I’m weeks behind on the blog.  Sorry!  Lots to catch up on.  2 weeks ago we went and hiked the Brooklyn Bridge.  It was a beautiful day and the bridge was quite crowded.  But it was fun.  When we got to Brooklyn, we went about a block to Grimaldi’s for Pizza.  Best pizza ever!  I thought it might be a little hyped up but it was better than I expected.  The crust was amazing!  Then we took the subway to Williamsburg because Sister Petersen wanted to show us the Hasidic Jewish neighborhood.  It sounded interesting.  But when we got there the streets were empty.  That’s when we realized it was Saturday—the Jewish Sabbath.  They were all at home.  Fun day anyway.  We love going to new places and there are a lot of new places to see here.

The big news—we started church in our new Chapel last week.  It was packed, everybody wanting to see the new digs.  It has 2 stories and the Primary has its own wing and Marc has a whole hallway to himself and the pick of any classroom for Sunday School.  We are loving it.  The members were sad to leave the old church they had been in for so long and we all had our picture taken out front the week before with all the neighborhood watching as they walked by.

New Flushing Chapel

Speaking of Marc, he is a wonderful Sunday School teacher.  He has a difficult class but seems to be able to draw them out.  I can tell when I see him interact with them that they really like him and respect him.

Two observations from today. I realized I am developing a New Yorker attitude, which may or may not be the best thing for a missionary. It may be a defense mechanism.  Some guy yelled at me for blocking the sidewalk as I was perusing the fruit stand looking for tomatoes. 9 months ago it would have bothered me. I just gave him the New York shrug and double-sided sneer that says, "WHAT??!!!" Taught him a lesson he won't soon forget! Then on the other hand, Marc and I were wandering around by the mall tonight going for a bite to eat at McD's. People were everywhere of every possible nationality and ethnic group. Walking, eating, shopping, socializing. I realized I love New York and I really do love people!

One funny incident (and maybe a lesson in judging?):  We were at Dyker Heights (Brooklyn Chinatown) today for Zone Conferences. I was the go-fer. Marc took me to the fruit stand because we were short of tomatoes for lunch, (Hence the sidewalk yeller story). Marc had to do the thing where you drop your wife off then circle the block because there was no parking. He decided to get gas so I had to wait there on the corner. I was thinking how angry some New Yorkers seem to be, like the yeller, when some guy waiting at the light started honking his horn--loud and long. There was a guy in front of him who had left a space so he wouldn't be caught in the intersection. I thought it was pretty rude and ignorant of the second guy to be so impatient. He just kept honking away--as if that would make people move! I gave him my best New Yorker glare, shook my head and looked away in disgust--idiot!! More honking--I looked again. It was Marc, honking to get my attention. I had forgotten he was in a brown mission car instead of our blue car.

And one tender mercy to share.  The week before last was transfers and along with them all the heavy paperwork.  It is our busiest week.  I hadn’t had any time to plan for Activity Day which was Friday.  By Thursday I had it half planned but knew it wouldn’t be enough.  Friday morning I was sitting at the table not knowing what to do.  I said a fervent, tearful prayer for help.  I put my head down in my arms, feeling overwhelmed.  Immediately in my mind I could see the activity exactly the way it should go.  I know the Lord supports His missionaries and I feel so blessed to be a recipient of those blessings.

 

Sister Petersen and Sister Williams on Brooklyn Bridge

At Grimaldi's in Brooklyn.  Best pizza ever!