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!