Dear
Family and Friends—
With
snow that fell all day Saturday (and despite that, we only got 1 ½” of snow)
which looked so beautiful and Christmassy and seeing lights put out by some
people and being cold outside,
well, it’s beginning to look a LOT more like Christmas.
This
past Tuesday was transfer meeting.
We loaded up the car with mostly non-luggage items from the 8
missionaries that were leaving our area and they took their suitcases on the
train. It was snowing earlier,
looked pretty, but I worried about the roads. However, the main streets were just wet and there wasn’t all
that much traffic on the roads at the time we went—a real blessing. We got there earlier because I needed
to get the “at-home” emails addresses of the missionaries that did not write me
a story and I wanted to get a group picture of those that were going home.
I
went into the “let’s give you some practical advice before you go home”
meeting, and it was great. I told
Bro. Kaufman (1st councilor in the mission presidency) that he
needed write down all his great advise and send it to Salt Lake to
consider. I also said the parents
of the returning missionaries would appreciate what he had to say. Anyway, I was waiting for one Elder to
show up so I could get the group picture, and he didn’t show up until the end,
so that’s why I got to hear the presentation.
After
that was over, we had the usual meetings, found out who was now going back to
the Midwood area, loaded up the car with stuff and made our way back. We had just enough time to change, get
some tickets, make sure we had everything we needed and off we went to the “F”
train getting off at the Radio City Musical Hall station. We were going there to see the
“Christmas Spectacular” which included (mostly) the Rockettes. OMG—you have GOT to see this show in
NY. It was incredible! They did a lot of digital light
displays over the stage and over the ceiling and the side walls. They had a live nativity with a strong
emphasis on the birth of Christ—very religious in an over the top way. You should have seen the wise men and
their entourage. There were two
live camels and a donkey as part of the program. Of course, the Rockettes were magnificent, the music, the
costumes—all were the very best. At
the end of the show it “snowed” small squares of white tissue paper, and I mean
a LOT of white tissue paper—it was the perfect touch for the ending. Afterwards, we went to Rockefeller
Plaza and saw the tree and inside some of the stores. It wasn’t nearly as crowded as when we were with Nancy.
We
got home for dinner and then as soon as I could, I got to bed because I had a
big day the next day. Lynn and I
both took the train that morning—he was going to look for ties and I was going
to the temple. Astria Richards and
I got there about the same time.
Thank goodness, our RS President, Alice Miller (who’s worked in the
temple for a long time) were there to greet us. I was to be Astria’s escort as she took out her
endowments. Alice got both of us
in the right places at the right time and after Astria went through initiatory,
we both were able to go with a temple matron to give Astria some
instruction. I was able to go
because they had just changed the policy that didn’t allow the escort to go
with the new person for instruction, just the day before. There was just the three of us—so very
nice that way. We met up with some
missionary sisters in the chapel and then into the session room. It was nice, and important, that I had
a chance to talk with Astria about what she just experienced, and gave her some
sage advice.
Then
it was time to go home and get ready for Institute. We discussed Elder Bednar’s talk on tithing which is pretty
straightforward in many respects, and D. Lee didn’t have much to argue about. Lynn showed his lovely Christmas slide
presentation to music at the end.
We won’t have Institute for three weeks because of holiday break.
Thursday
Lynn went to the temple for a regular shift, while I stayed home to catch up
with my mission history work—also spent 2 hours writing in my journal, trying
to catch up.
I
forgot to mention that a couple of weeks ago, Lynn and I put up colored
Christmas lights on our balcony—they look so pretty. A neighbor below has a large nativity on their balcony,
complete with lots of lights; only saw one other apartment in our building with
lights—a bit sparse this year.
Also
wanted to mention that a week ago, after FHE, got a phone call from the
Salvation Army, wanting a donation.
I’ve given to that charity before.
I asked her where she called from—Arizona was the reply. I told her I was in Brooklyn serving a
mission for the LDS church. She
got very excited and said that she was engaged to an LDS guy and went to church
for the first time the day before.
We talked about her experience and I said that continuing to go back to
church was the best thing she could ever do for herself, and she told me she
would. So, an exciting little
aside in missionary work.
We
talked to J.D. Thursday night and he told us about his new Ford Escort that he
bought to replace the Outback.
Sounds like he got a nice car and a good deal, but most of all, it was
just nice to hear from him.
Bob
should be done with his MBA as of last week. Such a great achievement for both he, Moira and the family. Congratulations to you all!
Friday
was just odds and ends of things that needed to be got to. Then, Saturday, and the snow. I still went shopping in the morning. In the late afternoon we went to the
church for the ward Christmas party.
I thought it was well attended considering the weather. Turns out that we have 3 adults that
know how to play the violin—that was a surprise, but some did better than the
others in their performance.
Still, we had a great Christmas type musical program in the chapel,
complete with a very cute nativity with a 5 week old baby boy. It was interesting to see at the end,
those that were supposed to perform earlier who finally made it to the
church—delayed because of weather, but still, just in time, making it. We had yummy refreshments at the end
and just stood around and talked, one room was set up for taking pictures.
The
meetings were excellent at church yesterday. When we got home I started making Pulla bread so we could
take it to home teaching families.
I made 6 small loaves out of the one large recipe, got them frosted
right out of the oven and sprinkled sliced almonds on top. Then Lynn and I took 3 loaves and
visited for a time the Claudes, the Bien-Amis and dropped off one loaf (without
a visit) to the Neilsons—a good evenings work. Today, I’m going to make 4 quiches so we can have the zone
over for brunch this Thursday morning.
I
hope all is going well for your Christmas plans. Get better, Moira—no fun to be sick and pregnant. Be careful driving to Utah, J.D., and
enjoy your Christmas stay in the house.
Also, have fun in N. Carolina with the fam, Matt and Rebekah. Hope you are recovering nicely from
your surgery, Ken. The church is
true—so grateful to be here in NY celebrating this special season of the year.
Love to
you all—Kathy/Mom
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