything about it.  Marc even loves being the “car guy.”  We are truly having the time of our lives.

The results of  a missionary looking at his gps for a second.
Makes a good visual aid for the Vehicle Coordinator.

Couple Missionaries' home in Riverhead on Long Island.  It's beautiful
but empty waiting for new missionaries.  Any takers?

Manhattan skyline from Brooklyn

Elder Williams' Sunday School class has a little trouble
with cell phone use in class. (He's very proud that he made this himself!)

The "Car Czar" inspecting cars at Mega-Zone Conference

Verrazano Bridge on trip to Staten Island to check damaged car.

More Learning...

I had an interesting experience this week that, on reflection, helped me to learn from the young elders. As a little background, several times over the last couple of weeks, a young man has showed up at the church with his 2-3 year old son looking for a bishop. He always came during the day on a weekday, and of course no local leadership was in the building.  When I asked about him going to church to catch the bishop, he said he couldn't because his son was asleep (his ward meets at 0900) and 'needed his sleep and proper nutrition'.  I have to admit, my ex-bishop antenna was telling me he needed money and/or other help, but that he wasn't willing to make the sacrifice to attend church and see the bishop there, and unfortunately my cynicism kept me from doing anything other than reiterating that he needed to go to church and catch the bishop. (He said he didn't have a cell phone or a home phone.) He mentioned that he worked a lot of hours and double shifts in 'the nursing field', and was taking care of his son on his own.  As often happens, his story didn't seem to hold together very well (if he works so many hours, why is he in such need of immediate help?), and I must admit, that made me even less inclined to go out of my way to help.

On Thursday this week, the local elders called asking me if I would help the same brother. He had run into them on the streets and told him his story, and they recognized him from church. This time, just because the elders asked, I thought harder about how I could help this young brother. I went to the office and got him the bishop's phone number, then he asked if he could call from the office. That didn't work (cost $, long distance cell phone), so I loaned him my cell phone and settled him in a private place where he could leave a message for the bishop. He actually reached the bishop, talked to him for 15 or 20 minutes, and came back into the office much relieved, with a plan to go to church and meet with the bishop on Sunday. He was so thankful for my help(!) and on my part I felt horrible knowing that I could have done the same thing the week previous, instead of putting him off and washing my hands of the whole situation!  The difference was that this time, because of the elders and their more Christ-like attitude, I really tried to do what the Savior would do, rather than listen to my cynicism! I don't know how it will all work out, but just getting it into the hands of the person with the proper keys and stewardship made it much better for both me and Joshua (the young man)!  These young elders and sisters want to help and serve people, and I'm thankful to be here where I can associate and learn from them!! Old dogs can learn (or be reminded of) new tricks. It's a blessing to serve (even though I sometimes fall short)!