COLD Week!

This last week winter finally hit the city!  Temperature has peaked each day in the low 20’s, with the wind chill taking it to around 0 degrees.  I went out and walked for a mile Friday morning (dropping a car off at Maaco), and found that, fully dressed for cold, you can keep everything warm except your face!  It made me feel bad for the elders and sisters, many of whom are not really prepared for extreme cold!!  (I also wondered how they keep their runny nose in check while greeting people outside…) All I can say is that the beanies and hand warmers given out in the Christmas packages are now being put to good use! I don’t think I had ever really felt a COLD wind that cuts right through you before coming to NYC.

Parking lot under the Flushing Church

Looking out the church window (16 Deg F, 0 with wind chill)

Diane and I went to Staten Island on Thursday to swap cars with some elders to get body work done.  It was under 20 miles during the low traffic hours, and it still took 90 minutes each way!  The BQE (Brooklyn-Queens Expressway) always has bad traffic due to construction and congestion.  We couldn’t help thinking that this may be our last trip to Staten Island, so it was necessary to go to the “Z Diner”, one of our favorites, for lunch.  Then, next week will be my last monthly vehicle reports, and the week after that will be our last set of MegaZone Conferences!  I’m not sad to see all the work end, but it’s still a little nostalgic!  We love the relationships with the young missionaries and the senior missionaries!!

At "Z Diner" on Staten Island

As I think about the new year, I know the resolution I really need to meet is to continue to study the scriptures every day like I have on my mission!  I’ve mostly always read the scriptures, but have been far too weak in studying them!  It will be interesting to see what the next year brings.  I know I will be doing many serious home projects, but I can’t help but wonder about what callings and assignments Diane & I will receive. (My worst fear is that Diane will be called again to be a seminary teacher, with me as a co-teacher.  I really don’t want to work that hard.  Luckily, we’ll return home more than half way through the school year, so most seminary positions should be filled…)

We had another one of those sad experiences this week where one of our former office elders had to go home for medical reasons.  He was in the office van probably four months ago when it got rear-ended, and in spite of regular medical attention, his headaches have gotten worse and worse.  I think he will be OK, since he served 18 months, and he will be able to answer all the well-meaning (but rude) questions at home in the ward.  It is really hard for any missionary to come home early, because our church culture seems to equate it as a failure, but IT ISN’T. Service is service, and often we have no control over what actually happens in mortality.  I for one will try to do a better job of just loving return missionaries, no matter how long they serve!

On a happier note – Angie and Allen and their family moved into their long-awaited new home in Clinton, Utah last night.  What an exciting time for them!!  They had been living in Allen’s parent’s basement for 5 or 6 months while the house was being built, a very stressful proposition for all involved!  Many thanks to Ron and Gaylene for helping to make the kids’ dream possible!!  We know they will be blessed for this service! Speaking of service, Diane and I still love our missionary service!  What a blessing it is to learn to love so many new people, and we know that even if we don’t see them again in this life, we will always be friends!!!

Radio City Music Hall

Saint Patrick Cathedral

Inside Saint Patricks

It's Christmas Time in the City

I made the mistake last week of saying this week would be a calm one.  I learned my lesson as this one ended up being very busy.  Transfers should never be allowed to take place on the week before Christmas.

Transfers

Saying goodbye to Sister Wuthrich

This was a kind of sad transfer since this group of departing missionaries were the ones we had known the longest.  Many spiritual giants left the city of New York to return to their families.  So many of them will be in our hearts forever. 

I spent most of the week doing investigative work to see which of the missionaries did not receive packages so we could provide them with a special gift bag.  I had it narrowed down to 50 names and Sister Reynolds and I spent some time texting and calling to find out if they had received their Christmas packages yet.  Sister Reynolds was the one who got to call the parents to ask them if they had sent their son/daughter anything.  We were able to get it down to 20 missionaries which was 10 fewer than last year. 

Elder Talbot and Elder Serruto Dias (office elders
aka "Santa's Helpers")

On Friday we divided up the mail and packages and gift bags among the Office Elders and the Senior Missionaries and spent the day delivering them.  Marc and I took the east end of Long Island, calling it our “Farewell Mission Tour.”  It ended up being easier than expected.  The Zone leaders were more than eager to play Santa and we even provided some Santa hats.

We got back to the office to find that packages were still pouring in.  I also had several emails from frantic parents saying they had overnighted gifts and was there any way I could be in the office Saturday to get them and make sure they got to their kids.  I tried to be patient, as I can understand their anxiety and desire for their kids to have a nice Christmas, and I know they have no way of knowing what a monumental task it is to deliver to Staten Island or Brooklyn or to many of the far-reaching corners of the mission.

