Week 16 September 6-12

Connie Moncur Barrow arrived today.  We met her at the airport and were on our way to seeing NY

Mar Jean & Connie at JFK

Connie served here in NY 51 years ago and served three weeks at the World's Fair

Connie and I

So well taken care of

We found the Unifsphere.  The only thing left of the fair that is in good condition.  The US Open was also going on while we were walking by.  

Wednesday we took the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.  We took time to walk around and listen to the audio tour.  

Statue after walking around it.  

Ellis Island on the same trip.

Ellis Island

One day we went to three museums.  The MoMo, The Frick and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  What a fun time.  So great to go with someone who knows something about the art and the masters.

The Met

Museum of Modern Art

Didn't get a picture of the Frick but it was my favorite.

Here I am with the Starry Starry night by Van Gogh

We found the Empire State Bldg. after wandering around a bit and also the Mood Fabric Center

Another day we found the old Eastern States Mission Home on 5th Avenue which Connie lived in for six months.  Pretty impressiave, right across from Central Park

Mission Home

We also went to the Museum of Natural History.  We had to walk around the whole building before we could find an entry that did not have a thousand stairs.

Foyer of Natural History museum

A store preparing for the day.  They look so good.

Saturday night after the temple Connie and I caught the subway and went to Times Square to see "Beautiful" the Carole King story.  It was wonderful.  We really enjoyed it.  When we came out there was a Marine marching band and bagpipe band marching down the street.

We have been on the subway so many times this week.  Some days have been so very hot.  It has been miserable.  Other days we would hop a train and that wasn't to bad.

I saw my first rats in the subway Saturday night.

Sunday we lost our Assistant Ward Mission Leader job.  Brother Knowlton was called as Ward Mission Leader which will be wonderful.  Both he and his wife have served missions and he is excited to go out with the missionaries and get some more help from the Ward.  

Paul left for Church Sunday morning for a 7 am Stake Priesthood meeting.  We met him at 11:30 and then had our correlation meeting with the missionaries and got home around 4:30.  

Monday Connie and I took a cruise line boat tour around Manhattan.  We started at Pier 83.  It was great having someone tell us about all the buildings and bridges.  We went down the Hudson out to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island then back up the East River.  I learned that the United Nations building was on the east side of the island.  From there we went up the Harlem River and back down the Hudson stopping just two piers from where "Sully", the pilot who landed a plane full of 155 passengers in the Hudson River about six years ago.  We had just gone to see the movie that week. 

We had a wonderful visit with Connie and were so glad she could come.  Her trip to the airport the next day was an excursion.  We left early about 5:45 to catch the 1 and got off at 50th for the E train.  After climbing down three flights of stairs we wait and then hear the announcement that the E train is not running.  Up the stairs we go and then had to walk three blocks to the F train.  We made it to the airport at 7:30 which was her goal.   

She had some great missionary experiences on her trip home.  She is a missionary wherever she goes.  Such a blessing to call her friend.