Week 26 November 22 - 28

Heading into the holiday season and also our last week on the evening shift at the temple.  We have grown to love the coordinators and ordinance workers on these shifts.  On Tuesday nights we served with Brother and Sister Duffy, on Wednesday Sisters Ko and Volk, Thursday Sister Kristensen, who is moving a having a baby in February and Sister Wilcox, Friday Brother and Sister Hocenjak and Slaughs and Saturday Sister Lopez, Mahamad, May, Gibson and Russell.

Wednesday we prepared for Thanksgiving by taking a bus ride to Costco to get our pies for dinner.  Always an experience when we try to bring things home on the bus.  Our pies did not fit into our cart so we pout them on their side until we realized they were shifting.  Our hope was that whipped cream would save the day and it did.  While at Costco having hot dogs and pizza we met five Spanish missionaries from the area.  We invited them to lunch and had a good visit with them.

Spanish Missionaries Sisters McDougle (South Jordan), Vasquez, (Weber), Cruz (Mexico), Elders Jagnesux (Orem), Elder Allen (Texas).  It was their Pday.  We sent them home with pumpkin pies

Checking out the parade route for the 4 am setup

At 4 am Paul got us up to take chairs down the street to the parade route along with Elders Mumford, Holloway and Dransfield.  We carried the camp chairs down in the grocery cart and the folding chairs on the cart in the lobby and then I came back to bed until 7:30.  Paul and some of the other guys were back and forth saving our seats.  We had about 40 chairs and we had excellent seats for watching the parade.  It was lots of fun.  Sister Mumford brought hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls for everyone.

These three kids stood behind us and shouted the names of every balloon that came by.  They were so cute.

Parade route beginning

First horses we saw in the parade

Parade beginning

Lots of trombones, keep playing Robbie

Santa 

BELIEVE

Last Monday I went to Sister Mumfords apartment and learned to make rolls.  I came home and made some of my own so I would know how.  Hers are delicious.  They are from Clifton, Utah and he is a sealer here.

After the parade we walked around the area and then at 4 pm we went to President and Sister Bench's for dinner with about 16 of us.  President Bench made the yams, dressing and Sister Bench cooked the turkey breasts and everyone else added to it.  Even Sister Wilson left some frozen strawberry jam for us.

Thanksgiving Dinner Group

Melba Grimley with a plate full of desserts

Saturday we coordinated the evening shift for the Russells.  It went well even though we were short a few people.  We had some fairly good groups come to the temple so it was a wonderful way to finish out this 3 month session.  We love President and Sister Nixon.  They worked with us and everyone is so helpful Sister Orser, Mitchell, Peterson and Hahn were so willing to do whatever I asked and there were lots of changes.  Of course the missionaries are the best.  The Harris's were last out and the Grimley's were tied up in being guide to a family who were being sealed but came to the temple without the correct recommends so that took several hours to straighten out.  Life is good and the Lord is in charge and miracles occur all the time when involved with the Lord's work.  We are just happy to be some of His hands in this great work.

Our friend Dan Wilson passed away last week from pancreatic cancer.  He and Shelly put up a great fight over the last year.  He was a good good man we knew in Camarillo.  He had gone through a divorce and was raising his two younger kids when Paul was Bishop.  He met and married Shelly from North Carolina and they were sealed in the LA Temple.  After Sarah had graduated he finally moved back to NC and then contracted this horrible disease.

We came home Saturday night to a "you have a package" notice.  So Paul went down to get it and a big surprise from Debbie.  "Merry Christmas"  Mar Jean, Thank you for all you do for me and my family.  I saw this and it reminded me of you so I hope you like it and I hope you have a very merry Christmas.  Love Debbie".  So sweet and thoughtful.  I am truly blessed by a wonderful family.  Mom and Dad did good.

Merry Christmas from Debbie & Mike

A wonderful time of year to stop and reflect on the many blessings we have received from our Heavenly Father.  Our children all had wonderful Thanksgiving day with their in-laws.  We are so very blessed by their generosity.

We spent Sunday evening attending a interactive discussion on Israel and Jewish migration.  Very interesting and informative by the Altmans.

Monday Paul did the laundry and I walked to the post office and bank to send off missionary Christmas boxes.  Tonight is the Winter Festival at Lincoln Center with the tree lighting.

Sister Balley and Sister Felice leaving to return to SLC Temple Square

Mar Jean, Kathy Nabors, and Barbara Heideman going out to Winter Festival

Attended a concert at Professional Children;s School.  These are a few of the talented students.

Lighting of the tree in Lincoln Center

 

Sister Atkinson at Lincoln Center

Ice sculpturing outside temple

Week 25 November 15 - 21

We are getting pretty close to the end of our evening schedule.  We have been midday coordinators Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday between 4 - 6.  Just seeing that things are covered.  The temple is basically shut down from 5 - 6 when the evening shift comes in and has preparation meeting.  We also have a break at that time, however, one of us is in the clothing area all the time.

We went in Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and did the 12:30 session.  Some days we are needed as witness couple but at least we are needed for a prayer circle.  We have also been able to complete quite a few family names that Darlene has been giving us.  It's wonderful to be a patron as well as a worker.

Thursday we went down to Macy's to see their Christmas trees.  All filled with ornaments of different kinds.   Friday we caught the bus and went to Panda Express on the M66 bus.  What a busy life.  We did need to walk to Western Beef for some milk, ice cream and a few other things.

Friday we went to the movies to see "Inferno" I got busy and made some cookies to take in.  Sister Heideman's recipe with the cake mix.  So very easy, could make them in half an hour.  Saturday I decided to make cinnamon rolls from Mom's recipe and take them to the temple in case members of our Ward showed up for for Ward Temple Day.  Elder & Sister Richards and Sister Phillips were the only ones there.  I ended up giving the rolls to Brother Kopinik and Sister Bench.