I had one experience that reminded me that the Lord is with His missionaries and sometimes helps us to do the seemingly impossible.  I was having trouble updating some paperwork that I absolutely needed to get done this week.  In the meantime, there were constant interruptions from missionaries, delivery persons, people giving me new responsibilities etc..  I finally had to leave it for the day after only finishing a couple of pages.  When I came in the next morning to work on it I kept turning pages to find that I had already finished most of them (or someone had anyway).  I know that when the Lord gives us responsibilities, He provides a way for us to accomplish them.

Looking from Saks 5th Avenue towards the
 tree at Rockefeller Center

Yesterday Marc went into Manhattan with Jay for a tour of the Christmas lights.  It sounded very impressive and I was sorry I missed it.  Maybe Marc will write more about it next week.  I couldn’t attend because Arianna, the little deaf girl in our Primary, was baptized.  It was interesting with the Spanish speaker being translated on one side into English by one of our Spanish sisters and on the other side into ASL by one of the ASL speakers who knows both Spanish and ASL along with English.  I am always amazed at how many of our missionaries are multi-lingual at age 19.

Today we had a one-hour Sacrament (actually it was only 50 minutes.  The Relief Socity sang and then the brethren and then the Primary (my personal favorite).  Afterwards, there was a light lunch and mingling.  The people in this branch sure love to be together.

The Sisters in the Branh love each other and much fun and
laughters ensue in the taking of a picture such as this.

David and Elder Williams compare ties.  I think I will miss
David the most when we have to leave.

I'm grateful to have some down-time today to reflect and think about my Savior and what Christmas really means to me.  This week in Bible Study Class we were reading about the death and resurrection of the Savior and it seemed so appropriate because the Atonement is the true meaning of Christmas and the reason for the birth of the Savior.  

Tomorrow we will feed between 8-12 missionaries a Christmas dinner.  Actually, I will do the cooking and Marc and Jay will ferry the food back and forth to the church. 

I wish I could feed more but am only allowed to invite the ones in this area.  After that I should have a calm week.  WAIT!  I didn’t say that!

The Quiet Week Before Transfers

It’s another one of those weeks where I’ll just start writing and see what comes up.  Last week was the typical week before transfers (although our last one).  It’s usually a pretty quiet week, and this one was mostly quiet.  (Diane may disagree, since she had to prepare a talk, and the lesson and music for primary, plus prepare for the Christmas packages for missionaries without packages from home, and handle all the incoming Christmas packages and mail.  Yes, she works harder than me…).  The week before last, the church replaced all the GPS/driving units in the cars with a newer model, so I spent most of the week fielding calls about issues with the new units. There were a few serious issues, but a lot of it was calls like, “This crazy thing gets me for aggressive driving WAY more than the last one did!!” or, “This one only lets me go 5 miles over the speed limit, instead of 7 like the last one!” Fun being a dad to 50 drivers…

We did have our first snow storms of the year last week.  On Monday and Friday, we got 3 or 4 inches each storm, but they had salted the roads so well ahead of the storms that the roads actually stayed relatively clear.  (That’s why you should never buy a car that’s lived in the NE.)  In Seattle, 4 inches of snow would pretty much shut things down for a couple of days, but not here. Diane and I walked a few blocks Friday night in the snow to go get dinner at ‘Steve’s Pizza’, and it was fun! (I had a couple of pepperoni rolls instead of pizza, and they were excellent!!)

On Saturday we got together with the senior missionaries to put together the 30 bags for missionaries who for one reason or another are not getting anything from home. It went really well, and we had fun talking and eating (and working, a little) together!  It takes some faith to know how many will actually need them, since as of Friday there were still 70 or so that had received nothing.  It will all come together this week and work out fine (but we have no idea how!).  We’ll be getting together Friday to spread over the mission and deliver last-minute packages and the bags!!  (It would be nice if the roads are clear…)

Last night was our branch Christmas party.  It was scheduled for 6:00-9:30, and because of the diligent efforts of President Garcia, it actually started on time!  (They were still decorating, and only 10% of the food had arrived, but there was still plenty of food…I saw some food coming in as late as 8:00, so there was fresh food whenever you came.) We left after the dinner, program and games, just before the dancing started.  We love to dance, by my Latin repertoire is pretty slim, so Jay and I convinced Diane to leave.  We just can’t believe how much we love these people and how much they love being together!!  They don’t do everything per the traditional church culture, but we can all learn a lot from them!  Diane and I were commenting on the fact that we may find the activities dull when we get home!  Here, it’s all about being together, not decorations or organization or even skilled entertainment!!  We love it!

Diane gave her talk today, and it was EXCELLENT.  She has a way of speaking with love with an audience, instead of preaching to them, and I love to hear her talk.  She prepared to speak for 15 minutes, and at the last minute the branch presidency found out about an additional speaker from the stake, so she had to cut it short, but you couldn’t tell.  (One good thing about not having a written bulletin is that the congregation is clueless with the change and drama behind the scenes…)

Friday we had our normal (and last) transfer meeting, held the Friday before transfers.  In attendance is President & Sister Reynolds, the assistants to the president, the Shapiros ($ & transportation), the Carlins (housing), and us (vehicles & food). At the meeting the president goes through all the changes that will occur Tuesday, so we can all get our parts ready for the changes (new trios, ending trios, new apartments needed, apartments to be empty temporarily, vehicles needed, vehicles not needed (temporarily), new drivers needed).  Since the number of missionaries constantly ebbs and flows, there’s a ton that goes on behind the scenes to make it all work out!!  (Then all the missionaries try to weasel information out of us Saturday, Sunday and Monday!)  We love the people we work with, and we love the work!!!

