Week 52 May 2 - 8

Our time for going home is getting closer.  Trying to think of what we would still like to do here in NY but nothing much comes to mind.  I guess e are ready.  We had a wonderful week in the temple.  We went in every day to do a session.  Sometimes they needed us as a witness couple and sometimes not.  It was just great to be there.  We also were able to get more of our names completed.  We should be about finished with all the ones Darlene has sent us by the time we leave.  It has been wonderful to do sealings with President Garff on Thursday mornings.  We are always joined or we join them, the Hansens, The Adams, Sister Dransfield who have many family names they have been working on.  This is when we get to have three or more children around the altar and sealed together.  What a special experience.  President Garff also teaches the brethren how too escort their brides to the altar.  Makes us feel really special.  

I got to work with Sister Grace Loppolo this week in clothing and baptistery.  She shared her conversion story with me.  She is a single sister from Brooklyn.  She is so cute.  Dark curly hair and a NY accent that is so sweet.  Her father died when she was young but she has always felt him near her.  She has had several dreams where he has come to her.  One time he brought her to a pool of water that was so beautiful she could hardly stand it and she was given a book which just brought so much joy into her life.  Another time she was in Las Vegas and from a distance saw the temple.  Again she felt this wonderful spirit engulf her and she just wanted to know what it was.  She was searching for the truth but did not know where to find it.  She had been praying over the years to find it.  She had also over the years seen the Mormon Ads about family and longed for such a family.  One evening she was watching tv and an ad came up and said you could receive a Bible.  She immediately called and shortly thereafter the missionaries showed up on her doorstep.  She was golden and was baptized.  She said it has not been an easy journey.  After the first year her missionary's family invited her to SL and she received her endowment.  Again things were not easy but she persevered and shortly after we arrived she became an ordinance worker in the Manhattan Temple.  I love her.  She is a wonderful example of a disciple of Jesus Christ. 

We have met so many people just like Sister Lopoppoolo  here in the Manhattan Temple.  Sister Interiano, Sister Vanzant and many more who are so faithful.

Sunday we had a MultiRegional Conference for the Eastern US Area with President Gong conducting and Sister Bonnie H. Cordon, Elder Perkins, President Gong and Elder Dallin H. Oaks all speaking.  

After the conference we met the Holloways and started our journey to Wilton, CN to visit Lynne Orhn and her cousin Salley Webb.  We had a wonderful weekend.  She lives in a lovely home right on the river.  It is so beautiful and filled with gorgeous azaleas that are in bloom   

Sally, Mar Jean, Lynne, Elaine

Lynne and her husband Fred Orhn

Mar Jean, Lynne, Elaine

Lynne's beautiful family

Lynne, Mar jean and Elaine at Pear Beach on a Bench dedicated to Fred

Their Rolls Royce, which has the battery taken out

Sally and Lynne

her lovely home

beautiful waterfalls along a lovely path nearby 

We had a good visit Sunday evening and first went for a walk along the river.  An Eagle Scout just the year before but in a path and some benches right next to her home. She and Sally fed us a delicious dinner or salmon, chicken salad, kale salad and banana bread.with whipped cream and strawberries.  We were stuffed.  Elder Holloway started a fire to keep us warm and when it was time to go to bed Paul and I slept on the floor on a single mattress and two cushions from a small sofa and the Holloway's got the double sofa.  There are lots of windows in this second story room so we were all up by 6:30 and went for a little drive until Lynne was ready to go.  After a delicious breakfast she took us to see a couple of homes, she is a realtor.  The first was a Frank Lloyd Wright home, and the caretaker let us walk thru it.  $7.500,000 for 16 acres.  We had seen one of his other homes in Rochester.  We then went to another home, totally different, more colonial which was $8,200,000.  From there we picked up Sally and went to Pear Beach in Darien. We left from there and caught the traiin back to Grand Central which arrived just in time to catch the S train to Time Square and then the 1 to 66th.  A beautiful day.

We ended it by going to our last FHE at the Benches.  The Youngs were in charge of the dinner and it was wonderful.  We had Cafe Rio chicken salad and fruit.  So delicious.  We then sang a new song written by Elder Moody, from SL Senior Missionary office, "Come to the Temple".  Each of us, Holloways and Lewises said our testimonies.  I was so proud of Paul.  He has been working on his for months and probably had a 30 minute talk prepared but he did so great and kept it short but powerful.  I am truly blessed to be sealed to such a great man.  I am so grateful Heavenly Father guided me to him and he has blossomed into a wonderful husband and priesthood holder.  He has blessed my life in so many ways.  I love him dearly and am grateful for his goodness and his ability to keep me grounded.  We were given a packet of notes from the missionaries of things we remind them of.  Paul says we can't open them until we get home.  

Elder and Sister Heideman also sent out a note with our last schedule which made us feel good.
"Dear Sisters & Elders,

Attached is the schedule for the temple missionaries.  Please note that you have just a few days to bid a fond farewell to Brother and Sister Lewis. They will be serving at the temple every day this week and the following Tuesday before flying home to Utah on May 17.   Brother Heideman and I are especially sad to see them leave as they were our trainers, but I know we will all miss them greatly. They have been diligent ordinance workers, have constantly opened their home to feed and care for others, have made sure that none of us lose weight with their delicious treats, have helped with the cleaning on Wednesday nights when the rest of us have gone home, have researched and served as proxy for many of their ancestors.  In summary, they have set a higher standard for all of us and we will surely miss them!"

And with that, I look forward to serving one more week with them and you!