Today I took out some of the rolls for the Missionaries.  It was transfer and we lost two Sisters and one Elder.  We saw Elder Sumsion and he got one.  Darlene sent us a bunch of new names

new haircuts

 

our new apartment furniture put in Thursday and Friday

 

Elder & Sister Lewis and Eric Bila who will be moving to Portland Maine and then Utah.  He has been in our Temple Prep class.  We will miss him but hope to keep in touch. 

Sister Missionaries in the Manhattan Ward.  Sister Wilecka is from Kansas

Temple Missionaries and new Temple Presidency.
FHE to welcome all new missionaries and presidency

Week 24 November 8 - 14

Listened to two great conference talks this morning, Elder Nattress "No Greater Joy than Know That They Know" and Elder Schmutz "God Shall Wipe Away All Tears".  Now we are off to the temple for the 12:30 session.  We have enjoyed going Tues, Wed and Thur on a session before going back at 3:30 for our service.

Great day at the temple even though it was very slow as far as patrons.  We saw a new training video on how workers should treat our patrons.  Very touching and inspiring reminding us of how we should act as the Savior would.

Last evening Sister May was in the temple.  Sunday she took a fall and hurt her nose.  After our session I asked if she had had a blessing.  I invited her to have Paul give her a blessing.  She came to our home and then we walked her home thru the park so instead of taking 40 minutes to walk around the park we walked thru the park in 20 minutes.  She is a wonderful patron and coordinator.

Talked to Linn this morning.  She is doing well and Pete is talking about a mission in 2017.  Hooray for her.

Today we have a new president elect  Donald Trump.  It has been quite a rocky ride getting to this point.  Now if we can all gather together and do good things for our country.  Our main thing is to turn to God and again keep His commandments if we expect to prosper and grow.  So disappointed that California passed a marijuana legalization law.  So very sad.

Our great walk thru Central Park

Alice in Wonderland Statue

The Newsomes from Kingbridge 2nd Ward

Gage, Tyler and Josh

Kory and Katie

Tyler at two Sadies dance

Josh, Kory, Gage, Katie and Tyler

Week 23 Nov 1 - 7

We had three great sessions this week.  We have been going over for the 12:30 session on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  Sometimes we are needed as the witness couple and sometimes we just help to fill up the prayer circle but they are all good.

Missionaries outside the temple (Elder Staker)

we have had lots of laundry this week.  The missionaries came Tues and Wednesday, about 20 or more each day and we are still getting tourists who are in the city.  Always fun to see where they are from, mostly Utah.

High Line (old subway train above ground.  turned into a walking park in the late 90's.  Built in the 20's to haul warehouse products to third story buildings along the waterfront.)

High Line 

Out in front 

Finish line of the NYC Marathon 

Friday morning we took off to see some of the city.  We realized we haven't been out for awhile.  We headed to the High Line to walk the three mile path of an old above ground subway from the 1920's which use to haul meat, produce etc. to the third story warehouses along the west side.  When trucks came in and took most of that over it fell into ruin.  Rather than tear it out in the 80's they made it into a beautiful walking path and park.  From there we ran into the NYC Library.  Connie had said it was a beautiful building and it is.  It is made of granite and is stunning.  The ceilings are painted and beautiful.  From there we were headed for Five Guys where we finally had lunch.

Beautiful view of the city from High Line

View of the ceiling in the NYC Library, a beautiful building

On the way home we came through Central Park where we found the NY Marathon finish line.  Right here close to our apartment on 67th and West Park.  Maybe we can see it from our roof.

Saturday evening after the temple we hurried to catch the train to the Saturday evening stake conference session.  We got there 10 minutes late.  it was a wonderful meeting.  The theme was to gain a conviction of the Savior Jesus Christ.  2 Nephi 26:12-13 convincing of Jews and Gentiles also that Jesus is the Christ.  President Jeffries pleaded with us to do those things that invite the Spirit into our lives, increase our gospel study, complete and strict obedience brings miracles, obedience brings blessings.

Pres. Jeffries:  Put the Lord first in our lives.

1. Holy garments--review marks daily
2. last conversation of the day is with the Lord--earnest prayer
3. first thing you read is the scriptures
4. scriptures are written on our hearts and keep us from evil
5. D&C 6:36 look unto me in every thought and doubt NOT
6. D&C 109:  prayer of the sacrament suggests a willingness--when we receive his Holy Spirit in the temple "grow up in me" receive a fullness.  
7. Ultimate goal--temple blessings and ordinances

Sunday we again went out to the conference session and it was wonderful.  

That evening we had the Temple Devotional with the new Presidency President and Sister Bench, Nixon and Bean all speaking to us.  We have a wonderful group to work with.  Well attended even though it was the NY Marathon finishing up that day.  

Monday I went with Sister Thompson and Nabors down to see the NYC Library.  Found out it was closed for a fund raiser so walked through some shops at Bryant Park then down 5th Avenue walking in and out of Sacs 5th Ave, Tiffany's Gormans and a few other really high end stores.  Ended up walking through the Park and to the Chinese restaurant Empire for a late lunch.  Paul stayed home and did the laundry and rested.  A very lovely day. 

Bryant Park ice rink

Sunday Conference in Westchester Stake 

Sister Fergeson, Bishop's wife, Sister Green and her companion 

 

More missionaries

Sister Francine Fergeson and me 

Finish line after the race Sunday night 

Sacs 5th Avenue getting ready for Christmas 

Finally made it inside Bergoff Goodman (most expensive store in NY)

Sister Thompson, marathon runner and Sister Nasbor

A really fun day with these Sisters.