President Reynolds, Elder Brown (outgoing AP), Elder Ha (new AP)

Elder Asplund (AP

Shapiros, Diane, Carlins, President Reynolds

Rat curled up in a warm place away from the snow

(but too warm - he didn't survive)

People and cart escalators in the Brooklyn Costco

Sister Postma and the Carlins in a crowded subway

Never a Dull Moment in the Big City

Sydney Hunter Black

First things first.  I have to share a picture of our new granddaughter, Sydney.  I’m sure glad we senior missionaries get to go home for new babies, or as we call it when we request a leave of absence for “critical family events”.  I was a little surprised at how much I missed my primary class.  I have gotten quite attached to them.  But being home made me look forward to coming home to spend more time with my family and to have much more snuggle time with the grandkids.  

Austin called me after I got back to New York to tell me that I could come visit him anytime.  He was so cute.  He slept in the walk-in closet so that I could have his room.  He kept walking around saying, “I sleep in a closet.”  We hope he didn’t tell his primary teacher that.  Courtney says he loves the closet and cries when he has to actually sleep in his own room.

Elder Williams & Jay

I was home five days and came back to a whirlwind of activity here in New York.  Last Saturday Marc & I took the subway into the temple with a convert, Patricia, that I had helped teach and fellowship.  It was a great day.  Then later that night we went back into the city with Jay who took some of us senior missionaries to the Lincoln Center chapel to attend their Christmas Concert.  It was quite magical.  The chapel is in the same building as the temple.  The lights and decorations around the temple were beautiful and there were carolers from the North Mission outside.  My favorite part of the concert was watching our ASL Sisters, Sisters Watkins and Price, interpreting the songs.  They were so entertaining and “sang” beautifully. 

After concert outside Manhattan Temple

Sister Adams preparing to feed 180 people

This past week was Mega-zone conferences—four of them.  My job, once again, was to feed everyone.  I worked with Sister Adams and we put on quite a feast.  It was the missionaries’ official Christmas Dinner so our budget was doubled.  We had ham, baked potatoes, salad, vegetables and dessert--the whole nine yards.  It still amazes me how much I am able to do that I would never have been able to at home.  Just one of the mega-zones would have wiped me out for a week but, with the Lord’s help I was able to keep going and going. 

Brother Ott, who is over the driver accountability program (tiwis) came from Salt Lake and spoke at our conferences.  He told the president, and the missionaries that we had the best Vehicle Coordinator in all the church and that he (Marc) is always on top of things.  I’m pretty proud of him.  He does do a great job trying to keep the missionaries safe and the cars looking decent.

 Our ASL sisters, who have one of the new RAV 4s got to the conference complaining about a horrible smell in their car.  Brother Ott lifted the hood and found the culprit.  The elders were willing to help us out.

Brave Elders and rat friend

Also during the conference they showed a beautiful slideshow presentation made from pictures of the missionaries taken throughout the year.  It was very touching and made us sad to be leaving such wonderful young people.

Saturday was our trainer/trainee meeting.  I only had to feed them pizza but we did have to give up our P-day.  We didn’t mind.  I even had enough energy left over to have our friend, Jay over for dinner today.  Although it doesn’t really take much energy to entertain good friends.

Sunday Marc spoke in Sacrament Meeting.  No bias here but I really do think it is the best talk I’ve heard for a long time.  He truly is a great speaker.  I looked around a couple of times and everyone was mesmerized.  Well, maybe not mesmerized but there were many tears and I could tell they loved his talk.

In my spare time I have been working on Christmas for the missionaries who won’t receive any gifts.  I asked the parents to mark their Christmas packages so I will know who doesn’t receive anything.  I didn’t ask for help but, wow, the parents really stepped up to the tune of over $1000 in gifts and cash!  We received way more than we can use so we will use any left over money to help missionaries whose families were impacted by the hurricanes or who are from warmer countries and can’t afford winter coats, gloves, etc..  It makes my heart feel so warm when I think of the kindness and generosity of these wonderful parents.  This is the time of year I get to know some of them through emails and I love it.

Yesterday we were blessed with snow.  It left a beautiful covering of snow over everything and added to our season of joy.  We really will miss New York!

Elder Serna & friend.  I did make him wash his
hands really well after.

Spanish Sisters with Lene (from Brazil).  Our Spanish class
had a baby shower for her.

Elder & Sister Adams at Costco Mega-zone shopping spree
 They're great!