Miscellaneous Musings

Last week we were able to accompany 21 missionaries to the temple in Manhattan, and it was a wonderful experience, as usual!  As we've mentioned before, we love to watch them engage people in conversation in their own language in the subway. People seem to open like flowers when someone (especially Caucasian) speaks to them fluently in their own language. It doesn't mean they are ready and will listen, but the chances seem much greater in their own language!  

23 missionaries (including us) in one subway car

We also went out to Patchogue (pronounced 'patch hog') to get a car Tiwi unit replaced and re-glue a couple of others.  We are so thankful that we get to get out and around and see areas we haven't seen before!  The Patchogue chapel is a phase one church with a twist I hadn't seen before – it has a small carpeted cultural hall with a full-width curtain at one end.  When you open the curtain there's a small (10 ft.) full-width room with the pulpit, stand, organ/piano and Sacrament table. So, they set up chairs in the cultural hall and open the curtains for church meetings. 

Patchogue Chapel

I have 13 driving tests set up next week, so I thought I’d talk a little about the tests and informal rules of the road in NYC.  Stateside missions are not required to give driving tests, and most missions don’t bother if the missionary has a license and a decent state driving record.  However, driving in NYC is different enough (!) that the mission decided a while ago that there is value to doing it.  I like it because I get a feeling for how they are behind the wheel, and, to tell the truth, most of the time I actually know everything I need to know within one minute.  The rest of the time is for me to impress on them the unwritten rules of driving in the city.  Here they are: 

1. There are two things that will get you honked at: a) If you don’t start quick enough on a green light (usually the cars 5 or 6 back will honk).  b) If the other drivers don’t know what the heck you are trying to do. (Cutting someone off will get you honked at, too, but I don’t count that because it’s true anywhere.) 

2. You have to tell other drivers and pedestrians what you are doing by car movement.  (Signal lights just don’t cut it.) For example, if you want to get into a solid line of vehicles, you can sit there with your signal on for a long time without any results.  Or, you can establish your intent by inching forward, and then a space will open a little wider, which means, “I’m letting you in if you’ve got the guts to do it now.”  It’s not rude--You aren’t forcing your way in assuming they will let you in.  That’s just how you ask!  Then, if you are polite, after you get in you give them a little wave of thanks… 

3. I have found that (in general) drivers here are just as polite as anywhere else (more so than Utah) as long as you follow rules #1 & #2.  True, there is a lot more honking here than at home, but I attribute that to the fact that literally half the cars on the road are taxis or other hired cars. 

One of the ways I seem to get the most growth here is by helping others!  I still have the first thought of, "Not now, I'm so busy!! (Or 'it's inconvenient', or 'I'd have to get all dressed up' , or, …).  To tell the truth, I've always had those thoughts (people never seem to need help at convenient times!), but I learned a long time ago just to get going and the good feelings will follow.  The progress I'm seeing is, now the good feelings come quicker than they used to...  Maybe someday, the willingness to help will come immediately, but not yet, so I have to be satisfied with baby steps!!  It's just one more way that I'm trying to catch up with Diane.  A mission is great for me!  I would often much rather be home working on projects and puttering around to my own schedule, but my growth has always been closely tied to the effort of my service, so THIS IS THE PLACE I NEED TO BE.  We love you all!  Thanks for your support and love!!